I'm Just A Girl In The World

Under Construction

2011-10-31T17:17:00.000-05:00

Life. It changes. This past year has been a HUGE adjustment for me. Going from being home all day with Nana & scrapping all the time to constantly being gone at work & meetings and rarely any time to craft. Well that's all about to change! I got a new JOB!!! I'll be working at Willo Beauty Bar at Loehmann's Plaza. I'm very excited and one of the best parts is my new schedule: 3 days a week off with 2 half days (I have to be at work at 8AM on those half days though :o ). I'm really looking forward to spending more time crafting. I MISS it!!! It feeds my soul. I also plane on more blogging and a makeover of this dreary place. So there will be reason soon to check back more often again. See ya' soon with an all new look.

Seriously???

2011-06-13T18:17:00.000-05:00

I'll be shocked if anyone even reads this anymore. I haven't even blogged since MARCH!!! I can't believe it's been that long. My life is just so different than it was in Kansas. Work & recovery take up so much of my time, and then there is the laziness :) I really miss crafting & am searching for a new job that hopefully allows me more time to craft. I HAVE been doing some art journal prompts for Year In The Life Art Journal but half the time I forget to get them in on time. I can show you some of those now. BEWARE: Obscenities ahead!!!

Manic Monday was the prompt a few weeks back. LOVED that song in the 80's. I got the copics out and did a little drawing about the stuff I always have to do on Monday's. Ugh! Gets in the way of my 'relaxing' lol.

On the radio the song says "Forget You" by Cee Lo Green but it's really Fuck You and I couldn't resist a big neon FU journal page. :)

The last prompt was Faith. You gotta have faith faith faith, right? lol So I wrote some things about why I have faith like the wind blowing on my face & the changing of the seasons & the feeling I have inside & that my life is happier having faith than questioning if I should and then of course some George Michael lyrics cus I couldn't resist. I finally found my stencils in a box so I got them out along with some mist and stickles and paint.

The new prompt will be up in a couple of days and I even already turned in my page! Yes SHOCKING I agree! I wish I could figure out a way to make money art journaling. Go check the YITLAJ blog in a couple of days and get to it!

Lillian Martha Casteel Osborn Feb. 21 1914-2011

2011-03-20T14:25:00.001-05:00

I’ve been meaning to make this post for a month now but just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It’s been a month now that my Nana passed. It’s really just now settling in and there are moments when it doesn’t seem real, as there are when anyone dies. She left this earth on the same day she entered it 97 years later! When she took a turn for the worst I just knew she’d die on her birthday and she made it almost 2 hrs in. She lived a long beautiful life and was loved by many.

Nana lived in Kansas all her life. She was born in Pittsburg, went to high school in Cherryvale, lived a short time in Lawrence while Papa finished Pharmacy school and settled down in Independence where she raised her children. She lived in the same house for almost exactly 65 years. She was a true southern Lady to me and an excellent hostess & housewife. She took lots of pride in her home. She loved the color celery green as her entire house (and I mean ENTIRE) was painted that color so it would be a good accent to her favorite color of yellow. Her favorite flower was Carnations. She said because they were sturdy flowers and lasted a long time. She thought the greatest invention of her lifetime was the Polio vaccination as she recalled the fear she had over her children possibly contracting the disease. She was a depression era child so always practical, at least her thoughts were practical to her! Her & her mother Maude lived with Maude’s sister Hattie and her husband Onty & Maude’s two children by her first husband, Virginia & Pete, in a small apartment in Pittsburg. Uncle Onty worked at the movie theater as a projectionist and so Nana got to see many films and recalled seeing the first ‘talkie’, The Jazz Singer, with her school class. Papa & her started dating in junior high. They were both only-children being raised by single parents. They only broke up once & eloped in secret. The news of their marriage beat them back to Kansas though and they had to come clean. This secret marrying has become a theme in my family. Nana’s chicken salad recipe is still the same recipe that the drugstore serves daily. DeFever Osborn Drug is now called Independence Pharmacy but their spirit lives on there. Nana gave birth to a boy Robert and after several miscarriages and a tubal pregnancy her & papa adopted Virginia who was named after Nana’s cousin (Side note: Virginia & Pete both moved to California just like me. A story I heard about often once I told her I was moving). One of my favorite stories Nana used to tell was of Papa & his friends stealing the food from the girls sleepovers & how they used to hide the food in the piano so the boys wouldn’t find it.

I have tons of fabulous memories of times I spent with Nana & Papa growing up. Being the first grandchild I was a little spoiled . Nothing could compare to these last 4.5 years with her. I’ll be ever so grateful for them, and her. So many things that are ingrained in me are from her. I love you dearly Nana. May you rest in peace.

The picture above is Nana on her 96th birthday a year ago. Eating chocolate of course!

What I’ve been up to…

2011-02-09T17:16:00.001-06:00

I’ve only scrapped one or two pages since I moved to California. Sad times. I’ve just lost my mojo for scrapping unfortunately. But there’s a good side to the lost scrapping mojo and that is I’ve been making lots of collages. Ok well a few collages. But I plan to make a lot more in the future and this is totally where I want to take my art. Since I’m in recovery my collages have included recovery quotes. It started with one for my sponsors birthday:

Next I made one for my sponsors sponsor:

And it’s just evolved from there:

So that’s it. I hope to have more to show soon. Also I think I still have some spots left in my Crafty Pay It Forward in the post below so go sign up if your interested.

Have a great day & THANKS for stopping by!!!

Pay it forward & Friday 5

2011-02-05T01:14:00.000-06:00

I promise to make a handcrafted item in 2011 & mail to the FIRST 5 people who comment that they would like to join in, only asking in return that you post this on your blog and offer 5 people something you make by hand and mail to them this year.

Sounds like fun doesn't it?

Not sure WHAT I will make yet but I can promise you that I will put my hands, time, love & creativity into something cute!

I hope you decide to join in and Pay It Forward with crafty love!

This weeks Friday 5 comes from a different site Friday5.org

1. Who's not as funny as he or she thinks?
Charlie
2. What's not as big a deal as everyone thinks?
What other's think of you.
3. What's something people aren't concerned enough about?
Teacher salaries
4. What's something in the grocery store that's underrated?
Fruit
5. What do you pay to much attention to?
My cell phone

And I'm out! Hope you all have a great weekend.

52 Weeks

2011-01-30T14:57:00.000-06:00

So I'm participating in Kim Whitten's 52 Week Project this year where you take a self-portrait every week. I'm doing most of mine on my iPhone, just like my Project 365 which I actually completed last year! (Yay ME!) and am doing again this year. I started Kim's idea last year but it didn't last long. I know I've grown in my ability to love myself this year because of the fact that I'm not freaking on every pic so far. Anyway, you can check out the flickr group here.

Week 1: I went to San Francisco with my friend Jacqui to get her Chinese visa and it was closed for the holiday so we had breakfast at the Squack & Gobble. I took this pic of my reflection in the mirror with the menu boards behind me.

Week 2: 2 days after the above shot was taken I came down with an awful cold that would NOT go away. I missed a week of work and laid in bed the whole time. My kitties were my constant companions and so I snapped this pic one day while convalescing & cuddling with Hambly.

Week 3: This week brought my 44th birthday. One of my co-workers gave me some awesome big hair with a side pony & I decided to make a collage of pics with my Diptic app.

Week 4: It was a gorgeous (although rare lately) sunny day in Davis & I caught this long shadow of myself while fetching some lunch.

I have week 5 but haven't uploaded it yet so you can look for that later.

Friday 5 (or 10)

2011-01-28T15:32:00.000-06:00

Actors/Actresses.
1. favourite actor/actress growing up?

Brook Sheilds (she was so scandalous with Pretty Baby & Blue Lagoon!)
Tom Cruise (We were such dorks we took pictures of the paused television screen while watching Risky Business)
Molly Ringwald (I'm STILL waiting for Jake to bring me my cake and I inherited her passion for the bad boy, although none of them looked like Jude Law)
Demi Moore (I was always in love with her long beautiful hair and still am. I also thought her cocaine addiction in St. Elmo's Fire was tragically sad. To bad I inherited that too!)
Robert Downey Jr. (need I say more?)
and a few others I'm sure!

2. favourite tv show/movie they were in and why?
See above!

3. favourite quote by said actor/actress?
Oh I suck at this so no idea

4. favourite image of said actor/actress?
I think Demi is WAY more beautiful now than she was in the past. RDJ too.

5. what would you like said actor/actress to appear in?
Oh hell I don't know but make it good

Ok I'm so not into those questions so let's do last weeks. (BTW you can find these at Live Journal

1. what's something you're really good at doing?

Being ME!
2. what's your best character trait?
Compassion
3. what do people often compliment you about?
My crafty/artistic talent
4. what's one of the nicest things you've ever done for someone?
Gave a family Christmas presents anonymously
5. what's your best physical attribute?
Eyes

Have a great weekend!

Pondering…

2011-01-07T23:33:00.001-06:00

For the last week I’ve been pondering on the last Reverb 10 prompt. I’ve started a couple of blog post and then trashed them because they just didn’t feel ‘right’ to me. I’ve been sick the last few days and have even laid in bed wondering what this prompt meant to me:

December 31 – Core Story What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world?

What in the world IS my core story? At first I was thinking it was one of survival for I’ve come thru a lot in my life, but when I think of a survivor I think of the guy who cut off his arm to crawl out of a mountain or someone surviving the holocaust or cancer. Really I’ve just survived life and that’s no more miraculous than any other person. Recovery came next but while I am most certainly an addict and have once again been thru some difficult times because of those things my story is not so horrible. I never lived on the streets or od’d or many other awful things that others endured and have lived to tell the tale. Maybe it’s perseverance. But the opposite of that would have been just giving up and well, life goes on and while there have been many times I’d like to get off the train I haven’,t and so I wake up each day and continue to do the things required in life whether I feel like it or not. It’s called living. So loss is on the list of life experiences. I’ve lost a lot of people near and dear to me but eventually everyone will deal with that. I just got a huge dose of it early in life. So while I don’t know what one thing is my core story I know that all these things together, along with some other’s like adventurer and creative and spiritual make up my story: survivor, recovery, addict, loss, perseverance, adventurer, creative,spiritual student of life.

I wasn’t going to pick a word this year because I wanted to take that Ali Edwards class at Big Picture Classes and didn’t have the money and so I thought I’d just skip the whole thing ya’ know. But the emails from her blog just keep coming to my inbox and tonight I scrolled thru them and while I’d had the word Adventure in my head, when I saw the word Flourish I knew it was the word for me this year. It’s my time to flourish. This is my year!

Reverb Ketchup :)

2011-01-03T00:42:00.001-06:00

December 25 – Photo – a present to yourself. Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.

When I read this prompt these 2 photos are the first that popped into my head. Me doing a very bad Julie Andrews impression on top of Mt. SomeThingOrOther in Colorado this summer. I LOVE the Sound of Music! I always wanted to sing “I am 16 going on 17” but I also wanted to walk down the aisle with that ridiculously long train. I think this captures my silly fun side and my spontaneity. I LOVE going to new places and doing new things and seeing as much as possible and I’m definitely doing that in this pic. It was beautiful on top of this mountain with the 2 lakes and small waterfall and all of us in our Jeeps. It’s not the cutest pic and I don’t have a stitch of makeup on but I’m having a great time and that’s really what it’s all about.

December 26 – Soul Food. What did you eat this year that you will never forget? What went into your mouth & touched your soul?

I LOVE good food. And I’ve tried a few new things this year that I’ve never had. Jacqui & Giuseppe got me hooked on this coconut yogurt from Germany and also one with chocolate chunks in it. And then there are the German pastries that are delish. Oh and the Italian coffee. I had Puerto Rican food for the first time. I LOVE fried plantains. YUM-MY! I even had a Puerto Rican/Cuban Christmas dinner and had Yucca plant for the first time and the delicious pastilles. This coming year I’m hoping to have Russian food. I want to try Borscht.

December 27 – Ordinary Joy Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?

This could be so many things but I think it would have to be seeing Nana sleep so peaceful and the kitties all curled up around her. The house all quiet and just this safety and serenity being there gave me.

December 28 – Achieve. What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today.

I want to start selling my art. I think it’ll give me a lot of satisfaction at overcoming some fear and joy that others like what I do. I think fear is holding me back now and I’m not taking full advantage of the little time I do have. I’m lazy so if I do accomplish this then I’ll have overcome some of those obstacles. I need to finish the things I’ve started and then open the etsy store or/& art fire and talk to the business owners and start networking and making the art!

December 29 – Defining Moment Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year.

That moment is definitely the conversation with my sponsor I had almost a year ago. I was complaining about some stuff as we alcoholics like to do and I told her I hadn’t been happy since I’d come home from visiting California. My sponsor promptly told me that the only time I’d been happy in the last year was when I was getting ready to go on a trip and then I was always depressed when I came home until I was going somewhere else again. That maybe it was time to re-evaluate my caregiver status and go live my life. It was like something inside me clicked and I knew that it was indeed time to start looking at other options.

December 30 – Gift Prompt: Gift. This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year?

