One Little Word: 2013

I can't believe this will be the 6th year I've chosen a word for the year (Ali Edwards was the original inspiration, and though I don't follow her blog any longer I know she still does it).

In 2012, my word was LIGHT.  If asked how it went, I'd say not well since I couldn't even remember what word I chose! :/  It's been an incredibly busy year - most especially with work (things exploded for me the week following Memorial Day when I took over administration of a second system...and I had to learn the system while learning to be system admin!) Some things have gone really well and other things need work.
 
In 2011, my word was JOYFUL. 
In 2010, my word was KINDNESS.
In 2009, my word was GENTLE.
In 2008, my word was FOCUS.

I was contemplating what my word for 2013 should be, I thought about how life will be changing again at the end of May 2013 when I will no longer have a preschooler. Starting in July, I will be homeschooling all four of my children. Honestly, I cannot wait!  I look forward to being at home almost every day, not having to go anywhere; I look forward to being able to really concentrate on the children, on school, on work, on my home. I have made some decisions about things we are going to do differently once we're at  home more. Things will change drastically around here - and hopefully for the better.

I plan on living life more purposefully in 2013 - and not beginning in the middle of the year, but beginning even NOW. And that made me choose PURPOSEFUL as my word for 2013.  As you know, I like to have a passage of Scripture to go along with the word (started that in 2009, thanks to my friend, Jennifer). To really give it meaning.   As I pondered "what is my purpose?" (ha, isn't that the question of the ages?!) and how I can be more purposeful with my life - it dawned on me that my purpose is to walk worthy of my calling as a child of God.  And so, I have chosen Ephesians 4:1-3 as the verses to go along with my word. 

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.                                                               ~Eph 4:1-3 (NASB)

Do you make resolutions? Do you choose a word? Do you set goals? See you back here next year to discus how well we did...deal? Hopefully for me it will be much, much better than it was in 2012!  

Encouraging Others

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1: 3-7 (NASB)

Isn't it kind of God to comfort us, perhaps (and often) through the counsel of others when we are going through a trial?  And then, He calls us to use this comfort to, in turn, comfort others who are going through trials.  Recently...as in "last week"...God gave me two opportunities to encourage some sweet, young mothers who are facing different trials. And they are trials that are totally different from the trial I went through. But still, my encouragement to them was the same.  But how can the same advice be comforting to both of them?  Well, because it's God's Word - which never changes.

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to comfort others with the comfort with which I have been comforted. Even when my trial was totally different...the same encouragement I got from others can also encourage them. Love it when that happens.

AWB BLOGtober Fest, Day 5: {Foodie Friday}

Today is Day 5 of the AWB BLOGtober Fest Challenge. And today, we're talking about food - specifically favorite fall recipes.  Fall foods are some of those that I most consider "comfort foods" - chili, stew, soup, pumpkin and spices.  Mmmm. I can hardly wait for the weather to cool down so I can make some of that yummy stuff.  However, I'm not going to talk to you about dinner. I'm going to talk to you about all the sweet stuff that makes a girl gain 20 pounds every winter.

First on my list: Caramel Cake with Browned-Butter-Caramel-Sea-Salt frosting.  

I am not lying when I tell you that the first time I made this cake, I loved it so much I made it six more times over the next six weeks. I took it to everything that holiday season. And, FYI, the leftover frosting (if you have any) is superb on graham crackers. You need to know going in that browned butter has a very distinctive, nutty flavor and not everyone is a fan. I am. And my waistline paid that winter of 2008...but man, was it ever GOOD stuff!

This year, we have discovered two things that are going to be cool/cold weather staples - Pumpkin-Chocolate-Chip Muffins  (I altered the Allrecipes.com recipe by adding a 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom and I also use freshly grated nutmeg).  The kids love them, we've had them for breakfast four times this month and have taken them to Care Group as well.  I never even get to take pictures of these because they get inhaled. They're super easy to mix up and toss in the oven. My 8 year-old (not my cook - that's my 9 y/o) mixed up a batch for breakfast early this week.

The other thing that we've loved recently is Pumpkin Pancakes. I doubled the recipe and have to admit to not being exact in my pumpkin measurements since many reviews I read said the pumpkin flavor wasn't quite strong enough. I also added about a tablespoon more butter because I was too lazy to lop off the extra that was on the already-cut-stick-of-butter-in-the-fridge. Yeah, I'm a rebel like that. And, I added...wait for it...wait...for...it...cardamom.  I know you're surprised about that.  These pancakes were fabulous with the caramel syrup I make when I make the previously mentioned Caramel Cake. Oh my stars, that was sooooo good!!!  The kids loved them and have asked for them for both breakfast and dinner a couple of times since the night we originally had them.

