How am I doing???

I thought at the end of each month I would go over my resolutions and see how I am doing. This is more for me than you, but someone out there might want to know.


So here we go...

1. Don't over do it. (This relates to my back) I've been doing pretty good so far.

2. Learn to ask for AND accept help. (this is the hardest for me) This is very hard for me, but I have had to ask.

3. Do my exercises at least 6 times a week. There are days I can't do ALL of them, but I have done some if not all every day.

4. Send a birthday card to everyone in my family ON TIME. Ü There was only one birthday in January (my 2 yr old nephew and I didn't make him a card as I figured it would only get thrown away)

5. Organize my stamp room (this is on going) I did a little and made an "Inspiration Station" that is so fun to see every time I walk in.

6. NO MORE HOARDING!! Use what I have AND what I buy! I did really good this month! I used up lots of ribbon on projects and paper too. It helped alot doing a Valentine "Inspiration Station" as I found things I forgot I had even had and made lots of goodies with those items.

7. Alter at least two items (out of my HUGE box of things to alter) every month. That would be a minimum of 24 items by December. (yes, I have that many things that need altered!!) So far, I altered a Tootsie Roll container, candle jar, several mini mailboxes from Target and a notebook. WOOHOO! Very excited to get these done.

8. Submit something for publication once a month (doesn't mean it will be published, but "you can't win if you don't enter") Bummer, submitted, but wasn't chosen. I do understand that this is very hard to do. BUT even though I wasn't chosen for something I entered I DO have some exciting news to share soon that happened this month!!!!!

9. RAK (random acts of kindness) someone at least once a month. Did this Ü

10. Eat chocolate Ü (have to have at least one thing that you KNOW you will do LOL!! Okay, like this one was taken care of the first day (as well as other days)

11. Make items for sale for at least 3 shows. I haven't done a show yet, but I have made a few items for a show in March.

12. Teach at least 12 classes at LSS if possible. I'm off to a good start as I have taught 2 classes already and have another scheduled for next weekend if I can get to feeling better (sinus/bronchial crud going on)

13. Do more SCS challenges. The only one I can think of is the Dirty Dozen monthly one. I have done a Beate challenge and two Mary Jo ones.

14. Attend at least ONE of my friend Barb's workshops. Ü Not yet, but still want to!

15. Whittle down my scrap box-challenge myself to make cards only using my scraps. Did this a little bit with my altering projects.

16. Make 10 Christmas cards a month. This way I will have some ready for sale and ready to send out after Thanksgiving. 10 down and 100 to go Ü

17. Make items for sale for LSS every month. Yes, part of my altered stuff and items made from my Inspiration Station.

18. Get caught up on Benjamin's scrapbook. Sadly, I wasn't able to even work in it this month. I was invited two different times to scrap and the first I wasn't feeling so great and the second DH & DS2 were very sick.

19. Post more often on blog. I haven't posted every day, but have done a much better job of posting for the month of January.

20. Make Christmas list in January and make/buy gifts throughout the year and be done by November. Still working on this, but have an idea of what I am going to do for the boys.

21. Finish up things that I started and then didn't finish for whatever reason. Finished some cards I had started.

22. Bless someone with items I just don't use any more and don't think I will ever use. I RAK'd someone with some goodies from my scrap room as I cleaned.

23. Stamp with my "neglected" stamps (you know those that you just "had" to have and then don't use much Ü). I started a card with Roses in Winter. This is one of my favorite sets, but didn't get it finished. Need to soon as someone is waiting to see what I do with it. ;)

24. Bless someone at least 6 times this year with cinnamon rolls (if I am able to). Not yet, but still have 11 months to go.

25. "PIF (pay it forward) 2008"-I have been blessed to win some blog candy, so I decided for this year, if I win blog candy, I am going to PIF and offer blog candy to you. Ü YAY!!! I did win some blog candy in January and I did send out a package.

What a change...

in the weather!! For the past few days we have been having beautiful weather. Yesterday was a high of the past few days with it reaching over 50 degrees! There was "talk" of a snow front coming in...yeah right. Well, I guess "they" knew what they were talking about! Temps dropped fast, wind came up, then snow and we have a late start for school!!! When I got up (notice I didn't say "woke" up) a little before six and looked outside you couldn't see anything it was snowing and blowing so hard.

