It's Fall Y'all!

Good Saturday Morning....it is definately a FALL morning in my neck of the woods....drizzly rain, falling leaves and cooool temps in the 40's....EEK....40's already! But, I love this time of year. Love, love, love a fire in the fireplace, sweaters, a big pot of soup on the stove and the brisk invigorating temps! (Not a big fan of Winter...but I do love me some Fall)!

Thought that I would share a couple of cards that I made several weeks ago. The first is a simple card that I gave to my niece on her Wedding Day. It wasn't really a 'wedding card' but it worked nicely for the day...Oh Happy Day!



My next card is cute girly birthday card! I found this cute 3D Sticker....isn't she adorable??? Love the bright colors which to me yells "FUN"....



Hope that you have a wonderful day wherever you are.....thanks for stopping by!

Travel Log

I have been inspired by Michelle Wooderson's mini travel album. She has the best ideas and I love her projects and her etsy shop. You might know her as Mish of the blog, Mish Mash. Anyway, she was showing her darling little project which inspired me to make my own...all creative credit goes to her...




My "Log" is about 6x8 inches. The covers are sturdy cardboard covered with Craft Cardstock. I used cream and beige acrylic paint to "spatter" the covers and also brush the edges. A smaller cardstock adorns the front with 'Enjoy the Journey' stamped in black. I also added a butterfly, stamped a pointing finger and cute clothespin.


On the inside of the front cover, I added a sticky note pad for jotting down thoughts and events on the trip. I also added a pocket filled with stamped tags and a few embellies to add later.


My first page is taken from an old atlas and is a map of Tennessee ( where we will be traveling.) I stamped a few words here and there and added craft cardstock to document the miles we travel, cost of gas, vehicle we were driving (with a pic), so that we can remember it all years from now.



I have several pages in the album and will share more later. I also used lots and lots of paperclips and other accessories along the way to add things as we go. I made a similar album for my sweet niece, Amber, over at the Country Scrapper. I am thinking that her mom has forgotten to give it to her because she hasn't mentioned it once and I know that she would have if she had gotten it...*cough*cough* LOL, I am sure that I will find out its whereabouts now!

Hope that you have a great day!

A Very Cool Place

Here's an LO of a recent beautiful spot in Virginia we stumbled upon while hiking in Natural Tunnel State Park! It reminded me so much of my childhood that I had to capture it! The page takes me there...if only in memory.




Hope your Sunday has been fabulous!

365 Card Challenge

Hi friends....I have been painfully slacking in posting in the blog world this summer, but I still visit YOUR blogs daily! I have a quick post today for the 365 Card Challenge "Vintage and Pink". I love the soft, gentle colors of cream and pink together...and the vintage Prima flower...perfect!





I often play along with 365, but just happened to have the day off work and have time to create the card, photograph the card and post the card! Ahhhh...the life!
Hope you're having a Wonderful day wherever you are!

Sweet Summertime...

I have been a blog slacker this summer....there just seems to be so much to do on these beautiful days and I don't want to miss a moment. Haven't been in my scraproom in weeks, other than working on some photos for scrapping.

Hubby and I have been taking advantage of our beautiful state of Kentucky and surrounding areas (Virginia and Tennessee) by visiting attractions in our own back yard, so to speak. We have been taking the bike out every chance we get and below are a few of our latest adventures.


Pine Mountain State Park, Pineville Kentucky



Cumberland Falls, Corbin Ky



Natural Tunnel State Park, Wise VA


Red River Gorge, Slade KY


Natural Bridge State Park, Slade KY



Breaks Interstate Park, Breaks VA

I have learned something this summer....I need to get in better shape if we are going to continue doing all of these outdoor activities ( hehehe) ....for the most part, all of the hiking, walking and climbing has been a blast...except for one trail this week that wiped me out! I mean it...there were about 5 rest areas on the trail and I stopped at ALL of them. Hubby was a sweetie and pretended to need to rest as often as I did, but I knew the truth ;)

Hope that wherever you are, you are enjoying this wonderful summertime! Until next time...

