Spring Has Sprung!

It's Spring!? Where does the time go?! It's hard to believe that January was my last post....
So here I am ready to post the latest...

We didn't have big plans over Spring Break, but it turned out to be a good week. We had friends we haven't seen in a long time come in town and spent a little time with them.

Elizabeth, Teagan, and Perryn met us one night at Chick-0-flays (as McKenna says it), for some fun playtime and conversation.... It was a hoot to get a picture of all of them...

Katie, Liam, and Allison made a surprise visit up at the church on Friday while I was working... that made my day! Then all of us met up with the Romo bunch for dinner and then a movie. It was sooo good to see them all! I'll post to my Facebook the pictures....

But to top the whole week off, we started the first weekend of spring break with some warm and fuzzies.... we've been wanting to get a cat or kitten for a long time now and so we finally did it. And we now have two sweet and adorable little kittens, Bunny and Bella (Belle), as additions to our family. Both girls came from a litter of five. So they are sisters, and they love each other as much as they love their new home and family....
There's a new life about this family now.... everyone is excited to get up in the mornings, get chores done, and eat their dinner at night, so they can play with the girls before bedtime. I love it. There's new energy seeping everywhere. I guess that is what springtime brings, in and of itself, too. The blooms on the pear trees are disappearing in amongst the big full green leaves. Today, it's hard to imagine it just snowed inches less than a week ago! Crazy Texas weather....

Some fun creative happenings coming..... haven't been on top of anything much lately... but there's Silver Bella 2010 registration right around the corner, and Paper Cowgirl registration today? tomorrow? perhaps! And I'm sure there will be another Gilded Life Event at the church down the road.... I am in need of some creativity that doesn't involve construction paper and coloring sheets (just a different creative breed, Brandi! ;) )

And so... since I probably won't get another post for at least a (week) lol, I am wishing everyone a Happy Spring and a Blessed Easter. I pray that you and your family feel the energy of spring, and the glory of our Savior!
Hugs!

The BIG 4-0....

Yep, I am officially out of the 30's and headed into the 40's.... Today started so sweet with my two littlest ones jumping into bed with BIG birthday wishes. Braden and McKenna had such huge excitement in their eyes in anticipation FOR me. Then McKenna snuggled in next to me while I ran my fingers through her hair and gently tapped my finger tips on her forehead- oh those little moments....

Awwww...... 40. What does that number mean? I was really, really dreading this birthday. I know it's just a number, but 40 is a much BIGger number. Am I young or am I old? I didn't cherish 30 much either, but I was okay with 30 because I was a fairly new mother, and was in the midst of enjoying my new journey of motherhood. I had dreams of a family of 4 or 5 (all-together), yet ahead.....
And I was still carded at the counter when purchasing wine to make Martha Stewart's yummy "Bolognese Sauce". So I was considered "young"-looking, right?
....I could still sit with legs crossed on the floor and get up and not be sprung back into an awkward position in a shocking and surprised pain. Ooooo, so I was still "limber", right?
Hmmm.... And let's not forget that the size 8 that I was before getting pregnant was what I thought to be (at the time) "heavy" for me.... Maybe I can still wear a size 8 (in one brand), but there's excess baggage that interferes with the "comfortable" feeling I used to feel in them.

But if I look back in the last 9 years, soooo much more has happened. Yes, there has been schedules added, more wrinkles (yet the noticeable gray hasn't totally emerged!-shhhh Tammy), and a nagging "teenage" acne problem, no splits or high kicks in these legs, and few pounds changed-give or take- but my life is SO blessed with three little souls that dance around me day after day after day. I have learned so much without a textbook, I've met some incredible people, experienced places and things I never even thought of in my 20's. God is SO good. And as my sweet friend, Brandi, says over and over, "He is good ALL the time". Overall, He most certainly has been good to me every day in these past 9+ years.

But 40. What will the 40's bring to me? I certainly feel a "shifting" of sorts (and in more ways than one!) I mean, for the next 9 years, what will life have in store for me? 9 years. Yikes. It's amazing how fast time rolls after schooling, right? But it's even more amazing how fast it goes once your own kids are in school!
I don't want to feel older. I don't want to have to buy a size bigger. And I certainly don't want to miss out on any of the "little things" that matter most. But it's okay not to do the splits ever again. ;)

So a better way to put it is, what does God have in store for the next 9 years?? I'm not entirely sure, but I am feeling a calling... I am making the decision to pray every day about it, along with making other choices to be a healthier me- inside and out. I am currently reading (a non-artsy crafty) book titled, "Honor's Reward" by John Bevere (a totally awesome book). And I am going to give honor where it is due- to my family, my friends, my leaders, my co-workers, myself, but most of all, to my God. And I know He will give BACK to me mounds of blessings in return.

