Tattered Scraps

FREE FOR 30 DAYS STARTING FEB. 1

2012-02-05T14:15:00.002-06:00

FOR 30 DAYS YOU CAN ENJOY USING THE MY DIGITAL SOFTWARE (MDS) FREE!! YOU GET THE TRIAL DOWNLOAD OF THE SOFTWARE PLUS FREE USE OF $50 WORTH OF EXCLUSIVE ARTWORK THAT COMES WITH MDS EXPRESS.

GO TO MY ONLINE STORE BY CLICKING THE ORDER 24/7 NOW ON THIS WEBSITE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE TRIAL OF THE SOFTWARE. THE ITEM NUMBER TO ADD TO YOUR ORDER IS #129600. You don't have to buy anything but it does have to be an "order" by adding this FREE item and then when you checkout it will allow you to download this free item. That's it!!

YOU CAN ALSO SEE OTHER IDEAS, DOWNLOADS YOU CAN PURCHASE, INFO, ETC. ON:

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I, TOO, AM TRYING OUT THIS PROGRAM FOR SCRAPBOOKING, PHOTO BOOKS, INVITATIONS, CARDS, ETC TO SEE IF I WANT TO PURCHASE IT LATER ON AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW ME, I'VE RESISTED THIS A LONG TIME!

LET'S COMPARE NOTES ON WHAT WE LIKE, WHAT WE DON'T UNDERSTAND, ETC. AND SEE HOW WE DO, OK?!!

WAY TO GO STAMPIN' UP!! YOU HAVE OUTDOWN YOURSELF AGAIN!! GIVE ME A BIG TEXAS YEEHAW! : )

Stampin' Up! Regionals

2012-01-09T18:01:00.001-06:00

They are just around the corner and right down the road in San Antonio!

We are super excited about attending; my upline, my upline's upline.......and on and on!

What a day to celebrate.

Right now I'm working on "swaps" for the event. What to do! No idea but great papers and new stamp sets coming in tomorrow to work with!

Check back as I get creating and hope to see you there!

Post Christmas - what are you thinking?

2012-01-06T18:16:00.002-06:00

You know the drill........you spend hours decorating, crafting, menu planning and sometimes vacation coordinating for the holidays. If you're lucky, like I was here, my adorable and nimble future DIL helped me put up the tree and spend a few days getting in the spirit of things.

And the time rolls in, the gifts are purchased and the cards are sent. Stockings are filled and luggage is being packed. Things are rolling right along and the fun begins......

Then the holiday time starts. For us, this year we were blessed with some real down time; December 21st - Jan 2nd. What a great extended period of time to just soak in the season! Right?

Then the traveling began and the car stops and the gas fill ups and the road meals and the coordinating with others and the packed cooler for the road, the Christmas Eve leftovers so they didn't go to waste and the car overloaded!

We are and were blessed. No doubt. But as a new couple (married less than 5 years and blending two families together with all adult children) we have some learning to do and we started to really dig into this big family stuff this year. We have four adult/college aged children. Three of the four have "attachments" as we call them. Of the seven of the group we now consider our children, five work, three are full time students and one is a full time student and works, and finally one of them and their attachment has a child. (Sigh) Can you feel it already? Who's off when? When will you visit, can you join us here or there, will you make it for one day or three or five? When do you have to visit his family/her family/his dad/his mom/her dad, etc etc. Ahhhhh, the joys of blended families.

Jan 1 rolls around..........and hubby wakes early. "Let's get on the road. I just want to be home, have some alone time before work starts again on the 3rd."

Nay I say it? We wore ourselves out and though we love our children and our growing family.....we also love our quiet lives and face it, we aren't 20 anymore! There's a reason we don't have children at 50; because the hectic-ness of 20something life and children and all that goes along with it, we've been there, done that.

I loved visiting our oldest child and her new hubby and grandchild at their home in Louisiana. We took in some sights, had some great photography ops and really enjoyed the "out of state" vacation but home has its pleasures too and what we learned was this:

* Big families fill your hearts and empty your pocketbooks.
* Loving them isn't measured by how much you spend on them.
* Trying to get everyone together at one time in one place just might not happen!
* Norman Rockwell needs to be re-painted; holidays just don't look like that anymore.
* Killing ourselves to create "it" won't make it anymore special, it'll just make you more tired.
* Balancing your time off with some away, some at home is key.
* Remember that the holidays are for everyone; including YOU!
* Building your holidays around others means you might not have the holiday you dreamed.
* Remember, no matter how old you are, Christmas and New Years are still magical.
* Live the magic, not the chaos.
* Avoid Black Friday! The sales continue long after that one day and are sometimes better!
* If you didn't come home with more memories & pictures than presents, you might rethink things next year.
* Finally, learn from this year or last year and do less planning and more enjoying.

I cooked a traditional Christmas dinner this year, I had presents all done, wrapped, stockings filled and under the tree for almost the entire month of December for that "picture perfect" look. It didn't add much to life other than I wasn't out buying presents in the fray of people but I still had to go to Wal-Mart and the grocery store for weekly needs and therefore couldn't avoid the chaos even if I wanted to, so sad! I wrapped up the Christmas dinner and it traveled 300 miles so it "wouldn't go bad". Why didn't I freeze it instead and save the space in the car?

In the end, the one picture I didn't get was that overly packed car for our trip to Louisiana. What I did get was over worked and over tired by the time our business started back up on the 3rd and despite the good times, the laughs, the ohhhhhhhhhhs and ahhhhhhhhhhhs of the gift exchanging our vacation slipped away with other things we didn't count on. People got cranky with each other and not everyone agrees on how to spend time during their time off. There is such a thing as too much family when you're talking five different homes trying to celebrate together and we never learned how to all live together as the Walton's once did. I wished we had, but we didn't.

They say good things come in small packages and I believe the same is true when it comes to the way we spend our holidays. Next year I'm going to craft more, cook more, create more and enjoy more. I am not going to worry how much I spent on who. I am going to avoid Black Friday, avoid long trips unless we are going somewhere exotic and alone! I am going to burn candles every day or any day I want and not end with partially burned candles as I pack up the decorations! I am going to get the cards out that I want to send and not worry about who I "should" send them to for appearances sake. I am not going to forget last year. I am going to remember why I celebrate Christmas and I am going to make Christ and His family more a central part of the season than we did this year.

Post Christmas and what am I thinking? I'm thinking we learned a lot, loved a lot and did a lot wrong. I'm thinking we're going to enjoy next year more because of the mistakes we made this year. I'm thinking that it's a New Year and that means new everything from the inside out and I'm going to love making changes in me and in my home!

I'm also going to rest. Right now, each day and when I need to; and I'm going to make each day count. Not just Christmas but each and every day a celebration of Christ, what He did for me and what He gives me each day as we go along.

And I'm going to blog. That's what I'm thinking. What about you?

Oh, and I'm going to thank God for my dear husband, who makes my life more than I could have dreamed it could be! Happy New Year everyone!

Issues with Stampin' Up! DBWS - please don't fret!

2011-12-10T01:50:00.001-06:00

Currently Stampin' Up! is having issues with their demonstrator web based outside customer ordering system. This is a temporary problem and will be resolved quickly.

In short order this means:

*currently customers are unable to order directly through the online system with their favorite demonstrator

*currently your favorite demonstrator is unable to send out newsletters and other mass forms of communication

*currently your only option to order is directly through your demonstrator who will place the order for you.

The upside?

*those pesky questions have you about orders, promotions and upcoming specials can be answered with one call to your demo

*you get great personalized service from your favorite demonstrator

*orders are not affected when submitted through your demonstrator with no delays in processing, shipping and delivery.

If you try to get to your favorite demos site and are having trouble, rest assured SU is doing everything, night and day to rectify this and we anticipate less than a 24 hours occurrence.

In the meantime, call, anytime and let's keep crafting.

Leslie
512-591-4848

It's all about the craft!

Christmas is more than paper and ink......