We can talk about other (savory) fall favorites later, okay? I promise!  What's your favorite fall food?

P.S.  I know I missed yesterday -- we spent almost all day at the State Fair, then I had dinner with some of the ladies in my Care Group and I fell in bed exhausted last night!  But if I were to "promote" anything it would be the series of six posts I did on our infertility journey -(be aware this brings the posts in reverse order - so read from the bottom post up).  The posts are long because (a) it was a TEN YEAR journey and (b) I learned a lot about God and myself during that time. :) 

AWB BLOGtober Fest, Day 3: Fall Traditions

Today is day 3 of the Arkansas Women Bloggers BLOGtober Fest. Today we're talking about Fall Traditions.

Initially, I thought, "We don't have any fall traditions." But then I realized, "Oh, yes we do! My favorite one!" I got the idea from my dear friend, Becky.  We make a Thankful Tree and put it in our dining area at the beginning of November. Each day we take a leaf or acorn and write on it one thing we are thankful for that day.  I need to make a new tree trunk this year - the one I had finally bit the dust.  I make my tree trunk out of photo mat board - buy a big sheet at Hobby Lobby (use your 40% off coupon!). I just draw my best, kiddie kind of tree trunk with a couple of branches then cut it out and then use sticky-tack to hold it to the wall. Leaves are from a pattern I found online (Better Homes & Gardens, I think, for a "fall leaves applique pillow" or something) and cut out of various colors of construction paper - mostly brown, yellow and orange with a little bit of red, purple and green thrown in for good measure. We also use sticky-tack to hold the leaves to the wall.  FYI, if you have an electronic cutting machine like a Silhouette, buy cut files and let the machine do all your work!  :)

Here are some photos of previous Thankful Trees:

Close-ups of a few leaves can be found here.  I love this tradition. We are always thankful for people, things (like "the heat pump" one year - hahaha, that was the year we got ours replaced on 10/31 so on 11/1 we were all very thankful!), church stuff...lots of different things! And it's fun to see what the kids come up with. I fully expect to see "Billy the Exterminator" and "Duck Dynasty" on leaves this year.

AWB BLOGtober Fest, Day 2: Halloween Memories

Welcome to day 2 of the Arkansas Women Bloggers BLOGtober Fest  Challenge.  Today we're talking about Halloween memories.  Fun stuff.

My mom always made a big deal about holidays. I mean, decorations on the doors, on the windows, and throughout the house. I always loved the Halloween decorations she used in our home when I was little. I wish she still had them, I'd totally steal them to use at my house. (she does still have some cute stuff, it's just not the stuff from my childhood)  She had a jointed chipboard scarecrow for the front door, other cardboard decorations for the picture window -- a black cat, a witch's hat, a full moon. I remember she always made a lot of our costumes. We chose a mask (remember those masks with the elastic cord that held them onto your head...the kind they can't sell anymore because they are a safety hazard? yeah, that kind)...anyway, we chose a mask and mom made a costume to go with it. My favorite costume was from 1971. My sister and I were both witches. I chose this fabulous mask that had "real" (fake) hair. We had that mask in our toy box for years - and fought over it, because my sister and I both loved it. I know, you're shocked that I fought with my sister! Last year, I found and scanned a photo Mom took of Sammie and me in those costumes. Tell me, am I wrong about the fabulousness? I think not:  

By the way, I made this my Facebook profile picture. Hahaha!

Now, my Halloween memories are all wrapped up in my kids. Ladybugs and Disney Princesses reigned for years...and then along came Squirt. As in Squirt-the-baby-sea-turtle-from-Finding Nemo.  And now, this photo is one of my favorites ever:

Elizabeth, age 5, as Hannah Montana; Harrison, 8 months, as Squirt; Annie, age 2, as Tinkerbell; Nin, age 4, as Fancy Nancy.  Oh, how I loved that particular Halloween!  I look at this picture and my heart aches. It was only four years ago; but, my kids are so big now...I miss this. Yet, I love the stage we're in now, too. {wipes eyes...I'll be okay, let's move on, shall we}

Last year, I made some really fun Halloween treats for preschool teachers, our speech pathologist, and Girl Scout troop leaders - they were really fun and very easy to make.  I love making Halloween treats for special people. Making some more for this year, which I'll share next week when I get them finished. 

