All is quiet

Merry Christmas, and many blessings in the New Year.

Another pair of socks

I just finished these socks today. Since I have tried several times to make these socks, and they were a big pain in the butt. I have decided to show everyone the fruits of my frustration. I spent a good chunk of my crafting life as a cross stitcher, and the book I bought by Cookie A. is full of charts that are totally and completely backwards. Instead of reading top to bottom and left to right you read these charts right to left and bottom to top. These socks took around 3 months to finish, and I honestly think that I am going to have to get rid of the book. I know that there are a lot of people out there who absolutely love the book and the patterns, I like some better than others, but I don't feel that this book is even the begining of user friendly. That's my opinion feel free to take a look and form your own. Just don't make the mistake that I did, when I brought the book to the counter at my yarn store I was told "Oh I love that book, it's so wonderful." I mentioned that (at that point) I had not ever made socks before, it didn't seem to change her recommendation. So let me tell you this is not a begining sock book! If you are looking for a begining sock book that is very user friendly I recommend Knit Socks! by Betsy Lee McCarthy. It is sock shaped and so very helpful, I would never have completed a single sock without this book. Have a great day!

-Leslie

Okay so it's not Flagstaff...

...But it's pretty close. I know I promised to find pictures of Flagstaff, but these pictures appeared in my in-box hours after being taken today. This is Mingus Mountain in Prescott, Arizona. My true hometown. I just had to share with you. Hopefully this will help Nicole understand why I am happy to be moving. Enjoy!

Snow it's a four letter word.

Snow, usually I enjoy the first snowfall, but this year, I don't want to see it. In the last week it's snowed at least three times. It's only the first week of October. Unfortunately as I have pointed out to several customers the snow isn't early, its actually late. Usually the first snowfall happens in September. I guess it still did I beleive it snowed on the 28th. Anyway it is what it is, and I can't stop it, so I guess I will just have to deal with it. Here are a couple of pictures of the snow I woke up to today.

Have great snow free day! (Hopefully!)

-Leslie

Well, it's been quite a while...

Truthfully I don't really have an excuse either. I have thought about updating several times and just haven't done so.

Now onto a big change that has Nicole upset with my husband, but me very excited. We are moving in the next few months, so that I can jump-start my languishing college education. I will be starting NAU again in January. Unfortunately this means that I won't get to see Nicole's new little one until around the middle of March durring spring break.

I was born in Northern Arizona, and my heart has always called it home, so I am very excited to be able to return. Maybe I can convince Nicole and her family to come and visit me in Flagstaff. It would be cool to take her munchkins to look thru the telescope that discovered the planet (former) Pluto, which actually (ironically) sits on Mars Hill. I will try to post some of my old pictures of Flagstaff, and NAU so that I can share why I love it so much.

With happy thoughts

Leslie

Some lovely music

I love music almost everything, (not so much gangster rap) I was looking thru a blog that Nicole asked me to look at and I found this burried deep in her past posts. I just had to share because it's so wonderful.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have

New socks

Okay so it's been a while, but I do have a couple of finished projects. If you've ever met me you know that I am a reader. I love to read, and when I read I become obsessed, witht he series, the author, the genre, with something (Harry Potter, Janet Evanovich, Stephenie Meyer, vampires, Gina Showalter.) Just over a year ago I discovered fanfiction, I discovered it after obsessively exploring my then current favorite author's (Stephenie Meyers) website. I have to say that I love it, I spend so much time looking for new stories. It amazes me how many truely tallented authors there are out there that we may never see beyond fanfiction. If you are at all interested in finding out what I am talking about or seeing your favorite story from someone elses perspective try www.fanfiction.com. That website has something for everyone. I would like to point out that there are ratings for a reason please keep that in mind, I would hate for someone to find themselves involved in a story and get broadsided with something that they are uncomfortable with.

