Happy National Scrapbooking Weekend!

Wishing everyone a Happy National Scrapbooking Weekend and a Happy Mother's Day too!   I'll post a little about what I've been up to, then celebrate NSW with a FREEBIE!

One thing that I do each week is update my church women's blog and I'm mentioning this here because the OCC Women's Online is coming up to 100 posts in the near future so over the coming weeks we will be giving away some books!  This week's book is:

So if you might like to WIN this book, just leave a comment over on the blog - click HERE!   Send a friend or two - also, each week we give away new FREE Scripture wallpaper for your computer, check this out under "The Gallery" tab.  Besides the free stuff there's a lot of good inspiration to be found, a wonderful place to be inspired. 

I'm also continuing to work my way through the "Simplify Your Life" workshop (via listening to podcasts from middayconnection.org and offered by Marcia Ramsland who is a professional organiser. 

One month later, 107 photos in my online Picasa web album and my house is really shaping up.  I've got SPACE and it feels wonderful - this will propel me to do some redecorating soon.  I've gone through 90% of my drawers and cupboards and the last thing I tackled was chopping down a TON of cardboard boxes I'd been saving.  Many of them were for pieces of equipment or appliances, kept thinking that if we ever had to return an item...  I've got a few friends following along and some even working along with me and its SO encouraging.  You're welcome to join the fun!

I have to share this sign I saw yesterday (on the way to the thrift store where I was headed to retrieve a pretty cupcake stand I saw the day before and decided to buy, but then it was GONE ... sigh ... you snooze you lose - but I DID buy a splatter cover for the microwave and I'd had my eye out for one of those!) 

Is it just me - or is this funny?   I get this mental picture in my mind:

Like inside that building there are people sitting at tables with art supplies... DRAWING meat?  *snort*

 

And I've been teaching digital art class on Fridays at YouLearn.ca Oliver branch.  Its just a few hours in the mornings and its proved to be a lot of fun.  Yesterday's class we did "self portraits" using Art Rage.  I took my sweet Mr:

And turned him into:

I should have corrected his "lazy eye" - he's quite shy about this but it shows up whenever a camera is pointed in his direction.  What a great subject he is though!

I have permission from Jill and her son Cameron who are taking this workshop to use photos of them to show you what we are doing, its such a joy to have family working side by side.  They are so positive, enthusiastic - and as it turns out - talented!

Jill and Cameron - DIGITAL ARTISTS!

Cameron has a good handle on his self-portrait

Jill and herself :)

Can you believe this is her first attempt?  Do you know Art Rage has a FREE version?  just click HERE to check it out!   Saves a ton of money on art supplies. 

And now, on to this being National Scrapbooking Weekend - there are a ton of great giveaways and offers all over the Internet today - I'd like to point you to a few places, you can find them in my sidebar.  In particular Scrapbook-Elements is hosting some fun events, my friend KimB always has wonderful products and gorgeous giveaways (more about that tomorrow or Monday because I used her kit to make a special project)  and then Linda too.  But seriously, check out some of the links in my sidebar for scrapbooking and you will be bound to find lots of great stuff to celebrate!

And even ME since I was already in Art Rage I decided to paint up a little goodie I cooked up - for you for NSW.  Enjoy!   (and Happy Mother's Day!)



Personal Use

download 

Mojo One-Eighty-Nine & Mel's Magnificent Candle Man

Did you'all get in to vote today?  I hope so.  I almost did not - my day completely messed up from the get-go!  I think its because I decided to take the advice of the "Simplify Your Life" series book suggestion to make a schedule so I did that and had it all laid out... so of COURSE everything went south.  Well the first thing was that I guess I'd bopped my camera yesterday, in all the fire excitement, unbeknowndst to me (I KNOW thats not a real word!) I must have given it a small hit and the shutter zoom button sprung off.  Its only a month old.  I took the chance and drove it up to London Drugs - which was not in my schedule.  By the time I came back to the school where my Mr. teaches in the neighboring community it was mid morning, then my sweet friend Mel O transported me home, down to vote, home again.  Sigh.  I made it through. 

Right, so my card, which I did in pecks between my latest tackling of a huge bank of storage closets in the basement. 

