CHERYLJUNEGIRL

My Funny Valentine

2012-01-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I have to admit I'm getting a bit excited for Valentine's Day. To let you all in on a little secret...one of my favorite things about Valentine's Day is the 'cheesy' sayings on Valentine's cards. I LOOOOOOOVE them! The just make me giggle...and who doesn't love to giggle. Combine this love of cheesy sayings with the need to USE scrapbook supplies that have been laying in a basket for a VERY LONG time and voile you have this my funny little valentine. I'm making a little goal for myself to use stuff that has been laying around forever in my supplies. This week I'm challenging myself to use my old chipboard supplies. So be expecting to see chipboard on everything I make this week. Have you started Valentine creating yet? I hope you all have a little giggle in your Valentine this year! HUGS, Cheryl

Linda's Sketch City Crafter Challenge Blog Challenge

2012-01-24T07:07:00.001-07:00

Hi all!! So fun to share another FAB City Crafter Challeng Blog challenge with you today! Today's challenge is brought to us by Linda, who has provided us with a FABULOUS sketch:

Here is the card I created with the sketch:

You are going to want to check out what Lizzi, our GD created with and and ALL our DT members created! WONDERFUL inspiration! Now I KNOW you are going to want to play along this week! Our super GENEROUS sponsor, Pixie Dust Paperie is also offering a SPECIAL to readers of City Crafter Challenge Blog so go check it out HERE! I can't wait to see what you create! Have a FANTABULOUSLY CREATIVE day!! Hugs, Cheryl

Rain and Love is in the Air

2012-01-21T09:17:00.002-07:00

Hi all! It is a gray drizzly day here in my neck of the woods and those kind of days always leave me feeling nostalgic. It is my 2cd daughters 5th anniversary in a couple of weeks and I was thinking about both my daughters and their weddings and what lovely brides they were. I thought I would share a couple of my favorite wedding photos of theirs with you.

Good-bye is never easy...these still make me misty eyed. My oldest and youngest:

A sweet moment:

It's like kissing your sister:

Isn't she lovely:

I still think this is one of the most romantic photos ever taken:

Isn't she lovely:

So pretty:

Looking toward eternity:

Thanks for joining me on my trip down memory lane! Hope that love is in the air for you today! Hugs!

Winter Table Runner

2012-01-19T06:55:00.000-07:00

Hi all! It is always a hard transition for me when I take down the Christmas decorations and then have to wait until Valentine's Day again. The house just seems so bare and forlorn. So this year I decided to have a little "winter" decor for the month of January. Just a few "wintery" items...pine cones and snowmen...tree branches...and some silver and white that I put up. I also decided to make a new table runner for my table. I just used three 14x14 inch squares of fabric and sewed the sides together, then cut 3 inch strips of burlap the length and width of the sewn fabric and sewed that on the edges. I then sewed on the various doilies. I cut some fabric the same size for the back and sewed that on. Now I have a "winter" table runner. Do you decorate for winter? When do you start putting up decorations for Valentine's?
Hope you have a FABBY WINTER day! Hugs, Cheryl

Pretty Inside and Out***CCCB!!!

2012-01-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

Outside

Inside

I'm always excited for Tuesdays because I get to share another City Crafter Challenge Blog challenge! This week Kirsty is our hostess and she has come up with the theme of "Pretty Inside and Out". We all make pretty cards, but sometimes the inside of the card is just neglected. Well, this week the challenge is to make a card PRETTY INSIDE and OUT, that means, we want a pretty card and we want to see the inside of the card as well, so don't leave the inside blank, we need to see how you make your card PRETTY INSIDE and OUT!! Boy, oh Boy has our guest designer,Lizzi, and all of our DT members done just that! For sure you need to check out their work HERE at CCCB! The prize this week is a $10 gift certificate from our ohhhhhh so FABULOUS and GENEROUS sponsor Pixie Dust Paperie. So I sure hope you play along with us! You know we ALL just LOVE seeing your work! Have a wonderful day ALL!! I hope it is filled with prettiness INSIDE and OUT! Hugs, Cheryl

Happy Birthday Ros!!!!!

2012-01-12T07:21:00.000-07:00

Hi ALL! Just jumping on to say Happy Birthday to SWEET Ros!!! Hope it is ohhhhhh soooooooo FABULOUS!! If you would love to say Happy Birthday to Ros...go on over to CCCB and leave her a Happy Birthday message! Have a great day! Hugs, Cheryl

Back To Black...City Crafter Challenge Blog Challenge!!

2012-01-10T07:40:00.000-07:00

Hi All!! I'm always so happy to share a new City Crafter Challenge blog challenge with you all! This week challenge is brought to us by our hostess Ros and is "Back to Black"...the challenge is to make a card or project incorporating any Black Silhouette image. There are so many of these beauties around lately ... So you can use a stamp, die cut, digital image ... You choose as long as it is BLACK. It is always so FUN to see what you all create so be sure to play along. For some FABULOUS inspiration head on over to CCCB and take a look at what our GD, June, made and all of our DT. The winner this week will receive a $15 Gift Certificate from our wonderful sponsor, CropStop. So come join us!!! Hope you have a FAB week! HUGS, Cheryl

2012-01-03T08:23:00.000-07:00

Hi All!!! ARE YOU HAVING A HAPPY NEW YEAR?!!! I'm so HAPPY to be the hostess and to start a New Year at City Crafter Challenge Blog! With a WHOLE NEW CALENDAR full of dates I thought it would be fun to use that as a theme for this week's challenge! So are you ready to SAVE THE DATE with us?! Your challenge is to use either A DAY, A MONTH, a YEAR *OR* a COMBINATION of ALL THREE somewhere on your project!! Do you have a idea in mind?! Can't wait to see what you ALL create!! WOW... A WHOLE YEAR of NEW crafting ahead! LOVE it! LOVE what our Guest Designer, Lizzi, created as well as ALL our DT! Go check it out at over at CCCB and be ready to be inspired! Something else I LOVE and YOU are going to as well is our FAB sponsor...Bugaboo Stamps...They are offering SEVEN of their digi stamps to the winner of this weeks challenge! Now the date I chose for my project is a really special one...my son's 21st birthday. I won't be able to spend it with him because he will still be serving as a missionary for our church on that day...BUT I HAVE ANOTHER REALLY FANTABULOUS DATE I want to share with you...He just told us the DATE HE IS COMING HOME!!!!!! We had to drag it out of him....Do you want to know?!!! He is coming home on............................................................................MARCH 19!!!!!!!!!!! WoooHooo!!!! Happy 2012 ALL!! I know it is going to be a FAB YEAR for us ALL!!! HUGS, Cheryl

Happy New Year!!!!

2011-12-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to stop by and say HAPPY NEW YEAR to you ALL!!! I hope we all find 2012 to be full of HOPE, COMFORT, PROMISE, and many MAGICAL SURPRISES we can't even begin to imagine!! May you ALL truly be BLESSED this coming year!! HUGS, Cheryl

Make the cut...CCCB!

2011-12-27T08:28:00.000-07:00

It is a new week at City crafter challenge blog! Linda is our hostess and our theme this week is making the cut. THE CHALLENGE is to pull out your scissors out and do some cutting. Can't wait to see what you come. up with. Hope you ALL had a fabulous Christmas! Hugs, Cheryl

Winner of Day 12 AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!

2011-12-21T07:50:00.000-07:00

Hi ALL! I'm here to announce the winner of the TWELFTH day of Christmas Give Away! Thanks again so much for playing along! The winner of day TWELVE is..................A SASSY SCRAPPER!! Just email me your address at cheryljunegirl@hotmail.com and I will get your prize out to you! Previous day winners I will be sending out your prizes either today or tomorrow. I want to WISH YOU ALL a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! As one of the Christmas gifts for my son each one of our family members wrote out their thoughts of the Savior. I won't share them all with you, but I will share the grandchildren's (so cute) and mine:

Tyler (4)- I love Jesus because he gave me my bones and skin. I’m thankful Jesus gave me my whole family. When I think about Jesus it makes me think about Christmas and that Jesus was born for His birthday.

Kylee (will be 3 the end of this month)- I love Jesus because he gave me a body so I can dance. When I think about Jesus I think of babies.

Nate (3)- I love Jesus because I want to. When I think about Jesus I think about heaven and being with grandpa. I’m thankful Jesus gave me my friends and family.

Me - How I LOVE my Savior. I know that I love Him because he first loved me. I feel that LOVE every day in my life and it makes EVERYTHING good. His atonement is the ultimate expression of that love. I have COMPLETE trust in the plan of happiness and KNOW with ALL SURETY that He is taking care of me. What a wonderful feeling that is to KNOW that no matter what happens Jesus Christ has me covered. He surrounds me with His love and takes care of me. I have no doubt of it and have felt it many, many, many times in my life. He paid the ultimate price for us all and will not let us down. This brings me such peace and joy in my life. I am so happy that you have this opportunity to share His message of LOVE to the world, that all may know that He LOVES them just as much as he loves me and that they can feel the wonder of this in their own lives.

I am taking a little blog break until after Christmas so I truly wish you ALL the merriest of Christmases and hope the peace of the season abides with you now and always! HUGS, Cheryl

Winter White AND 12 Days of Christmas Give Away!!

2011-12-20T07:16:00.001-07:00

Hi ALL!! Can you believe today is already my 12th Day of Christmas!! It is ALSO City Crafter Challenge Blog share day!! Our theme this week is brought to us by Kirsty...Winter White and the challenge is to create a project with mainly the color white, it doesn't has to be a Christmas theme as long as WHITE is your main color, so come on and join us!!! Get inspired by our WONDERFUL Guest Designer, Sylvia Nelson, and ALL of our DT. You can find all the beautiful work right HERE at CCCB! The prize this week is offered by the EVER SO SWEET Stella Schenkel! Thank you Stella! I hope you play along! I hope you also play along with this last day of my 12 days of Christmas give away! Yep it is DAY TWELVE!! Each day I give away a small prize (6x6 paper pack, or embellishment pack...etc.)to someone who has left a comment. That is all you have to do...leave a comment and your name goes in the drawing for a little goodie! Each day I will feature on my blog something that is a part of my Christmas. Just want to spread some Christmas cheer! So today for the TWELFTH day of Christmas I am sharing with you my CCCB project of WINTER WHITE! I LOVE the look of purity and freshness and cleanness of those winter whites. It reminds me of the HOPE of the pure life and the chance for a second chance offered to us by the ultimate Christmas gift...that of the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ! Thank you all so much for playing along with my 12 Days of Christmas and just all of your sweet comments all through the year! I appreciate them so very much!! The winner of DAY ELEVEN is...................papertrails leaver! You can email at cheryljunegirl@hotmail.com with your address!! Have a wonderful day ALL and I wish for you the HOPE of Christmas in your heart today! HUGS, Cheryl

Wrapping It Up AND 12 Days of Christmas Give Away!!

2011-12-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday before Christmas!!! It is day ELEVEN of our 12 Days of Christmas Give Away! Each day I will give away a small prize (6x6 paper pack, or embellishment pack...etc.)to someone who has left a comment. That is all you have to do...leave a comment and your name goes in the drawing for a little goodie! Each day I will feature on my blog something that is a part of my Christmas. Just want to spread some Christmas cheer! So today for the ELEVENTH day of Christmas I am starting to WRAP IT UP!! Now normally I am up until 4:00 am Christmas morning still wrapping gifts and they are lucky to even have paper on them. I decided to do things a little different this year and get my wrapping done ahead and making each gift a little extra special. Please don't think I'm ahead of the game...it is just that other things I normally have done will now get switched to the 4:00 am doing them on Christmas morning time schedule -OR- they just won't get done and you know what...it will ALL BE GOOD! I had a ton of fun decorating these gifts and I'm so glad that I did! Maybe it will give you some ideas for gift wrapping. Our winner for day TEN is............................................................Kathy Martin!!! Kathy send me you address to cheryljunegirl@hotmail.com
Well that's a wrap! Have a FAB day!! HUGS, Cheryl

Warm Wishes AND 12 Days of Christmas Give Away!!!

