Who I Am..........

Crocheting - Making an OLD thing NEW again....

2012-01-28T07:52:00.000-06:00

NOTE: THIS POST IS PICTURE HEAVY!!!

Crocheting used to be my THING. When I was expecting my babies, I crocheted blankets for them. And baby sweaters, and sweaters for me, and doilies, and afghans. Many things have come and gone. But many things have stayed.

Recently I have started crocheting again after a break of many many years....My grandsons needed cute little hats. So I made a few. Which led to making more. And now I am crocheting all the time. It is good to have something to keep my hands busy while I sit in the car on road trips. I have also had a friend visit several times so she could learn how to crochet.

But I digress....
I have been thinking about all the things I have crocheted in the past and started looking around my house to see what I still have. It was fun to see it all, so I thought I would share some of my creations with you, my blog readers.

Sweater Set Crocheted for Zach 1981

Granny Square Afghan for my mom 1982

Baby Granny Square Afghan for Michael 1974

Baby Blanket for Sara 1984

Sweater for Me 1980

Hat for Adler 2007

Doily hangs on my sliding glass doors 1994

Doily on Piano 1994

Afghan 1995

Fuzzy scarf 2006

Scarf and Hat 2005

Crocheted Edging on receiving blanket 1981

doilies on shelf on my scraproom

Collar 1970's

Doilies 1970s

I haven't crocheted very much in this decade until now. I had forgotten how relaxing it was. I had forgotten how fulfilling it is to see something wonderful materialize in your hands from a ball of string. I hope you enjoy looking at my memories of this.

And stay tuned for new and fun things that will come as my rediscovery of CROCHET!!!

"Newsprint" - Black and White and Read All Over

2012-01-22T07:51:00.008-06:00

My Texana Design Teammate, Linda McClain of The Catered Crop is having another "Follow the Recipe" Challenge. AND this weeks sponsor is none other than Texana Designs.

Linda suggested using her Pinterest Board, Black and White and Read All Over as the inspiration for our cards. And of course, I have my own Inspiration Pinterest Board called "Things to do with OLD BOOKS" .

One of my pins catches my eye every time I look at this pinboard or see someone else post it.

Since I am making Valentines this week it only seemed appropriate to "Follow the Recipe" and use one of my favorite "heart" stamps to make some of my cards. Black, White, and Red happens to be one of my favorite color combinations and I love re-purposing old books into works of art.

HERE is my version of the puffy blanket stitched hearts.

For this card, I used:

Texana Designs Jam'n Barbed Wire Heart

Texana Designs Happy Heart Day

Vintage Sheet Music

My own Silhouette cutting file for matting the Barbed Wire Heart Stamp - Available HERE

Versamark Ink

American Crafts Zing Embossing Powder - Rouge

Red DMC Embroidery Floss

Fairfield PolyFil to stuff heart

VersaFine Ink - Onyx Black

Stock Cardstock in Black, Red, and White

Scrap of Patterned Paper from FooFaLa

Red Sheer Ribbon

My second card was inspired by these flowers

Supplies used for this card:

Texana Designs Jam'n Barbed Wire Heart Flag Mini Rubber Stamp

Old book pages for flower and background

Stock Cardstock in white, black, and red

VersaFine Ink Pad - Onyx Black

Tim Holtz Distressed Ink - Fired Brick and Black Soot

Spellbinders Dahlia Nestibilities

May Arts Ribbon

Imaginesce Heart Shaped Love Crystals
Xmas Red Stickles

Don't forget to check out and follow The Catered Crop where you will always find lots of cardmaking inspiration. And Texana Designs has the coolest Texas rubber stamps around. While you are at it, "LIKE" the Texana Facebook Page. I will see you there.

Double Duty....Design Team Contribution And Challenge

2012-01-17T11:27:00.006-06:00

Add caption

I am doing double duty with this little card. I am playing along with Linda McClain's Catered Crop Recipe Swap Quickfire Round called Button Up

The ingredient everyone is to use for this Round is Buttons.

Linda is a fellow Design Team member for Texana Designs and a friend who is an AWESOME cardmaker. I have wanted to join her challenges but never got around it until now. I hope to do it more often in the future.

This card is also my Design Team contribution for the Texana Designs Design Team.

I used the following supplies in making this card.

Texana Designs TX050 Barbed Wire Heart Flag

Texana Designs TX014 Somebody in Texas Loves Ya! Stamps

Craft Cardstock

Flair Red Bandit patterned Paper

Denim

VersaMark Stamp Pad

Zing Embossing Powder – Rouge

Buttons

DMC embroidery floss

Shipping tag

Walnut Ink to stain tag

Versafine Onyx Black Stamp Pad

Diamond Stickles

May Arts Ribbon

Hemp Cording

Texana Designs' Jam'n Barbed Wire Heart and Happy Heart Day - Valentine's Day Card

2012-01-11T13:03:00.001-06:00

As I mentioned the first of January, I have joined the Texana Designs Design Team. Our first assignment was to complete a project using the Jam'n Barbed Wire Stamp and the Happy Heart Day sentiment. First I created a masculine valentine. It seemed appropriate that I follow through and make a feminine card also. Here you will find Step by Step instruction as to how I completed the cards. Also at the bottom of the page is a link to download the Silhouette Studio cutting file that I created to cut the mats for this stamp on both cards.

Happy Heart Day 6x6 Manly Valentine

Supplies used:

Texana Designs Jam’n Barbed Wire Heart

Texana Designs Happy Heart Day

3 coordinating patterned papers – can be larger scraps

Small scraps of cardstock for Stamping Heart image and Sentiment

Ivory Textured Cardstock for base

Machine Stitching

Hemp Cording
VersaFine Ink in Onyx Black

Tim Holtz Distress Ink, color Tea Dye

KALDesign TD Barbed Wire Heart MATS.studio file for Silhouette SD and Cameo

Be sure to read these instructions and the notes marked with “* “ before deciding on your papers if you want to make the card YOUR OWN.

Cut cardstock base for card 6” by 12”
Cut 4.5” x 4.5” mat of same color as base and distress the edges using Tim Holtz Distress Ink * If desired, all elements of card can be distressed using ink.
Cut Piece of Patterned Paper 4” x 4”
Machine Zig Zag patterned Paper to Mat (or you can hand stitch)
Wrap Hemp Cording around this Mat and secure with tape in back.
Stamp Sentiment on 3” x .75” piece of cardstock to match Mat in step 2 and double mat with patterned paper.
Machine Zig Zag stitch around sentiment to secure and decorate.
Use the Cutting File** you downloaded from this blog. Cut inner mat (PURPLE lines) from cardstock ***
Stamp image of Barbed Wire heart ****
Cut additional mats for Heart image out of the remaining patterned papers (AQUA Line and GREEN Line)
Layer Mats and stamped image. I used pop dots between to bottom mats to add dimension
Adhere All elements to card, positioning them in a fashion that is pleasing to your eye.

* You can use a contrasting cardstock mat instead of same as base.

** If you don’t want the cut out in the center of mat you are stamping on for show through of patterned paper, use the RED cutting line

*** You can use black ink or you can use versa mark and embossing powder for stamping

**** Remember to move all files off cutting area of your software and position only the line you want to cut for each segment of design!!!

Happy Heart Day Feminine Valentine

Supplies Used:

Texana Designs Jam’n Barbed Wire Heart

Texana Designs Happy Heart Day

Light and Dark Pink Cardstock

Patterned Paper Scraps

Machine Stitching

White Embossing Powder

Versamark Ink Pad.

Lace Trim

Offray Heart Ribbon

KALDesign TD Barbed Wire Heart MATS.studio file for Silhouette SD and Cameo

Cut 8.5” x 5.5” card base from light pink cardstock Score and fold in half. Round Corners
Cut Dark Pink Cardstock mat 3.75” x 5” and round corners
Cut Patterned Paper 3.5” x 4.75 inches and round corners
Cut 5.5 inches of Ribbon and 5.5 inches of lace trim. Position the trim across the bottom 1/3 of the patterned paper and tape in place on the back. But don’t put the tape too close to the edge of the patterned paper.
Position Patterned Paper on top of Cardstock Mat and edge stitch using a narrow zig zag to hold everything in place.
Use your Silhouette SD or Cameo to cut the open heart (PURPLE LINE) using the KALDesign TD Barbed Wire Heart MATS.studio file that is available by clicking HERE. Out of the Dark Pink Cardstock.
Stamp the Barbwire Heart Image on the Heart you just cut with Versamark and Heat Emboss using White Embossing Powder.
Stamp Sentiment on 3” x .75” piece of cardstock using Versamark and Heat Emboss using White Embossing Powder.
Position Elements on Card Front. Use pop dots to adhere the heart to the card front and pop dots to adhere the sentiment to the heart. Double the dimension.

** Download HERE the cutting file. KALDesign TD Barbed Wire Heart MATS.studio.

What if....

2012-01-09T18:16:00.002-06:00

I was wandering around Pinterest and found a picture of the following statement.

Seeing that made me stop and think about how much I take for granted.

I have a wonderful husband. Though I often thank him for what he does for me and tell him how much I love him, I sometime forget to thank God for him. I forget that without God, this man wouldn't be who he is. And I forget that without God, I would not even have life that I could enjoy walking through life with Mike as my companion, my best friend, my protector, my leader and my biggest supporter.

I have wonderful Children and Grandchildren who add joy to my life. I am blessed that they are all healthy and happy and safe. To loose them, just because I failed to thank God for them is unimaginable.

I have a beautiful home. Bigger and nicer than I need to be comfortable. Such a blessing to have space and a place to create. Nicer than most of the people who live in this world, many of whom don't even have a roof over their head.

I have food in my pantry. I can decide what I want to eat and eat as much as I want. All this in a world where many go to bed hungry and don't know where their next meal is coming from.

I could go on and on about how blessed I am.

I believe that God IS a God of blessings. He has made a way that we can be called His Children. That we can be come adopted into HIS family. He sent HIS son to take my place and yours, when it comes to paying our debt to sin. All I have to do is believe and then live a life to show my gratitude to Him by loving Him and Others around me.

So I begin this day, saying, "THANK YOU God for all my many blessings. And when the sun goes down tonight, may you be pleased with my thoughts, words, and deeds."

Texana Designs....Design Team

2012-01-02T10:26:00.014-06:00

In 2010 I began using our Photography to make Note Cards for sale and for gifts. We had so many wonderful rustic Texas Photos so I began looking for the perfect "something something" to make them special. I had been familiar with Texana Designs Rubber Stamps and owned a few of them, so I began looking through the catalogue and discovered how perfect they were to be paired with our photos.

Fast forward 2 years....I was so pleased to be invited to join the Design Team for Texana Designs. Of course, I immediately accepted.

I will be joining
JimmyeSue Mitchell owner
Joyce A. Meyer, Artist/Teacher
and the Design Team.
Janet Bradshaw
Jilda Bolton
Libby Hickson
and
Linda McClain

CLICK HERE to meet the Design Team.

It will be so much fun to create new projects using these wonderful stamps and be able to share my creativity with you, my blog readers and Texana Designs Customers. I am looking forward to a creative 2012.

Don't forget to Follow TEXANA DESIGNS BLOG to see all the latest creations.

Below are some of the note cards I made using Texana Designs Stamps.

WF026 Bluebonnet #2

Longhorn Skull

550806—Cactus Border (with or without snake)

Jam'n Barbed Wire Tree

NEW Jam'n Pumpkin Trio Rubber Stamp

Happy New Year to YOU ALL!!!

EMBRACE

2012-01-01T07:40:00.002-06:00

What is your word for 2012?

The word I will focus on this year is:

EMBRACE

verb (used with object)
1. To take or clasp or hold close in the arms; hug.
2. To take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly
3. To avail oneself of
4. To adopt (a profession, a religion, etc.)
5. To take in with the eye or the mind.
6. To encircle; surround; enclose.
7. To include or contain

noun
1. An act of holding close with the arms, usually as an expression of affection; a hug.
2. An enclosure or encirclement.
3. Eager acceptance

In 2012 I will fully EMBRACE all I do. Whether is is pleasurable or not, I will do it to the fullest and best of my ability.

I will give my all to it.

I will EMBRACE loving my husband. I will EMBRACE being the BEST wife and helper I can possibly be. I will EMBRACE him with my arms, my heart, my support.

I will EMBRACE my family. I will always be there for them and love them, no matter what.

I will EMBRACE my home. I will strive to make it a pleasurable place to be. A happy warm secure and pretty place to be.

