Holly's Trip and A Prize

Wow, it's been another beautiful Sunday....Church was amazing...and I have just gotten back from having lunch with Gary, Rebecca and Holly....Holly is going on an adventure tomorrow to Arizona for a work conference with lots of exciting classes....she's a crafty girl too....loves, loves, loves every thing about jewelry...wearing jewelry, making jewelry and teaching others how to make it....I should have had an inkling that this would be the direction she would be heading, since she has always been a "Jewel" of a child to raise...and she always sparkles and shines...a beautiful Jewel from God...she will be gone for about nine days....please keep her in your prayers for a safe passage to and from and for peace and security as she ventures out....Thank you for your prayers....God is good all the time and all the time God is good....

Now, guess what ???

I was going thru emails this afternoon and found out something Amazing....I have won a blog candy prize and it will be announced Monday...so I don't think I can tell you yet....but I think I can after she posts it on her blog....wow, wow, wow....I have never won any blog candy before...this is very exciting....I will keep you posted....

I hope you have a beautiful and peaceful Sunday afternoon....
Blessings
Sherry

Jr.High Basketball last Away game...

We just got back from Lake Jackson and had a great time at the basketball games with Rebecca's team and the Jr. High boys team....these kids have really developed their game this season... it was great watching them come up against the tallest girls they have ever played...and they did not faint.... Rebecca is tall herself...one of the girls on the other team Rebecca nicknamed "The Great Wall Of China"...this girl was tall and strong and could play this game and play it well....it was hilarious watching our girls try to jump high enough to try and block her....and play defense on her... and try to shoot with her on them... and not to mention our girls trying to get up on her and take the ball away....they were like gnats trying to bother a bear...but the bear took no notice of them, and when they did try to take her down... they pinged off of her , like the bear had some sort of gnat repellent on....up and down the court they went....legs pumping, pony-tails flying in the wind...and the showdown at the net was...well, it was not hoop dreams...it was more like "Shoot, Shoot...." and our girls are like..."I can't, there's a tree (insert very tall and clever girl) in my way...."....dribble, dribble, dribble....skuffle, skuffle, shove, poke, smack, shoot, shoot, shoot....and then they are running down the court...with each little "hoop encounter" the pony-tails are becoming more miss-aligned and askew....sweat is beading down their beautiful faces....some of them are looking like "Bob, the Tomatoe..."....and still the game goes on....skuffle, skuffle, shove, poke, smacK....slap, squeak, skid....thud....some of them have literally "Hit The Wall"....they get knocked down...and they get up...no, they don't cry...they get mad and they want to win at all costs....so when the dust settles....and my child comes to me...and sits down on the bleachers....I notice another swollen...green, yellow and purplish color on her knee...I reach out to comfort her and she Yells:  "Don't touch me there, I'm fine... just don't touch me there...O...K....".....My child is a sports kid....I never know what she will find in the morning when she wakes up....there have been mornings that she has awoken with aches and pains and bruising....as she says..."Where did that come from...."go figure...I wonder how many of our girls are going to wake up tomorrow and say...."Where did that come from".....

Now on to the Jr. High boys game...it was an awesomely close game....feet pounding, pulses racing...hearts thumping....sweat pouring....wow...I felt like I was on the court....it's an amazing transformation that takes place in gangly jr. high boys when they step on the court to "PLAY" (and I use this term loosely)....they seem to add a whole new dimension to the game...I saw soccer plays, football tackles, track hurdles, baseball throw-downs to second base....seriously, the basketball was thrown down court from the hoop and went completely out of bounds, several times... and if all else fails just body slam-um....these boys know the pain of hitting the floor hard...then...jumping smack dab in the middle of a free for all for the ball...they don't seem to understand the boundaries of their physical bodies....it's like watching a dog play fetch....they don't get tired....they don't stay down, writhing in pain... no, they get knocked down and they jump back up... they get slammed into walls. and they laugh...they repel off of each other in massive waves from the aftermath of multiple collisions...they have no fear....all they know is "Get The Ball"...and "Get Out Of My Way"....FIERCE....I tell ya......they are FIERCE....

it's a shame to see the season end.... our girls and  guys are just getting warmed up...

You've got to love a kid that can take a lickin and keep on ticking...you should see all their little determined faces...I can almost hear what they are thinking..."You think you got game...we'll see....Bring It"....

The last game of the season is next Tuesday....I'll be there....and I'll keep you posted....

My first card to enter in a blog challenge

Today, has been beautiful...a cool, breezy, sunshiny kind of early spring day.....I know....I know....we are supposed to be in winter mode....Well, I live in Texas... and the weather changes about as often as the clock chimes...

I have been in jeans and a light sweater today....I am happy to inform you that I seem to be energized just by the appearance of my old friend Mr. Sun....well, Hello sunshine....sit down and stay awhile....I have not been tired at all today....and the only change is....the sun came out.....God help me if I have to move somewhere with no sun for long periods of time.....I think it would be quite rough to say the least...and I might turn into Rip Van Winkle.....

Guess What ???


I have finally decided to enter my first card EVER in a Blog Challenge....and I like the way it turned out...the only requirement was to use the scripture presented on the blog "Word Art Wednesday" or another scripture or up-lifting quote with your ART....Well, I figure if it's got the word in it, my time won't be wasted....so I dove right in and came up with this card....I'm just not sure which picture to submit...and how to link it to my project page....since I blog....here....and I don't have any other pages....I think this is the correct page...at least....I hope so....we shall see....this is like going on an adventure and you just don't know what's going to happen around the corner....but you keep going....just to see what happens next....What do you think of the card...and which picture shows it off the best....to submit....