This is as good as I can get with my iphone, seeing as I am camera-less for a few days.  I know my Mr. will loan me back the Nikon - might cost me a few batches of something baked, or perhaps a foot massage.  And a last note I just added three white pearls to this shrivelly strip because I forgot the three dots.  Various Stamps etc, can't find the names. Sorry!

I talked about my friend Mel O the other day - she's a dear friend and she comes and stays over now and again, which she did this last Saturday night and we watched an Janette Oke movie, ate sweet/salty homemade popcorn with toasted coconut and toasted walnuts and painted our nails - purple, yeh believe it or not the Mr. picked it for me.   But I had to share this craft Mel makes.  This is her quaint Santa figurine she's making for a family friend.  Totally made from Beeswax sheets - these take her FOREVER to build.

She says the beard will go much further down.  I have a set of these, a Mr. and Mrs. S... mine have wicks in, but I'll never burn them, they are too much fun to look at.  







A Birthday and A Burning....

This morning I got a call to say that "Somethings BURNING!!!"  so me and my friend Mel. O. jumped in her car (dressed in our Sunday best) and headed to town.

Being it's my Brother in Law Mike's  birthday being celebrated today, one might assume that this smoke could be rising from the candles on his cake...

THIS being the belated card he will be receiving as it somehow did not make it quite into the mail box... we will refrain from any finger pointing here (don't want to do things that might rattle Mike at his age, hehe!)  Oh and this card will be in the mail tomorrow - so hopefully it will look as good in real life.  We hope your celebration was a wonderful one! 

Back to the fire - now, it's not at this restaurant (I'm sure the owner is very relieved!) but I could not help take a photo of this - notice the name???  The fire is in the buildings two stores down. 

It amazes me that one day a place is fine, the next its tinder.  A reminder how fragile is the balance of our lives.  Coulda been me! 

The fire started before 9 this morning and it took out both the Dollar Store and also Osoyoos Christian Ministry Thrift Store.  My friends Iris and Abraham De Vries ran the thrift store and a dear friend also volunteered there for the past several months, putting many hours into re-organizing!  No insurance is the sad sad news.  

Both these stores were assets to the community and will be sorely missed.  The owners were all personable and generous.  At the dollar store they were always supportive of Operation Shoebox, giving a discount on items intended for Shoeboxes going to children in third world countries at Christmas - sometimes the ONLY gift these children might receive. 



Won't you pray for the owners and employees of these businesses, please? 

Because tomorrow, and for many days to come, its going to be very difficult for them.  Imagine if fire ripped through your work place - the ripples are felt all through our community. 



If you would like to leave a comment or prayer for my friends I'll certainly pass them along. 



My Art Class - (first time teaching!) and I meet a RAT!

I taught my first digital art class today, and survived!  I actually enjoyed it as did the students.  We explored Art Rage and learned how all the tools work and then the students did their own paintings.  Next week we will graduate them to a more serious piece of art. 

It was especially nice to have Jill join her son Cameron in the class, they both smeared a lot of digital "paint" onto canvas and were very enthused about the whole class. 

Oh, and all I can say is "Whew and Thanks" that my Mr. was there to help me or I would have been a basket case!   He does this instructing thing for a living and gave me many valuable pointers.

Here they are with their first ever masterpieces!  And yes, it was windy - Jill's hair is not jumping for joy on it's own :)  Thanks for your permission for me to post these photos and I look forward to seeing you next week!

And I met a rat today as well.  Who knew when I woke today that I would meet a rat?  Cute little feller but awful hard to catch on film for it squiggled around so much so I have decided to put it in a slidesho so you can get an overall feel for the 2 minute photo session. 



Meet The Rat

Twitterpated Robin

I kept hearing something "tapping" at the window yesterday and I'd keep peeking outside until I realized it was this Robin. 



It would hop from the top of the cedar to the ground where it would gobble up worms as if it were a spaghetti feast.  But that did not explain the tapping sound.  So, I snuck quietly back into the shadows of the house...

And next thing you know, Robin is looking right in at me! 



But I only flatter myself, for Robin was in love with it's reflection and it spent the entire afternoon fluttering up and down against the glass.  Narcissistic little thing!

