Vj's Scrap Room

Mojo Monday 224

2012-01-18T16:03:00.000-08:00

Finally!! I have another Mojo Monday card!!:) It took a while for me to get my mind made up about which papers to use. I decided since Valentine's Day is coming up..I would make a Valentine's card.Jim was so funny when he saw this one. He asked me who I was gonna give it to and then immediately said it had better be him since it says "you & me".LOL The stamp is from Studio G.
I don't have a credit for the papers since these were in a paper pack that the cover has disappeared on.:( The ribbon is one from a stash that evidently didn't have the company name written anywhere on it. That is weird!! It is a partially transparent velvet ribbon.The glitter ribbon is from Celebrate it and the Doily Floral ring I cut out on my Silhouette SD machine a while back and stored for future use. This is the future and I used it.LOL I will have to wait until I see it again in the cutting freebies ..cause I forgot where I got it. The decorative design at the top of the velvet ribbon is from a border design.I just cut off one of the designs and it seems to fit perfectly.:) I added a few gems here and there that I picked up from JoAnn's or Michael's during the holiday sales.:) I also got a small plate holder from Michael's to help display my cards for pics.:) This is the closest I could get to the true color of the card.Oh well!!LOL

Thanks so much for stopping by and please don't leave without letting me know you were here.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Christy's Ink Box-Handmade :)

2012-01-13T12:01:00.001-08:00

This is the front of her box..closed with a leather strap.
This is the side of the box with the decorative paper adding even more design to it.:)
This is the box open and showing the colors and labels for each ink pad. Christy has decided she wants to organize her craft area and make her own storage boxes. It sure will take a while though...cause she has sooo many craft items!!! :) I can hardly wait to see what she comes up with next.:)

Thanks for stopping in and for all the lovely comments you have been leaving for us! :)

I still don't have my Mojo Monday card for this week.Jim has been sick with a bad cold and on top of that...HIS back is acting up.With his store inventory and a delivery truck to unload right afterwards and then the cold on top of it..it has gotten him down a bit.This is the second day in a row he has had to leave work early so he could come home because he hasn't felt well.:( I am NOT complaining..just informing.:) Prayers will be greatly appreciated.!! Thank you in advance.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Christy's Birthday today.:)

2012-01-11T08:09:00.001-08:00

This is a poem I wrote to Christy this morning for her birthday.She isn't real happy about the big 35. But her Daddy and I are!!:)

Love you baby!! :)

Computer virus affecting online banking

2012-01-09T10:45:00.000-08:00

Just heard about a really bad computer virus , while listening to Fox news. An Internet security man was telling about it.It affects your online banking account. Mac computers aren't affected by it..just PC users. You actually dwnld it yourself by clicking on phishing links. I wrote down what the man said and here is what he said...

It takes over your computer and actually logs every thing you are doing.It drops files on your hard drive. It's a Post transaction attack..which means..by the time you see what they want you to see ...your bank account has been cleaned out.It actually shows you a fake screen of what is in your account. You are never gonna notice it.

He said the good thing is someone found it and now the anti virus companies can start working on it to alert people to it.
Your whole computer is infected.
If you check on a computer that hasn't been infected by it..you will see the devastation or if you check by the ATM you will see the devastation.

The internet security guy said,..
Don't download anything
keep virus checker up to date
keep operating system up to date
Don't let a link come up telling you that you need to update
You go to the update site to update ...where you will know it is legit.

He also said it hides in your computer and changes it's location every time it is downloaded. He said it is a tough one.:(

Jim's Birthday!! :)

2012-01-09T04:25:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIM:) I love you more than you can think or say ...forever!! :)

It's really funny how we have little competitions with each other. I will tell Jim I love him..then he tells me he loves me more. Well..one day..I told him I love him more ..to infinity and beyond,!! LOL He always comes back with something higher than I thought of...so one day..... I told him that I love him more than anything he can think or say....forever. I rest my case.LOL

Hope Jim feels better as the day goes.He is having sinus problems and not feeling very well at the moment.:(

* Oh..I wanted to tell you that Katie..at "Just so Scrappy" (link in side bar) is giving away one of her COOL kits..a day at a time for the next ten days. I LOVE Katie's designs...they are always soo FUN!! If interested..just click on her link and scroll down when you get to her blog.:) She also has brag book pages for the kits she has made in the past and if I am correct..the links are still available.:)

Thank you for stopping in and I hope you don't leave without letting me know you were here.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #221 - Better late than never.:)

2012-01-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

Whew!! I did it!!!! LOL This card took me several days to complete ..cause of my back trouble...but I finally got it done and am soo happy.:) I want to THANK YOU ALL for your well wishes and prayers and for your encouragement too..cause you are the BEST!!:) Thank you LORD for taking such great care of me and for sending such great friends to me!!!

The papers are from an open stock 4/$1.00 sale at Michael's Craft store. I also used a blue and a while card stock for a portion of the card.I made the yellow flower and the leaves out of cardstock and a decorative scissor. The glass butterfly is a light green which you can see better on the bottom pic.I got it from the dollar bin at Michael's before they raised their prices.hehe I used Fiskar's decorative corner punch for the sentiment area. It has a two sided punch so I used one side on the white and the other on the blue.The sentiment is from a clear set of stamps that somehow got the package cover thrown out..so I can't tell you who made it.:( Sorry..but some of these I had before I knew I would need the credits.KWIM? :)

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without saying Hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Challenge with Barb (Mrs. Miles)

2012-01-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

I have entered into a challenge with my dear friend Barb (Mrs.Miles) To stop complaining. She tells all about it and even has a video on her blog about it.:) I will send you there (link in my sidebar) cause she is more informed than I am.:) Me..I just try not to complain and find the good in a situation instead of finding the bad. Funny how you can find yourself starting to complain and then complain..cause you can't complain about it.LOL I have caught myself starting to complain and then laugh about it. :)

I have four adults living here ( Jim,Christy our dd and Jimmy our DS and me) .... and believe me..you can find stuff to complain about. I won't go into details..cause I would then be complaining.;) Let's just say..My friend Barb..will probably win the competition between us.LOL I think it is a great challenge cause we should all do less complaining and instead..do something about the situation we are in ...instead if at all possible. :)

The way we got started on the challenge is I was telling Barb how I had told Christy that with my back out and Christmas coming up ..(I wasn't able to go shopping..cook the meals or even make trips to the restroom by myself..cause I had to get help just to get out of the bed and at times I had to walk right behind Jim holding onto his shoulders as we walked.It was very humbling for me..not to be able to do anything for myself except to lay there on my bed and holler when I needed something.)... that I had decided that since I was in that position ...and it didn't seem to be going to change any time soon..I could either gripe and complain or decide not to and accept the situation that was dealt to me and make the best of it.:) Well..Barb told me about "Stop the World from Complaining" and sent the video to me. I told her it sounded like a great idea and that started the ball rolling and us doing the challenge. I was reminded while laying there on my bed that Paul the Apostle said " I have LEARNED..that whatsoever state I am in..therewith to be content". IF we know that ALL things work together for GOOD to those who LOVE God and are the called according to HIS purpose...then we know that GOOD will come out of it.:)

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without saying hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Jim's Christmas present from Christy.:)

2012-01-02T04:47:00.001-08:00

Jim is opening one of the drawers and taking a peek.:)

Here is Jim's CHRISTmas present from Christy.:) It's a remote control box!! As you can see..she made several small drawers to hold things we may want to store in them. Pens..3D glasses etc.There is a long drawer on both Jim and my side of the box...and three drawers on the front (see the small drawer pulls ?) There's a metal chain going across the front ..under these drawers.The part on the back is for the remote controls to sit in (upright position). I just LOVE the paper she used for it too!!:) Christy custom fitted it to the table Jim made .There is a black lamp stand attached to the table and Christy even fitted the box to go around it. SOO COOL!!:)

Thank you ALL for the lovely comments you are leaving for Christy and me.:) We sure appreciate your doing that. It's really a great encouragement to us!!

Yesterday the family (Robby and his family,Mom,Tionie ( my sister) my niece and nephew and their kids...came over to eat our traditional New Year's dinner. Ham,black eyed peas, sweet potato souffle',collard greens and cornbread. I also made some Kraft mac and cheese for those who don't like black eyed peas.(mainly the kiddos!!) I did it the easy way since my back is still needing a bit of recovery.:) I had Jim put the ham in the oven for me and take it out to carve it when ready. I used seasoned (canned) collard greens instead of cooking up a bunch ..fresh. The black eyed peas cooked up in a short amount of time and the sweet potato souffle' was just a matter of mixing the ingredients together and placing them in a pan and baking them for 45 min to an hour. Then adding mini marshmallows to the top and browning them under the broiler.:) I used throw away plates and cups and even forks ,spoons and knives.( easy peasy.LOL)Oh..and paper napkins too!!hehe After some of the family ate and said their goodbyes..Robby and his family stayed to help take down and put in boxes the CHRISTmas decorations and then put my regular decorations back up. It sure helped!! Yay Family!! :) Mom is coming over today to help me give the house a good cleaning...so this is a great start to the New Year for me.:) Next week..we start the January birthdays........

Thanks for stopping in..I LOVE your visits!!

Hugs,
Valinda

My Christmas Present from Christy.:)

2011-12-31T07:53:00.000-08:00

I saw this Tim Holtz case in a magazine sometime before Christmas and told Christy.."You can make this one for me." :) At the time..I was kinda like..that is a hard one for her to do. NOT!!
Look what she made me for CHRISTmas!!:) She even put several cuddlebug embossing folders in it for me.The unopened ones are the new ones she had in this box for me.I LOVE IT!!!:)
It is just the right size to hold the embossing folders AND the plates.:) My GIRL...talkin bout My GIRL!!!!:)

I had a WONDERFUL CHRISTmas!! Not just because of the gifts ...but the LOVE of my family helping me during the time of my "aching" back.!! :) They are soo SWEET!!

