ColorfulMoments

Best laid plans.....

2012-02-10T18:28:00.000-08:00

I started this post almost two weeks ago! Life is loud and busy right now. It got busier when my handsome husband got a new job! We are over the moon excited but he is going to have to do some more traveling. He is my rock, supporter and picks up the slack when I just need to go to my corner.....or my square as my Grandson calls it. I have been meaning to share this for months, hope it helps you.

In December 2011 I traveled to Nebraska to help my family go through my Mom's things. I knew it was going to be one of the most stressful things emotionally so I wanted to make sure that I packed my art.....art to go. I searched online for people that had packed art for trips but only came up with a hand full of people. I had intended to post this as soon as I got back from my trip but life was just busy. I hope you enjoy and maybe it will help you on your next trip.

First I took a shopping trip to Ross which is similar to TJMax and I found this......a nice deep cosmetic bag that opens up in the middle. The only bad thing is on my way home one of the handles popped out so I now have a little sewing project to do.

This is what I packed inside.......2 journals, one that I am already working on with Suzi and one that was given to me by a special friend. One 6" ruler, a brush that I use only for Mod Podge, my box of colored pencils that I use for drawing faces and a tin that holds my loose alphabet stamp set from Martha Stewart. Ziploc baggies make it pretty easy to keep things organized especially when flying. So I started by picking out my favorite colored pencils and a couple of smaller watercolor brushes. Three smaller bags(sandwich size) hold baby wipes, paper towels and 3 stamp pads. There are two larger bags from the airport which hold my 2 oz liquids and watercolor pencils, my pitt pens in sepia and black, 2 rolls of tissue tape and a pod of perfect pearls. I also took a empty mini mister so it would be easy for me to spray water or mix perfect pearl mists. I did pack two quart size bags with collage things I thought I might use but they aren't pictured.

I would do this again in a heart beat. I felt I had just the right amount of things to not feel like I would be missing something. Having it organized this way made it simple to take out anywhere. So moral is....don't be afraid to travel with your art supplies. Take what you need and a few things you want. Enjoy yourself and have fun!!

Finally.........

2012-01-25T16:29:00.000-08:00

I'm figuring it all out, finally! After 6 weeks of 4 extra people in our home, 3 of those being 5 and under....I'm rediscovering my creative time. It is so nice! I'm so enjoying the creative process of my altered book through the Book of Days. Once you get past the nerves of what you are actually doing to a old book, you can really begin to have fun.

My cover, when I thought of my word for the year Peace, I knew I needed to have it on my cover. This magazine clipping seemed to fit perfectly. I've always found Peace at the ocean, it takes me to a quiet place and helps center me. All the hearts are torn from pieces a magazine, inked, and covered in a crackle medium so it looks like broken glass. The image of the woman on the front is covered in rock candy crackle.....Now let me pass on some advice....IF you do this do NOT put it on a vintage piece you care about. The crackle turned so fine that it actually started to flake off the image so I had to go back on cover it with liquid glass which was a life saver. I also took pieces of sea glass and shells from my times at the beach, then attatched them with liquid glass. The spine is some beautiful gold wrapping paper crinkled and inked brown. The shell photos were found off the internet.

Inside the cover of this book are three names, two cousins and then my Great Grandmother. Pretty awesome! I printed off copies of original photos of my family members and put them next to their names. Background is created with a walnut spray with a tree mask from Tattered Angels.

Things to remember to do in 2012, this page really speaks for itself.

It's a start and makes me pretty happy! I was also gifted a place in Melody Ross's Body Restoration. I am enjoying it and taking it slow just like I did with Soul Restoration. I am more likely to stick with the program in the long run if I do.

10 Things

2012-01-10T21:47:00.000-08:00

Really? The tenth of the month already? I swear time seems to be going by faster these days so in the effort to slow down I have decided to start my year by posting a few favorite things about December......

My wonderful fun finds from an Antique Show....an old suitcase that is being used to store my Grandbabies toys, a wooden tool chest, a wooden turquoise tray and a Teddy Bear

Christmas flowers, they were a gift that helped me to slow down to enjoy their beauty and to remember spring is on its way.

New ornament in memory of my Mom

Nicole and the babies, that are living with us know. Aren't they all beautiful?

Happy face because of the perfect gift!! This was great!! We had a girls day out with some friends at an antique show. My daughter found this beautiful sweater she wanted and took me to see it. By the time we got to the booth, it was gone. She just didn't know I was the one who purchased it...lol, with a little help from my girlfriend and the sales lady!

Morning winter sunrises that take your breath away and help you to remember who is in control.

A little bit of quiet time. Finally found something to keep the little ones busy while we make dinner.

Lazy afternoon naps with special furry friends

Papa and baby Sage getting to know each other.

This Beautiful Book, it was my Great Grandmother's and was given to her for Christmas 1914...almost 100 years old. I've joined the Book of Days and I am so excited to alter this. It has been falling apart for years and can't wait to make it into something wonderful.

Welcome 2012 please be kind to me!!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T12:30:00.000-08:00

This is what our mantle and Christmas tree looked like on Christmas Eve. Yes, our house is full this Christmas. My second oldest daughter and her babies have come to stay with us awhile, filling my floor with little feet. I had forgotten about the sound of pitter pattering little feet........or footfalls as my children use to call them. Today they are quietly playing with the toys they opened up last night with no arguing. Today we will watch movies, color in color books, read stories and take naps for sure.

I want nothing but the best for each and everyone of you that have come here today. May the peace, comfort, joy and hope you seek be found this day. Thank you for supporting me this year as I find a new sense of balance and peace!

Thank you Jesus for being my reason for the season and showing me that the simplest of gifts can mean the most. You have answered an important prayer for me this Christmas and I am eternally grateful to you for loving me so much to work out every detail. Merry Christmas everyone, may you see the miracles He has for you today!!

Peace in the midst of the storm

2011-12-14T06:10:00.000-08:00

Have you ever just felt in your heart that something was going to happen but there was really no explaining why you felt that way? I've been in that place for months. After several losses this fall my family is facing yet another one, my wonderful husband was laid off. No, we didn't see this coming, far from it actually. In the midst of this happening I am away from home.

Over a month ago I booked a flight to Omaha, Nebraska to come sort through my Mom's things. The trip was a special gift from my beautiful Step Mom, she is so awesome! I will be forever grateful to her and my friends for pushing me to do this. I didn't want to go, didn't want to be away from my family especially the last week of school before winter break. For my kids it seems to always be the worst...hard days getting out of bed, finals and the lack of motivation to do any school work at all. I'll be honest that I have been suffering from lack of motivation to, so I have been able to feel there frustration.

I flew in almost a week ago, spent the afternoon with my Dad, Jay and my nephew Brayden(he has turned into a nice young man!). I asked my Dad what he wanted to accomplish in the days that I was here. Go through Mom's stuff and decide where her things should go. I tell you what, somethings have been easier than others! My heart pulls to things that she had already gifted, maybe out of my own selfish reasons of wanting to pass them onto my own children.

One brother Jason lives here in NE with his beautiful wife Jessica and my brother Jonathan, my niece Myriah and her son Tanner flew in on Saturday. The weekend was then filled with sorting and tears. I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't this. I didn't figure for the first time in my life I would actually feel, really feel like the big sister. People were looking to me for the answers, hope I have made the right ones. I will share my treasures with you when I get home, right now I need to keep them in my heart for just a bit longer.

It amazes me the journey that has been opened up to me this year. Learning, creating and believing in myself more than ever before. I can feel my world changing and for the first time in my life I am NOT scared but joyful for it. A little nervous but a good nervous!! Hold on world and watch out cause here I come.....forever changed. I like to think of life as a storm....sometimes raging, sometimes calm but refreshing. Even in the midst of it there is always some type of peace.....have you noticed that? Have you ever taken the time in the midst of your storm to see life? It gives you a better perspective, try it.

Adjustments

2011-11-27T12:11:00.001-08:00

It has been just over a month since my Mom's death and I'm not crying so much anymore. I expected her to call on Thanksgiving, for us to catch up and go over what the kids wanted for Christmas. It seems like life has been full of adjustments the last few months and this is just one of them. I am finding my peace in my art as always. I've never had to push through somethings but that has helped me through my pain. I know I'm not at the end of it but at least I'm having more good days than bad.

The beginning of the month our oldest dog Arthur had a stroke. It hit us all hard but especially my son. I still expect to see him running around the backyard, doing his morning exercise routine. Again more adjustments for us and our other pets. It was a beautiful fall day when we had to put him to sleep. We gave him a grave under one of the new trees growing in our yard, right outside my son's window so he can see him and think of wonderful memories. I am so glad I took these pictures the days after his stroke. You are missed Arthur! RIP 1998 - 2011

I am taking a trip to Nebraska to see my Dad and brothers. A celebration of my Mom's life and sorting through things that need to be divided between all of us. I will be here as often as I can. Please be patient with me.

Things learned

2011-10-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

My Mom has been a regular reader of my blog and it used to bother me. Then I realized that all she wanted was a connection, which was hard being hundreds of miles away from each other. I have always been terrible about calling and checking in with my parents. With my blog at least they know I am still alive, except when I go MIA like the last few months.

I have been blessed in my life in having two sets of parents. My Mom and Dad divorced when I was three, then my Step Dad married my Mom and adopted me when I was 5. I only call him my Step Dad so as to not confuse others when I am talking about family. He is my Daddy and always will be. I never had contact with my Dad until my early 30's. When I met him it was like part of who had been lost was found. I was given an inner confidence that day by God, something I had prayed for and that had come to pass.

Fast forward 15 years later, I sit here and look back over my life. I can see what each set of parents has taught me, individually as well as a whole.

*Love without regret*Love when you don't want to*Love when all you want to do is give up and give in*Love when there is so much pain-you feel as if it is going to break you*Stand strong*Stand for what you believe in*Acceptance regardless of what is seen because you may not know the whole story*Peace, that in time you will somehow at least understand each other even if you don't agree*That being angry is okay-work out what you need. We are going to be here when you are ready*We will give you the space you need, always remember we love you.*

My Step Dad is an example of what love is all about. Seeing past all the bad and loving because it is the right thing. He showed a strength to me that I couldn't really understand until I had been married 15 years.....you give up part of yourself but you gain others. My parents complete each other, constant companions(I'm sure driving each other crazy at times) and each others care giver.

Our lives changed this week as my Mom's body just couldn't take anymore of this life. She went to a place of peace, with no pain and she is now surrounded by the ones that have gone before her. Despite everything, I will always miss and love her. We will all be okay Mom, trust that God has a plan just like He always has.

Congradulations!!

2011-10-12T20:18:00.000-07:00

I am sorry it has taken me a few more days to post the winner of the give aways. I have gotten caught up in organizing a few things in my garage before the weather gets any colder. Thank you my friends for taking part in celebrating my birthday last month.

I gave everyone a number and put all those numbers into the random generator. I'm happy to announce that Judy, from Just a Simple gal will receive the book Art Saves and Georgie Horn, from Puddin'n Pie will receive the Tag Birthday Book that I made. Please email me your addresses so I can get these things out to you. Enjoy!!

What do you love about fall? Do you have any special things you do with your family this time of year? Come back tomorrow and I'll share some of my favorites!

Happiness in the Fall

2011-10-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

Fall is here and honestly I am really not ready for it. I much prefer a bit of sunshine to the dark weather. I always think I mentally prepare myself for it but it happens, then I find myself in a bit of a funk. So in order to keep myself out of a bad place I am promising myself that when I feel this way I will be sure to look back on this year to see all the beautiful artwork I've created. It is bright and happy which I am sure will help my moods.

This is the piece I felt deserved it's own post. It was weeks in the making after I saw a small nick knack piece at a local grocery store. It made me happy but the price tag didn't especially for something so small. Plus I don't really have the space so it just made more sense to take the time to make a canvas.

I put to good use what I learned for Christy Tomlinson in the classes I took from her this year. Layer upon layer, with hidden messages if you look closely. People may never really see them but they mean something to me. This was a healing piece, a testament of sorts to show how far I have come in my life. Again it just makes me completely happy!

I've always been a detail orientated person. That is what you will see when you look at it. After months of it being completed I still can't help but look at it and see something new. Did I really put that there or is it just something that happened? The hardest part?? Waiting for each layer to completely dry! I thought sometimes I would go crazy. You can't help the urge to touch but then you remember you may just mess it up, so you walk away. Trust me just walk away from the project, if you face that! You will be happier!!

Is there something you will hold onto tightly as we go into the holidays, then into a New Year?

Whatever it happens don't forget to STOP and Enjoy this day that you have been given.

Full steam ahead

2011-10-04T17:25:00.000-07:00

Some days it really seems that I am going so fast that I can't keep up with myself, then I have to give out the gentle reminder that I am probably bringing it upon myself. I have been feeling like I have been being pulled in so many directions. This is our busy time of year and by the end of my children's days they barely have enough time to stop to eat with so much homework. They are working hard in Marching Band and keeping on top of schoolwork.......chores got put to the back burner the first couple of weeks of school. Now I am just trying to help them to find the balance to what needs to be done here. I miss them when they are busy.

I decided to go back to school with Suzi Blu.....she is doing an awesome 8 month class on art journaling, you can read about it here. I've also enrolled in three of her other classes here . All of these classes are such a good deal! You won't regret taking a look and possibly signing up. Suzi really walks you through each step so you are doing it as she does it. This is called a tower, it brought me a great deal of peace as I was working on it. I am pretty sure it isn't complete yet, there are a few things missing but I will wait for it to speak to me.