I have several favorite yarn stores one of which is an online store called Sunshine Yarns. The lady who does the yarn is wonderfully sweet and helpful. Her colorways are gorgeous! Some are inspired by books, (see above paragraph.) I have completed three pairs of socks in the last week and a half or so, all of which use yarn from Sunshine Yarns. The first pair I made for my friend/co-worker Elly she's way into baseball and is a huge Braves fan. The color way for these socks is called Vampire Baseball (can you guess which book?) when I saw the colors I just had to get it for her. I don't have an modeled pictures cause here feet are smaller than mine are, but I have heard that she really likes them.

I made my mom some socks from a colorway called Pygmy Puff (two guesses!) I let her pick out the color. She is so tickled! They really are cute. In all honesty the yarn is a little expensive, but it knits up so beautifully, and smoothly it almost seems to fly off the needles.

Mine are from yarn called The Half-Blood Prince, I really like the colors. What do you think?

In Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series homemade cakes equal love, in my family socks equal love. The funny thing to me is that I hear/read that a lot of people think socks are hard and hate to make them. I don't mind at all in fact I love making socks. I've made 5 or 6 pairs in the last two months and I enjoyed making every little stitch. I hope everything is going well for you!

-Leslie

It's that time of the year...

If you live in my neck of the woods, then you've probably been hearing/seeing what I've been seeing. If you don't then I should mention that I live in the unofficial Fireworks capitol of the world. I love it, the best fireworks display in town is the one at the end of my driveway. We spend quite a bit of money on fireworks every year. Last year my aunt and uncle from Vegas came up and we took them with us when we went fireworks shopping. My aunt wanted to know where the ice cream aisle was in the fireworks store, she wasn't really exagerating. The stores around here are big and do a good amount of money (several years ago my ex-sil worked for one and was talking in the millions.) Here are a couple of pictures from last year, my camera isn't the best so just imagine bigger brighter with more boom. ;)

Have a great day!

-Leslie

Bad blogger!

It's been a full month already, oh dear shame on me! So sorry to have neglected my blog. I have been having fun playing with yarn, and buying more than I really need right this second. But I do have something to share with you. These are my first pair of socks. I made them for my dad for Fathers day. I am really pleased how they came out and I can't wait to send them to him. Just a little picture of the sunrise in my neck of the woods this morning. Have a great day!

-Leslie

Happy Mother's day!

Just a short note to say, Happy Mother's day to all the wonderful women out there! -Leslie

Excited!

This week has been really good. On Saturday I was able to go to Salt Lake and take a beginers knitting class. It was just what I needed. I have knit things in the past, but I taught myself from a book, and sometimes I felt like it was harder than it should be. I was right! I was casting on so very wrong it's no wonder I was having a hard time with it. Also it turns out I was purling wrong as well. Well, I've got that all straightened out and I have already spent a considerable amount of money on yarn that I love but could not seem to justify when I was just crocheting it.

As far as I know none of my family including my mom, ever visit's my blog so, I will post my current knitting project which is a Christmas gift for one of my auntie's. I know it's only the first week of May, but since I am planning on giving everybody something that I knit myself it's best to start now. This is a scarf the picture is from Tuesday night, now however it is a few inches short of 5 feet and 7 1/2 inches wide. The pattern stiches I am using is called seed stitch. I plan to finish the second skein of yarn, or stop when it's excessively long which ever happens first.

My birthday was this week (Wednesday) and my husband and momma spoiled me very nicely. Zorro gave me a good amount of money, and then took me to Salt Lake and Ogden to spend it. Two new shirts, a skirt, a couple of bras and some pretty panties, iTunes gift card, and a dock for my iPod. He even braved a yarn store with me! He stayed in the car for the second one. My momma got me a beautiful bag from Barnes and Noble, (even though we both know that I don't NEED another bag) a gift card to B&N and a gift card to iTunes. Even Andrew remembered my birthday and sent me birthday wishes via text. My aunties (even my brand new one) all sent my e-cards.

One of the really cool things that happened this week is that I became a supervisor with Close to My Heart. I have been with CTMH for 2 1/2 years and on my birthday Ro signed up under me. I am very excited to welcome her to CTMH and my team. I love my supervisor, she is wonderful and I hope to have that kind of relationship with my downline.