I will EMBRACE my friends. I will support them in prayer. I will be willing to help when needed, but using wisdom to know what is helpful and what is not.

I will EMBRACE my talents. I will use them to the best of my ability. I will exercise them in ways to grow them.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY.....

I will EMBRACE my GOD. Because without HIS GRACE, without HIS PEACE, without HIS JOY, without HIS LOVE - I am nothing and can do nothing.

Happy 2012!!!!

Me and My Boys

2011-08-01T18:03:00.001-05:00

November 2009, I did a layout with embellishments I won on a Blog Challenge.

You can find details HERE about the challenge, what I won and the original layout.

I used a picture that was taken in April of 2008. It was a picture of ME AND MY BOYS. I loved this picture so much that I actually had it put on my Capitol One Credit Card so I could carry it with me all the time. Well the card expired and I closed the account, but I still had my layout. I framed it and hung it by my bed. It is the first thing I see every morning when I wake up. I love my Boys.

In the picture are from Left to Right: My youngest Son, Zach, holding his baby boy, Adler. Adler was 3 months old. Of course, I am in the middle. And on my right is Michael holding his baby boy, Drake. Drake was 14 months old.

Fast Forward to the present. I still loved waking up to my layout and my sweet boys, but things have changed in the last 3 yrs. Drake and Adler have grown up and we added another boy to the family. Tate Walker Lambert was born on October 5, 2010.

My birthday was coming up, so I told my children that all I wanted for my birthday was to have another picture taken with ME and MY BOYS so I could replace it on the framed layout that hung by my bed.

April decided to get the family together to celebrate my birthday and so it was the perfect time to have a picture taken. They had even discussed it and decided to wear something that would match my original layout. (except for the ball caps) LOL

Mike took the picture. We came home from the party and printed it for me and it was on the layout and framed within hours. I am ONE HAPPY MAMA/GAMMI.

So here is the new version of my layout.

In the new picture from Left to Right: Michael and Drake who is now 4 1/2 yrs old. Me in the middle holding Tate who is now almost 10 months old, And Zach and Adler who is now 3 1/2 yrs old.

And here is a picture of the framed layout hanging back on the wall by my bed, where every morning the first thing I see is the picture of .........

ME AND MY BOYS.

Finally completed a Layout

2011-06-10T17:32:00.003-05:00

I have been working on these layouts (there are two exactly the same - one for each of the boys) for about a week.
I am not a fast scrapbooker. It takes me a couple of days of moving things around, adding or subtracting embellishments, and deciding what to write for my journaling before I am ready to glue.
The first family picture taken when my youngest grandson Tate was born holds special memories for me and I am sure for the whole family.
The papers are from the ECO stack by DCWV. I added some chipboard birds, some Prima flowers, some buttons, and some bling to complete the layout. The title was cut with my Silhouette SD and true type fonts found on my computer..

Day 1 #30DaysofCreativity

2011-06-01T15:36:00.003-05:00

Today I have completed 2 projects.
The first was to patch my son’s favorite pair of blue jeans.
The second is to finish my pink paisley ironing board cover.

Getting it in Gear

2011-05-31T20:18:00.003-05:00

Beginning June 1st I will be participating in 30 days of Creativity.
I decided to start a little early by doing a little something everyday to get a jumpstart. Being Gammi for a 3 year old and an almost 8 month old doesn’t leave much time to get into my studio and I have found myself in a slump.
Adler and Tate’s Mommy is an art teacher in middle school and there are 3 more days of teaching before summer vacation. Vacation for her means vacation for me. My rejuvenation comes from my creativity. I love the sense of well being that I feel when I have something “beautiful” to show for my efforts.
Sunday May 29th: I cleaned off my work tables from making the Christmas album in my previous post. When I finished I sewed buttons on a vest I made for my husband. He is not a “suit wearer”. His style is Wranglers and Boots. So for him, formal wear is a pair of starched jeans and a vest.

Monday May 30th: We took a road trip, so I didn’t spend time in my studio. But I was creative. My favorite pair of khaki shorts got some spots on them that would not come out. I decided to do some hand embroidery on them to camouflage the spots and make them “cute” at the same time.

Tuesday May 31st: The boys kept me busy today, but after they went home I started my new ironing board cover. It will be fun to iron clothes on a pretty pink and black paisley ironing board.

Gearing up for 30 DAYS OF CREATIVITY

2011-05-28T18:15:00.003-05:00

30 Days of Creativity Website
I finished up THIS mini album that has been laying on my scrapbooking table for several months. With small grandboys in my life there is little time to be creative so I have to grab a moment here or there to work on my projects. School is soon out and their teacher mommy will be taking care of them and playing with then this summer. I will have time to rediscover my creativity and I can think of now better way than this challenge. Watch in the next week for pictures to appear on my blog documenting my progress.

Celebrate the Season

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Happy Valentines Day

2011-02-15T06:02:00.002-06:00

How to make Valentines Heart Cookies according to Adler

1. You roll out the dough.

2. You press down the cookie cutters.

3. You get as many on the rolled out dough as you can.

4. You put some sprinkles on some of them.

5. You wait not so patiently while they bake.

6. Be sure to get some flour on your nose.

7. Put sprinkles on them. I love sprinkles.

8. And then you do a taste test.

9. Just go straight for the icing!!!!!

No more pics of the day, week, year ..... LOL

2011-02-13T06:01:00.006-06:00

The pressure is too great and the time and subject matter is too limited. With spending most of my time with 2 little ones under 4 and the landscape being brown, my inspiration is lacking. I love my grandboys and love taking pictures of them, which I do all the time. But they don't do news worthy things EVERY day and they don't change every day, so posting them on my blog seems kind of silly.

We walk as much as possible, but it has been really cold out this week and we haven't been able to get out of the house. When we do, I am faithful to carry my camera. But I just don't find that much to photograph. Winter in Texas is for the most part BROWN. The only real green, the cedar trees, turn yellow in January as they release their pollen to make almost everyone sneeze or feel cruddy.

So that being said, I will now share a few of my favorite pics from the first two weeks of February.

Every day when Mike comes home from work he and Tate have a little talk.

Three of the most wonderful boys in the world.....at least in the eyes and heart of this Gammi.

Adler really didn't want to take a nap this day, but he just couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. What a position!!!

My little Funny Face, Tater Tot.

And this is my big 4 year old Drake at his birthday party.

Pictures of the week 1/24-30/2011……was Photos of the Day

2011-01-30T19:47:00.003-06:00

Well I started strong, but then I realized that this time of year, I am just not inspired by much that is around me EXCEPT my grandchildren. The weather and the evening darkness have kept me indoors more than usual. So my subject matter is very limited.

My good intentions of taking a picture everyday hasn’t materialized. And then there is the matter of posting everyday. I decided that I would make this more of a 52 week project than a 365 project. That having been said. I will post pictures once a week and hopefully in between there will be some posts of sewing or scrapbooking projects I am working on.

With out further delay here are my pictures for this week.

I got my new Laptop right after Christmas and spent the last couple of weeks installing software, organizing my digital files, and learning how to use my Bamboo Craft pen tablet that I got last summer for my birthday. I am still trying to master it and have several classes to complete, but this week I managed to do my first Digital Scrapbook page in a very long time. I still love paper scrapbooking, but this is a neat way to supplement my scrapbooking when I don’t have time to pull out my paper supplies or when I have a sewing project in progress in my studio.

Monday Adler and I made blueberry muffins. He loved using the hand mixer to beat the batter.

We had some cold weather at the beginning of the week. I love Tate in his Camo hat.

Adler and Drake are old enough to play with their daddies’ G I Joe Action figures. But the 30 year old toys are held together with rubber O rings. The rings have deteriorated with time and I have had to repair many of them.

On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings the boys and I visit my mom. She loves to hold Tate and give him his bottle. She smiles and tell him how much she loves him. So precious memories are being made.

At almost 4 months old Tate is becoming a “smiley face”. I love seeing his eyes sparkle as he tries to talk and sing to me.

And today, Sunday January 30th the weather was beautiful. Unseasonably warm. As we were hiking in McKinney Falls State Park, I saw this pretty little lichen among the dead leaves along the path. It was only about 2 inches in diameter, but the bright yellow added color to the dull brown surroundings.

And with temperatures in the high 70s these young men were enjoying the beautiful outdoors and the sunshine.

1-23-11 Photo of the day

2011-01-23T19:55:00.003-06:00

Happy Boy Tater Tot

1-22-11

2011-01-22T21:43:00.002-06:00

I bought a child size arm chair at a garage sale in our neighborhood. It was soiled, but the form was in good shape and the slip cover could be used as a pattern, so I knew it was worth buying. This week I took the slipcover apart to create a new slip cover.

While I was sewing Adler decided his Firemen needed to watch, so he sat them up on my sewing machine and crawled into my lap.

So rather than stop sewing, Adler helped me. He worked the reverse button and removed pins as I sewed the pieces together.

And he was very happy when his little chair was finished and he could sit in it.

Photos of the day 1-20-11

2011-01-22T21:14:00.002-06:00

Adler plays with his Mr and Ms Potato Heads

1-19-11 Photo of the day

2011-01-19T20:40:00.002-06:00

This happy little face sings to Adler and Tate and teaches them about numbers, letters, shapes and colors.
The Learning DJ by Fisher Price

1-18-11 Photo of the Day

2011-01-18T20:49:00.002-06:00

p
Drake loves his new little cousin, “Baby Tate” He spent a lot of time today watching Tate, sitting by the swing, or wanting to hold his bottle. When I asked if he wanted to hold Tate he started smiling really big. He loves his little cousin.

1-17-11 Photo of the Day

2011-01-17T20:37:00.002-06:00

After a rainy weekend and being house bound we were finally able to get out and walk this afternoon.
The sky was clear and bright blue. At 4:30 you could see the Full Moon in the sky. This is not a sight I am used to seeing in the daylight.

1-16-11 Photo of the Day

2011-01-16T11:12:00.002-06:00

What do Australian Shepherds do when it is raining outside?
They sleep on the couch.
The red merle Aussie on the left is Rusty Blue. He is one year old.
The tri color Aussie on the right is Sydnee. She is 11 years old.
They are both VERY spoiled, as you can see.

1-15-11 Photo of the Day and A Moment to Remember

2011-01-15T19:08:00.002-06:00

Adler had his birthday party today. His mommy and daddy had a party at their house for family and Adler’s little friends. After Cake and Presents we all bundled up and drove to the neighborhood Fire Station. Adler had a grand time. He got to sit in the drivers seat of the fire truck. This is my photo of the day.

But this is the moment I will always remember. When we arrived at the party Adler greeted me with a HUGE hug. He just held on and my heart melted. Mike took this picture and I just had to share it with you.

Adler Gray Lambert – I hope you have the best birthday and many many more happy years ahead of you.

1-14-11 Photo of the Day

2011-01-14T20:55:00.002-06:00

Tate plays with the blue monkey. This is the first time I saw him really hold a toy with both hands on his own. Grandsons are so much fun.

1-13-11 Photos of the Day

2011-01-12T19:44:00.002-06:00

Playtime in the toy room.
Tate enjoys watching his big brother play. He was sitting in his bumbo seat and Adler decided he would share his Super Heroes toys from Mickey D’s with his little brother.

Tate proves you are never too young to appreciate a Super Hero.

1-12-11 Photo of the Day

2011-01-11T20:18:00.003-06:00

Drake came to play with Adler today while his mommy went to a Yoga class. I took this picture of Drake while they were watching Diego on Nick Jr.

1-10-11 Photo of the Day

2011-01-10T19:35:00.001-06:00

Brotherly Love

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1-9-11 Photo of the Day

2011-01-09T18:18:00.001-06:00

Rainy weather is perfect for Creating inside.

Today I am making Fire Department Emblems that will be Cupcake Toppers for Adler’s Firehouse Birthday Party. It’s hard to believe that he will be 3 years old in one week.

Time flies when you are having fun.

1-8-11 Photo of the Day

2011-01-08T20:50:00.001-06:00

One of our favorite road trips is a visit to Sculpture Ranch in Johnson City. Benini is an artist who left Italy during WW2 as a teen. He is a supporter of the arts and an incredible painter. His paintings are very dimensional. This photo doesn’t begin to show the depth of his work. The transition in color is seamless.

To find out more about Benini click HERE

Click on the picture to see it larger.