Tomorrow ..if I remember ..I will show you what Christy made Jim for CHRISTmas.:) You have GOT to see this too.:)

Happy New Year!!!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Christy's first Turkey Dinner...YUMMY!! :)

2011-12-29T05:50:00.000-08:00

For the last couple or three years I have been unable to cook our CHRISTmas dinner because of my ankle and back...so my DIL ..Liz has taken over for us. She is a very good cook and I am happy to have handed that chore over to her.:) Problem is....for years and years I was the one who made our CHRISTmas dinners and we would have several days worth of leftovers for our family to share.Christy misses that...so she decided this year..to try her hand at making all the favorites herself. I supervised and told her how I did it and she followed my instructions and recipes etc. Turkey,dressing,green bean casserole,Mac and cheese,sweet potato soufle',pistachio whip and frozen fruit cake salad,celery and carrots with ranch dressing ,cranberry sauce,dinner rolls and then a chocolate pie for dessert. She tried her own hand and a recipe she found online for the turkey this year.MMMM it was soo moist and flavorful!!! We all raved over how moist and delicious it was.:) Christy made this for us ( Mom was there too) on CHRISTmas eve and then we gathered at Liz and Robby's for CHRISTmas dinner. Liz,Carrie and Melisa all cooked for our meal.I took a Waldorf salad I had made and some dinner rolls for our addition to the meal. Needless to say..we have had leftovers!!!LOL

My back is gradually getting better.Thank you Lord!!! :) Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers too!!I still have to be careful how I turn and bend to pick something up..but it sure feels good to be able to walk again standing up instead of bent over and cringing in pain.:) I was able to go to Shogun's Japanese restaurant Tuesday for Liz's Birthday celebration. Robby,Liz and their whole family ..then Jimmy and I gathered there for lunch. The whole meal including the drinks and entertainment(watching them cook in front of us and show us their talent juggling eggs and spatulas etc) was about ten dollars a piece including the tip.:) It was sooo yummy too!! ( still had leftovers in the fridge at this point) LOL

Yesterday Jim and I had to get another Microwave cause the one we had gotten a little over a week before stopped heating.It would run..but not heat anything up.:( So..took it back and got our money back and then we were in the market for another one and were trying to find somewhere to go to get one.We looked at several online ads and places in the area and Jim looked at a couple of stores when he was out shopping while I rested my back at home. We got ready to go shop again for one yesterday and in the middle of trying to decide where to go..I remembered to consult the Lord. :) I asked him to please lead us to the right place to get one like we wanted and IMMEDIATELY..the word Kenmore came to my mind. Well..the first place we went was to Sears ..cause Kenmore is their product. Jim dropped me off at the door so he could go park and I wouldn't have far to walk. I waited for him and while waiting..walked down the main aisle and saw microwaves at the next turn.:) Jim met me and we walked to where they were and immediately the sales man came to us and we told him what we were looking for.We had measurements of the size we wanted and he led us to a KENMORE that is exactly what we wanted AND the price we wanted!! Thank you LORD!!! :) It is soo much easier when we remember to consult the Lord about things.He's always ready and available.:)

Hope you had a WONDERFUL CHRISTmas and will have a FANTASTIC New Year!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Come On Ring Those Bells - Evie

2011-12-25T03:21:00.000-08:00

Update !

2011-12-23T03:56:00.000-08:00

Merry CHRISTmas everyone!! :)

Just thought I would pop in to wish you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!! :)

I am finally able to get around again..howbeit ...a little slower than usual...but it sure feels good to be able to get out of that bed and stand and sit for a while. Praise the Lord!! :)
I have had to have the kids and Jim help with getting presents for family and friends.It's been interesting to say the least.:) I have a couple of presents to wrap and Jim and I are planning on going to supper tonight and pick up his present from me. ( I wasn't able to shop for him).
Christy is making Christmas Eve dinner here tomorrow evening.Her very first turkey!! I am really looking forward to it.She has planned on making all the things she loves about the Christmas dinners I use to make before my back kept me from it. I can't wait!! :)
I sure hope you understand that this year I am not able to get cards etc to those of you who got them from me last year. I just wasn't able to catch up in time.:(
Well..Jim has breakfast ready for me..so I guess that's my cue to go.LOL

Merry CHRISTmas!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Mary Did You Know - Mark Lowery

2011-12-19T07:23:00.000-08:00

When Love was born - sung by Mark Schultz

2011-12-13T08:18:00.000-08:00

Becky Kelley - Where's the Line to See Jesus - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

2011-12-11T19:21:00.000-08:00

A Funeral and a Birthday party -the same day.

2011-12-11T10:50:00.000-08:00

And I won't be able to go to either...cause my back is still recovering..

There was a sudden death in our extended family just a couple of days ago.The memorial is today..although the body is being autopsied to determine what actually was the cause of death. The man is my Niece's Father in law. He was away on a business trip when he called home from a hotel to let his family know..he thought he had food poisoning. When his son got to the hotel ..he had to ask the manager to open the locked door because when he knocked on it there wasn't an answer. Nicole's husband..Troy found he was too late.His Dad was laying in the bed and had already passed away.:( SOOO sad!

The Birthday party is for Zander.He turned one year old on Nov.3oth but was sick and we weren't able to celebrate it until he got better. He is better and had a check up and is growing and in good health.Praise the Lord! Melissa...Zander's Mom had thought about bringing the party here but we discussed it and I told them that Zander would want me to hold him and pick him up etc..and I would really WANT to be able to and can't...so it might be best for them to have the party at their house. Zander is one of the SWEETEST babies!! He has the cutest smile when he sees me...and now gives me kisses. I asked my Chiropractor how I could resist picking him up and he just looked at me and pointed to the shape I am in now because of it.LOL I guess I had best stay home and recoup.hehe

I have such mixed emotions today. Sadness and Joy...and happy that the Lord is in control of each and every situation. HIS will IS being done whether we believe it or not. Those who BELIEVE it..are at PEACE because they KNOW that ALL things work together for GOOD to those who LOVE GOD and are the CALLED according to HIS purpose. :) I give you PRAISE my LORD!

Thanks so much for stopping by.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Update :)

2011-12-08T10:44:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to stop in and let everyone know that I am still taking it easy until my back gets back into shape. I really did a number on it this time around and it isn't happy about it at all! :) After about seven or more trips to the Chiropractor..my tailbone is still twisted enough to cause me to make scrunchy faces when getting up from a sitting position. YOWZA!!! It is better pain wise today though.YAY!!:)

Sorry I haven't visited your blogs as often as I use to before this happened...but I do plan to as my back heals a bit more.:) Thank you so much for being patient with me and for your SWEET comments too! LOVE when you visit me.:)

I dug into my hard drive and pulled out an old Christmas header and then went into the templates for blogger and tried several backgrounds and after many previews... this is the one that looked best..so this is it for now.:) It looks a lot better than leaving my fall colors up.LOL

Huge hugs to you ALL!

Valinda

It's About the Cross - Christmas Music Video

2011-11-29T08:27:00.000-08:00

Mojo Monday #216

2011-11-22T08:50:00.001-08:00

Here is this weeks Mojo Monday card. I think the sentiments just about cover it all.:)

The background paper and sentiments come from atd Christmas Party Premium Scrapbook kit.:) The snowflakes are cut outs from my Silhouette SD machine.I added glue and glitter to them and then a pop dot to make them raised up a little and then added a gem in the center of each one.The gems are from a bag of assorted gems that Christy gave to me a while back. The vertical reddish flag ...I first cut it out..then used decorative scissors along the top and bottom...then embossed with a snowflake embossing folder from Cuddle bug. It really looks a lot more festive in person.:) The snowflakes are actually white and not with a green tint. Oh well...at least you get the idea.LOL

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without saying hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Christy made a Beautiful Jewelry Box

2011-11-19T13:07:00.001-08:00

I just LOVE this jewelry box Christy made!!!! I just HAD to show it to you!:).

WOW!! ..can you believe how big these pics are? I uploaded these from my IPhone using the new blogger app..hehe.What's wrong with this picture?LOL

Christy's update.

2011-11-17T09:09:00.000-08:00

Well..Christy had her appointment with her Doctor this morning. She called me just a few minutes ago to let me know what the Doctor told her. I couldn't go with her because of my back acting up again.:(

Seems since they have already given her two rounds of different antibiotics..the Doctor took blood to test for infection and put Christy on three Advil..three times a day ( to try to bring the swelling down) until she can see an Orthopedist on Monday...because she ..the Doctor..has done everything she knows to do for her and needs to refer her to someone who might know. The Orthopedist deals with the extremities and I guess does more than just the bones. Christy told me her arm doesn't hurt..it isn't red like it was and it is beginning to itch. I hope the itching part is actually a result of it healing.KWIM? It still leaves an impression in her arm if she pushes it and the impression stays for a while. Doesn't spring back up like it would normally.We think this is from the swelling.

Guess we will know more Monday.Hopefully they will be able to tell us it is mending.:)

Thank you ALL for your thoughts and prayers concerning Christy.WE sure do appreciate your concern!

I do have another prayer request if you wouldn't mind praying for it. My BIL..Jim's sister's husband had an accident Monday before last.The bucket of a

Front end loader

landed on his foot and crushed the toes and part of his foot.His toes turned completely black and he had to have the crushed parts amputated yesterday.OWWW!! Jim's sister told me they had to remove half of his foot and are waiting to see if any more of his foot has to be removed.Please pray for them.They have been going through SOO much lately.His Mom just passed away a couple of weeks ago from a long painful illness and now this.:( You just never know when something like this will happen.

Thank you sooo much for your prayers!

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #215

2011-11-15T09:22:00.001-08:00

Here's my Mojo Monday card! Hope you like it.:) I used some different papers from the Recollections "Holiday Traditions" paper pack that I used on last weeks Mojo Monday card. The bow is from "Make It Christmas" and the sentiment stamp is from "Craft Smart". The gems are from the bag of assorted gems that Christy gave to me a while back.:)

Please stop by my friends blogs to see what they have been making.Such TALENT!! :)

Hugs,
Valinda

Christy got the results to her CT scan!

2011-11-12T08:41:00.001-08:00

First of all I want to thank those of you who have kept Christy in their thoughts and prayers.Thank you SOOO much!

Second..she received the results from her CT scan and they show she has Cellulitis.:( Which means infection in her arm. I looked it up on yahoo images.Fortunately she hasn't gotten bad like those pics..ewww.:( The Doc wants to see her again this coming week. Christy took her last antibiotic yesterday afternoon..so she has to go through this weekend not having any. I hope they don't have to admit her to the hospital for a couple of days.Cat bites sure are a bad thing!!:( Some people have to have IV's with medicine in them to get them over this.We will do whatever it takes to get her arm taken care of!! It's still swollen and hot to touch.:( Please continue to pray for her.:)

Cats are a lot harder to work with at the Animal hospitals.They scratch and bite. Christy has scars where cats have scratched her.She told me this morning that it is difficult to get x-rays when they are moving all over trying to get away too.Dogs are included in that part.:) She loves working with the animals though..so she stays there through all the unpleasant parts of the job. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by and please don't leave without leaving a comment.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday#214

2011-11-11T13:31:00.000-08:00

I FINALLY got my Mojo Monday card made..plus a card for my Brother's 60th Birthday..which is today.I will show that one tomorrow.:) This card was made almost entirely from Recollections Holiday Tradition paper pad.Christy and I both used our 50% off coupons and we each got a pack!! LOVE those coupons!!! :) The only other things I used is a bow made from ribbon called...Make It Christmas ..that I got from Hobby Lobby this week.:) To make this card I just cut and pieced different papers and placed them where I wanted them. No Stamp needed this time around. All the extras were included in the paper pad. :) How COOL is that?