It isn't to late to put your name into my birthday drawing, just scroll down and check it out. It will remain open until Sunday October 9pst. I will then pick a winner and post on Monday, October 10. I would REALLY love to hear what you have done to make someones day!

10 Things and a Giveaway!!

2011-09-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to make a difference? It has taken me years to realize that in order to really make a difference two things need to happen....1) You have to believe you can and 2) You have to believe that no matter what you do you are enough. I use to think that if I couldn't do it all or buy it all it was never going to be enough. It wouldn't be enough to make anyone happy including myself. Well, yesterday I celebrated my 47th birthday and I am happy to report that my 40's have been better than my 30's. I use to live with regret of what could have been but I became a better person from where I have walked. It feels good to be where I am, to see life like this and be happy. To receive an out pouring birthday wishes from friends and just laughing literally all day is such a good feeling!

So in honor my my birthday yesterday I have decided to do Shimele's 10 on the 10th. Ten things I have loved about this birthday week! If you decide to stick this out, there is a special give away at the end!! I LOVE presents!!

1. Friends that allow you to be silly and love you anyway!!

2. Friends that bring over their special tools so you can all make cool art journals!!

3. Friends that take you out to lunch and make you laugh so hard your sides hurt while people are giving you weird looks. Then knowing you just don't care what they think and you are okay with that.

4. Birthday cards from special friends in my life. I also received a special necklace from my Dad in my favorite color green.

5. Special things I have been wanting.

6. Initial tape....two rolls originally bought, lost then found, after a special friend bought me another roll!

7. Wonderful books I've picked up at the Border's close out sale in our city. Wonderful lovely!

8. Repurposing an old wine box to hold fun things to add to art journals and canvas.

9. A sampling of a piece of art that I've had the idea for all summer. I am again in LOVE and it deserves it's own post later.

10. Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, made by my young lovely. Thanks sweetheart!!

You are wonderful, if you have stuck it out OR just skipped over the fluff going straight to the end to see about the giveaway. Today, I am celebrating two things that I count important in my life. 1) My birthday, when I was growing up I was sure I would die of old age when I was in my forties.....glad that hasn't happened and 2) reaching a goal of 250+ posts on my little corner of the world that is mine. Two of you will receive a special gift, one of the following; a Birthday book I have made, on a ring with a place to add photos and write out your people's birthdays so you don't miss them. Then under my #7 above, are my favorite books right now. I have an extra copy of Art Saves, it is so wonderful and has changed quite a lot of my thinking recently. Now I am going to make you all work for it cause, I believe that is more fun! Think of something you could do for somone special, then do it OR to receive an extra place in the drawing, do something special for a complete stranger. It is up to you what that something is. Come back here and post what you have done by 9pm(PST) Sunday, September 18 and I will post a winner on Monday, September 19.(I will except up to three enteries per person to make it fair for everyone.)

Let the games begin!!! Most of all have fun!! I can't wait to hear how you will make a difference in someone's live this week!

A promise kept and a surprise

2011-09-08T16:13:00.000-07:00

Art, art and more art. If a day goes by that I can't do it or don't, I can be quite crappy. When I am making something, every piece of my heart is in what I do, it is a peaceful place. I am in such a happy place, it is part of my center. I use to think that you had to have a degree in art to be an artist. I don't think that anymore and I try to encourage people that think they can't be creative to just pick up something. You can be creative in ANYTHING you do, it doesn't have to be with a paint brush, colored pencil or pretty inks. Look at how you keep or organize your house or how you cook(probably better than me).......that IS a form of being creative. I challenge you to not put being creative into a box, look at what you do and see it differently.

I have learned so much from all the wonderful blessings of classes this year. I've taken away from them learning techniques that I have helped me so much. This is one of the projects that I took my time on and it is something I am in love with. I've always wanted to do something with all the little love notes I have saved for years from my children. Each little element in this means something and is proudly hanging in my bedroom where I can see it everyday.

Do you remember this post? My daughter was asking about what honor meant to you. We posted the same question on the Brave Girls site. She then took everyone's answers, printed them out and used them in her artwork. They turned out so wonderful. She received a high grade and has decided she doesn't want to keep them for herself put pass them onto the ladies who are a big part of her life. We put everyone's name into a basket and drew three names, Selena Alvar, Kaere Schmidt and Sandi Floyd Tygar, you will each receive one of these 8x10 canvas. Enjoy!

If you like what I have done with my Canvas of Love and would like one of your own please feel free to contact me for pricing. It would be my honor to take your tokens of love and make them something you can see everyday.

A bit differant

2011-09-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile and things are just a bit different now. Out of summer, into school and heading towards fall weather, that is what my little family is all about right now. My son is a Senior and my daughter is a Sophomore......time just keeps ticking by, much to my dislikes. I am however enjoying where my life is right now and that is the biggest reason for such the long breaks in between posts.

My handsome son. These are actually the second day of school because the first day was just to busy to remember that I needed to take pictures.

My beautiful daughter. Still rushing out the door to catch the bus. Yes, she is always this happy if she isn't something is very wrong!!

Blogging just has to take a back burner sometimes I am feeling less and less guilty about it. I promised to show you a project I worked on this summer and I will do that tomorrow! Thanks for showing up and listening in about my life.

Take the time

2011-08-20T12:53:00.000-07:00

So it isn't a big surprise to me that one day gets away from me. I have been toting teenagers to and from Band Camp this past week, with one more week to go. My hour plus compute starts at 8am and I'm good to get in by 9:30am, then I start again later in the afternoon. I know there are people that do this everyday and I have total respect for you! I don't know how you do it, my body is having a hard time. I might complain a little but my heart is happy to hear the stuff going on with the car load I have.

So this summer has been about making art, slowing down to relize what is most important, just not worrying about things and rekindling a friendship. Then you have tackling a list but just taking your time doing it. This is what my family and I needed, no regrets.

I have also taken Soul Restoration 2. While I am not completely through the class projects, I did make it through all the videos. I never thought of myself as a goal setter, not like some anyway. I've never been one to think about the dreams I have in my heart as ones that could happen. I share them with very few and I am not sure they will ever be shared here. I believe somethings should remain private and for now that is okay with me. In Soul Restoration 2, we have talked about goals, dreams and setting rules for our daily lives. Again, I never thought I had to many rules but as I am going through the materials I have relized I am a goal and rules person. This has all helped this summer to find a center that I thought I had lost a long time ago. I've been able to stand and say no to things, that before I would have just gone through with because it is what you do. It is a good feeling to start believing in yourself again and know you are okay.

The BIG thing that I have taken away is a solid thing for me. Something I have known for a long time BUT this time I REALLY got it, to the point of making me cry. To relize I am enough..........

As I have been creating my Life Journal, filling it with things that are important to me. I find myself changing, healing and becoming stronger. I NEVER in my life thought I would be falling so much in love with my book. In a sense falling in love with my life, something I almost lost sight of. I use to look at Melody and think I don't know if I will be able to understand what she is talking about. How she can be so happy, well I'm getting it. I am blessed and so happy to be right where I am.

Take time to see your life, you won't regret it!

Needed Breaks

2011-08-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

I have found myself in need of taking more breaks this summer than I had planned. I've given myself permission to be okay with it and I hope my faithful few can forgive me. This year it has been about Me, it that can be said without it sounding conceded. Taking care of Me has helped me refocus on the things that are the most important to me and letting go of things I just can't control.

Kristin's The Summer of Color was wonderful for me. It helped me break into a Moleskin journal I purchased almost two years ago. You can visit my Flickr page to see everything all in one place for what I did this summer. Each and everyone of the pages hold a special meaning to me. I am so thankful that Kristin took time out of her summer to make us all happy about color! Guess what? She already has plans for next summer!! Yep, The Summer of Color 2 ~ Ice Cream Inspirations, coming June 4, 2012. Plan on joining us, it will be fun. I think it will be a hard summer for me to stay away from the ice cream!!

Come visit me tomorrow, I have a couple of things I want to show you that I am really proud of!!

Just a bit of sun

2011-08-07T18:13:00.000-07:00

Our summer has finally hit Spokane, just in enough time to start thinking about school. For our family, there is one more week off before our Marching Band life starts. We hit the ground running and it really doesn't let up until the end of October. I really can't complain at all about summer this year, it has only hit over 90* a few times and our air conditioner has only been needed maybe a half a dozen times. My heart goes out to the states who have had record breaking heat. Try to stay cool!

I have successfully been doing some type of art for over 30 days. I have really been making the time.....a few minutes here and a few minutes there. It has made me feel very accomplished. Kristin has done such a wonderful job at keeping us all motivated about color, check out her blog with all the wonderful links to everyone in our group. This last week it has been all about the color Orange, again not one of my most favorite colors in the world. You won't find me wearing it, in less it is more on the lighter side with a more of a pinkish shade to it. I've tried but it washes me out and makes me have that frumpy feeling. That feeling is something I am trying to get out of with my clothes so I just stay away from colors that just don't work for me. To my art journal I've added a couple of more pages.

Last November I looked out my front window and noticed that everything had this Orange glow to it. I went to my back deck and this is what I saw, totally breathe taking. I love it when God just takes His paint brush to the sky, it gives me so much peace to know He gives me beautiful things to look at.

Our bonus was to use a poem. This poem was shared with me by a friend, we found it tucked into a few sheets of old music from her Grandmother. I felt it deserved a special place, along side a photo taken by my friend Ajae, you can find her here and here. I KNOW this page isn't completed but I'm okay with it. I'll wait for the inspiration to come.

In my garden this year I only have one splash of Orange from my Lilies. I've shared before how amazed I am of how my garden was made for me, full of flowers that I are at the top of my list of loves. These are one of them and if you look close you can see again how God just takes His paintbrush adding all the little details.

This week at Kristin's blog we will be sharing what we have created over the last few weeks. I'm going to also be sharing a few other things I have been working on, that I am pretty excited about. Keep checking back in when you can.

Almost over?

2011-07-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

Purple, Purple, Purple.......I was excited when I had my first daughter because that meant I could dress her in every shade of purple that I could find. I even taught myself to sew and made her first dress. I was so proud of myself. I learned a few things with this little dress....never use velcro 'buttons' on clothing for babies, don't make your elastic to tight around the arms and one can never have to many ruffles even for a baby.

In my garden I LOVE seeing purple. It makes me happy and calm. It reminds me of when my girls were young and I had pots of pansies on my deck. The day after I planted all my pansies all the blooms were gone. It seemed so strange to me at the time. I would find out later that while my girls were outside playing they got hungry so they ate all the blooms. So here is to my garden this year, beautiful purple.

So if you haven't guessed over at Kristin's blog this week we are talking about Purple. It is hard for me to realize that next week is our last week, where we will be showing off the color Orange.

As this is my first ever art journal I want to just keep things as simple as possible and pretty basic. More for my photos sake than anything. Painted straight purple for the base with a design on the right where I added a favorite picture of my son when he was about 2. He captures my attention even now 16 years later. I added a bit of bling with a rindstone and iridescent confetti.

A parting shot, remember the Clematis a friend helped me transplant last year? I thought for sure that I had lost it but all the old growth just died. It is back and it makes me so happy. I need to find a way to protect it a bit more from the winter elements. Any ideas?

So what is making you happy this summer?

2011-07-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

Here is to the color RED this week at Kristin's blog! It is hard for me to realize that there is only a couple of more weeks left. This has been a well needed distraction, thank you Kristin for making this happen.

For me the color red has always been a happy color. When I think of red I think of my beautiful red headed girls, they bring me much joy.......everything that is red is in their personalities, even as adults. Red creates warmth, passion and energy. It can be seen every where if you allow yourself to open your eyes to its beauty.

It is the color God uses to get my attention and to take my breathe away. My youngest and I were out for a drive a couple of weeks ago and we went around a corner, we were caught in awe of the beauty.

Then in my garden this week I found this red lily. I always seem to forget that they around because there are so few of them. I think I need to find a place in my front garden for a clump of them because they just make me smile.

So onto my journal page for this week. Different spots of red that mean alot to me; a red ribbon rose that came from one of my daughter's outfits(she is now 24) and a heart that came on a card that a special friend sent to me. I painted both pages with red paint first, using a white piece of cardstock as protection of the edges. I used a piece of the cardstock on the right page as an accent. The heart from the card is on the left with wings I cut out in thick plastic and accented with white paint. On the bottom is a back of a self adhesive doily. I can't see getting rid of them especially when you can use them in mixed media.

A close up of the heart. Have a great week and look for red, see what you can find!!

Starting to feel caught up

2011-07-12T10:50:00.000-07:00

Really I can't believe how tired I've been. I decided yesterday that I would get back to my regular bedtime of 10pm instead of staying up until after 11:30pm playing. It turned out to be the best thing! I actually woke up this morning feeling normal even though I really could have rolled over and gone back to sleep.

Over at Kristin's Blog this week we are taking a look at the color Brown. I have always LOVED Brown! It is the color of my eyes and of my very special friend I have had for over 40 years. So it was natural to me that I would choose my friend, along with a couple of pages from an old Winnie the Pooh book, found at a thrift store for .99cents. I then by added a pop of Pooh bear yellow, as I like to call it.

The background was painted a light tan, stamped over with a word stamp and a diamond stamp I picked up last year in the $1 bin at Michael's craft store. The brown circles are from a tp tube dipped into paint then stamped on the page. I tried the same thing with a light orange paint but ended up not liking it so I covered it up with Liquitex ink in Yellow Orange. This ink is wonderful because it is transparent but still gives a bold color. I liked it so much that I used it in the white spaces on the pages and added circles on the book pages.