So, here's looking at you 40! A continued, yet slightly adjusted journey through a different set of numbers,
that's all.

A Little Artsy-Something to look forward to!

CAN NOT wait for this little event in February! Shea and Debbie threw a wonderful Christmas Party Gathering, and I can only imagine what they'll have in store for Valentine's! Two very talented ladies, Lonnie Jenck and Natalie Hansen, are guest instructors, as well as the exquisite Miss Shea will be teaching her glitz as well! There's only a few reservations open for February 6th and 7th.... so see if you can reserve a spot! What Happens Next

Bella Sneaky Peeks and Agenda.....

It's almost time! Are you ready? Me, I'm ready to hop on the plane without my bags, swaps, supplies, and PJ's... but that wouldn't be all that smart, now would it? I can't believe how fast this fall has swept by. I am still working on my last swap, and pennants have mostly come in for my Vintage Sparkle Winter Banner swap I'm hosting. The Bella Board is swarming with flurry about this and that. Everyone is soooo excited... including me!

Well, if your just tuning in.... Here's a little of what I'll be doing this coming week....
Monday and Tuesday will be spent tying up ends at the church for curriculum, so I hopefully I don't leave Lauren with any holes! ;) Along with packing, packing, packing- or figuring out the Silver Bella Packing Puzzle! Every time this year, the Bella board is buzzing with questions relating to how to pack for the event... ;) This is my third year, I'm not sure I have it down yet!

I will fly out Wednesday with Valita, Heather, Alisa, Joanna, and Marie. I'm not sure what Wednesday will be like, but probably settling in, a quick lunch, and maybe a little downtown shopping, with an evening of last minute swap preparations. It's time to catch-up with my Bella friends that I haven't seen since June.

Thursday, Miss Jessi Nagy has rented us a BIG Bella bus to take us on tour to the Brass Armadillo, Hobby Lobby, Archivers, and a fabulous lunch! She's quite a Bella girl- Love that Jessi!
Thursday afternoon/evening we check in at the register table to get our classroom assignments and name tags (the ticket to Friday's 100 Aprons Vendor Market!) and meet and greet with the rest of the Bellas coming in on Thursday... Then that evening we meet with ALL 150+ Bellas for dinner and class taught by Stephenie Hamen. And the night won't end there. It will be time for some Bella Swappin'! There were SO MANY swaps this year! I wanted to join in every one of them, but alas, there's just not enough time.

Friday starts classes.... I will be taking Kaari Meng's Vintage Rosary Necklace, Jennifer Murphy's Snowman Clip Ornament, and Rebecca's Cigar Box Assemblage classes- a full day leading right into the long-awaited evening event: 100 Aprons Bella Market Faire. The doors for the Faire are open (then quickly closed again) for us Vintage Bellas at 6:30, while the public eagerly awaits the doors to open for them at 7:00 pm. You will never see so much glitter, glam, and sparkle anywhere!

Then, bright and early Saturday morning, after not much sleep Friday night, classes resume with Pam Garrison's Holly-Days Countdown wreath class, and finishing off the fabulous time with the stars ;) I spend time again with Kaari Meng and make a Vintage Charm Bracelet. We will all meet again for the luncheon and get to meet guest speaker Jo Packham, the creator and Editor in Chief of Where Women Create! Oh, I simply cannot wait!

Saturday night is always a big ending to the weekend with a dinner, most likely at the Upstream Brewery Co., downtown Omaha. It's a favorite among many Bellas. The atmosphere is fun and energetic (what we need after two days of straight creating), yet is warm and cozy with a great Nebraska corn-fed beef steak. It's our last "hurrah" before saying our good-byes to good friends (old and new).

Then it'll be back to reality without all the glitter and sparkles (unless you track some home with you) on Sunday, but not until all of us figure out how we'll get all that Bella goodness back home on the plane with us! (Last year, I had to undo my luggage AT THE AIRPORT to take out/rearrange jeans, shoes or something to keep it from spilling over the weight limit!) Course, there were other bellas (and I won't mention any names-you know who you are), who had to take out the 5LBS OF CHOCOLATE they packed! LOL

Even if we leave behind a glitter trail all the way from Omaha, we will have brought back glittered pieces from swaps and classes and sparkles of memories of time spent with some really great girls who love vintage art, jewelry, paper & sewing just as much as I do! See you when I get back....

