Aim Happy

Knit together...

2012-01-25T22:32:00.007-06:00

So I wanted to learn to knit. I "kinda" taught myself several years ago. I mean "kinda" cause I only taught myself to "purl" (hey it looks like knitting from the back side) and I never learned how to "cast on." I'm going to be spending several hours at a lab every other week with my mom so I wanted something crafty to do with my hands that could also be transported easily. Thus I decided to try to finally learn to knit.

My mom knits so I thought it would be a great time to learn. Today I brought yarn and mom brought needles and she taught me to cast on :) she then helped me with my stitches knitting wise. I stiil don't "knit" I only "purl" (apparently I taught myself backwards when I "learned" several years ago.)

Anyway that was one of the things we brought to do at the lab while mom got treatment today. (it was a 5 hour day)

So as I bumbled my way through learning how to cast on, there was a lady and her care giver (might have been daughter or daugher-in-law?) that were laughing along with my clumbsy attempts. She cheered me as I finally got the hang of it, then kept encouaging me as I got better with the knitting thing. Apparently she used to knit a long time ago. Well before she left she was telling the gal she was with..."You know, I should pull out my needles, I would love to make a scarf to match my hat" (she was wearing a hat someone had made her to keep her head warm during chemo) She left planning her project.

It was fun to inspire a fellow crafter (even with my bumbling attempts)

Here are my first few rows, I hope that it will look like a scarf when it's finished :)

Altered Tile

2012-01-09T21:02:00.004-06:00

My mom always tells me her music is her prayer. So I knew I had to create something for her that said as much. This is a plain 12 x 12 tile. After trimming the paper slightly (I wanted to actually show the tile vs. just having paper shown.) I inked the edges first with gold then with "vintage photo". Then I grabbed my mod podge a sponge brush and went to town. I Mod Podged paper and the quote onto the tile and then added a couple of extra coats of Mod Podge for good measure to seal everything. To finish everything off I found this wonderful gold book stand that really accented the gold from the paper.

Supplies used: 12 x 12 tile, Patterned paper Autumn leaves (from 2000 yes 2000 is that considered vintage in the paper crafting world?), Ink, Ranger-Vintage Photo, Stampabilities-Gold, Cricut Cartridges- Jubilee, Plantain Schoolbook, Lyrical Letters, Base Camp, and Alphalicious. Mod Podge.

Vintage Scarves

2012-01-01T04:02:00.008-06:00

December is always busy for me. As the Childlren's Ministry Director of our church the beginning of the month is always spent getting ready for our annual Christmas Program. After that it's spent getting ready for the holidays! I made several of my gifts this year (and helped mom make some as well.) Mom and I spent a whole day (and part of another) making flower pins, ornaments, and necklaces out of vintage scarves. Here's a few photos of our day together (and a result of some of the work :) You will notice mom is busily sewing away while I in usual "craftastrophy" form got my finger stuck in the ornament and yes it is turning purple and yes I did stop to take a photo before getting the cold water to get my finger unstuck..LOL

The Money Machine!

2011-12-10T07:49:00.006-06:00

It's the season of giving!! I love finding the perfect gift for all the people on my list, but some people are just difficult to shop for or you just know a gift of cold hard cash could be most appreciated this time of year.

So enter in the need to find gifts for two very special ladies. One of them put together an entire government/constitution class for two of my kids (and 15 others) and the other opened her home to us to have that class for 12 weeks! The families of the students wanted to get together and bless these ladies in some way. After tossing around several places to give gift certificates to, it was decided cash would be the best gift and since I never want to just "give cash" I had to find a creative way to present it. So enter in

"The money machine"

I saw several of these "premade" boxes online ranging from $5 to $17 dollars (plus shipping) Thinking I could make something that would be much cuter I decided to try making my own.

Start by taping your bills together end to end (I used a small piece of tape on both sides for extra strength.) The "store bought" ones came with a roll of repositionable tape. I experimented and found the scotch "matte finish" came off the bills nicely (as long as the tape didn't over lap the entire edge of the bill.)

When your money chain is finished rolled up the bills and place in a box that will fit not only the roll but big enough you can cut a slit in the top to feed your chain through.

Never being one to want a "plain" box I decided to decorate mine some. I got out the Mod Podge, printed off some "play money" and went to town "Podging" the money onto the top of the box and adding the letter stickers when done. I gave it a final coat of Mod Podge to act as a sealer to make sure the stickers stayed in place.

I added some directions I created and printed off and then also realized I wanted some type of "pull tab" to thread through the top of the box so this I also printed off and then taped to the end of the dollar bill roll.

Then it was just wrapping them and waiting the agonizing couple of days till we could give them away!

Supplies used: Mod Podge, play money (images printed from online), letter stickers (stickabilities), Fiskars fingertip craft knife.

Xyron Holiday Card Contest

2011-12-03T07:46:00.004-06:00

So many of you know I am a bit of an adhesive "junkie" I love, love, LOVE the stuff. (Granted most paper crafting requires adhesive that might have something to do with it!)

My xyron machine is one of my favorites, and when I saw they had a holiday card contest and the only requirement was using your Xyron I was so in!

This is what I ended up creating:

Supplies: Cardstock-Prisim, Patterned Paper-BasicGrey, Fruitcake,

snowflakes,-Heidi Swapp, gemstones-Michaes,

Sleigh-Cricut, Christmas Cheer, Emobssing Powder-PSX, silver,

Ric-rac, Border punch-Fiskars, apron lace, font-Pristina,

letter stickers-TLC, funky. Adhesive-Xyron. 250 and 900, Glue Dots.

So if you would like to vote you can vote for my entry on Facebook here

My Xyron Entry

Each comment or "like" is a vote.

I'm up against some amazing competition you can see all the entries here!

Xyron Holiday Card Contest

Invites!

2011-11-11T08:45:00.019-06:00

Friends of ours are getting married and the bride to be asked for my help with the invitations. So I gathered up some extra supplies and a few of the gals from church and we had an invitation party! We had people cutting tulle, trimming photos, punching corners, we had flowers being cut out, things being glued down and in place. Even her son got in the action.

Michelle the lovely bride to be!

(Modeling the scissors that matched her invitations :)

Even her son wanted to help!

(He figured out the Fiskars LED trimmer in no time!)

Many hands make light work!

There are a few keys to a project like this. 1) Organization--make sure you have your project planned out and have things broken down into manageable steps. 2) Supplies--make sure you have enough for everyone. If you have two different steps that use scissors, you don't want people to have to wait around because you don't have enough pairs. 3) Have fun!--making multiple items like this can be tedious, make sure to try and keep things upbeat and fun. Have music playing or just keep the conversation going you can even provide snacks/drinks (be sure to remind people to wash their hands before returning to work.)

Any chore can be turned into a fun task when you share with friends. With a bit of organization and a few extra supplies you can turn what could be a tedious job into a party!

Shoeboxes!

2011-11-05T20:24:00.018-05:00

Seventeen years ago Samaritan's Purse started a ministry called "Operation Christmas Child" the idea was to pack a shoebox with simple gifts; personal care items and school supplies and give those shoeboxes to hurting and needy children all over the world with the message of the good news of God's love for them. That first year my son was a baby and we did one box. The 2nd year I had 2 kids so we did two boxes. As our family grew we did more boxes to correspond with each child till one day those kids said "mom lets do more!" So we did 5 boxes. Then one year one of the kids said "Ya know mom, this would be great for shoeboxes, we should save stuff all year round so we can do more." That year we did 22 boxes. The next year I got my church involved, we did 30 something boxes the first year. The following year I had another gal start saving stuff all year round and we filled 70 something. The numbers kept growing till last year we did 276 boxes! And still...

Our numbers kept growing.

As our numbers grew I needed to find creative ways to support our projects. Being part of the crafting community I looked there for help. Scrapbook Expo allowed us to run their baggage check and collect supplies and have raffle tickets for a gift basket from At the Blue Barn and a new "Scrap-n-Easel" from Contain ya crafts. Many of my scrapbooking friends came out to help at the expo as well. Local crafters came out to an event again donating supplies for boxes and buying raffle tickets for another fabulous gift basket. Plus companies such as Unibind, Creative Options, Epiphany Crafts, Craftwell, Xyron, Fiskateers, Hydrangea Hippo, Contain Ya Crafts, Faithfully Yours, MemoryWorks consultant Kemi Foresteri, Close to My Heart Consultant Lori Brown, October Afternoon and more donated make and take items, door prizes, and goodie bag items to the event! All these events (and then some) helped gather not only supplies but funds to purchase supplies and help offset the cost of shipping shoeboxes.

It's no secret, I love doing shoeboxes. It's such a simple way to reach out. Things we take for granted like soap and a toothbrush are some of the kids favorite gifts to receive and for some kids this is the first present they have every received in their lives! I also love shoeboxes because of what it allows me to do within my community. When someone decides to be a missionary to another country. They start raising support, gathering their supplies etc. They get sent on their trip and we hear about it when they get back. With coordinating shoeboxes I get a chance to encourage my church, family and friends to be missionaries right where they are at!

It's incredible to be able to help kids not just my kids or my church kids, but my nephews, and friends kids and even other kids in the community to take that step to look beyond themselves to reach out to others. It's a privilege to be able to hear "wow this was so much fun...I love helping, I can't wait to do it next year." and "I'm so glad I came, knowing that one more child gets a present cause of what I did is AWESOME!"

Well I can spill the beans! This year we packed 351 shoeboxes!!! Thank you again to everyone that helped make this possible!!!

Welcome Home Heros!

2011-11-03T22:44:00.004-05:00

My family and I were privileged to take part welcoming home some local heros. The 6 men and 1 woman were retuning Afghanistan. Also being honored were 2 of their fallen comrades. I am so thankful for the sacrifices the men and women of the armed forces make for our freedom. They are away from family and loved ones, and some even give up their lives! Considering I spent most of the afternoon in tears I'll just share some of our afternoon in photos instead!

Baby Shower

2011-10-20T22:33:00.001-05:00

I guess I better begin to start thinking about that whole "you're getting older" thing. I was invited to attend a baby shower for a gal I baby-sat when SHE was a baby! Geesh! Granted it was 22 years ago... but still! I mean she was a baby!!! Gift wise I couldn't decide what to give Angel until I saw this adorable "diaper trike" online. Surprisingly I found the directions by doing a "google search." Knowing she was having a girl I designed the trike accordingly. Turned out pretty cute and there were many "oohs and ahhs" when she opened it as well.

Congrats Angel...I can't wait to meet Delilah!

Cause he asked

2011-10-15T22:18:00.002-05:00

The only problem with having a "crafty wife" is that you can't just ask "Hey honey do you have a few current pictures of the kids???"

So the end result of that question was this little mini album. I used baseball card sleeves for the "pages" in the album to make it go quick. I simply had to trim the photos to fit the sleeves and then punch the sleeves and photos with the "Crop a Dial"

Supplies used: Cardstock/patterned paper K and Company, Epiphany Crafts Heart Button shape studio. Letter stickers Topline Creations, and Craft ribbon.

US of F Illinois

2011-10-14T10:45:00.000-05:00

Wow, where do I start?? The day was amazing. Bright and early a fabulous team of hostesses showed up at the church to help decorate, set up and get things ready for 40 some fiskateers (and 4 fiskateens) that were attending the event. Our set up time flew by all too quickly though and soon fiskateers started showing up ready to craft! The "senior most" fiksateer Misty #33 met gals at the door and gave them a welcome goodie bag. Lori #5613 was available to collect their cards for Operation Write Home.

After finding a seat, their first stop was with Dot #6703 where she not only did a make and take with them (showcasing her fabulous rosettes) but made name tags using the new "snip-snip" squeeze punch. After our group was done with that Alex #3614 played a "getting to know you game" were we found out some fun snippets of info about our fellow fiskateers. From there we tested our knowledge of "trivial state facts" with an Illinois Quiz. The better you did on the quiz the sooner you got to choose your prize.

Three unsuspecting Fiskateers that found a pumpkin punch inside their table favors were the lucky contestants for our very own version of "Minute to Craft it" They were given 10 minutes to decorate a wooden frame using items from the "Trash to Stash" table. (People could bring in their cast off and ununsed/unwanted supplies and hopefully find them a new home, after all one persons trash can find it's way into another one's stash!) The 10 minutes flew and Linda #3567, Helen #7288, and Mandi #4722 shared with us their lovely frames and told us a little of the inspiration behind their decoration. After the competition the Trash to Stash table was open! It was CRAZY from 1 1/2 foot piles stretching down 16 feet of table to a few scattered pieces of cardstock and some sticker sheets in a matter of minutes!

When the craziness died down, the fabulous Ashani #4682 our food coordinator announced that lunch was served. After lunch there was more time for crafting, including another make and take. Everyone got to compare Fiskars trimmers including the new LED trimmer while creating an adorable pumpkin with me and then a surprise "pop quiz" on all things Fiskateer! We finished our time together with a couple of group photos. Before we knew it, our time together was over and we were hugging everyone goodbye!

We are already talking about when we can meet again because we had so much fun! Thanks to everyone that came out to spend the day crafting, making cards for Operation Write Home (We collected 155 cards!!) and just being fabulous! The day was truly special!!!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Welcome Michigan Scrapbookers!

2011-10-03T09:00:00.008-05:00

Hey Michigan Scrapbookers! Welcome to my little corner of the web! I'm happy to be joining the staff of Michigan Scrapbooker Magazine and look forward to sharing my love of crafting with you!

With fall in the air and Halloween around the corner these cute little pumpkins are a perfect project for your little pumpkin or to line up on a windowsill (or as a table favor for a Halloween party or even Thanksgiving dinner :)

You will need:

Supplies:

1-4" x 6" piece of patterned paper (I used some from Fancy Pants)

1-thin little strip 12" long and about 1/16" thick (seriously just a thin little piece) of Green cardstock

1-1/4" x 1" piece of brown yardstick

Glue Dots

2 mini brads

Tools:

Trimmer

A piece of foam (I used one of those foam door hangers but a piece of fun foam works great too)

A flat edge (bone folder or something similar. I'm shown using my pampered chef pan scraper :)

Needle or paper piercer

Optional Supplies:

Ink Pad

glue stick

Start by slicing your 4 x 6 piece into 6- 1" x 4" strips.

After you have your strips, ink them if desired and lay them out so your pattern is "reassembled" (you can skip this part if you want a more random look)

Stack your pieces in order

Using the needle or piercer make one hole in the middle of each end of the stack of strips (about 1/8 of an inch in or so)

Insert your mini brad in the holes, you can open one brad fully, leave the other one closed and set this aside for a moment.

