April Updates

First let me begin by saying Thank you for the beautiful cards from my RAK group at PaperTrey Ink.

The first one is from Gail (Gail in Florida),

next is Kelsey (Kbeth),

then Niki

and last but not least is from Lynn (Lynn in St. Louis).

These cards are wonderful ladies, the time you took to make such a exceptional gift and the personal notes are greatly appreciated.

Secondly - I am fine. I have had my eyes re-checked after the accident (see below if you don't know what in the world I am talking about) and they are fine. No retina tears or damage at all. I am so blessed that I escaped without permanent damage to something other than my ego. My black eyes have almost cleared up but still a small trace of purple left behind. My husband is finally starting to go out in public with me again. I greatly appreciate all the well wishes and prayers during my recovery period.

Third - I actually have been busy in my scrap room. I have made several cards and a few altered items. I also completed an order for 40 Thank you cards for a baby shower for a good friend of mine (Congratulations Farrah and Bobby and new baby Coley Jean). I am including photos of one of the cards that I created after "stealing" the concept from Stampinscotgirl on the Papertrey gallery.

I changed the colors using the first papertrey color match release.

The altered items I am showing are frames I made for my sisters for their birthday using My Minds Eye PP and PaperTrey Ink ribbon. The saying in the middle reads "We cannot Measure the impact that one small gesture of kindness may make on another's life". I also included a quote from Jacqueline Kehoe; "A sister is a permanent best friend"








Have a GREAT day folks, I am off today to St. Louis to the Creating Keepsakes Convention. I'll be sure to check in on Monday to show you everything I make it home with. I am thankful I drive a BIG SUV !!

Oops !

Day 1 (Check out that knot) Day 2 Ain't she pretty












Day 3 there goes the other eye, Day 4 things are just gettin' prettier !

The story goes like this: I feel last Thurday when I went outside and stepped on a concrete walk that was covered in ice. I had no idea that it had got that cold the night before. Anyway, my feet went out from under me and I feel head, or should I say face, first on the concrete. I had to go to the ER because I immediately got a huge (orange size) knot over my left eye and I could not open it. I had a mild concussion, a probable hairline fracture on my left brow line but that is it. I have to go to the eye Dr. tomorrow to have the pressure checked and to check for fluid leaking behind my eye , etc. Anyway, thanks to this little accident I haven't been able to be on the computer very much and I certainly haven't been able to scrap any. I am sooooooo board and looking forward to getting back in my scrap room this weekend.

My first RAK Card, a baby frame and a checkbook cover...

I received my first "RAK" card today, a birthday card from Gail a PaperTrey Ink RAK Member. Thank you Gail. The card is absolutely stunning. I will tell you this, if you have not joined the PTI band wagon, jump on now! This is the best group of ladies (and Rick) you will ever come across. They are the most talented, accepting, giving, supportive, and gracious group of people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.



I had a busy weekend "playing" in my scrap room. I had an order for a 4 x 6 frame for a baby boy. This is the result. I love making these frames. I always try to cater to the person who ordered it and incorporate all of their request. I use MME transparent frames to cover the openings since they do not come with glass. I adhere them to the frame with Modge Podge since it dries clear.



I had a request for a checkbook cover (I make these for a fund raiser for my local Relay for Life) using Harley, Pink and add their names. It is difficult to see in the photo but I used Paper Studio Gems around the belt buckle to add a little "bling". Sara was very pleased with the end result. I love creating when someone gives me 3 or 4 things they like and I somehow put them together to make something pleasing. I'll have to show you the cover incorporating, zebra print, pink and pug dogs............another day.

It's my birthday - WHOO HOO !!!!!

A Reflective Weekend

We have SNOW. We received 6 inches of snow Friday and Saturday. This is the most snow we've seen in the past 5 years or so. It was absolutely beautiful and I could not resist a walk to take a few photos. This was taken on the farm down by the creek. I know, to a lot of you, that 6 inches of snow is nothing (Yes, Lynn in St. Louis, I am talking to you) but for us this is a lot. We were snowed in....stop laughing. Anyway, the scenery was breath taking and I enjoyed simply walking around snapping photos and being at peace. I had time this weekend to really reflect on my life. One thing I know is that I have fallen in love with this craft. Not only do I enjoy the final product but the process is so relaxing to me, which is important to my health. I have made countless friends and shared so many stories, memories, techniques, laughter and a few tears. The ladies on the PaperTrey Ink Forum are the best. My prayer is that I will have the talent and the ability to continue to create for a long time. I have not had time to add a lot of the blogs that I visit to my list but hope that you will take a peek a the ones that are there, from their blog you can travel on to others. Read their message, don't just look at the pictures. They have all become a part of my daily ritual, like waking up and saying good morning to your family. I have been working in my scrapbook room this weekend and hope to have photos to show you in a few days. Until then, take time to stop and reflect on something that makes you happy and brings you a peace.

A fellow Papertrey Ink forum "family" member was tagged yesterday with the following questions. She didn't want to tag anyone but asked if anyone wanted to play, so I answer the following questions. I wonder if any of the answer will surprise you.

4 Jobs I've Had: Bartender, Collection Agent, Medical Assistant, Office Manager

4 Movies I've Seen: Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, To Kill a Mockingbird, All Doris Day and Sandra Dee "Tammy" movies...I love the Classics.

4 Places I've been: Disneyland, Gatlinburg, Gulf Shores, Philadelphia.

4 Places I've lived: Florida, Indiana, North Carolina, Tennessee

4 TV Programs I watch: Greys Anatomy, Any HGTV, Any TLC, The Bachelor (I am a hopeless romantic)

4 Radio Shows I listen to: Shows? Like my friend Lynn, I am a XM Radio person - Heart (there is that Romantic again), Bluesville, Christian Radio and the Classics

4 Favorite Foods: My mom's Chicken and Dumplin's, anything chocolate, popcorn, Chili

4 Places I'd Rather be: in my scraproom, shopping for scrapbook supplies, spending time with my DH, spending time with my son who is away at college

I'm supposed to tag two other people, but I'd rather you tag yourself, and just play along. If you decide to play, please let me know so I can check out YOUR answers.

I'm Back ---

I am finally ready to post a project. I have been really busy creating but I have a difficult time feeling confident in my work to post it for everyone to see. I really liked this card however and hope it is worthy of your viewing. This was created for my sister Peggy whose birthday is tomorrow (Happy Birthday, Peggy). She really likes creating stitched crafts with buttons so I thought this would be very fitting. I used a light yellow cardstock for my background, the color is hard to see in the photo. Using stazon blazing red and olive green I stamped my images using the Women of Life stamp set from PaperTreyInk. Rather than stamping the centers I used buttons varying in sizes and colors. The inside of the card has Happy Birthday Sister stamped with a smaller flower, I am sorry I forgot to photograph that part. I hope you like the card as much as I do.