Cyndi's Treasures

A Challenge

2011-11-23T12:06:00.000-08:00

Hello dear friends

Now that we have purchased the bridal store......a cute little Dutch style cottage............well actually we don't own the building, but the business is ours free and clear, and once we make a name for our ownselves we hope to get the building too.

.......YES we now work for ourselves, but this too has brought on new challenges, I am very busy and I haven't much time for writing, scrapping or sewing. Actually my scrapbooking supplies and projects have not even been unpacked from the April retreat. We were nogotionating the purchase of the bridal store since the end of January and closed on the deal the end of May and have been non stop ever since with exception of a family vacation/reunion and a four day trip to visit my brother.

I have decided to take and combine my three blogs into one and since this is my first I thought I would use this one to host them all. This blog has been geared to only my crafts so I will be spending the next few weeks on redesigning this blog to incorporate my other two blogs. "One day at a Time" (our Rving blog, which is a dream that has been put on the back burner since we bought a business instead of retiring) and "A Journey in Losing Weight" (my road on weight watchers, which really has slidden with the new responsibilities of the store). I have some awesome research and files on each of these blogs that I really don't want to loose so thought I would re-work them into this one so I can keep all my stuff in one spot.

So here is the challenge................Since my blogging is going to be more of a daily/weekly/monthly journal, including crafts, travels, recipes and such and not just my crafts I think I need a new name. What do you Think? Will you guys help me? I will take a list of prospective names and ideas and will award the winner, runners up and honorable mentions a little prize for their help.........sooooooooooo..........this means not only do you need to list the name but also what type of crafts you like to do and I will gear your award around your interest..........Now view my three blogs and get a taste of my personality and let me know what your thoughts are! Between now and the end of the year I will photograph some awards and will post them here and will anounce the winners and their awards the first of the year!

Looking forward to hearing from you! Until next time stay on the wings of angels!
Cyndi

Neat Video

2011-04-11T06:59:00.000-07:00

Although financially I can't afford to through out what little Provo Craft items I have, I can say I won't purchase any more, and if I could get the cost of the new Black Cat Couger out of my current stock I would sell it all in a minute...........Got to watch this video if you are a MTC fan.........of which I am for sure! Love the Program! I bought my cricut expression and the MTC program all within 10 minutes of each other for the full entent of using them as a package, and that is what is upsetting me with Provo Craft! They don't seem to understand that this little program sold their machines to several consumers!

I do think the day will come that I will leave Provo Craft behind and their cricut cutting machine that I actually had falling in love with because of Provo Crafts decision in filing a lawsuit against Make The Cut. Although Currently I financially just can't do it. They have made many crafters to make a choice between their product and the MTC program, and I will eventually choose to give up my cutter and the few carts that I have purchased.

Based on reviews I would say my next goal will be to purchase the Big Cat Couger

The description this little kitten is :High Strength aluminum body, High Precision Steel grit shaft to help prevent slipping on long cuts, 10 Silica Gel Buttons for easy control, High speed Processor, Supports all windows and Macintosh operating systems, Led laser light for precise print and cut, High pressure – 500grms for easy cutting up to cereal weight chipboard, Back lit LCD display, User friendly design allows adjustment of cutting speed and pressure while working, USB and serial interface, Max cutting width: 12", Max media width: 16.25", Operating system: Windows2000/XP/win7/ Vista/win7 x64 /Mac OSX10.2.8, Interface: Serial and USB, Control Panel: 10Silica gel buttons, Cutting Speed 600mm/s, 12 steps, Pressure 50g~500g, 160 steps, Dimensions: 24" x 10.5" x 10.5", Comes with ONE year warranty. You can order this beautiful Lynx from Black Cat from Sherri, (Sherri is the individual I ordered my very first cutter from, the Blue Wishblade, and a very repretable business lady).

Organizing ideas!

2011-03-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

In my quest for trying to get my life organized I have located some neat organizational items. Check these out.
This Mobil Work Center by Get Organized really caught my fancy.

Mobil Work Center

Thinking thes revolving library shelves from Get Organized might be interesting for Cricut Storage..........Think! Think! Think!

Revolving Library Shelves

Lawsuit and Boycott

2011-03-13T15:45:00.000-07:00

Well Provo Craft is doing it again!

Provo Craft's Lawsuit

Some crafters opened up a forum on facebook to show Provo Craft how disappointed they are in their lack of consumers interest!

Provo Craft Boycott Facebook Page

If you too agree click here to vote your Like for the argument!

Provo Craft Boycott Vote

Provo Craft made the Tabberone's hall of Shame

Taberone's Hall of Shame

Kathy's Crafts has started a poll on her blog to find out why you might have bought your Cricut Product. My purpose was to be able to use the MTC program

Product Purchase Poll

Organizing and preparing for the retreat!

2011-03-04T08:19:00.000-08:00

I am heading out on a four day scrapping retreat at the end of the month with 22 other girls, all of which I have met, well with the exception of maybe four I think, that will be new to our group.

This is the year for our Gatlinburg trip, and oh, how we are all looking forward to it. Sadley two of our girls has had some really bad luck, January 4th one of them had their house burned to to the ground with nothing savageable, then two nights ago another had her house burned to the ground and again with nothing savageable. Please keep my friends in your prayers Their names are Rose and Jindra..........our hearts goes out to each of them and prayers are lived daily. They each were able to get their pets and selves out with no casualties but not much belongings.

Now back to my story... I was preparing my token gifts and while working in the scrapping room I thought, HUMMMMMMM should use some more time to organize...............got a lot done with weeding through stuff and made up a basket full of embellishments that I got for one page or another and never used, so going to put a sign on it for 50 cents each (some or valued at $6.00) but maybe someone can use them. Then also put together three large ziplocks full of giveaways, and one of those bags are of page kits that I have swapped for and then I have never used them, there again, maybe someone can use them! I did get about half of my token gifts put together and still need to work more on those, but I was able to tackle two chores within my time spent in the scrapping room.

Organizing!

2011-03-01T07:11:00.000-08:00

As you all know from reading my blog I have been in the process of organizing and down sizing our home. I came across this blog called Tatertots and Jello, this week that I love what she did to her command center. Go and take a look at how she used her scrapping supplies........GREAT idea here.

New File

2011-02-10T19:51:00.000-08:00

Ok, here I am, I have made a new file........Finely, now to make use of it! LOL
Chinese New Years Banner (MTC-file)

Happy Dance

2011-02-06T10:26:00.000-08:00

See me doing the HAPPY DANCE

With the help of Ann from MTC I have been able to reload my MTC program...........NOW to get busy being creative!

Organization

2011-02-05T06:59:00.001-08:00

Organization
Yep, been working on organizing things. Man what a task that is going to be. Still not sure what to do with everything. We are looking at selling our home in the spring so I need to totally declutter stuff.

I have gotten my eyelets organized in individual containers and working on my brads. Also my flowers are set, although I think I need a shelf for them, currently they are in my make shift area of the closet on a shelf, I am not too happy with that just yet, will think about it.

