Amature photography in the making...

Okay, I admit, i have a passion (rather addiction) for photography. I love having my children's portraits done! With Nicholas, my first child, I had a professional portrait taken every month. With Gabriel, my second child, not so much...and with Abby, well let's just say we were doing good to have two made. Still, looking back, the Halloween portraits are still some of my favorite! I wanted to try taking their "portraits" myself this year and have been scoping out a place that I thought might work...and a place that would do their costumes justice...and this little rocky space at the park just seemed perfect. Passersby most likely thought I was insane, but I was happy with the results. AND I must mention that both Abby and Gabey were incredibly photogenic today made my heart smile. So what do you think...could I pass them off as professional portraits? (remember, these are the "uncut" versions...I still want to do a little editing.) At least in their albums?? Would love t0 hear any thoughts!

Oh, Christmas Tree!

This stamp set (Holiday Warmth - October's Stamp of the Month) was truly not one of my favorites at first sight, but I have to admit, I am now in love with it! I found this adorable card that was posted by a fellow consultant, and features a reverse watercolor effect and just had to try to recreating it. She also had a card where she used Glitter Mist which inspired my second card. I altered the color palettes and design a little and wallah a second masterpiece. Because I am in love with these new techniques, and can't wait to share them, I am going to adjust my schedule to teach a workshop on them on Wednesday, November 4th in Broadway. The workshop cost is just $10 and you will make three of each card. And if you too are in love with this set, you can order it at full price, or with a discount, through Wed. with the grace period. Just e-mail me for details at: inallsassiness@juno.com.

Fall Beauty!

We have had the "ickies" at our house for the best of almost a week and a half now. It has taken full circle with the exception of my hubby. Today was the first day that myself and all three kids were feeling well and it was beautiful out...we opened up the windows for fresh air, and took a long drive to look at the leaves. They are absolutely beautiful this year. The problem with living in the mountains, is that it is hard to get a panoramic type picture because there seems to be no beginning or no end. I took a few pictures but they don't do the foliage justice. Just being outside with the warm temperatures and the brisk air was just what we needed!

Finally...the pumpkin patch!

I was beginning to think this was going to be the year that we didn't make it to the pumpkin patch! The weather this fall has been incredibly unpredictable and try as we have, our trips to the pumpkin patch kept being postponed. Don't get me wrong, there have been some beautiful days this fall...just perfect for the pumpkin patch...BUT those days were all days that either I had to work, or we had other plans that conflicted with making the trip. Finally I decided that yesterday was our last real shot if we wanted to find that perfect pumpkin! The day started with rain, sun, rain, sun...and I decided unless it was pouring we WERE going!

We were truly blessed! The rain seemed to part as we arrived at the patch and stayed clear long enough for us to find our pumpkin. Up and down the rows we went on the search. We found two perfect ones and even had them in our wheel barrow but then saw this beautiful vibrant pumpkin and I just knew that was the one for us! We loaded up our pumpkin and were on our way! The kids were determined to pull it themselves and quickly discovered it was too heavy. So, Abby decided to climb in the wagon with "me pumkin" and Gabe pushed as I pulled all the way out of the patch. A fun afternoon! And as we walked out of the patch, I remembered why I loved this particular patch so much (Lohr's) ...the view of the foliage on the mountain across the valley was breathtaking! Completely picturesque.

Snowflakes...in October!

I am loving the snowflakes on my Christmas cards, but that doesn't mean I am ready for REAL snowflakes!! And they are in the forcast late tonight!! Crazy weather in my book!

Snowflakes that I am ready for, are these adorable and incredibly versatile, Dimensional Element "Flurry" Snowflakes! I can't get enough of them!! This is a Christmas Card workshop that I have designed as a fundraiser for the New Market Shockers Baseball Team. I will be teaching the workshop on Monday, November 7th at 5 PM in Timberville (NOTE THE DATE CHANGE). You may take the workshop in one of two forms...if you are interested in just learning the techniques, the cost is $8 and you will make one each of 6 designs. However, if you would like a Power Session and the chance to get a jump start of your Christmas cards, you can make 18 cards (3 each of 6 designs) for $20. We would love for you to join us! Register by November 5th to save your spot! Click here to see a slide show of each card in details.

