My Favorite Book of All Time

I kind of love this stamp club project from a couple of months ago. It is a bookmark for my favorite book. The Bible I use most of the time is fairly new. I think I got it around 1985.


The translation is the New International Version and I remember having a hard time moving from the King James. I felt like I was betraying someone or something. I also have reference Bibles, Bible commentaries, Bible dictionairies - not to mention notes from a bunch of Bible Studies throughout the years. I'll bet I am not the only person with bookshelves filled with resources to facilitate Christian growth.

And even though I learned the books of The Bible during "Sword Drills" at the little Baptist Church I grew up in, I get a little rattled when I need to turn to Lamentations or some other little known Old Testament book....thus the Bible bookmark. So the bookmark will be added to Post-It Notes, little torn pieces of paper to hold my place, and other bookmarks in my sword. Here's a chapter in Ephesians that shows my notes, dates of sermons, highlighted passages, etc.

It's my favorite book. It's the ultimate history book. It's His story.

Blessings to you,

Diane

A New Header and Too Many Things to Talk About

Can you believe how long it has been since I last posted?  Before Christmas.  I really don't have a good reason other than.....I've been soooooo busy.  Now I know we are all busy with home, work, kids, church, stamping, scrapping and all that stuff...it's just that I don't seem to be able to get it all done so something suffers.  Unfortunately one of those things is my blog.  I sure hope I can do better.

So much has been going on and I want to share it all with you.  So, in no particular order, I will be sharing what is and has been going on in Isabella's grandmother's life these past few months.

Today I am on the fourth day of a very bad head cold.  I feel lousy.  We were looking forward to going to Franklin to see the little Princess Friday, but alas, could not risk exposing her to this crud.  Here's a couple of recent photos of the little darlin' in case you have been missing her sweet face.

Her First Scrambled Eggs

Going to Mimi and Poppy's House

I don't really feel like stamping, so I must feel bad.  I really want to sleep all day, but can't breathe when I lay down, so I thought....Hey, girl, why don't you make a new blog header?  So, I did!  The entire header was designed in My Digital Studio using exclusive Stampin' Up! images.  And it was so easy.  I love the new Subway art trend and found some awesome words to use.  You can take a 30 day look at MDS....just to my Stampin' Up! site and download the Express version for free.  It's not just for scrapbooking anymore!

Here's a card I made a couple of months ago for a dear friend's son and his new bride.  I loved how it turned out.  Lots of silver paper, embossing and glitter paper.  Plus the terrific Flower Fest stamp set.  I don't know why I don't use it every day!  So sorry my photos are so crummy.  I am working on making a photo box and getting the proper lighting.  Hopefully soon.

So many exciting things happening at Stampin' Up!  I will be back tomorrow with all the deets.

'Til next time...

Born to Not Shop–Absolutely

 

Have I mentioned how much I hate to shop? If I already have, please bear with me.  I hate it.  I mean really, really hate it.  Except when I am shopping for sweet Isabella- but that really doesn't count.  Or when I am on vacation shopping at cute boutiques and overpriced souvenir shops. That doesn't count either.

I mean when you have to get food to eat, or Christmas lights the day before the big party you are hosting. Or something cute to wear to the big Christmas party you are hosting. Or gifts. I am a cheerful giver. Love to give the gifts. Hate to shop for the gifts.

There are few absolutes in this world. It will rain right after you wash the car or dog. And you will forget your umbrella. And it is dress up night at the symphony. Not talking about those absolutes. I am talking about shopping absolutes.

I absolutely will not find a close parking place. The cart return will be miles away.

It absolutely will be raining when I get there, or when I leave the store headed for my car parked in another city.  I absolutely will leave my umbrella in the car.  Or at the last store.

Whatever I am shopping for will absolutely not be at the first store I go to.

When I do find it, it will absolutely be the wrong size and/or color.  And color is very important.  Only one shade of blue, that you almost never can find, looks half-decent on me.  No other color. None. Nada. That is why I almost always wear black. Doesn't look good on me, but is safe.

I absolutely will look ridiculous in any of the trendy styles. Even safe ones, like those cute long, skinny scarves of a couple of years ago.  Made me look 18 inches tall. Like a little pygmy.

I absolutely will lose my list about half-way through the Christmas shopping trip.  So, I will absolutely buy the same gift twice.  It will go into the return pile.  I absolutely will miss the return date.  And it will be re-gifted.  Hopefully not to the person I gave it to originally…blah, blah, blah.  Never done that before.  Well, I think I have, but the recipient was much to nice to mention it.  I have a kind and thoughtful family – most of the time!  The good news is that if I get this re-gifted gift back this year my memory is so bad I will not remember giving it last year.  So there.  Problem is not a problem anymore.