1-7-11 Photo of the Day

2011-01-07T19:41:00.002-06:00

My mother LOVES her great grandsons. She lights up when we walk into her room. This year I am visiting her on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. That just happens to coincide with the days I pick Adler and Tate at their house in the morning before their parents go to work. We arrive at “Maw’s House” right at Tate’s feeding time.
My mom loves holding Tate and giving him his bottle.
This morning she kept kissing his hand and telling him she loved him. It blessed my heart to see what joy she gets from having some time with the boys every week.

1-6-11

2011-01-06T20:33:00.002-06:00

Aunt Amy and Drake came for lunch today. They brought balloons from Sonic and a Spiderman book to read. Adler loved spending time with them and having Aunt Amy to read to him.

1-5-11 Photo of the Day

2011-01-05T19:38:00.001-06:00

Naptime is a great time to get pictures of my grand boys. Today Tate was sleeping in his swing. I had been sitting on the pillow by him, talking to him. When he dozed up I got up to get some things done.

A little while later, this is what I found. Puppie, my 13 year old Blue Heeler decided she would take a nap with Tate.

1-4-11 Photo of the Day

2011-01-04T21:24:00.001-06:00

Sweet Slumber

1-3-11 Photo of the Day

2011-01-03T20:16:00.002-06:00

Last week we were walking at San Gabriel Park in Georgetown. As we walked around the river bank we saw this buck crossing the river. He stopped and watched us for awhile.

1-2-11 Photo of the Day

2011-01-02T17:51:00.001-06:00

Located by Lake Buchanan on Hwy 29 from Burnet to Llano, TX this Lighthouse can be seen from the road, but everytime we have driven by it, there has never been a clear shot because of Private Property or Foliage on trees that line the road. As we were driving to see the Eagles we passed over an area with guardrails that was close the the edge of the lake. The leaves were gone from the trees so I asked Mike to stop so I could walk back and see if I could get a picture. The closest we could park was about a quarter of a mile from the spot, but I was determined. I climbed over the guardrail to avoid the oncoming highway traffic and made the trek to the opening I saw as we drove by. Fortunately I had my 70-300mm lens on my Canon 40D in anticipation of getting the picutres of eagles, so I could get a nice picture of the Lighthouse too. What a bonus!!!

Click on picture to enlarge.

1-1-11 Photos of the day

2011-01-01T21:04:00.002-06:00

We woke up to sunshine. It was a beautiful day. So we decided to spend it enjoying nature. What better way than to try to find one of the most magnificent birds there is. We drove to Llano, TX in hopes of seeing the Bald Eagles that nest just outside of town.

It requires a big lens to “capture” the eagles if one is lucky enough to see them. This morning there wasn’t much movement. Occasionally one could see the white tuft of feathers sticking it’s head above the edge of the nest. The mother eagle would not leave the nest this morning as luck would have it. Word from someone who had a high powered telescope was that she was protecting her babies.

So here is what I saw. You can click on the pictures to view larger.

And here is a closer cropped view.

Goodbye 2010 and Happy New Year 2011

2011-01-01T19:31:00.008-06:00

I have enjoyed my art in the past year.

I made lots of photo note cards with the hopes of selling them. You will find some pics of several HERE. 400 plus cards later, they are sitting on the top shelf of a spare closet in our guest room. I had fun making them and it filled the need for creativity that drives me. I had plans of marketing them, but then we got word that we were expecting our third grandson, and I knew that I would want to do for him exactly what I did for our other grandsons. Providing him a safe place with lots of love to be while Mommy worked was important, so the cards went on a shelf. They will keep and maybe when Tate is a little older I will be able to do what I originally planned when I embarked on this endeavor.

I made lots of mini albums. Heart of Texas Studios sells the best shaped chipboard albums. I had a ball decorating several for them to take to a trade show in September. You can see some HERE and HERE and HERE.

I also made Teddy Bears. Heirloom gifts for Grandchildren out of a beloved Grandmother's chenille bedspread. Grandmother passed away just after the bears were completed. The teddy bears became a meaningful Christmas gift for 8 grandchildren who lost their grandmother this past year.

I got an email from the lady who asked me to make them yesterday.

She said, "Well, Karen, they were very successful! Everyone cried their little hearts out. I have a nephew that has muscular dystrophy and Downs syndrome. He sat on the couch and just hugged his teddy bear. It was a very sweet, touching moment for my family when the grandchildren opened their present from their grandmother. "

When I read it, I was so honored to have been able to use my talent to give joy to others.

I began using my embroidery machine again. I hadn't really used it much in the past couple of years. But with a new grand baby coming, I had the opportunity to dust if off and monogram some onsies and burp clothes.

My final project for 2010 was a combination of the two - teddy bears and embroidery. My mother celebrated her 89Th birthday on December 29. I was able to give her a very special Teddy Bear as a gift.

So now we are looking ahead to a NEW YEAR. We ask each other what resolutions we are making for the new year? We plan to exercise more, eat better, loose weight, etc. Often we start out strong only to have life get in the way and those resolutions fall by the wayside.

. There are no resolutions being made by me. I am just gonna keep on keeping on as I have been. And that is to continue........

letting my loved ones know how important they are to me
being the best me I can possibly be
giving honor to God for all I have, am, and do.

And I pray that each of you go into the New Year with a spirit of adventure about what is ahead and BE THE BEST YOU THAT YOU POSSIBLY CAN BE.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T05:44:00.005-06:00

Just wanted to wish all my Blog Reading Friends a MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Happy Thanksgiving - My Blessing

2010-11-25T06:07:00.004-06:00

This Thanksgiving will be a quiet day. Our family will be celebrating the holiday on Sunday so that my boys and their families can spend time with their other families on this day. Sunday will be the day I make the turkey and pies and all the fixings. I really don't mind at all because it means that I get a less crowded grocery store to buy all the last minute items needed to prepare a Thanksgiving Feast.

Today I will focus on my blessings. My biggest blessing is my husband. He has given me so much. When we first married, he adopted my son and became instant father to him. He worked hard so I could be a full time mommy to my boys. When the boys left home, he worked hard so that I could take care of my mother. And now he works hard so that I can take care of my Grandboys.

This man always puts me first. He always thinks of what is best for our family, before he makes any decisions. He loves me unconditionally.

So on this Thanksgiving Day, 2010. I say THANK YOU to God for giving me a husband who loves me so much that he makes it possible to have all my other blessings.

And I say THANK YOU to MIKE for all you do for me. I LOVE YOU and will follow you anywhere.

Another Teddy - especially for MOM

2010-11-16T06:36:00.003-06:00

My mother, Catherine B Hall, is the person most responsible for my creative talents. She is the one who encouraged me to explore them. When I was very young she set an example of creating, by sewing my clothes. We would go window shopping and then she would come home and make me whatever I wanted. In those days, it was much cheaper to make a garment than to buy it. That is not the case now with mass production and huge end of the season clearance sales. But it set the bar high for me. I could always have something that was my own. Something that though it was in style, it was just enough different that it wasn't like anyone else's. I loved that. I became my own person because of that and never felt the need to look like everyone else. Yes, there were times that I did follow the crowd, but it was because it was my choice - not because I was trying to fit in.

My mother lived with us for 10 years and was a big part of our lives. She has been in an rehabs and assisted living centers for the last 11 months. At Christmas time this year it will be a year since I have been her companion and caregiver and her 89th birthday. I wanted to do something special for her, because quite honestly, at her age, I may not have very many more Christmases to celebrate with her.

When I created the heirloom teddy bears last month, I got the idea to make a Teddy Bear for my mom. She loves stuffed animals. But this one really had to be SPECIAL.

So I got out my silk remnants from all the wedding dresses I made. I opened my embroidery files on my computer and picked the perfect floral designs to adorn Teddy and I started to work.

To see the progress as it happened check out my FACEBOOK PHOTO ALBUM.

Heirloom Teddy Bears....

2010-10-02T06:31:00.004-05:00

I will be making 9 of these cute little guys. A customer of mine requested them. I am using her mother's old bedspread. These bears will be keepsake Christmas Presents for the grandchildren of the bedspread's original owner. What a neat idea!!!.

The first 3 will be delivered later this morning. One of them needs to be "fed" yet. You may notice he looks a little malnourished. But by 10 am he will be as healthy as his brothers. :)

I can see more Teddy Bears in my future. Adler was helping me stuff one yesterday and he said, "You make me one too, Gammi? I love him." and then he gave the bear a big hug.

Of course I will.

HOTS Bubble Bubble Toil and Trouble - Halloween Album

2010-09-27T09:16:00.004-05:00

Another fun HEART OF TEXAS STUDIOS album complete. -Except for the pictures. I am not sure whether I want to include pictures of my grandsons from previous years or keep it for just this year. So until I am sure, I will just keep it empty.

Scalloped edges punched with EK Success mini scalloped punch. HAPPY letters by Making Memories. Ribbons by Daisy D. Chipboard by Heart of Texas Studio, from a make and take. Yellow window glow by Stickles. Ric Rack by Wrights Trims.

Border Edge of mat punched with Martha Stewart Punch. Buttons by Daisy D. Ribbon by May Arts. Ric Rack by Wrights trims.

Flowers by Prima, Centers Ranger Stickles. Mats cut with Spellbinders Nestiblilities Die. Witch by Heart of Texas Studios. Title Sticker by Daisy D's

Scalloped Circle Mats cut with Spellbinders Nestibilites and embossed with Cuttlebug Pumpkin Harvest Folder. Purple beads hand sewn to mat are from my bead stash.

Bling line by Heidi Swapp. Clear gems colored with Sharpies to add a touch of color.

Buttons from my stash, actually came off an old garment. Page Title stickers by Daisy D's.

Spiders by Inkadinkado are stamped with Versamark, Heat embossed with American Crafts Zing embossing powder, and blinged out with matching Stickles by Ranger. The spiders are dangling by threads of DENTAL FLOSS.

The chipboard Embellishments came from a page kit I purchased last year at Tuesday Morning.

Jackolanterns were designed and cut by me on my Craft Robo. Leaf is heat embossed. Pumpkins are chalked for detail and then Glittered with Stickles.

Chipboard cat by Heart of Texas Studios. Rub ons by Daisy D's. And black braid trim from my sewing stash.

All vintage Halloween Cards were downloaded from the Internet years ago and I have no idea where they came from other than a website that had lots of vintage cards on it.

Halloween Album - The Beginnings....

2010-09-24T05:38:00.007-05:00

I am loving Heart of Texas Studios Chipboard Albums.

This one is their Bubble Bubble Toil and Trouble Album.

This is the front cover and is covered with a digital patterned paper that I printed on my Epson Stylus 14oo Photo Printer. This paper is from Valerie Noles and is part of her entry called Spooky Spots and Witchy Polka Dots to the SYTYCD (so you think you can design) contest at Digi Scrap Addicts for 2009. Check out them out this years contest for new designers is going on NOW!!! It is called Design Apprentice and there are lots of FREE entries to download. You can find more info HERE

The inside of the front page is covered with Halloween Lumpy from W R Memory Keepers Black Out Halloween collection from last year.

The Witches Feet page is covered with the backside of Halloween Patchwork by Teresa Collins from the Whimsical Halloween Collection for Junkitz 2007 The witches feet are completely covered with Stickles Glitter Glue by Ranger.

The back side of the Witches page is covered in Witches Stripe Patterned paper also from the Whimsical Halloween Collection.

The Patterned Paper on the front of the Bat Page is also a digital paper that I printed. It is from Grandmas Scrap 2. The kit called FELT LIKE HALLOWEEN can still be downloaded so go check it out.

The bat is covered with Black sugar coated paper by Doodlebug Designs.

The back of the bat page is covered with 2 different papers. The purple stripe is from a Halloween Page Kit I picked up at Tuesday Morning. Off name manufacturer. The Side with the moon is more Black Out Halloween paper from W R Memory Keepers.

The Beware Patterned paper is another digital paper by Grandma Scraps 2's Felt like Halloween kit mentioned above

All the papers shown here are from the Tuesday Morning Halloween kit. I stamped spiderwebs in the corners of the purple page. The stamps are from Inkadinkado.

The ghost is covered with 3 layers of slightly crinkled tissue paper.

The black dot on the back of the ghost page is also from Tuesday Morning Halloween Kit.

The distressed white background dot called Salt and Pepper is from Reminisce's French Kitchen Collection from 2007

This last page, the back of the Album is also from W R Memory Keepers Black Out Halloween.

All pages are heavily distressed with Black Soot Distress Ink from Ranger, to match the Black Out collection used above. It gives the album a very spooky aged feel, even though bright colors are being used to create the album.

My Zoo Mini Album ..........

