Happy Earth Day (a day late!)

I've been busy creating welcome packs for our Woman's retreat this weekend. I did the same little candy bags, except now I have my nestibilities to use. So much fun!! My wizard has been crankin' out a lot of shapes. I'm so glad I have a some awesome friends on our leadership team who have been hard at work to make sure everyone feels very welcome. Thank you Lucy, Kris, Becky, Jodi, Sue and Sandi!! You guys are the best!! They made the cutest notebooks while I was gone, to be added to the welcome kit. Later today, when my Spellbinder's die comes, I'll be finishing the name, place cards. I got the idea from Christy who is also sending me the die. Thanks girl!














I had to take a wee break from all the kits and create a thank you card for Mind Mind's Eye. I've been itchin' to dive into my stuff. You'd think I have enough ribbon but I really couldn't find any that matched this paper nicely. Hmmm....might have to get some. I'm really lovin' this Penny Lane line.














Patter Paper: My Mind's Eye, Stamp: Hero Arts, Ink: Color Box, Dies: Spellbinders (Labels Three S4-189 and Flower Creations S4=072)

I hope you all had a wonderful Earth Day. Ashley picked out her Bible story last night and it was the Genesis 1:1. As we were praying, I realized how approriate it was to have read the story of creation on Earth day! We both giggled. All of us are so grateful to God for this beautiful planet He has given us called Earth.

To make it more memorable (and this wasn't planned, it just happened this way,) we released Kelsey's butterflies in the morning. That evening the kids heard a frog in our water feature. They have never seen a frog on our property before. Of course they wanted to catch it. So they did. I thought for sure A.J. was going to fall in. I told him I would laugh so hard if he did! (no worries, it's shallow...LOL!) So, after a few photos and holding the frog, Ashley kindly reminded us that it was Earth day and we should let him go. She wants to be a vet when she grows up. She is our animal lover!






















I'll be leaving for a few days on our retreat. Hope and pray your weekend is blessed!

So blessed!

Oh my. Where to begin? I don't even know how to describe the amazing experience that I had this past week. Spellbinders Paper Arts flew the entire design team to Phoenix where we were trained, loved, spoiled and RAK'd big time!! Seriously, we would return to our hotel room on a quick break and find the most adorable and thoughtful 'presents' from Stacey on our bed. She didn't have to do that! But, she surprised us with things like; lipgloss, picture frames, lotion, purses, Dr Scholl's fuzzy socks, foot cream and foot bath fizz. I think she knew how tired we'd be at the end of the day after all the excitement! We were also welcomed to our tables with these enormous baskets full of treats and the cutest ever little place cards with our names on them.

Meeting all the other gals on the DT was just a blast! Everyone not only got along but really bonded in such a short time. We giggled so much my face and my stomach hurt! We played really hard and learned so many things as well. I can't wait to share some of the very cool techniques that were taught to us.

I feel so honored to have been chosen to represent this outstanding company. The owners, Jeff and Stacey are incredible people and have surrounded themselves with the best of the best.

Much to our surprise and because of the hard working people at Spellbinders, we were also blessed with an abundance of product. A big thanks to these companies for sending us products to work with. You can't even imagine how excited I am to start playing.

Spellbinders
My Minds Eye
Hero Arts
JustRite Stampers
Crafty Secrets
3L
Upsy Daisy Designs
Chatter Box
7 Gypsies
Magic Mesh
Cosmo Cricket
Clearsnap
Robin's Nest
Flower Soft
Glue Dots
Copic Markers
Crate Paper
Fancy Pants
The Paper Company
Stampers Anonymous
Taylored Expressions
Creative Impressions
Core'dinations
Janine Blackwelder

Doesn't this seem like a big list? I kid you not, it covered the whole entire surface of our bed. Check it out! (You can't even tell from this photo...our paper stacks where thick, thick, thick!! I'll never have to buy paper again! LOL!)

















It was so exciting to see which die templates we were going to get. All a surprise of course. They just kept coming and still can't believe all the different ones we got. After time, we were surprised with the very cool bag to haul our cool new Wizard machine AND the Binder that fits inside, which has pockets to hold all our new dies. Amazing!!

















Below is the basket and goodies waiting for us in the meeting room. Our wonderful Cathy, made us these cool books so we could have a place to hold all our new techniques and instructions.


















Another treat for us was the fact that Marianne from Copic came out to train us.
Can't wait to play!!





















Here are the bags that I was creating for all the girls. We each brought something to represent 'us' or the town we came from. I made these bags and filled them with salt water taffy. Then, the first night we traded everything we brought. It was so much fun to see the variety of that everyone had! The second photo shows some of the things that the other gals gave to me.


















Of course, I have a ton of photos and I wish I had time to upload them all but here are just a few of me and some of the girls from the gang!


























Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing in my excitement! I'm anxious to do some posts about all things I have learned in the weeks to come.

Exciting News!!!