Mojo 188

My Mr and I were at the coast this weekend spending Easter with our family - a warm, wonderful and restful time.  As there is no internet connection beyond my iphone its very relaxing indeed.  I think we need that break from technology now and again, though I ate far too much delicious rich food (my Mother in Law is a fabulous cook and caters to all our favorites!) and watched countless shows on the food network.  I'll be hitting the machines this week in an attempt to burn some of it off. 

We arrived home mid afternoon and it began to rain not too long afterward.  When it came it came in buckets making it for a nice stay-indoors evening, a perfect time to craft this Monday's Mojo! 

Yay!  Thank you Mojo Ladies...  nice and simple and also a choice of shapes.  Why if you lived here I'd take you to Tim Hortons and buy you one of them new triple chocolate donuts I saw (salivating at the glass counter)



I love this paper my Sis gave me - all shimmery and pretty, good for all sorts of projects.  I really have to make myself use the prettiest papers because I have a tendency to hoard them... for what?  I don't really know.  So today I used this stuff up.  The stamp is from Inkadinkadoo.  I love saying that word.  I would annoy you if you happened to be here carding with me.  My Sis would tell me to "Shut the Kazoo (off)" 



The inks in blue and brown were from Michaels.   Well, that's it for now - perhaps I'll have another chance to card this week, we will see.  I'm teaching digital art lessons to grades 5-7 later this week and that might tax my artistic side.  Hope you all had a good weekend!

And there you have it!

before - duh!

Ahhhhh-fter!

And there you have it.  I am willing to publicly share my junk drawer.  Now, lets see YOURS!  C'mon, I dare you.  Won't you join in the fun and get organized at the same time?  I'm several rooms/closets into the "Simplify Your Life" series by Midday Connection and Marcia Ramsland and its been fun working along with my friends who have been emailing me their own photos and ideas.  I'd love to have you join in too!  I might share another pic or two, we will see.  Taking photos is fun because you really see the dramatic change this makes. 

credit: graphics fairy

Wishing you and your family a meaningful and Happy Easter!



Making Choices - Simplifying My Life

Its with mixed feelings that I find myself having to make some difficult choices for my life.  I've been running flat out again, a cycle I went through last year and I thank the Lord for that experience in my life because I was able to recognise the signs before I spin right out of control.  He's given me the ability to not only see the wreck I could have (once again) been headed for, but He allowed me, through prayer and consideration, to make healthy choices, tailored especially for the plans he has for me. 

The plans of a hard-working person lead to prosperity,

but everyone who is always in a hurry ends up in poverty.

Proverbs 21:5

And I've been guilty of this very thing - I've been hurrying everywhere and trying to do it ALL! 

Funny thing is, as I am writing this I'm also listening to a radio program on Kinship Radio online to an interview with Max Lucado, the well known author of many Christian Books - and he's talking about this very subject - figuring out what's important and then figuring out what to do about our lives so that they match the plan that's vital for us to live with "the goal" in mind.  The goal of living life to the best of our ability with a focus on it counting as a life lived to the glory of Jesus Christ. 

In my case, I'm was lacking a shut off valve for doing "good things" and instead of doing just a few things well, I was trying to do all things and nothing was being accomplished or finished, just a lot of activity without fruit!  Not a very good witness. 

And SELF was continuously battling with me as I kept trying to juggle more and more.  And then came a day when I knew that I had to take stock and prioritize and figure out, for me, what was important right now.  This is what I'm finding for my life, at this time:

• developing my prayer life - devotion to Jesus Christ
• my marriage, I need to make sure it gets more tending than household etc!  I desire to do some fun things for my amazing husband.  Somehow our date nights have been being eaten away
• family and friendships - not willing to give up close connections to those I love - I see it too being sacrificed at times
• church - our church (Osoyoos Christian Centre) is growing and evolving (exciting times!!!) and the talents and gifts (all the glory to God) both my Mr and I have are being employed in a big way
• school - still trying to work through some graphics courses - but often I wind up helping others (thats part of ministry!)  and missing my own lessons. 
• teaching a two hour, six week (fridays) computer art course to grades 5-7 students
• workshop - "Simplify Your Life" - an 8 part workshop series through Midday Connection and Marcia Ramsland

There's something missing here - my designing.  I love designing.  I'm passionate about it and would love to be able to do it all day, but when I sat down to prioritize my life I had to recognise that this is a want and not a need for my life right now.  You have no idea how I wrestled and prayed about this.  It came down to a vanity thing - I love being a designer.  I LOVE Scrapbook-Elements where I sell, I love the PEOPLE at SBE, they have been fabulous, supportive of me 100%.   My Mr as well, he gave me free choice to do what I thought was right - even though he watched me melt down under stress last year when I took on too much. 