I had shared with you a few posts ago that my Dad had been very ill, in and out of the hospital since January of this year, wanting to go home and getting to, just after having a beautiful near-death experience, well, on May 29th, he went to his ETERNAL HOME. His wishes were to die at his home, not in a hospital and have his family and friends near. My sister was able to move in with him during those last 5 weeks of his life and see that his wishes were granted. I am very thankful that I was able to be with him constantly during the last 4 days that he lived.



This was the sky over his house the day before he passed away. I was so sure that morning that he would not make it through the day and when I looked out the window, this was the sky overhead. I grabbed my camera and ran outside, needing to get a shot of what I called "Dad's homecoming sky." He didn't pass until the next evening, but this picture speaks to my soul. We knew, at that point, that it was a matter of hours, not days.

My heart is at times, heavy. At other times, thankful. He was such a wonderful Dad and a precious friend. My husband said it best when he said the day following the funeral...."We just buried the best man that I have ever known." RIP Daddy...I'll see you when I get there and miss you every day until then.

Sweet Spot...

I had the thrill of visiting my niece Amber's farm yesterday,you might know her as The Country Scrapper)...anyway, she lives in the sweetest little spot in the world! Waaayyy out in the Country where you can hear donkeys bray, dogs bark, turkeys gobble and chickens cluck! I just love to go there...it speaks peace to my soul. Here is a glimpse of a few of her babies:


Mr. Kitty is the SWEETEST barn cat! He just loves a good head rub and is a great mouser, so he definitely takes his job seriously!


This is the barnyard...having grew up on a farm, I just adore this place! It takes me back to the scents and sounds of childhood, and when I'm there, I never want to leave!

I had never been this close to turkeys before. Hers are so tame, they follow you everywhere. If I didn't know better, I would have sworn that they were posing for the camera! They certainly put on a show for their "aunt"...LOL

I haven't been in the scraproom lately...to much going on and somethimes, life gets in the way! I have so many crafty ideas running through my mind, I can't wait to get in there and create something! Thanks for stopping by and for putting up with my sporadic posts..

Until next time....

Happy Easter...a day late

We had a wonderful Easter weekend. My Dad is home after 4 weeks in the hospital (see my last post for details). We had a welcome home celebration/family dinner with him on Saturday. It was such a blessing to spend the day with him. He sat in a chair and fed himself for the first time in a month, and had an appetite!

On Sunday, we spent the day with Church activities! Morning worship followed by an afternoon egg hunt and cookout! The weather was perfect and my heart was ripe for worship! What a day. I even tried a little side walk chalk art with the kiddos. (my joints were the only ones popping when I stood up, though...LOL)



I have been back in the scraproom...hope to share a bit later. Hope that your day is wonderfully blessed!

Heaven....It Is For Real!

An 81 year old, dying man recently came "back" to his family after being unresponsive for 2 hours. He told those present where he had been. Here is his description of his journey as told by him: "I was in the most beautiful place you could ever imagine! It was so peaceful and bright. I was running through fields of flowers that went on as far as the eye could see and they were EVERY color in the world. I was running and waving my arms, like a little boy and I felt so light. All of the flowers were just nodding in the wind and I didn't break any of them as I ran through. It was so beautiful! I didn't want to come back and I begged Jesus to let me stay. But he said 'son, it's not quite time yet.' When he called me 'son' I knew that I had to obey him. I didn't even get my feet wet because Jesus carried me across a wide river. On the other side of the river, were the flowers."
This man had been struggling for every breath for several hours, but when he awoke from this journey, he said so sweetly, "I feel so rested. I'm not even tired." HIs vital signs quickly became stable, those present in the room could hardly believe what they had witnessed! Truly, it was a miracle....and those present were MY family! The man telling of the "beautiful place" was my Dad. He has been in the hospital for the past 26 days and when this took place, he was in ICU, having just told all of his children, in-laws and grandchildren goodbye. This amazing morning began when I arrived at 6:30 am and he asked me in a weak and frail voice, "do you see the angels? They are gathered all around the room." Some skeptics will doubt that this really happened, but to those of us, nurses and hospital staff included, it was undeniable! SOMETHING BIG had just happened here! Not only did Dad share his story with us, but many other staff members, friends and neighbors came by and would say, "tell us about it...what did it look like? Did you see anyone else." He told and retold of his fantastic journey for the next several days. He kept saying, "I will never forget his as long as I live!" I daresay, neither will we. Having served the Lord gladly for the past 47 years, we had not doubts about Dad's salvation, but getting a glimpse of HOME through his eyes was such a gift. We are forever changed! And I really appreciated his physician's words: "Medically, I can't explain it. Spiritually, it needs no explanation."

