New student in card class!

Yes, we had a visitor, and new student only for the night, to join us in card club on Tuesday.  Gabriel wanted to participate in the making of the Polar Bear cards, so I decided to let him try and see how he did. He insisted on bringing his favorite Polar Bear Percy (and yes, I know, they are all named Percy) with him to class to watch what the ladies and he were doing and for "inperrrration" (aka 7 yr. old for inspiration).  I was actually delightfully surprised that he hung in to almost the end--I thought he would be done in about five minutes flat!  A little wiggly, and over energetic (but then again, he is 7) but he kept up to pace with my ladies and even enjoyed our Klondike Bar treats -- truly fitting don't you think?

Here are Gabriel's cards beside the samples--didn't he do a fantastic job?

Yes, I am one proud "Mama Bear"!  And my thanks go out to CTMH for creating a stamp set that brought my son so much delight!

20,000!

I am very excited! I have had 20,022 hits to my blog as of this morning! Thank you so much for all of you who have been following me through life. I hope that you have found inspiration in my artwork here!

Have a delightful day!

True Story...

From the thoughts of a child...

Abby and I ran into Wal-mart today after her preschool Halloween Party to pick up a few items that we needed for dinner. She was still in her halloween costume (Jessie the cowgirl) and she insisted on taking her Jessie hat with her even though I tried to persuade her to leave it in the van. The wind was really strong and kept blowing her hat off her head. Abby started laughing and told me that her hat "was going to fly up to God and Jesus but that was okay...because they will come visit me at my house and bring it back to me...all safe and sound". I couldn't help but laugh at her theory!

Is it my birthday?

Fall is definitely here in our part of the country--the leaves are beautiful from my bedroom window! Now I need to figure out how to plan a trip through sky-line drive this week...with our family's crazy schedule I am not sure how to squeeze that one in! But this am was against the norm with our family. No one had to officially be anywhere before 9am and what a relief to wake up and not having that huge sense of rush, rush, rush that shadows over us each morning. I was able to enjoy a cup a hot tea under my covers with my kitty cat in my lap and snuggle up with Gabe to read a few morning stories. Abby joined us for some Little Einsteins and then Nicholas came down filled with his excitement from his first "real" football game last night and the discovery that the tooth fairy did not forget him with his lost tooth last night. A happy morning...I keep thinking...is it my birthday? I wish all mornings could start this way.

Grace Period...

If you have not gotten your very own Triple Play Kit, our Grace period gives you just two more days to order one (or while supplies last)! I fell in love with these kits, and have made some beautiful creations...lots of layouts and beautiful cards! To recap, you can purchase one outright for $29.95; for $15 with a $25 stamp purchase or for $5 with a $40 stamp purchase! I know many of my clients are traditional scrapbookers so I have searched our books and come up with TEN (remember 10-10-10) layouts for you to try with your triple play kit! I am sure you will be challenged and delighted! Many of these layouts have already been posted on my blog and there are several more to come!

From Cherish: Treasure Tags, Duplicate Patterns, Golden Section, Color Celebration
From Reflections: Main Frame Quilt Blocks, Front & Center - Space, Front & Center Focal, Sampler - Nine Photo Quilt, Sampler Pieced, Sampler - Photo Checkerboard,

Which layout will you try?

I'm on the Boat!

I am very excited to now be officially "on the boat"! Norwegian Cruise Line's new cruise ship the Epic that is...for a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean! Thank you to all of my clients who helped me achieve this amazing opportunity! And drum roll please....congrats to Barbara H. whose order officially put me on the boat! Barbara wins one of our new amazing Faux Leather Album in the color of her choice!! (Dark Cranberry--can we say Go Bucks!!; Hollyhock; Dark New England Ivy; Outdoor Denim; Black; and Dark Chocolate (looooveee this one!)

I am very excited for this trip! Part of the reason that I strived so hard to earn this particular trip is that my husband and I will celebrate our 10th Anniversary in December and I can't think of a more perfect way to celebrate than going on a cruise together! Very, very excited!

