A Year in Review

Wow, it has been quite the year, a lot of firsts for the Smith Family. I tried to highlight one event each month. I am looking forward to 2009 and all that it has in store for us.

23 Items knitted

36 swaps completed

152 blog posts completed including this one

Too many estate sales to count

I had 3 different blogs

1 Trip across the US

2 schools in one year for Gwen, 3 for Gabby
1 new job for Chad
So many new blogger friends made
3 Trips to the beach


January: Graham turned one, and we found out we were moving to NC.

February: Last trip to the Mustard flowers in the beautiful Napa Valley.

March: One LOOOONG journey across the US from CA to NC.

April: we purchased a riding Lawn mower for our crazy yard.

May: Our first trip to the east coast beaches.

June: The opening of my Shoppe: http://Roseylittlethings.com

July: The kids first fourth of July being able to do our own fireworks!

August: a fun beach trip with my family from CA.

September: I made homemade applesauce, peach Jam, an apple pie and stored peaches for the winter. We have one small bag of peaches left:(

October: Fun Halloween

November brought beautiful fall colors and TONS of leaves.

We also got our first snow.

December brought the exciting news of a fourth pregnancy.
Due date August 8th, 2009

I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Book Review

I guess this will be the last book review of the year. I am currently reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. It is the most read book behind the bible. Chad just read it for the second time and then gave it to me to read. It is a super thick book with extra small print, so it will take me awhile to get through. I read about 6 books while Chad was reading this one.

A few books ago I read Janet Evanovich's Foul Play- this was probably my least favorite of her books. It was a quick read, just very predictable.

Next I read Twlight by Stephenie Meyer: Which I loved!! Gabby is reading it now. Nice to have a book that I can read and feel comfortable letting my 11 year old read. Great romantic Vampire story.

Last, I read New Moon also by Stephenie Meyer. I really enjoyed this next book in the series, my sister said this was her least fave in the series. I have book three sitting on my night stand waiting for me to finish Atlas Shrugged.

Water for Elephants was my favorite book this year, Twlight second!

Anyone have any suggestions for must read books?

Handmade Gifts & Holiday Decorations

I am sure everyone is sick of Christmas decor, but I am finally posting photos of mine before the dreaded taking it down.

A Shelf in my dinning room.

You can click on any of the pictures to make them larger.

Pink tree in my living room. I am going to use this for V-day and Easter:)

Pretty trees and other pinkish goodies!

Tulle Wreath I made, I will be taking the mercury glass beads off and leaving it up through the spring. May add something red for V-day!

Newspaper tree I made and other fun vintage and vintage inspired goodies.

My beloved vintage jewelry tree. I purchased this on ebay a few years ago and I LOVE IT!. I wish the frame was different. It also has lights that you can plug in so it looks pretty at night too!

About half of my North Pole Villages. Gabby and I set these up and never got around to setting up the rest. Maybe next year. Gabby asked if I would put these in my will for her. TOO Funny.

My kitchen, Darling pink angle on the wall, tine vintage tinsel tree on top of the pie safe. A repro tinsel tree in the corner. Graham knocked this tree down three times and broke about half of the ornaments on this tree. I swear this boy has broken more stuff in his short life than the girls have broken together!

My Vintage Printers box, I love this thing and am going to be sad to take down the Christmas stuff. I need some neeto Valentines goodies~!

One of my trees, this is the traditional colored one. I didn't get a good picture of the pink one this year! There are more here and there in the house, but these are my faves!

Last year my family and I decided to do a handmade gift exchange for the adults. It is so much fun to see all the creative things everyone comes up with. This year I made all gifts with the exception of my kidos gifts. Now I can actually share them.


I made this scarf for my nephew who is an Oregon duck fan. It took me forever because I was not very inspired by the colors!

I knitted these fingerless gloves for my oldest niece, Gabby wanted to keep them!

Neck warmer I made for my aunt.

Neck warmer I made for my Grandma!

Neck Warmer I made for my Mama.

My brother in law is a HUGE NC tarheels fan, so I made him a NC reusable market bag!

I made this for my sweet nephew Eli. It is minky on the back!

Today is the last day to sign ups for the Valentine swap.
I will be assigning partners in the next day or two I will also be announcing the winner of the giveaway!

Holiday Cheer

Here are some photos of the fam from this holiday season.

I know this picture is weird, I forgot to change the white balance before I handed the camera to Chad. We were at the Jamestown Christmas parade, it was a great parade. We were FREEZING!!!!