Resting and Creating

2011-07-09T11:57:00.000-07:00

This week has been all about resting, creating and less blogging.  The days are longer and I find myself not sleeping well, loads of tossing and turning. When you don't sleep well at night it is a struggle to stay awake durning the day and so I tend to find myself taking naps mid afternoon. It makes me less irritable, which I am sure my family likes.

On the creating front I am busy with Soul Restoration 2 and am feeling a bit behind. This session is about creating the life you want to live and putting it to a life journal. This way you can refer to it when you need to be reminded of what your goals are.  It is full of hard but rewarding questions to answer. The artwork we are going is slowly coming together for me. It really does make me completely happy.

This week on Kristin's blog, it is all about the color Yellow, which happens to be my least favorite color. I wouldn't say I never use it but it does take me out of my comfort zone.  This time though it came easy when I went to create my art journal page.

A favorite photo of my youngest daughter when she was just over three years old. On the left page is a flower she made me just around the same age, it has been on my inspiration board for 13 years! I'm happy that it has found a permanent home here. The inside of the flower is filled with green split peas painted black, then sealed with Mod Podge. On the leaves of the flowers you will find what the color yellow means, followed by things to remember about the color Yellow at the bottom. Our challenge was to use metallic somewhere, so it is added to the background along with a couple of Martha Stewart punched butterflies.

If my day goes the way I want it today I will be back with more artwork tomorrow. Have a wonderful weekend whatever you are up to!!

2011-07-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

What a fun filled busy week! Hardly time to breathe much less post to my blog. I was able to get a few fun things completed so I will be sharing them this week, promise.

Last week with The Summer of Color was the color Pink, not to much a favorite of it but did make it work for these pages. I chose things from my garden and looked up the feelings that pink is suppose to mean. I am pleased with it and surprisingly it makes me happy.

My Daughter, Son in law(who came in on Friday) and my Grandson left this morning so it is a laid back day. I'm ready to settle into my summer and start a project or two. Today is the 4th of July here in the states so we might be going for a drive across town to watch the fireworks above the city. Whatever you do today, enjoy yourself!!

250!!!

2011-06-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

So this is BIG for me, 250 posts since I started this little blog. It has turned out to be more than I thought I could handle but then more than I ever though it could be. I want to thank you so much for sticking it out with me even in my lean posting times. I am enjoying a little bit of time with my youngest Grandson and my oldest Daughter the next few days but be looking for a celebration post coming in the middle of the week.

2011-06-23T20:43:00.000-07:00

Such a wonderful day today. Summer has finally reached Spokane and even with the wind it has been delightful. Started my day with a little bit of quiet time with my son and then later in the morning I was able to go in for a massage. It is amazing how a massage makes you feel. I haven't felt this good in weeks since I pulled a muscle in my neck. I ended up going to my doctor late last week because I was really worried about the tingling in my arm and lip. She said it will take time to heal. I've also been having some pains in my calfs.....it turns out I need to figure out a way to stand to do my scrapbooking and art. I wrap my legs around my chair and cross my legs to much. Any ideas on how I can change my work area?

How did I do that.....

2011-06-21T08:23:00.000-07:00

I was asked yesterday how I created this look on my journal page. Pretty simple, really.

Start with a white paper doily and spray randomly with Adirondack Color Wash in Sailboat Blue and Lettuce. I put into a large narrow box so the over spray would be contained. Be sure you note these are dyes, if you don't want it on your hands wear gloves. If the wind is blowing you WILL get back spray...just saying.....so don't where your nice clothes. After spraying, the paper gets very delicate to handle, so leave it in the box until it is completely dry....over night is best. If you work with it to soon it will disintegrate. The GREAT thing about the Adirondack Color Washes is once they are dry they are permanent, so you won't bleed into other colors.

The next day I started with spraying my journal pages with the same color washes, again letting them dry. I then cut my doily apart and put down Mod Podge on my pages, placing the pieces in the bottom left and the top right of those pages. Put Mod Podge on top of the doily and start working it with your fingers to get it to lay flat. The trick here is to work VERY slowly because once the doily gets wet it goes back to being delicate so just go sloooowwww. You will end up having parts of it that will dry sticking up but I didn't worry to much about that because I liked the look. Then I just continued to layer, layer and layer.

2011-06-20T08:46:00.000-07:00

First day of Summer vacation, with us not having very many warm days it is pretty strange to say Summer. I just have to remember that Summer isn't actually offical until tomorrow. I am ready for a few more non gloomy days.

This week in The Summer of Color class we are highlighting GREEN. It is one of my most favorite colors. There aren't many places in my house that don't have some type of green except maybe for my son's room....hhhmmmm....that gets me to thinking......lol.....wonder what he would do if a bit of lime green showed up in his room this week?

I had this page done right away because I was so excited......

I'm also adding pages in my journal for the Three Hearts class that I took with Christy Tomlinson trying out differant backgrounds and loads of layering. Things I need to remember. Fun stuff!!

This week for me is all about getting ready for my oldest Daughter and youngest Grandson's visit, they will be here for 10 days. I'm looking forward to loving on them which I don't get to do very often.

2011-06-17T12:33:00.000-07:00

This is a special She Art I did for a friend of mine. She has been through so much this past 18 months and I wanted her to always remember to find her joy in the midst of pain. I think the piece speaks for itself. I found the word JOY, it was someone's special give away for Christmas and I didn't save the link. Sorry! I started by painting the background a solid color, then started layering. The doily was white and I painted it before laying it down.

Plenty of writing, doodles, stamping and outlining.

A few special things here....a paint on pearls, a cluster of cherries at the waist, the word love that just happened to be on the pages I used for her body.

Layering here with paint and some stamped images.

Flowers are punched out and layered to look like a full daisy. Leaves are left overs from the flowers I made for prom and Mother's Day.

ALWAYS let your layers dry before starting another!! Mod Podge can be your friend!!!

What is art to you?

2011-06-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

Art to me is life. It isn't about just finding the time to do it but it is making the time to do it. It breaths life into me, lifts my mood when I am down, calms me when I having a time of anxiety. I get lost in it really, before I know it family is asking what we are going to have for dinner. So I have to be very careful in balancing my time with the things I have to do. I like to break it up into little bits over the day, keeping myself focused. It helps me to feel less overwhelmed with my daily chores.

Something I believe in, is all artists and the right to keep their art their own. Meaning if they make it and make the choice to sell it they should be paid. Let's be honest, the Internet as wonderful as it is can be a horrible place too. In some cases worse if you are an artist! You will see a new link to the left for the LinkWithLove, we really need to help each other to accept, respect and protect all forms of artwork. This project was birthed from what happened here and here. It is wrong for someone to use artwork that doesn't belong to them for personal gain. Being a scrapbooker, card maker and crafter I have many copies of photos from sketches and color combos I want to try. I haven't been good about linking back to who created the sketch or even where I have received my inspiration. From now on, I will do my best to give credit where credit is do, in doing so hopefully we can help people to be honest about where they get images.

2011-06-13T15:40:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful few days I have had!! June 9th, was my 27th Wedding Anniversary and we are going into 30 years of being together! What the time we have had in those years, certainly a lot of bumps along the way but I wouldn't change a thing. I love this man more today then I did the day I married him. He is my constant companion, he misses me when he has to be away from home, he is my best friend and puts up with everything I do. I LOVE you Darlin, always and forever.

Thanks, to two of children's friends coming over Saturday for a few hours, we were able to get our yard work caught up. Now it is just about maintaining everything. We pulled out some evergreens, then went to the nursery yesterday and bought some plants to fill it back in. It is a challenging space because it is all shade. I haven't had a shade garden since we moved from our very first house over 15 years ago. I'm looking forward to seeing everything grow and come to life.

I'm really loving the Summer of Color class. Last fall that I took Nic Howards Color Class at Big Pictures Classes so I decided I wanted to change up my original little layouts to go into my journal for this class. I love how it turned out, you can see my before here. Each color will have two pages.

Since I love Big Pictures classes I want to give you a heads up.......if you missed out on Nic's class in the fall they are offering it again at Big Pictures classes. I believe it starts at the end of June and runs for 6 weeks. Totally worth the cost of the class!!

A little bit of wonderful

2011-06-08T10:22:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh! Sunday I went with a friend of mine to the Farm Chicks Antique Show. If you EVER lack inspiration you should go! I couldn't stop saying how much I just loved it all. I did come away with a few fun things which I can't wait to put to use!!

An old cosmetic traveling case, which is going to be repurposed for my small stencils I keep loosing. It will join my Grandmother's case that I use for my special paints.

2 wonderful table cloths, will be repurposed into, I'm thinking some cute aprons.

Finally this piece, which caught my eye. It will be a anniversary gift to my lovely husband.

I did have something special happen to me at the show. I was able to meet this wonderful lady Jenny Doh. I have been following her since she started Crescendoh, a beautiful place where artists are highlighted and classes are taught. It was a complete blessing to be able to tell her how her site has changed my life as an artist. One of those times in your life that you can't stop from grinning ear to ear, making your face hurt. I feel as a good shift happened to me when I met her. Some changes are on the way, it is in the air.

Image courtesy of Jenny, since I was without my camera. Thank you Jenny!!

2011-06-07T15:53:00.000-07:00

The Summer of Color Class started yesterday. I have pulled a few things together that I want to use. One of them being my purple/pink moleskin journal that I have been holding onto for just the right project. The tags were from the Nic Howard Color class I took last fall so I'm thinking they will be a nice addition. Of course things that aren't pictured that will be used are photos, paper and embellishments.

Soul Restoration 2, started today. I am going to be honest......I'm nervous.....already today questions are being asked that I haven't thought about in years. This week we are to concentrate on journaling through some questions and making our life journal.

Finishing up She Had Three Hearts, which is so full of techniques it is unbelievable! Keep and eye open for the class on Christy's blog, if she ever offers it again take it! I personally haven't done any art journaling for the class. I have my supplies together but my space seems messy. So I decided to concentrate on watching all the videos and take loads of notes. I'm glad I will have access to the videos for a few more weeks after class because that will allow me to put together technique cards.

2011-06-06T09:04:00.000-07:00

Woke up to this beautiful sight in my garden this morning! I purchased two plants at the end of the blooming season last year in hopes at least one of them would make it through the winter. So happy to report that both plants survived.

In my very first garden over 22 years ago I had poppy's this color and have missed them so much. My first garden was beautiful, full of so much color and a true labor of love. When we moved into our next house I was so burnt out on gardening. I went from having a shade garden to having full sun. I honestly didn't want to take the time to learn something new. However the last two years we lived at our house I started to find my love of gardening again. I found my joy again. So when we moved here to Spokane, it was a blessing to see that God has known my heart all along. I have gardens all around my house and I am in love with it all. Honestly there are a few things that don't tickle my fancy but they make hubby happy so I am willing to give.

So do you have a garden? What are your favorite things in it?

2011-06-05T07:48:00.000-07:00

Our spring has been anything but stellar, cold and wet. We have only reached over 70* maybe three times, one of those being yesterday. Everything is managing slowly to bloom in the garden. Oh how I've missed the color outside!

My parents were in town this week for my children's end of the year choir and band performances and my Mom fell in love with our Crabapple Tree. Despite the cooler temperatures it managed to be in full bloom, which turned out to be a good thing because my Dad got a beautiful photo. After this picture was taken it started to rain again for two days! It isn't as bright as it was then but it is still beautiful. Thanks for the picture Dad!

The cooler weather has not stopped the bees from coming out! I was looking to see how the flowers fared after the heavy rain. I walked pasted the Crabapple Tree and heard a humming sound. In taking a closer look I found the largest bees I have seen in quite awhile. I spent a little time to get a couple of perfect shots, I just was careful to stay out of their way as much as possible.

I mean seriously I don't want to make these guys mad, they might carry me away!!

2011-06-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

What a busy couple of days but fun! The weather here has been anything but normal, upper 40's at night and high 50's to mid 60's durning the day. It has been raining the last two days and not just a sprinkle but down pours! The kind of rain that makes you late to the end of the year band concert, sorry kids nothing I can do about traffic. The Spokane River is the highest it has been in years! Since my parents are in town my Dad and I took a trip down to the river to see the falls. Despite being so cold I wish I had brought my gloves, it was fun! My most favorite shots..........

They are saying in the news that high water will continue through the end of this month. What is the weather like where you are at?

A little bit of organizing makes me feel so happy!

2011-06-01T11:22:00.000-07:00

I four drawers of ribbon plus a mini tote of satin ribbon in my garage. I think it is safe to say I DON'T NEED any more but sometimes I can't help myself. So in order to come to a place with my ribbon that I know what I have, it was time to take out the drawers and organize. It took me close to a week to get them finished. Now they look so nice.

Another challenge is my little pieces of ribbon. Ya know the ones that are left over from a roll. I can't seem to throw them away when they make really cute little knots for projects. So this past weekend I tackled what I like to call my stuff bag.........the bag I stuff full of those little tiny pieces that I can't throw away. See the stuff bag migrated to a stuff things anywhere you can, ya it wasn't pretty. It made me frustrated so then I would just walk away.

Organizing my stuff jars:

My stuff jars after organizing. The four jars in the left photo had a matching one that was taller but I picked it up and found a nasty crack in it with part of a corner missing. A disaster waiting to happen so it was time to condence. One of my yard sale finds this past weekend were the two jars in the right photo, for $1 each. The fat squatty jar I found a Walmart and bought two for $7. I still have one empty so there maybe a little more organizing in the future. I do love how the color shows through, sure makes me happy!

