Love from Lilly...an idea

I know most of y'all know about my little Lillybug and how she came to be diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Go here to get caught up. It's fine, I'll be here waiting. ;)


Okay, you back with me?? Shortly thereafter, Jenny made this doll for Lilly, complete with shot spots. You can see her in more detail here. Love her!! Jenny is such a good friend and so thoughtful!!





Anyway, the other day I had an idea-a God-given idea-to make a bunch of dolls and take them to the hospital where Lilly stayed. I want every child that comes thru there to have their own little doll. I will make them like the one above{I made this one for a friend's child-saw similar ones on Little Bit Funky and Black Apple, but I drew my own pattern}, in different skin tones and hair colors. Boys even!! I do want to put red hearts in the shot areas like Jenny did with the one she made. My plan is to get a bunch of my friends together at my home to sew and stuff these girls and boys up. Put them in a large cellophane bag and tied up with a tag.
I would like the tag to say Love from Lilly and a Bible verse-the first one that sprang to mind is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future." There was another verse, but at the moment I cannot think of it...Feel free to share any that y'all may like.
Its a scary and unknown thing. I remember well the day, one of the last days that we were in the hospital and Lilly looked at me and said, "I'll be glad when we can leave the hospital and I don't have to get anymore shots." Broke my heart, y'all...I mean, all she knows is one day she felt poopy and the next, she's in a strange place hooked up to all kinds of machines, etc. Anyway, I just want to ease the transition for the families. This is just a small way I feel I can help, you know??
My goal is for this to happen before her one year anniversary, which is in February, if not sooner.

Things I am going to be looking for{this is in no way a hint, by the way, just a list for myself, so I don't forget}:
Needle-less syringes
Cream colored fabric
Brown fabric
Red felt hearts
Fun fabric
Stuffing
Some of these things, like the cream and brown fabric, I will use sheets for-more economical. If any of you know where I might find the syringes and hearts, do share. I was planning to look on etsy for the hearts. Jenny cut out the hearts on Lilly's doll, but I am planning on making a lot and honestly, the idea of cutting out hundreds of hearts isn't appealing.

There it is...Love from Lilly

Hope y'all have a great day!!

Go getcha some!!

The generous people over at Feed Your Soul have free art that you can download and print off. They believe that even in these tough economic times, people ought to be able to enjoy art. I love it!! These are just a few of my faves...Go here and find your favorites. A big thank you to all the artists who have contributed at Feed Your Soul!!

Linking up to Blessed Little Nest, for Life Made Lovely Monday, cause not much is lovelier than art, free art at that.

Chicken Chili

Just had this last night and thought I'd re-post it for you newcomer's. Enjoy!!

Linking up to Kellie's Fall Festival.

Oh, a shameless cry for help-can anyone tell me how to make a cute banner?? My blog looks like a hot mess...

Happy Fall!!

I have really been getting in the mood for Fall with this cooler weather we are having. This is one of my favorite meals to have. In fact, at our rehearsal dinner we had two different chili's and the fixin's. Needless to say, it was a very casual event.

Chicken Chili

1 lb. chicken cooked and cubed*
1 onion, chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic, crushed
1(14 oz) can chicken broth
2(14 oz) cans great northern beans(drain one can)
1(3 oz) can chopped green chilies, with liquid
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. oregano

Saute the onion in a little bit of olive oil until tender. Add chicken and garlic. Cook until chicken is done. Add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil, then simmer for at least 15 minutes. Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, and tortilla chips if desired.

*I like to cut my chicken while it is still somewhat frozen, if using frozen chicken. It cooks quicker that way and seems easier to cut.
Last night I only had one can of great northern beans so I substituted a can of black beans. If you like the chili soupier you can add another can of broth.
Hope you enjoy!!

Beautiful Monday...

Good Morning, y'all!! I was up early this morning and loved the way the sun looked shining in my dining room. I had to capture the lovely-ness. The weather was crisp and cool-felt like Fall...wonderful...

I decided to make things a little more special since there was no rush getting "The boys" off to school and work. I made quiche and semi-homemade donuts and set the table with a cloth-albeit a wrinkled one-but it just adds to the specialness.

Even the kids got in on it and decided to set the table. I think little as they are they still appreciate and love the thoughtful touches, don't you agree??

How about you, how are you celebrating life this Monday??

Linking up to Heather-Blessed Little Nest...

Chalk it up to good design.

Hey y'all!! I've got a major hankerin' to slap some chalkboard paint up on my hall leading from my foyer. I was standing in the living room to get this shot.
I have found some great examples to share with y'all...

I love Kellie's, from This Blessed Nest, chalkboard hallway. I think the trimwork finishes it off nicely.

Then, there's Heather's{ Blessed Little Nest} red chalkboard wall. LOVE it!!

Oh, oh...y'all have GOT to go see this chalkboard wall. Gorgeous...

Stay tuned to see what we do!!

Style Inspiration...

