tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49310401167153518732023-11-16T07:19:32.414-05:00...just gathering pieces......just gathering
pieces....LauraBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06670883484785879621noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-63345315431605444442011-02-17T10:42:00.006-05:002011-02-17T11:22:12.353-05:00New Goodies to Play With!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeQticloz9pr6WJfgVW-xW5zjfjZOFH2aj6TdIeDE8jixakURFxQCJPxxkEYgYhxCKtiAcLFGWJ0boSNTYSz95PVks_AueicqAqtNnpyhHHr_3hFWW5I2b9WG9bTC3q3Nsr1nWmqUgG4/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeQticloz9pr6WJfgVW-xW5zjfjZOFH2aj6TdIeDE8jixakURFxQCJPxxkEYgYhxCKtiAcLFGWJ0boSNTYSz95PVks_AueicqAqtNnpyhHHr_3hFWW5I2b9WG9bTC3q3Nsr1nWmqUgG4/s320/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574693413957160194" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbh4oWfznqkMTldA2teOiwXStWQVhz2ILYJ6SVjK5hFDFzihBOXIQ35umFpDM9Jh81G4TLT8OhftUwhIAPQQSTkyPXw9deIZK3qOMalhACGLksriphF3m3R-SCJwb1kGfEozMT0eq0iI/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbh4oWfznqkMTldA2teOiwXStWQVhz2ILYJ6SVjK5hFDFzihBOXIQ35umFpDM9Jh81G4TLT8OhftUwhIAPQQSTkyPXw9deIZK3qOMalhACGLksriphF3m3R-SCJwb1kGfEozMT0eq0iI/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574687791114524210" /></a><br /> So this Valentine's DH(dearhusband) and I decided to buy our own gifts-love this idea! My DH is a collecter of dictionaries and his fav is the OED-Oxford English Dictionary. He saw this set on ebay and we decided it would be a great gift for him. Happy Valentines's day, honey! <br /><br />For me, it's not about cut flowers (although unexpected flowers are nice!) and chocolates. I just like to acquire papercrafting paraphenalia! Maybe one day I will get to play with it but in the meantime, I just gather and stash. Some of my goodies include Tim Holtz's MusicNote Mask, some Grungeboard and Adage Tickets,Little Yellow Bicycle's leaf stick pens, October Afternoon's Note Cards, Gary Burlin's Watch Faces and a punch I have been looking for everywhere and STILL didn't find the EXACT one I want=McGill Punch "Starburst" small version. I am coveting the large "Starburst" and can't find it anywhere!!<br />Regardless, these are my goodies for V's Day and I am excited to start playing!<br /><br />Today it's going to be over 50 degrees warm in Virginia in February! Crazy, right?!<br />So I have finished my new morning routine of dog walk, protein shake, treadmill and now on to the laundry pile!<br /><br />Have a great day!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-1566496298669772792011-02-14T10:34:00.002-05:002011-02-14T10:47:43.796-05:00Family Valentine's Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGPsH5e1QuE0QCbM6u4iNC0pBJNDohcvUfOXFx51qDHcQGSH03zwOac2QPInibiUYGkCm3SKwZwd-I53aYva2Vthw8y9lfYL168_ONS3AVr5U_4p-2tc5ePSDzryci5iSkmIB65zm_8k/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGPsH5e1QuE0QCbM6u4iNC0pBJNDohcvUfOXFx51qDHcQGSH03zwOac2QPInibiUYGkCm3SKwZwd-I53aYva2Vthw8y9lfYL168_ONS3AVr5U_4p-2tc5ePSDzryci5iSkmIB65zm_8k/s320/023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573572294097702978" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcPH1OWQO_EC8rYV70_IO3EQ01S49oMvuk84hNAuw-mFgz-fgItFs93gkiDdv8DTBJrAMHEY-Uyy3Zou6nycx8gpSSDheqvPf-KTcBm3e4CaPUsCjBV1A3DwB8YtH7IEsnpENqgGo948/s1600/021.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcPH1OWQO_EC8rYV70_IO3EQ01S49oMvuk84hNAuw-mFgz-fgItFs93gkiDdv8DTBJrAMHEY-Uyy3Zou6nycx8gpSSDheqvPf-KTcBm3e4CaPUsCjBV1A3DwB8YtH7IEsnpENqgGo948/s320/021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573572285968977842" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkgvjsWZ0cSstd7ZQ4qXiatteIdDRKrFcSMxyxZ2AMP6VUmQGQLmjFUpOH8kPCDzDKuuWLocE9aP77OsMdn_SmaGvoAyA_edZMalcElTv5VusG_Mw4RIajWZHu5T_84hIly66hormgHI/s1600/020.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkgvjsWZ0cSstd7ZQ4qXiatteIdDRKrFcSMxyxZ2AMP6VUmQGQLmjFUpOH8kPCDzDKuuWLocE9aP77OsMdn_SmaGvoAyA_edZMalcElTv5VusG_Mw4RIajWZHu5T_84hIly66hormgHI/s320/020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573572285548809234" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgC46xIgx3qVDwoXp8gHmAT7oJ8WXmwNr3xjSRS0JhJMVntCbnW7i1jdMNklfaHlN82jJ8vZ70FKYCeR8X8eW4U1OLxLtkVn2Sg6QRSkbHAp20Dl6GO6aSulCecGiFlM7XuISpOAYDyU/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgC46xIgx3qVDwoXp8gHmAT7oJ8WXmwNr3xjSRS0JhJMVntCbnW7i1jdMNklfaHlN82jJ8vZ70FKYCeR8X8eW4U1OLxLtkVn2Sg6QRSkbHAp20Dl6GO6aSulCecGiFlM7XuISpOAYDyU/s320/019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573572279197022242" /></a><br />What a crazy filled weekend! Two birthday parties for John,Girl Scout cookie pick-up and sort for Grace, Science projects to be completed, church, visits to both sets of Grandparents(very spontaneous and needed!)and more! Daddy gave us Valentine goodie buckets filled with chocolates-yummy-and tonight we'll have a family dinner after taekwondo and before a Scout committment-gracious! So I took a few minutes this morning and created a quick banner for the fireplace using construction paper, ribbon and old playing cards. John made the 2 origami swans and the mailbox for valentines. Done! Now for some much needed housework then a trip to Costco then Valentine parties at school.....breathe!<br />Enjoy your day!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-5441488799116744292011-02-14T10:23:00.004-05:002011-02-14T10:34:38.073-05:00Science Projects<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAQBgJRdIP3kkEflU8Wc7dIkSoHAwg2Orqj0wssOFkOQdzttmBD7_y01TxkSL3b5sg-RAuHYuX_CKVoUD0_ZV79KX5QGVEb98kZPlSDEVm0_QuguOVPtsmDP-P7b3HBcqu8FbpsYP7XQ/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAQBgJRdIP3kkEflU8Wc7dIkSoHAwg2Orqj0wssOFkOQdzttmBD7_y01TxkSL3b5sg-RAuHYuX_CKVoUD0_ZV79KX5QGVEb98kZPlSDEVm0_QuguOVPtsmDP-P7b3HBcqu8FbpsYP7XQ/s320/016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573568678692370418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HRbEpfHgJPPuF3iojCseU1yrPW_B4aRoBLPQ5foDp5z3-xN_tnCDcNbxVB5HC8sYc4-7LrHmqXKL-5oJkGkB1-tMkSoB8xCL1HQyFG4inw4WLH_tbjHeVCrKeqEkmAlSZV6ff68FCGE/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HRbEpfHgJPPuF3iojCseU1yrPW_B4aRoBLPQ5foDp5z3-xN_tnCDcNbxVB5HC8sYc4-7LrHmqXKL-5oJkGkB1-tMkSoB8xCL1HQyFG4inw4WLH_tbjHeVCrKeqEkmAlSZV6ff68FCGE/s320/014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573567812440783746" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUREVO2pxmC6nP3UhAf8ErkuPULBDddzO0WUM84CDY20eYvRbxFN6yMEaEqtH6ARItsr63ZnWM_LPcCm_eZcMY6zDOdXqM-dJPFzq3-b4pWBOtXaa8xcukeziGDXwiPSjyuHRSdc7CcA/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUREVO2pxmC6nP3UhAf8ErkuPULBDddzO0WUM84CDY20eYvRbxFN6yMEaEqtH6ARItsr63ZnWM_LPcCm_eZcMY6zDOdXqM-dJPFzq3-b4pWBOtXaa8xcukeziGDXwiPSjyuHRSdc7CcA/s320/015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573567809105962274" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This weekend's focus was 4th grade Science projects (x2 for twin 4th graders) and even though we've been working on this for weeks, the crunch was on to get everything glued into place! Thank goodness for double-sided tape! Whew-glad that's over!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-51087303681145155362011-02-09T22:53:00.003-05:002011-02-09T23:05:18.863-05:00Happy Early Valentine's Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MNzsdop6QDLtBmpsobttqNZoNs_e92tyxJVinK5SXXsMpHh5gSEENz5QRp6UhxvPS1p8rc5gjteVrUx9MfDdHOFcF5HwI6SVn_xYmsTDabWBBVcruoyTwgRkilkqz_U5cIu-_2K0aY0/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MNzsdop6QDLtBmpsobttqNZoNs_e92tyxJVinK5SXXsMpHh5gSEENz5QRp6UhxvPS1p8rc5gjteVrUx9MfDdHOFcF5HwI6SVn_xYmsTDabWBBVcruoyTwgRkilkqz_U5cIu-_2K0aY0/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571904607936949138" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD2bTiA21q-1IsYZ23mck1QAd6loCxvE5LQ9zyZBQcAdRSuTwIs1NvVuakNKry1S5dPB09yVflIpH9jdaEwHf64m6NpSxJnrY5TYCPbIbAQg_7xmJBZesv7H5SBL_1h7bQNRa77CYhuc/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD2bTiA21q-1IsYZ23mck1QAd6loCxvE5LQ9zyZBQcAdRSuTwIs1NvVuakNKry1S5dPB09yVflIpH9jdaEwHf64m6NpSxJnrY5TYCPbIbAQg_7xmJBZesv7H5SBL_1h7bQNRa77CYhuc/s320/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571904603217073234" /></a><br /><br />Wanted to get these cards completed and mailed last week but life got in the way-which can be a good thing! So, 2 cards down, 10 more to go! I just love Close To My Heart's "Cherry-O" paper and use it a lot. This particular card also includes 2 "Pretty Pins" from CTMH, pink twine from www.TheTwinery.com, assorted ribbon, an old playing card and a valentine doily. The sentiment is from a CTMH acrylic stamp set "You're Adored" and the ink is CTMH Chocolate-how appropriate! The polka-dot card's printed paper is something I have had FOREVER and couldn't find out who carries it. All other embellies are already noted.