Hybernation......

It definitely is the rainy season here in Tennessee.....I have had a couple of days to just veg out here at home and have taken advantage of it.

It has been forever since I have had the time to just read a bit...nothing deep, nothing earth shattering.....but hubby wasn't feeling well, the house was quiet, and it was nice for some simple escapism.

On another note....the other day I wrote a post about Heartfelt Challenges....and I have been pleasantly surprised by the response. Thank you to all of you that have written that you were going to take on the challenge and appreciated the reminder. I think we all just need that nudge every now and then. AND I was truly surprised to be the recipient of the Challenge too.....the other day, out of the blue, I received a sweet phone call from a gal that I have know for probably 10 years through online groups. After reading the challenge, she decided to just pick up the phone and call me...we had a fun chat and I will be returning the favor soon. Then about an hour later, I found an UPS package at the front door....I was the recipient of a wonderful RAK from Kimmer...

Thank you for your sweet thoughtfulness to both of the gals. I appreciate it more than you know and the timing was perfect!!! And let me just say from someone that received this....that when you do take on the challenge to do for someone else...it means the world to know that someone is thinking of you, whether it is a call, or a surprise package!!! The thoughtfulness is priceless.

AND I decided to pamper myself a bit last week and went with a really relaxing pedicure.....it felt so darn good and I love the color!!! (OPI's, I'm Not Really A Waitress...)

I have lots of posts in my head for some new things...but I don't want to drop them all in this post...so have a great day, take some time for yourself, and don't forget to reach out to someone else today---even if it is just a smile, you never know how much that can mean to someone else.

HUGS!!!!!
Debbie

Headed for a Rainy Evening....

This is our sweet dog Abby.....this is her normal position.....you can find her like this almost any time of the day....except when she needs to make a short trip outside....or to request a refill on her food....LOL


These are some beautiful flowers my hubby brought in from the backyard....we have some beautiful plants...but they are the "everyman for themselves" variety as they don't get a lot of TLC from us!!! Poor things.....LOL

And now to what has been occupying me today.... I normally go into panic mode about a month before my craft shows and I have to work round the clock to get everything ready to go. I am really trying to be better about it this year, especially since we don't have the shop to worry about. So today, I have been chatting with my partner, getting dates set for the upcoming shows we want to do (in the Fall)....getting applications together to send in. I have decided (with a few exceptions) to just jump into doing all Fall/Halloween right now. If I concentrate on that for a couple of months, that should really put me ahead with stock for the shows....(ok, that is the brilliant plan in my mind....we will see how that pans out...LOL)

So I am pulling patterns, making lists of things that need to be ordered.....deciding what I really want to make and what I am willing to bypass this year. I am still trying to decide if I want to do our annual Fall Harvest Potpourri....and primitive soap.... I do know I will be making lots of fun tags (those were a big seller last year)....pumpkin dolls......primitive apples and pears..... and several new items.

I just have a tough time making things so far ahead as I am so burned out on the holiday by the time it arrives. But hopefully, starting so far ahead, it will be easier not to have to do so much at once. Plus, I am looking into some small shops that I can sell finished items to and also getting my Etsy shop/blog shop up and running.

Now....About the Scrapbook/Journal....I simply forgot about it!!! It totally left my mind....so it is on the calendar in BIG letters to get back to on Monday. Sorry for the delay.... I just really have been off track.

Just another thing.....my friend Jen and I have tossed around the idea of a radio show for some time....the people we put together didn't fit.....then the timing wasn't right....just didn't quite work for awhile. But now it is back on the "do we want to do this list".....I want it to be about life....friendship, faith, current events, home, crafting.....a variety of items that we can share, and also introduce you to some of the wonderful women that we have found through websites, blogs, books and real life....so what do you think??? Would you be interested in listening?? One difference for us over some of the others (that we enjoy listening too...)--We want to cover a broader spectrum of subjects....and from the prospective of mom's with older kids. There is so much out there for moms of smaller children and babies (I wish this had been available when I had a young child!!!)...but I think those of us that are at this stage of life need a voice to...and we have wisdom to offer those with younger children too.

That is what has been filling my day....
Hugs to you all!!!!
Debbie

Sunday's Heartfelt Challenge.....

This is a post that has been rumbling around in my head...but I wasn't sure how to frame it for my blog. The last thing I want to post is a "poor, pitiful me" entry...but I know that there are far more women (and men) that are going through something similar and it is for them that I am writing this.
So to start.....what is a Heartfelt Challenge? It is a reminder in our busy lives to reach out to those around us. It is not that we don't mean to do something special for someone else...we just get really busy...or we think of things that will take more time, more money--so the idea gets shelved for another time. By issuing a challenge...I am giving you an idea for something simple you can do...not a guilt trip, but just a nudge and a reminder that it can be something as simple as just picking up the phone.