2011-12-17T07:32:00.001-07:00

Sorry I missed yesterday...it is the happiest and busiest time of the year! I'll be skipping tomorrow, too, but will be back again on Monday.
It is day TEN of our 12 Days of Christmas Give Away! Each day I will give away a small prize (6x6 paper pack, or embellishment pack...etc.)to someone who has left a comment. That is all you have to do...leave a comment and your name goes in the drawing for a little goodie! Each day I will feature on my blog something that is a part of my Christmas. Just want to spread some Christmas cheer! So today for the TENTH day of Christmas I am sharing with you my ohhhh so simple Christmas cards. It seems that simplicity is my Christmas theme this year. It is working, though. haha!
I was afraid I wasn't going to get any cards made at all this year so I was happy that I got these done. I just made the same basic card, but used different patterned paper and a little bit different embellishments on each to change them up a bit. It is surprising how it changes the look. Just click on the picture to make it bigger so you can see them. Do you have a favorite?! Now on to our day NINE winner...................Linda B Linda just send me your address to cheryljunegirl@hotmail.com and I will get out your prize! Sending you ALL some Warm Wishes for a Merry Christmas!! HUGS, Cheryl

Once There Was A Snowman AND 12 Days of Christmas Give Away!!!

2011-12-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

It is day NINE of our 12 Days of Christmas Give Away! Each day I will give away a small prize (6x6 paper pack, or embellishment pack...etc.)to someone who has left a comment. That is all you have to do...leave a comment and your name goes in the drawing for a little goodie! Each day I will feature on my blog something that is a part of my Christmas. Just want to spread some Christmas cheer! So today for the NINTH day of Christmas I am sharing with you this little Oreo Snowman Pop! Saw this on Pinterest and had to give it a try. Simply put an Oreo cookie on a popsicle stick and cover with white chocolate. Add a candy corn nose (so great to use up the left over candy corn) and some mini choc. chip eyes and mouth. So CUTE and FUN! **Secret...put anything on a stick and wrap it in cellophane and it becomes CUTE! hahaha! In my church we all have people in our congregation that we visit each month...make sure they are being taken care of and know that they are loved and appreciated. One of the ladies I visit has two little children and I am going to visit her today and I thought her little ones might like these. Now...for the winner of day EIGHT...............alexandra s.m. Alexandra just email your address to cheryljunegirl@hotmail.com and I will mail you out your prize! Hope you ALL are having a JOLLY HOLIDAY today!! HUGS, Cheryl

Christmas Excitement AND 12 Days of Christmas Give Away

2011-12-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

It is day EIGHT of our 12 Days of Christmas Give Away! Each day I will give away a small prize (6x6 paper pack, or embellishment pack...etc.)to someone who has left a comment. That is all you have to do...leave a comment and your name goes in the drawing for a little goodie! Each day I will feature on my blog something that is a part of my Christmas. Just want to spread some Christmas cheer! So today for the EIGHTH day of Christmas I am sharing with you my way to build some Christmas excitement. This is probably the easiest Christmas advent you could possibly make. The little stockings are the perfect vehicle to tuck away Christmas treats and open up each day. The possibilities are endless. You could put an activity in each day to do with your family...scriptures that talk about the birth of Christ...candy...little Christmas toys...whatever will work for you and your family to build that Christmas excitement! I found these little girl stockings (aren't they cute?) in the dollar bin at Wal-Mart. You just hang them up with clothespins. I glued a circle to a scalloped circle and then added on the number of each day leading up until Christmas and glued those to the stockings. So EASY!! Now for the winner of day SEVEN...............................Stella!!
Stella you can send me your address at cheryljunegirl@hotmail.com so I can send you your prize! Hope you ALL are feeling the EXCITEMENT of Christmas! HUGS, Cheryl

Get Booked CCCB AND 12 Days of Christmas Give Away!!

2011-12-13T06:33:00.000-07:00

Hi all!! It is CCCB share day!! Our theme is brought to us this week by our lovely hostess, Ros. She is asking us to "Get Booked". So how about your show us what you can do ... This week we want to see you either make or alter a book ... This can be a tag book, album, notebook, journal ... it's up to you .. It is day SEVEN of our 12 Days of Christmas Give Away! Each day I will give away a small prize (6x6 paper pack, or embellishment pack...etc.)to someone who has left a comment. That is all you have to do...leave a comment and your name goes in the drawing for a little goodie! Each day I will feature on my blog something that is a part of my Christmas. Just want to spread some Christmas cheer! So today for the SEVENTH day of Christmas I am sharing with you my SIMPLE Christmas book project. Yes, I am giving you all a little K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple sweeties!) This is such a simple holiday decor idea for your bookshelf. You just take some old books (like the Readers Digest Condensed) that you find at a thrift store...cover the bindings...tie them together with some ribbon and burlap...add a doily...and a holiday word or phrase...and a little holiday floral piece. You can adapt this to any holiday or occasion. I saw something similar to this in a baby nursery with the baby's name spelled out on the spine of the books. For some more inspiration go on over to City Crafter Challenge Blog and check out the fabulousness from our Guest Designer, Sylvia, and all our DT! Not only is Sylvia our GD this week...she is also our FABULOUS SPONSOR! Thank you Sylvia for providing the GORGEOUS prize package. Check it out!! We need to check out our day SIX winner....it is......Izzyb!! Izzy send me your address at cheryljunegirl@hotmail.com and I will send you out your prize! Hope you are enjoying some SIMPLE pleasures today! HUGS, Cheryl

Merry and Bright Christmas Wreath AND 12 Days of Chrismas Give Away!!!

2011-12-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

Hi All!! Hope you all had a FABULOUS weekend...sorry I had to take a little break, but am back today continuing the 12 Days of Christmas Give Away!! It is day SIX of our 12 Days of Christmas Give Away! Each day I will give away a small prize (6x6 paper pack, or embellishment pack...etc.)to someone who has left a comment. That is all you have to do...leave a comment and your name goes in the drawing for a little goodie! Each day I will feature on my blog something that is a part of my Christmas. Just want to spread some Christmas cheer! Soooooo...on the SIXTH day of Christmas I will show to you my merry and bright Christmas wreath that I made out of some fun Christmas ornaments! The tutorial I found for it used a foam wreath as the base, but the foam wreaths that I found were too expensive so I just used a wire based one...much more inexpensive. You just start gluing the ornaments to the inner part of the base and then the outer part of the base and then just start filling in. It was fun! I needed to make a wreath because somehow all my Christmas wreaths got thrown away. Waaah! Oh well...it was kind of nice to have an excuse to make something new. Now for the WINNER of day FIVE.....Kelly Massman!! Kelly send your address to cheryljunegirl@hotmail.com and I will send you out your prize! Hope you ALL are having a very MERRY and BRIGHT day! HUGS, Cheryl

Christmas Past AND 12 Days of Christmas Give Away!!

2011-12-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

Hi All!! It is day FIVE of our 12 Days of Christmas Give Away! Each day I will give away a small prize (6x6 paper pack, or embellishment pack...etc.)to someone who has left a comment. That is all you have to do...leave a comment and your name goes in the drawing for a little goodie! Each day I will feature on my blog something that is a part of my Christmas. Just want to spread some Christmas cheer! On the 5th Day of Christmas I present to you...our old fashioned Christmas Past. This hearth represents some of our old Christmas pasts that will always be our Christmas future and Christmas present. Now you know I LOVE to create and craft and you would think that I would handcraft all our Christmas stockings...but NO...my children REFUSE to let me! They are sooooo ATTACHED to these old dollar store stockings that I purchased when money was lean and time was even leaner and I didn't have the means to create them back then. Any mention of replacing these stockings and I have an immediate uprising on my hands. Soooooo the old stockings it will be and I am happy for it! Memories are such a wonderful part of Christmas. The dolls are all dolls my girls received at Christmas time. The LOVED receiving a new doll every year, but they have no room for them and I don't either...but at Christmas these sweet little ladies can come out and be a part of the Christmas magic again. I've had the bears and Santas for years and they just help create the wonderful feel of an old fashioned Christmas. Hope your day is filled with memories of magical Christmas' past! HUGS, Cheryl
And the winner for day FOUR is...................Tanya!!!! My email is cheryljunegirl@hotmail.com Send me your address for your prize!!

O Christmas Tree AND 12 Days of Christmas Give Away!!

2011-12-08T07:54:00.000-07:00

Hi All!! It is day FOUR of our 12 Days of Christmas Give Away! Each day I will give away a small prize (6x6 paper pack, or embellishment pack...etc.)to someone who has left a comment. That is all you have to do...leave a comment and your name goes in the drawing for a little goodie! Each day I will feature on my blog something that is a part of my Christmas. Just want to spread some Christmas cheer! On the FOURTH DAY of CHRISTMAS I will show to you...our Christmas tree (did you notice the skirt...haha!). It is sooooooo much more than just any old tree to me...in so many ways it is a memory tree.

With EVERY ornament that is on the tree come a flood of memories. I add something new every year and it becomes part of the memory for the next. It is so very special. It celebrates the birth of our Savior, it contains handmade treasures from friends and family, it is whimsical and magical and it just plain makes me feel WONDERFUL and SMILE each time I look at. At the end of every evening before I go to bed I LOVE to turn off all the other lights, grab a cup of cocoa and bask in its glow. Hope you are feeling the glow of Christmas in your life today!! HUGS, Cheryl
And the winner for day THREE is...................Linda R.!!!! My email is cheryljunegirl@hotmail.com Send me your address for your prize!!

Gifts from the Kitchen AND 3rd Day Of Christmas Give Away

2011-12-07T09:13:00.002-07:00

Hi All!! It is day THREE of our 12 Days of Christmas Give Away! Each day I will give away a small prize (6x6 paper pack, or embellishment pack...etc.)to someone who has left a comment. That is all you have to do...leave a comment and your name goes in the drawing for a little goodie! Each day I will feature on my blog something that is a part of my Christmas. Just want to spread some Christmas cheer! Soooo...On the third day of Christmas I present to you...Gifts from the Kitchen! YUM! I have to say I LOOOOVE FOOD! I LOVE the taste, the smell, the process of cooking...yep, I love it ALL! I LOVE receiving food as gifts and I LOVE making food gifts, as well. I've always given sweet treats before. This year I happened to have a BOUNTY of tomatoes just ready to turn ripe when BAM...the FREEZE hits! I have to pick all those tomatoes green. What is a girl to do?! Well...make green tomato salsa...green tomato relish...and green tomato jam with ginger and vanilla. They all turned out so YUMMY, sooooo I will be giving some of them away as neighbor gifts. The jam sounds a little weird, but it is SCRUMPTIOUS! You have a cracker spread with cream cheese and then top it with that jam and you taste really ginger and vanilla...the tomatoes don't have any taste really...just kind of a vehicle for the rest. You can go HERE, HERE and HERE to find the recipes.
**The winner for day TWO is..................CHRISTINA! My email is cheryljunegirl@hotmail.com so if you will send me your address Christina I will send out your prize. Hope you are enjoying the TASTES of Christmas today! Hugs, Cheryl

Home For the Holidays CCCB 2cd Day Of Christmas Give Away

2011-12-06T07:22:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I'm back as this week's hostess of City Crafter Challenge Blog. We are going HOME for the HOLIDAYS this week! Is there anything better than being HOME at holiday time?!...and my definition of HOME is being with those you LOVE wherever that may be! So that is our theme and the challenge is to create a project that is EITHER a Holiday Home Decor project (any holiday) OR a project that includes a HOME on it! I can't wait to see ALL your FAB creations!!! So on the 2cd day of Christmas I present to you my home made table runner! I just loved, loved, LOVED making this table runner. I am NOT a seamstress by any stretch of the word and any seamstress looking at this could tell you that, BUT with that said...I am still so proud that I was able to pull this off at all...and just LOVE it! I found out how to make it HERE. Now that I know the basic idea behind it...the possibilities are endless...maybe with hearts for Valentines...eggs for Easter...stars for 4th of July...etc.