Nana’s love for me. She’s given it for almost 44 years. And it was her love that let me go so easily to go live my life. It’s her love that fills my mind and heart with wonderful memories.

A-OK

2010-12-25T16:15:00.001-06:00

December 24 Prompt – Everything’s OK What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead?

About a week before Thanksgiving I was pulling into work and had the thought that I was really looking forward to Thanksgiving this year. I immediately realized what a huge step that was. I knew I was ‘home’ and looking forward to the future and not waiting for something to still go wrong with me moving here. I didn’t know that was what I was doing until that moment. I just knew in my heart that everything was as it should be at that moment in time. I had a couple of rough days this week where it was hard being away from home for the first time at Christmas but I talked to Nana today and she is good and life moves on. This first Christmas not at Nana’s would have come at some point and I’m lucky for all the good memories I have. I’m in a new home and life is as it should be.

Steeeeel-laaaaaaaaa

2010-12-25T15:19:00.001-06:00

December 23 – New Name Let’s meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why?

I always wanted my name to be Stella. Not the Rocky Stella, but the Witching Hour Stella. I know it’s the SAME name, but I didn’t fall in love with the name until I read that book. It’s the name I used to tell people when we had fake name night out on the town. And then I’d forget and tell people my real name and then my girlfriends would come up and call me by my fake name and then we were all confused. LOL! But honestly, I like my name that I have: Susan Elizabeth Alton. It just goes together. So I’ll keep it.

Safe Travels

2010-12-25T15:13:00.001-06:00

December 22 – Travel How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year?

I think I’ve talked enough about my travels across the US this year so lets move on to where I want/hope to go. I have plans to go to Yosemite National Park on January 2nd. I’m excited about that but after looking on the website I’m realizing that trip will depend on the weather there as they require snow chains at times and I don’t have any.

I hope to go to San Francisco a LOT this next year. One reason I moved here was to be able to go to the city so I need to be making that happen. Also the beach. Santa Cruz & maybe Pismo. I’d like to go to Bodega Bay as well. And I need to see me some giant redwoods!!!

I’d also like to make it up to Oregon this year. I’m really drawn to that part of the country and have some friends in Portland and that area I’d like to see plus I want to get a tattoo by Silje and she’s there as well.

I doubt any of my travels this year will require a plane ticket but we will see. I’m also dying to go to Disney Land. Looks like I’ll be exploring California this year!

Past & Future ME

2010-12-25T14:49:00.001-06:00

December 21 – Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?)

This is a lot harder than I thought. Thinking back on the year 2001 brings all kinds of weird memories. Stop looking for comfort in drugs & alcohol because it’s about to get a lot worse over the next couple of years. Stop taking people’s crap. Believe in yourself. Life is about to get really HARD. In the next year you’re going to lose friends, your job, your roommate, your driver’s license, your car, your home & the safety that goes with being an American. But you’ll survive it all and you’ll be able to use all those experiences someday to help others. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

My future self? Stop worrying. Let go and let God. Help others and don’t sweat the small stuff. It might not be easy but for some reason it’s necessary. Use every experience to grow. Love yourself more. Do the next right thing and it will all work out.

Seems a bit generic but I know it’s true. Nothing has ever happened as bad as I feared. And most of those fears were before I got sober and got a Higher Power. Enjoy the good times and perceiver thru the bad times.

If I don’t think about it, it doesn’t exist right?

2010-12-20T13:20:00.001-06:00

December 20 – Beyond Avoidance What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing?

Oh gosh! Like I wanted to think about THAT! lol I guess my weight and sticking to a good meal plan would be the first. I was doing good on my eating plan until National Scrapbook Weekend and with all the sweets I just couldn’t resist and after that it seems I just stopped cooking and then Nana was in the nursing home and I was packing and moving and blah blah blah and I just haven’t gotten back to it. But I’ve put on weight that I already lost and I can tell how I’m eating is making me tired and it all needs to change in the next year. It’s really hard for me to eat right when the rest of my life is in chaos and moving definitely brings chaos. But it’s time to get back on track.

The second thing is my student loans. And that is ALL I’ll say about that right now.

Healing Touch

2010-12-19T15:57:00.001-06:00

December 19 – Healing. What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011?

The hardest part of this past year has been the grief I’ve felt over losing Nana’s house and what that meant for me, but the unexpected grief over losing my mom almost 5 years ago was overwhelming at moments. It came out of the blue. I thought I was long past those feelings. Yes I knew I would always have moments where I missed my mom and her absence from my life was so apparent, but I wasn’t prepared for it to settle inside me so much once I was HERE!

A new friend of mine here in Sacramento lost her husband shortly after we became friends and she had lost her mother earlier this year. I heard that Sunlight Of The Spirit Bookstore was offering a 6 week grief class and I thought it would be good for us to attend. I was thinking I was going for moral support and maybe I might get something out of it as well but she was the one that needed help right? Not me. Or so I thought. Oh how I was wrong. Julie Interrante was leading this group & she wrote a book called Power of a Broken Open Heart. The group of women and men there was so supportive. I’d never been to a grief support group before and now I see just how powerful it can be. Julie lead us in some exercises that really helped celebrate who they were and not just focus on what we had lost. I was able to share my thoughts and emotions with people who understood what I was going thru and Julie helped explain to me why some of my experiences of loss stayed with me for so long. It was exactly what I needed at exactly the right time for me and really helped me feel those feelings and move on. It was the perfect healing touch. I’ll always miss my mom, my sister, my father, my grandparents, the house that was such a home to us all, but my loss doesn’t have to define me, rule me, bondage me anymore.

Try with all your might!

2010-12-19T15:38:00.001-06:00

December 18 – Try. What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it?

There are TONS of things I want to try! In fact, Kary (my friend & roomie) are making a list of 2011 Challenges instead of resolutions. The first thing I want to try is having pink hair. Not very challenging, especially as a hairstylist, but I’ve wanted pink hair for a while now so I’m just going to do it. I want to try to sell my art this year and get some kind of business going with that. I’m really trying to build a career doing hair. I’d like to try to lose weight (always on the list huh), try to become more spiritual, try to become more serene and peaceful, try to visit friends in Southern California and Disneyland and also go North to Portland. I’m pretty sure I’m going to Yosemite after the first. I want to try to create more, laugh more, smile more. I want to try Russian cuisine and skydiving. The list is truly never ending. I love me a new adventure!

Can I be trusted?

2010-12-19T15:27:00.001-06:00

December 17 – Lesson Learned. What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward?

I think my biggest lesson I learned this year was to trust my gut, trust myself. I’ve been responsible for Nana almost since the beginning of getting sober and while I’ve definitely been irresponsible at times where she was concerned, I mostly did a good job. But what would I be like out there on my own? Would I become self-will run riot all over again or would I be looking to follow God’s will? Would I continue to do what was necessary to stay sober or fall back into old patterns? Could I trust myself to try to do the next right thing? I doubted if I could trust myself. But the thing that is different about me now, besides being sober, is I’m not doing this alone. In fact I’m not really in charge. Someone or something much bigger is and as long as I let Him lead the way then all will be good. My gut knows what the next right thing is because He’s guiding it, not me.

So when you said that did you mean it…

2010-12-19T14:29:00.001-06:00

December 16 – Friendship. How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst?

Early 2o1o: When you said I could come live with you and your family did you really mean it? Because I want to come. I think I’m SUPPOSE to come. Dorothy won’t be in Kansas any longer!

One of the scariest things EVAH! Picking up your life and moving it half way across the US. To live in another woman’s HOUSE! I mean, WHO KNEW that because my friend back in Kansas got on an online design team and I followed her there that I would meet my future roomie. That visiting her in her home would be a catalyst for a life changing decision in the future. I mean it’s CRAZY! I met her on the INTERNET!!! She could have been a scrappy serial killer!!! But she wasn’t. She was kind and sweet and fun and she flew out to Kansas with me to load a U-Haul in the sweaty humid summer heat and take off across the country. She’s made me feel at home in her home and made me a part of her family and I love her for all that she is. Thank You Kary for all that you’ve done and for being my friend.

Tie a String Around Your Finger

2010-12-19T14:08:00.002-06:00

December 15 – 5 Minutes. Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010.
Meeting new Twitter friends, scrapping on video, Big Picture Scrapbooking classes, Picture Spring, Lily, Boo, Windsor, Hambly, Nana sleeping doing the scream, Snowy days at Nana’s, Making the decision to move, hanging out watching movies with Jonathan, Pedicures with Marcee, Visiting Springer Farms and seeing baby pigs, Aja’s visist, painting a chihuahua, Laughing over Marcee & Zach’s big heads on their poppits collage, going away party, each dinner with friends in Tulsa, Peanut Butter Pie at Brothers, Blue Birdie, Janet & Janice, John & Tasonda & Thelma, packing the house, the sell, Nana going to the nursing home, Corky’s, Dodge City, Royal Gorge, 4 wheeling, Dave & Randy, Colorado, Muffler, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, CALIFORNIA, prairie dogs, Pattie, Manitou Springs, Jacqui, Ryanne, Lilly, Deb, Amy, CCFAA picnik, Natomas, Missing Nana, first Thanksgiving and Christmas in California.

Faith Hope & Love

2010-12-19T13:54:00.001-06:00

December 14 – Appreciate. What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it?

Mine isn’t a ‘thing’, it’s a ‘who’ and that who is my Higher Power. I’m really learning to trust in Him. Honestly because I see His past actions in my life. I can see how I’ve always had the things I needed when I needed them. Not when I wanted but when I needed. I see why my heart continues to have hope because I know He’s in my life and (mostly) in control. Unfortunately I still try to take control a lot but it’s progress, not perfection. I see the love He’s given me. I can finally trust & believe & thus love myself. I was raised with lots of love (although yes a little dysfunctional at times), and how He’s given me the courage to carry on in spite of life’s challenges. There is LOTS I don’t understand, and never will, but I know it’s the right path for me today.

Moving Forward

2010-12-13T14:48:00.001-06:00

December 13 – Action When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step?

Considering I’ve just been trying to settle into a routine again after all the change of the past year my next steps seem a little small in comparison to the giant ones of last year. But yes I’m always looking forward.

First off I’d like to take my art to the next level. I’m hoping to sell some things to a couple of stores and to open an etsy shop possibly. It’s a dream to have my own showing. I’m working on the art now so we’ll see where it takes me.

Second is to work on my career as a hairstylist. Not only do I want to grow my clientele for all the obvious reasons but it’s important for me to advance my skills as well.

Third, but absolutely the most important, is to grow in my recovery and spirituality. As life falls into a routine here I’m getting to see the areas of growth over the last year and I’m sure more insight will come. I’m starting to feel the strength of going thru all these changes and the lessons those will be in helping others.

Say What?

2010-12-13T14:36:00.001-06:00

December 12 – Body Integration This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present?

So I guess this is for those people who exercise. I have not one clue as to what to write about this. I’ll blame the sinus headache.

Leave It Behind

2010-12-13T14:28:00.001-06:00

December 11: 11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?

I’ve already eliminated a lot of “things” in my life this past year, mostly objects, but there are definitely some things I’d like to still eliminate:

1. Fear ~ Of course there is a certain amount of fear in life that is good, like fear of relapsing or being aware walking to your car at night or who’s at the door at 3am or touching a hot stove. The fear I’d like to leave behind is all the fear of the unknown, of not feeling like I’m enough or good enough, fear of being hurt again, fear of failure. All those irrational fears that plague so many of us in recovery. I think everyone has these fears at times but the difference is that at times it has debilitated my life. While I’ve come a LONG way fear still plays to big a role in my life.

2. Expectations ~ It’s so much easier to enjoy the experience when you’re not expecting people, places or things to be a certain way.

3. Laziness ~ I’m a procrastinator. I’ll say this is an advantage as I work well under pressure but I wish I’d just get it done in the first place.

4. Being overweight ~ I was doing good on the eating plan but then all the stress started and I turned to food. I want to be healthy. I don’t want to get diabetes. Unless my eating habits change this is going to be my future.

5. Self-Doubt ~ I second guess myself. I often think I’m not good enough, not pretty enough, to fat. I fear no one will ever love me, that I’ll never met that person to share my life with.

6. Eating out ~ I don’t really do this much but I do usually get breakfast at the local coffee shop. Now I take my coffee to work with me but I usually get a bagel or a breakfast burrito once I get to work. This is an expensive habit and it needs to stop. Simply being better prepared will help.

7. Clutter ~ I’d really LOVE to be a clutter-free person but honestly, I don’t see this one changing any time soon. 2011 is 12 months long though so who knows. The reason I don’t see it changing is that my whole life is crammed into my room. Also I’m a MESSY crafter and I share a crafting space with Kary and we have a lot of stuff between the two of us. Luckily I haven’t been buying anything to add to the cramped quarters.

8. Resentments ~ #2 Expectations lead to resentments. Since riding oneself of resentments is part of working a recovery program I get to stay on top of this, but it would be nice to not get them in the first place.