Take your green strip and lay it on your piece of foam. With firm even pressure run your straight edge along the strip. This will curl up the paper giving it the look of a "vine"…for an even more natural look, vary the direction you are pulling, even start and stop. It' fun to see how the paper curls up (and you can always redo it if it's not to your liking.)

Take your strip of green and make a loop in the middle. Wrap your loop around that brad you left closed. The green should be on the top of your strips. Open the back of the brad.

Starting with the back strip, start fanning out your strips. You will see the pumpkin shape starting to form.

To make the stem, roll the strip of brown into a coil and insert a glue dot into one end. Place the glue dotted end on top of the brad holding your vine in place. )You might need to secure the tail of the stem with a touch of a glue stick.

There you have it. A cute little pumpkin. It honestly takes longer to explain than to make! And kids LOVE making them! You can vary the colors, and the sizes of the strips for the pumpkin. (With larger sizes you may want to add a few strips to fill out the shape as well as secure the bottom in place (cause they can flop over when they get larger.)

Winner!

2011-10-03T08:00:00.002-05:00

Congrats to Silvia

silvia said...

Cute pumpkins!! I LOVE the different patterns!!

October 1, 2011 7:44 PM

You are my orange blog hop winner! Please email me at lets_scrap2 (at) juno (dot) com for info on how to claim your prize :)

Playing with markers!

2011-10-03T06:00:00.001-05:00

So I got a SCREAMING deal at the thrift. I found a set of Prismacolor Professional Artist Markers. (in case) these can run from $50-$75 and I got them for $15! YUP $15. I had been wanting to try copics and these are kinda similar. Well I really needed to play with them AND needed to organize some jewelry. I've been doing some jewelry making and my necklaces are a bit ...chunkier....ahh more involved than my jewelry has been before and they kept getting tangled. So I decided to make a necklace organizer.

Digging through hubby's scrap wood pile I found two pieces that were the same size. I then sanded them and painted them a creamy yellow and edged them with a touch of green. I then pulled out a couple of Crafter's Workshop Templates and my newly found art markers and added a few flourishes and flowers. A drilling some holes and adding some drawer pulls turned the scrap wood into this:

and with necklaces:

A bit of wall decoration and organization...can't get any better than that!

2011-10-01T04:00:00.003-05:00

WELCOME FISKA-BLOG-HOPPERS!!

You have found the next stop on your wonderful orange journey! If you are coming from Kim's Scrap and Stamp Blog you are at the right place if you are just visiting me cause you love me :) check out the Fiskateer Blog Hop starting at Fiskateers.

While all ya'll are hopping away I'm partying with 40 lovely fiskateers (and 4 fiskateens) at the United States of Fiskateers Illinois event!

I wanted to share with you the fun make and take I'm doing at the event. With fall in the air and Halloween around the corner these cute little pumpkins are a perfect project for you little pumpkin or to line up on a windowsill (or as a table favor for a Halloween party or even Thanksgiving dinner :)

You will need:

Supplies:

1-4" x 6" piece of patterned paper (I used some from Fancy Pants)

1-thin little strip 12" long and about 1/16" thick (seriously just a thin little piece) of Green cardstock

1-1/4" x 1" piece of brown yardstick

Glue Dots

2 mini brads

Tools:

Trimmer

A piece of foam (I used one of those foam door hangers but a piece of fun foam works great too)

A flat edge (bone folder or something similar. I'm shown using my pampered chef pan scraper :)

Needle or paper piercer

Optional Supplies:

Ink Pad

glue stick

Start by slicing your 4 x 6 piece into 6- 1" x 4" strips. I used the new Fiskars L.E.D. Trimmer with this project. This was sent to me to use at the US of F event. It's wonderful! Your cutting area lights up not only showing you exactly where you are cutting, but giving you that "extra" bit of light to illuminate the paper, great when you are cropping in a poorly lit area.

After you have your strips, ink them if desired and lay them out so your pattern is "reassembled" (you can skip this part if you want a more random look)

Stack your pieces in order

Using the needle or piercer make one hole in the middle of each end of the stack of strips (about 1/8 of an inch in or so)

Insert your mini brad in the holes, you can open one brad fully, leave the other one closed and set this aside for a moment.

Take your strip of green and make a loop in the middle. Wrap your loop around that brad you left closed. The green should be on the top of your strips. Open the back of the brad.

Starting with the back strip, start fanning out your strips. You will see the pumpkin shape starting to form.

Now what blog hop would be any fun without a prize? I have a wonderful assortment of Fancy Pants Halloween papers and dies, and two coordinating transparencies. To win simply leave a comment. If you are a follower I'll toss in some extra ribbons and such to match! (I'll draw a winner on Monday.)

I hope you enjoyed a peek into what we are doing at the Illinois event. I'm glad you stopped by!

Your next stop on the journey is Scrapulescence

Thanks for stopping by!

Feeling a little neglected?

2011-09-30T08:00:00.005-05:00

So I've been busy getting ready for the United States of Fiskateers Illinois Event. Fiskateers is trying to have everyone across the US get their craft on with a state wide event. I was selected to be the hostess of the Illinois event. Everyone knows there is tons of work that goes on at events like this. The work though isn't just during it's before as well. I guess my dogs have been feeling the result of the extra "busy-ness" my schedule has taken on with all of this. I received boxes of supplies from Fiskars for the event and my dog Sarah decided enough was enough and it was time to stop what I was doing and spend time with HER. So she came up and lay down right in front of me. I never knew a the Fiskars LED trimmer made such a good pillow :)

Redbud Creek Farms

2011-08-09T00:58:00.009-05:00

What do you get when you combine 40 or so women, a gorgeous working farm, beautiful plants for landscaping, a cute little shop, chocolate treats and peach daiquiris? (Not to mention a 100 degree day with 100% humidity. ) You get a wonderful ladies night at the Redbud Creek Farm. This beautiful farm located in the tiny town of Sheridan hosted their first ever ladies night.

Staying open late for the event we were welcomed by the friendly staff and presented with a list of sale prices and a couple of drink coupons. Then given free reign of the place. Typical "nursery" style there were plants everywhere, but unlike your typical nursery was how they were displayed. Plants decorated the walks and at first glance you thought they were part of the landscaping, upon closer inspection you saw they were actually in flower pots ready to take home and plant in your yard.

An old bike leaning against a grapevine fence

an old barn repurposed into the craft sale area.The miniature "fairy" gardens

and a beautiful pond

made this simply a wonderful place to spend the evening with friends in spite of the sweltering heat! To top it off I even found one of my favorite "paper lines" there (as a baby ;)

As I gathered my purchases and went to check out I was surprised to find I had picked a "30%" off tag making my total purchase of 2 plants and the coolest canister container ever (which is so cool it warrants it's own post,) come to a whopping $17. Not bad for a night of food, fun, friends and shopping!

For more information on Redbud Creek Farms

*updated to add...I got a call from them, I won a prize in their door prize drawing. Two tickets to their upcoming garden walk...I can't wait!*

2011-07-29T10:32:00.000-05:00

All good things must come to an end and so as CHA wrapped up I have a few things to finish taking care of! Like pictures and catalog picking up and pictures! That's right I was so busy looking and seeing and doing at CHA the only real pictures I got were when someone took the camera from me and snapped away. Thursday I set out to take pictures of some of my favorite things from the show.

One of my favorites was this gorgeous dress from "I love to create" , the wings, the detail it was simply breathtaking. As I mentioned before designers from CHA had a "dress form" contest and the dresses were amazing but this one was my hands down favorite!

I didn't have much time to nose around the show floor on Thursday for there was a brief run to the Supershow. It was being held in conjunction with the jewelry show this year and that's where the Fiskateers decided to hold their meet up! It was great connecting with my orange clad pals! Plus our ever generous leads had orange bags of treasures for us!

(Ok looking closely at this photo now...notice how Mandi and I are the tallest ones and not only right smack dab in the middle but in "orange and green" lol and thanks Karen for the photo btw.)

After the hugging and gabbing died down it was back over to the show to pick up the last of the catalogs I needed and say goodbyes to some of my friends working in booths. PLUS I had to run by the Photocentric booth and grab my stampmaker and packs. Good thing I had the BIG tote with me cause it was over full. In fact Madison from Echo Park saw me dragging the thing and grabbed it from me for an aisle or two to give me a break (thanks Madison :)

At the close of the show I met up with Kimberlee and Joanne because we had plans to go to the Splitcoast Stampers "Cupcakes and Cocktails" party that evening. We all knew we needed some protein before eating sweets and went to Gibsons for some of their "sliders." Gibsons is a fabulous steakhouse and their sliders are anything but the traditional kind. These were tender chunks of filet between two of the cutest little buns imaginable served up with a huge basket of fries (yum) and the cutest little ketchup bottle that came home with me for my ketchup loving husband! We have a family joke about how much he LOVES the stuff and so I knew it would be the perfect souvenir for him. (Before you all start going "oooh Betsy stole the ketchup bottle"...they send them home with you!!!!)

We got to the party with about 20 minutes to spare and spent the time chatting and trying to stay awake. All of us were really tired but excited to see some more friends! After being welcomed by the Splitcoast staff family and handed fabulous goodie bags filled with Flower soft, stamps from several different companies and coupons and other fun stuff we were met with

very yummy cupcakes! So we ate, drank, and were merry :) Only water for this chick but I was slowly coming around and getting a sugar buzz from the cupcakes..lol. Towards the end of the evening we found a couple of bar stools to sit on and a gal came up to talk to us. A few minutes later she introduced me to her sister.

Her sister Joy was from Texas, and not just any part the very city my daughter was in at the moment. She was there on a mission trip and when Joy found out about that she got so excited and wanted to know her name so she could pray for her and before our conversation ended she had given me her contact information telling me "I know I'm not "mom" but you are here in Illinois and I'm 10 minutes from her, if she needs anything, or gets hurt, or just gets home sick I can be there in 10 minutes and see how I can help." My daughter had been really on my heart that morning and to "just so happen" to meet someone not only offering to pray for her, but offering to help her if she needed it was overwhelming! It was the perfect ending to a rather exciting week. Just like a big hug from God.

Day 2 (ended in green hands and pink glitter :)

2011-07-28T09:02:00.003-05:00

Well now today really needs to be told in pictures! My day started EARLY I didn't want to hit rush hour traffic again so I left about 6:20am and made it there in record time (like 20 till 8, yeah 2 hours before the show. BUT who should wander by but Fiskateer Legend Wendy Jo so she kept me company (as she was waiting to get in as well.)

Once the floor opened we were off with a bang. I found my pal Joanne Saumels and we were walking together and ran into Fiskateer Lead Cheryl and paused for a photo op infront of the Northridge booth.

I wanted to do make and takes today so that's what I did! I stopped by the Tim Holtz/Ranger area and made a cute birdcage necklace Joanne, cool thing about that is I had been wanting a bird cage necklace and didn't want to pay the $20 for it...so much better I got to make one! We also played at the Beadalon booth making twirled wire beads while waiting for Margot Potter (to sign her new book!)

When we were done with Beadalon, we ran over to the Creative Options booth cause they were doing a drawing I won a tackle box (Creative options is owned by Plano Molding they make tackle/tool boxes) that got promptly taken over my pal Maxine (yes she just whipped out her phone showed me a picture of her landing this HUGE fish and took the tackle box out of my hands ...LOL)

From there we went to the CHA Minute to craft it challenge. Where Maxine and I were both picked to compete! (There was another gal named Susan she was from Canada) that rounded out the competition. We had 10 minutes to create "something" out of one of those clear boxes (like you would store a beanie baby in) It was still competition and all of us won really cool prizes Maxine got a Pink Paislee gift bag filled with goodies, I don't remember Susan's prize but I WON the CHALLENGE and got a $100 assortment of Faber-Castell items!

Two kits-one to create an art journal and one to do a mixed media canvas, plus all their new gelato colors and a couple of other sets of tools. I had been dreaming of getting that stuff it was so wonderful to WIN IT!

Joanne and I stopped by the Faber-Castell booth when I was done just so I could thank them for the wonderful prizes. I also wanted to do their make and take to learn how to use all that stuff!!!

From there we went to the Bazzill booth to see Miz Angela and Miz Rebecca (fabulous lead Fiskateers) dressed to the nines in fabulous paper dresses made out of entirely bazzill products! They were wonderful.

After this we split up I had a blogger/press event for Provo Craft. It was their Cricut "make and greet." A lot more "low key" than they usually do but fun no the less. Joanne had to head home to clean up her leaky air conditioner :(

Following the Provo/Cricut event I got to play with Plaid paints and paint a flower (the only problem with that is the guy had the same look on his face as my art teacher did when I tried to paint (that ohh I need to be encouraging so I can't let my expression look anything but.) Then wandering by Wallnut Hallow found they had an unclaimed spot in their make and take class. I snatched it up because we were going to get to use one of the Top 20 CHA picks their new "card keeper box.The class was to decorate one of their new boxes. They hold standard A2 sized cards and who doesn't need to organize their cards! We used glimmer mist and prima resist papers and flowers fun stuff. I liked the way mine turned out!

Finishing up my day of make and takes I created a necklace at the "I love to create" booth. We used their press and stick adhesive to create a cute necklace out of a washer, beads, charms and glitter!

Crazy day but my hands are green and I'm sparkly with pink glitter so it must have been a fabulous day!

A few of the day's make and takes (along with my stamp and bracelet from Photocentric :)

CHA day 1 (the day of names!)

2011-07-27T06:46:00.001-05:00

Ahhh CHA the lure of new products, the thrill of trying new techniques, the fun of seeing friends. CHA "week" is also a bit crazy. Early long days and even longer crazy nights but I wouldn't change it for the world!

My first day of CHA started rather early. I wanted to finish getting photos and certificates into envelopes for our crop sponsors. We had so many wonderful manufacturers and retailers sponsoring the last crop we did for Operation Christmas Child I needed to recognize them because they are what helped make the crop so fabulous. Each of our sponsors received a certificate and letter from me thanking them along with some photos of their part of the event.

My goal for the day was to personally hand out the certificates to each of our sponsors. Little did I know my day would have even more fun in store! I got to the show at 8 :15ish to run into Fiksateers Mandie Wade and Lori Brown... and then saw Miz Maxine and none other than Lead Fiskateer Cheryl Waters! Hugging, and talking and a few pix and then...