I am in a situation that many find themselves in. My hubby is very ill. We have days that are great...and then we have days that are like the last three...where no one has had any sleep...we are all cranky, worn out and just want to hide for a bit. I am very fortunate...I have a best friend that I can call to whine to at 3 in the morning if I need too, my son is home right now--living here while attending school so he can help me out a bit (this is such a huge gift to me that I don't even know how to thank him for---and it comes with the guilt that he should be out living and creating his own life), my mom is nearby and checks in and is always sending over a new plate of some new recipe she has tried!!

But there are others dealing with these same struggles...be it a spouse, child, parent, or other....it can be so isolating!! People can judge you for being a bit (or maybe a lot) cranky at times--they don't realize the nights you have gone without sleep...or worried about finances....or just feeling alone. Living with this is much like a death.....when friends and family first hear of a health crisis, they rally to lend support, pray and just a listening ear. But even though you continue to live with this...their lives move on and you are dropped from the social calendar because you have had to turn them down so many times. They just take for granted that you "can't" and just don't bother to offer any more.

I can't tell you what it means for someone just to take the time to pick up the phone and call....and allow you to really share your heart...and not just pretend everything is wonderful. We get tired of hearing, "I don't know how you do it"....because we know that there are days when we are at the ends of our rope and we don't handle it well and just want to go to bed ourselves, pull the covers over our heads and hide for awhile. A card in the mail is a gift.....just that reminder that someone does remember you!! These are great ways to let someone know you are there...as a visit to the home can sometimes be stressful, depending on what is going on there.

So our Heartfelt Challenge....pick up the phone or mail a card. It costs so little to do these things in time and money.....but what it will do for someone that needs this lift.....priceless. Find someone in your church, your neighborhood, your workplace...and reach out to them!! It will do wonders for your heart as well.

Hugs to all of you!!!
Debbie

One Project Down......

This week has been full of procrastination...... But today I actually finished the skirt for the sink in my studio bathroom. This is just one of those simple projects that I should have been able to churn out a couple of weeks ago. I just kept going out to the studio, getting sidetracked and ending up not getting much done. So today, I called my mom and asked if she wanted to come over and work in the studio....now my mom--no nonsense--if there is a project, there is no playing around, it is to be finished in record time, before anyone else and perfectly done. Needless to say, it is finished!!! LOL (but to my mom's utter sadness, I took several shortcuts on this project as "perfection" is pretty much not in my vocabulary!!!)

Love my new bathroom....the flooring is pretty much done.....and everything is "workable and I have no excuse not to get busy!!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Getting Week Started......

Yes, we are a family addicted to coffee now..... I love the different flavors of coffee, flavored creamers and such..... Todays fave: Green Mountain Half Caf with White Chocolate Coconut creamer...just YUM!

My week is a bit off as I was called in to sub on Monday....and the weather here has been so dreadful with all the storms...it has left me just wanting to curl up on the couch and nap!

So look for the Scrapbook/Journal post on Thursday...that will give me some time to get some things together and ready to post. Looking forward to sharing!!!

For this post.....since I was at the library yesterday, I have a stash of new books AND already know that I will have to purchase some of them for my own library.....Here is what is on my nightstand reading list....

Hummingbird bakery cookbook.....OMG, you could gain 20 pounds just reading this. The recipes sound wonderful and I can't wait to try some..

Get Out Of That Pit by Beth Moore...what can I say, love me some Beth Moore and her great teaching style.

Seams to Me...Anna Marie Horner (I am really enjoying this!!)

The Slumber of Christianity by Ted Dekker

(Getting Soon!!!) Boneman's Daughter by Ted Dekker....read some of the previews of this book and on his blog about how he came up with the story...can't wait to get this one!!!

Country Living's Farm Chicks in the Kitchen.....great looking recipes, stories, decorating ideas and more...this one I need for my own stash!!

There are other fiction on the list...The Knitting Club, some Iris Johansen mysteries and such.....there just hasn't been alot of reading time lately and I really plan to spend some time reading. Also, picked up some on CD's so I can listen while crafting....

SOOOOOO.... tell me what is on your reading list???? I always get great ideas from my friends for new books, authors and such!!!

The UPS just delivered my Sephora Order....ohhh baby, I have to tell you I am a new Philosophy skincare convert and I just love this stuff!!! LOL I am off to play in the new products....
Have a great evening!!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Something Special!!!!
If you are a fabric addict like I am.....run over to the Farm Chick Blog and you will find a great giveaway for Pixie Dust Fabric!!! Love this line and can't wait to get some of it to play with...I am thinking fun pillows, pillow cases, etc....beautiful colors for Spring!! Now shoo, get over there!!!! LOL

To Make You Smile....

Sound of Music Train Station @ Yahoo! Video

Have a wonderful weekend.....

I am going to be off line for a few days....but I wanted to wish all of your a blessed Easter weekend and leave you with a little "Bebo".....(smile).