2011-12-07T17:16:00.001-06:00

We have so much to think about during the holidays........especially Christmas.

Christmas is the remembrance of our Lord's birth; a birth that was created in order to reconcile us to our Father God. It's about relationship; that between each of us and God and its a wonderful time to simply be reminded that God gifts us with family and friends. Relationships.

This weekend we were blessed with a visit from my son and his future wife. We are blessed by four children (our blended family) and each of those children have chosen wonderful partners. Our family grows.

I was fortunate enough this weekend to pass along a family tradition, the making of holiday divinity onto my future daughter in law, Amanda. She loved the candy cane divinity I made last year and so she jumped right in and we made a batch while they were here.

You could say she was proud of her accomplishments! : ) I'm sure it won't be her last batch. She mastered it! We enjoyed a few ourselves but boxed up the rest and sent it home with them when they headed back to Houston.

But in the meantime, the boys got out the tree, decorations and such. So again, Amanda helped get that tree just right! Deep underneath, we spread the tree skirt.

Yes boots and jeans.......that's Amanda...........I'm the one that can't seem to wiggle underneath like I used to! Number one son is busy with a game on the iPad, so helpful!

She sure can stretch around alot! Very helpful skill.

But the end result...........ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

And with that done, its time to relax! It may be early, but our shopping is done and just the traveling to do, so here's an early Merry Christmas everyone. The Christ is born!

Ready, set, sell..........

2011-11-30T02:57:00.001-06:00

It was fun; talking with other vendors, seeing your creations get bagged and paid for (with my new "square" credit card processor) and seeing the fun in the church and on our town square where the first sale was held.

My cider and hot chocolate snuggies were the hit; they sold out after the end of two shows. Easy, quick and fun to make; some said great stocking stuffers, other customers were talking office gifts. But they flew off the table at $3 each. : )

It was our first show so we had a pretty basic set up, that didn't seem to matter though; people seemed to be more interested in all the color than a fancy display (so thankful for that) and we put alot of effort into our packaging which I think separated us from the guy next door. Our products, though all handmade, had that finished look for gift giving. The investment in the A2 clear envelopes (which housed everything but the large composition books) was just the right size.

My talented husband made all our price signs so they were easy to read and the customer had no confusion on pricing. They didn't have to have that uncomfortable moment of asking how much something was and we could stand with confidence that they extra measure of professionally made signs meant we were serious business women! (At least we felt what way!)

Surprisingly we had one card display that we kept stocked with cards and they sold at $2 each or 6/$10 with a free gift box (I had left from another Uline order over a year ago so I was again using stashed stuff). Most of our cards came from previous classes, SAS classes and demos so we felt able to sell them at a lower rate than others might but we moved so many out of the old stock. I would never go through that many cards, not in a million years. I have at least one of everything that we had in the display in my card notebook for samples but the rest were put out for sale. They did as well as anything at both shows. I liked reducing my stock/stash of cards to get ready for the new sets coming out in January and then the new catalog next summer. If you look closely you will see that many of the cards on display have stamp sets more than two years retired.

Okay, the lip balm purses, again, thank you Frenchie for the great turorial. I made my money on those and they were a big attention grabber as folks walked by. Double duty I say!

And amidst it all, I got great contacts for parties after the holidays with a recruit just waiting for the SAB recruit promotion coming up in late January! What a fun day. Both weekends netted me the funds I needed to place my Mini Occasions pre-order and SAB order come January 1, I'll be earning maximum benefits and meet my quarterly minimums right off the bat!

Thanks SU for making our New Year so exciting before we even get there!

Who hasn't done beaded pens..........

2011-11-11T00:24:00.001-06:00

Fresh from the retreat, getting ready for the craft fair coming up.

Who hasn't done the beaded pens? Fast, easy and fun.

They sparkle and add color and bling to your display table.

Do they sell? All my sources say yes!

I'll let you know after next weekend!

Wish me luck!

Lip Balm Purses.....the crafting continues

2011-11-09T19:06:00.003-06:00

A big thank you to the crafters on Splitcoast and to "Frenchie" for the tutorial on these adorable lip balm purses. I ordered 50 lip balms from Avon; 10 of their popular Dew Kiss which are being put in the every day colors as shown above. Then 40 (10 each of their holiday scented/flavored ones) which will be put into Christmas Designer Papers by Stampin' Up!. Watch for those tomorrow. I'm a little elf, just cranking them out as fast as I can so I can get to the larger Sunday Notes journals and other altered composition books I have planned for the show in the 19th of this month! :)

A great day crafting..........

2011-11-09T01:31:00.001-06:00

Stampin' Up! 's Holiday Mini has a great advent calendar and like all good

SU fans/demos, we just had to give it a try!

We were busy, all of us cutting, stamping, embossing,

tying jingle bells and punching all kinds of things.

The lay out was coming together. We had an overall picture in the mini to go by with some slight alterations because of limited designer paper. (Okay, we I used some at my last retreat, forgetting we had this day scheduled and needed the two packs I had purchased! My fault but my friend, Erica, had another Christmas set of DP from SU that worked its way into our layouts just fine.)

Then we had the dueling camera phones.........to get all the action.

Laresa was making two, she had a task ahead of her. But she kept at it!

Several hours later, at home and after a dental appointment, I actually put the finishing touches on mine. Framed and ready for display. Not perfect, but what handcrafted project is......I was happy I had taken on a project of this magnatude. It's probably the largest papercraft project I've ever tried!

2011-11-06T16:09:00.001-06:00

I found some pre-cut brown stars in my stash (can't tell if they are a cricut cut out or a big shot die but I'm leaning toward the big shot die since they have an edge emboss around them that doesn't show in the picture.) Last year I found this great to: from: stamp that fits perfectly in the original Stampin' Up! scallop punch. All I did was color the edges after stamping in a nice Christmas-y color. On the other side I've used Tim Holtz's new rosette die. Giving this great star both useability and dimension! I call them my Texas Lone Star Tags. Why? Because everything cool, we believe starts right here in Texas!

And as with the other to from tags I've made this year, I am using older stamps from my stash that I drug out and played with this I got what I wanted. Again, with the brown stars were these pre-cut blue and white DP paper stars. No idea where they came from; most likely one of our craft sale exchanges at a crop or retreat but I finally pulled them out and used them plum all up! My little shepherd stamp here is adorable and I used a combination of Stampin' Up! Write Markers and Copics to color the adorable image. Of course, some Daffodil Delight paper cut out in the original Stampin' Up! scallop punch and the image punched with the 1 3/8th" circle punch from SU finishes it off. Gold string that I bought last year makes the tag to use or display on your tree.

I've packaged the Lone Star Tags four to a package and the shepherds are 8 to a package. I'm still struggling with pricing for the craft show so any ideas/suggestions would be great. As I said in my last post, I sold so many Christmas planners at the retreat two weeks ago that my booth fee is already paid for plus some so anything is gravy from this point forward. Just want to get the best I can for the time I've put into everything!

But at least my stash is getting used and I'm having fun doing them all. That's what it's all about, right?

Tuesday we have a workshop making the wonderful Advent calendar in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini catalog and I'll be posting that end project as soon as I get home! : ) Should be a fun Tuesday morning.

Happy holiday crafting everyone!

2011-11-03T00:46:00.002-05:00

Getting ready for a craft sale November 19th. Can't wait to see what all I can come up with; its a first for me. The Stampin' Up! Top Note die has so many uses; name place tags for your Thanksgiving dinner table; formal or casual is a great start to the holidays. The stamp is one I've had in my stash; a dollar stamp from a big box store a few years back. Colored with a combination of markers.

It should be fun to see what sells and what doesn't; though tomorrow I'll load a picture of some Christmas planners that I worked on during last weekends retreat; I sold every single one of them that I made! So starting over on inventory for the sale but bucks in my pocket!

CKC San Marcos Convention

2011-09-17T18:40:00.002-05:00

Had a great time at yesterday's one day convention at the CKC San Marcos event. I went back with a list of Stickles, Nestabilities and Copics I had so I didn't duplicate anything and plans for one class.