For more inspiration for this week's challenge go on over to City Crafter Challenge Blog to see what our Guest Designer, Rebekah, made and all of the work of out DT! We have a wonderful prize for out winner this week from our SWEET and GENEROUS sponsor Stella Schenkel! Thank you Stella! Speaking of winners...let me announce our winner of Day 1 of my give away...................Sylvia!!! Sylvia could you please send me your address so I can get your prize out to you! *Remember for all 12 days of the give away to be eligible for a prize all you have to do is leave a comment! Hope you are feeling the LOVE of HOME wherever you may be today! HUGS, Cheryl

Christmas Tree Skirt AND 12 Days of Christmas Give Away!!

2011-12-05T06:41:00.002-07:00

Hi all! Do you want to celebrate Christmas with me?! Come party with me for the next 12 days. It is easy to play along. Just leave a comment on my blog and I will pick a winner every day for the next 12 days. The prizes will be small, but it is just my way of spreading a little Christmas cheer and thank you all for sharing your kindness with me. I will try to include some crafty Christmas items with you each day...but if not, I will still be doing a give away post so check in every day! On this first day of Christmas I share with you my Christmas tree skirt. I made this over the weekend and had sooooo much fun doing it. I had an old plastic one (that I'm pretty sure I've never used and not quite sure why I had it) that I used for a pattern. I had a red sheet that I wasn't using that I used for the base. I had an old white sheet that I used for the bottom ruffle. I cut 2 10 inch strips lengthwise from the sheet and folded them in half to create a 5 inch ruffle. I ironed them in place and then ran a basting stitch along the top and gathered to form ruffle. I stitched them onto the red base. I then used 1 yd. of the red and white striped fabric and the green and white polka dot fabric. Both were 30 inch wide and I cut 6 5 inch strips of each of them. Folded them in half to create 2 /12 inch ruffles. I just gathered them with my fingers and hot glued them in place. I then used red ruffled binding for the next layer hot gluing that in place...followed by the large rick rack. I added the flowers I created from the white sheet and the green and white polka dot bow for some final touches. I really love the way it turned out. I'm sorry I didn't make a photo tutorial for it, but I was just winging this and creating as I went and didn't stop and take photos. I hope my explanation gives you a decent idea of how I made it. If you have any questions let me know. Have a FAB day!!! Enjoy the season! HUGS, Cheryl

"SOUP"ER Saturday!!

2011-12-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

Hi ALL! Welcome to my SOUP-er Saturday! Now, I hate to admit it, but I am not a real fan of cold weather. I AM FOND of SOUP, however, and even though I don't love the cold weather I am grateful for it because it means it is SOUP SEASON!! YUMMM!!! I LOVE brothy soups, and creamy soups...all hot and delicious and making me feel all cozy and warm inside. I have a MULTIPLICITY of soup recipes and really like trying out new ones. Here is a new one I discovered. I adapted it from allrecipes.com to suit my specific tastes. So I thought I would share my version of it with you:

Cheese Tortellini and Sausage Soup

Ingred.
1 lb. of Italian Sausage (mine was sweet stuffed with cheese and peppers)
1 c. onions chopped
1 tsp. minced garlic
5 1/2 c beef broth
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 c sliced carrots
2 T fresh basil chopped
1/2 t dried oregano
1 1/2 c tomato juice
1 T tomato paste
1 c sliced squash (either zucchini or yellow...I had yellow so that is what I used)
1 can cut green beans (drained)
1 package frozen cheese tortellini
2 c fresh spinach
Parmesan cheese for garnish if desired
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:
In large stock pot cook sausage according to package directions. Remove sausage from pan and halve lengthwise and then cut into bite size pieces. Saute onions and garlic in sausage drippings until onions have wilted. Add beef stock and stir bottom of pan to get all the yummy brown bits from sausage. Add diced tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano, tomato juice and tomato paste (I stir the tomato paste into the juice to incorporate it before adding). Bring to a boil and then lower heat and simmer for 30 min. Skim fat from soup. (easy way to do this is add some ice cubes...the fat will cling to the ice...scoop out the ice cubes and you scoop out the fat, too) Add sliced squash and green beans. Simmer another 20 min. or until squash is tender. Bring back to a boil and add spinach and tortelli. Turn down heat and simmer 3 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with parmesan cheese if desired.

This is soooooo YUMMY!! Hope you enjoy it!! It is great served with crusty bread or garlic bread. Hope your soul is full of warmth today! HUGS, Cheryl

Let the Countdown Begin!!!

2011-12-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

I just LOVE Christmas!! I LOVE the MERRINESS...I LOVE the BRIGHTNESS...and I especially LOVE the feelings of GOOD WILL that it brings...and the CELEBRATION of the BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR! Today I start counting down the days and I think the countdown...those days that lead up to the actually day are what make the whole season so AMAZING! A few weeks ago for City Crafter Challenge Blog I made a little box that inspired me to make 24 more little boxes and use them as an advent calendar for my son who is serving as a missionary for our church. I finally got all the boxes made...scriptures and candy tucked inside...and the boxes all decorated. He should receive his package with them today so he can start counting down until Christmas. One thing that I am counting down to is the Christmas phone call where our family can talk to him. We only get two phone calls a year...one at Mother's day and one at Christmas so it is a REALLY BIG DEAL! I'm so EXCITED! At any rate, I thought you might like to see the finished product of all the boxes. So here it is:

*We can start counting down the days until a blog give away, too! Next week I will announce a little blog give away I will be having...so stay tuned!! HUGS, Cheryl

Life Is Pretty Amazing!!! Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-11-29T23:35:00.000-07:00

When you stop and look around, this life is pretty AMAZING! Yep...I couldn't agree more! I want to just stop right now and take a look around the little part of the world we call Pixie Dust Paperie and THANK YOU ALL for my associations with them! I LOVE our Pixie-in-Chief Miss Kirsty and all of the talented DT and Guest Designers who inspire me each and every time I visit. I LOVE all of YOU for your oh so sweet and gracious comments. They mean ever so much! Yep...just stop and look around...right here...right now...Life IS pretty AMAZING!

Hope you are feeling pretty AMAZING!! HUGS, Cheryl

Santa Claus Is Coming to CCCB!!!

2011-11-29T07:11:00.000-07:00

Hi all! It is City Crafter Challenge Blog day!! YEAH! Such a FUN challenge this week! The Christmas season is officially here and with it our hostess Linda is challenging us to make a Christmas card with Santa on it! Linda says she is behind on her Christmas cards...and I know I am on mine, too. How about you? This is a perfect opportunity to make a Christmas card as you play along with us. **And the winner this week will receive a $15 gift certificate from CropStop!!!! Thank you CropStop for being our generous sponsor!! Do you need a little inspiration? Then go on over to CCCB and delight in all the merriment that our GD, Jacira, and the rest of our DT have made! I hope you are feeling MERRY this holiday season! HUGS, Cheryl

Sweet Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-11-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

Charming...soooooooo utterly and completely CHARMING is one of the ways I would describe the oh so SWEET Pixie Dust Paperie Pink Rose Cottage kit! Look at these charming pink roses and that window (be still my heart):

How SWEET are these Echo Park letter stickers?:

This kit was so PERFECT for that sweet little photo of my son and youngest daughter when they were little. Make sure you check out the Pixie Blog for all the SWEETNESS created by the DT! How do you feel about this Pink Rose Cottage kit? Charmed, I'm sure!

The Best Thing is Love

2011-11-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever imagined yourself at a summer cottage...white picket fence, a lovely soft breeze floating in the air, a tangle of pink roses blooming EVERYWHERE...a little piece of heaven on earth? Well, my friends step right up and step right in to the Pink Rose Cottage kit because this is the feeling you will get as you open your box of loveliness. I LOOOOOOOOOVE it and I LOVE this FABULOUS sentiment! The best thing in life really is LOVE:

and I know you will LOOOOOOOOVE it too! Hope all who celebrated it had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday! Have a FAB weekend ALL! Hugs, Cheryl

*Make sure you take a peek over at the Pixie Blog for a Black Friday Special TODAY!

My Favorite Thing About Today...Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2011-11-23T08:03:00.001-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving ALL!! Today I'm thankful I get to share with you another one of my projects from the FABULOUS Pixie Dust Paperie Pink Rose Cottage kit. Seriously...working with this Pink Rose Cottage kit has been a FAVORITE activity of mine!! I mean would you just look at these papers and colors:

Holy Moly am I in LOVE! These stickers are pretty much the CUTEST EVER, too!

I'm pretty sure it will be a favorite activity of yours, too! For those of you in the US...I hope you have a wonderful holiday tomorrow with those you love. For ALL EVERYWHERE...I hope you are spending the day with the person who is your "favorite thing about today"! I know I have said it before, but it can't be expressed too many times how VERY BLESSED I am and how thankful I am FOR EVERYTHING in my life! My greatest source of comfort and happiness is my faith...which helps me realize that ALL things work together for my good...even the things that may not seem like such a blessing at the time. I leave you with this scripture that I hope will bring you as much peace as it does to me and that you will be filled with gratitude this day for all the things you are blessed with...even the things that don't seem like such a blessing. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 HUGS, Cheryl

Pink Christmas! CCCB

2011-11-22T07:41:00.000-07:00

Woohoo...it is Tuesday already and time to share a new City Crafter Challenge Blog challenge! Kirsty is our hostess this week and she has come up with the theme of Pink Christmas. Since Christmas is just around the corner, she is thinking of a PINK Christmas, and I hope you do too because we are going to ask you to make a holiday card with mainly the color PINK, have fun!!!! Easy schmeasy and wait til you see all the loveliness created by our Guest Designer, Lynette Jacobs, and our DT! I have a feeling you all are going to create some absolute loveliness, too! I sure hope you play along! Our prize this week is a $10 gift certificate to Pixie Dust Paperie! Pixie also is generously offering a special deal JUST FOR CITY CRAFTER CHALLENGE BLOG READERS! Be sure to go take a LOOK! Have a WONDERFUL day! Hugs, Cheryl

Thank You Dear Pixie Dust November Challenge

2011-11-20T07:31:00.001-07:00

Happy Sunday All! Thank you dears for stopping by. I'm happy to share with you today the November challenge from Pixie Dust Paperie. It is an inspiration challenge and you just need to be inspired by this photo and create any project, e.g. cards, layout, altered project etc:

Here is my interpretation:

Check out some more inspiration HERE at the Pixie blog. The challenge runs until December 5, 10 pm EST. The prize is a $15 gift certificate to the Pixie Store!! **Just in time for Christmas**. I hope you play along! Wishing you a FANTABULOUS day!! Hugs, Cheryl

Remembering Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-11-17T07:29:00.000-07:00

Hi all! What are you remembering today?! I am so thankful for ALL the memories in my life. If you really think about it...isn't memory such a gift from God? I love how certain sights and smells and sounds and tastes can transport me back in time and bring me to a lovely memory. Some memories might not be as pleasant, but are still of such value with the lessons we learn from them. I am happy to say that THE GREAT MAJORITY of my memories are WONDERFUL!! What a good life it is and I am so blessed as I look back and remember. I remember when I first opened my goodie box that contained the Pink Rose Cottage kit. My first response was GASP! So FAB! The papers...embellishments...EVERYTHING were what I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

I hope you have been over to the Pixie Blog and have been seeing all the wonderful creations the DT have been putting together with it! You are going to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it, too! I hope you are remembering some pleasant memories today and making fabulous new ones that you will be remembering for a long time to come! HUGS, Cheryl

Our Four Legged Friends CCCB

2011-11-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

Hi all!! Happy Happy Tuesday means sharing a new City Crafter Challenge Blog Challenge! Our hostess with the mostest, Miss Ros, has come up with our theme of "Four Legged Friends". LOVE it! The challenge...to use a four legged friend on your project. So EASY and so FUN! I suspect there are going to be some ADORABLE projects this week. I know you are going to LOVE the projects from our Guest Designer, Tesa Broman, and ALL the DT. Be sure to take a peek at them over at City Crafter Challenge Blog. We were so lucky to be able to work with the cutest images EVER provided by our GRACIOUS and GENEROUS sponsor this week, Stretch 'N Bubbles. The winner this week will receive FIVE of the FABULOUS digital images provided by the sponsor. Definitely a prize worth playing for! Can't wait to see what you all come up with! Hope you can enjoy this day with a sweet four legged friend...and if not...I hope you just ENJOY THIS DAY! Hugs, Cheryl

My Baby Girl Is Growing Up

2011-11-14T06:54:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Just wanted to share a few photos today of Miss Alena from her Sadie's date on Saturday. Sadie's is a school dance here where the girl asks the boy. It is a casual dance and prior to the dance a whole group of friends spends the day together doing fun things. She had a really fun time is she is just growing up so fast.