Last year I started on a journey to use what I have and I've been doing better. Now that my ribbon is organized I can start to look at what I use the most and downsizing. I'm looking forward to that! Do you have something you need to organize? I would be happy to lend you my ideas because I love helping where I can.

The final list that I decided on for my weekend

2011-05-31T10:45:00.000-07:00

1. Eating consisted of:

Dessert, cheesecake dipped in chocolate with strawberries....Perfect! Sandwiches choices: Steak or chicken with onions and turkey bacon. A morning omelet with turkey bacon and cheese.

2. A bit of organizing in my corner

3. Ironing, one pile of two complete

4. Cleaned our outside refrigerator it was gross....it holds summer things to drink.

5. Another Thift store, where I found a mini food processor for $6!! Now I can make my rib sauce!! Ya, haven't been able to make that since my big food processor died, 2 years ago.

6. Watched Netflix and listened to music

7. Enjoyed time with my son after he got home from his trip Sunday.

8. Baked some cookies with a bit of extra love! Can you see the heart?

9. Waited for my DH and daughter to get back from their trip.......now need to do laundry and get ready for the last two weeks of school!!

My weekend

2011-05-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

Well hubby has taken youngest daughter and 3 of her girlfriends to Whistling Jack's Lodge for the weekend! My son went on a school trip to Seattle so I have the next few days to myself. HHHhhhmmmm, now to just decide what to do first of my list!

1. Make a list of what I want to do.....lol
2. Watch Take Home Chef on Netflix.....really what is NOT to like about Curtis Stone
3. Work in my messy corner doing some organizing, which really isn't work for me because I LOVE to do and make some ART
4. Package up a VERY special gift for a VERY special lady, to go out in the mail on Tuesday. After she receives her present I will post. It turned out so wonderful if I do say so myself!
5. Can't forget to eat, while everyone is gone! Is it totally sad that I have to actually write this down?
6. Paint or collage on two wonderful wooden boxes I found today at Value Village. An old 5x7 recipe box and a gift box that held 3 bottles of wine.....hhhmmmm, now to decide what to put on them. I do believe that the wine box is going to be the new home for some of my special paints, not sure about the 5x7 box.
7. Start the book I have picked out...oh wait, decide which book I want to read first out of two, then start it.
8. Start my art journal
9. Organize some photos so I can get myself in gear to make pages
10. Be sure to eat so I can actually NOT have a headache!
11. ooooo, maybe I'll go to another Thrift store tomorrow?
12. do a very small amount of chores

What are you doing this weekend?

What I am looking forward to....

2011-05-16T09:17:00.000-07:00

FINALLY a bit of warmer weather here in Spokane! I have so needed it. April was the coldest on record since the 1920's! I tell you what it leaves you not motivated to do much of anything.

My one and only scrapbook project done so far this year.....ack. I know hard for me to even believe. I've had this on my heart for sometime, helps me to think of warmer days and special memories! A 5x7 canvas of my soon to be 18 year old son, he was 2 years old here. His hair is darker now. It was a good day at the beach, not a day I soon will forget.

What I am looking forward to this summer.......Thank you Leslie for the idea!

1. My oldest daughter and my youngest grandson coming for a visit in 39 days.
2. Having my teenagers home for the summer. Trying to hold onto each minute of time with them.
3. Celebrating my son's 18th birthday...it happens so fast? Again, holding tight to every minute with him.
4. Celebrating my Grandson's first birthday! I have 5 Grandchildren and this will be the first birthday I have been able to celebrate with one of them. So excited!
5. She Had Three Hearts with Christy Tomlinson, starts May 23! I know not quite summer but it is close enough. This class was given to me as a gift and I am so looking forward to it.
6. Soul Restoration 2, starts June 6. Another special gift from a friend. Thank you Kathy!
7. The Summer of Color class, starts June 6 check it out here. Whats not to like when it is FREE!

8. Having no daily agenda

9. Rain storms, maybe some thunder too.

10. Gardening. It has taken me over a year to find my joy in this again. We have worked so hard as a family, the last couple of years, to make our gardens stress free. It is paying off this spring! It is all beautiful.

11. The excitement of Marching Band season. It is always so LONG, but it is going to be a special year for many reasons. I can't share them right now but when I can I will post!

13. Excitement of my son's senior portraits getting done......excuse me....again, it goes to fast!!

14. Scrapbooking, needing to get on a roll again and get stuff done.

15. Ice Tea Lemonade ;)

So what are you looking forward to this summer?

Giveaways!

2011-04-20T09:43:00.000-07:00

So one of the things I LOVE, is to keep an eye out for special Blog Giveaways. I have taken part in many over the last few months and have been blessed with being chosen. Each one in someway has helped to kept my creative self going, when I have needed it the most.

So here is to a special giveway over at Jeanne Oliver's blog, she is a wonderful Brave Girl. I can't say enough about her wonderful creativity. Take advantage of entering, you never know when you to might be blessed!!

Rest and Creating

2011-04-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I have been absent but I have felt I needed the break to get my barrings. So much started to be piled up on me that I felt I was going to be crushed by the weight of it all. I couldn't even step into my corner which seemed like it would last forever. I knew I had things to do that I really didn't want to do so I went back to making a list of what needed to be done. My list of what I don't want to do is now complained with the things I love to do. I am finding that works the best for me especially when the don't want to do, out weighs the want to do. All of this is helping me to focus which in peri menopause, is proving to be a challenge to me.

One of the things I have been focusing on is the She Art class I was able to take. I am enjoying the process of watching the girls come to life. #1, She finally believe what had been in her heart all along. This girl has such a big meaning for me. There was a time in my marriage that I couldn't bring myself to believe that I was really loved. One day this past month the light bulb went on and I finally believed what I was feeling all along. The feeling has always been there but it was the knowing that has changed things. #2, She was the best gift she could give herself. A background that my daughter created over a year ago, which I am so glad I convinced her to not throw away! The message of living life to the fullest and making it count by being yourself.

I hope everyone will have a wonderful Easter week!!

Honor

2011-03-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

So a lot has been happening this past few weeks. It is stuff that isn't all good and I can't go into it here for privacy reasons. In the midst of it all though I am remaining peaceful. I can't tell you how good of a feeling that is, to just be peaceful. I feel like I can breathe, that I'm not being suffocated. I know it is hard to understand if you don't know what is going on but before Soul Restoration something like this would have just sent me into a tail spin. I would have dwelled on it and it would have broken me. However, I am whole and it feels wonderful!

My daughter has a school project that is coming up. She has a question she needs to answer in a form that would be visible to the public. She will be doing some mixed media, making them into She Art girls. Her question is what does it means to live with honor? We would be interested to hear your answers in forms of favorite quotes, scriptures and whatever else you would like. Who knows, my daughter may just decide to give one of you a special present after her project is finished at the end of May.

hon·or [on-er] –noun

honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.” – author unknown

Routines

2011-03-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

I didn't really know until today how much of a routine person I have become. There is that saying "When Momma ain't happy, no body's happy". Yep, that would be me when it comes to my routine.(Thank you Flylady!) Mess with how I like to do things and you may just have one angry Momma on your hands. Now, don't get me wrong over the years I have learned to make adjustments and not be so controlling about said routines.  I am happy to bend when necessary for company, days of illness or just spontaneous fun.

However, at this point in time I have a problem.........We moved here 3 years ago, this upcoming June and the only routine this Momma has is avoiding the things that need to be done. I haven't been able to find what works for me now. You would think I could keep it the same as before but it just isn't working.  A few years ago I was at a very special friends house and I noticed her to do list on her refrigerator. It said "Love the House Day"(at least I think I am remembering it right) and I asked her what that meant. She told me that her house needed to be loved just as much as her family. So just like she set aside time to be with family, she set aside time to take care of the house. For some reason what had always seemed like chores to me became something I did out love.  What a change that was!

Today was a breakthrough day and I am on my way to finding my happy routine. At this point in time.....Wednesday's mark my "Love the House Day", which includes the things I don't really like to do but need to be done. Dusting, vaccuming corners and cleaning my bathroom. Thursday's mark starting laundry and which gets finished up on Friday. The whole goal of my happy routine is to be able to free up our weekends as the warmer weather approaches.   So looking forward to the evenings after dinner in the garden!!

So please share with me, do you have a rountine?  What do you do that just makes your home happy?

And so it begins

2011-03-10T08:33:00.000-08:00

A LONG weekend. My two teenagers have been madly practicing for a high school play, Fiddler on the Roof since they returned from Christmas break. Practices 5 days a week and a couple of weekends thrown in there have proven to weigh heavily on this family.(especially when 3 out of 4 of us was sick for 6 weeks) We are a family that gets cranky when we don't get to spend a lot of time together and I've been known to get the jealous mommies. Example of the jealous mommies.....when teenage daughter wants to have a friend over because she misses said friend, then I feel left out. I would rather just spend time creating art with her instead of sharing her. I realize she has to have time with her friends outside of school so I suck it up and play nice.(at least I try)

So the last nights of the play started yesterday and go through Saturday. Did a mention that it will be late nights until 11pm? Ya, I know I am getting older because I can't stay up that late to many days in a row. I am looking forward to Sunday, the day after the last performance. We just might end up sleeping in.....right like that ever happens with me. I am lucky to sleep in past 7am! Oh well, such is life and it goes on.

My parents are coming in for a few days so that will be fun. I am also putting together a Brave Girl apron and trying my best to find motivation to make some art. I am LOVING the She Art class! I haven't created any girls yet but my ideas are brewing so that makes me happy.

The winner is........

2011-03-08T09:29:00.000-08:00

BUT first I need to let you all know how much I appreciated each one of your comments and have read them all. They were all so touching.  Welcome to all my new followers. I hope you will enjoy the journey I share here.

I believe that there is a God that knows what each and everyone of us needs to continue on our own journey. He puts things in our paths that can result into beautiful things. When I went to the Random generator I plugged in the numbers, then went back to my list of comments. I counted and then relized that one of the most touching comments for me was the person who received the blog gift. This is so like God to provide something special to help someone along their way.

So to number 35, Kristy you are the winner!!
Kristy said, "I am so loving this BG blog hop ! Being able to read your stories and sing praises for SR at BGC is wonderful .I am so excited to say I am signed up for the April session. IS it April yet ? I have been so touched by your story and for being brave enough to post it. I am happy to add you to my following list. I would just die to win this amazing gift. I am on a journey to heal after the death of my dear husband in July 2010. On a journey of discovery and being Brave in my new "Widow" walk. I am over the top with joy that you girls put this together. What a wonderful gift to all of us !! Hugs.. KRisty ...Krissi57 at BGC...You can reach me at my blog...http://myhealingthroughartstory.blogspot.com/ "

I linked Kristy's blog so you lovelies can go leave her some sisterly love.  Her artwork through healing is amazing, which makes God pretty amazing!!  Blessing to you my new Brave Girl Sister!!

What it means to be a Brave Girl

2011-03-04T23:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Soul Restoration blog hop - if you're following from the beginning you came from Leslie's blog to continue hopping on your way you'll visit Kai's blog. If for any reason you get lost or a link is broken you can go here, here, here or here to get yourself back on track. Several of the ladies are having give aways, so have fun! That is what it's all about making special connections.

As you go along this blog hop journey you are going to see my sisters hearts, please be kind and leave lots of LOVE for them. We would love to see you join the most powerful and fun online workshop taught by Melody Ross. This class is being enjoyed and loved by women all over the world and the one thing in common you will see is it is all about connections. Connections between other women who get you and to the little girl that is still inside of you waiting to be healed. Soul Restoration online classes have now been expanded to TWO sessions: Soul Restoration Part 1 - Finding your truth(6 weeks) starting April 5, 2011 Session $99 Registar HERE and Soul Restoation Part 2 - Living your truth(6 weeks) For graduates of Soul Restoration 1 only June 7, 2011 Session $99 Resister HERE

You DO NOT need to be an artist to do this. Melody is so awesome and she walks you through it all. After watching all the technique videos if you are still having trouble, go to your sisters for support. That is what it is all about lovelies.

I personally have been following Melody and her journey for years. She speaks truth with her words and those words have helped me more than she will ever know. When I heard that she was starting a Brave Girl Camp I was over the moon and back excited. I knew with the price tag, I was going to have to wait for quite awhile for my pennies to be saved. Then it was announced that a special Brave Girl Community would be opened and that Soul Restoration six week course would be offered. Have you ever just been not able to get something out of your head? That is what happened with me when I heard about it. The decision to take this class wasn't something I took lightly. I knew I would have a lot of soul work to do and it honestly wasn't going to be easy. Life style changes are rarely easy but in the end rewarding.

My sister died when I was nine years old, this is my favorite picture of her and I. I loved her so very much and since then I have at times felt like I've been lost. I only knew for a short time what it was like to have a sister and I have searched for years for that bond. The bond of undersanding that only sisters seem to have. A peace comes over you when you a relize you don't have to search empty faces anymore for someone who will be your sister. That is the peace that I have received from Soul Restoration, my restless sisters heart is at peace. I don't have to search anymore because I have hundres of sisters who get me. They are there at a moments notice when I am having a horrible, no good, very bad day. They center me right back to where I need to be. I so LOVE each and everyone of you, my heart is full.

Now for the fun giveway that I have put together for you! In this giveway you will receive the above things to start or continue you on your art journey of healing. I will choose a winner Sunday 3/6, 9pm pacific time and post the winner by Tuesday 3/8. Be sure I have away to contact you!!

