Teachers gifts for 2011

Little Gifts for the Ladies of Women's Ministry at Lakeside

Includes a tissue holder a two piece Hershey Nugget Box

Christmas 2011 decorations

Sympathy Card and Envelope

Christmas Coasters

A Few of My Christmas Cards for 2011

Two Recent Cards

Tickets for Ladies Brunch at Church

I made these tickets to sell for the Ladies Brunch at church which is coming up on November 19th. at 10:30 in the morning. If you are in the Denver, North Carolina area and are interested in joining us, please contact me. Cost is $7.00. Brunch will be catered and there will be games, prizes, entertainment, worship and the word. I am sure it will be an amazing time for all those who attend.

Sign I made for birdcage a friend used at wedding to hold cards.

HOW TIME FLIES

Good morning everyone! I can't believe that today is September 3 already! It seems like we were just getting excited about school letting out for the summer. Our three older grandsons, Collin, Kyle and Cody have returned to school and, so far, they seem to enjoy it. Collin is now in 7th grade, Kyle is in 5th grade and Cody is in 1st. grade. They are growing up so fast, I can hardly believe it.

Maybe now that they are back in school, I will be able to get some crafting done. I always have good intentions of doing so,but, life seems to get in the way most of the time. I have not even had a chance to use my new cricut machine and I am dying to do so. Hopefully, this weekend, I will be able to make that happen.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Have fun and be safe!

A Few Pics From Our First Cruise

We had the time of our lives. We enjoyed it so much that we are ready to book our next cruise. I think we are going to book the next one for 7 or 8 days and go to Belize and Roatan and Cozumel.

My New Post Signature

Just checking out my new post signature

Stormy

This is our newest addition to the family. Her name is Stormy and she is an English Bulldog. She is absolutely precious! My daughter has wanted an English Bulldog for as long as I can remember. She has liked them since she saw one on the Westminster Dog Show a long time ago.

Tutorial for making your own Grab Button! Very Helpful

http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

CONFIRMATION! PARKINSONS DISEASE

My husband had his appointment with his neurologist today and the DAT Scan on his brain confirmed Parkinson's Disease. They are trying him on some meds that will increase in strength over three weeks and then if that does not help the tremors, they will try Botox injections into the muscles that are affected. If that then does not help they will proceed with deep brain stimulation with a pacemaker. Please keep him and our family in your prayers.

It is Here!!!!

My Cricut finally arrived in the mail yesterday. I can't wait to start playing with it later today. My husband said, "that is what you were so excited about getting?" I said, "Absolutely" and he said "to each his own, I guess". They just don't understand, do they?

Got the job! Yay Me!!!

Yesterday, I was offered the job I interviewed for the other day. I am so excited. It is exactly what I was looking for. I will still be home in the evenings and only work 3 early hours on Saturdays. God is so good all the time!

Oh Cricut, Oh Cricut, Wherefore art thou my Cricut!?

So, I ordered myself a new Cricut Create about a week and I still have not received it. I have been patient, but, I am now eager to get my new toy so that I can start playing with it. I am hoping to use it for making some Christmas gifts and I need to get them started.

Job Interview tomorrow!!

So, I just got called for a job interview with a bank that I applied to for a part-time position I applied for. I have been looking for something part-time to cover the cost of my hobbies, scrapbooking and sewing.and just recently got interested in quilting. I hope this works out so that I can still be home to help Mike with the boys before and after school.

Home Made Zuppa Toscano Soup

So , I tried my hand at Olive Garden's Zuppa Tuscano Soup last night for dinner and it was fantastic. It was really easy to make and it was a hit with most of the family! You know how picky some kids are.

This is the recipe I used:

Ingredients

1 lb. Italian sausage ( I like mild sausage )
2 large russet baking potatoes, sliced in half, and then in 1/4 inch slices
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 can Oscar Meyer bacon bits
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups kale or 2 cups swiss chard,chopped ( I used kale )
2 cans chicken broth
1 quart water 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions

1. Cook sausage in a 300 degree oven for approximately 30 minutes
2. Drain sausages on paper towels and cut into slices.
3. Place onions, potatoes, chicken broth, water, and garlic in pot and cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.
4. Add sausage and bacon.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.
6. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
7. Turn to low heat.
8. Add kale and cream.
9. Heat through and serve.

I HATE HEADACHES LIKE THIS!

Woke up this morning with a really bad headache and couldn't get up without feeling like I was going to get sick and pass out. Took some meds and seems to be easing some. I don't understand why I am having such a problem with this lately. I just hope it is nothing serious. If you are a praying person, please pray that it isn't. Hope this finds you all well and I will be getting back into crafting soon.

FINALLY GOT A CRICUT!!!

I won the bid on a Cricut Create on E Bay Saturday for $39.99. What a bargain. Can't wait to actually receive it in the mail so I can start playing with it. I also won a couple cartridges so I can start playing as soon as I get it. Will post some pictures of my projects.