Many thanks!

I can't help but find myself filled with gratitude this morning as I reflect on how blessed I have been with my Close To My Heart business and career! And there are so many individuals who have helped me in my journey:

My brother Michael, who has been my very best cheerleader! From babysitting my children, to helping to transport/set up/take down at my Crops, to brainstorming the technical aspects and just being amazing. He picks me up when I am down and he sees ability in myself that often I do not see. He has become a phenomial man and I am honored to have him in my life...he is truly the wind beneath my wings.

My husband Jay, who has been supportive in so many ways! There are not many men, who would be willing to pull out the paper trimmer and help cut 40 layout pieces or sit with a scrapbooking booth so I can get a moments break. Or to be so patient when I sure he would rather be paying attention to the game on tv verses hear me talk about my next big idea! Not many other men would send their wives a text asking what outfits to put the children in to coordinate with my layouts or thinking process. And, I am truly thankful.

My parents who have opened up their home night after night for my scrapbooking group and who have helped out in whatever manner they could to help me be successful.

My children who have been my inspiration and my reason for working so hard. They give me reason to scrapbook and the greatest purpose in my life--being their mother.

My scrapbooking friends & clients: (especailly the Broadway Sassy Scrappers) for their friendship and support! I have enjoyed helping each of you cherish and preserve your memories all the while, making new ones. I look forward to contuing working with each of you!

and Jeanette and Close To My Heart: who have taught me to reach for my goals and have given me the stars! They have given me a place where I can teach others; can strive as a business woman; can be at home with my children; explore my artistic passions:both written and visually; a place for me to blossom and a place to thrive. Close to My Heart has changed my life and I am forever grateful.

Once again, one VERY PROUD Sissy!

Yesterday during the course of our morning sessions at Convention, I received a text message (aren't these great?) from my brother Chad that he had received 1st place for his Baptismal table in a contest sponsored by Fine Woodworking Magazine! My eyes filled with tears and I cannot even explain the extent of the pride that I felt in my heart. I was in line with my new friend and down-line, Linda, and had to pull up the picture on my phone to show everyone around us! In the elevator, again, I had to share the news with my CTMH sisters (who by the way, must have thought I was crazy!) I am so very proud of Chad and his accomplishments...he is a master artist, husband and daddy and I love him so very much! For all of the personal accomplishments that I have earned the past few days, none of them have brought me more joy than that of seeing Chad receiving honors for his hard work, determination, and perseverance! What an awesome role to be his and my brother Mike's sister...a true honor! I love them both with all of my heart!

Here is the link with the contest results! http://http//www.finewoodworking.com/item/29388/tip-top-tables-contest-we-have-a-winner

Photography lesson # 3

Motion! I am trying my best to be-friend my camera! Tonight I tried to capture my daughter's affection for dancing or twirling as she calls it! I was very happy with how the pictures came out..especially these two. Such an adorable subject matter! And her passion was captured in her expressions!

Why am I trying to be-friend my camera you might ask? I have just earned an amazing opportunity to take a photography class in DC of all places, and at night! I am sooo excited! I worked very hard to achieve this VIP opportunity from my grandma up-line, Tina Sutton's, Scattered Hearts Team! Thank you to all of my customers for helping me earn this unbelievable opportunity!! I promise I will share some of what I learn!

Ph. D. in Close To My Heart!

I am very excited to share that I have earned my Ph. D. with Close To My Heart in their exclusive Training Academy! The Training Academy is composed of classes in Business, Leadership and Creativity: all of which were enlightening! The Academy is available for any Independent Close To My Heart Consultant and is an awesome opportunity for the stamper/scrapbooker alike! Just another benefit that Close To My Heart offers for their consultants to be successful and to aspire!

Graduation day...

