"Get Well" Party Favors are all done!

     Tonight, I have finished all the party favors for the "Get Well" Card social - that's a good thing; especially because the social is tomorrow night! haha!  They are ready and I'm so excited to get together with all the ladies to craft!  Always learn SO MUCH - this is the first one for 2009.  Will post all the fun, cards and projects this weekend!

   

  The last party favor, (also in the Campbell Soup theme) is a carrying pouch for a travel tissue packet and chapstick - perfect ensemble for an ill patient!  The overall "Campbell Soup" theme was taken from this talented lady - Wanda; she is the also the one to inspire the carrying pouch.  She has a variety of these pouches for any occasion!  Here's a link to her blog "My Creative Corner"!;  she ALWAYS has a never-ending supply of ideas.  Thank you Wanda!  

Today was such a wonderful day!  57 degrees with the sun shining!  After the icy snow - it was pleasant to see the sun!  TGIF tomorrow - hope you have a great one!  Thanks for stopping by! Hug the ones your love!

Understanding the Women's Language!

Does the MAN of your house look at you funny

with a HUGE ??? in his face

when you talk and he JUST DOESN'T UNDERSTAND??

(Hey! I live with 4 males - happens ALL the time at my house!)

Well, here are some helpful hints - MEN!

Found a blog where they shared a fabulously funny (but true!) guide about understanding women's vocabulary, here is a snippet of it....

"Fine" This is the word we use at the end of any argument that we feel we are right about but need to shut you up. NEVER use "Fine" to describe how a woman looks. This will cause you to have one of those arguments.

"Five Minutes" This is half an hour. It is equivalent to the five minutes that your football game is going to last before you take out the garbage, so it's an even trade.

"Nothing" This means something and you should be on your toes. "Nothing" is usually used to describe the feeling a woman has of wanting to turn you inside out, upside down, and backwards. "Nothing" usually signifies an argument that will last "Five Minutes" and end with the word "Fine"...

Ladies! Are these not true words of wisdom! hahaha! Thought I would share!   Go check out KV's blog here and laugh - too funny that we were both thinking things on the same subject line. "Great minds think alike?"

Here's another funny (shared from another teacher here at the high school ~ thanks PR)
We all know . . .
people born before 1946 are called The Silent generation,

folks born between 1946 and 1959 are called Baby Boomers,

people born between 1960 and 1979 are called Generation X,

and young people born between 1980 and 1995 are called Generation Y.

Do you know why we call the last one generation Y?
The cartoon below explains it eloquently . . ..

Frigid Tuesday

Definition of "FRIGID" is  very cold or icy - 

Well it was definitely a "Frigid Tuesday" for us in the big C-town - sure did like going to school late  and getting out early!  I could get use to that! haha! I switched out the decorations on my art classroom windows with "Think Snow" - the kids incorporated a web 2.0 tool from http://snowflakes.barkleyus.com  in making cut-out snowflakes during short classes today.  They created a snowflake 1st on the computer and then tried to duplicate a real paper snowflake...  It's not as easy as it sounds! The actual paper snowflakes are taped on my window... can't see them very well in this pic, sorry!  We had fun though and kept warm!  Hope you were able to keep warm and stayed inside as much as possible!

Still working on the "Get Well" social party favors.  Today I was able to 

complete the "Cough Drop" 2-4-6-8 bag!  This is such a quick little bag

 to make for anytime!  I've done this bag before at Thanksgiving (here's a link to see this bag with a "turkey") and also a link to watch a video

 tutorial by Theresa Payne - I learn a lot from her! - it is a "easy peasy" project - promise!  These bags are decorated up in the "Campbell's Soup" theme and hold .... cough drops!  Chocolate would be ideal - but this is for a "Get Well" social! ):

New Year's Resolutions - how are you doing on yours?  One of my resolutions was to give out to all our friends and family members  -

 handmade CARDS - for their birthday, anniversary...  Now!  This year, I'm including "Church Family" - and so far - I did January... whew!  One down and eleven more months to go! haha!  I decided that I needed to do this... I make a lot of cards and they just sit there - so I'm doing two good things - hopefully uplifting someone's day with a handmade card and making my hobby more meaningful?  Hey!  The little kids love it - give 'em

 candy with a card - who doesn't like free candy- hee hee!  This pic is a quick 3x3 card w/matching envie for the kiddos.   We'll see if I can make it through February - maybe if I'm telling you my resolution and goal; I'll stick to it!  You are my motivation! 