Had to give up my Consultant position with Close To My Heart

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I last posted anything here. We have been busy with the grandkids being home from school and life in general. Mike and I just got home from a 9 day trip to Cincinnati to visit with family and reunite with some old fiends. Had a wonderful time but we were glad to get back home. I am looking forward to our next trip which is a Cruise to the Bahamas in August. Neither Mike nor I have ever been on a cruise so it should be quite an adventure for us.

Now, as far as crafting goes, I haven't had the time to get much done but after we get home from the cruise, I plan on getting back into the groove.
Unfortunately, I am no longer a consultant with Close to My Heart. I still plan on
buying product from them but I could not generate enough sales to maintain my consultant status. So, now I am waiting patiently for the new Idea Book to come out on August 1st. to see what amazing new products they come out with.

CTMH Stamp of the Month

Want to join an exclusive club? Every month Close To My Heart offers you an exclusive My Acrylix® D-size stamp set FREE or at a large discount. The stamp set is available to qualifying customers for that month only. It’s our way of saying thank you, and your way of getting fantastic deals on our amazing stamps!

Here’s how to get a fabulous deal on your very own Stamp of the Month!

You spend You save You pay only
$25 US / $27.95 CAN 25% off $17.21 US / $19.12 CAN
$50 US / $55.50 CAN 50% off $11.48 US / $12.76 CAN
$75 US / $83.50 CAN 75% off $5.74 US / $6.38 CAN
$100 US / $110.95 CAN 100% off FREE!

July’s Stamp of the Month is:
American Celebration (Set of 12), or Canadian Celebration (Set of 12)

Recommended Blocks:
1" × 3 1/2" (Y1002)
2" × 2" (Y1003)
3" × 3" (Y1006)
2" × 3 1/2" (Y1009)

CTMH July Campaign

Spend $50, get an item for $1.

It’s simple. Spend $50, add a bonus item for $1 (five products to choose from). Because everyone loves saving money.

Eligible $1 Bonus Items:

X5811 Creative Basics® Mistletoe (value: $8.95 US/$9.95 CAN)
X5807 Creative Basics® Animal Cookies (value: $8.95/$9.95)
X8624 My Originals® Bits & Pieces Card Kit (value: $12.95/$14.50)
X8622 My Originals® It’s Your Day Card Kit (value: $12.95/$14.50)
X8623 My Originals® Around the Holidays Card Kit (value: $14.95/$16.50)

To participate in the Bang for your Buck promotion, find a Consultant near you today!

* Offer available July 1–31, 2011. Tax and shipping/handling charges apply. Close To My Heart reserves the right to substitute a comparable promotional item. Limit one promotional item per qualifying order.

CTMH Amore Quilt Card

This is a card I made for a friend of mine that loves to make quilts. She is a dear sister in Christ that goes to my church. Made with CTMH Amore paper pack and Stickease.

Vacation Bible School at Lakeside

Well,our week of Vacation Bible School at church is now over. We did not get as many kids as we would have liked but it was a success for the ones that were there. The theme was Son Quest Rainforest. Rhonda and a few of the other people drew,cut out and painted scenery backdrops and animals seen in the rainforest. The church looked amazing. We had videos, stories, songs and dance,snacks and games that tied in to whatever the message was for that day. The kids had a blast. Three of my grandsons attended for the first time. They have all decided to go to church with me now. I am so very happy about that. I feel blessed to have been a part of the whole thing but I am happiest that I was able to encourage my grandsons to go.

Studio J® Free-for-All!

Get a FREE JPG file of your Studio J® layout in June!

During our Studio J® Free-for-All in June, we're giving everyone a FREE Studio J® JPG file—no purchase required! Simply log on to Studio J®, create a layout, then order one JPG file of your layout. It's as easy as that! Download and save your file so you can post your layout online, email it to family and friends, or print them.

If you have a Studio J® or a MyCTMH® account, just log in and start creating. If you don't have an account, creating one is easy. You can access Studio J® through your Consultant's MyCTMH® website or at studioj.com. Don't have a Consultant? Find one here.

Discover how quick and simple scrapbooking can be with Studio J®—and get your FREE JPG layout in Free-for-All June!
* Offer valid June 1–30, 2011. Limit of one free JPG file per account. If you choose to purchase a custom print of your layout or other layouts you create, standard costs including layout price, shipping/handling, and tax, will apply.

CTMH Stamp of the Month

Want to join an exclusive club? Every month Close To My Heart offers you an exclusive My Acrylix® D-size stamp set FREE or at a large discount. The stamp set is available to qualifying customers for that month only. It’s our way of saying thank you, and your way of getting fantastic deals on our amazing stamps!

Here’s how to get a fabulous deal on your very own Stamp of the Month!

You Spend You Save You Pay Only
$25 US/ $27.95 CAN 25% OFF $17.21 US/ $19.12 CAN
$50 US/ $55.50 CAN 50% OFF $11.48 US/ $12.76 CAN
$75 US/ $83.50 CAN 75% OFF $5.74 US/ $6.38 CAN
$100 US/ $110.95 100% OFF FREE!