2010-09-19T19:20:00.009-05:00

I finished my Zoo album this week and delivered it to Heart of Texas Studios. It is their sample book for the Zoolicious Big Album to be shipped to Orlando Florida to The 2010 Papercrafting Retailer Education & Trade Show

brought to you by

TheCollinsGroup

Since Mike and I love to go take pictures of the animals at the Zoo every chance we get, we have accumulated a plethora of wonderful pictures. I needed some way of displaying them that would also be fun for my grandchildren to look at. I had purchased the Zoo Word Album but soon realized that it was not going to hold all the pictures I wanted to include. I designed the artwork for the album I wanted and visited my friend Pam who owns Heart of Texas Studios. They laser cut the pages for me that day and I came home and started to fill decorate them.

This is a view of the book I created by combining both Zoo Albums. Most of the papers used to cover the chipboard pages came from Hobby Lobby's Safari Paper Pack. All the embellishments were created from my stash of paints, glitters, gems, paper, and flowers. I used my Dymo Label Maker for all the page titles.

This was a fun album to create and when it returns from Orlando, I hope it will bring hours of fun and learning for my 3 grandboys.

ZOO BOOK - A View of the Front

2010-08-31T10:00:00.008-05:00

This is the front of My Zoo Book. All the pages have been sanded and inked with Black Soot Distress Ink around the edges to add a finished look with some dimension.

I doodled the edges of the Z page with an Inksentials Opaque White Pen.

The edge of the first O page was edged with Glossy Accents Glue and sprinkled with Diamond Dust.

I positioned the 3 pictures that will show through the openings of the Z. Page

The second O page was doodled with little dashes to resemble stitches using a black EK Sucess Writer. I added 3 blue rhinestones to this page to give it a touch of Bling.

The 3 chipboard animals were painted with French Blue Acrylic Paint and coated with Diamond Stickles.

The actual title page of the book was edged with French Blue Acrylic paint. The Cheetah picture was positioned to show through the last O of the word Zoo.

The title "Where the wild things are" was cut from thin chipboard using Cuttlebug Hippie Chick Alphabet. All the letters were painted with the same French Blue Acrylic paint and Coated with the Diamond Stickles to match the Chipboard Animals on the Zoo Word.

Now I have the task of deciding which pictures to use in the book. Cutting them to size, sanding the edges, matting them. Positioning them.

When that is done. I will move on to embellishing the book.

STAY TUNED!!!

Heart of Texas Studios Zoo Book - designed in part by ME!!!

2010-08-29T12:39:00.009-05:00

This book will be a combination of TWO ZOO Books from Heart of Texas Studios

The first is their Zoo Word Bloom

and

The 2nd is the Large Zoo Album, designed by yours truly. ME!!!

I loved the Beach Album I completed for Pam as a sample for her to take to Orlando in September to the Vendor Fair she is attending. It was a great size for lots of pictures. Since visiting Zoos is one of our favorite things to do, we have lots of great animal pictures. It was just too hard to narrow which pictures I wanted to use for a mini album, so I decided to design a larger one. I asked Pam and her husband to cut one for me and now they will be producing it for sale. Along with the Zoo Word Bloom that they have been selling for awhile.

Here are some of the shaped pages from the album.

My elephant page is round. In the album released for sale it will be square for easier production.

All the pages are covered with either patterned paper or paint and the edges are sanded. ~~~ Now it's time to distress and detail.

Stay tuned for more pictures as time goes on.....

Cocklit Do - NUTS with Sprinkles......

2010-08-28T19:41:00.006-05:00

He is one of the happiest boys in the world, most of the time. He was definitely happy on Friday. He got a "Cocklit Donut with Sprinkles" He always picks the same kind when Gammi gives into his request to go to the "Donut Store" as he calls it. He asked several times this week so Friday I decided to give in.

I don't think I will be so quick to get him another Donut for breakfast anytime soon.

At 2 1/2, Adler is full of energy. He loves to run and play. He loves to climb. He loves life.

I love keeping Adler while his Mommy and Daddy go to work. My life is filled with hugs and kisses and smiles. But after a morning of play and keeping Adler safe, I am definitely ready for naptime. Usually it isn't a problem. If you can get him still for a couple of minutes, he will usually nod off. A blessed 45 minutes or so of quiet and rest.

But this Friday was very unusual. I noticed Adler was talking to me more than normal. We had lots of fun and interesting conversations that morning, about his toys and the kitty who lives in my phone. Lunch time rolled around and he had a hard time sitting to eat. Because he wanted to talk to the Kitty and show him his toys. That has been one of Adler's favorite things to do. Click Link to see him in Action.

At nap time I can usually get Adler to lay down and with in a couple of minutes he has dozed off. On the days it is harder for him to go to sleep, I can hold him on my lap and jiggle him alittle and with in about 5 minutes he is gone. As a last resort, we go somewhere in the car. He falls asleep pretty quickly, usually before we get out of our subdivision. But Friday nothing worked. Adler talked. ....and talked. .....and talked.

I do believe that his mouth moving so much kept his eyes awake and sleep was elusive.

Whatcha doing Gammi?

And I would stop and explain just about everything I did that day.

Where’d you get that Gammi?

For just about everything I would touch or would catch Adler's attention. And I would tell him I bought it at the store.

What store did you buy that at Gammi?

And I would tell him what store if I could remember.

He would then tell me what stores he liked.

I like the Red Store? (target)

I like the Blue Store? (Old Navy)

I would ask him if he liked Gammi's favorite store (Archiver's which he understood, because we always call it Gammi's store when we go shopping there every week.) and he would say,

No.

I asked him why and he said

They don't have toys.

I said yes they have Gammi's toys.

He thought for a moment and then said

OHHHHHHH. Gammi's Toys

And then we would repeat the cycle again.

Whatcha doing Gammi?

And then there was that other word.....

Whaaaat??

Whaaat??? Whaaat???

The Whaaat’s came after and any directions I gave him. It was like either he didn't hear me, he chose not to hear me, or he didn't understand what I was saying. He would just look at me and say that word. I would repeat myself, and he would say it again.

When we ask him to do something and he doesn't respond we say, “look at my eyes” and when we have eye contact we say, “Follow directions” That usually works.

When it doesn’t we say “ What happens when you don’t follow directions?” and he says. “You get swallowed by a whale” (JONAH)

But yesterday it was “WHAT”

I love him, but by the end of the day I was telling him, “Adler, if you say WHAT one more time, I think I might scream.”

It was a good day. Adler and I had lots of quality time together. But Gammi was tired and maybe a little bit NUTS.

AND ADLER ENJOYED HIS LAST "COCKLIT DONUTS WITH SPRINKLES" FOR AWHILE.

What do you do when the Power is out?

2010-08-23T08:02:00.005-05:00

I was between projects. I had been looking through pictures on my computer and trying to decide which ones needed to be included in my scrapbook next. And then it happened. No warning. No storms. Not even a cloud in the sky. Everything shut down. The computers, the TVs, the fans, the air conditioner. Oh what to do?

The power was out for two hours. It was 105 degrees outside and even though the air conditioner couldn't run it was still much cooler in our well insulated house than it was outside. It was supper time and I couldn't cook so we decided to go pick up some sandwiches, hoping that when we got home, the electricity would be restored.

When we got home the power was still out so I decided to find something to do. As I was getting dressed this morning, I realized that I didn't have any red earrings. I had made a red necklace a couple of years ago, but no earrings to match. Our morning excursion was a road trip to Wimberly. As we were looking through all the quaint little shops, I had my eyes on the lookout for red earrings. Somehow I just couldn't bring myself to pay $15 for a pair of red earrings that I really didn't like or didn't match my red necklace. So I asked Mike to stop at Michael's on the way home so I could pick up some ear wires.

Even though he really dislikes crowded parking lots on weekend days, he was wonderful to brave it long enough to let me pick up what I needed. What a difference between a sleepy little town with almost NO traffic and Austin with it's congestion and inconsiderate drivers. I could have waited but it was on my mind and I wanted to have the things I needed when I was ready to do it, so I asked. And Mike, my wonderful husband, did what he does best. He took care of me and made it possible for me to get what I wanted even if it wasn't the most comfortable thing for him to do.

So now, without electricity and being able to do what I had PLANNED, I was prepared to make my RED EARRINGS.

I'm not a jewelry maker. It is something that I have played at on occasion, but haven't really gotten addicted to like I have my other "crafts". But I am pleased with the outcome. I took apart my red necklace and re-strung it with 2 less beads than before. And used the beads to make my earrings. Now I am a happy camper and the next time I

want to wear RED jewelry, I will be prepared.

So all in all, it was a great day. We took a fun road trip. We spend quality time together. My sweetheart showed me in a big way how important I am to him. And I have a new pair of earrings.

Cowboy Cadillac - THE DETAILS....

2010-08-19T08:31:00.006-05:00

Just wanted to follow up with some detailed close ups of some of my embellishments I created for my Cowboy Cadillac album.

Have an AWESOME AWE-FILLED day!!!

Cowboy Cadillac

2010-08-18T21:00:00.010-05:00

I have the honor of decorating another awesome chipboard album from

Heart of Texas Studios.

As I was planning how to use this album, I thought of all the pictures my sweetheart and I had taken on our road trips. We had several of old pick up trucks. Living in Texas, I had heard the term Cowboy Cadillac often. I thought of the song by Garth Brooks, so I decided that would be the theme of my album.

I printed out the lyrics and used lines from the song as journaling labels for my pictures.

All pictures in this album were distressed by sanding. All the edges of the pictures and the journaling strips were distressed using an electric hair trimmer and lightly inked with Black Soot Distress ink.

I used the 1/2" Corner Chomper by We R Memory Keepers to round the corners of the photos and the black mats for all the pictures.

The front cover which is actually the back of a pickup truck complete with tailgate was painted with Krylon Spray Paint and detailed with Black Soot Distress Ink to add dimension. The sunset scene shows through the acrylic window that I edged with silver sharpie around the top edge and aluminum tape at the bottom edge. I also used the tape on the top edge of the tailgate. The chipboard letters spelling "Cowboy Cadillac" were heat embossed using Ultra Detail Silver Dollar embossing powder from Memory Depot. . The rear view mirrors and the tail lights are cut from metallic cardstock. The bumpers are cut from an aluminum soda can and dry embossed using the Cuttlebug Diamond Plate embossing folder. The tires are cut from black fun foam and dry embossed using the Cuttlebug Herringbone folder. The little license plate is from Karen Foster.

The tailgate drops down to reveal OUR Cow Dog Rusty that was hand cut from a photo. He is standing in a bed of crimped and shredded paper to resemble straw. The chipboard boots and cowboy hat were included in the album kit. I detailed them using Distress Ink and sharpies.

This patterned paper used to cover this album is all from Flair. It is from their western collection. I had it in my stash for about 4 years. It is good to use up old things. The flourish embellishments are painted using pearl paint and coated with a thin layer of Faded Jeans Distress Stickles by Ranger.

I painted this page with brown acrylic paint. Then a layer of Crackle Medium was added. When that was dry, I finished it up with a layer of off white acrylic paint. The only embellishment on this page is the red chipboard arrow that I added the white dashes to using a

Gelly Roll white pen.

The embellishments for this page are cut from real sueded cowhide. I found a picture of a cowhide on the internet. I printed it to size on plain paper and used it as a patten to cut the mini cowhide at the top of the page. I then took some leather lacing and added wooden beads to tie through little slits I cut into the cowhide. The scalloped circle patch was cut using a Spellbinder Nestibilies die and stamped with black Memories Ink using the Longhorn Skull Rubber Stamp

by Texana Designs .

The chipboard saddle was included in this album kit. I colored it using several colors of Distress Ink and highlighted it using chalk to add dimension. Texture was added to the chipboard using my leather working tools and hammering in detail while the chipboard was still damp from the inking. The little rope is hemp twine which I just tied into a lasso and looped over the horn of the saddle.

The flower embellishment on this page was cut from an old pair of jeans using Tim Holtz Tattered Floral Alterations Die.

The embellishments on this page are designs by Silhouette that I cut on my Craft Robo. I inked the edges and detailed the paper pieced Cowboy Boots and Hat with Sharpies and Distress Ink.

I love spending time creating and thinking of unique ways to use the photos that my sweetheart and I take on our road trips. This album gave me a challenge, but I am very pleased with the outcome. I will have lots of memories return as I look at this album in the future.

REMEMBER, each day is an ADVENTURE. I am living my life with

THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE.