Have you seen the town that all works together and build the largest snowman each year?  In Bethel, Maine - they hold the world's record for

 having the largest snowman.  In fact, they just beat their last year's record this year - check out this video - it's so neat to see all the community work together!  And we think we have "snow issues"!  Last year the snowman

was around until JUNE... (melting must have been sloooooow!) Have a great SNOW day!

Making an "OWIE POUCH"!

Getting ready for the "Get Well" Social - came up with "What everyone needs"... the "OWIE POUCH"! Sounds like I'm on the reality show - American Inventor"... It's just an "artsy-fartsy" small envelope to hold several band-aids. KV has decided that we both could retire by justing selling band-aids to high school students.... hahaha!

Hey Moms - you always have band-aids with you - don't you? My kids feel so much better "miraculously" after applying one of these! So you can make and have an creative OWIE POUCH in your purse and easily find band-aids to use quickly. My "Owie Pouch" cover goes with the "Campbell Soup" theme for the "Get Well" social Friday night... but you can easily make you one - decorated any cute way!! It'll take 2 minutes to cut out and make! It's a simple 4x6 cardstock cut-

out; scored at 2, 4 and cut down

the right-hand section in half diagonally. Tape down the diagonally pouch to hold band-aids and add embellishments! Decorate and ah-la!you've got an OWIE POUCH!

What do you think about the "Carry-home" bag with a name on it?? Looks

better than the "plain-jane" from the last post... I didn't pull out the cricket - used the computer - I'm a sucker for desk-top publishing. It needed that - it's a "smile" project, now!

"Get Well Soon" Card Social Planned

Hope everyone had a great weekend... they speed by in a flash - don't they?

Our local Stamping Queens are getting together for another "Make 'n Take" social this Friday. The theme is

"Get Well Soon". How this type of social works: is that

each Queen will create a card and bring the items to make her card - enough for each who signs up to come (around 7-8 ladies). We work at stations about 15-20 minutes each and at the end of the night... we have a bundle of new cards to take home! Who doesn't need "Get Well" cards? These lovely "Stamping Queens" have such great ideas - each with their own personal style and whimsical tribute to their craft! With laughing, updating and just "girl" time - it's something that I totally look forward too.

So this weekend, I've been working on "party favors" for the social! I LOVE making these type of things... "Campbell's Soup" has been my motivation for these "Get Well" favors... Pictured here is the Carry-home Bag for each to carry their new cards home!

Yes, the bag is kinda plain... what do you think? I may add names (using the cricket... if time allows - hmmmm)! It's a 12x12 bag - you can click here and get a video tutorial from Angie Juda on making this quick project "12x12 box of cards" is her title post - Angie's awesome. I have used this bag LOTS - too easy and so versatile in "whatever" you have to make. So that's "ONE" of the favors... more to come!

If you are interesting in joining a "Make 'n Take" Social... just let me know or a BIG Valentine Sale-bration party is scheduled for Friday; Feb. 13th. So mark your calendars NOW!

The "Stamping" Party will be different from the social - this party will be just come and stamp a couple of projects - FREE! Plus receive some "party favors", have a chance to win door prizes and indulge in a wonderful dessert.

Stephanie Harbin (our local Stampin' Up Demostrator) will be instructing in the workshop - she ALWAYS has great ideas, new techniques and the NEW SPRING & SUMMER CATALOG from Stampin' Up! (It's got a lot of new stuff...)

SO! If you are an advanced card maker - contact me and join our local group - become a Stamping Queen OR if you are a beginner, maybe interested in becoming a card stamper, or want to learn some new techniques or would just LOVE some "girl time" along with free fun, food and fellowship - COME ON; its Feb. 13 - stay tuned to this blog or contact me or both! You'll be glad that you did!

Have a great Monday!

Sam "The Dot Man" McMillan

     Let me introduce you to Mr. Sam McMillan.  He is known as "The Dot Man" or as the video titles him - "Sam, Sam, The Polka Dot Man!"  This man is such a sweet soul, who I would LOVE to meet!  He is from North Carolina and is a self-taught artist at the young age of 81!  His  slogan is "If We Hold Hands, We Can't Fight!" - what a wonderful idea!