I finally had to make the decision and with a heavy heart I talked to Sunni and John at SBE and asked to be released.  They were incredibly sensetive and kind, even offering me an hiatus for a few months.  Ack - this made it harder for me because the little selfish part of my brain kept whispering "you could do it" even though the hard physical evidence of my calendar/planner says NOT.  Designing is something I would want to do WELL, not just "a lot of" and I knew I would not be able to fulfill my obligations there and would have wound up in the train wreck for sure. 

So, my time at SBE is winding down - I believe the 26th is the deadline.  I want to say to everyone at SBE I'm still family, you are a terrific bunch and I believe with all my heart this stepping away is only for a season.  Sunni and John have blessed me with the knowledge that the door is always open for my return.   Thank you!

This is a perfect time to let you know that its SBE's 7th anniversary and there's a CELEBRATION SALE on Friday, April 22 - with a 40% savings on everything!!!  (excluding Sale excludes gift certificates, CD burns, DOTM, Closeout, UBI, Bargain Bin and Designer Resource categories plus

all items regularly priced at $2 or less.)
 
I will still design - but only when I get time, for the joy of it and to build a library of kits for when I begin again... and of course for a FREE item here from time to time.
 
I'll be posting more little snippets on how my life is coming back in order in the coming days so stay tuned. 
 
Have you had a time like this, when you were faced with having to say NO to some things you really liked to do?  Was your family supportive? 

Mojo ONLY (holding myself back)

Haha, I have information overload to share, but like my wise younger sister pointed out, I should save some of it and spread it out over a few days, so that's just what I'm going to do.  I bet you are relieved ;)

I love it.  This sketch was SIMPLE.  Ummm in case the Mojo bosses *giggle* are reading this, the feedback I get is that "simple is good"  - not that WE are simple, we can handle it yeah yeah, but Simple goes so nice and quick - allowing us to perhaps do a few cards at once if our time permits.  Don't listen to me, I'm just thinking out loud here. 

I know, it's sentiment-less at the moment, but I need a few like this which are made up ahead and I could stamp at the last minute for a surprise occasion.  You know, the one that sneaks up on you and you have every card except "that" one! 

I don't know any of the papers but the flower, now there's a story in that.  I was doing some of my "Simplify Your Life" work today (one closet a day keeps the inner-hoarder away *snort*)  and I came across a pretty doily with pansies ringed all around it.  Now I knew I would not use that doily for furniture and so my one hand was wrestling with the other hand as it tried to deposit it into the give-away box, when I had an inspiration flash! 

I spent an hour trimming the pansies off of the main doily and now I have a couple of dozen flowers for cards. 

With a gold gem glued in the middle, a green leaf beneath, it looks perfect!  K, I will be quiet now, for today, anyway. 







Mojo 186, Spring Cleanin' (challenge ya!) and Congrats Penny - new album, concerts!

Where DOES the time go?  It's a pretty challenging time in my life, loads of GOOD stuff (or should I make that GOD stuff) going on.  I'm so grateful to be used (to the maximum!) at this time in my life.  I'll fill you in a little as I write up here but firstly I always carve out a few moments on Mondays to take part in the Mojo Monday carding project because It's become a family affair.  Yep, if you look to the right to my "family" links you can find Mojo-ers all present.  K, Neti does not exactly do cards but she makes yummies and that counts, don't ya think?  Besides, there's always a need for a card so this is a terrific way to take care of a couple of birds at once (however that saying goes - I don't want to be killing birds, though some people would not question that if it were a juicy delicous bird) 

I have been quivering to use this piece of "quilted" puffy cardstock Nina gave me.  The person I'm giving it to is into quilting so this is perfect.  I decided to get all experimenty. 

