How Blessed Am I?

Sorry that it's taken so long to post again. But, I feel that today is the perfect day to post. On December 5th, 2013 my city/county had a horrible ice storm. Over 12,000 homes without power, some still don't have power as of right now (12/11/13). 3 people perished since the ice storm began (not totally due to the storm). The photos that I'm sharing in this post are of my house and my van (though I don't drive the van, it's still my van) and how good God was to my family. The tree that's on my house, is only laying on the roof, no damage! The trees around my van have it pinned in. One did fall on it, but again, no damage. God had his arms of protection around my family, close and extended. My mother's words come to mind right now. When she prayed over her children she always said "and Lord, keep your arms of protection around my children. Protect them from all hurt, harm and danger...." So many different outcomes could've happened during the power outage. Though we had no lights, we did have a small gas heater to keep our living room warm. We didn't have a way to cook but God sent me the best neighbor, EVER! We (Lau'Ren and I) stayed with her and her daughter throughout the entire outage. We shared our food and we became closer the way God meant. How blessed am I? Emencely blessed! Abundantly blessed! Favorably blessed! Jesus shepherded us during this storm. He watched over us. He protected us. He made sure that we were not alone and he provided for us the entire time. Thank you God for loving me. :)

How blessed are you?

Thank you Chelsey Jones for opening your doors to my daughter and I. I'm so thankful that you are here and I count myself lucky and blessed to call you friend. Thanks to all my friends on the Paper Trail and off the trail, that prayed and checked on us daily. Thank you so much. Too my family in Tyler, the daily calls and prayers were greatly appreciated. Without you guys it would've been very hard for me to keep a smile on my face during this. But most of all I thank God. He's so awesome, so amazing, so wonderful. His love is so astounding. Such a pure LOVE. I will forever bless and praise YOUR name God.

HOW BLESSED ARE YOU?

My new Hobby

Two weeks ago, before the ice storm, I started too teach myself needle tatting. This is the first large, I think it's large lol, piece. This is very fun, very tedious work but the end result is amazing once you get it down. If you've tested before and have any tips for me, I'd greatly appreciate you passing them along.

Fun for the whole family.

Take the time out and do something fun with the family. This is a great project, and it's fun too. My daughter and I did this one year for Valentine's for her class. It was loads of fun and tasty too! Have fun!

http://alphamom.com/family-fun/hot-chocolate-spoons-tutorial/

What's your Elf name?

I saw this on Facebook today and had to put it on my blog page. We've been having with this post on my Facebook page. Hope thou enjoy it as well.

Encouragement

I saw this today on facebook on Annette Tuttle McCarty's page.

"Don't listen to people who tell you what to do. Listen tho people who encourage you to do what you know in your heart is right."  ~Zig Ziglar~

I think it speaks volumes. We so often do or listen to what others tell us we can and/or can't do. We allow them to change our minds about something we feel strongly about. We let them stop us from reaching a dream. Negativity is a strong magnet but we have to be stronger. My great-gramdmother use to say "nothing beats a failure but a tryer."  Be your own person. Make your own decisions. If the outcome is not what you expected, well ok, you put forth the effort. Perhaps you should try it a different way the next time. But the thing is, don't listen to negative people. Surround yourself with positive minded people and people who encourage you as well as you encourage them and your dream while be reached. If you know in your heart is right! Then you can't be wrong.

My work space

Trying to finish up my Christmas cards and this is my desk. I always start with lots of space but end up working in a 4x4 square lol. Gotta love it!

Finally Finished!

Whew, I'm finally finished with all of my Christmas cards. Here are two cards I made tonight (the snowman is hand colored). I sure hope my crafty friends like their cards. I'm sure they will, their all made with LOVE! Well, now off to finish family photo albums whew! But gues what?! I'm 3 away from being finished with those as well. Hooray!!!! I'll be mailing my sweet friend Cindy S. her album in Friday, can't wait til she sees it! Those ladies did a knock out job on her album. Oh Cindy, your going to love it. Well back to work y'all. Enjoy!

Christmas Cards

So, almost finished with Christmas cards. I have 4 left to make (yeah!!!!!) and it'll be "Off to the post office." Next on the agenda , other than laundry, finish the family photo albums but first (after my doughnut and coffee) Cindy's album. Her paper is beautiful.