     Each Friday, I teach a "Funky Artist" and this 

 Friday we studied about "The Dot Man" - below is one of the two videos that I used Friday  (www.keepvid.com converted the selected youtube video for the classroom). Sam doesn't cuss, smoke, drink or eat red meat.  He doesn't have any vices or maybe one... you'll have to watch the video to find out!  This is a type of person that I want to be - he just makes you feel good inside and makes ya smile! He paints literally EVERYTHING!  Sam McMillan is a true star in my book!  Just wanted to share - hope you have a great weekend!

More Web 2.0 Tools!

Yes! We found another one... (referring to "Elfyourself" video). This one uses Judson Laipply's sequel to Evolution of Dance! So go to this website here and enjoy while laughing! I've uploaded the original 2006 video below (it's block for most students because of youtube - school filter; they LOVE watching it... 6 minutes long - though)

FYI - www.keepvid.com is GREAT! I personally use this web 2.0 tool often in the classroom. When I find a youtube tutorial video or artist interview, I use "keepvid" to convert and download the youtube video to my computer and then I can use it in the classroom anytime! Here's a link to watch the real sequel - Evolution of Dance Sequel.

A STRONG WOMAN - Katie Henson!

UPDATE!! This is SO GOOD!

Yesterday, Katie's doctor reported after taking a CT scan that her cancerous tumor has shrank down to 3 millimeters - that's super-duper-duper SMALL!

Her cancer could be GONE!!

She has scar-tissue left from the lymphoma...but NO TUMORS! They will not be sure unless she has a biopsy - the doctor won't do this because she wants to continue with Katie's 3 treatments and then scan some more. Then they will wait 3-4 months and see if the tumors will grow... We are praying for the CANCER TO BE GONE! Don't stop now KEEP PRAYING - you all have been so good to pray and IT'S WORKING!! Katie still has her hair (it's very thin) but she has such a fantastic attitude! Isn't this EXCITING - let's all do the "Happy Dance" with Katie!! Thank you GOD!

Posted September 16, 2008

This is Katie Henson! She is a true "MESS!" Funny, crazy, always smiling kind of gal! She is a true STRONG WOMAN. Katie is a wife, mother of three, daughter, sister, teacher, friend and she needs our prayers. Here is a small part of her story: "At the end of May, I found a lump under my collar bone. I went to the doctor
and he gave me antibiotics. I went back 2 weeks later and he gave me a different
kind of antibiotic. The lump didn't go away. It didn't hurt or even bother me at
all, it was just there. I then went to a different doctor and he thought I had
cancer. He said it just about like that too. "You have lymphoma." What?! He sent
me to a surgeon that removed the lymph node and sent it off to be biopsied.
Seven days later on August 6 the results came back - multicellular Hodkins
lymphoma..."
Katie was thought to be in stage 2, but last week the family received a huge shock in her test results rating Katie's cancer a stage 3. My cousin says that Katie is hanging in there and really being strong. WOW! Please say a prayer for her and her family. As you can see from her picture with purple hair; she wore this wig as she collected tickets at the Pecos home football game ( her husband is the head coach there in Pecos) --she's a special person. She has such a great family! Just add them on your list for prayer - thanks!
Here's a link to Katie's Carepage Blog on her updates, if you are interested! KATIE HENSON

Funny Shirt!

Sorry!  For the delay in blogging - It's been a loooooong weekend - family illness - just keep us in your prayers.  I'll report more later with test results on my grandfather and uncle.

Here's something to laugh about! - KV's new shirt. Andy picked this shirt up on his "Road Trip" to Gatlinburg over 

New Years.   KV received it in the mail last week and 

wore it on Friday!  He and our middle son suffer from "ADHD" - some doctors believe that you will outgrow this... KV is living proof - 

NO WAY!  They both cope very well with ADHD and as you can see - KV is a good sport!  Most of the high school students caught on... one student retorted back, "Well, I have ADOP...!"

(Attention Deficit...Oh Pretty)   argh!

Praying for Babies with RSV!

What is this terrible disease RSV?  

     Just in our small inner circle - there are several sweet babies suffering from

 RSV.  Our own sweet Grace has just been diagnosed with RSV - with two other young ones in her daycare.  You can read more about Gracie here at her blog.  A childhood friend's newborn has been in the hospital with severe RSV and just recently been released - you can read about her recovery here.  Also another close family has learned that their precious baby cousin has been diagnosed with RSV. They're asking for prayers here.  