I think her favorite part of the date was having these pictures taken. haha. Yep, my girls are not camera shy. Hope you are having a fun day wherever you may be!
Hugs, Cheryl

Today I Wish You a Day of Miracles! Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-11-13T07:32:00.000-07:00

Today I am here to share another layout made with the Pink Rose Cottage kit from Pixie Dust Paperie AND I wish you a day of miracles! Don't you just love that sentiment found in the kit? I do! I pretty much LOVE EVERYTHING about this kit as a matter of fact. Take for instance these lovely ladies from the oh so FAB GCD Studios paper found in the kit:

Love them! I ADORE these embellishments!:

They make me feel like I am in a vintage boutique. So perfect for this layout of my daughter. So just so you don't forget...get over to the Pixie blog. They are giving away FOUR prizes for the GIVE AWAY this month. I hope this day is fantabulous for you and TODAY I WISH YOU A DAY OF MIRACLES! Hugs, Cheryl

Sharing Some YUMMINESS!

2011-11-12T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Happy Saturday! I just wanted to share a recipe with you that I made earlier this week that is SO EASY, you will probably have all the INGREDIENTS ON HAND, and is SCRUMPTIOUS!!! It is cinnamon roll cake and I think it could quite possibly be even more divine the day after you make it. You might want to try it out for brunch this weekend. I originally saw it on Pinterest and the recipe is found HERE on this blog. Here is the recipe:

Cake:
3 c. flour
1/4 tsp.salt
1 c. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 c. milk
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. butter, melted

Topping:
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Mix everything together except for the butter. Slowly stir in the melted butter and pour into a greased 9x13 pan. For the topping, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Drop evenly over the batter and swirl with a knife. Bake at 350 for 28-32 minutes.

Enjoy!! Wishing you all a scrumptious weekend!

You and Me Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-11-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hi all! So fun to be sharing another project with you from the Pixie Dust Paperie Pink Rose Cottage kit. Now you all may think that with a name like Pink Rose Cottage that you could only use this kit for girly girl projects. Not so...NOT SO! This kit is PERFECT for EVERY project...feminine projects for sure, for sure...but it is PERFECT for masculine projects as well. I thought it was JUST RIGHT for this sweet photo of my daughter and sweet grandson. (Photo by Heather Taylor) I find these colors are sublime for any occasion:

So whatever your project...you can't go wrong with the Pink Rose Cottage kit! Find it right HERE! Don't miss the Pixie blog either...The November Give Away will have FOUR winners!! Check it out HERE!!

2011-11-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

Hi ALL! I'm back as the hostess of this week's City Crafter Challenge blog. Here in the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving this month. It is one of my favorite times of the year. What a wonderful opportunity we have to pause and consider all the ways we are blessed. So I bring this theme of not only THANKS, but GIVING to you. Our challenge this week is to create EITHER a THANK YOU card OR a HOMEMADE GIFT that you can GIVE to someone. I've made a thank you card, but I really want to try and get some gifts made this week that I will share with you. Make sure you check out the LOVELY creations from our GD, Laurie Schmidlin, and all our DT over at CCCB! You'll be playing for a really cool prize this week...A GUEST DESIGNER SPOT at City Crafter Challenge Blog! I really can't wait to see what you all create and who will be joining us as a Guest Designer!! I'm so thankful for ALL of you and ALL your support! Hope you are enjoying all the things you are thankful for! BIG HUGS, Cheryl

All Things Grow Better With Love Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-11-06T07:22:00.001-07:00

Hi all! I'm just TICKLED PINK to be sharing my creation from the Pixie Dust Paperie Pink Rose Cottage kit! When I opened my box and saw this kit for the first time I literally was giggling with delight as I pulled out each new element of FABULOUSNESS! I mean come on...just LOOK at the AWESOMENESS of these papers (aren't the colors delicious?) and these ohhhhh so CUTE Echo Park Stickers...not to mention the buttons:

I might just have to say my FAVORITEST part of the kit was the ADORABLE little windows included:

This kit is just as DELIGHTFUL as the name implies! You can find it right HERE. Don't forget to check out the Pixie Blog for inspiration, challenges and specials! YOU are going to LOVE it!!! Have a HAPPY SUNDAY ALL! Hugs, Cheryl
**Photograph by Heather Taylor

Just Because

2011-11-04T09:14:00.000-06:00

Hi all! Happy Friday! I'm happy today because I got to scrap last night just because I wanted to! Woohoo! There are several photos I have of my oldest daughter's family taken a few years ago by my sweet friend Heather Taylor that I just have never scrapped. I've been working on them lately and this one is of my oldest grandson. He is such a cutie and he is our boy! LOVE him! So I hope you are getting to do something today that you want to do...just because! Hugs, Cheryl

Simple Elegance Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-11-02T01:25:00.000-06:00

Have you ever been to a bed and breakfast?! I've never been, but have always wanted to. I kind of got to have that experience by using the Pink Rose Cottage November kit from Pixie Dust Paperie. With each lovely element I felt like I was right there at a fabulous inn. In fact...I think I've sampled quite a few by using this kit. Some have had charm, others have had whimsy and then there is simple and elegant, too.

All the BEST of EVERYTHING in one DELICIOUS kit! Absolutely DIVINE! You can get yours right HERE at Pixie Dust Paperie starting on November 5 or if you're a follower of the Pixie blog you can get 15% off if you order right now. What a FAB EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! You'll want to visit the Pixie Blog for a chance at our November Give Away! Wishing you the BEST of EVERYTHING today! Hugs, Cheryl

Postcards CCCB

2011-11-01T07:06:00.001-06:00

Hi all! I'm back to share a fun challenge from City Crafter Challenge blog brought to us by Linda! She is challenging us to make a postcard that can be mailed to a friend or family, or whomever you would like. I am going to send mine to my oldest daughter. I just LOVE this time of year...a time to pause and take a look at just how blessed we are. Who will you send yours, too?! I sure hope you come play along. I am ALWAYS AMAZED at what EVERYONE comes up with for these challenges. Come see what our Guest Designer, Karen, and all our DT came up with! You won't be disappointed (gorgeous creations, I tell ya). We are ALSO having a postcard swap this week. If you are interested scroll down to the bottom of the CCCB post found HERE Or check out the information at City Crafter Party Blog. For the prize this week, Catherine Pooler is giving a free 2 weeks membership to StampNation

What is StampNation?
It is the premier community for you to share your love of paper crafting in a positive upbeat, intimate environment. StampNation is the place for you to gain knowledge and inspiration!
Membership benefits include:

* exclusive video tutorials every month
* challenges to inspire your creativity
* an extensive card and project gallery featuring over 5000 samples sorted by stamp set and category!
* and more!

For more information about StampNation, Click HERE!
To visit Catherine's blog for daily inspiration, Click HERE!

Hope to see you all at CCCB this week! Happy November! Hugs, Cheryl

Happy Halloween!!! Come Party With Me!!

2011-10-31T07:21:00.000-06:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN ALL! Come join the little Halloween party I had for my family this weekend. Would you care for a little owl friend:

or perhaps a mummy with bloody dipping sauce:

maybe some spidery deviled eggs would be to your liking:

or a skull and crossbones:

did you leave room for some ghosties:

be sure to take a candy filled witch's hat:

Have a FAB day! Witching YOU ALL a SPOOK-TACULAR day!!! Hugs, Cheryl

Sweet Birdie Card Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-10-30T08:14:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I'm here to share the last of the NINE projects I created with the October kit from Pixie Dust Paperie and I gotta tell you...this Blue Moon kit is speaking my language! Whether it is the musical notes...or the book paper...or these oh so cool word strips:

this kit just speaks to my heart! I know it will speak to yours, too! You can find it right HERE. If you haven't checked out the Pixie blog this month...you will definitely want to run over there and do that. AMAZING projects to be found there! Stay tuned because you are going to be absolutely BLOWN AWAY by next month's kit! Have a blessed and happy day! Hugs, Cheryl

A Few More Halloween Cards

2011-10-28T07:08:00.000-06:00

Hi all! Just thought I would share a few more Halloween cards today.

Only three more days left! Have a FAB weekend ALL! Hugs, Cheryl

Love Wins Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-10-26T07:20:00.000-06:00

I'm so happy to be sharing yet another project I created with the October Pixie Dust Blue Moon kit. It would seem that it would only be once in a "blue moon" that a kit would come around where you could create an ABUNDANCE of projects. Yet this is the norm with Pixie Dust Paperie kits and this Blue Moon kit is no exception. I once again was able to create NINE projects from this kit! Not only create NINE projects, but NINE projects with so many fun details...like these FAB epoxy stickers:

Once again you have to comment about the LOVELY papers:

So if you are waiting for a "Blue Moon" to create your own project of loveliness...guess what...it's HERE!!! Check out the Pixie blog for AMAZING inspiration and the ohhhh sooooo FABULOUS Anniversary Special! Hope you are doing exactly what you want to do today! Hugs, Cheryl

I'm Feeling Boxy! CCCB

2011-10-25T07:19:00.000-06:00

Woohoo Tuesday! Time to share my project from City Crafter Challenge Blog! Our hostess, Kirsty, has a super interesting challenge for us this week. The theme is Magical Box and the challenge is to create a box. We want to see a box decorated inside and out, it can be a box card or a box you make from scratch or with a template, please note that it cannot be an altered box of any kind Remember you need to create this yourself. That was the magic for me...that I was able to do that! haha! I am usually very challenged at something like this. I found THIS step by step tutorial online and actually got it on the first try. I have made 14 of these little boxes now and plan on making a total of 25 and using them as an advent calendar of sorts for my son who is a missionary. I am filling them with candy and a scripture. He can open one each day in December...leading up to Christmas.

You definitely need to check out our Guest Designer, Lynn Miller, and DT creations at City Crafter Challenge Blog! They are sooooooo much more skilled than I am and have created some AMAZING boxes and I am going to give theirs a try. Wish me luck! I sure hope you all play along! I want to see what YOU come up with! We have a LOVELY prize package provided by our sweet Miss Ros! Check it out! Wishing you a day filled with magic! Hugs, Cheryl

Halloween Cards Galore

2011-10-24T07:08:00.000-06:00

Hi all! Just sharing a few more Halloween cards!

One more week to go!! Have a FABULOUS day!!! Hugs, Cheryl

Thankful Journal

2011-10-23T08:09:00.000-06:00

I'm thankful for so many things, many things, many things...I'm thankful for so many things that are mine today! I truly have sooooooo MANY things I'm thankful for and I want to make a record of them. I think sometimes when we start to recognize just how blessed we are...we just start noticing MORE and MORE and MORE the things we really do have to be thankful for. I'm definitely thankful to be a part of Pixie Dust Paperie and all my associations there and for this Blue Moon kit and the wonderful goodies it provided (don't you just LOVE these letters) so I could make this little journal for myself:

I am so THANKFUL for ALL of YOU and your kindness and support! I am sooooooo THANKFUL for my FAMILY! I ammmmmmmm so THANKFUL to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ALL the blessings I have received and will continue to receive because of that! I am so THANKFUL for FRIENDS! ....and the list goes on and on and on! It is never ending really. If you run over to the Pixie blog there is a VERY SPECIAL anniversary special for you! It is GORGEOUS! What are you thankful for? Have you ever thought about making a thankful journal? Maybe you can give it a try with this beautiful Blue Moon kit!