Instructions, including what NOT to do, can be found here.  You could easily do them for other holidays or change them to "harvest" in case you don't do Halloween.  And for those who wonder "How do you justify doing Halloween when you call yourself a reformed Christian?"  Well, my friends, it is a matter of conscience. Trick-or-Treating doesn't bother my conscience (free candy!) so we do it.  And I've had to learn that feeling judged by others is MY problem.  (you can read more about that here, should you so choose...and by the way, the link to the Grace to You article in that particular blog post is outdated -- the article now resides here) 

BLOGtober Fest, Day 1: Fall Fashion & Decorating

Today you'll be reading lots from other Arkansas Women Bloggers about Fall Fashion & Decorating. Um, say what?! Fashion and decorating? From me?!  Whatever in the world might I have to say about fashion and decorating?  Not a lot, trust me! I'm a sweatshirt/t-shirt/sweater and blue jeans kind of girl. Though, I will say that of late, it is a necessity that my jeans be boot-cut.  You see, my friends, I have fallen in love with cowboy boots.

I could go into a long spiel about my boots and which ones I have and all that. But I'll spare you.  I will tell you that my Daddy bought a beautiful pair of black lizard-skin boots before my wedding and that's what he wore with his tux. (that was fine by me) So, when he learned I wanted boots he was more than happy to buy me a pair. One for my birthday last year. One for my birthday this year. And I love them. The second it cools down around here, they are on my feet!! All my Facebook friends get a little nauseous when I talk about my boots. But seriously. They're pretty awesome.  So, there's my fashion advice. Get boots. Wear them often. Love them. Okay, I can't let you out of here without you seeing my boots.  First pair, Birthday 2011, Old West snipped toe and they are on sale at Shepler's for much less than my Daddy paid for them. You can't go wrong with them, trust me:

Second pair, Birthday 2012. I saw them with all the advertising for the AWBU conference (Country Outfitters was a sponsor). Daddy ordered them from Country Outfitters. They are much more dressy and girly. They rock.  Laredo brand, Miranda in gray. It's a brushed leather so I don't dare wear them in the rain! They are fabulous:

Now I feel better. You've seen my boots.  :)

As for decorating, well, my oldest daughter did all my October decorating this year. I was at the office, the kids were dying to get everything out. So, they did. Elizabeth put all the jack-o-lantern stuff on the dining table. We've had to change up the table decorations a little because our table is square now. I don't do anything special to the mantel because it holds each of my kids' professional portraits.

Outdoors, I have flipped and flopped and flipped and flopped and flipped on paint color for the Adirondack rocker on our front porch. It was black and the weather had really affected it over the past four years:

 Originally, I thought ORANGE, it would really pop on the front porch! So fun and a little bit shocking against the grey and white brick.  But then I realized there's just no way to make orange work during the holiday season, winter and spring. So, my next thought was RED. But I kept coming back to how to make red work in the spring. Not happening. Finally, I settled on a great PEA GREEN. Perfect! I can use this for everything but post-Christmas winter but I can figure something out between now and then. Bought primer, bought paint. Sanded the chair, started priming. Ran out of primer. Went back to Home Depot. Waffled on RED again. And then, I saw it. AQUA.  Perfect. Use it with pastels for spring; bright colors for summer; orange/brown/gold and maybe a little eggplant or maroon for fall; red & white or cream for Christmas and other blues for the rest of winter. Oh my word. Finally! (although I did briefly entertain the idea of  SKY BLUE or ROYAL BLUE).



I'm still on the hunt for outdoor pillows in the colors I want for each season - but every time I see the chair on the porch, it makes me smile...

...and not just because this adorable face is sitting in it.  It's really a lot of fun! Anyone have suggestions on where to get some great outdoor pillows that don't cost a billion dollars?

P.S.I've also discovered I love spray paint.

Things I Love About Autumn

Here are just a few things I love about autumn -- what about you?

• clear skies
• cool days
• crisp, chilly nights
• FOOTBALL!!! And this year, we are loving high school football, especially, as we go to my nephew's home games. Takes me back about 30 years!
• pumpkin flavored stuff -- coffee creamer, muffins, pie (and I don't even like pie!!), coffee cake
• I get to wear my cowgirl boots every day!!! And, this year I have TWO pair!
• Decorating for Halloween and then for Thanksgiving
• Costumes for trick-or-treating
• Thanksgiving with my family
• Did I mention the weather?
• And football?  

I usually love decorating my table for October and then November. In October it's all pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. In November, the pilgrims and Indians come out - along with squash and acorns.  This year, my kids were so excited about decorating that they did it one evening while I was at the office.  Elizabeth did a fabulous job on the dining table and I will share it later, I promise. She is such the little mother. I don't know what I'd do without her!