My Summer is Over

2010-08-13T05:19:00.008-05:00

It was a wonderful summer. We got to spend quality time with the Grandboys. We took them each to the water park and got lots of pictures. Scrapbook pages or mini albums will have to be made.

Adler found a beach ball and carried it around with him the whole time.

Drake was an old pro at the water park and wasn't a bit afraid to stand right in the middle of a fountain and let it get in his face.

We went to a baseball game at the Dell Diamond and got to see some wonderful fireworks. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the 4th of July.

We went to Galveston. Rusty played in the waves and we sat in our chairs with our Starbucks and watched the sunset. Can't think of a better way to end the day.

We went to lots of State Parks to hike. Brazos Bend was the highlight. Never before have we hiked with the alligators. They were all around us in the water and we even had to stop and wait for a few 6 footers to cross the path.

But the highlight of the summer for me was a trip to the San Antonio Zoo. We had tried several times this year to go see the animals. We actually got to the front gate TWICE but didn't get in.

The first time was over spring break. What were we thinking? We arrived about 15 minutes before the zoo opened and the lines to get in were already almost 2 blocks long. No Thank You.

The second time was a couple of weeks later. We got up and checked the weather. We got on the Internet and checked the radar for San Antonio. We even checked the San Antonio TV station's website for weather reports. NO RAIN forecast within 100 miles of San Antonio. So we headed there. As we approached the zoo it started getting cloudy. We thought that it had just not cleared off yet from sunrise. Sometimes in Texas there will be fog and clouds in the morning but by 9 or so it clears off and the skies are beautiful and filled with white fluffy clouds. That was what we were hoping for. But NOOOOOOO!! We pulled up to the front of the zoo and it started pouring down rain. Not just a shower, but a gully washer. Okay. Scratch that. Not gonna any pics of animals because we can't take our big cameras and lens out in the rain.

The third times a charm. I got lots of pictures. You can find more of the HERE. Below are two of my favorite.

It was a wonderful summer. We took road trips. We spent time with our family. We hiked A LOT. We took lots of pictures. AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL....... WE SPENT LOTS OF QUALITY TIME TOGETHER. Mike and I have been blessed to find lots of things we enjoy doing together.

HE IS MY BEST FRIEND.

He Loves Water, BUT......

2010-07-25T08:08:00.005-05:00

On Day 3 of our vacation we hiked the trail that runs from 183 behind Twin Lakes YMCA to Brushy Creek Sports Complex at Parmer Lane. Its a beautiful paved trail that runs along side the Brushy Creek most of the way. It is about a 4 mile hike for us to the other end and back to the car. Usually we let Rusty play in the creek water so he doesn't get over heated and because he loves it so much.

It is because Rusty loves the water so much that we experienced the scariest and the most joyous part of having him in our life on this night. He does very well off leash and has been very obedient. He was having so much fun splashing in the water, but was on a fairly short leash, so we decided to release him. In joyous abandon, he started running. He kept running following Brushy Creek up under the trestle and out of our sight.

KATHUMPSPLASH KATHUMPSPLASH KATHUMPSPLASH.

It is all we heard as he turned the corner and was out of sight. He was totally oblivious to both Mike and I calling his name. Usually he will go about 10 feet at the most from us before turning around and checking on where we are. Never has he left our sight or continued to run when we called. This sweet red spotted dog with the blue eyes has wriggled his way right into our hearts and the thought of him running away and getting lost just terrified us. What should we do? Mike went back to the trail and ran up to the other side of the railroad trestle that runs over the trail. He saw Rusty in the distance and was trying to figure out how to get to him.

I just stood there. I had been wading in the creek with Rusty. Should I run up the creek after him? I was just about ready to do just that because all of a sudden I couldn't hear his KATHUMP SPLASHES anymore.

I took a couple of steps in silence when all of a sudden....there was that sound again.

KATHUMPSPLASH KATHUMPSPLASH KATHUMPSPLASH....

It was getting closer and louder. And around the corner running just as fast and hard as he was when he ran away came Rusty running straight towards me. Ears flopping in the wind and water splashing with every step. ULTIMATE JOY shining from those blue green eyes (one of each). He ran straight to me and leaned against my legs, looking up at me as if to say. " That was fun, but I am glad I am back where I belong."

Mike said he never got close enough to call Rusty to him, so we can only imagine that he finally realized he was alone out there in the "wilderness" with out his people and decided to come looking for us.

I will never forget the feeling of Terror that gripped me when Rusty first took off running. It will make me hesitate to unleash him near water again.

I will also never forget the look of Joy on Rusty's face as he runs and play in the water.

Summer Vacation.....

2010-07-19T12:23:00.003-05:00

I totally lost the whole month of June, because for some reason, vacation is busier than "work days". Work days for me consist of playing, reading books, preparing lunch and snacks, and trying to get little ones to lay down and take naps. Some of the most precious times for me are tiring and require lots of energy, but there are also those times while my grandsons play with their toys that I can sit at my computer (located in their play room) and work on a blog post. But during the summer when I only keep them one day a month, I stay busy doing things like house work, running errands, and visiting friends while my sweetheart is at work.

During the times Mike
is off work we explore Texas. Because his company changed the vacation policy to "use it or lose it" and he has 3 weeks he has to take off this summer. This week will be the 2nd week of our Summer Vacation. Often we go somewhere out of town, but this week will be a "STAY CATION". We made a list of things we would like to do. Then each morning we will get up and decide what we are doing that day. No schedule (except for the concert because we can't control that - the tickets are already bought and paid for). Just exploring, relaxing, and spending lots of quality time together.

Some of the things on the list are:

Dave Koz, Jonathan Butler, and special guest Sheila E Concert
dinner at 4 restraunts - 3 are old favorites and one is a new one we have never tried before
Check out some of the art galleries and museums in Austin
get up early and go to 6th street to take pictures before the light gets harsh. (photographers will understand this)
Take dinner to a friend who just had surgery
Go to a new Pool Hall that just opened in our town and play some pool and maybe have dinner. (it's nice to play some place other than home once in awhile.)
Take a day trip to San Antonio to take pictures of downtown and the River Walk in the early morning light. And I might get to visit the zoo and a scrapbook store.
Hike in some local parks and maybe a few close state parks. This is our favorite form of exercise and will probably do at least several miles every day somewhere.

The above are things we have thought of. I am sure there are other things we haven't thought of yet that may bump some of the things on the list. Whatever we do will be fun. Whatever we don't do will be saved for later.

The thing that matters most, is that we will be doing it with our best friend - EACH OTHER!!!

And of course our 7 month old Aussie, Rusty Blue will get to do much of it with us.

Stay tuned for pictures - there will be lots of them.

Technology......Can we live without it?

2010-05-27T05:34:00.006-05:00

I have gotten so dependant on TECHNOLOGY. How did I live without it? How did it creep into my life and become such a big part of who I am? I am an artist.

I remember back in the '90s when the Commodore 64 was released and my husband wanted to get one. I didn't want one. Maybe I didn't want something in my house that was "smarter" than me. Or maybe, deep down I knew how dependant I would become on that little smart machine.

But we got one and that little computer with all it's capabilities became a part of my life.

Then came a bigger computer and AOL.
I discovered the Internet
Message boards All of a sudden I could get information about sewing and used the Internet to increase my knowledge for my bridal business.
Instant message I could talk to friends I never met in person, but got to know quite well as we chatted about our hobbies and families. One such friend, Rainy, I have only communicated with on AOL for many years. She is now a Facebook Friend.
Online shopping and free downloads. I got an embroidery machine and had an unlimited supply of embroidery designs to use. OH MY GOODNESS!!! I discovered scrapbooking and then digital scrapbooking and then electronic diecutting machines. My crafty world increased beyond my imagination. Inspiration was at every keystroke.
Email I could communicate with friends across the city or across the country instantly. No more waiting for a letter to arrive. I quit sending cards and letters by USPS.
Online Bill Pay. I quit buying stamps.
Google Research at my fingertips. Type in a word and find the answer. Need directions, type in the address and it not only shows you how to get there, but in many cases shows you what the place looks like too.
Blogging I could share my life, my art, and Who I Am..... with my friends and family. And while writing this post, I just discovered I can do Mobile Blogging. I can send a picture or message from my Cell phone and have it show up here.
Social Networking - Facebook and Twitter - all of a sudden I had all my friends and family in one place.

I discovered cell phones. Mike ordered one with 75 minutes a month to keep just for roadside emergencies etc. I immediately upped the minutes and the we ordered another one. And then one for Zach. We could stay in touch no matter where we were. I loved it.

Soon we quit using the house phone very often. My mom lived with us and we got her a "LifeLine" box so if she needed help while we were gone, she could push the button she wore on a pendant around her neck and get help. So we kept the land line. When she left to live in an assisted living because she needed more care than I could give her, we realized we weren't using the house phone at all. We did’t have to have an answering machine because people could get us no matter where we were and if we didn't feel like answering the cell phone or it was inconvenient, there was built in voicemail. I cut back services on our land line house phone. I was going to disconnect all together, but then I thought, "what if my cell goes dead or I loose it and have an emergency with one of the babies?" So I now have a “metered” line where I can only make 25 outgoing calls a month unlimited incoming for $10 – We also changed our number because we were always getting wrong numbers. Our number was 528-0700 and the big hospital they built in our little towns number was 528-7000. It’s amazing how many Dr’s offices and labs couldn’t dial the number right. LOL I didn't want that house phone to ring, I just wanted to have it in case I needed it.Now the only time the house phone rings is when it is a telephone survey or a political call. The ones that the no call list doesn’t apply to.

About the time I discovered cell phones we started taking lots of digital pictures. We went from a 100 mg card to 2 or 4 gig memory cards. And then we needed back ups so I decided I needed a laptop to take on trips. And external hard drives to back up all those wonderful pictures we were taking. But I digress......

Everyone called my cell phone. But I still just had a plain old cell phone. No Text messages. No Internet. I have a computer and a laptop, why did I need all those extras?

And then I washed my cell phone a couple of weeks ago. I had used that old Motorola Razor with no texts or Internet for 3 years. But I needed a new cell phone now.

I went to the cell phone store and discovered I was eligible for a new Motorola Clik XT for free. OMG. A $400 phone for free. So of course I got it. And all of a sudden I needed. Unlimited minutes. Unlimited Texts. Unlimited Internet. My cell phone bill just increased. But I decided it was worth it.

How did I ever live without it? It is a mini computer with Internet, GPS, email, Facebook, Twitter, texting –that just happens to make calls. It all goes with me now!!!

Sunday we were out exploring the Texas Countryside and I got hungry for a milkshake. I searched for “Dairy Queen” and it gave me directions to the nearest one in a little town 5 miles away. We happened to be in the middle of nowhere at the time. GOTTA LOVE TECHNOLOGY!!

I am sure if need be, I could live without it. But adjusting would be hard. I would have withdrawal.

10 Things I Can't Live Without......

2010-05-19T10:23:00.002-05:00

God He grants me life each day.
Mike, who is my love and my inspiration and gives me courage because he believes in me.
My family, who make life worthwhile.
My Health without it, I couldn't do the things I do, so I try to maintain it.
My dogs. They are a never ending source of entertainment (and work LOL)
My craft supplies. I always have something to create.
The Outdoors. Where my energy comes from. When I am feeling tired or down, all I have to do is go outside and breath in fresh air and nature's beauty.
My Camera because it helps me remember all the little things I never want to forget.
My home. It is my safe place, my refuge.
Chocolate.

Wedding Season has begun.....

2010-05-17T09:21:00.010-05:00

I love weddings. For many years, weddings were my focus. I designed wedding dresses. I had white fabric and lace and bridal tulle everywhere. I got to help plan weddings. But once my kids got married I decided I would step back from my Bridal business.

I still get asked to help by friends.

So far this season I made 2 bridesmaids dresses for a beach wedding in the Dominican Republic. This wedding took place this past week. I borrowed this picture from the mother of the bride's Facebook. I made the blue dresses. This is the bride and her siblings.

We shot bridal portraits at Bob Bullock Museum and the State Capitol for a wedding we will shoot on June 12th. (Mike took most of the pictures for that one, but I will shoot at the wedding) That was a fun shoot, but I can't show pictures yet. Don't want to spoil the surprise for the groom.

I am altering a wedding dress for a friends daughter and making her veil. That wedding will be on July 9th.

And this past weekend my husband and I were photographers for the wedding of one of "our girls". Chelsea grew up across the street from us when we lived in Round Rock. It was a pleasure to watch her get married and help preserve her memories of this day.

Between the two of us, we took over 500 pics. These are some of my faves straight from my camera. It was a fun wedding to photograph.

