You Are Worth the Time

A beautiful video to start your day. Grab a cup of coffee... sit back and relax. Happy Monday everyone!

FLOWERS FLOWERS FLOWERS!!!!

I LOVE flowers. I especially like them on scrapbook pages! Prima has gorgeous flowers right now but they can get really pricey! Want a really economical and fun way to make your own flowers? Check this out:

This is a "frayed fabric flower". You can see the tutorial here: http://maizehutton.blogspot.com/2007/08/frayed-flower.html




The rounded petal fabric flower:
http://kindawonderful.typepad.com/pink_paper_peppermints/2008/06/rounded-petal-fabric-flowers-31-crafty-flowers-in-31-days--day-23.html




More fabric flowers: http://sewritzytitzy.blogspot.com/2008/11/from-annas-gardenfabric-flower-tutorial.html




Yo-yo flowers: http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/spatt08.htm




Ribbon roses: http://www.save-on-crafts.com/howtomakribr.html




Folded petal flower: http://scrapthatchat.blogspot.com/2010/05/easy-folded-flower-tutorial-by-our.html




All of these came from my buddy Bea's wonderful WONDERFUL blog AMAZING GRACE. If you love scrapbooking and if you want to see some AMAZING God-given talent visit Bea's blog regularly. You will not only learn, you will be AMAZED!D She is the most gifted scrapbooker I have ever known.

ONE OF THOSE DAYS

I really thought I had reached a point where I was pretty much immune to stupidity but today was one of those days when I realize that just when I thought people could not possibly be so stupid they prove me wrong yet again.

Now mind you, I don't usually deal with people at their best. They are either facing criminal charges or in the middle of a divorce so - granted - they are not always their most rational. But still.... believe me when I tell you that people just never cease to amaze me.

This was today's journal page. I think I am taking the day off tomorrow ... I totally need a break! Ya think?

BLISSFULLY ART JOURNALING: DAILY PROMPT

I don't always have the time to do daily prompts - actually I very rarely do. But I did do today's prompt:

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR MOST POWERFUL MEMORIES?

A POST TO MY PERSONAL JOURNAL

I have spent the past several months working on my collaborative journals and trying to keep up. I've also spent a lot of time practicing drawing which is my new and current love. Today has been one of those days that I felt like Alice in Wonderland and did this page for my personal journal!!! I wasn't very careful about the lettering - not in the mood to do it "pretty" - just to DO it! I love the Traci Bautista divas - just not very good at doing them!

TRIED A DIFFERENT STYLE FACE

Yes, I am still practicing faces!! This one is the biggest one I've attempted. She is 11x16 so she did not scan completely but I'm quite pleased with her!

BLISS JOURNAL MONTH 2

As I've already told you guys, my friend Tracy and I are exchanging journals. Each month we choose a topic and we have to work in our journals with that topic. One month we work in our own journals and the other months' in each other's journals.

Last time (it has actually been two months now because of the Retreat and the baby and all the other delays) I got to choose the topic and it was "If you could change one major thing in your life - what would it be?

This is my interpretation of this topic (obviously influenced by Pam Carriker's class). The journal is on it's way to you Trac!

AMAZING BOOK: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS

If you haven't read this book already (I just found out about it last week but apparently it's been around a while) you need to go buy/download it. It is a wonderful book. It is told by a 90 (or 93) year old man who is remembering his life working in a circus. It didn't sound like something I would enjoy but really did enjoy it immensely and recommend it highly. I think you will love it! Let me know!

JOURNAL 365 with Pam Carriker

I know I have told you all how much I love Pam Carriker. She is just amazing. This was the result of Lesson 2 of her Journal 365 class which runs for 12 months. It's done only with pencil and Conte crayons. How cool is this?




(Nose came out a little funky!!! LOL!!) Practice Elena!!!

A NEW BABY TO LOVE!

I can't figure out how you can love someone so very much who you've only "known" for 3 days! Madelynn looks exactly like Kaitlynn did when she was born. She is bigger than Kaitlynn was but looks just like her. She is so sweet. I am so in love with her already it is ridiculous!

Thank you for all your emails and your thoughts! Here are some pictures of Ms. Madelynn Elizabeth!







Kaitlynn loves her baby sister!! Wait until she figures out she can really boss her around!!! LOL!

WELCOME BABY MADELYNN!!

Madelynn Elizabeth was born at 1:59 pm today. Weighed in at 7 lbs 4 ounces, and was 20 inches long. Her resemblance to her older sister Kaitlynn is astounding!!! Did I say I had my camera ready???? NOT!!! Can you believe it had no batteries! AND on top of THAT I did not bring the charger from Key Largo! A trip to Best Buy will resolve that little issue tomorrow.

But well, the important thing is the baby is fine and so is Kristina. The labor was actually quite simple and quick, thank God. Madelynn is perfect! She is so beautiful! Well, at least in my eyes!! I will post some pictures of her tomorrow.

I will also post a picture of Kaitlynn when she was 2 days old so that you can see the resemblance. God is good and He took care of my babies today. Can't think of a more wonderful Mother's Day than this new baby to love.

My father SO wanted to meet Madelynn. He wanted to be here for her birth but I feel in every cell in my body that he was there with us. That he smiled on this new baby who has his eyes. This new baby that he would have so loved to meet. It was hard not to feel a little melancholy today but I refuse to take away any of the joy and pride in this new gift from God and am just grateful that God was there with us at her easy and perfect birth.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Right now I am going to get some much needed sleep. I was called by Kristina at midnight last night that the hospital had called and told her to check in within the hour. It took me an hour to get to the hospital and I have still to get some sleep so.... good night and sweet dreams my friends.

at the hospital

Since 1 am. The doctor just ruptured her water. It should not be too much longer. Epidural on the way. I know this is natural but its hard to watch your child in pain.

My camera is ready!

BABY UPDATE!

As everyone knows my daughter, Kristina, is expecting her second baby. She will be hospitalized tomorrow and her labor will be induced. We are expecting baby Madelynn to make an appearance on Wednesday, 5 de mayo!!! Woo HOO!! I am so excited to meet her! Kaitlynn is also excited about meeting her new baby sister! I didn't believe I could love any child as much as I love Kaitlynn but I already love this baby and haven't even met her yet!!

I'll post pictures when she arrives!!! Wish us luck!