My Sister Turns 50!

Good evening everyone!! Tomorrow my sister is turning the BIG 5-0!! I can't believe it!! She is an amazing woman, a great sister, a fantastic aunt and she has been through a lot.

She moved out of the house when I was young. She moved around the US a little bit, living in San Francisco, New York City and Atlanta. She went to college at night while she was working during the day. It took her a lot of years, but she got her degree in Computer Science and she has been in that field since I can remember. She has been employee, manager and Director. She has a house in Atlanta and she travels when she can. She learned to scuba dive last year and now she is enjoying scuba diving trips! She has always been there for me and gotten me out of more jams than I can remember! She has definitely been the successful one. I chose the family and kids route and I go to work and come home. I have never wanted to do more. I want to leave my work at work and then do my thing when I come home. And that is exactly how it works out most of the time :)  My sister is a career woman! My sister is also a survivor! She had breast cancer and fought her way through chemotherapy. Today she is a survivor and amazing! I'm proud to be her sister.

She doesn't read my blog, so I am posting her card here LOL I can't post it on Facebook until after she gets it, because she would see it there!  So here is what I came up with for her big birthday:











I've used an amazing image from Maria Medel Illustrations; this is Catrina and I thought she was going to be perfect for this card! Maria Medel Illustrations sponsored us over at Open-Minded Crafting Fun this month too! Be sure to see those creations :)  Awesome images! I printed her on kraft paper and colored her with my Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils. I used a fun step card cut. I love the edges. I added some additional layer cuts, because I love layers! The oval die cut is from My Favorite Things. The card stock is scraps and the patterned paper is from a Halloween Stack that I have. I've added some a Poppy vine die cut as well. I've added some various flowers, a small gem/rhinestone on the skull at the bottom. I've added a bit of clear Wink of Stella on the image in some spots. There is a small amount of highlights using Copic Opaque White on the mirror and small black dots of puffy paint on the mirror frame. There are some different dew colored dew drops and some cheesecloth in behind the oval die cut. I created the sentiment and printed those out and placed them. I did decorate the inside as well. I just created those additional cuts to layer the inside as well. Then I added the little Rip headstone die cut with a brad on the inside to finish it off. All of this was cut with the Silhouette Cameo.

Challenges:

• Challenge #67: Die Cuts or Punches (1/2) @ Crafty Gals Corner
• Challenge #300: Girly and Pretty (1/1) @ Fab 'n' Funky Challenges
• Challenge #81: Anything Goes (2) @ Inspiration Destination
• Challenge #273: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog
• Challenge #244: Flowers Everywhere (1/3) @ The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog
• Challenge #194: Anything Goes (1/2) @ Brown Sugar Challenge Blog
• Challenge #18: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Crafting With Friends
• Linky Party #7: Anything Goes w/Something Colored (4) @ Ellibelle's Creative Moments
• HIMCR #247: LOL! (1/3) @ Hiding In My Craft Room
• Challenge #172: Anything Goes (1/3) @ 613 Avenue Create
• Challenge #308: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Craft Your Passion Challenges
• Use A Sentiment (1) @ Crafty Boots Challenges
• Challenge #276: Birthday (1) @ Stamps & Fun = Creativity
• Challenge #13: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Lemon Shortbread Challenge Blog
• Challenge #91: Anything Goes w/Optional Twist of Make It Funny (1/3) @ Creative Moments
• Challenge #13: Anything Goes w/Optional Girly (1/3) @ The Crafty Addicts
• Challenge #249: Your Favorite Things (dies, flowers, dew drops, papers and my pencils) (1) @ Wednesday's Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog
• Challenge #266/267: Anything Goes (1/5) @ Word Art Wednesday
• Use A Digi (1/3) @ Art At Stampz By Star
• Challenge #153: Anything Goes (2/5) @ AUD Sentiments Challenge Blog
• Challenge #17: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Jade's Sparkling Butterflies
• April: Use Kraft (2/3) @ Ching-Chou Kuik Inspiration and Challenge Blog
• Challenge #107: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Creative Fingers Challenge Blog
• Challenge #31: Anything Goes (1) @ Paper Babe Stamps
• Challenge #12: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Petal Lu Challenge Blog
• Week #15: Floral Frenzy (1/2) @ Polkadoodles
• Challenge #56: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Art By Miran Challenge Blog
• April: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Your Scrapbook Place
• April Showcase #9: Anything Goes (6) @ 2 Creative Chicks
• Challenge #18: Anything Goes (1) @ A Bit More Time To Craft
• April: Anything Goes w/Patterned Paper (5) @ Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge
• April Challenge #5: Anything Goes (6) @ Leinzlove Tear Bears Challenge Blog
• Challenge #32: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
• April: Happy Birthday (2/3) @ Scrapbook Blessings Club Facebook
• April Challenge #4: Girls, Ladies, Women (1/3) @ The Corrosive Challenge Blog
• Challenge #27: Say It With Flowers (1/1) @ Aurora Wings Challenge Blog
• Challenge #102: Fancy Folds (1/3) @ The Paper Girls Challenge
• April/May Challenge #31: Anything Goes (1) @ Not Just Cards Challenge Blog
• April/May: Birthday (1/3) @ Oddball Art Stamp Co. by Lizzy Love