Family news:

I am beat!! I got very little sleep two nites ago and pretty much none last nite. Aaron is a very sick boy! Sinus infection hits him so hard and he has always had breathing problems and this is one of the worst ones he's had in a long time. He hurts so much and it's hard being the mom when you can't do anything about it and you are so tired yourself. I will probably do what I did when the boys were little and sleep today when he sleeps. It doesn't help when Bruce is sick too, so I need to take care of all of them. Benjamin is doing better and is back in school.

Stamping: Here is a card I made for a swap. It's been a LONG time since I've done a multiple card swap.

Recipe: all SU!

stamps: Time Well Spent & Boho Backgrounds

ink: basic brown & white

paper: Berry Bliss (wish we could just order a certain pattern), chocolate chip, pink & white, sponge

accessories: ribbon, colored pencil,

Technostamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #2

It's Monday and time for another challenge by Mary Jo. At noon EST, Mary Jo will post a list of all the players. Be sure to check out her blog and then those who played. It is fun to see everyone's take on the same sketch.

I had a terrible time getting a good picture. IRL the button matches the cs perfectly.

Here is the recipe for mine:

stamps: Time Well Spent

paper: SU!'s Pomengranate and patterned papers from Berry Bliss

ink: basic brown

accessories: sewing machine, Making Memories brads, Basic Grey button, SU! chocolate ribbon, CTMH pink ribbon, sanding block

Beate sketch challenge

Here is a card I made with last week's challenge that Beate posted on her blog.
Recipe:
Stamps: Stem Sayings, Wanted
Paper: Rusty Pickle's Chocolate Kisses, Basic Grey's Infuse
Misc: brads, stickles, sewing machine, SU's photo corner & scallop circle punches, vintage rick rack

Altered Mail Box

They have these really fun little mailboxes in the $1 spot at Target. I picked up several pink ones and a couple of white ones (now wish I would have gotten a couple of red ones!!), to alter for the boys and my youth group girls as well as a few friends.

Here is one I made for the LSS...

Side View:

Recipe:

Paper: Basic Grey

Embellishments: Prima flower, brad, ribbons & rick rack, heart button and embroidery floss

heart (on side of box) cut from George Cricut cartridge

You can see how to make these here. Emily gave me permission to supply the link to her blog. I make mine the same she does except for the flag (I cut 2 pieces to fit the front & back) and I use mono-adhesive. I think it would be easier to use the line tape like she does, but all that is available here is the Terrific Tacky Tape and it is expensive.

Technostamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #1

Say that fast just ONCE! LOL!! I joined a new group that is going to do a sketch challenge and post every Monday. You can see everyone that played by going to Mary Jo's site here.

I am still playing with these papers by CTMH.

Recipe:

Stamp: Happy Harmony & Boho Backgrounds-SU!

Papers: CTMH

Ink: Basic Brown and watercolor crayons-SU!

Ribbon: brown-SU!, rickrack-from antique store

Brads: antique copper-Making Memories

Dirty Dozen Challenge -January

The Dirty Dozen gals (past and present) on SCS has decided to do a challenge each month and post to the gallery on the 20th.


Each month we will have criteria that we are to follow. For January we were to use a "girl" image and something "sweet"-however we wanted to interpret that. Since I have 2 boys, DH, dad, 4 brothers, FIL, gr'pa, lots of uncles, etc., I don't have alot of 'girl' stamps. The ones I did have were all spring related and with it snowing outside and freezing weather, spring wasn't really on my mind.


I hope that this snow-"girl" qualifies. Ü Also, what can be sweeter than candy??!! So I made a one sheet bag to fill with these YUMMY dark chocolate, raspberry filled Ghirardelli candies.

By clicking on the 'one sheet bag' above you can see Beate's tutorial. The only thing I did different was to punch holes thru all the layers and then add 4 eyelets, two to the back and two to the front and thread the ribbon thru the eyelets. (got this idea from my friend Melissa Ü)

Recipe:

Paper: CTMH's Life Delights (love this pink and brown paper!), solid paper is from the same packet as the patterned

Accessories: adhesive: Tombow,ribbon-CTMH, brads-can't remember-they were from a large eyelet buy I was in a LONG time ago (remember one of my resolutions is to stop hoarding), and of course chocolates Ü

Ink: Basic Grey by SU!, colored pencils, Gamsol, blending stumps

Here is my card for Beate's sketch challenge this week. I will come back and add the details after I get home at noon.