My room is currently all red with white baseboards and eggshell carpet. It is a guest bedroom so there is bedroom furniture in there. I have to keep it presentable as a a bedroom too............sssssooooooo..........that is my delima.

I have decided I need to lighten the room up a bit. I have the decor in a chinese theme and that will be fine although I think I am going to go in and put chair rails and paint the bottom white and maybe add some trim around the ceiling to make the room look bigger.

I have started making a crazy quilt for the bed. I have bags and bags of scraps of fabric and have been able to pull enough of red/black/white pieces together that I should be able to finish off a full size if not queen size quilt for the room. I currently have a black and white conforter, but it is a cheap one and not made from GREAT fabrics. Besides the quilt gives me the chance to use my fancy little brothers' sewing machine the familly bought me three Christmas's ago. As things progress I will post some pictures but right now it doesn't look like much.

Pay It Forward

2011-02-04T10:34:00.001-08:00

I saw this on a post from my friend, Paula's blog "Low Country Paisley" and thought it would be fun to do.
Here are the rules:
1.) I promise something handmade to the FIRST 5 people who leave me a comment here;
2.) To be eligible, you must re-post this, offering something handmade to 5 other people. The rules are that it must be handmade or homemade by you, and it must be sent to your 5 people some time in 2011.
READY, SET, GO!! If you would like to receive something handmade from me and would like to PAY IT FORWARD please leave a comment and let me know. I will mail you something within the next few months, so what are you waiting for, let's have fun!! (but be sure to leave me a way to get a hold of you!)

Computer Issues?

2011-02-03T10:45:00.000-08:00

Well my new computer crashed, so I have been without for a bit! Now back on line, it was a bad windows install so having to rebuild everything. Will be busy for a bit but hopefully I can get busy craftiing again soon.

THANK YOU!

2010-11-28T09:17:00.001-08:00

OH, MY GOSH! Thank you all for the lovely comments made on my Fall Banner I made meeting the Challenge for the Design Team.

You all don't know just how much of a blessing those comments were to me at this time. Again Thank You All! I hope the blessings I feel today are shared in your lives as well.

NO, we are still ALIVE!

2010-11-28T09:08:00.000-08:00

I have to start this little post with a laugh!

Things as those that know me are tough right now but we are still alive. Not much time on the computers lately since my desk top died, and our jobs dwindling. Although our spirts (or at least my own) are high and God has greeted us with many blessings.

Since I am not on a computer of my own I haven't been able to upload photos of my last projects that I made, but someday soon I should be able to, I do have them on a stick, and want to share so once we aren't busy at work and I remember to bring the stick with me I will share! I have to say I love the way the pennants came out for the class reunion.

Well Ladies and Gents I am at work so I am going to close this message for now, and besides this is to be a craft page, and I can't share my crafts at the moment.

Hope all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I do wish you safety and pleasures in the coming weeks preparing for the Christmas Holidays!

Challenges!

2010-10-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

A whole week has passed and I haven't had the opportunity to post this week although again this week I contributed to the challenge that Malin is offering over on Cooking with Cricut. Each designer's entry has had a lot of thought and work gone into each of them and I hope you take a moment to visit each one of them and leave a comment.
This is my entry for this week and the Recipe is as follows:

FALL BLESSINGS BANNER

Ingredients;
Five sheets of twelve by twelve pattern papers of choice
One sheet of twelve by twelve coordinating solid papers of choice
One Cricut
One Cricut Mat
One Cricut Spatular
Adhesive of choice
Thirty-four coordinating medium size eyelets
Raffia of Choice
Victor Frame file of choice
Pumpkin and Bear cutter file from Page-kits.com

Directions:
1.) download a frame victor file for the cutting of each link
2.) cut seventeen frames six by six and seventeen five by five (You can get four out of each of the printed sheets)with Cricut
3.) Adhear five by five frames to six by six frames
4.) cut letters FALL BLESSINGS (used bubble T-font) with Cricut
5.) Adhear letters to layerd frames.
6.) cut out pumpkins from cutter file with cricut
7.) Adhear pumpkins as you like to four separate frames for use on ends of banner
8.) apply eyelets on two corners oppsite sides of each frame
9.) Thread raffia through eyelets and tie bow, hooking each frame together to make the banner as pictured.
Enjoy! Now don't forget to go on over to Cooking with Cricut and see what all you can make with these awesome files that Malin has designed.

NEW ADVENTURE!

2010-10-13T10:36:00.000-07:00

Well ladies and Gents I have been chosen to participate on a Design Team and our first entries have been posted. I have to say it is such a GREAT Honor to be on roll call with some wonderfully talented ladies. Our Host is giving away some free cutter files/digital stamps with this weeks challenge. I want to invite you to go on over to Cooking with Cricut and check out the wonderful entries from the Design Team and if you get a chance join in on the challenge. In addition to the free cutter files/digital stamps Melin is giving away with the challenge she is also giving away some FREEBEES just for visiting, Now go on over and visit her.

Oh, and by the way here is my entry, I been waiting to post until she posted to her site, but let me know what you think.

New Church Signs

2010-10-09T06:14:00.000-07:00

I had to share! I woke up with this in my email today, and it is suppose to be a forward letter of sorts, but I hate them things. But wanted to share, I think these should be posted on church signs throughout the country. Now I know your not suppose to talk religion or polotics, but I thought heck this blog is my room, and you don't have to read it, right! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Storage

2010-10-05T13:35:00.000-07:00

I fount some new little storage containers. I went to Harbor Frieght and picked up these little gems. I am going to use them for my medium to large brads and eyelets. They are the most economical little gadgets that I have located with 24 individual containers within the one larger one. i purchased two of them so that gives me one for brads and one for eyelets.

2010-10-04T10:18:00.000-07:00

Not a whole lot of new info......running behind in what all I have to get done. Will be heading up to getting a new Drivers License tomorrow, mine actually expired on my birthday, and I need to make this appointment.

We did have a awesome weekend, with visiting the kids and attending the grandbabies football game. he really did wonderfully, made two big tackles they won 30 to nothing and you had to feel sorry for the other team because it was their homecoming game. I locked my camera in the car so was taking pictures with Heather's camera so i don't have photos to share, although I will have several to add to my collection when I get copies from Heather. LOL

I went to a WW meeting as a guest in Ashville and lost 2.2 pounds which is really an accomplishment with all the traveling we have been doing. Once we got home I went to the grocery store and stocked up, and I mean stocked up, haven't been to the store in a month and I had to spend a big penny of products, although lined up some great menus to prepare since I am not working during the week and am at home that is my part of the deal, must get the house cleaned and cook. LOL

I have been procrastinating though, I have to cut some diecut letters for the reunion coming up and haven't done any scrapping lately, not since the wedding gift anyway. I have to get my time in order. Yeah that seems like that will be the day.