Well..That is about all I have time at the moment to post...cause I have a Big Birthday Party to go to in just a little over an hour. :)

Thanks for stopping in!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Happy 60th Birthday Tom!!:)

2011-11-11T04:54:00.000-08:00

Just recently my brother ..Tom..had a

Cochlear Implant

installed into his right ear.My brothers and several members of our family..(my immediate family not included..thank you Lord!) have had hearing loss from nerve damage ..due to high fevers. It's a hit and miss situation.Some of the members of the family get it and some don't. It's hereditary and since their teenage years have had to wear hearing aids.It gradually gets worse as they grow older. My brother ..Tom...the one between my older brother and me...suddenly lost total hearing in his right ear recently.

He opted to get the implant and just this last week he was able to have the outer part attached to the inner part..how ever they do that.:) After the surgery.The surgeon said Tom was "hard headed"..hehe I can't remember how long Tom had to wait for the surgery site to heal before he could have the outer part of the implant attached and be able to find out how well he will hear from that ear. He said he is doing really well with it now and seems to be thrilled to be able to hear again in that ear.YAY!! Praise the Lord!! What better birthday present could he get? :)

I want to wish Tom a VERY HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY and say..I think your wish has come true already!!:) I LOVE YOU!!

hugs,
Valinda

Update to Christy's CT Scan....

2011-11-09T08:48:00.000-08:00

First I would like to thank each of you who have been praying for Christy's arm. She did fine during the CT scan although she wasn't thrilled with having to have an IV with stuff in it so they could take the scan and see what is going on.:) We will have to wait for her Doctor to call with the results..or to make an appointment so we can get the results from her.
Christy's arm doesn't seem to be swollen as bad as it has been ...since this second dose of antibiotics. YAY...Praise the Lord!! It's still swollen..but it was pretty bad last week. She can still press on that arm with her fingers and the skin stays indented for a while.Really kinda freaky.:( She still has a few days of taking the antibiotics..so hopefully they are doing their job.:)

Thank you ALL so much for keeping her in your thoughts and prayers!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Prayer request for Christy.

2011-11-08T02:55:00.000-08:00

About a month ago..Christy got bitten by a cat someone brought in to the clinic to get checked.It was an outside cat with really itchy ears.Christy had a towel around it's body to prevent any scratches...and while reaching for an ear swab..the cat sunk it's teeth into her other arm... right forearm. She had to actually pull it off of her.:( She washed it and medicated it really well..and then went to one of those instant medical places and the Doctor there looked at it...for about two minutes and gave her a prescription for antibiotics.One a day for seven days. In the meantime..Christy's arm began to swell really bad and was hot to the touch.She finished the medication that Doctor had given her and was waiting a couple of days to see if the swelling would go down.As it continued to be swollen and aching..and generally feeling ...as she said..WEIRD ..she finally went to our family physician and she..the DOC..put Christy on a larger dose of an antibiotic...plus..today she has to have a ct scan to see if there is infection in her muscle.If there is and they can't get rid of it with the medication..Christy will have to have surgery to remove the infection.Here is where the prayer request comes in.:) Please pray!!

Thank you so much!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Christy's CUTE Journal!!:)

2011-11-07T05:53:00.000-08:00

This first set of pics is the Cover to the Journal and the first few pages. I just LOVE how they flip up and out to show more and more surprises.The papers sticking up and out are for Journaling. Some are embossed and when you turn them over..there are lines for Journaling.SO CUTE!! :)

There are tags for adding pics or Journaling too. You choose.:)

This one shows before the page is opened and then after. I took the pics as I was sitting in my recliner letting my back rest.(been having some trouble with it again.) The red..green and yellow quilt is a small one Christy made for me several years ago.:) She later made a larger one for me..that I have hanging in my bedroom on a quilt rack that Jim made for it.:)

Here are the last few pages of the Journal.The back cover looks just like the front only the opposite...so I didn't put it on here. I'm not sure if Christy is finished with this or if she might come up with some other CUTE things to add to it.:) Either way..if she decides to give it away..someone will be extremely happy to receive it!!

I don't have a list of all the things she used in making this...but I do know she used Once Upon A Time paper pack that she purchased from Micheal's Craft store. She also used a Martha Stewart punch for the corners of her papers etc. For the stamped titles..she used..a stamp we got for $2.00 at Big Lots..if I am not mistaken.Looks like she did some embossing on it too.:)

Thanks so much for stopping in and I hope you will leave a comment for Christy before you leave.I would LOVE to know what you think of her Journal.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Christy's Almost Completed Castle.:)

2011-11-05T07:58:00.001-07:00

The front of the Castle is completed now.:) I went downstairs this morning to take a pic of it after I had seen she posted it on Facebook.LOL She had left for work already so I wasn't able to ooo and awww to her yet...but I sure will when she gets home this afternoon.She already has a friend who might be interested in it for a centerpiece for a baby shower...who's theme is Castles.Christy didn't know this at the time.:) It might not be big enough for what her friend would want it for though. They want to have a box decorated with a Castle...with balloons that pop out of it for the gender the baby is going to be.Surprise everyone at the same time.Sounds FUN and I just really don't think Christy's castle will be big enough for that.It's only 12" across..and 10" high and 3" deep. Would have to have really SMALL balloons.LOL

Christy finished the door to the castle.We shopped for something for the chains to hold to the walls of the castle ..but couldn't find what she wanted..so she MADE her own. She pounded metal into the shape she wanted and added a ring to it. She didn't want to have to order it and pay shipping costs.I guess she really lives by the saying"where there's a will..there's a way." :)

Here is a closeup of the peeks..or dome..whatever they are called and if YOU know..please let ME know.:) She used Martha Stewart border punch for the ruffles and I am not sure what she used for the moon and stars..yet.:) She used sand in her black paint to add texture to the peek/dome and a heart shaped punch for the flags and a tiny punch (inside the heart) that she found at Micheal's for a dollar.I will have to wait until I see her this afternoon to find out what she used as flag poles. Christy said she has a little bit to finish on the back side..and then she will have it done.:)

I am really pleased with her talent. Okay..I am sooo PROUD of her achievements in crafting.:) She makes me want to try harder ..or give up ..hehe Just Kidding.:)

Thanks for stopping in and please leave Christy a comment if you don't mind.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Christy's Paper Castle- SOO COOL! :)

2011-11-03T05:31:00.001-07:00

Christy's latest project.She got the idea from a YouTube video by "follow the paper trail". She said she isn't finished with it yet.She still has to put more of the "stone" around the front of the castle and attach a chain for the door to come down with.:) The "peaks" she painted using sand in the paint to make texture. I will have to come back with ALL the info when I find out where she got everything and what she used..etc. I just think this is SOOO COOOL!!:) The angle of the pic makes it seem tilted a bit...but it really is measured perfectly.:)

Christy has started taking Thursdays off along with her Tuesdays. We plan to go to the craft stores and do some Christmas shopping. I like to start early so there isn't such a rush the closer we get to the day! :) Guess my Mojo Monday card will have to wait ...again.LOL

Thanks for stopping in again.LOVE your visits!

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #212

2011-10-26T12:09:00.001-07:00

I finally got a chance to make my Mojo Monday card for this week.YAY! :) While Jim was watching the cable guy change our DirecTv boxes around etc..I played with this weeks sketch.:)

Credits:

Paper=atd cardstock
Punches=corner : EK Success ... Snowflake punch: No Name on it..just a patent #
Embossing=Snowflake embossing folder from Cuddlebug
Stamp=Reflections
Snowman=atd Under the Tree
Ribbons=Micheal's Craft Store
Gems= Christy's gift bag to me... and Reflections
Snowflakes= Cutouts from my Silhouette SD machine.

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without letting me know you were here.:) Thank you!

Hugs,
Valinda

He Wants It All by Forever Jones

2011-10-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

I got an AWARD:)

2011-10-19T06:48:00.001-07:00

My dear friend,Kyra..surprised me with this Beautiful award this morning.!! Thank you so much my friend!!:) How SWEET!

BEAUTI♥LICIOUS AWARD !

This award is for the Beautiful Women
(and Men)
who grace us with their talents
in the Tagger Community.
The intent of this award is to pass it
on...
to the Designer, Tagger, or Artist
who has inspired you with their
endless talent
and who has touched your heart.
There are many out there

Once you have received this award
Please pass it on to five blogs
to show some love
for those who truly are BEAUTIFUL.
Let's see how far we can pass this on !!!

Kyra has become a dear friend to me over the past couple or three years.:) She makes some of the most GORGEOUS kits and gives them away for free. I LOVE reading her blog! She lives in Holland and shows and tells us of her adventures to the many sites in her area. She and Jan..her hubby..take walks and she shows us photos of what they see. Kyra tells of her day to day routine and you feel like a neighbor who has popped in for a visit.:) Thank you so much Kyra for letting me come into your life and share it with you!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Christy's Domino Pendants :)

2011-10-18T07:54:00.001-07:00

I asked Christy if I could post her latest project on my blog.She said it would be okay with her.So..here it is.:) She is making Domino Pendants!! This is a box of Domino's that she got from Jim's store the other day.It has a set of thick domino's and is in it's own pretty wooden box. Christy collects boxes ,Jewelry boxes etc and when she saw this one at Jim's store..she couldn't resist it...cause it had the domino's AND the pretty box too.:)

This pendant ..she decorated the flower using a sticker and Sakura Glaze Gel Pens and the background she designed using Ranger Alcohol Inks.

This one she decorated using Stickers, Sakura Glaze Pens, Pigment markers and Slick Writer markers. She covered the top with a crackle medium with black paint and then wiped it off ..leaving the ink in the cracks. There is a glare from the camera on the top part of this one...but in person..it is as pretty as the bottom part.:)

This one she used stickers, Sakura glaze pens and black pigment marker.