As a nurse for more than a decade, I have been at the bedside of many dying patients. I know the signs, I know the end results. I have had many of them talk of what they were seeing as life left their disease riddled bodies. I have always believed...and now, I BELIEVE even more!

Dad is still in the hospital but today the doctors are talking about letting him come home later this week! He has had a battle, with good days mixed with bad days. Through it all, we talk often of his journey and know that when he breathes his last breath, he will, again, be running freely through that glorious field of flowers, talking with Jesus and feeling so rested! Whether he comes home this week or ever....or just goes on HOME forever, we have been given a precious gift...a peek, if you will, of the place our souls long for, that Jesus has gone to prepare. On this Holy Easter Week, I just wanted to share this: It is real and by His supreme sacrifice, we all can go!

My son, a young minister, who witnessed Dad's travel brought me a book to read the other day. A story of a four year old child's near death experience. It is called "Heaven is for Real." If you want a more detailed glimpse of what my Dad saw, read this book! It's an awesome account!

Puppy Love

Just thought I would share the newest additions to our family.....Bearlee (because he "barely" looks like a dog ;)


and Bobber....

Although we were not in the market for more pets, my son and his wife adopted a beautiful shephard mix last October and viola! during the coldest week of January, she presented them with 6 puppies! They have REALLY worked hard to keep these puppies alive during the frigid winter and have spent countless $$ on food, a kennel, house, toys etc...so when they could find no one to take them, hubby and I took TWO! Okay, we are suckers for a pooch in need and have been MANY times! Let me say, that rescue dogs make the greatest pets...and in this instance....we have rescued the whole family...my son and his wife are keep two as well. One has already been adopted and we are hoping for a forever home for one more! Gracie, the momma, has a vet visit in her immediate future and so do all of the puppies we are keeping!

But on the first day of Spring what could be more enjoyable than the beautiful sunshine and warm weather? The love of a sweet puppy or two ;)

Thinking of .....Spring

I can remember as a child, getting Spring Fever so badly, I couldn't concentrate on anything. Sitting in class as the sun smiled through the open window, hearing the drone of the lawnmower cutting the grass along the sidewalks, smelling the wonderful smell of freshly cut lawn...my mind would wander....to things that little girls dream of...to playing tag until dark...or taking my favorite doll out in the backyard on a quilt and having a picnic, just me and "Debbie"....or riding my shetland pony...ahhh, in Springtime, the ideas were endless. As an adult, I still get a touch of Spring Fever....not today because it was snowing this morning when I went to work, but last week, we had a glimpse of Spring. The sun was shining, frogs were croaking, the lawn was covered with robins, the crabapple trees are budding...and I loved every bit of it! I am a warm weather...sun shining.....bees buzzing...flowers blooming kind of girl...and SPRING...I AM THINKING OF YOU!!!!! Please get here soon ;)

I Will Rejoice....

