New Classes!

These are my August classes at Michaels:

Paper Bag Mini Album, Friday, August 5th, 3:00-5:00  - This is a great version of the paper bag album. You can choose any colors or themes you want - bring with you or buy at the store. We will build the basic construction in class plus share lots of fun embellishment ideas! The sample is travel themed and I hope to have pics by tonight. Mine isn't finished (of course!). $25.00 plus supplies

Beginning Scrapbooking by Spotted Canary/Scrapbook Design University, Friday, August 5th, 6:30-8:30 - Week 1 of a 4 week course that goes over all the basics of scrapbooking. This is a great class for those who are just getting started, who think they might want to try this, or who have been scrapbooking for a while but just need a little boost of confidence. $25.00 (covers all 4 weeks) plus supplies

Texture Wow, Saturday, August 6th, Noon-2 - Learn to add lots of texture and layers to a 12x12 canvas project that will look incredible hanging in your home or to give as a gift! Once you've made one, you can continue to recreate these in every color scheme imaginable! $25.00 plus supplies

Sketched Out, Saturday, August 6th, 3:30-5:30 - Create a 2 page layout and 2 cards. If you've never used a sketch, you should try this class! Learn how easy and versatile sketches can be! $25.00 plus supplies

Beginning Scrapbooking, Week 2 of 4, Friday, August 12th, 6:30-8:30

Punch Around the Page, Martha Stewart Crafts, Friday, August 19th, 3:00-5:00 - Learn how versatile and fun it is to use Martha's Punch Around the Page and go home with a couple of gorgeous cards! These are beautiful punches that add so much to your pages and cards, even home decor! $10.00 plus class kit
*Punches do not come in the kit. You may use the ones we have in the classroom before you buy.

Beginning Scrapbooking, Week 3 of 4, Friday, August 19th, 6:30-8:30

Glitter Class, Martha Stewarts Crafts, Saturday, August 20th, 10:00-Noon - Did you know that there are several different types of glitter? Learn the differences and how they work in this class and some cool techniques for applying glitter to your projects! $10.00 plus class kit


CROP! Saturday, August 20th, 1:00-9:00 - A whole 8 hours of fun cropping time!!!!! Come on out and play! $5.00

Beginning Scrapbooking, Week 4 of 4, Friday, August 26th, 6:30-8:30

Coming soon:
A CRICUT CLASS!!! Thinking about buying one but just not sure? Come try it out! Only $10.00!
Christmas Home Decor using the Cricut.
A new Texture Wow class with mini canvases
A new Sketched Out class
Tim Holtz products classes! (So excited for this one!!!)
And more!!!
Details coming soon!

Crop Connection

I'm sooooo far behind! These are pics from my booth at Crop Connection last month. What a great weekend with Nadine, Deanna, Andrea and their whole team of family and friends - plus all the fun croppers and the wonderful vendors! Thanks to everyone for a great weekend!
Oh, and I made my banner with my cricut! You really can cut fabric with that thingy!

I seem to have misplaced my appointment book. Not good. Really not good.

So ice cream for supper should be ok as long as I add fruit, right? #Long day

Praying today for BethAnn Clarke as she prepares to head to East Africa to serve!

'From the dessert sand to the place we stand, He is God of all.' Praying today for those serving in Afghanistan and their families.

As I pour out my heart, these things I remember. You are faithful, God, forever!

MY HUBBY GOT A JOB! WOOHOO! Starts Aug 8th with the State!

Rich or poor, I'm in good company! 'The rich and the poor have a common bond, the Lord is the maker of them all.' Proverbs 22:2

Rango is definitely NOT on my recommended viewing list for children. Should have researched before watching.

I'm thinking the weather just might slow business down a little today at Michaels.

My standard 'mom' line has always been, life isn't fair. Deal with it. My new line, from Blue Bloods, 'Life isn't fair but you can be.'

Awesome worship last night with Shane and Shane. New cd coming soon. Wait till you hear song they wrote for their daughters!

Psalm 38:15. Thank you for Word of the day from KLove.

