Last week started out all like…

(countryworkshop)

And I was really…

(BarrelofMonkeys)

But work was [...]]]> Promise me you will always remember… You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. ~ Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh

Last week started out all like…

(countryworkshop)

And I was really…

(BarrelofMonkeys)

But work was all…

(sunnychampagne)

And soon that led me to feel…

(Indypendants)

And each day started off…

(SewCrossed)

And I was not quite my happy-go-lucky self….

(wiggletiggy)

But, given some time things began to get a little better when I remembered…

(jeanskipper)

And that…

(erinjaneshop)

Not to mention that…

(allisonstrine)

And I realized, you know sometimes you just have to laugh at the every day…

(DesignDude)

Stay positive…

(tylersworkshop)

And live by whatever mantra works for you…

(KeepCalmShop)

It’s been a week and a half.  I’ve been through a big move and change at work but it’s been so positive.  And with a 3 day weekend coming up?  Get ready for some craftiness.

Aw yeah.

XOXO and see you soon,

What is quality time together really?

No I mean really.  Is quality time with each other seriously equal for both?

The longer I’m in one half of a pair, the more I realize that ‘quality’ time might not necessarily be spending time that both find equally enjoyable…

But rather taking turns [...]]]>

What is quality time together really?

No I mean really.  Is quality time with each other seriously equal for both?

The longer I’m in one half of a pair, the more I realize that ‘quality’ time might not necessarily be spending time that both find equally enjoyable…

But rather taking turns spending time letting the other just be.

And just being there with them of course,

Laughing or crying, venting or being silly.

Helping make up the small moments and the memories that make life worthwhile.

My quality time this week was getting listened to about work when I vented, watching the Food Network together over Chinese takeout, and laughing together as we talked about how excited we were for our upcoming vacation.

His quality time was most likely me also listening about his work, going to Comic Con together while he browsed the aisles, and playing a part of his team in Marvel Ultimate Alliance for Playstation 3.

Yes we both can enjoy all those things.

But what makes it the most enjoyable, is being a part of what makes the other feel so great.

That, has got to be true ‘quality’ time.

Hope you have had a wonderful weekend.  I’ve had a fantastic quality filled one. 

P.S. Here’s what this clock looked like before it was altered:

Mod Podge and I spent some SERIOUS quality time together getting this thing decent enough to hang in the scrap / comic room.

We’re so much closer now…

Dear Alan,

When we took these photos I was feeling so…

Blah.

We’d been driving for hours on the way to Tennessee.  And I had “road trip” hair, “hours in the car” face, and was not wearing my most favorite, nor flattering, clothes.

But we saw the sign for Ruby Falls,  [...]]]>

Dear Alan,

When we took these photos I was feeling so…

Blah.

We’d been driving for hours on the way to Tennessee.  And I had “road trip” hair, “hours in the car” face, and was not wearing my most favorite, nor flattering, clothes.

But we saw the sign for Ruby Falls,  decided to let spontaneity take the wheel, and stop for a little adventurous “us” time before we completed the journey and spent the week with family.

I knew there’d be photos, there would have to be (after all,  you are married to a scrapbooker).

I made it through most of the excursion out of the camera lens.  We were in dark caves, and it was to my advantage that you don’t really know how to use the DSLR in low light.  Blurry, distorted shots were on my side.

But then on our way to the car, there was an obvious photo op, and there happened to be an employee walking by… whom you grabbed immediately and was willing to be our photographer.

Crud.

Dang.

Well no one else will ever have to see them I thought.

Quick snap shots and that’s it (cause I know you’ll never download them to the hard drive either, that’s my job of course).

And then I finally get to the point of editing photos of the trip, and I’m ready to delete them since the first thing I’m drawn to is the unflattering fold of my shirt over my curves, and the weird flip of my hair that is the oddest thing (thank you southern humidity).

But I stop from deleting.

Because I see your face looking at me when you thought the photo wasn’t yet being taken,

And I realize you think I’m beautiful anyway.

And suddenly these photos are not something to be tossed away and hidden.

But rather they should be scrapped and cherished.

Because even if I cringe a bit when I see me through my eyes…

They are the perfect reminder of how you see me.

And they make me love you, and feel loved, and realize just how lucky I am.

Through your eyes I will always feel beautiful.

Even with road trip hair.

Yours truly and forever,

Perusing some pictures tonight on the hard drive I realized I had yet to share this fantastic find with you.

I had to remedy that immediately.

Mom and I had driven by there once on our way to Door County in Wisconsin, and ever since I couldn’t stop thinking about it.  My next [...]]]>

Perusing some pictures tonight on the hard drive I realized I had yet to share this fantastic find with you.

I had to remedy that immediately.

Mom and I had driven by there once on our way to Door County in Wisconsin, and ever since I couldn’t stop thinking about it.  My next visit I insisted we go, and we were so glad we did.  What an inspiring place!  I want to go back, often.