You Know the Drill Voting Time

2011-10-21T10:32:00.002-06:00

Hi ALL! Thank you so much for continued support of my daughter's crafty adventures in the American Crafters competition. This week the theme is fabric and I think her project is soooooo dang CUTE and MEANINGFUL!! She created a "handy" Thanksgiving advent calendar. Each member of the family is included in this project and it will be a TREASURE for years to come. It celebrates how we can be thankful for the things our hands can do and includes activities to go along with each area. I just LOVE the ideas she came up with to celebrate this wonderful time of year. This project represents to me not just what a wonderful crafter she is, but the WONDERFUL PERSON she is. I hope you have a second in your day to go VOTE HERE at the Naptime Crafters blog. It is Project #5 on the right hand side of the blog. Hold on to your hats ALL...the projects this week are AMAZING! We have some serious workers of fabric in this round. I really hope that you take a few more seconds and run over to Angela's blog right HERE to see all the work and most importantly HEART that went into her project. I think you will be delighted and might just want to use the idea for yourself. Thank you all soooooo much!!! I certainly hope you have a day full of meaning and thankfulness!! HUGS, Cheryl

A Pixie Challenge

2011-10-20T08:05:00.002-06:00

Hi all! I'm back today with a fun challenge from the Pixie blog! The theme is birdsong and the challenge is to use any bird on your project. Now since I am in the middle of Halloween madness here...I thought...well an owl is a bird, right? So even though this little guy doesn't exactly look like something you would hear a song from...I couldn't resist him. Hope you play along with us. Check out the blog HERE to see what Lauren and Kirsty came up with. (Their birds are a little more song friendly). Have a FAB day ALL! Hugs, Cheryl

Out of the Best Books

2011-10-19T06:51:00.000-06:00

I have a confession to make y'all. I have had these ADORABLE photos of my oldest grandson for FOUR YEARS now (taken by my sweet friend and wonderful photographer Heather Taylor...find her blog HERE) and have never scrapped them until now. They were just TOO CUTE and I wasn't sure how I was going to scrap them. That all changed when I received my FABULOUS Blue Moon October kit from Pixie Dust Paperie. As soon as I saw those vintage dictionary papers (swoon) I KNEW EXACTLY what photos I was going to scrap using them. Hoorah!:

The added detail of this denim strip (not to mention the darling papers)that was a part of the kit could not have been more PERFECT!:

Thank you Pixie Dust Paperie for providing this AMAZING kit so I could FINALLY scrap these photos! I think you will find this kit is PERFECT for your photos, too! You'll want to check out the blog today, too (really EVERY day this month) they are running an AWESOME anniversary special!
Hope you are doing something you LOVE today! Hugs, Cheryl

Harvest Festival City Crafter Challenge Blog

2011-10-18T06:55:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I always look forward to Tuesdays and bringing a new City Crafter Challenge blog project to you. This week our hostess, Ros, has such a FANTABULOUS challenge...the theme is "Harvest Festival" and your challenge if for you to create a card, tag or any project that relates to the harvest of the land ... you can include images of fruit, vegetables, farm vehicles ... even a scarecrow ... so get creative and come and join us in celebrating Britain's Harvest Festival. If you need a little inspiration jump on over to CCCB and see all the fabulousness that our Guest Designer, Wendi Robinson, and all of our DT have created. You won't be disappointed. When I say fabulousness, I mean fabulousness! We have such a fun prize this week...our winner will get to be a Guest Designer at CCCB!!! Can't wait to see ALL the LOVELINESS you create! Hoping you are enjoying a BEAUTIFUL day wherever you are! Hugs, Cheryl

More Halloween Cards

2011-10-17T07:15:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I just want to share a few more Halloween cards that I made when I went on my card making frenzy. I also want to THANK YOU so much for supporting my daughter! She made it onto the next round...yeah! All of these cards are using the Echo Park Apothecary Emporium line. I pretty much fell in LOVE with it from the moment I saw it.

Wishing you all a SPOOK-TACULAR day! Hugs, Cheryl

Lullaby and Goodnight SPECIAL DEAL PIXIE DUST PAPERIE!!!!

2011-10-15T22:00:00.002-06:00

Ok all...I am SOOOOO EXCITED to share a REALLY SPECIAL DEAL FOR MY BLOG READERS ONLY:

BUY ANY MAIN KIT
AND GET
ANY OTHER KIT
*FREE!!!!!!*

♥HOW COOL IS THAT♥??!?!?!

here's what you do:
Add a main kit of your choice into the shopping cart At the Pixie Shop
and then any other kit into the cart,
type in coupon code AA11-Cheryl during check out,
and the amount of the second kit will be taken off your total!!!
however...
this special is ONLY good for today:
October 16, 2011
from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM eastern time

I have to say I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY LOVE all the fun details that came with this Blue Moon kit! (and you can get another kit with it TOTALLY FREE) Among my favorites was the sheet music...so FAB:

I also can't say enough about the LOOOOOVELY papers included! Aren't these just the most FABULOUS combination of LOVELINESS:

They are so perfect for this layout of our sweet little baby Bailey!
Hope you are creating yourself some loveliness today! Look for even more loveliness on the Pixie Blog. Don't forget the SPECIAL DEAL FOR MY BLOG READERS ONLY is for TODAY ONLY!! HUGS, Cheryl

On to ROUND 2!!!! Thank you ALL!

2011-10-14T08:35:00.002-06:00

Hi ALL! I'm sooooo EXCITED to share with you that my daughter made it on to ROUND 2 of the American Crafters Competition!!! Woohoo!! THANK YOU ALL SOOOOO MUCH for your votes in her behalf last week. This week the theme is a "House of Order" and they had to come up with an organizational project. I ADORE the vintage crates seasonal storage she created. For more details on how she did it go HERE to Angela's blog.

Take a look at all the other organizational projects that were created (I mean who doesn't need some organizational ideas...I know I do!) and if you would like to cast another VOTE for her go HERE to the Naptime Crafters blog. She is #3 Vintage Crates on the right hand side of the blog. Thanks again!!! Hope this day finds your "house in order"! Hugs, Cheryl

Beauty Card Pixie Dust AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDA!!!

2011-10-12T07:16:00.000-06:00

Hi ALL! I'm here to share ANOTHER project I made using the Blue Moon kit from Pixie Dust Paperie. It is indeed a thing of beauty! It is chock full of details that will make you SWOON:

I know that you will create things of beauty with it too! Jump on over to the Pixie blog to swoon over ALL the AMAZING creations by the DT and participate in all the fun anniversary happenings.

Now onto another beauty...it is the ever so SWEET and BEAUTIFUL Linda Robinson's birthday today! Happy Birthday LINDA!!

Join with me and go wish her a very happy birthday! Hugs, Cheryl

A Boo-tiful Color Challenge CCCB

2011-10-11T06:49:00.000-06:00

Hi All! I'm so excited to be this week's hostess for City Crafter Challenge Blog! The theme this week is "A Boo-tiful Color Challenge". Your challenge is to PRIMARILY use the colors BLACK and CREAM on your project. I love Halloween and this color challenge is Halloween inspired, but your projects DO NOT have to be Halloween projects. Please REMEMBER that in order to be in the running for our prize, though, that we want to see projects that the MAJORITY of your project is using the colors BLACK and CREAM. You will DEFINITELY want to be in the running for our prize from our SUPER SPONSOR...PIXIE DUST PAPERIE. Go take a peek over at City Crafter Challenge Blog for some FAB inspiration from our ohhhhhhh sooooo TALENTED Guest Desiger, Stella Schenkel, and all of the DT members. *You will also spy a special offer for CCCB readers from our sponsor* You may use other colors, but the focus should be on BLACK and CREAM. I have made a trio of Halloween cards. Here are my other two:

I can't wait to see your BOO-TIFUL projects! Hope you have a BOO-TIFUL day! Hugs, Cheryl

Postively Pinterest Post *Halloween Owl"

2011-10-10T09:26:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I just wanted to share with you a project I made from an idea I got on Pinterest for a Halloween decoration. The original project used a raven that was on top of some hat boxes. I went to find a raven and then I saw this little owl and just fell in love with him. Soooooo...I decided to use Mr. Owl and I thought he looked like he would be perched on some old books rather than on hat boxes. Hope you all are crafting today! Hugs, Cheryl

Nature's Song Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-10-09T09:20:00.000-06:00

It is really hard to convey the loveliness of the Pixie Dust Paperie Blue Moon kit in words. The elements included are all just so unique and beautiful! I absolutely LOVED working with EVERY single item included...and there were a LOT of items included!
Don't these pretty tags:

and tulle just work together PERFECTLY:

I hope you ALL will enjoy working with this kit as much as I have! You can find it right HERE. Remember to visit the Pixie blog, too. There are fun ANNIVERSARY SPECIALS all month long and EVERYTHING the DT has created is ohhhhhhh so LOVELY! I hope your day is filled with LOVELINESS! Hugs, Cheryl

If You Have a Minute...

2011-10-07T13:20:00.000-06:00

If you have a minute and LOVE Halloween crafts, I have a little favor to ask of you. I think it might me something you will really like, too. My oldest daughter was chosen as a contestant in the American Crafter craft contest at the Naptime Crafters blog. They chose 15 contestants out of 99 who entered. I am so PROUD of her just for entering and THRILLED that she was chosen to participate. This is the project that she created for Round 1 and I think it is a BRILLIANT idea. It is a sound activated Halloween pillow (It makes eerie sounds and glows red when activated):

If you have a minute and would like to vote please go HERE. The voting is on the right hand side of the blog and she is Contestant #10. The voting runs until Sunday night at 8:00 pm. You will really want to check out ALL the FAB projects. If you would like to find out how my GENIUS daughter made this fun pillow you go HERE to her blog. Thanks so much ALL! Hugs, Cheryl

It Will Be Blinding Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-10-06T07:33:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I have one word to say about the Pixie Dust Paperie October Blue Moon kit G*O*R*G*E*O*U*S!!! Not only are the papers GORGEOUS, but so are all the FABBY details! Take for instance...this GORGEOUS quote:

Now throw in these Prima flowers and the Pixie signature crinkly ribbon:

Are we done yet?! I think not! We also need some scrumptious bling AND really cool tape (made into the ruffle under the photo AND fantabulous sheet music:

Yep, I think that G*O*R*G*E*O*U*S sums it up nicely don't you?! You are definitely going to want to grab up some of this gorgeousness for yourself. You can find it right HERE! You will also want to check out the Pixie blog found HERE because there are fun specials and giveaways ALL MONTH for the special Pixie Dust Anniversary!! Hope you are enjoying some GORGEOUSNESS today! Hugs, Cheryl

More Birthday Fun!! 3-D CCCB

2011-10-04T11:12:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I'm always happy for Tuesdays to roll around and to be able to share a new City Crafter Challenge Blog challenge and project with you! Today's challenge is brought to us by Linda and the theme is We Are Going 3-D. The challenge is simply to create something in 3-D...any theme...any colors...as long as it is 3-D. Check out the projects made by our FANTABULOUS Guest Designer, Virginia Lu, and all of our DT members over at City Crafter Challenge Blog! I really want to thank our wonderful sponsor, Creations by AR , who provided all the 3-D templates for our Guest Designer and DT AND is offering a wonderful prize for this week's challenge, AND the owner Adele also kindly offered a 10% off for CCCB readers who make a purchase this week, use code challenge10 to take 10% at Creation by AR, SHOP NOW!!!! The project I created was a special Birthday Box created from the Golden Nugget template for my Daddy who is turning 92 today!!! Happy Birthday Daddy!!

I am soooooo blessed to be the daughter of this wonderful man who is my hero and to have him still be healthy and well to enjoy celebrating his birthday with all of us. So join with me in wishing my sweet Daddy a VERY HAPPY 92 BIRTHDAY!! Big Hugs,
Cheryl

Happy Birthday Pixie Dust Paperie!!