Hugs to you all!!
Debbie

Garden of My Dreams....

Ok...I have been wanting to garden--but frankly, with my knee issues, it wasn't going to happen. And I really am not that big on the outdoor stuff, so I knew that I wouldn't be able to care for something big.
Well this weekend, I found this at Sam's Club and I am in love with it!!! It even has the front gate, a hose attachment, lattice in the back for climbing plants.....I WANT this baby!!! LOL
But as a friend of mine told me last night "you can buy a bunch of fresh veggies for the price of that set up!!!" Which is true....but I am looking at the long haul and not for just one year...
So what do you think???
Hugs,
Debbie

I just love this....

Where is Spring and a Studio Update....

I these tulips! I found them over the weekend at Sam's Club and they look so good in my entryway. It is such a beautiful sign of Spring....sadly, my entryway looks like Spring...outside, not so much!

Well, I have been chatting a bit about moving the studio to the garage...it should (at least in my mind) been such a short project....but it is going to be a work in progress for awhile as I am still working on painting, the flooring...and trying to decide on lighting.
Here is the only "before" picture I am not embarrassed to post!! LOL The garage has just been one of those "dumping" areas in the house where anything that didn't have a "home" was stored.

This will be my new computer area. Right now we still haven't figured out why the wireless won't work out here on this computer when it will work on other things....

Part of my fabric storage (yep, there are many other plastic totes with fabric treasures)...

Storage and cutting table area....

Larger picture of sewing table/work area...

Another shot of cutting table area...

Still much work to do....but at least it is set up and ready to work in. So if you want to drop by, I still have boxes of fabric to fold and put away, patterns to organize and small treasures to sort....
Have a wonderful Monday...next week, we will be back to our scrapbook/journal...I hope you are ready and able to share some of your thoughts and ideas!!
Hugs,
Debbie

Retro Eggs.....

I absolutely adore these fun retro eggs....there are so many fun things that you could do with them....and great way to use up scraps of fabrics.

So if you want something fun to play with--GO to Retro Mama
You will find great instructions and pictures for making these cuties!!!
Go on....get over there....have fun!!!
HUGS,
Debbie

Yep, we have survived the flu....

You know, this picture looks pretty much how the whole family has felt the last few days...

So this is the reason I have been missing in action here....and I have missed posting and catching up on all the great adventures of my friends here.

I will be back to posting tomorrow and am looking forward to sharing my new "creative" space with you....it is not finished, but it is finally useable!!!

Alright you all....take those vitamins, drink plenty of liquids and I will be back shortly!!
Hugs,

Debbie

For Today....

"We need to find God,

and he cannot be found in

noise and restlessness.

See how nature--trees,

flowers, grass--grows in

silence; see the stars, the

moon and the sun, how

they move in silence...

We need silence to be able

to touch souls."

--Mother Teresa, 1920-1997

A Gift For God

Go Forth and Read...

Good Afternoon....
I have been online today catching up with some things...and working with a website group that I will have info on tomorrow...
But in the midst trying to read through my list of blogs...I found a post that I was saying "Amen" too and thought I would share it with you.. It is from the Bayou Belles -- go check it out and we will chat more tomorrow...
Hugs,
Debbie

Just A Note...

Just a quick note.....I am going to delay the next Scrap/Journal post for a couple of weeks. I am in the midst of painting and moving my studio and there just isn't a spot to work in right now...so I will be back with the journal in two weeks...ready to go. I will be posting other "stuff"...but let's delay the book for now. This will give some of you time to catch up, get started and such....as I would love to see your pictures and ideas.

Sweet dreams all....post more tomorrow!!
Hugs,
Debbie

Scrap Journal....Part 3

I have been feeling like a real slacker with this...so I took some time today to play with my journal. It is so funny, at times you feel like you don't have the time...but once you start--you get caught up in it and it is fun, reflective and I always leave it with a smile.

So thoughts on working with your book: There are times when I don't really have a picture in mind or a full "theme" for a page... I can see the page layout, or I have paper or accessories that I really want to use for something...so I will do the layout...and see what picture or idea comes together for finishing it later.

The two pages below were layouts that I did for my hubby and son....I haven't figured out exactly what I want to do with them yet...I just got the papers put in (sometimes I go ahead with accessories for the page too)...and then I use a post it note to remind me of who/what the page is for and any additional info I want to remember. You can have the best idea for something...and just know you are going to remember it...then you look at the page a few days, a month, 6 months later and haven't a clue about what you were thinking!!!! LOL So those post its are life savers at times.

The next two pages were completed today and are great examples of how this has worked for me. Both were layouts that were already finished....one came together exactly as I had it in my head and one came out of the blue and was not anywhere near what I thought I would use the layout for!!!