I really want to find unique uses for pattern papers because they are plentiful and I think they are so interesting.  At the thrift store they cost pennies - why, for a while the ladies were using them to wrap dishes in when they sold.  I fear that one day we will all be very sad because the vintage designs would have been fun to actually use to sew clothes.  Are we tossing away treasures just because they are plentiful?  At any rate, I snipped a square section, stamped it with the Happy Birthday Sentiment - it did not turn out dark enough so drew around it with a black fine tipped marker, then colored it in with felts.  Then I inked up the edges, stamped color on the white rick rack to match. 

The flower is Wild Saffron from K&Company.  Plain twine, touched with ink.  Stamp is TPC celebration series.  Yeh, I had fun making this.  And Louise (FREE Easter Card here), yes, one day when I find my hands idle (I think that happened a few years ago one time) I will do a tut on the pattern flower I made last week.  It was a pretty messy process as I recall. 

Life is pressin' and squeezin' me at the moment, all GOOD like I mentioned above.  You only see about 10% of whats going on my life at any one time, but bits will shine through here over the next months.  One thing is I will be teaching digital art and painting part time for the local school district to grade students - I'm SO excited about this!  I'll keep you posted on that. 

And so, this might sound like an extra thing, but its not... I've begun to take part in a "series" - workshop, whatever one might care to call it all to do along the lines of spring cleaning etc.  Because I've got so many varied things on the cooker I need to get organized.  My Mother in Law visits in a month and its always my goal to have all that stuff taken care of so that we can simply enjoy our time together.  So I decided to take part in the "Simply Your Life" workshop series, available for FREE at middayconnection.org  

This series is hosted by Marcia Ramsland who is a well known professional organiser and the Moody/Midday  gals - Anita and Melinda.   The workshop is available by looking at the "past programs" archive, beginning in January.  So far there are 7 parts... I'm still on the first.  You can listen to each of the 1 hour sessions as the ladies discuss what you are to do in each one.  You just tune into the session you want, click the LISTEN button and thats it, you can work away while you listen to the free audio podcasts!  AND bonus, there are free worksheets/information checklist.   They are based in scripture - a great way to marry bible study with everyday chores!   Also, if you belong to facebook then you can go and look at the pictures posted of befores/afters by others who have taken this challenge. 

I'm loving it, so far its only doing a few, managable cupboards a day - I do it while I listen to the news, or right after I do the dishes, and it takes less than 1/2 hour to do each cupboard.  I've been using my iphone to take before/after pics which I'm putting in a (private) web album, but if you were to take part I might be bribed for an invite.  The photos are pretty dramatic and give me a great sense of satisfaction.  Here's a sneak peek of ... the dreaded junk drawer.  ( how does it get this way???) 





I was able to downsize some items, weed out duplicates too.  I can lay my hands on the items I need right away.  What a great feeling.  (yep, open/closing drawers to beam over them) 

I invited my friend Cicero to join me and she's been going great guns as well (no pics, mind you) and its so fun to compare our days.  I also invited our church to take part too - we will see who is able to take me up on this.  I think many people, who were busy like me, wonder how on earth they would fit this in on top of all the "to do" list I have... well, if you listen to the first program you will understand that by doing this you will make it all easier.  Marcia is going to cover everything from organizing your household to doing your vehicle right to managing your time!  I don't know about you but I need someone to hold my hand/show me how!  I'm so utterly grateful for this resource.   Let me know if you take part and we can compare notes and inspire others.  Check out Marcia's website to get an overview of what this is all about!  You know you wanna! 

Lastly, I just have to TOOT here about my friend Penny Buhr Johnson who is just putting out her latest CD, has won more awards through the Canadian Gospel Music Association and is on TOUR in BC at the moment.  She will be appearing in Kimberley, Cranbrook and Fernie ... if you just happen to be in that area say a BIG hello for me!  Congrats Penny! 

Oh, so I lied  to you, there is one more thing.  Go vote for my friend JanMary (giveaway here too!) , won't you?  She's got an amazing jewellery design and photography blog over in Ireland, and she is eligable in several categories of a contest. (links on right of post)   If you have not done a random (or intentional for that matter) act of kindness today, this could be it!  I know she would be delighted. 

Really really going now. 

(ducking) I just found one more thing but you will like it, trust me. 



You can click HERE to sign up and request free samples of good "stuff" from Proctor and Gamble.  This is the Canadian site, but I am almost certain there is a US version if you hunt about online!  Happy Sampling!