9. Judgments ~ We judge. Everyone does it. Sometimes it’s a good thing because we have to judge if it’s a safe environment or if those people are good for your kids to be around or you to befriend. But there are the judgments we make without having all the facts or the ones we’ve taken on from our parents or preconceived notions that we should leave behind.

10. Stress ~ The things I worry about usually don’t happen, at least not like I imagine them so I don’t understand why I let myself get all in an uproar, whether internally or externally. If I’m trusting in my Higher Power then I shouldn’t be stressing right?

11. Selfishness ~ I’m selfish. I like things to go my way. The way I think they should. The world would be a better place right? lol I’d like to think of others more and myself a little less in the coming year.

So there you have it. I wish there was a making wand to make these things disappear from my life but I bet they will all appear on next years list as well. Each of them is a constant state of practice and evolving within me. I can only hope for progress, not perfection.

Wisdom to know the difference

2010-12-10T01:54:00.001-06:00

Prompt: Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

By far I believe the wisest decision I made this year was putting Nana in the nursing home. It pains me to say that and still brings tears to my eyes. I wanted to be strong enough to keep going. But I also knew I’d done all I could. I was starting to just ‘exist’ with her. Not growing or moving forward but just clocking the days as they passed. I had so much living left to do. But caring for her is the single most important thing I will ever do. It was time to let go. My patience was wearing down. Her dementia was amping up. Even at this moment as I write this my mind wonders if I did the right thing, but my heart tells me I did. I’d always hoped God wouldn’t make me make that decision. I thought she’d pass in the night. I’d said from the beginning that if she ever didn’t know who I was then I knew it was time to go, but that wasn’t happening either. I prayed. A LOT. It was so so so important to know that I was doing what God wanted and not what Susan wanted. We all know how doing what Susan wanted worked out. And He paved the way. Doors leading the way just kept opening, and I walked thru them.

Nana adjusted to the nursing home just fine. She’s in a different one now which has a kindergarten in it and she says she goes to color with the kids and is a greeter in the morning. When I talk to her she always ask how California is and remembers that I live here and then she tells me to be happy. That if I’m happy then she’s happy. I miss her more than words can describe.

Life for me now is falling into place. I’m back to having a routine to life and feeling like myself. I’ve made friends, gotten involved in my community and with both my adopted families. It’s becoming home.

It’s My Party…

2010-12-10T01:33:00.001-06:00

Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.

Well the only party I can even think of is my going away party with my scrappy girls. It was one blazing HOT day. All my girls showed up: Mandy, Christy, Marcee, Anita, Amy, Jennie, Krista, Tracie, Angie, and then Kary and I. A few husbands and children even made an appearance. There was an awesome cake made by Mandy that had a map of the west on it and included our (original) travel route. It was DELISH! There was a cowgirl theme to the day.

A little scrapping was done. Mandy was (and still is) pregnant with her little girl. Did I mention it was hot? And that the AC wasn’t really working. There was lots of other yummy food and some homemade ice cream from Debbie that was delish as well. And perfect for a hot hot day.

It was also a little sad. Excitement mixed with sadness for we would all miss each other. These girls helped me thru 4.5 years of CAREGIVING!!! They made me laugh a LOT of the years and listen to a lot of whining and crying and me running off to ‘water’ Nana. I miss them all dearly. I do not, however, miss ‘watering’ Nana. I’d tell you what we talked about, but then I’d have to kill you.

Beautifully Different

2010-12-08T13:15:00.001-06:00

Prompt: Beautifully different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different - you'll find they're what make you beautiful.

Oh this is a hard one for me today. My recovery program teaches me NOT to be ‘terminally unique’, to see the things that make us alike, not different. But we are all individuals in this world with common likes and dislikes and life experiences. I’d like to think that my creativeness, honesty, and friendly personality are what people are drawn to, but I don’t really know. I’m a little neurotic and OCD abt things, like I always take the 2nd or 3rd magazine or newspaper in a rack & I like my glasses to be all lined up in the cabinet upside down (thank you Nana!) and my closet has to be a certain way. I love a little coffee with my cream, snuggling with my kitties, reading, reading, reading (especially YA vampire books), I have a paper addiction that started long before my scrapping addiction. I love to laugh, travel, explore & just lay in bed. I used to think I was a world of contradictions but most of those things have swung one way or the other. My online friends are just as important and real to me as the people I know in person. I love vintage and modern and all kinds of stuff in between. I’m sentimental and sympathetic. I love a good underdog. I never remember movie lines. I only sing in the car when I’m alone. My recovery is my greatest achievement. Or maybe taking care of Nana for almost 5 yrs. I can have a sometimes quirky, sometimes obvious sense of humor. I’m easily entertained. I like creamy desserts. I love finding common bonds with others and taking photos with my iPhone. So that’s some of ‘me’. And there is much more. And I’m constantly evolving and changing my mind.

Community

2010-12-07T15:02:00.001-06:00

Here’s today’s prompt from Reverb 10:

Prompt: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

This year I met a great group of girls on Twitter. Laura (CameronCrazy), Carrie (Scrapchick), Tara McKernin (TaraMcKernin) & Lisa Tauzell (lisataz). These girls REALLY helped me get thru the last 6 months with Nana. I’ve never met any of them in person, but I definitely call them all GOOD friends!!! Sometimes they knew more about what was going on with me than my IRL friends. I miss our video scrap nights. I also ask that you pray for our friend Lisa. She was recently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer which has spread to her liver, lungs and bones. She has a husband and 3 young girls. (you can find blog links to Laura, Carrie & Tara on your right) Thanks girls for making my 2010 a little brighter and bearable!

In 2011 I’d like to find some kind of local art group to hang with and become involved. I think the mojo flows better when you spend time with other crafty people. I’d like to find some scrapbookers as well even though I feel my focus is changing a little.

Now on to other things. I have been crafting a little. I’m working on several projects now but here are some I did a while back. I made this canvas and these cute cards with {embellish*ology’s} cupcake and butterfly tags:

That’s it for today. Hope it’s a great one!

Reverb 10

2010-12-06T14:09:00.001-06:00

Hi!

I know. I’m blogging again. It’s been a looooooong time. But I’ve been busy adjusting to my new life and I didn’t really have anything to say. I mean I probably did but just couldn’t put it down. And I came across a link to Reverb 10 the other day and thought it was a perfect way to get back to blogging and to think about the past year and the year ahead. I’m starting a little late so I’m a bit behind in the prompts so I’ll try to catch up here.

But first I wanted to talk about the Shriners Hospital for Children. Do you know about it? I knew OF it but not all the great things they do or how they do it. I learned yesterday while I helped with the Christmas decorations. Shriners Hospital treats 3 things only: burns, spinal injuries and orthotics. They have 22 hospitals nationwide including Mexico & Canada. The hospital in Sacramento is the only one that has all three services under one roof and the only burn hospital on the west coast. They really do amazing things for these kids!!! The prosthetics department goes all out to make sure kids can continue the activities they love whether that is mountain biking or wearing heels to the prom. And these aren’t any ol’ prosthetics either. They can be covered in camo or leopard print of whatever the child’s desire. Did I mention this is all FREE to the parents? FREE!!! No bills are ever sent. It’s all funded by donations. This hospital alone has 4,000 volunteers so that’s important too. There is a school there because kids still need to learn. They even send a representative to the kids school to get all those little questions out of the way before the child goes back to his or her classroom. So it’s AMAZING! And if you know of any child with these issues you should recommend they go to the nearest hospital.

December 1 – One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

I definitely think my word for 2010 was Change. I choose that word for the obvious reason of changing my address from Kansas to California. But I also chose it because so MANY things in my life changed. Who I am inside changed with this move. I put so many fears to rest like the big one of could I stay sober when I didn’t have Nana to take care of. WOULD I stay sober? And I did. I changed my home group, my friends, my sponsor. I had to change how I stayed sober. My art has changed. I think I’ve only scrapped one page since I moved here but I have been making collages as gifts and am going to try to sell some. My family has changed. While Nana is in the nursing home and still with us, she’s not part of my daily life. I have 2 families here. 3 really. The Lewis’s, Diaz’s & my AA family. I live in a house with teenage boys and dogs, and have Puerto Rican adoptive parents. Obviously my job changed but so did it’s duties. No longer responsible for Nana I’m back to being a hairstylist and there are changes there too. Living with Nana I was always home and here my family sees me leave early and come home late. So many changes, but all totally worth the effort. I will admit that if I had begun to contemplate how difficult this move was going to be and all the changes I would endure I might not have proceeded, but I’m thankful I did.

Next year? I hope this time next year my word will be Adventures! There are so many things I want to do and see. So many places to go, experiences to have. I hope and pray that my career takes off and I’m able to build a steady clientele. I want to grow in my friendships and in my sobriety and spirituality. I hope my art leads to new ventures. Hopes and dreams are not short here!

December 2 – Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?

I’m not really a writer per se so this doesn’t really speak to me much, except for the part where I want to tell my story even if it’s just for myself. So I need to recommit to journaling or blogging and my art journaling.

December 3 – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).

That moment for me is getting ready to drive away from Nana’s house. The U-Haul was packed to the limit. It was sweltering hot out: 108 degree’s that day I think. Kary and I were sweating. The cats where meowing from the back seat. I was trying to get Lily to give me a kiss goodbye, but she was mad because she knew I was leaving her. The house was empty except for some scattered stuff and things of Nana’s for Bob to pick up. 65 years it had been the Osborn’s home. 43 years of memories for me. My childhood. My life. My safe place to fall. I thought of all the times I’d set on the front porch swinging with Nana or Papa or all the evenings counting the big rigs that had missed there turn. Clover necklaces made and fireflies caught. The chirping locusts (which were chirping some then). Flooded with memories. And yet excited for the life that lead ahead. My new adventure. California or bust!

December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?

WONDER? Oh yes, I wondered for sure! I wondered if I was making the right choice or if I made the right choice about daily for MONTHS!!! I also wondered all the way from Smallville, Kansas to State Capital, California (which locals say is just a large cowtown so I should fit right in right?) Kary & I wandered the Rocky Mountains in search of the Royal Gorge train. I wondered if I’d ever feel like myself again. I did LOTS of wondering this year.

December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?

I let go of a lot this year. My security blanket for one. It’s different being out in the world knowing you always have a soft place to fall and knowing you don’t. No matter what happened in life I always knew I could go to Nana’s house and feel safe and secure so letting go of all that stability was a daunting and difficult task. I wasn’t just letting go of Nana, but of Papa, Mom and Alison. Family as I knew it. For while I was in that house and that house existed as a place I could spend time at, then I was connected to all of ‘them’ in a certain way. But now ‘home’ is filled with different people in a different place. I let go of fears. I let go of expectations. I hung on to a few others. I’ve had to “let go & let God”. And if we really admit it, all that so-called ‘control’ we think we have is false. God’s in control. I have to practice letting go everyday.

December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

I’m currently working on several collages. I’m using canvas or canvas board, paper, vintage papers, inks, gel mediums, paint, masks, epherma, rub-ons, charcoal, oil paint sticks, stickers, glue, copper, beads, buttons. Whatever I can get my hands on really. I wish I had more time for this but during the week my life is really busy which doesn’t allow much crafty time. In fact, I think I’ll close this up for now and go work on my projects!

So that’s it for now. I’ll try to keep up daily with the prompts. Hope you’re all having a Happy Holiday Season!!!

hi

2010-09-20T13:43:00.000-05:00

I've been a lazy blogger again. Job hunting is getting in the way of crafting, but alas, I should have some projects and update on my latest adventures here soon. See you then.

California or Bust

2010-08-20T12:54:00.001-05:00

So Monday morning we were on the road once again. We said goodbye to Dave & Bee & hit the road Jack! First stop: The Wyoming border.

Ops I missed it. Well that just wouldn’t do so we turned around so we could have some proper border pics.

Wyoming was REALLY beautiful believe it or not. Not very populated but definitely beautiful. We made some stops along the way like for lunch here

Where these little critters kept us entertained while we ate

We stopped at a point of interest which was a tree that grows out of a rock

I even PASSED another vehicle

Some beautiful country along the way

And wide open blue skies

I have some weird fascination with these wind turbines. We passed a truck with the part that turns the arms on it and the thing is massively HUGE!

After MANY miles of this:

We finally passed into Utah

We were some seriously tired girls (and cats) when we pulled into our hotel by the airport in Salt Lake City and were quickly in the pj’s and sleeping. The next morning I got up early so I could go do some sight seeing with this lovely girl Jocelynn

She took me to see the big Mormon temple

There were lots of Brides & Grooms around

And the sun was blazing HOT!

Everyone can go in the 2 visitor centers and the place where the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs. This is the amazing organ they sing with and the acoustics in this building are incredible.

I loved this statue of Jesus in one of the visitor centers

And this awesome chandelier puts Nana’s to shame

A quick drive by the state capital

On our way to this FANTASTIC scenic overlook.

Look Mom, no heads! lol

And I was late to check out so we had to hurry back to the hotel and get on the road for another 12 hours of driving. But not without a stop at the great Salt Lake

It’s a little stinky out there

Drove by the salt mines

The Nevada sign was on a highway with no place to stop so we stopped at the visitors center for our pic.