This one she used the same products as the above but covered it with the Diamond Glaze to finish it off.:)

A couple of them she used a stamp on it and then painted them. They are the butterfly and the lady bug. ( you can see them in the box ) :)

Aren't these SOOO PRETTY?:) Hope I get at least one of them this Christmas.:)

Thanks for looking and please leave a comment for Christy if you don't mind.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #211

2011-10-17T18:35:00.000-07:00

I was able to take some time to do this week's Mojo Monday #211. (My towels are still in the dryer waiting to be folded..but first things first.LOL ) I LOVE the sketch for this week.:) Please be sure to visit my friends blogs to see the GORGEOUS cards they have done...or going to get done.I always get a PLEASANT surprise when visiting them.:) They are listed in the upper right corner ..over there>>>>with links to their blogs!!

Credits:
I used red,purple and yellow card stock and cut out then embossed the flowers on the left side of the card..with a Cuddle bug embossing envelope... and then used a Swirl Vellum paper I had gotten from Hobby Lobby on one of Christy and my shopping trips a few weeks ago. They were on sale so I got about six papers. I used some tape for the center of the vellum and covered it with the ribbon so you couldn't see it.Then in the upper and lower right corners..I used glue and covered that with the corners that Christy cut out for me on the Cuddle bug machine. That effectively covers the glue that would normally show through the vellum. I used a studio G stamp as the sentiment and one of my carnation paper flowers I had made a while back as an accent.I made the leaves with green card stock and decorative scissors. I added a pretty bow with the yellow ribbon and some gems I had gotten from Micheal's.

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without saying hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Another Mojo Monday #210

2011-10-16T07:06:00.001-07:00

I really LOVED this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch and decided to make another one.:) I didn't use the string in this one...but I might when I figure out which one I want to use. The colors are really brighter and more colorful in person.:)
Well..Christy is off today and Micheal's has a 20% off sale for just about anything in the store. Guess where we are going?LOL Christy told me the other day that she is a GOLD member there...cause she spends so much time there and buying supplies etc.hehe She asked me if I was one and I had to tell her no.I shop cheap.LOL

Papers=atd Under the Tree.
Gems= Micheal's Dollar bin
Square with Santa= atd Christmas Party kit.

Thanks for stopping in and please let me know you have been here.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

4HIM- It is well with my soul

2011-10-14T06:44:00.000-07:00

Christy's Mojo Monday #210

2011-10-13T13:16:00.001-07:00

Christy decided to join me again this week in Mojo Monday!! YAY!! The card above is hers and the card below ( previous Post) is mine. It's FUN to do this with someone you love.:) Christy found a GORGEOUS paper stack from.. DCWV named "Four Seasons". The middle paper on her card is all glittery.:) She used CuddleBug embossing folders on the top paper piece and the third(red) one. She used Tim Holtz "Alterations on the Edge" die cut for the ruffled edge. The ribbon is from Micheal's. She used one of my Christmas wooden stamps from Micheal's dollar bin for the sentiment. I just LOVE how this turned out!! She is soo talented!! Even if I do say so myself!!:)
Please take time to leave a sweet comment for Christy. I tried to get her to post this on HER blog..but she said her blog is a mess..and to put it on mine.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #210

2011-10-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

This is my card.:) I used some open stock papers from Micheal's and embossed the top and bottom paper pieces with my snowflakes CuddleBug embossing folder. I then tied the bow string (from Big Lots) around the top on the opposite side from what the sketch shows.(so I could hang a snowflake above the sentiment.) Then I cut some snowflakes out with my Silhouette SD and then glued and sprinkled white glitter on them. I used a wooden backed stamp that I got in the dollar bin at Micheal's and some blue chalk ink from Studio G for the sentiment. I tied a dangling snowflake to the string bow.( I think that was the hardest part of the card.LOL)

Thanks so much for stopping in and please don't leave without letting me know you were here.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

How To: Tea for large gatherings.:)

2011-10-12T13:42:00.000-07:00

I have had many occasions where I needed to make a large amount of tea. Mostly for my family who come over to visit often and EVERYONE seems to LOVE my tea. I will get asked to make it for family gatherings etc..so I thought I would tell you an easy way you can make LOTS of tea without having to carry gallons and gallons of tea to them. First of all I only use Lipton tea. I have tried several brands..but Lipton is the BEST. Some things I will skimp on and get because they are cheaper..but Lipton tea...Miracle Whip salad dressing and Jif Peanut Butter aren't one of them.:) First I get a small sauce pan ..as seen above and fill it almost to the top with water.Add four tea bags to it and bring it to a boil.

Turn it off after it boils and then let it sit for a few minutes to cool a bit so it doesn't melt my container.:) Remove tea bags and discard.

Put the tea in a closed container..with a lid. These are quart size I think. I got them at the Dollar Tree.(buy one for each gallon of tea you will need.They are a dollar a piece at the Dollar Tree. Add the amount of sugar you use for a gallon of tea to the container.Stir to mix sugar with the tea until it dissolves. You can place these in a box for carrying to your gathering...or place in the refrigerator..according to how many you make. * Make sure you have a one gallon tea pitcher to continue this process. Now..when you get to your gathering..take one of these containers of prepared tea and add it to your gallon pitcher.Then add water to just below the pour spout.Stir and serve tea.When the gallon pitcher is empty ...repeat the process...add a container of the prepared tea..fill pitcher with water ..stir and serve. This makes it soo easy and you don't have to worry about not having enough tea to go around.Plus..even the rest of the family knows what to do when the tea pitcher gets empty.:) Your work has already been done!! They also don't take up as much room in your refrigerator if you are needing three or four gallons of tea.

This works really well for me so I thought those of you with large families or church gatherings..might find this info useful.

Now..onto other things...I missed the last two steps going down the stairs yesterday afternoon.My heel caught the step I was coming off of and tripped me and I went tumbling.Fortunately ..it was only the bottom two steps...otherwise..I may have been confined to the bed for a while.:) I told my friends on Facebook that I now have a new meaning to "Stop..Drop..and Roll.LOL Let's see...I have a kink in my neck..a sore knee..on my left leg....my bad ankle (right leg)is hurting more..I bent my big toe back on that same foot. Hit my shin and bent my bad wrist back when trying to stop my fall.All in all..I am in a lot better shape today than I thought I would be.Just really sore.:( I am moving a bit slower today too...but thanking the Lord that I didn't do more damage.:)
I won't be making a Mojo Monday card today cause Robby called and said he and family are coming over in a little while.Thus..the story of the tea.hehe Had to make some for their visit.:)

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without letting me know you were here.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Thinking of You card.:)

2011-10-10T05:50:00.001-07:00

This is NOT a Mojo Monday card...it's a "just because" card.:) Christy and I were playing around with some new Cuddlebug embossing folders yesterday.Micheal's had 50%off coupons.Gotta love them!:) Christy used my Studio G chalk to highlight the butterflies and I used some to highlight the flowers in the background paper. I put some gems I got from Micheal's in the place of the butterfly heads.:) I added a cute bow and a sentiment and called it finished. As usual..it looks a LOT better in person.:)
We..Jim,Christy and I had a rather busy weekend.Bible study Saturday evening with the kids...then Sunday afternoon..a trip to Micro Center (computer store) ..cause I needed some disks and printer ink..then we stopped at Captain D's for some fish and chips etc.mmmm:) Then we went to Micheal's while Jim went next door to Best Buy..then we went to Walmart to get a few things we were running out of ..then headed home and watched one of the movies Christy picked up from the Red Box at Walmart. After that I worked more on my card until it got late and I was about to fall asleep on my feet. Got up this morning..ate breakfast...got Jim off to work and finished this card.Whew!! Hope today is a little bit slower...cause I am not as young as I use to be.LOL
I am waiting for the Mojo Monday blog to give us the sketch for this week.Last I checked they still had last weeks up. I DO NOT guarantee I will get it done today though.Just saying.LOL

Thanks for stopping in and for letting me know you were here.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #209

2011-10-04T18:09:00.001-07:00

I finally got my Mojo Monday card done this afternoon. It took a while..cause Mama and I had a busy day yesterday cleaning up from the weekend and then today..Christy was off of work but neither one of us felt like going shopping ..so we stayed home and finally got some crafting done.YAY! :) As you can tell I flipped the design from the sketch...and used vellum for the ruffled edge. I thought the ribbon beads looked somewhat like icicles...if you let your imagination go.LOL

Credits:
Paper= atd Under the Tree
Ribbon beads=Ribbon FX
Stamp= Katie and Company
Rhinestones=Micheal's Rhinestones
Embossed snowflakes=Cuddlebug
Glitter from Martha Stewart Glitter markers.

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without saying hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Christy made another Box with drawers.:) PRETTY!

2011-10-02T08:26:00.001-07:00

Actually..Christy made this PRETTY box with drawers prior to the last one I posted.I just didn't get the pics of it posted first. I LOVE how she decorated it and most of all..I LOVE that she gave it to ME!!! :) I have it sitting on my scrapbook cabinet so I can see it ALL the time while I am scrapping or making cards etc. I LOVE having a TALENTED daughter! :)

Robby's (youngest son's) birthday was Friday..and I was invited to join them ( Robby,Liz ..his wife..Melisa..her sister and Zander ..Melisa's baby boy) at Shogun's Japanese Restaurant for lunch again this year. I have pics and hope to have some layouts done really soon showing our time there.:) The cook wasn't as entertaining as last year..but the food was fantastic. Zander couldn't get enough of it and was practically climbing out of the high chair to get more.LOL Too funny!!

Thanks for stopping in again and for leaving lovely comments for me.I really LOVE your visits!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Sleepy Time Layout :)

2011-09-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

Gaye's ADORABLE kit!! I LOVE IT!! :) You can get it from her store..

HERE

...or visit her blog

HERE

...

Here is the layout I made using

Gaye's

COOL designs. I thought of the ZZZZZander (which is short for Alexzander ..which is his name..and what we all call him.) ..at the last minute and just HAD to match her letters the best I could..using her paper and then a border around the edges. I am really happy with the way this turned out.It's SOOO easy when you have practically everything else done for you.:) Thank you Gaye for making such CUTE kits for us.!!!

Thank you for stopping in and please don't leave without letting me know you were here.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

With All I Am (By Hillsong)

2011-09-29T03:34:00.000-07:00

Mojo Monday # 208

2011-09-28T05:24:00.001-07:00

I am going to start making Christmas and Winter cards. Those are my Favorites.:)

Credits:

Most everything came from atd Scrapbook Pad - Bloc de Recortes Tabletye De D'ecoupures

The gems are Micheal's Rhinestones.

I added the glitter around the edges of the trees...and embossed the upper left and lower right card stock paper with a snowflake design from Cuddlebug.Christy inked it for me so the snowflakes would show up better.I am LOVIN that technique.:)

Thanks so much for looking.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

I got an AWARD!! :)

2011-09-27T04:43:00.000-07:00

I received an award from my dear friend

Nina

..who makes GORGEOUS cards and inspires us to try that much harder to improve on our skills.:) Please take a moment or two to visit her blog and see her cards so you.. too.. can be inspired!!