Today was a big day in our house! Nicholas graduated from Preschool! I have no doubt that God was watching me, as I was preoccupied with enjoying the special moment, trying to keep Gabey and Abby quiet and trying to see the ceremony (always a struggle as I was blessed to be short! lol!) to let the happenings of the day truly set in...my baby is going to Kindergarten. Not possible. Just doesn't seem possible! It hit me like a load a bricks a few hours after the ceremony. There are so many times when the day to day Mommy-ing feels like it drains me, but there has been no higher honor bestowed on me that to be Nicholas' mommy (of course, Gabe and Abby's too). And today, I am so proud of him! Of course, he gave the perfect pose...can't tell he has been trained for photographs? I love you sweetie!

Now that's alot of Xyron!

Okay, I will admit, I am a member of Xyron Anonymous! I am addicted to Xyron! Especially for adhering ribbon, and working with acrylic books and cards! My friends, the Broadway Sassy Scrappers, and I have been Xyron deprived for awhile so I called up my best buddy Lori at Scrapbooks (the BEST scrapbook store ever!!) in Lima, OH and she was nice enough to order some for us! What a great gal! You should have seen the look on my UPS man's face when he dropped off the box! I met him at the door all excited and when I told him what was in the box he must of thought I was crazy! It's like Christmas in May! Wahooooo! Now that it is here, it is back to work I go!

And so it begins...

My husband and I just began a new journey today: we participated in the Run to Register 10K this am at Quantico Marine Base which is a part of the Marine Corp Marathon series. By completing the race within the designated time frame, we earned guaranteed entry into the 35th Marine Corp Marathon before it is open to the public. This is very exciting for us as the race has 30,000 participants and usually sells out within 2 hours so now we don't have to worry about getting in!! WAHOO!! wAHOO!

Running in a marathon has been a dream of mine for many, many years and the Marine Corp Marathon has always been THE ONE that I wanted to run in! I feel so inspired and ready to start my training! That will start on Monday as we have a jam packed weekend!

With our busy lives, our children's activities and our crazy work schedules, Jay and I seldomly have free time to enjoy together. Although I am sure that he will leave me in the dust, I am looking forward to training together and sharing the adventure--of which I am sure it will be! And so it begins...

It's Crop Day...Wahooooooo!

The muffins are in the oven, my things are ready to take to my van and it is POURING down rain!! With winds that are making the house feel like it is falling down!! Pour Gabey has woken up crying he is scared three times already...BUT IT IS CROP DAY!! Very excited!! See some of you very soon!!

Crop Days!

I love crop days! I look forward to them all month long, and when they are finally here, they just go by far too fast! For me, I find that my crops are a way to reflect and get re-energized for the weeks ahead! I always seem to come home on a scrapbooking high--ready to conquer all my goals, and challenges! And I have to admit, I have such a great group of scrapbookers...each unique, incredibly talented and each one contributes to the success of the crop! So thanks to all of you for all you do! You truly make Crop Days even better because you are a part of them!

Highlights of Christmas

I hope that you and yours had a wonderful Christmas. We had to do a little altering of our original plans because of the weather that we received and the weather that was anticipated, but we tried to make the best of it for our children. Seeing their faces on Christmas morning as they played with their new treasures made all of the rearranging, and the stress, worth it. They were happy and that is what mattered the most. It would not have been the same if we had gotten stuck somewhere and had to spend the holiday by ourselves in a hotel room...I had to spend Christmas in an airport one year all by myself and it was heart braking.

I find myself ever year trying to make sure everything is perfect...I want to bring happiness to everyone that I care about and ultimately in doing so, I also find myself sick every Christmas. This year was the same, but then I just decided that is "is what it is" (thanks Mama Gail) and instead of trying to be super mom/woman I would do what I could and then tweak! In doing so, we spent Tuesday going to see the Legendary Santa and having a fun day and I ended up not making my own Christmas cards. We sent out photo cards instead. And surprisingly, I was fine with it. I still got to make Christmas cards this year...for my parents, in-laws and brother & sister-in-law to send out, just not my own. But I was able to spread my cheer that way. And we still have some Christmas goodies that we didn't get to make because of me being sick and then the blizzard last weekend, so instead of being heartbroken, we are going to still make them this week and spread cheer a little late! And surprising again, I am okay with that. Actually, I am really looking forward to it, as we can bake without the stress of hurry, hurry, hurry and enjoy our time together more.