Heres, what I did lastnight/this morning lol. Enjoy!

Christmas Cards!!!

Wow, who knew that making 22 Christmas cards would be so hard hehe. Well I'm having fun, fun, fun. Oh did I say FUN! Lol
I hope you all like the cards I've posted. These cards are going out to some of the most amazing ladies I know. All of you are very special to me. Enjoy!

New Toy

This is the gcd studio chipart system. This isn't everything but I wanted to show what I have. With this system you are able to emboss/stamp chipboard and leather. I have some if the stuff but I need to get the rest of it so I can practice more. If you have this system could you Facebook me and tell me more about it. The video on YouTube really isn't that great (in my opinion). I have the Bluebird set but the wrong tool (have the 1/4"tool for small dies) for the letters to fit on. I also have the mini shapes chipboard stamp set (ornamental shapes itm # 0540).

This is before I added color to the stamped images. I had limited tools but did enjoy trying something new.

This is after the color. It's different lol. As I learn more about the system I'll get better. 

Let's Get Crafting

Hello, I'm so excited about what I'm about to tell you. (clapping excitedly)

On December 7th, from 10-12 I'll be hosting a Card Making Make and Take class at:

                   .           Margie's Closet
                  .            138 Lamar Ave.
                               Paris, TX 75460

The cost of the class $40 (credit cards excepted) and it includes all the supplies (except for Elmer's Craft Bond Quick Dry Glue which can be purchased at Wal-Mart for $2.78). There'll be card making, tree making, refreshment nibblin and you guessed it! Lots of new friends to make! Hurry! there're only 15 slots available. Wouldn't you like to be in one of those slots?! So come be apart of the begging of a beeea-utiful crafty friendship.

Loss in my family

Good morning everyone, afternoon, evening to everyone. I've told some people but I didn't tell everyone but on Tuesday I lost my grandmother. I met her 14 years ago and my daughter met her last year and they became very close. This is the 4th person I've lost in 6 months. Lau'Ren is having a hard time coping. it's hard enough for an adult but imagine a 10 year old little girl. Just help me by wrapping your arms around her and giving her as much support as possible from where you are. Thank you so much for your prayers during the loss of my mother and my father. I have the best group of friends a paper doodle can ever ask for. I have a happy post but i wanted to get this posted first. I'll make my Happy Post next.

Then and Now

I know I'm posting a lot of photos on my first post but I just want you too get a true sense as to how far I've come on my journey. I'm still learning and steadily growing and that's what it's all about learning and growing. I hope you enjoy these photos and leave a comment. I'll try to post daily but you know.....Life. Enjoy!

This was a Place card for a wedding

A doll house my daughter and I made together in 2012

 

My first photo album using the Laura Denison "Stack the Deck" binding method

This is another Laura Denison Creation

When Laura made his project it was made with Christmas cello bags that she used for the pages. I love this book : )

my first Quilling card

Center Step card, found this idea on YouTube, thought I'd give it a try.

I love this album. I made this album for a wonderful friend of mine. I'm so blessed and thankful to have her in my life. She knows who she is. Love you girl!

In 2013 I became addicted to coloring. Copic, Spectrum Noir, Tim Holtz, American Crafts. It doesn't matter, I just want to color.

 

Tee Pee card, found this on YouTube as well

I love this card. Simplee stated  "BE HAPPY" that's what card making and paper crafting does for me. It keeps me happy. There's no greater hobby that I ever could've found that would or could make me feel so complete.

 I would like to thank Laura Denison for being one of the ones to encourage me through watching her show to stay on my trail until I found where it lead me to. I have other people in my life that've been supportive right along with Laura and I also thank them as well. Barrie, Carol you ladies are AWESOME SAUCE!!!!! You two take such good care of us, we can't say thank you enough. Jim Hankins and his good country self lol. You ARE the man! The first time i watched Jim it was a YouTube video and he was making a album from the circle 8 punches i went out the next day and bought one. Kathryn, the first time I ever saw you was when you made a 6x9 photo for your sister. It's as if you people were suppose to be in my life. I watched you over the past 3 years and never knew who any of you were until last year. Thanks guys for being who you are and continuing to bring joy and friendship into this craft. So much happens in our lives on a daily basis that our one true outlet is our hobby. So again THANK YOU.