Paper Junkie Life

Fix it Friday

2011-02-25T14:29:00.000-08:00

I Heart Faces is one of my favorite sites. Every Friday they post a photo for you to edit. It's a great way to work on your photo editing skills, although I haven't had the time to play in forever!!

Here's the original image which is already an incredibly beautiful photo.

I lightened her skin tones ever so slightly and added a bit of gossamer blur. Didn't really make much difference.

Added a bit more punch by enhancing the colors.

Then converted it to B&W

And then Chocolate!

It was so much fun playing with this image. I really can't decide which version is my favorite.....I love them all. The original photo was already perfect....and it's hard to improve on perfection.

Visit I Heart Faces to see more edits!

Christmas at a food court

2010-12-10T08:17:00.000-08:00

Flash mobs are showing up everywhere now days. This video has been circulating the web lately. Watching it just makes me smile!! Enjoy!

Enjoying Summer

2010-07-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-19T23:02:00.000-07:00

It's Father's Day tomorrow!! My husband has always been an amazing father and friend to our children. I'm so happy that they all have wonderful memories of growing up with a daddy who took the time to play with them, listen to them, hike in the woods with them. He was a fun dad, a firm dad, and a COOL dad!! He always took interests in the children's hobbies, whether it was building rocket ships and launching them off the farm quad, or riding motorcycles on the trails or the track.

My hubby is very much a *gear-head*kind of guy, but this year he is getting one of the coolest hi-tech gadgets available. I know he'll love it~

Enjoy your day honey! ♥

xoxo

Weekend Fun

2010-06-17T00:31:00.000-07:00

We went to the mountains this past weekend for a Street Rod show. The weather was a bugger. Had two days of pouring rain & two days of sun! The car show is a 2 day event, filled with contests, music, a parade and Show-n-Shine.

Every block of this lovely little mountain community was decorated with beautiful bronze sculptures created by local artists.

Afterwards we did a little sight-seeing, exploring and some hiking. The mountain streams were still raging with winter run-off!

We took the tram up to the mountain top and spent the afternoon hiking around. Many of the trails were still covered in snow, but we still found plenty to see at 8257 feet!! The views were spectacular, and Yeah, the air is a little thin up there!

We were surprised to see these little chipmunks running all over the place. This little guy was so curious about my camera and just sat there on my lap watching me for the longest time.

Finally decided it was time to share a bit of our lunch with them!!

Sometimes huffing & puffing around 8200 feet is worth it!!

Enjoy! ♥

Worldwide Photo Walk

2010-06-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

It's time for the Third annual Worldwide Photo Walk!

When? July24th!

Where? At a City near you!!

Check the site daily as new locations are posted often!!

http://worldwidephotowalk.com/

It's time for a new car! Think I'm sold!!!

2010-06-02T11:00:00.001-07:00

My Wish

2010-05-28T11:41:00.000-07:00

My Wish for you is to have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Please remember all of the brave men & women who have & are currently fighting for our freedom and protecting our nation!

Memorial Day commemorates U.S. men & women who died while serving in the Military Service. Many people observe this holiday by placing flowers or flags on the graves of loved ones lost. Others observe the holiday with family BBQ's or camping trips.

No matter how you celebrate this Memorial Day Holiday weekend, please remember all those in our Military Forces!

Enjoy!!

A Rose is a Rose

2010-05-18T23:11:00.000-07:00

These are one of my most favorite types of roses. They are an Heirloom Roses. The petal are a soft ivory with a lovely vein like texture. The tips of each petal is tinted soft coral red. As the petals open they gently begin to curl, exposing it's many layers. They last a good long time in a vase of water. Once spent, they are a wonderful dried flower to use as an embellishment.

Macro Monday

2010-05-10T21:58:00.000-07:00

Spring is here!!!!!

Watery Wednesday

2010-03-23T17:23:00.000-07:00

Our Spring weather always proves to be a mixed bag of rain & sunshine. Sometimes you just need to put on your rain slicker & Wellies and enjoy!

Enjoy your day!!!

An Apple a Day

2010-03-22T21:18:00.000-07:00

An Apple a Day makes me happy!! I can't tell you how much I am loving my new iPhone and my new iMac!! After years of fighting an old outdated PC, to finally have a computer that runs so smooth and fast is a dream!! I am so glad I finally made the switch!! iLife is sweet!!

Wear Sunscreen

2010-03-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

It was just a random twist of events that I came upon this video today.
It's one of my all time favorites!
I hope by sharing it, it makes you feel good inside!!
Enjoy!!

NOTE: You may need to turn off my blog music first so it
doesn't override this wonderful clip!

Glimpses of Spring

2010-03-11T13:24:00.000-08:00

Although we had a dusting of snow earlier this week and today is it pouring down rain, there are some glimpses of Spring staring to emerge!

I love these beautiful purple Hyacinth! Their fragrance is wonderful!!

Daffodils in bloom are the perfect indication that Spring is on it's way!!

........and even the rain can be beautiful!

Enjoy your day!

Well it's Official

2010-02-25T22:14:00.000-08:00

Well it's Official......... My trip to South America with Karen Russell has been cancelled!!

Due to the massive mudslides that struck Peru, the travel company has decided to cancel the trip. The mudslides wiped out all passageways along the Inca trail from Cuzco to the Holy City of Machu Picchu. It took military helicopters several days to rescue thousands of tourists trapped by the mudslides.

This trip was like a dream come true for me! I was beyond excited about this trip since it was much more than a vacation.....it was a going to be a thrilling & exciting adventure! It was a trip promised to be filled with discovery & exploration. A National Geographic Explorer type expedition rather than a plush holiday resort vacation. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity!

I've been building up my physical strength all year for this journey! I was really looking forward to seeing the Amazon jungle & walking among the ruins of Machu Picchu, seeing the busy streets of Lima, and so much more!! And making it even more special was that I (and a small group of others) would be sharing this experience with famed photographer & scrapbooker, Karen Russell!! (I just adore her)

Needless to say, I am very so disappointed. Some tears have been shed! Words really can't even describe how bummed I am!!!

As things stand right now, I will file my claim with the insurance company to get a refund. Thank goodness I purchased trip insurance!! The travel company is very optimistic that the trip will definitely take place next year.

March 2011 seems so far away! The long wait will be hard!! But I'm excited and looking forward to the experience!!

Clickin Moms

2010-02-19T19:34:00.000-08:00

Do you want to learn how to rock that camera you have? Well check out Clickin Moms!! It's a really great site filled with woman who have a love for photography! Their forum is filled with lots of helpful topics & tutorials! It's a wonderful place to gather information & support!! Check them out here!!

The Savvy Photographer

2010-02-04T21:23:00.000-08:00

If you're like me, you take your camera everywhere with you! I usually stick my big ole Canon in my purse when I go to town or the park or where ever. Sure, I have a camera bag, but it looks like a camera bag!

I have been wishing someone would design a camera bag just for us women, that is stylish & functional and can also be used as a purse! Well check out these beautiful Kelly Moore bags! They come in a variety of pretty colors and The Savvy Photographer is giving away one of these beauties too!!

Dear Tim

2010-01-25T17:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks for contributing to my addiction!!

