Thank you, guys :)

August 24th
2:00 p.m.

That's the date.
Dr. Hines called this past Friday and let me know. He had a pre-scheduled family vacation which explains the delay. Don't blame the guy at ALL.

I was more upset that my surgery is being performed at St. Mary's. I was hoping that it would be at Covenant. But Dr. Hines explained that they have the most state of the art equiptment and are a leading hospital in cancer care procedures, just in case.

But...I really dislike that hospital! This is the hospital my Mom had her brain surgery. Horrendous experience. I already made Dennis swear to never leave me alone. And I am adamant about it.

Seems unrational I know, but I seen how they cared or the lack of care the SICU gave her.

I wanted to say THANK YOU for the wonderful comments, thoughts, and prayers. They mean SO much to me, truly.
Thank you...

Debbie
Sally
Cindy
Michelle
Alix

You all are wonderful!

Hopefully share some new layouts soon. I have been scrapping since I can't seem to sleep anymore. I HATE night shift! UGH!

I miss the man. Plain & simple.

Nervous...

Tommorrow is the day.
I'm nervous...
It hasn't been the best week. Apparently I internalize stress which leads to this amazingly God awful thing called ulcers. Whodathunk?!

So hot around here. We finally got a breather this afternoon with a nice thunderstorm. I'm excited to see Harry Potter and Transformers. Yeah, I know geekazoid but who cares... :)

My birthday is rolling around. The, yet another joyous event, is lurking in the recesses of my mind. The big 37. Getting ever so close to 40.

I received an amazing package from Karla.

Can you say HOLY SHIT?!?!
Uh, yeah that's what I said just before I started bawling like a 3 year old.
I won a contest a while back on her blog for the Autumn Leaves stamps but HOLY SHIT...all the 7 Gypsies stuff and the Autumn Leaves page kit, and Narratives rub's...My gawd!

K, this was a wonderful, way crazy amazing gift. I do not even know what to say other than, THANK YOU so much from the bottom of my heart. I could never repay you for such a generous gift but oif you are ever in my neck of the woods...It's drinks, karaoke (I KNOW you can sing girl!) and lot's of good grub!

This arrived on a perfect day when I was in a "poor me" slump about this medical crapola..and a very vivid reminder of the kindness and generosity of other people... Thanks again, K!

Off to shave my legs so the poor gynecological specialist doesn't think I am sasquatch's sister...

A title escapes me tonight...

So much I wanted to say tonight...
It's 3:05 a.m.
I can't sleep.

I haven't read my blogs in forever.
But I did tonight...And this made me smile like a giidy kid! Congrats Emily, Mick, and Ivy! Baby Yindi is one of the most adorable infants I have every seen! I just want to smooch her cheeks!

And this made me fully of joy for Elise! I found Elise's blog months ago and emailed her. I have an eye for movers and shakers and I knew she would be one. Congrats Elise! Very deserving!

I got the most wonderful card from my friend Alix in LONDON! It is so beautiful Alix! Made me cry! And I know I never told you, but I always dreamt of visiting London and now, in a way, I feel as though I have...Thank you my friend.

Thank you Flapsi for your sweet comment on my post below...Touched my heart.

I know I have been elusive lately...vague. I'm sorry about that.

I mentioned in a previous post I had some procedures done in hospital last week. I received the results Friday at 5:00 p.m.

My x-rays were all negative for stress fractures = YAY!
My blood work showed an highly elevated white blood cell count for the 4th time in a row = :(
I have to have it all done again Monday, no choice.

And my intra-uterine ultrasound and regular ultrasound showed that my enometrium was severely thickened. And that I have a very measurable tumor that they could not diagnos.
.........
.........
I really just sort of went blank with that.

My doctor is refering me to a gynecological specialist whom I should have an appointment with this week. They are calling me Monday.

The only question that I asked was is it a cyst?
My doctor simply said no.

I have no idea what that means.


I know you're probably thinking what I am thinking now...Why didn't I ask more questions? Honestly...I was in shock. Yes, I realized something was wrong. I honestly thought it might be premenopausal symptoms. I will be 37 this month.

Both of my sister has endometriosis. Both had full hysterectomies before they were 45. Maybe...that's it.

Maybe it's a fibroid?
Maybe....

The funny thing I am more bothered knowing there is a strange mass in body that shouldn't be there. It almost makes me ill thinking about it.