Thank you sooo much Nina for including me in being a receiver of this COOL award.:)

If you would like to pass this blog award on to others, simply follow the directions below:
1. Thank the giver and link back to the blog who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award onto your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all, HAVE FUN!

Well...I have to say that the same ladies that Nina picked..me excluded...hehe..have inspired me too.:) I get so many ideas and learn so many new techniques from them telling us how they did their cards..designs ..etc.Thank you ladies!!

Another card:)

2011-09-26T18:53:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to try a gate card and finally got one done.:) It took a couple of days to figure out what I wanted on the the plain side. What I didn't want was is for it to BE plain.:) I finally found what I wanted this evening. YAY!! Jim really likes it.:)

Hope you ALL had a great weekend.:) Time for Mojo Monday now!! Well..not now..prolly tomorrow.LOL

Hugs,
Valinda

Clear Stamp Storage :)

2011-09-25T07:25:00.001-07:00

I was needing a way to organize my clear stamps a couple of months ago and asked Christy what I could do.She suggested base ball card inserts. They work perfectly for the smaller clear stamps like Studio G. You have to adjust the size of the stamp covers(the clear plastic that is on the front and back of the stamps to keep them from sticking to stuff) KWIM? I cut the top of the paper that shows what company made them and slip it behind the stamp...so I will be able to tell which one when I leave credits for them. I also cut a white card stock to place between the front and back to separate the two stamps that fit in the one slot.:) Whew..this isn't easy to explain.LOL Any way...I can fit two sets of stamps into each card slot ..(facing back to back with a white card stock between them).This way..when I open the book..I see the front side of the stamps selection and when I turn the page...there is a whole other set of stamp selections.KWIM? For the larger stamps ..Christy gave me some page covers for a three ring binder.:) You can see that in the top photo. The stamps shown loose are the $2.00 specials I got from Big Lots.They have a home in this book also.:)
I was really fortunate to find an extremely LARGE three ring binder book from Goodwill.(they have the larger ringed ones most of the time) It has the huge rings and I knew exactly what I wanted to use it for.:) It also has two sets of slots on the inside covers ..front and back. I slid some of the larger sets of stamps into those.
This is only the clear stamps I have gotten throughout my many travels to Micheal's Craft store and Hobby Lobby and their dollar bins and 40% off sales.LOL I need blinders when passing those.hehe This is not to show you all the stuff I got..but how I was able to store them and easily pick out the ones I want to use at any time.:)

What ways have you come up with to organize your craft items? I would LOVE to know.:)

I can remember when the kids were younger and times were hard..that Jim would give me six dollars a week to go to the thrift stores to spend any way I wanted to. :) That was my "fun money"...and I LOVED getting it.:) I had always wondered how people could fill their cupboards with so many nice dishes and glasses..bowls etc. Well..I learned that most of the time you can get really NICE ,inexpensive things from the thrift stores and flea markets and all they needed was a good cleaning.No chips on them etc. It took a while to get the cupboards filled and these days..I am in need of more cupboard space.:) It was soo FUN to go searching for the things to fill my cupboards..like a treasure hunt.KWIM? Each week was like a new adventure. :) Well..my stamp collection accumulated in the same way.It took a while but I had such FUN looking for the ones I didn't have already.:) The prices have gone up to $1.50 a piece this last week..so my adventures will slow down now.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Heritage Singers - Be strong

2011-09-24T13:21:00.000-07:00

Christy's New Box :) LOVE IT!!

2011-09-22T06:11:00.001-07:00

Christy made another box!! Isn't it GORGEOUS? She LOVES the paper she used and wanted to make something special out of it. I tried really hard to have her put it on display with my stuff..but no go. LOL I told her she could line the drawer with felt or velvet and make one of her handmade pendants for me and give it to me for Christmas.:) Don't you just love those feet and drawer handle? SOO COOL!!

Thanks for stopping in!!! Please don't leave without letting me know you were here.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #207 Christy's and Mine :)

2011-09-19T19:58:00.001-07:00

The card above is Christy's "first" Mojo Monday card. She did it all by herself. Well..I was in the room doing my card while she was doing hers.:) I think she did an EXCELLENT job on it!! She added some glitter to it and did some of her own designs with a silver or white marker pen.She did a lot of distressing with her special inks etc. I tried to get her to post it to her blog..but she said her blog is a mess..so I can put it on mine.:) I do it with pleasure!! I will have to find out all that she used and then post it later.It's after eleven and my bedtime.:)

This is mine. I told Christy that you can pretend I did a handmade sewing job around the edges since it turned out a little messy.LOL I used some papers that were laying around loose from their stacks...so I can't tell you who made them. The sentiment and jack o lantern is from The Paper Studio's All Seasons Chipboard Bundle. Christy let me use some of her spider web boarder stickers.I don't know who made those either..but if you just HAVE to know..I can find out.:) I used a clear stamp for the spider.Will find out more about who's designs they are and add to my post.

Happy Birthday Barb (Mrs.Miles)!!

2011-09-15T08:21:00.000-07:00

Today is my dear friend Barb's

Mrs.Miles

birthday. This is the fastest way I know how to get a card to her today.:) It's a digital card using ADB designs Daybreak mini kit. and a button from K-Josscraps Daybreak mini kit. The font is Amazone BT. The top pic is the outside cover of the card and the bottom is the inside which conveys Jim and my wishes for a WONDERFUL day for her!!:) Please take a minute to go wish her a Happy Birthday by clicking on the link!! Thanks!!:)

To Barb..

Huge hugs and LOTS of love,
Valinda :*)=kiss on the cheek!!

Christy's Completed Picture!

2011-09-13T18:48:00.001-07:00

Christy's Newest Art Work! :)

2011-09-13T06:05:00.000-07:00

Here is the beginning Sketch Christy first showed me.

The second Sketch she added volume to her hair and added clothing and a few shadows.:)

This is what she said about the last pic ..when she posted it to Face book....

"using colored pencils to color her...started working on the hair, but resigned for now because I'm not happy with the color...but like the eyes" :)

All I can say is...WOW! I Love to see her creative side in action!!:)

On another note...
I finally have the dining room table cleared of paperwork!! YAY! Now it's just my scrapbook and card supplies etc that I use most of the time. :) I still have the closet to organize again. Seems that is a never ending job..but today I have plans with Jimmy (oldest son) and Christy.(DD) to go see a movie. It's Tuesday and at the local NCG theater ..only $6.00 all day.Unless it's a 3D..then it's nine.:) If..they haven't gone up since my last visit there.:) Gotta start getting ready for my day...

Hugs,
Valinda

Taking a couple of days off.:)

2011-09-09T07:21:00.000-07:00

Good morning:)
I am SOOO behind in organizing my paper work. You know..filing receipts and putting papers in the proper files in the filing cabinet..throwing away junk mail...although I have gotten better at that! I have started going through my mail at the trash can.hehe ..but lately...I have had sooo much going on that I haven't had the time to do anything much except take the bills out.KWIM? I was able to go through a small amount the other day and throw away some outdated coupons and old newspapers that our local town mails out. (info about activities that are going on around town) which are interesting if you get the time to examine the paper.LOL * Note to self..put newspaper next to the toilet..LOL TMI? *snort!
I just really need to concentrate a couple of days on doing some of those type of things..or I am gonna have to call in some help..JK.:) I am not a paperwork type of person...when I was a Bakery Manager..the hardest part for me was to sit down and do the paperwork.I know it's an important part..very important..and I did it..but would much rather be out in the Bakery...baking and decorating cakes! LOVED getting into that part.:) I worked in the Bakery for seven years and a couple of those later ones I was a Bakery Manager. When they closed the store I was working in..(Ingle's grocery chain was moving out of the state of Georgia and closed down most of the smaller stores)... they transferred me into one of the mega stores (because that was the only place left for me since they had already transferred employees from the previous stores that closed down.) again...something I had a hard time doing since the main freezers were on the opposite side of the store and I couldn't keep walking back and forth to them to get and put the products from/in them etc...because of my bad ankle. This was the same store I had quit from..because I couldn't keep up with the walking part.( Every afternoon when we came home from work...Jim would have to get a large pan of hot water for me to soak my foot and ankle in ..just to relieve the pain a little). There were a lot of tears and I finally had to just quit. It wasn't Jim making me work..it was me..I LOVED what I did.:) That creative part of me..you know? :)
I didn't want to be bored staying at home and had asked the Lord to help me ..not to be bored.That is when I discovered digital scrapbooking!!!:) Then I discovered that I really liked the paper scrapping and card making etc too... so I didn't miss the creative part of me..I just moved it into a different area.:) I don't think I have had a boring moment since.hehe
Anyway...to make this short..TOO LATE!! :) I am planning to make myself do this other..uncreative stuff and do some sorting...and what better time to do it..than when Mojo Monday is taking a break. :)
Be back soon!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Happy Birthday Jimmy!! :)

2011-09-06T04:43:00.000-07:00

Today is my oldest son's 37th Birthday.WOW do I feel old.LOL I am gonna be a busy bee making cheese cake with cherry pie filling on top (his request) and a Birthday cake for those who can't eat cheesecake (Christy is lactose intolerant. Bummers! ) He also requested Taco Salad and to have the whole family over to eat it with him. Sure hope I got enough stuff for it.:)

We had some major storms come in yesterday but most of the damage was done to the east of us. We got wind and rain mostly.Our electricity didn't even go out. Praise the Lord!! Robby..our youngest son and his family spent the evening with us during the storm.:) It's really nice to know where your kids are during bad weather.:) There was a report of a tornado touching down in our town by the college...but I don't see any news about it yet.
Here's a link to our local online news ...if you would like to see a slide show of the damage in our area.

storm damage

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without saying hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Mixed Media Art Card - Home Is Where The Heart Is

2011-09-01T19:34:00.000-07:00

Christy (DD) sent this to me on Facebook and I thought you might like to see it too.WOW..do I have a LONG way to go on my card making. Please grab a coffee or tea etc..and sit back and watch this.You will be amazed!! SO COOL!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #206

2011-08-31T18:01:00.001-07:00

I added this pic of my card from my Iphone. It takes a lot better pic than my new camera.Go figure.LOL This is more like the true colors than the one below. I may have to start uploading Iphone pics for my cards until I can figure out how to get true color from my camera.:)

Here's my Mojo Monday on a Wednesday card.hehe I used Krista's CUTE Buttercup kit.I LOVE IT! :) My photo does NOT do it justice.It is really much cuter than this. If you want to see just how much cuter it is..please click on her name in my side bar.:)

I used Krista's papers and printed them out on my printer.Then used my Silhouette SD cutting machine to cut out the bird,butterflies,flower and scallop design under the bird. I got some half pearl stick ems at Hobby Lobby or Micheal's and placed them where needed. I then made some corners and used my decorative scissors to put a cute edge on them.

