There's an Elephant in the Room

Scott is in India on a photo shoot for a large, exclusive clothing line (which will not be named) for their next catalogue. He's been sending some beautiful photos and snippet of stories of all that he is experiencing. These memories will take hours (or days) to tell once he's back home. 

Our 41st Year.......

Today we're celebrating our 41st Wedding Anniversary. It was September 25, 1971 a balmy, sunny day in San Jose, California. Our wedding party consisted of my sister KC and Bruce's BFF, Ned. There were my parents, sister and brother along with Bruce's mother and two of his sisters and brother-in-law in attendance along with a couple of close friends and our 6 month old St. Bernard named Chuck. It was a very small wedding, very small at the Stone Church of Willow Glen.

Our ceremony started at 3:30 and lasted a short 20 minutes.  Pictures were taken, a quick video made and we caravaned back to our rental home in the foothills of San Jose on Story Road. We served a selection of cold cuts and cheeses, fresh veggies and fruit and the traditional wedding cake. Bruce and I drove up to the city (San Francisco) that night and honeymooned in a suite at the Fairmont Hotel, I remember ordering a pizza around mid-night. The next day we met my parents and siblings to show them around the city and lunched in China Town. Then it was back home to start a new life together. We had just come home from a summer road trip camping in Alaska, our rental house had a fire in the kitchen (totally my fault) two weeks before the wedding and Bruce was starting a new job on Monday in Sunnyvale and we were moving to a new home in a week.

We moved a few more times, across the United States before putting down roots in Washington state.  We have three wonderful children who are all married too and a granddaughter (have I mentioned how adorable Abigail Sierra is?) Life took many twists and turns, roads taken and missed but a path neither one of us would change for anything.  Happy Anniversary, Honey and I look forward to many, many more.

The Autumn Equinox

From September 20th to the 24th is the Autumn Equinox in our northern hemisphere. I'm watching for a harvest moon, gathering fresh & juicy apples and finding frost on the pumpkins. Here in the NW, we're having a warm autumn with the waffling of falling leaves scent in the air.

Quilt Motif Journals

I've been busy transferring quilt designs to paper and making journals from composition books.

It's fun and addicting. More to come.

 

 

second look....

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NEW Journals at Sam'Studio

Coming to you this November at Allied Arts Festival of the Arts are some new journal designs I've been playing with. I love quilts and put that love into some journal designs -- more designs to come. Plus a little Paris invasion with a few Ecriture de Journal (Journal Writing) -- I love the colors of these Paris motif journals. 

.....The Quilt Designs.....

.....The Paris Motif.....

 

I'm a Grandma and proud of it......

I just spent a week getting to know my new, little granddaughter and one of the best weeks of my life.  We cuddled, we walked, we cooed, we rocked, we laughed, we cried and I fell head over heels in love with this tiny, bundle of joy. Her parents are amazing!  To watch my own child take such loving care of his daughter and her mother's tender calmness even at 3:30 in the morning.  I'm a Grandma and proud of it......

Abigail the movie.....

Abbey comforts herself with those little fingers in the mouth --- she is so cute!
(click the lower right box for a full view -- you know you want to)

It's a Girl.......

I'm the proud Grandmother of Abigail Sierra born Sunday August 12

She's beautiful, perfect and the new love of my life.

While we're waiting.......

While we're waiting for the baby to arrive and the photos get plastered all over this site..

Here's a few tips, tricks, and ideas that followed me home from Pinterest.

Cut the empty toilet paper roll down the center and use to secure your wrapping paper.

Save your cans, clean and cover with paper, twine, fabric and secure to a wooden lazy susan - Waalaa, you're organized.

 

Measure the space between your picture frame holders with painter tape, remove and put it on the wall for the perfect spacing to hang it straight.

 

How to fold a neat napkin that holds the silverware just right.

One of my favorites: Put a colored glow stick in the bath water -- fun!

Bruce and Yana's Wedding: August 4th

Bruce and Yana reciting their vows

The family

Bruce's family

Yana's family

 

Saturday's wedding was very, very lovely. Bruce and Yana were  married in their backyard that was filled with flowers, a bit of heat and family and friends. These are just some of the snapshots I took while the photographer was shooting the pro-pics. The food was wonderful and seeing old friends was great. Bruce, Yana and Rylan are now officially a family. We love you!

The Formal Photo of Andrea and Chris: July 21st

We're starting to acquire the wedding photos from the studio team that captured the wedding perfectly. But, this is one of my very favorites and had to post it........

July 21st Celebration

Andrea, Jack and Chris - Andrea and Mom - party on - a glimpse of the decorations.

I didn't take as many photographs as I thought I was taking -- 

waiting for pro's work to come through for more memory keepers

The first of our three event summer ~ Andrea and Chris' wedding celebration.

The weather was a perfect 72 degrees, Chris' parents graciously hosted the ceremony and reception at their gorgeous home, over 70 guests celebrated with Andrea and Chris reciting commitment vows, dining on some of Portland's best cuisine and dancing til the moon came up. It was perfect in every way. Andrea's planning, orgainizing and achievement was flawless, creating the perfect day full of wonderful memories. Congratulations Andrea and Chris ~ we love you!

My son, the Photographer.....

The annual black and white August issue of Outdoor Photographer this year is featuring my son, Scott Mansfield. Here's a link for the online section they've posted (3 pages) ~ for more about Scott's work pick up the magazine or visit Scott's site: www.scottmansfield.com. And be sure to shop Scott's online store for some of his great prints at Flora.

It's Been Too Long......

It's been ages since I've posted or read my own blog ..... if you've read anything on this site, you know how my spring and summer has been filled: planning, flying, hitting the rails, showers, weddings and baby watch. But, I took a moment to check out Pinterest and found some great ideas that followed me home. Here's a few to consider.

Repairs ~ Paint ~ DIY

Use a rubber band to remove those pesky, stripped screws.

Push pins attached to the underside and paint away.

So much easier than using painters tape - wish I'd known this trick a few years ago.

The simple tricks to make life a little bit easier

Curtain tension rods between shelves - so simple.

Cover a TV tray with 3-4 natural fiber batting, top with color-fast fabric and use the staple gun to attach to the underside: quick, easy small ironing board.

My favorite: attach IKEA spice racks to the side of a dresser for extra storage.

Need an idea to use the thousands of thumb tacks you've got: pencil out your wording and go to town. I love the look and much easier than hand painting or applying those vinyl letters.

The March of The Cameron Men

In loving memory of my father
Norman Ross Cameron
(Scotty to all that knew and loved him)

May 11, 1921 ~ April 22, 2012