I am Getting Behind!

I have been trying to take a picture a day.  Well, I haven't quite made it this month.  I am going to work on getting my stuff together for doing my books and journals and will start on February 1st doing my picture a day.  This has been a bit more of a challenge than I thought! But, I have found a few different ways to journal my daily activities and I can't wait to get started.  I am going to try my hand at art journaling.  There really is no wrong way to do it.  It seems to be an anything goes no holds barred sort of thing.  I think I can do that!  I already have a few ideas in mind.  One magazine I really love is the Somerset magazines.  I got the recent issue of Art Journaling.  There are so many different ideas and I have already found a few that I want to try!  Hopefully my next post will be of some of my completed work.  So, until then.

~hugs, mel

Week 1 Completed of P365+1

I made it through the first week of my challenge!  I have several pictures that I have to get off my phone so I can post them for all to see!  So far I have taken pictures of frogs, sunrises, my car, people, etc.  I am going totally spontaneous on this.  Some ideas have sparked my interest, but since I am not an owner of a great camera, I am going to try to keep it simple.  So, here are are some of the pictures I have taken of random things.  I am only missing two days so far.

1 January 2012

I know this is a little blurry, but I thought I would take a picture of one of my favorite radio stations.  I love to listen to Air 1 on my way to work.  I work 40 miles from where I live and can't pick it up very well where I live, but I can the closer to work that I get.  Very good station with great Christian music.  I guess listening to it is like my time with God every day!!

2 January 2012

I thought I had fixed this one, but this is a 4x6 piece that I made for my paper P365+1 book.  I love the idea of the different page protectors with the different size sleeves.  I wanted to make some of my own pieces to go in it!!  The stamp in one of those $1 stamps from WalMart in the scrapbook section.  I just colored it in after I stamped it!

3 January 2012

The view of the sun coming up as I was leaving work.  I loved how the orange and yellow colors blended right in with the night sky.  This was taken about 0645 in the morning.  I was so excited to see the morning sun.  I think this started my 4 day off week!!!

4 January 2012

IT'S HERE!!!  I ordered the core kit for Project Life from Becky Higgins for a start for my paper P365+1 book.  I fell in love with the colors of this one and the idea of how easy it is to put one of these albums together.  I am going to eventually order all 4 of the kits.  I also picked up the card stock set that goes with this and a couple of packages of the page protectors.  You can see all of the Project Life line at www.BeckyHiggins.com.  You will love it!!  She even offers a digi version!!!!!!

5 January 2012

This is one of the twins' math tests they did on this day.  They are in kindergarten.  Both of them made 100% on it!!!  I was so proud of them!  My babies aren't babies anymore!  They are learning how to read very well.  It is hard to believe they are growing up so fast!!!

6 January 2012

This is a glass pendant I purchased at the local bead shop near my house.  How great is it to have a bead shop less than a mile in one direction and the scrapbook store within walking distance in the other direction????  Especially when those are two of my favorite hobbies!!!  Anyway, this is for a necklace I promised one of my Canadian scrappy friends.  I really love this one!!

9 January 2012

Here we are to today!!  I missed the last two days because of work.  Shame on me!!!  Anyway, this is where I do a lot of my creating of stuff at!!  Yes, this is my desk area.  It looks like a tornado hit it!!!  But, this is my little piece of paradise, I guess you could say!!  I am currently working on a cookbook for my church, so that is what the big green box is.  The "Cremo" box is an old cigar box that my great grandmother gave back to us after my great grandfather passed away back in the early 90's.  It had pictures of people I didn't know at the time, but have since found out that many of them were of my family.  Family I never knew.  Many of them are still a mystery, though!!

So, that is what I have so far.  I do have many more pictures I took on some of the days, but these are the ones with the best stories behind them.  I am going to stick to my commitment to complete this project.  Hopefully I can actually see what I have done over the course of a year!!  Should be fun.  Join me if you would like to do so!!  For now, I think I will go watch a little TV until I can fall asleep!!!