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Good morning everyone! Today is Thanksgiving Day in the US and the kids and I will be headed down to my sisters house in Atlanta. I'm bringing the ham, I made a broccoli casserole and I'm bringing the desserts that Bailey made. Taylor helped her a little, but it was mainly Bailey. My sister has invited a couple of her friends to Thanksgiving and they are running a half marathon this morning. Lora has asked that we come down early so they can go cheer them on in their run. I'll be staying at my sisters... she doesn't know that yet LOL!! But I have a bit of work to get done and it will be the perfect time to do it!!!

I worked from home yesterday and I worked on some cards for my DT's due this week. I have one finished and one almost finished. I'm packing up all my markers/pencils and I'll be coloring today too! I should be able to get a bit of coloring done being down there all day.

Here are the items that Bailey made to bring down...

These are the acorns with mini Nutter Butters, Hershey Kisses, a mini chocolate chips and chocolate frosting as the glue. They are really cute!!!

These are her Pilgrim hats... this is with a Striped Chocolate Cookie, a marshmallow dipped in chocolate and yellow frosting for the buckle. LOL Cute!

Last, but certainly not least... Turkeys!! Made from Double Stuff Oreos, mini peanut butter cups, Rolo's, candy corn and again chocolate frosting used as the glue. Yellow frosting was used for the legs and eyes, red for the ... hmm.. what is that?? gobbler!! LOL and she used little sprinkles for the center of the eye. Cute huh?? She did a great job with everything!!

I will be getting Michael up soon.. getting everything packed up and heading on our way. I hope you all have a great day!!!

Breast Cancer Awareness October

Bailey and I sat down tonight and both worked on a card for Breast Cancer Awareness. She didn't finish hers until later, so I will have to take some photos of it tomorrow and get it posted. Here is my card:

Copics: Boooo, Booo, Boo, B02, 100, Y35, Y38, R20, R21, R22, R24, E25, E27
The Bra Breast Cancer and the Boob Verse on the inside are from Crafty Pad
The Save the Hooters Circle with the Owl is from SK Digis
All of the paper is breast cancer themed. I have had them for a while. I believe they are Making Memories. I popped several parts of the images and popped the bra out. I inked with Stampin Up Bold Brights that I had. And I added a couple of small pearls from Martha Stewart.

Challenges:

• Challenge 130: Save the Hooters @ Craft Your Passion
• Think Pink @ Copic Oz 
• Challenge #82: Breast Cancer Awareness @ Celebrate the Occasion 
• Challenge 83: Pink! For Breast Cancer Awareness @ Art Impressions
• #145: Think Pink @ Sassy Studio Designs
• Challenge 56: For the Girls @ A Gem of A Challenge
• Challenge #100: Think Pink @ Drunken Stampers
• Challenge 75: Pink @ Lexi's Creations
• Challenge #5: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun @ Songbird
• Challenge 42: Go Pink @ Dream Valley Challenges
• Pink Plus One (the little bit of blue) @ In The Pink
• Pink It Up @ JellyPark
• Link Up For Pink @ Link Up For Pink
• Save the Hooters @ SK Digis

So many of us have been touched by Breast Cancer. My sister went through it and a double mastectomy. She is a survivor!!!!!!

Remember ...

This is a day to remember those lost in the attacks against America. This is a day to pray for the families that lost their family members and friends. A day to remember and pray for those service men and women that lost their lives trying to save others and those that serve today to keep our country safe and free. Remember those civil servants, your police, firemen, first responders; they risk their lives every day for us. Remember the priest who lost his life trying to help those in need and to pray with them. Think of those today, those priests, those pastors that strive for us to have a healthy relationship with God and for us to remember how important Jesus Christ is to us and for us not to forget that.