Happy Monday to you!! Heather, at Blessed Little Nest is having a party, Take Life and Make it Lovely. I wanted to participate, but as my home looks like a bomb went off, I thought I'd share some lovely bits of inspiration I've found. I took a style quiz this morning, cause I don't have laundry to do or anything. ;)

Here is what it said:

Elise, you are a Country Eclectic
You have wide-ranging interests and influences and therefore appreciate a mix of styles, periods, and objects. You would never use a matching suite of furniture or could stand a home that seemed cookie-cutter. But you love the breezy, layered look of wonderfully personal beach houses and the happy florals of English cottages. Bringing the outdoors in makes you happy: a little chintz or ruffle or weathered furniture, urns filled with tennis rackets, colored glasses filled with cut flowers, vintage-looking, mixed tea cups, and all things that give a sense of a happy, simple life.
You value creativity. You are stylish and fun loving, and can be an inspiration to others. You have a natural sense of drama, and you know you have to be willing to take risks—whether with colors, finishes, furniture choices, or ideas—for your home to stand out. Your home can be happy and lively and the place all of your friends want to be.

Putting Your Style to Work!
With your style and needs in mind, here are a few tips that will help you make your home a little happier.
1. Your Design Challenge: ORGANIZE The front hall sets the mood for your entire home. Consider how to accommodate all the room's functions as beautifully as possible. At the very least you need a console, and if you're short on storage, consider a dresser. Outfit the surface with nice trays and bowls for mail, keys and sunglasses. Keep a trash can for immediately tossing the junk mail. Closet-door or wall hooks encourage coat and bag hanging rather than dumping. If you have children, try to give each a basket in the closet for hats and gloves. It's nice to have a chair or bench for changing shoes, a mirror for last-minute lipstick checks, and a lamp or sconces for warm light.

2. Your Happy Place The more serene your bedroom feels, the happier you will be. A pretty coverlet over a big duvet makes the bed look smooth—and not all duvet-lumpy! And, a blanket folded at the foot of the bed breaks up the big expanse of fabric. Euro shams—those big square pillows—are great for reading in bed, and a few decorative pillows can also be a nice touch. Consider adding a basket or a small occasional table near your bedside table for books, papers, lotions, linen spray or whatever you'd like.

3. Be Party-Ready All the Time! Food: Devote space in your pantry or on a shelf for go-to party essentials: crackers, dip, chips, nuts—whatever you like to serve. Keep on hand a collection of attractive bowls and cocktail napkins, and you'll be able to set a spread—instantly!Drink: The simplest and chicest thing is to have a drinks tray or table always set up. Include a mix of pretty glasses, an ice bucket, a lovely pitcher, and bottles of soda and water. When the bell rings, just add ice and limes.Mood: Nice, flattering light makes us feel good. So nix the harsh, direct light from overhead fixtures in favor of the softer glow from floor and table lamps. Also, keep some votive candles and a couple of hurricane lanterns for setting around the room.Scent: The first thing you notice about a home is how it smells. Use naturally fragrant cleaning products. If you find a scented candle or fresh potpourri you love, stock up on it. Any scent you like, whether perfume or linen spray, can be used on upholstery, bedding or just spritzed into the air.

This was fun!! Want to take your own style quiz, click here.

Top two images found on Homegoods website, the others I've had in my picture file and have no idea of the source.

Y'all go have a Lovely Monday!!

S'more Summer Swappin'

I did a swap with my old/new friend Rebecca of Thrifty Goodness this summer. We decided to go with a vintage summer theme. I "met" Rebecca from Sweet Goodness Swaps when I participated in one of their swaps a few years ago. Recently, we've reconnected. As much as you can virtually...
Rebecca did not disappoint. Swapping with like-minded people is so much fun!! My package was full of vintage goodness, including some awesome vintage linens-love them!! She also crocheted some super cute fruity things-that I think would be so cute in embroidery hoops. I've been wanting to collect nut choppers and the yellow topped one Rebecca included is great for starting me off.


LOVE these napkins-Rebecca embroidered them!! Look at the detail on the edging...

Gotta love the watermelon and apple!! I am amazed at her ability to turn some yarn into art!! You can also see a sneak peak at the strawberry toppers. They would be so cute on cupcakes!!

Vintage embroidered linens...swoon. Rebecca actually embroidered the citrus fruit one herself.

I LOVE aprons and this one is perfect-the colors are right up my alley and look great with my kitchen!! You can also see the potholder-adorable. The ladybug pin would make such a cute magnet, right??

Oh my word...this has got to be one of my favorite things{sorry the pic is sideways-I didn't notice it before}. Rebecca made this sweater and bonnet for Violet and I CANNOT WAIT until she can wear it this fall and winter. It is so super soft and gorgeous!!!! Love the vintage hangers, too, and that color-close becoming a new favorite!!

Thank you so much Rebecca for a fun, fun package!!

Now for what I sent...

I had fun putting together a package for Rebecca and hope she enjoyed everything!! I got the straw bag from Target's $2.50 section and whipstitched vintage lace to it. I also made the yo-yo flower brooch. Also, I made a pennant banner, a clothespin doll, shell encrusted vase, and some paper birds to craft with. Knitting needles I found thrifting, and the embroidery pattern and vintage lace were from an awesome yard sale find!! I also included a scrabble game "seashells", sea glass via Pottery Barn in a vintage jar, a knitting book, stamps, and a fun ruffled card round out her package.

"I can hear the ocean." This girl loves to comb the beach for seashells.

This vase was inspired from a Country Living magazine.

Ahhh...I love me a pennant banner!! This one was made from vintage and thrifted sheets.

I think the blue print is one of my faves-reminds me of wallpaper.

Here are the other prints. This was such a fun swap!!