In class you will choose your truth teller symbol to remind you of the things you have learned. My truth teller symbol are birds because they are what God uses to slow me down. This little guy was found in my garden one day when I was going out to my car. Yes, he let me get that close with the camera on my phone! It looks like he is smiling and that is what I like to imagine God doing when he looks at me.

Please join us in the beautiful Brave Girl community, that Melody and her sister Kathy have created for us. If you would like to read more about the community, please click on the Brave Girl button to the left.

A bit of Truth

2011-03-04T11:28:00.000-08:00

I am loving surrounding myself with special truths. This is one I made for myself and a couple of sweet Brave Girl sisters. Be blessed and come back tomorrow for our wonderful Soul Restoration Blog Hop!!

I painted on lovely canvas paper. The heart is modeling paste, which seems like it takes FOREVER to dry. Little fence is a Martha Steward punch.

Doing things anyway

2011-03-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

Somehow, somewhere I learned to do things anyway. It has been that way for as long as I can remember. It is strange though, when you don't remember much of your childhood to not even really know when you got to be so strong. I am choosing however to believe it happened over a lifetime.

These are my Anyway pages from Soul Restoration. The birds I found before Christmas and just stamped several out, cutting them out and placing them over the punched vine and flowers. I just love how they turned out.

I am choosing to believe what Melody Ross said to us in class one day..........When you go through things you are extremely qualified to help someone where no one else would be. You are trust worthy because you have been there. I remember a very dear friend telling me the exact same thing about 10 years ago so what Melody said was just a wonderful reminder. I do wish more people believed this and that there would be more trust so that people didn't think they add reinvent the wheel.

Be sure to come back this way over the weekend. A few my new Brave Girls sisters and I have to put together a Soul Restoration Blog Hop. I'll be doing a fun little give away. See you soon!

Attitude adjustment

2011-03-01T17:17:00.000-08:00

My attitude hasn't been the best so I find myself being quiet. I loved the Soul Restoration class and I will talk more about that later in the week, durning our blog hop this weekend. It was everything I hoped it would be but it doesn't stop just because the class did. It is hard work to change how you think on a daily basis, to go where the peace is when all you want to do is revert back to your old habits. I seem to be the master of that recently, falling back into old habits, it seems easier but it sure isn't healthy.

I just noticed this week that my vistor counter has hit over 14,000! Totally amazing to me! Thank you to all of you that visit. I do believe I will be doing a special give away to celebrate soon, just have to figure out just the right special gift.

2011-02-19T20:26:00.000-08:00

I tell you what this has been a rough three weeks, it hasn't been a good start to the new year healthwise. It started with getting a small cold that knocked me on my butt. There was one day that I slept off and on for a full day! The beginning of last week I was feeling pretty good and thought I was to the end of it, then the coughing started. I decided to give up and get myself into the doctor, so glad I did! By last night I was into coughing fits and had the worst sinus headache a person can have. I am on my fourth box of kleenex, seriously that is a lot of snot!! I know a little gross but I feel icky. We have started whipping things down with Clorox wipes, one of the best inventions in my book!!

If you have been following or visiting my blog for any length of time you know that I am in love with Mixed Media art. I have recently found this wonderful lady Christy Tomlinson and she is doing a special online class called The She Art Workshop. You can find out about it here and if you go to the Where Women Create blog you can enter yourself into a contest to win a pass to the class. It is something I am seriously thinking about taking just to learn just a little bit more about what I love.

More Restoring

2011-02-09T19:52:00.000-08:00

I am learning a lot of good stuff from Soul Restoration. All of the content is really about changing ones thoughts and in turn this changes your life. It is a for a purpose and helps you to look how far you have come.

In the past few weeks we have done a Timeline of our lives. When we go through bad things in our lives, we have a tendency to think they go on forever but in reality it is only a short amount of time. We make the choice everyday to let the past dictate our current lives and even our future. It is possible to move past the hurt in your lives and not feel that you are stuck in it. Moving past it is where you will find the JOY you are searching for.

We have also looked at both our strong and weak selves. While it is hard to see at times each 'self' will take over at different times in your life. What everyone seems to do though is beat yourself up over the choices you make, usually the bad ones. Here we learned to love and forgive our weak selves, embrace her instead of telling her how horrible she is.

The background is made with modeling paste, which I scrap with a texture tool. I then allowed it to dry completely, it took 24 hours......ack, I am not patient when it comes to leaving things alone to dry. The next day, I painted my pages a medium grass green which turned out WAY to bright for me. So I wiped as much of it off as I could, then watered down some brown paint to wash it over the green. It gave it that in the forest mossy green that I was looking for, after it was dry I added Walnut Distress ink straight from the stamp pad. I fell in love with the pages as I started to Mod Podge the elements on the pages. It was everything I hoped it would be with all the perfect reminders on how I need to treat myself.

Better!

2011-01-26T16:34:00.000-08:00

I am so glad to have a better start to a new week. I feel like I have already had a productive one, it feels so good. It is finals week for my children, they are home earlier than normal. The evenings are spent studying and trying to get enough rest for the next round of tests. I am looking forward to the weekend so there will be less stress in the house.

My first art journal. I took my inspiration from Donna Downey. I do believe I am in LOVE!

I am journaling special truths, things I have learned over my life, things I NEED to remember. The constant glow of Christ, leading to hope into the Guckpit with my Truthteller leading the way. The Truthteller being my God. I am so glad that I am NOT in this dark place anymore!! Thank you God, you are awesome.

2011-01-24T10:56:00.000-08:00

A four day migraine really puts a damper on one's life. I woke up with it, early last week. It was frustrating because I normally have some kind of sign but not this time. I have learned over the years to just push through the pain, instead of feeling sorry for myself. Feeling sorry for myself doesn't make it better. I nap when I can(even if it is for only 10 minutes), drink plenty of water and put more protein in my diet. Creating makes me feel better to, so I am in and out of my corner quite a bit.

So despite the week I was able to do a few things for the Soul Restoration class I am taking. It feels so good to have something physical, that can help me to remember not to let stuff bother me. To help me to remember that everyday I can choose to listen to my Truthteller. Everyone's Truthteller is differant, mine just happens to be God. He is the foremost in my life and the one I make a choice everyday to listen to.

Cover: This took the longest time to figure out what I wanted to do. When I think of what makes me happy so much comes to mind and it makes it hard to choose. I started by creating the white flower out of white cardstock and then covered it in Mod Podge so it would hold up to being on the cover. The colored flowers came from my stash and were also covered with Mod Podge. After they completely dried they took on the look of leather, very cool. The butterfly was embossed onto white cardstock and colored in with Distress inks. You can't tell by the photo but I then cover it with Glossy Accents to give it a nice shine. Same thing is done with the Closed for Restoration sign. I love everything about this cover.

A few pages: I so enjoyed the process of creating my house and all the backgrounds. It has taken me years to be okay with who I am and to take care of me. The daisies and ladybugs are stickers I found in my stash. They took on a real cool look after everything was covered in Mod Podge because a few of the flowers lifted up on the edges, giving a little dimension to the page. The flowers on the last page shown here are again covered with Mod Podge and I added some Martha Stewart clear mirco beads to the center of the flowers.

Wonderful Stuff

2011-01-19T22:29:00.000-08:00

I am in the second week of the Soul Restoration class. I am learning so much but I also am seeing how much of what is being taught I started about 5 to 10 years ago. It feels good to have confirmation that I have been headed in the right direction. I am excited to see what the next few weeks hold. I just have to remember it is all good.

One of my most favorite times of year is coming closer, Valentine's Day. If you would like to get a little headstart on something fun, head on over Craftily ever after for her fun give away. I can't wait to put it all together in a frame!

Unredeemed

2011-01-09T08:01:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful that this is the promise God has for us. I hope it helps bless your day like it has mine to be reminded that even when we don't see Him, He is right there.

The cruelest word
The coldest heart
The deepest wound
The endless dark
The lonely ache
The burning tears
The bitter nights
The wasted years

Life breaks and falls apart
But we know these are…

Places
Where grace is
Soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled
They may be unrestored
But when anything that’s shattered
Is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be
Unredeemed

For every choice
That led to shame
And all the love
That never came
For every vow
That someone broke
And every life
That gave up hope

We live in the shadow of the fall
But the cross says these are all...

Places
Where grace is
Soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled
They may be unrestored
But when anything that’s shattered
Is laid before the Lord
Just watch and see
It will not be
Unredeemed

Places
Where grace is
Soon to be so amazing
They may be unfulfilled
They may be unrestored
But you never know the miracle
The Father has in store
Just watch and see
It will not be
Unredeemed

Resolutions, not here

2011-01-03T11:44:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

I don't like resolutions so there for a I don't make them. I have really worked hard over the last few years to just stop beating myself up. I am happier that way. There isn't much I can do about the past but I can make changes for my future even if it is only one step at a time. One of the things I am trying to make sure that I am doing more of is writing about the little things, which I have always felt it important to do. Someday I am not going to be here to tell the stories or to tell my children that they are loved. I don't want any of that to disappear so that is a reason I scrapbook, journal or blog. So onto a important little thing.........

Durning winter we always let our outside dogs become inside dogs. They LOVE it but it is an adjustment for me. I love them but they are always underfoot and it can be very frustrating. Like most dogs they thrive on attention and I do think they believe they are people not dogs. I don't allow them up on furniture unless there is a blanket.  At night they will wonder around the house so we put them in the laundry room with there blankets.

This is our oldest dog Arthur, he is 12. We've seen some changes in him this past year, as you do with most older dogs, that has required us to make adjustments on how we interact with him. His sight has been changing for months, he can still see but depth perception is a problem.  It is better if he has plenty of light to see when going downstairs and one of those flameless candles in the laundry room helps him at night. The big thing that has changed is he has gone deaf. We started to notice it this summer when the fire station would turn on the sirens and he wouldn't be howling.  He responses to vibration in the floor, knocking on the garage door to let him in and of course he watches the other dogs pretty closely. If he is sleeping sound we have to be ever so careful as to not startle him. We touch him gently to get his attention.  When my son is home he is by his side, even if he just gets up to get a pencil he is the constant shadow. My son is his boy. There are days he still thinks he is a puppy especially then the snow falls. He eats snow even when his water bowl in the house is full and loves to chase after snowballs. He will dive right into the deepest snow to find them and will bark very loudly when his boy isn't making snowballs fast enough. It is quite funny.

At his last vet appointment over the summer he had lost a bunch of weight so we had to adjust his feeding schedule from once a day to twice. It seems that his body can handle it a lot better. He has put back on the weight so for that we are glad. He has always had this thing of not being able to stand on anything but carpets, it makes going to the vet interesting. We have to actually carry him in and place him on a blanket because he feels safe. On our wood floor landing, we have to have a small carpet because he won't come upstairs otherwise. It will be a sad day when he is gone.

Welcome 2011

2011-01-01T22:08:00.000-08:00

I have decided that as much as I have loved this process this month of my journal. My journal ends with Day 31 and I am really okay with it. Today it has all about resting, which we will also do tomorrow. Everyone is back to the regular family life as of Monday. Yes, my husband has been home. He has taken the kids vacation time off for as long as I can remember. The only thing I don't like about everyone returning to work/school is that all of our animals are so use to people being around that they are pouty when the schedule is back to normal.

Day 28, Indulgences there were so many of them but it is all good!

Day 29, Can't let time go by without talking about a few of the movies I love watching.

Day 30, A short summary of 2010.

Day 31, Goodbye 2010 and Hello to 2011.

Almost over

2010-12-31T21:52:00.000-08:00

Well 2010 is done for some and almost gone for me. The happy things for this year have been the addition of two beautiful Grandbabies to the family. I love my Grandbabies, they provide me with so much sunshine!

Day 24, Christmas Eve is when we open all our presents. My journaling will be on the back with some pictures on the front.

Day 25, Christmas Day we get to play with all our new stuff. Just a fun relaxing day. Journaling on the back.

Day 26, I found this postcard at a shop here in town. I loved it and knew it would be a perfect addition to my album this year. I had fun playing with the camera this year and took a few photos of ornaments leaving space for writing. Hoping to use some of them as Christmas cards next year.(yes, trying to plan ahead)

Day 27, My sleep patterns are all messed up with everyone home. School starts back up on Monday and I think I am going to take a nice long nap with a quiet house!!

Peace

2010-12-29T08:19:00.000-08:00

The snow is lightly falling this morning, my house is quiet for now and I am sitting her reflecting on the past year, wondering what the New Year will hold.

This year has been a bumpy road for our family, right now we are in the process of reinventing who we are and it isn't easy. We have always been able to see our family life in front of us, the things we do together as a team or even separately, life is different. So many unanswered questions of 'what now', it is overwhelming. I know in time all things will become clear but to be involved with church for years then to not have it in your life is unsettling. I was changing, starting to feel comfortable again and trust that I could step back into a church building without the fear of being hurt. Circumstances now have brought us to the point where we needed to leave the church we had started to call our home, we couldn't stay. You can't go into a place where you don't feel safe, especially with your family. It was a matter of how things were handled, it wasn't right and our family was hurt.

Now, we move forward to a New Year. All our paths open to what will be in store for us. Some paths we can see others we can not. So for now, I will do what is best for me. I will rest, pray and restore me. I will stop worrying about a past I can't change, forgive myself and others. I will find peace this next year.