September 11th, 2001 - It affected the whole of the United States.. it affected the whole of the world. Kevin and I have spoken about this fateful day. Even he was frozen to the television watching in disbelief at what had just happened; not moving the entire day. I remember where I was and what I was doing as I know many of you can remember as well. I was at home with Bailey; she had just been born July 24th and I was home on maternity leave with her. The television was on the morning news and they were talking about a plane that had crashed into one of the towers. I sat there and watched it thinking that it was just a small plane that had accidentally hit the tower. And then you watched on live television as the second plane hit the other tower. I knew right away that this was no accident; as did everyone else watching. And then the plane into the Pentagon and the plane in the field that went down with our brothers and sisters fighting for their lives and fighting to save others so that this plane wouldn't cause any additional losses. I pray today for all those affected.

My sister lived in New York at the time and she worked downtown. We couldn't reach her, none of the phone lines would work, the cell phones wouldn't go through. It was terrible not to be able to reach her after the towers went down. What a devastating loss for the world, for our nation. Such a senseless act of violence. I will never understand the hatred that people have for our nation and for the American people. I will never understand how people can twist a religious belief into such hatred. Jesus Christ paid for our sins by giving his own life. There is nothing but a true and unconditional love there. God is love, forgiveness. Not hatred...

Remember... remember those lost, those affected, those that serve. Never forget!

Why Am I The Way I Am

A couple of things happened today that make me take a look at myself. First, I had a neighbor that lived downstairs.. two levels. They moved out a couple of weekends ago and she had two garages that she rented. She managed to get one of them emptied, but the other one she couldn't get done. So, she asked me if I would mind putting the garage in my name and she would keep it for a couple of months and then get it emptied. Now, they really don't know me all that well, but apparently enough to know that I have a hard time saying no. So, she handed over $95 and I told her I would do it. Why can I not say no? I really hate that quality in me. It really opens that people taking advantage of you situation. I can say no if I have to, but I don't do it nearly enough. I get in trouble for that a lot at work LOL Taking on too much. Anyway.. back to the story... Today I went down to the office and told her that I needed to switch that garage into my name. And the manager says to me.. you know you don't have to do that. I know I know.. but I have a hard time saying no. So I ask... When can I cancel it? She proceeds to tell me that I have to keep it until my lease runs out. That is February of next year!! I looked at her and said.. Oh yes.. Ummm.. I can't do that. I head home and I tried to call the lady. Her phone went straight to voice mail. I called her son and told him the situation and told him to have his mother call me. She hasn't called me yet.

Also this morning my oldest daughter calls me crying. She says tuition is due and she still owes a lot of money. I'm trying to be strong and hold my ground with her, but when she calls all crying and not sure what to do I feel bad. But I really need to stay strong... she did choose to move out and become an adult. She is the one that decided she didn't want to follow the rules at home. I still feel bad when she is all weepy... So, I told her to go to my bank and see what they could do. It is a credit union... but they don't do student loans. So, I called Sallie Mae and had the three of us on the phone. She gave all of her information, but failed to get approved. So, I gave in and put my name on it. I'm not sure if it is approved yet. She had to get a copy of her drivers license and social security card over to them. On the one hand, I want to help her! She is my daughter and she needs help. On the other hand, she chose to move out and be an adult so she needs to figure things out like an adult would... right?

Well.. I really need to talk to Kevin about all of this. I just hate to add any extra stress on him. I know he is stressed about all of this immigration stuff and some papers that we need and can't seem to get what they want. It's all frustrating stuff, but we will figure it out. I'm a glass half full kind of girl LOL Most of the time.. I try to look at the good.. Kevin is more of a glass half empty kind of a guy... And I love him for it.

Enough of that.. I'm off to bed... tomorrow morning we do the volunteer with the church. We are on the backpack station! So we will be hooking up some kids with some backpacks for school! I will be getting the kids up at around 5 am. It will be a really early start for them! Goodnight!

My sister with the kids years ago! Taylor looks like she is about 12 yrs old or so. She is 18 now. My sister has long hair here... Her hair is short now :)

Bailey's Birthday

It has been a heck of a night. I left work and headed to my sisters yesterday. Bailey was waiting for me when I pulled up. I got into my swim suit and jumped in he pool with her for a while. After a nice swim we went inside to grab something to eat and I went to talk to Kevin for a bit. I was so tired... we said our good byes and I was going to head up the stairs for a shower and climb in bed to read. Reading wouldn't have lasted very long. I would have fallen asleep pretty quickly.