Okay, I'm back now for some details.

Paper is Basic Grey's Infuse line and Rusty Pickle's "Chocolate Kisses" line. I love how they go together! Scallop circle is stamped on Pretty in Pink with Basic Brown ink from SU's "Wanted" set and then cut with SU's scallop punch. How fun is that, that they match up like that?! Ü

Vintage rick rack from a fun buy at an antique store, zig zag & straight machine stitching, photo corner punched from SU! punch and brads for embellishments.

Tip on the brads...the brad in the center of the scallop design was a glittery brown brad (sorry, don't know who it is by). I used Making Memories copper brads on the photo corner and it needed some "bling", so I put a dot of stickles on each one and it matched perfectly with the big brad.

Alphabet Soup Valentine

Here is a Valentine card I made last year. I stamped and played yesterday, but need to finish everything up before posting. I have several projects in the almost finished stage, but had to wait until things were dry. (hmmmmm...wink)

I am working on a "grouping" of items for the LSS and am hoping I can post them tomorrow. Lighting isn't too good tonite to get a good pic.

I will also post a picture of the blog candy that I will be drawing for tomorrow around noon CST. So if you haven't entered yet, be sure to enter here.

Mint Purse

Here is a fun little gift idea for Valentine's Day. The purse is cut from Tags Bags Boxes & More Cricut cartridge. Two peppermint patties fit inside. I got the idea from Cami to cover them. (click on her name on the side bar under blogs I visit-she has the coolest ideas!!!) Ribbon is from blog candy I won.

Inspiration Station

I first heard of this concept on Michelle Wooderson's blog (you've got to check out her wonderful blog!-you can see it by clicking on her name on the side under blogs I visit).

Anyway, when I first saw her post last year, I knew I wanted to do that, but my room is desperately in need of redoing, so didn't. Then I saw her Valentine Inspiration Station and decided I can still make one myself without having to redo my whole room.

It was so much fun to go "shopping" in my room. I found so many fun things I didn't realize I had. Ü

So here is my inspiration station...(you can click on the picture to see a better view-just don't look to close at the very old wallpaper-bet there's lots of layers there! LOL!!) Here are some individual close-up views of the above picture. This is one of my favorite parts of my inspiration station. These two clay items were made by my 13 yr old son. I love the pig on the heart shaped mud! You can also see some pink mailboxes I want to alter that I purchased in the $1 section at Target. Here is a close up of what is in a wire basket I purchased at an antique store when I visited my brother and SIL last year. It was FULL of zinc lids which I love and use. In here I have my vintage ribbon, stickles, pearls and some chipboard coasters I want to alter as well. More items that inspire me. I love old baskets. This one has a large piece of vintage lace (may have been a table cloth at one time) in the basket and then filled with old rick rack in pinks and browns, and other Valentine colored ribbons. I also have some Primas and silk flowers (just buy them at Hobby Lobby when they are 1/2 off and take them off the stems) and this candle jar that I love with the Basic Grey papers. A closer view of the old rick rack in the grapevine basket...

Secret Sister cards

I have received two beautiful cards from my secret sister on SCS this month already! She does lovely work and I am enjoying getting to know her.

Recycled Cards

Some of my resolutions are to use up what I have, finish stuff I started, etc. Well yesterday I made 15 cards and the rest today!!!

When we went to see DH's g'ma on Christmas Eve day, she wanted me to go thru all her bd cards and take them and reuse them. I told her I didn't need more stuff, but she was persistent. So I went thru them (about a 100 of them) and took ones that I thought I could cut apart and use.
I had no idea WHAT I was going to do with them, but didn't want them lying around, so decided to see what I could come up with. I really like how all of them turned out! Her birthday is the 19th, so while making the cards, I thought, why not give them back to her! LOL!! She is in an assisted living place and has 7 kids, lots of grandkids, friends in the assisted living place, etc. Most of the cards are girly since they were given to her, but will work to send to her daughters, granddaughters, friends, etc. I can't wait to see her face when I give them to her. She will get a kick out of it, I'm sure.

