Izbzee

It's been less than a week!

Can you believe it?  I made it back for an update in less than a week! 

March is just around the corner and there's a lot already on the calendar!  March is plum packed full of birthdays - family and friends!  I'm so excited as I have a bunch of cards already in my stash and ready to go --  YAY! 

We've got kids getting ready to move into their new home this weekend.  It would be fun to help them, but can't make it out there right now -- however, finding an appropriate housewarming gift for them is on the agenda this coming week. 

Make a Smilebox scrapbook I'm going to start something new in March - so be watching for updates!

 See you soon!

a brand new week on the horizon....

 I'm sure it will be a great one too!

We got a bit a crafting done yesterday -- I'd really wanted to join in on the OP Retreat yesterday, but

there absolutely isn't much in the way of orange in my fabric stash, but does some orange in cardstock count?  LOL  I cased a couple of cards and had some fun with orange and pink - definitely not in my regular repetoire, but fun, nonetheless.

 

The paper from StampinUP and Provo Craft and some I scanned and resized from an unknown source.  Stamps from StampinUp, Papertrey Ink and Studio G.  The button brads are from Oriental Trading and the mesh is from Stamping up.  The label is a Rhonna Farr digital - I took out the flourish in the middle and then copied it to some graph paper and inked it.  I made a second card nearly the ssame, but added a bright orange and pink for the background papers to attach to the card base.

And another with a slightly orange theme, does terracotta count in that?

 

 Stamping Up for stamps and inks, markers and papers.  The rub on is from something I've had in my stash for a while, but didn't have the packaging for - but I think it was in a DCWV pad.  And the stitching - my "quilting" for the day was done in a varigated orange machine embroidery thread. 

Somehow, I got it in my head yesterday, that Spring is just around the corner -- and some butterflies magically appeared thanks to Cuttlebug's Die and Embossing folders and some handmade seeded paper I had on hand.  The inks are from StampinUp and the purple glossy paper we picked up at HL, the DP is from Provo Craft I think a while back.  I inked the edges in Lavendar Lace.  I made 3 other cards with butterflies. 

Seems that I couldn't resist looking at some of the Tucson photos this afternoon and try to re-create a few of the feelings from that week!  Smilebox to the rescue!  The lyrics in the music were written by Howard Glasser and the musical backgound by John Frick! 

A few notes about the day.  It had been rainy and gray all morning.  The afternoon "graduation" was nearing - the skies cleared somewhat.  During the "exercises" there were several fly-bys from the nearby AFB and to top it off, a beautiful rainbow appeared as the day ended. 

Make a Smilebox photobook For Valentines' Day, we pretty much were homebodies.  T fixed breakfast and lunch

as his gift to me.  My gift to him was a card --  and we'd already gone out to dinner earlier in the week at our favorite restaurant. 

Some friends dropped by and stayed to visit for a while - then surprise, we got a phone call from another couple -- they were bringing dinner and a movie for the evening activity!  Well, this gal wasn't going to turn that away!  We got the projector out and set up the family room for the Big Screen experience - and set the table for what was a most delicious  meal of chicken, baked potatoes and a vegetable combo.  YUMMY!  We watched Miss Potter - loved the score and the movie.  It reminded me of the two small books I saved from an old box of books sent to us years ago -- 20+; both Beatrix Potter books.  Oh, it would be nice to be able to paint like that.  I think Mom would enjoy the movie - and her B-day is coming up, so we might have to make that happen. 

The day after...

They were right!  The severe weather arrived early afternoon as predicted.  Unfortunately, the northwest part of the city wasn't as lucky as we were.  Several neighborhoods were damaged by the tornado that ripped through.   According to the news this morning, they're calling it an F-3.  Sadly, another town, Lone Grove to the south and east of us didn't fare as well.  There were deaths and lots of injuries.  Not a good way to start out an early twirlie season. 

This morning, there are glimpses of blue skies between the broken cloud cover.  The winds are blowing as the newest wave of rain storms move into the area.   It doesn't appear that we'll get any of the rain -- which will make it easier for the teams that will be helping in the affected areas.   I did get a few pictures yesterday for the stormy skies before we went into the Tornado Warning....here's one. 