Then the phones rings and it is my sister's ring tone. I pick up the phone and she says... "Guess where we are?". And I'm thinking... Ummmm... Paris? Because you aren't coming home until Tuesday LOL! Wrong! They were in Washington DC. They were suppose to be home last night! Their plane got diverted because of storms and low fuel and they turned around and landed in DC. I stayed up picking up around the house and waiting on her to call me back. At around 9 pm she called and let me know that they were suppose to take off at midnight. I believe it is about a 2 hour flight to Atlanta from there. I immediately went to bed... have to get a little bit of sleep for work today!

I kept waking up expecting a text from my sister, but nothing until 4:30 am. I had just crawled out of bed and was putting my BiPap (thats another story) away. The text said that they had grabbed a cab and were headed to her place. So I went downstairs and woke Bailey and Michael.. told them to load the van with the rest of our stuff and to get their shoes on. After about 15 minutes or so they showed up and we were all packed.

This morning has been a busy morning.. I feel absolutely worn out LOL We got my mother all loaded up in the van and I took her home. Then the kids and I headed home... I had them unload the van while I got ready for work. After that I headed in and here I am! I have to train someone new today.. so I will be headed to a different building in a little while.

Today my youngest, Bailey, turns 11 years old! I can't believe it!  I have gotten her nothing LOL  It's what I always do though... we do a small celebration on the day and then we have a bigger fun day on the weekend. It helps because I won't be working and my sister and mom can enjoy the day with her as well. I have no idea what to get her.. Kevin and I have tried to talk about it, but really haven't had any time over the last couple of days. Hopefully we will have some time to talk tonight. I'm thinking to give her a $50 gift/VISA card... she is at that age where she is super picky about everything. That way she can spend it on whatever she wants. So that is that! I'm ready to go home and crawl in bed LOL

Here is a layout for today:

Taylor turning 12 .. now she is 18!! Wow!! Club Scrap papers, Doodling with my Zig Millenium and flowers from Prima. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your day/evening!

Happy Monday

Good morning everyone! Or evening.. depending on where you are! :)  It is another Monday. The kids and I came back to my sister's house after church yesterday. We enjoyed the day swimming and just hanging out together. My oldest even came over and spent a lot of the day with us. I cooked hamburgers on the grill. We will be here for just a couple more days. My mother and sister come home on Tuesday.. still no idea what time, but at least I know the day!

Today begins a new challenge

The theme this week is BINGO!  I used A Day for Daisies wonderful graphic "Dragon's Gift". I love this image.. I love the little dragonet and I duplicated it on my card. For Bingo I used American Crafts Glitter Ribbon, the Free Space, and Stickles.

So, everything I used... American Crafts Glitter Ribbon, The Art of Glittering System: Crystal Transparent, Stamp "Friendship" from Stampin' Up, Stickles: Orange Peel, Turquoise, and Yellow, Derwent Water Color Pencils to color the image. That little piece of ribbon sticking up.. I've fixed that LOL  I fussy cut the little dragonets.. cut extra wings for two of them, popped them and lifted the edges. I popped some of the little tulips as well and on the fairy I cut extra wings for her, popped them and lifted the edges.. really gives them a great look.. like she has two sets of wings like she should LOL  I stickled all the little dragonet wings and glittered the fairy wings.  Hope you enjoy :)

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Challenges:

• Challenge #3: Anything That Shines @ Papelitos
• Challenge 44: Anything Goes @ Divas by Design
• Challenge #49: Angels & Fantasy @ Southern Girls Challenge
• Challenge #117: Anything Goes @ Digi Doodle Shop
• Royal Digi Challenge #10: Anything Goes @ The Scrapbook Queen
• Wings @ Card Cupids
• BBB24: The Beauty of Winged Things @ Flourishes
• Anything Goes #21 @ Liastampz
• Anything Goes @ Mema's Crafts
• Monday Challenge #1: Anything Goes @ The Crafty Bloggers Network
• Challenge #112: Things with Wings @ Sentimental Sundays
• Make It Monday #99 @ Make It Monday
• Day 138: Imagine This - Enchanged @ 365 Cards 

Home At Last...

Well.. at least for a day! We came home around 2 pm from my sister's house. I wanted to be here tonight so we could get up and be right here for church in the morning. So, we packed up and headed home. I stopped off at the store and picked up dinner. It's really good to be home! Even if it is only for a night. Taylor came over for a meal and to just hang out for a bit. It is always good to see her.