I have been ok. I don't have a "poor me" attitude about this. I wouldhave a breakdown if I let myself believe it could be the "C" word. Not for me but my kids.

So I don't. I live just like always. The one and only thing I did ask Dennis to do was recheck our life insurance and consider raising mine. Seems morbid to some I suppose, but that last thing I would want one my mind if things were to turn out badly is will my kids be ok? Can Dennis afford childcare for Cameron while he works? Will as have a car when she gets her license?

I don't know... I'm ok though. Positive everything happens for a reason and God has a purpose for me, and this journey.

And I really just wanted to write this out to let it go...to release it from the weight it has set on me the last few days. And maybe I can go to sleep. Because that is eluding me tonight and my soul feels heavy.

Not a feeling I revel in, nor enjoy.

And all the good news floating around the blogs made me happy...and appreciative for the small things.

Now I am off in search of that elusive sleep...

Hugs to my friends, wherever you are....

Hobbled in Misery (Dontcha love titles! LOL!)

Do you ever question your choices?
Have personal debates about whether your motives and intentions were well thought out?
Do you ever bite off more than you can chew?

:::Sighs:::

I feel yuk lately.

Physically and mentally.
Physically my feet have been hurting like hell for 4 days. And I mean Hell. Walking is somewhere close to imagining what that guy felt like in Misery when Kathy Bates whacks him with a sledge hammer.
Yeah...not pretty.

So I drug myself to the doctor today and she thinks I might have stress fractures. We have been super busy working on the decks, garden (Yep! So excited! My Dad would be so proud!), putting in a new pool liner, and getting ready for Ash's Luau party Friday. I don't know. But I couldn't get in for xrays today. And I have stuff to do to get ready for Ash's party. So next week it is. Until then. I suffer. My choice really. But my kid, she busted her hump the last few weeks of school and we promised her this, so...Priorities. That is my top one.

Though I must admit the realization that in less than 48 hours I will have a small herd of 15/16 year old girls in my midst for 24 hours makes me want to run and hide. LOL!

And my blog...neglected.
And My Life Remembered. I feel really bad about that. I feel like I owe so much and feel like I am spread so thin. I haven't touched an art supply in weeks.

And as bad as I feel...Part of me is really good with it. I always wanted to be the Mom who rat5her get dirty with her kids... And now I do. I think after my cousins death I became more aware of how precious every little moment is.

And although I LOVE the art... If you're not living life, you make no memories and where is the art in that?

So this is my predicament my downfall.

I bite and can't chew.

And that my friends makes my soul heavy with shame.

Off to bed to rest my "Misery"ed feet.

MLR, Em's Art Challenge and More

I consider myself pretty open to all things. Especially all things crafty. I will attempt anything at least once. And I always thought when artist's spoke about "thinking outside of the box" and "leaving their comfort zone" that they possibly were so focused on their area of expertise that they might be becoming stagnant and attempting to bring some life back into their art.

HELLO!?!?!?!
I was W.R.O.N.G!

I have made many collages in my day. But I never tried a collage portrait much less a collage self-portrait. And I have to be honest. It was SO HARD!
I struggled finding images, then I struggled figuring out how to assemble it and have it still resemble a person... ACK! I was at a complete loss.

Finally after nearing mental craziness I just let all my misconceptions go and started gluing things down. And you know what...

I LIKE IT!
It weird and funky and yet "I" see myself in it.
How weird is that?

And I have total respect for collage artists. You guys ROCK! Way beyond rock. You are GENIUS!

So without further ado here is me a la collage self-portrait.

I used magazine images, paint, corrections pens, 7 Gypsies stamp, and Sharpie Ultra Fine Point Pens.

I will try more of this in the future. And I have a bonus weekend challenge for all you players on Friday in conjunction with this :)

****************************************************************

I have caught up on some of Em's Challenges. Here they are:

Week 12: I Believe



Week 13: What's on your mind?



Week 14: Birds



Week 15: Your Parents






I am almost done with the other but not quite yet.

I have created a separate blog for all the web ring members:
Friends of Em's Art Challenges

I just created today and haven't had much time to work on it so give me a little time. I got some ideas I just need more hours in the day. So check it out and bookmark it :)
*****************************************************************

I know I posted about having pneumonia. Well, my x-ray's are still showing something in my left lung and my white blood cell count is crazy. I have to go again Friday for another round of blood work as well as x-ray's on my lungs, stomach, and pancreas. I feel tired A LOT. I have this weird feeling when I breathe and pain.