I had purchased the Mosaic tile tools last year at the conference so I knew I needed more paper to do more great mosaic scrapbooking in the year to come and save on shipping! But surprise, the class also came with a great freebie pack and a coupon with some BIG savings on the grid paper so I really stocked up!

As usual, Tami Potter has great new ideas on how to use her grid paper, clever ideas on using smaller shots and larger shots together in the same page and incorporating a crossword into the whole layout. If you haven't done layouts like these, don't be intimidated! They are a little time consuming but the result is sooooooo worth it!

Of course it can't go without saying that Stampin' Up!s one inch punch and snail adhesive are the perfect companions to this project! Our new one inch punch is featured in the Holiday Mini Catalog along with the must have "25 and counting" stamps, Peek a boo Frames Bigz L Die and the great new Dazzling Details glitter glue to give just that little pop to almost any holiday stamp set!

More than anything, it was great to be creating again and back in the swing of crafting.

I have finished the step daugther's wedding album at my last crop and I'll certainly hope to get some great pics taken and spend some time posting those. Tis a large album so I'll just share some of my favorites. You see, while I haven't been blogging, I was making baby shower invitations for a niece (you remember the "fastest swimmer" invites) and the wedding invites and thank yous. Then there were the flowers, the garlands for the alter, the flowers for the cake and more so I've been busy!

It hasn't been all about paper crafts but I'll share some more of what I've been up to soon. The alter garland for the wedding was a production in itself with birds, feathers, nests and more. I'll be sure and get those posted. Just so good to have a Saturday I can think about blogging once again! : )

Event shown above; Faith Walk Women's Conference in Whitney, TX. February 2011. Speakers: June Donohue, Barbara Spencer and Leslie St.Aubin (hey, that's me!)

My first Diaper Cake

2011-06-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

My niece, Jessica, had her baby shower this weekend and I had the best time putting together my first diaper cake.

As you might remember, when we made the shower invitations, she wanted a "sea life" theme and came up with the great "celebrate our fastest swimmer".

I found some great sea life baby stuff (seems to be a popular theme) so I had stuff all over this creation.

Some said I over did it so you couldn't see the cake but I couldn't stop!

I read all the instructions I could find on other blogs, Splitcoast and Two Peas and found that building the cake around a center bottle of Sparkling non alcoholic water was the best and sturdiest way to go. Found a Peach flavored Champagne Sparkling Water (non alcoholic) that I adhered to the Wilton cardboard cake base (10 inch) with dimensional glue dots (I used Zots.)

Then started rolling diapers. I found some blue and green polka dot diapers at Target that lended itself nicely to a bubbly/water theme. I used less than 50 to build the entire cake! So the extras and a second bag I bought (I had no idea how many to use) went straight to the new Mom. Rubber banding them two layers around the base. Second base was one more layer and around the thin neck of the bottle set them in closer to the center that it wasn't necessary to go three layer, two layer then one layer. This worked very well.

I tied a very thin white ribbon around each circular layer and on the outside put the wide blue ribbon. Covered the stabilizing ribbon and gave me a base to attach things with more dimensional dots to all around each layer.

I put a hoodie towel over the top but everyone decided it covered too much of the cake so we took it off and let the whole thing just shine through.

My favorite find was the cute little sandals perfect for the beach. They were darling. All the items for the cake were purchased at Target except the bows and ribbons which were purchased at Michaels. So easy to find in most areas.

Cutest darn sandals

The spoons stuffed down into the washcloths and between the diapers just like flowers, shocked myself how well that worked out. The pacifers tied on with white ribbon and the tubby toys adhered with dimensionals.

Finally there was the great banner we were able to order that will be a keepsake and bedroom decoration for many years to come that just flowed with the whole "fastest swimmer" theme!

Baby Isaiah and momma Jessica will have so much fun with all the wonderful gifts that she was showered with on Sunday, we can't wait til Aug. 3rd'ish when the big day arrives.

Where did May go?

2011-05-31T22:18:00.000-05:00

Well I can tell you; 35 baby shower invites later and 75 wedding invitations (yes two different young ladies celebrating milestones in their lives) later, it passed almost without notice!

Here are some pics of my DH working diligently cutting out 75 bumble bees for his oldest daughters wedding invitation and a few pics of the baby shower invitation factory for his niece.

Whew, never was I more ready to be done with anything............until of course I started on the Thank you notes I did for the bride to be that she has yet to see. (A little surprise of matching thank yous for her.)

A fun spin on baby shower invites.......

2011-04-23T23:31:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, having a little fun and stepping outside the box of "traditional" just ads flair........and if you're any kind of crafter, well "flair" is your middle name.

My niece wanted a "sea life" theme for her baby shower and showed me the cutest little shark hoodie towel she really wanted for her impending baby boy! Target features this adorable little guy and its part of her baby shower registry, so I went with it.

I was surprised to find that there were alot of sea life stamps out there but sharks? For a baby shower? I wasn't feeling til I found this adorable little guy from Whipper Snapper Designs.

A quick trip to Archivers for some coordinating paper, a spin on a cute invite.........

and you have the makings for a fun filled baby shower.

"Come celebrate the arrival of our fastest swimmer!"

I know this isn't the greatest picture but I'll work on a better one this coming week....but here it is.

Crafting; its about fun, outside the box living that expresses the uniqueness of who we are and what we do!

A sneak peek........ : )

2011-03-30T17:10:00.000-05:00

Today is a "God day" for me; from time to time I try to set aside an entire day to spend with God. Sometimes I know I just need Him and I and a good long chat.

But always something comes along that interupts that day and I can't say that this interruption was all that bad.

My Verve Stamp order came in.......just a little order but always in the pretty little packaging that they always take the time to do. I love the way Verve takes times to package their orders; as though packaging them for the Lord Himself; with pride and care!

I just had to share with everyone a peek of the pretty packages.......and tease you with what is underneath! Start watching, I'm gonna start playing and posting soon! : )

Butterfly exhibit for the Houston Holocaust Museum

2011-03-26T23:21:00.000-05:00

There's nothing more fun than making papercrafts with your friends; whether we're crafting our hearts out over our own scrapbooks, getting together for the Cougar Charity Crop or in this case, making butterflies for the Houston Holocaust Museum in Houston, TX.

We had a great day; all of us!

I was determined to use my new Cherry Lynn Doilie Dies to make some sort of butterfly. I was happy that they colors used in the designer paper matched the SU Baja Breeze and Pear Pizzazz so nicely though no one knew where the DP paper came from? A row of green rhinestones down the middle added my personal zing....life ain't much without that bling!

My last creation was done is SU Blushing Bride smudged over the entire front of the chipboard butterfly, SU Poppy in color made the flowers with Kiwi Kiss leaves. The scripture stamps used were from the Verve Company and are a couple of their "plain jane" series. The ribbon was SU Dusty Durango which coordinated with the Poppy ink once it was put on top of the blushing bride ink. Weird but fun how it worked since I had no in color ribbon yet! : )

I managed to get five butterflies made for my personal contribution. Yes, they want 1.5M collected for their efforts to represent the 1.5M children who perished in the Holocaust; but I was happy to get five special ones done for starters. Our group doesn't think this is the last we'll be doing of this effort. It was too much fun to create the unique pieces; each one that expressed our unique personalities while joining into a museum exhibit!

What fun is that?

Here's more of what we put together!

Oh of course, including our mini me's who were there in attendance as well! : )

A day with my crafty pals

2011-03-13T19:46:00.000-05:00

You've been introduced to our "mini me" adventures earlier and well, they just continue. Unbelievably she was not pulled out and photog'ed during our car buying spree on Friday but she was pulled out at a recent visit to a friend, wanting to craft but still recovering from surgery. So this post is in celebration of friendships and new cars.

It was a banner week.

I did keep the price sticker and some other ephemera for scrapping along with this pic so you'll see my layouts soon!