<br /><br />Happy Early Valentines to you!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-43536347418036673082011-02-07T11:14:00.002-05:002011-02-07T11:43:02.279-05:00Close To My Heart's "WINGS" just flies!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmrgX59Ix9uC2omQgShcwbJaJw3Fyj6OvQFZdQHj-2m8UhFuZ3m6qoMTykuNSvk1rA__LRfatLAzv6KMkkiE7eyqPu0QQE7W3jYoEG39TTOv9G-KSyzfU8KkA8josh3zj_KffgVtiAMk/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmrgX59Ix9uC2omQgShcwbJaJw3Fyj6OvQFZdQHj-2m8UhFuZ3m6qoMTykuNSvk1rA__LRfatLAzv6KMkkiE7eyqPu0QQE7W3jYoEG39TTOv9G-KSyzfU8KkA8josh3zj_KffgVtiAMk/s320/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570982449400527186" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlTbeEhPieCO9-eSX0YdyTtC7bXv0ljzhJBG3PXVBCWVwzsghFy7ps2amyRrQ1iGcdAl0MPcOkFCoHRtDYk-S-zpI3rv9ayFvTZT2NNyK7ZiLMG9WxkzDRlVXnhltStmH8yI5HP9a2Vk/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlTbeEhPieCO9-eSX0YdyTtC7bXv0ljzhJBG3PXVBCWVwzsghFy7ps2amyRrQ1iGcdAl0MPcOkFCoHRtDYk-S-zpI3rv9ayFvTZT2NNyK7ZiLMG9WxkzDRlVXnhltStmH8yI5HP9a2Vk/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570982445292050514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdUqUZzRscGK4ghNnDruQ2jbSBtV-6Gf4ZWs0i8k35_gSJmlZI9WBMxqzr4jVU5CHCr5S_Uh-PeFTQYKVMQcQst40DNuBf5rkUQPlu8bvD_ywucKLjNhDXO3mOIjt7HtD9AHf8iVvj8g/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdUqUZzRscGK4ghNnDruQ2jbSBtV-6Gf4ZWs0i8k35_gSJmlZI9WBMxqzr4jVU5CHCr5S_Uh-PeFTQYKVMQcQst40DNuBf5rkUQPlu8bvD_ywucKLjNhDXO3mOIjt7HtD9AHf8iVvj8g/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570982438266043922" /></a><br /><br />Can I just say the pictures of CTMH's Wings products do NOT do the papers and patterns enough justice! THe main patterns are beautiful and black is an incredible emphasis, but I just didn't know if I could work with these jewel-tones. Received my club order Friday and just now opened the box. Oh my gracious! I had forgotten that since CTMH's papers are duo-sided, the pattern is reflected in beautiful soft re-interpretations on the back side! And in the Workshop on the Go package that all the club members ordered, we get a Level 2 kit which includes 2 sheets of each pattern plus coordinated cardstock. Plus this fabulous kit includes a mister, beautiful black embellishments and an incredible stamp set. Can I just say I am so glad I chose this kit!<br /><br />This new Idea Book is fabulous and I am in love with some of the new products like the blue and green sparkles (new to me!), the chipboard banner, the buttons which include some vintage-style choices and the kraft color-ready borders!! What fun ways to embellish my family stories and memories. <br /><br />PLUS>>>>the January special to get stamp sets at a great discount after ordering "Wings" was a wonderful incentive. And the Jan Stamp of the Month!! So glad I got this as it fits well with the vintage creations I love. <br /><br />Can't wait to start playing with Wings!<br />Wanna play too? Just go to my website www.laurabohall.myctmh.com and start shopping on line!<br /><br />Happy Monday, ya'all!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-53859096801591647582011-02-02T11:12:00.002-05:002011-02-02T11:16:21.488-05:00Crazy Hair Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5WB6iDThtL5zChOUQD_bOAb95auH_3PMx6bAbyjeJn5qJuHzco0wUJSfq_V6vXN8oGX8GC84fybOh_7D0yo03ea9Sq0UZSsZenmUM0suoegfkNvGOvhpFoax7s4JtMftDpnJ4amwHBk/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5WB6iDThtL5zChOUQD_bOAb95auH_3PMx6bAbyjeJn5qJuHzco0wUJSfq_V6vXN8oGX8GC84fybOh_7D0yo03ea9Sq0UZSsZenmUM0suoegfkNvGOvhpFoax7s4JtMftDpnJ4amwHBk/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569126629452971042" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouVTdq4EhoYQwpfwYi0W-vW7lt_aXAPbz020cCIty3JtgO6ldmgksad4rry-EmekiShY_K6EL7RMcWf2Iy8jXtVd1_WJyxA-9HLmeKEmo5xhscoo1NgFmipYDYFiLg3j4Ipsd_PVijHk/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouVTdq4EhoYQwpfwYi0W-vW7lt_aXAPbz020cCIty3JtgO6ldmgksad4rry-EmekiShY_K6EL7RMcWf2Iy8jXtVd1_WJyxA-9HLmeKEmo5xhscoo1NgFmipYDYFiLg3j4Ipsd_PVijHk/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569126624352862402" /></a><br /><br /><strong>enough said!</strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-16800058926750945162011-02-01T21:58:00.000-05:002011-02-01T22:39:07.279-05:00Where Did I GO???Yep, it's been a while since I posted anything. Lots going on including family, holidays, new puppies, PTO. Did some re-prioritizing, and some things fell by the wayside. But that's ok. I'm back and at least I did some journaling so it's all good!<br /><br />So, fresh start.<br />My "word" for 2011 a la Ali Edwards is LISTEN. I want to Listen more to my children's unasked questions, my mom's gentle reminders, my husbands' verbal nuances. I especially need to Listen to my Art Soul. www.bigpictureclasses.com is hosting the "One Little Word" class that I so want to take. We'll see.<br /><br />I need to make a path through my creative space. What I need is a PROFESSIONAL!<br /><br />I want to start taking some technique classes to incorporate into my art. I love going to www.ellenhuston.typepad.com/the_classroom_new and some of my favorite art bloggers are instructors on this site!<br /><br />I love creating art and scrapbooking and cardmaking and especially teaching. I am still with CLose TO My Heart and have a "virtual club" that is fun. I can't wait to get inky again and distress cardstock and search out vintage goodies to incorporate into some art pieces. This will all come back and fulfill my ART Soul, soon!<br /><br />We'll see what the future holds.<br />Happy February!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-75977456110451695592010-09-12T20:47:00.002-04:002010-09-12T21:11:03.159-04:00...and they called it, puppy looooove...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lCYOJ7ctZJsuTXj-sHqVmXymheMcxBuegULD2honyWIfGLLfFDGIETGFN-Rxcn_C_ZGF87IMc56q-1OlsSzOV4mEVfo6IE7clm_vB3i11HXT8Eac414PsEnT82v9NNzC2BK_go9SEPQ/s1600/065.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lCYOJ7ctZJsuTXj-sHqVmXymheMcxBuegULD2honyWIfGLLfFDGIETGFN-Rxcn_C_ZGF87IMc56q-1OlsSzOV4mEVfo6IE7clm_vB3i11HXT8Eac414PsEnT82v9NNzC2BK_go9SEPQ/s320/065.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516194895685636562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64U2kWGAPEcW-Dsz7yHpSiTBW8hjybUocKFeBw-rHaFDxUNlgKOrGllvAyVnr0uK0DnPQzIcZNv7aPFfSBeMUYoZemu1y2nTpnKeKul5gGdYrEmi34Dt1aqlgqA0jTsGD6rM_JOEiwGw/s1600/033.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64U2kWGAPEcW-Dsz7yHpSiTBW8hjybUocKFeBw-rHaFDxUNlgKOrGllvAyVnr0uK0DnPQzIcZNv7aPFfSBeMUYoZemu1y2nTpnKeKul5gGdYrEmi34Dt1aqlgqA0jTsGD6rM_JOEiwGw/s320/033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516194888433106978" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8b44gbNGHU7gw5NyGTbD4s4iYxMIHmNthxKWE4s1Sr27V_2S_7TomKqRv1dISX8tK1GTTgmZWrzsIX1DJy-QD36bzDAgyO2MZTeVePIY4Chd0rheztfScKR5nnFccDOpaBUNKbbFyy0/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8b44gbNGHU7gw5NyGTbD4s4iYxMIHmNthxKWE4s1Sr27V_2S_7TomKqRv1dISX8tK1GTTgmZWrzsIX1DJy-QD36bzDAgyO2MZTeVePIY4Chd0rheztfScKR5nnFccDOpaBUNKbbFyy0/s320/023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516194880922112770" /></a><br /><br />Seems like it's been forever that I have been asking my husband about bringing dogs into the family. I was raised with cats and dogs, but Brian only had felines in his life, so he didn't understand the undying loyalty, the love licks and the rewards of owning a dog or two. Until now. We brought the pups home on Aug 22 and our lives have changed drastically! Almost as much as when we brought home the twins!! Baby gates and feeding schedules and making sure the floor is immaculate to avoid choking hazards....and then there's housebreaking....omgracious! And it's soooo worth it. <br /><br />The kids now know (I hope) about the commitment to raising an animal and how much effort is involved. And how much love. Grace and John are truly in love with these pups, and I am so grateful. We decided to name them Bruce and Bella Bohall. Grace took riding lessons this summer and met a beautiful HUGE, gentle clydesdale named Bruce and the name fit this male pup well. He's a big boy compared to his only brother of the litter who is a runt. The girl dog is named after a character in a current movie that Grace and John haven't seen (ahem-and hopefully won't see!)and we like the fact that Bella translates to 'beautiful' in Italian, which this puppy surely is-just beautiful!<br /><br />Can't wait to scrap some pages of the newest members of our family. Lots of choices of paper and embellishments with the new Idea book! Or, I can do some digital scrapping through my website with Studio J!! I will be sure to share the results soon! <br /><br />Have a great week~LauraUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-8073033068575302432010-08-02T23:31:00.003-04:002010-08-02T23:55:48.775-04:00UNBELIEVABLE SALE AT CLOSE TO MY HEART!CTMH announced last week that ALL current paper kits will be retiring on December 31 <br />2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate?<br /> <br />It’s YOU, of course! We are shouting from the rooftops how much we love and appreciate you! It only makes sense to pass along our appreciation with amazing deals. So for 8 days, August 4 through August 11 (while supplies last), you can purchase select My Stickease ® Assortments for only $2 US/CAN, My Reflections® Level 1 kits for only $4, and My Reflections ® Level 2 paper packets for only $6 online. Visit my website today to see these amazing deals for yourself. You’ll want to shout for joy, too!<br />WWW.LAURABOHALL.MYCTMH.COM<br /><br /><br />Item Number Name Price <br />X7045A My Reflections Vintage Travel Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7045C VintageTravel My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7056A My Reflections Discovery Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7060A My Reflections Heirloom Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7060B My Reflections Heirloom Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7061A My Reflections Floral Impressions Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7061B My Reflections Floral Impressions Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7061C Floral Impressions My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7062A My Reflections Laid Back Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7069A My Reflections Just Chillin Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7069C Just Chillin My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7070A My Reflections Simple Pleasure Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7070B My Reflections Simple Pleasure Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7070C Simple Pleasure My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7071A My Reflections Best Friends Forever Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7072A My Reflections School Zone Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7072C School Zone My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7073A My Reflections Abundance Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7073B My Reflections Abundance Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7073C Abundance My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7075A My Reflections More To Adore Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7075B My Reflections More To Adore Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7075C More To Adore My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7076A My Reflections Sonata Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7076C Sonata My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7077C Sweet Harmony My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7078A My Reflections Cutie Pie Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7078C Cutie Pie My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7079B My Reflections Rough n Tumble Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7079C Rough n Tumble My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7080A My Reflections Route 66 Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7080C Route 66 My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7081A My Reflections Majestic Blue Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7081B My Reflections Majestic Blue Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7081C Majestic Blue My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7082A My Reflections Expedition Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7082C Expedition My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7083A My Reflections Let's Get Together Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7084A My Reflections Floral Tapestry Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7085A My Reflections Everlasting Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7085B My Reflections Everlasting Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7085C Everlasting My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7086A My Reflections Caprice Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7086B My Reflections Caprice Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7086C Caprice My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7087A My Reflections Enchanted Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7087B My Reflections Enchanted Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7087C Enchanted My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7088A My Reflections Free Spirit Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7088B My Reflections Free Spirit Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7088C Free Spirit My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7089A My Reflections Lifes Delights Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7089C Life Delights My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7090A My Reflections Silhouette Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7090B My Reflections Silhouette Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7090C Silhouette My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7091A My Reflections it’s a Guy Thing Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7091B My Reflections it’s a Guy Thing Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7091C it’s a Guy Thing My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7092A My Reflections Good Times Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7092B My Reflections Good Times Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7092C Good Times My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7093A My Reflections Sweet Pea Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7093C Sweet Pea My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7094A My Reflections Paper Garden Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7094C Paper Garden My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7095A My Reflections Boom-Di-Ada Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7095B My Reflections Boom-Di-Ada Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7095C Boom-Di-Ada My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7096A My Reflections Blue Ribbon Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7096B My Reflections Blue Ribbon Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7096C Blue Ribbon My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7097A My Reflections Game On Level 1 Kit $4.00 <br />X7097B My Reflections Game On Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7097C Game On My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7098A My Reflections Sarsaparilla Level 1 Kit $4.00 <br />X7098B My Reflections Sarsaparilla Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7098C Sarsaparilla My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7100A My Reflections Perfect Day Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7100B My Reflections Perfect Day Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7100C Perfect Day My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7101A My Reflections Magic Moments Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7101B My Reflections Magic Moments Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7101C Magic Moments My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7102A My Reflections Notebook Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7102B My Reflections Notebook Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7102C Notebook My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7103A My Reflections Aspen Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7103B My Reflections Aspen Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7103C Aspen My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7104A My Reflections Evensong Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7104B My Reflections Evensong Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7104C Evensong My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7105A My Reflection sEmporium Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7105B My Reflections Emporium Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7105C Emporium My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7106A My Reflections Unforgettable Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7106B My Reflections Unforgettable Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7106C Unforgettable My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7107A My Reflections That’s Amore Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7107B