Since I am trying to use things I already have, I went up to my stamp room (freezing up there!) and just picked out a few things to make these cards-embossed card fronts, ink, ribbon SCRAPS, a background stamp (linen) and a birthday verse stamp set, adhesive and glitter. I also brought down (to where the heat is Ü) my box of cardstock SCRAPS. Here is what it looked like sitting on my dining room table: And here are the cards I made...

Snowbuddy notebook

Here is a fun way to use pocket folders. I got these at the beginning of the school year for 9 cents each, so for about 50 cents you have a fun gift. I also made matching pens to go with these.

I cut the pocket folder in half. Then cut from the pocket end at 8.5". Score at 5.25 to 5.5" from each end and you will have aproximately 1/2"- 3/4" depth to accomadate for the thickness of the notepad. (the measurements vary by company as the ones I bought weren't all the same size)

Decorate the front as desired and add ribbon for a closure.

It's hard to tell in the picture, but I used Crystal Effects on the "candy" fringe hat "ruffle" and glitter on the snowbuddy's hat pom pom. I stamped the image in basic grey on shimmmery white cardstock and used colored pencils and gamsol to color.

New Year's Resolutions...

**edited to add more resolutions** (on the last day of December I am going to preview these and let you all know how I did)

Do you make them? Do you keep them? I am a big "list" person and usually make some. I have learned over the years that some things just aren't going to happen, so try to be very reasonable with my "lists". Here are a few I have for 2008 (so far). This list is more for me than anything and a way to check in and see how I am doing. Ü

1. Don't over do it. (This relates to my back)
2. Learn to ask for AND accept help. (this is the hardest for me)
3. Do my exercises at least 6 times a week.
4. Send a birthday card to everyone in my family ON TIME. Ü
5. Organize my stamp room (this is on going)
6. NO MORE HOARDING!! Use what I have AND what I buy!
7. Alter at least two items (out of my HUGE box of things to alter) every month. That would be a minimum of 24 items by December. (yes, I have that many things that need altered!!)
8. Submit something for publication once a month (doesn't mean it will be published, but "you can't win if you don't enter")
9. RAK (random acts of kindness) someone at least once a month
10. Eat chocolate Ü (have to have at least one thing that you KNOW you will do LOL!!
11. Make items for sale for at least 3 shows.
12. Teach at least 12 classes at LSS if possible.
13. Do more SCS challenges.
14. Attend at least ONE of my friend Barb's workshops. Ü
15. Whittle down my scrap box-challenge myself to make cards only using my scraps.
16. Make 10 Christmas cards a month. This way I will have some ready for sale and ready to send out after Thanksgiving.
17. Make items for sale for LSS every month.
18. Get caught up on Benjamin's scrapbook.
19. Post more often on blog.
20. Make Christmas list in January and make/buy gifts throughout the year and be done by November.
21. Finish up things that I started and then didn't finish for whatever reason.
22. Bless someone with items I just don't use any more and don't think I will ever use.
23. Stamp with my "neglected" stamps (you know those that you just "had" to have and then don't use much Ü)
24. Bless someone at least 6 times this year with cinnamon rolls (if I am able to)
25. "PIF (pay it forward) 2008"-I have been blessed to win some blog candy, so I decided for this year, if I win blog candy, I am going to PIF and offer blog candy to you. Ü


I know I will want to add more later, but here is a start.

Winter Wonderland

This is what we woke up to yesterday. It was so beautiful, even the camera could not show the true beauty. This picture didn't even come close to showing the true beauty. Still learning how to use this camera.

Of the barn... This one shows a little better in front of the chicken shed... Here are two in the back yard, love how the first one turned out... Here is my favorite of an old paint can on an old box behind the chicken shed. Love the shabby chic look to it. Ü

Happy Birthday Aaron! & winner

Happy 13th birthday Aaron! Yikes, two teenage boys now in the house. I am feeling old. LOL!!