Well anyway, we are working with a plan so lets see how it works.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

2010-10-01T08:03:00.001-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Yep today is my birthday and I opened up my email with over 20 some odd birthday wishes from family and friends that posted on my facebook account. It is really a joy to know that each of my loved ones remembered me on my special day. I expressed that I would share my lovely eatable bouquet with each of them, and for those of you that don't visit I want you to know what you are missing so I have posted a picture here. The fruit is so sweet, it has honeydew, cantalope, strawberries, grapes, and kiwi. I really enjoyed the fruit with breakfast today. Since I was on the road yesterday I didn't get weighed in and will be going today to do that task and the time is noon today so needless to say I have probably gained with being on the road this week and then weighing in during the middle of the day. I have been at a platau and haven't gained nor lost these last two weeks which is really great with all the events that have been going on and us being on the road almost everyone of those days. Got to look on the bright side, RIGHT! Anyway here is my wonderful bouquet my hubby presented me with.

2010-09-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

I am finally able to upload the photos of the Photo Album I made for my Niece and her new husband as a wedding gift. This was my first attempt at Crazy Quilting and it is all done by hand, not machine like I first thought would be my option of choice. After talking with other Crazy Quilters most expressed the use of hand stitching instead of machine stitching so although my time was short I thought I would go for it. Needless to say I took it apart in the last three days and decided that I needed to redo part of it. LOL.....Although I must say I am happy with the final project both the scrapping and the quilting.

CANNING

2010-09-27T10:19:00.001-07:00

Well I did another first this week. A friend of ours has a small vineyard, well a good fifty feet of two rows of grapes that have harvested and she has offered for several of us to come and pick the grapes. I took her up on this and went over friday and picked a bag full. Enough to make six cups of grape juice. I then made jelly out of the juice last night. Now i have made homemade jams before but not where I picked the fruit and made my own juices. I have to say I enjoyed doing so.

ON THE ROAD

2010-09-22T12:40:00.001-07:00

I haven't been on much these past few days due to being on the road.
1st trip was a travel expo in St Paul, MN, oh, and what fun, I would have loved to stay longer to be able to view the area, Think I will look into the option of making a family vacation there next year and attend the expo while also doing the tourist stuff. This way Budhi could go with me and I also wouldn't be limited to the brochures and info I pick up from the vendors. Had to leave several offers of information behind due to luggage limitations with the plane ride. LOL

I got home on Tuesday Night and turned around and went up to Heather's on Wednesday morning to celebrate her birthday and then left Friday to head to Baton Rouge for Tracie's (neice) wedding. What a beautiful wedding it was, I will share pictures later. Also I will share pictures of the gift I made in the coming days.

We got home on Sunday Night and left again on Monday to head up to Aaron's. We wer going to go to Piegion Forge, but DollyWood was closed on Tuesday so we headed over to Waynesville and had lunch with Aaron then took a driving tour of Maggie Valley and Cherakee making little stops at local campgrounds. Very nice drive. Then we ended the day at attending AJ's football practice and going to their home for dinner.

We got up this morning and headed over to Chimmney Rock. This park is Beautiful, just wonderful. So pieceful and serine. A lovely masterpiece of God's work. Here again in the next few days I will share some pictures.

Well trying to catch up on a few things around here so I am going to close for now but hope to upload pictures soon to share.

A milestone crossed!

2010-09-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

Well for the last eight weeks i have watched what I have put in my MOUTH, and it is paying off.......little by little but that is the way it should be, so it all stays off..........I have currently lost 13.6 pounds and still counting (I hope). That in it's self is an accomplishment but the idea of trying on cloths in the sizes that are in my closet and they being too big, is even better. As I was out and about today I stopped off at one of the big departments stores and they were having a $4.99 sale on all their clearance clothing so I though what the heck even though I am not to what I want to be maybe I could find some great buys..........well they did have some awesome buys, but I was really between sizes so I only walked out with one shirt and a night gown for myself..........instead of being depressed, I was estatic because the cloths were two big........LOL

No pictures but know I am working on it!

2010-09-08T11:41:00.000-07:00

GEEZEEEEEEEE, it has been a week since I have gotten on here and made a post. Guess I am slipping again. Well I have been working (crafting) I have picked up a new hobby, Crazy Quilting, Budhi and I are driving to Baton Rouge in a couple of weeks for our neices wedding and I decided I wanted to make her gift instead of buying something, and on a nodge from my daughter, Heather, I decided I would make her an album......I was out shopping with Heather and saw some albums that the colors of the covers were her wedding colors.....and I asked Heather what she thought, and her comment to me was "I can't believe you are looking at albums when you make them" Soooooooooooooooo, got me to thinking. I am wanting to pick up this hobby of Crazy Quilting, to make heirlooms, so what not a better reason.........so the last week that is what I have been doing making the cover in the Crazy Quilting craft and then making her 20 12x12 page layouts to use for the livetime event. Once I get it finished I will take pictures and post it shortly after the wedding.

In the mean time the following two things are what I have made with my Cricut. AJ (our grandson) started football this year so we made him a poster for his parents to hold each time he is on the field. Each of these items I made into a cutter file with my MTC program and cut out with the Cricut. The following picture is of the Appalacian State Logo's I made for our Youngest Son to put on the corn hole boards he has made for the talegating parties he is having this year at the games. Here again I made cutter files with my MTC program and cut them out with the Cricut.

2010-08-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

Wow! Look at these giveaways........for those of you that know me personally know that I am a HUGE victorian era fan, and don't you know that I just love these giveaways. Even though it ticks into my chances i want to share this site with you so you too can try your luck at winning these great pieces of art. Go and visit Gerry at the Older Rose and see first hand the talent of this lady.

A Free Dital File Offer!

2010-08-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

How many of you love to use your digital cutters on your pages.............I wanted to share the opportunity of winning one of Melin's wonderful cutter files she is hosting on her blog. Go to Cooking With Cricut and try your luck at this GREAT set of files. Oh, I hope I really have a chance at this, I have some wedding pictures of my sons wedding that these would look wonderful on.

ANOTHER GIVE AWAY

2010-08-24T12:44:00.000-07:00

If you are a quilter, you got to go to see Rebecca over at Merry Maid Quilts to see what you have to do to win

Give Away

2010-08-23T17:29:00.001-07:00

Check out the SWEET give away offered by Paulette over at Sweet P Quilting and Creations.

FREE Holiday Ribbon MTC File

2010-08-22T09:27:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon, my MTC friends. Per many request I have uploaded the Holiday Ribbon Files I made by request. Hope you all enjoy!

Click HERE for the MTC Free File

BLOG CANDY

2010-08-17T07:22:00.001-07:00

Check it Out!
Go and visit Tracie over at LIFE & TIMES OF A 12X12 ADDICT to see what you have to do for a chance at winning this loot!

NEW Discovery!

2010-08-16T15:24:00.000-07:00

Look at this..............There are all sorts of avenues we could go down with this!

Click Here for the link!

Great Recipe - Watermelon and Tomatoe Salad

2010-08-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

I thought I should share this. As most of you know I attend a women's bible study on the forth Thursday of the month called Apples of Gold. At this study, we are learning life organizational methods presented in the bible. We also have a full course meal at the beginning of the meeting. (I am Baptist, and when a group of us get together we always have food of some type. LOL)

Anyway two months ago the following recipe was shared, and this salad is so refreshing. I have made it three times since then and even brought to two other potluck dinners. it is always raved about, so I thought I should share.