Friday night is homecoming for my nephew. Tomorrow we have to go to Hobby Lobby and get the stuff to make signs for the kids to hold during the game to cheer him on. He's a senior this year so it's a BIG deal! Can't wait! I hope the weather stays this fabulous. It's great football weather, don't you think?

Seasonal Transition

If you've been around here very long, you know the seasonal closet transition in this house will make me whine like nothing else.  It takes weeks, it leads to tons of laundry, I hate it. I grumble, I complain, I am unkind to my children, and I am completely ungrateful for the clothes my children have. I am a wretch!!

This year, I decided to take a different approach. I still whined (some) - but I did it in ONE DAY.  I wasn't unkind to the kids. I enlisted their help in little ways -- putting someone in charge of all the hangers, someone else in charge of the boxes for others, someone else as the messenger to Daddy when we needed another box. Oh my gracious, the clothes!!! Annie has hit the size where Elizabeth & Nin collided (they both hit size six at the same time). She had a summer closet full. She has a winter closet full...though not quite as full as the summer closet was -- it was obscene, let me tell you.  One thing that helped the winter closet not be as full, she nixed a lot of the things her sisters wore.  Not that she isn't thankful, or the clothes weren't cute -- but she doesn't like turtlenecks (never bothered her sisters) and she isn't wild about sweatshirts or anything "fuzzy".  We have lots of boxes to bless others, though - whether on to our Baby Cousins or taking to Share & Swap for church.  Aaaaaand, we just found another box in the garage of stuff for Annie. So, while I mix up Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins - Bits is going to finish trying on clothes for fall & winter.

I'll tell you about the muffins later, and will share the recipe I use then, too.

And PS, it helped that yesterday was cold and rainy -- so everyone had to stay inside!

Blogtober Fest

Arkansas Women Bloggers will be hosting "Blogtober Fest" in about a week and a half.  You can read all about it here.  Good. I need something to kick me into blogging! I have had my nose to the grindstone for the past five months with work. I need to break out of my all-work-and-no-play bubble. Looking forward to participating. Hope you'll check it out!

And try to rein in your shock over the fact that I actually blogged,   Oh, AND I stripped and repainted the Adirondack rocker that is on my front porch. The painting got done in 15 minute increments over the past several days (during work breaks) I'll share pictures of it during the Blogtober Fest, I promise.  And I have a few new, favorite recipes I need to share.

Summer is over?

Gracious, I cannot believe how quickly summer has flown by this year! We had a big, big summer!!

Both of the big girls went to Girl Scout Camp this year and both loved it (despite the tragedy of losing BehBear). A week after Elizabeth came home from camp, we were off to Grammie's for a week. We always enjoy our time there - and this year, Brad and I took at day-trip to Atlanta. Archiver's, Trader Joe's, Ikea and, of course, The Varsity (the original!)

We left Elizabeth at Camp Grammie for two weeks. Katherine spent another week going to Day Camp at Ozark Conference Center (Annie and Harrison aren't old enough for that). The truck got a tankful of bad gas (delivery company's fault, they covered it), the motor on the dishwasher went out, DirecTV went out for four days in the smack-dab middle of the Olympics (say WHAT?!)  and my laptop got a brand-new-never-before-seen variant of the TDL4 Rootkit.  And then, we are suddenly in the first week of August -- when we started school!  We've been back at it for three full weeks now.

The girls are doing handwriting, math, spelling, reading, grammar, science and history.  Science and history are done all together. The big girls do spelling and grammar together.  Harrison is doing Saxon Kindergarten math this year and he loves it.  I wasn't supposed to start the lessons until September but he couldn't stand not doing it!  He is also doing handwriting.  Annie is doing fabulously - reading has finally clicked with her. She also continues speech therapy one day/week at the local elementary school. We actually had her evaluation this week and "real" therapy will start next week. Our focus this year is on her rate of speech/conversational speech -- and after this year, she's out. She will be finished.

Harrison's preschool meet-and-greet was today. I had to fight back tears. Our last year, ever, at the preschool. It makes me sad when I think this will be the last year our family interacts with this staff and teachers!  Preschool starts Monday and he. is. ready!!! He is very excited about the year. I can't wait to share a "First Day of School" photo! So, hopefully I will see you Monday!!

Did I tell you BehBear is gone?

So, you know how when you have a baby and they latch on to something as their lovie you should get two of them, right?  And you know that my oldest daughter received a red bear from her Grammie when she was 13 months old, right? And you know that Grammie got it on clearance at JC Penney in early 2004 (right after Christmas) for something like $2.00, right? And Grammie didn't think to buy two - but who knew we'd need two of them?!  Elizabeth Jane has never been without BehBear (nee Red Baron) since she got him.