The link to the challenge is:  http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html
This is part of the Word Art Wednesday Challenge they do each week....this is fun and I hope some of you can join in on the fun....there is a prize....but, I have no idea what it is....if I find out I will let you know....

Here in photo #1- I took a straight shot of it laying flat on the black background.....

On photo #2 - I took the shot with the card standing up and tried to get as much light as possible on it....to show the depth of the colors and the degree of layering....

On this photo #3 - I angled the card slightly...and I love the way the light is cast on the card...I think this is the best photo to submit....but,  I'm not positive....

On photo  # 4 -  I tried to get a side angle so that you could see the dimension on the flowers, leaf, bling, and layers of paper and ribbon...I am  not sure which picture is best to submit....what do you think....


Oh, I forgot to tell you how I made the card....first I used black cardstock for the base it measured 8 x 5 and a half wen it was folded, I used my scoreboard...next I layered some gold vellum slightly smaller than the base that I used a Martha Stewart punch on the edge and glued it to the black cardstock...then I used a piece of red designer paper from DCWV Mariposa pack cut it down to 8 x 4 and a half and I also edged it with the same Martha Stewart punch (it is not marked...so I do not know the name, they should label these so people can buy them, when somebody does something cool with them that you just NEED to DO to....but you don't know the name of their punch....)...I then inked the edges with Tim Holtz -Vintage Photo Distress Ink (I love this stuff, I can do soooo many amazing things with it...and it looks like I am amazing...but really its just the ink doing it's own inky thing)....I then raided my ribbon stash...don't ask me what kind....all I know is it's soft, transparent, organza like and silky on the paper and slippery in my fingers....and I have it in several colors...perfect for cards and bows...but I did not put a bow...I tried but it looked tacky....I tucked the ends of the ribbon behind the designer red paper and glued it down...I love the gold peeking out from under the red...it thrills me....and then I used some of my stash that I had made out of black cardstock with my new Cricut cartridge called "Art Philosophy" from Close to my Heart (it's an exclusive of theirs, and it really is....AMAZING....this is me singing....:)....)...I used two different sizes of something frilly...if you really want to know, leave a comment and I will go look it up....I then took my sentiment and ran it thru my cuttlebug on white cardstock and used a spellbinders Labels Eight (the fourth one if you are counting smallest to largest, since there are six in this set)...I then inked it to look like suede or leather...with...what else...Tim Holtz - Vintage Photo Distress Ink...I told you I can do amazing things with this stuff....and then I popped it up with some foam dimensionals...and laid it on top of the black frilly circle things...and then I grabbed my stash of paper Roses...yes, I have a stash....I made these while I was at the softball fields on weekend with Rebecca and Gary....yes, I did....frankly, Honey...I can scrapbook anywhere...and then I grabbed a silk leaf and used my Red tape...you know the good stuff and stuck the roses and leaf in place...trust me...they are on lock down now....and finally I had to add a little bling....because....because....it's my card....and I wanted it on there....so I DID IT MYYYYYYYY WAY....Oh wow, excuse my loud letters they are just way to excited about this card....if you have any questions about this card that I did not answer, leave a comment and I will get back to ya....






Enjoy what's left of this beautiful day....


Blessings
Sherry

A sleepy day ponderings

Hello....today has been a little strange...we are supposed to be in winter mode right....well, we are in gray skys, misty, sometimes a few sprinkles of rain and temps in the upper sixties, it's been like this for days ....I think it feels weird...I can't seem to tell my days from my nights when the weather stays like this...for example I did not want to get out of bed this morning....and I stayed in bed a whole eleven minutes after my alarm went off....this is not normal for me...I usually wake up a little before my alarm actually goes off or if I sleep till it goes off I then easily get up...because I have things to do, I have everything timed out, I have a routine and if I deviate from it on school mornings things can get a little sticky, so I try to keep it moving....get up, get dressed, get breakfast for three, make Rebecca's lunch for school, feed the dog, let the dog out, let the dog in, unlock the shop, make sure Rebecca is up and getting ready, she usually is...but this morning we were both dragging...I told you it was a weird kind of day...I drove her to school in a haze....it was not foggy outside...it seemed to be foggy inside of my head....and then I went to Walmart to pick up a few things for us and Mammaw, she needs socks and black knee highs...when I got home this morning I started the laundry, made the beds, did the dishes, emptied the trash, put up the groceries....all the while, feeling tired.....which is strange for me, I am a morning person and have the most energy at the start of my day, but apparently, not today....I decided to sit down and rest while I removed the packaging and stickers and plastic brad things that hold socks together these days and write Mammaw's name in her white socks and unwrap her black knee highs and put them in pairs....well, I discovered that in one of the packages of knee highs they only had three knee highs and it was a two pair pack, so there should have been four altogether....but they short changed me....I have decided not to mention this to Mammaw....because....I don't have I have the energy to go into a lengthy discussion of the value of a dollar...(this two pair pack of knee highs cost $1.24, where they came up with that number I will never know)....If I tell her about this she will tell me I should take them back and don't let them short change me....and they need to know that the package said two pair, and it only had one and a half pair...and I should not have to pay for two pair when they only gave me one and a half pair....etc.....etc.....I can almost quote you ver-ba-tum what she will say....:0....so please, let's just keep this to ourselves and she will never know....I see no need to stress her out over one little missing knee high...I got a phone call from her the other day while I was at the scrapbook expo she left me a message, she said ".I need for you to pick me up some plain ol chapstick, nothing expensives....no scented kinds or expensive brands like carmex....no it needed to be plain"...so, I got her plain....I will take it to her tommorrow if the weather does not turn bad...her clothes should be dry by then I hope...