Thanks so much for stopping in. I LOVE your visits!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Tim Holtz Paper Roses with your Cricut

2011-08-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

I was asked how I made my rose on the card ... in my last post. I watched this video and did my own touches to it.I am sure after some practice I can make roses that look as nice as hers.:)

I used my Silhouette SD cutting machine instead of the Cricut.

Hope you make lots of pretty roses using this video!! Enjoy!!:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #205

2011-08-25T05:41:00.000-07:00

Yay!!! I finally got one done.:) I have been trying out paper flowers and my Silhouette SD cutting machine. I made both the rose and the scalloped circle from my Silhouette machine. I cut the flowers out and then manipulated them into the rose shape..added some glue and glitter and I LOVE it...and you can't beat the crisp cutting of the Silhouette machine on that scalloped circle.Oh..I made the leaves by using my decorative scissors.Also the cover of the card on the right edge.:) The embossed paper under the scalloped circle is done using one of the embossing plates on Christy's (DD) Cuttle bug machine. I LOVE embossing and you will most likely be seeing more of it from me from now on.:)
The ric rac ribbon is from: ribbonFX
The orange ribbon is from Micheal's Craft store.
The string is from Big Lots Dollar bin
The papers are from my stash of loose paper pieces and I can't tell you right now what company made them. Sorry.:(
I am a frugal crafter so a LOT of my supplies are from sales and dollar bins and things people have given to me through the years. I always say..if you can do it "cheaper"..why not?:)

On a side note....I adjusted the rose and moved it over to the right a hair so it would be in the center of the circle... after seeing it on here.:) Close your left eye and maybe it will look like it.LOL Got ya!! I tried it too..*snort!!

Thanks so much for stopping in and please don't leave without saying hi. I LOVE your visits!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Beautiful Cards from Friends :)

2011-08-23T15:06:00.000-07:00

These are BEAUTIFUL cards from..my dear friend Barb (Mrs.Miles) (top) and my dear friend Nina (Barb's sister) (bottom). Thank you both SOO much for sending these to me.It was such a WONDERFUL surprise!! Both of these will remain VERY SPECIAL to me!! The cards and friends!! :) Links to their blogs and more photos of their GORGEOUS cards are in my sidebar.
I hate to keep having to tell you that the photos don't do them justice. One day I WILL figure out how to make them look just like they do on my side of the camera.:)

I haven't done a Mojo Monday card yet.I have been spending the day with my two eldest kids.(Jimmy and Christy) We went to Micheal's Craft store and then to Joe's Crab Shack for lunch. My youngest son came by to pick Jimmy up and waited for us to finish eating.... so they could run some errands together. Christy and I continued our shopping at Hobby Lobby and then we came home and played with her Cuddle Bug and my Silhouette SD machines. We are now waiting for a pizza to be delivered for supper.:) I seem to be a busy busy bee lately.

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without saying hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #204

2011-08-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

Well...I FINALLY got another Mojo card done!!YAY!! :) This was one I hurried on so I could get it posted.Kinda spoils the meaning of the card huh?LOL Hopefully next week's will go a LOT easier ..if my back doesn't go out and my teeth don't need pulled.LOL

I thought I would do something different and I used

Gaye's

It's Raining Fun kit. It's so CUTE and I got permission to use it on my cards!!:) Thank you Gaye!! How SWEET!! I just LOVE her creations!!

First I printed out some of her papers that didn't have rain drops and cut them to fit the page where I wanted them.Then I used my new Silhouette SD machine to cut out her CUTE elements.That sure was a piece of cake too..since Christy likes to pull them off of the sticky paper.hehe I wrote the sentiments with my own handwriting..which BTW ..isn't that great!! The tags were so small that I needed to write on it.You know those people that say your own handwriting adds a LOT to the pages...well...they haven't been here to see mine yet.LOL

Everything on this card is made from

Gaye's

kit.... except the writing and the gems and the background card stock...which is an off white.Oh..I did use pop dots to make some of the elements stand out.:)

As usual..the photo doesn't do it justice.:)

Hope you have a FANTASTIC weekend my friends!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Update:)

2011-08-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

My wisdom tooth has finally been pulled!!! It took a while ( an hour or more) for the Dentist to see me ...and only about fifteen seconds for him to pull it! :) He said "I told you I was good !! He's right!!! Hehe

No Mojo today.:(

2011-08-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

Well..I had thought I was gonna get a card done for this weeks Mojo Monday..but Christy was off of work today and we ended up shopping again.:) Christy said they should know her by name when she walks into Micheal's Craft store now.LOL We actually went to several places.Big Lots,Dollar Tree then WalMart..then Micheal's.Then home..where Jim was already waiting for me to get there.He suggested going out to grab a bite for supper so he and I went to Shane's Rib Shack and got bbq pork sandwiches.mmm.:) Christy wasn't hungry yet..so she opted to stay home.

I will be missing in action for a little while tomorrow.Gonna get another tooth pulled.:( I am NOT looking forward to it either...the last one hurt for almost two weeks.OW!! This one is a back bottom tooth that isn't needed cause it doesn't have a top tooth for chewing purposes.Just there...and decaying. Then..when it heals ..I will get some impressions made for a partial to fill the gaps that the lack of teeth have made.I think there will only be four teeth in the bottom partial.Guess I should be happy..some people my age and even younger have lost ALL of their teeth. :(

I have no idea how I will feel the next couple of days..but if I do feel better..I would really like to try making this weeks card.It looks interesting.:)

Thank you to those who left a comment on Christy's painting.She has done a couple more paintings too.:)

Well..folks...gonna go get some rest before they yank my tooth out.LOL

Huge hugs,
Valinda

Christy's Newest Painting

2011-08-16T07:06:00.000-07:00

One is without flash and the other with. Imagine an in -between and you will get close to what it really looks like.:) I am sooo proud of Christy's talent and creativity! Like I have said before ..She can do just about anything she puts her hand to!:)

Thanks so much for stopping by..and please don't leave without letting us know you were here!:)

Now to get my Mojo going!!:)

Hug,
Valinda

Family Resemblance.:)

2011-08-11T05:03:00.000-07:00

I kept saying to people ..that Tom (my brother) looked so much like Grandpa Cunningham and I would get a funny look ..like..oh really???? Well..thought I would stress the point a bit.LOL Do you agree..he is a chip off the old block?:)

I put this on Facebook and those that saw it and commented..agreed with me.:) I LOVE being right.LOL

I used Laney Coppercurls paper and

Barb Derksen's

Dove overlay.
I can't remember who made the glasses..but I made the lenses and the rest of the elements.The font is Park Avenue.:)

Most of you know my friend Barb as

Mrs.Miles

and I know she would LOVE to have you stop by for a visit.She has recently opened a freebie vault with her past and current freebies too.:)Stop in..say hi and stay a while!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #203

2011-08-10T19:37:00.001-07:00

Well..I finally got a card done for Mojo Monday.YAY! It really does look better than the pic shows.It's much brighter and the colors are soo pretty.:) I can't tell you what paper I used..because they were from my stash that had no info on them. The background scallops I made from Fiskar's punches. The little flowers with the gems I made using a flower punch from The Paper Studio.The stamp is from Studio G clear stamps...got them at Micheal's along with the pink dotted ribbon.The butterfly is from Dollar Tree.The circle scallop (with the sentiment on it)..I made using my new Silhouette SD machine.I FINALLY had some time to play with it.

Jim and I spent some time this evening learning and trying out a few things. I now have a couple of pages worth of circle scallops...and have been able to cut out some of the CUTE elements I have collected through the last few years.No..I did not cause my new machine to smoke from over work.LOL Just tried a few things to see how to set the system up to cut them out for me.:) I think once I learn ALL it can do ..I am really gonna LOVE it!!

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without saying hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Update again.:)

2011-08-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

Hello friends:)
Just wanted to give you an update on my back. I am still moving around slowly. I am not bed ridden any more..YAY..but am avoiding bending down or leaning over etc.My back muscles are still a bit weak and protest if I stand or sit too long. Hopefully it will get better day by day and soon I can get back into my regular routine...whatever that is.LOL There is soo much I want to do and am having to put it on the back burner.:( Pretty soon I will need another stove if I don't start catching up.hehe
My dear friend (Mrs Miles) told us (on her blog..link in sidebar) about a new cutting machine she had gotten and Jim ...who treats me like a Princess..got me one for our Anniversary!! How COOL is that?:) Problem is..I can't spend as much time learning about it cause I have to get back on the ice pack too often.I am gonna watch You Tube video tutorials though and by the time I get better..I should have a bit more knowledge under my belt.YAY!! It's really a COOL machine and once I learn it..I will be able to have IT cut out all the CUTE elements and flowers etc..that I have collected ..and even doodles!! It's perfect for my cards and Hybrid projects..paper scrapping etc. it does a lot more than just paper too.It does fabrics!! If you would like to read and see more about it..please visit Mrs Miles blog.(link in sidebar) The machine is called Silhouette SD. I know I will surely feel the expected excitement about it..when I am actually able to spend more time with it!! Oh....and out of pain!:)
Mrs.Miles has been a HUGE help in getting me introduced to it and she has even offered cut outs to go with it..plus the png files for those who don't have the machine....on her blog.SWEET!!!:) Thank you so much my friend!!