♥ ♥ ♥

~~~~~~~
Tim Holtz and Sizzix have joined forces! Wow, this is a match made in heaven!
I absolutely love all of these new Alteration dies !! And of course there is a new die cutting machine to go along with them!!

Yep, this cool vintage looking suitcase is a die cutter!

I
I need another die cutting machine like I need another hole in my head! But the temptation is so great!!

Please Help Support Disaster Relief in Haiti

2010-01-18T18:16:00.000-08:00

On January 12, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. Please join the recovery efforts mobilizing around the world to assist earthquake victims. Your donation will help disaster victims rebuild their lives and their communities.

Google will also donate $1 million to help organizations provide relief.

Please open your hearts and help! It's as simple as sending a text message!!

The following organizations are accepting SMS donations in the US only:

SMS text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts
SMS text “YELE” to 501501 to donate $5 to Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief efforts
SMS text "GIVE10" to 20222 to donate $10 to Direct Relief

Thank You! ♥♥♥

Florabella Fine Art Textures & Actions

2010-01-18T08:23:00.000-08:00

Flora Bella offers beautiful fine art textures and actions for your photo editing needs. Their actions work with both PS-CS4 & PS Elements. There is a giveaway taking place at the Maternal Lens today! The giveaway is for all three collections: B&W, Vintage and Color & Haze. I ♥ them all!!

Have a great week! ♥♥♥

Beyond Snapshots

2010-01-13T17:25:00.000-08:00

Hey girls, the new site Beyond Snapshots is up and running and they're having a fun little giveaway!! If you were lucky enough to get a new camera from Santa or already have a camera and would like to learn a little bit more about photography, then stop by and take a peek of what they have to offer!! Enjoy!

♥♥♥

Basic Grey

2010-01-12T00:07:00.000-08:00

Yippie! The new Basic Grey site is finally up and running!! They have lots of new surprises in store for you! And they have all their gorgeous fabrics available for purchase!! No more searching long distance quilt shops hoping to find a stash! Check it out here!! It's so yummy!!
♥♥♥

Happy Holidays

2009-12-30T16:47:00.001-08:00

Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday season!
See you in the New Year!! ♥

Vegas Baby!

2009-12-20T20:24:00.001-08:00

As a Christmas present to ourselves, we took a trip to Las Vegas with a group of friends! We all went to the Brooks & Dunn concert, and the National Rodeo Finals. We also took in a Rodney Carrington comedy show and made a trip to the Neon Museum. It's been about 15 years since our last trip to Vegas. Wow, it has changed!!

We aren't gamblers, so we spent every waking moment on the go, seeing the sites, enjoying the architecture and people watching.

Las Vegas is like the world’s biggest playground where anyone can find excitement and entertainment!

All of the casinos were beautifully decorated for Christmas!

Stunning architecture was everywhere!

The new City Center Las Vegas had it's grand opening while we were there. It's a huge complex that offers a collection of spectacular hotels and residences, sensational spas, astonishing dining and extraordinary shopping. With a total cost of approximately $11 billion, City Center is the largest privately financed development in the United States. The architecture is very modern and unlike anything in Vegas! There was lots of red carpet hoopla....so we were constantly on celeb-watch!

Our trip to the Neon Museum was great! The Neon Museum was established in 1996 to collect, preserve and exhibit neon signs, the classic Las Vegas art form. More than 150 signs in the collection can be used to tell a unique story about who created it, what inspired it, where and when it was made, and how it fits into the development of Las Vegas and its rich history. Changes and trends in design and technology are also illustrated in the pieces that range from the 1930s to the present day.

Sammy Hagar was in town playing three shows a day at his CaboWabo cantina. The Rock & Roll Marathon took place despite freezing cold temps. For the first time in Vegas history, the entire Strip was closed in both directions. Lucky for us we could watch it from our hotel room! It was so cold that the drinking water at the thirst/medical stations would freeze. Oh and of course Elvis lives on every street corner!!

We had a list of things to do & see and a week simply didn't give us enough time to do it all, so I guess we'll need to go back!! Yay!!

Winter 2009 Scrapbooking & Beyond

2009-12-16T14:28:00.000-08:00

The Winter issue of Scrapbooking & Beyond is in the stores now!

I'm a little slow at getting this posted since we've been out of town. When I opened my box from the publisher, I was so delighted to see that my dear friend Liz Qualman was featured on the magazine cover!

This is the final installment of A Flourish for Every Season. The series was created using one major embellishment to represent each season. Flourishes of crystals, stitching, rub-ons and now paper. This is the layout I created for the winter edition using Basic Grey's Wassail collection.

My flourish was cut from Bazzill cardstock using my favorite Limited Edition QK die.

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist on the journaling tag and Prima flower gives an aged appearance.

I painted naked chipboard alphabets with white paint, sanded the edges and coated with Glossy Accents. The ghost snowflakes I coated with Stickles for some sparkle and added tiny pearls to the centers.
It was such an honor to be part of this series. And I was privileged to share this honor with my very talented friends Gabrielle Pollacco, Liz Qualman, & Robbie Herring.

Merry Merry Christmas!!

Brrrrrrrr

2009-12-11T09:09:00.000-08:00

It has been extremely cold for the past week and a half. Our highest temps have not even reached the freezing mark. Most days the highest temps have been in the teens and 20's and the nightly lows have dipped down to single digits! Yesterday morning it was only 5 degrees!! Brrrrr

Yesterday I took a hike up to some local water falls. I'd heard they were frozen and wanted to get a few shots. Being the ever ready girl scout that I am, I put on my Sorrels, bundled up in multiple layers, filled my backpack with extra clothes, juice & crackers and of course chem hand warmers, and off I went!

The river's water level is high from all the winter rains so the falls don't appear as tall as they are in the summer months. We used to spend every summer out here swimming and diving off the rocks. Now the area is gated off to keep vandals out.

The hike in is just under 3 miles, and of course 3 more miles hiking back out! I'm sore today, but the trek was definitely worth it!

Today a storm front is moving in and we are expecting a combination of snow, sleet and freezing rain!! Simply the worst combination ever!! So today I plan to study & work from home next to a nice warm fire!

I hope everyone is enjoying a warm & wonderful winter!!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T17:16:00.000-08:00

On my mind today are the amazing friendships I have formed by blogging. I am so grateful for words of encouragement and positive comments! Wishing you all a wonderful day of Thanksgiving!

Thank You

2009-10-25T13:29:00.000-07:00

Oh goodness, I have been such a bad blogger and so many emails to return! I am so sorry! As many of you know, life has been rather chaotic lately and on top of that, losing Miss Riley and adjusting to life without her has been difficult. Some days I still cry!
From the bottom of my heart, I want to say Thank You, to each and every one of you for all your kind thoughts and condolences!! Your kindness has touched me deeply!

I haven't had any time to scrap or play with paper, so I have nothing creative to share other than a few photos taken the other day! I love the sun flares I captured on the bridge.

I hate spiders more than anything but thought this spider's web covered with dew sparkled like diamonds.

We also enjoyed a fun time at the pumpkin patch!!

Hope you all enjoy this wonderful fall season!! ♥♥♥

In memory of our beloved Miss Riley

2009-09-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

♥ Miss Riley June ♥

2003 ~ 2009

Miss Riley passed away on Friday, September 18th, after battling a lifelong illness.

My heart is broken!

( Our special thanks to Dr. Bullard & Dr. Rataj and staff for their unending compassion. Not only did they provided Miss Riley with excellent care, but they also sent us lovely flowers and made a charitable donation in her memory. The following poem was also given to us by our Vet.)

The Rainbow Bridge

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just the side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again. Those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other.

There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on Earth. So, each day they run and play until the day comes to when one suddenly stops playing and looks up! The nose twitches! The ears are up! The eyes are staring! And this one suddenly runs from the group!

You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.

Welcome Fall

2009-09-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

Goodbye summer. Welcome fall. The weather here is still lovely....the days are warm, the air is crisp, but there is a definite hint of Autumn in the air. So today while finishing up my yard work and deadheading all my hanging baskets, I thought it was time to change the flowers on the front porch to something more Fall like. What do you think? Pretty eh?

Over the weekend we took a trip to the local apple farm to buy some apples for canning, and a few pies. We're also going to try our hands at making homemade apple cider since we recently acquired an antique cider press.

And here's a few of my favorite shots from the weekend.

Hope you all have a beautiful week!

Time for the big MCS Reveal

2009-09-05T16:04:00.000-07:00

Woohoo! The new products from CHA are starting to hit the streets and MCS has them!!! September's kits from My Creative Scrapbook are filled with gorgeous new products from Pink Paislee and Prima!! All I can say is Pam really out did herself this month!!

This month has to be one of my most favorite ever! oh wait.....I think I've said that before! hee hee! Seriously, both the Main kit and the Limited Edition kit are just gorgeous, and I was so lucky to be able to design with both of them!!

The Limited Edition kit features the new Prima 'Indeed' collection. The Main kit features Pink Paislee 'Amber Road'. Both are stunning collections!!!

Let's start with the Main Kit:

The base layer of this layout is paper by Collage Press which is included in the kit.

The stitching on this layout really isn't stitching at all. It's faux!!! I used a 'faux' stitching technique created by my dear friend and sister designer Mireille. If you would like to try this easy technique, she has a wonderful tutorial posted here.

I love the new canvas tags from Pink Paislee! To keep with the rustic feel of my layout, I simply frayed the tag edges and used staples to attach it, and used coordinating paper for my punched flowers.