Fun night at Crop Connection last night! Open to shoppers tom 10-5 with 5.00 at the door! Come shop my booth!

Prayer Request. Sweet lady named Nadine having eye surgery in the morning.

My Hubby just discovered pop dots. He doesn't get it. He said next they'll make spring dots. Maybe he should iinvent them! Lol.

Jolie-isms: 3 yr old granddaughter sees stretch marks on mommy's legs. With alarm says, 'Mommy! Are you cracking up?'

Covered in glue, paint, and glitter. Thought for a min I was back at Michaels. Oh, wait. I am! Lol

Did you know that the one who calls the dead to life is the one who calls you now? You will be safe in his arms.

Matildy Jane Designs is so excited! Crop Connection next weekend! Pictures of projects up by tomorrow!

Homemade Blueberry Muffins. Yum! Thank you, Crys!

Alone in the night I cried out for You, so ashamed of my life. But You loved me anyway!

Be still. There is a healer. Let faith arise!

4th of July

This post is copied from a young wife and mother whose husband just deployed to Afghanistan. I couldn't have said anything any better. Please pray for this family and all the others who are faithfully serving our country, whether here in America or in foreign countries. May God continue to bless America!
http://lifeonthehomefront.wordpress.com/2011/07/05/the-fourth-of-july/

Awesome view of a complete rainbow on I-40 coming into Memphis. God's promises are forever. Beautiful!

Happy Independence Day y'all! May you find God's blessings all around you!

5:00 is NOT a good time to be on the interstate in Nashville.

God's grace is sufficient. His heart is full of mercy. His love is unconditional. Amazing, even after all these years.

The sun rises on His time yet He knows our deepest, desperate needs.

God's timing . . .

 . . . is always perfect. Not always the way we want it. But, nevertheless, perfect. Last Wed. afternoon was a little disconcerting for my family and my neighbors. We love our house. We love our neighbors. We love our neighborhood. Unfortunately, crime has become a regular topic of conversation in our area of town. We know it's there. We are careful. And most days it's just an 'awareness' more than a 'concern.' Last Wed. brought it into focus as a major reality.

Our next door neighbor's house was burglarized by five guys, mostly teenagers, the youngest only thirteen years old. Our neighbor drove up to see them jumping out the window of his home. He grabbed a gun out of his truck and chased them. One of them shot at him. He shot back several times as he was chasing them. No one was hit. My husband called me at work to warn me. He didn't want me to drive up and find police cars and TV stations next to our driveway and think someone had died!

It was Wed night. I was exhausted from work and with what was going on right next door to my house, I almost didn't go to church. Imagine my surprise when I got there and one of the main topics of prayer was areas around the church that need God's kingdom to come, specifically where I live! As Michael, the pastor began to ask us to call out things that were keeping God's kingdom from coming in the areas around us, I immediately said, 'fatherless children.' I hadn't thought of it before that moment. I know it's a problem but this was a new awareness, a heartbroken burden for me now. I wonder how many of those kids who were being shot at by a frustrated, frightened homeowner had fathers who loved them?

Then another reality hit me. Bullets were flying next door to my house. What if one had gone through a window? My husband and daughter were home. What if? I wrote not long ago about how my life might be different if I never doubted, if I really believed God to be sovereign and acted on that belief. This night was just a small token of Him showing me that He always goes before me. Why did Michael specifically have prayer that night for Jackson? He had no idea what had happened in my neighborhood. At some point the potential danger my family was in would have hit me and it would have terrified me. But by using this prayer time, with dozens of others praying around me for my city, I was comforted by the presence of my Father. He already knew what would happen that afternoon. He knew that my daughter and I would need reassurance at that precise moment. He knew. And He provided. Yes, His timing is indeed ALWAYS perfect!

Heidi Swapp- do you ever feel like you need to add another bag of MandMs to the trail mix?

If  I ate chocolate, today would be one of those! Lol!

God never says . . .