Yield: Makes 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients
5 cups (3/4-inch) seeded watermelon cubes
1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
3 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 small red onion, quartered and thinly sliced
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Romaine lettuce leaves (optional)
Cracked black pepper to taste

Preparation
1. Combine watermelon and tomatoes in a large bowl; sprinkle with sugar and salt, tossing to coat. Let stand 15 minutes.
2. Stir in onion, vinegar, and oil. Cover and chill 2 hours. Serve chilled with lettuce leaves, if desired. Sprinkle with cracked black pepper to taste

Another MTC FREE File and Challenge met.

2010-08-10T07:16:00.001-07:00

Ok, Crafters, I entered the following layout in the SBC weekly challenge and by random number was choosen to host the home page of the group. I was having some problems at first making the cutter file well not the actual file but the mats so with some help from a fellow MTC user I was able to get it done. Here is the layout and at the bottom of the layout you can get the FREE cutter file if you like. Seems like we all have expoloring outings and I thought these would work great for them, and here don't you agree?FREE Mining MTC Files

Go Be Gone, Who would have THUNK?

2010-08-09T08:21:00.000-07:00

This message is actually a post from another crafter/blogger, but such a GREAT idea that I too wanted to share. The message is actually lost within her blog so I decided to copy her message within my blog but you can visit her blog to see the original message if you like at Beanie's blog spot HERE. I inserted pictures but Now for her message:

So I went to Wal-Mart last night in search of a spray bottle of Goo Gone, and what did I finde:

Well just that a spraybottle of the most wonderful money saving sitrus smelling liquid gold in a bottle and for only $4.97!

So what did I need this wonderful stuff for you ask? Well that is where the money saving part comes in, if you spray a light coat of this on your old cricut mat and let it sit for about 1 minute, then use an old credit card and scrape acroos the mat all the old dirty sticky stuff will magically come off. Wash said mat in warm soapy water. then I tapped the edges with blue painters tape and lightly mist with water then add a few drops of Arlen's Tack it over and over and use a foam brush and cover the whole mat and let it dry (without the plastic cover) and WHALA a mat is as good as new (maybe even better than new)

This just in from Beanie's Sunday Morning Tips & Tricks

Blog Hop

2010-08-07T14:15:00.001-07:00

You have to go and check it out. there are some very talented individuals on this hop and BLOG CANDY! I so love blog hops!

NEW Challenge Entries

2010-08-02T17:05:00.001-07:00

This Layout is for the Visual Designs by Chris Forum

This Layout is for the Let's Scrap Designer Challenge.

Challenges Met!

2010-08-01T16:25:00.001-07:00

I went back and forth on this layout.........was trying to make it fit two challenges and I have to say I am happy with all except the journaling, but what is done is done!

WHERE IS TH TIME GOING!

2010-07-31T09:40:00.000-07:00

Here it is, the days are passing by and I haven't posted as I had planned. I have wanted to blog every day, but haven't been consistant with that plan..........GEEEEZZZZZZ, I need to work on this. There ar eno pictures with this post but maybe the next!

I haven't been scrapping like I should, or have planned. I haven't been working long hours outside the house as in the past and still I haven't gotten much scrapping or house work done........what is wrong with my scheduling! Time management, this is what I always have worked my past responsibilities on and I am lacking.......

I have worked towards organizing my supplies ove rthe last two days and still looking for ways to orgainze even more. That I do think is going to be a chore and half, only because of financial restrants but the time will come.

I have worked out a calendar for the month of August so lets see how this works. I have plans and reservations of starting back at attending the Wednesday Free Day Crops at Scrapbook ETC here in Harrisburg, and will have a friend (that I met on line two years ago) to join me, at least this week, and hopefully she can do so each week. Now this should get my butt in gear at making some page kits to bring with me, hopefully I don't let myself down on this. I am also working on the upcoming blog hop that a group of us will be hosting coming mid august, so things should start filling up my time as long as I use my time correctly. LOL

My home computer is still not fixed but will be taking it to my son the second week in August to have him rebuild it, so hopefully I will get things moving more freely then. I am using my laptop for what scrapping I am currently doing but really that should be used only for my travel business..........oh well we do what we have to do right!

Best Compliment

2010-07-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

Sunday I received one of the best compliments from a fellow scrapper. She informed me that she had downloaded my cowboy hat cutter file and had used it in a card she made. She shared the card with me and I asked if I could post it here on my blog to share with my followers too. Make sure if you have the chance to go and view her blog.
Alidalis Acevedo

Blog Buddy Award!

2010-07-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

Well I was just awarded my second blog award........How exciting!

My understanding in accepting this prestigous award I am to pass the award on to 3 blogging buddies. As for my friend Betty Anne that awarded me with it, I find it so hard to just pick 3 from the list of fantastic blogs I visit each week. I decided to pass it on to 3 most recent blogs that have viewed.
1.) Trisha at Paper Doll
2.) Laina at Life on the Lamb
3.) Pam at Ideas for Scrapbookers
I do hope you too make the time to visit each of their blogs........They each provide great inspiration for my scrapping!

Five Days

2010-07-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

GEEZZZZ, five days have slipped pass me, and so many things I have had to share and haven't. last evening we went to the American Idol Live concert! Twof our children were able to join us, here is a picture of Myself, Budhi (my husband), Heather and Kyle. Although the concert was outside, and it was HOT, we really did enjoy ourselves!

Here is a shot of the final performance

It was really a fun evening, the children were so excited about watching their Dad enjoy himself so much. Kyle even took a video on his phone and passed it on to our eldest son to share in the fun.

FREE PENCIL PICTURE CORNER CUTTER FILE

2010-07-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, you guys got me to thinking for the Back to School time coming so I have made a little cutter file of a Pencil corner for all those photos of the little ones.

Download your FREE Pencil Picture Corner File here.

FREE COWBOY HAT CUTTER FILE

2010-07-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

I have the cutiest picture of my husband as he was shopping for his first cowboy hat while we were on vacation in Nashville. I made up this cutter file to embellish my page. Feel free to download the file if you can use it.

Download the FREE Cowboy MTC file here.

Class ReUnion

2010-07-19T12:35:00.001-07:00

Well I received a call yesterday with confirmation that we are shooting for October to host a class reunion at my old stompoing grounds. Although the school is no more several individuals are interested.

Anyway, I am in the thinking mode of decor and token gifts. In searching the web I came across these little items that I thought would be cute in the scool colors: I saw the items on Lovely Papers blog although she got them from Martha Stewart's Wedding Magazine (Spring 2010). They look to be very simple, and all you need is some tissue paper, string, ribbon, and scissors. They have enclosed a flower bulb in the favor pouch, but I was thinking candy, what do you think, the possibilities are really endless. Here is the right up that they did!

She also showcased these, which I like too, although the dance will be held in the old auditorium and I think the ceilings might be out of reach, but will have to have someone tell me.

and look at these, again Martha Stewart.