And drove by this nice cowboy

As you can see it’s a bit stormy out so we didn’t stop for a pic. Nevada is a boooooooooring drive but we got some pretty skies

And Kary & I found our summer home!

The California border sign is even more ridiculous than the Nevada border sign so there are no signs of us at the border, plus it was dark dark dark when we finally crossed the state line. BUT, nothing says California like the beach and I’m going there soon so I can REALLY feel like a Cali girl and those pics will follow soon along with some of where I’m living and such. Stay tuned for more stories of my great adventure.

4 Wheelin’ Babes

2010-08-01T13:22:00.001-05:00

Extreme sports is not a word usually associated with me. Extreme crafting maybe, but Susan & sports aren’t words you usually hear in the same sentence. Until now. Who knew you could be sporty while also just riding along! I’ve found a new fun adventure. Now I just have to find a cute guy to take me to the Rubicon, but that’s a different story.

When Dave mentioned leaving at 4:30 AM I wasn’t sure I was up for this day. We all know how I like my slumber. But what else was I going to do all day? Certainly not lay around the house whilst they were out having fun. And I figured if we were leaving so EARLY we’d be home early to right? Ummm…, NO!

So I dragged my chipper butt out of bed at 4:30am, slapped on some jeans and makeup, put the hair in a ponytail and grabbed the color Kary had packed and we were off. We stopped at Kary’s 2nd cuz’s house and she jumped in his truck. He was towing his Jeep because of his fancy new tires. 2.5 hrs later we pull up to this mountain base campsite in the middle of NOWHERE, Co and the rest of the gang is WAITING for us to arrive. I got a glimpse of the sand dunes in the distance and Kary said to take a picture of that mountain. I was still clueless that we were going all the way to the TOP and what that would entail.

See it’s still VERY dark out when we left.

Mt. Blanca

Matt’s ride

Randy (L) and Bob (R) letting a bit of air out of the tires.

Early morning Brother/Sister hijinks starting.

My ride for the day

So there are about 10 vehicles of the Jeep/Bronco version and we head up the mountain after a group prayer. Randy & Dave belong to this group of Colorado Christian 4 Wheelers.

Kary & Randy

You start climbing pretty fast & the views are amazing.

It’s a pretty rocky road and gives a whole new meaning to Rocky Mountain High! I had barely asked the question of “what do you do if someone is coming down the mountain?” when we encountered a group doing just that.

Randy & this first guy actually knocked jeep heads passing each other and had to have a little push. The guy in the 2nd jeep was pretty cute & I almost got out and asked for a ride down :)

And we were on our way again

Finally some obstacles, in the form of giant boulders. At first I was like there is no way in hell I’m riding while they drive over those but by the 3rd one I was in the Jeep. We got towed over on that boulder. It’s a little scary when you are leaning a bit on the side and looking down the side which goes straight down but then the front tire falls and all is well.

I’m not sure what happened here but we almost lost this guy down the side somehow.

The guy in the cowboy hat is Bob. And that is Bob’s wife driving the Green Machine. Bob likes to direct traffic & work on the vehicle & his wife likes to do the extreme stuff. Seems like a perfect match!

While each person drives over the obstacle there is a lot of standing around and watching and waiting by the rest of us. Gave me some time to take in the beautiful scenery.

We finally reached Lake Como and stopped for lunch. It was really beautiful up there. I forgot to mention the ton of hikers along the way that we passed, both going up and down the mountain. Some camp at this lake, some go up to the very top or camp along the way. It was a VERY busy mountain.

Most of us went on up to the very top where there where 2 lakes called the Blue Lakes. It was time for a group photo too.

Being at the top of this mountain had me channeling my best Maria Von Trapp and singing the Sound of Music

The hills are alive

with the sound of muuuusicccccccccc

Coming down is a LOT faster than going up. We stopped for dinner and it was LATE when we got home and got to bed. I think around midnight because I remember thinking I’d been up for 20 hours. But it was a day filled with total pure fun and I can’t wait to do it AGAIN! Now where is that boy with a tricked out jeep cuz’ I need a ride…

Seeing the Sights

2010-07-25T22:59:00.001-05:00

Wednesday morning we were free of the trailer for a few days and decided to take in some sights. First stop was Garden of the Gods. You can drive or hike through these beautiful red rock formations which have been given lovely names such as “Kissing Camels” and “Cathedral Towers”. I even meet some people who were from Sacramento & out here visiting their daughter.

We also met these guys from Texas that were skydivers. Look at these funky shoes that one of them had on.

It was a beautiful day and the place was packed

Did some mountain climbing (hehe)

And watched a storm roll in

So we headed off to the Cliff Dwellings in Manitou Springs

Of course it says no climbing but there were kids crawling in everywhere and I’m the biggest kid of them all of course!

It looked much easier when the kids where doing it!

Well hell, now I have to get out of this hole after this photo op

So of course Kary did it too!

This was my 2nd time to the cliff dwellings. I just love them. I can’t imagine living inside those small spaces.

After the cliff dwellings we took a drive up to the Cavern of the Winds but decided not to go on the tour. Then we went to Manitou Springs and walked around for a bit. Had some yummy Mango sorbet

Thursday we drove to Canon City to take the Royal Gorge train. This is something I’d always wanted to do while living in Denver and never got around to. We got lost & missed our 12:30 reservations so we went to town for lunch and to walk around and look what we found. I mean, I’ve HEARD of these places but never actually saw one.

I wonder if this place has much to do with that huge high security prison down the road?

We were glad this guy wasn’t our driver!

But the old train did provide another photo op & look I’ve grown! I’m taller than Kary suddenly

Ok, as tall as, not taller.

The ticket lady took pity on us for getting really lost and gave us some great seats

We abandoned those seats shortly for the open air car

The view was incredible! Loved seeing the rafters coming down the gorge

There was a lot of talk about what this wooden pipeline was once used for. Some kind of aquaduct or for mining purposes.

We drove under the bridge and decided that it was probably more fun to see it from below than way up high! It was cool to see the tram going over but the people who were swinging out over the gorge got my vote for bravest & not the brightest! lol

Kary and I found new places to live!

The rain drove us inside for just a bit

And then the sun came out and warmed us up again

And you do some mountain hugging on the train

A couple of really great beautiful days. The weather is awesome and the scenery beautiful. Makes me miss living here.

Check back to see my foray into Extreme Sports!

On the Road, Again

2010-07-23T11:53:00.001-05:00

Well I always knew this was an adventure & I wasn’t wrong!

My trailer & car were packed to capacity, the house empty, goodbye’s & see-ya-laters said and Kary and I were on the road. We didn’t get very far before our first mishap. We’d just gone thru the traffic circle at Fredonia (maybe 30 mins from Indy) when a car flagged us down and told us to pull over. Seems the trailer had come open & was dispersing my belongings along the highway. One of those bags contained my hair stuff & a pair of $600 shears!!! :0 A nice man in a truck towing a boat pulled over to say that he saw someone picking up my stuff from the road. A few minutes later that man drove by to say he’d put my stuff on the side of the road so Kary and I went back to pick it up after the boat guy gave us a bungee cord to keep the door on the trailer down. Seems the lock I bought had to much slack in it & was allowing the door to slip up. We barely got that door down so I was surprised it got up so easily!!!

The next bump came from my rising fuel cost. My car does NOT like towing a trailer. Rather my gas tank doesn’t like towing a trailer. So much for my great Toyota gas mileage! This is seriously impacting my financial status.

So we are trudging down the highway when we hear something dragging. At first we think it’s the chains to the trailer but then discover it’s my muffler pipe hanging dangerously low. By Dodge City it’s dragging pretty bad so we pull into a mechanics, he looks under the car and tells us to come back the next day at 8am. We find a motel, let the kitties out of the cage, eat & shower and settle in for the night. Did I mention Kansas is having a heat wave? Well we are.

The next morning we are off to Corky’s. Come to find out my muffler pipe has been dragging since we left pretty much and almost has a hole in it. Corky says he can fix it in an hour for $60 & we go to Boot Hill for a little sightseeing.

Car was fixed and we were on our way. I can thank my UHaul guy for this little mishap as when he put my hitch on he took OFF the muffler pipe guard causing it to drag. Colorado Springs here we come! But not without some stops along the prairie & Santa Fe trail.

From the age of 4 until a couple of days after I finished 3rd grade we lived in Garden City, Ks. I’ve never been back until last week and low & behold our little house was still there right across the street from the high school football field like all those years ago. It looks EXACTLY the same!

Finally we hit the Colorado border.

Where the hay bales look like loaves of bread.

So 3 tanks of gas, a little car issue and we finally arrive safely to Kary’s brothers house & an awesome home cooked meal. We’re here for a few days and have been doing some sightseeing so I’ll be back to show you those pics later. I’m off to lunch with a fellow tweeter. Stay tuned…

Final Days

2010-07-12T10:53:00.000-05:00

So I'm in the final days of my Kansas residency. I had Nana's estate sale this past weekend. I'm STILL packing my own stuff. I've got a week of busyness and "see-ya'-soons" because goodbyes seem to final. My cat-trapping abilities are not so good but I'm excited to say that I found a home for Boo if I can just catch him to get him there. God sent me a gift in Janice who helped me thru the last week along with my sponsor. These two women will always carry a special place for me for helping me navigate this difficult time. I'm simultaneously happy & sad. I'm scared a little shitless that I'm moving in with a friend because that has never gone well for me in the past. I'm worried about my babies (Windsor & Hambly) and how they are going to take to being on the road for 12 days and also to living in a home with dogs. I didn't give birth to them but I feel the need to protect them just the same. And thru all my tears and worries and anxieties I know I'm going and doing what God wants me to do. Of course there is this itty bitty little nagging in the smallest corner of my mind that is saying "well I hope this was God's will and not SUSAN's will taking over again". I mean it's not like He wrote me a letter ya' know? And doing Susan's will has not fared well for me in the past. Not sure when I'll get to blog again. Hopefully I can share from the road but I'm not really liking how big the blogium app makes pics so maybe just words of our adventures with pics to follow. Because there will be pics. LOTS of pics.

Swallowed Up By Stuff

2010-06-29T15:45:00.002-05:00

Look at all this STUFF! It's what I've been up to lately . Organize, sorting and packing stuff. In between 2 trips to Texas, a cold, speaking at AA in Tulsa, an abcessed tooth and today's emotional meltdown. Filing thru the lives of my grandparents & parents & some of my sisters stuff. And setting things aside for my uncle & 2 cousins. But the hardest part is sorting thru all my emotional STUFF and there is a LOT of that stuff today. And having to believe. Continuing to believe with my whole heart when my beliefs are being challenged. You can't have doubt while believing with your whole heart. I'm overwhelmed today. Overwhelmed by stuff.

Top Shelf Memories Blog Party

2010-05-17T22:46:00.000-05:00

Top Shelf Memories is having a blog party!

We are celebrating the official launch of our blog and we want you to join us! The blog party will run from today through May 28th. Be sure to check back for additional challenges throughout this time. All winners will be announced on the blog on June 1st.

There are a few different ways you can earn some prizes from Top Shelf Memories during this party!

1. Become a follower of this blog! (Not my blog but the blog in the link). Taryn will choose one follower to win a TSM prize pack.

2. Sign in for the party (in the blog post) and tell us who you are and where you are from. Taryn will choose one random person to win a TSM prize pack (tell them LadyMissSusan sent ya').

2. Post about the blog party on your own personal blog or website and link back to the appropriate post. Taryn will choose one participant to win a TSM prize pack.

3. Make a $25.00 purchase from the TSM store

, and be entered to win a TSM prize pack valued at $50.00!

4. Become a fan/friend on Facebook (just look for Top Shelf Memories). Taryn will choose one random person to win a TSM prize pack.

5. Complete our challenges! A few different challenges will be posted. Complete the challenge and link us to your layout. One random winner from each challenge will win a TSM prize pack.

There are 2 girl kits this month at Top Shelf Memories this month (and 2 boy kits) and here are some of the lo's I did:

Erosion Bundle Reveal

2010-05-07T22:23:00.000-05:00

I took down my Erosion Bundles. I had to hang the one in the ivy up in the sun to dry a bit before I cut it apart though. Above is the first picture of the bundle that had been in the ivy. I never considered that it might end up smelling musty. The inside pages weren't dry and so it's currently laying on the back porch to hopefully air out while drying. The cloth it was wrapped in was all crusted with leaves and had some holes in the corners and bottom. Here is a couple of pics of the inside of the book. I was surprised to find that in both bundles the chalk stayed hard. I was really hoping for some fabulous saturation of colors.

And here are a couple of pics of the hanging bundle. I really like how the paint from the canvas kinda melted to the copper and the effects. I was really hoping for more tarnishing on the copper but it wasn't directly exposed.

I learned some things in this process for next time as I do hope there is a next time:
Papers will smell musty if in a bundle on the ground
Chipboard just gets wet although some did fall apart (because it got wet)
The whole bundle needed to have more exposure to the elements to really deteriorate.
Multiple papers will stick together once wet
All in all I might have realized these things before if I had thought about it, but I didn't. I just threw a bunch of stuff in to see what would happen. I can't wait to make some art with it all. The deadline for art is August 15th I believe. I need to go look at others bundles to see how they turned out.