And since it's Wednesday again, it's another day of cardmaking!  WOOT WOOT!  So looking forward to it and I've plans to incorporate a few pieces of fabric into my cards this week -- the bug to quilt is returning and I'm hoping that just going through a few more pieces of fabric will really help me set up my machines, make the cuts and start sewing again!  

Here's a pic of yesterday's card - yep, only one and it's for Ted's boss and wife - they renewed their marriage vows yesterday.  Their church didn't officially recognize their civil marriage some 25 years ago.  But yesterday, they were able to repeat their vows in a chapel with their priest officiating.  They are really happy about that.  The inside of the card reads:  Heaven Bless your togetherness.    Cuttlebug and Sizzix dies; DP and Texture paper, Provo Craft, Staz-on Ink and Studio G stamps. 

Wednesday Wahoos!

I sense that today is going to be a wonderful day.  Yep, it's still early enough to look at it that way! 

It's been a busy morning already and a few things crossed off the list of everyday chores.  Only one more load of laundry to run through.  I might even get that second coat of Kilz on a couple more spots this morning.  That will definitely be a good thing and then we'll be ready to paint the ceilings next week.

Work is going great!  Lots of good things happening even among the frustrations of my misspellings - and I'm hoping to have those taken care of today with the help of my "proof-reader." 

This evening, the gals will gather and we'll do some cardmaking and have lots of fun catching up and nurturing each other. 

  This pic was taken while in AZ last month.  Oldest son and my sweet sister-in-law!  We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon and evening meal with her.  I'm hoping to post some more pictures soon of the latest and greatest!  Have a fab day and thanks for dropping by! 

A new beginning.........

As I'm sure you've noticed, I've been absent for a while.  We had a busy last quarter and keeping ups just wasn't in the cards - new job, new responsibilities and family were taking up the time.

So we're going to try again and hope the best in 2009!  Lots of changes growth and wonderful happenings.

We had a fabulous holiday!  Two of the kids made it home for Christmas staying with us for a bit before heading back to their respective homes.  We got to spend some time with grandson #2 (grandbaby #3)  and watch him take his first baby steps!  What fun and what a joy.  And we learned a couple of days ago that Grandbaby #4 is due in October!  T isn't really up to being called grandpa - saying he's much to young -- so Papa will do for the time being.

I just got back from my annual trek to AZ and the Advanced Nurtured Heart Approach trainings -- the latest and greatest!  Sheesh! So much and all wonderful.  The trajectory is even higher as Nurtured Heart World comes closer to being a reality.  We saw an evolvement happen before our eyes as ATs from previous years stepped up and became facilitators and shared their knowledge with those attending for the first time.  Sure made a difference for the SLT (senior leadership team) and what they wanted to accomplish.  I so  appreciated all the help and to those who stepped up to the plate and worked their "miracles" during the week making my responsibilities so much lighter!  You know who you are - and I love and appreciate you so much!  My roommates, too, were wonderful and understanding about the early morning starts and late evening finishes. 

You are Oprah was released and shared with the whole group during the Reception/dinner on Sunday evening. It was a wonderful start to an even greater week.

Of course, I was able to spend a bit of time with J and C over the 2 weeks I was there.  There are only 2 grandpups now -- Izzy had to be put down just before I arrived.  It was definitely quieter - calmer and I know she is dearly missed by all

Card making has resumed in earnest as well.  The gals were here yesterday to play and we thoroughly enjoyed the day.  Lots of new and fresh ideas in the works.  I got 6 designs finished up yesterday and hopes for a few more over the next week or so.  My desktop is cluttered with paper samples and stamps just waiting to be inked.  I'll probably have to put that off for a couple of days while I catch up with some "must do's" for work and get ready for the first of our monthly teleseminars at EnergyParenting.com. 

I'll be up early tomorrow morning putting the final touches on the AT email listings to get the announcement going out to all.  Still quite a few things to follow up on post the trainings...my job really does encompass "everything!"  LOL

Thanks for reading and check in frequently!  I promise to do better this year.