~hugs, mel

Project 365 (or 366) for 2012--Want To Join Me??

I am going to tackle the Project 365 this year.  I have found several inspirations to get me started.  One that I really LOVE is Project Life from Becky Higgins.  You can find her site HERE.  I really love her ideas and think this will be one of the easiest ways for me to actually get this done!!  Here you can find information on where to buy, inspiration, and other bits of information.  AND.............for those of you who prefer to do it all digi, there is even the information there to where you can purchase the digi files of the kits!!!

I have also found a few others that offer digi kits for Project 365.  One of them is called My Projects 365/2012.  It is available at Catscraps.  It is by Ju Kneipp Design.  You can find the whole kit in here store HERE.  There is also some kits coming out from Katharyn Brine that are looking like they will be great.  You can find her blog HERE.

Whatever your method, paper or digi, I invite you to join those of us who will be taking this journey this year.  I know it will be fun, and in the end you will have a wonderful project of pictures, notes, etc. that you can look back at years from now and see what you were doing in 2012!!!  I am even going to try to work on some bits and pieces for those of you who like digi or hybrid scrapping!!!  Be looking for those soon!!

~hugs, melanie

We Got our Elves the Other Day!!

I finally gave in and bought the twins each an elf.  We had to get a boy and a girl elf.  I brought them home and hung them up on the fire place.  Then we picked the twins up from school.  They came in and were so very surprised to see that two elves had "just showed up" at our house!!  The twins were very excited to see them!!!  Justin even asked for Santa's autograph, email and phone number.

After they talked to them for a while, we went to the capitol to see the Christmas tree and the lights.  We ate downtown, too!  After they got home from all that, they found the elves in a different position.  They were so amazed!!  They couldn't believe that they had moved!

 

So, they went to bed for the night.  Sometime during the night, the elves got up and decided to have some oreos and kool aid.  Ashley found them first and she couldn't believe what she saw!!!

Justin said it was OK for the elves to eat some of the oreos.  He said they could have all they wanted.  We did our running around for the day and finally went to pick up Justin from Nana's house.  When we got home, those little elves had decided to move again!!

They ended up on the hearth of the fire place.  Ashley was so worried that they were going to eat the reindeer food in the bags they are sitting by there on the fire place.  So, we finally went to sleep for the night.  They decided to sleep in the living room and watch TV for a while.  Once they were asleep, the elves decided they were going to gather up the sock monkey and doll and color.  They also had a little snack of Cheez-its and some...............reindeer food!!!!  And Ashley was upset because they were "eating" the reindeer food!!!

"Justin" eating reindeer food.  Actually it is some glitter glue and oats!!

"Brittany" getting into the reindeer food.  Can't wait to see what they do tonight!!!

So far, Ashley and Justin are enjoying the Christmas season.  They are so excited to see what they are getting for Christmas!  But, even though they are excited about all the presents and stuff, I have not forgot to teach them why we have Christmas.  It seems to be working.  Justin told me the other night that Christmas is Jesus' birthday.  I am glad they know the real meaning of Christmas.

~hugs, mel

MIA for a While!!!

I see it has been a long time since I have posted anything here.  In fact, it has been so long that I have forgotten my password to my blogger account!!!  Anyway, I have been busy working on next year's VBS at our church!!!  At first I was a little reluctant to go with this year's theme, but the more I think about it, the more I am thinking about all the cool stuff I can work in to spread God's word to our kids in the community!!  I have decided to hold several fund raisers for VBS this year.  Our first major fundraiser is a pie sale!!  We have decided to sell pies for Thanksgiving.  So far it seems to be very successful!!!  Looks like we are going to make over $500 for our first fundraiser!!  God is at work already for our church!!  Next, we are looking at selling fresh wreaths and having a craft/bake sale.  I have been very busy working on cards, cards of all kinds!!  I have decided to share some of my creations that will be sold this year for VBS.  Just remember, if you are interested in purchasing anything that you see here, please send me an email or leave me a message here.  I will get back with you ASAP.