Weekend Wrapup

2010-05-05T12:17:00.000-05:00

Did you all have a nice National Scrapbooking Day? I went to my local scrap store, Chasing Rainbows, as usual. Lots of laughs and eating where done by all and even some scrapping! I managed to do a couple of layouts and then get caught up on my Everyday Adventures class.

This first lo is the first challenge in my Log Your Memories challenges. Yes I'm a bit behind in starting this project. Suppose to be a challenge a week for a year and I'm just starting. hehe. I had to come up with 100 things I wanted to do before I died. These are just the things that came off the top of my head. There are MANY more. I even forgot to put one of the things I've been dying to do and that is ride a horse.

What's on my list?

~ Cruise the Greek Isles ~ High Tea ~Have my own art show ~Tattoo from Silje ~Tattoo from Kat Von D ~Learn to blow glass ~Take an Amtrak ride ~Eat @ Paula Dean Rest. ~Go to New Orleans ~Learn to fence ~Take poll dancing classes ~Learn yoga ~Visit an ashram ~Visit all 50 states ~Niagra Falls ~See Oprah ~Canada rail train ~See a fashion show in New York or Paris or BOTH! ~See all the new 7 wonders of the world (I counted these as 7) ~Go to the Olympics ~Top of Eiffel Tower ~MOMA in Barcelona ~MOMA in NY ~Stay @ the Plaza Hotel ~Serendipity's ~Ice skate @ Rockfeller Center ~Transiberian train ride ~ Sky Diving ~Norway ~Sweden ~Greenland ~Russia ~Spain ~Experience an earthquake ~Broadway play on Broadway ~Seattle Space Needle ~Smithsonian ~Tour the White House ~Swim with Dolphins ~Learn & go scuba diving ~Ride in a hot air balloon ~Ride a camal ~Ride an elephant ~Nikko Hurtado tattoo ~Write a book ~Get Published ~Take an Alaskan Cruise ~Live in Europe ~Go to England ~Prague ~Scotland ~Ireland ~Egypt ~China ~Japan ~Back to Italy ~Own a Chanel Bag ~Birkin Bag ~Mink Coat ~Fall in Love ~Get Married ~Kiss on a gondola under a bridge in Venice ~Meet a President ~African Safari ~Go to Bill W's house ~Go apple picking ~Drive the autobahn ~Germany ~Visit a concentration camp ~Be in a movie ~Mt Rushmore ~Yellowstone National Park ~Take an RV trip across US ~Louve ~Jim Morrison's grave ~Blahniks ~Christian Louboutins ~Tiffany Diamonds ~Own a vintage car ~Platform artist ~take Paul Mitchell class ~Vidal Sassoon classes ~Carriage ride thru Central Park ~Sleigh ride in the snow ~Breakfast @ Tiffany's ~Opera in Italy ~Float the Grand Canyon ~AA International Conference ~Hair World ~Times Square ~Empire State Building ~Have fresh squeaky cheese ~5 Star Rest. ~See a live Volcano ~Redwood Forest ~San Diego Zoo

Ok so I have 109 things listed on this lo! lol And I have MANY MANY MORE! Basically I want to TRAVEL! Always been the main dream of my life is to see the world. You know we fill our lives with things but it's the experiences we remember and treasure.

This next lo was for the sketch contest the store had this weekend. I used some fun Doodlebug papers and some pics of Windsor 'hiding' in the flowers I was trying to photograph the other day. Such a silly one he is.

Next are my Everyday Adventure assignments. I like how they make me look at the world a bit different.

Small Thoughts

Where I sit

Structure

Observation

World of Color

Interesting Garbage

Becoming Leonard Cohen

Experience Documentation Log (National Scrapbooking Day of course!)

That's it for today. I'm busy working on projects for Top Shelf Memories with their super cute May kits. You should go check them out & I'll be back with some examples soon. Have a great hump day!

Everyday Adventures

2010-04-25T11:34:00.000-05:00

You KNOW you want them. Just go ahead and admit it. Flower POWER! No these are not the latest fashion trend in summer eyewear UNLESS you are taking Everyday Adventures over at Big Picture Scrapbooking. These are my Goggles of Enhanced Perception. The class is based on the "How To Be An Explorer of The World" by Keri Smith. We also had to make a field journal to write down our observations. Here's a couple of other pics of my glasses too:

I'm already having lots of fun with this class and I'll show you some of our 'adventures' in a couple of days.
I've also been trying to catch up on some art journaling prompts from both Your Life Spelled Out and A Year In The Life art journal sites.

My Voice

Ouch

I Am Not Afraid

Soar

Move

And also here is this weeks Scrapperie Book of Me prompt: Pet Peeves or #PunchInTheFace. My friend Laura (Cameron_Crazy) was ticked about something one day and started the hashtag of #punchintheface. Well it's caught on with our little group when someone ticks us off or there's a situation we don't like we give it a virtual punch.

Ok that's it for the week. I've been a crafty busy girl! And lots more to do this week with birthday presents to make and kits to design with and art journal prompts to host & National Scrapbook Day next weekend. So go get your craft on!

A Day of Rememberance

2010-04-19T15:01:00.000-05:00

Source

15 years ago today I stood in Pepper's Grill at Utica Square in Tulsa, Ok prepping for the lunch rush as I watched terror unfold a short 2 hours away. I will never forget this day. At the time I'd never seen such events unfold on American soil & it was definitely the closes I've ever been to it. That was a Wednesday & the following Sunday morning of the early hours I stood a few blocks away from the destruction and the smell of death. I don't think I'd ever given much thought to a word that is now a regular part of our vocabulary: terrorism. Alison was teaching in Indonesia at the time and I was in my second semester of school at the University of Tulsa and life was all about fun & partying and having a good time. Not about bombings & fugitives & violence against our own. I know people who volunteered down there although I know no one who died that day. I hope to make it thru OKC before I move west in order to see the beautiful memorial built in the victims honor. My heart still goes out to those that lost loved ones and those affected by this awful day.

I'm the Taxman

2010-04-15T22:33:00.001-05:00

Ok I'm not REALLY the taxman but since it's tax day in the great US of A I've had that song in my head ALL DAY so I'd thought I'd share it with you! lol Are you singing it now too? You will be soon. Just wait. It's also Gutter Girlz day and Erosion Bundle day so I've got some pics for you.

First of all though I want to talk about this great post over at Creative Every Day's blog by Kat Sloma. CED's theme for the month is on the senses so Kat asked these questions of the readers today and I wanted to answer them here as they are questions I've pondered upon occasion myself.

1. What's your favorite sense? By this question, I don't mean the most useful sense to get around in day to day life. But the one that you feel like in your gut that you just can't live without. This probably ties in to your "soul language."

This is pretty easy for me because it would have to be sight. Being an aritst and happiest when creating my sight is definitely important to me. Also I love to read & can't imagine not being able to. A close second for me would be touch. I'm the bad girl at the museum who wants to touch the art.

2. What's your least favorite sense? What's the one you would give up without thinking too much about it? Why?

I think the answer to this question would have to be smell. My allergies are awful and already cause me some smell issues so while smell is so linked to memories if I never had to smell anything stinky again I'd be happy. lol

Ok that being said I wouldn't want to lose any sense. The senses are what makes our world interesting & I know with the loss of one the others become more distinct. I'd love to hear your answers to this question so leave me a link if you answer them on your blog or feel free to leave me a comment with your answers!

This months Gutter Girlz challenge is based on one of my old fav songs from Concrete Blonde, Everybody Knows. This song brings back so many memories for me. The title also had some significant meaning as it goes along with some things in the big book. Hop on over there & check out what the other girls did.

Today is also the day to take down the Erosion Bundles but since I put mine up late I'm leaving it up a little longer. I'll take it down around the first of May but I snapped a couple of updates shots of it. I almost hate to take it out of this lovely ivy that is growing all around it doing lovely things to the inside contents I'm sure!

It's suppose to rain this weekend so it'll get at least one more good soaking. Hope you're enjoying the spring weather!

A Scrappy Design Giveaway

2010-04-15T01:56:00.000-05:00

Feeling a little Tutti Frutti around here. I created a couple layouts, a card and a cute summer banner with the Tutti Frutti collections from A Scrappy Design Etsy shop:

It's giveaway time at A Scrappy Design!

One lucky winner will receive an assortment of goodies from the Tutti Fruiti collection. You have 3 ways to enter:
1. Comment on the post on A Scrappy Design blog. (1 entry)
2. Become a fan on Facebook (1 entry)
3. Make a purchase from The Shop. (2 entries – Be sure to put FRUIT in the Message to Seller)

*Edited* Winner will be announced on Friday!

Be sure to check out the Flickr group for more ideas from the DTeam lovies!
So hurry up & go register for some goodies & then show us what you make!

Week 2 Photos

2010-04-12T20:27:00.000-05:00

I've been a picture taking fool lately! I'm even using it to get myself out of the house & WALKING! This in itself is a small miracle. The weather has been really lovely lately & flowers are blooming & birds are chirping & the sun is shining & the wind has settle down to a little breeze finally. I promised myself I'd start walking today for exercise & the taking of pictures made that much more enjoyable.
What I love about these kinds of classes is they start me looking at the world a little different than before. I've long looked at things as that would make a great photo and now I'm actually being the one to take those photos. Even it is with my cheapo point & shoot camera. So here is this past weeks assignments. I'll share some more photos later this week as I edit them. Yeah, all those photos need to be EDITED. UGH! :)

Pastels

Dew

Chores (the glass in the cabinet where the glasses go)

Catching Light

Hearts

Awakenings

And that's all for today. I'll be back tomorrow with some scrappy goodness from A Scrappy Design.

Picture Spring

2010-04-06T01:30:00.001-05:00

Spring is officially here in the land of the Yellow Brick Road. Not only can I see the clues but I also have the allergies to prove it. And the AC is on. I'd open the windows but they are painted shut. I'm involved in a Picture-A-Day project with some of my Twitter girlfriends thru BPS called Picture Spring. I thought I'd share those pics with you today.

First day topic was Beginnings. I took this lovely pic of the Forsythia outside Nana's house:

I also liked this pic in the ivy

Day 2 was about our morning routine. I'm not human until I have my coffee!

Day 3 was to take 30 steps from where your camera is and take a pic. That's the end of the walk for me and it was either my car (very dirty car) or this light post:

It's been lighting my way into this house late at night for years. When I was editing pics I saw the solar choice & thought this looked cool in solar

Sky's the Limit was Day 4. Our sky yesterday was free & clear of any clouds BUT it hadn't been on Friday and I had taken some pics.

I think these look cool in solar too. Look how stormy it makes the sky!

Getting Grounded was today's assignment & I had a lot of fun with this and took several pics and now I'm having trouble choosing just ONE so help me out and leave me a comment on which is YOUR fav of the below pics.

Ok that's all of them. Help me pic the best one. I have 3 favorites but I won't tell you which ones they are.

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T13:49:00.000-05:00

It's a lovely Easter Sunday here on the Yellow Brick Road & my head even feels like it's taken a small trip to Oz (allergies). I wanted to share a pic & lo I did last night. Every year in Riverside Park they put out these giant bunny statues. They are only out for the Easter weekend and it's a tradition to go get your picture taken with them. For the last 3 years my friend Lori and I have gone to take pics with the bunnies. Kids at heart you know. Here's a pic I took yesterday with my iPhone:

And here is the lo I did for this weeks Scrapperie Book of Me challenge:

I have pictures of my mom as a toddler with these bunnies. It's one of my favorite Easter memories/traditions. What are some of your favorite Easter memories?

Top Shelf Memories Premiere Kit

2010-04-03T01:34:00.001-05:00

So I kinda forgot to blog on April Fools Day so here's the lo's I did with the premiere kit from Top Shelf Memories. I also got the embellie & paper add-ons. I can't believe all the lo's I did and I still have stuff to do one more.

And here are a couple of cards I made as well:

And a little Friday Fill-In for fun:

1. All you need is ______LOVE_______.
2. ____Friendship_____ fills me with laughter.
3. Each generation, as it grows up, ____changes______.
4. ______Jealousy_______ is something I have a hard time dealing with.
5. A trip to _______Mexico_______ is what I need.
6. ___Give_____ and you get back.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __Bed___, tomorrow my plans include __Pics in the park with the bunnies___ and Sunday, I want to __Sleep IN___!

Happy Easter everyone!

Wonderful Wednesday Sneak Peeks

2010-03-31T14:19:00.000-05:00

I have the honor of being on the design team of a new kit club which launches tomorrow TopShelf Memories. Taryn is the owner and she also runs a scrap retreat house in Pennsylvania. I'll have those links for you later but I wanted to pop in and give you some sneaks of the the girl kit that will be launching tomorrow. I'm in love with this kit and have already made 4 lo's & 2 cards and am in the process of making 2 other lo's. She'll have a boy themed kit as well so check back tomorrow for the links.