Merry Day After Christmas

2010-12-26T17:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a nice day, that wasn't filled with lots of pressure. My daughter and I were out numbered by the male numbers in the house so there was a lot of guy talks. We put a ham in the roaster the night before so it was all ready for eating mid afternoon. To that we added green beans and scalloped potatoes, pretty simple and good. Our Uncle Ray did the dishes which was so sweet. The rest of the evening was just spent sitting around talking.

As for Journal Your Christmas, it has been a success for me. I have a couple of more days to finish up and I am hoping to do those tomorrow. If I do anything more for the next few days they may just be half pages of what we are doing until everyone goes back to school/work. Family left today to get ahead of the weather so the house is abnormally quiet. I think I am going to go visit with my sewing machine.

Day 21, The reality of how the house looks. Past years I have always been ahead of the game on keeping up with things, not this year and honestly I am okay with that.

Day 22, The things still left to do. I decided on a Rum Cake that turned out beautiful. This page was made from some Making Memories packaging and the deer is from a Starbucks food bag. I just cut it out and glued it down.

Day 23, The story of our stockings will go here as soon as I get the photo printed.

Merry Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T13:27:00.000-08:00

I'm missing my big girls today. I so hope for a day that we all can be together again instead of spread out all over the place.

Day 17, a perfect present for someone who was feeling down. I'm happy that the packages to my girls will get there in time for Christmas.

Day 18, Christmas Day menu really hasn't even been thought about. We are going to keep it as simple as possible.

Day 19, How I feel about Santa is inside. We decided that we didn't want to raise our children with Santa but we made sure they realized that they should ruin it for their friends that believed. Back of page is a good message, one to remember.

Day 20, Love surprises that come in the mail.

Christmas bustle

2010-12-22T11:16:00.000-08:00

It was beautiful here in Spokane yesterday so my youngest daughter, a friend of hers and I took part of the day and just walked around downtown. We stopped at a downtown starbucks with no hurry up involved. It was fun to watch people some in their Christmas finest and caring bags of gifts. I don't miss the hustle and bustle. I am loving being able to slow down!

Day 14, Just a little bit about gifts and how I feel about gift giving. I cut down a set of baseball card protectors. Love the half one at the top with added ribbon to look like a package.

Day 15, All about our vistors coming and a page left for photos.

Day 16, What I am most Grateful for. The back page is a full sheet journaling paper for my special thoughts.

Comany is coming

2010-12-20T23:04:00.000-08:00

It has been a lovely few days getting our house ready for company. Yep, just a few guests and soon our house will be full of laughter I am sure. Today marks the day I am done with my shopping and my pages for Journal Your Christmas are coming together nicely. I am finding that as each page goes by there is healing and I love it. As I finish each page I find myself saying 'oh this is my favorite page', then the next day I say the same thing. I can't but help laugh at myself.

Day 10, Some of my favorite gift wrap

Day 11, The Christmas Tree or should I say trees. I love having them in the window. Also a story of a past Christmas tree.

Day 12, A Christmas past.....I don't have a lot of photos of my own Christmas's. I scanned my photos I do have, before I scrapbooked the orginals so then it allows me to do fun things like this. I printed this out as index prints and then used the strip. Then a picture of me with Santa, my daughter says I still make that face.

Day 13, This page is an acrylic page. Love how I can see the quote for day 14 and then the word past once the page is turned. I am enjoying not using photos unless I happen to have one that will work.

Beautiful Days

2010-12-17T23:28:00.000-08:00

I couldn't stay in today it was just to pretty. The sun was high in the sky with those beauitful whispy white clouds in the sky. A perfectly beautiful day!

Day 6, We had to talk today about a happy and sad Christmas then separate it in a special way.

Day 7, All about how much wrapping you have to do. Not me, we have pre wrapped boxes for years so all you have to do is open the box, lift the lid and you are done.

Day 8, Special pages with just photos of Christmas. This is one of my most favorite pages. I used a lot of photos from past Christmas's when we did a lot of baking for people.

Simple enjoyment

2010-12-16T13:39:00.000-08:00

Enjoying the bit of sunshine we are having today, it is so nice but cold. I have been taking my afternoons and doing a little bit of shopping the last few days. I think I am done except for a few more stocking stuffers! I have to dare the mall......wish I could avoid it but I need to see if I can get a dvd I'm looking for. I really don't want to order it online in less I need to.

Here are few more days to share of Journal Your Christmas album. Hopefully it will give the family that can't be with us a little glimpse into our lives.

Day 3, just a bit about why I don't make many Christmas cards like I use to and a recipe that is a favorite around the holidays.

Day 4, What is your thought on a perfect Christmas?

Day 5, Traditions and remembering fun things seem to go hand in hand this time of year.

Journaling Days

2010-12-15T11:40:00.000-08:00

I am so enjoying the process of this album for my family. It makes me so happy even if I am just a bit behind. One of the things I LOVE about this class is once you pay for it, you can do it each year without any extra cost for the class. I've already found a few things to use in my next year's album! You can't beat a good sale on Christmas things, so much fun.

My album is 6x6 with a few different sized pages thrown in. Most are chipboard of different thicknesses from my stash or cereal boxes. Everything is glued down in with either my Glue Glider Pro Perma Tac Adhesive, Glossy accents, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive or Beacons 3 in 1 Advanced Craft Glue(which I LOVE! Just use in well ventilated area)

Cover, The window pane is from a piece of chipboard from some punched out game pieces.

Day 1, This is actually a clear page so you can see Day 2 right behind it. A very snowy day and a Robin outside my daughters bedroom window.

Day 2, All about the weather and on my tags I wrote about the 3 special gifts I got the first 3 days of December. The photo in the bottom right is my neighbor's arborvitae, hope it straights out come spring.

Destressing

2010-12-10T18:07:00.000-08:00

Well, I did signing up for the Soul Restoration course with Brave girls, even though the price tag was a bit high for me. I felt drawn to the course, it was something I couldn't shake. Three days after signing up the Brave girls did a special give away and I won! I am pretty excited that God planned away for me to do this. I know it is going to be something wonderful!

I also sold a few scrapbooking supplies to pay for the Journal Your Christmas with Shimelle. It took me quite a few days to pull all my supplies together but pages are coming together even being a few days behind everyone else. I am so enjoying it! It is wonderful to just have the prompt in the back of your mind, then make a page. Pictures or no pictures it isn't mattering much. It is helping me to destress and that is a big thing for me around the holiday season. I have just wanted this year to be different and so far it is just that.

Just another day

2010-11-30T14:20:00.000-08:00

Another month gone, I am just having a hard time believing it. Usually by this time of the year I am ready for a new one, not this time. The New Year is going to be a good one, I am sure however it will mark a time that I haven't been wanting to look at. My son come next fall will be a Senior in High School so exactly when did that happen? Sigh.......so this Christmas I am trying to slow way down and just be. In an effort to focus on what is truly important about this holiday I am going join up with Shimelle for Journal your Christmas . I think it will be a good thing even if I don't do everyday. I already have ideas on how I want to put my own spin on it with remembering Christmas's past. It all starts tomorrow!

Speaking of tomorrow!! Do you know that not only is it December 1st BUT it is the start of the 12 Tags of Christmas with Tim Holtz!! It was 4 years ago that I started learning what his stuff was all about and I am a better artisit because of it! Thanks Tim! You are incrediblly awesome!!! For anyone that is wondering what is on my wish list, it doesn't have much on it these days but I would LOVE this Book. It is a book full of techniques for stamping if you order it from his sight he will sign it and that rocks!

Well, the Colour or is it Color class is in it's final days. I have so enjoyed it, every minute. The last couple of weeks for me were difficult to do while being surrounded by sorting all my paper but they are finally done. At least my small layouts anyway with the 12x12's coming later on.

Green, a restful and calm color. Knew there was a reason why it is one of my favorite colors. I LOVE this little frog!

Blue, light and friendly. Again another favorite. My beauties, in homemade Easter dresses.

Purple, a mixture of hot red and cool blue. This color is at least in my top five. My beautiful Clematis that was transplanted this summer. It makes me so happy.

Cold but joyful

2010-11-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

This morning it was 10* when we got up and our high isn't suppose to be very much from where we are right now.  We are suppose to get into the negative temperatures for the next few days......I LOVE winter but not when it is this cold. It took me an hour yesterday to shovel the driveway and sidewalk. We made a trip to the store last night for a few things and my face got so cold!  Can we say wind blown and chapped? It is better this morning but there is no way I'm going out to shovel this morning. If we all do it as a family it takes less time so we will do that. I will however have to venture out and at least start my car.

The holidays around here are looking to be pretty quiet. I think it is needed for our family right now. From marching band, sickness and some church things, that have not all been good, it is time to rest. I want things to be different this year. I don't want to get caught up in the 'got to have' something under the tree. I want gifts to mean something when they are given, not just more stuff. I want people to realize that it isn't about how much money is being spent on a gift but the attitude of the heart it comes from.  For me it has never been about money ever. I am one that is happy with family close, cooking meals together, hanging out laughing until our sides hurt.......that is what it is about, always.

I have been following a beautiful lady on a journey that has led to some seriously beautiful things, Melody Ross. She and her sister stepped out into a dream of wanting to see women rise up and be brave. You can read their story here, it is pretty awesome. The online class Soul Restoration, they will be offering in January is at the top of my youngest daughter and I's wish list this year. We try each year to do something together that brings us closer and I really believe this online class will do just that. My dream is to take her to a Brave girls Mother/Daughter camp before she graduates high school.  The camps sell out a year in advance so for now this class will have to do. Go visit the Brave girls sight, it might just change your life. I KNOW it has changed mine!!

Once again

2010-11-10T18:47:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in special give aways you might want to go here and take a look at these way CUTE camera straps!! Such beautiful homemade goodness!

I am LOVING the color class and have even begun to sort my cardstock into color order. I have always sorted it by season but I am ready to do what makes sense for my creativity.

This week had been all about Orange and Yellow, making fun homemade ruffles and just building elements to create a wide border. The butterfly is one that I stamped onto watercolor paper, sponged with color and then sprayed with a mist of white perfect pearls. You can't tell from here but it is pretty sparkly.

I took the left over pieces from the above layout to make this one.

Orange and Yellow

2010-11-07T15:35:00.000-08:00

These two colors are beautiful however I will have to say that bright Yellow has to be my least favorite color. I enjoy the softer, milder Yellows ones with a little more golden color to them. Orange, well orange I am just not sure of. I have never been one to wear it or really have much of it in my house. It shows up around fall time for me in my fall decor, leaves, flowers, pumpkins but again not to much of the bright shade. I love the shades of orange that have more red and brownish tones in them.

Orange: Something that stands out, adds excitement and wants to get noticed. I guess God wanted me to notice Him this week. Ten minutes before this picture was taken the sky was pink. I love God's handy work.

Yellow: Brightest of the true colors, vibrant, used to attract attention, indicates frienship, hope and helps you step forward. This little girl of mine has always been a bright spot.

Red

2010-11-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

I am so enjoying the Colour, or is it Color class over at BPC. The class is now closed but if it is ever offered again, take it! It is so worth it.

I started to learn about color when I was taking an Interior Design class in high school, oh my it was like doors were opened inside my head. There were so many things I finally understood. Over the years I have been able to build on what I started to learn and I can say successfully weaved color into my everyday. With some thinking I could probably even figure out the different colors for different times in my life. HHhhhmmm, might just have to do that sometime.

In our first week of class we talked about the color Red. I'm not a fan of bright red but I do like a red with a bit of brown in it. Red reminds me of my oldest daughters with their red hair and fiery tempers, roses, tomatoes which I still have to eat finely chopped up in things, ladybugs, my two youngest children's marching band uniforms(which have red in them), the fireplace that my handsome husband filled with red led lights so I would always feel comfy and firetrucks, not sure why I that one but I do love them.

So here is to the color red, the memories you gave me this past week. The smaller pages will be going into a small book of color. I am thinking though that I may just have to do a small book for each of my children.

One of my sweet red heads, only 10 days old.

My son one day when his sisters went back to school. He was feeling so sad that his sisters were gone and he didn't have anyone to play with. So we stopped by the firehouse, they showed us around and he got to sit up inside the firetruck. The stop was two fold really, with him missing his sisters and his baby sister on the way we knew it wasn't going to be long before the focus wasn't always on him. We wanted him to feel special and that he did. He had something to talk about when his sisters got home and the fact that they were jealous was just an added thing. I remember one of the fireman that showed us around, he told us we were doing a good thing making him feel special on that day. Keep doing it he said. I would like to think we did.

Materials: White Texture Bazzil Cardstock, CTMH Indian Corn Blue Cardstock, patterned papers from CTMH and GCD studios, stamps: Western Flourishes, Firetruck and Fireman(retired), letters from Making Memories, ribbon and other accessories from my stash

Really?

2010-11-02T09:35:00.000-07:00

I can't seem to grasp that the year is almost over. Seriously.......does time really have to go this fast? My first day of November was a really weird day. It was raining heavily and cold, unlike today which is cool but with sunshine. I have been so exhausted and I am doing everything I can to not let this cold take control of me. My children decided to share with me.

LOAD is over.....final count, 31 layouts and 107 photos used this month. I spent part of yesterday sorting through the layouts I have done this year because I haven't put them into their albums yet. So that is on it's way to being done. I don't scrapbook in order so it feels weird to put them into albums when I know there are gaps. I know that is the safest place for them so in they will go. I have recently decided to not have a family scrapbook of my children because I have albums for each of them. So my favorite photos of an event, or of them will be put into themed mini albums. I am hoping that one day when we are gone from this world that they will divide the mini's up into groups of 4 and then maybe on a yearly basis pass their boxes around to each other. I will be on the look out for those special boxes that would last a lifetime. Who knows maybe this would become a tradition and it would be passed onto the Grandbabies.