Can't make it, but want to take the workshop? Gather a few friends, and we can do this same workshop as a Home Gathering...and what's better? You will receive the Hostess Rewards as well. E-mail me for details.

Around the Holidays Card Kit

Circle cards are one of the hottest new trend in card making, and CTMH is of course right up there with the best! They have designed a fabulous Around the Holidays Card Kit that retails at $14.95 and has all the supplies needed to create 12 beautiful Christmas cards: Circle bases, 3-d foam squares, ribbon envelope flats, card bases, and My Stickease. The colors featured are: Chocolate, Cranberry, Crystal Blue and Olive. Create your cards as the company has designed, or Tweak and embellish as you desire--the choice is yours! I altered my cards by adding Liquid Glass to some, Prisma Glitter to others, and even experimented with repositioning the My Stickease. This would be a great idea for a new cardmaker, or even for Girl Scouts etc. To see more of the details, click here.

Spooky Spider Feet!

This is a card I created for a Halloween card workshop and I absolutely love it!! The original idea, and boot pattern came from Paper Crafts Magazine, and I altered it to fit my style. My first draft had more graphic designs on the boot, but then one of my scrappers, and new found friend, Stacey and I brainstormed at a crop and the thought came up with the idea to try the spider web. Stacey made her boot larger and used the larger spiderweb from the Creepy Cobwebs set and I used the smaller one. Hers turned out awesomely cute too (is that a word??). I so love to have friends to bounce ideas off of!! Scroll down to see the rest of the cards in this fun workshop or click here. For registration and workshop details, click here.

Apple Pickin' @ Paugh's Orchard

Beautiful mums! & beautiful moments!

So Proud!

How about them apples?

Pickin' apples at the Apple orchard proved to be a great afternoon despite a few raindrops! The kids were so excited to pick their apples! Poor Gabey. every time he would pick one it would roll down the hill! And Abby was insistent that she had to carry her own bag through the orchard and down the hill! Those are going to be some bruised apples...but bruised with love so I am sure we will still enjoy them!! Nicholas had to fill his bag to the tippy top and fit "just one more in" despite my warnings that the bag would be too heavy to carry. And it was. Mommy, enjoyed the beautiful mums, and the colorful assortment of gourds...then again, the gourds are always my favorite part of fall!! If you live in the Harrisonburg area, it is definitely worth the drive to Paugh's Orchard...and you will find the best southern hospitality around! Thanks to the Paugh's for another great year of memory making!

With a saddened heart and much reflection...

I have had a saddened heart today as I learned of the passing away of a man whom I respected very much in my childhood and into my teen years. I am sorry that I lost touch with his family when we moved to Ohio. He was an ambassador for the young, and young at heart in Powhatan County. He touched so many young lives from my generation who grew up and went thru the PYAA as well as the Powhatan Marching Indians. He was a great father to three sons: one who I knew well, who has also recently passed away, and the other two who I knew of. I adored his wife as well...she was my bus driver and always a great support system. My thoughts have been with him, and his family all day. And then I read the following post that my childhood friend Lorraine posted on Facebook:

"When someone that you respect and love passes away, I think we look at ourselves and try to reevaluate what we've got going on in our own world. Try not to sweat the small things, but rejoice in the extra hugs, kisses, smiles, and joy that are ...everywhere around you. I really need to try to remember this EVERYDAY!"

She is so right. My kids had wanted to go to the Apple Orchard this afternoon and we were just so busy that I postponed it yesterday...telling them maybe next week whenwe would have time. After reading Lorraine's post, I rescheduled the trip for today to the Apple Orchard with my kids. And my mom. LIFE IS TO SHORT, and I wanted to rejoice life, and these limited moments with my kids.

So, Thank you Charlie for all of your inspiraton--you will be missed, but your legacy will last forever. And thank you to Lorraine for an important reminder.