Haven't had that much time to scrap but craft club is this Friday so those pics will be posted when I get home I'm sure!

Hugs to all! Prayers for Japan and the world as we realize the long term effects this devastation will have on us all.

Stylish Blog Award

2011-03-07T20:31:00.002-06:00

Laurie of "Hiding in my Craft room" included me in her list of those to receive this wonderful blogger award! I was really excited to be included.

So now I'm to list 8 things you don't know about me and pass this on to 8 other blogs that I think are awesome!

Here goes:

I became a Christian April. 21st, 2007 and am growing in love for Christ each and every day.

I am a wife (for the second time) on May 9th, 2008 and became a step mother and step grandmother all at once.

I am the mother of two wonderful children who are more than I could have dreamed they'd become. I love them both dearly.

I use crafting to keep me sane while working with my husband in our home business and our women's prison ministry; they both try our patience and our serenity but they are also both our calling from God.

I love my friends and craft buddies; they add so much to my life and accept me for who I am.

I do not regret a minute of my life any longer, I have learned how God knew and used each moment to take me to this wonderful place I find myself today.

I hope to be a published author someday and am currently writing two different Christian books; one on scrapbooking and the other on my experiences in jail ministry and incarceration.

I live in Georgetown, TX and really don't want to live anywhere else.

That's a lot more about me than you could ever want to know. : )

But that's okay. You can find out more about me and our ministry (the center of our life) at Jail House Jesus. But crafting and sharing what I'm learning in crafting each day adds a dimension to my life that I know God loves. I am learning to incorporate my love of crafts with my love of God and it comforts me to know that's perfectly okay with Him. As long as He's front and center, I'm okay!

Now to share this wonderful and classy award forward:

Martha at Creating is Fun

Jeannette at Doodle this Pink

Brenda at Sassybee's Stamps

Patty at Scrapbooks by Reyna

Jaspere at Jaspere's Little Corner

Sarah at My Little Somethings

Rose at Pink Lemonade

Ellen at Views from the Porch

Enjoy your award and pass it along! : )

.

SCS Card Candy Swap

2011-03-06T21:21:00.001-06:00

Yes, I promised I wouldn't do it but I've started swapping on SCS again! Nothing against SCS, you know I love the place and I miss my friends there but I had so over committed myself to swaps there that my own card making and scrapbooking had really suffered!

I have several stamp clubs and crafting groups that I participate in locally, so the mail delivery thing with SCS stopped making sense as we geared up our swaps here at home.

But alas, there was the draw back to Splitcoast, it always calls me and watching the new techniques and ideas just make my skill and creativity flourish! So here I am, my latest rendition of card candy for Cr8zyscrapper's Card Candy Swap due this week.

Cheery Lynn Designs New Doily Dies

2011-03-03T01:24:00.001-06:00

These are amazing new dies I had to try.....I found a link on SCS and jumped over to Cheery Lynn Designs to check them out. The order followed within minutes. Only two mind you, I didn't go crazy. You know how new products can be. One never knows if they are a flop or a diamond. Definite diamonds here.

The order came in super fast and my hands got busy in a hurry. I couldn't wait to try them out. With one or two practice sheets I found out the Big Shot way of getting the job done. First, the directions clearly say to run them back and forth through your machine several times.

They mean it.

Not a bad thing, just do it. Sandwich with all tabs down, clear acrylic plate, die cut, paper, clear plate. I ran them through about 6 or 7 times so be sure to tape your die to the paper and one little piece of regular scotch tape did the job for all twelve cut outs, I just reused it. After running through several times, when I could feel the tension reduced to almost nothing, I added the sheet of card stock scrap to the top plate and ran through about 5 or more times. This added just a little more cutting pressure and when I took it out, just running my finger nail across the doilies popped out all the cut outs. No toothpicks needed for each little hole. Wonderful die cuts, not a single goof up and the results were stunning.

My stamp club has a birthday card swap coming up so I had to give them a whirl. Here is the start of what I came up with..........

Brocade blue and Rich Razzleberry (yes I still mourn the passing of Brocade Blue!) make a wonderful combination for cards and scrapping. Somehow they are just what I grabbed when I started playing. Truth is, I thought as an in color, no way would Rich Razzleberry be coming back, loved it so much I bought more packages than I could use in a lifetime so I grabbed that to "experiment" with the new dies. Little did I know I would soon be building a whole swap around these beautiful die cuts!

Now I know alot of folks are into the new Sew Easy stuff but I've had this Bazzill stitch stuff around for a year probably and never popped it open. No time like the now to bring out more of the old as you will soon see! : )

My new die cuts needed some stitching.....

then an old favorite SU set, Carte Postale which I found on eBay just after they retired the set!

A little while later.......

Things are laid out, the design is coming together and the prototype is more than done....just down to cutting and finishing the stitching to complete 12 cards for the swap. I love my monthly SU stamp club! : )

What great fun. Give them a try and see what wonderful, dainty creations are waiting. I have some other ideas in mind......but I haven't even started on them yet.

We have a crop coming up at the end of the month to make butterflies for the Houston Holocaust Museum and I think somehow these doilies are about to take flight............

More Mini Me Fun~!

2011-02-27T23:13:00.000-06:00

For a photog opp, the mini me's are turning out to be a family endeavor...........here are some more adventures of our "mini me" outings and family fun.

Valentine's Day was a fun time........but we didn't stop there.

Course there has been some surgery and recovery time; so having my "Mini Me" as company was a great comfort!

Are we at all worried about my sanity yet? Some of my family is, I must admit!

And yet, a dinner party was planned this past weekend and in order to get just the freshest of fish, we headed to Austin's Quality Fish Market!

Check out the "Mini Me" adventures there!

"Mini Me's" like quality family time, even if it is a slumber party!

Finally the next afternoon was a wonderful wedding planning day; we couldn't leave the "Mini Me's" out of the cake tasting!

Yes, they are a part of our family now........we love our "Mini Me's" and they love us!

Stay tuned for more adventures and more paper crafting. (Here's a little secret, I've been told to make Mini Me's of the bride and groom for the wedding day! Baby Sister says Yes! I think we should - vote here yes or no! in the comments!)

Mini Me's

2011-02-24T01:36:00.000-06:00

Scrapbookers are just original folks, are we not? And we will take a picture of anything that seems out of the ordinary or is an expression of our life experience; but for our group, snapshots of ordinary occasions just wasn't enough!

Instead we came up with mini me's; much like 'flat stanley's' we felt a mini me that could sit in places we couldn't fit or travel with friends where we couldn't go would add a dimension to our year of photography opportunity!

It all started with Terrie Lynn (absent here due to her recent surgery, photos of mini me adventures there to follow) who brought out her Sizzix dies and cut bodies for each of us to decorate and form into mini versions that expressed each of us as individuals. It's art! Let's face it! We were all cast from the same mold and yet turned out so different, expressing ourselves as only we can.

Our first outing as a group came at the Cougar Cupboard Charity Crop with the debut of the Fabulous Four; Susan Lowe, Sandra Kay Tate, Leslie St.Aubin and Tina Festi. Let's face it, we were such a hit that we were not to be outdone and the final lineup is below.

Three more mini me's were created from a cricut paperdoll cartridge and they stood with us to celebrate the upcoming year of photographic adventures. Snap a shot, crop a pic, add a mini me! Have fun with what you add to your scrapbooks this year, think outside the shot!

The extraordinary for the ordinary cold!

2011-02-22T14:56:00.003-06:00

Our wonderful craft club leader was right in step with the cold and flu season here; making our project this month a wonderful Kleenex box cover.

You have to love the color combinations and decor coordination that could come from our wonderful SU and other designer papers! What embellies might be added? What base cording should I add? What fun to grab a tissue and sneeze! : )

The top hole was made with Spellbinders Nestabilities and the box and lid were done on the Martha Stewart Score Board. This paper combination was all from Stampin' Up but imagine some of your other designer paper that might well match a picture, artwork or other decorating theme in your home.

Happy crafting when you're feeling blue..........