Have you read any of the Stephanie Plum books? Oh my goodness they are just to stinking funny. It's amazing the things that happen to her and the situations she finds herself in. I have to say that, that is a another series to add to my absolute favorites! They are by Janet Evanovich, I have read(listened to them from iTunes) books 8-14. I just bought book 7 tonight. My favorites right now are books, 8, 10, and 13. But that is subject to change as I finish them all. Book number 15 titled "Finger Linkin' Fifteen" is due out June 23, and honestly my mom and I are just as excited about that release as we were about the Harry Potter books. My mom and I have gone to the colonge counters to sniff the Bulgari Green that Ranger wears, talk about mmmmmmmmm. I might just have to get some for my hubby for his birthday. To bad that I really doubt that he would actually wear it. It's probably a prefect sent. Not to strong (you all know what I am talking about!) and not the least bit wimpy or sweet smelling.

Well this post is getting really long. I will stop now before I bore everyone to sleep.

-Leslie

Welcome to the Summer Idea Book Release Blog Hop!

Welcome to our Close to my Heart Summer 2009 Idea Book Blog Hop! Over 40 Close to my Heart Consultants are celebrating the upcoming release of the Summer 2009 Idea Book by sharing their amazing creations using new products via their blogs.

If you have come here from Tresa's blog, you are on the right path! If this is your first stop, you may want to go back to Erin's blog and start from the beginning!"

This is simple do to- just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go! These fun card was so easy to make with the new Tinkerin' My Reflections paper! I love these colors for summer, and as soon as I saw these stamp-sets, I knew I had to have them!

Originals Template: Lucky Three (turned on it's side,) and another that I can't remember right now Paper: Tinkerin' My Reflections level 2. My Acrylix Stamp Set: It's a Zoo, and Thank You. Ink Colors: Clover Meadow, Sunny Yellow, Twilight, Sunflower, and Black Staz-On. Embellishments: Mini-Medley's White Daisy, White Hemp, Connections Club, and Summer Craft Buttons, Citrus Leaf Organza Ribbon, and I used a sponge to apply the ink.

Now "Hop" on over to Rebecca to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and see the great new Paper Packs and My Acrylix Stamp Sets! Remember, the Summer 2009 Idea Book goes LIVE on May 1st! Here's a full list of everyone who's participating:

Erin Herring

Penny Doucette

Kathleen Rensel

Jessica Moore

Colleen Porter

Sherry Thompson

Jen Patrick

Corey Acton

Amy Edwards

Amy Schultz

Tresa Black

Leslie Kolic

Rebecca Garrison

Miranda Kurz

Terrie Dodd

Traci Tanimura

Debora Mcelhany

Katie Paterson

Michelle Robinson

Lori Scott

Amberlyn Gentry

Wendy Kessler

Meredith Burgess

Vicky Sullivan

Caren Goldstein

Jena Devries

Kami Welter

Traci Godbee

Julie Banzon

Laurel Seabrook

Alisan Smith

Haley Dyer

Dawn Heuft

Ali Creel

Helen Onulak

Jean McNulty

Aaron Brown

Shannon

Julie Lane

Carrie Zrodlowski Thank you for visiting!

-Leslie

A sneak peek at a new CTMH My Reflections set.

I have seen on several other blogs people giving sneak peeks and so I thought that I would show you all my favorite My Reflections sets. Today I am showing Animal Cookies, I just love it, it's so bright, cheerful and happy! I hope you enjoy it too. This will be available with all other new summer products on May 1st, 2009. -Leslie

A couple sympathy cards.

My boss needed a couple of sympathy cards for Friday so I put two together for her. Here they are nothing really fancy but I liked them and more importantly so did she. Everything is from Close to My Heart on these, execpt the sentiment in the card that uses Unforgettable. Have a great day! -Leslie

I had so much fun in Phoenix, last weekend.

It was such a blast, when Mom and I got to my Grandparents house we wondered why there was a car with a Colorado license plate in the driveway. Suprise! My Aunt Nancy had flown in from Texas, and brought my cousin Alicia down to visit with us. It was so neat to get to catch up with them. I haven't seen either of them in about 4 and half years. Here are a couple of pictures we took everyone out to dinner at Macayos.