What an awesome season we are in. I love celebrating Easter. I've been wanting to post since Easter morning but haven't had a chance until now. I don't know what Easter looks like for you, but for us, it's all about new life, new beginning and what the Lord has done for us.

Our Easter Sunday morning service was so amazing! Yvette, who just recently lost her Dad, signed this song; 'I Will Rise.' I couldn't find it on playlist so I took my Playlist songs off my blog so I could link you to this one. If you'd rather cut and past it, here is the address: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yvfso4Q8xg
Either way, I would just encourage you to listen to the song right away. You will be so glad you did. It's so very, very moving. Here is a link where Chris Tomlin speaks about what inspired him to write the song. As I watched her sign the song, tears just streamed down my face as I sat in awe of what the hope we have been given through Jesus Christ.

After that, Arte delivered the sermon. It was pow.R.Ful! The the theme of the message was 'It's not over.' It was absolutely inspirational. I thank God for the new beginnings that He has given us through His mercy. This is one of the passages that speaks about this new life.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade- kept in heaven for you." I Peter 1:3,4

We went on to have a very relaxing and fun Easter. It was a very rainy cold day and I had a hard time getting some shots inside but...had to get some Easter shots so here are the kiddos.
























On Saturday we were able to dye some Easter eggs.


























On Friday, Kelsey had her little concert at Preschool. She is never shy so it was so intersting to see her looking shy up there! Afterwards they had an Easter egg hunt because it was just barely nice enough. Here are a few shots.









Now, I have to share some extremely exciting news!! I'm working on this lil' projects that I was hoping to post today but I'm not quite done them yet. They are 20 little gifts that I'm taking on a big trip that I leave for tomorrow. Yup...Phoenix, here I come!!!!!!!!!! Spellbinders is sending their entire design team on an all expense paid retreat to Phoenix, Arizona where we are going to be trained not only with their tools but we also be certified with Copic. I'm entirely beside myself with excitement! I will also be receiving my new die cut machine from them and a ton of new dies. There are also several stamp companies that are sending in product for us to have and use. Too fun! It will feel like Christmas!Of course, it's always very hard for me to leave the kids. This time Kelsey who is not in school yet will be going to Grandpa and Grandma's so that makes it a little easier.

I leave early tomorrow morning and won't get back until Sunday night. I will be playing very hard and won't have access to a computer. I know that I will have much to tell when I return home though. Can't wait!!! My very good friend Janice who lives in Phoenix will be picking me up from the airport so I'm most excited to see her as well.

Have a fabulous week!

I can't believe it's APRIL!!

The days are just moving so quickly. It's hard for me to believe that we are well into April. I'm so ready for some sunshine that sticks around for more than a day or two!

It's been a busy week and I'm looking forward to slowing down as we approach this Easter weekend. It's so important to me that Easter for my kids, is not just about chocolate bunnies and Easter egg hunts (although I'm sure you'll see photos soon of both!) But, I really want to focus more than ever this year about why we even celebrate Easter. Ashley asked me tonight, why the Easter Bunny leaves chocolate and candy but no crosses or anything. 'Doesn't he know about Jesus?' she said. **gasp!** She went on to say that she had considered leaving him a note. Is that the sweetest thing or what?? I think I just might be including a few extra things in the baskets this year!

The beginning of my week started with some fun news on the GCD Studios site. I was listed as one of their 'spot light gals.' You can read about it on their blog.

A bit later in the week I found out some more fun news on the Scenic Route website. I was a monthly challenge winner for March! That means I get to pick a line of my choice. So excited because I've been wanting to try out their new line called, Garden Grove. It's really pretty!

I wanted to share a few layouts that I was able to get done this week. Can you believe that this was a January day and Kelsey was out in her bare feet and ballet leotard?? The weather is so strange!! Last night they bundled up with scarves and mittens!! LOL!























Here is another layout with Ashley. It was so fun to see her run to the closet and pull out a dress that she had gotten from cousin and put it on to play outside just because the sun had finally come out again!

Isn't he adorable??

This is my lil' bro....isn't he cute?? Just wanted to share some quick photos that we took while they visited. My older brother was so very sick most the time he was here so we didn't many shots of him. The others that we got are on a card that seems to be 'broken.' We are still trying to retrieve them. I could have taken shots for hours while we were here at this beach. I've tried to narrow it down to just a few! LOL!!


















This is one of my favorites. All that white in the background is a big wave crashing up. I know that it is completely over exposed and it's hard to make anything out. But, to me, it looks like he is completely in awe, worshipping our God of the Universe. I'm quite certain that is what he was doing! It's pretty hard to visit the Oregon coast and not fall on your knees in awe of the splendor of His majesty.

I've been working quite a bit this week(7th graders again!?!! I'm still recovering...j/k!) Not much crafting done. I'll have more to share in a few days. I'm very looking forward to the new Collage Press goodies that is being sent to me real soon.

I'm off to finish planning for a women's event tonight.

Hope you are having a spectacular Friday!!