Since we just celebrated Father's Day, I thought I'd share about my dad. Daddy is a no nonsense kind of parent. As I was growing up, even though he was strict, I could always count on him to be fair. When I asked questions, he would give thoughtful answers. When I said I didn't understand something, he would explain.   When I disobeyed, I suffered consequences. If he told me something, I knew I could count on it and that it was always truthful to the best of his knowledge. He always told me that anyone who would lie to me in little things would lie to me about anything. That's just one of many sayings that have proven his wisdom to me over the years.

After I had children, I realized there were a few things that Daddy never said. I always thought that I was 'just like my dad.' Then, one day as I was responding in frustration to one of our little angels that was being disobedient, it dawned on me that my parenting style had become much different from my dad's. At that moment I realized that there were three things I had never heard come out of my daddy's mouth.
     1. I'm going to count to three . . .
When Daddy spoke to me, I knew I'd better respond. There was no counting and waiting for me to get around to answering.
     2. And I mean it!
If he said it, he meant it. And we knew it.
     3. I'm not going to tell you again!
He didn't have to. We knew he meant it the first time!

Anyway, I'm very thankful for my earthly father and the example he set for me. Much of what I understand about God began with my dad. But I've come to appreciate something about my heavenly father in a whole new perspective over the last few months. Through an extremely difficult time in my family and days that I never, ever want to repeat, I've learned to walk in the assurance that God is never caught off guard. Our lives may be turned upside down. Our hopes may be dashed to pieces. Our plans may be buried in the dust. We may experience hurt that is so deep that we truly think we may die. But we can always know with complete confidence that there is definitely one thing God NEVER says. 'WOW! I DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING!!!'

He knows every hair on our head. He created every cell of our body, every drop of our DNA. He knew who we were before we were even thought about by any human. He knew where we were yesterday, where we would be today, and what tomorrow holds for us. Time is irrelevant to him. He was. He is. He always will be.

And he loves us. Oh, how he loves us. Passionately. Perfectly.

Psalm 139:16 (NLT) You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

What ever you are going through, rest in the peace that God is already there. He will carry you through.

Blessings,
Renea

So thankful for a grandfather, father, father-in-law, brother, and wonderful husband who have lived godly lives in my family!

We are His portion and He is our prize, drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes. Oh, how he loves us!

Redeemer! My healer! Lord Almighty! All the world will praise Your great name!

For those of you who enjoy gospel quartets, Spoken For will be at Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene tonight at 6pm. No tickets. Love offering only.

I got checked . . .

No, I wasn't going through airport security. I got checked by God. As you may know, my husband lost his job the end of 2010. He's been faithfully looking, but still no job. We really are ok. (Everyone keeps asking, Thank you!) Most of the time I really don't think much about it. I know God is in charge and I trust Him. But every  now and then I have a moment. You know, one of those panic stricken, can't breathe, think I'm going to have a heart attack, moments. I had one today. We have a bill that's past due on the satellite. We intended to cancel. We planned to cancel. We didn't. I thought he would. He thought I did. I called to explain and found out that they have our debit card on file. If we don't pay it, they will debit our account for the bill plus the equipment that they haven't received, even if I tell them it's already in the mail. I had a slight panic. I called my sweet hubby to 'let him know' what I had found out. That's a rather gentile way of putting it. He told me what we had in the bank and how much we would need to put with that to avoid the unwanted debit on our account. He asked me if I had enough money to add to what was in our account. I told him what I have in my checking account. (Yes, I have a separate account for business reasons.)

Here's where the 1st check came. I immediately felt like I had lied to him. I didn't, but I felt like it. I have my tithe money in cash. So, yes, I have more money than I said. And my first thought was that if I added in my cash, we would have enough to pay the past due on the bill. But that money isn't mine. Nevertheless, I shall correct this information with my sweetie before I go to sleep tonight.

Then the 2nd check.Do I pay my tithe and leave the bill in God's hands? Or do I pay the bill and trust that God will understand my dilemma? If I really trust that He provides all my needs, that His commandments are not suggestions, that He loves me more than I will ever understand, then why was I even questioning? God's word says to tithe. I haven't always done so. I knew better. I felt guilty. I made excuses. Not any more. I will pay my tithe.