Friday Fill-Ins

2010-03-26T22:12:00.000-05:00

So I was reading my friend Sandritaaaaa's blog and she had done this today so I thought I'd share too!

So, Friday Fill-Ins
1. The right word ___is please__.

2. ____Turn off the light_____ and shut the door quietly, please.

3. Up ____side down your turnin' me_____.

4. ______On Twitter_______ is where you'll find me.

5. Ooh! What is that ______sparkly thing________?

6. ____Video scrapping with Twitter friends____ is a good idea.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __See #6___, tomorrow my plans include __ Laundry & Scrapping___and Sunday, I want to ___go to AA & finish some projects__!

It's been an interesting week at my house. If you want to read about it click on the link to the right on my other blog Trudging The Road to Happy Destiny.
Hope you had a great Friday!

Beautiful Blogger

2010-03-23T00:12:00.000-05:00

As always, there a rules for this award! And they are:
1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award. (THANK YOU, Laura & Gina! :)
2. Copy the award &; place it on your blog. CHECK!
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award. CHECK!
4. Share 7 interesting things about yourself.

        * I was Cowtown Princess. I won by selling the most tickets to a 1/2 a beef drawing.
* I used to speed skate when I was a kid
        * I love to play Mahjong
        * I collect Virgin of Guadalupe's. The tackier the better!
* I love to take pictures
* I love nature but I'm not really an outdoorsy girl
        * I like to go to cheesy tourist traps for the picture and the laughs

5. Nominate 7 bloggers.
* Aja
        * Staci
        * Arlene
        * Kim
        * Kary
        * Nikki
        * TracyP

And here's some eye candy that I did over the weekend for a crop at Scrapperie. Used some sketches and some challenges and got some lo's done. Still a couple more to finish too.

And that's it for tonight. Hope you're having a great week so far.

99 Things

2010-03-20T02:42:00.000-05:00

I saw this on my friend Laura aka Cameron_Crazy blog and thought it was cool so I'm doing it here. If you see this and do it leave me the link so I can go check it out!

Instructions: The post is a list of 99 random things. Bold the ones that you yourself have done.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower (I think?)
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to DisneyWorld
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling — snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started your own business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (I was a girl scout. :)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Tweet Up!

2010-03-18T13:12:00.000-05:00

So a couple of weeks ago I went to Tulsa for the weekend for some R&R from Nana and everyday life. I also went so I could meet some friends from Twitter in real life. They live in OKC and Tulsa is half way for both of us. I've known Heather for a while now. She has a super cute Etsy shop called A Scrappy Design and you'll find the link for it in the column on the right. I'm on her design team because all that creating of supplies doesn't leave much room for actually scrapping. Or so she says. :) I've probably followed Heather for a year or more now. Well recently I started following her friend Jami (boycrazedmomma) because that is how Twitter is. You follow people who are friends of friends and have similar interest and so forth. I already knew these girls were funny and fun! But it was like meeting two new BFF's. And they are BFF's in real life and have been for years. They finish each others sentences and all and have stories galore for years back. Anyway we meet at Cheesecake Factory for lunch and then did some scrappy/thrifting/mall shopping. I was a bit surprised that we went to a scrapbook store and I was the ONLY one who bought anything. So here's some pics from our day. I hope to see them both again before I go west.

Heather and I in Value Thrift

Jami, Me and Heather

Jami & I

Jami & Heather

Some things must come to an end

2010-03-11T09:30:00.000-06:00

Thought I'd show you my last layouts from the Scraptivity Kit Club. Their kit this month is beautiful and full of GCD Studios and Shabby Green Door patterned papers and stamps. I even made some cards I like!

That's all for today. Need to hope in the shower to go to a luncheon. Hopefully my new computer will be here today as well!

Team Jacob or Team Edward?

2010-03-09T20:09:00.001-06:00

EDWARD! Of course!!!

Ask me anything

When did you start scrapbooking? What made you start?

2010-03-09T20:01:00.003-06:00

I did my first scrapbook for my mom. Someone gave her a boxed kit and I did it during a blizzard in Denver. I realize though that I've always made little photo books and scrapping related stuff.

Ask me anything

One last call, for your final goodbye; who do you call?

2010-03-09T20:01:00.001-06:00

Gosh that's a hard one for me. I'd say Nana because I'd want her to know that I loved her although I know she already knows that. If not Nana then def my friend Keith.

Ask me anything

Blame It On The Moon

2010-03-02T17:22:00.000-06:00

So how's your week been? Let me tell you it's been a little funky around here! And several of my friends have been feeling the funk as well. This funk is not of the George Clinton and the P*Funk AllStars kind of funk either. It's the kind of funk you want to shake right off because it be bringing you DOWN. Hopefully it's passing. I'm sure my weekend away coming up will do much for my attitude :)

So all this talk about the moon started with the full moon that was Sunday night and my Full Moon Dreamboard that I did in conjunction with Jamie Ridler's blog. I don't really know what all the images represent to me. Of course some are just representational and some are suggestive and the words are inspiring. I bet your wondering why I put "wear cute underwear" on the dream board! That is mostly about my happiness project that I am working on with a group of Twitter girls and not saving the cute underwear for the best date kind of thing or vacation or whatever. Today is as good a day as any right? And also you never know what might happen so be prepared for anything. I'd really like to take this Soul Reflections class before the next full moon but we will see how that goes. It's definitely on my list.

This was the Snow Moon. Funny that for once this winter there was no snow here. So what are you dreaming about this month?

An Explorer of Life

2010-02-23T13:16:00.000-06:00

I was just reading this blog post here by Heather Plett, whom I follow on Twitter, about who we are. Americans seem to especially define themselves by what we do to earn a living and it's a question I've often struggled with. As I wrote my response to her post I figured I'd share it with you here as well.

I often struggle with this question myself. There have been times when my profession defined who I thought I was and times when I did not. I'm primarily a caregiver now & for the last 4+ yrs to my grandmother, but I don't particularly like being defined by that, although taking care of ones grandmother 24/7 is an honorary purpose I don't ultimately relate to it. I'm here because of love, not because of passion. I'd rather be known as the job I will go back to: a hairstylist. That tells more about me I think. But I see the negative in that too. Ultimately I'd like to be known as an artist. I spend most days creating in some way whether scrapping or art journaling or taking pictures or painting quirky little gifts yet I don't feel like an artist because I don't support myself with that job, yet it's my passion. I'd like to be known as a reader for I love a great book but the books I love reading aren't the types of books "well read" people read. Traveling the world is one of my greatest dreams, & I've spent some time in a handful of places, but does this qualify me to be a world traveler? I love photography and I take a ton of pictures but the other day someone was describing a friends scrapbooking compared to mine and said that this other person was a photographer and that made her layouts pop because the pictures popped where my lo's were about the art. I took a slight offense to this. Does the other girl take great photos? Yes she does but does her expensive camera give her the title of photographer over my cheapo camera? I think not. I think I can take a great picture, just a different picture than she and maybe a little less to work with than her. But I am an artist, a caregiver, a reader, a very amatuer photographer, an art journaler, a hairstylist, a would-be world traveler, an explorer of life. An Explorer of life kind of sums it all up for me.

EEEEEKKK!!!!

2010-02-22T11:51:00.001-06:00

So the other day I open my email and I get this:

Hi there I love how you used my papers...I would love to post them on my blog and on my fac book fan page and of course give you credit and link you up.
if you are interested please send images to
marah_johnson

keep on creating!
Marah Johnson

O.M.G! Was I INTERESTED??? You BETCHA! She's long been one of my fav designers since I started scrapping just a few years ago. Her tattoo collection is still one of my fav's and I will only use it for lo's I deem worthy. So not only are my lo's on her Facebook Fan Page but they are also on her blog here! I'm so totally honored I can't even tell you!

Challenges Challenges Challenges

2010-02-17T17:15:00.000-06:00

The new Gutter Girlz challenge is up! Below is my take on it. The prompts this time are
THE PROMPT:
I'm Still Sugar and Spice
THE SONG:
One of the Boys by Katy Perry
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE:
Ribbon/Bows AND Dirty Socks

On my lo you might notice those cool flowers. Well I made them. Fellow DT member Carole Stirrat over at Scraptivity showed us this fantastic tutorial which you can see right HERE. I made a couple of minor changes to mine like using Glimmer Mist instead of dye to color them and Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks to color the pearls. I'd been wanting to make these for a while and Carole's tutorial pushed me to try.

I really love how they turned out! So girlie and perfect for my Sugar & Spice lo.

I've done a couple of lo's for Tally Idol. The first challenge was to use stars, chipboard, 2 different pp's & the word Climb in the title as the challenge was based on Miley Cyrus's song The Climb.

Last weeks challenge was about Idols! Scrap someone who's your idol. I immediately thought of my girl crushes on Gwen Stefani and Kat Von D. Kat's show starts back up this week too!!! Hope Aubrey is G-O-N-E!!! Ok anyway. We were also suppose to use paint and journaling and I think that's it. I've been holding on to these Marah Johnson Tattoo & Rock Star papers and I think they made the perfect lo

I've been participating in Happy Mail and since I got sick last month I was a little behind in my mailing but finally got a couple of things sent. First I made this box for one girl

And then I painted on this record for the Happy Mail Queen herself. Hope she likes it. It's a little quirky but I think she likes quirky.

I finally finished my rainbow lo for my BPS class. It ended at the end of January and I'm on week 3 still.

Story of my life!

Then at Scrapperie I'm the team leader for the Book of Me group and we scrapped about our favorite beverage. I noticed all these Starbucks cups on my floorboard after a weekend spent in Tulsa and knew the pic would be good for an upcoming lo and I was right. Good thing there isn't a Starbucks in Smallville here.

I went to a fun weekend crop at my lss a couple of weekends ago and that was a great time. A cold one but still fun. I got 4 lo's done which was amazing. The Starbucks and Rainbow lo's were 2 of them. You'll have to wait to see the others. I've been doing some art journaling as well. Finally caught up on posting my 52 Self Portraits on my tumblog and am working on catching up on P365. The pics are taken but I forget to upload sometimes. Loving my P365 app because it helps keep me on track. That's it for today. Just trying to keep being creative every day. I'm lucky that I have a life that allows for such things. If only it also allowed for a cleaner house. You know, one with a maid that's name isn't Susan!

Erosion Bundle Update

2010-02-02T12:46:00.000-06:00

My Erosion Bundles have officially been in the weather for 15 days now. They've experienced a bit of rain and this past weekend a lot of snow, which is melting now. I grabbed a couple of pics before it got to bad out the other day.

Here is the one hanging from the Shephard's hook that usually has a hummingbird feeder on it. We had some ice first so that is what is clinging to the sides of it now. I've had to replace it on the hook a couple of times due to the high winds.

Now the one in the ivy couldn't even been seen at this point but I could tell where it was just a bit. By that night you couldn't even see my shoe prints from earlier in the day so all that melting snow is doing some marvelous things to that bundle now

And that's it for now. We'll see what's happening in 15 days.

Wolf Moon

2010-01-31T13:33:00.000-06:00

This year I'm participating in Jamie Ridler Studios online Dreamboard circle. If you've never heard about a dream board you can read more about them HERE. It's kinda like a vision board but made in the power of the full moon. Last nights full moon was the Wolf Moon. Here's what Wikipedia had to say about that:

The Wolf Moon is a full moon that occurs in January. Its name comes from hungry wolf packs that would howl outside the villages of Native Americans. This full moon is also known as the Old Moon or the Moon After Yule.
Full Moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There was some variation in the Moon names, but in general, the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior. European settlers followed that custom and created some of their own names. Since the lunar month is roughly 29.5 days long on the average, the full Moon dates shift from year to year.

I'm loving learning more about the moon names as well! So here is my Dreamboard. Some of my images are blatant and some of them are representative. Some I just liked and felt they needed to be on there. I pulled LOTS of images and words but these are the things that spoke to me for this month.

Looking forward to seeing what this month and moon brings. I'm sure it will be interesting.

Sick Sick Sick

2010-01-25T15:33:00.000-06:00

I guess I'm better now or I wouldn't be blogging. I am keeping food down now which is nice, although I'm not eating any to keep down in the first place. Gaterade/Sprite diet for me today. I'd planned on starting back on my eating plan this week so I guess that was quite the kick off weekend huh?
I got some Happy Mail this past week from Meep from Vermont and you can check out her blog HERE. I swear she is psychic because I had just put a new zip drive thingy on my WM list.

Then I've got some lo's that I've done over the last couple week. First I did this one for Scraptivitiy's blog. I just love this pic of the full moon over the Bay Bridge in SF last Feb.

Then the new Gutter Girlz Prompt is up and here is my take

Over at Scrapperie I'm the new team leader for the Book of Me prompts each week. Our first prompt was to scrap your Word of the Year. My word is Feed: feed my soul. feed my spirit. feed my spirituality. feed my body with healthy food and exercise. feed my recovery. feed my creativity.