This weekends charity crop at Lone Star Retreat Center - Go Cougars!

2011-02-21T17:55:00.002-06:00

I had the great fortune to be part of a Cougar Cupboard Charity Crop this weekend. A wonderful local middle school has a food pantry right in their school for at risk children. Each Friday, at risk children are sent home with back packs filled with food grouped together to make meals for their families. How awesome is this?

Our local retreat center lent the use of her retreat rooms for a one day crop where we did a pot luck for us ladies scrapping the day away and gathering food for the school pantry as well. What a success. I won't chat much on this thread about what I got done (mostly I got alot of gossiping and chatting and catching up done).....but I'll share our photos for there were many!

Our pantry contributions totaled over 125 items from 16 women! Go Cougar Ladies!

Tina and Sandra in professional consultations!

Erica got hi-lites and lo-lites in her hair, and had to fluff before her photo, but I caught her mid-fluff! : )

Did I mention we also did a "bring a door prize, receive a door prize" game? Jeannie is Stickles happy now!

Brenda created a great Easter Basket for her door prize!

Some folks like Kristi actually accomplished layouts and used the day productively!

Others worked on swaps!

While our lovely Lisa struck a pose for the camera!

I brought a Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks Starter Pack I put together, you cannot have too many alcohol inks, as my blog has said before!

Of course, what was I doing? What I do best! Shopping! Yes, that's my craft area, covered in catalogs and wish lists!

Sandra won a great organizer tool; you'd have to know Sandra to know, this is just what she needed! She beats us ALL in ultra organization!

Ellen and Brenda play "Vanna" at our final shot of the charity donation!

But a special thanks to Karmen Dupree of Lone Star Retreats for making this great day possible and giving us a fun way to help hungry families in our local schools! If you are ever in Georgetown, TX or have a group wanting a great get away, check in with Karmen and book your own special weekend.

Yes ma'am, really its been that long!

2011-02-20T17:46:00.000-06:00

Don't think for a minute I've not been crafting since June! LOL Everyone knows better.

But yes! It's been since June I've given my craft blog any attention at all! Silly me!

This weekend I spent a great day cropping with my friends and focused on making cards for the ministry market days coming up in April. You can bet I have a lot to do to get ready for the inventory that it takes to keep folks coming back our way to visit our ministry booth and talking with us about the successes we have and the joys we experience when just one lady is moved to a new life in Christ and outside prison walls.

Freedom indeed.

But for now, here's one card I was able to create during my crop yesterday that will be packaged with three other scripture cards in coordinating colors. Each set of four scripture cards will be available for $5.00; they can be ordered online through our website at www.spirithouseministries.org on our donations page for $6.50 (which includes shipping and handling).

Let me know what you think! Gotta love Rich Razzleberry, don't ya? And coupled with Stickles, you can't go wrong!

Storage storage storage

2010-06-09T18:33:00.006-05:00

I'm cleaning. I've said it on Facebook, I've whined about it on Splitcoast and now I'm fessing up here! I'm having to clean my scrap studio yet again!

Because I started the "BIG UNMOUNTING PROJECT" many other projects went by the way side. Ministry paperwork (because our studio also doubles as our office) is piling up. Books from school are stacked on the floor. Donations are boxed in corners.

But I have to somehow conserve space! How?

I've noticed I tend to zippie lock bag everything, then the bags get stacked in a cubbie, then they spill out and chaos reigns.

So I was reading a thread on Splitcoast about Big Sizzix dies storage solutions and while I don't have a ton of these types of dies, I do have a growing collection of Cuttlebug and Sizzix embossing folders again, in a zippie lock bag!

Looking around the house I found a basically unused recipe box, the beautiful Longaberger recipe box and wala! Those pesky little folders fit right in!

So what storage solution have you found around your house? What "reuse" have you been able to come up with that eliminated clutter in one area and organized another? It's time for me to search some more! I'm sure there are ways to double up use something else around this chaos!

Current challenge

2010-06-08T18:58:00.004-05:00

In my current meetup group, Austin Area Scrappers and Stampers, we are using a rather bright and mottled green card stock my husband brought home from work. The challenge is simply to use the cardstock as the card base for our June swap. I've come up with several cards but liked the turn out of this one best so far.

Since June started out as a "scraps" swap, not all cards must be identical so this is one of ten I am to create. I've created this one as well.

Tim Holtz and the fun at GASC

2010-06-06T10:00:00.013-05:00

He's the Ranger Ink Rock Star, and there's no question, art school or no, and he says none; he has talent to just see things we don't see as we stare at blank tags, paper and layouts. He was the highlight of the convention for me...I love everything vintage and I learned so much just standing and watching like everyone else gathered around!

He's just what you'd expect; talented (of course!), personable (so patient with all us ogling his every move) and fun to learn from just because he's so darned talented and personable! : )

I stood at his booth, listening and watching as he effortlessly just smudged, inked, distressed, embossed and well, you get the picture! Which is of course exactly what you're waiting for....

Finishing up one project, he says, "Okay, what now?" And I was quick to say "Alcohol inks! I want to learn how to use the ones I have, I don't know if I'm doing them right?"

"Are you playing with them?" Tim responds.

"Yes."

"Then you're doing it right!" He answers.

But he immediately went into a great demo of the new medium I love playing with as you've seen earlier in my blog!

So he created a couple quick card fronts, I was able to nab one for myself and have him sign it! What a score!

His new book is as awesome as each technique he showed. And what a collection or rather "compendium" of techniques it is! It is a wonderfully graphic step by step of every technique I watched him do and many, many more! I have no idea what the price is at book stores or craft stores but on the showroom floor I paid $24.95 and he graciously signed every book purchased as we all grabbed and shoved them in front of him! (I'm telling ya, he stayed calm, cool and smiling through some real chaos; I was exhausted and he acted like he had just come off a restful nap or something!)

I can't say enough, you all know his product line, his elements, inks, style. I'm going to be throwing out that box he says doesn't even belong in a craft studio and looking around at everything around me just a little bit differently! You just watch, something new is brewing in my crafty spirit!

Yes, definitely the highlight to the weekend!

The adventure of crafts..........

2010-06-05T19:47:00.007-05:00

The convention is closed and all is I'm sure much quieter around the Arlington Convention Center as vendors make their way toward home. I know I am not the only one who has some wonderful memories now stored away with new ideas, products and samples to share with friends. So I thought I'd get a quick blog update on all that went on during my little northern adventure.

Despite some travel glitches and the like with hotels and travel partners, the overall experience was wonderfully fun, educational and expensive! : ) My travel partner had to back out at the last minute which saddened us both. So I headed up to Arlington on my own Wednesday afternoon, checked in the hotel and just stretched out in my room to review the convention line up and relax.

What was I to see?

There were more booths than one could comfortably see in one day; I had signed up for two classes so that also tapped into the time line. Check out some of the fun!

There was wonderful artwork, with versatile techniques. I have to admit, my pages pale in comparison to what they had on display. I have to step up my game for sure!

I attended a class by Tattered Angels called Glimmer Mist 101 and while the packet was a generous techniques notebook and four bottles of glimmer mist, stencil and lace, flowers and ribbon to alter I am still unsure if this product is for me. Each page I did seemed to look much like the last and the overall feeling I got was that this was just a messy medium best used outdoors. The problem is, I don't craft much outdoors and my small craft area isn't conducive to alot of ink spray. I'm still undecided but the class was fun and the teacher was quite educational, enthusiastic and made it worth the time and money.

I also attended a Slice tips, tricks and techniques class which was a wowza success. Besides the awesome paper pack and embellies they included for us to work with we ended up with the materials for a two page spread. I feel like a harker on a bad tv commercial but wait, there's more! Included in the $27.00 price of the ticket was also a Slice monogrammed apron and a discontinued Slice cartridge called Seasons which I did not already own. That alone was the creme de' la creme for me! What a great surprise. They gave away a ton of door prizes but alas I was not a winner, unless you count the great review and question/answer session that sold me on the new Slice Hands Free system and the embossing nibs (which I did not buy but soooo should have!) I am the happy new owner of the Slice Hands Free system at a great price from my new friends at Scrapmart! I have no idea where they are located and I haven't found their website yet, but rest assured, their show specials and great selection, they got plenty of my money right on the spot!