Here's a couple sneaky peeks for ya.... and I'll post more of the event when I return. It's time for some Bella Bliss...

Happy Halloweeen!

Soul Sisters in the Fall...

Oh...... I can't tell you how excited I am over a new ladies group (to me anyways) and bible study that I have just started attending.
Soul Sisters is the name of the group... It's sorta new to me because I had known about the group in our church that meets on Thursdays (I almost started going a couple years ago, but then didn't)... And I kinda forgot about it... til now!

Our group "leader", the lovely Pastor Laura, is the sweetest and kindest lady. She makes you feel sooo welcome. The group is all about Soul Sisters in Christ and as a dedicated close friend-kind-of thing.

The bible study we are doing is "Discerning the Voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer, which can be found here. The jist is, how to recognize when God speaks to you. So far it's been totally wonderful. I was thrilled and passionate about this study because, well, I've come to wonder sometimes if God is talking to me or is it ME thinking this or that.... and to tell you the truth- the study has just supported my belief that He most definitely is talking to me! I can look back on periods in my life where I thought, yes, this has got to be God BUT (as doubt sets in)... and only two weeks into the study I KNOW at times it definitely was... God is so truly amazing! I am really so excited about this... ;)

If you are in the Flower Mound, TX area and are needing some time "Discerning the voice of God"... you might just check it out! You can read more about it HERE.

On a different note.... what are your thoughts on this weather??? (for those of you in north Texas) Oui! I know many are getting really sick of the rain, but for me, it's been kinda nice for a change of scenery. I don't like that it's made a muck of flooded areas for many.... but for today, since it hasn't been too rainy (in Lewisville), and warmer feeling... I just get the feeling of FALL sitting here looking out the window. And I REALLY enjoy that feeling! Fall IS here, and I L-O-V-E fall!
How about you?

Prayers for a Friend....

I am posting today in hopes that those of you that may not know yet, and to those of you that are willing will bend down and lift your hearts in prayer... A sweet friend, Tina Wright - head cowgirl of the Paper Cowgirl art event is need of good thoughts and prayers right now. She has recently found out she has cancer. Please pray for her, the doctors & specialists, as well as her family and close friends. It is going to be a rough road ahead for all, and I will be praying for her all the way. I hope you will join me, as well. If you hop on over to the PC blog, Mendy and Lisa are putting together a book with pages made from friends. If you are interested, go check it out here.

I'm praying God's healing miracle for ya, T!

Where oh where have I gone?

Oh yes, I'm still around... just very busy, since I started working up at the church, summer activities, and vacations! So sorry. I am missing all of you in the blogging world! I hope to catch up sometime soon..... Hope your summer is cooler than mine right now! (as I type this in my 86 degree room.... something is definitely going on with the air conditioner!)

Hugs!

A Couple of Shout Outs!

Oh yes, busy as ever around here.... pink eye and ear infections top the list for this week! ;P But before April slips by with the least amount of posts ever, I thought I'd give a shout out to a couple of gals...

First one is for the infamous Teresa McFayden... Oh, a few posts ago on her blog, she posted a "new" kind of Chicken and Rice Casserole recipe. I thought it sounded different, and the ingredients sounded all yummy to me, AND I hadn't fixed chicken and rice casserole in a l-o-o-o-n-g time. So I thought I'd give it a try. Holy CHICKEN AND RICE! Let me just say, it's by far, hands down, THE BEST chicken and rice casserole EVER!!! You simply must try it sometime. Go HERE for the recipe. Mmmmm..... good. Thank you, T!

For the next one, I want to give a shout out for a new bloggin' friend, Celita. She is a part of the Christian Paper Artists group I belong to. She is celebrating her 1 Year Paper-Cutting Art, and is hosting a little give-away on her BLOG, "Days Ease" to celebrate. Go check it out, she is quite the paper-cutting artist! I love her creativity in the themes of her art. Simply amazing and fascinating!

So there ya go. I haven't been very crafty lately... too many outside things going on at this time of year, as well as another (part-time) job. Paper Cowgirl is right around the corner though.... so there's bound to be some "Rootin' Tootin' Cowgirl Fun" involved!
Stay tuned....

