On the road again…

I’m taking a road trip later this month, I’m going to CHA.  Yep, that CHA – Craft & Hobby Associations SuperShow – in Anaheim.  Considered one of the top craft shows in the US…I can’t wait to see all the new products, catch a few classes and get the low-down on the latest trends in the crafting world.  Hmmm…wonder what fabulous thing I’ll have to bring home??!!

No trip to O.C. is complete without a stops at a few of my favorite shops…I adore Country Roads in Orange…

And Shinodas Design Center…mmmhmmm…I could do some shopping there, I could!  A gal can never have too many crafty supplies, can she?!

Instead of resolutions I’ve made goals this year, among them is a ‘project a day’ to keep up with the shops, volunteer projects and work.  I’m 4 for 4 (4 in 4 days) so far, not bad!  We’ll see how I’m doing by the 22nd when I hit the road…

Have a great week!
Mandi

Memories…

Can it really BE?!  Is it over already???  2009 was memorable for sooo many wonderful reasons.  We played hard, worked hard, and celebrated many special occasions. 

Some of my favorite memories include…

Fabulous finds in my space at Room With a Past 

 

Mementos at outdoor shows and holiday boutiques…

 

Shopping at fabulous places like “Paris To The Moon”  in Costa Mesa CA…

and Poppyseeds in Stanwood WA…

Mementos designed some really great favors…

And family memories were made special by trips up and down the coast…

Friday Harbor with ‘the Herbs’…

Dolphins with Meg & Brett

Disneyland with my mom, Meg and Sabrina (for my 50th!)

Cherry picking with my mom and the Hadster

My dad on the Monorail

And carving pumpkins with the Hadster

And I can’t forget Scouts…

An overnight stay on the SF Bay…

And School…I was named Parent of the Year!!!  I’m sooo honored…gardening is in my soul, thanks to students and parents who share my passion! 

 

As we look back at 2009 we hope you had a happy and prosperous year, and enjoy looking back at your own memories…

And as we stroll into 2010…

We hope  that the new year brings you everything you are hoping for.

I can’t think of a nicer way to end the year than looking back at what made it memorable for us.   Let’s join Cindy at My Romantic Home for a look back at her beautiful home in 2009, and visit others who have joined in on her ‘Year in Review’ party.  And welcome to those who have visited Mementos from the party!

Have a Happy New Year!

Mandi

Merry Christmas!

Some of the sights around our home today…

My vintage favorites, and Annalees…

 

Yes, that is the shower curtain peeking out from the reflection in the mirror over the vanity…

Some of the Coca Cola collection…

She’s a little bit vintage, he’s a little bit Coca-Cola…and it all goes quite lovely together!  The rest of the house is still covered in wrapping paper and boxes…we’re still having fun playing with our new toys.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas Day.  Always remember the ‘reason for the season’, and above all

BELIEVE

Mandi

May you have the Merriest Holiday ever!

I design our Christmas Card every year. I LOVE saying “Merry Christmas” to our family and friends, and we do it a different way every year....but always with a photo of the Hadster, and often with his buddy Santa Bob. This is from last year of h with Santa Bob at the Pack 62 holiday party :

Another favorite photo is MIA...it was of a special day for the Hadster, he had just gotten his braces off…and then we went up to Mount Diablo and played in the snow! He was sooo excited to build a snowman and throw snowballs (at me of course!). The grin stayed on his face until he fell into bed that night. I remember the feeling well, nothing feels quite as great as getting those braces off! (hopefully this photo shows up someday, had a 'photo hosting issue' that lost a good bit of this blog of mine!).

The big guy will be here in a week, I do hope you are on his nice list, I know I am!!!

Mandi

Take Tyme…

To visit  Tyme For Tea in the Historic town of Niles (CA),  you’ll be so glad you did.  

The shop is beautiful all dressed up for the holidays, and the Tea Room looks so inviting.  My favorite spot inside has to be the sweetest too…

Charlottes Fudge!!!  Need I say more?  It is amazing…and the displays are mouth-watering.  The cabinets are filled with truffles, chocolate ‘bark’, candy cane sticks, taffy and other sweets…something for every sweet tooth!  On my last visit I couldn’t resist doing some shopping for holiday treats for family and friends.    (click on each photo to see it up close!)

And then there is the Fudge – look at it all!!! Rows of yummy flavors (Chocolate, Raspberry Chocolate, Rocky Road, Mocha) all made from scratch by Charlotte.

Charlotte’s displays include holiday decor and antiques.

The garland above the sweet shop is filled with cupcakes and glittered goodies galore!

Look what is nestled in the candy shop area ~ cards, tags and journals by Mementos. 

They look lovely on the antique display cabinet!

Stop by the Tyme for Tea website for more information on holiday teas and parties…it is a jewel to be discovered.

Have a wonderful week!
Mandi

Here comes Santa Claus….

Me at 13 months…my grandpa was heartbroken that I didn’t love him as Santa!

And my son at the same age (in ‘01).  “Santa Bob” was trying to get him to pose.  The Hadster finally got Santa to see things his way…

 

And yes, we used it as our Christmas card that year…

Welcome to “Crafting with a Vintage Look” (aka Vintageimagecraft.com Newsletter) readers!!!  Thanks to Scott & Martin for including Mementos in your newsletter~!   If you have not picked up their 'e-book’ “Cards With a Past”, you really need to – it has some wonderful ideas on how to use your vintage images to create beautiful holiday cards. My favorite is the ‘CD Card”.  Click here to see the CD card and others!

Happy holidays!

Mandi

Holiday Boutique fun!

One last boutique before the elves pack up the show for the winter!  Our school held the annual fundraiser that featured crafters and vendors selling lots of fun stuff for the kiddies and their families.   Some of my holiday fare included  ‘Merry Kissmas’ stocking stuffers…

Vintage postcard images journals and tags…

And colorful holiday journals that the girls loved!

We had a great time and bought one-of-a-kind gifts for family and friends (shhh, don’t tell!)…and we won a raffle prize that the Hadster will be crazy-happy about when he finds it under the tree!

Room With a Past is open this weekend and it is one you will NOT want to miss!  The shop is loaded with holiday treats for everyone on your gift-giving-list.  See you there!

Happy Ho-Ho-Holidays!

Mandi