I may want to live there… but they’d probably not be too keen on that. But a country atmosphere mixed with art that speaks to me?

They’re going to have to lock me out.

Doesn’t she look like she’s seriously going to take off into orbit?  Nothing can stop her,

She’s also got that je ne sais quoi,

And yes I’d like one ticket to freedom please,

Not only is the inside full of amazing works from artists for purchasing (at affordable costs I might add…)

But it’s the outside green space (as they call it) that just makes you feel as if you’ve stepped into another place.  Honestly, when I think back to how magical I felt my huge country back yard was as a child, these gorgeous pieces just make that feeling come back again.  (I need a huge yard now to put them all in… it’s a goal… I’ve decided).

Don’t you just want to sit down with these ladies and gossip and laugh over tea?  (Or Margaritas… depends on the time of day I suppose)

This water bug is possibly the cutest ever,

Alice in Wonderland meets Chihuly,

Love this, I can hear the music,

My Mom’s favorite, a very wise wood spirit,

And my favorite, these dancing women… I’m not all rah rah feminist, but I’m a huge believer in the feminine spirit… and these just speak to me,

This is such a gorgeous space.  And they are constantly acquiring new artists and inspiring art within the community.  It’s what I would love to do someday.  Be sure to visit their website and blog to learn more, and if you are ever within driving distance of this place definitely make a trip to visit.

I’ll probably be there swooning.

Or at least sipping organic coffee with the ladies of the bench,

Person:  Human, individual… (according to the dictionary)

Favorite Person: One that you love and trust with all your heart.  The one that makes you laugh even when times are crazy.  The one who squeezes your hand for no reason, just to say they are there.  (according to me).

Place:  [...]]]>

Person:  Human, individual… (according to the dictionary)

Favorite Person: One that you love and trust with all your heart.  The one that makes you laugh even when times are crazy.  The one who squeezes your hand for no reason, just to say they are there.  (according to me).

Place:  A particular region, or environment… (according to the dictionary)

Favorite Place:  Where your heart instantly feels at home, your dreams are free to blossom, and you feel warm, safe, and grounded… (according to me).

Thing: Whatever may be possessed or owned… (according to the dictionary):

Favorite Thing:  That which you do not necessarily own, but that encompasses your being in such a way that you simply could not imagine life without it… (according to me, that is).

Sometimes we should define ourselves and that which surrounds us a little more with the heart, rather than with the head, don’t you think?

I hope you have had a wonderful weekend, and see you soon.

You’re one of my favorites just for being here,

I used to despise beets.  Ask my mom.  I practically ran screaming from the kitchen table when they were put out.  I’ve developed a different relationship with so many vegetables as I’ve gotten *cough* more mature in years, though and now they are one of my faves.

But lima beans… nope there is [...]]]>

I used to despise beets.  Ask my mom.  I practically ran screaming from the kitchen table when they were put out.  I’ve developed a different relationship with so many vegetables as I’ve gotten *cough* more mature in years, though and now they are one of my faves.

But lima beans… nope there is just no hope for lima beans.

As I’m still editing and wrapping up some thoughts to post on CHA, I thought I’d pop on today and share one of my favorite ways to eat these sweet and good for you root veggies.  It’s super simple and is elegant enough for company when you don’t want to serve the same old iceberg and ranch.

Ingredients:

• Mixed Baby Greens (or something like a Spring Mix)
• Canned sliced beets, drained and rinsed off a bit, and cut into 4ths (so they are bite size)
• Walnut pieces (to candy them you’ll also need butter and a tablespoon of white sugar)
• Crumbled goat cheese
• Olive oil and balsamic vinegar for the dressing (or pre-made bottled balsamic vinaigrette is fine too)

*Note – there are no exact measurements as it’s really all kind of to taste and depends on how many you are serving.

Directions:

1.  Divide the greens amongst the number of plates (about a handful for each, it’s really about the beets).

2.  Top with the cut beets and crumble some goat cheese on top (don’t stinge on the cheese).

3.  Now candying the walnuts is entirely optional, but I love the taste with this salad, so if you wish to try it that way…. add about 1/2 tbsp butter to a hot skillet and melt.  Then dump in the walnuts.  Next, add about a tbsp of white sugar:

Stir around until everything combines and the walnuts are slightly toasted, about 1-2 minutes.  Don’t leave them on too long as they’ll get bitter if burned.  You can toast the walnuts in a dry skillet as well without sugar or butter and you’ll still get a wonderful taste.   I toast just about all the nuts I work with now…

On Friday nights with a martini after a damn long work week…

Bah dump dump dump.

After you’ve candied / toasted them, sprinkle on top of the goat cheese.