Silver Bella Excitement....

It's going to be another fabulous year!

Are you going?
;)

The Soldering Tale Continues....

If you remember back last September, I took a beginners soldering class from Heather Ales and posted about it here. And yes, the tale continues...

So I hadn't really picked up the soldering iron (brand new in the package still) until recently... Though I was very excited to be a part of Tina's Glass House Swap. We've had 3 months to create and solder these little houses, and I finally (after a creative slump) pieced mine all together, then soldered them! It was so fun and I am thrilled that I didn't break a one! That's the wonderful part of this tale... the not-so-wonderful, horrifying part is this...

It's down to the wire of getting the jump rings on their little roofs, and sending them off to each of their new owners. (Doesn't sound too bad, uh?) Welll.... it IS if you plug in your iron and LEAVE IT ON for at least twenty-four hours, of course, forgetting that you have done so! Needless to say, my iron is okay, but the tip, however, is not! Now my little houses will be late joining their little neighbors... Again, I'm so sorry girls! ;(

But, as promised to them, and if they chose to take a sneaky peek, here they are....


Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest. But I hope they will all like them, once I get them completed with jump rings and sent off!

UPDATE THIS EVENING: I have just found out that TWO other gals had done the very SAME THING over the weekend! Totally weird... So watch out- something's in the air! OR as Robin puts it, there's WELLER ABUSE going on! LOL!
Hugs,
Shan

Sharing...

I love the sounds of a guitar and after a great Sunday, here's a tune to delight your ears from Justin McRoberts....

Happy Saint Paddy's Day!

Are YOU wearing GREEN today? That was the FIRST thing my kiddos were checking the second they got up out of bed! I remember St. Patrick's Day when I was little....going to school and making sure everyone had on some green, or else they got a pinch (and LaVonne could give a major pinch!) ;) Bummer the kids are on Spring Break this week and won't be able to "check the green" on their friends. We might have to visit Daddy's office for them to give everyone some fits about not wearing green! ;)

Hope it's a beautiful springy day where ever you are today!
Enjoy the day, and
WEAR SOME GREEN!
(or my kids will find you and give you a pinch!)

And here's a linky to Seneca Pond Crafts for a freebie:

St. Patrick's Day tags!

Please be sure to thank her for her generosity! ;)

And here's some more fun vintage green for ya...(and pink!)

Hugs!

I'm A Diggin' This!

Oh looky here! It's been awhile since I have run across a new product that I just gotta have... Martha Bonneau over at Craft Critique had a little diddy on this little gem: The Chatterbox Brad Maker

You can make cute little brad's with your own VINTAGE (or favorite) images! Well, like, cool, dude! (wow, that dates me) And the design of the brad themselves are fabulous! Take a look for yourself:

You can get the full scoop and where to purchase online over here. Or maybe you can get it at your local scrapbook store! Or maybe you beat me to the punch (no pun intended) and already own one! Tell me what YOU think?!
I'm really thinking I need one soon...
Seriously cool.

Hugs!

FUN AND LOVE...

Well, I've resorted to the fact that I'll just be a little (ALOT) behind in my posting.... but I don't think anyone will mind... cuz it's fun- all the same! ;)

These pictures are from Karla Nathan's "PUPPY LOVE Tag Book Swap"... (sorry for the broken ones...I delayed posting this trying to figure out the problem and I'm still trying to fix it. I'll try and take another picture and replace them)
These are the cutest little tags and Karla packaged them up in one cute little bundle as you see...
The cover was made by Miss Karla, herself, just love those two little puppies, and her hand-painted rose and leaves at the bottom! She is one talented lady!

The first tag is from Valita at Vintage V's... Love all the pink, poodles, and french... oh and the lovely pom pom fringe I believe might be the trim we bought down in Waxahachie for pennies! She and I must have had a mind connection while doing this swap... both of us used pink doilies in our tags! Love it, V!

The second tag is from Sarah at My So Called Junky Life...
Who can't love vintage wallpaper and trim? LOVE it! And I especially love the photo with what appears to might be a Saint Bernard? I had 4 Saint Bernards (at different times) growing up. They are BIG dogs, but I love them! I love it Sarah!

The third tag is from Sheila at Blessed and Distressed... And distressed this tag is! VERY cool, indeed. I love the little collage image she put together.. with various digitally created emphemera and images! NICE job, Sheila!