Tomorrow we will go to church in the morning, come back by and pick up T-Bone and head back to my sisters. Two more nights there! Since tomorrow is Sunday, we will spend our last day of the weekend swimming hopefully! If the storms will hold off! Mom and Sis come home from France on Tuesday.. they didn't leave me ANY information on flights, time they are going to be here.. Nothing! Nothing at all! I'm not exactly sure what I'm suppose to do with no information LOL!

I took pictures early this morning of my cards, but I didn't have the wire to upload them! That was the first thing I did when I got home... So here is one of my cards:

I used various scraps of patterned paper for the sun rays. I used a circle punch for the middle and covered it with Ice Stickles Crystal. The Stamps are Tiki Time from Market Street Stamps. I also used The Art Glittering System - Persimmon, Cavalado, Miss Muffet, Flax, Nirvana, Egyptian Gold. Copics - E50, B0000, B05, R21, R24, Y17, G09, YR15, RY16, TY68, YG23. And I used Diamond Glaze to cover the empty parts of the glass with no color and the Take It with a grain of Salt Circle.

Challenges:

• Challenge #153: Sentimentally Yours @ Corrosive Challenges
• Bingo! @ Crafty Boots (ribbon, stripes, yellow)
• Dust It Off... Challenge @ Incy Wincy Designs  (I dusted off the Art Glittering System Glitters.. Oh how I used these so often.. now its easier to pick up the stickles!, but nothing beats these amazing glitters really.. and I have so many colors!)
• Challenge 12 ~ Anything Goes @ LEJ Designs
• Challenge #46 ~ What's Your Weather @ Digi Stamps 4 Joy (Sunny and Hot!)
• Challenge #3: Shine @ Papelitos (Glitter and Stickles)
• PTT #77 Color Challenge @ Party Time Tuesday's 
• Challenge #44: Anything Goes! @ Divas by Design 
• Challenge 117: Anything Goes @ Digi Doodle Shop
• Challenge #142: Monochromatic @ Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge
• Challenge #135 ~ Where'd You Get Your Suntan? @ Opus Gluei
• RRR Challenge #52 - Sizzlin' Summer Colors & Ribbon Theme @ Really Reasonable Ribbon
• July 5th Card Challenge @ Get Creative Challenge Blog
• Challenge #4: Bright Colors @ Oozak
• Day 2: Imagine This - The Sunrise @ 365 Cards

And we are still waiting on immigration.. still praying and keeping toes and fingers crossed that they call soon. Keep us in your prayers... We are so ready for Kevin to come home!!

Cool Friday In Atlanta

I'm still at my sisters place. I'm feeling really out of sorts without my supplies and such. I've colored my image I need to use for a card, but I think I'll be heading home shortly to complete the card. I really don't enjoy being away from home and everything that is mine LOL  Don't get me wrong... I'm enjoying staying here.. Its a beautiful home, she has the most comfortable bed, and the pool... well.. all I can say is that it's nice to come home on a hot day and be able to jump in the pool!

I woke up this morning and so far it's not much of a pool day. It's rather cool outside actually. Maybe it will warm up as the day wears on. I'm going to get dressed here very soon and head home for a bit. I want to work on some cards. Then I'll head back here after a while. I will also be going home with everyone on Saturday night. I want to stay at home so we can get up and go to church Sunday morning. Then, after church we can head back into the city to hang out. I think I will do a load of laundry as well while I'm home!

The week at work has been long. I am already doing two people's jobs and now they have asked me to take on a third to help out while they look for someone. I'm not sure how I'm going to pull this off. I haven't really figured out how to clone myself LOL  Hey.. I'll do the best I can! In hopes that they find someone soon to fill that position. I have a bunch of work with me today and I'll probably work on it over the weekend. Hey.. I can't complain about the overtime really.. I love the extra money!

We are down to about three weeks until our paper work has been in immigration for five months. We are suppose to hear something at five months. I'm really hoping we hear something soon.. I am getting anxious. Say a little prayer for us that we hear some good news really soon. I know Kevin is ready to come home and I am more than ready to have him back here. This is such a long process. I know five months doesn't seem like very long, but it sure feels like an eternity!

Hoping to have something to post later on today! Have a great day/night everyone!!