Elizabeth & BehBear (and Purple Blankie) in her little fold-out chair in the kids' room at Boop & Paw's house. March 2004

Well, she took him to Girl Scout camp earlier this summer...see him laying on the bed back there?

He did not make it home. We still don't know what happened to him.  He did not show up in the camp lost-and-found. He did not go home with any of her tent-mates. The only thing we can guess is that he rolled out of the tent during the night while she was sleeping and he got carted off by a raccoon or something. She was heart-broken. And, quite frankly, so was I. Every time she had a new sibling, BehBear went to Boop's house with her while Mommy was at the hospital. When she had some dental work at the age of four that required general anesthesia, they let her keep BehBear with her when she went to the OR so she wouldn't be afraid.  When her very best friend moved to Florida last summer, she spent many afternoons curled on her bed with BehBear - talking to him about how much she missed BFF.  BehBear was an extension of her. I remember how I could tell she was tired because she would start biting his nose. I remember the first time he had a hole in the seam and the drama that erupted because he needed "surgery." Last summer, she and Grammie actually added stuffing to him because he was so flimsy.

When we came home from camp, I spent several hours on eBay trying to find one of these bears - hoping against hope that someone, somewhere would be an avid bear collector and have one for sale. At that point, I would've paid a significant sum of money to get one. And I still hope that someone from Girl Scout Camp will find him and they'll remember that Elizabeth is looking for him and will get him home to us.  My heart still breaks that he is gone. I loved him as much as she did, I think.

Long Live Summer!!!

Summer is here - and if you're anything like me that means lots of pictures!! We recently spent a week in Chattanooga, TN (which is a fabulous place for a family vacation, by the way - so much fun family stuff to do!!) and I took a ton of pictures of the kids playing in the fountain, riding the carousel and playing in the water at Grammie's. We did a lot of playing in the water because it was 100° or hotter every day we were there - and for several days her AC was out! {Kermit flail!!}  But today, we went to GG & GrandDaddy's house to swim. I love hanging at the pool at their house. It is beautiful, quiet and really close to our house so buzzing over there for a quick swim is easy to do. That's what we did on my lunch hour today. While we were there, Elizabeth showed me how she can now jump off the diving board!! This is a huge step for her!! And of course I got it on camera!

Even better, this photo qualifies for the Long Live Summer sweepstakes over at Shutterfly's Facebook page! Here are the deets:

Long Live Summer – Facebook Photo Contest details (US residents only) 7/9 – 8/12 Multi-week summer themed photo sweepstakes with instant win prizes. http://bit.ly/sweepS

Win a trip for four to The Bahamas and a professional photo shoot so you’ll remember your vacation forever.  All you need to do is upload your favorite photo and caption based on the theme of the week.  Get a gift from Shutterfly just for entering! You can enter at any point during the 5-week sweepstakes period.

PHOTO THEMES

•       Week 1(7/9): Americana - ended

•       Week 2 (7/16): Great Outdoors - ended

•       Week 3 (7/23): Water Fun – current week

•       Week 4 (7/30): Sports & Activities

•       Week 5 (8/6): Parties & Celebrations

PRIZES

•       Instant win prizes just for submitting a photo!

•       Weekly prizes (contestants can enter one time/week)

•       Weekly featured photos: up to 5 weekly entries will be selected from the gallery and featured on the Facebook fan page.

•       Grand prize: trip for 4 to Bahamas, 4 nights, family photo shoot

•       Shutterfly Sweepstakes - Official Rules

Instant win prizes just for submitting a photo?! I'm in!!  Click on over and share your photos!! Can't wait to see them!  Y'all know I love Shutterfly. I use their photo books to make family albums for my mother-in-law, and I love their Christmas cards. Enter! Win! Check it out!!!

The opinions about Shutterfly expressed in this post are mine as a happy customer. If I did not like them, I would have told you. But, I like them and so I told you that.  I was compensated for this post with a complimentary 20-page 8x8 hardcover photo book. My opinion of Shutterfly is in no way influenced by this.  If you are concerned about that, please email me (there's a link in my right side bar)

SAF 2012: Camp Card Set Challenge

So, this is being posted after all the challenges have closed, but I wanted to post it anyway. We were challenged to create a set of cards using the ideas given in this post or to create our own.  I was actually inspired by Becky's Mehndi Medallion card that I have pinned on my PTI Inspiration board on Pinterest.  I was initially thinking I'd stamp the medallions in red, blue and yellow (love the primary color combo). Then I got the idea to stamp it in a monochromatic color scheme. And then I wanted to see it in the primary colors. And then I decided I wanted to do something "tropical". And now I'm wanting to do it in all sorts of colors...