The fourth tag is from Marilyn... I don't have a contact for her, but I think her tag is preciously wonderful in all it's puppies and pinks! Those images ARE just precious, don't you think? Cute little charm, too! ( I'll try and get a new picture soon...)

The fifth tag is from Gretchen... I also don't have a contact for her. :( You probably can't tell, but the paper she used (front and back) is flocked! Kinda like vintage flocked wallpaper! OOOO, it's soooo sweet! The image is to just die for with ice cream and two sweet kids! The vintage trim is so dainty and works wonderfully as a little picture frame! Love the little silver edge on the velvety flowers, too! An last but not least, sixth tag is from Simply Sage.... She went all out and really dolled up BOTH sides of her tag, and it's quite stunning... For starters,she crackled the front of the tag's background (I love peeling paint),the "sage" green and pink colors are so soft... then on the back, she crackled the inside of the heart with a dimensional crackle medium. Neat idea!!

Please take a moment to check out each of these ladies blogs, or comment on those that don't have contacts... They did a fabulous job, wouldn't you say?

This other is an extra I had made, a similar duplicate to one I sent in. And here are all the ones I made.... the fabric tags were fun, I extended the idea from my banner swap (you'll notice the same fabric and technique). It was just too much fun!

I have more projects and things to tell you... But I need more TIME to blog them! So, as I get them them typed, you'll see more.... ;) Hugs!

Paper Cowgirl Yahoo! Group...

Weeelllll.... it's underway! Paper Cowgirl registration is finally here... It will be a super fun event, the hoopla has already started with the new Paper Cowgirl 2009 Yahoo Group! I am hearing of swaps that will be getting started soon. And other fun happenings..... So for anyone going to PC- better go sign up for the group, and if you're thinking of attending PC- git on over there and sign up! Tina is telling me a couple classes are close to filling up! (And just an FYI- the lunches will be delicious!)

It's Been a Blonde Kind of Day.....

Well... yes, in case you can't tell in my picture, I am blonde. But I never thought of myself as the kind of blonde that was the butt of all the jokes- you know the kind I mean. Yes, they can make me giggle, too- so I'm okay with them... but I just never thought that I would ever BE the joke!

First, I have to say that it's not ALL a blonde thing... I have been up since 2:30 AM this morning! Why, you might ask? Please tell ME!??? I don't know. I just couldn't sleep. Sometimes that happens. Then I hit the carpet running this morn, and didn' t stop until about 9 pm tonight in front of this, here, computer.

So, my blonde moment, you might wonder? Wellll..... I decided to fix a couple of broken links in my blog roll, that have needed to be fixed for awhile now. Doo, da, doo... click here, click there and well, I fixed them all right! I fixed them so well, that now I don't have them! In fact, you will notice that I do not have ANY links to my favorite blogs and places anymore! Ugh. (UPDATE 3/4: now you will notice I am slowly getting my blogs back together! lol)

Sigh.

Blonde? Yep.

Go ahead... let the jokes begin. ;)



But wait, there's more...

My oldest daughter, who is also a blonde (a most beautiful blonde girl, I might add), had a blonde moment today, as well.

To set this stage, you have to know Bailey... she is a vibrant, bubbly, happy and silly little girl. I love her for all of those things! So, as everyday, she was being her vibrant, bubbyly, happy AND SILLY little self while walking out of her P.E. class this morning.
Apparently, she was paying attention to the floor (rather than what was ahead of her), and proceeded to slam herself into the bar between the double doors to the gymnasium, and knocked herself onto her keister! She has a bruise and knot on the forehead to prove it. Of course we're all laughing now, AFTER the trip to the emergency care to make sure she was okay!
And to think we made her middle name GRACE.... ;)

I love you, Gracie!

Blonde or not. PLEASE tell me we ALL have these moments???


She was SO blonde... that she tried to put M & M's in alphabetical order.

And now, this blonde is GOING TO BED!

Wishing you a...

ARtSy FaRtSY!!

Yes, that's what I said, ARtSy FaRtSY!! I've actually jumped back in and am knee (shoulder) deep in creating and swapping... with banner swaps, a tag book swap, a charm swap, and a lovely soldered houses swap (oooooo!) Can't wait to see these with all the other lovely pieces. Here's a looky at what I've been up to....


These are for the valentine banner swaps I'm in over at Christian Paper Artists Yahoo Group. The last two are from the mini banner swap... a fun little size at 3x5!
There will be more to share in the days to come...