Whole lot of stuff

2010-10-31T17:54:00.000-07:00

This month I knew was going to be a hard one, just didn't know how hard. I managed quite well for LOAD and decided to help me continue to be creative for me, I would take a couple of classes. I am taking another Shimelle class this one is on journaling telling your True Stories. I am looking forward to getting a little more help in this area for my scrapbooking. I am also taking Nic Howard's class at Big Picture Classes called Colour! Or is it Color? I am enjoying it and had a great time making my preclass tags. If you are looking for class to take do check out BPC. Registration for the Color class is open until Nov. 3 and it isn't to late to join us. You can also head over to Two Peas In a Bucket and take a look at Jennifer McQuire's free Holiday class that matches her Thinking Inking class she did. You can beat it because you can download the information and do it when you want to plus her class is free!

Day 28, A seemed like yesterday layout with some journaling

Day 29, A Today layout, same young lady but we are both so different now

Day 30, The day you were born layout for my youngest

Day 31, The day you were born for one of my older girls.

Preclass Tags for Color class, we were given techniques to use with each of these tags. I have to say this is the most fun I have had stamping in a long time. Looking forward to sharing more with you soon.

A good day

2010-10-29T10:09:00.000-07:00

Even if it is raining today, it is a good day. Fall is in the air, my children left dressed up for school in their costumes that they put together themselves(LOVE no cost costumes!) and today I will be getting the house ready for the shampooing of the carpets. We usually do this twice a year but we skipped right over it this spring so the carpets look terrible.

Finishing up LOAD is on my mind, it has been a rough month for me but I'm glad I have gotten more pages done for me children. As always it brings me great joy now to look back on the lives of my children. I remember when I first started scrapbooking how afraid I was of actually seeing them grow up before my eyes. It probably had more to do with as I saw them getting older that meant I was to getting older, even if they make me feel so young. I have made a choice to not finish some journaling spots right now. I do fill them in I just have to look at the finished layout for a little while to be inspired. That is how it works for me.

Day 23, Made a companion layout to go with Day 22. I think it is funny that in this series of photos of my children that I have not one of my son by himself. What a busy almost 3 year old he was.

Day 24, My youngest daughter with her first piggy tales and this was also the first time she climbed up on the folding stool on her own.

Day 25, Someone is rolling over

Day 26, What a special day this was. Our Grandpa, the kids Great Grandpa came to visit just to see the newest addition to the family.

Day 27, What you are doing to go with Day 25.

Materials: Papers from Close to my Heart and Making Memories, Flowers from Prima, Tim Holtz's Tattered Florals Die cut(LOVE IT!), mini tag stamp(retired CTMH), Glossy accents on some butterflies and flowers.

Getting stuff done

2010-10-26T15:57:00.000-07:00

I am enjoying getting more pages done for my children scrapbooks. Stories that I have been wanting to tell for a long time before I forget. The one thing I hate though, is when I want to scrapbook something and I know I have the pictures printed. I had quite a few prints made up before we moved to Spokane 2 years ago, some got filed in the correct places while others did not. This will be my project this winter to really do a bit more organizing where that is concerned.

Day 18, My youngest in her Big Girl Bed. She was so tiny or so it seemed to me.

Day 19, My youngest first Christmas.

Day 20, My son when he was learning to take clothes off.

Day 21, I've always loved these photos of my youngest and finally found the right layout for them. It was a lot of fun picking out buttons and brads.

Day 22, My beautiful children the first Easter we had all 4.

A bit of everything

2010-10-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to this beautiful girl!! You have brought so much into my life and I am so grateful to God for giving you to me. Hope your day is all you want it to be!!(photo Homecoming 2010)

This year the above daughter decided she didn't want anything for her birthday because she has all she ever has wanted. However the giver in me decided to make her one of these. I LOVE LOVE LOVE how it turned out and decided to make 3 more for her girlfriends who have birthdays in the next few days. The BEST thing.......I used quite a few flowers from my stash, 50 for each lei! I did have to purchase some bigger ones, in large tins from prima but it is all good. It is silly but it was actually quite mentally painful to use so many! I have to laugh at myself and remember that they are only paper. Grand total on flowers used 125 for each.

Day 13, I have loved these photos for years. I couldn't bring myself to scrapbook just one! Each one shows so much of her personality.

Day 14, My oldest daughter when she was 7 with her first set of glasses.

Day 15, Youngest daughter on her first trip to a local pumpkin patch. Most of her first year album is pastel colors.

Day 16, Second page to go along with above.

Day 17, One of my oldest daughter's. She learned to walk for M&M's!

Feeling Good

2010-10-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

I am feeling good about the pages I am getting done this month. They are making me so happy and I can feel myself getting lighter. One more thing done, one more story told. It is interesting how when I get one memory down on a scrapbook page that another one comes to mind.

Day 8, One page no photos. I love how this page turned out! A set of stickers I have had for a long time to go into my daughter's baby book. All the things that were going in the year she was born.

Day 9, Put everything you have learned onto a page. Simple story today.

Day 10, Bare bones layout-photos and journaling only. I had to put some kind of embellishment, just couldn't leave it.

Day 11, Choose a story to tell then think about the elements for your page. I love this memory.

Day 12, Choose product you love. Happy photos with paper that I LOVE! Little miss personality.

Love and Hate

2010-10-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

I always forget how busy this time of year is for us as a family. I definitely have a love, hate relationship with Marching Band Season. I LOVE watching what the kids have worked so hard for the last few months. I HATE that we have very little time as a family, one or more of us get sick, we are all cranky and the house is messier than usual. Only a couple of more weeks and then we can get back into a routine! Looking forward to that.

In the midst of this I'm trying to stay relaxed and not so uptight. So the Layout a Day Challenge has been perfect for me, even if I am getting to bed at 11pm on some nights. I know I should be working on my layout durning the day but sometimes I just get side tracked, which is easy to do. Here is four more days, enjoy!

Day 4, Close crop. I didn't want to crop to close but it was a good reminder of how much unwanted stuff you can take out of photos.

Day 5, Print photos in Black/White and color, then decide which one conveys emotion of the story you want to tell. I'm trying to use what prints I have already made up these days so a combination of B/W and color seemed just perfect.

Day 6, Use a film strip. I found a free film strip online somewhere, printed it out and there you go. I will fill the story in later on.

Day 7, Tell a story with no people in your photos. Mt. Rainer National Park....no problem not using people here or to many words.

materials: various Making Memories papers, various CTMH papers, Stamps; Dragonfly and Friends(retired) and Wishing Star, Other extras from my stash.

Stories to tell

2010-10-04T15:06:00.000-07:00

LOAD 10/10 is underway and we are all enjoying ourselves and scrapbooking our stories. This month I am hoping to do my best to post every few days. Life with Marching Band this month is crazy and I'm just trying to help keep my kids focused without becoming the bad mom.

Day 1, Once upon a time - one Mom making her teenage daughter feel special when the focus is on others around her.

Day 2, was to be about perspective on our lives but I made a choice to finish the second page that goes with yesterday. The perspective page deserves its own page with a little more thought. Now that I look at this layout again, it is about the perspective I see when I look at my youngest daughter.

Day 3, A photo without words. The start of this layout happened years ago when I thought I could make 6x6 layouts for my youngest daughter.....ya, doesn't work so well when you are a photoholic ;o) So it gets paired with other photos from the collection, making it into a larger layout.

Materials: Various papers from CTMH stash, Stamps; Dragonfly and Friends(retired), Various flower punches, EK continous circle punch(one of my favorites!), chipboard letters, Letter stickers from my stash, buttons, and ribbon

More bits of fall

2010-09-30T12:37:00.000-07:00

Last day of September? Our last couple of days here in Spokane have been in the upper 70's and upper 40's at night, it hasn't felt like fall at all. I have been sick with a sore throat and no voice so I've been laying low and staying quiet. It is HARD to not talk on the phone when your children call especially when it is a big part of your day. I did step outside for a little bit to enjoy a bit of sun, the colors are so beautiful this time of year.

Then I came in and baked Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread, the only thing I changed in the recipe on the breat was from a 1 1/2 cups oil to 1 1/4 cups it didn't seem to make much of a differance. Both you say? Yes, one is easy for the kids to grab and go, to the bus when they are running late. The other is good sliced thick and toasted. As of this morning one loaf is already gone with the second already cut into. It is like a potato chip, once you start eating it you can't seem to stop!

Tomorrow October LOAD is on my list of things to do. There is still time for you to sign up so come join us, we do have a lot of fun and learn things about ourselves along the way!

Looks of Fall

2010-09-28T18:21:00.000-07:00

The wind kicked up this afternoon and left these behind, pine needles.

They add a differant smell to the fall air when they get a little warm in the sun. I do wish fall could stay around a little bit longer. I'm not ready or am never ready to have things all closed up for the winter. Fall means; tea in the evenings, marching band practice twice a week for my children, pep band for football games and marching band competitions until the end of October. It all goes so fast, let's all just slow down long enough to enjoy the mild breeze and the smells of fall.

Friendship

2010-09-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

Two girls that are best friends, they are so much alike it is scary.

They are already making plans to go on a road trip after graduation, they want to be in each others weddings, to live somewhere around each other so there husbands can be friends too and they want to have babies around the same time so there kids will be friends. Big thoughts and Big dreams! I want it to work out for them both BUT right now we are just working on Homecoming.

We went shopping Sunday afternoon to a local thrift store for Homecoming dresses........spent $23.00 on 4! Yes, you read it correctly $23.00 for 4 dresses. Gotta LOVE 60% off sales!! Then each girl found one's that were a little more expensive at $15 and $20, grand total for 6.....$58.00 plus $10 for shoes. Not bad I say! These two even wear the same size dress and can share each of them.

Now deciding which dress will be worn first, hair style and all the other lovely stuff. They have both decided to take each other and have fun without the pressure of their first dates. My handsome husband wants to chaperon the dance so he can take them.....dang it.....need to find him something to wear!

simple

2010-09-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

Right now I am enjoying simple pleasures, things that make me feel warm and fuzzy.

*My brand new booty slippers! I've been without a pair for two years.

*Turned on the lights in my fire place. It pretty when there are candles in there too.

*Pears that I made into a lovely Pear crisp, with just the right amount of topping.

Scraps

2010-09-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

A little more sewing to add to the list of things done. I've wanted to finish these for a long time, they make me so happy. I LOVE these potholders! I made a few for my girls years ago and now finally have my own. They are nice and thick and you only have one seam all the way around, which it makes really easy for anyone to create. Darn it, I didn't put my coffee one in the picture. Table runners have to be the best things for scraps of fabric and using scraps makes me feel good instead of throwing them all away.

My other big project that I have started on is making jean rag quilts for each of my children. I have been saving my husband's jeans for years(with a few of the kids pairs thrown in) and it is time to start cutting them up. I do believe that it is going to be time consuming!! At least it is a start to getting one more box of stuff out of the garage ;o) Now, if I can just learn to use my scraps of paper like my scraps of fabric, it will all be good! Speaking of using scraps of paper it is almost time for the LOAD challenge! You can find out more information here. Hope you decide to join us, it is always alot of fun.

A bit of creating

2010-09-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

As I am learning to be alone, learning to enjoy the company of myself and the company of silence, I have been spending less on my scrapbooking and craft supplies by shopping in my garage. I realize that sounds funny and it is even funnier to say but it is happening. It all started this spring with Shimelle's class, Something for nothing. It started to feel good to start to get out of the habit of purchasing the next and best thing. I started to evaluate what works well for me in my space, the things I use most often and the things I don't use at all. As I am going through things my pile of I need to get rid of stuff is growing, it feels so good!

While shopping in my garage I am finding things I have wanted to do for me. These are just a few of the things I have been up to. In exactly two weeks it will be October 1 and time for a Layout a Day Challenge soooo keep a look out for what I'm doing.

A $1 frame from Michael's painted with Claudine Helmuth paints. Then I added some rubons and matching bling. I have got to have a cute frame for the gorgeous Grandbabies of mine!! Then a little painted birdhouse complete with crackle painted roof and buttons.

Then we have a quilt I am sorry to say it has taken me 23 years to finish. I started it for my daughter Nicole before she was even born, now that it is finished it will be given to her to give to my Granddaugher Sage.

More to come later on!

Listening

2010-09-15T19:49:00.000-07:00

I have so much I want to say but I can't seem to get it out so it all makes sense. So I am listening and learning again.

Don't miss it!

2010-09-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

I LOVE it when you have one of those days that you feel no one is really listening to you. This past Saturday was one of those days for me. The BIG thing for me was that morning I read this on the Brave Girls website. Melody was talking about being reminded that in our life we get to choose to bloom in the midst of the rocks. I thought it was interesting and I have been there many times in my life. Then God reaches down and says, "I see you. I am aware you are hurting. I am right here making sure you realize how much I love you".

That is what happened when I was out on our family hike and I didn't really want to go hiking where the rest of the family wanted to go. I really had the I don't want to be doing this but I will anyway attitude. Then I looked and I found these........flowers in the midst of all the rocks.

Then in the middle of the rocks where we were walking my son saw this one.........a heart. These two things really made me change my attitude. I realized I was being seen and it made the world a better place because I slowed down enough to REALLY see. That God took the time to single me out just when I needed it the most. So take some time in the coming weeks to slow down long enough and look around. You will be pleasantly surprised like I was in what you find or what He leaves for you.