I applied rub-ons on my buttons and used the new 12" transparent border stickers by Pink Paislee.

These beautifully edges papers make any layout look spectacular.

My grandson loves helping his daddy do yard work. These new Prima newsprint flowers lend themselves nicely to both feminine and masculine layouts. I embossed the red flowers and heavily inked a small newsprint flower to give it a deep red velvety look.

I used my sewing machine to attached the Pink Paislee canvas tag, and hand stitched a border around my title to add additional texture and interest.

The Main kit is loaded with so many embellishments. I still had plenty left over to make a card. Actually I could have made several cards, but ran out of time :) ~~~

Now on to the Limited Edition kit which features the new Prima *Indeed* collection. The LE kit is packed full of Prima goodness! All papers are double-sided (love that)! Prima Parlour Petals & Baroque blooms, vines, chipboard alphabets, and an entire tube of coordinating flowers give you lots of decorating options! Beautiful pearl & crystal flourishes and elegant Thicker shapes also are included! When I opened this kit I think my heart went all a flutter!

This is a photo of our youngest daughter and some friends on an overseas missionary trip. She is constantly serving & giving to others!! We are enormously proud of her!

Prima's packaging is so pretty that I just can't bare to toss it out, so I incorporate them into my layouts. Here I used the pretty green scalloped backing as a mat for my photo.

We've really enjoyed our time at the lake this summer. After having some recent photos developed I knew instantly which papers I wanted to use for this photo of my hubby taking an early morning ride. I just love how the sun is glistening on the water! I used almost an entire bottle of Stickles on this layout to add the twinkly effect to the paper, flowers and title (although I know it's really hard to see the sparkle here); and I used the chandelier crystals to mimic water drops.

To see more beautiful & creative ideas on how to use these gorgeous crystals, please visit Gabrielle's blog. I love her work and the awesome techniques she uses!!
This has to be one of the fastest and easiest layouts I've ever done! These beautiful Prima papers make creating so easy!!
For this layout I simply added two strips of punched paper, Thicker's chipboard scrolls, and I used the Prima packaging as my journaling card......Voila!

Look at these beautiful new crystal & pearls flourishes by Prima!! Simply divine! They add the perfect touch to any project!

Each month Pam puts together fabulous kits filled with the newest products available, along with an exclusive sketch design. These always sell out quick, so sign up now or get your name added to the Wait List so you don't miss out!!
For addition inspiration be sure to visit the MCS Designer Gallery!

Sneaks

2009-09-02T11:59:00.001-07:00

Are you ready for some Sneaks??? Well here ya go!! It's almost "Reveal Day' at My Creative Scrapbook!!

Bikini Babe

2009-08-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe that summer is almost over!! Today was another beautiful sunny day. After doing yard work and getting caught up on some household chores, we decided to take a break, relax, and bask in the sun. Then the idea hit me......I should take a picture of Miss Riley!! ROFL!!!! I think she looks better in my bikini than I do!! Have a happy day!!

I {Heart} Chocolate

2009-08-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

Everyone who knows me, knows I LOVE chocolate!! Actually I eat some every week!! It's a vice, it's a treat, it's healthy right....LOL! For my Birthday last week, my future SIL gave me a beautiful box of chocolates from Verdun. These are not the cheap waxy kind, but the insanely delicious expensive kind!! Verdun is a upscale Chocolatier in the city, whose place is so divine, it looks like a jewelry store! Each piece of chocolate is hand wrapped in beautiful foil and placed in an elegant bronze & gold box tied with satin ribbon. Well, today I ate the last piece and I'm about 5 pounds heavier!!! (and no I didn't share....I'm a pig & it was a big box too!):?

I ♥ Faces ~ Bubbles Challenge

2009-08-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

The photo challenge this week at I ♥ Faces is Bubbles!
Since I no longer have small children living at home to do the blowing bubbles thing, I was pondering what my project might be for this challenge. After an exhausting day and enjoying some 'Me' time, it suddenly became obvious! (and yes, I did climb out of the tub to grab my camera!)
Ok, so this may not be the most creative, but it certainly was relaxing! :-)

Note: photo is SOOC all I did was add the frame

Be sure to visit the I ♥ Faces website to see all the other wonderful bubble entries!!!

Enjoy your day! :-)

My Creative Scrapbook's 7th Anniversary Contest

2009-08-15T23:07:00.000-07:00

We're having a HUGE celebration contest over at My Creative Scrapbook!! Awesome prizes, and lots of fun, all because the Kit Club is 7 years old!!!!

There will be 4 categories...
1. Layouts - any size, any shape, just show us your layouts!
2. Altered Items- anything goes!
3. Mini Albums- these can be store bought, or you can make your own. It just has to be a mini album!
4. Cards- any size, any shape... this category is all about cards!

Now for the rules... you gotta have them, but we don't want many! This contest is all about YOUR ideas!The item must include paper in the overall design. All entries must be newly created for this contest. Simple huh? GRAND PRIZE- to be eligible for the Grand Prize you must create an item for all four categories.This will enter you into the drawing for the Grand Prize. One winner will be chosen for each catagory. You may only win one category however you will still be eligible for the grand prize drawing if you win a catagory. Dates of the Contest are 8-15-09 thru 9-20-09. The deadline for entries is 9-20-09 midnight central time. The Prize drawing will be on 9-21-09 and the winners will be posted on the message board by noon on 9-21-09.International entries are welcome, however international winners must pay their own shipping.
You do not have to be a MyCreativeScrapbook.com kit member to enter. You may enter more than one item per category.

Please post your creations in the My Creative Scrapbook General Gallery. Your entries must be posted in the My Creative Scrapbook gallery to be eligible.

Please put the following as the title of your entry:

If you create a layout put: Contest – Layout
If you create an Altered item put: Contest- Altered item
If you create a Mini Album put: Contest – Mini album
If you create a Card put: Contest – Card

And here are the prizes!!!

GRAND PRIZE

LAYOUT CATEGORY

ALTERED ITEM CATEGORY

MINI ALBUM CATEGORY

CARD CATEGORY

Sooooo.......To win additional prizes just comment on other member's contest work and participate in the contest. Pam will be watching and she will enter your name in weekly drawings for RAK prizes. She has lots of great prizes to give away…So come join the fun!!!!

Gorgeous Mosaic Art

2009-08-12T18:01:00.000-07:00

I was blog surfing last night due to insomnia and came across this wonderful website Lavender Hill Studios. The artist Penny Carlson creates the most beautiful pieces of mosaic art! I LOVE projects like this!! Isn't this little table fabulous!! I think this is so pretty and will make a beautiful addition to my daughter's bedroom! I have been hanging onto some broken china that was much too beautiful to throw out, and I've been saving it with a project like this in mind. Plus I also have a little table almost identical to this that will work perfectly! This is at the top of my 'Must Do' project list! Once the winter rains begin, I will definitely get started on this project!! I just love being able to re-purpose, reclaim and reuse items!!

Before~

After~

If you are interested in learning how to create a mosaic project like this, the artist Penny Carlson also sells a how-to-ebook with step by step instructions.

Cards for Heroes

2009-08-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

Cards for Heroes is a non-profit organization devoted to bringing hope to soldiers overseas by providing handmade cards. Thousands of private citizens have come together through a common love of crafting and the desire to honor our armed forces serving on our behalf.

Regardless of what we think about the conflicts currently going on around the world, we as crafters can agree that our heroes are brave, honorable, and deserve our support. These cards allow them to keep in touch with their loved ones at home.
Your lovely handmade cards will be delivered to troops overseas in bulk shipments. The cards are placed in areas where soldiers can choose their own, write a message, and send them back to loved ones at home for 'Free'. For families waiting at home, a card from your soldier is a cherished gift! It may not seem like a much, but deployments are long......and after not hearing from your loved one for long periods of time, these little handmade cards with our loved ones handwriting inside mean so very much!

I am a military Mom! Supporting projects like this is really important to me! I am truly grateful to our military for their service & sacrifice!!

If you wish to participate, all you have to do is make a card, or several cards for the Cards for Heroes program. This would also be a really great project to get your children involved in or your Scout Troup or 4-H Group.

CARD TIPS

-NO glitter! This is very important! Glitter gets on soldiers uniforms and makes them visible with night-vision goggles.

-Best size card to make is A2 (4.25 x 5.5) but any size card is acceptable.

-Dark Cardstock: This is ok to use but make sure that you put a light colored liner inside your card. Soldiers rarely have access to light colored pens.

Mail your completed cards to:

Fabre Sanders
32 Temi Rd
Holliston, MA 01746
fabre@cardsforheroes.org

Sandy Allnock
35205 13th PL SW
Federal Way, WA 98023
sandy@cardsforheroes.org

Kris Allan
12152 S Summit St
Olathe, KS 66062
kris@cardsforheroes.org

Thank you! The Gratitude Campaign

August MCS Kit Reveal

2009-08-06T09:14:00.000-07:00

This month I had the pleasure of designing with two different kits from My Creative Scrapbook. The 'Main Kit' which features beautiful papers from My Minds Eye , and the 'Album Kit' which features Bo Bunny. Both kits are filled with spectacular goodies. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to play with both, because it would be very difficult to select just one!

So first lets start off with the Album kit since that's how it loaded up onto my blog.

This month's 'Album Kit' features the Bo Bunny Popsicle collection. Yep, they're double sided papers!! The colors in this Popsicle collection are so fresh & fun and perfect for your summer photos! I had a blast designing with this kit!! It's so versatile and is packed full of embellishments! The Little Yellow Bicycle Summer Journal tablet & LYB clear cut word stickers are so awesome!!

I love the journaling card booklet that's included in the kit, plus you get two different font stickers. Here I outlined my title and coated the alphabet stickers with Glossy Accents for a slick wet look!
~~~