God is always faithful. If my account gets debited anyway, we'll manage. It doesn't change who God is. And, really, we are ok!

More blessings than I can count,
Renea

Ps - (Added later) They didn't debit my account before we took care of  the bill. See? Worrying and panic attack for nothing - once again!

Storms knock power out in Alta Woods once again. What fun! Not.

SCRAPBOOK CLASSES START THIS WEEK!!!

Anyone interested in scrapbook classes? I'm teaching one starting this Thu at Michaels north Jackson. Goes for 4 weeks, Thu 6:30-8:30pm. We'll cover all the basics, learn about tools, color theory, design principles, etc. 4 weeks of class only $25.00!

Want to learn about scrapbooking? Come take my class! Register at Michaels County Line. Class starts this Thu!

Giving my life to the only one who makes the moon reflect the sun. Every starry night was His design.

So thankful to live in the greatest country in the world and for the men and women who have sacrificed so much for freedom.

'end' - don't text and drive! Lol

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Soooo, here's the big announcement!

I'm teaching scrapbook classes at Michaels again! So far, the one I have scheduled is the 4 week class by EK Success. Thur nights, 6:30-8:30, starting June 9th, ending June 30th. Class in only $25.00 for 8 hours of instruction! And more classes coming soon!

Send me an email, message me on Facebook or Twitter if you want to sign up!

I want that!

Reading the other day in Mark chapter 1, I was struck by something that I had not really thought of before. That seems to happen to me a lot when I'm reading scripture. It's not that I haven't read it before, but God's word is so rich with lessons for us that even reading familiar scriptures can spark a brand new thought or idea that you've never had before! Isn't He just amazing?

So, back to Mark 1, this is just after Jesus has been baptized. Verse 12 says, "Immediately the Holy Spirit compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness." (New Living Translation) The New American Standard uses the word 'impelled' rather than 'compelled.' The NIV says, "At once the Spirit sent Him out into the dessert." I really liked the NASB version. IMPELLED. That word really caught my attention. According to Webster's, this means:

1. to urge or drive forward or on by, or as if by, the exertion of strong moral pressure : force 

2: to impart motion to : propel

WOW!!! I WANT THAT!!! I want the kind of relationship with my heavenly Father that when he speaks to me,
     I'm IMPELLED to move,
                    I'm IMPELLED to act,
                                   I'm IMPELLED to obey!
What a difference that would make in my spiritual walk!

What if . . . I never questioned His will?

What if . . . I never waffled in my commitment?

What if . . . I never got too busy to obey?

What if . . . I never got impatient when I didn't see the results I had expected?

What if . . . I didn't get discouraged and want to give up when loved ones time after time refused salvation?

What if . . . fill in the blank for you.  

I love this quote by D. L. Moody,  "The World has yet to see what God can do with one man who is fully committed to Him." What if I truly, completely, fully committed everything to Him? What could He do through my life? In my family? With my neighborhood? My church? Father, help me to be who you want me to be!

Blessings,

Renea

'Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not... what you now have was once among the things you only hoped...' Billy Ivey

How boring life would be if things went the way we wanted them to all the time. Louie Giglio

lecrae: Persistence in prayer is for us to recognize our need to be dependent. Not to bother God until He finally gives in.

A healthy attitude is contagious but don't wait to catch one. Be a carrier. Tom Stoppard

Today is not just another little square on your calendar, but a God-breathed gift He has purposed for His glory. Tune in. Louie Giglio

No wise person ever wished to be younger. Jonathan Swift

Mother's Day

Things have been a little stressful in our family lately. Not that life isn't always stressful, but lately, well, it's been stressful. I woke up this morning feeling a little pouty and not very happy. It's Mother's Day. Things should go my way, right? Well, not necessarily. I got to church and the first worship song included some of the most incredible pictures of God's beautiful creation on the screen. I was overwhelmed at the magnitude and scope of the God of the universe! He truly is amazing!