My Reflections That’s Amore Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7107C That’s Amore My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7108A My Reflections Daydream Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7108B My Reflections Daydream Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7108C Daydream My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7109A My Reflections Stardust Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7109B My Reflections Stardust Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7109C Stardust My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7110A My Reflections Back Country Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7110B My Reflections Back Country Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7110C Back Country My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7111A My Reflections Moon Doggie Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7111B My Reflections Moon Doggie Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7111C Moon Doggie My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7112A My Reflections Animal Cookies Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7112B My Reflections Animal Cookies Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7112C Animal Cookies My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7113A My Reflections Tinkerin Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7113B My Reflections Tinkerin Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7113C Tinkerin My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7114A My Reflections Bella Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7114B My Reflections Bella Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7114C Bella My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7115A My Reflections Jingle Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7115B My Reflections Jingle Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7115C Jingle My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7116A My Reflections Sweet Home Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7116B My Reflections Sweet Home Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7116C Sweet Home My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7117A My Reflections Grace Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7117B My Reflections Grace Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7117C Grace My Stickease $2.00 <br />X7118A My Reflections Twitterpated Level 1 $4.00 <br />X7118B My Reflections Twitterpated Level 2 Paper Packet $6.00 <br />X7118C Twitterpated My Stickease $2.00 <br /> <br /> *Available August 4-11, 2010; while supplies lastUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-21163756040708763172010-07-20T15:01:00.002-04:002010-07-20T15:04:31.629-04:00wanted to share........Maya Road is doing sneak peeks of new products they will be sharing at CHA-S soon. SSSOOOO many neat, vintage elements. My fav so far has to be the resin flowers and you can seem them by going to http://mayaroad.typepad.com/mayaroad/<br />enjoy!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-59485192719641742792010-07-16T14:08:00.003-04:002010-07-16T14:20:52.663-04:00Smoothies!!!!!!!ok, I admit, this has been a slow creative month. Spending a LOT of time with family, which is wonderful, but not getting much papercrafting done! That changes tomorrow cause i get to go scrap with friends. Then next week I will introduce a few ladies to Close TO My Heart products and hopefully begin a mini Scrap Camp. THe new Idea book for CTMH comes out soon-very exciting! ANd I am actually becoming interested in THE REMOTE POSSIBILITY of digi-scrapping...more later....<br /><br />Anyway, we love making smoothies so the kids came up with a name for this one=Peach Passion! THe recipe is simple--V8Fusion (low sugar) Peach/Mango flavor-about a cup, a small low sugar vanilla yogurt then fruit. We used all produce we bought here at Clarke County Farmer's MArket and had cleaned and frozen for this purpose=strawberries, peaches and cantelope in equal thirds. Soooooo Yummy!!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswmChtWK35W3u_FVk6bV75pmPX2d5_Uqt2vQsu2aZQzp6NYN7sQXHebKhurwECSCIQmwsckvh556vWQJbTMOOIrxMwnLg8CouEWVpjQY_c7Sj7S7545wM1N2Ub8EkluDSORkAr1QzsH4/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswmChtWK35W3u_FVk6bV75pmPX2d5_Uqt2vQsu2aZQzp6NYN7sQXHebKhurwECSCIQmwsckvh556vWQJbTMOOIrxMwnLg8CouEWVpjQY_c7Sj7S7545wM1N2Ub8EkluDSORkAr1QzsH4/s320/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494570155205728338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRzs85k3HxcGjvSgVV-6x5j18ZVIgahIWmIvi3gRpsaf0LCYss3qYAMzZSu8Uixz6he4BafYfYOta1ibBNi0ky6KmiXsUIVGxZ9z1GhaoMvjWEFiKJeCiA7t3dMbqnhq87NG5vfFhyVU/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRzs85k3HxcGjvSgVV-6x5j18ZVIgahIWmIvi3gRpsaf0LCYss3qYAMzZSu8Uixz6he4BafYfYOta1ibBNi0ky6KmiXsUIVGxZ9z1GhaoMvjWEFiKJeCiA7t3dMbqnhq87NG5vfFhyVU/s320/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494570149375266306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUXfpYjVzO-vgi520pP3cIvA687_VJ7azYh7bXlKt1Wr6n1mTWCXNlBE1wK7WDgR7luX_QXTcTKcxEyuqUewRWKy72n3EhM3XhhgZHBcGZlNIHinZ1_txrmS_t_HSF3x6NwSHDdv4X8A/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUXfpYjVzO-vgi520pP3cIvA687_VJ7azYh7bXlKt1Wr6n1mTWCXNlBE1wK7WDgR7luX_QXTcTKcxEyuqUewRWKy72n3EhM3XhhgZHBcGZlNIHinZ1_txrmS_t_HSF3x6NwSHDdv4X8A/s320/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494570139827886674" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-90963186609728186012010-07-01T10:11:00.004-04:002010-07-01T10:49:49.044-04:00All About Me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJGyvhGKytL7DasTYDjRjTodd0W5abgKUe7azmaFbeIfsaKSQ24wd6LwFT_eDUrqlQJ6Z8mDkKwVmSmhTM1dOxRejy_Y8UFQwF7YWesQDkOYIm8aAkUFH7BEuSzTsMhcHY-pV6HuZEZY/s1600/IMG_3271.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJGyvhGKytL7DasTYDjRjTodd0W5abgKUe7azmaFbeIfsaKSQ24wd6LwFT_eDUrqlQJ6Z8mDkKwVmSmhTM1dOxRejy_Y8UFQwF7YWesQDkOYIm8aAkUFH7BEuSzTsMhcHY-pV6HuZEZY/s320/IMG_3271.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488949057115047570" /></a><br />I received an email last night and decided to answer it on here. Good place to keep notes for scrapping later, right? Feel free to copy/paste the questions for yourself.<br />I was looking for a pic of me and came across this from 2008 of my kiddos at Willie's farm....aahhhhh.......anyway......<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />***Foodology***<br /><br />What is your salad dressing of choice?<br /><br />**balsamic vinaigrette<br /><br />What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?<br /><br />**Sucilee's Thai in WInchester, VA<br /><br />What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?<br /><br />**vanilla yogurt with fresh fruit<br /><br />What are your pizza toppings of choice?<br /><br />**bbq'd chicken and mushrooms<br /><br />What do you like to put on your toast?<br /><br />**cream cheese and sweet jalapeno jam<br /><br />***Technology***<br /><br />How many televisions are in your house?<br /><br />**2<br /><br />What color is your cell phone?<br /><br />**green<br /><br />Do you have an iPod?<br /><br />**Not yet<br /><br />***Biology***<br /><br />Are you right handed or left handed?<br /><br />**Right Handed<br /><br />Have you ever had anything removed from your body?<br /><br />**2 babies!<br /><br />What is the last heavy item you lifted?<br /><br />**huge bag of trash<br /><br />Have you ever been knocked unconscious?<br /><br />**nope<br /><br />***Bullology***<br /><br />If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?<br /><br />**No<br /><br />If you could change your name, what would you change it to?<br /><br />**I wouldn't change my first name. My parents gave it to me.<br /><br />Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1,000.00?<br /><br />**naw...at my age it would take a WHILE to get it out of my system! LOL!<br /><br />***Favoritology***<br /><br />Season?<br /><br />**Fall<br /><br />Holiday?<br /><br />**Easter<br /><br />Day of the week?<br /><br />**Thursday<br /><br />Month?<br /><br />**June...school gets out, my b'day, time to chillax<br /><br />***Currentology***<br /><br />Missing Someone?<br /><br />**Yes<br /><br />Mood?<br /><br />**Tired<br /><br />What are you listening to?<br /><br />**my son playing on his DS and baby goats calling for their mama<br /><br />Current worry?<br /><br />**unspoken<br /><br />***Randomology***<br /><br />First place you went this morning?<br /><br />**to the fridge for cold water<br /><br />The last movie you saw?<br /><br />**"Alice in Wonderland" w/Johnny Depp<br /><br />***Otherology***<br /><br />How many pairs of flip flops do you own?