Chelsea and her attendants.
A kiss from Dad

Mom and Dad with their daughter.

The Beautiful Bride

The bride is laughing. When they started the song for the Bride to walk on, the DJ hit the wrong button. All we heard was "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas".....about 20 times. And then finally the correct song played. The Bride was still laughing when she and her dad got to the alter. At least there were no tears. LOL

One of my fave pictures. The mother of the bride holding the hands of the two most important men in her life. Her husband and her dad.

The KISS

I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Oakes
Chelsea and Matt's little boy, Hayden is feeding his mommy cake.

Did I mention, I LOVE WEDDINGS!!!?!!!

Happy Mother's Day =- A MOTHER'S HEART

2010-05-09T14:15:00.007-05:00

This is one of my most favorite quotes.

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. –Elizabeth Stone

It is sooooo true. Once you become a mom, life is never the same. You no longer think of yourself first. It is that little being and how it will be affected by whatever happens to be going on at the time that is first and foremost in your mind.

Can I provide all he needs? Can I keep him healthy? What kind of person will he grow into? How will what I do affect his attitudes about life and people?

My first child, Billy, came way too early in my life, so I couldn't answer those questions with a definite yes. I made that decision to provide for him the best way I could, and that was by letting someone else be his mother. I always kept in touch. I always knew he was okay. And he always knew I was his birth mom.

Once I grew up a little I had two more wonderful sons. I knew I could provide what they needed and they became the focus of my life.

Now looking back, I know that I did the best job I could for all my boys and my boys are healthy and happy. I know that they found good young ladies to watch out for them, to care for them, to love them.

I know that they are good citizens and they are teaching their children the same values I tried to instill in them.I love my boys. They will always have my heart. It no longer lives in me, but with them.

I don't have many pictures of all three of my sons together. Bill, the oldest grew up and lives in Pennsylvania. This picture was taken in 1988 when my mom and I took Michael and Zach to visit. This is my 3 boys with their grandmother.

The picture below was taken in 1994 when Bill came to visit us in Round Rock

And then I got these two girls to love. And they have my heart too

And then came grandsons. This is one of my favorite pictures.

And next year on Mother's Day, I will have another little one to love. Our third grandson is expected to make his appearance in October.

It's a funny thing about a mother's heart.

It lives outside her body.

It gets divided over and over again.

And it keeps growing.

There is always more love than it can hold

The love keeps flowing over to travel in more and more directions.

WHATEVER DIRECTION HER KIDS SEEM TO BE HEADING, THAT'S THE DIRECTION A MOTHER'S HEART WILL HEAD, TOO!

What can I say.....

2010-04-20T19:24:00.004-05:00

I have been a bad blogger again. But I have a good reason. I have spent the last 3 weeks getting ready for a craft bazaar. I have been making cards like crazy. Over 400 in 3 weeks to be exact.

I had been watching the weather forecast praying it was wrong. 80% chance of rain. Now in Texas that may mean it could rain, but that doesn't always happen. But one thing that does usually happen is high humidity. And paper and high humidity do not mix. So I got up the day of the craft bazaar and checked the weather forecast one more time, hoping it would change. It didn't. So I spent all that time making all those cards for a craft bazaar that would happen on April 17th without me.

But I wanted to show you some of the cards I made. Every card is different. Some have embossed stamped images. Some have embossed designs on the front of the card. Some have distressing on the photos. Some of the photos have been cut. The one thing that all my cards have in common are the photos. All the photos have been taken by my husband Mike or myself and all the photos are custom printed by us here.

I will be ready for the next opportunity. I haven't decided exactly when that will be, but I will be ready. In the meantime, I will continue to sell my cards on ETSY.com .

Spring Break Vacation

2010-03-21T05:49:00.007-05:00

Spring Break .... a week of vacation for school students and teachers is usually a week of vacation for us also. This year we worked around the house a little. We spent a day with the grandboys. We took lots of day trips. We had lots of fun. We spent a lot of time in the car. We saw lots of interesting things. And.....we watched spring unfold in Texas.

Day 1 was a visit to Sherwood Forest Faire where we met lots of interesting characters.

Day 2 of vacation we went to the Zilker Park Kite Festival in Austin. We went early and enjoyed watching families fly their kites. What a neat experience for the little ones it was to see all the kites in the air.

This was my favorite kite.

And after we visited the BIG kite festival, we stopped at Robin Bledsoe Park in Leander to see the Goucher Family Kite Festival. Lela, my daughter in love's sister is such a creative grandmother. She always plans such neat activities for her grandchildren and nephews.

This was the 2ND annual kite festival, complete with kites and cupcakes.

And here is my grandson, Drake, flying his kite.

Day 3 was spent at home. I played with the grandboys, Drake and Adler, while Pops built a new gate for our yard.

Day 4 was a rainy day. We stayed in and worked around the house. Rusty discovered a mud puddle in the back yard, so much of the day was spent cleaning muddy paw prints off the floor.

We went to our favorite Chinese restraunt for lunch and just relaxed the rest of the day.

Day 5 - We decided to head to Guadalupe River State Park to hike. On the road to Marble Falls we saw our first real bluebonnets of the season. Of course we had to stop and take some pictures.

We hiked a "less traveled" trail and spent lots of time exploring and ducking low hanging branches. It was a beautiful spring day and the sky was so blue. Here is one of the pictures of the Guadalupe we stopped to take.

And then we stopped to take more blue bonnet pictures on the way home.

Day 6 - We planned to go to the San Antonio Zoo and the Botanical Gardens. We got to the zoo about 9:30am and the line was 2 1/2 blocks long with lots of people waiting to get in. We decided that with a crowd like that it would be difficult to get good pictures and just drove on by. We went to the Botanical Gardens and walked around for awhile. This was not our most successful day, but we did enjoy each other's company.

This is a picture of the lake at the botanical gardens. It is in the middle of San Antonio, but you would swear you are somewhere in East Texas as you walk around the lake.

Day 7 - We went to Inks Lake State Park
in Burnet, TX . This a view of Devil's Hole from the overlook on the road entering the park.

We took Rusty Blue with us. This was his first State Park hike. For a puppie of 3 months he did exceptionally well. We were very pleased with his behavior and ability to walk on a leash.

We hiked to the river and he loved playing in the water. Here Rusty is saying, "Thanks Mom, that was fun!!!"

Day 8 - The first day of spring was rainy, cold, and windy. We made a trip to San Antonio to do a little shopping. I visited one of my favorite scrapbook stores and Mike visited his favorite pool cue salesman. We both came home happy with new toys. We stopped in Kyle for Barbeque on the way home and then relaxed at home for the rest of the day.

Day 9 - our final day (today) will be spent having lunch with my BFF Geri and then hiking in a local park this afternoon. We woke up to 34 degrees and sunny, so we know it will be a beautiful afternoon to spend outside. Cool but beautiful.

Tomorrow will be back to real life.

It has been a wonderful week.

Congratulations, Judi....We have a winner

2010-03-08T09:03:00.002-06:00

9 commenters on my Giveaway post.....so I went to Random.org and put in 1 to 9 and clicked on GENERATE....... And the winner is.....The 9th poster!!!
Judi said...
Beautiful cards!!! I became a fan and several Facebook friends did, too. Good luck with this new project. I sure it will be a great success.

Congratulations, Judi....I hope you enjoy the note cards.

GIVEAWAY - 6 KALDesign Photo Note Cards

2010-03-05T14:53:00.003-06:00

I want to promote my KALDesign Etsy Shop, where I sell my note cards. So on Monday Morning March 8th I will randomly pick one comment from this blog post using Random.org and send you the 6 cards pictured below. What I would like you to do is either suggest Fans for my KALDesign ETSY Fan Page on Facebook and let me know you did it in a comment. Or if you are not a Facebook user, you can post a link to this blog on one of your forums, or on another blog letting people know about the Giveaway and then come back and post here where you posted the link. Be sure to check back here Monday morning and I will let everyone know the comment that won the Note Cards. You can contact me with your mailing address if you win and I will send you the cards.

All photos on these note cards are originals by KALDesign. The cards measure 5.5 inches by 4.25 inches. They are mounted on Linen finish cardstock and come with matching Envelopes. The cards do not have the watermark on them.

So please, let everyone know about my Facebook fan page and my shop on ETSY.com (you will find links on the sidebar for both of these spots on the web.

Check back here on Monday and see if you are the winner of these cards. Also check back often as I will doing a giveaway from time to time.

Photo Note Cards and Getting ready for a GIVEAWAY

2010-03-04T12:32:00.006-06:00

Mike and I have spent the last five years enjoying photography.

When we first married, Mike spent time as a professional photographer. He shot sporting events and was a party photographer for Baylor University, when we lived in Waco. He did weddings occasionally.

After several years, he let his love for photography go by the wayside and got involved with our boys activities. First soccer, as a coach, referee, soccer board member, and whatever other job needed done. Then as the boys got older, we got involved in radio control racing. It was a family event. Mike and the boys raced and I learned to be score keeper and race director. It was great to be with our boys as they were growing up.

The cameras were not that big a part of our lives at that time. We still photographed important family events and took our cameras on vacation with us, but that was about it.

About 6 yrs ago, when our boys started thinking about getting married was when the love for photography got revived. Mike served as wedding photographer for our sons. I became a scrapbooker. All of a sudden, photography became a big part of our lives again.

We both got new digital cameras and discovered the joy of not having to buy film or pay for processing and printing all those pics we wanted to take. A "monster" was created. Now we both have several cameras and never go anywhere without one.

We spend a lot of time traveling around Texas, exploring little towns, state parks, and back roads looking for the perfect picture. As a result, we have lots of wonderful pictures sitting around the house and stored on our computers. We have been able to bless our friends with pictures of their families, wedding, babies, and art to hang on their walls. But until now, we never really did anything else with our pictures.

We had the idea a couple of years ago about making cards with them. We (Mike and I worked on them together.) made several sets and gave them away as gifts to friends. Everyone seemed to like them. That was as far as we got. We got involved in taking care of our grandchildren while their mommies worked. I also took care of my elderly mom who lived with us for 10 years, so there was little time to take our idea and run with it.

Just recently, my mom went to live in an assisted living center, because she required more attention than I could give her and our oldest grandson started preschool. I had some time to think about what I wanted to do and decided to try and revive my ETSY site again. I wasn't sure what direction to go. I was just going to create some things and see what happened. The first thing I put up were some note cards I had created. I got a positive response and an invitation to be a vendor at a local school fundraiser with my note cards. I took that as a sign and decided to run with it. I have spent the last couple of weeks preparing a inventory of cards and making plans to market them.

I am ready to reveal some of my cards here and want to start by giving some away to my blog readers. In my next post, I will include some pictures of note cards I have available and details of the GIVEAWAY.

Stay tuned!!!!

Unpredictablility - You Had Me at Hello!!!

2010-02-24T05:14:00.004-06:00

My husband just told me that THIS.....

WAS THE MOST UNPREDICTABLE THING I HAVE EVER DONE.

And he is probably right!!!

Thirteen years ago I had to put down MY Australian Shepherd because she was suffering so. Pepper, a blue merle aussie, was 16 years old. She was blind, deaf, and very arthritic. She winced in pain every time she moved. I couldn't watch her suffer any longer, so I made the hard decision.

My husband and son missed having a dog so even though I wasn't ready, I gave in and we brought home Puppie, a Blue Heeler, on Mother's Day 1998. I love her. But she wasn't my idea. Then in February 1999, Mike brought home an Australian Shepherd puppy and presented her to me for Valentine's Day. I sooooo did not want another dog. Sydnee is definitely Mike's dog. Most of the time, I think she doesn't even like me. Occasionally, when she is in the mood, she will grace me with her presence and wiggle a little.

Both of our dogs are getting up there in years. Puppie has a definite limp. She hurt her back leg a couple of months ago when she was running the fence with the German Shepherd next door. It has never fully come back. So hiking with us this spring is out of the question.

Saturday morning, as we were getting ready to go hiking at Palmetto State Park, I was sitting on the floor with Puppie. She knew we were going out and she had that look in her eye. I looked at Mike and said, "what are we going to do when she isn't with us any more......"

So we went hiking alone. Coming back through Lockhart, TX, Mike spotted a pickup truck along the highway with puppies in the back. He couldn't tell what kind they were. He said, "I wonder if they are Australian Shepherds?" We couldn't tell at 65 mph and there weren't any good signs that we could see.