Next is one of my assignments for my class at Big Picture Scrapbooking. We were to scrap a color or around a couple of colors. I picked my fav color of course

My friend Amy is having a little boy in a few weeks and his name will be Owynn. We had her shower the other night. Owynn's room is a jungle theme so I painted her an elephant for Owynn's wall

The first prompt is up over at Year in the Life Art Journal. You can join the ning site by going HERE. Here's my cover page and my page for the prompt of What

I'm also participating in another art journal site called Your Life Spelled Out. They have daily journal prompts and weekly art journal prompts. I'm a little behind but I'll catch up soon. Here is my first prompt. Again with the color

Ok I think that is it for today. The headache is back so back to bed I go. Hope none of you get this. Have a happy week.

Erosion Bundles Day 1

2010-01-16T11:10:00.001-06:00

So last summer/fall sometime my friend Rachel Whetzel (aka whetzelmomma) was participating in this month long Erosion Bundle project and I was fascinated. This woman is always finding such cool things on the web to participate in and so I asked her to let me know of the cool things she finds. So a couple months ago or so she let me know that not only was the Erosion Bundle Project back on but this time it would last longer. Now I'm a little late in getting my bundles up. The first of the year is always so busy it seems. But 15 days late isn't bad right? lol I'll be documenting my bundles until April 15 (Yes, tax day!) and sharing their erosion process with you here and then I'll make some kind of art out of it all.
Now I've never done this before and had no idea what would happen to stuff but all I could think about was putting some kind of color in there to see what happens. And I think I put everything BUT the kitchen sink in these things. Some of my items are sheets of copper, magazine pages, broken pieces of pastels, doll head, book pages, a book sprayed with various water-soluble glimmer mist colors, cheese cloth, buttons, a jar of trinkets that I dumped in, jewelry, twine, and even a canvas splattered with some acrylic paint and alcohol inks. I had so MUCH stuff that I decided to make 2 bundles. I hung one on the stake which I usually hang the hummingbird feeder. I'll be able to actually watch this one from the kitchen window daily. The other I put on the side of the house in some ivy that grows there. I wrapped them all up with muslin and twine and I can't wait to watch them deteriorate. Just hope I'm able to make something interesting of it all when we are done.

29 Again. For the 14th Time.

2010-01-13T10:16:00.000-06:00

It's my birthday.

My 43rd birthday.

Or as I like to call it: the 14th Anniversary of my 29th Birthday! lol

I'm thinking I might need to start having anniversaries of my 39th Birthday because this 14th anniversary stuff is making me feel a bit old.

But that's just it about birthdays. They are just a number. I mean I SEE and KNOW the years are ticking by but really I still feel about 29. Maybe younger on some days. And well of course a heck of a lot older than 43 on a few days too.

There are several things I've learned from taking care of Nana but one of them being that no matter how OLD your birthday says you are, you'll probably never truly feel it. It's not like there is some chart that tells you how to feel and act at a certain age. There were times I wished there was, but now I'm glad there isn't because I'm always going to be young at heart so the whole age thing will just elude me I'm sure. Wish it would elude my face and body but I'll take it eluding my spirit.

While I was just getting Nana up she said "You're 42?" And I told her that no I was 43 today and her response was "awww..." like an "I'm sorry" aw. lol Then she preceded to tell me she didn't really feel sorry for me since she was going to be 96 next month.

I always like to read my horrorscope on my birthday. One of my fav. astrologers is Jonathan Cainer. This is what he had to say today:

Your patience should soon pay off. If you're not already enjoying life, you'll find plenty to be glad of soon. Things will have a propensity to work out smoothly and satisfactorily, wherever you make sensible effort and display true sincerity. Make the most of what's good. You're fully entitled to do so. Make a mental note too, to refer back to this experience the next time you find yourself wondering whether life is just some constant process of struggle. A new moon in your sign is a promise of more good news to come. Be ready to grasp the opportunities that are surely coming your way in 2010!

Now I know this is relatively vague but it really speaks to me on a decision I've pretty much made this week. Of course I've learned NOT to make concrete plans concerning my future (unless there are plane tickets involved) but I know what direction I will be moving in in the next few months and I think I can safely say I won't be turning 44 in Independence, Kansas but we will wait and see. See it's important to me to make sure that this direction for my life is God's will and not just Susan's will because we all know where Susan's will has led her before. Not down such a great path, but all necessary to be where I am today on my 43 birthday. And today I have hope for a bright future.

Creative Every Day

2010-01-10T16:59:00.000-06:00

This year I've pledged to be Creative Every Day . Now I KNOW this might not happen EVERY day, but I think it can happen most. I mean I already scrap almost every night last year (well until the holidays came) and I promised myself that this year would be the year I started fostering more of that creative spirit inside of me beyond scrapping. I'm participating in The Erosion Bundle Project and I'm a guest host at Year in the Life Art Journal and many other things that I'll share as I go along. I've got so many things I want to participate in this year that I'm starting to make list and write them on a creative calendar.
The CED challenge got a lot less daunting when I realized that I could just work on something every day. I didn't have to finish it. Also it's not just art or scrapping. It's taking photos and cooking too. Since I'm doing the Project 365 on my iPhone that might be all I do creatively for that day. And if I forget a day so be it. So this week I've taken my photo every day! Can't BELIEVE I've remembered. You can go see them on my tumblr acct if you'd like. I've tried some new recipes. Both Nana asked for seconds! I've searched for inspiration in fabric and nature and colors in general for my Inspiration Defined class. I did last weeks homework which was to pick a fav lo and to lift it.
The old lo:

and the new lo.
Last night I worked on my next Gutter Girlz LO which you won't get to see until next Friday while creating some new friendships with some scrappy girls from Twitter. Tonight I plan to work on the art of lettering writing for my Happy Mail partners.

Inspirational Resources

2010-01-07T13:10:00.000-06:00

So I'm taking this class over at Big Picture Scrapbooking called Inspiration Defined by Elizabeth Dillow. I felt I had lost my mojo and some Twitter girlfriends were taking it and I joined in their party. So far I've started a Tumblr blog for links and quotes and pictures that I find inspiring. I'm also posting my Project 365 photos there which I'm taking this year on my iPhone and posting with the Project 365 app. I'm editing those pics with mostly the camera bag app so far. You can check it out if you want Just A Girl Inspired and if you follow me I'll follow back.

So one of our assignments was to make a list of things that inspire us. I'm inspired by so many things. These are the things that came to me right away:

Color
Photography
People's personal stories
Paintings
Sculpture
Graphic Design
Art
Cute little Japanese toys
Animals
Feathers
Sequins
Sparkly things
Things that light up
Candlelight
Design
Printmaking
Drawing
Computer Graphics
Fashion
Nature
Snow & Ice
All 4 seasons
Architecture
All kinds of vintage items
Modern sleek design
Collage
Movies
Music
Song lyrics
Quotes
Poems
Books both reading and visual
Travel
History
Friendship
Suffering
Triumph
Overcoming obstacles
Dreams
Nightmares
Jewelry
Paper
Ads
TV
Textures
Laughter
Love

Anything on your inspiration list I might have missed? I'd love you to share.

Adios 2009

2009-12-31T23:29:00.000-06:00

So another year gone and the end of a decade. 10 years ago tonight I was living in Denver and working at Palomino's Rest. I was mad that I had to work on Y2K because I wanted to be in KC partying with my friends. Seems silly now considering it's almost midnight and here I sit alone on a computer and I'm completely happy about it. All the pressure of having 'fun' on New Years gone with sobriety. What a decade it has been too. I've lived in Denver, Tulsa and Independence. I've worked as a waitress, retail, nanny, hairstylist, graphic artist, student, envelope stuffer, transcriptionist & a caregiver. I've seen terriorism, war, and natural disasters beyond belief. I've buried my mother. I've escaped an abusive boyfriend and been accused of abuse myself. I've overcome alcoholism and drug addiction. I've traveled to Dallas, Austin, KC, Sacramento, San Francisco, Napa County, Las Vegas & LA. I've found a piece of serenity and my own soul. I've made a spiritual connection with a higher power. I've rediscovered my passion for reading and creating. I've made long lasting friends both in person and thru the World Wide Web. It's been a busy 10 years! I suddenly feel a little amazed at all that it has held.
I'm really looking forward to 2010. I've got tons of things on my todo list. Mostly creative endeavors. I'm taking an inspiration class at Big Picture Scrapbooking with some friends from Twitter. I'm going to hang an Erosion Bundle outside and document it's changes for the next 4 months. I'm a guest host at A Year In The Life Art Journal. I'm on the Scraptivity, Scrapperie, & Gutter Girlz DT's. I'm going to take a doll making class with another scrappy gf. I plan to visit Dallas & Kentucky & Austin & Sacramento/San Francisco/Napa again. I haven't really decided yet on any resolutions yet. I'll get back to you on those in a few days. In the meantime here are 10 of my fav. lo's from this past year. Wherever you are I hope your having a WONDERFUL New Year's celebration. May 2010 be everything you've hoped and wished for!

Mobile blogging

2009-12-31T01:45:00.001-06:00

I'm trying out mobile blogging. I tried w a text message w photos but I don't think it's working so I'll try the email way. I can't figure put how to attach pics however I know there is a way. More research must be done!

Wishful Wednesday

2009-12-02T14:58:00.000-06:00

It's a wishful Wednesday because I've been thinking a lot about Christmas Wishes. What are you wishing for this Christmas? I could think of many things that I'd like but what I really need is a new computer so I asked for cold hard $$$! lol I'd love a MAC book pro but I don't think Santa is going to put one of those under my tree. I'll be happy with what he brings, especially if it is remotely faster than this dinosaur.

Here's some more recent lo's. I've been busy with Thanksgiving and working on a mini album for a gift so I haven't done much else. My mojo has been on vacation I guess. I'm hoping the holiday season and the cooler weather sparks that up again. I've got several projects to get finished before the holidays too.

If you are a card maker, or even if you aren't, Tallyscrappers is having a card crop this weekend and you should stop buy to do some card challenges and play some games. You know you need a break from all that Christmas planning!

So this first lo was my challenge that I issued for Survivor a few weeks ago. I asked for a light background, a BW photo, a tree, a bird, and clouds. It was inspired by the things you would see on the beach.
The next 2 were my remaining lo's I did with the November kit at Tallyscrappers.
The 2 after that are some pics of me from my October 2008 trip to San Francisco and the final 2 lo's are from my trip to Austin this summer.

That's it for now. Hope you all find time to enjoy the holiday season amiss the hustle and bustle.

Playing Catch Up

2009-11-23T12:59:00.004-06:00

Do you always feel like you are trying to 'catch up' with your to do list? I do. And the fact that I'm lazy doesn't help nor does the medicine coma I'm in today. I think I'll have to have a little nap before anything REALLY gets accomplished today. Anyone cooking Thanksgiving dinner? I am for Nana and a friend and I. So since I've got lots to do and a nap to attend to I'll just show you a few lo's that I've done this month.

Here is last months and the current Gutter Girlz challenge. Pop over there and check out the challenge and what the other girls did. Do the challenge and post your lo to the thread and you could win a $10 Tallyscrapper Gift Certificate.

These next 3 I did with this months Tallyscrapper kit. It's seriously gorgeous! I've got another lo from this kit that I'll post later and I still have tons of stuff left to do some more lo's! These pics are all from my trip to California too.

These next 2 are from a couple of challenges over at Tally's.

Scraptivity Blog Hop

2009-11-22T11:15:00.003-06:00

Today is the launch of Scraptivity's NEW BLOG! Go there and leave a comment and then visit these other crafty design team members and leave a comment on their blogs and you'll be entered to win some FABULOUS PRIZES! (said in my best game show host voice!) While you're at it go register for their message board and play along with some games and a sketch. You know crafting on a Sunday = a perfect day!

Anne Pennington
Carole Stirrat
Janine Rachau
Jeanette Smith
Karen Thind
Kelli Palmer
Rebecca King
Samantha Taylor
Stephanie Zito

Can you say AHH-SOME!

2009-11-21T22:27:00.003-06:00

I BARELY got tickets to the midnight show but luck was on my side that day and managed to score 2 of the last 3 tickets available! The theater was a total ZOO! And totally fun. I think they did a mah-velous job and stuck to the script and included the history of Carlisle staying with the Volturi. There is tons of eye candy with some seriously hot 8 pack ripped stomach's!!! Honestly I couldn't have been happier and am still on my Twilight high a bit. I want to go see it again definitely.

So I mentioned a couple of days ago that I recently became a member of the Scraptivity Design Team so I thought I would share what I created with this months kit. I'm still working on my 7 Gypsies Printers Tray.

On Sunday they are having a blog hop so if you follow the link above and check out their new blog and leave comments on all the DT members blogs on a post including their samples from November's kit then it will enter you multiple times to win some prizes. Also don't forget to check out their sale! They have some fun games and such planned as well so if you aren't busy you should spend some time hanging out there.

24 hours from now...

2009-11-18T22:34:00.004-06:00

Hopefully, I'll be walking in to see New Moon! I can't wait. It's been the one thing I've been looking forward to all month. Together with Edward again, if only for a little bit. Hoping it doesn't set off that Twilight depression again though, but if it does it looks like I'll have lots of company considering that I get most visits to my blog for that one blog post a year ago this weekend!!! But I love each and every one of those people that post and let me know that none of us are/were alone.

