~ Happy New Year ~ Bring On 2010!!!

Happy New Year to all of my friends and family! Wow....2009 has been a very special year for me. Not sure where to begin!

Well, in 2008...I spent almost 6 months in the hospital and was out on Medical Leave for 7 months...I vowed that 2009 would be better!

Well...I am happy to report...I have NOT been in the hospital since December 2008. Sure...I had a couple one-night stays and 3 outpatient surgeries this year but for me...that is a blessing as compared to what I went through in 2008.

Then...Back in May 2009, our only child (our 24 yr old daughter J) gave birth to our very first grandchild...a baby girl who we refer to online as Baby G. It was soooo amazing and I am very blessed that our daughter left me in the delivery room with her during the birthing process. It was the HAPPIEST day of my life to see our precious grand daughter being born and a special bond that I have with both my daughter and grand daughter.

Over all....this year has been good to me and my family and I pray that 2010 is even better.

Happy New Year!

~ Shelly ~

Christmas At Our Home...

This year...Christmas 2009 was a very special one here at the Hill Home because it was Baby G's very first Christmas. Our beautiful little grand daughter was born in May 2009 and is now 7 months old.

Last year, I spent almost 5 miserable months in the hospital and had major surgery 3 days before Christmas so last year was not a pleasant holiday time. However...this year it was wonderful!

Baby G looked so beautiful wearing her Christmas dress and tights. I just 'melted' when I saw her! I am enjoying spending time with her a few days every week as children grow up way too quickly.

I spent all day baking and cooking and for Christmas dinner we had my mother, my daughter along with her boyfriend and baby G....my brother, his wife and my 2 nephews and of course...hubby and myself. My cherry glazed ham was delicious as I knew it would be!

Baby G loved ripping off the paper from her holiday packages but we had to watch her like a hawk as she is at the stage that 'everything' goes into the mouth! LOL I am looking forward to next year when she will be another year older and Christmas will be even more special.

The picture below is of 4 generations...my mother, my daughter and I am holding my grand daughter...baby G.



I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas holiday with their family and friends.

~ Shelly ~

Mint Green With Envy's Grand Prize Giveaway!

The Mint Green With Envy's Blog is holding their Grand Prize Holiday Giveaway...going on right now! The entire prize package is valued at $281.00 and there are some terrific prizes in the package!

You will want to hurry on over to the Mint Green With Envy Blog and enter today. You can earn numerous giveaway entries by blogging, tweeting, following her blog and facebook page along with visiting the sponsors of the giveaways web sites and answering a few questions.

I am so excited about this giveaway...just last week I won 3 roll-on perfumes from her blog....so perhaps I can win the grand prize next! (yeah I know...wishful thinking but its fun!)

~ Shelly ~

Crafting - Quick and Easy Glittered Pinecones

I went for a nature walk last week before the big snow hit us here on the East Coast. I collected some moss, acorns, a variety of pinecones and some pine sprigs to put in my basket as a holiday decoration.

I had some left-over items that I didn't use so when the kids stopped in for a brief visit this past weekend...they all wanted to do some crafting with their auntie Shelly. Actually, they look forward to it every time they come!

So...we decided to glitter up some pine cones and make them into ornaments.

If you want to rid your pinecones of 'critters' you can bake them in the oven set at 200 degrees F (or less) for a few minutes. However, your oven must be set very low and you need to stand there so that they don't catch on fire.

We used the JoAnn's (JoAnns Fabrics) Brand of clear glitter glue because the little bottles have a fine tip nozzle on them. We just squirted it onto the pinecones and left them dry for 30 minutes (it dries pretty quickly and dries clear).

It is hard to see by our pics the pretty gorgeous irredescent glitter on the cones. When the tree lights hit them, they really sparkle. I took them off the tree as they blended in with the pine too much and I wanted you all to see them.

You can buy the glitter glue for around $1.50 and the pine cones are free. We used scraps of fabric and ribbon for our hanging loops and just used all-purpose craft glue to adhere them to the top of our pinecones. If your pinecone has a nice sturdy stem, you can just tie them on.

A great fast and easy (and inexpensive) little project to do with the little kids in your family.

You can find additional FREE crafting projects for both adults and kids on my official crafting blog --- > HERE



Shelly

Recent Giveaway Contest Wins! Yeah Me!

I am an avid blog reader and blog poster...heck, I have 6 blogs (2 are joint blogs with my friend Sophia), so I absolutely love reading and posting on blogs. Blogs are a great way to meet new people and more importantly...educate yourself on whatever topic you happen to be reading about. I just wish more people would get into the habit of leaving comments on bloggers blogs!

With all of that being said, the past 8 weeks or so, several of the blogs I read on a regular basis were holding various giveaways (contests) and I was more than happy to leave my comments which earns me entries into their giveaways. I am happy to report that I won several of them!

1. From the Suzie Homemaker Blog, I won a great package of Mineral Makeup (2 eye shadows, a blusher, a powder and brush) all pkg. in a cute little drawstring bag. (forgot to get a picture of my prizes).

2. From Mary over on the My New 30 Blog, I won a case of POM Pomegranate juice! We have been loving this juice...see my recipe blog for a photo and recipe for POM Roasted Chicken that I made last friday...it was delish!



3. From Felissa's Blog....I won a gorgeous Stella and Dot Pearl Bracelet! I absolutely love it!



4. I won a gorgeous set of handcrafted primitive holiday items. They are stunning! I won them from The Rusty Thimble Blog and love both pieces! They are absolutely stunning and nice additions to my primitive and country holiday collection. LOVE THEM!!!!



I won a few other things...and will update my post as I get pictures and find the host site. From now on, I am going to document my fabulous wins here on my blog.

~Shelly~

Been busy again doing some quilting...

I just love to craft and sew and the past month I have been super busy doing rag throw quilts and table runners for a few local customers.

I recently completed 2 throw quilts in a purple and greens theme for a customer, I think this color scheme turned out beautiful if I must say so myself!



Then I made about 15 or so various sized quilted table runners and dresser scarves. Here is a pic of one I completed last week for my neighbor. My camera didn't photograph the colors correctly...its actually a dark raspberry color.

And finally...I this beautiful dark green and dark red table runner for the holidays.

Today I will be busy sewing and quilting 2 more table runners in a blue and cream color for another customer.

If you are interested in learning how to rag quilt, you can visit my other craft blog called Passionate About Crafting where you will find instructions and photos for various types of crafts and quilting projects.

Shelly

Giveaway - Enter To Win A Spa Gift Basket By BellaBoogie!

During the winter season I always suffer with dry and sensitive skin. If you are like me, you should check out the Handmade in MN blog as they are holding a giveaway!

You can earn multiple entries by following the directions on their blog.


Good Luck my friends...although I hope I am the winner! LOL

~Shelly~

My Award Package From Ezine Articles!

I recently participated in a 100 articles in 100 days challenage sponsored by Ezine Articles and I am happy to report...that I completed the challenage! Not only that, I was able to submit over 130+ articles during the challenge period.

Ezine articles was gracious enough to send me a prize package for my accomplishment and here is what I received:

A Ezine Articles Fleece Throw Blanket
A Ezine Articles Red Ball Cap
Ezine Articles Coffee Mug with bag of coffee
Ezine Articles Mouse Pad
A FREE Webinar & Teleseminar with the owner of Ezine Articles (looking forward to it)
Printable Award Certificate

I am so very proud of myself. This is the second Ezine Articles challenage that I participated in and I completed both challenages in record time. I am looking forward to participating in the next EA Challenage beginning on Jan. 1, 2010

~Shelly~