So, anyway, I'm going to give these cards to a friend of mine who recently had a baby so she can use them for thank you notes. Here they are:

Cardstock: Stampers Select White, Classic Kraft; Ink: Dark Chocolate, Classic Kraft, Fine Linen; Stamps: Mehndi Medallion, Think Big Favorites 3

Cardstock: Stampers Select White, the packaging for PTI cardstock (the stamped panel); Ink: Harvest Gold, Blueberry Sky, Pure Poppy, Versafine Onyx Black; Stamps: Mehndi Medallion, Think Big Favorites 3

Cardstock: Stampers Select White, the packaging for PTI cardstock (the stamped panel); Ink: Harvest Gold, Hawaiian Shores, Raspberry Fizz, Smokey Shadow; Stamps: Mehndi Medallion, Think Big Favorites 3

SAF 2012: Ribbon Challenge

Stamp-a-Faire had a fun "summer camp" theme along with "badges" that people could "earn" throughout the day. The first badge was the Knots badge - and the challenge associated with it was the Ribbon Techniques Challenge.  There were several different videos posted with ideas for working with several of the different types of PTI ribbon. My personal favorite of their ribbons is their twill tape, but for this challenge I stepped out of my comfort zone. Really far out of my comfort zone. I used my second favorite PTI ribbon: Saddle Stitch and I used Dawn McVey's technique for tying a bow on my card (she also used Saddle Stitch ribbon in her demo).

As I was thinking through what I wanted on my card, I was reaching for my Mat Stack 3 dies that just came in the mail this week and then remembered the little bag of goodies from my friend JenniferK...hmmm, what's in there that might keep me from getting out the Cuttlebug, plates, dies (remember, it's late and I'm tired...I'm also lazy if you want the whole truth). I grab the bag o'goodies and find the most fabulous "get well soon" tag. Perfection! And, it has what appears to be Ripe Avocado bitty dot paper which will go perfectly with my RA Saddle Stitch ribbon. Happy dance.  So, this card looks fabulous because of Jennifer. I just tied the bow and stuck it all on some cardstock with foam dots (the tag, that is).

Cardstock: Fine Linen, Dark Chocolate; Ribbon: Ripe Avocado Saddle Stitch; Tag from Jennifer K

  **edited to add:  Jennifer shared the pieces of the tag with me and here are the deets

the circle flourish is from Spooky Sweets 2, then Turning a New Leaf on Simply Chartreuse bitty dot paper, a butterfly from Butterfly Dreams. I *think* the sentiment is from Tea For Two.

SAF 2012: Morning Make 'n Take

Yesterday (as I type) Papertrey Ink hosted an on-line crafting event called "Stamp-a-Faire". I was originally slated to go to the DFW area to craft with some of the wonderful ladies of North Texas; however, due to some projects at the office, I was unable to go. {insert sad song here}  Instead, I caught up on all the ironing, watched PTI's videos on the YouTube app on my DirecTV box and did a little bit of blog hopping.  I tried doing a little bit of crafting last night but hated what I did so I threw in the towel and went to bed.

Tonight after the girls went to bed, I broke out the stamping stuff and started working on my SAF projects. At this point, I have two completed and I think that's all I'm going to get done (despite an almost-three-hour nap this afternoon and a cup of coffee, I'm wiped out!!).

I did the Morning Make 'n Take while supervised by Harrison. He was so cute and encouraging. He's good for a momma's ego while she's trying to stamp and not really sure about it. "Mommy, it's beautiful and I want to give it to {insert about five different names here, he changed his mind every time}." I'd have to say I'm just "okay" with my card. I'm not super wild about the leaves. Really, I do need Turning a New Leaf. I see that now.  And I should've used the Fiskars Stamp Press when I stamped the vellum. The stamp slipped a teensy bit (hey, here are me and all my imperfections! Welcome to my real world)

Supplies PTI unless noted. Cardstock: Stampers Select White, Plum Pudding; Vellum is from my stash; Stamps: Rosie Posie, Tag-Its #3, Movers & Shakers Sentiments; Ink: Bamboo Leaves (Memento), Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko...one of these days I'll be able to spell that without googling it first), Plum Pudding, Raspberry Fizz, Harvest Gold, Fine Linen

I think we finally decided that we'll give this to GG for her birthday (next Monday). I'm looking forward to playing around with this process a little more, perfecting placement of flowers...and getting some new leaf stamps!

Thanks for stopping by!

Yet another camp card and the camper!