So on to other stuff. Recently I was invited to be a part of Scraptivity's Design Team. They are currently having a sale on all their past kits before 2009 for only $19.99 each. Here is the link that will tell you all the details. We are also having a blog hop this weekend so check back to see what I did with the November kit and participate in the blog hop on Sunday to possibly win some great prizes.

I'm still editing pics from my trip to California. I got really sick as soon as I got home (H1N1 maybe?) and so I'm just getting to them but I had some that were already edited by my friend Kary so I thought I would go ahead and share those from our day in St. Helena and Calistoga in Napa County. It was really a perfect day for me. The weather was awesome and the colors were beautiful and I was with 2 of my favorite girls and we had a fantastic lunch and took lots of pics. How could it have been any better? I seriously have no clue!

Vacation Scrapping

2009-10-23T14:38:00.010-05:00

Yes I am on vacation in sunny California! Sacramento to be exact. Came out for scrapbook expo to see these girls:

Every year we meet up at Kary's house for Scrapbook Expo for shopping and scrapping and fun times are had by all. I've managed to do a few lo's while here, mostly with this months Tallyscrappers Kit. Add a few papers and you can do tons of stuff with the kit. I also used the kit to do my assignments for A Scrappy Design. She makes adorable journaling tags and buttons and diecuts so go check her out.

Yesterday Kary and I had some adult fun times at the pumpkin patch that is right around the corner from her house:

So today Kary, her boys and I are off to see our friend Leeann up by Calistoga and Napa so I should have some fun pics on Sunday or Monday. And hopefully some more lo's as well. In the meantime here is a lo I did last night of a pic of Kary and I from my trip in February.

Have a great weekend!

Scrappiness Ahead

2009-08-30T14:10:00.002-05:00

I'm a bad blogger. I THINK about blogging but then I go and do something else. This computer is so freeeeeaaaaakkkkkking slow that it takes forever just to get thru my emails and message boards and then the last thing I want to do is blog. But alas, the situation will be taken care of in the next month or so because a new computer is in my near future! Aja always says that I hide my lo's from her and since she is all the way in Kentucky now I thought I'd just post all the ones I've done in the past couple of weeks.

I found these pics of when my sister and I went up to KC to World's of Fun with my KC friends about a year after I had moved away. Makes me want to go ride a roller coaster BAD!

Here is my friend Kary & I in Old Sac Town last February. Can't wait to see her again in October! This was for the last Design Experiment Challenge Blog.

I love this picture of my sister. We were in Chicago on vacation during spring break in March 1997. This was almost a year before she passed away. This is also my lo for lo tag over @ Scrapperie that is still going on. Shhhh....

This is for the LO tag that is still going on over at Tallyscrappers. It's a lift off one of Michelle Clements fabulous lo's. Oh how I love her style. A good memory to scrap as well.

My Kitty Autumn that passed in April. Oh how I miss her. Leftovers from my July Scrapperie kit.

My friend Christy and I at her house on Christmas night. We are all about the crazy hat pics. Wait until you see 4th of July!

This was for a challenge where I had to use a circle for my lo and friendship was the topic. Love me some Tally girls!

I've been leading the journaling challenges this past month over at Scrapperie and I wanted to do some art journaling about my fears. Putting them down on paper and getting them out of my head can really be helpful to me. It also helps me see how unwarranted they are. I know I'll always do what I need to do to survive now. I also know I won't have to just survive because now I'm in recovery.

Brandy at Tally's challenged me to do an 8 1/2 x 11 lo. NOT my usual size but I do have a few. Also to use black and no flowers. I accidentally got some flowers in there anyway. I wasn't thinking that pattern was flowers until I was all done. lol Hambly LOVES to lay at my feet when I scrap and always has to be touching one of them. He also gets stepped on a lot because I forget he is there.

This is the current Gutter Girlz challenge. And where was I with this large purple penis on my head you say? Well, I was at the Texas Tally Rally playing Dick Head Hoopla of course! Go see the other girls lo's at Gutter Girlz Challenge Blog

So that's it for now. I've got a couple of others from this weekend but they need to be edited still. I'm off to clean the scrap table and get to work. Hope you all have a great Sunday!

Handprints on my heart.

2009-08-06T11:49:00.005-05:00

Last weekend I went to see Wicked, the broadway musical. It was on tour in Tulsa. It was FABULOUS! I'd read the book and had always wondered how on earth did they turn this into a musical? The book is so political, and odd to me. But the musical was divine. I don't recommend, however, having a huge bowl of carby Pad Thai before going to watch the matinee. I was fighting the urge for an afternoon nap during the first half. This was in no way a side affect of the musical but of my overidulgence! So back to the musical. Both leads voices were awesome and the songs so so so cute. I definitely see some scrappy lo's inspired by some song lyrics. One of those songs inparticular is the lyrics from "For Good".

See Aja moved away last weekend. She was actually waiting to leave until after we saw Wicked. I was so sad to hear the news of her departure as we had gotten really close and I loved our late night scrap & chat sessions. I loved discussing our challenges in daily life and our spirituality and spiritual challenges, her sharing her insight from being a Mormon and me from being in AA and how our respective God consciousness helped us overcome or deal with our issues.

You know it's crazy but this simple hobby of scrapping has brought me some of the dearest friends of my life. And all of them so different than me, yet the same in some ways. And the people that say you can't make lasting friends with people online are wrong as well but that is a different blog post.

So while we were watching the show and they were singing "For Good", Aja must have been thinking the same as me, that this song reminded me of our friendship (& the friendship I've have with all my scrappy girls), because she gently layed her head on my shoulder. The words were so true:

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I've been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

So good luck to Aja and her family on the next part of their journey & know that you will be missed & never forgotten!

Inspiring Stories

2009-07-30T10:49:00.002-05:00

Recently I spent some time in Austin, Texas for a little scrappy retreat with some fellow Tallyscrappers. I met 28 other fabulous women. I got to know some better than others and am still learning lots about most! When I clicked on today's Gutter Girlz post I was excited to learn more about Staci Compher. She sat at the table behind me & was a total doll but I had NO IDEA what an amazing journey she has been thru. I knew she was well published & that her lo's rawked (so it's only natural that she did too!) but when I read today's interview I was even more amazed. It also just gave me a totally different glimpse into my own mother for Staci's story & my mom's had some similiar situations happen. But you won't read about it here. You can, however, read about it HERE @ the Gutter Girlz Blog.

I've got pics to edit from my trip today & hope to be back with some for you all to see tomorrow.
Ciao!

Rosette Tutorial

2009-07-27T00:28:00.011-05:00

So I did this lo a few months ago and have had a lot of people ask how I made my flowers so I've created a tutorial. It's also up at Tallyscrappers on the blog as well.

First you'll need some kind of circle cutter, glue, scissors, and some type of tool to wrap the paper around like a quilling tool or I used my round BG file.

First you'll cut a circle out of your desired paper

Next you'll take your scissors and cut the circle into a spiral

You'll cut the center out so that you have a base to glue the flower onto later.

Now taking your quilling tool and start from the center and roll the paper onto the tool. It's not going to be flat. The top is going to flare out a bit. Also if you want the edges to be rough you'll need to distress before you wrap.

Once wrapped and you determine the size of the flower (tighter wrap means smaller flower. Loser wrap means bigger flower) you'll want to add a dot of glue to the end so the size stays.

Next you'll want to add a generous amount of glue to the center circle you cut out and then add the bottom of the flower to the glue.

And now your flower is finished. You can make any size flower and you can make your base any size as well as in the examples below.

Another way to mix it up is to use a deckle edge scissors or cutter (I used a Martha Stewart deckle edge cutter) or you can even tear your circle into the spiral.

Please excuse my bad photos. No good light in this house at night when I took these. If you decide to try these then I'd love to see them so leave me a link to your finished lo so I can give you some love! Hope to see your creations soon and feel free to ask if you have any questions!

Get in the GUTTER!

2009-06-30T13:15:00.005-05:00

It's all about ME! That's the title prompt for today's Gutter Girlz Challenge. The song is You're So Vain by Carly Simon and the tech. is foil. Kinda fitting for me huh? LOL Ok so I admit, sometimes (ok most of the time) I'm pretty self-involved. But who isn't these days? And if I'm not then who is going to worry or take care of me? No one so I best be taking care of myself. You know AA teaches us to think about ourselves less often and to be of service to others but to also learn to take care of ourselves and stop waiting for someone else to save us and to also surrender to God & let Him run the controls. It can be quite confusing at times as I'm sure you can see! lol

If you like ads then head over toh Scrapperie and check out todays Ad Challenge. Scrapperies has been having daily challenges now with some fun inspiration to get your creative juices flowing. This is my example & the girls belong to my cousin and her new husband. It was so cute to see them all dressed up and climbing all over the banister.

Last weeks Ad challenge at Scrapperie.

I'm off to Texas next week and the 4th is upon us. Lots to do, lots to do!

Wreck This Journal Part 1

2009-06-21T11:42:00.008-05:00

Usually we spend a lot of time trying to make our art pretty or pleasing to the eye or sending the right message or whatever, so when I saw @starshyne on Twitter talking about her next group project and it was Wrecking This Journal by Keri Smith I just knew I had to play along. Even more so when I discovered several TallyScrapper sisters were interested also. This started a couple of weeks ago but this is my first post. I really need to get busy and do more wrecking for sure. And my idea of wrecking I realize needs to go a bit farther. I was thinking that in the end I would want to keep the book but I think that is not going with the theme of the project so be prepared to see lots more photos of me DESTROYING this book! hehe How often do you get creative license to destroy something? So this is the beginning. Can't wait to see what the end will look like. If you'd like to join it's not to late. Just click on the link up there, sign up, grab a book and start wrecking. It's fun times I swear.
So my fist page I wrecked was sticking my pencil through this page:

I love the look of coffee stains but after my first pouring I wasn't impressed. Of course I thought it needed MORE! I was much happier with the second or third pouring/splatters. Much more visually pleasing. I need to use coffee stains more that's for sure.

Ok this page got me started by the lines but I'm thinking I'm suppose to WRECK this journal, not treat it nicely in any way SO this is just stage one. There will be more tearing. LOTS more tearing!

You spin me round round baby round round like a record baby round round round round.

It is going to take a LOT of fruit to cover these 2 pages in fruit stickers! Her's what we have so far though.

I'm having fun with this page. I've been wanting to do this thing with some canvases for a while now so there will definately be more spilling on this page. I wanted to show you what the first couple of coats looked like though.

I'm thinking now that I stopped that maybe I should have kept going on this continous line until the page was covered. Oh well. There will be much more wrecking before this is all said and done!

I used some hand scrapping tools to scratch up the surface of this page. Thank you Tonic & Tim Holtz! I used my distressor and then my piercing tool.

This page wanted my name written several different ways.

It took a nice dip in the pool on a hot summer day last Thursday. I see more water sports in her future.

Then we layed out and worked on our tan while getting a little makeup in the form of doodling. We were still a bit wet though and really needed to dry first.

The book and me are off to the pool again today. Check back often to see new pics.

Exciting News!

2009-06-17T13:22:00.002-05:00

WOO HOO!!! I'm so excited to tell you that I made the Gutter Girlz Design Team!!! I couldn't be more excited. It's just up my ally with being who you are and saying what you feel without worries about if it's proper or pc or normal scrapping. I'm a firm believer in scrapping for YOURSELF, not what other's think (although we all know secretly we want approval). This is a group that 'thinks' like me. I know it will push my creating to the next level because there are some seriously talented girls there. It's certainly an honor to be choosen. Here is my first lo for my first challenge. The title was 'You say Bitch like that's a BAD thing', Song is 'Bitch' by Meredith Brooks and the tech. was to use Black. You can check out the other girls lo's HERE! Join in and you could be picked as Guest Designer for next month or even win a fabulous prize!

Do the Zoo!

2009-05-30T22:30:00.006-05:00

Sometime last month I spent some time at our local zoo with my friend Patti and her gandson Dylan. Dylan just turned 1 year old a couple of weeks ago so I made this mini album of the zoo pics for her for his birthday. She's pretty crazy about her first grandson and she can't wait to get her hands on this album. But she has to wait because it's going to be a class at Chasing Rainbows on June 20th. If you live in the area give them a call and sign up! These Sassafrass Lass Jungle Bungle papers are perfect for those zoo pics.

~TFL!

Bringing Back the Side Pony

2009-05-24T00:21:00.005-05:00

It's been a busy busy month! As usual I need to get better with the blogging so I figured I'd start at the beginning of the month with some pics from National Scrapbook Weekend. It was a blast once again. Lots of laughs, shopping, eating and even some SCRAPPING!!! Of course things got a little crazy too, especially late Friday night when I decided to try to bring back the side ponytail. Now you know I look H-O-T! And I even have some roots showin' gf! Don't I look great do my cheer jumps. So without further a-do, here are some pics of me and girls for your viewing pleasure.