Embracing imperfection... discovering possibilities

Farewell, my faithful friend

Wednesday was like any other ordinary day here. I pulled into the driveway that afternoon and saw my old girl laying on the trailer... sunning herself, just as she was doing here in this picture. And just like any other day, she rose to her legs... happy to see us. But this time something was different. I'd noticed that she had stumbled a bit to her left, and then I'd noticed her droopy jaw and what seemed like an inability to close her mouth all the way. I immediately drove her to the vet who was able to confirm in no time at all that she had an oral tumor. She explained that these tumors come on fast, at any age, and that there would be very little they could do to prevent or slow her death... they could only make her comfortable. They gave her two weeks and explained that she would soon stop eating what little she has been able to eat (she was very thin). It was super hard, especially with all three of my children by my side, to make the decision, but I ultimately decided to have her euthanized. We love her so much. I've had her since I was 15 years old. She'd given us 20 years, and it just seemed so selfish to bring her home where the quality of her life was to be compromised, and where we'd all be waiting for the other shoe to drop. It doesn't make it any easier though, and I can't imagine there will ever be a day when I don't expect to see her or hear her (she was very vocal). The kids are having a hard time with it, especially Samuel who adored her. He gave her the most attention everyday... seeking her out, building her fort-like houses, sneaking her into bed with him. We were going to bring her home for burial, but Mikaela was quite vocal at the last minute in saying that she wanted Boonzie to be here with us, in our home. I felt, with those words, like someone had just wrapped a nice warm quilt around my cold body. It made sense, and felt really good. Two years ago, someone I refer to as my surrogate grandfather died. It was the first time I had lost someone really close to me, someone I still think about everyday and whose presence I miss the most. He LOVED cats so much, but suffered severe eczema so couldn't have one of his own. That said, he'd walk to my home and and/or to my parents home several days each week to visit the kitties. It was not all that unusual to come home to what we thought was our empty house and find Ralph sitting quietly in the livingroom with Boonzie snuggled on his lap, enjoying a chunk of love from our dear friend Ralph. To Ralph, this bit of kitty love was worth the few hours of discomfort he'd experience after, as a result of the eczema. So today, I imagine that she is with Ralph, and that the two of them are at peace and with much happiness together.

Oops!

I received an email from a customer who purchased the now sold out Spirit kit. It seemed that the included brown scalloped Bazzill trim was a bit too short. I immediately realized that I'd made an error. The strip was cut from a full sheet of Bazzill scalloped cardstock and the cardstock is sized at 11.5 x 11.5 ... obviously a bit short when you are trying to stretch it the entire width of a 12 x 12 page. So sorry! What I should have included in the instructional is that the strip needed to be cut, and that the cut ends should then be positioned and adhered an inch apart beneath the buttons and crocheted flower embellishments... hiding the fact that this trim isn't one straight shot. I'm super tired right now, and hope that my explanation isn't only adding to the confusion! I also hope that I didn't cause much frustration amongst those crafting with this kit... scrapbooking afterall is supposed to be fun! I'm super sorry. Thank you, Vicki, for bringing this to my attention. I REALLY need to hear these things... your feedback is invaluable! It's much easier to catch and correct your mistakes while teaching a class. This is a new venture for me and I thank you all so much for your patience and continued support!

We're heading out of town tomorrow afternoon for an extended holiday weekend of what else... camping! I hope you spend your weekend doing all the things that make you happy, and are able to spend time with all the people who mean the most to you.

Some simple May flowers for you!

You are my Sunshine

It's was difficult for me today to capture much of the dimension and sparkle that is unique to this layout...  it's really very striking in person. Trust me! I might add, too, that there is more than $18.00 worth of product inside this goody.. it's quite a bargain! Save the gas and wear and tear... let the postmaster deliver your class to you where you can create at your convenience and within the comforts of your home (in your pajamas... you all know, I LOVE pajamas!). I have a limited quantity of these kits available for sale and wanted to get them up before I headed out for the weekend. As standard, these are sold on a first come first served basis (I will take pre-orders, too, should they sell out). All orders received over the weekend will ship on Tuesday. Below is a detailed description.

All that said... where ever it is that you are spending your time this weekend, have a great one :)

With sparkly product from Heidi Swapp, the warm fuzzy texture of felt Thickers, dimensional goodness made by hand and stitched for you by me, and patterned paper reminiscent of the golden summer sun... this layout is sure to win your heart. Included is everything you'll need to create this 12 x 12 layout, less brown ink (optional) and adhesives. It's recommended that you have handy your preferred adhesive, as well as some dimensional adhesive (3-D foam or Pop Dots) and also some reliable liquid adhesive (to adhere tiny bits of bling to your keepsake). A brown marker is suggested for the purpose of outlining. (Note: I plan to present a post soon with all my favorite most used adhesives, inks and writing utensils). This kit comes complete with pre-stitched pieces, so you've no need to drag out your sewing machine! I will also include the journaling (which can be cut into strips), and if you provide me with a date, I will print it and include it in your kit (You might be able to barely see that I included a date and year in the rectangle at the bottom of the sample page). And each kit will come with 3 additional sheets of patterned paper from this My Mind's Eye collection, so that you can create a second page with the leftover goodies from your first page!