The first page is for our sweet dog, Abby. The layout has been done for awhile...I just found great accessories for this page and couldn't wait to do it. I just hadn't taken the time to get a picture of Abby together and write anything. Today I was able to catch her during her nap, snap a quick pix and write up a short paragraph....run them off on the computer and paste them in.

I have space to add another small picture or more writing later....but at least the "bones" are in place!!!

The second page was a total surprise. In looking though my pictures, I ran across my all time favorite childhood picture...it is of me and my grandfather. I simply adored this man!! Do you remember Randy Travis' song about his grandfather..."I thought, he walked on water"? That is what I thought of this man.

But the layout...the paper was from a "fairytale" paper group with glitter and other embellishments. I loved the look, but truly had no idea what I was going to use it for. As I played with the picture and flipped through the book....I saw the quote that went with this page..

A good memory is one

that can remember

the day's blessings

and forget

the day's troubles.

This verse caught my heart as that is truly how felt about the days I was able to spend with my grandfather. So I began to play with the layout and here is how it turned out.

I don't think the picture does the page justice...but I have to say it was a surprise and one of my favorite pages so far.

My advice for this week??? Think outside the box....don't worry about being so ridgid with your book....leave it open to lead you to new ideas.

I know Tiff has been working on her book.....check out her page at: http://serendipitylifephotos.blogspot.com/ (great job!!! thanks so much for sharing!!!!!)

Just remember...this is open ended, you can start at any time. We would so love for more of you to join in and share your pages, your ideas, questions, comments....

Hugs to you all.....now go journal!!!!

Debbie

Hi, My Name Is Debbie and I Am A....

coffee creamer-aholic...and I can prove it, just check out this picture of the shelf on the inside door of the refrigerator...


When grocery shopping this month, I went on a bit of a creamer binge. I know, crazy huh? It started with the purchase of our Keurig coffee maker....I don't do black coffee, I have to fou-fou it up a bit, so we started playing with different creamers...and then on to fun coffee drinks with the flavored syrups, creamers, whipped creamed, sweetened spice toppers. Then we started adding the flavored creamers to cookie recipes and such, with great results. This morning I made waffles that I added French Vanilla creamer and nutmeg too...they were great.
Just an idea for sprucing up some of our tried and true dishes....

And let me leave you with one of my favorite casserole recipes....

Garden Chicken Casserole:


2 c. chicken broth
2/3 c. cooking sherry, divided
6 oz. pkg. long grain and wild rice mix
1 small onion, chopped
2 small carrots, grated
1 small green pepper, chopped
1.4 c. butter or margarine
3 c. cookd chicken, diced
4 oz. can mushrooms, sliced
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
2 c. (8 oz) American sheese, shredded
1 c. evaporated ilk
1/3 c. parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 c. almonds, siced

In a medium saucepan bring broth and 1/3 cup sherry to a boil. Add contets of rice package, cover and simmer over low heat 25 to 30 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. In a dutch oven, saute onion, carrots and green pepper in butter until soft, about 5 minutes. Add rice, chicken and mushrooms, mixing well. Place cream cheese, American cheese and milk in a saucepan and melt over medium heat stirring until smooth. Add to dutch oven with remaining sherry, mixing thoroughly. Pour into a buttered 13 x 9 casserole dish. Top with parmesan cheese and almonds. Cover and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes, uncover and bake 15 minutes longer or until bubbly. Casserole may be refrigered overnight before baking. If refrigerated, increatse baking time to 45 minutes covered and 15 minutes uncovered.
(we don't use the sherry)

Have a good weekend!!!
Hugs,
Debbie

Scrap Journal 2

Don't waste time

in day dreams,

make up your mind

what to be and

begin.

--Mary Englebreit

Last night, I decided to play with moving some things around in my new computer area....seemed like a good idea at the time...till my wireless connection decided it was not happy with my new configuration. Soooo, with a few changes I was able to get back on here today. My wireless box is far more tempermental that I thought!!! LOL

So where were we???? Back to our Scrap Journals!!! How is everyone doing??? Have you started....or do you even have some fun ideas for it. I would love if you would share your ideas, thoughts, pictures and such. Doing this as a group that brainstorms can really help get your creative juices flowing.....so share the big and the little ideas...all are welcomed!!!

I have started a small notebook for my purse to jot down ideas. You know you always think you will remember things...but sadly they seem to flow out as quickly as they came in right now.

There are two website I would like to share with you for ideas.
One is: Angie Pedersen's Book Of Me Site
On this site you will find out about her book. It is full of lots of layouts and ideas for your pages. I grabbed a quote from this site that really sums up what we have been talking about with this...

When and old (wo)man dies,

a library burns. --African Proverb

Makes you think, doesn't it. When we don't share these fun things about ourselves...those stories die. Some of the things that you are thinking about sharing in your book....wouldn't you like to know some of those same things about your friends, family, other special people in your life?