And I am a little afraid.
*sighs*

My Doctor is wonderful but she is keeping pretty tight-lipped with me about tests and things. She keeps saying she wants to wait to see this and that. It's all making me a real wreck. So I have been spending as much time with the kids planting flowers and herbs today, and painting Cameron's playhouse.

The playhouse was Ashley's when she was little. Now it is ulee's (Cameron's nickname)...
Here are a few pictures:




These are from 2 weekends ago. I actually finished all the sides this past Sunday. I'll take pictures of all the finished sides tomorrow to share.

I have been playing with the features of my camera and took this shot of Cameron get a helicopter ride from his cousin Jessica:


And this funny shadow picture of my niece Jess, her friend Shannon and I as Charlie's Angels, LOLOLOL!

That be some OVER SIZED Charlie's Angels...LOLOLOL!

Anyway, this is what has been keeping my mind off the other crap.

Memories, ya know...
Go make some.

Peace!

Creative truths...

When one is deathly sick for 8 straight days they have a lot of time to ponder about their life, loves, and even how many times they can possibly cough up a lung in one day (816 if you're interested...)

So here I am still sick.

But with a clearer head and heart. At least mentally, I still have PEWmonia.

When I decided almost a year ago to create a new blog that strayed away from my personal life and more into my hobby/crafty/artsy life I had thought it would open up some new magical universe of creative cajoling and beautiful camaraderie amongst others who love creating as much as I do. But I have to be honest and I in all honesty have not always been honest about who I am as a creative type and how different this scrap blogging world is compared to just a personal "bitch" blog about my life that I have had for years.

So here comes some soul-baring, embarrassing, truths about me, my life, blogging, and scrapbooking:

1. In the last year I have set foot in a scrapbook store twice.
2. The only supplies I have actually bought in the last 5 months were actually purchased with a gift certificate that my super sweet friend Penny sent me in an email after a particularly crappy weekend taking care of my Mom. *Thank you again Penny, it was such a sweet, kind, and generous gift I will not forget*
3. I have ZERO scrapbooking friends.
No one in real life and pretty much no one on the net I talk to regularly.
4. I don't have a web site or scrapbook community I hang out at. I have a gallery at 2peas and I think it has 5 things in it.
5. I don't own a fancy camera. I use a basic Olympus FE-170 point and shoot. It is all I can afford. And to be honest it will always be about the price I can afford. I will never own a D-40 S-80 whatever a lot of scrapbookers use.
6. I do not subscribe to any magazines.
7. I do not have any subscriptions to any kit clubs. I can't afford them. I wish I could, but I can't. That's that.
8. I will never attend a CKU. Way out of my price range.
9. I have taken 3 online classes. All with Shimelle. I have loved them all! I think Shimelle is awesome because she provides incredibly detailed and involved classes with really different creative approaches from women all OVER the world. The prompts and info is thought provoking, in-depth and beautifully presented. She is sweet and most of genuine and she makes me feel like my story is worth telling no matter what paper I use or album I put it in. And I can afford them. Are they worth more than she charges? Yes! I won't lie. But because of her generosity I feel like I am just like everyone else and for that, I am grateful.
10. I have never tried out for a design team. Or a manufacturer team, or a HOF or SOY contest.
Why? Because I don't think I am good enough to garner a second glance. And today, I am ok with that. If you had asked me a week ago I would have said I suck, I hate my work, it isn't worthy. Yadda, yadda, yadda.
Would I like to be on a team?
Yeah! But my "not good enough" alter ego prevents me from even making a submission. So unless some magical design team person summons me via email personally, it's not going to happen.
11. I don't get mani-pedi's. LOL! Not my thing and not in my income.
12. I don't worship Starbucks. In fact I have never had anything from Starbucks.
Sorry Starbuck's worshippers. Maxwell House hot in my sunflower mug with a splash of cream is OK for me.
13. I also don't drink Diet anything. In fact I hate diet pop/soda. It makes my mouth taste like metal. But I do wish I could save myself the calories by doing just the above.
14. I am overweight/fat.
I am NOT a Gucci toting, Seven jeans, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn shopping girl. Price and sizes not for moi. But I love looking at what everyone else is wearing and filling their homes with.
15. I do NOT have a scrap "studio". Studio kills me. I have been scrapbooking since a studio was just a room. Now it's a studio. LOL! I used to have my own room aka studio but then I got pregnant with Cameron and the room went out to the shed and made way for a crib and changing table.
16. I use a lot of "vintage" scrapbook supplies.
Vintage=old school. Stickers and papers from years ago. Die-cuts and I even break out my Coluzzle every once in awhile. Why? Because it is what I have. And I consider myself damn lucky. 95% of the stuff I won came from the local scrapbook store I worked at. When Deb closed the store she gave us tons of stuff. But don't think "Oh my God, how lucky!" because like I said it was years ago and I am sure most of you might find stickers passe and old school pattern papers. However, if you choose to- Like I do- I am lucky to have them. And grateful.
One of the best things I have read lately and touches my heart personally is this quote from a super amazing scrapbooker named Karla Dudley:

"There's no [scrapbook] product that's out of date or politically incorrect...just people with soggy imaginations" -Karla Dudley

Amen to that girl!

17. I don't have a scrapbook style.
I just do whatever feels good to me and what I thinks looks cool or sophisticated, elegant or vintage depending on what I am working on. So I guess that makes me eclectically styled. ;)
18. Do I think there are any hard and fast rules about scrapbooking?
NO! It's art. And art is subjective. I mean come on, we all don't like bananas now do we? So why would we all like Elsie flannigan's free-spirited art or Ali's chic linear graphic approach? My point is don't bitch and moan about someone's art. If you don't like it.... Don't look at it. It really is that simple.
19. I don't purchase only bazzill card stock. LOL! Just typing that killed me into laughing hysterics. For one, I in general can't afford it and secondly, I like the texture but I have to be realistic about what I can and can not buy and what I could buy in place of some of the more expensive things. Do I think it's expensive? Sometimes. But if you can afford it and you LOVE it, BUY IT! I would too.
20. I think I am one of the only scrapbookers left on earth who hasn't used, seen in person, or ever touched a piece of Hambly Screen Prints transparencies or paper or rubs. But I haven't given up hope on this one yet! LOL!
21. A couple of weeks ago I noticed I started to feel depressed looking at all my favorite blogs. And I realized it was because I had started allowing myself to judge my own art to others. And if anyone is honest enough to admit it...It's hard not to fall into a I HAVE TO HAVE THAT or EVERYONE is using that paper, stamp, or chipboard, I NEED it too mentality. The truth is we all want acceptance and adulation. But...(always a but) at what cost? For me it came at the cost of making layouts. I just quit. I didn't want to share. If it didn't have the hottest paper or newest rub-ons, it would have been too embarrassing. Then in my sickness I realized I didn't start scrapbooking because I fell in love with a pattern paper or fancy book binder. I started scrapbooking because I wanted someone to know the story of me. The value of my life and who I am and the family I have created. So here I am...

I have come full circle and feel like a huge load has been lifted from me.

I am just me. My story is my story. And if no one likes it that's OK. Because at the end of the day and when I log off the net the only ones who matter - love what I do. And that my friends is why we all do this.

So these are my truths. I share them with you will clear mind and open heart. Do what you choose with them.

On Monday I am starting something new for me.
And if you would like to come back here on Mondays and join me that would be awesome! If not, that's OK too.

Mondays are going to start my new creative play project.
"My Life Remembered."
Every Monday I am going to do a single page in a journal. Just for me. Just because I do a lot for other reasons and sometimes it is never about me. It will be all sorts of little stuff. Sometimes a verbal prompt, sometimes a materials challenge, maybe a collage, word experiment...whatever it happens to be. And I don't even know what I will use. A journal or a plain old notebook or a book I can alter. I'll choose Monday morning.

And Wednesday I'll post my resulting masterpiece. *snickers*
And if you want to share yours with me, us, the world...You can post a comment with a link to your work, or email me a link or even the picture and I will post it on my blog.

Why am I doing this? Because I want to. That's it. And I wouldn't mind a few friends either. But if that doesn't happen, that is OK too. No commitments. You don't have to do it every week. Just when ever you can pop over.

So think about it.
Mondays.
Your life...Remembered.

OK, this has been a seriously long amount of crap for you to read if you even got this far...(Yay for you if you did and a HUGE hug from me!) so I will stop boring you with my epiphanies on life and scrapbooking and go make something because I "want" to for me.

Everyone in que for Em's web ring has been approved unless the code is still missing from your blog. Sorry about the wait.

Oh and did I mention I have decided to start making 8.5 x 11 lo's again? That's a whole other subject I'll save for later.