I have been away from my blog for awhile due to my Dad being seriously ill. He has been in the hospital for the past two weeks, and after a very close call with death, is resting comfortably at home now. He is 81 years old and had always been in perfect health until about 3 years ago. It is very difficult to see someone that you always felt was ten feet tall and bulletproof, suddenly become very mortal! When I see my Dad suffering, I am suddenly ten years old again and very scared! My mom passed over 11 years ago, and in the years since, Dad has been both Mom and Dad to my sister, brother and I. I have decided that no matter how old we get, we still need that anchor that our parents provide. And although Dad has been a devout Christian with an unshakable faith for over 46 years, and he is 81 years old...I am still not ready to let him go. He brings something to my life that no one else on earth can bring! I love his heart, his laughter, his sense of humor, his strength of spirit, his hugs, his hearty appetite, his devotion to his children and grandchildren, his outgoing personality, his willingness to help others, his simple way of accepting life as it comes and believing that the Lord has it all under control. He told me the other day, "I have trusted the Lord in life, I will trust him death." That is solid faith....and I only hope that when I am where he is...I can say that just as strongly!

My card today, even though you can't really see the sentiment, simply says, "REJOICE"...and tonight I am rejoicing for the Dad that I have been blessed with...for the fact that he is home from the hospital and although he is frail in body, he is strong in spirit! And in the end...I will know without a doubt that he is safely in the arms of the God he has served joyfully for so many years, and that he will finally be reunited with my Mom! So again, I will REJOICE!

Spring Fever..

Wow....today I have Spring Fever! After weeks of cold and snow....this morning's SUNSHINE was so bright, I needed sunglasses driving to work! Ahhhh, temps in the high 50's and sunshine....my soul just did a cartwheel ;)

Just thought that I would share this "springy" little card. I love the clean white, soft blue and yellow! C'mon Spring Time....this girl is ready!




Have a great Valentine's Day Blog Friends! Hope that your day is overflowing with love!

Spread the Love....

Good Thursday morning bloggie friends. I am taking a few moments this morning to share a bit of Valentine Love with y'all. (We have about 3 inches of snow and icy roads, so I am not leaving at my usual time for work today, which gives me a few stolen moments to update the ol' blog ;) I have been working on some sweet and simple cards this week for the girls in my office:




I just love the blue, cream and red color combination on these cards! And the simplicity....so easy, so cute! Last year I gave the girls cello bags filled with valentine Hershey's Kisses with a topper that read, "We love because He first loved us." Just a bit of spiritual encouragement for the day. They loved them because they were so unexpected and simply sweet, they have also dubbed me the "martha stewart" of the office (small letters because I sure can't match the real Martha...LOL). This year I am doing clear Martha ;) bags filled with heart shaped chocolates and valentine M&M's to go along with the cards! Who doesn't enjoy a sweet treat on Valentine's Day? I sure do and I have hinted to DH that he can NEVER go wrong with a box of Ghiradelli Chocolates...yummmmmmmmy!

Hope that you all have wonderful day, and a quick HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sweet niece and friend AMBER GOBLE over @ thecountryscrapper. See ya Saturday Amber with a gift FULL of scrappy goodies!

Sunny Sunday

Just stopped in for a quick post. We have had BEAUTIFUL weather in Eastern KY this weekend and it has been MUCH appreciated by me! What a snowy January we have endured and just a bit of warmer temps and bright sunshine....it makes my spirit soar!

I made this cute card a few days ago using some 'scraps' lying on my desk, but I loved the tea stained tag and twill from Kraft. To me, it made it all come together.



Well, back to work for me tomorrow after two weeks of sick leave. Although anxious to get back to my normal routine, I will miss the stolen moments in my scraproom!
Wherever you are, may your week be blessed!

**Squeal***

I am squealing this week! While checking my email from my hospital bed ( I was having complications from kidney stone laser surgery), I received the news that two of my cards have been chosen to be published in the February 13th edition of Scrapbook News and Review online magazine! I am so excited. I have had two cards previously published with them and am honored to have two more chosen! If you get a chance, visit their site and see what I've been up to!

Here is a sweet "icy" winter themed card that I threw together one evening with things just lying on my desk. I love the fragile snowflake with the sparkly tag! Simple, but sweet.



Thanks for stopping by...blessings to you until next time!

Random Thoughts...