This is the card I made for the BFF's sister. Again, this is a CASE of Dawn McVey's Summer Camp card. I love how cute these turned out and will use this design idea again and again, I'm sure.

All supplies PTI: Cardstock: Fine Linen, Ripe Avocado, Rustic Cream, Dark Chocolate; Patterned Paper: Pacific Vineyards; Stamps: Summer Camp; Dies: Limitless Layers 1.75" Circles, Half & Half; Ink: Fine Linen, Dark Chocolate;
Other: WRMK Corner Chomper; I handcut the double-ended tag and the label

This card fits A's personality. She is not a girly-girl so pink is out of the question. Had it been camo, it would've been even better!

And here's Elizabeth as I dropped her off at camp. So excited about the week!

Tent, Sweet Tent! This is her home for a week. She is in a platform tent with three other girls - two from her troop (her BFF and the BFF's sister). Looking forward to making jewelry for a week!  Her hair is wet because she'd just finished her swim test. She's a red hat (lowest level) and will have Red Cross certified swim lessons while at camp. We miss her already!

Another card for camp

I had one last card to do for Elizabeth for camp and I finished it up last night.  My PTI order came on Monday and I've been anxious to use all the sets I purchased. I was able to use the new Summer Camp set on Elizabeth's card. I decided I'd CASE Dawn McVey's card from the PTI team group post. I knew E would love something like this.  I chose to go with Raspberry Fizz, Aqua Mist and Smokey Shadow. I eliminated the Wine Tag layer...partially due to exhaustion (it's midnight, I need to get this done so I can go to bed) and laziness (don't have the wine tag die and didn't feel like cutting...I know, super lazy there, Gina).

All supplies PTI unless otherwise stated.  Paper: Stamps: Summer Camp; Cardstock (Stamper's Select White, Aqua Mist, Smokey Shadow) Patterned Paper (Raspberry Fizz Pattern Pack); Ink: Aqua Mist, Smokey Shadow, Raspberry Fizz; Versamark by Tsukineko; Other: Dies (Half & Half; Limitless Layers 1.75") Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers)

I'm hoping she enjoys the cards she'll get while she's at camp. I think she will...especially since I've managed to keep most of them a secret from her!

Cards for Camp

Two of my girls are going to Girl Scout camp soon and they'll each be gone for a week. While they're at camp, they will have "mail call" each day and so I decided to make cards for them. Nichole Heady posted her sketch inspiration Make It Monday just in time. I used several of the sketches for cards, but only took photos of one because I've had too much going this week to break out everything to take pictures (work has been insane!)

This card is based on sketch #2:

And here is the card that I'll send to Elizabeth. She loves Raspberry Fizz, so her card is done in that color:

Since I already had everything out, I went ahead and made cards for both of them and a few for their friends who were attending. Elizabeth's BFF will be at the same camp she is and I thought it would be fun to surprise her with a note during mail call.  I've been anxious to use the Blueberry Sky and Harvest Gold inks I got in a recent order. I looked through my Pinterest and found a card by Danielle Flanders to use as inspiration. I made two of these cards - one for Elizabeth and one for her BFF:

I still have a couple of cards to make (one more for Elizabeth, one for the BFF's sister who will be there the same week) but I think I'm going to hold off on those until next week...I have a PTI order that should arrive Tuesday. 

All supplies PTI unless otherwise noted:
Hello Butterfly card:
Paper: Stamper's Select White; Raspberry Fizz Patterned Paper Pack 
Stamps: Pretty Peonies
Ink: Raspberry Fizz
Other: Raspberry Fizz Button; Blossom Baker's Twine (The Twinery)
 
Framed Hello card:
Paper: Stamper's Select White
Stamps:  Framed Out #1, Tag-Its #12
Ink: Pure Poppy, Blueberry Sky, Harvest Gold
Other: Pure Poppy Felt; Candy Stripe and Lemonade Baker's Twine (We R Memory Keepers); Shore Baker's Twine (The Twinery)

Preschool Staff Gift Bags

We went in with other parents in the class to give a gift to Harrison’s preschool teachers – so that gift is taken care of with the class. However, I like to give a gift to his music teacher and the three ladies who work in the office. We decided to go with Sonic gift cards and a couple of small summery treats. I found some plain blue paper bags at Target and decided to decorate them.  I thought they turned out kind of fun!