4.  And finally, if you wish to make your own dressing (so good for you), simply keep in mind the ratio of 2 to 1.  For every 2 tbsps of olive oil there should be 1 tbsp of vinegar (but you can adjust those up and down to your taste also, some like it more vinegary).

Whisk together with a fork, add a little salt and pepper, and then drizzle over the salad.

This is SO good.  I hope you try it.

I’m doing a bit of purging of old supplies this weekend and am about to jump into a couple projects.  Can’t wait to share them with you soon!  And those final CHA pics are a’coming too.

Have a wonderful day, and thanks for stopping by.

Nothing personal lima beans – we just weren’t meant to be,

There were so many things at CHA I wanted to get my hot little hands on.

I was making a mental Christmas list the entire time…  Christmas in July that is.

However of course though some are available in stores now,  many more won’t be for a few months, [...]]]> And now… for more enabling.

There were so many things at CHA I wanted to get my hot little hands on.

I was making a mental Christmas list the entire time…  Christmas in July that is.

However of course though some are available in stores now,  many more won’t be for a few months, so we must wait.  But until then I can day dream about my top ten must haves.

In no particular order:

1.  All things Burlap from Canvas Corp, most especially the Stretched Burlap Canvas’s:

I got so excited looking at all these cute burlap elements but most especially loved that they have also created a stretched burlap “canvas”.  I just think they will make for amazingly cute projects!  Very country feeling.  (P.S. love their canvas items too, all their canvas’s  have no gesso, so they will make your art look very natural.  I personally love that look).

2.  The Teresa Collins Stampmaker:

This thing is SO stinkin cool!  Make your own clear stamps… out of any image.  If you can get it into JPEG form you’ve got a stamp.  I so love it.  Check out a video of it in action here.

3.  Sassafras’s Paper Whimsies Cards:

Aren’t they cute?  Loving everything Sassafras has to offer.

4.  These “Trimmings” from Tim Holtz Idea-ology:

Ack!  I need one in ever color.  Just gorgeous.

5.  Ephiphany Crafts Button Maker:

(Can’t believe I didn’t snag a photo!)

This little thing is just so cute.  Make a button using clear epoxy shapes.  The tool comes in several styles, some of which I think are more useful than others.  But I love this simple button design.

6.  Pink Paislee Parisian Anthology papers:

Looks plain in the photo I know… but what I love the most about this paper is that they each have a resist overlay that is meant to be altered.  Ink it, paint it, chalk it… you can truly make these papers your own.  Check out what I mean and some gorgeous layouts on the Pink Paislee blog here.

7.  Cricut Imagine:

It prints.

It cuts.

It does your taxes.

Just kidding on that last thing – but technology seems to get getting close.

Do I need one?  Um no, but that’s pretty darn nifty.    And did you know you could win one from Craft Critique??  How cool is that?!  Go here to sign up for the newsletter and you’re entered (and to see a video of this baby in action).  It’s that simple.

8.  The Large Family Tree from Kaisercraft:

I have such plans for one.  Maybe two.

9.  October Afternoon’s Modern Homemaker line:

I want the big pink vacuum for my wall.

I just do.

10.  MyStik from Scrapbook Adhesives:

Another tape runner?

Yes but not just any tape runner.

The MyStik can be used “gun” style like an ATG,  it advances with the turn of a wheel, and refills will be very affordable.  Not too mention you can personalize it with your own paper or photo, which is just a great idea for crops.  Check out a video on Craft Critique of this cute little bugger here.

Oh my gosh I have a crafty hangover.  That’s of course not a bad thing, but after attending the Super Show today I am a little overwhelmed with the urge of wanting to just sit down and make my own stuff, with the ‘old’ product I still have hanging around .  Stay tuned for one more wrap up post with some random CHA pics and thoughts, and of course keep checking Craft Critique for more thorough reports on everything you see above and more.  Our CHA coverage will continue as we bring the “Best Of”  to you for at least another week.

Have a wonderful day.

Over-stimulatingly,

So. Much. Inspiration.

I am so blessed to have been able to go I know.  And I know every single one of us that love paper and crafts and scrapbooking [...]]]> Ok I’ve come down a bit off my high from yesterday.   I promised I wouldn’t squeal too much and am trying to hold true.

So. Much. Inspiration.

I am so blessed to have been able to go I know.  And I know every single one of us that love paper and crafts and scrapbooking want to go.  Believe me I wished you were there too.

But… yay for internet… because those of us that did go and are still rubbing our feet can share tons and tons of pictures.  To spread the word that cuteness and adorableness and loveliness and all sorts of ‘nesses’ are coming our way.  And then we can all enjoy and partake in each others inspiring projects using the new tools at our disposal.

Love that there are so many of us that share in this wonderful hobby and art.

For this post I wanted to share with you some of the most beautiful projects that caught my eye.  Not only are they inspiring, but I totally feel like we could make them too (which of course is the point to get you to buy the goods), but I love that kind of reachable inspiration.