Guess I had better get off this computer.  The Christmas party has not changed dates, it is still tomorrow night and I have much yet to do.  Including taking back the cute little Christmas trees I bought at Wal-Mart last night to go on either side of our front door.  Lighted and everything.  Even in their own cute pots.  And, I got the last ones available- the ones on display, so I knew the lights worked.  Remember when I said cute “little” Christmas trees?  Well, they look TINY on my front porch.  Pitiful.  And, do you know how much traffic there will be at Wal-Mart today?  Humm, maybe they would look nice in the back yard….

Until next time…enjoy a first birthday photo of the Princess taken by W. June Photography.  Real cuteness, right?

 

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The Twelve Days of Thanksgiving

Are you a subscriber to Pinterest?  If not, let me tell you about it.  Pinterest is a free website that is like a virtual bulletin board or virtual bookmark tool.  I have hundreds of bookmarks on my computer, which are kind of useless because of the volume.  Well, Pinterest let’s you develop categories and you can add a photo that automatically links back to the original site, of items you want to keep handy.  You can also search on Pinterest for absolutely anything and “repin” the item to your boards.   I know I sound like an advertisement for Pinterest, but I just want to share with you this terrific site.  Click on the Big P below and it will take you to my page:

 

Which brings me to today’s project.  I found this on Pinterest and decided to make a few adjustments and create a little Thankfulness Jar for a my sisters, mom and aunt.  Each jar has  little slips of paper for each family member to write what you are thankful for each day.  Then, on Thanksgiving, empty the jar and share your “thankfulness” with the entire family.

I added Stampin’ Up! Spice Cake Fabric, some tomato twine and cut out some leaves from the Gently Falling stamp set.  About 10 minutes each jar and it can be used every year.  I just kinda love it!

We are getting ready for Thanksgiving next week and Isabella’s first birthday party.  She was here this weekend and is walking everywhere.  She looks like a little monster holding her arms straight out for balance.  I have a lot to do to get ready for the party and Thanksgiving Dinner for about 35 and I am a little under the weather, so it will be a few days before I can get back to it.   In the meantime, I can get a lot done on the computer printing cupcake toppers, banner, treat toppers, etc.  Here’s the invite that we sent that was created for us by 3PeasPrints, a terrific shop on Etsy.  I really wanted to make it myself on Stampin’ Up!’s My Digital Studio software, but I am just not quite there yet with my expertise.  Maybe next year.

We are so thankful for this little miracle baby that it is only fitting that her first birthday theme is one of thanks.

I hope your holiday plans are moving along nicely.

Blessings to you,

Diane

Little Lamb

The little sweetie and her parents had planned to visit here this past weekend, but plans were changed because she began running a very high fever….and needed her Mimi and Poppy.  So we abandoned all plans for the weekend and made our way to Franklin to help out.  We took her to the doctor on Friday who said she didn’t see anything major- perhaps a cold was coming on and to continue with the baby fever reducer and call if…..you know the drill.  And sure enough, her fever went away and all was well, except that she had her days and nights mixed up….so that is where Mimi and Poppy stepped up.  Fortunately, she didn’t know she was sick (except for a lack of appetite) and played hard with us.

She’s walking a little bit and probably will be running all over the place on her first birthday in three weeks.

Poppy took her for a couple of stroller trips in the beautiful fall weather of Middle Tennessee and she loved it.  Here she is all bundled up….our little lamb.

Blessings to you,

Diane

Stampin’ Up! Louisville Regional–How Fun is That?!!!

My sweet friend and my upline Lisa and I attended the Stampin’ Up! full day Regional Event in Louisville, Kentucky the last weekend in October and it was wonderful!  Our trip was so fun and we saw some amazing color on the trip.  God is truly in the details.

The demo demonstrations were awesome and I truly appreciate the time that my fellow demonstrators gave to teach us new tips and techniques.  And the home office gals- well what can I say.  Terrific as usual. 

One of the traditions at all Stampin’ Up! events is the “Swap.”  Many of the attendees make a number of “swap” cards or other items and swap with other attendees…well, you get the picture.  And here is a photo of the two tags I made for the swap.

I made about 75 of the first tag as my general swap and then around 10 of the more detailed tag.  Both tags use Creative Elements and Established Elegance and on the general swap I used the fabulous Morning Mocha Specialty Designer Series Paper.  I had so much fun making these and can’t wait to get started on my Leadership swap item that will be held in January in San Antonio. 

AND, at each we could add our swaps to be taken back and shared with the Home Office staff.  From those the Stampin’ Up! staff attendees chose their two favorites and announced the winners at the end of the day.  Boy was I honored when Bonnie Thurber called my name and flashed a photo of my more detailed tag on the big screen!  What an honor when she said that one reason they chose my tag was it looked like one that Shelli would make.  (Shelli Gardner is the co-founder of Stampin’ Up!).  I managed to make it to the stage to receive a beautiful card and gift certificate.  I absolutely loved the tag and am so pleased that others did too!

Well, not gonna toot my horn again for awhile.  But I had to share that with you.

We spent the weekend in Franklin with a little “under the weather” sweetie.  More about her on my next post.

Blessings to all,

Diane