<br /><br />**1-love em but can't use em with orthotics<br /><br />Last time you had a run-in with the cops?<br /><br />**About 3 yrs ago-turned out well.<br /><br />Last person you talked to?<br /><br />**John<br /><br />Last person you hugged?<br /><br />**John<br /><br />Do you always answer your phone?<br /><br />**No<br /><br />It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who it it?<br /><br />**trish?<br /><br />If you could change your eye color what would it be?<br /><br />**Turquoise<br /><br />What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?<br /><br />**only once-mango!<br /><br />Do you own a digital camera?<br /><br />**Yep...couldn't use film again unless my PC died.<br /><br />Have you ever had a pet fish?<br /><br />**Yes...way back in Jr High...poor fish...<br /><br />Favorite Christmas Song?<br /><br />**I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas<br /><br />What's on your wishlist for your birthday?<br /><br />**paid museum membership <br /><br />Can you do push ups?<br /><br />**nope<br /><br />Can you do the splits?<br /><br />**Never<br /><br />Does the future make you more nervous or excited?<br /><br />**both!<br /><br />Do you have any saved texts?<br /><br />**nope<br /><br />Have you ever been in a car accident?<br /><br />**Several fender benders<br /><br />Do you have an accent?<br /><br />**after a few drinks<br /><br />What was the last movie to make you cry?<br /><br />**Cold Mountain<br /><br />Plans tonight?<br /><br />**meeting Brian in town<br /><br />Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?<br /><br />**A couple of times<br /><br />Name 3 things you bought yesterday.<br /><br />**Popsicles for the kids<br /><br />Have you ever been given roses?<br /><br />**Yes...but I think it's a waste of money<br /><br />Ever met someone who changed your life?<br /><br />**Several people<br /><br />How will you ring in the new year?<br /><br />**giving thanks to God for helping me through another year<br /><br />What song represents you?<br /><br />**good question-I'd have to come back to this one<br /><br /><br />Would you go back in time if given the chance?<br /><br />**Absolutely<br /><br />Do you have any tattoos or piercings?<br /><br />**Just in my ears.<br /><br />Does anyone love you?<br /><br />**Yes<br /><br />Would you be a pirate?<br /><br />**nope-can't handle the waves!<br /><br />What songs do you sing in the shower?<br /><br />**It varies.<br /><br />Ever had someone sing to you?<br /><br />**Yes<br /><br />Do you like to cuddle?<br /><br />**Yes, sometimes.<br /><br />Did you hold hands with anyone today?<br /><br />**not yet-it's early<br /><br />Who was the last person you took a picture of?<br /><br />**My daughter grace<br /><br />Are most of the friends in your life new or old?<br /><br />**Pretty even mix.<br /><br />Do you like pulpy orange juice?<br /><br />**yes-prefer it!!<br /><br />What is something your friends make fun of you for?<br /><br />**being so picky, probably! LOL!<br /><br />hhhmmmmmm........that was interesting. my answers will be different in a few months, I'm sure.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-86607949003274878662010-04-07T20:30:00.000-04:002010-04-07T20:31:11.438-04:00<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4667024-the-help" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="The Help" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255571691m/4667024.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4667024-the-help">The Help</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1943477.Kathryn_Stockett">Kathryn Stockett</a><br/><br/><br />My rating: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/97506633">5 of 5 stars</a><br />Hell of a book.<br /> What did I learn...that ignorance is bliss? That even if one KNOWS that what they are doing is wrong, the ole' sentiment..."we've always done it this way..." can be used as an excuse? This book should be read in our high schools-in history class, in socialogy classes, in general education classes. This isn't dry facts and dates - this is real, documented stories about what was just happening 50 years ago and what is still an underlying current in many pockets of America. But will this shining work of 'historical fiction' even be considered when book boycotts are still happening in our local schools? Books like "The Color Purple" and "A Handmaiden's Tale" have been stripped from our IB programs for our high schoolers and deemed inappropriate. Is that the path that "The Help" will be made to follow-banned?<br /><br />I will buy each of my children a hardback version and save it for their high school days. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/730181-momoftwnz">View all my reviews >></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-27831395941765632032010-03-22T22:29:00.005-04:002010-03-22T22:54:57.887-04:00Birthday Girl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNHV6e-AEVf4Rk2U0MuKvueGZaYgGchbmNppOBR_TcLYCnSdhu54iTH8HNsbLhhcxlci-H1rQFW-w9HyfIJgUUGNd6zLx9BJ4JJaVVuHOcz5kQCyGOOrq-IhmmI7litnUDsoeZSh2B3o/s1600-h/IMG_8246.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNHV6e-AEVf4Rk2U0MuKvueGZaYgGchbmNppOBR_TcLYCnSdhu54iTH8HNsbLhhcxlci-H1rQFW-w9HyfIJgUUGNd6zLx9BJ4JJaVVuHOcz5kQCyGOOrq-IhmmI7litnUDsoeZSh2B3o/s320/IMG_8246.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451654431397856162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFo3bj-5FHWYaQsre4PIKwS1m7O27teo-dg0q_cXkI5eRqkJCnA4UinCtk9uC66CUMj-HCfMNCFWub6k4DsMActkDg_l2AAyhVW1QfFjRhLKb0KHs8IMZ0D7sAqHcdupsYfPVwqDsDnk/s1600-h/IMG_8250.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFo3bj-5FHWYaQsre4PIKwS1m7O27teo-dg0q_cXkI5eRqkJCnA4UinCtk9uC66CUMj-HCfMNCFWub6k4DsMActkDg_l2AAyhVW1QfFjRhLKb0KHs8IMZ0D7sAqHcdupsYfPVwqDsDnk/s320/IMG_8250.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451654421913200786" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm5YHsPRnytEThgNbGDcADjPXSxPYvVuvDzaMY-I_NTDET4JYf0bdaVaqmOfNBkqBXVaOh_1RHhF729yuCzhb80TpxLYPGlXtje2Y5GUt2MZEtFvYsO7YtcitGoJwhHxTxMfBj3JLreE/s1600-h/IMG_8251.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451653184060115474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm5YHsPRnytEThgNbGDcADjPXSxPYvVuvDzaMY-I_NTDET4JYf0bdaVaqmOfNBkqBXVaOh_1RHhF729yuCzhb80TpxLYPGlXtje2Y5GUt2MZEtFvYsO7YtcitGoJwhHxTxMfBj3JLreE/s320/IMG_8251.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpKurIznu52mn-Pwu6zl6xDyXpehlCZmti2VJ5muyZJ9c4K42JdV1Gp9VSRHN_hJNyfpCeCSSRTnIJm_BL4fO-u_WTO3JyAkvd8pg7fHqtBThcyG9m1KSWzS7dAMH16TBhLB_Uc0jt0k/s1600-h/IMG_8252.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451653172574704258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpKurIznu52mn-Pwu6zl6xDyXpehlCZmti2VJ5muyZJ9c4K42JdV1Gp9VSRHN_hJNyfpCeCSSRTnIJm_BL4fO-u_WTO3JyAkvd8pg7fHqtBThcyG9m1KSWzS7dAMH16TBhLB_Uc0jt0k/s320/IMG_8252.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVNXPLGwHd3CYA24KwHuNW59pOiX_gVznXYPZAaJ-3m0dYalOqQloG2hu0LwXafcEkGmBNfIhlAHG9FNZ3mJbq-HgUiJXejwuhqTOfWUxKJb5HDkS5ez4l_7ZWBqZTKZ5m1JNm-4bYYk/s1600-h/IMG_8256.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451653171804518770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVNXPLGwHd3CYA24KwHuNW59pOiX_gVznXYPZAaJ-3m0dYalOqQloG2hu0LwXafcEkGmBNfIhlAHG9FNZ3mJbq-HgUiJXejwuhqTOfWUxKJb5HDkS5ez4l_7ZWBqZTKZ5m1JNm-4bYYk/s320/IMG_8256.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdNQVusFupZ3-aN00NJun0cQTABf_gUlTP8dng7j4ZHmmFBduWW5Qf-8Z8bDDWt1nxuZnZ9vOTmHcy7ChEWhRoDbbA3hd6ykSwklBIa_nlj2zaV87QYoIVwMB5BtuJmOsErQ9cfp-iW4/s1600-h/IMG_8260.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451653164883750306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdNQVusFupZ3-aN00NJun0cQTABf_gUlTP8dng7j4ZHmmFBduWW5Qf-8Z8bDDWt1nxuZnZ9vOTmHcy7ChEWhRoDbbA3hd6ykSwklBIa_nlj2zaV87QYoIVwMB5BtuJmOsErQ9cfp-iW4/s320/IMG_8260.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZIRRX-vUWjEm6TbwJan7FsyeNK_3puNKykOwjLNlMWkNgm22Fy5548Rlm6zS9TplPxWD2NCAmieKgWk2WASM0JBjToRbS1n-5RuU2JtvrLs7G3CkhmpX5FvhQTLsF0TSzjCdfHWOXqQ/s1600-h/IMG_8262.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451653150620519298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZIRRX-vUWjEm6TbwJan7FsyeNK_3puNKykOwjLNlMWkNgm22Fy5548Rlm6zS9TplPxWD2NCAmieKgWk2WASM0JBjToRbS1n-5RuU2JtvrLs7G3CkhmpX5FvhQTLsF0TSzjCdfHWOXqQ/s320/IMG_8262.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>I am blessed to have 2 sisters and 2 brothers. My youngest sister's birthday was in Feb and I had some photos of when she was little, so I decided to create something for her special day. She is a quilter and very precise with her work, so maybe she will be able to relate to this handmade gift. Hope so!</strong><br />The birthday fairy on the front of the mini album is a Red Lead Stamp and the young lady on the back cover is from the Tim Holtz Collection. The ink and buttons are Close To My Heart and the paper and embellishments are assorted scraps. Thanks for looking!