The acting prez of the Craft and Hobby Association says "who's been here the longest waiting in line" My hand pipes up with WE HAVE and then I get escorted up to the front of the line and am then introduced to the Mayor of Rosemont! "This is Betsy Burnett she's an educator/demonstrator member of CHA and she is our VIP of the day!" Before I knew it, I'm in line with him and Lori and Mandie posing for photos before the press to open the show. What a fabulous experience!!!

After the "running of the crafters" (translate crafters running for whatever "good" freebie a manufacturer is offering at the time.) This time it was Studio Callico for a new collection pack)was done the pace of the show slowed down a tad for me. I had such a good time going from one sponsor to another thanking them for help with our Operation Christmas Child crop. Creative Options, Unibind, Craftwell,Epiphany Crafts, Contain-ya-Craft, Fiskateers, Lori Brown, Scrapbook Chick, Xyron,Hydrangea Hippo...there were so many companies to thank. It was great to be able to acknowledge them in person for their help with the event!

In my wanderings I ran into my friend Karen working with Scrapbook Royalty as well as Fiskateer Legend Stephanie Hamen who was demoing a really nead fabric glue at Beacon Adhesives. Then hugs with lead Fiskateer Tami Bayer and while there Sarah Podzell (our wonderful community coordinator and Fiskateers.) I stopped to do a make-n-take with Lead Fiskateer Angela Daniels and her wonderful orange go-go boots at the I Love to Create booth with the NEW punches (yup the scissor one !!!) While there someone near and dear to my heart N50 Jane Hasty (who trained me all those years ago as a Fiskars demonstrator.)

Towards the end of my day I ran into Fiskateer legend Wendy Jo Avey at the Craft Fusion event where she competed for some fabulous prizes (sorry that' Wendy Jo's story to tell but I may be able to be bribed for the photos :) I also got to sit down and do a make and take with Ken Oliver from Unibind (he was on the sponsor list so it was great to be able to sit down and chat with him for a few.)

Even though I had seen all sorts of wonderful people, I was missing one Lead Fiskateer on my list. Have no fear though, at the very end of the day I ran into none other than Rebecca Peck at the Upholstery Studio. The fun part about that was I had won an awesome staple gun from them at a Ustream chat Rebecca hosted. (I did have to confess mom took over the gun and I haven't seen it since though :) it's only fitting cause she's redoing a chair for me)

As the day wound down. I was excited that it was only the first day and I had already seen so many of my friends. I couldn't wait to see what day 2 would have for me!

I'm certifiable (Pre-cha report)

2011-07-26T06:43:00.001-05:00

Ok so ya'll already knew that. Right after the crop in April I received an email from a lovely woman named Sally, she was inviting me to participate in a stampmaker certification course before CHA this summer. It was an all day training where I would learn all the ins and outs and finer details of making stamps, stencils, and embossing plates with the Teresa Collins Photocentric Stampmaker. When done if I could prove to them I knew the process I would become certified as a Stampmaker instructor.

Well I had been wanting to try this and was super excited to be asked, so I jumped at the chance to take the course. There were 16 of us that learned all about the UV reactive polymer that creates the stamps. Then we learned all the finer points of making the stamps, including how to take photographs and turn them into stamps as well.

The people from Photocentric were fabulous (and had such wonderful English accents they made me miss my grandma :) I also got to meet Lara Scott. Lara is their designer, and Education Coordinator (and also has fabulous sets of stamps just released.) The small world story about Lara is she is really good friends Dawn McDowell. Dawn and I met eons ago online at Scrapbook Jungle and because of homeschooling, and scrapbooking, and life (and cause she's just such a fabulous person) just hit it off. Lara is just as nice as Dawn is!

My "trial" class will be in the beginning of August. I'll have them open to the "masses" soon. So be looking for a Photocentric class from me coming up in the near future.

Scrapbook Expo-Supply Drive for Operation Christmas Child

2011-07-25T06:47:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again! Time for the Scrapbook Expo in St. Charles, IL. Once again they are allowing us to manage the baggage check and collect supplies for Operation Christmas Child.

If you are going to be at the expo Aug 19-20 at Pheasant Run in St. Charles. won't you consider bringing what you can to help us fill shoeboxes for needy kids this Christmas?

For more information about what we are collecting check out Baggage Check for more information on the Scrapbook Expo please check out the page for the St. Charles, IL Scrapbook Expo

Unibind craft challenge

2011-07-06T17:17:00.005-05:00

Unibind had a craft challenge. You had to sign up on their facebook page. To the first 50 that responded they sent us a bag of the inserts from their window albums. The challenge was to create with them. In any form any shape using any medium.

I had just received the new Fancy Pants "Baby mine" collection and had a couple of baby gifts to make. I remembered when my kids were little inevitably the doorbell would ring or someone would burst into the baby's room when the baby was sleeping so I created a door hanger to politely tell people when the baby is sleeping or awake and ready to play. It's reversible so you can let visitors know with a "flip of the sign" to knock quietly when they come over.

To make them I covered both sides of the board shapes with cardstock and then using my crop-a-dial punched holes to act not only has hangers but to attach the pieces together. Before adding the die cut accents I inked all the edges and rounded the corners slightly. The glittery stars and moon are actually a transparency that is hanging from the top holes and dangling over the bottom piece.

Supplies used: Paper, transparency, buttons, chipboard, and diecuts-Fancy Pants "Baby Mine" Letter stickers: Basic Grey and Fancy Pants, Jute twine.

Family Camp

2011-06-27T17:03:00.000-05:00

I love our church camp! We spend the weekend at a fabulous campground called "Mennohaven." There is canoes and paddle boats, swimming, a gym and plenty of hiking. This year things didn't go quite as planned with our cookout. We have a hot dog roast during suppertime on Saturday and unfortunately this year it was raining. By the time the cookout was suppose to happen the campfire area was quite muddy. Having to bring 35 adults, and 30 kids (not to mention a wheelchair) into the area was going to prove to be quite a mess. The guys did well though and went and cooked hotdogs for us and we had and "indoor" picnic. The only problem was dessert. What cookout would be complete without s'mores. Since we couldn't head down to the fire and we didn't have access to a grill (or gas stove) for that matter. I improvised and used the microwave. Everyone was very surprised at how yummy they were. The marshmallows puffed, the chocolate slightly melted and the crackers stayed crisp. The only complaint was since they now knew that one could make a good tasting s'more in the microwave it would become too easy now to make them at home :)

Microwave s'mores:

1/2 Hershey chocolate bar

1 Graham Cracker (broke in half)

1 Jumbo marshmallow or 2 regular sized ones

On microwave safe plate, place 1/2 half of the cracker, then the chocolate and then the marshmallows. Microwave approximately 10-15 seconds (just until the marshmallow puffs) Top with the remaining cracker and enjoy a bit of the outdoors inside with the air conditioning!

Turning 40

2011-06-17T16:50:00.000-05:00

The fabulous "cupcake" cake and 40 cupcakes my daughter made for the birthday party she hosted for me (did I mention she's 15 and did a FABULOUS job)

YUP I did it hit a great big milestone, I turned 40. Everyone says they had a list of "things to do before I turn 40." Me not so much. I guess I was too busy living and enjoying life to plan what I wanted to do by now. Still as I approached the big day I tried to think of something ANYTHING I wanted to do. Truthfully I couldn't.

I have a wonderful family. A husband that supports what I do (and looks the other way when crafting has taken over the house,) four fabulous kids that mean the world to me. Even the rest of the family is very supportive. I run our children's ministry at church and coordinate the youth group. I get to spend time being creative and sharing that creativity with others either teaching or writing. I have wonderful friends who love me just as I am, pray for me to be all that God wants me to be and know when to kick me in the backside when I need a push :)

I am truly thankful to have lived this life for the past 40 years and can't wait to see where the next 40 take me!

What's in your bag?

2011-06-16T23:36:00.002-05:00

I finally got the nerve to tackle the proverbial "in box". Only my in "box" is more like piles and piles and piles all over the table. The table is needed tomorrow so alas I must put off what I have been dreading. So I sorted the junk mail and the bills and the important "papers to file." My business notes and receipts. Went through the magazines. While I was in the cleaning out and sorting mood I figured I better tackle my kid's ministry bag.

My kid's ministry bag holds all of my "important" stuff for our children's ministry. It has my record binder, the version of kids bible we use at church (in case I need to work on lessons at home,) there's curriculum in there, and mail that has to come home from church, a church directory and that's just the "basics." It also tends to collect all of those things that needed to go to church from home or from home to church.

I have the best intentions of cleaning it out when I get to church or home but somehow I tend to get busy and only see what I "need" in the bag (the record binder or the curriculum etc.) and tend to miss the stuff that needed to be cleaned out. It has been getting really heavy and since I was in a sorty/cleany kinda mood figured I better bite the bullet and do it too. (Actually I had to move it to get to one of my "piles" and couldn't believe how heavy it was.) I was amazed at what I found in there.

There was an 7 inch upholstery needle from a craft project, 3 rolls of floral tape (different project,) my missing glue glider pro (I think from the upholstery needle project,) 1 bag of buttons, 1 bag of felt flowers and pipe cleaners. All of that is typical for my bag but there was really a lot of that kinda stuff and those things can add up. The thing that surprised me the most was the rock.

Back in the beginning of May I brought a rock with me to church as part of a testimony/lesson. Now this wasn't just ANY rock, it was a larger than your fist, 5 pound rock. I had totally forgotten it was in there. Here I had been walking around with it for a month and a half not realizing it was the main reason my bag was so heavy.

The Lord used that moment to speak to my heart. How many times have I felt weighted down in my spirit. Could be some bitterness, or unforgiveness, even a character trait I have been wanting to improve on. Instead of cleaning it out right away, I've gotten busy and forgot those things were in there. Oh I've looked into my heart but I've only "grabbed the things I needed." I didn't clear out the junk that was weighing me down.

David knew what it was like to be "weighed down" but not really dealing with it when he was suppose to. The Lord actually had to send someone to David to get him to clean out those "bags" of his heart. It was was after the prophet Nathan confronted David over the whole "Bathsheba incident" that David wrote the words of the 51st Psalm.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me."~Psalms 51:10

It's so easy to get caught up with "life" and forget to deal with those little things or even the not so little ones that fill up our heart and weigh it down. Have you been feeling burdened? Is bitterness, or unforgiveness weighing you down? Is there a character trait about yourself you have been wanting to work on because you know it isn't a good reflection of who God is in you? Take some time today to find out what's in the bag of your heart. Find out what's weighing you down. Then ask the Lord to help you clean it out!

"Restore unto me the joy of my salvation, and renew a right spirit within me" ~Psalm 51:12

Shower's of Blessing :)

2011-05-06T16:37:00.000-05:00

So a dear friend of mine was getting married! I have known Annie for about 15 years, we have laughed together, cried together, gotten in all kinds of mischief together, not to mention crafted together. When Annie's sister got married I made Cara a wedding scrapbook. Since I know Annie does do some scrapbooking I didn't want to take that joy away from her so I decided to create something different.

I decided to make a shadow box frame for her. I wanted to keep with the colors/them of the wedding and so I used a very elegant black and white patterned paper. Her accent color (and the dressed of the bridesmaids were pink) so I matted the photo area in pink, black and a touch of silver. The information of the wedding as well as the verse below, was printed on vellum then layered over black card stock. Finally to add a touch of bling I used Prima flourishes in both of rhinestone and then took the flowers from their "say it in pearls" flourishes to give me a touch of pink within the bling. The final accent was a cross button for a subtle touch of faith within the flourish.

I was quite pleased with how it turned out but more importantly Annie LOVED IT and couldn't wait to be able to put a wedding photo in it!

April Fools!

2011-04-01T21:48:00.004-05:00

So after last years "meatloaf cupcakes" I knew I had to do something this year. So since the kids were going to a youth conference with church I decided to make them some "Brown eee's" I made my brown "eee's" and stuck them in a cake pan covered them with tin foil and then handed them off and told them to enjoy them.

(If looks could kill I'd be a dead woman!)

Friday Focus!

2011-03-25T10:32:00.002-05:00

Anyone that has been around me long enough knows how much I love Fiskateers and my fiskapeeps. I was honored to be the "Friday Fiskateer Focus" today. So if you would like to know a little more about me check out the article. While you are there check out fiskateers as well. Fabulous crafting community!

Friday Fiskateer Focus

It just happened...

2011-03-22T09:13:00.002-05:00

Sigh...I've really been trying to clean out my crafting area. Really I have. I have a class, a visit to CKC St. Louis to work with Epiphany Crafts and a crop all coming up in April and I NEED to find space to work and sort and it's well all over my living room and the living room isn't that big! I started this project a week ago and still am finding myself about 40% till "done" and no end in sight. It might have something to do with those darn papers and embellishments finding their way to each other like long lost lovers. Crying out "Turn is into something fabulous" Before you know it the adhesive is in my hand and I'm scrapbooking...far be it from me to deny them their due.

Design your own?

2011-03-22T09:06:00.002-05:00

Ever have problems finding the "perfect" sticker? I have normally I take a white set and color my own but the results can be uneven. One of the things I ran across at CHA was Momenta's design your own. It looks pretty cool. You simply take your blank sticker sheet and then using one of their templates and patterns you print out what you want. For more information

http://www.mymomenta.com/

The scrapbox I'm dreaming......

2011-03-17T15:02:00.003-05:00

Yeah mom always said true creativity is never neat. Especially when trying to sort out supplies! I happened upon, the original scrapbox at a scrapbook expo and have been dreaming and wanting one ever since. (Do you think it could help? I never can find anything !) I love love love the scrapbox desk. Check them out here -----> SCRAPBOX

Plus the idea of having a place for everything and everything in it's place is so fabulous to me.

If you aren't a fan on facebook, you should check them out. They are offering one as a prize to a lucky fan during "National Craft Month" so I thought I would share here and give ya'll a chance to win as well

http://www.facebook.com/TheOriginalScrapbox

Check out their facebook page for more information.

Fiskateers @ CHA

2011-03-06T08:37:00.009-06:00

WOW! The craft and hobby trade show is but a memory now and I finally have time to sit down and write a bit about the fun that I had. The night we(Merlene and I) got in (I roomed with Fiskapal Merlene and my new boss from Scrapbook Update Nancy Nally.) Started out with a Fiskateer "Tweet up." We walked down to the hotel lobby (we were staying at the J.W. Mariott) and asked to have them hail a taxi for us. After asking where we were going they said "Oh we'll take you in the hotel car" So we arrived at the Fiskateer party in this

When we pulled up Fiskars President and Vice President were standing in the doorway waiting for a taxi to take them to the Lakers game. They were having a conversation with themselves..."Oh look at that Escalade...I wonder what celebrity is in there...I heard Snoop Dog was in town...wonder if it's him." Then our driver opens the door and Merlene and I get out and they FREAKED and started shouting "Fiskateers are ROCK STARS!" (Not a bad way to start CHA!) (Postscript note, when we saw them later on in the week they told us that story got told at least a dozen times and became an instant favorite...their fiskateers are rock stars!)