And that was just day one!

Tomorrow I'll be posting my pics of Tim Holtz hard at work and then the great art I received from him along with a picture of yours truly and Tim. What a joy the whole thing was.......who knew?

Great American Scrapbook Convention!

2010-06-02T13:51:00.003-05:00

I am headed out to Arlington this afternoon to attend the Great American Scrapbook Convention. I'm sure when I'm home Friday I'll have pictures and more to report. There is alot going on from reading the schedule and classes; hope to see you there!

Operation Write Home Blog Hop

2010-05-29T13:42:00.009-05:00

This is the beginning of a weekend long blog hop! Yes!

Helping to support and educate other crafters about the wonderful folks at Operation Write Home (OWH) and what they do for our troops deployed. Here's a copy of their mission:

Their card makers website

Their blog

Remembering all of our servicemen and women this holiday weekend as we work toward a unified country, defending freedom and our basic constitution while we assist other countries in their dreams of democracy and freedom.

I've always been a proud American, proud to live in this country and proud of our way of life here. I believe this country was founded on Christian principles by men and women who would lay down their livesd for that which they believed in and that which God empowered them to do.

I support OWH by sending handmade cards to their distribution points to be sent to the men and women deployed to use to keep in touch with their family back here in the States. God bless them, their families, our fellow card makers and GOD BLESS the USA!

Of course I am one of hundreds of crafters that support OWH, so please follow our blog hop/circle today by visiting Kristen at her blog named KAH-Wink-E-Dink Digi Stamps , she'll direct you to the next wonderful crafter on board for this fun and inspiring craft hop!

Somethings are too precious not to share........

2010-05-21T19:57:00.000-05:00

Alcohol Ink and paper

2010-05-04T23:26:00.005-05:00

Many folks have asked about the paper I've used with the alcohol inks. I have a large supply of this in our business and can offer a package of 25 sheets for $8.50 plus $3.50 shipping. This particular stock is a heavy weight, double side coated paper perfect for alcohol ink blending. I am happy to share but once its gone, its gone. This is not a paper we keep in stock for our print/web business.

It just happened to be on the shelves when I went to find some sort of paper to play with when I got my new inks and it worked great. So I thought I'd pass it along to you!

And our blog candy winner is............

2010-05-02T22:44:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to Sara! She's my first ever blog candy winner! Please PM me with your full name and address so I can get your special blog candy package out to you ASAP!

Remember, I'll be offering monthly blog candy for those posting to my blog and showing support by sending their friends!

Watch this blog for our June 1 drawing; I have fun in store for all my followers!

Today was the BIG DAY!

2010-04-29T17:12:00.007-05:00

I got my ATG from framingsupplies.com and wow, was I excited. So excited I put off all work to start right in on the alterations!

I have to admit, the package was somewhat odd....

But after I unwrapped and unwrapped and unwrapped, lookee what I found!

Now I've been planning this for quite a while, so out to the garage I went, to fetch the white plastic spray paint, a couple screw drivers and the masking tape.

I went outside and started spraying! I sprayed everywhere and everything in sight, including my finger nails and feet! : )

I brought her back in and hung her from a bathroom hook to dry. Then sprayed her some more. I wanted something akin to a white but not stark white and that's just what a got. I guess because the base plastic is red, she turned out off white with a tinge of pink to her.

To my batcave I went, got out the bling and rub ons and started in! First order, cover all those little not quite perfect spots of paint. Wala! They are covered and amazingly I thought you'd be able to tell there were imperfections there but golly, you really can't! The rub ons covered really well.

Graffiti, graffiti, graffiti it up!

And she's ready to use!

Lock and loaded!

My new best friend!

Vintage Altered Puzzle Pieces

2010-04-27T15:31:00.007-05:00

I just got a swap back from an SCS swap!

It turned out awesome!

Everyone was sent the same piece out of 16 puzzles to alter. It was to be a vintage theme. Simple enough. Alter 16 pieces all the same and send them back in!

You can see how everyone's interpretation, though very different, melded and blended together just perfectly!

I am especially hopeful to find that wonderful Kewpie stamp! My High School Mascot!

I have to thank Janice (jpsenda on SCS) for hostessing this wonderful swap, numbering and sorting all the pieces and getting them back to us correctly. What a job, I wouldn't have wanted to do it but she did it perfectly!

Now just to find the right box frame and I have a new and wonderful art piece for my craft room! I couldn't have put something like this together if I had tried but with 15 other artists! Wala!

The proof is in the ink....

2010-04-26T23:55:00.002-05:00

So I got some blending solution today.

I haven't quite got its properties figured out yet but I'm pretty sure in time I'm gonna get the hang of this.

Alcohol Inks

2010-04-25T19:35:00.003-05:00

You didn't really think I wasn't going to throw some of this cool ink on paper, did you?

A little stazon with the SU Garden Silhouettes on an alcohol'd background on glossy paper. SU apricot appeal (can you even believe this isn't staying around!) Organza ribbon from my stash and wala!

Yummy butter, magenta sunset.

And its matching refrigerator magnet. Now I have a great all occasion card set!

My spin on "green" crafts!

2010-04-25T16:55:00.007-05:00

I went to my monthly SU meeting and one of the women was using her ATG, something I've been wanting to invest in for a while now. As she finished up a roll of tape I took the white plastic ring and wore it as a bracelet.

Now I agree, not the most fashionable of things but when everyone laughed and rolled their eyes, I promised I would be blinging this out and wearing it next month! So here it is.

Having never used Adirondack Alcohol Inks, I gathered a few together with just the felt applicator and some rubbing alcohol. Got out my favorite bling and pearls, some ribbon and a charm and went to it.

I played with the alcohol inks until I got a mess of color that seemed to merge together well. I started with the lightest color, just like we would for a background on a card and worked toward the darker. I made sure to color most of the inside to cover the white of the plastic as well. I didn't purchase any metallic or blending solution so I'm not sure how this might have turned out had I done so. This is really just a first time experiment in alcohols and if I botched something up; well it was "trash" afterall.

I will grant you, this isn't the height of fashion and probably won't start a big "go green" trend in jewelry but it was fun to work with the new element and to have something to show next month when I hit the First Friday Craft/Scrapper Night at my SU club.

At least one less plastic ring went into a landfill, at least for now!

Blog Candy!

2010-04-24T17:00:00.003-05:00

For the first time ever, I'm offering blog candy!

Subscribe and follow my blog, add a commment here and on May 1st, in honor of National Scrapbooking Day I will draw one name for this collection of fun and sporty blog candy:

35 Artful collage prima flowers
Two Hand made Postage Holders
Three packs of Making Memories Adhesives: Two from the Teen Chillin' Series and one from Whimsy!

Hope you think this is a fun and exciting blog candy offer! It's my first ever and I'm happy to be a part of the fun!

Scraps, scraps and more scraps

2010-04-23T01:24:00.003-05:00

From every card, scraps must fall. These little postage holders were made from the scraps of yesterday's swap card!

SCS Beads, Buttons or Charms Swap

2010-04-22T23:52:00.002-05:00

I finally felt good enough today to finish up my entry for the Beads, Buttons or Charms swap on Splitcoast Stampers. I used SU Kiwi Kiss and Rich Razzleberry ink and card stock with the Extra Postage and Live Like You Mean It stamp sets. I had some cute little butterfly charms and some DP paper in my stash, golly who knows where that came from but its sparkly and pretty!

A Nation in Prayer

2010-04-21T23:50:00.000-05:00

This was shared with me from a dear friend. I had to pass this along. While I don't normally post from other's emails or commonly forwarded material, I felt this worth sharing.

Evening Prayer

Someone has said that if Christians really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless.