I thought I would share a few of the highlights of our Christmas Eve and Christmas morning!

Morning view - breathtaking!

The calm before the storm!

Nine years in the making - Jay finally got his stocking!
" Look mommy, there are no pictures! "
The girls are loving Twilight...so the Twilight guys and their guys make the perfect pictures!

"I hope you dance like no one is watching"

Cookies for Santa.

White Bear!! In a game--how cool!

Abby and her Tinkerbell.

Santa remembered the Handy Manny Toolbox!

Again, Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

O-H ...how bitter sweet it is!

I-O... Buckeyes have been saddened by the loss of Stefanie Spielman this week making the victory this afternoon over Michigan ever so bittersweet. The team wore a pink Buckeye leaf on their helmets with "SS" on them in honor of Stefanie...she would have been so touched. What an awesome way to remember and honor her. Stefanie was such an inspiration! She gave so much hope to women, the Buckeye Community and to the city of Columbus. Our hearts go out to the Spielman's.

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.

Taking a moment...

I live in a small town that is surrounded (literally) by mountains on all sides. To go basically anywhere outside of our town, we have to cross a mountain. Sometimes I cross the mountain 6 times a week. Other weeks less. This particular mountain is consumed by sharp curves and frequented by irresponsible, and agressive drivers...and it you don't maintain the speed limit going up or down, you unfortunatley will get run over. There is no time for sight seeing. I know the nooks and crannies of that mountain...where I must be the most cautious for the wildlife (which make night driving rather nerve wracking at times), and the curves that on-coming cars will undoubtably overexgaverate the lanes and the speed. I love the mountain, and fear it at the same time. But yesterday, I was blessed with a different perspective...I had to run some errands on the other side, and upon the return trip found myself behind a tanker truck of some sort right at the top where the passing lane ends...which meant I would be behind the truck all the way down! And the truck LITERALLY went 3 miles an hour all the way down! At first I was a little frustrated as I fretted that I might be late to pick up my son at preschool, but as I drove down I realized this precious gift that I had been given. The gift of seeing the mountain at slow speed! And what a gift it was! I was able to relax and actually SEE the mountain, We saw two baby deer right along the side of the road--on at the bottom of one of the sharp banks-and if one of them had lost his footing he would have been in the road. I am confidant, that God put that tanker in front of myself and the long line of cars that accumulated behind me to protect those sweet deer. For if the cars were speeding by as fast as they normally do, and the babies being so close, they certainly have been hit. I also witnessed patches of the leaves starting to change colors which was completely awesome! Each curve highlighted something miraculous that I had never noticed before. What an awesome way to gain perspective!

Bittersweet moments...

For me, being a mom to three young children can be a whirlwind in full speed but today, everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. I took my son Nicholas to his preschool orientation this afternoon, and as I sat listening to the teacher, I had tears rolling down my eyes. I realized that this is my last year with Nicholas before he goes to Kindergarten. He couldn't wait to meet his new friends, and was quick to leave my side. Afterwards, he was so proud of a picture he drew for me...for me, his Mommy! Normally speaking, Nicholas' pictures are always for Grandmommy or Grandma or Daddy...but today, his picture was for me! How did he know that I needed that little piece of his love today?

As we left the preschool, Abby my youngest had her baby doll and her backpack that she had packed "all by herself" to go shopping with her Grandmommy later that afternoon and I couldn't help but think that it would not be long before she too would be in preschool. Independence is a good thing, but for me, and at this moment, it is truly bittersweet.