1. Fill a 3 5/8 -inc-high acetate cylinder with candy (I think you could use a tolit paper tube with plastic wrapped candy)
2.) To make the flower, cut a 9-by-30-inch piece of tissue paper. Fold, accordion style, in 5-inch-wide layers. Cut petals in smaller end; unfold and lay on flat surface.

3. Place cylinder on paper with bottom about 1 inch from uncut end, and roll; tape sides and bottom with double-sided tape. Tie ribbon above top of cylinder.
4. Gently peel petals down to open flower. If you use a shorter cylinder, reduce height of paper, for a multicolored blossom, wrap a second layer of paper around cylinder after first is secure; secure with ribbon.

Challenges and Winnings

2010-07-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

This Weeks Challenge over at Let's Scrap revolved around this sketch:

And My entry is as follows:

Last week I posted that I won the challenge with my entry of the Rehearsal and this week I received my prize package from Scrappy Jo. Look at all the beautiful papers I got. Now all but the pansy prints are double sided and I have laid the reverse sides next to each other. I have to say each of them are just beautiful, my husband even commented about how pretty he thought the Hippy Flower Child Paper was (the bottom left two sheets)

FREE BASEBALL-BATTER FILE

2010-07-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

With the help of another scrapper I have been able to make another MTC file and I want to share it with you!

Here is your FREE Download for the BASEBALL-BATTER, ENJOY

Good Afternoon

2010-07-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

Hi, Everyone, I am back online although the desktop is still having some issues I have been able to save everything currently and am in the process of transfering everything to memory disc........that is a chore in it's self!

Well I wanted to post the layout that I completed before my computer started playing game with me, so here goes.

This layout was another challenge entry this week over at Let's Scrap. These pictures are from our 1998 cruise. The papers I bought for the scrapbooking cruise I just came off of but thought I needed to get some pictures that I already had printed scapped, and Whala!

This one is a continuing page of the Rehearsal Dinner, and I came across some more pictures that I will be doing even another page with, good thing I worked with scraps!

TICKLED PINK!

2010-07-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

Well, Ladies and Gents, I have finely used my new MAKE THE CUT software. I was able to cut my first project this morning and I am TICKLED PINK! The ladies and gents on the MTC yahoo group has been a big help to me in sharing their talents and knowledge. Don't you just love Mr. Yosaf! He is my college students school logo!

Bummer of a Day!

2010-07-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

My father in law instilled in me many years ago that every day that the Lord made was blessed, but I have to say days like today, make me wonder!

I was all up for posting my current creations and BAM! my computer crashes....GEEZ, I am glad that I downloaded most of my pictures onto a stick last week or I would really be bummed out. I have a disc a few months back that I downloaded to that was corrupted and I am still tying to save those pictures.

Anyway until I get stuff uploaded onto my laptop I won't be posting any pictures for a bit. That puts another bummer on me because I did a layout for another competition this week and currently can't get it posted.

Things can only get better right!

EXCITEMENT IS IN THE AIR!

2010-07-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gents!

I have an exciting reason to be posting this morning! I was doing my regular surfing to view my different scrapping groups this morning and GUESS what I fount out! Some months back a fellow scrapper from SBC (the yahoo group) recommended another site for keeping your creative juices running. Said she was really busy keeping up with all the challenges the group was offering and was getting a lot of her photos scrapped.........well.......I have over 30 years of photos (as I think I have mentioned in the past that I need to get scrapped) so I thought I should go and check it out, an OH MY GOSH, they are really keeping you on your toes, if you choose to participate in all they offer. What I enjoy the most, I think is that the featured page maps for the first, second, and fourth weeks of the month are two pages and use a lot of photos, and I take so many photos of the same event that it allows me to use up several photos on a page which makes my numbers go down, I think, I mean I am still taking a lot of photos. LOL

My response to the posting of the win was "OH MY GOSH! I have never won anything over the internet for my scrapping........HOW EXCITING!.....Now Betty Anne I understand your excitemen of being awarded for your submissions........GEEZ, who do I know I can contact? Guess it is a good reason to post to my blog.......Oh GEEZ, I might just wet my pants.........THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! and to think I haven't scrapped in three weeks due to vacation and busy work schedule. OH THIS IS EXCITING! Thank you Brenda, Kris, Angela, Cori, and Cheri for all the lovely comments. I can't wait to receive my prize and see what challenge I can produce with it!

Anyway, here is the sketch that I worked with;

And here is the layout I made from the sketch;

Ladies and Gents I encourage you to visit these sites:

Oh, and my prize was my choice 10 single sheets of patterned papers from the Scrappy Jo Store (free shipping). NOW, I have to ask, how am I going to choose? Go and check them out!

My Living Will

2010-07-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

I am really bad about updating my blog. I keep telling myself that I am going to get better at this and then BAM! the time flys by. I really should spend more timne on here, if noting else to get better at my journaling in my scrapbooks. I don't have a lot of free time at home and lately I have been working everyday since we got back from one of the most enjoyable vacations. I will surely have to try to do some layouts with the over 500 pictures I took, and I want to make sure I journal on them so as my family views our vacation they know the fun we had. LOL

I have worked on a few layouts since my last post that I want to post here although I am not at home, I am at work and don't have access to the pictures at this moment, so when they get posted they are going to be delayed in what ever is happening with me at the moment. LOL

Anyway I was surfing the web a bit ago and came across this little cartoon that I wanted to share with you all. For those of you that do know me personaly you know that I enjoy a good glass of wine and I am always doing something on the computer. So think this might would meet my life style for the most part. It is Called

"MY LIVING WILL"
Last night, my kids and I were sitting in the living room and I said to them, "I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug." They got up, unplugged the computer, and threw out my wine. They are *SO* on my S**t list...

Now for those of you that do know me, I would be laughing at them, they wouldn't really be on my S**t list! I just thought this fit me to a tee! Besides it looks like Maxine is eating popcorn too, my kind of gal!

Jimmie Jam starring Darius Rucker and Jimmie Johnson

2010-06-02T16:55:00.000-07:00

Budhi,has become a huge Nascar fan, and his excuse is that since we only live two miles from the Charlotte Speedway WHY NOT! LOL, Pizza Hut is a sponsor of Hendrix Motors and that is the team that Jimmie Johnson is on. His Boss came to him a couple of weeks back and said "Hey I got something for you" and handed him two VIP Tickets to the Jimmie Jam Concert. Although there were no posed photos allowed with Jimmie Johnson nor Darius Rucker, it was a great concert and a FREE date. I didn't get all the photos I took on these two page but I dd get probably the main ones. With the exception of those taken of Budhi at Jimmie Johnson's car, that was crashed at the 600 race on Sunday. Those will be for another layout!

A Tisket a Tasket

2010-06-02T16:50:00.000-07:00

This card i made as a challenge to make a card with a hand made basket on the front of it. Well, for those of you that know me I am not much of a card person, but I did accomplish the task, and then I used another friend advice and sent the card to a friend with a little note written on a separate sheet of paper expressing that I didn't write on the card so she could use it herself to share with another friend.