Did you know that during WWII there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace?

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America . If you would like to participate: Every evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central) (7:00 PM Mountain) (6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Please forward this to your praying friends.

Products I love......

2010-04-20T03:01:00.005-05:00

there are dozens, right? Well I have to say one of the best and only glitter products I use with any frequency are Stickles! If you haven't tried them, you might want to invest the $3 bucks or so in a bottle just to play with.

This is a wonderful, almost non-dimensional, glitter glue that dries almost completely flat but adds a luster and sheen to just where you put it. It doesn't seem to spread as it dries so if its that little tiny flower center that just needs a touch, you get that here. If you want a sheen to cover a large area, you get that too. I've had alot of luck with this stuff and I think you will too.

I don't have any good pics of cards or lay outs I've used this stuff on but perhaps sometime during this week I can work that out.

On another note, I have a little surprise planned for hubby come early May for our anniversary...and it just might have something to do with a new DSLR camera! Good thing he never reads this blog! : ) So my photography just might improve in the process as well. Now everyone shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Battling wasps and fatigue!

2010-04-19T00:56:00.002-05:00

How wonderful was our recent Lone Star Retreat in Georgetown, TX? It was wonderful!

Karmen made it special in so many ways, her food, always a treat was wonderful. She gave us open use of the two cricut machines and I swear some of my fellow crafters spent more time in the cricut hall than they did at their tables! : )

On the whole we were a small overnight group but we were joined on Friday night by two more crafters and four on Saturday. The girls and I just couldn't seem to settle down on Saturday and before we knew it, we were pulling an all nighter in the craft area. Around 3 AM however, we noticed some very unwanted guests!

From about 3 am til about 6 am we battled wasp after wasp. Our fearless leader, Susan Kay Tate with Creative Memories and our hostess for this event was vigilant in our fight. Over and over we would count the enemy and over and over we came up with the same numbers no matter how many we killed.

Then about sunrise, as quickly as they began to appear, they disappeared and we could get back to scrapping and working. As the sun came up and the other crafters came back into the main building, we gathered for breakfast and for more creativity.

I ended the weekend for myself about two hours early, my cherrios had definitely run out and I wanted my own bed and my own pillow! I needed sleep. But I had a truly delightful weekend and couldn't have asked for a better Valentine's Day present....hubby loved having a weekend to himself after so much nursing from my recent surgery and I needed the time to just play without stress. Belated as the Valentine's present was (though I got the card and payment for the retreat at Valentine's) it was a wonderful and thoughtful treat.

Here are a few of my creations....

Bible Study and scrapping

2010-04-14T18:04:00.003-05:00

I am so lucky that I've met some wonderful ladies who have a love of the Lord and a love of scrapbooking.

Recently we've begun a study of The Holy Spirit and are scrapping our study together once a month. What a joy to bring the Lord into the center of even our hobbies. I joke with my husband "I'm scrapping God!" Thankfully God knows what I mean and I think He smiles!

Something new.......

2010-03-04T16:55:00.004-06:00

I decided to revive this old blog; kind of like "this old house" I figured it was time to give something old and trustworthy a new life. I started a new blog dedicated to our prison ministry but this blog; about my personal life, my home life and my hobbies deserves some time and attention as well.

I seem to go from "all business" to "all play" while all the time badgering my dear husband about "balance" so it's time to take my own advice. I am reminded that God delights in giving us the "desires of our hearts" so I can take a minute or twelve here to enjoy sharing my personal thoughts about card making, scrapbooking, antiqueing, and the various things that make life fun for us, all the while respecting that God is in charge of even my craft life!

So I just wanted to say a quick hello. I've of course got some things in my card pile that I've had fun making so I'll just say hello today by sharing some pictures....

His Holy Name Challenge 2009

2009-04-28T04:35:00.003-05:00

Tonight I finally got started on my His Holy Name scripture scrapbook; I've been watching the ladies on SCS have such fun with this combined scrapbooking and bible lesson I couldn't resist.

I admit, it could use alot. But for a first and anxious try, I was happy enough to keep me going and to put it in my album. I love the idea of doing what I love while still doing it for His Glory. How can you beat that? Combining a bible study with scrapbooking and card making is something I never would have thought about doing. Joining SCS and getting ahold of this group of talented and imaginative ladies has added greatly to my craft and my study. I thank God for them and the blessing of this study!

Georgetown Poppyfest

2009-04-25T21:00:00.006-05:00

Mark and I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with his brother and sister-in-law roaming the not so crowded streets of Georgetown's square for the annual Poppyfest.

Large stages were erected which would later house the Bellamy Bros. (which we decided not to attend); craft booths lined the streets and we did little spending but alot of window shopping.

Ronnie and I headed straight for the Serendipity Chocolate Shoppe once we convinced everyone that's where we needed to be. Mark didn't care as much about the chocolate, he just wanted his daily caffeine...There was not alot to see this year, though I'd never actually been, I'd heard so much about it I did expect more!

Never to worry, however, since we ended our day with a dinner at the Monument Cafe.

Ronnie, Donna and even "Mom" seemed to be happy and content with dinner! You cannot beat their biscuits!

It all made for a nice day. It reminded me of all the times I wished for someone to go to silly festivals with and today I had that special someone. Even on a silly day, the blessings never cease to amaze me.

The crafty bug hits as I become addicted to SCS

2009-04-22T22:21:00.005-05:00

It's been said "SCS (also known as Splitcoast Stampers) is crack to stampers. They are right.

Once I got on there, I had to reorganize and tidy up my craft area, move my lap top into the studio and get busy becoming the stamping diva that lives inside me!

I got serious about learning more about stamping, inking and new card techniques.

The degrees are hanging on the wall to remind myself I have a real job and real work that needs to be done each day; that I have people depending on me and things that need to get done! But never let that take a back seat to INK!

Nothing to report

2009-04-16T02:02:00.002-05:00

Some days I have to admit, the idea of "nothing to report" is a wonderful problem to have. Just getting through a day without a crisis or a change in schedule means things are GREAT! Knowing that my 'to do' list is going to be a 'done' list is all I can ask.

I love my life and the flexibility of the work we do, the laid back atmosphere of the ministry and the luxury of paying my bills or running errands when I need. On the flip side, I know that there are days that find me working with a client at 9PM preparing for her court date or custody battle or seeing to her emotional and spiritual needs because the world is trying hard to kick her in the gut.

Today I was lucky, though I had to work with someone til 9:30PM I didn't have to start my day til about noon. I got to spend some quality time with my DH (dear husband) and fix us a nice lunch before we had to both kick it into overdrive.

Well, its off to bed to dream about the upcoming crop and to smile myself to sleep. Tomorrow is promising to be busy but good.

Card Candy

2009-04-09T12:20:00.005-05:00

So I'm attending this swap on the 18th with three other friends and I wanted to make something special as little happy presents for each of them. I have been hanging out on the Splitcoast Stampers site and came across "card candy" and thought, heck those are so cute. Little handmade embellishments that can be used on their scrap pages or cards or altered projects packaged in clear envies to look just like something out of the store. How fun!

So this is what I came up with; using SU's Live like you mean it set and some wonderful card stock - groovy guava, certainly celery and really rust. I had fun doing these and can see so much potential as my schedule of crops increases and my scrapping friends all get together, an inexpensive way to use up scraps, give a token gift that is useable and just have fun in smaller doses. DH doesn't understand but that's okay....I don't complain when he's up to his chin in oil paints and solvents and palettes and putty knives.

Getting ready for Spring, work, events and more

2009-04-08T14:40:00.004-05:00

So I'm enjoying some studio time but also working on such things as event planning for a local non profit, planning the ministry participation in the event and continuing the labor of love called grant writing. I'm excited by upcoming milestones and other events as well; I am attending a day long local crop with some friends and I'm not even sure where? LOL, then there's my daughter's graduation in May, finally, Mark and I are volunteering at the Joyce Meyer Conference in San Antonio on July 9th-11th.