But the devil wasn't finished. I started thinking of all the mistakes I've made as a mom. This led to feeling like such a failure! Then I was reminded of my conversation yesterday with my daughter, Brittney and how she had told me what a good job I had done. Then there was the post from my son this morning on facebook basically saying the same thing. And here I was sitting with my youngest daughter next to me in worship service. Then I started thinking about two of my friends who have already had to say goodbye to their moms until they meet again in heaven. Wow! I have SO much to be thankful for!

So right there and then I made up my mind. Yes, there are things that are difficult right now. Certainly there are things I can worry myself sick over. Absolutely there is uncertainty in our future. HOWEVER, I am choosing to be thankful! I am choosing to look at how very gracious my God has been!

This is my new favorite song. It's by Laura Story. I love the lyrics. They are so true! I've included the words of the chorus and the last verse for you here but I highly recommend the link if you haven't heard the song. Every line carries a beautiful message!

God bless,
Renea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mmgV6mPvb0&feature=related

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near?

What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can't satisfy?

And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?

Credits :
songwriters: story, laura mixon
© new spring publishing;new spring publishing

In the grand scheme of things, they're still just things.

Meadville Baptist Church crop

What fun I had last weekend in Meadville, MS with the ladies at Meadville Baptist! We had a great time at the crop and they raised enough money to send their teens and kids to camp! Awesome job, ladies! Special thanks to Beth and Sharon for all their hard work. Hope you got some rest this week!

Afterward they were nice enough to take me out to eat in town. So sweet! But the best part was being privileged enough to teach Sunday School the next morning and attend their worship service. Then I got to eat some of the best southern home-cookin' for lunch! What a great weekend!

Thanks to everyone who participated and helped! Gotta love southern women! We definitely do things with a special flair down this way!

Fearfully and wonderfully made . . .

Being a mom has taught me many things. We have one of those 'his, mine, and ours' families that consists of 5 kids, and now blessed by 4 precious grandchildren and another on the way! Wow, God has been good to our family! All of our children have similarities in their looks and personalities. When our children were young and people found out we had a 'blended' family, they often would look at the kids and guess wrongly which child belonged to which parent! However, I couldn't help but be amazed at their differences. Our oldest is our beautiful daughter, Andrea, my step-daughter. She has her daddy's dark eyes and hair and olive complexion. Our youngest, Crystal, looks so much like my husband's sister that if there were no other items in the pictures to 'date' them, you would be hard pressed to tell them apart as children. But the funny thing is, now that Crys is older, she looks just like Andrea! She even has many of her mannerisms and laughs just like her!

Our other beautiful daughter, Brittney, looks just like me. At least that's what everyone says, bless her heart. But she has my mom's blue eyes, hair color, and pretty much her personality! Funny thing about that is, I've been told all my life I look just like my daddy. Brittney looks nothing like my daddy, yet she looks like me! Confusing, huh?

All of us bear the marks of family traits. Looks, personalities, mannerisms. So many things handed down through the ages, many of them we don't even realize until we get older. Sometimes I find it a bit overwhelming to realize that God created every one of us to be unique and individual, but still made in His image. Have you ever thought about how incredibly creative our heavenly Father is? I'm posting one more picture from the beautiful flowers at Bellingrath. This is a close up of the center of a hybiscus bloom. Look at the detail He put into one simple bloom. If you click on the picture it will enlarge and you can even see a tiny green bug on it! Then consider that His word says that He knew you before you were formed in your mother's womb, that all of your days were ordained before one of them had even happened! How precious you are to Him! How great is His love for you and me!
Blessings,
Renea

Hebrews 11:21

"It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each  of Joseph's sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff." 

When my father-in-law passed away, one of the things my husband took comfort in was knowing that his last breath was drawn as my mother-in-law and sister-in-law were singing Dad's favorite hymn to him, "Amazing Grace." Dad loved God more than life itself. And I can imagine that nothing would have pleased him more than to be hearing the words of that great, old hymn as he drifted into the arms of his Saviour! 