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-19466280900313704422010-02-28T18:52:00.002-05:002010-02-28T19:05:21.804-05:00Paper Roses<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6q6SgAD2r0kf_7schDEUBeXswZwFNoFhWOvBjbbTumG23T9KBm2sEiHOAoUYIXOBr0TNaP7y3BpKoddVCuKNGWd9Piz2oBNG73ZzxrjSkO__AfgTa3lEZTjp_pMuW8aW4RWZtZum6j4/s1600-h/IMG_8074.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6q6SgAD2r0kf_7schDEUBeXswZwFNoFhWOvBjbbTumG23T9KBm2sEiHOAoUYIXOBr0TNaP7y3BpKoddVCuKNGWd9Piz2oBNG73ZzxrjSkO__AfgTa3lEZTjp_pMuW8aW4RWZtZum6j4/s320/IMG_8074.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443449535040428994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe3gZguw_Q6k-FeMWs-u8MAJiUXn1aIw7F6aUQ7D6ByYwG7NSiPYT49PMvhUOeJUbJisuJrBwS015kCCGGa3-TVr5abnjV_rsk6nYYA6AfMG2RZfG5eUQ9MCAigtDg5yhtzEokbcYjes/s1600-h/IMG_8077.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe3gZguw_Q6k-FeMWs-u8MAJiUXn1aIw7F6aUQ7D6ByYwG7NSiPYT49PMvhUOeJUbJisuJrBwS015kCCGGa3-TVr5abnjV_rsk6nYYA6AfMG2RZfG5eUQ9MCAigtDg5yhtzEokbcYjes/s320/IMG_8077.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443449528151924194" /></a><br />I am in love with paper flowers of all types and now I can make my own mini-roses! I saw this technique on YOUTUBE but didn't get the artist's name written down. Still searching for that info to share. I love making paper roses with Close To My Heart's cardstock. The inner white core allows you to see the different layers of the rose and gives it a bit of a shabby vintage look. The day after I saw this technique a friend told me she was in need of prayer and support for a serious medical situation. I made this card for her and she told me she received it before she had to leave for the hospital. I'm so glad. <br />Hope you had a nice weekend!<br />~LUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-60113106910440007362010-02-14T19:32:00.004-05:002010-02-14T20:11:40.060-05:00Happy Valentine's Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGrnf4ppPYie4We9OvUs8IzGbcrgLs9nkaXnapsGCbInIzh2dT56bSAoNpXYZ1LBi_nzKwPUL6Yr6EqwICVejeXelCji3674L_pR2udst8HZ6MiIoPdmV2ul-Kg_hNF7oX1CL3R_d4zM/s1600-h/Valentine+2010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGrnf4ppPYie4We9OvUs8IzGbcrgLs9nkaXnapsGCbInIzh2dT56bSAoNpXYZ1LBi_nzKwPUL6Yr6EqwICVejeXelCji3674L_pR2udst8HZ6MiIoPdmV2ul-Kg_hNF7oX1CL3R_d4zM/s320/Valentine+2010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438267637583794514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn16u21yzWV3YF59vnZuq9p81G9HMe_BlTEF3YpTqx2uCNHvAdcBzwsnVAqkU0g_Nom_5uDqDDGBLznlSWGlOxoON_OBIVNuh5a-aScOabk-feLKYeA_fwgA0G0HfuYp978gg6jdL69Bg/s1600-h/Valentine+2010+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn16u21yzWV3YF59vnZuq9p81G9HMe_BlTEF3YpTqx2uCNHvAdcBzwsnVAqkU0g_Nom_5uDqDDGBLznlSWGlOxoON_OBIVNuh5a-aScOabk-feLKYeA_fwgA0G0HfuYp978gg6jdL69Bg/s320/Valentine+2010+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438267632731279522" /></a><br />I made a few cards to send out on this special holiday and wanted to share one of my favs with you. This card is made with all Close To My Heart products except for the vintage lace and the figure of the little girl-she is "Country Girl" from Oxford Impressions-love their images! I used "That's Amore" paper pak x7107B because it offers so many beautifully coordinated patterns. The card design is a combination of designs offered in CTMH's card design book "Wishes"-one of my favorite tools. Now instead of taking me hours to create a card, I can easily find one in my "Wishes" book and follow the cutting diagrams including the exact measurements! Thank you, CTMH, for speeding up this process for me-love it! <br />Last night some good friends watched John and Grace so Brian and I could go to dinner with friends from work. What a rare relief to have an adult-only meal! We need to do that much more often! Today we spent a quiet day at home, exchanged Valentines and little goodies between the 4 of us. THe kids got in some good sledding time and we enjoyed watching the Olympics between doing laundry and naps.<br />I hope you had a peaceful day too.<br />~LUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-36428838740654218232010-02-05T21:39:00.003-05:002010-02-05T21:52:14.813-05:00CTMH Hearts for HaitiTextured paper is one of my favorite tools when it comes to creating scrapbook pages and paper art in any form. Close To My Heart has the most beautiful textured paper and I use it all the time. Right now you and I can make an easy and rewarding donation to the crisis in Haiti using some of this gorgeous paper. Please take a moment to read the details below.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaV7T6mVJRRI9n2-S9BRgniNOIZ5ofndShmbeKWc_1fLNsp3gnyBycOORpYbqsDRl_QdRmOTeUjNkhcK6jKRM3ejqZcoDZPYPOfwM-kYY8m3ILOieRnuATAtNwugWoHH7v2Ewc7dv1aJU/s1600-h/Autumn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaV7T6mVJRRI9n2-S9BRgniNOIZ5ofndShmbeKWc_1fLNsp3gnyBycOORpYbqsDRl_QdRmOTeUjNkhcK6jKRM3ejqZcoDZPYPOfwM-kYY8m3ILOieRnuATAtNwugWoHH7v2Ewc7dv1aJU/s320/Autumn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434955539245134578" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5e-hCMDWaE7CZzR8r4HcIbTh1nMp2LDTXgktTO_XZhW5IbW3wftgbpPqnXyFKRuJtq0PnXMcCbhyphenhyphenU76vDt5kI0VPUW_7UUalWgB3De3EHTd9CLPnMrL6HxiXuMyi4j8qAwqBbxbg_9E/s1600-h/Basic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5e-hCMDWaE7CZzR8r4HcIbTh1nMp2LDTXgktTO_XZhW5IbW3wftgbpPqnXyFKRuJtq0PnXMcCbhyphenhyphenU76vDt5kI0VPUW_7UUalWgB3De3EHTd9CLPnMrL6HxiXuMyi4j8qAwqBbxbg_9E/s320/Basic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434955534085822866" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyob51lDZqHPvW8FfhMkBZuwJ21E6ju6ReJuaNtvAn7HJTl-1FN35MCWzdETbACUroPLrqQjZ8AF2CGXHBv5MRlQ0XgEumWMCTH1s1N8qFjQ50gh5LHiDqvaXIiWDTh4day-geeK4ASD4/s1600-h/Winter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyob51lDZqHPvW8FfhMkBZuwJ21E6ju6ReJuaNtvAn7HJTl-1FN35MCWzdETbACUroPLrqQjZ8AF2CGXHBv5MRlQ0XgEumWMCTH1s1N8qFjQ50gh5LHiDqvaXIiWDTh4day-geeK4ASD4/s320/Winter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434955531143428690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjsVleJ579hMVENZkLAT0-9INzySRajuZokDwKaXee8UoXSObxMi4IEU5fYnfs4ZerwMuCh1rVfcEmTox_u75Xd1Ey3YdaSmFoD5DhaymFiZkkWyXcYIGKfNjAd_ME8818v8Wg4EbMwc/s1600-h/Summer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjsVleJ579hMVENZkLAT0-9INzySRajuZokDwKaXee8UoXSObxMi4IEU5fYnfs4ZerwMuCh1rVfcEmTox_u75Xd1Ey3YdaSmFoD5DhaymFiZkkWyXcYIGKfNjAd_ME8818v8Wg4EbMwc/s320/Summer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434955525986265186" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZnovl3V-hPjdbj9DTfH54ru2GbQOT67XiZbiJ-egKz0olTRppZF_zmfNNsQEaqOggHyrpOmk_aFvvxbxQFU61x5kvhO5ZArQEqoGVLMxGMrh2RuvQoCEMhAXnYfCnPi5BPQ0Ll1brFk/s1600-h/Spring.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZnovl3V-hPjdbj9DTfH54ru2GbQOT67XiZbiJ-egKz0olTRppZF_zmfNNsQEaqOggHyrpOmk_aFvvxbxQFU61x5kvhO5ZArQEqoGVLMxGMrh2RuvQoCEMhAXnYfCnPi5BPQ0Ll1brFk/s320/Spring.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434955525794130162" /></a><br />Our hearts go out to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, and like so many of you, we’re eager to help. We’re excited to announce Close To My Heart’s February Constant Campaign, Hearts for Haiti—where you can get a great deal while doing great good for those affected by the devastation in Haiti.<br /><br />From February 1-28, 2010, our 12” x 12” textured cardstock combo packs are buy one, get one FREE—and with every offer purchased, Close To My Heart will donate $2.00 to Operation Smile’s Haiti relief efforts.<br /><br />Order any textured cardstock combo pack at full retail price ($14.95) and receive a second textured cardstock combo pack of your choice FREE. The textured cardstock is printed with our signature white core. Each sheet of textured cardstock features a rich Close To My Heart color on one side and a lighter shade on the opposite side. Combo packs include 24 sheets: 4 each of 6 colors. <br /><br />Note: You may choose a FREE textured combo pack that is the same or different as the full retail combo pack.<br /><br />For only $14.95, you get two packs of 12” x 12” textured cardstock (a great deal at about $.30 per sheet!) and Operation Smile will receive $2.00 to benefit the urgent, important cause in Haiti. I encourage you to stock up on every color combination: Basic, Spring Harmony, Summer Celebration, Autumn Harvest, and Winter Cozy.<br /><br /><br />Operation Smile is always a fantastic charitable partner—offering free facial reconstruction surgeries to needy children throughout the world. They’ve currently marshaled their medical teams and resources to provide emergency relief in Haiti, and the donations given as part of Hearts for Haiti will be used exclusively for Operation Smile’s efforts in Haiti. For more information on their on-the-ground response, you can visit www.operationsmile.org/haiti.