My Aunt Nancy just got her Cosemetology License in the state of Texas, and she put some beautiful highlights in my cousins hair while Mom and I went to see Stephenie Meyer. Here is a good picture of Aunt Nancy and Alicia.

And well, I suppose it would be really mean of me to talk about Stephenie Meyer, and not post a picture or anything. Mom and I got in line about 2 hours early, as there were no assigned seats, just certain areas for certain tickets. We ended up in the 7th row, right in the middle. We had so much fun, the Emcee Shannon Hale (Author of The Princess Academy) introduced all the authors, but forgot to introduce Stephenie Meyer! It was so funny when one of the other authors on the pannel asked if she was going to. She started laughing so hard she fell over. I have been so busy with work I haven't really had time to post anything, but I have made a couple of cards and I will have a preview of the Summer Idea Book. Have a great day! -Leslie

A tease or two...

So I just got to look at the new Close to My Heart Idea Book, which is active for customers May 1st, 2009. I have to say I am very excited lots of cute and fun new stamps and papers. I already have a list over $300! When I get some of my new things I will be sure to post some project pictures. There are two really great boyish papers with matching stamps that I just have to have. Good thing I have that new nephew ;) If you are currious I will say that right now it's a toss up for my favorite new paper set between Tinkering, and Animal Crackers. You'll just have to wait for my projects to see which you like best.

On Friday I am flying out to Phoenix for Project Book Babe. I am very excited. They are doing a really cool online auction as well so go over to www.projectbookbabe.com and check it out. I will get to spend 3 days with my very best of friends from college Melly, and Kitty. I can't wait. Kitty is expecting her first munchkin in the fall and Melly has two munchkins the youngest of which I have never met. Naughty Auntie Lecy, I know. Melly's hubby is in the Air Force currently stationed in Germany so there is a good reason.

Well I am off to drool some more over the new products. Have a great night!

-Leslie

Blog candy winners

Well since I had two comments I have decided that I will send candy to both Sparkle and Sanela. Please email me with your address at leannelion@yahoo.com I know bad bloger, no dessert for you! I am sorry I haven't updated in a while. I have had the craziest shifts because of vacations (mine to Vegas) and the regular graveyard guys. The last few weeks at work have gone something like this: 7 days on, 3 days off, 1 day on, 1 day off, 7 days on, 2 days off, 10 days on, 3 days off, and right now I am in the middle (litteraly) of 6 days on again. Oh well at the very least this pay check will be nice. I was able to get some cards made on Friday at Girls Night out at my lss. I was tired so I made the four cards and called it a night at 8:30. The paper and stickers are by Doodlebug maybe I think don't quote me though. ;) I have recently decided I really like rub-ons. I vaugely remeber using some as a young child and I know that I enjoyed them then, so I guess I have just really re-found and old friend?

I love Riley he's so much fun and this stamp is one of the very few "boy" stamps I own. I don't have any children as of yet so I buy what I like.

This card is for my little soon to be nephew, my brother is engaged to a sweet lady who has a 3 year old son named Alex. Hmmm, maybe I need to start stocking up on "boy" stamps after all. ;) This little card I think I will give to one of my favorite girls either Elie or Mady. Two of my favorite children to babysit, they are so very well behaved.

Well, have a great week and I will try to post again soon. This next weekend I will be in Phoenix Mom and I are going to see Stephenie Meyer at the Project Book Babe fundraiser. We are both so excited. If you would like more information you can go to www.projectbookbabe.com

-Leslie

A few cards I have accomplished

These are just some cards I created yesterday afternoon. I was trying had to get out of the box I usually find myself in. I don't as a general rule do much with flowers or buttons. I do however have small collection of each. Yesterday I decided to take some and see what I could do with them. I think it turned out well, I really like them and my Mom did as well. What do you think?

So I made a few changes...and the promised blog candy.