     What is RSV?  I didn't know - so I "googled" it and found:  Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly contagious virus which is quite prevalent during the winter months. It is transmitted primarily by hand-to-nose, hand-to-mouth, and hand-to-eye contact. The severity of the symptoms vary depending upon the age of the child and whether he/she has any chronic medical problems. Because RSV is so prevalent and it may cause very serious illness in some children, it is considered the most important childhood infection of the respiratory system.  A lot of research is currently being done to investigate the best way to prevent and treat this disease.

      Oh My...So my family is adding to our daily prayer list - all the adorable, sweet babies with RSV.  

Why don't you?  Prayer Works!

What is Blog Candy?... FREE STUFF!

Just a note of why I have a listing on the side bar for "Craft BLOG CANDY Giveaways".  Several of you have asked why - here's an explanation:   Many, many crafters out there in "Web Land" offer free bundles of super-cool stuff!  If you are into scrap booking, card making... anything with paper - click on the links provided in this list (before the offer ends) and enter a chance of FREE STUFF!  Who doesn't LOVE getting things that are FREE?  Sometimes the blogger would like for you to "follow their blog" or subscribe to a newsletter.  Some just would like you to add a link from your blog to theirs - "spreading the word" of their blog candy and getting people to look at their projects.  Others just would like a comment!  The blog candy people that I have made links with are ALL over the world... WOW!

      After winning two blog candies... I'm hooked!  So, I'm hoping that its contagious and that some of you are entering and winning too!  

Hope that helps!  Happy Crafting!  **Please note pics are for demo only - the 1st pic is just to let you see what a blog candy MAY look like.  2nd pic is the last blog candy that I won! Good Luck entering for your opportunity in winning some blog candy from generous crafting bloggers!

A 1986 Memory!

May, 1986 LCC Graduation

This Sunday, a childhood neighbor gave me photos from my college graduation; her daughter had found them during the holiday break - thanks Mary! 

Wow - walking down "memory lane"  (Hey Fitz... can you remember 1986?  Fitz begins to sing Kid Rock's  "All Summer Long" song... "It's 1986, my thoughts were short, my hair was long...!) hahaha!  good memories!

  Oh - how I miss my daddy!

I graduated from Lubbock Christian College (now its an university) in Lubbock Texas, and my dad was my escort; he "hooded"  my colors during graduation. I called him my "angel" because of the white robe that he had to wear!! Now he's up there with the angels watching me! Thought I would share!! My dad is a year older there in the picture than what I am now?!?! He had a college graduate and I have an elementary kid! Ha! Yes! I know, I'm old... "You are as old as you feel - right!" So, I'm 103 ! I look good for that age, huh!

(Okay - for all you "smart-alecks" out there - yes I KNOW that KV was only a soph. in high school in 1986 - oh well - it just happened - I didn't meet him until he was 25 and definitely legal... thanks for the comments - blah!)

Coconut Cream Pie

UPDATE*** Monday - Finally made a "Coconut Cream pie!  Of course, this is after signing up and weighing in for the "Biggest Loser" challenge this evening in the big C-town - what were we thinking?  Guess we'll let the pie chill overnight and try a VERY small piece tomorrow - we can always take it to the faculty lounge for lunch - so there won't be any leftovers!  hahaha!    If you are interested in the "Biggest Loser" challenge at F3 - head over here for lots more info -  come join us; it's going to be fun - it's more the merry, right!  Here is Kyle's recipe - 

Kyle's Coconut Cream Pie

3/4 cup Sugar

1/2 cup Flour (all-purpose)

3 cups Milk

4 Eggs

1 Tblsp. Butter

1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla

Baked Pastry Shell

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

1/4 tsp Cream of Tartar

6 Tblsp. Sugar

1 1/3 cup Coconut

For filling: in a medium saucepan combine sugar and flour; gradually stir in milk.  Cook and stir over medium-high heat till mixture is thickened and bubbly.  Reduce heat; cook and stir or 2 more minutes.  Remove from heat.  Separate egg yolks from whites; set whites aside for meringue.  Beat egg yolks lightly with fork.  Gradually stir about 1 cup of hot filling into yolks. Return all back to saucepan; bring to a gentle boil.  Cook and stir for 2 minutes more.  Remove from heat.  Stir in butter, vanilla and  one cup of coconut.  Pour the hot filling into a baked pastry shell.  

For meringue: in a mixing bowl combine egg whites, vanilla and cream of tartar.  Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or till soft peaks form.  Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed for about 4 minutes more or till mixture forms stiff, glossy peaks and sugar dissolves.  Immediately spread meringue over pie, carefully sealing to edge of pastry to prevent shrinkage, Sprinkle 1/3 cup of coconut over meringue.  