On my Eye Spy layout, this is my Grandson playing with a magnifying glass. He spent countless hours investigating bugs, and leaves, and all things little boys do.
For added interest, try mounting a sticker such as this arrow onto black cardstock. Or layer your embellishments like I did here with the painted chipboard flower, felt flower and button.
Using my Dymo label maker for journaling adds a fun touch to the page.

~~~

When I saw this funky VW Bus I just had to take a picture of it. I had no intentions of scrapping it, but once I saw these Bo Bunny papers.....well, I just had too!! They were a perfect match!

~~~

Several weeks ago we participated in the second annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk. This is a photo taken from on top of a bridge looking down on some people enjoying a Jazz concert in the park. I have no idea who these people are...LOL....but liked the interesting view point.
To add depth without all the bulk I backed the funky flowers with black cardstock and mounted them on pop dots. I also outlined my letters with a black pen and applied a coat of liquid glass for a more dimensional effect.

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The colors in the kits matched my gift bag perfectly, so of course I had to make a card to match!
This kit is so full of goodies! I had plenty of supplies to make 4 layouts plus this card, and I actually have enough left over that I could make a few more cards or mini book!

~~~~~

Now onto the gorgeous 'Main Kit'! These delicious papers from My Minds Eye are a very nice weight and doubled sided....yay....we all love that! Plus the kit is packed full of Primas!! We LOVE that too!!

I painted the chipboard words and sealed with Glossy Accents. The heart shape I simply colored with chalk ink and coated with a layer of Glossy Accents.
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Simple stitching and loads of Prima Sprites make for a fast and pretty page.
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I love the colors in this months kit and these gorgeous My Mind's Eye papers!!
A coat of Stickles adds a nice bit of sparkle to my Thicker alphas. I also outlined the Prima Sprites with Stickles.
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I used the Prima packaging as a journaling block for my title placement. I made the white flourishes using dimensional paint. You can see wonderfully easy tutorials here and here.
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And finally my last layout with the kit. That's 5 layouts I was able to create and I still have some leftovers!
The green strip on this layout is actually the packaging that accompanied the Prima flowers included in the kit. I thought it was much too pretty to toss away and thought it added a nice pop of color to my layout.

As you can see, I was able to create quite a few projects with both kits and I still have leftovers that could be used for card making or even another layout or minibook!! Pam really knows how to put these kits together so you get a tremendous value for your dollar!!
Be sure to visit the DT Gallery for additional inspiration!! These girls rock!!

Thanks for taking a peek!!

Just for Fun

2009-08-06T09:02:00.000-07:00

Here's one just for fun using the 'Limited Edition' kit from My Creative Scrapbook!! Who doesn't love Lemonade, especially if it's from Basic Grey!!
We have quite a few Lavender farms in our area and also some growing in our yard. So I thought it would be fun to incorporate some sprigs of fresh Lavender into my layout. (note: maybe not such a great idea after all....the little buds fall off every time you turn the page, so it wont be long before it makes a mess) I used Lavender Stickles to color the Thickers alphas. The black flourish die cut is by QK and not included in the kit. I used gold paint to make the flourishes. You can see easy to follow tutorials here and here.

Nigthtime In The City

2009-08-04T21:04:00.000-07:00

We took a trip to the city recently and had a little fun with some nighttime photography!

We've had triple digit temps for the past week so the evening air was perfect for a scroll along the water front.
I really do like the way the light reflects on the river and the beautiful city lights.

Just a few shots

2009-07-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

Just a few shots from the World Wide Photo Walk last weekend. The weather was spectacular!! We also had several friends living in various parts of the country who also participated in this event! I thought that was really cool!! I'm already looking forward to next years event!!

Bridge at sunset.

Doorway under bridge.

Someone's backyard located next to the bridge. They created their own private little oasis with a great green house and blue flamingo.

Public office works building and sculpture.

Cathedral arches under bridge.

Worldwide Photo Walk

2009-07-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Scott Kelby's second annual Worldwide Photo Walk. I am so excited to be joining in the fun! Last year I couldn't participate because I had just had surgery and was in a cast and unable to walk. This year I'm still gimpin' but I'm going anyways!! Should be a blast!

Fun with Jessica Sprague

2009-07-10T23:16:00.000-07:00

The last few days I've been playing around with some fun photo editing techniques that I've learned from the Jessica Sprague class. It is so fun & SO EASY!!! She explains each lesson in easy to understand terms for both PhotoShop & Elements. Plus each lesson comes in both written and video format! I am such a visual learned, so once I watched the video, everything made sense! Just a few clicks of the mouse and Voila!! Super simple!! I can't believe I've been knocking myself out trying to learn this stuff a book!!
Here I took two ordinary photos and grunged them up!
Layers ~ textures ~ masks~ oh my!! I feel a new addiction coming on!!

Lesson 1

2009-07-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

Jessica Sprague's Free photo editing classes started today. Our first lesson was to edit a photo using a .png file and word art. It was amazingly simple! For my first assignment I thought I'd use this photo that I took the other day. This little fawn was born last month and has almost doubled in size! They grow up so quickly!

It's Reveal time at MCS

2009-07-05T16:38:00.000-07:00

It' time for the big reveal over at My Creative Scrapbook! This month I had the pleasure of designing with both the Main Kit and the Limited Edition Kit.

First lets start with the Main kit which features the wonderful Traveler Collection from Little Yellow Bicycle. This kit is overflowing with goodies! The colors in this kit are fantastic and work beautifully with Craft card stock! Plus there are so many wonderful dimensional stickers and clear stickers that look like stamps and chipboard stickers! Really GOOD stuff this month! If you're a subscriber, you will absolutely love this kit once it arrives!! Be sure to check out the Design Gallery too! All of the girls created such amazing layouts and it really shows the versatility of this kit!

On a recent hike in the woods we came upon a tree that looked to us to have a face in it! Do you see it? Looks like an old man don't ya think! Reminds me of the faces in the forest in the movie, the Wizard of Oz.

We literally felt on top of the world while visiting Hurricane Ridge! I'm told it's aptly named. Guess we were lucky to see it on such a calm & beautiful day!

The Redwoods are magnificent!! You feel so tiny surrounded by the gigantic trees....it's really one of the great wonders of the world! While hiking we spied this orange fungus! It matched these papers perfectly! LOL

I had so many pictures from our trip so I decided to make a mini-book using an accordion album from Creative Imagination. I really did have a fun time creating with this kit!

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Next we have the Limited Edition kit which features Graphic 45, Fashionista Collection! G - 45 is one of my all time personal favorite lines! This kit also includes a Prima Paintable (very fun), beautiful rub-ons, and lots of gorgeous trims!! This kit is so stunning!!

This layout was inspired by the gorgeous beaded trim. I made the flourish using gold paint and colored my Prima paintable using water color pencils, staying with a monochromatic scheme.

I had a ton of photos I was wanting to incorporate into my work so I decided a two page layout was the answer. It has been ages since I've done a two pager and it was much more challenging than I remembered! We recently celebrated our Anniversary with a trip to Orcas Island! It's such a beautiful place! Some day we hope to move there, but for now, we are only dreaming!

These little booklets make great gifts! Perfect for mini brag books, or an inspirational booklet filled with meaningful quotes! This is also a great way to use up your scrap pieces of paper! It's a tri-fold and opens like this~

Thanks so much for taking the time to drop by! Be sure to visit the Design Gallery for more beautiful inspiration!!

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

I can hear the fireworks going off now, but we're much too tired to go outside to watch them. It was another sizzling hot day! We started off our morning with a parade and then spent the remainder of our day filled with wonderful friends & family, good food & laughter! Here's a few shots of the day!

Everyone loves a parade.......even dogs!!! Hope your 4th was fabulous!

Scrapbooking & Beyond

2009-07-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

The summer edition of Scrapbooking & Beyond was recently released!! I'm so exited to have another layout in there! This is my second layout for the series, 'A Flourish For Every Season'. This series was the brainchild of the uber talented Liz Qualman . The amazing talents of Gabrielle Pollacco & Robbie Herring are also contributing their beautiful creations to this project! Look for Scrapbooking & Beyond at a store near you! The magazine really is fabulous! It offers unique projects and informative articles, plus there is also an exclusive free pattern included this month!!

The summer edition focused on stitched flourishes. For mine I did a simple straight stitch combined with added French knots.

Free photo editing class

2009-06-26T22:02:00.000-07:00

Several of us are planning to take the free photo editing class taught by Jessica Sprague. If you're interested in joining the fun you can register here!!

A late surprise!

2009-06-23T19:22:00.000-07:00

This evening while cooking dinner another pregnant doe shows up! This is the first time we have even seen one go this late into the season. Usually they always have their babies starting the end of May through the first of June. I find it fascinating that they come out into the open to deliver their babies. She's been acting a bit peculiar and I think she's experiencing some contractions by the way she's acting. I bet she'll have it tonight!! I have my camera set up and ready, but I fear once again dusk will turn to darkness and I wont get any photos of the birth! Sweet looking isn't she!!! I don't like the flies on her face, but guess that's a part of nature!