I have been eyeing everyones pretty blogs for ages now, but I could never figure out how/what to do to make mine pretty too. But today I figured it out and I hope you all like it! I am making one of my all-time favorite foods for dinner tonight! Cheese and Onion Enchilada's, and I am using the good sauce. My favorite enchilada sauce is not sold anywhere near me as far as I have been able to see, it's Macayos, and it is soooo good! Yummy! I am so excited about them I can't help myself, I might have to go and start them now, even though nobody is home yet.

Okay so for my very late blogaversary candy I am offering up some cute images of three dragon stamps from High Hopes Stamps, a couple Bella's and some Riley's as well. I am also including a sampling of some of the really cute papers I picked up this weekend in Vegas. The samples will be 6x6 sized in order to facilitate mailing easier.

Leave me a note about what your favorite comfort food is and maybe a recipe and I will enter you in the drawing.

-Leslie

It's been a while....

Well I guess it's been longer than I realized, but I do have some things to share with you. I also will be going out of town this week, Nascar in Vegas! I can't wait to be nice and warm. When I return I will post some blog candy to celebrate my 1 year aniversary. I didn't think it was already passed, but it has. Better late than never right? My first card is for my Grandma Stinson's 70th birthday, it uses some of CTMH's Unforgetable paper, the stamp set Aspiration, and the new Love Notes rubbons. The second is the card I made for my Momma for Valentines day, and third is Hubbys card. The fourth is for a thinking of you card swap I am participating in.

Hope you all enjoy your week and weekend, I know I will ;)

-Leslie

An award for me?! You are too sweet Tilda!

The Fabulous Award Rules:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.

2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.

3. On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.

Here are my 5 addictions

1. My family

2. Any sort of gadget really

3. Fabric, quilting, and crossstiching paraphenalia

4. Dr. Pepper

5. Candy, chocolate, or fruity gummy thingys.

I will tag, Nicole, Sparkle, Kathi, Tresa, and Laurel.

Well, I am going to go play with some toys, and get my work done. See you all later. -Leslie

A new layout by me!

How long has it been since I posted a layout. Umm, I think I know the answer and it's too long! I went to Girls night out on Friday and I managed to get this layout completed. I thought I would share with you all. Have a great day!

Leslie

A little fun stolen from Sparkle...

The bolded items, I've accomplished.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland/world

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied?

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Gotten flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check, back when I was young and stupid

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy, I still have probably my first stuffed animal

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten caviar

72. Pieced a quilt, I love to quilt, I just bought more fabric for a new one

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone, I managed to crack my elbow falling on the ice

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person, I was born in Northern Arizona

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car, hubby and I both got new cars 8 months before I got out of the Army

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox twice

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone, infact I just got a new one before Christmas

99. Been stung by a bee

Some pictures

Hello, it's been a little while hasn't it. I got to go and see my dad this week. his birthday was Monday, and I got to go out and see him on Wednesday. He lives in Nebraska in a little turn of the century farmhouse that he and his wife Lisa (such a sweet lovely lady) have been slowly but surely renovating themselves. My dad is a very talented carpenter, and it shows in his house. The living room is ceiling to floor in Knotty pine, so pretty, and all the floors are wood. Anyway another little tidbit about me is that I have two brothers one half one full, and I have two stepsisters. Lucas, is the baby of the family, literally. He started Kindergarten this year. Yeppers, my littlest brother really is littlest. Okay well maybe not; I haven't seen him in four years (yes, I know bad sissy, naughty, naughty, naughty!) So you can imagine my suprise when I find out that he is the tallest kid in class, and then I realized that he comes darn close to the height of my shoulder! I told Dad and Lisa that at least someone got his tall genes. Well actually Lisa is taller than me as well so it was probably inevitable.

So about the pictures, the first one is of me when I was a tiny munchkin. Number two is Lucas who is totally obsessed with Batman right now. The third is my brother Andrew and I at our Grandma Smith's wedding, I was five so he was almost four. The last one is a picture of my Dad with Andrew who looks slightly confused. Sorry the pictures are clearer. I don't actually own them, my dad does. Since he lives in the middle of nowhere, I couldn't take them to Wal-mart to make copies for myself so I took pictures of them with my camera, all in all they came out pretty decent.

Talk to you again soon (hopefully!)

Leslie