What a beautiful picture we have in this verse in Hebrews. An old man, who perhaps is too old to kneel or fall prostrate before God, leaning on his staff in worship after blessing two of his grandchildren! I found this little bible gem while doing my 'homework' for a Beth Moore study. It got me to thinking about my heritage of attending worship with my family. What a privileged life I have had! No, we weren't wealthy or high on the social status roster, but my family has a tremendous wealth of Christian heritage! I only hope that my last act on this earth is to be worshiping my Father who has so richly blessed me!

Here are few more pics from Bellingrath Gardens. The first is my mom holding my granddaughter, Jolie, while she throws pennies in the fountain. What a joy it has been for me to watch this sweet little thing with her great-grandmother!

This one is my youngest daughter Crys (yes, the one with the pink hair!), my neice, Lauren, granddaughter, Jolie, and my daddy, my very own family patriarch!

The last one is my parents with all the grandchildren and the one great-grandchild that were there with us. From the left, daughter Crystal, nephew Daniel, niece Lauren, my dad and mom, granddaugter Jolie, niece Ashley, and my next to youngest daughter, Brittney, aka Jolie's mom. (Isn't that how all of us are known after we have children? lol)

Remember today that no matter what your family heritage consists of, you can have a heritage in God that is beyond what you can even think or imagine! He has an inheritance for you that you don't want to miss! May God bless you today and give you a glimpse of the incredible plan He has for your life!

Faith usually calls us to act. Sometimes it requires us to do nothing at all, while our human nature screams to interfere. Wisdom is knowing the difference.

Some inspiration . . .

Just thought I'd share some pics from Bellingrath Gardens for inspiration. Even though these scenes are enhanced by man's work, they still exhibit God's beautiful creation! Have you ever thought that God chose to make the world in living color? He could have made it in shades of gray. But he is a God who loves to create. If  he went to so much trouble to make so many different shades of colors and shapes in the flowers, how much more do you think he values you? You are created in HIS OWN IMAGE! What an incredible concept to meditate on today! God loves you so much that He fashioned you after His own being! Think on that today as you go about your daily duties!

Fun scrapbook weekend with the wonderful ladies at 1st Baptist of Bude, MS! Thanks to all of you and hats off to the great cooks, too!

You're invited to a crop this weekend!

scrappin’ for a Mission

First Baptist Church of Bude, MS

Invites you to attend our scrapbooking crop

Friday, March 25, 2011

4:00-midnight

Saturday, March 26, 2011

9:00-6:00

Cost:  $60(for both days includes dinner Friday night and lunch Saturday)

$35 for single day includes meal of the day

Registration Fees should be mailed to:

235 Bude Baptist Road

Bude, MS 39630

Call (601) 384-2326 for further information

Vendors will be available for you to purchase supplies.

Classes will be offered at an additional cost.

All proceeds will go toward the cost of First Baptist youth group Attending Student Life mission camp this 

New Whole Kit and Kaboodle Sneak Peak!

 Black and white transparency overlay by Luxe Designs. This company is no longer in business. I lucked up on some really neat stuff by them to put in this kit!
The second pic is a journal sheet by Heide Swapp on the right. LOVE her stuff! The paper on the left is another Luxe Designs sheet of 'time'. Very pretty!

That's all I'm showing for now! LOL

New Card Kit!

Cute new card kit using the Dear Lizzie line of paper. All card pieces are precut, ready to assemble! Each one takes you about a whopping 15 minutes to complete! All you need is adhesive!

All cards are blank inside except the the "Friends" card. It says "Always" inside. Let me know if you want a kit!\

Kit makes all 8 cards. Only $12.00!!!

RECOVERY!

Wow, what a long weekend it was at Scrapfest! I was so inspired by all the cool things I saw that I couldn't even sleep when I finally did get to bed every night. All these creative ideas just kept popping in my head and wouldn't turn off! So today I've been trying to process everything I learned as a new vendor and get down on paper all the ideas of things I want to create! Isn't is amazing to see how God gave so much creativity to some people? I'm finally beginning to get a clearer picture of how scrapbooking is playing a role in my spiritual journey. I'll be sharing more on this later and giving some info on upcoming classes and a seminar/workshop I'm working on! FUN STUFF!