In the meantime I took mom in to check her access and get an ultra sound done to see if she needed surgery to get it unclotted, her dialisis nurses thought it may be clotting off...apparently the term..."The thrill is gone"... does not mean what it used to mean...:)....but her "Thrill" in her arm fistula is still strong....and she does not need surgery yet....Praise God for little blessings like this...it makes my day.....

Rebecca had a basketball game this afternoon... we went.... they played well.... we came home.... ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.... she did her homework and studied for her tests.... then Gary and Rebecca loaded up and went to softball practice...did I mention it's drizzling outside now...so here I sit on the couch.... I'm still tired.and my eyes feel very fuzzy....I fell asleep at lunch.....and I'm still tired....it's not even 8:30pm and it feels like midnight....it's weird...I will be glad when the weather clears up....

If I wasn't soo tired I would go and work on my Starbucks mini album....but apparently, I need a blankie and some warm milk or cocoa....I can't go to bed yet...Gary and Rebecca aren't home yet, and I have to tell them goodnight....but if I'm asleep on the couch when they finally show up....that counts right...I stayed up....I didn't go to bed....that counts right...

goodnight and may the Lord bless you with a peaceful nights sleep
Sherry

Christy Faught's Starbuck Sleeve Mini

Hello there, 

I wanted to share with you the Starbucks coffee sleeve mini album that my friend Christy Faught made and brought to the crop Saturday to show me....Well, let me tell you, it wowed me with the sheer genius of this idea....great way to recycle and be productive...Christy was just watching some you tube videos...don't you just love you tube...I do....so many great ideas to share....well, anyway....she saw it, and then did her take on it....she told herself "I am not spending anything on this, I'm going to use what I have from my stash".....apparently she has a well stocked stash....because this little mini is just adorable and so versatile....it could be.....a brag book....a journaling book....a quote book...a scripture memorization book...etc....you are only limited by your own imagination....

What you will need to make this book: six starbucks coffee sleeves for the pages, 3 sleeves for the tags, and another  1 or 2 for the feet (the little squares that you attach the rings with) basically a total of ten to eleven sleeves, two one inch metal rings, a hole punch, a simple stapler and staples....then raid your stash for scraps and start getting your scrap on....it's time you got inky....and made a play date with your inner child....

Basic construction:  squish six sleeves flat, these are your pages with pockets (clever  huh)...then take three sleeves and  cut in half on the sides to slip into the pocket...trim the ends till they easily slide into the pockets....measure out a one inch by one and one eighth inch square cut out twelve of these little squares from the remaining sleeves and insert one eighth inch into bottom of sleeve ( the smaller end is the bottom)...place the little foot about one fourth of an inch from the side of the sleeve (see photo above)...staple foot and both sides of sleeve....you have now formed your pocket without any extra glue or tape or supplies and your tag will not fall out....(I repeat....clever huh)....

Here is the finished book that Christy Faught made and brought to the crop...it is just awesome...the ribbons and the fibers on the rings are perfectly suited for the papers and embellishments she used...I did not take a picture of each tag...I probably should have...but with the pictures listed below you can get the idea of how she laid out her book...

This page has a small pocket on it, in addition to the pocket in the page itself....there are really no measurements needed for this project to speak of just lay out your sleeve on the papers of your choice...cut out and glue....or glue and cut out....she used a glue stick (again, clever huh)....then embellish as you see fit...it's practically fool proof...and I have a feeling this little mini is going to be addictive....

Another page to admire...Oh, the possibilities....I don't think you will use much more than the equivalent of two twelve by twelve papers,  small amount of ribbon, glue stick and embellies....

This page reminds me of the guitar hero game....I think this is a chipboard piece...she stamped, and used rub-ons, and stickers and bling, and metal pieces...

I love this...believe in yourself....it speaks to me....

Small topnote page is opened to show detail and space....

This is one of my favorite quotes that I use all the time....this is one of the reasons why I  fell in love with this little mini....

This little folder that says inspire everyone around you opens up for extra journaling or pictures...the colors in these papers are from different paper packs...she co-ordinated them perfectly...see the tiny chain and dog tags those are stickers over the thin bands of ribbon, and the tiny pinwheel sewn in the center of the inked vellum....

This page has the little folder opened....

great little journaling page...the little envelope to the right has a tiny tag inside...I see some twine and  vellum.....lots of inking and layering....

These tags have been glued down to the page....I think the tags are chipboard, covered and then army stickers and popped out with pop dots....the cotton little fiber thread is hand stitched in place....

Can you see the possibilities....Dare to Dream.....

This is another page...

This is the the back of the book...I love this quote as well..."Every noble work is at first impossible" byThomas ???
I have started my own book at the crop but I do not have enough sleeves to make the tags...so I improvised and am using lightweight chipboard....it will be great....I am using up some of my scraps as well....when I finish mine I will post as well....I hope you have enjoyed this and are thinking of all sorts of possibilities for using these little mini's....please post a comment on what you think of this....I would love to hear from you...




Blessings
Sherry

New winter lay-outs

Hello There....well I actually was able to get these photo's to upload...I still seem to be having a problem with seeing comments people are posting....so if you are able to see this, please leave a comment and let me hear from you....thanks this would be helpful to me...