2011-10-03T17:30:00.003-06:00

I'm pretty excited to share this card with you all today! You see, it is Pixie Dust Paperie's 1st BIRTHDAY this month!! Hooray and Happy Birthday to Pixie Dust Paperie! It is also, in fact, the easiest card I've ever made thanks to this October Pixie Dust Blue Moon kit. First I cut out the gorgeous paper included in the kit and mounted it to the yummy kraft cardstock included in the kit. Next I just punched out these circles from the cardstock included in the kit and some packaging included in the Kit and added this fabby chipboard bird included in the kit:

Do you catch a theme going on here? EVERYTHING you need is INCLUDED IN THE KIT!!! Gotta LOVE it! Have you been to the Pixie blog yet?! Go HERE right now and catch all the fun birthday festivities going on this month and enter the October GIVE AWAY! Hope you are having fun celebrating today! Hugs, Cheryl

Summer Cuties Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-09-30T06:34:00.001-06:00

Autumn, Winter, Spring or Summer...whatever the season...the Pixie Dust Paperie Tecolote kit has the CUTEST papers EVER! They were the perfect venue to scrap the pic of my little summer cuties!

And ohhhhhhhhh myyyyyyy can we talk burlap?! LOVE it!

I can't even begin to tell you the FUN I had creating with this kit! I know you are going to, too! You can find it right HERE.
***You are going to want want to check out the Pixie blog EVERY day for the month of October. We will have a special celebration going on. You won't want to wait until October, though...jump on over to the Pixie blog RIGHT NOW for a sneak of the FABULOUS October kit New Moon and a chance to win our October GIVEAWAY! (*can you guess which of those sneaks might be from projects I've created?) Enjoy this last day of September! Happy Friday ALL! Hugs, Cheryl

Tennis Anyone? Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-09-29T07:00:00.002-06:00

Hi all! I'm back with a tennis inspired layout created with the Sept. Pixie Dust Paperie kit. A tennis score of Love-Love might not be something you want to brag about, but when I say I LOOOOOVE-LOOOOOOVE this September Tecolote kit I mean it in the BEST way possible! I ADORE this kit! The colors, the patterns, the papers, the embellishments, the textures...EVERYTHING about it makes my heart happy! It is such a perfect fit with these tennis pictures of my daughter:

I think you are going to LOOOOVE-LOOOOOOOVE this kit, too...(in the VERY BEST way!) You can find it right HERE. Hope you are love, love, loving what you are doing today! Hugs, Cheryl

Sandi Says..."Embrace the Journey" CCCB

2011-09-27T06:56:00.000-06:00

Hi all! It's Tuesday and that means City Crafter Challenge day! Today Kirsty is our hostess with the theme of "Sandi Says..." Now what does that mean?! It means we get to do a case study for our challenge of a card by our wonderful Guest Designer, Sandi Taloumis:

You really need to check out ALL the work by the Design Team right HERE and see how each came up with something so different and unique and yet each inspired by the same card! It's pretty cool! You are going to want to play along this week for a chance at the prize package offered by our ohhhh so sweet sponsor, Lina Beas! I can't wait to see all of your unique takes on this week's challenge! I hope you are embracing your journey today! Hugs, Cheryl

Postively Pinterest Post Scrumptious Sweetness

2011-09-26T10:48:00.000-06:00

I'm back today with my Positively Pinterest Post. I absolutely LOVE to try new recipes and I LOVE that Pinterest has so many fun and interesting options for me to try. So here is my latest creation found on a pinterest post. It is Nutella Pots de Creme. Doesn't it just sound divine?! Here is how mine turned out:

You can find the blog it came from and the recipe HERE.

Hope you have a day filled with whatever it is you enjoy doing! Hugs, Cheryl

It's A Banner Day! Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-09-24T07:50:00.002-06:00

Hi all! I'm here with ANOTHER share for Pixie Dust (and I still have more to come this month) It is definitely a banner day when you can make NINE creations from one single kit! Such was the case with this Pixie Dust Paperie Tecolote kit. I was able to create FIVE layouts and FOUR cards with this FAB kit! I LOOOOOOOVE everything about it from the fun papers...to the lovely embellishments and lace and that oh so scrumptious twine!

Another reason it is a BANNER day is because I get to share a post with the GENIUS Lauren Bergold over at the Pixie Dust blog. You MUST go see her creation. It has a burlap background and is GORGEOUS! You are GOING to want to be inspired by it! You can find it HERE at the Pixie Dust blog or HERE on Lauren's blog.
So go get this Tecolote kit if you haven't already and start CREATING! Happy Saturday! Hugs, Cheryl

Blast From the Past UP

2011-09-22T07:17:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I'm here to share my blast from the past post with you. This was when my oldest grandson (now 4 1/2) was just over a year old. I just love the way little children tackle the tasks that are hard for them with enthusiasm. He was so DETERMINED to climb to the top. It didn't matter to him how high it was or that his little arms and legs were not as long as the steps...he was going to climb this play equipment. He just kept looking up. With a little help he got to the top and now he can do this on his own. There are so many lessons we can learn from little ones...isn't there? Sometimes it gets a little blurry to know just who is teaching who. So if you are tackling something hard today...just look UP, accept a little help when you need it and when you are able to do it on your own take it one step at a time! HUGS, Cheryl

Romantic Ruffles

2011-09-21T08:34:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I'm here with another Pixie Dust Paperie share. Don't these lovely papers included in the Sept. Tecolote kit just say "romance" to you! I just LOVE the musical notes with that bicycle! Add some ruffles and the crinkly ribbon (included in the kit):

Now just throw in a lovely decorative brad (also a part of this phenomenal kit):

You have the perfect recipe for a little romantic card for that someone special in your life. Hope you are sharing this day with someone special! Hugs, Cheryl

Called To Serve CCCB- Let's Face The Music

2011-09-20T07:00:00.001-06:00

Hi all! You know I am always excited to share a new City Crafter Challenge Blog challenge with you all! This week we have such a FABULOUS challenge brought to us by our lovely hostess, Ros..." Let's Face the Music". The challenge is to include something to do with Music ... sheet music, a charm, an image perhaps ... even musical notes will be acceptable ...
So have fun - join us this week and "Let's face the music ..." You will want to jump on over to City Crafter Challenge blog and be inspired by our Guest Designer,Jill Sarginson , and all the fabulous DT! Our prize is brought to us by the EVER SO FABULOUS, Pixie Dust Paperie...so you know it is worth playing for!
Now on a personal note I want to share with you why this layout is so important to me. It is a layout featuring my son's BEST BUDDY. He is going to be going to Sierra Leone Africa in a couple of weeks to serve as a missionary for our church. I am just soooooo proud of him. He has worked soooooo hard in order to be able to serve. He is leaving when most of his friends are about ready to come home, but this is so important to him that he is just so ready to serve. He gave his farewell talk in church yesterday and it just touched my heart so much. It was an answer to prayer, really. My son has been gone for a year and a half now. I am so grateful he is doing what he is doing and so proud of him for doing it, but I'm not going to lie...sometimes it is really hard on a mom to have your children be gone. For whatever reason I have been missing him to the extreme the last couple of weeks...to the point where my heart literally ached for him. A very real physical sensation. Well, when Payden (my son's best friend) gave his talk on Sunday he read a letter that my son had written to him. When Payden was reading this letter...it was no longer Payden's voice I heard, but my son's voice...expressing these thoughts to Payden. It was like having him right there with me for a moment and it was such a tender mercy from the Lord and soothed my heart. I would like to share the letter with you:
"Oh man i am so beyond proud and happy for you. Like every day you're in my prayers and also I just really want to share an experience with you that I had with you that I am going to remember for the rest of my life. granted we have had a lot of good times, but this experience has changed my life, as well as lives here in the spokane mission. In fact this experience is one of the reasons why I am on my mission. When we were 17 or maybe even 16 I cant quite remember; but there was a time that you got an answer from God that he was real and loved you, little did you know that I too got an answer to a prayer that I had offered two weeks previously. Two weeks before that time I had made the decision to find out for myself if the book of Mormon was true. In truth i had already offered this prayer during the day time next to the heater on the side of my house. I had a thought enter into my mind, that told me, Ty you already know its true, go forth and dont doubt it. I doubted, i thought it was my own thought, that it was not an answer to my prayer. That day I finished reading the whole book of Mormon( I didn't read it all in one day, I was already on Moroni 7), I then waited for everyone in my house to go to bed. It was about 1030 at night and I went out into the garage, and I had all the confidence in the world that this time God was going to answer me. I prayed with all my heart, and I waited, I prayed more, and I waited longer. I was then filled with unsurety, I was angry, I felt like I had not received an answer. 2 weeks later I was driving my best friend home, I noticed there was something wrong, he later went on to tell me, Ty i dont know if there is a god. I thought for a second fighting for the words to say. The spirit came over me, as I told you that I knew the church was true, and I wanted to make you a promise. I told you, Payden, I want you to go inside right now, get on your knees and ask God if He loves you, I said, payden sometimes God doesnt answer prayers right away, but I can promise you if you do this right now that he will answer you right away. You left my truck, and I drove home. The spirit came over me as I realized God had answered my own prayer, through a question of one of my best friends. I had learned that many times the answers to prayers do not come while we are on our knees waiting. I arrived home, without going back in my house, i got on my knees next to my truck, and I thanked God. I then poured out my soul, crying the whole time, that you would receive an answer. You did. You called me about 30 min to an hour later, crying on the other end and said, Ty, i received an answer, I began to cry again, and once again felt the spirit bear testimony that this was his true church, as i bore my testimony to you once again. There is very few times in my life where i have felt the spirit like I did then. And that's why I share it to you, because I think it is something special for both of us. And i have already shared it with investigators here, about my own conversion story. I love you payden, and I am so happy for you right now. Serve God with all your heart, might, mind and strength, and I will see you in three years, even stronger than the last time we talked."
I know Payden will be an AMAZING missionary and like I said before I am sooooo proud of him!!! I hope if you have a heart ache today that it will be softened.
Big HUGS, Cheryl

Blast From the Past *Dignified or Just a Digger?!

2011-09-18T07:00:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I'm here with my blast from the past post. I created this layout 3 years ago and the reason I want to share it with you is to introduce you all to our sweet dog Lucky. I don't think I have posted any photos or layouts of him here on my blog before. He is a real sweetie...so what do you think...is he Dignified or Just a Digger?! We love him either way! Hope you are enjoying your day with a furry friend or any friend at all. Hugs, Cheryl

Postively Pinterest Post Classic Combos

2011-09-17T06:49:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I'm positively in LOVE with Pinterest. If you have not heard of it...it is a site where you post your favorite things onto boards (think bulletin boards) and other people do as well. If you think another person shares your same interest you can follow them and find stuff on their boards that you would like to pin onto your boards. In an effort to NOT have this quote be true:

I am going to dedicate a post a week here to items I have created from things I have found on Pinterest. Today I have some classic combos to share. First up some classic Yummy, Yum, Yum combos...Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars and Butterfinger Blondies:

Seriously genius combining Chocolate chip cookies and cheesecake (oh myyyy) and Butterfingers and Blondies (scrumptious). Here are the original sites you can find the recipes on. Go HERE and HERE. (I am not a frosting person...so for the Butterfinger blondies I just used a glaze and some caramel sauce drizzled over the top instead of frosting).

Now for my second combination...Pumpkins and Topiary:

Hope you've enjoyed my adventure in creating new things this week. *If you are not currently on Pinterest and would like to be...let me know and I will invite you on board.

Sleep Baby Sleep Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-09-15T09:59:00.001-06:00

Here I am again to share another project made with the Pixie Dust Paperie Sept. Tecolote kit. I hope you all get comfortable because I have A LOT of projects to share with you from this kit (but you'll have to wait, 'cause I'm not sharing all of them today. I'm talking NINE projects all from the same kit! You really won't be able to tell they are from the same kit because of the variety of EVERYTHING that is in it...and yet somehow they ALL work together perfectly. I LOVE the soft, dreamy feel of papers that I used on this layout of my little granddaughter, Bailey:

Seriously is there anything sweeter than a sleeping newborn?!