This is a photo from yesterday’s post…but I have to include it as a fave.  The Mad Hatter hat from Graphic 45′s Halloween in Wonderland:

I want to wear it.

To Comicon.

(C’mon, you can picture it)

I want to live in Hambly’s booth:

I adore what they did to the Ikea lamp.

My favorite Christmas project was this  Advent Calendar using Kaisercraft’s new ‘Tis the Season line.  The drawers are altered with stickers that come with the line that are perfectly sized, talk about easy!

Two projects at the Maya Road booth caught my eye.  This adorable canvas album (I’m loving all the canvas everywhere):

Just look at the details!  The little touches to the letters alone are so great.

Such a cute display for chipboard albums.  (Dress forms were HUGE at the show – I swear there was one in just about every booth)

The award for totally simple yet totally cute goes hands down to these paper wrapped cans in the Melissa Frances booth.

Isn’t that great?  Stacked up on a shelf like that?  I love it.

Two projects at the Prima Booth that I adored (it was hard to pick!):

Here’s a Tim Holtz altered canvas at the Canvas Corp booth.  They were one of my favorite vendors… for their products and sheer niceness.  Stay tuned to Craft Critique for more on their products.

Sorry for the bad pic on this one, but I still had to share.  Also I cannot for the life of me remember which booth this was at?  Anyone?  I just can’t believe how much time this had to take.

(Thanks to Michele Reed for letting me know the pumpkin was at the Petersen-Arne booth… P.S. Michele has an adorable Etsy Shop full of buttons that would make a project like this a breeze!  Check it out here)

New this year were products from American Girl Crafts (from EK Success)… I’m going to need these owls.  Several.

Cutie cute Cosmo Cricket card display:

Another of my favorite booths was Crafty Secrets.  They have such wonderful vintage goods!  Stay tuned for more of them on Craft Critique too, but here’s one of my favs:

Awwww.

This altered tray at the Glitz booth is just inspired!  Totally making one of my own soon:

And finally, 7 Gypsies took the type tray fad and made it their own – literally made their own!

What a great idea.

Phew! So much to take in.  I cannot wait to get some free time to get my own craft on and hope to just come close to the artistry these wonderful designers have shared with us all.

Hope you are having a wonderful week dear friends… next post… my favorite CHA products!

Wishing all the good ‘nesses’ life can bring,

Hello there friends!  What a great day I had on Tuesday at CHA Summer 2010.  It’s impossible to see everything there is to see in one day… but [...]]]> Warning: This post is extremely random. My mind is on crafty overdrive, and I cannot be held accountable.  I will hone my thoughts soon.  (maybe)

Hello there friends!  What a great day I had on Tuesday at CHA Summer 2010.  It’s impossible to see everything there is to see in one day… but boy howdy did I try.  My back and feet are achey, but my mind is just brimming with inspiration over all the lovely goodies and designs I got to take in.  I have lots of photos to share, and will break them up into coordinated posts as best as I can muster, but I had to look through my pics and post just a few asap.

First and foremost I was so happy to meet so many wonderful people, including the amazing editorial staff at Craft Critique.  (Read about them here).  They are some of the nicest and hardest working crafters on the planet.  Seeing them in action on the floor gathering photos and video for their readers was just… well I’ve been schooled.  I was a bit nervous (ok a lot) to walk up to vendors and start gathering info but quickly learned how nice everyone was if you just walked up and said hi.

So… what comes to mind first and foremost?

Graphic 45′s Halloween Line:

And their Steampunk Debutante Line:

Want it.  Want it all.  See more pics at Craft Critique.

My must have embellishment are the metal Vintage Brooches from Sassafras Lass:

I was incredulous at how light they are – no fear that they will work on a layout – none at all. (and cute colors yah?!)

I want everything October Afternoon has to offer… but especially the  Modern Homemaker line:

The cat clock kills me.  See more OA at Craft Critique here.

Maya Road has some super cute (and uber popular) trims:

Look, there’s the back side of Tim Holtz:

I said random.

(I did get to meet him, and there is a pic, just not on my camera… he’s super nice, and as my Facebook friends know… smells really good.  I said random.)

The layouts from Prima’s design team made me swoon.

This is an extremely large wreath:

If I did that in our hallway do you think Alan would let it be?

Maybe?

So….

Accio ribbon!

One of each please.

Everything you can do with Core’dinations Cardstock:

People… people that GET me.  EVERYwhere!

Alright I must stop.  So many pics.  So much I want to share with you.

I so wish you could have been there with me.

For much more intelligible coverage of CHA, including give-a-ways, visit Craft Critique.

But more to come here – when I come down off the ceiling.

I can’t believe I just included Tim Holtz and Harry Potter in the same blog post,