Kidos with Santa. Gabby looks half dead, she was at a sleep over until Chad picked her up to come to the craft fair to see Santa. Graham was so excited from far away to see Santa,he kept saying ho ho ho. Clearly he was not as happy when the time came to sit on his lap!

Me and the kidos on the hay ride at the Christmas tree farm .

Kidos on the hay ride. Chad does exist, he just hates having his picture taken:)

Just a quick reminder, the last day to sign up for the Valentine Swap is the 29th!

Big News For the Smith family

Sorry I have been MIA, I have been super busy getting presents ready to go across the us to CA & OR to our families. Now I just have a few orders to get out then I can complete some projects I have been wanting to do.

Some of you all ready know our big news, but here it is for the rest of you.


We are happy to announce that baby number 4 is due August 8th, 2009. Which is Chad's birthday. We are all very excited. This is another reason i have not been posting much lately, I have been sooooo tired.

I have so much to post about, I will try to get another post up tomorrow!

Give Away & A Swap

I am still in the process of adding links to all of you lovely blog friends, it is taking me forever. I know I said I would have a giveaway, so today is the day. I have also decided to host another swap.

Here are the swap details for:
"Be My Vintage Valentine Swap"

Sign up on this post to be included in this swap. Sign ups close December 29th.
Swap must be sent by January 29th, 2009 so your partners receive their package in time for Valentines Day.
MINIMUM of 20$ before shipping
One authentic vintage item and a small heart shaped box of chocolate decorated, chocolate removed, fill papers with supplies and goodies. Beyond that make or buy things your partner will love. Include a lovely valentine card as well.

Please cut and paste the following questions in an email and I will send you a confirmation email. You are not officially part of the swap unless you receive a confirmation email from me.

Name:
Address:
Email:
Blog: (Family Friendly)
Are you willing to send internationally:
What crafts would you enjoy supplies for?
Do you want traditional valentine colors?
What types of goodies do you like?
Favorite scent?
Decorating style?

Here is a button you can use to link to the swap.


Here are the Give away Details: I am giving away my large vintage quilt wreath, one of the vintage girl ornaments and a surprise based on what I think the winner will like.

Here are the rules: You must be in the US due to shipping expenses, you must have a family friendly blog. Winner will be picked on December 29th.

Here is what you need to do to enter: post about this giveaway on your blog, post my giveaway button and leave me a comment. The winner will be picked based on who's site directs the most traffic to my blog. I will be using Google analytics for this. If you have questions, drop me an email!

This is the wreath you will receive.

You will receive one of these darling little girl ornaments.
(little mercury glass ornament colors will vary)

Here is a button you can use to link to my blog for the giveaway.

I think this swap will be so much fun!

More Swaps

Sorry I have been MIA, I have been busy. Last Saturday I did a craft fair, which was a big waste of time. People were buying all the super ugly tacky stuff and not my cute stuff. Sunday we went to the Jamestown Parade, it was fun and FREEZING! The last few days I have been dealing with sick kids! I think Gabby will be going back to school tomorrow and Graham slept better last night, so far Gwen has only had it minorly.

On to the fun swap goodies. I still have one swap left to finish, it is overdue. Thankfully my partner is running late also!! PHEW

This darling stocking and card are from my partner Heidi. This was for the vintage Stocking swap hosted by Priscila. Heidi made this stocking isn't it soo cute. It looks great on the pink walls in my kitchen. You can see what I sent Heidi here.

She also sent me this darling box, which I think she made and two pretty ornaments for my pink themed tree. The picture doesn't do the box justice, it is sooooo sparkley!

I think she made these darling tags also, they are ADORABLE!

More pretty glittery goodies, I have the happy holidays hung in my kitchen. I will be posting pictures of my holiday decor soon! It is taking me forever to get them all up, new house and all.

Here are the goodies I sent to my partner Stevie for the very vintage Christmas Swap hosted by the above mentioned Heidi.
I made the magnets and the candy container.
The salt shaker is filled with glass glitter.

More of the goodies I sent her.

Last photo of the goodies I sent her.

Here are the goodies Stevie sent me, I love all these pink goodies!

More fun goodies from Stevie.

Here are all the items I sent my partner Priscila for the Vintage Pink Christmas Swap Hosted by MOI.

Vintage goodies for Priscila.

More of the pink goodies I sent her.

Another view of the pink goodies I sent her.

The pink neck warmer I knit for Priscila.

I made her one of my vintage little girl ornaments.

I have so enjoyed each of these swaps and getting to know my partners and now friends.
Thanks Ladies!