The next site is: Big Picture Scrapbooking

They offer some great classes here...some for free, some there is a charge. Right now they have a free class I am starting about your life journey. They also have one about your wellness journey that looks really good.

Several years ago, I started a scrapbook on getting fit and my thoughts on weight loss as I was working through it. Sadly, some things occurred that got me off track with that, but I know at the time it was a great tool for really lookig at the Big Picture of how little changes can affect your outlook. (Maybe this is something we can tackle at a later date if there is interest).

I thought it might be fun to share some quotes each week on a different topic...so if they work for any of your pages...take them and have fun:

This weeks focus is friendship....

• A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you've forgotten the words. --Unknown

• A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg, even though he knows that you are slightly cracked. --Bernard Meltzer

• The definition of a friend is someone who's coming in the door when everyone else is going out. --Dr. Phil McGraw

• My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me. -- Henry Ford

So what are some of the pictures I am going to be working with in my book this week...

My beloved basket!!! Several years ago, I ran a craft mall in Indiana. One of our vendors was a school teacher that made beautiful baskets. She designed this one for teachers, because it was just the right size to fill with books, paperwork and such that they need to take home each night. It became our best seller and all the girls that worked there carried one. They are so great to fill with your stuff....bring home and empty....leave at the front door and through the evening and next morning fill with all the "stuff" you are going to need that day and head out the door. I truly, truly "heart" this basket!!! It goes with me almost everywhere!!!!


Knitting...I am not a great knitter. I will not be winning awards for designs, or finished pieces...but I love knitting simple items. Great for gift giving, for household items and just for something to occupy my hands when we are sharing some family tv time.


The other items on this weeks "favorites" list:
my garage studio
front porch
a son that cooks
my blog


So dear fellow journalers....what are the faves on your list this week? Have you started your book....care to share some pictures??? I would love to hear from all of you!!!
Have a great week...now go scrap something!!!
Hugs,
Debbie

The GiveAway.....

I have to share with you that I love doing give-aways. It is a chance to share with you some fun things that I have found and to get your feedback on them too.

We are late in getting this going...I apologize for it being late, but there are just some times around here when "life" just gets in the way.

So we gathered all the entries.....each with it's own little slip of paper...stuffed into my favorite crockery bowl...and when the name was drawn it read....

Tiffany Cross

Huge, huge congrats to Miss Tiff!!! Your box will be on it's way on Monday.

ALSO, be watching for a new giveaway. I met Sheila White at the library a couple of weeks ago...she was bringing in her new book to share with us. After chatting with her, she has sent me an autographed copy of her book, Sewn. It is a story based on her family....."One family was patched together with love, courage and the will to be together. They were...Sewn." So keep checking in and I will be posting a drawing for this book....how great to share someone's "first"...and down the road to say..."I knew them when...."

About our scrapbook project....I am excited to be back on track with it this Monday. I have been so tied up with the scrapbook job that I took on..it took far more time than I thought it would but I had so much fun jumping back into it. Isn't it funny, that when you clear things out of your life...doors start opening. I hadn't scrapped in forever. But pulled out my items to do our online class....organized and set up an area to work on this....and then out of the blue I get an offer of a "scrapbooking" job.... It is just a reminder to me that we can let ourselved get bogged down with stuff....and new things can't come our way till we "clean house".....it was a great reminder to me.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!!

Hugs,

Debbie

Project Unending.....

Hello!!!
Just wanted to check in....I have till 6 pm today to finish the scrapbook project that I took on....it has been a much bigger project than I anticipated...so hang in there...I wil have the drawing results, new info on our online scrapbook project....and more.

Hugs to you all...and back to large cups of coffee, chocolate and this darn scrapbook!!! LOL
Debbie

Stolen Words...

I stumbled across this quote on Brin's Blog...A Messy, Thrilling Life.....it just seemed very appropriate...

"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have."

Hugs,
Debbie

Let's Get Started......

I have really been looking forward to getting started with this...so today, let's just do the basics...

First, it doesn't matter what size book you choose to use. You can use what I did--an artists sketch pad (and those come in several sizes)...a regular scrapbook....just whatever feels like fun to you.

What do you need...really it depends on what you would like to work with...some ideas:

• Scrapbook papers and cardstock (these can be used for your backgrounds, to frame pictures with, for writing blocks....or just to decorated the page a bit)


• Colored pencils....great for doing little illustrations...and you don't have to be a great artist to do this. Sometimes fun squiggles and stick people are a fun way to illustrate an idea.
  
• Adhesive...I love the scotchtape brand scrapbook tape..that has been working really well for me. But there are alot out there..glue sticks are good too!


• Pictures.....photos, magazine pictures, etc....just begin keeping an eye open for unique picturesof things you "love"


• Memory Items...that menu from a favorite recipe...a paint chip from your favorite room...wrapper from your favorite candy bar. This is just something that might work for something on your list. You probably don't want to do this for every item (then again, it is YOUR book, use this item as much as you like, as little as you like, or not at all).
  