In the meantime, as I try to unwind from housework, jail mail and shipping bibles by the masses I made a couple of cards with two new stamps, one set from CTMH and another single stamp "art washes away" that was in the clearance bin at Hobby Lobby. Of course I used Stampin'Up card stock, ink and ribbon but mixed up all the other stuff.

Now I'll make some tea and watch a movie on Lifetime? Or do dishes? Or get the laundry under control? Or tackle world peace? Or solve the hunger problem? No, I definitely think it's a Lifetime movie night.

Finishing up a week and still working!

2009-03-13T21:36:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I miss the quiet times; where I could turn on a small lamp, curl up with a book and just be quiet. Especially on days like today when the rain just drizzles down all day and the cold is outside and the warm is inside. I want to just curl up and be warm.

But today I had to run to both banks, put gas in my car, and grocery shop. I'm still working, learning about website building and writing text for grants for the ministry; all while I'd rather be still, quiet and enjoying the sound of rain rather than the sound of my grinding brain!

But I am thankful for slow rain, soft lamp light and meaningful work to focus on. I am thankful I am here typing instead of out building roads or picking up garbage or slinging burgers for harried customers who have no gratitude for your hard and fast work. I often have to remind myself that I have been given gifts I cannot and do not see until they are taken; it should not be that way. I have to slow down the complaining long enough to replace the words of criticism and whining with thanksgiving.

As I work this late Friday night, writing and researching and learning Dreamweaver 4 for a job I don't presently get paid for; I remind myself there is a husband out working hard to insure I get the privilege of this work, others involved in this ministry that are trying as hard as I am and many who have gifted me with many things that allowed me to stay true to this course. I am blessed with people who see to my financial needs. I am blessed with people who have my back and won't let me fall again. I am blessed with friends and family who share my vision, my passion, my desires.

Tonight I am blessed with work; and I will enjoy the rain while I work. Let me always be grateful for the rain and the sunshine.

Generally speaking.....

2009-03-09T03:37:00.006-05:00

Generally speaking I am quiet, reserved and shy. I put on a good show but for the most part inside I'm a bowl of jello just waiting for the warmth to slowly melt me away. I'd rather be home than out. I'd rather be with family and friends than in a crowd of strangers. I don't like loud anything, except an occasional 70's rocking song. I like both clutter and clean; depending on what part of the house and my mood. All things can change.

Generally speaking I would rather cook a large meal for friends than go out and blow $100 in a restaraunt. I would rather share a movie with someone than attend a fancy party. I would rather sit quietly in my home than run around all day shopping for nothing. My needs today are fewer than yesterday and my house is open to any who want refuge. I still want a large home but only to house all our children together every day or on holidays or whenever we can gather them together.

Generally speaking I am filled with admiration for my parents and love for my children but I'm not without days when I feel worn out by family and friends and obligations. I try my best. I am blessed with parents who have stuck by me through more than I should have dished out. I am blessed with children who would make any parent proud. I am blessed with a son who is loving, loyal, fiercely protective toward his baby sister, honest, extremely creative and faithful. I am blessed a daughter who is bright, beautiful, talented, energetic, independent and spirited.

Generally speaking I am happily married, we have those days too! I was blessed with a God loving, spirit filled man who makes his life a testimony! He sees to my needs, always puts me first and reminds me in his actions to do the same toward him. He shares his faith with me and others so willingly. He shows me love in the ways he knows means the most to me and supports me in my work as well. It's easy to overlook when we angered but I truly could not ask for more from a partner in life and in heaven!

Generally speaking I feel love and concern for everyone, I have my bad days too. I love the Lord with all my heart and all my soul and all my mind and all my strength; but He knows I have bad days. I serve Him as best I know how. I consider it an honor to be His child. I am ever so grateful for all He has done for me.

Generally speaking there are few who could boast more than I.

Somewhere over the pile of inventory....

2008-09-09T17:04:00.002-05:00

Is a really neat and tidy house with busy artists and crafters. I haven't had time to blog or much of anything else actually. Here are a few of the latest creations....

Inventory everywhere

2008-07-20T00:35:00.007-05:00

Our adventure continues as we painstakingly go through our goodies and get them all listed; spreading inventory out between two households and over any flat surface we can find. Our sales have been steady in our first week, exceeding $250 with the promise of more to come. We have leads on two more consignment possibilities and are advertising our services locally for maximum exposure. Go Texas Studios!

Boxes and storage bins abound. There was little organization to it when we started. Some of this here, a little of that there....boxes full of scrapbooking, card making, paper project supplies of all types.

Our first day accomplished putting about 75 auctions up and running on eBay and getting like products together.

We focused on Prima flowers and rubber stamps...but didnt even put a dent in the piles!

Ya gotta admit though, its fun as heck!

Texas Studios

2008-07-17T02:27:00.003-05:00

Our business has really taken off now...we have been presented with an opportunity to help a closing craft business to liquidate their inventory and move on to new ventures. Its an exciting time as we partner with our friends, Brandy and Mike, to accomplish this goal and build up business at the same time. What a wonderful and exciting venture for us!

Then there's the excitement of Mark's first finished painting to be offered for sale...Sky High. We've listed it on eBay and hope to have it sold soon as we watch it being watched on eBay! What a joy to see things fall into place and share my husband's talent with many!

I can't say life is easy but it sure is fun lately! Just like everyone else we know, we struggle to make ends meet, pay bills and mostly just put gas in the car...so our first painting, aptly titled "Sky High" tickles our fancy and our funny bone. Hope you enjoy taking a peek...and stop by eBay stores TexasStudios. We'd love to see you there.

Another Year Older

2008-07-10T00:39:00.003-05:00

So my son is another year older reminding me just how old I am now. He's a bright, wonderful young man of 22 and I cannot run away from the fact that this makes me quite old. I didn't start early or anything like that, I started in my mid 20's and that's all I'm going to say about that. But this day isn't about me (oh it was 22 years ago for about a day or two)...its about him and I just wanted to share him with the world today just as I did all those years ago!

On the other hand today also celebrates two months of my brand new marriage to Mark, a wonderful man who lights up my days and nights. We were married on May 9th, 2008 and spent a romantic week in San Antonio playing the ponies and playing on the River Walk. He will tell you I didn't remember this monumental ocassion but that's just not true...I was busy! That's my story anyway.

Getting under control....

2008-07-01T11:54:00.007-05:00

Does it ever seem like life is out of control? With work, family and church obligations it seems we run ourselves ragged just trying to keep a load of laundry going and getting a few hours sleep a night! Then of course there HAS to be time for stampin' and scrappin', right?

I've had fun this summer setting up our art studio with my little corner for scrapbooking and card making. I take great joy in the late hours just sitting at my desk and cutting paper, shuffling ribbon around and poking holes with my Crop-a-dile.

On top of all that, my beautiful hubby bought me this awesome set of "cubbies" for all my scrapbooking supplies. I couldn't ask for more and yet I've already filled them almost to capacity (which I guess means I don't need to buy anymore goodies but really need time to use them all !)

Now I doubt he'd agree with that but well...I am addicted and I have to taper off, right? (Not really...but it makes him feel like there's hope!)

Hi, I'm Leslie...also known as Fallnpetal or Petal for short sometimes....

2008-06-30T16:14:00.000-05:00

There was just this guy and girl who wanted to start a life together....only he found out she had some bad habits....like card playing, antiques, collectibles, scrapbooking, rubber stamping....things like that!

Mark and I were married on May 9, 2008 after a whirl wind courtship. We moved our lives together into a duplex in Georgetown, Texas; making big and little changes in how we lived our lives and looked at the world. Mark is busy at work at Ginny's Printing in Austin, TX and I'm home working on administrative work for the prison ministry, Foundation for Success Ministries, Inc. I'm also blogging and watching tv and cleaning house and doing all the things that make me a busy SAHW and part time business owner and part time staff member of FFSM, Inc.

Stay tuned to see some of my favorite paper craft creations, photo albums of fun days from our house and whatever strikes me as fun.