Wow, I have actually had time to post more than once this week and I have loved it! A few days off work has given me time to play in my scraproom, take lots of photos, cook up a couple of pots of yummy soup and surf the web. Ahhh, sometimes we all need a moment to reconnect with the things we love to do and I have truly enjoyed being able to. Today, not so much fun. I am in the process of passing a kidney stone, so I am medicated and housebound, praying that I can get rid of this rascal on my own! I figured since I am pretty much unable to do anything else, I would post a few of my newest cards and random thoughts.



I just love the red and white on this card. The snowflakes are so wispy and fragile looking, and since it is technically winter when Valentine's Day arrives, I thought a snowflake v'day card was perfect!

This next card is for a special person whose birthday is just around the corner! Even though she's all grown up, I still think of pretty pastel pinks and girly ribbons when think of her!



(You can act appropriately surprised, Amber, when you get this ;)

I have decided to do a 2011 Project for myself this year. I plan to scrap bits and pieces of our lives each month during this year (not a photo a day, I simply don't have time for that). I tried the project 365 last year and by April, I was tired of it! And frankly, dh and I are not interesting enough to photo something EVERYDAY of our lives. (hehehe) I have looked at the kits that are currently available for documenting a year of your life, but decided that I could do my own for a fraction of the cost. I have my January LO started and will share it at the end of the month. I am considering also doing one for my DIL to document her and my son's year together. Since I am always taking photos, they will not even realize that I am doing anything special ;) I hope to give it to her in August for her birthday and then complete the pages as the year progresses. (She doesn't enjoy scrapping, but loves the finished projects that I have given her....makes for a great gift giving idea!)

Thanks for dropping by today....and until next time, I pray that you are wonderfully blessed and happily scrapping!

Love...and Snow...are in the air.....

Here in my neck of the woods, we have been seeing quite a bit of "old man winter." He is showing his lovely self in wondrous fashion and I have enjoyed spending many snowy afternoons doing what I love most.....I have been hitting the craft room a bit more often this new year...that is actually one of my goals: no matter how busy life gets, CREATE something, EVERYDAY! (Not really a resolution, I hate those, but a goal for my self satisfaction.) If I am not working on a LO, a card, a new recipe, photos or something, I feel more stressed and unfulfilled! I NEED to make things...that's just part of my make-up, part of who I am and I have been this way since I was a young girl. I NEED TO CREATE! Not a bad addiction, huh?

Below, I have whipped up a few valentine cards. The first one was one of my least favorite cards ever while I was making it.....when I tweaked it a bit, it became my fave of the day!



My next card was inspired by the little canvas tag! The rest, they say, is history!

I am loving the pink and cream combination. So soft and "lovely."

Just a glimps of my messy desk! I am a messy artist! The bigger the mess, the better I feel...LOL.



Are any of you "neat crafter?" Share a pic of your space and let's compare ;)

Until next time, I pray that you are wonderfully blessed and happily scrapping!

CPS challenge 200

Here is my take on the latest CPS (Card positioning system) #200




I just love the bright reds, white and black on this simple interpretation! I will use this layout again and again.

Sweet Snowy Saturday

We awoke to another beautiful Snowy Saturday! We have about 2-3 inches on the ground and more in the forecast! Hubby and I go out on Saturday mornings for breakfast. It is something that we look forward to each week and enjoy that time together. (and the food is good to ;) This morning, this is the roads that we traveled on:

OKAY....a bit more snow than we thought...LOL...it was a slow trip, but breakfast was still great and so was the company ;)

Here is a "snowy pic" of hubby and I...I had the *sungrins* and couldn't stop squinting:


And where is sweet Packer Puppy in all of this snowy weather? Right here.....

On the arm of my chair, all warm and cuddly in his winter sweater! He is still overly attached to me and is never more than an arm's length away when I am home. I picture him sitting on the back of the sofa, looking out the window, and waiting for me to get home from work each day. He is a warm, cuddly bundle of puppy love and I am alway eager to get home to him as well!

Here's wishing you all a "warm and toasty" day wherever you are.