<br /><br />To Place Your Order February 1 - 28...Go To My Website<br />www.laurabohall.myctmh.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-36225006248202405602010-01-06T15:54:00.002-05:002010-01-06T16:16:37.029-05:00One Little Word 2010Scrapbook Artist Ali Edwards has inspired me to chose a word for the new year that I will embed into my life faithfully. That word is <em><strong>commit.</strong></em> I will commit to completeing projects I have set for myself and my family. I will commit to working on tasks whole-heartedly to completion, rather than laying things aside to be finished later, maybe. We all have the best intentions and I want to commit to many that I have considered over the years, including reaching out to friends that have moved out of the area. And creating a healthier lifestyle for me and mine-better food choices and more outside activities! Prioritizing housework ugh is a big must on my commit list. These sound like New Year resolutions but for me the action is <em><strong>to commit </strong></em>.<br />Working on this blog is another good example of something I will commit to being active on a weekly or more basis! This chance to have an electronic journal of me and my family is a great tool to record happenings in our life that I can come back to and scrap or simply print out to add to a more permanent "storycatcher" like an album.<br />So there it is.....commit. Easy to say, easy to understand.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-41062245178215726972009-12-28T10:03:00.002-05:002009-12-28T10:04:50.049-05:00Winter 2009<div><embed src="http://widget-9d.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=3386706919822501277&site=widget-9d.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:320px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3386706919822501277&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-9d.slide.com/p1/3386706919822501277/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3386706919822501277&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-9d.slide.com/p2/3386706919822501277/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=3386706919822501277&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-9d.slide.com/p4/3386706919822501277/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-66217969607377410762009-12-28T06:15:00.006-05:002009-12-28T06:38:18.815-05:00...brothers and sisters...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1uE1VrP0IdsUqVTM9hrl4B0zfwID7YbcBagEyJEpntfn1dZmxXEn894KXcMu8xCb96j6KEBMaCddLyTvGRirD7tA7YSQ4u0NLnG6GWBiok9LUPu0ygLVpVvWGd30f1jmonjFqQWiloA/s1600-h/IMG_7614.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1uE1VrP0IdsUqVTM9hrl4B0zfwID7YbcBagEyJEpntfn1dZmxXEn894KXcMu8xCb96j6KEBMaCddLyTvGRirD7tA7YSQ4u0NLnG6GWBiok9LUPu0ygLVpVvWGd30f1jmonjFqQWiloA/s320/IMG_7614.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420245281524773810" /></a><br />Mom and her sons - Roy and Richard<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZA61UaPnfjY2zkfZUpO7Od7hJOb_AN3Ax7iA0XZj1jE9rJ0erEqVkuOoeTdkAiS9dYR5ZWiMkn63rcfVlk0A48OTLk16_jZKAJit-ocKILqnwo4T4X5wnY5DcPN2azaIyKeMpmSPRXDY/s1600-h/IMG_7606.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZA61UaPnfjY2zkfZUpO7Od7hJOb_AN3Ax7iA0XZj1jE9rJ0erEqVkuOoeTdkAiS9dYR5ZWiMkn63rcfVlk0A48OTLk16_jZKAJit-ocKILqnwo4T4X5wnY5DcPN2azaIyKeMpmSPRXDY/s320/IMG_7606.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420244355364346786" /></a><br />Mom and her daughters - Susanna, Peggy and Laura<br /><br />On Christmas Day we only got pictures of the adult siblings as a group-shame on us for fogetting to put all the cousinz together! We were kinda busy trying to fit everything in before the weather turned icy and made driving off mom's mountain treacherous. These pics were in Grammy's kitchen at the farm in Charles Town celebrating mom's 75th birthday. love ya, Mom!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-48103585644785757732009-12-25T22:35:00.003-05:002009-12-25T23:34:14.397-05:00Merry Christmas!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRWNnxEZBCf_37gQs0jb39Yt5GusRHWH9T_E4wWJ40MGoeVfYnDfqpv4jNnv_CDtfrwj3QYjFKIWM2eieiwxqNyr6iEi0dYYBL9tbr-4C1GwPPqRMpctxH0TmppYuyYMQ7_XpesK11wQ/s1600-h/IMG_7493.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRWNnxEZBCf_37gQs0jb39Yt5GusRHWH9T_E4wWJ40MGoeVfYnDfqpv4jNnv_CDtfrwj3QYjFKIWM2eieiwxqNyr6iEi0dYYBL9tbr-4C1GwPPqRMpctxH0TmppYuyYMQ7_XpesK11wQ/s320/IMG_7493.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419384088303595058" /></a><br /><br />Well, can't believe today is almost over. Some much anticipation, hard work, baking, shopping, silly secrets, drawing names, wish lists and on and on.<br /><br />The funniest part of the past week or so was the kids wrapping items from their room or toy boxes for us using actual giftwrap and tags. I thought they were real gifts till Grace told me they were using things they were done with or tired of like old books or toys....omgosh-that cracked me up! Certainly helped fill out the base of the tree with these recycled gifts! John was actually quite serious about his gift giving and told me he DID NOT want his gifts back when I tried to return a toy plane that was sticking out of the top of my stocking (a week ago!!).<br /><br /> Another funny was last night before bed, Grace was helping me write hint tags for gifts which is a tradition from the Bohall-side of the family. So for a set of tennis balls for Dad, Grace thought up "you'll be making a racket with these!" and for a beautiful mug from a local potter Grace came up with "teaheehee-see you in the morning". Yep, she's a Bohall all right! <br /><br />We have established a few traditions which work well, so far! Christmas morning Grace and John are allowed to open their stockings and any gifts on the fireplace ledge before Mom and Dad are up. Brian buys and wraps the biggest box of their fav cereal he can find (which of course way over-exceeds the family sugar limit) and adds these monster cereal boxes to the Open Now collection. John was up as his usual crack of dawn and Grace managed to struggle out of her room by 730. By 8am I had a fragrant cup of coffee in our bedroom and a little girl whispering Merry Christmas in my ear.....and away we went! Instead of the mass hysterical shredding of giftwrap we used to do when they were itty-bitty, now at age 8 and 3/4 we TRY to observe and enjoy each gift as it's opened. So we kind of do a round robin and everyone gets a turn. Extra-special gifts are wrapped in one certain patterened paper that we can easily identify. This year it was purple penguins in snow suits (thanks, Target) so the morning rule was you couldn't open 2 purple penguin gifts in a row (this was to stretch out the BIG gifts!)and it worked well. The kids didn't complain and we were really happy this worked!<br />John's big gifts included an electric aquarium w/images of water and fish-about 2 ft long-really cool-looking and a Razor Scooter which shoots real sparks when you ride the brake. Grace got a camera-which we know she'll share with John-and of course tons of books. I love my watch from Brian and the huge stash of dark chocolate which is mine...All Mine! thanks, honey! I also got a beach chair I had been coveting for a few years-too bad it was delivered with a full description and actual picture of the chair on the outside of the box! heehee! I hate surprises so this was fine by me!<br /><br />The afternoon was spent at my mom's farm in WV with all of my siblings and spouses and children 9 adults and 6 kids!! Celebrated Christmas and mom's 75th birthday-love you, mom! Lots of fun-our first soup and sandwich holiday meal and quite a success so I hope this becomes a tradition-so much less work and still so yummy! Another first was the adult gift exchange. Happy to say I got mom's name so I ordered her a beautiful hand made hoodie from a Close To My Heart consultant (thanks Nona!-ordered one for my m-i-l and me too!!). My brother Richard got my name and gifted me a very generous gift card to Costco-yay! May save this for Spring and see what comes up in their garden area. :) We all did stocking stuffers for each other, sister Susanna made cd's of family pics-many of which we had never seen from my parents stash of negs-lots of work to this gift-thanks Sissy! Finally home to a huge mess which everyone pitched in to hellp straighten out-some dinner and playtime with gifts and finally---bedtime for Brian and the kids.<br /><br />Tomorrow evening Brian's brother Rob and wife and 4 kids arrive from Ohio to spend the night then we will all drive down to Fairfax Sunday morning after breakfast. Brian's parents are hosting a meal and get-together and his other brother Ken and wife and 2 girls are already there, so that will be one full house! 