Got in from Scrapfest, Mandeville about 4am this morning with the time change! Very long, fun, inspiring weekend!

I'm so excited about Scrapfest! Getting some really cute kits together. Will get pics up later - seeing how as I haven't taken them yet!

Busy, busy, busy!

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

Girls' class

Class was so much fun yesterday! I've really missed teaching!

All About Me Class

WOOT! Just got an awesome deal on cute ribbon at Hancocks!

SCRAPFEST!

I will be at Scrapfest in Mandeville, LA as a vendor! YEA! My first time there! I'm so excited! Here is the link to register:
http://www.scrapfestproductions.com/registration.html

Girls scrapbook class is ready. Email me for registration info. Cropclub@bellsouth.net

Yea! Basic sample for girls' scrapbook / mini book class is done! Finally!

Girls' class

I'm working on a syllabus and sample for a girls scrapbook class for 9-12 year old girls. Anyone interested in signing up, send me a message!

Crop Connection

I had sooooo much fun at Crop Connection! If you were there, thank you so much for all the support you ladies gave me as a brand new vendor! If you weren't there, you really missed a great weekend!

Thanks Mrs. Nadine, Andrea, and Deanna for another great event!

Happy new year!

I need inspiration . . . mostly to get upstairs and clean up my scrap room. No way I could work in there right now! There was some sort of explosion . . . Christmas cards, a wedding project, a Christmas project, you know, just the usual! lol

Still kids that need adopted for Signs And Wonders Xmas party! If interested call, text, or email me!

I'm back . . .

After a very long absence . . . I'm BACK! Life has been somewhat crazy for our family lately. Seems like it's that way for everyone these days. I haven't scrapbooked in forever! But I'm starting to get the bug again. Christmas cards need made. Presents to create. Time to have some fun!!!

SDU at Michaels

Yea! Finished my certification process. Now just gotta learn everything in the book, make samples, and get people registered for Sept classes!

Little girl no more . . .

My youngest daughter's new hair cut! It's shorter than it's been since she was 2! Last year we cut it up to just below her shoulders. I nearly had a heart attack then. I guess that little girl with the hair down to her waist really isn't coming back! It's really cute - now that I'm breathing again! lol

SDU . . .

I'll be teaching in the Jackson Michaels, also!

EK Success - Scrapbook Design University

. . . will officially start at Michaels in Flowood, MS in September with ME as instuctor! Yea! It's official now so I can share the news!

Crop Connection . . .

Wow! This weekend was so much fun! Nadine, Andrea, and Deanna always do such a wonderful job putting everything together. And what sweet ladies they are! Thanks to all of the croppers who made this such a memorable first-time event for me! Can't wait to see you all in January!

Crop Connection, Pearl, MS

Hey, ya'll! Come see me at Crop Connection this weekend! For more info, here's the link:

Crop Connection

June Kit

Kit is done just haven't gotten pictures posted. Had to go on vacation. But kit is gorgeous! If I have any left after Crop Connection, they will be in my Etsy shop!

Pearls and silver and gold! Oh, my! June kit is beautiful!

June kit will be out soon and it's going to be gorgeous!

My definition of crisis management:. Bops or Baskin Robbins ice cream!

Shea Arender the Illusional Legend

This is a promo clip for one of the concerts my hubby is playing for. I'm not a big Elvis fan but Shea is a great entertainer! If you like Elvis, Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Michael Buble, Harry Connick, Jr., you'll really enjoy this show! 

Oh, and of course the band is awesome!

Etsy Craft Party!!!

Anyone in the Jackson, MS area interested in an Etsy Craft Party to celebrate Etsy's birthday? @etsy #craftparty : june 18!

Send me an email or a message on Facebook. I have some locations in mind if we can get a group together!