Big Red & the Twins

2009-06-15T23:32:00.000-07:00

Big Red had her set of twins this past weekend!! They are just as cute as can be!! So we now have a total of 5 newborns running around here!!! They're so cute!!

Big Red is such a good mommy letting the baby fawn nurse and keep a watchful eye out for danger.
These little babes are so frisky & playful and so much fun to watch!!
Ooops....they hear something that makes them run for cover!

And then this handsome fella shows up this afternoon and just lays around for most the day. He's got some nice spike horns on him!Wonder which one will show up next?

Fawns

2009-06-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

Every year, for the past ten years, we have enjoyed witnessing the miracles of spring. Our newborn fawns are always born during the first two weeks of June. So I have been waiting all year for this event!

On Thursday we had a severe storm blow through knocking down trees and taking out power, so I was a bit concerned the deer might go into hiding for a few days. But when hubby came home from work on Friday he said he thought Babes (yes, we give them names...LOL) was having her baby up behind the barn. So I grab my camera a run up there as fast as I can. We get back up there just in time to see the fawn trying to stand up. It's was still wet and legs so wobbly. I took a few photos but just the click of the camera made the doe nervous, so I stopped and we just watched!

Babes and her newborn. This fawn was born sometime after 5:30pm on Friday. I took this photo at 7:22pm. I'm so disappointed that all my shots are blurry!! Not sure if it was from my heart pounding so hard after running up to the barn to get these pictures....or if I just don't know how to focus!

We stood and watched her for about half an hour or so, and then they started to walk away!

Here's Babes with her newborn walking around on Sunday afternoon.

Little Miss Splitear and her new little fawn!

Not sure of the birth date. She was still pregnant when I saw her on Friday night.....so this little one is a couple of days old.

Last night we had another doe go into labor. She was right out in the middle of the pasture. So I set up my camera and tripod hoping to get some good shots (since I obviously can't hold still to take a decent shot). Well, dusk soon turned into darkness and I wasn't able to get any photos. I haven't seen her yet this morning, but I'm confident we will see her within the next day or so with a little Bambi in tow.

There's still two more does due to deliver. One is mega huge, so we're hoping for twins again! For as long as we've lived here there has always been a set of twins born each year, so we're keeping our fingers crossed!

Here's some interesting facts about deer:

A deer's gestation period is 200 to 205 days, most of the fawns being born in the latter part of May or the first part of June. A doe giving birth for her first time will have a single fawn, thereafter she will have twins. in areas of good food, triplets are common as well as occasional quadruplets. There are even three records of quintuplets.

At birth a baby doe weighs about 4 1/2 pounds while a buck weighs 5 1/2 pounds. At the time of birth, the doe may return to a preselected spot or she may give birth wherever she happens to be. The fawns are born over a period of time that may extend from ten minutes up to two hours.

As soon as the fawn is born, the doe licks it dry with her tongue, Even before it can walk, the fawn in a matter of minutes seeks out the doe's udder and starts to nurse. The doe remains lying down so that the wobbly young can reach her nipples.

By the time the fawns are twenty minutes old, they can walk slowly on very shaky legs. The doe, as soon as possible, will lead her fawns away from the place of birth where her body fluids have soaked into the earth and may attract predators.

When a suitable place of concealment is reached, the doe leaves her fawns and moves off perhaps 100 yards away. The fawns in their spotted coats are almost impossible to see and are almost odorless. The doe comes back five to eight times a day to nurse the young and then leaves again. She always remains somewhere in the area where she can see if danger approaches or can hear the little ones if they call to her.

June's Reveal at MCS

2009-06-04T20:26:00.000-07:00

This month's MCS kit features the beautiful Lily Bee papers! Pam does such an amazing job selecting the products and putting the kits together!! The kit also includes die cuts, ribbon, Petaloo & Prima flowers, Zva Crystals, Pink Paislee chipboard and much more! The Petaloo flowers are my new fave!!

The deco edged paper that's included in the kit is wonderful. I was actually able to create three layouts using it. I didn't even plan it that way in the beginning, but was quite thrilled with the results!

A few years ago we took a trip to Moab, Utah. We visited Canyon Land & Arches Natl Park. Breathtaking views and also very hot!!!

I love the Petaloo flowers on this layout!!! In their package I think they look like an apple blossom. On this layout I inked them and sprayed them with Glimmer Mist. I think they now look more like rose buds! I have a very sentimental attachment to this sewing machine....it was my first 'Big Girl' purchase!

This is my grandson fishing with his Spiderman pole. And yes, he actually caught fish with it! Five to be exact!! One was a record breaker so he now has his photo on the wall of fame at the local market!!

This is a book with a photo frame front that I decided to altered. I painted the chipboard gold, sprayed the Prima bloom with gold Glimmer Mist (not included in the kit), added some ribbon and voila!

All the girls on the DT did a fabulous job with their kits this month! Have a peek here to see all their lovely creations!!

The Bear & The Mountain

2009-06-02T20:57:00.000-07:00

We had an absolutely amazing time in the Olympic National Forest. The views from Hurricane Ridge are breathtaking!

You are literally on top of the world! We were so fortunate to have nice weather.......hot actually, as you can see by my tank-top!

The park is so beautiful and filled with wonderful hiking trails! After we did some hiking & exploring we returned to the car. Just as we started driving down the road I spotted this bear!

He's just over the bank...(that gravel along the bottom of the photo is the shoulder of the roadway.) So of course we stop to snap some pictures. First we looked around for cubs or additional bears. Since the coast looked clear we got out of the car to get a closer look. Not sure if that was crazy or not, but it was exciting! I was shaking like a leaf and snapping pictures like a mad woman!!

The closer we got to the bear, the closer it walked towards us! As you can see the ground was steep & gravely. I was afraid of slipping & falling, but so excited at the same time!

We finally got to about 100 feet from the bear. I took this shot of the back of hubby's head just to help give perspective of the distance between us and the bear.

I think he or she really does look snuggley....(from a distance!) Thankfully it seemed more interested in dinner than in us.....but we were ready to run at a moments notice!!

Signature

2009-05-11T17:31:00.000-07:00

Today Oprah's show was The World's Got Talent with Simon Cowell. She had on this fantastic dancing duo called 'Signature'. These guys originally appeared on Britain's Got Talent! All I can say is Awesome!!!

Digging in the Dirt

2009-05-10T20:23:00.000-07:00

OMGosh!! What a weekend!! We've had the water leak from hell! The past few days have been spent digging in the dirt, and chipping away at concrete!! Literally from 'sun up, til sun down' we have been busting our butts!!! Well, actually hubby's been doing the back breaking work, I'm just his chief gopher....(go-fer-this & go-fer-that)!!! I can't do a lot of the hard physical stuff really, other than shallow digging with the shovel; but fortunately hubby taught me how to operate a tractor & hoe at an early age, so I can help with that! Being without water for days really sucks!! Having a very costly repair bill sucks even more!!

Having almost a 1/4 mile of waterline to check and isolate is time consuming. There's a reprieve in the rain storms, so it's time to get digging! Having one of the wettest months on record didn't help the situation any. The ground is saturated, but this was the most logical section for the leak. The ground is soggy and has experienced a lot of settling.

Time to isolate another section and install another gate valve.
The closer to the house we get, the more frustrating the situation. Oh please don't let the leak be under the porch!!

Listening to the saw, drill & jack hammer is bad enough. But listening to all that loud noise echo & vibrate off the house and porch is like being in a drum with someone pounding on it with a lead pipe! Seriously it makes your head & ears ring for days!Well $h@@t! Finally located it and it's at the point of transition where the copper pipe in the house meets the PVC outside.....and it's in the worst possible place ever!!! Under the front porch which is concrete!!!!

The sun has set and the tools are put away! Still no water, but the glue is drying!!! We'll see what happens tomorrow when we pressurize the line and the house! Hopefully it's all fixed!!

Adam Lambert's Mad World

2009-05-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

I ♥ ♥ ♥ American Idol! This years competition has been amazing to say the least....so many uber talented contestants! Adam Lambert though, is by fay my favorite! He is so full of talent & confidence! He's authentic & unique! Reminds me a little of Elvis Presley & Billy Idol!! I love his rendition of 'Mad World' by Tears For Fears!

Below are some additional links in case you'd like to listen to more of his performances.

Ring Of Fire

Black or White

Tracks Of My Tears

Play That Funky Music

I Just Love You

It's Reveal Day at MCS

2009-05-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

Yippie!!! It's Reveal Day at My Creative Scrapbook!!!! It's always so exciting to share with you all the projects we have been working on for the past few weeks. The May kit is fabulous and once again Pam really out did herself putting these kit s together!!

Here's Miss Riley playing on the beach. For this layout I used my Retro flower punches to make the dimensional flowers. I will be posting a tutorial later this week; so stay tuned for that. The flourish was cut with my Cricut.....finally dusted that puppy off....LOL. The papers in the kit are double-sided...yay...love that!! ♥ ♥ ♥

I love the papers & die cuts in the kit this month! Everything here is from the kit except for the tiny blue alphas. (they are from a past kit) Seriously Pam fills the kits with so many goodies, this just goes to show ya that you will have lots of left overs to use on future projects!

I found the perfect little black dress while at the Gap recently and for less that $30. I also picked up a cute yellow leather Coach bag that matched perfectly with this paper! The May kit also includes tons of really nice chipboard shapes. Two 12x12 sheets actually! Here I simply colored them with Cat Eye chalk ink and mounted with 3-D pop dots.