8 kids and 8 adults-woohoo! It is really special to have the gang from Ohio come back to VA for Christmas. We only see them in Aug at the beach, so it will be great for the cousins to hang out while the rest of us catch up!<br /><br />THe house is quite again and I have a chance to breathe and realize how blessed I really am. Today is the anniversary of Jesus's birth and my mom's birth. My family is warm and safe in our home near the Blue Ridge Mtns. The only thing I am missing is my Dad - Roy Alexander Fry. He would have been the life of the party at the farm-great sense of humor and a wonderful family first kind of man. I know he was there in Spirit.<br /><br />Thank you, God.<br />Merry Christmas, everyone!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-1736174409427806542009-12-22T21:16:00.002-05:002009-12-22T21:44:05.665-05:00Hey, Santa!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSq3CWPBQDXI_zc3jY9N9h2bQnNnvgaLSKi7Fi3qIImsbDU4FmLowKV72C30gT9jkSOL4AY_UPnLA7DTcEgbS8_nLiSzIvDvK-Gtkeor82fPNbGfxUcz3pd0R5faQFR14mYpZ7ZTEmdw4/s1600-h/IMG_7459.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSq3CWPBQDXI_zc3jY9N9h2bQnNnvgaLSKi7Fi3qIImsbDU4FmLowKV72C30gT9jkSOL4AY_UPnLA7DTcEgbS8_nLiSzIvDvK-Gtkeor82fPNbGfxUcz3pd0R5faQFR14mYpZ7ZTEmdw4/s320/IMG_7459.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418250039395216850" /></a><br />This card was fun to make because it highlights one of my favorite Christmas stamp sets from Close To My Heart - "Santa's Helpers" retired. I don't own a lot of cutsie stamps but I love this one because I use the CTMH waterbrush and inkpads to color in the images. All of the papers are CTMH and I used real sheet music as an embellishment along with some CTMH Prisma glitter. The punches are all SU except the biggest scallop. That is a new one from Marvy Uchida which I adore! The body of the punch is pale green, which I guess is their new size. Worked out perfectly for this card!<br />Did some last minute shopping for DH with the twins today. Asked for their input, sent them around the corner for specific items and generally included them in the shopping experience instead of the usual dragging them along behind me. They were so busy with their assignments that there was little or no fussing-yay!<br />Now to get some wrapping done. It's supposed to get down to 15 tonight which will help "firm up" the sledding trail for tomorrow's guests. Hot chocolate will help warm up frosty fingers and we may even light the fire pit -we'll see!<br />night, all!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-32362576273534187162009-12-21T15:07:00.003-05:002009-12-21T15:29:55.659-05:00Chistmas Card Countdown<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9NlkLlap51xrj9UoQTqYVMH1DT7R9GO3apWFKmxOVzQzEGMSiaejGr2Zq26z7ky1_zcHVNVL73ZQ4LPDD2BX4MoJZKEVBvVJqYaGcZs3FlmttGVFL_wQXjybZbddGOfeU7p_dq9Zee4/s1600-h/IMG_7473.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9NlkLlap51xrj9UoQTqYVMH1DT7R9GO3apWFKmxOVzQzEGMSiaejGr2Zq26z7ky1_zcHVNVL73ZQ4LPDD2BX4MoJZKEVBvVJqYaGcZs3FlmttGVFL_wQXjybZbddGOfeU7p_dq9Zee4/s320/IMG_7473.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417787582283340962" /></a><br />I had a lot of fun making cards this year. I didn't put any restrictions on myself (i.e. using certain products exclusively)and pulled out embellishments I hadn't seen in a long while. Then I realized how hard it would be to send some of the more flamboyant cards so I had to minimize embellies.......so sad!<br />This card uses "Graphic 45" paper-love the weight of the paper and that it has different but complimenting patterns on both sides. The felt is Martha Stewart and the bird image is "Crafty Secrets" Heartwarming Vintage. The stamped message uses Close To My Heart letters which of course are my fav and SO easy to use-love acrylic!!!!<br />So, simple card with a simple message - handmade from the heart.<br />enjoy~LUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-48292211334701548442009-12-19T16:32:00.005-05:002009-12-19T16:44:10.936-05:00Blizzard Crash Taters!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh8dasdgPZw5-ubTAMp8Y8IywAiqapIfFUagkZoonIyZQ6GTnTR7vLbheRxE5kPLUpr6OeegpaRHm_oZbCxXCS9lXwjRiPgsvrk2IE73BfmQUmgkmajvMSK9WDzs7IHw-90dGlIyYfcM/s1600-h/IMG_7496+(Small).jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh8dasdgPZw5-ubTAMp8Y8IywAiqapIfFUagkZoonIyZQ6GTnTR7vLbheRxE5kPLUpr6OeegpaRHm_oZbCxXCS9lXwjRiPgsvrk2IE73BfmQUmgkmajvMSK9WDzs7IHw-90dGlIyYfcM/s320/IMG_7496+(Small).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417063649264929762" /></a><br /><br />We are in the middle of Blizzard 2009 in VA. It's gonna be a White Christmas!!<br />Started last night around 9pm and hasn't stopped yet! We are at 16" approx and it's still STEADY coming down. We know this isn't unusual for our friends up North who live with lake effect snow, but this is real rare for Virginia!! The kids have been outside 3x today helping Daddy clear off the vehicles and do some shoveling and rescuing sleds from a previous snow. We are so excited about sledding around here cause we have awesome rolling hills out in the back field. The firepit is full and covered (if we can find it!) for hot chocolate and sledding friends tomorrow!<br />In the meantime, I have been cooking and Grace was a big help getting our Crashed Taters in the oven for lunch. Found this recipe on www.thepioneerwoman.com -thanks Ree! and they are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!! To me, the key is the olive oil. You just can't use too much! Wish I had some fresh herbs but Mrs Dash Spicy worked well plus lots of fresh ground Sea Salt-yummy!<br /><br />CRASH POTATOES<br /> <br />Prep Time: 30 MinutesCook Time: 25 MinutesDifficulty: EasyServings: 6<br /><br />Ingredients<br />12 whole New Potatoes (or Other Small Round Potatoes) <br />3 Tablespoons Olive Oil <br />Kosher Salt To Taste <br />Black Pepper To Taste <br />Rosemary (or Other Herbs Of Choice) To Taste<br />Preparation Instructions<br />Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add in as many potatoes as you wish to make and cook them until they are fork-tender.<br />On a sheet pan, generously drizzle olive oil. Place tender potatoes on the cookie sheet leaving plenty of room between each potato.<br />With a potato masher, gently press down each potato until it slightly mashes, rotate the potato masher 90 degrees and mash again. Brush the tops of each crushed potato generously with more olive oil.<br />Sprinkle potatoes with kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper and fresh chopped rosemary (or chives or thyme or whatever herb you have available.)<br />Bake in a 450 degree oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4931040116715351873.post-43976410533177858402009-10-21T05:27:00.003-04:002009-10-21T05:41:54.621-04:00Holiday Bazaars.......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaQvgwDf6THAgdpEA9n-tjG51qfbFtPaAwO0PuRfvkF7tOb0YAFmC5LYHXZkqKA3Ougfff5EfAcJvMdrzdo06OjGvF7a3pyr081wZJZy2XmHm8MkZBSED7uLJw25LBx64Tw197JA7xbs/s1600-h/DSC04408.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaQvgwDf6THAgdpEA9n-tjG51qfbFtPaAwO0PuRfvkF7tOb0YAFmC5LYHXZkqKA3Ougfff5EfAcJvMdrzdo06OjGvF7a3pyr081wZJZy2XmHm8MkZBSED7uLJw25LBx64Tw197JA7xbs/s320/DSC04408.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394985855093436114" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCS2wAFjyhI5Qt7TldDqBg_klufa6MfIdEzAOU5k_zyDAOfuXIDqLiXyBd-r9xIebMMPpx90KSWGVF6MIGJqK6xkSck0LfHH8NaMNsV5SMTnlOeBuAfr-P5fho3MbAe2W97aupZY8Wy8/s1600-h/DSC04409.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCS2wAFjyhI5Qt7TldDqBg_klufa6MfIdEzAOU5k_zyDAOfuXIDqLiXyBd-r9xIebMMPpx90KSWGVF6MIGJqK6xkSck0LfHH8NaMNsV5SMTnlOeBuAfr-P5fho3MbAe2W97aupZY8Wy8/s320/DSC04409.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394985853121236146" /></a><br />are a way of life and I love em. Especially around here in rural VA. Everything from handmade soaps to sock monkeys to fresh turnips pulled from the cold garden beds to kitchen handtowels with prayers sewn inside. Our church is no different. Along with handmade crafts there are tables GROANING with baked goods including oatmeal pies and double-layer coconut cakes and snickerdoodle cookies and the last of the summer's perserves which will be perfect on the Thanksgiving table. And then there's the homemade soups we sell by the cup or the quart plus turkey and ham sandwiches and more desserts by the slice followed by super sweet home brewed tea. Hungry? Crums Church Bazaar is on Nov 6th at the Enders Fire Hall from 8am-6pm!! I will contribute a few crafty items made using mostly Close To My Heart products. Hope to see you there!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1