Bake in a 350 degrees a oven for 12-15 minutes or till golden.  Cool on a wire rack.  Cover and chill to store.  Yields 8 servings.

PIES! What is your favorite?

PIES!  

Okay - here we are "on a diet" for healthy living... and I'm dreaming about PIES!  On this blog's sidebar, my boys have added their favorite pie recipes!  

Andy's favorite pie  is Pumpkin; 

Alex's favorite (and mine) is a Cherry Cream Pie; Aric has many favorites... today, he chose his NaNa's Fudge Pie!  

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIE?  

KV's Aunt makes the BEST coconut cream pie - KV wants to try and bake his own coconut cream pie.  So today,  KV's ambition (after running 8 miles...)  is to make a great pie! My ambition is to cook, wash, fold and clean (just like a woman's day...joy! argh!). I have bought the roll-out pie crust... to good and too cheap not to just buy it!  I've got a recipe, all of the ingredients... we'll see how this goes!

My favorite pastry crust recipe came from my wedding announcement brunch in 1986 from a sweet lady - Mrs. Don Bearden - (1 1/2 cup Flour, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 cup shortening & 5-6 TBSP cold water) But my pie crusts still are not good?   Supposedly, if I use LARD - it would be better?Any comments! 

I LOVE PIE!  

My Uncle Byron has his prized Pecan Pie - he uses chopped pecans for better eating for false teeth! KV's mom is an expert of ANY pie! Love her Grape Juice Pie!  Ging loves to bake Chess Pies (pineapple is her favorite).  The first pie that I ever baked KV was a Key Lime Pie!   I'll post our creation from today and scale it's taste test!!  Pie - what's your PIE favorites?  Enjoy a slice of pie today, watch this "3 Stooges Pie clip" and enjoy life!  Have a GREAT weekend!

Jammi's Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMMI DEE!

Over the holiday break, I was cleaning out behind picture frames... OMG - found tons of pictures that I had been missing... this picture was one that I found and just had to save it for posting in January! Such a sweet family - my husband claims these sweet people his second

family, ya know!~ Jammi, you are special and deserve a special b-day! Happy Birthday! You can catch Jammi and her blog here - You'll be glad that you did - her kids are beautiful!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to you! Made this card last night for a special friend of the family (our family and church family)! TREY have a great day! Check out Trey's blog here for some great stuff! Love the technology of great Web 2.0 Tools on the internet! hahaha! Hope you have a great day!

FRIENDS! Can we live without them?

Throughout the journey of my life, I have met and loved some dear friends that I believe were sent for a purpose! I really believed that God has put certain people in my life to support and encourage me through to the next phase! What do you think? Have you had certain people come in your life that have left a permanent mark? (HA! I've had both good and bad permanent marks... but hopefully we've used ALL good & bad's to make a positive impact??? Right... Hopefully!)
SO! This post is for a dear friend that I met in Alabama - she was sent to calm and lead me through one of the fieriest storms in my life. She touched my heart and raised me up when I was "low" - very low! Yesterday - she sent me a handmade gift  (a beautiful plastic canvas notepad holder - it's done in soft pastels of cool colors; perfect to take notes - it's our "official" prayer list pad now for our family!) This gift just made me realize how big of an impact that a person can have in a life!  She's taken the time (lots of time!) and made me something special and I will HONOR it forever! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I now have two SSS (a Sharon Sutton Special).  15 years ago, Sharon made an address book that is still in use today! THANK YOU! I love you and I still value our friendship - and YES! I still believe you're an angel (hahaha!) she ministered to me when I desperately needed it!! I know - it's odd that I'm sentimental right now. Hey, I can be serious -I also believe my husband was sent to me to "clear up all the rain" in my life and he will forever be my "rainbow"; but that's another post! - so much for a visual analysis today!

SNOWMEN are still my current theme in making cards right now... "THINK SNOW"! What's in the air?  I'm organizing like crazy ... if I wasn't "over the hill" I would swear that I'm pregnant and "nesting" - (Ladies, do YOU  do this?) I'm cleaning out - drawers, closets, garage,

 files, re-organizing everything and

 throwing away A LOT of junk - shouldn't complain, huh!
Thanks for letting me share - I value our friendship - thank you! Have a great weekend!