Did I say I love You

2010-06-02T16:41:00.000-07:00

The following layout was done with photos of the flowers that Budhi presented me with when I arrived back home from the cruise. Of course the spring bouquet has since passed but the orchid still sets on my desk and as he says it is a constant message of how much he missed me and expresses the love he has for me. I am really one lucky Lady with a husband that is so sentimental!

I did the layout as a challenge with Let's Scrap. We needed to use one their page maps and only use flowers. The large flower is actually made with crepe paper, and I actually accomplished four challenges with this one layout.

It's A Victory

2010-05-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

The following layout is my latest of many that I need to get done. This layout is of my youngest treasure, Kyle (20) back during his Senior year in High School. The photos were taken in 2006 and if I would have scrapped the page then I probably wouldn't have used the black and orange because his team colors were yellow and green, although, I have changed my thinking over the years and I chose to use the opposing teams colors in this layout. I am very proud of this layout because I have been able to use all 11 photos that I took of the event.

On Board the Scrapbooking Cruise - Challenges / Contest

2010-05-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

We had a Door contest where we had to make a 12x12 layout of ourselves, this was my entry.

In addition we were given a pre-packaged kit where we had to design a one or two page layout with nothing but the items within the kit. I had three pattern papers three solid papers, three pirate buttons, five flowers, silver ribbon and silver brads. Just the night before at dinner there was a gentleman dressed as a pirare that we had our photo taken with so I choose to use that photo and besides I got at least one photo scrapped from my trip! LOL

Layouts from cruise class

2010-05-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

The following are the layouts I designed for the Cruise based on the Class "Making a Page Map Your Own"

Dreams DO come true

2010-05-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

This Dream was on the Carnival Dream Cruise Ship. I have wanted to take a scrapbooking cruise for several years now and was able to do so with a FANTASTIC group of ladies. On April 23rd Heather and I left North Carolina bound for Cape Canaveral, Florida where we meet up with part of our SBC Cruise buddies for our Pre-Cruise nightly stay. The following is a picture of those that stayed at the hotel and had breakfast together before our ship.

The following is the first view of our ship:

This is a formal picture of most of us:

Boldly Explore Your Dreams

2009-07-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

As we grow older, we reflect upon our lives - the things that we have done and the things we didn't do. Don't let this happen to you! What would you do if you knew you could not fail?Imagine the difference this could make in your life. Imagine how fearlessly you would march across the beach in your bathing suit! Break the habits of fear that are holding you back and forget the hundreds of distractions that seem to justify not tryin new things! Achieve your dreams, take risks, build your vision and go boldly towards it.

I received this right up in an email today that just sums up how we all should relate our dreams to life. Don't you agree? Let me know what you think!

Double WOW

2009-07-05T13:58:00.000-07:00

Double WOW.........What an honor........teach me to be out for awhile.........during my absence I was awarded this blog award, how gracious of you Cindy of Cindy's Creative Journey. I have never received an award on my blog before, what an honor.

Now let's see there were some rules I needed to follow in accepting this award

The rules are to display this award on my beautiful blog (which you can see above) with a link to the senders blog (in the first paragraph of this acceptance) and then I am to list 7 blogs that I will be passing the award to.

So I am passing the award to the following blogs:

Maw Maw's Thoughts

Rebecca's Scrapping Silliness

Esther's Creative Designs

The Scrappin Gypsy

Raspberry Road Designs

Memories by Olenka

Trixie Scrap Designs

WOW

2009-07-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

I did not realize that almost two Weeks, yes two Weeks, has gone by since I had posted...........where did the time go............my goodness..........

Let's see.......we went to the mountains for a mini family reunion, went to the local baseball game where the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders were signing autographes.............well now those of you that know my husband...........HOG HEAVEN! He was kind of cute.........the boys told him once we got there that the cheerleaders were going to be there and he said "Now don't be pulling an old man's leg you going to give me a heart attack" Then the guy that was in charge of our party called us over to follow him so we could be first in line............you should have seen Budhi........He was such a KID........

Then the next day we all had a fun day cooking out and making a hike to the local waterfalls......what beauty, God is so GREAT! His creation so simple but complex, just beautiful.

I have spent many hours looking up my classmates and have been able to hook up with eight now I think is the count, I am at work as I write this so I don't have my papers in front of me at the moment. Sadley I have fount out that three have passed on, one in a car accident, one in a shooting of some kind, and the other a heart attack, more memories at an end.

I also am in the process of putting together a family cookbook, to pass on to my children and of course I am making one for myself. This is really a lot of fun, I am scrapping it digitally though and have been printing it out.........Christmas gifts...............yep, then it is something that can be added to each year.

Well hopefully I don't wait so long to get back on here, but here is wishing you all a full summer and many great memories!

2009-06-24T12:08:00.000-07:00

I got a call today to go down to the garden to pick some beans, the comment was the beans are plentiful and need to be picked if I could go down and help out. Charlie (my friend, and the owner of the garden) was going down to till up some of the ground and weed out the rows. Well I not only picked beans, squash, cucumbers and bell peppers but I took time to help and start weeding. Spent two hours there, and I have to say it got HOT, boy did it get HOT!

Had all intentions to stop at the store on the way home, but was so dirty, that I came straight home, took a shower and hit the bed!..........YEAH........hit the bed, and fell asleep listing to my music of my youth, wet hair and all, I NEVER can fall to sleep in the daytime. Got a little bit of sunburn, my nose is real RED and some on the back of the nect and arms, but not too bad......Pull out the moisturizer! Now my back is a bit sore but I need to try to get up to energy to go back and continue.

Let me see if I can talk Budhi into going back this evening, when the sun isn't out........I don't know though he is a City boy through and through.

Put your thinking cap on....

2009-06-18T05:55:00.000-07:00

'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence... 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

There comes a point in your life when you realize:
Who matters,
Who never did,
Who won't anymore...
And who always will.
So, don't worry about people from your past,
there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.

So EXCITED

2009-06-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

I fount a GOLD Mine yesterday…….well a Gold mine to me, that is……..As several of you know I have a facebook group and on that site I have been able to get up with five of my old classmates……well one of them had a link on their site to an alumni of our school………I went to it and joined the group, although most of the current info is of the eighties to the present there were two individuals from my graduating class…..I am so siked………history of the school was on the site so guess what there is some info for my scrapping………YEAH……….just siked!

Then on that site there was a link to a new site for the Community.........more info........oh, you see me doing the happy dance.....