Away from Home

Today I packed up the dog and the kids, picked up my mother and headed to Atlanta to my sister's house. It is only about 30 minutes down the road LOL... so it isn't that we have gone really far, BUT! We are out of the apartment! No worrying about the neighbors being loud upstairs and waiting for them to crash through the ceiling at any moment! I'm really waiting for it.. I just hope they aren't over my desk and my supplies when they come crashing through! Oh!! And no worries about the rude people downstairs with their mean stares and their complaining and banging on the ceiling.. and this banging on the ceiling is always when I'm at my desk.. sitting! and the kids are always sitting some where. I think the husband is bi-polar.. I'm sure of it LOL

So.. back to my original point.. We got down here and unloaded all of our stuff. Then I took my sister and mother to airport!! They are gone until next Tuesday to France! How fun for them taking a trip to France. I gave my mother my point and shoot camera and an 8G memory card. She should be able to take a lot of photos. I'm excited to see them.. I hope she remembers to take a lot of them! They are going to be there to see the end of the Tour de France as well. That will be exciting for them.. especially for my sister.

The kids and I are here at my sisters hanging out. We have the pool to jump into every night. It is going to be good to be away. The only problem is that I'm here with very limited supplies. I don't like being away from my supplies! I will probably go home on Friday and spend some time working on a card or two. Other than that we will just spend time in this beautiful house. Ooooo!! yes!! I need to take lots of pictures of this beautiful house and scrap them! What a good idea!

 This is a layout of Bailey.. and how lovely she looks with her huge YooHoo mess LOL The papers are from Club Scrap.. so are the beads and the words. The words were put on chipboard. I added the blue ribbon.. some stamping. This is one of my old layouts. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your day!

First post for Tammy's Scrapin Corner and I'm excited :)

This morning I am so excited to announce that I will be a part of the great design team over at Tammy's Scrapin Corner! I couldn't be more excited to be a part of this team. Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful! So head on over for the next challenge! This week is Challenge #19 "Summertime".

Here is my card:

The image is from the wonderful Bugaboo Stamps and it is Flamingo-Surf board. I thought he was all Summertime!

I used all scraps from my stash, buttons including the peace sign.. I used Butterscotch and Cranberry Alcohol Inks on the peace sign so it wasn't all yellow across. The ribbon is from my stash as well. I used Ice Stickles on the water and the sun. I used the following Copics to color him:


Flamingo: Copic R22 and R20, N7, C6, N4, BG18
Water: Copic B00 and B02
Surfboard: Copic R29, R27, YR18, YR15, Y35, 100, N7, N4

Challenges:

• Anything Goes & Use something yellow from your stash @ Clear It Out Challenge (yellow buttons)
• Challenge #123: Summer Fun!!! @ Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog
• Challenge 103 - Hot Hot Hot! @ Papercraft Star
• Terrific Tuesday Challenge - Hit the Beach! @ Scrappy Moms Stamps
• #201 Summer @ Everybody Art Challenge
• Challenge #129 - Summer Holiday @ Fab N Funky Challenges
• Summer Challenge @ Paper Crafting Journey
• Challenge 6: ribbon @ Pink by Design
• Challenge #116 - Summertime @ Digi Doodle Shop Challenges
• Craft Challenge 163 - Summer @ C.R.A.F.T. Challenge
• Day 89: Feeling Fussy @ 365 Cards

This weekend was a busy weekend. I feel like I ran ran ran all around town and didn't get much of anything done. Friday was full of errands and shopping (yuck!). One of the bras I got ripped on the seam right down the middle front. So, I have that in the vehicle so I can stop there on the way home tomorrow. Saturday was the class at Archiver's and then down to Atlanta to hang out with my sister.. which I really wish I hadn't done. Today was a little bit of running around. I decided to not do a lot of grocery shopping since we are going down there. I don't want to be carting a bunch of groceries. Now the weekend is gone again and here we are faced with Monday again.


This is going to be an odd week for me. My sister and mother fly out to France on Tuesday. They are going to spend a week there. Tuesday evening I will have to pack everyone up... dog included and head to my sisters in Atlanta. We will be staying there for the week. My sister has a house and a pool.. will be nice not to be in this apartment. And! I will be able to go home after work each night and hop in the pool! Woot! LOL For the next couple of days I need to pack up what I need.. that includes supplies for some cards that need to be done. I will probably spend some time tomorrow planning out what I'm going to make so I can pack up some things. I have my images printed that absolutely HAVE to be finished! Other than that we will just have to see. It will be nice to be away, but I am such a home body and I like to be here with my things and .. well.. I just don't like to be away from home. So we will see how long this lasts LOL I just have to think of it as a somewhat kinda sorta vacation! But! to be away from desktop and all my supplies *GASP* I don't know! We will just have to wait and see...

Special Day! - No Kids!!