All this enlightenment has led to my deep desire to own this book:



Does anyone own it and if so, do you like it? Love it? Hate it? Please leave me your comments about it! Thanks :)

Tam

United in Art... Much LOVE!

Almost 3 a.m. and I really should be going to bed or already in bed but I am not. Just sitting here and realized that I have not given enough time to the old blogger as I should have.

Every once in a while I step away and ponder.

Ponder...
My life.
My importance in above life.
My purpose.
Death.
Goals.

You know all that monumental stuff we tend to tuck away in the recesses of our minds because sometimes it is just too scary to even let the shit occupy our brain cells.

Fear is a powerful little beast.

It took me a LONG time to recover from the last weekend I spent with my Mom. I APPRECIATED all the wonderful messages, comments, and emails. You will never realize how valuable I find every word you have shared with me. I wrap them up, just like the ugly things, and tuck them away inside because the good balances the ugly and that is how we survive. Once you can't see the good anymore you might as well hang it up.

Special thanks to Penny who did something so sweet for me...I will never forget your kindness!

Give Penny a HUGE hug for making it to the next round of MM Idol!
She is SO talented and genuinely a amazingly sweet person! Congrats P! You ROCK!

Lis, (I didn't get your email hun), Sue,and Debbie for all your sweet encouraging and supportive comments. I will NEVER forget the gift of friendship...


I wish I could spend 3 paragraphs talking about how glorious spring is and the warm weather...but I live in Michigan. Uh...It was 65 degrees Tuesday and 40 degrees today and getting colder. So much for that chat eh...

Updates, hmmm... Since we last talked my niece Carrie got married.
Here are a few pictures:








They got married in Midland at a beautiful church with amazing stained glass. And I took no pictures. I was too busy enjoying the moment. The reception was beautiful. Valley Plaza Resort served an exquisite multi course meal. Followed by dancing and open bar. I had one really amazing sex on the beach drink. ONE! LOL... I let Dennis live it up and tie one on. And headed back to our suite with Cameron around 9:30 p.m. because he was exhausted!

We all met for breakfast the next morning so I did get to spend some much loved time with my family. My mom did not attend. She didn't want too...*sighs*

I am so far behind on Em's Art Journal Challenges. :(
But I do have everything set to go for all three cards. Just trying to get my eggs all in one basket and the chicken (me) won't cooperate.

We have had a bunch of girls join the web ring... YOU ROCK! 35 and going strong!

I have been thinking about that a lot too. How much I have learned from all the really amazing artists I have come to know from Em's challenges. Artists from countries WORLDWIDE! And I mean worldWIDE! And I wonder how many of these mega-talented women don't know about each other? How small my little scrapbooking world used to be... Until I met these women....

And I really think a lot of people are missing out. Missing the chance to experience art and culture on a global level. And that makes me a bit sad... So I have been considering creating a new web ring for scrapbook artists worldwide. Where every click would bring you to a new artist in a new country. Where women can share their love for the art with women who may not share the same country but the same passion.

Here are some thoughts I have been mulling around...
web blog for above said web ring...
Weekly featured scrapbook artist.
Possible prompts or inspirations/challenges...
(Not trying to be a challenge type blog, like the Dares or Em... I was thinking more blog posting prompts...Like, What is the most vivid memory you have as teenager...Tell me about the best day of your life...etc...)
Web ring with click by click jumps to different artists/countries.

There are very few web rings for scrapbookers. The 2 peas ring, and one more that I know of other than the one I created for Em's art journal challenges. Web rings generate visitors to your blog. This means more people can get to know you, see your work, find friendship...

It's a good thing, as Martha would say....

What do you guys think?
If I get enough people interested I will get it started... Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts and ideas...

Vent.Analize.Release

Alive, I am...

A little tattered and torn but alive. The past weekend was not so good. One of those weekends I would like to wrap up in some brown paper and tuck away somewhere deep inside me and forget ever happened. My Mom was not so nice. Very aggressive, very verbally combative. Very...mean.

I can't think of a better word, no literary eloquence to misguide the mind into thinking she was anything but she was. Mean is all I got.

The weekend went so badly I stayed with her Sunday night too just hoping I could salvage some morsel of "quality" time with her. Something I could hold on too. A tiny snippet of conversation, a loving moment, a gesture. But nothing. In fact Sunday into Monday morning were the worst.