In a card from Mikaela yesterday

"It's a good day for you. If it's good for you, it's good for us to. I love love love you. From Mikaela"

I couldn't help but to laugh. Boy, that kids got it all right. Because it's like this.... if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! Just kidding of course lol.

The best part of my day yesterday was watching my husband play baseball at camp with the kids, using a tennis ball (that a chipmunk had bitten a hole in) and a campfire poker. Even my aunt commented, as she heard the noise from her campsite... "the sound of Mark playing ball with the kids felt really good... a father playing with his children". She's got that right.

Off to finish up some overdue paperwork before hitting my little studio. Hope you all have a great day!

A little something....

in honor of Mothers Day. Let's all try to make a conscious effort today, and tomorrow for that matter, to do a little less. And live a little more, in the moment.

"...but the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three on them sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4, and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in a hurry to get on to the next things: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less".  ~Anna Quindlen

Trash to treasure

Some cards I created last year for Donna Downey's Trash to Treasure Challenge. They were selected and can still be seen here in the June 2007 newsletter edition, The Creative Playground. I have to confess that she TOTALLY made my day, because I personally feel very limited in my card making talents. Unlike my girlfriend, Clarissa, who makes unbelievable cards... and much more. I used to pick at her... "sure,  you can whoop up a card, but lets see that scrapbook layout!". Back in... ohhh was it 2003?... we went to Cropping on the Cape. She worked ALL weekend on one 8 1/2 x 11 inch layout and to this day has never finished it. I've never let her live it down. But not so long ago, she was sought out by Creative Memories and now works for them as a designer... making not just altered items, but OH.MY.WORD... SCRAPBOOK PAGES! LOL! Seriously, the sarcasm is ALL in fun. I truly adore her. And for the record, she is one of the most creative and talented individuals that I personally know.

for your crafting pleasure...

The following kits have been re-stocked and are available for sale:

{It's Our Family} class kit: a 4 x 12 six page cascading acrylic album. Included in this kit is everything you will need to create a family themed keepsake (a generous supply of rub-ons by Daisy D’s and Bo Bunny, My Mind’s Eye patterned paper and twill ribbon, Heidi Swapp Bling, and a cascading six page 4 x 12 acrylic album). {clearly}, this is a treasure that will be enjoyed by many for years to come!

You will need 8 to 10 images that can be cropped to a height of 2.75 inches (width is negotiable). These photos can be in black and white, color, or a combination of both. Your creation will include ample space for documenting the details of your memories. You will also need a circle punch (1 ¼ inches or larger), a paper trimmer, scissors, and adhesive (tape runner, and mini Glue Dots or a liquid adhesive of choice- like Mono, Zip Dry, Diamond Glaze, etc.).

{Beautiful To Me} is a 12 x 12 layout class kit: lift the decorative flap to reveal layers of photos, tucked behind 3 transparency frames... with plenty of room to record your memories. This 12 x 12 layout is tastefully created with lots of product by My Mind's Eye, and machine stitched components especially for you. You will need three 4 x 6 images to work with, as well as a paper trimmer, scissors, paper piercer for brads, an adhesive of choice, and inks (optional).

These kits can be purchased right here using the PayPal store front, or by sending me an email. I will accept checks (by mail), cash (in person), and credit cards (only via PayPal). I promise to have more of the 'It's Our Family' cascading album kits soon, as well 'A Little Book of Love' acrylic class kits. I've a few more additions too! Just finished up a fun new little 6x6 goody today... ordering some custom acrylic for that one! Check back soon!

the good life

This weekend marked the first weekend of our 2008 camping season. We had our share of rain over the weekend and to be honest, I contemplated heading home Saturday morning because the kids were bored. The weather was icky and their friends hadn't yet arrived (we weren't sure they were going to). Their constant picking nearly drove me insane! Everything ended up working out and despite the chaos, I was able to begin work on a new little mini book (will share soon!). Mark returned on Sunday from an overnight with friends and family where he was able to do a little four wheeling. We enjoyed spending some time with my step-daughter yesterday, too! Happy 19th Birthday, Mandi!

These two pictures of Chloe make me laugh so hard. Love them. This was her first time fishing  (they weren't biting).