The birthday boy drew a number and it was number two, so the winner of the anniversary blog candy is:

Kelly's Artistic Journaling said...
Well... it sounds like you are indeed in a great deal of pain. I just want to lift you up in prayer right now because God is a God of Miracles, and a God of great comfort. Even though we do not know each other I know He hears my prayers and knows my heart as I cry out to Him for you. So I pray for you for peace, comfort and complete restoration and healing. He can do all things! God bless you with much love - to you and your family, Merry Christmas.

Kelly, please e-mail me with your snail mail address AND 2-3 favorite colors. Ü Thanks!

Merry Christmas!

WOW! What a white Christmas we are having. There was "suppose" to be a 30% chance of light snow last nite and 33 degrees today. We had no snow last night, 34 degrees today and then after dinner it started snowing and blowing. It is a very wet snow that is sticking to everything and very pretty. (ok I realize some of you readers don't think any snow is pretty, but it is beautiful outside Ü)

Today is my one year anniversary for blogging. I can't believe it's already been a year! The time has flown by so fast. A year ago today was a heart breaking day as a dear friend died of cancer. I miss her so much and have thought of her so often this past year. I have many things that she made me in my stamp room that remind me of her and make me smile and remember all the wonderful times we had together. My life was truly blessed to be called her friend. I miss you Kim!!

I have also had some of you e-mail me about what I found out at my dr. appt. It was discouraging news and I needed a few days to accept what they had to say. I was told there is nothing that they can do which was my worst fear to hear. The bottom two discs (S1 and L5) are completely degenerated with L5 also herniated. The reason my pain is so scattered (hips, legs, feet and different every day and even different several times a day) is because there is no fluid in those discs so every move I make causes pain somewhere as there are nerves in the discs. The next 3 discs (going up my spine) are bulging, but not to the degree to be pushing on any nerves that will cause major damage at this point.

He said to fuse (which I have NEVER wanted done) will very likely cause more pain. The recovery time is a minimum of 6 months and in my case longer as there isn't any good bone to fuse to. He did not recommend this at all, but if I say I want it done he will do it (and I do not want it done).

What I need is the artificial discs on the market and the insurance companies all over are denying this to patients for the first time in history even though it is FDA approved. There is one insurance company paying for them, but you have to be very skinny (which I am not) and you can't have any previous surgeries-which I have had many. Even if we found an insurance company that would pay for it, they will only agree to one and I need two.

So where does that put me? Between a "rock and a hard place" (dr.'s words) I am to work with my physician to find an anti-flammatory med that won't cause me to vomit, have hives or nauseau (which many do). I am now taking one that seems to be working (thank you for all the prayers!!). It says I can't take it for a long period of time, so need to find out what that means.

I also have to go back to the physical therapist to get more exercises to keep my legs strong. I am already having loss of feeling sensation and "jelly" like legs and I have to do the PT to keep from losing the ability to walk. I asked him how long before I wouldn't be able to walk and he told me that if I keep up with the PT and completely change my lifestyle (no bending, twisting, turning, lifting) 10 - 20 years depending on what happens to the next 3 discs. So, no more canning, gardening and lots of every day things that we all take for granted. I have already caught myself doing things that aren't allowed. It's going to take a long time to reprogram myself.

I have been having a feeling of lost identity as I feel useless. I can't stand for more than 5 minutes (and sometimes less than that) without being in a great deal of pain. I can't lift a pan of water and put it on the stove, take out something from the oven or lift a gallon of milk. It is hard for me to ask for help, but the boys have been really good about helping. I have already changed the way I do things the past 3 months just because of the pain. Aaron takes the laundry out of the washer and takes it outside and puts it on a chair so I can put it on the line (when it is nice out anyway Ü). Benjamin loves to cook and has been a big help when I just can't stand long enough to finish something. They do NOT like doing the dishes and I do them in spurts as I can stand the time to be standing. Our bed is low and making a bed is very painful as I cannot lean over to do it. We need to see if we can find a bed frame that is higher so that I can still do that task. Bruce helps alot too with everything. Please pray that I never ask them to do something that I can do myself. I know of people who live with chronic pain and they just give up. I refuse to do that and I don't want to take advantage of anyone. If I am able to do something, I need to feel useful to do that.