This is a mix of similar cards. They are 6.5 x
5 inches each. 

There are 2 in this set.  These are also 6.5 x 5
inches each.

There are 8 in this set.  The different colors and patters are just a little different in each
 card, but the set is mainly the same.  These are also 6.5 x 5 inches each.



There are also 8 cards in this set.  You get 2 of each design.  They
are also 6.5 x 5 inches each.



There are 4 in this set.  These are everyday cards.  I believe they are around 5-6
inches square.



I believe there are 5-6 in this set.  They are also 5-6 inches square.  They are everyday cards.



There are 10 cards in this set.  They are blank on the inside.  They are somewhere
around 3 x 4 inches.

This set is around 2 x 3 inches.  It is a small note set.  It is done is a
Christmas style.  Will be great to attach to gifts or just to send a little
Christmas hello to someone.

This set is also around 2 x 3 inches.  They are blank inside.  Great for a little thank you,
hello, or just general everyday greetings.

Another set of 2 x 3 cards that can be used for general everyday use.  They are
also blank on the inside.

I think there are about 8 in this set.  They are blank with a small design on the
inside.  They were made from 5 x 7 inch papers.  This makes them
around 3.5 x 5 inches.  They have an inspirational
message stamped on the outside and can be used for
general everyday use.

There are 8-10 cards in this set.  They are around 3-3.5 inch squares.  Another
set that are great for a little Christmas note.

A general set that is around 3 x 4 inches.  There are 8-10 in this set.  They are blank on
the inside and are great for general everyday use.

There are 10 cards in this set.  There are 5 of each design.  As you can see,
they are also blank on the inside and are great for everyday use.

This is another set of everyday inspiration cards.  I believe there are
8 in this set.  They are blank on the inside.  They are great for
everyday use.

This is a set of 8 Christmas cards.  They have an inspirational message
stamped on the inside of the card.  They are 6.5 x 5 inches.  Each card has
a different design.

This is a set of 10 everyday cards.  They are around 4-5 inches on each side.
They are blank on the inside with an area to write.  They are also great for
everyday use.

I do not remember how many are in this set.  They can also be separated into two
different sets.  They are great for small birthday cards.  They are blank on the inside.
They measure about the same as the above set of cards.

I believe there are 7-8 cards in this set.  They are general everyday use cards.  They are 3.5 x 5 inches.
They are blank on the inside and also have a small design
on the inside.

This is a necklace made with glass and metal beads.  I have not measured them so I am not sure exactly
how long they are.  They are not choker style necklaces.

This is also a glass and metal bead necklace.  It is very neutral in color and is great
to wear with many different colors.  It is also not a choker style necklace.

Another metal and glass bead necklace.  It is also not a choker necklace.

Again, another glass and metal bead necklace.  This one is slightly shorter than the rest, but
still not a choker style necklace.  Has small pink drops around the necklace.

Another glass and metal bead necklace.  This one has several aqua-colored
flower beads around it.  Also, not a choker style necklace.

Another fun, neutral-colored necklace that will go with many different
colors.  Each accent bead is different due to the difference of color in the beads.
Not a choker necklace.

Another longer necklace made from glass, metal, and natural stone chips.  The chips are
a turquoise color alongside a varying dark brown to black color.  They are accented with
a faceted bead covered on both ends with metal bead caps.

Again, if anyone is interested in anything I have here, please feel free to email me at the_roaddummy_1@sbcglobal.net or you can just leave me a message here and I will get back with you ASAP.  I will also be posting other items for sale in the next couple of weeks.  I also have live wreaths for sale that will benefit our VBS.  I will post some pictures of these soon and you can message me if you are interested.  They are simply beautiful and would make a nice addition to any holiday decor!!!  Thank you for looking and I hope you can help us raise money for VBS!!!!

~hugs, melanie