Remember, this is different than a regular scrapbook. I have scrappin friends that are militant about having whatever they put in their books not damaging the books so that they will be pristine in 100 years. Frankly if it comes to chosing between being "pristine" and sharing a memory...memory wins every time And think about it, there are things that we know damage books....but with the way things change (going digital and such)...they will be able to view the books (if our intention is to share these) over the years.

So what are we working on today:
I think it would be great if we all shared a list of 5 things we love each Monday...things that we are going to concentrate on in our books first. Doesn't mean you have to stick to those if something new comes to mind...but it is a great way to at least start thinking about it and planning what you would want on those pages.

Now a note....we as women have "our list"..we love our husbands, children, parents, siblings, God, church...you get my drift....these go without saying...and yes, you can include them in your book (once again..it is YOUR book)...and these are in mine, here and there...but I really want you thinking outside of the usual...and really think about those things that make you smile....inspire you....get your creative juices flowing....or just brighten a moment in your day. (I remember Oprah sharing once about her gratitude journal, and how sometimes she just looked for a cute squirrel in the tree...cause that may be all she had to list that day if it was really bad!!! LOL)

By next week, I hope to have Mr. Linky up and running and hope that you will be able to share your pictures of what you are working on.

So your assignment for this week:

1. I would love for you to leave a comment about what you have found to work with for your book.


2. A list of 5 thing you love...


3. Do something fun for the cover of your book (you can do it now...or if you want to see how your book goes for a different idea for how you want your cover)


4. PLEASE do or at least work on your first page, which should be your introduction....possibly a picture of yourself, why you wanted to do this, maybe something you hope to share with this book.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments....invite your friends to play along here, it is such a great way to get to know someone else---even those that you think you know everything about will surprise you!!!

So glad you are working with me on this and I can't wait to see what you share next week!!!

***Don't forget to enter the drawing!!! Just a few days left!!!
Have a great Monday!!!
Hugs,
Debbie

**My things I love list for this week:
favorite resturant
best friend
favorite books
favorite quilt shop
favorite room in the house
(Looking forward to seeing your list...I already have pages completed in my book..and you will see how you can continue to grow your book as you find new places, new things, new people and new experiences in your life!!)

February Valentine Love....

Who the heck stole this month??? It is just flying by so fast and I haven't been able to do much of what I had hoped to accomplish this month. And I missed wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day!!!

BUT....what I had planned for that post was to share with you some of the "new" things that I love. I thought it might be fun to do this once a month and hope you will join me by sharing any "new" stuff that you have found in the comments....c'mon, play along!!!!

I LOVE the Orville Redenbacher Naturals popcorn...Lime and Salt flavor. Yes, my family turned up their noses when they saw the box, but they are new converts too. Love the flavor and just the right snack for "something different"....

I LOVE the blog "Stuff Christians Like"....great thought, lots of humor...and just some things that make you go. "hmmmmmm"

I LOVE the "house helpers" knit pattern posted on http://www.knittybittys.blogspot.com/ . I am strictly a "simple" knitter and this is a great pattern, so darn easy and I love using these around the house and for gifts.

I IMMENSELY ADORE the Summer Wind Quilt at the last half of this blog post...
Simplify . I am a new quilter and there is just something about this quilt that grabs me. I saw the original pattern and while pretty, it didn't get to me till I saw it in these colors...definately on my "to do" list.

I LOVE Sephora....ok, now all of you can just shake your heads in disbelief that it has taken me so long to catch on to this. But I just found that there is one within reasonable driving distance AND my friends FINALLY clued me in to signing up online for their great deals. I am sharing this so you don't have to wait any longer to develope Sephora-love!!

I LOVE my girlfriends on the Celebrate list...gals that I have known forever and new friends that share their hearts, laughter, some tears...but always the example of what good friends truely are!

AND I WOULD REALLY, REALLY, REALLY LOVE IT...if you would join me here on Monday, February 23 for my "Things I Love" scrapbook/journal group....AND IT WOULD BE AWESOME if you would check out the previous post on my fun giveaway!!!

Something else I love??? All of you that stop by to visit, comment, have great blogs that I read and am inspired by....thank you for sharing a bit of "you" with the rest of us...now COMMENT why don't ya??? LOL Tell us some of the things that you love....

Hugs,
Debbie

For Your Gift Closet Giveaway.....

It is finally ready....I have found some fun items for a giveaway. It is my way of thanking all you dear friends that stop by to visit and to comment....and a way to introduce this blog to some new friends too.

In the past, we have talked about having a gift closet. It is so great to have some items on hand for quick last minute gifts...or to put together great gift baskets for those special occasions. I don't know about you, but if I am surprised by forgotten birthday, or just something where a friend needs a pick me up, it usually occurs when I am "broke" or don't have time to get out to shop...having these things on hand, really make it easy to "bless" someone in your life.

