Thursday, November 8, 2012

There's Something About Fall...

There is something about fall that always makes me nostalgic...as if I am looking back over the years and remembering all the great parts and people of my life before the cold of winter and the fresh start of the coming spring. It makes me homesick, too...I think of my parents and my siblings. Of the people that have come and gone in my life, and in this world. I think of many wonderful memories and smells, and just all of the things I am grateful for as they have made me who I am. And, I do my very best to express that gratitude and love by sending messages to those I hold near and dear to my heart. Here is a card I made for my parents and sent off today...with a special recipe my Mom has been looking forward to. :)
Speaking of Mom and recipes, it reminds me that I am homesick for the kind of homestyle cooking my parents make! I love eating at their house when we go home! Swiss steaks, mashed potatoes, carrots, Mom's homemade gravy. Yum! And don't even get me started on Dad's hamburgers or stuffing....Christmas and Thanksgiving meals are always the best!!
But, then, it is also the time of year when everything looks and tastes so good, but EVERYTHING seems to have dairy in it. Sometimes I am convinced when I look at a cheesecake or a piece of pie with icecream (or fruit salad with whipped cream, or cake, or macaroni and cheese-the list goes on and on) that god hates me. I do not know why I am forced to have such a love-hate relationship with cows! They are so tasty, and yet I am allergic to the milk they produce. So sad. But, I have found some good alternative recipes. If you have any I would love to hear about it! (Especially the yummy ones!)

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Butterflies...

What is it about butterflies that I am absolutely enamored with? I must confess that I love them! I love the shape of their wings, the fun little antennas, and everything that they represent...freedom, strenght, beauty. It reminds me of a song by Martina McBride where she sings, "God bless the butterly. Give her the strength to fly. Never let her wings touch the ground..." Just a short thought today (with a tag I made years ago with my Grandmother's passing, which I hold close to my heart)...but I will have more butterflies for you later this week! :)

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Giveaway By Bellaidea

Today I am posting a special giveaway from Bellaideascrapology. She is a wonderful artist and I am very inspired by her layouts. They are colorful, layered, and complex, with beautiful photos and journaling, yet do not leave my eyes feeling overwhelmed. I am simply stunned everytime I see a new page she has made. Thank you for your inspiration, Bella! And, for those of you who would like to see more, or to sign up for her giveaway, you will find a link to her page on my side bar under "Inspiration." Or, you can also go to her giveaway link at http://bellaideascrapology.blogspot.com/2012/11/giveaway-by-bellaidea.html#links Hope you are having a great Sunday and enjoyed an extra hour of sleep...or crafting! :)

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Scrapbuck.com order update! :)

So, as you know, I have anxiously been awaiting my second package from scrapbuck.com. And...drumroll, please, here it is!!
I must say that I was just as impressed with this shipment as the last! It was packed well and on time, just like the previous. And, well, it was free shipping (again) for any order over $20. I LOVE it! I am so excited to get working on some layouts to share with you now! :) Hope your weekend is going well and that you are finding some great deals, too. Where do you like to shop? Please do share!! :)

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Another Favorite Storage Item: Cropper Hopper Paper Files

Good morning! I am writing my second confession of the week in honor of my craft room reorganization this past weekend! I have been a longtime user of the Cropper Hopper Paper Files, but wanted to share this product with you. It is fantastic!
I have all of my papers sorted and organized by color-patterned and solid-plus categories, such as boders, vellum, tags, nature, stickers, and so forth. It is the best. All of my paper files live in a Home Depot box that I modified to fit the files. Now I can "shop" for whatever papers or products I need with ease. What is your system? I would love to hear about it!