Here are the two lay-outs I did at the Close to my heart crop about two weeks ago with Gina Ploss at the fire house in Texas City....bear with me I am having a little issue with uploading my photos....but at least it's something to work with....I hope you enjoy these...

These papers were beautiful, I tried to capture different effects with the light to try and show all the shimmer and blingy effects....the blue and white combo really popped with the brown...

I love the shimmer effect of the snowflake border over the brown strip, and the snowflakes are just amazing with the little extra bling of rhinestones placed in the center...

 


Can you see the larger blingy brads placed in the center of the
largest snowflakes...it's much more effective than this picture (which seems blurred) is showing you.......................................

 The blingy effects of the rhinestones, mixed with the shimmer
of the snowflakes and brads is very pleasing and I can't wait to
find the right photos to put in this....

The photo to the right is the other lay-out...I have more photo's of this to show you the details, but apparently, they are MIA (missing in action) somewhere in my computer....and probably giggling to themselves that I can't find them...you can run.....and hide for now.....but....I'll get you my pretty....

There is a beautiful ribbon with a metal slider buckle and adds a wonderful dimension to this page, that is subtle and endearing to me....the light green icicle border near the bottom is a peel and stick layer....that has not stuck well, and I think I will pop it out with some pop dots to give this page more dimension....


I have decided that I like the bling...and I am going to start using more sparklies on my pages....the way this page shimmers in quiet beauty thrills my little soul with wonder and delight...it makes me smile and I hope this has given you some ideas to...

Don't be afraid of the bling....it's a good thing....soooo....BLING IT ON !!!

Sunday Scrapbook Musings

This has been a beautiful full day...went to church and had a great time and was surprised to see Holly and Sarah there this morning...they were both adorable, they had been there since 9:00am for Pastor Kevin's class and then stayed for the sunday service which was led by Pastor Kevin as well today...we then went out to lunch with them to La Brisa which is a great mexican restaurant...and the fajitas were amazing, as usual...and the company was extra special...it was fun and energizing this morning...

Well, now I find myself on the couch with Gracie...she doesn't talk much, mostly sleeps and kicks me for the covers ... Gary and Rebecca are off at softball practice this afternoon...it looked like rain this morning and I casually mentioned to Gary that they may not have softball practice today...he didn't respond....but...as we were going into church Gary told Rebecca that I THREATENED them that they may not be going to practice... apparently I was acting like a bully and yielding a loaded mouth when I casually mentioned that it looked like rain...    

I find myself in need of recovering from staying up till the wee morning hours scrapping with some friends at the rubber stamp and scrapbook expo...I had such a good time, strolling around and looking at all the beautiful cards and layouts on display....and the make in takes were fun to...I think I'm going to use one of the tags for part of my daughters birthday card this year...because it just reminds me of Holly....and the little flip fold pocket card I am going to tuck into my other daughters mini scrapbook I made her for Christmas...I loved watching all the demonstrations from all the artists in the booths...and I am going to try my hand at making some more flowers and there is a technique flower class in Feb. that is close that I am going to try my hand at....but for now I think I need a nap...the words are getting a little blurring and my eyelids are very heavy...

I did manage to snag a few really cool die cuts from Spellbinders...and three different stamp sets from Penny Black (I love these images)...and my friend Christy made a wonderful little mini book out of starbucks coffee sleeves....and then she gave me some of her sleeves and I have started on my first starbucks sleeve album....

May the Lord bless your day as you meander thru this most beautiful peaceful sunday afternoon.

An Unclouded Day

Oh the joy of an unclouded day...for me unclouded is not having to be at a doctor's office, hospital, ER, surgery, or nursing home...lately....which I will find myself again Monday with my mom...BUT... today is a  beautiful unclouded "all about ME kind of day"....it's good to have days like this...it brightens my spirit and I get a little giddy and giggly....I'm going to go pick up a friend and we are going to an ALL DAY stamp and scrapbooking Expo that starts at 10:00am and goes to 5:00pm and at the same time in a different room is an all day scrap from 10:00am till MIDNIGHT...which I have already pre-paid...I can't promise I can last till MIDNIGHT...because my inner workings of a bedtime clock start sounding the alarm around 10:00pm...but I'm going to try to push thru and force myself...(seriously giggling as I write this, I told you I get a little giddy on my unclouded days)....Oh, can you tell I'm a little excited...I packed my bags last night and wheeled them into the kitchen, so that they would be closer to the door...(yes, I have several bags in which I carry my stuff....to get my scrapbooking MOJO working)...I will post some pictures later I hope...my time is seriously slipping away and I need to be out the door by 9:00am....I hope you have an unclouded day....God is good all the time...and all the time God is good....Life is good...enjoy your journey....take joy in the little things...they will carry you in the big things that come...

Well, I have to go it's time to go get my SCRAP on....Oh the joy of an unclouded day....:)

Hugs for Mammaw

I have come to realize over the last few years that grandma's are just Antique little girls...full of laughter and tears...and Patience is a Virtue...means more than I can truly comprehend some days...Love Covers and Warms better than any blanket ever could....

It's the little things that truly matter....A gentle touch....A kind word....A listening ear....these are worth more than Silver or Gold....these have the power to lighten the load bearing down on another....these are the lights that send darkness and despair away....

Our days are numbered...and we are not guaranteed any....So, while I'm here...I will not waste any....I hope I can carry this light to the others who may not be thankful....because of their troubles....but I want to remind you while I am able.....Be kind and Be gentle....we all sit at the Lord's table....

Life is a school...full of lessons to learn...some of us pass easily thru each test....some of us have trouble recognizing we are taking a test....some of us fail in the test and think we will never get past it....