These papers and embellishments just fit that mood perfectly. LOVE it! So sweet dreams to you all today! Hugs, Cheryl

I "Heart" You!! CCCB

2011-09-13T07:16:00.002-06:00

Hi all! I'm back as this week's hostess of CCCB and I "Heart" City Crafter Challenge Blog! I "Heart" all of YOU, too...we all do at CCCB! So won't you come celebrate the things YOU "heart" this week by joining our challenge. The challenge is just to incorporate a heart(s) on your project. We all can't wait to see what you create! I KNOW we are going to "heart" it! Another thing I "heart" is our wonderful sponsor, Fresh Brewed Designs! They are giving away to this week's winner the CUTEST unmounted rubber stamp. You are definitely want a chance at this prize! For some FABBY inspiration get on over to CCCB and ooooh and ahhhh over the AMAZING work by our Guest Designer, Angi Barrs, and ALL the DT members! Hope you have a day filled with EVERYTHING YOU "HEART"! Hugs, Cheryl

Double Happys!! Happy H"owl"oween (Pixie Dust) and Happy Birthday Amanda!!!

2011-09-12T06:00:00.002-06:00

Well all...when you have a kit with a name that means OWL like the Sept. Pixie Dust Paperie Tecolote kit does...then how could you not make a Halloween creation?! I just had to create this little H'owl'oween card using the cute little rub on that came with this month's kit.

And whoooooo spies some more use of packaging?...That cute little chair "paper"...take a close look at the packaging in the Tecolote kit and see if you can find which package I used for it.

Our Pixie Chief, Miss Kirsty has also created an ADORABLE Halloween card with this kit. You won't want to miss it. You can find it right HERE on the Pixie Dust blog.
Hope to see you all creating some H'owl'oween goodness with this kit too!

Now for another HAPPY CELEBRATION...Happy Birthday to my sweet daughter AMANDA!!! We are all so glad she is back in the states with us this year. She may not be at home, but at least she is in the same country and I can talk to her EVERY day and call her on her birthday!! Join with me in wishing Amanda a VERY HAPPY Birthday!!!
Hope you are finding this day a HAPPY one! Hugs, Cheryl

Blast From the Past My Goal

2011-09-10T09:08:00.000-06:00

Although I created this layout many years ago, the idea behind it has not changed. It features one of my favorite scriptures and the words in the scripture are a life goal of mine. Here is the scripture:

14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

15 Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?

16 I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?

19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances? Alma 5:14-16;19

It is my life goal to be born of God. To be able to imagine myself when I meet Him and stand before Him hearing Him say to me "Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the work of righteousness". To look up to Him with a pure heart and clean hands and having His image engraven on my countenance. I know I am not there yet, but it is something I strive for EVERY day. Some days I'm way more successful than others, but I'll never give it up. It is a goal sooooooo WORTH striving for. So I am ready to start this day with this goal in mind. I hope your day is very blessed! Hugs, Cheryl

Oh My Darlings and Use The Whole Package card Pixie Dust

2011-09-08T07:06:00.001-06:00

Hi all! I'm back to share some more Pixie Dust Paperie goodness! It is so FUN to be able to share ALL the different ways you can use this September Tecolote kit! You can go from rich and warm...to soft and romantic...and to OH MY DARLING! Would you just look at these papers:

The papers along with that fabby baker's twine create a DARLING banner! I think they are the perfect complement for my darling grandchildren. The wonderful tags and cute, cute, cute rubon adds just the right amount of detail:

I know if you create with this kit you'll be looking at your creation and saying...
ohhhhhh myyyyy DARLING, too!

Now I have a little tip for you all...have you ever thought to use the packaging that embellishments come in as part of your creations? Well, I'm here to tell you that you absolutely CAN and SHOULD use the packaging of the embellishments that come with the Pixie September Tecolote kit. Not only can you use the LOVELY Prima roses that come in the kit:

but take a close look at the packaging they come in (it is the beautiful "paper" with the roses here)...LOVELY...Cut it down to size and you've just given yourself more cardstock to work with!:

You'll have layer upon layer of the wonderful fabulousness that comes with this kit on your projects:

So look closely at all the goodies you have and use ALL of the lusciousness you can...including the packaging! Hope your day if PERFECT today! Hugs, Cheryl

Happy Anniversary Easy as 1-2-3 CCCB

2011-09-06T06:54:00.000-06:00

Yippee it's City Crafter Challenge Blog day! Linda is our hostess this week and does she ever have the recipe to success with her challenge this week..."It's As Easy As 1-2-3"! Here is the challenge: To use on your project....
1. Ribbon
2. Or More Words
3. Or More Butterflies
You can't go wrong with this simple recipe for success...Easy right?!! I can't wait to see what you all come up with! For a little inspiration go and check out the City Crafter Challenge Blog to see what our AMAZING Guest Designer, Lynnda Hosni, and all the FABULOUS DT came up with! You won't be disappointed! You won't be disappointed in the prize either...once again brought to us by the OH SO GENEROUS and FABULOUS Pixie Dust Paperie!! Hope this week comes together as Easy as 1-2-3 for you!! Hugs, Cheryl

Sweet Perfection Pixie Dust Paperie

2011-09-04T08:00:00.002-06:00

Hi all! I am just so thrilled to be a part of the Pixie Dust Paperie DT and sharing my first project with you!!! The September kit, Tecolote, was just a dream to work with. The first project I would like to share with you is "Sweet Perfection" a layout of my newest little granddaughter. Sweet Perfection describes not only my granddaughter, but this GORGEOUS kit as well. I just love the rich tones of the patterned paper:

and ohhhhh my does it come just packed with embellishment fabulousness...burlap and lace and Prima roses and decorative brads (not to mention that signature Pixie crinkled ribbon):

and don't you just adore these little mini alphas and the gorgeous overlay?:

Now I ask you...can't you just imagine yourself creating Sweet Perfection with this kit?!! I hope you all are having a sweetly perfect day! Hugs, Cheryl

Blast From the Past "One Fine Day" + Exciting News!!!

2011-09-01T07:27:00.000-06:00

Hi all!! I'm here to share my blast from the past post AND some EXCITING news for me and for YOU!! I'll start with the news 'cause I just can't hold on to it any longer...I've been asked to be on the Design Team for Pixie Dust Paperie!!!! Woohoo! Their kits are so GORGEOUS and VERSATILE and I'm thrilled to work with all the other AMAZING DT!! That was my exciting news...now here is YOUR exciting news...Pixie Dust Paperie is having a GIVEAWAY and you can find the details right HERE! And that is not all...they are having an early bird special on the Sept. Tecolote kit...found HERE...15% off from 9/2-9/4. Now isn't that EXCITING NEWS?!! Now for my blast from the past. This records another fine day. I had to laugh at my childrens reaction when they saw I had scrapped this photo. They couldn't believe I scrapped it because in their words, "they look horrible". I couldn't disagree more. I think they look perfect. They look hot, and sweaty and tired like you can only if you've spent a long adventurous summer day in the Texas heat. We had such a fun time that day and the memory is priceless...so is the picture. How could I not scrap this picture? This has become one of my favorite layouts that I have created because it takes me right back to that time and place and it truly was One Fine Day! I hope you are having a fine day today! Hugs, Cheryl

All Dressed Up-Stylee KyleeCCCB

2011-08-30T06:55:00.000-06:00

Hi all!! Tuesdays always have me smiling because it is time to share another challenge from City Crafter Challenge Blog! I'm soooooo lovin' the challenge brought to us this week by our sweet founder Miss Kirsty! The theme is "All Dressed Up" and the challenge is that we want to see a dress or dress form on your project. So girly and fun!! LOVE it! It was perfect way to showcase my cutie little granddaughter, our very own "Stylee Kylee", shown in this layout sporting her shades. I can't wait to see what you all come up with! Do you need a little inspiration? Just get yourself over to City Crafter Challenge Blog and get all the inspiration you need from our Guest Designer, Inger Harding, and all our DT members. FAB stuff! So go get ALL DRESSED UP and play along with us this week *our prize package comes from the superity duperity generous Pixie Dust Paperie! Hugs, Cheryl

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful Life

2011-08-27T08:38:00.000-06:00

Ahhhhh it is a Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful Life isn't it?!! Even though school has already started here, I wasn't quite able to let go of summer yet and so I created this summer layout. There really isn't anything quite as fun as summertime! (Unless it is all the holidays coming up, right?!) haha! Always something to look forward to and wonderful memories to look back on...it bears repeating it really is a Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful Life! I hope you are having a Beautiful Day! Hugs, Cheryl

Blast From the Past Faded Memories

2011-08-25T07:23:00.000-06:00

Hi all! Three years ago I started to do layouts of my childhood school memories and 1st grade was as far as I got. Looking back at these old layouts has inspired me to get going on this project again. I really need to write these memories down while I have a memory...haha! Oh the difference a year can make...there is definitely some different memories of 1st grade than there were of Kindergarten. It all is what makes us who we are, though. It is ALL GOOD! Here is the journaling:
Not a lot of memories here and even less pictures. In fact, no pictures. I chose to use a picture of the beach because it was such a part of my growing up. It also symbolizes the turbulence of my life at this period, but also symbolizes that just as the tide ebbs and flows so does life. Ultimately calm and steadiness prevail over turbulence. Memory is a funny thing…the things we can remember…the things we can’t. Sometimes it is a kindness that we can’t remember. This year was a little crazy. My mom was gone more than she was home and that is not necessarily a bad thing. The times she was there were not pleasant. The unsteadiness resulted in the divorce of my parents. My dad chose to date a lot of women that were just as unsteady and it was scary for me. School and other activities gave me stability and support. So there are a few memories I am grateful for. I remember the dress I wore in my school picture. The school picture is missing, but the memory of the dress isn’t. It was navy blue and had polka dots of bright colors all over it. Red…blue…yellow…green…
orange polka dots. Big polka dots. I loooooved it. I remember being a Bluebird. This was part of the Camp Fire Girl organization. I remember thinking our little blue uniforms were a lot cuter than the Brownie uniforms. I remember having to sell the Camp Fire Girl candy. I loved the candy but HATED the selling. I remember going on an overnighter. I was scared. I liked being around the campfire, but it felt intimidating to be around all the older Camp Fire Girls. I thought they were laughing at me. I remember being embarrassed that I sucked my thumb when I slept. I tried to hide the secret, but knew that someone would see. I remember I liked a boy named Drew. All the girls liked him. We all thought he was a nice boy. We all thought most of the other boys weren’t. These are my first grade memories.

Best of Friends CCCB

2011-08-23T07:07:00.000-06:00

Woohooo...today is a new challenge for City Crafter Challenge Blog! Ros is our hostess today and she has a FANTABULOUS challenge! The theme she has chosen this week is "Best of Friends" (LOVE it!). Did you know National friendship week starts the first Sunday in August ...
Women's friendship week is the third Sunday in August
International friendship month is February ... and
Old friends New friends week is the third week in May
... And friends are the family we choose ourselves ... right? So let celebrate our friendships ...
This week your Challenge is to create a card or project which includes the word Friend, Friends or Friendship
I hope you'll join us ... We're looking forward to seeing your creations! Our sweet friends over at Pixie Dust Paperie are generously sponsoring the challenge this week! If you need a little inspiration take a peek at the lovely creations at City Crafter Challenge Blog created by our Guest Designer and friend, Linda Breedlove, and all the DT. I want to THANK ALL OF YOU for being my friends! You know if friends were flowers I would pick YOU ALL! What a wonderful bouquet of friendship I have here in blogland! Hope you are enjoying this day with a friend!
Hugs, Cheryl

Blast From the Past A Happy Time

2011-08-18T08:12:00.000-06:00

Hi all! It is time for a little blast from the past today. I thought with school starting this week here that I would feature a layout I did about my own school day memories. I created this layout almost three years ago and it is all about my kindergarten memories. I was really surprised when I started writing about how much I really did remember about way back when. This is the journaling:
"I remember kindergarten.
I loved snack time. I brought a little snack from home in a brown paper lunch bag. Some children had lunch boxes, but I always had my little brown bag. I loved getting the little cartons of milk. Just my size…just for me. I liked the idea of bringing a nickel each day to buy that milk. I felt important buying that little carton of milk. I remember story time on the big green carpet. I loved when the stories were read from the big books that seemed almost as big as I was. I remember recess and riding the tricycles around the white circles painted on the black asphalt. I remember we also participated in planting a garden. I thought that was so cool. I remember waiting for the crossing guard to cross the street in front of the school. I walked home from school, which looking back on it, is really amazing to me. It was quite a way for a five year old to be walking. It never seemed to bother me back then. There was one very busy street we had to cross that I would never thinking of letting a five year old cross, but I did and so did a lot of others and we never gave it a second thought. I remember walking home from school one day and turning the corner of my street and seeing the “pony man” at the top of our hill. I WANTED more than anything to have my picture taken on that pony. I remember racing to my house, flying in the door and excitedly telling my dad that the “pony man” was up the street and we needed to HURRY before he was on to the next street. I remember grabbing his hand and practically dragging him out the door. My heart still fills with thrill of the memory of actually getting to sit on that pony and have my picture taken. I remember walking up the slope of our driveway, through the back gate, up the hill in our backyard and under the avocado tree. What happy memories."
I hope you are enjoying and perhaps making some happy memories today! Hugs, Cheryl

Scrap Happy! CCCB - Fifty is FAB!