I think I need to say for the record, and for anyone who might read this blog that when I verbalize all of this "stuff" it is the way I vent. The way I mentally make amends for what I have said, what has happened and how I deal with it. I don't hate my Mom. That is very far from the truth. I love my Mom and I respect her. I admire her strength and courage. But, she is also a different person now. Still my Mom but two different people. I love them both. But the person my Mom is now is so far from the person she used to be that sometimes I struggle not to get beaten down by the verbal berating.

Berating may be mild or excessive depending on who you are. But hearing my Mom say that My Dad knew I would never take care of them...Hurt so badly I couldn't even speak to her for 2 solid hours. I just cried like a little child with my face buried in a pillow while Dennis took care of her. On Saturday I got up, started coffee and went to let the dogs out. My Mom wanted me to bring her coffee (which was not finished brewing) but I opted to let the dogs out while it finished. What did I get for that? You love those dogs more than you do your own children...For shame. All because the coffee wasn't done and I let the dogs out before they crapped on her floor.

I don't know how many times I heard how ashamed she was of me because I didn't was dishes immediately after eating...Or turn her electric blanket on before she was ready to go to bed for the night. fjlv qepiotupety3t <----not typo's just how I feel typing all this shit out...

Arrr, I don't know. I have ran the whole weekend over and over in my head a million times since I got home late Monday night and I am getting no where. I know that's not my Mom talking. I know she probably doesn't mean it.... BUT it still hurts the same. It still leaves me empty inside.

I just don't know. I feel beaten down. I am waiting for God to make sense of this to me. Divine intervention to make me understand the purpose.

This has been the toughest time since she came home for me. Usually I can find some reasoning for her actions and words. But this time... I have none. Just meanness, that's all I got.

So I didn't post because I was digesting the mess that is my mother/daughter relationship...And I surfed to my blogs, read so much happy news around the web. That makes me smile. Checked out the week 8 challenge for Em's Art Journal and then decided to organize the drawer thing I keep my embellishments in... which was depressing in and of itself. Wishing it was full of fun stuff like Heidi Swapp bling, Journal Spots, Ghost Shapes, and MM's whole line of Valentine stuff my friend Linds got her pretty little preggo hands on....Oh well I could go on but I am even depressing myself more at this point...LOL

It's late and I am rambling and ....
Tomorrow is a new day.

Amen to that.

In times of instability...Show them the love....

blah....blah.blah.blahhhblah...

That is how I feel this morning. Surfed around last night and read all the Vlanetine posts. So sweet.

Dennis had to work until 11 p.m. so it was just the kids and I. We just PPV'ed a couple movies, read some books, and, snuggled on the couch watching Idol.

Debating on what to do with my ever so exciting life today (*sarcastically said...)
Hmmm, should I do laundry first or mop??? Maybe dishes and vaccum? Ack!

I'm not really feeling the domestic "love" this morning...

It's been a long week of road running and my nerves are a tad frazzled with some medical stuff going on with Dennis. He is my rock. And when he is vulnerable sometimes I become uneasy. This is the case.

I wanted to send some love to a SUPER cool new friend I have made who makes the most D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S scrap art! Her name is Karla Dudley. I have been a fan of hers for a while and somehow she found her way onto my blog the other day and left ME a comment. Irony, eh! MM recognized her work with their product awhile ago and I am telling you she is super talented! BUT that talent is a side line to how real, honest, and genuinely sweet she is...

So I'm sending ya some love girl!

Happy Belated Valentines to all<3

Em's Challenge-Week 6

This week's theme is Love, Love, Love...

Here is my card:



PP?, Pebbles Inc. Stickers, Wax Seal, Heart Stamp by Emily for Fontwerks, ColorBox Silver Ink, Ron and Bob Studios Clip, 3m Transparency (Used my Sizzix to diecut), red Sharpie, and my gorgeous husband...



Close-up of the clip...



Closer look at the wax seal...




PP=?, 3M Transparency I cut with some decorative scissors by PC and zig-zagged on with my new sewing machine to make a little pocket. This is the first time I have ever sewn anything on a scrappy project! I see why everyone is addicted to it now...LOL Love stamp with heart is from the dollar store, StazOn ink, epoxy stickers are from Wal-Mart, and some pink micro-beads.



This is the journaling insert. Pink paper is from Staples, 3M Transparency hearts I cut with my Sizzix, Staples from MM, Micron Pen, and epoxy from Wal-Mart.