The DT really knocked themselves out this month. Take a peek at the gallery and see all the wonderful ways they used the kits!! You'll surely be inspired!!

Pandora Give Away

2009-05-04T20:43:00.000-07:00

Look at this delicious blog candy!! What girl doesn't love jewelry......I know I do! For a chance to win pay a visit to Kami's blog. But hurry, her contest closes Monday, May 4th at midnight. Good luck to all of you....but I'm really hoping I win this one!!

Goldsmith is the exclusive dealer of Pandora Jewelry in Utah, specifically the Pandora Bracelets and many of the darling charms. If you are not familiar with these bracelets; You start with the chain and then you can build your own customized bracelet by adding charms over time.

You can view all of the charms here.

Isn't this one pretty all loaded with charms!!

My Creative Scrapbook Celebrates National Scrapbook Day

2009-05-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

In honor of National Scrapbooking Day, My Creative Scrapbook is celebrating by having another 'Lift the Design Team' challenge! This was such a popular challenge the first time around, that we're bringing it back!! The contest starts today and runs until the end of the month (May 31).

The rules are simple! Just lift any layout made by the Design Team! It can be an exact lift, or you can just lift certain aspects of the design!! You can view the DT Gallery here.

Also anyone who visits My Creative Scrapbook on Saturday, May 2nd, and leaves a comment in the National Scrapbook Day thead, will be entered into a drawing for a sweet RAK!!!

Remember, you have all month to complete your challenge layout. The winner will be announced by June 2nd!

Medallion Stamps

2009-04-25T15:50:00.000-07:00

I love using medallion stamps! Cards like this may look complicated, but they are really very simple! The hand cutting it the most time consuming part! For this card each layer was stamped, heat embossed with gold & glitter, and mounted on pop dots! Finish off with some bling and voila!

Delicious blog candy

2009-04-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

This blog candy is just too delicious!! Debbie (not me) is having a Blogoversary!! For a chance to win have a peek here!

Friday Faves

2009-04-17T10:31:00.000-07:00

This weeks faves!!!

♥ ♥ ♥ RetroJulie ~In my opinion, this is one of the best blog reads on the net!!

♥ ♥ ♥ The Scrap Review ~Awesome new site with 'Real' reviews

♥ ♥ ♥ Coffee Shop free actions for PSE users!

♥ ♥ ♥ Digital Photography for Moms

♥ ♥ ♥ Norman Greenbaum's 'Spirit In The Sky' ~An oldie, but a goodie!!

♥ ♥ ♥ Starbuck's Dark Chocolate Mocha ....YUM!!

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

This morning my attention was drawn to Emily Ahern's blog. She posted a gorgeous photo of Peeps! While there I found a wonderful post on decorating Easter Eggs! This is originally from Martha Stewart website and I think the idea is simply just too fabulous not to share!!! We'll be doing this technique with the kids later today!!
Happy Easter everyone!! Enjoy!!!

Tools and Materials
Large or extra-large raw eggs
Glass or enamel pot
Scissors
Silk pieces and scraps -- large enough to cover an egg
Squares of undyed cotton or pieces of old white sheets
3 tablespoons white vinegar
Warm water
Tongs or spoon
Cooling rack
Vegetable oil
Paper towels

Silk-Dyed Easter Eggs How-To
1. Cut silk into pieces large enough to wrap around a raw egg.
2. Tightly wrap a raw egg with a piece of silk, making sure the printed side of the material is facing the egg. Secure with a twist tie.
3. Place the silk-wrapped egg in a piece of undyed cotton and secure tightly with another twist-tie.
4. Place egg(s) in an enamel or glass pot. Fill the pot with enough water to cover eggs completely. Add three tablespoons of white vinegar to the water.
5. Bring water to a boil, turn heat down, and simmer for 40 minutes or longer.
6. Remove eggs from water with tongs or spoon, place on a cooling rack, and let cool.
7. Remove silk from cooled egg.
8. For shiny eggs, wipe with a paper towel dabbed in vegetable oil.

or watch the how-to video here.

Good Friday Faves

2009-04-09T22:03:00.000-07:00

Ok, it time for Friday Faves! This week I have 7 instead of 5 and wanted to start off my list with 2 of my absolute favorite charities!

♥ ♥ ♥ Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep is a foundation which gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart for families overcome by grief and pain. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner.

♥ ♥ ♥ Angels On Leashes is an organization which champions working with therapy dogs in health care facilities, schools, rehabilitation, hospice, and extended care. Through advocacy, education, research and service, Angel On A Leash promotes the role of the human-canine bond in enhancing human health and quality of life.

♥ ♥ ♥ Suze Orman! This woman is amazingly smart! She has very helpful & practical advice for everyone! Our nation is in a terrible economic crisis and sadly there seems to be an entire generation focused on greed and over indulgence! Do yourself a favor and buy this book!

♥ ♥ ♥ The Tax Man cometh...next week!!!! I hate April 15th!! But I LOVE the Beatles!!
One of my all time favorite bands and albums....the Beatles Revolver! I saw Sir Paul McCartney in concert once....fabulous!!!

♥ ♥ ♥ My hubby is a gear-head! Loves hot-rods, motor cycles, chrome, the smell of burning rubber and av-gas!! And who doesn't remember theses with fond memories!
The “Avenue of the Pines” tree air freshener.

♥ ♥ ♥ Marley & Me was just released on DVD! I love that movie!!

♥ ♥ ♥ This is my favorite photo of the week! I have a friend living in Brazil, and he sent me this shot of a sun rise. Wow! What a beautiful way to start the day!!

Wishing you all a Happy Easter weekend!!

Just because.............

2009-04-07T15:18:00.000-07:00

It's Reveal Day!

2009-04-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

It's "Reveal Day" at My Creative Scrapbook!! This month I had the pleasure of designing with the main kit which features Bo Bunny! The kit also contains sweet Melissa Frances chipboard, Thickers, Rub-ons, Blooms, Ribbon and Zva crystals! Hop on over to the gallery and be inspired!!

5 Faves Friday

2009-03-25T16:50:00.000-07:00

My favorites this week are....................................

♥ ♥ ♥ OMGosh...I love this magazine!!! I adore aprons!! I own tons of them!! I love making them!! I'm so happy to see a resurgence in their popularity!! I'm thrilled Stampington has a new publication called Apron*ology!!

♥ ♥ ♥Country Decorating Ideas magazine Flea Market Style!! This is me to a *T* My house is filled with junkyard finds. I'm so happy junk is in vogue now!!!

♥ ♥ ♥Wiiiiiiiii I love my Wii Fit!!! Who would have thought that standing on a board could make ones body so stiff & sore?!?! My knees hurt so much, I can barely walk up & down the stairs! Not only is this thing good for you, but it's also very entertaining!! Usually Sunday is designated as family day and the kids all come over and hang out. We enjoy playing with the Wii....sometimes I laugh til tears stream down my face!

♥ ♥ ♥Bike skorts! You wont catch me wearing spandex....LOL....but how cute is this little skort! It looks like normal street wear, but have a little hidden padding to help cushion your bum!

♥ ♥ ♥Love my Townie!!

Scrapbooking and Beyond Spring 2009

2009-03-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

I am SO excited!! Well actually, I'm STOKED!!! I have a layout in the latest edition of Scrapbooking & Beyond!! Yeah, me!!! This is my first 'official' layout in a real life bonafide paper publication!!!

Scrapbooking & Beyond is doing a series titled 'A Flourish for Every Season'. Each issue will focus on a different flourish technique. This is the first layout in a series of 4. The Spring issue focuses on using crystal flourishes.

I am privileged to share in this wonderful opportunity with my super talented friends Liz Qualman, Gabrielle Pollacco, and Robbie Herring!! Liz is also the project coordinator!

Scrapbooking & Beyond Magazine is an amazingly beautiful quarterly publication. Look for it at a store new you!

Here's the layout I created for the Spring edition.

We live in the country and every year we get to witness the miracle of Spring. This newborn fawn is only several hours old!
To create my flourishes I used a combination of colored rhinestones & pearls. I stamped my image onto a transparency to use as my placement guide. This technique is easy and assures perfect results every time.

Great quote for today

2009-03-21T09:28:00.000-07:00

There comes a time in life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama & the people who create it & surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good. After all, life is too short to be anything but happy!

Hope ya'll have a truly happy weekend!

5 Friday Faves

2009-03-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

Wow...I've been a slacker lately getting my 5 faves posted! Life has just been really busy and filled with excitement!! This week I am posting about the 5 things that brought me joy & made me smile!

♥ ♥ Planning my daughter's wedding!!
♥ ♥ Finding out the sex of our newest grandchild....sorry, it's a secret! My Son & DIL are expecting their second child in July!
♥ ♥ Spring! It's finally here!! It's wet....but it's here!!
♥ ♥ New shoes! Yep, I got em!!
♥ ♥ and lastly this photo of my lovey girl Miss Riley! It just makes me smile!!

Blog Award

2009-03-20T16:06:00.000-07:00

I received this award from my good friend Karen aka ScrapperK. She is always so good about coming by for a visit and spreading the love. Thanks girlie for selecting me to receive this Comment Award!!!
Good things like this are nice to share with others, so I am sharing this award with the following girls because they are always leaving me such wonderful comments!!!

Lynn
Cheryl
Lynette
Victoria
Belle*

Cute!!!

2009-03-19T10:43:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Mary Janes! How CUTE are these!!!! I think I need them....LOL

http://zapp.me/7490254

http://www.zappos.com/multiview/7490254/4198

March Kit Reveal

2009-03-05T16:03:00.000-08:00

Woohoo!!! It's time for the March kit reveal at My Creative Scrapbook! I'm so glad February was as short month.....keeping the kits a secret was so hard! Especially the Limited Edition Kit filled with Prima goodness!! I almost shed a tear when it came time to cut these gorgeous papers! Oh and the blooms...wow there are so many beautiful blooms in this kit...it's really amazing!!

On this layout I painted all the chipboard lime green and coated with Glossy Accents. I love the new pearl Prima flourishes!!

On this layout I used QK font Spicy Chicken and coated it with Diamond Glaze. The chipboard flourish & butterfly I painted, then coated with glitter (I'm still finding trace amounts throughout the house) and then applied an additional coat of Glossy Accents. Notice too that I used the Prima flower packaging as the matting behind my photo! It was much to pretty to throw away, plus I like to repurpose items whenever possible!