The School Site: http://www.burashigh.com/

The Community Site: http://www.southplaquemines.net/SP/Home.html

SBC Cruise 2010

2009-06-10T08:31:00.000-07:00

Wow, What a great way to introduce the cruise to Scrappers outside the Yahoo group that has booked this.Things have really moved along quickly!!! We have half a dozen FREE classes lined up for the cruise so far and we are working on more! Right now there is1.) A Stampin' Up card making class2.) A tear bear making class (with kit and tools)3.) A Cruise layout class with cruise ship paper piecing & title4.) Iris Folding Class5.) Paper Piecing Class5.) Cruise group photo layout6.) How to make a paper peicing from scratchThere are also Challenges, Contest, Games, Door prizes, FREE t-shirt and so much more!!!The price of $698 includes your cabin, food, entertainment, 24 hour a day crop space, inspiration, photo ops, a group photo, and so much more! So grab your family and join us on this 7 day, fun filled, sun filled, adventurious cruise!! The best thing is, it's a whole year away so you have plenty of time to plan!We will be coordinating with the cruise attendees on what tools they are bringing in order to minimize luggage. For example, if one bring their CraftRobo, then it can be shared and someone else thinking about bringing theirs can bring a different tool instead :)So far we have 28 registered and they are all planning a trip of a lifetime. This will be great fun!!!Although the Deadline for booking this event has passed we have baught up some extra rooms and have places for 10 more cruisers. What you waiting for, read about it at :

http://travelswithcyndi.webs.com/groupretreatscruises.htm

http://tammeybrown.com/SBCCruise2010.html

Getting into Shape

2009-06-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Ladies…..I am in the process of trying to get this old body in shape for the SBC Cruise in April……….I have decided to start working my pantry towards the Blood Diet that new friend suggested. I have checked out the books from the library. I must say the first book, I was oh no, I don’t know if I can do this, sounds to strict, well it really isn’t by the time you get to the second book. They even help with recipes and such.

Besides I am 0+ so a lot of protein is open to me. Although, I love bread, pasta, and dairy and not much on tofu, so I am going to have to re-think my preferences. The book does say not to jump in full treadle but to ease into it, so I will be having both things I like and new things for the first couple of months but I will have to see if I can adapt some of my favorite recipes to meet this diet too…….now that is going to be just as much of a challenge as the diet it’s self.

Now, today was weigh in day for me (on my own scales) and I am still at 190 so as someone said on one of my groups "five pounds in two months, is five pounds that should stay off"……LOL

Anyway ladies that is where I stand at the moment………

Words of Encouragement

2009-06-05T07:33:00.000-07:00

The following was Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Now I have a challenge for each of you........let's add to this, you have any encouraging lessons that life has taught you? Would you like to share. Send me an email at budhi@iocnet.net, with your numbered lesson, I will post them to the list and I will put your name into a drawing for a surprise to be mailed out to you.......You up for it!

Remember that I will always share my spoon with you!
Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.

SBC Cruise 2010

2009-06-01T17:31:00.000-07:00

Stepping out of the box

2009-05-28T12:46:00.000-07:00

Well I have been trying to step out of the box these last few days. Making Tear Critters, Gosh, this is not an easy challenge, I have to say I have a new found appreciate for all these ladies that make these things every day! Whew........still working on them. LOL

My other challenge has been working with digital scrapping and I have just completed this layout. Hope you can enjoy it as much as I have........now I might have to just go in and work on some of these digital photos I have. LOL

Divine Guidance!

2009-05-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

Whoever came up with this one must have had some Divine guidance!
Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...

Z ion waits in glory....where none are ever sad!

"I AM Too blessed to be stressed!"
The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is
The distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.
Love and peace be with you forever, Amen..

PS: GOD LOVES YOU........PASS THE WORD ON TO MORE FRIENDS.. JUST THINK OF HOW MANY PEOPLE THAT COULD BE REACHED OUT TO AND BLESSED WITH THESE WORDS.

15 Ways to Enjoy Life

2009-05-26T07:50:00.001-07:00

I received this today in my email, and thought how WONDERFUL! Since I am not really one to pass on forwards anymore (I am bombarded with them) I thought the best way to share it is through my blog.

15 Ways to Enjoy Life

Take a deep breath each morning and think of ten things you are grateful for, ten things you are happy about and ten things you are confident in. This meditation will help you start your day in a good mood.
Try something new the next time you grocery shop. You might find that a fresh brand of crackers is perfect with the low-fat cream cheese you have at home. You might find an interesting brand of chili sauce is delightful on scrambled egg sandwiches. You might even discover a different flavor of juice. Open your eyes and see what is there for you.
Walk around your block and take photographs of small details that you usually overlook.
Read.
Sit on the couch (or porch or stoop or bench) and have a quiet conversation with someone you enjoy.
Create something. There is nothing like using your creativity to increase your happiness-quota for the day. Just knowing you have brought something - anything - into the world that didn't previously exist, brings a sense of satisfaction.
Do something nice for someone.
Do something unexpectedly nice for someone.
Do something nice for someone you feel might not deserve it.
Relax and realize that everyone should have nice things happen to them. You have just been a part of making sure something nice happened to one more individual.
Write (and send) a thank you note.
Sing.
Dance to music in commercials.
Look at yourself in the mirror and say, "I'm lovable, loving and loved." And, mean it.
Thank God for everything He has blessed you with. It's quite a lot, after all.

Have a great day

NASCAR

2009-05-25T16:20:00.000-07:00

Well, those of you that know me, I am not much of a Nascar fan, although my husband has become one! Jarvis and Heather bought him tickets to the Coca-Cola 600. Well they went and made a day of it yesterday and got home last evening just before midnight with the race being postponed to today. Again they went out today and after a 16 hour delay from the night before being called off without a lap being run, it was time, and the 50th Coca-Cola 600 race begane at noon, although they came home after the second hold due to the weather. It was the shortest Coca-Cola 600 in history. A Bit wet and a little disappointed overall they enjoyed their Memorial Day weekend.

God has a plan

2009-05-23T07:20:00.000-07:00

I received this as a forward within an email today, although I hate to pass on forwards, of anykind, to be honest I did want to post it here. I believe in the words that are within.

God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go. When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need. All you do is simply say the following small prayer "Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they may need this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity, and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you. Amen."

Then I was instructed to send it on to five other people, including the one who sent it to me. It expressed that within hours you caused a multitude of people to pray for other people. Then you were to sit back and watch the power of God work in your life. P. S. Five is good, but more is better.

I so believe in the power of prayer and what caught my eye so much on this is the multitude's you would touch. Hope you enjoyed!

Expression of God's Love

2009-05-22T19:49:00.000-07:00

Hello Ladies,

This day has gone by so fast that I have almost missed being able to share with you. At the conclusion of our daily walk as we walked back to our home, my husband and I noticed that there wasn't a cloud in the sky. God had graced us with a completly blue sky. I went and grabbed my camera to share with you.........Our God is so GOOD!

Challenge: Use Pink, Green, and Yellow Papers plus a Flower

2009-05-18T10:54:00.000-07:00

Well the challenge I met today was with one of my groups and although a simple idea, I had to think about it. The Hostess asked that we make a layout using Pink, Green, and Yellow Papers plus a Flower in some manner. I have to admit, I had to think, plus we only had three days to do it in and I was working all weekend. I did get it done and I thought, what better way to showcase some of the pictures from the Scrapping Retreat that I went on with this same group of girls. There will be a vote on the layouts, and I think the winning layout goes on the home page, and although you don't see my journaling in this photo I have gone in and done so and the journaling reads: March 2009 - A Time of building new friendships at our first Scrapbooking Retreat. We met ten lovely ladies at the Cabin and this is what we called the North Carolina Girls: Heather, Cyndi, Kandi and Doris. Lasting relationships for years to come.