Inside the meet up was so fun! It's amazing how close I feel to some of these people. Most of whom I have only met through Fiskateers. An amazing bond happens when you share your lives together through crafting!

Fiskateer Lead Cheryl Waters and myself.

Among the sea of orange we talked, and laughed and naturally took a million and two pictures. (The group shot was taken by no less than 10 different cameras multiple times.) When we were done we didn't want the evening to end so we headed to a sweets shop called "Louie's" the treats there were amazing (and so tempting) I wanted one of everything to try!

We finally decided on a chocolate rasberry torte (that was out of this world fabulous but ohh so very rich that we couldn't finish it and it was only a 3 inch tart!) We took our treats back to the hotel where we chatted some more. Getting back to our hotel around 11 we new we had to turn in because the show started the next day and we needed our rest, but we were too wound up to sleep and ended up talking some more! Fabulous first day in L.A.

Crop Time

2011-02-28T07:19:00.000-06:00

Hey it's CROP time!!! April 16, 2011

For more information check out my "aim scrappy" blog.

---> Aim Scrappy

Charity Wings

2011-02-22T08:24:00.002-06:00

Do you have your wings? Charity Wings (founded by my friend Elena) is a group of crafters passionate to do good and help raise money for noble causes through their crafting. They were out in full force at CHA and I got to write about it for Scrapbook Update. Charity Wings

Cricut Birthday Bash

2011-02-21T08:19:00.000-06:00

One of the fun parts of working with Scrapbook Update is that "I" get to cover some of the stuff I LOVE at CHA! One of my tasks was to cover the 5th Birthday celebration for the Cricut. (and I love my bug!) There were special make and takes, a new machine and features and then a PAR-TAY...I wrote all about it at Scrapbook Update. Cricut Celebrates 5th Birthday

Gift for a friend!

2011-02-11T07:04:00.000-06:00

I made a gift for a friend last night! (Must have been tired as I woke up covered in sparkle mod podge and wearing my tiara! ...LOL) This is a photo/note clip...it's one of those jumbo paper clips designed to stand on it's "legs" I decorated one side to say "note worthy" for memo's and notes the other side does not have a "label" so she can use it for photos and such if she wants. If you look at the "note" tag I edged it with the new 3 in 1 squeeze corner punch from Fiskars...because you can see where you are punching I was able to overlap the punched out areas

(I love the gemstone flourishes)

Supplies used:Wooden Clothespin (hobby lobby),patterned paper-making memories, My Mines eye, Cardstock- Prism, Canvas flower-Making memories (altered), Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (Pashmina), gem stone flourish- Recollections, Gemstones-Want to scrap, Font Cricut, george and basic shapes, butterfly stamp -autumn leaves, corner punch-Fiskars 3 in 1 squeeze corner punch Summer Fun, Ink-Quick Quotes, Ranger Sparkle Modge Podge, Glue dots

Snowed OUT!

2011-02-02T08:27:00.001-06:00

I have so much to share about CHA but it will have to wait until I head home. At the moment I am SNOWED OUT of Chicago...(awww shucks) so while my husband and kids dig out from under 2 (to the upwards for 4 where it drifted) feet of snow, my friend Mandie Wade and I were burying our toes in the sand. This was my first time to SEE the ocean and it was amazing. (I will say that I am missing my daughter's birthday so I am a bit disappointed by that but compared to seeing the ocean and not having to deal with snow...I'll get over it)

P.S. Happy Birthday Winter!

I love you and am so proud of the young woman you are becoming!

Well it's official!

2011-01-16T19:08:00.003-06:00

So I'm a new writer for Scrapbook Update. Nancy Nally did a wonderful write-up of me HERE! I've done a couple of freelance pieces for her (360th bday party for Fiskars, and the "swag" article" last summer.) My official "beat" will be direct sales and the die cut market (both electronic and manual) in addition I'll get to run some fun pieces as the topics come up.

The support from the crafting community and family and friends has been amazing!

The wonderful comments I have been getting from the readers, and my fiskateer friends and friends and family on facebook is totally overwhemling. It's amazing to have so much support when you start something new. I'm excited for this opportunity and to see where it will take me!

Let it snow!

2011-01-14T07:11:00.005-06:00

I LOVE THE SNOW (I don't like the cold but do love the snow!) I even have a child named "Winter" just to show you how much I love the season. I love how each snowflake is an individual creation, no two are alike. I love how the flakes look like lace when they land on a frozen window. I love how clean and fresh and white everything is under a blanket of freshly fallen snow.

Around the holidays we had TONS of snow, we even had enough to go sledding. Soon though all of it melted and looked like it never was...well except for the mud and the slushy dirty piles. It made me really sad.

To celebrate my love of those beautiful white flakes I altered this mini sleigh. After painting the topside red (Tim Holtz Crackle distress paint in brick red) and painting the rungs silver (silver acrylic Plaid) I attached ghost shape snowflakes, before I attached them I coated the backsides with icicle Stickles let that dry and then used a couple of dollops of hot glue to hold in place. For the "let it" I got out my trusty Dymo lable maker and spelled out a couple of words I did need to attach these with glue dots because they didn't want to stick to the plastic of the snow flakes) (I guess it was to bumpy.) The chipboard letters were inked silver and then dipped in embossing powder and heated (I did this a couple of times to give them a bit more oomph) attaching a white prima flower with some more glue dots and some ribbon I called it a wonderful tribute to my favorite form of precipitation!

Goodwill Haul

2011-01-12T11:51:00.003-06:00

Nancy Nally from Scrapbook Update put a challenge out to her readers to create a crafting "haul video." Popular in the couponing communities these videos show off to others their shopping bargains. Knowing the crafting treasures I find come from unlikely sources, Nancy had been bugging me to share my latest haul with the world. So without further ado, here is my "haul video" from a recent Goodwill trip.

First post of the new year!

2011-01-12T11:43:00.002-06:00

WOW I realized that I haven't posted anything this year and here it is almost the middle of January. I have been busy though. Over the holidays the youngest was in the hospital with severe dehydration from a very bad case of the flu. She didn't mind since it was during Christmas every department seemed to have presents for her, plus she got all the popsicles she wanted, her own remote on the TV with the Disney Channel AND Mom all to herself. If it wasn't for the fact Christmas was coming I don't think the kid ever would have left!

The New Year has brought some changes. Typical resolutions to ______(you know the three more organized, eat better and spend time doing the stuff I should be doing :) Excited though as I've seen some weight loss and can almost find a scrapping desk meaning I can create! I also have a new crafting/writing gig that will be announced in the next couple of days (so be sure to check back and see what I'm up to!

Remembering the Good (2010 Year of Blessing Challenge)

2010-12-30T22:15:00.000-06:00

It would be easy to have this year go down in the record books as a “horrible year.” One where, I had to have surgery, mom not only was finishing up treatment for gallbladder cancer but was hospitalized and almost lost her life, my husband had emergency surgery and was out of work for a month. Even my daughter had 2 days in the hospital. That’s just the medical stuff. I’m not even touching the fact we almost lost the house, I didn’t get my “dream job.” Medical bills have us swamped in debt. My checklist of “bad” could go on and on.

So many times we can become consumed with all of the bad things happening around us. war, the economy, the current state of the union. How we lost out on that promotion or missed an opportunity. Consumed with illness or heartbreak. So many many things to discourage us.

I know for many of you as well 2010 has been a year of trials, heartaches and heartbreaks, lost lives, lost loves, lost jobs. So many horrible things to the point you begin to question “where are you Lord?” But it has also been a year of many blessings, and triumphs, new relationships and restored friendships. It’s life. The good happens with the bad.

As I “wrap up” the Year of Blessing Challenge and try to figure out exactly what God’s goals were for me this year, I’ve come to the conclusion the Blessing Challenge for me was just a reminder to focus on the good.

I could allow myself to be consumed by all of those bad things that happened this year. As the Lord shared with me once “you’ll drive towards what you focus on.” So If I focus on all of the heartache I might then forget the wonderful things that happened this year as well. Mom was pronounced “cancer free”, hubby started a job that has him HOME every day (first time in 14 years I’m seeing him more than 2-3 times a month.) My son got 2nd place in math contest. We had two people bless us with financial gifts to be able to pay our mortgage. I am part of a new homeschooling group we love. I was offered a writing position with a popular scrapbooking site. Things too good to get lost in the middle of all of the yuck.

As we wrap up this year, I want to challenge with what you “choose” to remember about the year. Do you want to remember the trials, the heartbreak and the pain, or the blessings that have been given to you? I challenge you to focus on your blessings of this past year. You might be amazed to see that even though you had bad things happen, when you look past the circumstances towards the outcome, that God was there with you all along.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Christmas spirit

2010-12-14T07:39:00.003-06:00

Nothing puts me in the Christmas mood better than shoeboxes from Operation Christmas Child. This is the 15th year our family has personally done shoeboxes and what so fun is the finding out friends have had involovement at their churches as well. The relay center our church brings boxes to is run by my friend Diane. It's great to be able to see her! (The photo here is of Diane and I as I was bringing the boxes in to be counted and processed)

This year we were blessed to be able to put together 259 shoeboxes! That's 259 children that will have a smile on their face this Christmas. 259 Children that will be able to hear about the good news of Jesus because of the geneorsity of some wonderful people.

To learn more about Operation Christmas Child <-------(click there)

The Blessing of Waiting

2010-12-04T05:37:00.001-06:00

I always tell people I don't pray for patience. When they ask why I simply tell them "God has a way of putting you in situations that require patience then." It gets a laugh, but I'm serious. It's not that I don't need patience....I know we could all use a wonderful dose of it (especially me.) Patience just normally requires waiting, and I don't like to do that. It seems like you have to WAIT to find so many things in life. Wait to grow up, wait to find the right mate, wait for Christimas, wait for a baby to be born (no I'm not pregnant : ) wait in line, wait for a sale, "wait till your father gets home"(...lol) or the big one for me lately "Wait on the Lord"

I'm in a time of transition for several things in my life at the moment. I've had quite a few doors shut for me this year due to the economy and other reasons and nothing really ready to take it's place. Life though has left me a bit exhausted, in the midst of these close doors, I've had loved ones deal with everything from gallbladder cancer to breast cancer, gallbladder surgery to appendicitis, and even a case of watermelon stomach (yes it's a condition and I know you will google it ;) Being a chief caregiver and encourager while dealing with a family, and schooling, and work really wore me out. I've been so exhausted I haven't really looked for any doors to open or even windows to climb through instead. So I decided (well kinda self forced) to wait till something just seems right.

It's funny, I'm finding fewer deadlines leaves me more time to do the fun stuff, (and the not so fun.) I've been playing catch up on much needed sleep, and chores and all that other stuff that seems to pile up when life goes full speed ahead. Most importantly I am finding waiting is a time of rest.

In Isaiah we are told

But they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew (their) strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; (and) they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Something struck me as I read that verse today. It was the word renew. As I told you before "waiting " is normally something I don't do very well. But life has kinda forced me to wait. I'm finding as I wait, I have more time. More time to rest, time to get things done, fewer "deadlines" that have to be done. I'm much more relaxed because of it. After reading that verse today I suddenly looked at waiting on the Lord much differently. Instead of a time of impatience and and doing nothing and for me rushing into whatever is there because of being bored cause "nothing's happening"and feeling the need to "do something....anything!" I looked at it as a time of renewal. I pictured God recharging my batteries. Renewing my strength, to be able to run with the next task he has for me.

Waiting took on a whole new meaning. If waiting means renewed energy, renewed passion, renewed strength, I might just want some of that for the next task the Lord has prepared for me; especially if I want to "run and not grow weary" and "walk and not faint." Waiting allows God to prepare my heart, mind, spirit, and body for what He has in store for me next.

What about you? Are you in a season of "wait." Instead of trying to rush on through the "wait" relax and enjoy it. Allow yourself to rest in this time. God will need you to run soon enough and you want to be ready for it!

The Blessing Challenge

This month our challenge is to focus on the blessing of "waiting" and those wonderful things we learn while needing to be patient. Patient with others, patient with God, patient with ourselves. What have you learned by waiting? Or maybe you are in a season of "wait" what are your hopes during this time? How are spending your time waiting? We would love to see what you come up with for your Blessing Challenge album.

For more on the Blessing Challenge visit Faithfully Yours

Going around the "bend"

2010-12-01T11:00:00.003-06:00

I love it when worlds collide! When MemoryWorks (a direct sales company I work with) started selling Fiskars products I was so excited. Since I love my fiskars tools (and even demoed for them for a couple of years) it was a fabulous match. One of the biggest questions I got was "is there a way to go around the corner with the border punches?" the answer is YUP...and Teamworks leader Lacey Igo "cornered me" (hee hee ;) to post a simple tutorial on it... enjoy!

Around the Bend

Wow oh WOW (and giving thanks)

2010-11-12T06:00:00.006-06:00

It always amazes me the generous hearts of people. It's exciting to see each year just exactly how God will provide. He takes our efforts and multiplies them beyond what we can imagine! Our shoebox journey started this year at the Scrapbook Expo in St. Charles. It continued with the members of Delta Kappa Gamma (Rho Chapter). It furthered with 4-h for Joy and the Daughters of the American Revolution (Louis Joliet Chapter.) It lengthened with Scrapbook Junction. Through it all it's been traveled with me with many wonderful friends from Fiskateers (special thanks to lead Angela Daniels) and my church family at My Father's House of Prayer.

I lost track of the number of hours spent, items collected. Money donated (well Pam has an idea of that one.) I just know that all of it mixed together equals 259 smiling boys and girls this Christmas.

Whereas it's far from over. The part of the journey I'm involved in will be coming to a close once I deliver the boxes to the first relay station. Because of that I wanted to say...

To each and every THANK YOU so very very much from the bottom of my heart!

(supplies used: Winter Woodland collection Creative Imaginations, prismatic cardstock, glossy accents, MME collection buttons, craft ribbon, Cricut-celebrations, Xyron, glue dots, stapler)

All things grow with love

2010-10-18T23:37:00.005-05:00

So on National Scrapbook Day (yes May 3 of this year) I went to a crop at my friend Lori's house. I was excited to be able to spend the day scrapping with my daughter and friends Lori and Mandie. My big goal for the day was to make my mom a present for Mother's Day. I had found this glass tray at the thrift and it was just SCREAMING to be altered!