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink Classic Kraft, Stamper’s Select White, Harvest Gold, Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest, Simply Chartreuse, Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores  Ink: Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores, Classic Kraft
Stamps: Think Big Favorites #3 (Merci), Simply You (on back of tag,..”YOU are awesome), Tag-Its #4 (happy summer)
Other: The Twinery Canteloupe Baker’s Twine; Target gift bag

Project 52 v2012: Weeks 11, 12 and 13

Week 11: March 11-17, 2012

I forgot one photo from week 11. On Friday, one of Harrison's sweet friends from church spent the day with us. Her mom was out of town with her older brothers so E. spent the day with us. We picked her up after he dropped him off at school and he was so happy to see her when he got out. She takes a nap in the afternoons (oh, for a child who napped still!!) and she wanted to lay down in Harrison's bed...I couldn't resist snapping this picture. She wanted to sleep with his and all the girls' stuffed animals, Elizabeth's turtle pillow and Nin's Fancy Nancy pillow. So, so sweet:

Week 12: March 18-24, 2012

We had to make a trip to WalMart today. Harrison was such a sweetie while we were there.  You see Annie zipping around in the background.

Freshly cut hair. Whoo-hoo. And decided I probably need a picture of me from this year since I don't have one yet. So...there it is.

 I'm starting to demo the kids/guest bath. The wallpaper in there wasn't bad at all, design-wise. But, it was starting to lift in a couple of places and we've been talking about redoing that bathroom. So, I took the plunge this week while we were on Spring Break.

Week 13: March 25 - 31, 2012

 
Harrison loves to play with my phone and takes tons of photos when he has it. This was during Sunday School - he was just snapping away and I love that he took a picture of his feet.  And yes, we're in the sanctuary because someone wouldn't go to his own class. :)

So, yeah. I have a little bit of laundry to do.  This is in the midst of the spring clothes change-over. I'm trying to get winter clothes laundered and packed away while getting the spring clothes unpacked, tried on, laundered and hung up. It usually takes a good two weeks before all the boxes get unpacked, repacked and moved to storage.

 

Project 52 v2012: Weeks 9, 10 and 11

Week 9: February 26 – March 3, 2012

This is our only photo for the week. We spent the entire week sorting, packing and delivering cookies. It consumed every spare minute we had!! After turning in our order, we sold about 100 more boxes!!!!! A crazy, crazy week! Also during this week, Brad & I celebrated our 22nd anniversary – but he wasn’t here. He was in Hot Springs at the Sun Belt Tournament where the UALR Lady Trojans won and will be going to the NCAA tournament!!

Week 10:  March 4 – 10, 2012

Elizabeth has loved her iPod Touch over the past couple of months. She’s learned how to take screen shots.

Week 11:  March 11 – 17, 2012



We have decided that Elizabeth and Katherine are going to go to Girl Scout Camp this summer. We went to Camp Open House with the three As – to check out what the girls will be doing while they are there. Here we are hiking to where Elizabeth & A will stay (in platform tents). Nin will stay in a cabin.

See that canoe in the middle of the photo? Elizabeth and Nin are in it! A group of four of them – none of whom were experienced canoers – took a canoe out. They did really well considering…

…though when they sounded the dinner bell for lunch, the girls did have to be towed in by the lifeguards.  But they had so much fun!

After lunch, we did some crafts and had a Q&A session with the camp director. Then, we went out to the archery field. Nin was so excited to do this – and she did pretty well.  Elizabeth did, too. There are no pictures of her shooting her bow & arrow because they wanted me to do it, too – she and I were at the line at the same time.

Project 52 v2012: Weeks 7 & 8

Week 7: February 12-18, 2012
 

 

Annie got a new dress and boots from Bippie. And of course, she put them both on immediately and struck a pose.  She looks adorable in both - and if you don't believe me, just ask Mr. John!

 

 

We actually got some snow this week!!!!  We have had an unusually mild winter - but finally it got cold enough for us to see a little bit of snow (you can see the grass still peeking through). It was enough to make our little snowbird a happy girl. Other than her very first snowfall (when she was nine days old), this girl has loved, loved, loved it when we get snow!

 

 I made the kids Scratch-Off Valentines this year. They were a ton of fun and I'll be doing these again for some other kiddie event.

 

We had Harrison's birthday lunch at my parents' house the Saturday after his birthday. Over the past few months, he has developed a love for our pastor's family. Hannah helps in his Sunday School class on the third Sunday of the month and it's just about the only Sunday he'll go into class. Hannah and the girls came out to the house for lunch -- Harrison had a total of NINE females sitting at the table with him!   He was on cloud nine, too!

Week 8: February 19-25, 2012

While Annie is in speech therapy, we hang out in the library.  Harrison plays DSi or on my phone while the big girls do grammar and spelling. 

Girl Scout Cookies have arrived!!! Time to start sorting and preparing them for delivery!