I don't get many days like this, so I cherish them when I do! My sister took Michael and Bailey last night and they are spending the day with her today. It was so nice to come home and not have to worry about anything. I finished up a tag last night and then started work on another card. Quiet and peaceful.. it was great. Said goodnight to Kevin and went to bed without having to fight with them about bed LOL Ahhhh.. so nice :)

This morning Kevin woke me up and I talked to him for a bit, but I didn't feel all that great. My throat was a little sore.. so he sent me back off to bed. I slept for a couple of more hours and I felt so much better when I woke up again. I have been finishing up my card so I will post that this morning along with the tag. I'm going to just enjoy the rest of the day. It is too hot outside, which is the perfect excuse to continue crafting! Have a great day everyone!

This is a tag that I made for the following challenge:

• Challenge #140 -- Life's A Beach @ Little Red Wagon (it doesn't say it has to be a card?)
• Summer Fun VSC #1 Challenge @ V's Sweet Ideas Blog
• Inspirational Challenge #SS19 @ Sisterhood Sunday Challenges

I used all scraps.. Boy do I have enough of them LOL I used chalk on the torn papers for the water and sand.. all of that is torn. I also punched a circle and chalked around the edge of it with red.. then in with orange and then yellow. I also wet that punch and rolled it up in a ball so it was wrinkled. I also did that with the leaves of the tree... I hand drew the leaves, fussy cut them and then wet them and rolled them in a ball so they wrinkled as well. I added detailing with Copic for the leaves, the coconuts and the tree trunk. The palm tree was completely hand drawn. It came out okay considering LOL  The "Summer" block was from an old color block I had .. I thought it was perfect. I used several different ribbons, ricrac, etc. for the fibers on it.

And this is my card I've been working on. The image is from Tiddly Inks Digitals and she is Wryn and I just love her! I love all of her graphics! And yes.. Super Fussy Cut LOL! Again I'm going for all scraps.. even had enough of the pink to make the card. The patterned papers are from an old Basic Grey pack. I stitched and inked. For the image I colored with the following Copic: Skin: E01 and E21 for shading; Hair: E31, E35 and E37; Dress and Shoes: YG03, YG13, BV00 and BV02; Crown and Stars: Y35; Frog: YG03, YG13 and the spots with G05. I used some sparkle fiber that I had to her wand. I was going to add glitter, but I thought she was good enough.

I'm going to put this in the following Challenges:

• Card Patterns ~ Our Final Sketch @ Card Patterns
• Inspired by #31 @ Inspired By (stripes, flowers, pinks, greens, Oh My!)
• July Anything Goes @ Stamp N Plus Challenge
• Challenge #16 ~ Anything Goes @ Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenges
• Challenge #35 ~ Anything Goes @ Creatalicious Challenges
• July Challenge ~ Layers @ The Cupcake Craftroom 
• Challenge 46 ~ Anything Goes @ Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Challenge 
• July 1st Challenge ~ Use Ribbon, Twine or Washi Tape @ Card Cupids Blog 
• Sundays Are Lovely #11 @ Jaihart 
• Challenge 23 ~ Photo Inspiration @ Crafty Ribbons Challenge (made me think girly!) 
• Day 10: Happy Birthday, BFF @ 365 Cards

Thanks so much for looking!

All Confused Today...

I'm all confused today! It must be the heat! I could have sworn it was Saturday today. Where did the weekend go? I missed church this morning (shaking my head in shame). I have no idea what happened. Maybe it was being out in the sun all day yesterday.. Ummm.. that should have clued me in.. I was in the sun ALL day yesterday at my sisters. What other day would that have been? LOL Oh well.. really threw my day off today.

We had a really good day at my sisters. We stayed in the pool most of the day.. She grilled steak and chicken which was fantastic. I was exhausted when I got home though. I hopped in the shower and hit the bed and I don't remember anything else. She was handing out gifts yesterday too! She gave my son an IPod nano, Bailey got an IPod Touch, and she gave me an HP Tablet. Wow! Generous gifts!


Today is suppose to be another really hot day. I'll be sticking to home for the most part. I told the kids I would take them to the used CD store across the street and let them pick something out. So, we will do that and then come right back home. I'm going to try to work on some challenges today!

I hope you all have a great rest of your weekend!!

This is my ragdoll, Highlight. She plays fetch with my hairbands. Too cute! You fling it across the room, she chases it, picks it up and brings it back.

Next Project

I'm hoping to finish up the album of Kevin and I this weekend; maybe today even. It should only be a few more pages. I have two more sets of photos, one of all of us out to dinner, including my sister and mother. The last set is me and the kids at the airport seeing him off. There are three photos for that one I believe. I'll be glad to have that finished and ready to send off. I was stressing over it a bit since it was going to be needed.