After lining the tray with some gorgeous prima and MME papers and adding a touch of ribbon, I grabbed my new toy (the Fiskars Woodland tree shape template for the USX... courtesy of one Ms Rebecca Peck (lead Fiskateer to the stars ;) and some Prima cardstock and started a cutting. I love this template, the tree is fabulous for a 12 x 12 page and the leaves, and hearts are the perfect accent. I inked my edges (Ranger Vintage photo) and then stamped some random swirls on them (Autumn Leaves swirls and flourishes) and heat embossed with some clear embossing powder to add a bit more shimmer.) I then built my tree. Added a wonderful fall photo of the kids...All it needed was a title.

The letters I used were We R Memory Keepers Metal letters in Pewter. I carefully laid out the words only to find the box didn't have any letter "h" in it. Not a one. I tried to "alter" some didn't work. I was so disappointed. I had been envisioning giving this to my mom for Mother's day since I found the tray 2 months prior and here it was 8 days before and I couldn't finish...I tried other things...cutting them out with the Cricut, chipboard etc. But nothing looked as perfect in my mind as the pewter...

So I went on a hunt.... we looked online, I contacted WeR...apparently they were discontinued even though they were new they no longer made nor had any...I tried friends...nothing

So mom's day passed ...then came her birthday, I found something I thought I might do instead...but nothing looked as "perfect" in my mind as the original plan. I did tell her about it though... but she couldn't have it till it was DONE...(she's crafty she totally understands)

Then it happened.... Last week the shelves collapsed in my closet and I found "metal tags" that I had purchased a zillion and two years ago on clearance thinking they were cool and maybe someday I would use them (Ok now seriously I got them like in 03 on clearance I think in silver and gold and never used them but couldn't bear to toss them now I'm glad I did, score one for the scrap-pack-rats) So I roughed up the metal a bit and added some black stayz-on to darken it. Then cut it out using my trusty Fiskars Finger tip craft knife and micro tipped scissors (I used the letter "F" as a pattern.) I was quite pleased with the results....

Here it is without the tray (to avoid the glare)

And here it is with

Moral of the story: ya never know what you might use so save it??? Or maybe the help you need is right there with you all along, or maybe it's plain and simply I have too much stuff...nah that couldn't be it!

Supplies used: Fiskars USX shape template Woodland Tree, WeR MemoryKeepers Metal Letters-Pewter, Metal Tags-brushed silver, Autumn Leaves Stamps-Swirls and Flourishes, Ranger distress ink-Vintage Photo, Cardstock/Pattern Paper, Prima, My Mind's eye, ribbon, Xyron

Christmas gifts--candied popcorn trial run

2010-10-18T19:08:00.005-05:00

So I love candied popcorn and it's one of the easiest gifts to make for the holidays BUT we always have to have a trial run so I remember the recipe. Tonight was the night, we are having a movie night and one of the kids had a hankering for it (and I only make it around the holidays.)

Ingredients are simple

4 quarts (16 cups) popped pop corn

3 T. butter melted

a couple of shakes of salt

1/2 bag of Wilton candy melts

Pop corn, add melted butter and salt (you want a 'hint' of salt not need to get a gallon of water to finish your popcorn salt) toss until mixed, melt candy melts according to directions and then pour over popcorn, toss until coated and then I throw the bowl in the freezer for 10ish minutes to harden it faster be careful though when it's frozen it can "break" when you are removing it from the bowl )

Break apart and store in an air tight container. (or eat like a pig it's YUMMY)

You can also color the candy melts (Wilton makes special coloring for it) to match the holiday, (think red and green for Christmas, red, white and blue for the 4th, orange and green for fiskateer events ;)

I'll package this up in clear gift bags and then top with cute ribbons with tags...it's always a hit!

Craftastrophy!

2010-10-15T20:12:00.009-05:00

So I had a bit of a "catastrophe" in my crafting area...my area is all of 6 x 8 feet square. BUT I have this closet that is 5 x 4 x 4, up until a few days ago I had a set of plastic shelves inside that held tools and photos and other wonderful things. Then there was a collapse...it didn't just go BOOM...things just slowly started falling....before you knew it I had a wonderful jumbled pile of all my crafty treasures.

Thankfully nothing was broken or damaged, just messy. That resulted in a complete overhaul of the area....after poor hubby hearing again and again of the mess he finally relented and built me what I am now calling SUPER SHELVES....they are strong enough to support the weight of my 9 year old daughter. (Or 4 tubs of punches and a die cut machine.)

Well the good thing about all of this it's causing me to go through pretty much everything, finally putting things away that have just been kinda shoved into corners and bins, organizing while I'm doing it. I'm getting down to the dregs...all of the odds and ends and bitty stuff that needs to be put away...

So here I sit taking a brake from the sorting of THIS to come up for some air...

Hopefully when I'm done I'll be able to show you some after pix of the new shelves and organized space.

Cards for troops!

2010-10-11T07:10:00.013-05:00

I must admit, I tear up at parades when I see the veterans march past. I also tear up when I say the pledge of allegiance. I am so grateful for our freedom here in the United States and even more so for those men and women that have sacrificed so much to serve and protect them.

Scripture tells us

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15: 13

To think of those that have given up time with their families, loved ones and friends, not to mention the comforts and security of home to serve and protect our freedoms overwhelms me.

I love having opportunities to give back to the troops and when my friend Diane asked me if I would create some "card kits" for a cards for troops event at her church. Operation MOMS Cookies sends care packages to our troops and the cards would be a part of them. I was more than willing to not only put together card kits but help with the event as well.

Knowing I had small group last night immediately following AND knowing my jr/sr high girls love creating I asked if they could come with. Five of us left early grabbed a quick lunch at Micky D's then went to help make Christmas cards for our troops.

Tables were set up all over the room with supplies to make dozen's of different types of cards! They girls went from table to table creating and I stayed at mine helping those that wanted to play with the tools I brought (Fiskars squeeze punches, stamps, stickles and more.)

The girls and I were joined with about 30 Men, women, teens and children from Our Savior Lutheran. The ladies there had YUMMY oatmeal raisin (my favorite of the two) and chocolate chip (the girls favorite) cookies and lemonade to keep up our strength. We spent 3 hours crafting cards. We had a blast!

When all was said and done yesterday afternoon, Diane was excited to share that they had 1502 cards! What a privilege it was to be a small part of it!

True creativity is never neat!

2010-10-05T10:09:00.002-05:00

Mom used to quote to me all the time "true creativity is never neat!" I know that's the case cause I am a VERY messy crafter, I like sitting in the middle of all my stuff (normally on the floor) have everything within reach easy to get to the next piece of my project or the adhesive to stick it together. How come though when even I have to "clean up" the craft area I find bits and pieces of projects that somehow "fit together" to form something new?

I'm suppose to be cleaning up the area and trying to pack for the class I'm teaching tonight (Cricut 201) as well as getting samples together for my etching class (plus hubby's tolerance to the chaos finally reached it's peak...;) but some how I keep finding a sheet of cardstock here and an embellishment there or a bead and so far have managed to create a 2 page layout a couple of pins for friends and found a box of goodies for a prize I even managed to squeak out a card. I will say you can now walk through my miniscule niche of the house (because I made a path not cause it's clean...;) so at least thats' a start right?

School is cool

2010-09-30T16:07:00.001-05:00

How cool my "Home'Scool" magnetic board was featured on the Simple Stories blog

School is Cool

along with multiple projects from my every so creative pal Kemi!

Home'Scool

2010-09-27T17:36:00.003-05:00

This is the project I did for MemoryWorks...you can find the original post

--->MemoryWorks Blog

I homeschool all four of my kids. That means four different grades multiplied by 6 or 7 different subjects, meaning somedays it's impossible to determine who has done what without asking them, which means I have to interrupt (and distractions mean it takes awhile for them to get back on track) or if I am working with one child and someone finished their work they need to know what else to do again, meaning an interruption. I wanted to create something that the kids and I could determine what schoolwork had been done and what still needed to be accomplished.

Enter in the Simple Stories Ele.ment.ary kit. MemoryWorks sent me this collection to play with but how was this "homeschooling mom" going to use this more traditional school kit? Fanning through the papers several were lined "chart style" and that gave me an idea. I wondered if I could create a reusable chart that would show me at a glance what the kids had already done and show the kids what they still needed to accomplish for the day.

I tossed around a few ideas, laminating, cork board, dry erase but the one that made the most sense was a magnet board. Something that would allow me to change subjects based on the day and allow the kids (younger ones especially) a sense of accomplishment marking off what they had finished.

I started with a sheet of metal. Instead of purchasing something new, my husband (for some reason known only to him) saved the side panels of our old dishwasher. He cut down one of them to fit a frame I picked up at the thrift for $2. I had refinished the frame with a light crackle coat (layered gold and cinnamon for those wondering) I wanted the frame to have the same vintage-y "old school" feeling I got from the kit.

I then laid out papers and embellishments to suit my purpose.

I did need to add several lines to the green paper to have enough spaces for all of our subjects. I used a "metal" embellishment glue stick to adhere things to the metal sheet and then covered everything with several coats of "paper mod podge" (I love mod podge!) I could have used the mod podge to stick things down with (especially since it was heavier cardstock) but I have a tendency to be VERY generous with the mod podge and didn't want my paper to buckle. For my title I inked chipboard pieces and then instead of mod podge-ing them with everything else. I did them separately. Some types of ink can run when it's applied so to solve that I did them by themselves, let them dry and then glued them on.

To create the subject magnets, I used the printable elements from the simple stories collection (the do it yourself word tabs) I photoshopped the words on the tabs before I printed them out on cardstock and then ran them through the Xyron 900 with laminate/magnet backing. The markers used to check off when a subject was completed were made by adhering glass stones to scraps of cardstock with glossy accents. (I coated the backsides as well before adhering sticky back magnet strips to them.)

Overall I was quite pleased with the way this turned out. The kids were thrilled to be able to KNOW what had to be done during a particular day and love to be able to "mark off" when something is done. Best yet I can see at a glance who has done what!

Supplies used: MemoryWorks Simple Stories Ele.ment.ary kit and digital elements. Ranger ink, Glossy Accents, Velspar crackle paint (gold and cinnamon) Chipboard (Rusty Pickle Random) Pioneer metal embellishment glue, Mod Podge paper (matte finish.) self adhesive magnet strips, Xyron 900 w/laminate magnet cartridge.

Hey check it out!

2010-09-26T22:08:00.002-05:00

Check out my scrapbook event blog for news of a fabulous raffle to benefit Operation Christmas Child!

Check it out here! --------------> Aim Scrappy

Operation Christmas Child!

2010-09-26T22:02:00.002-05:00

I LOVE putting together shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. My family and I have been packing boxes for the past 15 years and each year challenge ourselves to do more.

I recently had to privilege of speaking to Delta Kappa Gamma International (Rho Chapter) about OCC and the shoebox program. It was a wonderful evening! (Not to mention fabulous food!) The ladies have decided to help us "fill the boxes" this year and are going to continue to gather supplies for us next year as well. I'm so happy they have joined forces with us!

The party is over

2010-09-18T17:18:00.012-05:00

The party is over,

The gift was a

hit.

(when she pulled it out

the guests oooh and ahhed over it!)

The theme was so cute

with Cats, hats and balloons.

And when I saw the GREEN EGGS

I was over the moon!

The guests decorated t-shirts

for the new baby "T"

And tore out a silhouette

of the "mommy to be"

There was a "bar" full of candy

From which you could choose

your favorite flavors

you just couldn't loose!

There was a trivia contest,

Lots of chatting and fun

No one wanted to leave

When the party was done!

After RUSHING to get there (I had rehearsal prior to the shower.) Then got stuck in traffic for like ever...we got there in time to slip in as the last gift was being opened...

She loved her gift. (It's fun giving things to crafty people!) Hillary was one of my first sign-language students 16 years ago...wow...long time.....it's so sweet to see your "kids" grow up! I know she's going to make a great mom!

The cat and the Hat

2010-09-17T23:36:00.008-05:00

I cut up a book (I really did)
All because my friend is having a kid.

The nursery is adorned with Dr. Suess of all things
So naturally I had something crafty to bring!

I found this here "mobile" from a store called Ikea
and Shanon's banner inspiration gave me an idea.

I cropped and I cut favorite pictures from a book,
And layered with cardstock to give it the right look!

The shower's tomorrow I can't wait till she sees.
The gift that I brought her handmade by ME!

You can't tell from the photo because I had to stick it against the wall to get a better shot, but it spins and things are two sided. The turquoise ribbon looks 3-d swirly cause of how I wrapped it around the clear wire hangers.

Supplies used: hanging mobile photo frame from IKEA (got at a garage sale for FREE. )Various Dr. Suess books (bought at the thrift) , Assorted cardstock, Fiskars trimmer and finger tip craft knife. Ribbon.

Total cost for project..$2 (Oh and see the other photo for how it's being presented....also got for FREE (same sale...SWEET)

Blog Hop Winner!

2010-09-14T03:00:00.004-05:00

Thanks to everyone that came out for the 1st ever Fiskateers Orange Blog Hop. We had a ton of fun and it was great to see a whole bunch of familiar faces as well as make some new friends!

Thank you to everyone that commented! Come back to visit really soon!

And now without further ado! The comment winner is....

Lesa said...

Super cool projects! Thanks for sharing.
Lesa #5200

September 10, 2010 2:58 PM

You can contact me through Fiskateers and I'll get your prize out to you! Thanks for playing!

Let's go do a HOP

2010-09-10T06:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome! I'm so glad you have joined us for the Fiskateer Orange Blog Hop! If you have come here from Lisa's (#5095) blog "Lisa's scrap site" then you are at the right spot...

If you happened here some other way... Please start at the beginning of the hop here---->Fiskateers Don't worry you'll get back here eventually! There are 43 of us participating in the hop filled with Orange inspiration, projects, tutorials, RAK's and more!

Hi! My name is Betsy and I'm Fiskateer number #2572. I've been a fiskateer now for 3 years? (Not sure how long anymore, time sure flies when you are having fun!) In the past three years I have continually been amazed at the amount of talent out there in the fiskateer community. As if the talent wasn't enough the support and encouragement between Fiskateers in the community is inspiring! I love when Fiskateers get together because there is always love, laughter and something crafty waiting to happen!