Jim is such a HUGE help too...as soon as I told him I wanted one..he went exploring about it and spent a LOT of time online watching tutorials etc..so he could help me to learn it quicker.The company has a download that you can get ...before you ever even receive the machine..and it is just like the program.You can learn every step you need to know...before you receive your machine!!! COOL!! I am still gonna pick my dear friend..Mrs. Mile's brain though..cause she has "on hand" knowledge of how to use it!!:) I think she is just as excited for me to learn it as she was!! What a FRIEND!!:) I would love to be a fly on her wall!!LOL

I am gonna be testing my back out this evening.Jim and I didn't get a chance to celebrate our 40th Anniversary last Monday because of my back trouble.He asked me if I thought I could sit long enough to get that yummy steak from

Texas Roadhouse for supper this evening...I am definitely gonna try it out. We can always get it to go if I decide I can't sit there long enough.Right? :) They sure make everything look yummy on that ad page.LOL ..but it IS that Yummy!!! :)

Anniversary!:)

2011-08-01T06:09:00.001-07:00

Happy 40th Anniversary Jim!! I didn't think it was possible to love you more each day ...but I was wrong!!!:)

Love,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #201

2011-07-26T07:50:00.001-07:00

Well..it's not the best card I have ever made..but at least I have one.LOL Don't you just love those embellishments that are already made for you? They sure come in handy when you are in a rush.:)

Papers= ki Memories Designer paper pad and DCWV the Spring Stack
Ribbon = Micheal's value ribbon
Tag = Studio 18 Dimensional Stickers
Flower =Dollar Tree
Smiley Button= Big Lots or Micheal's.Don't remember which.:)

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without saying Hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

$2.00 sale at Big Lots

2011-07-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

I love a sale!!!:) Christy and I went to Big Lots first today and we got quite a few things for only $2.00 a piece... including Ocean Spray Cranberry juice 64 oz size.:) I got four and they are the ones with a September sell by date on them. You have to watch and make sure the dates are on them cause there were quite a few that the dates had mysteriously disappeared on. Just sayin! :)
Christy has one more day of her vacation left after today. It's been really great to have both Jim and Christy off at the same time.Jim had to go back to work today though.:( Guess it will be back to the old grind after tomorrow ... Hey ...Jim is off again on Wednesday!!! COOL! :)
Thanks for stopping in!! I love your visits!:)

Hugs ,
Valinda

Georgia Aquarium

2011-07-23T05:05:00.000-07:00

This is a pic of an Otter "fleaing" another Otter.:) It was fleaing the other Otter..while the other Otter was fleaing it at the same time.:) The pic I took of the two of them together turned out blurry.:(

This is an Albino Alligator. It didn't much care if we took a pic or not.It wasn't gonna move!!:)

This is one of the saddest looking fish I have ever seen.Guess it's all dressed up and nowhere to go.:(
Jim said this is either a stone crab or spider crab.Not sure and we can't remember what the sign told us.
A Swordfish and a Shark swimming side by side. This is in the tunnel. LOVE this!

This is in the Big Aquarium room.One whole wall is glass so you can see the fish etc swimming right up in front of you.:)

We had a nice leisurely time just walking around the Aquarium and watching the different species of fish etc.:)

Thanks for stopping in and if you have time..please say hi before you leave.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

update.:)

2011-07-21T05:27:00.000-07:00

Just stopped in to let you know that Jim and Christy are on vacation from work this week. We are staying close to home this time..but we did go to the Georgia Aquarium again yesterday. It's air conditioned and we could sit and rest anytime we wanted...which for Jim and me...that was a plus!:) They have a dolphin show now which is something we haven't seen before.No pics of it though.The rules were..no video or pics of any kind.:( Guess if you want to see it..you have to come to Georgia!!LOL
Other than that....I do have some pics I am gonna sort through and maybe post so you can see them.:)
Jim spent the first few days of his vacation resting his back. It always goes out after he does inventory and has to climb up and down on the ladder all day.:( It seems to be a bit better now..so we were able to actually go somewhere and do something...and since the Aquarium is a short distance from where we live..we thought that would be a good place to go. It took us quite a while to get there since we took the interstate and there was an accident that held traffic up.We knew an alternate route so took that.Evidently others knew that route too.LOL We finally made it there and then the trip back home was SLOWWWWW because it was after four when we decided we had gone as long as we could...and traffic is awful at that time of day with everyone getting off of work and trying to get to the interstate. Even where I live it is too busy to be out on the roads during work closing hours if you don't have to be....let alone in the heart of Atlanta!!!! :) That is an experience we don't like to repeat...EVER!!LOL
I will try to get a few pics posted as soon as I can.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

2011-07-10T03:37:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy weekend so far and seems to be continuing right through.:)
Thursday ..my sister called to see if I wanted to go to lunch with her on Friday. ( her day off) and I of course said yes...cause we hadn't seen each other for a while. We talk on the phone when we can..but it's just not the same as sitting across the table eating and enjoying catching up on the happenings in our lives.:) It was a really nice leisurely lunch and I don't think either of us were in a hurry to call an end to it. She wasn't in a big hurry to get back to reupholstering a chair.hehe She had already done one and knew the challenge of completing another just like it...so I took advantage of that time and just relaxed and enjoyed it.:) That afternoon Robby and family came over and we ordered Chinese food and watched movies.

Yesterday ..Christy had been asked to baby sit Zander. He is my DIL's sister's baby.Such a sweet little guy.I can't believe he is already seven months old.WOW!! :) He has a smile for anyone who wants one...and I want one any time he wants to give one.hehe He was really good for Christy and Christy did an EXCELLENT job of taking care of him.:) Robby( our youngest son) and family are on vacation this week but mostly staying around town...swimming ..shopping etc..except they had tickets to

Medieval Times

and didn't want to take Zander (Alexzander)with them because of the dust and noise that he would have been exposed to. They came in late(after ten) to pick him up and decided to stay the night ..cause they want to go with us to see the new Transformer movie in 3D today and decided they might as well spend the night.:) I have never been to the Medieval Times dinner show...but several members of my family have and loved it.:) Jim is a bit concerned about going where horses are running around ..kicking up dust while he is trying to eat dinner.LOL Liz..DIL..said there isn't much dust...which in his book..means..there IS dust.LOL
The whole gang are going to the movie today..(Matinee time) so I can guess at least one whole row of seats will be mostly taken up.LOL Jim has a rule..if it's 3D..he's gotta see.:) I have heard this is the best of the Transformer movies...I will let you know.hehe
Tomorrow is Mojo Monday again.Not sure if/when I will have time to make a card..but you can be sure..if I do..I will post it.:)
Hope you have a GREAT rest of the weekend.:) Gotta get started making the pancakes..which for this size crowd is the easiest breakfast..besides toaster waffles.LOL

Hugs,
Valinda

WOW...LOVE this song.! That's who I am!!:)

2011-07-09T05:52:00.001-07:00

Mojo Monday # 198

2011-07-07T07:42:00.000-07:00

This card was NOT easy.:) I tried several things and decided to try just ONE more time.LOL This is the end result.

So much going on around here.July 4th holiday and Robby and family over for the weekend...then it stormed again and family came back over because their electricity tends to go off during storms and it's too hot in their home to close the windows to keep the rain out with no air conditioning.:( I can't blame them one bit! It's fun having everyone here at one time spending the night.:)
Yesterday we had the air conditioner inspector come by our home to make sure their company had installed the new air conditioner unit correctly. ( the old one had used up all of it's days).The results are...they will have to come back in a few days to redo a couple of things because they got the drain hose too tight to let much water out and this could cause the drain to back up and we would end up with water on the floor. Can't have that can we? :) You know..I got to thinking...which I do quite often.hehe...that if they inspected their work before they left...they wouldn't need an inspector to come back and check things...right?:) Maybe that is a good thing though ..cause they didn't even plug up the hole ..for the wires etc...that led from inside the garage to the outside unit...and the drainage hose that was going outside..was bent in half and not much water could get through.So...the inspector is gonna make them completely replace that whole hose. Yay for inspectors!! :) I am just glad I don't have an inspector come behind me when I clean the house.*snort!!!

Credits:
Paper=atd Candy Blossoms paper pad
Ribbon=Disney Fairies Tinkerbell-green..has glitter in the ribbon
Disney Princess-yellow..has glitter in the ribbon
Stamp is from Micheal's dollar bin and I colored them with colored pencils ( Prismacolor Verithin)
Heart spatters..I believe are from Big Lots.I can't remember the name of the company.
Flower and metal stitching is from Dollar Tree.
Buttons were a gift and Gems are from Micheal's.:)

Thanks so much for stopping in and I would love it if you would say hi..even if you don't like my card.LOL

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #197 -another late post.:(

2011-07-04T17:15:00.001-07:00

Another late post for Mojo Monday.:( I had this card finished yesterday morning except for the
bow.I had to get the right color that I wanted. Can you believe I have oodles of ribbon..but when it comes to finding the right one for the card I just made...it's a no-go.:( Better organization..I know.:) Find all the pieces I want for my card..and then assemble....live and hopefully learn.hehe
I am still having problems getting the colors on here to be the same colors as the card is.KWIM? This is as close as I can get. To let you understand a little better.The background paper ..under the card...is white.YES it is!!!:) The card is a light greyish blue with a medium purple card stock.I got the stamp from Micheal's craft store...and the flower from the Dollar Tree. The ribbon I got from Walmart. 47 cents a roll. Can't beat that.:) Same thing I was paying a dollar for at Micheal's.... Again..live and learn.LOL The paper is from sbw Scrapbook Wizard-Mega Pack.
Oh...the little tiny black dots in the upper right corner...are glitter. Really! They won't show up when you want them to and do show up when you don't want them to. :) I thought I had gotten them off of there!
Now to get busy on this weeks Mojo Monday.:)

Thanks so much for stopping in and please don't leave without saying hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #195

2011-06-30T13:28:00.001-07:00

I am about to catch up on the Mojo Monday cards.:) Hope to be ALL caught up before Sunday night so I can enter into the contest before closing.I don't ever expect to win..but LOVE to see all the entries anyway. VERY inspiring.:)

This is a close up of my card.They always look nicer in person.:) I made the leaves and flowers from card stock papers I got from Micheal's craft store. I inked the flowers to add some texture to them. I stamped the birthday cake which included the candles and colored them with colored pencils (Prismacolor Verithin) The Happy Birthday stamp and the birthday cake stamps were from stamps I got in the dollar bin at Micheal's too.
I folded the center paper to add dimension to it and now wish I had just left it alone... because It looks unfinished on the edges and I had to glue them down...which really spoiled the effect I was looking for.LOL
I see a few tweaks I need to do to straighten the ribbon etc...I will do that before I use it.:) I must really love these colors too because I had already started this one and before finishing it..did the Pooh card next...then back to this one today.:)
I feel better about catching up anyway...even if it was backwards.:)

Thanks so much for stopping in and leaving such sweet comments for me.I truly appreciate it!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Moj Monday #196 -Catching up.:)

2011-06-28T20:01:00.001-07:00

Okay...I know I missed this last weeks Mojo Monday card on the due date..but better late than never. That's my story and I am sticking to it.LOL I don't know if I will have time to do week before lasts and this weeks.Jim came home from work sick today.:( Light headed and upset tummy. I think he has what I had a couple of weeks ago.It only felt better when I would eat. Hey..if you have to be sick..that is the kind to get.LOL