The last weekend

2010-09-06T20:40:00.000-07:00

It has been a good 6 days not to mention a good weekend. Fall has arrived, the nights are cooler....time for another blanket on the bed , the days are perfect with light breezes and the only draw back is it is getting darker at night.......it makes you think you should be already in bed and it is only 8pm.

We took some time on Saturday and did some hiking around the river that runs straight through town. One of the wonders of this area is you have the woods within just a 15 minute drive. It really was the perfect day, one I will not soon forget.

A friend of mine this summer helped me to move my Clematis from the side of the garage to its new home in the rock garden. It was so emotionally hard to cut it so far back but I am happy to report that it is growning! I am looking forward to seeing it next spring.

What do you see?

2010-09-01T17:45:00.000-07:00

Beauty is all around us, most of the time we have to slow down long enough to enjoy it. This summer I am glad I was able to do that so I didn't miss this in my garden. What did you see this summer that you will never forget?

On my trip to Nebraska we had a chance to go to the zoo. One of my most favorite places was the butterfly garden, it was so peaceful. I enjoyed every little butterfly. I was really hoping one would land on me or my daughter Michaela but no such luck. When you first go in to the garden you step into this closed off little room with sliding doors on each side. They only take a few people at a time because the garden can get pretty crowded. You are told to watch for butterflies on the path so you don't step on them.

It was also intersting that there were bird baths filled with fruit and honey water. The butterflies love these. Then when you leave, again you are asked to step inside a little room. This time however it is full of mirrors so you can do a butterfly check.

A bit of beauty

2010-08-31T19:52:00.000-07:00

I am sitting her looking back over the summer, wishing I would have blogged more but then realizing my reasoning for not, I was living in the moment. I wanted to go with the flow of my days, giving myself permission to just be, enjoy my children because the time is coming all to quickly, that they will be on their own living their own lives.

Summer started out cool for Spokane and today marks the third morning of 48*. I believe fall is arriving and I am not ready to close up the house for winter. I want to enjoy a little more of my gardens before they go to sleep until spring. This past weekend we were able to finally get all the trimming done for fall. The first summer we were here trimming really didn't get done at all, last summer was fast maintenance because of the wedding. This year our bushes got the much needed attention they were due. It has been amazing to see how things just a transformed. My eyes were opened, to really see the secret garden I have always wanted. I am really looking forward to spring and to keeping it this way.

Before/After Hydrangea and Variegated Dogwood

We have had a few plants come back to life with a little bit of added loving. The Azalea that had so much snow dumped on it the first winter that the inside was pushed to the ground, bloomed this spring. The giant Hydrangea bloomed and a White Rose also rejoined the family. We've been able to identify three more bushes this year with the help of one of our local nursery's, Ritter's. We have two different kinds of Dogwood and a Mock Orange. I'm hoping they will all bloom well next year since we have now cleaned the dead wood out.

The beginning of our summer was spent getting the front garden into shape. I planted 3 Russian Sage and 2 Oriental Poppies. The Poppies were planted to late so they didn't bloom. I sure hope we won't loose all the new plants this winter.

Wonderful

2010-08-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

It took me over a week to get caught up from my vacation, which was a good thing because then my husband took two weeks off from work. What a nice treat to just slow down and really have nothing on the agenda. We managed to get 4 summer projects done and it feels so great to dream about what we will do next year.

Summer is coming to an end and that means there is less than a month until school starts. My youngest will be in High School! Excuse me......can things please slow down just a little bit. Next week is also the start of Marching Band Camp. Life will take on a busy spin with practices, football games and competitions not letting up until the end of October. It might be busy but I count myself privileged to be there for my children when they need me.

Our family has seen two new Grandbabies this year and they are both just so beautiful. Sage Pearl was born in February and the newest Maximus Walter was born in July. Both daughter's are doing wonderfully and we couldn't be more happy for them.(and also for us)

I have more to share about my vacation but that will have to wait for another day. Hopefully it won't take me so long to post next time. I leave you with a bit of summer. I'm not really much for yellow but these make me extremely happy!

vacation

2010-07-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

One more week and I will be home from my vacation. I have loved getting away but I am coming to the place where I want to be home. You know you want to be doing your own gardening when you find yourself talking on the phone outside the hotel(because you don't get reception in the hotel) and picking off the dead flowers off the flowers in pots.

Highlights for me have been spending time with two of my three girls, my youngest and oldest. Working with my new son in law and oldest daughter at the birth of my fifth Grandson. Being able to find a few scrapbook stores and spending time with family. I am however ready to NOT eat out! I have pictures to share but not until I get home.

Hurting children

2010-06-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

I've always had a heart for hurting children even when they are my own. I was visiting Jennifer McQuire's blog today, she happens to be one talented woman. She also has a heart for hurting children and runs card drives for children in need of encouragement. She told of a young girl named Grace that just lost her twin sister Ellie to cancer.

Cancer is such and ugly disease in any form. Would you do something special for me today? Would you visit Jennifer's blog, pick up her address and send a word of encouragement to a little girl who misses her sister more than anything? I would appreciate it and so will Grace.

A bit weird

2010-06-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

I just love weekends, especially when I get a chance to be up before everyone else. The house is so quiet, it starts it out right for me. Next school year I need to remember this, maybe I'll make a habit of it. This weekend also marks a start to a very differant summer for this family. We are all doing differant things for the next couple of weeks. My son is traveling to CA to spend time with his Uncle, my youngest and I will be traveling with my Step Mom to NE and my husband has graciously agreed to stay home to watch the animals and work. His vacation time is already set for later in July. It is just a bit weird to realize we won't be together. I will use this time with my youngest daughter to just do as much relaxing as possible and try not to miss my boys to much.

The last week we have been in full get ready mode. Last minute chores to do, suitcases to dust off, trying to figure out what to pack and we have also been creating. Silly as it might be, when I go on a trip I like to have a couple of new things a purse/tote bag, a pair of fuzzy socks and a couple of new clothing items. My youngest has been wanting to learn how to sew and it was the plan to do that this summer. So we have taken the week to make that a reality and kill two birs with one stone, we made tote bags and I made a new purse. The pattern for the tote bag was a challenge for a beginner like my daughter but she did well. I am very proud of her! You can find the pattern for the Amy Butler Birdie Sling tote bag here and the Bow Tucks Tote/Purse by Quilts illustrated here.

So here is to the start of a wonderful summer!

On it's way?

2010-06-18T09:50:00.000-07:00

It is the last day of school, if you can really call it a day. Seriously, do they really need to go to school for a total of three hours? It has been over a week that I have had a hard time getting my children out of bed, there is NO motivation what so ever. We are all excited about our plans for the summer, which I HOPE all work and no one is disappointed. I am however really wondering if the summer weather will ever get here? We are 10 to 15 degrees lower than we should be for this time of the year. I know it is better than having 100 degree weather at least for me but I REALLY need the rain to stop doing it's thing everyday.

The last few months for me have been a jump start to getting things done, mainly scrapbooking projects. I have discovered again through LOAD a few things. I LOVE this hobby of mine and I believe I am over the guilt of every being caught up, it is pretty freeing. I have learned about my style, what colors I use the most and what I love to do on my pages. I have learned I am not a digital scrapbooker because I have this love affair with paper and pretty things. I just LOVE it to much! I know there are pretty things for the digital scrapbooker but reality is I am a hands on woman. I have also been able to start to pin point the things I have purchased and just don't use. Again pretty freeing to say it is okay to not use that and turn around, selling it to someone who will. In my case it puts money in my pocket, so I can take a couple of online classes learning more about product that I own but haven't really used. Like this class with Claudine Hellmuth and if you want to see a preview of what she has in store you can go to her blog. With the help of LOAD in February and Shimelle's class I started on a road to spending less on scrapbooking supplies and actually using what I have. Again freeing, especially walking into a store and looking around and saying........ya know, nothing really jumps out at me on a got to have list.

I shared my layouts in February here on my blog from LOAD but have decided to just post a link to my flickr gallery for the May LOAD. I also completed my two oldest daughter's wedding albums, that you can see here and here, if you so desire. For my own fun purpose I am keeping track of how many layouts I do this year and how many photos I will end being used. Through the end of May, I have made 132 layouts and have used 512 photos. When I started scrapbooking years ago it was with Creative Memories and I cut my photos into weird shapes. I have also made a promise to myself that I will use those photos even if they are cut into weird shapes. So if you see those weird shapes in some of my layouts you will know why. Enjoy looking!! Come back and let me know what you think.

Finally!

2010-06-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

After weeks of rain here and cool temperatures, I tell you what I am ready for the warmer days! It is so hard to get caught up on the weeding with the rain. Finally got out there today, there were some that were over waist high. Now if I can only get the dog to stop digging a cool spot from under my curly fig tree(that doesn't bare figs) I will be a happy camper.

I made it to my local nursery yesterday for some flowers. Oh, how I love flowers and color!! I decided this year to go pretty low key as we have some trips planned. Plants in pots placed in just the right places so the sprinklers will hit them. I really don't know how I did without underground sprinklers for years. I love that I don't even need to worry or think about it anymore. One of the things that made me totally happy this year was our monster Hydrangea bloomed. It is so beautiful and I can't wait to figure out how to make it change color. I promise I will post flower photos as soon as I can. My video card died this week so as we wait for a replacement the computer isn't happy with the slower built in card OR maybe it is me that is impatient.

Slowing Down

2010-06-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

I tell you what, it is always the best of intentions. You start each day with a list of things to do, then somewhere down the line you find that your day takes a turn. It isn't the way it was suppose to be. That pretty much sums up my life the last few weeks and months. For the most part I feel like I am on a rollercoaster just hanging on for dear life, just hoping the next corner doesn't make me fall off.

So I think this week started out to be busy but has turned into a lesson of relearning to slow down. Living in the moment, finding joy that has been misplaced and just being thankful for what I do have. I am trying to not look at the fact that yesterday durning my errands my key phob decided to not lock my car, making it easy for someone to steal my hands free bluetooth device. I don't understand why people feel the need to take things that don't belong to them. I am also trying to not look at the sad fact that my computer has decided to be sick. Instead I'm trying to see the silver lining......Maybe someone needed the bluetooth worse than me. I can always buy another one. I am thankful I had enough time to backup my photos to cd last night before my computer decided to really be sick. I should have done it a long time ago. I am thankful I have my hubby's laptop to even be able to post today and wondeful people in my life that are trying to help my sick computer.

Time marches on

2010-05-25T14:43:00.000-07:00

I have felt like a deadbeat blogger but then I have to remember the reason I started this blog. I did it for me, a place where I felt I could share just about anything, while still keeping some stuff private. Sometimes it is okay to take a break from something that means a lot to you, for me this time it has been blogging. I wanted to wait until I felt the need to start again not because my faithful few want to hear from me. To me there is no life to what you say, inless you wait for the right time, timing is everything and waiting well it is hard. The waiting does pay off so if you are struggling with something, looking for answers, sit back breathe and take it all in. Wait, just wait because your time will come. Whether we want it to or not time marches on, we all get older, we face losses of differant kinds but my friends in the long run after some waiting it gets better. Really it does.

What define's you?

2010-04-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of ways you can answer this question. For me today it is about this challenge with Stacy Julian, What's in your purse. I took this photo a few days ago and surprisingly this was a clean purse. I usually have so many receipts hanging out of my purse that all I can do is shove them back in.

On this day for me it meant I got a few errands done! I returned some scrapbook paper to Michael's(gasp!) receiving a card to use later, which makes me happy. A couple of gift cards purchased, a stop for coffee for me.....so needed that, cell phone bill paid, a stop at Old World Market for some on sale Guacachips, which is weird because I don't like Guacamole but I love these, didn't get more the orange ribbon purchased but that happened on Monday. All the rest of the things are normal for my purse, calendar, small spiral notebook, checkbook, beaded coin purse, leather purse, blue pocketbook, J purse and surprise only ONE pen! All my little purses hold things that are important. I do try to keep somewhat organized.

2010-04-16T08:07:00.000-07:00

Changing

Spring is here, it is getting warmer and I am feeling the itch for new things. Funny for someone who doesn't really enjoy change all that much. I guess I'm getting older....gasp......and realizing that some change is good. You can change how you learn and while it can be scary, it ends up being all good. Like this blog, it has been 3 years since I started it. I didn't feel like I had much to say but over time my voice has changed. It is getting easier to write and share eventhough I am not consistant. I am however trying, thanks for sticking with me.

I am learning things to do with blogs from the class Bling Out Your Blog 3.0 which you can take at Little Light Studio. I took Bling Out Your Blog 2.0 last spring but honestly didn't get very far, before I got frustrated. I really am learning a lot and I am pretty proud of myself. I'll be adding things I'm sure the next few weeks so be sure you check back.

2010-04-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

Using what you have

I've so enjoyed Shimelle's class, Something from almost nothing. It has helped everyone in class to dig into thier stash of scrapbooking supplies. We were encouraged to do a Celebrate Life album which I do have plans to do. I just have been focused on getting the wedding album done but was able to use a couple of the prompts on my pages.

Prompt 7, Flowers......I am in love with how these pages turned out. I had some cream colored Prima flowers that I dyed using Distress ink in Orange Marmalade with a mini mister. Then I went back over them with Tea Dyed Distress ink to tone the color down a bit. Combinding both layouts I used 26 flowers and 55 clear blings.

Prompt 8, Buttons........I haven't used buttons in so long. It was so fun to use a few from stash. I didn't use many but it is a start. Here in Spokane, WA we have a wild life perserve for wild cats. It is pretty amazing.