And speaking of repurposing.........I took this box that someone was going to throw out and turned it into a cute keepsake box! It's the perfect size for a jewlery box or other keepsakes.

Here's a little memo book.
One of the large blooms I had originally glued to a pin to wear on my sweater, like Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City; but my hair kept getting caught in it. So I decided to put my hair in a ponytail and then clip the flower to the ponyband! Voila!!

The yummy Main Kit from My Creative Scrapbook features the new BellaBella from My Minds Eye. This collection is so beautiful and you get a huge tin of Hydrangea blooms plus Zva crystals!

This layout is in memory of my beloved neighbor Lars who passed away while doing an ariel stunt. He was a remarkable man and an amazing pilot!!

This is my youngest daughter. She is such a beautiful soul!

The design team gallery is filled with uber amazing creations this month!! Have a peek and get inspired!!

Sneak Peek

2009-03-02T13:52:00.000-08:00

Here's a little Sneak Peek at what's in store for you this month from My Creative Scrapbook!! Total Yummy Yum Yum!! The official reveal will be March 5th!!

Friendship Award

2009-02-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

I received this a Awesome Friendship Blog Award from my friend Chanelle. Thanks hon, you've made my day!!
I just love reading the comments left by my friends. So I am going to share this with some of the girls I love & who have made lovely comments on my blog!

Thanks to you all! ♥ ♥ ♥

I am sharing this award with my girlfriends:

Victoria ~My girl V rocks the paper & digi scrap world!

Cheryl ~She's one super amazing scrapper & card maker!! And provides an endless amount of encouragement & inspiration! Love ya girl!!

Kim ~Fabulous scrapper...the Queen of QK!!

Jane ~ Another fantastic digi Queen and photographer extraordinaire!!

Flower Tutorial

2009-02-21T20:24:00.000-08:00

I have received an overwhelming number of PM's and emails lately asking about the flowers I made recently. I appreciate your interest, and thought I should do a tutorial.

As some of you know, I ordered this ginormous flower punch from SB.com and when it arrived I about choked! The thing is seriously HUGE! When I checked the price of returning it, the postage was going to cost almost as much as the punch....so I kept it! And good thing to, because I gotta tell ya.... this thing is quickly becoming one of my favorite things!!

1. Punch out your flowers using the desired size punch. Using a Glue Stick, I glue 2 flower pieces together back to back. This gives the flower more stability & thickness. After you apply the glue, the paper becomes very pliable.

2. If you wish to doodle on your flower, it's much easier to do it now before you shape it!
3. I squish all the flower petals upward to form a cup shape like this.....
4. Then I curl each petal around a pen or pencil. Here I'm using the Basic Grey rub-on tool, but just use whatever you have handy.....
5. Once you have shaped your flowers, let them sit so the shape can 'set'.

TaDa!!!! Now you can make tons of flowers for your scrappy projects!! You can layer these or run them through your Cuttlebug using one of the embossing folders, the texture look amazing!!

Notes: I think the secret to getting these flowers to maintain their shape is the Glue Stick! I have made these using dry adhesive, but achieve a much better result using the Glue Stick. I think the Glue Stick works more like starch!

Enjoy♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥

Can't breathe.....can't sleep......Scrap!

2009-02-15T21:36:00.001-08:00

I've been struck with a wicked sinus cold this weekend. I can't breath and I can't sleep....so I've been scrapping!!

This layout was created for a sketch challenge taking place at SB.com using Liz Qualman's sketch. Love her sketches!! I used the new Bittersweet from Basic Grey for this.

This layout was created for a challenge taking place at My Creative Scrapbook using another one of Liz's sketches! I used the new K & Co. Que Sera Sera for this layout, and the ones following. I just love this collection!!!
Hubby bought me a retro styled bike! I just love it!!! I can't wait for Spring so I can start riding!!
Me & my sweet girl Miss Riley!!

Lift the DT

2009-02-15T19:59:00.000-08:00

We're having a super fun challenge over at My Creative Scrapbook!
If you love flowers.....especially Prima.......come on over and
Lift the DT!!

Friends

2009-02-11T23:46:00.000-08:00

I am really loving the colors of the new Que Sera Sera collection!! This is me and my online friend Victoria aka VAWM!!

THINGS YOU DON'T HEAR ANYMORE

2009-02-08T12:25:00.000-08:00

I received this from a friend this morning and thought it was too lovely not to share. Normally wouldn't post something like this, but it brought back so many fond memories! The sentiment and the pictures are so beautiful!
Enjoy!

THINGS YOU DON'T HEAR ANYMORE

Be sure to refill the ice trays, we're going to have company.

Watch for the postman, I want to get this letter to Willie in the mail today.

Quit slamming the screen door when you go out!

Be sure and pull the windows down when you leave, it looks like a shower is coming up.

Don't forget to wind the clock before you go to bed.

Wash your feet before you go to bed, you've been playing outside all day barefooted.

Why can't you remember to roll up your britches legs? Getting them caught in the bicycle chain so many times is tearing them up.

You have torn the knees out of that pair of pants so many times there is nothing left to put a patch on.

Don't you go outside with your school clothes on!

Go comb your hair; it looks like the rats have nested in it all night.

Be sure and pour the cream off the top of the milk when you open the new bottle.

Take that empty bottle to the store with you so you won't have to pay a deposit on another one.

Put a dish towel over the cake so the flies won't get on it.

Quit jumping on the floor! I have a cake in the oven and you are going to make it fall if you don't quit!

Let me know when the Fuller Brush man comes by, I need to get a few things from him.

You boys stay close by, the car may not start and I will need you to help push it off.

There's a dollar in my purse, get 5 gallons of gas when you go to town.

Open the back door and see if we can get a breeze through here, it is getting hot.

You can walk to the store; it won't hurt you to get some exercise.

Don't sit too close to the TV. It is hard on your eyes.

If you pull that stunt again, I am going to wear you out!

Don't lose that button; I'll sew it back on after awhile.

Wash under your neck before you come to the table.

Get out from under the sewing machine; pumping it messes up the thread!

Be sure and fill the lamps this morning so we don't have to do that tonight in the dark.

Here, take this old magazine to the toilet with you when you go, we are almost out of paper out there.

Don't turn the radio on now, I want the battery to be up when the Grand Ole Opry comes on.

No! I don't have 10 cents for you to go to the show. Do you think money grows on trees?

That dog is NOT coming in this house! I don't care how cold it is out there, dogs don't stay in the house.

Sit still! I'm trying to get your hair cut straight and you keep moving and it is all messed up.

Hush your mouth! I don't want to hear words like that! I'll wash your mouth out with soap!

It is time for your system to be cleaned out. I am going to give you a dose of castor oil tonight.

If you get a spanking in school and I find out about it, you'll get another one when you get home.

Quit crossing your eyes! They will get stuck that way!

Soak your foot in this pan of kerosene so that bad cut won't get infected.

When you take your driving test, don't forget to signal each turn. Left arm straight out the window for a left turn; left arm bent up at the elbow for a right turn; and straight down to the side of the door when you are going to stop.

It's: 'Yes Ma'am!' and 'No Ma'am!' to me, young man, and don't you forget it!

Y'all come back now, ya hear!

Bring back any memories? Sure did for me!

Que Sera Sera

2009-02-07T10:41:00.001-08:00

I stopped at Michael's the other day and found this beautiful new collection by K & Company called Que Sera Sera. There are two different tablets....both are a nive heavy weight and have the same colors. One comes with 54 double-sided sheets and the other has 30 sheets also double sided, but these are flocked, foiled and embossed!! Simply gorgeous!!! I just had to have it!!! Not that I need anymore paper mind you, but the colors are so vibrant and the textures are exquisite!!

I made these flowers using a punch I bought recently from SB.com. When it arrived I about choked! The thing was ginormous! Seriously it was about the size of an iron!! To return it was going to cost almost as much as what I paid for it.......so hubby joked and said I could use it for a door stopper.....LOL. Anyway now I'm glad I kept it.....the flower size it perfect.....it's just that punch is so big it's not easy to store. Guess ya can't have your cake and eat it to.

Have an enjoyable weekend!!
xo

So many of you have asked me about the punch....so here it is. ROFL......It is so big!!

Love is in the air

2009-02-05T23:51:00.000-08:00

It's reveal day for the February kits at My Creative Scrapbook. I really enjoyed working with the main kit this month which featured Little Yellow Bicycle. This kit was amazing! So many wonderful elements which included a beautiful shimmery sheet of Hambly textured paper, Prima flowers, Prima crystals (yum!), lovely velvety flocked chipboard, ribbon, stickers and more.

To make this little lamp shade I simply cut a partial circle. This sits on top of a wine glass and you can use a tea light candle or better yet use one of those new battery powered tea lights.

This is a super quite & simple project. I made a tone of these for a wedding reception a while back and it's so easy to adjust the size to fit your needs.

On a trip to Mexico, our dear friends had a beautiful wedding ceremony on the beach at sunset!

The Damask is covered with a lovely velvety flocking. It's a bit hard to see here and is so much prettier IRL.

The Design Team really outdid themselves this month!! To see more beautiful projects using this kit and the other kits available, be sure to check out the DT gallery at MCS. I think you'll agree, love is in the air!!

Webster's Pages

2009-02-04T09:25:00.000-08:00

Webster's Pages is having a wonderful give away and there will be 3 lucky winners! You could win a complete collection simply by posting a comment and sharing the news with your friends. I {HEART} this collection!! You can see the collections here. Good Luck!!

Got Caffine?

2009-02-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

Awesome Blog Candy

2009-02-01T19:59:00.001-08:00

Wow! Check this out! Danielle is giving away a Cricut Expression absolutely free!! All you need to do is click HERE and leave a comment!!! Good Luck!

The Fabulous Award times 3

2009-01-31T22:14:00.000-08:00