Challenges come as each day in the school of life progresses...and we must not fear...we must persevere and go on to the next test....we all have a purpose...so I remind you while I am able...Be kind and Be gentle...we all sit at the Lord's table....

Always Remember:

You are Precious...
You are Loved...
You are needed...

Life is the journey of the choices You make....choose to be kind....choose to be gentle...and Go Light Your World as You are able...

Love and Blessings
Sherry

Zumba or Not

I went scrap-booking friday night and stayed out till midnight (my normal routine is bed by ten) and made these two layouts...which I actually like really well....then Saturday we signed Rebecca up for the new spring softball season....came home and vegged out on the couch looking at you tube and ustream scrapping videos....apparently I was still tired from the late-night scrap....on Sunday we went to church which was awesome and then came home and played with my cricut...I have been wanting to try out some new cartridges and let's just say wow, my cards are so gonna rock this year....I am going to go to the Pasadena Rubber Stamp and Scrap Book Expo...and crop...this Saturday....very, very, excited about it, as I've never been before....Oh, happy day....

So, now here I sit as my morning is progressing and turning into a very full day already....Creaking a little....I am in full laundry mode today...Rebecca is off from school today...so my schedule is a little off...I will head out to pick up some groceries and gas....maybe head over and swap out Marie's clothes (she's my mother in law, is 86, legally blind, and lives in a nursing home..I do her laundry and errands once a week) and finally deliver my last two christmas presents....that I keep sweeping around....

I finally opened my Wii Zumba fitness video I got as a christmas present (and YES I did ask for it)  and tried it....I thought I was getting really out of shape again...and apparently this confirmed it...I started with the slowest level and it seems to be at least four tempo beats faster than my body is willing to move...picture the instructor as the energizer bunny in slow motion...and the turtle (that's me) still can't keep up....yea, that was me...but I persevered, how could I not with the instructor cheering me on "that's it, you got this, wow, your'e doing great, you rock"...oh, yea, definitely got my "I CAN DO THIS"mojo going.... and I do feel a little more limber now....wow, maybe I will be up to the beginner speed in a few months...I'll let you know...

I have to go the troops are getting restless, and aparently I should have had lunch ready by now...who knew....have a great day....


I am making a junk journal of my year and it will be fun to fill it with things I have done and extra stuff as I journey thru this year....

End of Holiday Season

Hello There,

I seem to be at the end of my holidays...last day before the "normal routine" starts...it's been a nice holiday break...I have managed to keep most of my peace this season...went to church yesterday and it was amazing and then went out to Olive Garden with Gary and Rebecca...really good....then went to HEB and got the grocery shopping done....

I have all of my inside decorations taken down, except my tree...it still stands with its lights on....I will probably take it down tomorrow when I take down the outside lights and garlands....it feels rather Grinchy inside now...it is amazing how all the little sparkly things make the house feel more crowded but yet quite cozy and inviting at the same time....Oh well, next year I will bring out the sparklys once again...I do love the holidays...

Gary has come thru his foot surgery very well, and is recovering at record speed I think....Rebecca has been holed up in her room for quite a few days this week...she only comes out for food and water...I think she's part Hermit...sometimes...just like her mom and dad....down time is soooo sweeeet and very, very necessary and healing for the soul....don't you think....

I have managed to clear out my scrapbooking room of all the Christmas debri that was left behind (boxes, ribbons, wrapping paper, etc.) it has all been put away...I have everything put away and I can see the floor and it's clean and I can easily get to my desk....Oh the JOY of an uncluttered room...and now... I only have to clean off my desk...which should only take me half a day or so, we shall see...

I've been watching alot of you tube video's on mini books and interactive pages....I am sooo ready to do some serious scrappin...I gave Rebecca her mini I've been working on for Christmas...it's really not finished...but I felt bad about making her wait longer...so I will sneak it out of her room when she is in school and continue to add to it....I don't think I really ever get done with my mini's...I have to make myself quit....they are just sooo adictive and satisfying to work on....I do love to open up a new package of paper, glue, and sparkles...it just makes my heart sing....

I hope you are having a wonderful start to your year....

I will be posting some pic's of Rebecca's mini soon...it's amazing....and she picked the papers....