SOOOO...what is in the giveaway? I have put together an eclectic collection of fun items to use for yourself or to have on hand for gifts. The give away includes...a set of 4 stacking boxes (these can be used to decorate with or to use as gift boxes), a folkheart notebook, a Mary Englebriet mug (it is large and I love using mine but it is also such a good size to use for gifts--fill it with coffees, cocoas, teas, honey sticks, candies), a small gift book "Apronisms" with fun quotes and two tarts in the Amish Country Store scent to fragrance your home or add to a gift. This gift package retails for around $40.

And how do you win??? I want to make this very simple for all of us!!! The contest starts today and runs through March 1st with the random drawing being held and posted on March 2nd. To enter the drawing....

*just leave a comment below and be sure you leave contact information

*for an additional entries leave seperate comments that you have done any of the following:

become a follower...or if you are already a follower..just let me know.

become a twitter follower....there is a box for this on the right side of the page...

blog about it and invite your friends (5 additional entries)...leave your blog link

I hope you will all join in!!!! Have fun with this and let me know if you have any questions!!!
Thanks for participating!!!!

Hugs,
Debbie

***Also check the post for February 9th about our Things I Love journal group...I would love to have you join in!!!!

Want To Join Me????

In browsing around bloggy land...I ran across a blog that was doing a series of posts called Wednesdays with Mom. (And of course, I am not sure where the heck I found it...it was one of those late nights looking at blogs from the blogroll of the blogroll of the blogroll of someone that I read frequently...I have to start writing down the info!!! I am delusional when I think I will actually remember where I found it!!)

I found the blog!! http://thehouseofwhimsy.blogspot.com

The posts were great as she used an old photo of her mom and then one from today to tell her mom's story. I thought this was such a great idea...and wanted to "blog-lift it". Then I remembered who my mom is....the woman that is rarely found in front of the camera. She runs from them. And when you do actually get a picture of her, it is usually the same look, no..not the glamour shots pose, more like a horror picture where they just discovered the ax murderer!

What makes me sad is that I have so few pictures of my mom to scrapbook and share who she is in our lives and how important she is. I also remembered that I have inherited this hatred for pictures from her, as I also run from the camera. If you do see a picture of me, the one I use in my profile...it is the same one that turned out half way decent, so I just use that for everything. Sad, isn't it?

About 2-3 years ago, a friend and I decided that we would do a scrapbook to celebrate our turning 50. A 50 things I love book.....sadly, it was great in theory, but not something I pursued at that time. But when I got to thinking about my lack of pictures and info from my mom...it made me realize that we as women leave so much "unsaid". And wouldn't it be great to have something from our moms, grandmother, aunts...something that was fun and told us more about who they were or are??

When thinking about this the last few days, I ran across the beginnings of that 50 things book....I changed the title as the book holds more than 50 pages and I thought it would be fun to just take it all the way through. I used an artist sketch book I found on sale at JoAnns....and decided to do a page for each item....

The front of the book is just covered with scrapbook paper...and I used a window and shutters I found in the doll house section at Hobby Lobby and painted it brown and glued to the page with a picture behind it. The words are just from a David Walker sticker set from Hobby Lobby...very, very simple.

As I started though the book, I just made a list of pages I wanted to do...if I had paper on hand that I liked for the idea...I just went ahead and glued down the paper and decided on how I wanted to do the simple layouts. For me, I just want to do a picture, maybe two and some journaling on each page. Then if I didn't have the picture or the journaling ready...I just used a post it note to remind me of what I was planning for that page.

To be honest, I should be a world renown scrapbooker if it was based on my love of papers, stickers, rubberstamps and all the great accessories. But I find I just don't do it for some reason...but these simple pages appeal to me. I am not trying to accomplish 40 of the latest techniques on each page.....it will not be winning any awards......you won't see it on the cover of one of the scrapbooking magazines. But I am working to make it something that is a reminder to me of all I have to be grateful for, those things that I hold dear, the things that make me smile....and someday, just someday....maybe there will be a granddaughter or great granddaughter that will enjoy looking through these pages, who knows?

My goal is to not stress about this, but find something each week that I am grateful for and that I love...and do a simple page about it. Would you like to join me???? I just think it would be great fun if several of us did this together. It would be a fun way to encourage each other and to exchange ideas. These pages can be as simple or as elaborate as you want....it is your book and do what makes you happy.

If you would like to do this, I would like to start it here on February 23 (we will post on Mondays)...that will give you time to find the book you want to use. It can be any size...just what would work for you. And time to gather a few supplies...some favorite papers, pictures, glues...and any accessories you would like. I would love to have you as part of this group....if you are interested PLEASE comment below so I know who wants to play along. I will try to figure out the whole "Mr Linky" thing so that when we get started you can post your pages to your blog and I will have your links here to take people there.