Well, if you read this far, you really are a faithful reader! LOL!! So to reward you and to celebrate my one year anniversary, post a comment here for a chance for some blog candy. I am not going to post what it is, but hopefully you will like it. I will draw a name Friday on Aaron's birthday.

Dirty Dozen Penguin Challenge

This is for the Dirty Dozen challenge this month on SCS. Go to the gallery and type in DCP1207 to see what everyone else did.

We had to use a penguin for our main image, something "icy" and no blue.

I am off to the spinal dr. and won't be home til late tonight, so had to hurry and get this posted this morning.

Card file box

I am still here! I am surprised by the number of e-mails that I get when I don't upload often. Thank you all for caring and reading my humble little blog. I will try to do better about blogging more often. Ü

I now have a dr. appt set for the 20th. I was really disappointed when it wasn't today as I am hurting quite a bit and am ready to find out what can be done about the pain.

I have also been getting ready for Christmas. We are having my side of the family's tomorrow. Here is what I am making my mom. Inside are monthly file folders with the dates on the front. All she has to do is fill in the bd's & anniversaries and then put cards behind each month. Mom makes cards, so I don't know if I will have time to make any to put in.

Paperbag album gift

I can post this one now. This is my favorite of the three that I made using this paper by Basic Grey. This was for my secret sister on SCS, Deborah Burgess. I had so much fun getting to know her and we will continue to keep in touch. It was amazing how much we have in common! When she told me the colors in her house (also the same as mine), I knew I wanted to design something special for her and this was my labor of love for her. I am so glad she loved it! Ü

Snowflake??

I got this idea from a note from my DSS (secret sister from SCS). She made me a card using the stamp set True Friend and mentioned that she was going to use the large image as a snowflake. I loved that idea and tried it last nite and here is what I came up with. The warm wishes sentiment is by Inky Antics. I case'd this layout from Papercrafts magazine also. I used the silver dots that my secret sis sent me on the dots of the stamped image. Very sparkly in real life (IRL).

I used Buckaroo ink which goes great with Basic Grey's Avalanche from the Fruitcake line.

*note: the size of the cards I made with the trees and here are 3.5" x 6.25" and fit in a regular envy that you mail bills in.

Figgy Trees

I got the idea for this card from Papercrafts magazine. A great way to use up scraps!

This is the first one that I did. I wanted to do something for ornaments for the tree, but didn't have anything, so I used crystal effects (hard to see in the scan). Then AFTER I made this card the mail came and I rec'd a lovely *elf* pkg (something that was going on at SCS) and in there were gold sticky dots by Stampendous. PERFECT for the dots on the tree! You can click on the photo for a closer look at the dots. They are so cool IRL!! I was able to make 7 trees from one sheet of 6 x 6 Figgy Pudding paper. You only see 6 here as I found one tree on the floor after I was done. I like the stitched look best, but needed to get some cards done quickly and it was late and I didn't want to wake the boys with my sewing.

"The weather outside is frightful..."

sure describes today! We DID get snow (just a skiff) and we DID get ice!! Very thick ice. Now it's raining, so when this all freezes again, it's going to be even more nasty. The south windows are all frozen over, so there must have been a bit of wind from the south.
Needless to say, my class has been postponed until next week. It is full now, so no more openings.
A perfect day to stay inside where it's safe and warm and work on Christmas gifts, cards, etc. So I hope to have some fun things to post later. I need to make more of the candy cane candle jars, so will be busy doing that. Now that I have them designed, it will be faster doing them assembly line. The designing takes me the longest time.
Hope you are all where it's safe and warm today!

Paperbag Album #2

Here is another version I made. This *was* going to be the one I was going to teach, but just too much work and I have several first timers signed up, so decided on a simpler version (see previous post) for the class. I was also asked how many I have signed up. The last I heard (with cancellations and new ones signing up) there are 14. I have 15 kits, so if you live in the area and want to take the class, call Scrap Happens in Broken Bow. They have a list of the supplies that you need to bring to the class.

Papers used are Basic Grey's Fruitcake, ribbons are miscellaneous.

Front view

page 1

page 2

page 3

page 4

page 5

page 6

page 7

page 8

page 8 with flap opened

page 9

page 10

back view