Christmas Season

Hello, it's been a wonderful holiday season, I just finished delivering to my friend Esmer some pumpkin bread and banana bread with the Christmas cards I made for the homeless veterans shelter she works at...I hope they enjoy them....this is my first year to do this and it has been one of my favorite things to do this season.  My tree is up, we bought it the day after Thanksgiving and it has hardly lost any needles, most of my presents are wrapped...except all the ones on the table still in bags...well, I will get to them eventually...Gary took us to see Imagine Christmas in Galveston it was amazing...basically it's a live theatre performance of the birth of Christ from the angels perspective...lots of singing, live music, and aerial acrobatics...you are seated at candle lit tables, which are decked out in all the holiday styles complete with linen napkins, the dinner is a buffet and starts about an hour and a half before the show starts....salads, sides, vegetables, meats, breads, and desserts, basically, the food was perfect... after dinner the show starts as you are finishing up dessert...they have the scriptures on the large screens projected for all to see as the story unfolds....the room it is performed in is some sort of ball room, carpet is plush...beautiful chandelier type lights are over your head, I think its something used like for a very fancy wedding reception...very grand in appearance...it is one of my most treasured holiday memories...then we strolled thru the Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens...they have the area that you stroll thru completely covered in lights and displays...I think its about a mile or so that you stroll along the path, right next to the water in Galveston...as you approach the lights they have audio sound effects to go along with the lights....as we were entering Bethlehem the audio starts talking about Joseph and Mary having to go to Bethlehem to pay their taxes...as you pass the animals they start making all kinds of noises it feels like the jungle...as you pass the train the conductors voice from Polar Express starts asking for your tickets...etc...etc...it was a perfect holiday night with the family.  We did the Christmas train at Victory Camp in Alvin and ate at Big Als Pizza before the train ride....it was fun visiting with family and friends...we got there at 6:30pm and stayed till they shut the place down after 10:00 pm...We went to the League City Christmas parade and then went to the Holiday in the Park Festival following the parade and ate some great BBQ and looked at the booths...I had a really cool cupcake there too, I just can't remember the kind, but it was good...it's been raining thru out the night at my house and everything looks very soggy outside...it just makes being inside at home so warm and cozy...and relaxed...I tried to find my great niece a special present...the crayon color maker that they have been advertising, it's very cool, you take your old broken crayons and melt them down into new tie died looking crayons...but in the sixth store Rebecca and I still couldn't find one, Rebecca kept muttering behind me down each aisle "God forbid we should find one"....and as we were going into the seventh store to look for this "special present"...she informed me... not asked me... INFORMED me "You are going to pick something else, aren't you"...."Yes" I assured her we were....needless to say we picked something else...Rebecca found something else and said "This is awesome, she will love this, tell her I wanted one and she will love it..." now seriously, I can't tell if Rebecca who is 13yr., really thinks Madeline who is 8yr. will really love it, or if Rebecca had completely lost her Christmas shopping MOJO and would have been fine with giving the child a Christmas handshake at this point in our shopping day...so we had to make the purchase...and then refuel...I had a large icy cold diet Coke and an equally large monster cookie, Rebecca opted for the personal pan cheese pizza and a bottle of water....as we were headed to the car to "regroup" Rebecca said with a mouth full of cheese pizza "the only good thing about this shopping day has been seeing Mrs. Valdez, and she looked great"...basically we turned a corner in Toys R Us and literally almost bumped into her....I shook my head up and down and stuffed some more of the monster cookie in my mouth and then sucked deeply from my diet Coke straw...."are you OK mom, don't get stressed"...I heard Rebecca say...I came back to myself and  told her I would be fine, I just needed to get out of this high traffic BayBrook Mall Area...Rebecca informed me that she
hates shopping....and I agree....I have to be in the mood for it myself...did I tell you I had to return a shirt because I bought two of the exact same kind at JC Penny...well, we took the shirt in and got in yet another line, as we were shuffling in the line I was rummaging for my receipt so I would be ready for my turn....my other daughter called and as I was talking to her, I must have sounded weird because she said "are you OK", I said "no, I'm not" and handed the phone to Rebecca and said you talk to her...then realizing I did not have my receipt...I had to get out of the line and leave and now I have to go back again later....we went to Bed Bath and  Beyond to use my coupons on my purchases from the other day, they are great about letting you do that, anyway I saved another $48 dollars just by taking my receipt back with the rest of my coupons....I found a gift card holder tin that was red and says Happy Holidays in gold and it has an audio button that plays the Bing Crosby version of Happy Holidays...it made me feel better...I kept pushing the button...Rebecca kept telling me "please stop playing that... do not push the button again"..."No" I replied "I will not stop, it makes me feel better"... and I pushed the button again...as we drove out of the parking lot of yet another store...Merry Christmas to all of ya'll.... 

New Cards

Hello There......Well, here are a few, of the photos, I tried to load yesterday.  These are the cards I made recently and I think they are adorable.  By the way, the softball games last night were back to back and the night was chilly...the moon was full on Amazingly beautiful...it felt like one of those you had to be there kind of nights...and they did have hot chocolate...that I held and smelled and stirred... till my husband came and took a sip, and then another, and then took it away... into the dugout with him... and then came back for his coat...while I went to go get some more of the warm chocolatey mood elevator....I think the subliminal messages in the background helped with the mood elevating effect....they kept blaring over the overhead speakers from the concession stand..."Come on over... and warm up... with some fresh hot chocolate...new batch just made...get it quick, it's going fast..."needless to say that worked for me...as they ended the first game, before the second one started (in about 3-4 minutes, did I mention the games were back to back literally) I was back in line for another warm comforter....Rebecca made a great play with the throwdown to second in the first game...no hesitation...she came up firing...the ball was a missile straight and low to second (its fast, hard and scary and if it hits you and not your glove, let's just say you will be bruised, dazed, possibly knocked over, and you WILL have the stitches from the ball temporarily tattooed on your body on impact...recently she was clocked throwing 47mph and that was not even warmed up yet....Softball, there's nothing soft about it) Skyler, shortstop, hurtled herself to second...caught the ball and spun around and tagged low...OH YEAH, she got the OUT !!!! AMAZING... I should have been taking pictures, I should have recorded the moment...you should have seen Rebecca's face....Huge...Huge...smile...she lit up like a christmas tree....did I take a picture...well, no...why?...because, I was living in the moment....I was watching the action....I was cold, in a coat, with a scarf, and gloves, and a blankie...and clutching Hot Chocolate in my gloved icy hands...that I was sniffing and stirring....but I do have the memory...I don't think I will forget it...that smile...I could see thru the catchers mask...coaches were yelling did you see her face...Yes.... Yes, I did... its forever etched in my memory bank that I know I will replay over and over in my mind...Well, apparently, I have digressed down the softball bunny trail and seem to have forgotten to tell you about these cards...take a look...feel free to copy them...these are simple and fun to make....