When I was asked to do this hop, I knew I wanted to share a very special project I made this summer! I love making things for my friends (especially my crafty friends because crafty peeps APPRECIATE handmade!) I knew I was going to see a ton of my fiskateer friends and wanted something that would be easy to make but cool at the same time so I decided to play with some etching cream and make ornaments for them. I know CHA was in July...but everyone has heard of "Christmas in July" right?

I took 2 inch mirrors and etched on them using "Armor Etch" but I didn't want a standard "shape" I wanted something that said "Fiskateers" and what says "Fiskateers" more than scissors. I created a stencil out of vinyl cut out with my cricut (I used the "A child's year" cartridge as well as "George and Basic Shapes".) I had to apply two different layers of etching cream to get both the scissors and the border on there but ended up being pleased with the final effect. Now if I wanted to just have it for a decoration I could have gotten a small plate stand to prop it up but I wanted to use these as Christmas ornaments. So I found "bail plates" in the jewelry making section and glued one onto the back, it gave me a place to secure a bit of orange and green ribbon as well as some fishing line so they can be hung up.

For me it's all about the presentation as well as the gift. (Plus I wanted to pad them somehow since I knew many of my friends had to take them home on the plane.) I cut down sheets of orange mulberry paper to stitch into bags. I love the look and feel of the mulberry paper...plus it holds up better than standard paper when using the sewing machine on it. A decorative stitch on the edges of the bag held it together nicely. Finish the bag off with a quick tag made using some glue dot layered punches (Square-a-licious and Block Party) and holiday stamps and you had a cute little package that was just as much fun as the present! (If I do say so myself ;)

So there you have it. A fun little project that was so easy to do (especially in bulk!!) Aren't those the best!

Thanks for visiting here today! I'm glad you decided to join us! I hope you won't be a stranger and come back to visit me! I always have something or another I'm rambling about :) Before you leave...add a comment and I'll draw a name at the end of the hop to win a fun RAK! (If you are a follower I'll add your name twice)

Your next stop on your fabulous orange journey is Marianne's (#6701)blog Number 1 Aunt

Cricut Classes

2010-09-07T23:19:00.002-05:00

Yup it's that time again! I'll be offering a series of Cricut classes at Scrapbook Junction in Minooka!

Cricut 101 (for the expression) will be September 28, 2010 from 6-8 pm. Cost $20

Cricut 201 (also for the expression) will be October 5, 2010 from 6-8:30 Cost $22

101 covers all the basics of your machine. 201 covers cutting different materials, layering, cutting fabric, deep cut housing blade, using the markers. Email me or the store for more details and call SBJ to register! For more information visit my event blog, AIM SCRAPPY

It's coming!!! Are you ready?

2010-09-07T21:28:00.006-05:00

Are you ready to hop???

The Fiskateers are having an "orange blog hop" this weekend. Join me and my fellow fiskateers for some orange inspired, crafts tutorials, RAKs and just plain fun!

Longing for the Old

2010-09-04T21:42:00.002-05:00

We have a puppy named Diamond. Like most active puppies she has two sides to her. The “ohh I’m so cute and cuddly and half asleep” and the active, playing with and getting into everything under the sun side. And like most puppy mommies, I love her during all of them even though she can be a bit exasperating at times.

Diamond like most puppies LOVES her chewy toys. Her favorite lately are those giant bouncy balls–ya know those ones that look like tennis balls only larger and claiming to be “tuff”. She bats them around for awhile then settles down for a good gnaw on them. They were holding up well until yesterday when she “finally broke through”. Unbeknownst to us she not only broke through but proceeded to eat 1/2 of one. There were pieces all over the house. (Plus it caused her to get sick.) Poor puppy she lost her favorite toy. I was prepared though, I had purchased a new one. As I cleaned up the old one I gave her the new one. Funny thing is though she wanted nothing to do with the new toy. She sniffed it a bit but was more interested in what happened to her old toy. She wanted her gnawed to pieces that made her sick from eating old toy. She followed her old toy to the garbage can even whining and whimpering and pawing at the can trying to get it.

It made me think how we can be like that some time. God offers us new life with him, and life abundant at that. We show a bit of interest, but it’s not what we crave or desire. We want our old falling apart, worn out, making us sick life. Sometimes we want it so much, our thinking begins to get skewed. Oh when I wasn’t a Christian I could do whatever I wanted, when I wasn’t a Christian it didn’t matter if I________________ (you fill in the blank.) Our flesh and our sinful nature crave our old way of thinking and our old life. Yet we need to persevere. We are being called to put off our old self, our old life, one that might “seem” like it’s good. But really it doesn’t have much to offer us beyond spiritual sickness and death.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; Ephesians 4:22

So if temptation to go back to the “old ways” is plaguing you today. Don’t be tempted. Sit down and remember what it really has to offer you. Sickness, selfishness, death. Then look at what the Lord is offering you. Life and life abundant.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” John 10:10

Play Date!

2010-08-24T07:16:00.004-05:00

What happens when a crafty friend comes over to play? Naturally you CREATE! My friend Joann (Ashani to you Fiskateers) came over last night. Now one of the things I have wanted to do this year was learn to make some jewelry, I've done a few pieces, but I wanted to really learn the craft of jewelry making. Enter in Joann, this chick even takes (and teaches) classes in silversmithing and does some FABULOUS work.

She had to come over to pick up her tools she left at the Scrapbook Expo (she was one of my fabulous volunteers this past weekend.) I made dinner so she brought over some jump rings and said "we are going to go crazy but we are going to make chain mail earrings!" She was right it was a bit tedious, but once we popped a movie in and got a rhythm going we were able to plug along.

Not wanting Joann to be the only one to bring a project to the night. I showed her this page from Hobby Lobby where they featured recycled projects she happened to bring her stuff in a Hobby Lobby bag so we started cutting and went to town making some earrings!

The project directions called for wooden disks we used chipboard (since well it's a bit plentiful around here :) and I don't know if the wood would have effected our outcome at all. I will say it was a bit tricky to get the bag to melt like you wanted. Trial and error showed holding it down with a toothpick (metal tweezers got to hot and the piece melted to the tweezers) and short strokes over the surface with the heat gun gave you a bit of control over how it melted. The first pair I made was the blue, the colors REALLY melted together on that pair. I then had to make some orange ones to match some of my many Fiskateer outfits, that's when we discovered the shorter stroke technique over the bag as you can see the images on the bags are much easier to distinguish. (I still need to add jump rings and fishhooks to the 2nd pair)

All and all tons of fun. She didn't leave till way to late (and she had to get up to work in the morning!) But both of us had a blast and I loved learning something new!

Where I've been

2010-08-24T06:49:00.005-05:00

Life has been a bit crazy for me!

End of July I went to CHA and the Supershow with some dear friends. We had a blast. To read more about my adventures check out my guest blog post on Scrapbook Update. Cover's all the "things I did for swag." I also got to have some fun with my Fiskateer Friends at the Supershow

You can read about it (Here and Here) I have more pictures I need to get them uploaded some place (but you'll find a few of me mixed in with the groups!) Oh and then Rebecca, Merlene and I did some major world traveling you can read about it Here

Because life is NEVER boring around here I got home from my world travels, CHA and the Supershow and my husband decided he needed attention! (You know how they get, mom's away for a week, hubby feels lonely so when mom comes home...) Hubby got sick. At first we thought it was the flu, but a quick tummy poke on my end diagnosed him correctly. "honey you need your appendix out"...and he let me drag him to quick care. Yup I was right. So the 2nd week of August was spent living out of yet another hospital. I will admit I got spoiled with mom's trips because there is a good coffee bar with smoothies and really good cranberry muffins! The local one...not so much.

Hubby is doing better and has been released to "light duty" (another 4 weeks of) but at least it means some income coming in. While he went back to work I was busy with the Scrapbook Expo in St. Charles you'll see a cause near and dear to my heart sponsoring the baggage check. Operation Christmas Child. I was the coordinator for the event. Oldest daughter and 7 of my pals (and fellow Fiskateers) came to work with me to baby sit the luggage, scrapbook a bit, and do some shopping all while collecting supplies to help fill shoeboxes. We collected 5 huge boxes as well as some cash so the event was a success in my book!

Getting ready to load the van!

In the middle of all that I have been riding my bike. I wrote about the challenges and the effects at Faithfully Yours for the blessing challenge this month.

So that's been the past month in a nutshell. Life has been crazy, but could I ever expect it not to be???

The Blessing of Endurance

2010-08-20T06:47:00.000-05:00

The Blessing of Endurance

I started biking again about two months ago. I used to ride quite a bit not really for sport more for recreation. Lately though I have been doing it for exercise. Even though I have worked up to about 10 miles a day I still had yet to tackle “the church.” There is a little church about 3 miles outside of town and the last time I biked there (like 5 years ago) by the time I got there my face was flush, I collapsed into a heap having to suck down water and eat chips to try to control the exhausted shaking, and then I barely made it home! Needless to say I haven’t ventured there on my bike all this time, even though I know I have been biking further than that lately on a regular basis, the memory of the embarrassment and exhaustion has kept me away.

But today…today I did it! I not only biked there and back without needing to stop BUT I did my normal 10 mile route after it (again without needing to stop) it’s something so little but I’m feeling so good about it right now!

Today I realized that I had built up my endurance and because of that was able to overcome that “scary ride”!

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what he has promised Hebrews 10:35-36

My ride might seem like small peanuts compared to bigger things in life. But there is a valuable lesson in it. We all have things in life that seem scary because we have tried before and failed. Or we have even failed to try. Or maybe we are in the middle of something that we feel we will never get through! Maybe it’s our child’s “teenage years” or caring for a sick loved one. Maybe we have tried to accomplish a dream that never seems quite attainable or maybe we have been too scared to reach out to try because we are afraid to fail. Maybe it’s simply our faith. The world around us is pressuring us to conform to it and we want to just give in or give up. Whatever challenge we are facing. We need to keep working at it. We need to keep working towards it. Because with the Lords help we can be victorious!

Whatever it is, that has been in your heart. God has been conditioning you to succeed. He wants you to finish the race. He didn’t set you up to fail, God set you up to be victorious! Each day caring for the sick family member can be not only “gotten through” but can be a blessing with the Lord. With the Lord’s help you will be able to do not only survive your child’s teenage years but THRIVE. That dream in your heart. Work towards it. If it’s from the Lord he will help you succeed, if it isn’t he will change YOU and give you an even better dream!

Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it’s work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything! James 1:3-4

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it’s shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and loose heart. Hebrews 12: 1-3

Persevere my friends. Continue on with what has been set before you to do. There is a rich reward in store. It might not be a “trophy and fame or glory” it might just be the satisfaction that reached your goal! That in itself is priceless!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day– 2 Timothy 4:7-8a

Feed my starving children

2010-07-18T22:14:00.004-05:00

Jesus says "when you have done to the least of these you have done unto me"...

Friday my kids and I had the privilege of celebrating her friends birthday. What did this friend want? Was it clothes or make-up?...nope Video games or itunes gift cards?...no again. Or even an some type of electronic ______ still no.

She didn't want a gift. She wanted some of our time and labor. We were invited to celebrate her birthday by working at Feed My Starving Children. This wonderful ministry packs food to send all over the world. They have figured out how to mass pack a nutritious meal for $0.19 a piece. Their work relies solely on volunteer labor and we got to be a part of it!

When we arrived our group was just waiting to get in. After registering, donning a hair net, we watched a short video telling about the ministry and what we would be doing (and why we were doing it.) Then we washed up and got ready to learn about our assignments. Everyone had a role from labeling bags, to weighing and packaging the food, there were jobs for all! (I was the "sealer" basically worked an industrial seal a meal :)

We worked for about 2 hours and had a blast! They had system to help us work to the best of our abilities and music to keep us energized! When it was all said and done we packaged enough food to feed 64 orphans for an entire year!!!

What an awesome way to celebrate encouraging your friends and family to work on behalf of the poor! It was a day I won't forget!

If you would like more information on Feed My Starving Children check out their website! They have a schedule for volunteers, as well as other ways to help!

Things I learned today

2010-07-10T13:45:00.003-05:00

Today I went for a bike ride and then my daughter and I went out to see what the day would hold. We were hoping to find a bunch of garage sales but instead learned some lessons today.

1) French Country Markets are fun to stop at but expensive. The artists at them are amazing and where else can you pick out the chicken you want for dinner?
2) No one should wear plaid especially on the lower half of their bodies. No matter HOW skinny you are do you really want your hips, thighs and backside looking wider from the placement of stripes!
3) When I am old and grey, I want a husband that still goes and refills my soft drinks at the fountain 15 feet away even if it takes him 10 minutes to get there.
4) I am thankful for We care! So many of the kids from my children's ministry have benefited from their organization I'm happy to give to them.
5) NO ONE SHOULD WEAR PLAID (See #2)
6) Spending the day with your teenage daughter is fun (especially when she treats to lunch:)

Crafty Gifts

2010-07-08T09:10:00.002-05:00

Time for something crafty! I love making these. It is a calendar memo board I made as a gift for a friend. Any glass surface will act like a dry erase board! There's room for a calendar and space on the side and top for notes. The frame is just a 12 x 12 frame make sure it has glass in it vs. plastic (the plastic doesn't hold up as well to prolonged dry erase marker usage)

I've been trying to use up my stash so I only know the card stock is Prisim, (oh I'll really miss them) flowers Prima, gems (craft gems) the rest is from a MemoryWorks Express Kit from like 2 years ago. Ranger Ink (Vintage Photo) adhesive Glue Dots, Scrapbook Adhesive by 3L tape runner.

Gratitude Check!

2010-07-05T15:40:00.005-05:00

You are always told to "check your attitude" but do you remember to check your "Gratitude?" Today I was reminded of all of my blessings. I've been a little down lately and confused and looking for direction as to what is next in life. I mean there are things that MUST go on, school for the kids, being the wife, mom, chauffeur, cook, maid. I mean with other things.

Recently a couple of open door opportunities became closed and I found myself wondering not only what was going on, but why in the world did I do this in the first place! I'm a giver by nature, I love blessing others and finding creative ways to do it. Occasionally though it seems I get "given out" and just don't have any more to give. Add to the additional stress of mom's illness, hubby changing jobs my emotions have been running amuck leaving me a total and complete mess. It's then I realize it's time to refocus take some time and figure out what going on.

Yesterday at church the verse that stuck with me the most wasn't part of the message it was read during offering. "...whoever sows generously will also reap generously." (2 Corinthians 9:6) Yeah they were talking about the offering but it hit me about life as well. God wouldn't fault me for sowing generously. In fact He encouraged it.