WHY DO I SCRAP?

2009-05-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

I entered a contest for some blog candy and the question was why do you scrap or make cards?

Well I loved my own reply so I thought I would take an insert from what I wrote and post to my own site.

WHY DO I SCRAP? It is relaxing for me, it is one of my outs. I am able to travel back in time and so many wonderful memories are brought to the surface as I go through my family photos. I have been able to share this wonderful hobby with some amazing and talented scrappers via the internet, and have had the opportunity to meet some of them in person. It is a feeling of real accomplishment when one of these talented individuals compliment you on a page you have just finished, and the chest pokes out with sinful pride to know that "yes I did that". I love to see the excitement on my children's faces when they look at a page that I have done and there are little notes of things that was going on in their lives as a wee one. Here again a memory and a joy all expressed out of a combination of papers and embellishments. Scrapbooking is a wonderful way to capture all the precious moments in our lives and to document the happenings. This is something I am only just now learning to do though, journalling that is.

If you would like to try to win an awesome blog candy check out Laurel's blog in my side bar

SBC Cruise 2010

2009-05-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

Wow, What a great way to introduce the cruise to Scrappers outside the Yahoo group that has booked this.Things have really moved along quickly!!! We have half a dozen FREE classes lined up for the cruise so far and we are working on more! Right now there is1.) A Stampin' Up card making class2.) A tear bear making class (with kit and tools)3.) A Cruise layout class with cruise ship paper piecing & title4.) Iris Folding Class5.) Paper Piecing Class5.) Cruise group photo layout6.) How to make a paper peicing from scratch
There are also Challenges, Contest, Games, Door prizes, FREE t-shirt and so much more!!!
The price of $698 includes your cabin, food, entertainment, 24 hour a day crop space, inspiration, photo ops, a group photo, and so much more! So grab your family and join us on this 7 day, fun filled, sun filled, adventurious cruise!! The best thing is, it's a whole year away so you have plenty of time to plan!We will be coordinating with the cruise attendees on what tools they are bringing in order to minimize luggage. For example, if one bring their CraftRobo, then it can be shared and someone else thinking about bringing theirs can bring a different tool instead :)So far we have 28 registered and they are all planning a trip of a lifetime. This will be great fun!!!Although the Deadline for booking this event has passed we have baught up some extra rooms and have places for 10 more cruisers. What you waiting for, read about it at :
http://travelswithcyndi.webs.com/groupretreatscruises.htm
or
http://tammeybrown.com/SBCCruise2010.html

The Day After

2009-05-11T11:31:00.000-07:00

Here it is the day after a day of celebration. Family fellowshipping and eating together. I love having my children around me, and what better occasion than MOTHER'S DAY! The picture above is of my clan. Left to Right "Aaron, Myself, Heather and Kyle.

I do hope you all had as nice of a Mother's day as I did. We started out with our morning walk, Budhi and I, then Church, Lunch and the family starting heading back their own homes then Budhi and I went to a Play "Run for your Wife" A comedy that had us rolling. Then we came back home and Budhi then had to go to work.

Sad Morning

2009-05-07T10:32:00.000-07:00

Well, Ladies I guess the Lord is talking to me. I have had a very Sad day today. I am not one that will tolorate a lot of drama in my life, so I have unsubed from a group that was a branch of family to me. Every morning that I was home I would log in or checkin and go to bed with a note from or too the group. Anyway, I unsubed from it this morning because there were some drama going on that I just didn't want to be the cause of or take part in. Then there is another group that is also a family branch to me that the owner is comtiplating in closing due to lack of participation from members.

I hate this, but feel that it might actually be a way the Lord is saying I told you "you need more time to devote to you and the family". I would find myself answering emails and doing challenges that took up a lot of my time and even when hubby would be home, which I was trying not to do. LOL

Anyway, guess I have another new start happening today...........Hope you all have a wonderful day, and thank you for visiting my weekly Diary! I kind of like this online Dairy thing! LOL

Good Morning

2009-05-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

Several Individuals that I have made my blog public too have asked me what are my Treasures. They come to the site under it's name and expect to see cutter files, layouts, altered items, or any other of the many crafts I do, but NO there isn't any. Although though any handmade item is a treasure to me, and especially my scrap pages, but the most valuable treasures I hold is my family. I will surely make an album in the coming months of my treasures to share with each of you.

Those that know us, know my husband is a HUGE Dallas Cowboy fan. A couple of years ago I even scrapped him a Dallas Cowboy room, meaning I painted the room in the team colors and made a chair rail border by scrapping. He is so proud of that little room, it is only 12x12. Well today we are going to go and get our daughters first car, (they bought a new one, and this one needs some work) Anyway once we get the work done on it, I do think he plans to have it painted either the blue or gray colors of the team and then we will accent it up so he has a Dallas mobile.......LOL...... YEP, he already has several things, car mats, stearing wheel cover, tags, magnets, Flags and such, and I have fount, without is knowledge a company that has decals that go down the side of the car that says Number One Dallas Cowboy Fan, YEP that is on my gift list, if he gets the car painted say for his Birthday, then for Christmas I will order these decals for him. Now don't you think he will be in an element of his own!

New Beginnings

2009-05-04T15:39:00.000-07:00

Thought since everyone was doing this that it might just be my time. Here I am and not too sure in what I am doing but there is so much excitement with the blogs thought I better try my luck. Actually it would be nice to be able to just have everything in one place, so HERE I GO!

CRUISE 2010
Wow, What a great way to introduce the cruise to Scrappers outside the Yahoo group that has booked this.Things have really moved along quickly!!! We have half a dozen FREE classes lined up for the cruise so far and we are working on more! Right now there is

1.) A Stampin' Up card making class
2.) A tear bear making class (with kit and tools)
3.) A Cruise layout class with cruise ship paper piecing & title
4.) Iris Folding Class5.) Paper Piecing Class
5.) Cruise group photo layout
6.) How to make a paper peicing from scratch

There are also Challenges, Contest, Games, Door prizes, FREE t-shirt and so much more!!!

The price of $698 includes your cabin, food, entertainment, 24 hour a day crop space, inspiration, photo ops, a group photo, and so much more! So grab your family and join us on this 7 day, fun filled, sun filled, adventurious cruise!!

The best thing is, it's a whole year away so you have plenty of time to plan!We will be coordinating with the cruise attendees on what tools they are bringing in order to minimize luggage. For example, if one bring their CraftRobo, then it can be shared and someone else thinking about bringing theirs can bring a different tool instead :)

So far we have 28 registered and they are all planning a trip of a lifetime. This will be great fun!!!Although the Deadline for booking this event has passed we have baught up some extra rooms and have places for 10 more cruisers. What you waiting for, read about it at :

http://travelswithcyndi.webs.com/groupretreatscruises.htm

http://tammeybrown.com/SBCCruise2010.html