Isn't this adorable...there is something about pink and purple, they just go together, like peanut butter and jelly.  I used some new Close to my Heart stamp sets for the sentiment and the image.  I colored the image with some Tombo markers and fussy cut her out. I used my Cuttlebug to die cut the white background with a Spellbinder shape and then embossed it with one of the Cuttlebug folders.  I then popped it out twice with pop dots, the white background is popped out from the card, and then the image is popped out from the white...the 3D effect is fantastic and adds a lot of dimension visually...I used two different shades of purple to add a touch of whimsy...and three simple gold brads because, well,  just because....I have noticed that the brads are not in a straight line...but then it adds to the handmade feel of the card...so, I'm OK with it not being perfect...I have been using the Tim Holts distress ink on most of my sentiments and it seems to be working well, the ink seems richer and deeper than some of the other inks I've tried....The card is purple, the border is lilac, the top paper is pinky purple and they blend beautifully...this makes me smile....

This card is similar in style and color theme.  I used the Spellbinder circle die in my Cuttlebug and  layered the image on the white circle and then popped the white circle out with pop dots.  The sentiment is one stamp, so I just inked each word seperately and stamped directly on the card where I wanted the words to be.  The roses are done from the new Cricut cartridge that is exclusive to Close to my Heart...I think it's called Artsy...something....these were really fun to make...The purple ribbon bow is hard to see in the photo, but it is sheer and looks great on the card... 

This is how I did the inside of both of these cards.  I used  the same  pinky purple  swirly paper as on the front of the card background.  The border is one of the Martha Stewart punches...and the sentiment I just wrote out on my computer and printed off.

This is a card I made for my sister's birthday, I think it's beautiful.  I used a beautiful fall wired ribbon  that my friend Sarah gave me recently...and it's stunning on a card....very excited about the possibilities of other wired ribbons in the future.  The roses are cut from the Cricut cartridge from Close to My Heart, and the cardstock is a salmon color.  I used a green shade of cardstock for the card and over laid it with a salmon designer paper, and over laid that with white vellum, and then the fall wired ribbon, and then the roses.  I also used my Cuttlebug again with a spellbinders die (it looks like a topnote,,,but its a label one).  I embossed it with the Cuttlebug "Swiss Dots" folder and then inked it with the Tim Holts "Vintage Photo" distress ink (this is one of my favorite colors).  I then used a stamp for the sentiment, used some decorative scissors to edge it like a postage stamp and inked the edges.  Then I popped out the sentiment with a pop dot, and popped out the inked, swiss dot form from the back as well.  The scalloped border on the green cardstock and white vellum is a Martha Stewart punch...I love her punches they always work great...

This is the inside of the card, on the left is the Spellbinders label image that I die cut  using my Cuttlebug, and then used the Cuttlebug Script embossing folder, and then inked it with the Tim Holts "Vintage Photo" distress ink...I have a few slits cut into this to hold a gift card for her, the slits are from a Stampin Up punch that is discontinued... I hope they bring it back because it's a wonderful tool, I'll talk more about later....I then popped it out with pop dots...On the right side I used more of the fall wired ribbon, and the salmon designer paper to accent it.  I chose a pale gold cardstock for the sentiment, and used my decorative scissors to edge it like a postage stamp, and then inked the edges and popped it out with some pop dots.  I chose to leave a hand written note for a more personal touch, my handwriting is not so fabulous...but the love is there...

I will probably come back and add the names of the products, punches, dies, etc.  I just have to take the time and look them up....but I'm not promising...just saying I might...have a beautiful fall day....

Catch up time

Hello There,
The weather here is amazing today, crisp, sunny and a slight chill in the air....makes me want to get in the kitchen and watch christmas movies and start baking....ummmmmm Pumpkin Bread and Banana Bread sound great . I love the way the house smells when I whip up a few loaves.  I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner....Amazing....Rebecca will be out for the Thanksgiving Break by next friday...wow....and then Christmas will be here before you know it....I'm thinking about making some christmas cards this year to mail out and also to send to a Veterans homeless shelter that I just found out about, I have been informed that they have about 70 men staying there at all times.  So, this many cards may be a stretch...but I think I'm up for it....I just want to make them special, and I want to give each of them the WOW factor....we shall see, I will keep you posted...I want to start on them while I have the Thanksgiving break...  I have been finishing up a few projects that have been on my mind...Rebecca's volleyball end of season party was a huge success...I think each of the girls had a great time...I made the coaches some cards and had the volleyball players each fill out a tag for each of their coaches...they had two, who, by the way were amazing....I put the tags together with a large brad and made a tag book which I then slipped into a pocket...On the back of the cards I made an extra pocket for the notes from the parents to each of the coaches as well...I took one of the photos of the coaches from this season and put it in the card, which I think made it very special for them....For the girls I made brownies and treat bags for each of the girls...and in the treat bags were bubbles, candy, a black and white hair bow (their uniform colors were black and white), a magnetic pink memo pad with a pen, magnets, large paper clips and a individual volleyball scrapbook  for each of the girls, complete with pictures....the girls had such a great time looking at their scrapbooks.  These were so much fun to make....pictures and photos to come.....I have also been making some new cards....with some of the new close to my heart stamp sets that I recently purchased.  I am about to try my hand at using copic markers, and making some christmas ornaments....oh the joy of the holidays, so many wonderful things to do...for some unknown reason I can't get my pictures to upload for you so I will work on that for awhile....have a blessed day...Oh,yeah one more thing tonight is Rebecca's last fall softball tournament.. first game tonight starts at 8:30pm and then she has another game tonight time unknown...you will find me in my green chair with a coat, scarf, gloves, earmuffs and a blankie....hopefully clutching some hot chocolate....the temperature is dropping and its getting windy and chilly....time to make some snowman soup.....I'll tell you more about this later...well,  hot or cold it's always a good game for Rebecca....did I tell you basketball practice has started as well....sooo I am looking for that basketball paper for the team, there will be eight girls on the team this year, so far anyway....it's going to be a great season...