About a half a mile down the road, he decided to turn around. I said to him, " you know, if they are Australian Shepherds, it will be hard not to take one home.....Don't go back."

Mike said, "I just want to see...." I said, "Well, I'm not getting out of the car."

So we turn around and go back. And I got out of the car as soon as I saw a little sign on the side of the pickup truck that said, "AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS"

There were LOTS of puppies. At least 8 or 9 of them. Lots of tricolor, like Sydnee. There were 2 Blue Merles, and 2 Red Merles. One of the blue merles caught my eye first. I picked him up and carried him around for awhile. Mike asked if I really wanted a 'boy' dog. We had never had a boy dog before. I put him down and looked at the others. There was a really friendly tricolor that kept coming to us, but I really didn't want another tri. I was just about ready to leave without a puppy. And then it happened.

This little red dog walked up to the tailgate and made eye contact with his beautiful baby blues. I said, " well, Hello there cutie." He cocked his head one way and then the other, never taking his eyes off mine. HE HAD ME AT HELLO!!! I picked him up and said, "That is intelligence....."

Mike said, " it is, isn't it?"

We took him out to the grass and played with him a couple of minutes. I knew he was coming home with me. I told Mike, " His name is Rusty Blue and I need you to go get some cash......"

HE HAD ME AT HELLO...........

Bad Blogger with NEW THINGS on the Horizon.

2010-02-10T16:30:00.003-06:00

I apologize for being a Bad Blogger.

There has definitely been an adjustment to be made in my thinking after we made the decision to find another home for my mom. She had been with me for 10 years. I don't think it was so hard to see my boys leave home as it was to have my mom leave. I guess the difference with the boys was that I knew they were going on to live productive, happy lives. They would be building families of their own and their lives would be getting richer and better. But with Mom it is different. With her memory fading and her level of activity fading, I can't help but wonder if she is really happy there. She seems to be content, and after two weeks hasn't had any negatives to say.
Today I talked to the activity directors and they assured me they would encourage her to participate in activities. I am anxious to hear if she played bingo this afternoon. I hope she remembers it enough to tell me about it when I ask.
So that is where I have been.

But I promise to do better. There are new things on the horizon. I applied for my Sales Tax Permit yesterday. I'm not exactly sure what I will do with it, but I thought I better get it while I was planning. My activities for the next month will involve getting things made to add to my ETSY Shop. I haven't done anything with it for about a year, but now is the time to get it stocked and see if I can make it profitable.

2010....New Year, New Beginnings

2010-01-03T06:06:00.004-06:00

I start this year with mixed emotions. I have had to make some tough decisions at the end of 2009. But all in all, I am looking forward to see what this new year holds. I know that I am already blessed with a wonderful husband and family. I want to make the most of each day ahead of me. I want to make a difference in this world. I am THANKFUL for my life. I love my life.

Yesterday, January 2nd, I did one of the hardest things I ever had to do. With the help of my brother, I left my mom in a nursing home for long term care. She turned 88 on December 29th. She spent that day at Reliant Rehab. She was there to get stronger, which she has, but they also determined that her decision making skills have diminished and suggested that she could no longer be left alone. That means that I could no longer keep her in my home.

Mom has lived with us since September 2000. We always knew there would come a day that I wouldn't be able to meet all her needs and that we would have to move her to a place that could take better care of her than I could by myself. That day has come.

As I write this, I don't know how her first night in her new home has gone. I am trusting it is well because I am sure that I found the best place possible for her. Hearthstone Health Care is a beautiful facility with lots of caring people on their staff. They have very high ratings with the State of Texas (90% better than most nursing homes in TX). Everyone who works there has a smile on their face. Everyone I spoke to says they LOVE their job because everyone gets along and is Happy. That's the kind of people I want to take care of my mother when I am not able.

I stopped people in the parking lot a week before we took mother there and asked them what they thought of the care that their family members were getting. They had only good things to say about Hearthstone.

I feel good about my choice for Mother's new home. She will have opportunities to make friends that she wouldn't have in my home. She will not be lonely unless she chooses that for herself.

And I will have the best of both worlds. Mother will be safe and well cared for. I will be able to visit, play games, take her out for lunch, bring her to all family celebrations, and even bring her home for short periods to visit. I will enjoy every moment I have to spend with my mom, without the stress and worry that she is getting what she needs to prosper.

But still........
Leaving mom at the nursing home was like leaving my boys on their very first day of school. You know it is the right thing, you know they will be okay. But you see that lost look of 'the unknown' in their eyes and you want to scoop them up and take them home. But you don't because you know it is the right thing to do. Sometimes doing the right thing just PLAIN SUCKS!!!!

Now I move past that and start today with a smile. I will be positive. I will be grateful. I will tell those around me that I love them. I will tell people Thank You when they do me a service or are kind to me and my family. I will take every opportunity to make the most of every day and enjoy life to the fullest.

I am truly BLESSED.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T06:10:00.004-06:00

Today is the day we celebrate God's Gift to the world.

Jesus is the Reason for this Season.

Christmas is a reminder that there is always HOPE!!! God sent His son so that we can have life and have it abundantly. When the world seems to be a dark place focus your eyes on the Light of the World and things won't seem so bad. That is what I am learning this Christmas Season.

There comes a time in each of our lives when we have to look at the mortality of our parents. I lost my dad over 30 years ago. I think of him often. I have lots of wonderful memories of my Daddy's love for me. And I still had my Mom with me. She has lived in our home since September of 2000. I have seen her everyday with the exception of a few vacations we have taken without her. But this Christmas it is different. Her room is empty.

Mother has been declining for a little while. On December 12 she fell in the middle of the night and ended up in the hospital. That was when part of my world changed. A couple of days ago we made the hard decision. Mother won't be coming back to her place in my home. She will be going to a new home. Mother now needs more care than I can give her. She will get the care she needs and deserves. And I will be able to visit her often and enjoy the time I have left with her instead of being stressed and tired and worried about her well being.

As I reflect this Christmas Morning on my life and what this Christmas means to me it is like the picture of my Christmas Tree above. I am in a room where there is darkness and shadows. But there is a thing of beauty that takes over the room. It is filled with hundreds of bright lights that remind me that though there are shadows, there are many wonderful things to be thankful for.
Though I miss my mom being here and am facing the fact that she is no longer the strong woman I remember taking care of me when I was a child, I have many lights to focus on. I will have lots of time to make memories with my mother. We will play games. We will look at old family photos. We will watch movies together. And they will all be good times that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am so thankful that I have time to make more memories with her.

Today is the start of making those memories. I will pick her up at the Rehab Center and bring her to Michael and Amy's to our family celebration. I will watch her open presents and I will watch her enjoy her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

No one knows what the next year will hold. But I will focus on the lights. I will focus on the bright points in my life. And I will be grateful for every one of them.

I heard this quote on the radio the other day as I was driving to visit Mom.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

Gratitude will be the theme of my life as I enter a new stage in my relationship with my mother. Today I move from being CAREGIVER and go back to being DAUGHTER.

And today I am more able to focus on my other roles in life.

WIFE

MOTHER

GRANDMOTHER

SISTER

FRIEND

CHILD OF THE KING WHOSE BIRTHDAY WE CELEBRATE TODAY

My Little Hero - My Little Angel

2009-12-13T05:45:00.003-06:00

Sometimes you just know God is in control. Sometimes you know that He is watching out for you and those you love in a way you never expected or imagined. Sometimes He uses a little child. We are approaching Christmas Day - when we celebrate the birth of a little child that came to save the world. Jesus may not of been born on December 25th, but that is when WE celebrate. It is a day that our family comes together to read the story of Jesus birth and exchange presents as a symbol of the Greatest Gift that God has given us.

This year we will also celebrate how one small little boy was instrumental in saving the matriarch of our family.

Drake spent the night with us this past Friday night while his mom and dad went to a Christmas party. He was settled in his room fast asleep so I went to bed in my room. "Maw" (What Drake calls his Great Grandmother Hall) was asleep in her room downstairs. Drake's room is at the top of the stairs and my room is at the other end of the hall.

At 2:30 am, I heard Drake calling me. "Gammi. Gammi." I went to him and I told him I would be right back and he said, "Okay, Gammi" Normally he would have wanted me to lay down with him right then. I walked out of his room and heard what I thought was my cat meowing at the bottom of the stairs. It was that kind of sound. As I listened closer, I realized it was my mother calling for help. In a weak voice she was calling, "Help. Help"

She has a life alert button, but in her confusion, she forgot about it and was just calling out.

I found her sitting on the floor with her back against the bed. Apparently she had fallen while trying to go to the bathroom and couldn't get back up. If Drake hadn't of called me, I might not have heard her.

Mike and I got her up off the floor, but when I tried to help her to the bathroom, her right leg would not respond and she couldn't walk. So I sat her in her chair and called 911. I thought she had had a stroke since she has battled high blood pressure and has had some mini strokes in the past.

Drake's mom and dad got here for him at the same time the firetruck and ambulance arrived. So Drake got to see the flashing lights and all the excitement.

We got my mom to the hospital and discovered she had had a heart attack. If Drake had not awakened me when he did, God only knows what the outcome would have been. But the point is, God does know. And He also knew that it would take a little boy to wake me on a night that my mother would need me to respond to her.

The next morning Amy, Drake's mommy, told me that the first thing Drake said when he woke up was, "I want to pray to Jesus". When she asked him what he wanted to pray about, the first thing he said was, "MAW" He also prayed for Santa and his cousins. But Maw was on his little heart. What childlike faith!!!

While we were talking on the phone, his mommy asked him, "Did you hear Maw calling for help and wake up Gammi?"

His reply was......
"Yes and then the firetruck and ammmmulance came and rescued her!!"

I told him, "You're my little Hero"

and his reply was. "I know"

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2009-11-26T06:10:00.002-06:00

I have been doing the 30 Days of Thankfulness on Face Book. I started a little late. I wanted to preserve my list in one place. What better place to do it, than my blog?
I want "THANKFULNESS" to become a way of life for me.

So here it is in case you are interested.

The # before each "thankful" is the date I posted that "thankful" on FB.
3. Another beautiful day in Texas. Two sweet little grandboys to play with. All the bills are paid for this month. I have a lot to be thankful for. I will do it everyday, not just on November 26th. God is so good.
5. A beautiful Thursday......Hope all my friends are blessed beyond measure today.
6. I am thankful for the end of another good week and the beginning of a great weekend. Tomorrow I will see dolphins and whales.
7. I am thankful for a wonderful day in San Antonio. The weather was WONDERFUL!!!!
8. I am thankful that I don’t have to go out in the rain anymore this weekend. I am home to stay.
9. I am thankful for a new week. I am also thankful for a place to CREATE.
9. I am thankful that we have food….even if the meat is tough. LOL. How can cubed steak be tough? My chicken fried steak was a bust tonight.
10. I am thankful for a husband who works so hard to take care of our family. And I am thankful that because of him, I can take care of my mom and keep her here rather than alone in a nursing home.
11. I am thankful that Wednesday is grocery store day. It means we will have fresh food to eat for the next week.
11. I am thankful for all those men and women who server our country in the military. And for those who served in the past. I am thankful that because of them, I can live in a great country of Freedom.
12. I am thankful for good news. Yesterday was a day of good news concerning friends health issues. Thankful for answered prayer.
13. I am thankful for Friday and another wonderful weekend adventure with my sweetie. I don’t know what that adventure will be…..just know it WILL be an adventure.
14. I am thankful for a warm soft bed and a good night’s sleep that leaves me refreshed for a new day with my family.
15. I am thankful for the glimpses of sunshine that pokes from behind the clouds occasionally.
16. I am thankful for my wonderful daughter in loves, April and Amy. Today is April’s birthday. I am celebrating today because when she was born, God knew she was going to be my son’s wife. I had to wait to get daughters but God blessed me with the best. I am thankful for their mothers who showed them by example how to love God and their families.
17. I am thankful for a place to create. And loads of things to create with. And a supportive husband who understands my need to create.
18. I am thankful for the heater that keeps my home warm and comfy when it is cold outside.
19. I am thankful for my brother, who helps with my mom whenever I need it and takes care of the details. He often steps outside of his comfort zone to do what he can.
20. Today I am thankful for the rain on the roof and the snores in my ears (My sweetie on one side and Puppie on the other). It means I have a home and I am not alone.
21. I am thankful for a day of creating and an an evening with my LOVE.
22. I am thankful for the people in my life. I am so richly blessed by my family and friends.
23. I am thankful that my love is on vacation this week. We get to have lots of adventures. Today we will play with GRANDBOYS and have fun.
24.I am thankful, today and EVERY day, for my wonderful sons. Michael Lambert and Zach Lambert , I know I don't get to spend much time with you because you are busy being great husbands, fathers, and providers for your family. But I want you to know how much I love you and how very proud I am of both of you. You're the best!!!!
25.I am thankful for my computer. I can keep in touch with my friends. I can explore for inspiration in my creation. I can find the answers to many of my questions. And I can keep pictures of my family at my finger tips to look at when ever I please. Technology can be a wonderful thing.
26. THANKSGIVING DAY I A M T H A N K F U L F O R L I F E ! ! !