In the past week I have received the Fabulous Blog Award from 3 different friends, Julie H., Heidi, and Dee! Thanks girls, for thinking I am worthy enough to receive this very special award!!

Once you accept this Fabulous Award, you need to list five addictions, and then pass the award on to 5 fabulous friends!

So in no particular order, my addictions are:

1. Dark Chocolate
2. Uggs & Warm Wooly Socks (hey it's still freezing cold here)
3. My iPod
4. Fresh Fruit Smoothies
5. Orange Gatorade

I am nominating the following Fabulous bloggin' babes!!

♥ Karen

♥ Mireille

♥ Kim

♥ Julie B.

♥ Cindy

Friday Favs

2009-01-30T17:18:00.000-08:00

It's time for Friday Faves!

One of my favorite chocolates!! MoonStruck

I love flourishes! Flourishes are popping up everywhere! This afternoon I went to see my local sewing dealer because I need to replace my dead sewing machine, and look what I found! How pretty is this sewing machine!!!! Sadly I did not come home with it. Bernina

And these Birki's.......aren't they Cute!!!! I do have these and love them!! Birkenstock Noppy Sandals

And who doesn't love Damask! Isn't this stamp beautiful!!
Flourish Stamps

And I leave you with this funny!!!!!

Enjoy!! ROFLMAO!!!!!

Remember Me

2009-01-29T20:04:00.000-08:00

I think all of us know someone serving in the armed services. Be it your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, brother, sister, mother, father, friend, or even a stranger.....they are all fighting to protect our rights and our freedom. If you have a moment, please watch this short clip. I promise it will touch your heart!

Creative Scrappers Guest Designer Spot

2009-01-25T09:20:00.000-08:00

I was recently invited to be a Guest Designer for Creative Scrappers. When Kristine sent me the beautiful sketch, I knew instantly that I wanted to use my new Basic Grey Bittersweet collection. This is my take on sketch #36 designed by Shanna Lewter. I had such a wonderful time working with this lovely sketch! If you haven't already paid a visit to Creative Scrappers website, do yourself a favor and hop on over. They have a wonderful community and you'll find lots of beautiful inspiration there!!
Thanks a bunch Kritine!!

Friday Faves!!

2009-01-23T20:34:00.000-08:00

Wow, this week went by quickly...........hard to believe it's Friday already!! Since my class with Karen Russell started this week, I have photography on the brain. So most of my faves this week are photography related.....but they're awesome and I'm sure you'll enjoy!

1. I ordered an awesome new camera strap from the talented Emily Falconbridge !! Love these! They are all so beautiful, I had a really hard time choosing just one!!

2. I absolutely love my Crumpler 5 Million Dollar camera bag. It's very practical and holds everything I need and then some.

3. I just discovered this really really fantastic blog the other day called I ♥ Faces . I love it!! I have a thing for faces, front porches & grills (not the bbq kind....but the front end of old cars, kind of grills)!

4. My absolutely most favorite lens of all time is my Canon 50mm f1.4!

5. I got new shoes!! I have a wedding to attend and heals are out of the question!! I tried to find a pair of flats that were open enough to accommodate for the swelling on my post-op foot. This is what I came up with. Does anyone remember Earth shoes from the 70's? They used to be really wide, ugly things that made you look like platapuss feet!! Well their styles have certainly changed. I love the rosettes on the toes. I also think these will be great for Spring & wearing with capris!

I Like:

Stunning
by Earth

Classes start today!!

2009-01-19T11:14:00.000-08:00

Today I start my photography classes with Karen Russel l!!! Yes, the one and only world famous Karen Russell!!! I am SO excited!!! She is so enthusiastic & passionate about her craft and I just love her to bits!!

Friday Faves!!

2009-01-16T08:40:00.000-08:00

This week I did a bit of blog surfing and came across some really great finds! These are my favorite! If you need to add a touch of humor to your day, have a peek at these. They're sure to make you smile!! Enjoy!

♥ ♥ ♥ Word to your Mother
Way too funny!!! I'll be stalking this place for sure!

♥ ♥ ♥ Nerdy Jess

♥ ♥ ♥ Traditionally Retro Bust a gut hilarity!

♥ ♥ ♥ Blog Stalkers Unite

♥ ♥ ♥ My Dogumentary My girl Miss Riley ♥ this blog!

♥ ♥ ♥ Bombshell Stamps Ooh la la

♥ ♥ ♥ The Secret's in the Sauce

Five Friday Faves

2009-01-09T13:36:00.000-08:00

With CHA just around the corner and all the sneak peeks floating around, these are my faves so far..........

Love the new My Mind's Eye collection....so fresh!!

Oh how I love the Narratives collections! Now that Karen Russell will no longer be designing product after this season, I plan to get my hands on as much of her goodies as possible and hoard it!!

Love, Love, the Prima goodies!!!

OMGosh!!!! and how about these butterflies!!!

Yum....Tattered Angels! Can't wait to see more!!

And while shopping at Michael's today I scored some major Prima goodies!!

The New Year is off to a great start at MCS

2009-01-05T18:50:00.000-08:00

I created these layouts for My Creative Scrapbook using January's Limited Edition Kit which features Webster's Pages. This has to be my top favorite kit to date!! I LOVE WP!!!! The quality of these beautiful papers is unbelievable! They are double-sided and a nice heavy weight. The embellishments included in the kit are amazing!! There's lots of ribbon & lace, satiny flowers, lovely velvet medalions and a long strand of pearl beads that have the most gorgeous creamy luster to them!! You really you need to see & feel these!! The entire kit is fabulous and filled with lots of gorgeous goodies!!

Grow Old With Dogs

When I am old...
I will wear soft gray sweatshirts and a bandana over my silver hair,
and I will spend my social security checks on wine and my dogs.
I will sit in my house on my well-worn chair and listen to my dogs' breathing.
I will sneak out in the middle of a warm summer night and take my dogs for a run, if my old bones will allow.
When people come to call, I will smile and nod as I show them my dogs,
and talk of them and about them......the ones so beloved of the past and the ones so beloved of today.
I will still work hard cleaning after them, mopping, washing, brushing, and feeding them,
and whispering their names in a soft loving way.
I will be an embarrassment to all, especially my family,
who have not yet found the peace in being free to have dogs as your best friends.
These friends who always wait, at any hour, for your footfall,
and eagerly jump to their feet out of a sound sleep, to greet you as if you are a God.
With warm eyes full of adoring love and hope that you will always stay, I'll hug their big strong necks.
I'll kiss their dear sweet heads,
and whisper in their very special company.
I look in the mirror
and see I am getting old.
This is the kind of person I am,
and have always been.
Loving dogs is easy,
They are part of me.
Please accept me for who I am.
My dogs appreciate my presence in their lives;
they love my presence in their lives.
When I am old this will be important to me.
You will understand when you are old....
if you have dogs to love too.

Friday Faves

2009-01-02T18:00:00.000-08:00

I LOVE music! All music, all genres! Here are my top favorite CD's for the year.

My Wish for You in 2009

2008-12-31T22:32:00.000-08:00

May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills. May love stick to your face like cold cream. May laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires. May happiness slap you across the face. May your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address! In simple words . . .May 2009 be the best year of your life!!!

Many people make Resolutions this time of year. Many wish to break bad habits. The physical and mental pain can be grueling, whether you're trying to exercise more, eat healthier, spend less, drink less, quit smoking.....it's never easy.
But the benefits to your health and to your attitude can be priceless. Breaking a habit starts with courage, ends with discipline, and is fueled by desire.

I saw this recently, and thought it worth sharing.

I am your constant companion. I am your greatest asset or heaviest burden. I will push you up to success or down to disappointment. I am at your command. Half the things you do might just as well be turned over to me, for I can do them quickly, correctly, and profitably. I am easily managed, just be firm with me. Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I am not a machine, though I work with the precision of a machine and the intelligence of a person. You can run me for profit, or you can run me for ruin. Show me how you want it done. Educate me. Train me. Lead me. Reward me. And I will then...do it automatically. I am your servant. Who am I? I am a HABIT.

The author of the above is unknown, but the words are right on target. If you make good habits, they in turn will make you. But like the weeds in the garden, bad habits can take over your life. Make a decision today to pull those weeds.

Happy New Year!!

Challenge for the Year 2009

2008-12-26T10:16:00.000-08:00

Here's a great challenge for everyone for the year 2009! I did this last year and it was fun & inspiring! All you need to do is choose a word....one word.....and make that your word for the year! You can scrap about it, blog about it, or better yet make it your daily mantra!!

A few years ago Ali Edwards posted this wonderful idea on her blog. She has a huge selection of word s listed here to help get you started.

Last year I chose simplify. This year my word is 'Learn'. I need to learn and accept the fact that I cannot do some of the things I could 6 months ago, but I can learn to do them in a different way. I need to learn to balance my life better. I can't be all things, for all people anymore. I need to learn to say no. I intend to learn more about photography by taking a class with Karen Russell. I plan to learn new techniques to apply to my scrapbooking. I will continue to learn more about humanity through volunteer work, and in the process I will learn more about myself. I hope to learn more about another culture by traveling there.

It's amazing how one little word can make such a difference in your life!! Join me wont you, and choose a word......just one word, and Live it!!

Cheers! ♥ ♥ ♥

Cosmo Cricket Giveaway

2008-12-20T11:09:00.000-08:00

Wow!! Check out this phenomenal giveaway Leah is offering!!! All of these fabulous Cosmo Cricket goodies could be your......or mine!!! I love Cosmo and I think it would be so awesome to win all of this scrappy goodness!!! Be sure to visit Leah's blog for more details and to see her wonderful minibook tutorial!!
Cheer!!

Graphic 45 toot!!

2008-12-18T23:23:00.000-08:00

Woohoo!!! Graphic 45 has the spotlight on me this week as their featured artist!!! I am so excited I could just squeeeeeel!!! On a whim, I submitted some of my work to them, and they chose me..... yes me, to be a featured artist! I am SO stoked! I am SO Honored!! Squeeeel!!!!
These are the layouts I submitted.

I was so thrilled the day I found some G45 in my LSS. When I saw these papers they reminded me of home, as I love antiques and all things vintage. It was love at first site!! ♥ ♥ ♥