Renaissance Festival Field Trip

Hello There..., well fall is definitely here.  I went on my daughters 8th grade field trip yesterday to the Renaissance Festival and we had a great day.  It was school days so it was open to the schools with kids in mind, they closed down all alcohol and weapon booths.  I was asked by countless people in costume that worked there if I was enjoying the atmosphere of school days.  They really cleaned it up for the kids...very family oriented and really nice.  The weather was perfect not hot or cold, and beautiful.  Here are a few pictures of the day...I had forgotten how many beautiful trees surround this place.  On the two hour bus drive we saw countless patches of land and trees that had just recently been caught up in the wild fires of Texas in this area around Plantersville and Magnolia.

We have just arrived and are waiting for our tickets...there were countless buses and kids everywhere when we first arrived and were waiting to get checked in...notice all the green trees the drought has not seemed to affect them that much...it was beautiful...driving in it felt and looked like we were going camping....

Our group is now in the festival area and even with all the people it is so large and spacious, it does not feel crowded and you can really branch out and have some breathing room...

Just looking and waiting for all the group to come back together and then we head out...be prepared to walk and walk and walk and then walk some more....

We are now on the move again to see what we can see...I love all the green trees...

Some of the kids are looking in the shops so we are waiting for them, the buildings are decorated and very ornate and detailed.... 

One of the teachers is going over the map with the kids to see what they want to do next...

and we are walking again....it is kinda like being camping and walking around and  looking at the trees and stuff...a great day to be in the company of friends...and these kids get along great...

There is some sort of pavilion thing to the left of our group...quite a lot to see,  you will not be bored...I'm sure we did not see half of what there is to see today....

More walking and looking....

The kids are doing archery...but I had to get a shot of these lions...Rebecca's school  mascot is the lion and there was a row of lions here when we came....

Oh the places you can go and the people you can see....

Kids were playing with the hats so I snapped a few memories....

We are headed back to the front because its time to head back to the bus for the two hour trip home...it was a great trip and I hope that you can visit the Renaissance Festival and experience it for yourself...I think we are going back as a family before the season is over this year...have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Kids and Sports... memories in the making...

Hello There,...Well, volleyball season for Jr. High is coming to a close with the last game today, it has been a great season for the team, and this is Rebecca's last year to play in Jr. High, she moves up to high school next year.  I wanted to share some of the things that make me soo HAPPY TO SCRAP....I made each of the girls their own ball with their names, jersey number, paw print stickers, and of course a little bling...The Junior High in black I made last year and it still looks great...This is displayed in their main gym...and I made them a different one to display on their lockers...but I can't find my pictures of them...I think I will go visit their lockers this week and take another photo or two...:)

I wish I had the locker volleyballs to show you too...

This is a close-up of one of the volleyballs so you can see the name, jersey number, paw print stickers and the bling....I used the sports mania cartridge with my Cricut and backed it in black...their uniforms are black and white... wait till you see next years....oh it's gonna be AWESOME...

I made this poster for their den (the place they hide out in between games in the tournaments, they go pow-wow with the coaches, rest, tape up injuries and have snacks and water breaks.  LSCS puts on three tournaments for volleyball a year and they are amazing...)  The ribbon at the top is part of the ribbon that Rebecca used for her hair in this season...and again I used my Cricut with the sports mania cartridge for the dimensional's you see...the girls signed it in Blue...school colors...I used volleyball brads on this as well, they look like white buttons in this photo...and you can't see it but I blinged the hands on the net with tiny rhinestones for rings and bracelets...

 I decided to make something special for Rebecca's last volleyball game day in Jr. High...
So now that it's October and chocolate is running amuck down practically every aisle it seemed perfect...and who doesn't love chocolate...

Here is a closer view...I think they turned out adorable...I found a few you tube videos and learned how to make a fun conversation piece...and I know I will be using this idea a lot now that the holidays are close at hand...

These are made out of pink cardstock, some purple volleyball girl paper (really fun to work with), and a volleyball brad as an added dimensional, there is a slight glare on the photos, but the brads do add a lot to the overall look, I stamped and inked the two dimensionals and used pop dots to bring out the 3D effect....(did I mention that I love pop dots)...

The shorter version has a Kit Kat bar in white chocolate, that I made especially for one of the girls that did not like chocolate...all the other treat pulls have a normal Hershey bar in them...Well, when Rebecca saw them she loved them, but informed me that ALL the girls like chocolate...SOOOO I remade hers to be exactly like the others....and gave the white chocolate Kit Kat to my husband...

On the back of the purple belly band I attached a small paw print for their school spirit....they are the LIONS and there are paw prints on all the school spirit gear....

Each pull has ribbon that is looped around the Hershey bar  , and all you do is untie the bow, or  untwist the wired ribbon and pull the candy out that is hiding in secret behind the cute-ness...I loved this idea and I hope they love it too...Rebecca was well pleased...

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did and feel free to copy anything you see for your own kids and teams...Oh the joy of a chocolate filled day....