Fast forward to today I'm in the middle of FINALLY finishing the craft area overhaul. One of the tasks that was overdue was finding a spot for the mementos. They had been taped to my book case but it was getting to be an eyesore (and besides that they were falling off.) I needed to do something with them and decided for the time being to put them in a basket.

Instead of just putting the cards and programs and letters and such into the basket, I decided to sit and re-read the messages inside. I'm so glad I did. There were cards from friends, and cards from family, cards from fellow crafters and cards from fiskateers, and cards from manufacturers, cards from charities and companies and cards from my "kids" (Children's church/kid's club and youth group kids) . Cards thanking me for hosting swaps or helping with a project or charity, cards of encouragement, cards of friendship and cards of love. So many of them. All of the people that wrote them I have had contact with in some way. I realized I had been sowing generously and reaping abundantly!

By the time I was finished reading them, I was overwhelmed by all of the people that had touched my life and prayed that hopefully I had touched theirs in some small way as well. My basket was now overflowing and so was my heart! I am truly blessed and overwhelmed with gratitude for each and every person that has come into my life

I thank you Lord for the Gratitude Check this afternoon! It really helps put things into perspective!

Wisdom

2010-07-02T10:01:00.003-05:00

The Best Advice I was Ever Given

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him James 1:5

Two weeks ago I celebrated my 17th wedding anniversary. Naturally it becomes time to reminisce. I think back to my “excited” bridal days being concerned with my dress, and the ceremony, and my bridesmaids, and such. Having that starry eyed look as someone talked about being married and having kids and living life together.

We were young and thought we could handle anything “love and the Lord would see us through.” Yet like many young married couples we had our share of “issues” and trials, job changes and moving. Four kids being born and more. Enough to shake any marriage.

Somedays I would get so….. (angry, mad, frustrated, you fill in the blank) that my husband just “didn’t get it” I would wonder where was the guy that I married? This guy that’s in his place must have been a few cards short of a full deck because some of his ideas were way out there (yes everyone super glues a phone to the top of the speaker because the cord is too short and they don’t want it to fly off the top meaning you have only one place to sit while on the phone.)

I remembered being really frustrated over one of my husbands latest what I considered stupid moves and was pouring out my frustration to a friend. My friend Dawn had been around the block a few times and she had been married 15+ years (forever in my book.) Her husband had similar crazy ideas and I knew she would understand. After I poured out my tale of woe I expected immediate sympathy and a mutual gripe-fest instead I got the best piece of advise I was ever given in my life “Betsy, someone once told me before you get all worked up about something ask yourself one simple question ‘20 years from now will this matter?’”

Talk about stopping you dead in your tracks. I thought about the latest thing I was frustrated about and realized no it wouldn’t last. If it wasn’t going to last, why in the world should I spend this much time getting worked up about it? (Thinking about it, agonizing over it.)

What she said got me out of the “this is effecting ME and therefore a big life or death deal” and it allowed me to move on past the issue seeing it for what it was. Just something that was happening today, tomorrow it would be a faded memory. Not something to cause me to be angry over, causing me to loose my temper with my husband, crabby with others that crossed my path and wasted my time dwelling over something that didn’t really matter in the grand scheme of life.

My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight-Proverbs 5:1

My friend and her husband moved out of state and I don’t see them anymore. But her advise still rings true after all these years. I still think about what she said when I get really worked up over something “20 years from now will this matter?” At times her advise has stopped me from arguing and letting my husband do what he wanted to in peace. It has even encouraged me to “take up a cause” that concerns my children knowing that YES 20 years from now it will matter.

True wisdom stands the test of time. True wisdom causes you to look at your heart, your actions, and your self and see it for what it really is. As James says “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3: 17-18. True wisdom comes from God and changes your life forever!

July’s Blessing Challenge
This month we will focus on the “Blessing of Wisdom.” I am so thankful that if we lack wisdom that is one of the things God gives us generously if we ask. (James 1:5) As you go through this month, rejoice in how wisdom has saved, changed your direction, caused you to do something you otherwise wouldn’t, or not to do something you thought you wanted to.

As you decide what to create this month think about-

What is the best piece of advise you were ever given?

Have you ever been in a situation where wisdom has changed your course of action?

What wisdom do you want passed on to your children and grandchildren?

Is there a scripture verse you have relied on again and again to offer you wisdom on life?

For more information on the "Year of Blessings" check out Faithfully Yours

A daughter is a special thing

2010-06-26T04:54:00.003-05:00

Shhh don't tell her I'm writing about her today. I am really thankful for my daughter, (both of them naturally but this is more about my oldest!) it's funny you have a little girl and you instantly think of pink, and ruffles and curls and bows. Soon she tires of you doing her hair and picking out her clothes and wants to "do it herself." But as she grows you realize you have someone to share hobbies with and girl talk and crazy projects and life. As she is becoming a young woman I'm seeing these blessings more and more.

Paper is Basic Gray Gypsy , Letters are altered Scrapworks tailored letters, altered BG numbers, zva fourishes, prima flowers. Cricut Cart -Accent Essentials, glue dots.

Cards for a Cause!

2010-06-22T19:35:00.006-05:00

So a dear friend of mine is going to Thailand this summer to teach English. While she was telling me about her trip she mentioned that she loves having ways to share American customs and such with her class and also loves ways to connect with her students. This comment got the wheels in my head turning.

So I asked some of my friends and fellow Fiskateers to help me make cards. The response was overwhelming!!! We were able to send her off to Thailand with over 100 cards for all occassions; birthday, just because, major holidays and more. I also included a card making kit to make even MORE cards! The card making kit contained some "mini" acrylic stamp sets and 1" pads some acrylic blocks, and fiskars scissors. I also included pre-cut cardforms and envelopes, plus a box to hold everything and a case for the stamps. All she needs will be adhesive!

The cards will be used to send notes of congratulations, birthday wishes and more to some of the over 1000 students she has a chance to work with this summer! She also has plans to invite students to make their own cards!

It's pretty exciting to be able to share your love of crafting with people from another country (and have your work travel there!)

Yesterday

2010-06-14T09:21:00.005-05:00

Yesterday my daughter graduated from 8th grade. Family and friends came to our church to help us first with the ceremony and then celebrate my daughters accomplishments thus far. I remembered my excitement with the announcement "it's a girl." Visions of pink frilly dresses, ribbons and bows filled my head immediately. You soon grew out of that, wanting instead to express your own sense of style (normally adorned with bright, sometimes tacky jewelry.)

Yesterday you looked lovely. The simple cut of your dress looked fabulous on you, and the jewelry you picked out was the perfect touch. You loved your shoes. The heels a good compromise between what you wanted and what I preferred.

Yesterday you thanked me for giving you a love of reading and I remembered how excited you were when it first "clicked," now it's hard to get you out of a good book.

Yesterday you thanked your father for helping you not only find answers but understand them. I remembered you struggling with math and numbers and Daddy patiently helping you with your schoolwork.

Yesterday you thanked your family and friends for being part of your life and I think of how you love PEOPLE just like your mom and the thoughtful way you try to encourage everyone and include everyone!

Yesterday you told everyone how your grandma gave you a love for music. Then you shared your love with all of us. Playing your violin, the beautiful music filling the sanctuary.

Yesterday you got a cell phone. Laughing with your friends as they tried to call you while you were opening your present.

Yesterday you shared with everyone how you know God is with you and that with God you can do anything and everything. I remember us praying together when you asked Jesus into your heart because you wanted Him to be a part of your life forever.

Yesterday you shared with family and friends of your desire to go to another country. Telling how you are saving up to go on a mission trip. Believing the Lord is leading you there. As you shared that I had to remember to trust the Lord with your life and your future.

Yesterday I wondered where had my baby gone, I only caught a glimpse of her in that smile that has held me captivated since it first flashed my way.

Yesterday I saw my daughter grow up before my eyes and today I rejoice. For the little girl of yesterday is becoming a beautiful young woman of God!

Helping Hands! Helping Hearts!

2010-06-11T09:59:00.003-05:00

I have the privilege of being a regular contributer to Faithfully Yours. I love working with Dawn and the rest of the design team to inspire people to share their faith in their scrapbooks and projects. It's also my joy to write devotions for their ezine.

This Friday's devotion is titled Helping Hands! Helping Hearts! You can find it here---> Faithfully Yours It talks about how when we help others our own heart benefits as well! In addition I get to share exciting news about the "Charity Select" contest over at Baby Shop Hop!

Hope you head over to the sites to take a look!

Teacher Gift

2010-06-08T09:30:00.006-05:00

David loves his speech therapist and at the end of the school year wanted to give her a gift! We decided to make her a dry erase calendar. These are super easy and people LOVE them.

take a 12 x 12 frame (or LP frame same sized) you need glass in the frame, plastic works but it's harder to clean at the end of the month. Create your calendar page put it into the frame and VOILA' fabulous handmade gift. David was so excited to have made it himself, he picked out the paper, punched the shapes, inked the edges, and helped put the whole thing together!

Supplies used: Patterned paper-Fancy Pants, white cardstock-prism, Ink-Quick Quotes, Prima Flowers, Doodle Bug buttons, embroidery floss, Fiskars -apron lace border punch and Flower Power squeeze punch, tape runner and Glue Dots!

His therapist LOVED it!!!

Love for a friend

2010-06-04T04:10:00.009-05:00

My friend Sharon is constantly doing things for other people so when her birthday came around this year (and a BIG one at that) and we needed to celebrate! We decided to have a "pot luck" supper and then tell everyone(but her) it was a surprise party! It was great! We were able to shower her with cards, gifts and a lot of love.

What party is complete without presents! I love giving gifts from the heart so when I got a great group shot of some of our younger kids church kids (she's one of my teachers) I knew I had to do something with it so I created this frame for it. Sharon loved it because those are "her kids!" Frame is by provo craft, die cut flowers-cricut, flowers Prima, assorted chipboard, stickles, mod podge, glue dots.

And then cards. This was the group card I made for people to sign at church. It was an EK success cd tin I had got a long time ago and never found a use for. The accordion pages in the album made it perfect for many people to sign!

Supplies used- Ek success CD tin, Stacy Claire Boyd paper, Lil Davis flowers, Making Memories gemstone brads, glue dots, wordsworth vellum stickers "Birthday", inside, Pebbles Inc stickers, gemstones, glue dots, wordsworth vellum stickers "Birthday", Fiskars circle cutter.

Happy Birthday Sharon! And many, many, MANY more!

Eye on the Sparrow needs your vote

2010-06-03T18:17:00.004-05:00

Eye on the Sparrow (the place we got Diamond) needs your help!
They are in a contest with "Pepsi Refresh Everything"
They are trying to raise money to finish building their shelter. The building is up they need supplies for electrical, plumbing etc. You can help by voting. You can vote once per day until the end of the month!

VOTE HERE

You can vote there!

The puppy wants to be a Fiskateer

2010-06-02T08:25:00.005-05:00

She even tries to carry off the scissors!

(editors note: no puppy was harmed during the photographing of this moment. After the scissors were snatched, the picture was taken and then the scissors put out of her reach)

Can one say loony bin?

2010-06-01T08:12:00.004-05:00

In the course of the past month my husband has totally changed jobs, I started working with ShopHop Productions, we have had 1 graduation AND my daughter graduates from 8th grade in June (meaning ceremony and party to put together.) Plus we had our first night of Youth Group at church. Oh and I can't forget on the crafty side; 3 classes, 2 demos and 1 women's conference (that I spoke at) this month. It's been CRAZY around here!

I think the biggest adjustment (besides getting used to 2 in high school) is having my husband home every day. I went from seeing him a couple of days a month to having to share my space in the house with him!!

Here is something a wrote just a few months ago about his life over the road (and me being a truckers wife)

My life as a Trucker's Wife. by Betsy Burnett

Your kiss still lingers on my lips

You gave it just moments before.

Sometimes it seems the loneliest time

Are those moments right after you're out the door.

I never quite know when I'll see you again

It could be tomorrow, or by the end of the week.

Sometimes the stretch could be days on end

(Sometimes it could be weeks)

It's in those moments I whisper a prayer

Amidst the tears I cry

I ask the Lord to keep you safe

and for Him to stay by your side!

I head back home to deal with life

(And sometimes without much help)

Someone needs mow the grass, take care of the kids

Plus the bills sure don't pay themselves!

Some might think this life I live

Is far less than I 've planned

But unless they have walked in my shoes

They never will quite understand!

You have a job to do, I sure know that

You need to keep those wheels a turning.

My job here as the one you love.

Is to keep those home fires burning.

So I'll patiently wait to welcome you home

(even if it's late at night)

I"ll be here waiting with open arms,

. . .That's my life as a truckers wife!

Yes I am going from "Trucker's Wife" for 13 year to he's home everyday and even has weekends off. Needless to say it's a bit of an adjustment. I have to wonder if in a couple of month's time I'll be writing about...

Honey I love you, but would you please stay out

You are driving me crazy, (and I don't mean to pout)

I want some time to miss you, Between the days I see

You hogging the remote, For our only TV.

I don't care what game is on, (or cheer for a Nascar driver)

I want to see Criminal Minds, and root for the next Idol!

I've had the house for so long, all to myself

I think knick nacks belong, on top of the shelf.

Not tools or stuff that you think you need

They are really quite ugly (now don't you agree?)

I'm glad you are home I really I am

I don't want to go back to the over the road thing again

But do me a favor, now would you please

Let me miss you a "little" I have a house to clean!

They call me mom!

2010-05-15T22:14:00.004-05:00

This month I am the hostess for the consultant challenge over at MemoryWorks.

May being the month we celebrate Mother's day I chose the theme "MOM" for our challenge. Here was the page I was inspired to do...

(The tan cardstock is hidden journaling that reads:)

I always wanted to be a mom, cause I have such a great one! I couldn't believe when you came into my life. One by one you changed me with your smiles and your love. Each one of you is special and amazing, every day I marvel that the Lord has given you to me and that you call me mom!

Supplies: MME laundry line, Prisim cardstock, MME Bohemian embossed chipboard, AC letter stickers, prima flowers, Heidi Swapp gemstones, Border from? (it's from an old MWE kit) glue dots, fiskars adhesive.

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T22:12:00.009-05:00

I remember as a new mom just waiting for my very first Mother's Day. When the day dawned I waited eagerly for my husband to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. And waited and waited and waited....That first Mother's Day the very first person to wish me a Happy Mother's Day was a homeless guy from that attended our church.

This then caused the "TALK" with hubby it went something like this.