Next, I'll be working on the 6x6 album that I was making for my sister. My sister was diagnosed with Breast Cancer a couple of years ago. She was in her mid 40's when she was diagnosed. She was moving and bumped her breast with something. It was sore after that and she had a large knot. I'm thankful that she bumped it that day. It was a large tumor that was in her breast. She was quickly diagnosed and they started her pretty quickly on chemotherapy. Lora was very angry with the world when she got diagnosed. She really didn't want to talk much, so I didn't push it. I just let her talk when she was ready. And I just let her know I was always there for her. She was in a really tough relationship at the time too, with a woman that was very controlling. I can't tell you how happy I am that she isn't with her now. I would go and sit with her during her chemo sessions if I could. I would stay as long as they would allow me until they kicked me out. Treatment was long and hard on my sister. She had a double mastectomy and has had to endure weekly shots. She is an amazing woman; strong and beautiful. I hope she doesn't have to endure what she has gone through again in her life.

Here is the first page of the album I'm going to be working on for her:

I used bazzill, patterned papers that I searched for forever to find.. I had a time a while back finding breast cancer papers. The F is chipboard that I put paper on.. I sanded the edges. The blossoms are Prima. The 'O' in Journey is a ribbon sticker detailed with a pen. Random brads on the flowers and the edge of the pages. And I inked it with pink ink. I don't remember where I got that bling ribbon. I sewed the squares with my sewing machine. I'm ready to get my new sewing machine out this weekend. My old one broke and I bought this new one. I haven't used it yet, so I need to get on that! :)

Thanks for looking at my page. I'm hoping the other pages turn out as nice. I really like how this one turned out. I'm going to put this into the Link Up For Pink - Challenge Number 3. I also added to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge.

Have a great day everyone!

Gay, Black, Overweight? No Judging!

Being gay is a lifestyle that has to be extremely hard. You are judged and ridiculed and hated just for being who you are. People can be so cruel too. There was a young black man that was beaten by a mob of other young men and they did it because he was gay. I don't understand why people can be so cruel.

It is so hard for me to think about racism too. How can there still be people in the Klu Klux Klan? Really? What is wrong with people that they have so much anger. The Klu Klux Klan tried to "Adopt-a-highway" here in Georgia. I think it is wrong to give a group like that any kind of privilege.

I'm overweight, obese is what my doctor would put on my file. I am trying to lose weight, not for other people or because the world tells me to. I am doing it for me so that I will be healthier and feel better. I will tell you this though, people are cruel. They look at you differently, they turn up their nose. I feel sorry for them. They are missing out on knowing someone with a good heart.

My sister is gay. I don't know what kind of things she has gone through in her life, but I'm sure that she has had some difficult times with people judging. It can't be easy for anyone. I really try to live my life by not judging. I'm sure I sometimes fail, but I can't dislike someone because of color, sexual orientation or anything else. And some of my best friends throughout my life have been gay, black, redneck, you name it. I wish more people would stop judging. Think of how peaceful it would be.


Although my sister has had a really hard life and she has been through so much, she has really persevered. She is an amazing person, a successful business woman and a really great friend and aunt.

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I am so close to being finished with my space. I have a couple of handfuls of items to find a place for. I'll finish that today and vacuum the rest of the house. I got a lot done yesterday including completely cleaning out the closet in the kitchen and completely cleaning the kitchen. I had opened a box of instant mashed potatoes and it had bugs. Well, that completely freaked me out so I went through the whole cupboard! I went out and bought containers to start putting everything in. I don't like bugs LOL I'm going to post a few pictures of my space. And today I should be able to start scrapping again! I'm so excited.

This is my desk. Way too many monitors LOL but I use them. The third one is for the laptop when I'm working.

This is the new bookshelf I purchased and all the cloth buckets.

My original bookshelf, just added the buckets and baskets.

Cabinet near my desk. Stamps, stamp pads, cards and more

Closet near the front door that I changed into my very own closet to share with the vacuum. I just bought this over the door shoe organizer. What a fantastic item! All those scissors that I just can't get rid of and no where to put them. This worked perfectly!

Inside the closet I have some bins with ribbon and such and two miscellaneous containers.

I was able to get rid of a lot of things; not as much as I should have. It is a work in progress, I'm a collector and it is hard to part ways with things. I'm sure you can relate! With all my stuff I can really take over the place LOL So, today I will find a place for all the rest of the items and finish the cleanup. I don't have much to go. Thanks for looking!