It reads:
If someone were to ask me what love means to me I would say you... Everything that is good in my life centers around you, us, and the life we have built together. It isn't always easy. We work at it and that just makes it more special. You are my heart, my soul, my little piece of Heaven right here on Earth. When I don't have the strength to fight on, you pick me up. When the world beats me down and I can't find the joy in everyday, you give me faith. When I am afraid, you protect me. There are a 100 things about you that I love and yet not a single thing in particular. And the package is pretty damn HOT too!
I am a better person because of you...
And I am grateful.

LOVED this challenge!

If anyone is interested in joining the web ring here is the information again...
*eta* Added 2 more members already today - YEAH!

****Aditional Information****
I'm going to try and answer a few questions and solve a few issues that Lisa and I worked out together last night while we got her included on the ring (Thanks so MUCH for hanging tough with me Lis!)

To join the ring you have to submit your blog/site here.
Then you fill out the form and click SUBMIT at the bottom of that page.
This will take you to a new page that has some HTML code on it.
You need to copy that code and paste it on your blog or web site.
Then I will receive a email that says a new site has been submitted to the ring.
Then I can accept your submission.

I can NOT accept your submission UNTIL you have the code on your blog.
It will not let me. TRUST ME (Or ask Lisa...LOL)
Once you have been accepted you can click on NEXT from your blog to surf through the sites that have joined the ring.


There is no COST.
There is NO ADVERTISING.

It just creates a nice way for all of us to support, view, encourage, and enjoy each other's art.

Not reqiuired but I just thought it would be nice. I am not a pro at this so hang in there with me if you are having problems. I have been using blogger for about 4 years now so I can work my way through helping most of you with that. TypePad I believe uses widgets as well so that would basically work the same.

If you have any questions just Email Me

I really look forward to getting to know you all through the year and making some new friendships :)

Emily's Art Journal Challenge *Join the Web Ring*, and an Update

I thought it would be nice to create a web ring for all the people participating in Emily's challenge. I know I love to see everyone's work but sometimes it's hard to click back and forth and copy and paste so this makes things SO MUCH easier.

If you have a web site or blog all you have to do is add a little snippet of code on your site after you join. You can see it over on the right >------> side of my blog.
It's TOTALLY FREE!

If you are interested in joining click here: Emily's Art Journal Challenge: Ring of Artists

****Aditional Information****
I'm going to try and answer a few questions and solve a few issues that Lisa and I worked out together last night while we got her included on the ring (Thanks so MUCH for hanging tough with me Lis!)

To join the ring you have to submit your blog/site here.
Then you fill out the form and click SUBMIT at the bottom of that page.
This will take you to a new page that has some HTML code on it.
You need to copy that code and paste it on your blog or web site.
Then I will receive a email that says a new site has been submitted to the ring.
Then I can accept your submission.

I can NOT accept your submission UNTIL you have the code on your blog.
It will not let me. TRUST ME (Or ask Lisa...LOL)
Once you have been accepted you can click on NEXT from your blog to surf through the sites that have joined the ring.


There is no COST.
There is NO ADVERTISING.

It just creates a nice way for all of us to support, view, encourage, and enjoy each other's art.

Not reqiuired but I just thought it would be nice. I am not a pro at this so hang in there with me if you are having problems. I have been using blogger for about 4 years now so I can work my way through helping most of you with that. TypePad I believe uses widgets as well so that would basically work the same.

If you have any questions just Email Me

I really look forward to getting to know you all through the year and making some new friendships :)


I didn't have a chance to post my week 4 card for Emily's challenge before I left for my Mom's on Friday so here are both week 4 and 5.

Week 4 was a symbol we love...






Mine is a tree. I just cut negative images from black and white cardstock and added some glass leaf beads I bought from a super nice lady in Canada a few years ago.






The back has labels of what a tree means to me. Just used a Dymo Label Maker. The background is Plaid paints and Plaid crackle finish. Love that weathered old look.







This is a close-up shot of the crackle finish. Very fun to do on paper.



Week 5's challenge was to use some ephemera from our week.
Here is my take:







I used the MRI order slip from my MRI, some pennies Dennis and I joked about while filing our taxes, a band-aid that was stuck to my shirt sleeve from changing my Mom's bandages on her amputated finger, and the wedding bell from the bridal shower invitation for my niece.






The back has some Autumn Leaves stamps, and the strong stampis by ?...And a little ink action by StazOn.