2011-08-16T07:22:00.000-06:00

Hi all! So FUN to come to you today as this week's hostess at City Crafter Challenge Blog! The theme is "Scrap Happy" and the challenge is to use ONLY scraps on your project...nothing new. This is a chance to use up all those scraps of paper and unused sheets of stickers/and or embellishments. Go check out what our Guest Designer, Tante Kathe, and our DT did with their scraps at City Crafter Challenge Blog. I have SOOOOO MANY and needed an excuse to use at least some of them. I joined the "Fifty's Club" on my last birthday and have been wanting to do a layout about that ever since. I really do think Fifty is FAB! I'm ENJOYING EVERY aspect of my life right now (well, maybe not the occasional creaks in the body) but for the most part LIFE IS SO GOOD! Here is a quote from a woman I admire very much. It was what she had to say about being fifty..."Fifty was my favorite age. It takes about that long to learn to quit competing---to be yourself and settle down to living. It is the age I would like to be through all eternity!" Marjorie Pay Hinckley Sounds pretty FAB doesn't it?! Whatever your age, I hope you get Scrap Happy and dig out those FABBY scraps of yours and join us in this week's challenge! I'm sponsoring this week and for our winner there is a LOVELY package of ALL NEW GOODIES!!! Now one more quote from Marjorie Hinckley before I go: "Who knows but that something WONDERFUL may happen today. Have faith that it will. After all, every morning is a chance at a new day." Have a WONDERFUL day all! Hugs, Cheryl

First Day of School!!!!

2011-08-15T11:52:00.000-06:00

I can hardly believe I am posting this...where did summer go?!!! Today was our first day of school. I don't think any of us were really happy about it, but it is what it is and we'll make the best of it. Even though the end of summer came too quickly, I know Miss Alena will have a FABBY year of FUN with all her friends. She sure is starting off the school year looking FABBY anyway! Wishing all that have started a Happy School Year and those that still have more time...ENJOY your summer! Hope you are ENJOYING whatever you are doing this day.

Blast From The Past Happy Anniversary

2011-08-11T08:30:00.000-06:00

Hi all! I'm here today with my blast from the past. Since it is my hubby and I's 29th wedding anniversary on Sunday I thought I would share a layout I made several years ago from our wedding day. It is one of my fave photos of that day. I just LOVE the expressions on our faces. I updated this one a little bit yesterday by backing it on some new papers I got. The journaling is one of my FAVORITE songs EVER and it describes the way I feel about my hubby...When You Say Nothing At All (I love the Alison Krauss/Union Station version the best if you want to go listen to it on You Tube). It describes perfectly the way I feel when I'm with my hubby. When I listen to this song it speaks straight to my soul. Here are the lyrics:
It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart. Without saying a word you can light up the dark. Try as I may I could never explain, what I hear when you don't say a thing. The smile on your face lets me know that you need me. There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me. The touch of your hand says you'll catch me whenever I fall. You say it best when you say nothing at all. All day long I can hear people talking out loud, but when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd. Try as they may, they can never define what's being said between your heart and mine. The smile on your face lets me know that you need me. There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me. The touch of your hand says you'll catch me whenever I fall. You say it best when you say nothing at all...nothing at all...nothing at all.
Hope you are sharing today with someone you love! Hugs, Cheryl

Thumb Bunny Loves U! CCCB

2011-08-09T07:16:00.000-06:00

Hooray for Tuesdays! It is CCCB day! You are going to LOVE this week's fun challenge brought to us by Linda...Do Ya Doodle! Your challenge is to use doodles on your project. I had fun doodling mr. thumb bunny and the hearts on my card. Wait 'til you see the fun creations from our Guest Designer, Juls, and the DT over at City Crafter Challenge Blog. Really you can go anywhere with this challenge that your imagination takes you and I can not wait to see the direction you all take with it! It's gonna be so FUN! So get your doodle on and play along for a chance to win a gift certificate from our generous sponsor, Pixie Dust Paperie! Hugs, Cheryl

My Cup of Tea

2011-08-06T09:56:00.000-06:00

I was going through scrap withdrawls from not having scrapped photos of my newest sweet granddaughter Bailey for awhile and so I put this simple one together this morning. Now we're off to go school shopping for my youngest. I can't believe school is already upon us! Where did summer go?! I hope you are enjoying this summer day wherever you are! Hugs, Cheryl

Blast From The Past

2011-08-04T08:36:00.001-06:00

Now that I've joined the 50s Club, I'm getting nostalgic in my old age. I have been looking at my old layouts as of late and I decided I would like to share some with you that I created before I started blogging. So I hope you'll indulge me in my nostalgia as I make a weekly "blast from the past" post. This layout is of my two oldest daughters when they were about the ages of their own two oldest children.
Here is a photo of their two oldest together...can you tell who belongs to who:

I can't believe these precious babies of mine each have two of their own now. Hope you are having and making fond memories today! Hugs, Cheryl

Home Sweet Home CCCB

2011-08-02T07:54:00.000-06:00

Hi all! You know how I am always excited for Tuesdays because it is time for a City Crafter Challenge Blog challenge...and today is Tuesday! Kirsty, as our hostess, has come up with the fab theme of "Home Sweet Home". Super simple all...we want to see "HOUSE" on your project, it could be an image of house(s), or an altered item such as birdhouse, house template etc. I know you all are going to hit a "home" run with this one and can't wait to see what you come up with! Get on over to City Crafter Challenge Blog for a little inspiration and see what our Guest Designer, Sandi, along with our DT Members have created. You won't be disappointed! So come make your "home" with us at CCCB this week...another generous prize offering by Pixie Dust Paperie is the prize for this week's winner! Hugs, Cheryl

Fun with the Grandbabies!!

2011-07-31T09:32:00.000-06:00

Hi all! Just got back into town from visiting with my daughter and her family. It was soooo much fun!!! I just can't be with those grandbabies enough! Thought I would share a little photo collage with you:

Hope you all have had a FABULOUS week, too! Hugs, Cheryl

More To The Story

2011-07-28T08:53:00.000-06:00

I was going through my old scrapbook pages the other day and I came across this one that I did three years ago for a challenge to do "raw" journaling. I felt compelled to share it here. I hope the journaling might be a help to someone so even though it was a difficult layout for me to do and actually a little difficult to share I still have the feeling that I should...so here is the journaling:
There are generally reasons for the way people act. Everyone has a story. Everyone has a background. If we will just come to accept and love people in spite of the outer layer they show, we will have peace ourselves. My story, my background doesn't start simply with me...there are other stories, other backgrounds that put mine in motion. I was raised by my stepmom. So many negative images with that word that I hate to use it. In my heart she was my mom. My birth mother was not a part of my life after my dad and her were divorced. Drugs and alcohol were her priority. I remember scenes, from my early childhood I would rather forget. It might be easy to be bitter, but I am not. I understand that some choices she made at a very young age, when reasoning is not clear, affected her decision making process later on. She had a tough life. I am sorry she did not experience the joys of motherhood she could have. As I mentioned earlier, in my heart my stepmom was just my mom. That doesn't mean thing were always pleasant for us. There is a story there, too. There were often times I didn't feel a whole lot of love from her. There were ugly moments of fighting and conflict and not just your ordinary mother/daughter stuff. Before her and my dad married, her youngest son committed suicide. That leaves huge scars. She loved me. She did. She saw in me the same kind of personality that was in her son. This scared her. She couldn't stand the loss of another child. She felt she needed to make me tough to withstand the emotional rigors of a sometimes cruel world. I didn't know it at the time, but she later explained that she would do things that would cause me pain on purpose in order to get me to fight back. She would provoke the anger in me so I would learn how to confront life and not give up. It was not the way I would ever raise a child, but I understand. I understand her story. I understand the background. I understand now that she loved me. Everyone has a story. Everyone has a background.
HUGS, Cheryl

Vintage Garden- Sweet Dreams CCCB

2011-07-26T07:07:00.000-06:00

Hi all!! Woohoo it's Tuesday and time to share a CCCB project! I truly loved our challenge this week brought to us by the lovely Ros! I'm hoping you will enjoy her Photo Inspiration Challenge this week.

This gorgeous bed set is from the Vintage collection but YOUR creation doesn't have to be vintage ... it's a matter of how these photos "speak" to you
You can make a card, tag, ATC or any sort of project. I created this "Sweet Dreams" card with the inspiration. I can't wait to see your gorgeous creations! Speaking of GORGEOUS get yourself over to City Crafter Challenge Blog and check out the inspiration from our FABULOUS Guest Artist, Charlene, and all the members of our DT! The winner of this week's challenge will be a Guest Designer for City Crafter Challenge Blog! So hope you are having some sweet dreams of your own today and join us in our vintage garden! Hugs, Cheryl

Celebrating Son-In-Laws!!

2011-07-24T07:20:00.000-06:00

Today I pay tribute to my two AMAZING son-in-laws! I can't think of anything quite as scary for parents than the thought of entrusting someone to COMPLETELY LOVE, CHERISH, CARE FOR, and DEVOTE themselves to your beloved daughters like you do.
This is exactly what parents do when their daughters get married. I have to say that I have been so BLESSED to have son-in-laws that are PERFECT for my daughters. They are men that I know will do ANYTHING for their families. They are men of faith and character and honor. What a HUGE blessing they are in my life! It happens that today is a day to celebrate both of them!! It is my oldest daughter's anniversary and she has been married to the FABULOUS Bobby for 7 years today!! Happy Anniversary Angela and Bobby! We celebrate the day that Bobby came into our family! Today is also our son-in-law, Skyler's birthday! He is 26 today! Happy Birthday Skyler!!! We celebrate the day Skyler came into the world! So join with me in the celebration of FAMILY!! Hugs, Cheryl

My LOVE For YOU Can Not Be Measured Happy B-day Angela!!

2011-07-21T10:20:00.000-06:00

Hi All!! Today is a very significant day for me. Today I celebrate the birth of my very first sweet precious baby...28 years ago today my sweet Angela blessed my life! My LOVE for HER truly can't even begin to be measured. She is the epitome of the word GOOD! Always has been. I NEVER EVER worried about her not growing up to be an AMAZING person! She has spent her life trying so hard (and succeeding I might add) to be LOVING, and GIVING, and GENUINELY a GOOD person! You could not ask for a more PERFECT first born child. She has always been an example to her siblings of goodness! My heart is full of LOVE for her today and ALWAYS!! I am BEYOND PROUD of her and to be called her mom! I LOVE YOU ANGELA with all my HEART and MORE!! Happy Birthday Baby Girl!! Please join with me and wish Angela the very HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS! Hugs, Cheryl