Pics from May kit

Unfortunately it's rainy and cloudy today so I'm having problems getting good pics of these layout. But these are the ones I've gotten done so far. They are really simple but I didn't feel these pictures needed a lot.  I still have lots of product left and more pics of these events to get done!  As always, pictures are clickable for a bigger/better view.

The first 2 are my granddaughter, Jolie with my neice, Lauren. Lauren was playing with her on the playground at church. Jolie loved it. I layered some of the tissue paper diecut flowers and used the green glitter glue in the kit to make the swirls. This stuff is a lot like Stickles but came from Michaels. The little word pieces (love, for you) are cut from another paper in the kit. The "constant motion" is from stickers in my stash. I love the blurry picture of Jolie at the bottom. She is so busy it's almost possible to get a picture of her not moving! That picture just typifies what my pics of her usually look like! lol

The next 2 are my grandson, Gavin. We usually go to Myrtle Beach each spring and there is a couple who build a huge sand castle every year. I took these pictures from the balcony of the condo on the 7th floor. Gotta love a good zoom lens! In the pictures, Gavin is making sand angels and walking on the beach with my husband to see the sand castle The boats and anchors are cut from one of the papers. The "memories" diecut is included in the kit. I did add the "sand angel" stickers. Notice the cute little alligator brads? Those are included!

The next 2 layouts are my grandson, Freelyn playing in my brother's backyard on Mother's Day this year. He was so enthralled with the my nephew's, toys, the tire swing, and the bikes in the backyard. I hand cut the hearts out of one of the papers. And the green bandanna paper is a square 12x12. I just cut out the middle to use as a diecut on my page. I'll use the border I have left on another layout.

May Kit at last!

Finally! May kit is listed on Etsy! Still working on samples. Will post those probably tomorrow! This kit is full of cute Martha Stewart cardstock and lots of other goodies! Fun!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48006427/may-whole-kit-and-kaboodle-scrapbook-kit

New Kit

Still trying to get the pictures of my kit done! Took them Sat but for some reason the lighting just hasn't cooperated with me. So re-doing them today. Cute Martha Steward papers and great for those school activites you need to scrap or those summer outdoor pics! That's all I'm saying for now! Heehee!

'Things can appear to grow worse, but if you conquer despair, no deeper pit remains to trap you.' Of Men and Angels, Bodie Thone

Crop at Michaels this Fri 5-9! Space is limited so sign up and join us!

Any Hero Cards

Wow! I actually got something made! Operation Write Home is doing awesome work sending cards to our service people for them to use to send back home to their loved ones. If you aren't familiar with them, check them out! These are called "any hero" cards. I will write a note in these and add them to a box of cards. Operation Write Home will make sure both of these are delivered to one of our military people. Cool, huh?

These are both made on a kraft paper base. The papers are MME Bohemia line. Stamp on the pink square is Inkadinkado Flower Sentiments. Ink is Tim Holtz Vintage Photo.

Yea! May kit is done! With very cute Martha Stewart papers! Now to get pictures and samples made.

Do you ever just wonder what you're supposed to be doing? As a Christian, I know God has a plan for my life. Some things I never question. I know what I believe. I know where my allegiances are. But sometimes, more often than I care to admit, I just wonder where I'm going. Or if I missed a turn in the road somewhere and am on an extremely long detour. Lost and wandering in the wrong direction. Or just lost and not going anywhere. I've been in one of those phases for several weeks now. I don't like it. I'm ready to get wherever it is that I'm headed. I've never been good at waiting for anything. Patience truly is a virtue that I totally missed out on. But God is good and I know His plan is always better than my feeble ones. So, wait I will. Even if I don't like it.

With that said, for those of you who noticed there was no April kit, hopefully the May kit will be up and ready for purchase by  this weekend! But not if I don't quit whining and get off of here! So off to try to finish it up and get off this detour before I go completely mad!

New prayer request. Beth is in a small town in TN stuck in a hotel for 2nd day due to flooding. She was trying to go see Chuck.