Looking forward to see what you come up with!!!

Check back tomorrow....I have been working on a giveaway and it will be posted on Tuesday!!!

Hugs,

Debbie

Creatively Speaking.....

After all the craft shows for Fall and Christmas... I thought I would take just a wee bit of time off to get a break and then jump back into it, trying to work on doing some Spring shows this year. Well my time off has stretched much further than I thought it would. And I found what I needed was to play with something new to get those creative juices flowing again.

Do any of you deal with that....just needing a kick start to get moving again??? When I lived in Indiana there were several awesome quilt and craft stores...as well as several really good prim shows that I could visit for inspiration and fresh ideas. Living where I do now, I rely for most of my inspiration on the computer...and while there is some great stuff here, it is not like being there in person to feel the fabrics and chat with the designers/instructors.

Knowing that I needed a creativity boost....I signed up with a friend to take a quilt class. Now I have worked in quilt shops, been around quilting for all of my life (my mom, grandmothers and aunts are all wonderful quilters)...but I never had the desire to really step into quilting. First, I am sooooo not a precision person..and you really need to be able to match things up. Maybe this is why I love my primitives, not quite so perfect!!! But I thought I would give it a go anyway.

I have found that I love quilting....my favorites are primitive and cottage look fabrics. Sadly I see a new addiction forming...LOL Here are some of the squares from my beginner class....

And having some fabrics on hand from my stash (and the wonderful stash provided by my friend, Jen)... I decided to play with a design I found online, and came up with this cute wallhanging.

The great thing about trying something new is that it can inspire you in several different areas and get you out of a "creative funk". I always encourage friends to take classes....and go with an open mind. Not every class is going to be a lifelong pursuit....but sometimes you surprise yourself with what you learn...maybe something about how to use a fabric or other supply in a different way....sometimes it is not even what you learn from the intended class but from other students....and how awesome to be able make new friends that share your passion for creative endeavors????

I am so looking forward to playing more with the quilting and want to look into some classes on machine quilting techniques and binding....(that was not covered in our class)...but I have found some great online info on these too.

Have a great evening!!!
Hugs,
Debbie

Prepare To Be Dazzled....

Well, maybe not...but I did get your attention, didn' I????? (smile)

Life has just been very busy lately....and I have been composing bloggy posts in my head, but sadly they didn't quite make it to the computer. But tonight I have a house full of college guys cheering for their favorite Super Bowl team (nope, I don't really know who the heck is playing...LOL)...so I thought I would sneak off to the computer and catch up a bit.

Around the first of the year, I started blog surfing through some of my favorite blogs.....and it started me thinking about what this blog was going to be when it grew up. It is so easy to get sucked in to wanting to be like this one or that one.....or needing to do daily posts of what everyone else is doing...cause truly there are some awesome things out there and some great contests that I want to win and would love to share that with you.....but then if I do that, am I much more than just a billboard for everyone else??? Then there are the blogs that post that they want to go "deeper" and share more meaty topics...especially if they are a Christian blog....and then all the followers begin to worry that maybe their own blog is to frivilous and they should have more depth too......(maybe this is why Christ has called us sheep...we are easily lead here and there...)... So where am I to go with this?

In all of this...one thing I am reminded of is that Christ has called all of us not to be a second hand version of someone else....but a spectacular version of the wonderful woman he created us to be...with all of our talents, quirks, faults, gifts, enthusiam, creativity and more.

Sometimes I think we believe we need to be Moses coming off the mountain with great words of wisdom....but you know, that didn't happen every day. Moses had relatives that I am sure irritated him.....had parties to go to......laughed at the antics of his children.....just plain messed up at times. And in sharing those everyday things.....we can all relate because we know how that feels. It is the fun, quirky, everyday things that bring us together and let each of us know that we are not alone.....

So what do I want this blog to be....a reflection of me. I want to share my favorite blogs...recipes....craft ideas....home decorating.....great and horrible movies I find.....ideas....things that are on my heart...... Because I want it to be me sharing my life, like girlfriends around the table -- sharing a cup of tea and sharing a bit of their hearts and lives.

I may not always get this bloggy thing right.....but when I sit at my computer to post....know that I am here to share what is on my heart....with my bloggy friends.

Hugs to you all...

Debbie

Almost Forgot....

A couple of things I know that I am good at: finding great stuff...be it books, fabrics, recipes, etc...or having great friends that share wonderful things with me...so I have two great shares from good friends of mine!!!

The first is from my dear friend Jennifer...she has raved and raved to me about these great candles and now she is going to be giving some away...so check out her blog

And I heard about this fun giveaway from my friend Tiff, it is for a wonderful book by the French General (I have been wanting a copy!!!) and a great apron...click on the banner and it will take you there!!!

Hugs!!!
Debbie