I leave you with this question........
WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR??????

I Entered a Blog Challenge

2009-11-24T18:41:00.009-06:00

Back in September I entered a Blog Challenge on one of the blogs I follow regularly. Karen M. of Real Life in Pictures. hosted the challenge in honor of National Sewing Day on September 10th, The "Sew Happy" challenge which was to:

"add something that you would typically use when sewing" and add it to your card, layout, or project! Some examples of items are the following (pins, thread, buttons, zippers, material, rick-rack, ribbon, lace etc). You can find her blog post HERE.

Click HERE to see my layout for this challenge.

This is the prize I won for entering.

When I opened the envelope I immediately "fell in love" with the papers and embellishments that I received. All the embellishments were handmade and absolutely beautiful. I use a lot of turquoise and green so I knew I wouldn't have any trouble at all using this wonderful prize. As I laid everything out on the table to look at it, I realized I had THE PERFECT PICTURE. The picture was one of my favorites that I have been saving for the right inspiration. And when I looked at this set of papers and embellishments, I was inspired. It was a picture taken in April of 2008. At a family gathering, I asked Mike to take a picture of me with my boys and grandboys. I loved the outcome so much that I had it put on a credit card so I could carry it with me all the time.

And here is my layout using the kit.

The only thing I added to the mix was the Making Memories Rubons that I used for the title, Me & My Boys, a few pieces of solid cardstock, and the Making Memories Chipboard Flourishes and butterfly. The turquoise mat was border punched using an EK Success Single Embossed Curve border punch.

The spots from left to right across the top of the page:

The journaling spot that I added "Me & my" to was part of the kit
The metal rimmed Family tag. The words family were printed on transparency also came I will be attempting to make some of these myself in the future.
This spot was created using Spellbinders scalloped circle cut from purple patterned paper and circle of black cardstock. The turquoise piece was first border punched with the Fiskars threading waters punch and then cut using a circle die positioned over the border.
The last spot is a black cardstock scalloped circle topped with a flower included in the RAK.
The white flower is layers of paper flowers that had been Cuttlebug embossed and topped with a small silk flower.

The spots from top to bottom.

The top spot in this picture is created with a turquoise scalloped circle, a white and black patterned paper circle, and the border was punched with a Martha Stewart border punch and then circle cut. The 3 little heart brads that embellish this spot were included in the RAK.
Turquoise patterned paper circle topped by black and white polka dot patterned paper border punched using the Martha Stewart loopy punch.
Green dotted patterned paper scalloped circle topped with turquoise cardstock circle. White and black patterned paper is border punched with a dotted scalloped punch by EK Success This spot is topped with a chipboard butterfly sprayed with my homemade "glimmer mist". The tiny pearl strip down the middle of the butterfly was part of the RAK.

The grouping of embellishments in the lower right corner all came from the RAK, except the chipboard flourishes. I painted them using my homemade "glimmer mist". I used a Ranger mini mister filled half full with water. To the water I added 3 drops of Peeled Paint Distress Ink Reinker, a tiny scoop of Pearl Ex gold pigment powder, and 3 drops of Gum Arabic, which is a binder. I shook it all up and sprayed it on the chipboard in layers until I reached the desired intensity allowing it to dry between layers.

Thanks goes out to Karen at Real Life in Pictures for the wonderful RAK of beautiful papers and embellishments. Check out her blog to see some of her beautiful items that she makes using her Cuttlebug.

SATURDAY ADVENTURE

2009-11-15T11:51:00.006-06:00

I haven't been a very good blogger this month. I've been busy playing with my sweet grandboys and life in general. Life has been good - no, it has been GREAT!!! I haven't spent much time at the computer so I didn't update my blog. I didn't do much creating, so I didn't update my blog.

Yesterday we decided since it might be the last gorgeous day before some cold weather rolls in, that we would spend the day exploring. We started out heading to South Austin. If we don't have anything else planned for Saturday morning, we know we can get in some good exercise, good pictures, good breakfast, and a general sense of well-being by heading south. We begin by parking off Barton Creek between Daughtry Art Center and Parmer Auditorium. The grounds there are always beautiful and there is a very clean public restroom.

This Muhly Grass was pretty. It was heavy with morning dew and even though it was quite hazy out it still glistened as it bent over with the weight of the water droplets.

We headed across Riverside Drive to Auditorium Shores, We crossed over Lady Bird Lake on the First Street Bridge and walked the trails by the lake to Lamar. As we crossed back over the Lake on the Lamar Blvd Pedestrian Bridge we stopped to take some pictures.

Looking to the east is the railroad bridge. The sun peeked from behind the clouds just enough to make the water glisten with a silver sparkle. Two men were fishing from a boat making a nice silhouette, so I had to snap this picture.

And looking to the west, past the Lamar Blvd bridge the sky was clear and bluer. This picture and the one above were taken within a few moments of each other. It really shows how things can change in just a matter of moments as clouds roll in and out.

There is a planter of beautiful roses on the pedestrian bridge. They were so pretty covered in the morning dew. The bush that this pink bud was part of gave off a sweet aroma. It was good to just breath in and enjoy the beauty.

Back over on the grounds of Parmer Auditorium I found this plant. The blossoms were covered in dew with droplets of water collecting on each petal.

Mike snuck this picture in as I was concentrating on capturing some of the roses near the fountains at Parmer Auditorium.

Another perfect rose bud.

After our "nature" walk we headed to Torchy's Tacos on South 1st Street. They make a great Migas breakfast taco with fresh avocado and pico de gallo. YUMMMM.

After breakfast we headed to the Farmer's Market. Mike enjoys Hot Rock'n and Pop'n Kettle Corn and they have a booth there every Saturday morning, so when we are close by, we always stop to get him some.

We came home, did a little work around the house and then headed north to Belton to explore the historic downtown area. There are some cute little antique shops on the square around the courthouse.

This picture is taken from the corner looking up past a statue of one of Belton's forefathers to the Court House Rotunda.

The shops were full of wonderful antiques at very reasonable prices. Not only is it fun to explore, but there are many opportunities for still life shots that may someday grace the front of a note card.

I was fascinated with this rooster statue sitting on the sidewalk in front of one of the shops, so I snapped a picture.

My favorite shop was "BY GONE ERA" This wonderful store was full of vintage clothing and other treasures. The displays were thoughtfully done and there was so much to capture my attention. I will definitely visit this store again and again.

And this is my TREASURE from the day's adventure. My new bird cage is about 22 inches high and 15 inches in diameter. It is made of Teak Wood. The door "lock" and the legs are hand carved. I have no idea how old it is, but I feel like I got it for a bargain price. Now I will be on the lookout for the perfect bird to live in my cage. I am thinking something very eclectic and altered. My sweet husband thinks it should be KEVIN from the movie UP. We'll see.

After exploring Belton, we decided to head back south on the country roads to avoid any traffic that might be on the interstate because of the UT/Baylor Football game that had taken place in Waco earlier in the day. The UT Fans could be heading home by late afternoon and clogging the highway.

Heading down Farm to Market Road 1123 through Sommmer's Mill, we saw this house by the damn. It would be a wonderful place to live. The trees were beginning to change color making a peaceful setting to stop and enjoy the view for a couple of minutes.

It was nearing suppertime, so we decided to head towards Walburg and see if we could find something to eat. We got to the Walburg Restraunt just before 5 so we were able to get a table without a reservation. Mike had chicken friend steak, which he said was very good, but I had to have some real German food. My family heritage is German. My grandparents were 1st generation Americans. Their parents were all German immigrants.

In honor of my German Heritage, I chose
Schweinebraten.

Heading back home after a good meal, Nature entertained us with a beautiful Sunset.

Thus ends our Saturday Adventure.

November 14, 2009

Happy Halloween 2009

2009-11-01T05:29:00.008-06:00

Halloween can be such a fun time of year. I am not crazy about all the ghoulish things out there. All the graveyards people plant in their front yards and all the scary ghoulish decorations. But I love that we can help our little ones dress up and be someone or something else for a day. We can teach them to pretend. They can be whatever they want. Like Dinosaurs or UT Football Players. And I love that we can see the smiles on their faces as they play the games and get candy for their efforts. I love that we can give out candy to the neighborhood kids and see the smiles on their faces as they yell "Trick or Treat".

I love this picture I have so much fun with these two little boys. They make my world happy. They make me have hope for our future. I know they will help make a difference for those who they cross paths with. They have so much JOY in their lives.

Football Player Alder getting ready to make a pass. And as usual, he is being Supported by his Biggest Fans. Mommy April and Daddy Zach. They cheer him on in everything in life.

Drake the Dinosaur and his Cave Mama-Amy and Cave Daddy-Michael. I am so proud of Amy. She made the costumes that she and Michael are wearing. I hope that they had a wonderful day playing with Drake and making memories.

Waiting for C A N D Y !!!

Is this just the cutest little UT Football Player you ever saw???

And I love the smile on this little bouncy Dinosaur so much.

Have you ever.....

2009-10-27T09:16:00.011-05:00

gotten excited about scrapping some really cute pictures?
come up with the perfect paper and embellishment ideas?
worked a whole day putting lots of detail into the layout?
felt a real sense of accomplishment when you were finished?

Only to discover when you got out the album that you were going to put it in........

YOU HAD ALREADY DONE A LAYOUT USING THOSE VERY SAME PICTURE.
THAT THE LAYOUT AND COLOR SCHEME WAS TOTALLY DIFFERENT
AND YOU COULDN'T DECIDE WHICH LAYOUT YOU LIKED BEST

I did it not once but TWICE.

This layout was for my Book of Me. It is not something I work on often. I do a page every so often with the thought that someday my grandboys will want to know more about their Gammi.

This picture was taken at Michael and Amy's wedding. It is one that I actually like. That doesn't happen often. So I decided to make a layout for my album.

About a year later I found a digital overlay of a saying that I liked and was using as a tag line in my emails at the time. I decided to make a layout using it. So I picked my paper and printed the overlay directly on to the paper. Then I went to my stack of pictures that I keep in a basket on my scrapbook table. I found this one. I had forgotten that I had already used it. I completed the layout and discovered the first layout when I went to put it in the book.

For now - they will both stay in my album. They feature the same picture, but the layouts themselves take 2 very different directions. The first one is introspective. The second puts it out there. Both describe WHO I AM..........

In this layout, the pictures came first. Then the layout and all the embellishments. I did this layout 1 month ago as I was filling in months in Adler's scrapbook. Everything was planned after the pictures were printed.....but I forgot doing this page. Blame it on the fact that I was planning our vacation in Key West. Blame it on the fact that I was in Key West. Blame it on the fact that I just have "Gammi" brain and forgot.

But nonetheless....I was looking through my beach embellishments and paper and found the Sun and Waves tags. They were some digital files I had printed a long time ago. I was fascinated with how easy it would be to add dimension to them. So I did. I used Diamond Glaze and tiny beads to create the beaded backgrounds. I added brads where there were brads on the tags. And I cut out the sun and the beach ball and used pop dots to raise them up and add dimension.

Then I found cardstock to match the tags. Planned the layout. Printed the pictures. And cut the title. This is what I ended up with. When I opened Adler's Scrapbook my heart skipped a beat. I couldn't believe I had spent so much time and energy on the same pictures. I felt pretty dumb to have forgotten using them at the time, but I have learned something from this.

Inspiration comes from different sources. Sometimes it is the pictures themselves. But more often it is another element that catches my attention. The pictures become secondary in the creation of the art. Regardless of the inspiration, though, in the end the outcome will be the same. I will have preserved a memory in a way that only I can. I have created art and preserved memories that will mean something to my family and future generations who see my work.

OOPS....forgot a page

2009-10-24T07:56:00.005-05:00

As I hit Publish Post, I realized I completely forgot to scan and stitch a page of the Album. It is the page with the picture of my sweetie and I standing on the beach, that you see when the door is open. So I wanted to add it here.

THIS is my FAVORITE PICTURE from the whole trip.