ME: "Honey, I'm hurt the very first person to wish me a Happy Mom's Day was a homeless guy from church"

HIM: "You're not my mom"

ME: "grrrrrrr"

So thinking I would get some help from his mom, when we saw her later that day.

ME: "Your son said he won't wish me a "Happy Mother's Day" because "I'm not his mom""

HER: (smiled)

Ok so obviously that didn't work. So we went for the talk.

ME: "Dear our son is 9 months old how in the world do you expect him to do anything for mother's day?"

HIM: "Well he will when he's old enough"

ME: "NOPE, YOU GET TO HELP HIM! If you don't teach him to respect me than who will!?"

HIM: (Sheepish Grin)

My husband has come a long way since that first mother's day. I normally get at least lunch out, not to mention some type of present. This year I got a patio set (ok so I picked it out and got a sweet deal (how can you beat $38 for a 6 piece patio set cause of stacking gift cards and sales?) but he did let me use the credit card for it.) We also went out for lunch. The kids made cards and my bed and helped me with other things (plus I get some slave labor tomorrow muahahahhahahaha. ;) When we got home I got to head into the craft area and create for 4 hours! And I didn't have to worry about telling who to do what when. So I really had a nice day!

Because of that first Mom's day experience and knowing we have some kids without dad in the picture, I try to have the kids at church make something really special for Mother's Day. This year I found a cool project on a blog called LULU'S TILES. I knew I had to do these with my kids. I altered her initial idea a bit to make the flowers a bit easier and add a bit more color and dimension. I loved the way they turned out. I was very impressed we had 15 today and made them ALL; complete with an emergency trip to Wally World cause I forgot my cricut mats and top coat of mod podge in about 1 hour and 15 minutes...yes they were still a bit damp when they left class but oh were they excited to give them to their moms and the mom's LOVED them.

Here were my kids finished projects (please note AND be impressed even my 15 year old made one (he did his a couple of days ago as my sample.) I was really excited how well they turned out!

I hope everyone has a Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Supplies used: Canvas-Blick's, patterned paper-Making Memories, assorted buttons, Cricut- All Mixed up font, assorted Ribbon, punches-round and round and tear drop, Mod Podge, glue dots.

Let sleeping dogs lie...

2010-04-28T10:38:00.002-05:00

Need I say more??

It's hard to crop with a puppy on your lap

2010-04-21T18:01:00.004-05:00

So I caved, while working at an "Adpotion event" for Eye on the Sparrow, my daughter fell in love with this little sweetheart! She's a real love and her big sister Sarah is showing her the ropes around the place (including sneaking pizza for the two of them to enjoy!) Diamond as she is now known as loves her mommy and especially loves snuggling in my lap. The thing is sometimes it's a bit much especially when I'm trying to scrap!

Van Gogh with a needle!--another gift from the heart!

2010-04-14T20:28:00.004-05:00

I work part-time at the YMCA. Since I work in the membership department I get the privilege of meeting all sorts of amazing people. One of those people is Jesse. Jesse and his wife come in to swim and while she is making herself beautiful, Jesse and I talk crafting. He is amazing. Woodworking, gardening, and more...you name it he has probably done it! One of the things he is most known for is his needle work. (Because of this I got him a pair of Gingher embroidery scissors last time I was at the Fiskars warehouse.) Jesse jokingly refers to himself as "VanGogh with a needle." His paints are the thread, his brush is a needle, his canvas is the fabric.

Jesse follows patterns and also creates his own designs. Like this

Jesse surprised me one day at work with this. He found out my initials and my husbands then created these hand embroidered pillow cases for our bed. (Apparently at his church they are the #1 requested wedding gift!) His gift overwhelmed me, I was speechless, they are so beautiful! Thanks Jesse for sharing your talent with us! We love them, they are almost too pretty to sleep on!

Only have eyes 4 U

2010-04-09T21:00:00.001-05:00

So hubby has a love hate relationship with my crafting. LOVES that I create things (even brags to his friends when I do well) but HATES well the mess (true creativity is never neat mom says ;) For his birthday I try to make him something. He's a good hubby and oohs and aah's over it and then gives it back for me to display.

I was in a goofy mood today and since it's his birthday I decided to make him THIS

I had this idea almost 2 years ago, but wasn't able to do it then. I finally got the supplies (3 big bags of google eyes...LOL) and thought he needed it for his birthday. Hope he likes it...(either way I get it to put on my shelf :) Happy Birthday Honey! I love you!

Supplies used; wooden frame, acrylic paint, LOTS of google eyes, assorted chipboard, glimmer mist (marshmallow, pashmina), ink (Tim H Distress in Brick), word bead, K and Co black glimmer letters, tacky glue, glue dots.

Surrounded by ART

2010-04-09T09:20:00.006-05:00

I grew up in a very crafty household. Mom was always making things. She at one time aspired to be a commercial artist but then devoted her life to teaching. I grew up surrounded by crayons, and paints, and all sorts of fun stuff. One thing she laid aside as life got busy was her painting. Since she retired a couple of years ago one thing she started to do again was paint. It's fun to see her once again picking up a paint brush and bringing to life the things she sees around her. I am so not a painter (or draw-er) so her talent amazes me to no end! Mom's artwork is on display at the Smelly Cat Gallery in IL ;)

Easter Crafty!

2010-04-03T17:54:00.008-05:00

We've been having fun with all types of crafty around here. First, Cornerstone Community Services gave us some coloring pads for our kids church kids. Since the older kids would be highly insulted getting "coloring pads" we decorated them a bit. After covering them with some fun Cloud 9 and Lil Davis paper, we added a ribbon loop for a pencil and then a cute spring stamped image. (Nursery kids are getting a mini box of crayons velcro-ed to the fronts as well.) Can't wait to give them to the kids tomorrow as Easter gifts from all of the teachers!

Then what happens when you go to a rummage sale and find 22 mini baskets for $2, 2 days before Easter? You buy them naturally, then glimmer mist them add a cute punched flower, some Easter grass and a candy filled egg and you have table favors for your family and friends for your Easter dinner.

Granted I will be sporting "Artic Blue" fingers for Easter (kinda got a bit messy during the misting process; ))

Paper -Lil' Davis, Glimmer Mist (in various shades) glue dots, gemstones

April fools!

2010-04-01T19:19:00.005-05:00

So Angela over on Fiskateers issued a challenge for April fools day. The idea was to create food to fool your family. I had a crazy day but decided to try anyway. After sending the troops outside to play I gathered my supplies. I had to improvise a bit. But still turned out some realistic looking cupcakes. The goal was to make meatloaf and mashed potato cupcakes. I used a Pampered Chef easy accent decorator to make the "frosting" look like those expensive decorated types from the store. After some hesitation the kids really enjoyed their dinner.

Easter Surprises!

2010-03-28T18:45:00.005-05:00

Easter is a time to celebrate the resurrection, spring, new life, new birth. It's a joyus time! I'm a gift person I LOVE giving gifts especially handmade ones(for those ones especially are ones from the heart) . I also love teaching my kids church kids about giving, especially gifts from the heart. For Easter we are surprising the congregation with butterflies.

The kids have spent the last several weeks working on the butterflies. First they painted the clothes pins, then they decorated them with glitter glue and gemstones and added google eyes. For the wings they filled ziplock baggies with flower seeds. Finally they assembled them pinching the baggies in the middle to form wings and adding chenille stems for the antennae attaching tags to share what they were about.

The butterflies are special for many reasons; not only have the kids made them but the butterflies help tell the story of Easter two different ways.

First Easter is a time to celebration the resurrection and new life. Just as a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. Jesus will change us into a new creation when we accept him into our life. Second the flower seeds celebrate not only spring, but remind us of how Jesus can help our faith grow more and more beautiful.

They can't wait to give them to their friends and family's next Sunday!

The poem reads:

(author unknown)

A tiny seed

just sits so still.

It hardly looks alive.

But when it's planted,

in the ground,

New colors soon arive

When Jesus lives

inside of you

He takes your

sin away

He helps your faith

in Him to grow

More beautiful

each day!

Looking for Kindness

2010-03-26T09:00:00.002-05:00

It's amazing to me how the "holiday" sale season starts earlier and earlier each year. In some stores around here Easter decorations, and plastic eggs and even candy have been on display since February 15. It's funny because they have been out for so long I kind of walk by not noticing them they are part of the scenery, until one day I look at the calendar and realize "OH MY Easter is a week and a 1/2 away! How in the world did that happen?!?"

It's funny our blessing theme this month was kindness. I wasn't really sure WHAT I was going to focus on for my page. I was totally stumped. Then a couple of days ago I realized I had been seeing kindness all along, I had just taken it for granted.

This past Christmas there was one thing my daughter wanted and that was a pair of roller skates. NOT rollerblades but skates! I happened to find a pair in her favorite color (with matching knee and elbow pads, plus helmet!) She was so surprised to get them for Christmas. BUT hasn't really had a chance to use them until recently.

The weather the last week or so had been gorgeous. Sunshiny and warm enough to strap on the skates and roll down to the park to practice on the basketball court and sidewalks (the flattest surface in the neighborhood.) One problem though, my budding young skater isn't old enough to go to the park by herself. So her big brother has been taking her every single day AND carrying her skates home for her.

My son is always doing things things for his sister. Helping her with school, giving her the last cookie, taking her to the park. It's so much a part of him, I kind of ignore it. Just like those Easter decorations that have been up since the 15th of February, his actions are the norm, part of the scenery so to speak. My son had been living right in front of me what I was looking for... a blessing of kindness to be thankful for.

Clothe yourself in kindness...Col 3:12

For more information on the 2010 Blessing Challenge visit Faithfully Yours

Scrapbook Update

2010-03-23T06:21:00.003-05:00

Imagine my surprise yesterday when I found out I was to be "interviewed" for Scrapbook Update. For National Craft Month they have been doing a fun series on "how you got started crafting."

You can find the full article here

Craft Month Q & A

Thanks Kylie!

2010-03-21T21:14:00.003-05:00

So this past weekend I held a crop. My friend Paula helped me with things. Paula is a fiskateer and fellow MemoryWorks consultant, I met her online so most of our talking is done via computer; IM, emails, facebook chat etc. Well Paula's daughter Kylie came up to her mom with this fabulous letter and said "Mommy this is for your friend" (she couldn't remember the name) Paula named off a friend and she said "No mommy the one in the computer" "you mean Betsy?" "YES her"...so I got some fabulous mail from a very special little girl!

Thanks sweetie! I love it!

Basket Weaving 101

2010-03-14T21:25:00.009-05:00

Lead Fiskateer Rebecca posted on Fiskateers about Gail. Gail is a newer fiskateer (#6870) with an amazing talent! Gail is a basket weaver. Her baskets are GORGEOUS! Now basket weaving isn't something I would normally try, BUT because of Gail's inspiration and the fact I found a "Basket Weaving 101" kit at the thrift for $2.99, I decided to give it whirl!

After opening the kit and believing the promise "YOU CAN WEAVE A BASKET" , I read the instructions, started soaking my reeds and dove right in. The process is some what simple to describe. Over, under, over, under...it's getting the basket started that is the problem. Your spokes (the pieces you weave around) need to be lined up and easily get out of line when you start. After restarting a few (ok 5) times I finally got the hang of things. I'm sorry I didn't get any "during" pictures of the process, I actually found it very relaxing and got really into what I was doing. A couple hours later I had a finished basket. I'm surprised it actually looks like a basket! I'm quite pleased with my first effort. (Granted it is a bit lopsided *grin*) So thanks Gail for the inspiration to try a new craft! It was a lot of fun!

Basket weaving 101

2010-03-14T21:06:00.004-05:00

Lead Fiskateer Rebecca posted on Fiskateers, about Gail. Gail was a newer fiskateer (#6870) with a wonderful talent. Gail is a basket weaver. Gail's baskets are gorgeous. Now basket weaving was something I wouldn't normally have a hankering to try BUT because of reading about her talent AND because I found a "Basket Weaving 101" kit at the thrift I decided to give it a whirl. So after reading the instructions that promised "you can weave a basket" I soaked my reeds and gave it a go.

The process itself was rather simple in description and theory. After starting over a couple of times I finally got the hang of everything. It really is as simple as "over and under." I didn't get any pictures of the process because I found it actually very relaxing! I do have a pix of the finished product. It's far from perfect but I'm pleased with my first effort! Thanks Gail for the inspiration it was fun to try a new craft!

Fun Thrify Finds!

2010-03-11T19:45:00.006-06:00

I love the thrift! I really do. With a bit of imagination and some new paint you can find some real treasures! Yesterday's treasure was an old cassette holder. I paid $2 for it. What I wanted to do was turn it into a holder for my ink pads. It was a bit grungy, so fresh coat of white paint to match my craft desk and I have 30 ink pads at my fingertips.

How to change the world!

2010-03-09T17:02:00.002-06:00

My daughter wanted to watch a movie, she chose Evan Almighty. Cute movie. For those that aren't familiar with the story line. Evan Baxter just got elected to congress. He wants to change the world. Evan has an encounter with God who wants him to build an ark (yes a modern day Noah's Ark) type of story. One of the things God told Evan was that changing the world just took 1 Act of Random Kindness (ARK) at a time.

Since this month our blessing theme is kindness my ears perked up. Made me think maybe I could do something to change the world--well at least the world around me. So I am going to challenge you to do the same thing.

The challenge do one act of random kindness per day. Put a quarter in the meter for someone who's time is just about out. Hold the door open for a struggling mom at the mall. Take cookies over to a neighbor.

Something happens when we show kindness. It not only changes the outlook of the person receiving the act, it changes our outlook as well!

Colossians 3:12--clothe yourself in kindness

The layouts are of the fundraiser at the Scrapbook Expo. I was the coordinator for the baggage check fundraiser. People brought us items to help fill shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. This year our shoeboxes found their way to the Dominican Republic.

Grandpa Bear!

2010-03-07T16:30:00.005-06:00

I love giving handmade gifts, so it's only natural that I love receiving them as well. I recently received one of the most touching gifts I ever received in my life! My grandfather passed away a year ago. I really miss him. I loved talking to him and whenever he saw me he was ready with hugs and love!

My step-grandma knew this so when a worker from the hospice home offered to make a teddy bear from a shirt (or two :) of my grandpa's she knew exactly who she was giving them too. "Grandpa Bear" as I lovingly call him now resides on my bed. I love his hand sewn eyes, and the way they used the collar on his shirt to give the bear a collar. The pocket on the tummy is a really cute touch. Most of all though I love the fact it was something that my grandpa wore, and gives me a connection with him when I need it. Grandpa Bear is ready to listen, ready to hug when I need him!