So I feel semi-recovered from a really long last 7 or 8 days. I knew I would be feeling pretty crappola after the MRI but that turned into numerous days of yuk!

Hated the MRI. I'm not even claustrophobic but by minute 42 I was thinking I might become one. Got results on Monday 2 bulging disks and 2 deteriorating disks. See a spinal specialist on the 16th. Hmm, great news. Whatever. Laying on that slab was torturous on my back. I started having weirdo muscle spasms in my legs but I survived. I have put this off forever. Mostly because I was a wee bit afraid of the actual MRI machine (Ok, a LOT afraid) and because it was never a good time. Since my Mom...Well, it's been hard.

It was also my weekend to stay with my Mom. She is doing much better eating but she can be pretty stubborn and demanding which breaks me down sometimes. Sometimes I just had to walk away and b.r.e.a.t.h.e She tries to be "normal" but all her senses are not. She woke me up one morning at 4 a.m. to make her breakfast. She tried to make cornbread but only added the first number of the given ingredients. Like it called for 1 and 1/2 cups water. She put in 1 cup. There is a lot of emotional issues that torture me. Thinking my Dad is in Iraq and asking when he is coming home. Tears my heart out. *sighs* My dad died in 1999. Such a mental battle goes on inside my head which is almost always followed by extreme sadness. Lots of tears. Shit...I know no one wants to hear this...Sorry.

Moving on...
Ash has been off the last 2 days because of the cold. It's been like 30 below zero. But that gave her plenty of time to recover from tonsilitis that kept her out of school on Friday.

We did our taxes, missed my niece's bridal shower because I had to take care of my Mom, freezing cold, tons of laundry... and alas I feel caught up and mentally rejuvenated (as best can be).

Feeling huge envy pains over all the AMAZING new products from CHA! People are truly blessed to do such awesome things. And products...Did I mention products?!?! Wow! Truly talented designers in this art, I tell ya!

K, off to read some blogs...

Emily and Shimelle's Challenges

Monday...Monday...La la, la-la-la-laaaa.

We had a nice weekend. Dennis was off and we spent friday night sans any kids. :) But he was asleep by midnight and I worked on Shimelle's project. It was a lot of fun! She is so awesome! Man, what I wouldn't give to have half the ideas that she has. Saturday we spent the evening at my Mom's house with my Sister's and their husbands. We had dinner and laughed...and laughed. It has been so long since we had time to just laugh together without all the weight on our souls of my Mom's illness and care. It felt SO good!

Sunday we hung out at home. Dennis made dinner and I worked on Emily's challenge. Then we just watched some T.V. and played with the kids. Exciting huh...LOL

So here is my "I have to confess..." mini:





The cover is a transparency I painted with Apple Tart paint by Plaid. The stamps are by Rebecca Sower. Love them! Hole reinforcers are from Staples. I totally have to give credit to Karen Russell for helping me to learn to love transparencies. She is a genius with them! Check her blog out!




I did all my picture pages in a 6x6 format. The titles I added with Paint Shop Pro. Yeah I know, I don't own photoshop. Oh well. It has american crafts ribbon and Fontwerks stamps.
You will see the right side pictures first then the journaling pages. Just a little FYI :) I used Metal Dots by Colorbok, American Crafts ribbon, Vintage Ink in Spearmint by Ranger, Bazzill and Paperabilities cardstocks, Purple Onion Designs dotted line stamp, Michaels circle dot stamp I actually cut the saying that was around it off so I would just have the dots, and hole reinforcers from Staples and chalk.













































This is the back of the album. I have no idea why the lime green cardstock looks so sage-y. But it's really lime.



I used Purple Onion Designs stamps on the back.

This was a fun, quick little project. I think I will add to it over time. Thanks so much Shimelle for sharing this awesome project with us.

Now... The most awesome prgeggy momma-to-be Mrs. Man-Pri's herself Emily Falconbridge is running a super cool weekly challenge over on her blog that I have been participating in. Here is this weeks challenge:



The prompt was "I am...":




I used a metallic cardstock that resembled a mirror. How symbiotic of me eh! LOL! Pen is signo. I used a bristle brush to scuff the writing so it looked imperfect.




Paperabilities cardstock, Autumn Leaves stamp, signo pen and rhinestone hearts.

I am so loving Emily's challenge. Go join the fun!

K, i'm outta here. Took forever to write this post and upload the pictures. Off to snuggle the hub.

Peace :)