I have had this set of Winnie the Pooh Disney stickers for quite a while now and have been trying to find something to use them on. I got these for one dollar at The Dollar Tree. The flower is from there too.I just folded a couple in half and put a clip I had gotten from a set at Staples on it. Instead of clipping it to the card..I clipped it to the flower and used a couple of big glue dots to hold it onto the card...so you could actually open it and read what's inside.:) The papers ..I think are from sbw Scrapbook Wizard Mega Pack. Don't hold me to that though.LOL The tag is from Walmart . and I wrote "Sweeter than honey " on it myself.:)

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without saying hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

"Your Grace Still Amazes Me" Phillips, Craig & Dean

2011-06-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

Thank you!! :)

2011-06-21T05:04:00.000-07:00

I want to Thank every one of you who have left well wishes for me.HOW SWEET!! :) I am doing a lot better where my back is concerned.I got it adjusted and after a couple of days of being sore ...things seem to be doing okay. My neck was way out and after getting it back in and it staying in place..there's no more problems so far.:) As far as my tooth being pulled and the after affects..well....it still hurts.Not sure what is causing the pain..but hopefully it is just needing more time to heal. The Dentist did a LOT of wiggling of the tooth to get it out of there and in the process..tore the gum a little towards the inside. I will be most grateful when it heals up all the way.:) I am hanging on to that phrase my Daddy always said in situations like this."This too shall pass.":)
We had a wonderful weekend.Robby (youngest son) and family came to our house Saturday afternoon and then spent the night.We all got up early Sunday morning (Father's Day) and went to the Golden Coral for their breakfast buffet.mmm.:) They are only open for breakfast on the weekends...and Robby had to work Saturday morning and wanted to buy Jim's breakfast as a gift for Father's Day.:) Christy had the day off and Jimmy had to go to work at eight p.m. which left him the day to enjoy with us.:) Jim wanted to go to the flea market after that and we sure needed the exercise after that buffet.LOL After the flea market we decided to get some rib eye steaks to grill for supper and Robby and family came back to our house to spend the rest of the evening with us. They left to go home around seven thirty.It was really nice having them here ..and Jim and Robby had a really nice Father's Day.(them both being Daddy's). I was worn out yesterday and couldn't get enough sleep .Seemed like every time I sat down..I would fall asleep.:)
I didn't make a mojo monday card this last week.I started one..but just didn't feel up to thinking about what I wanted to do. Fuzzy headed I guess from the anti biotic and the pain pills. Hopefully I will feel better this week and be able to get one done.:)
Thanks again for stopping in and leaving such SWEET comments for me.They are VERY much appreciated.:)

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Hugs,
Valinda

Update.:)

2011-06-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

I have had a few rough days and have slowed down some on blogging. Here's why...Some of you know that I fell up the stairs a little over a week ago.I was bringing groceries into the house when ...right at the last step onto the main floor...Christy's cat ran right in front of me and my body was already headed to the top floor.:( I fell hard on both of my knees...hands full of grocery bags....and gradually my back became out of alignment.All the way to my neck and I started having headaches again.So....I went to the Chiropractor Monday and he adjusted me.I felt much better after that but was soo sore..I rested and kept ice on my back and neck. I took it easy on Tuesday.
Before the trip to the Chiropractor...I had been getting some much needed Dental work done.I had an appointment with the Dentist yesterday and it was decided to pull the bad tooth...and then eventually....after it heals...get a partial that will fill all the gaps (have had a couple other teeth pulled before) on the bottom row.:) I was told..since I get dry socket really bad...to baby it yesterday and to not bend forward or allow my blood pressure to go up. This would keep the blood clot from coming loose and coming out of the socket.Which is what a dry socket is. Jim is THE BEST thing that has happened to me besides Jesus saving me.:) He wouldn't allow me to do ANYTHING yesterday after the tooth was pulled.:) He made a casserole and an apple cobbler for our supper (with a few instructions) and even served it to me.:) Every time I would get up to do something...he would tell me I am suppose to be resting.... "I'll do that". He even cleaned the kitchen up and got the dishes running in the dish washer for me. Every time I would get the mirror to see how my socket was looking..he would say "Leave it alone"!! Bossy thing!!!!LOL He told me he just didn't want me to get dry socket. How SWEET is that? :)
The gum hurts some today from the tooth being pulled..but so far..no signs of a dry socket!! YAY!! :) Thank you LORD!! and my honey too!!:)

If you got this far ...thank you soo much for taking the time to read...that means you are interested in what I have to say....and that means a LOT to me.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Denim and Daisies BB album :)

2011-06-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

This is Jim and Jimmy working the pond area in the front yard.Jim must be explaining something to Jimmy in this one.:)

This is of the last concrete step that needed to be done before and after pics.:)

This is the patio Jim constructed and completed.:)Freedom LOVES it!! We do too!!:)

This is the start of the steps on the opposite side of the patio.

Freedom LOVES to sit outside while Jim works.She sees him put his work clothes on and from that moment on..she is his shadow.LOL

I got these brag book pages from Just So Scrappy ( link in sidebar) I believe she still has the links up to some of her ADORABLE brag book pages etc. You really should take a look and see if there are any you would LOVE to collect.:) I had to re-size these because they were 5x7 and I wanted 4x6. for my brag books I have collected to fill.:) Parts of the whole page are sometimes missed when I do that....so be sure to go see and collect the original ones.:)

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without saying hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday # 194

2011-06-08T06:11:00.001-07:00

The Dentist office moved my appointment up an hour, so I was able to finish this card.Plus..getting up early helped too!!:)
This one will cover just about any occasion that calls for a Congratulations. LOVE those!!

Credits:
Papers= DCWV Summer Stack
Ribbon and bow= Spool o' Ribbon
Flowers= Dollar Tree
Gem in flower= Micheal's Craft Store..dollar bin

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without saying hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Don't Try This At Home!! Seriously!! :)

2011-06-07T08:52:00.000-07:00

THIS has GOT to hurt!!:) This is only one of the stunts she did.:)

I would NOT want to be the girl under those knives.Would you?:)

This guy's feet are on a bed of nails. Some people will do ANYTHING for attention.LOL I think they have the perfect spot to perform..if you read the sign in the back.hehe

Need I say more?:)

Just a few of the daring stunts that were performed for our entertainment and some donations to their buckets.:) It's a living.LOL

These are from the Renaissance Festival here in Georgia. The very last day of the Festival for this summer.

I was really surprised at the language they were allowed to use..etc. Guess they wanted to make it as authentic as they could.Not somewhere I will be excited to go back to...but I do have good memories about my ankle NOT hurting me.:) If you don't know what I am talking about..scroll down to my last post.:)

Thanks for stopping by to take a look and please don't leave without saying hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Ga. Renaissance Festival +Praise Report.:)

2011-06-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

Our Greeters at the entrance to the Festival

Inside the Festival grounds

The King announcing the start of the Joust

Competition

The WINNER!!! :)

If any of you were wondering where I was yesterday..well..HERE.:) Christy has been wanting to go to the Renaissance Festival for most of the Summer.Yesterday was the very last day for it to be open this year here in Georgia. So..we got up early yesterday morning ...left the house at 8:00 a.m. and started our day traveling the hour it takes to get there from our home. We stopped at the Iron Skillet for a breakfast buffet ...then traveled on to the park..with a slight detour to the airport.Jim went left instead of right.hehe Christy and I are not the greatest navigators either...we were relying on the GPS on our IPhones.LOL So..we backtracked ..got on the right course after a quick trip through the airport parking area ...got a ticket to open the gate....then drove through the exit ramps..presented our ticket and opened the exit gate...at no cost to us.:) Nope..that's not the praise report...although it could be another one for the day.LOL Finally got to the Festival and got our tickets.We were surprised that they only cost us $19.95 a piece.We were expecting something like $35.00 apiece ..cause most recreational parks charge that...Nope..that's not the praise report either.LOL We had a really great time although is was HOT...93 degrees. I will try to have more pics to show you tomorrow.:)

Now to the praise report!!
Those of you who have been visiting my blog and know that I have a really bad ankle with a metal plate and seven screws..know..that I am in pain...ALL the time. I have had to resort to getting an electric wheelchair at Walmart etc..because I can't make it around the store without my ankle just about killing me. ...well...I knew going to the Festival would involve a LOT of walking and I sure didn't want to disappoint Christy and have to leave sooner than she would want...so when I got up to potty around two thirty and I was concerned about my ankle ..cause it was hurting..I just stopped and prayed and asked the Lord to make it so it wouldn't hurt me and that I would be able to make it through the trip ...and I used the scripture verse..that I can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens me...Now..you may not believe this..but it HAPPENED!! My ankle did NOT hurt me ALL day while I was there.I even mentioned it to Jim and we together KNOW this was not the norm.Especially since I have always ..since I broke it..been especially careful of rocky..gravely and hilly areas..cause it makes my ankle twist and turn and is a constant irritant to it. Well..let me tell you..we walked and walked and walked until the calves of my legs and thighs were protesting and almost refusing to take me any where else.:) Still no pain in my ankle!!! We stayed until we were too hot to stay any longer and we were ALL ready to go back home. We stopped for supper at Folks restaurant..and came home after that.It was around 7:00 p.m. As soon as my foot hit the driveway in our yard..my ankle was back to the usual.I had FINISHED my trip!!LOL The bones in it ground together and if you have ever bitten down and had your teeth hit wrong and slide off of each other..that is how it feels.OWWW!! I PRAISE my Lord for helping me to enjoy the day and for not spoiling Christy's FUN day!! Thank you Jesus...MY FRIEND!!! :)

I believe in DIVINE healing ...I have been instantly healed so many times..that it is impossible..not to believe in it.:) I believe one day I will have a complete healing of my ankle.:)If you don't believe in something..you won't look for it.KWIM? Believe me..it's REAL!!

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without saying Hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

My New Great Niece with her older sister.:)

2011-06-05T01:50:00.000-07:00

We have a new member of our family.:) This is my Great Niece, Mattie and her new little sister, Phoebe. Phoebe was born June 4th at 3:20 a.m. Congratulations on your fourth child to my Niece Brianne and her husband Ronnie!!

2011-06-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

Whew!! The hurrier I go the behinder I get.LOL Better late than never..but then..I am not REALLY late...just a bit delayed.:) I made another card but didn't like it..so started another one I like a lot better.:) This is it!! I didn't have any idea when I first started this that I was going to use the smiley ribbon and the smiley element in the center of the flower...but it just came together and went with the word art.:) Sorry about the quality of the photo.Guess that's just the way it's gonna be until I can figure out what I am doing wrong.:)

The light striped papers are from GCD Studios..Rose Colored Glasses Collection.The dotted one is from an open stock paper at Micheal's Craft Store. I got the"Special Value" smiley ribbon from Micheal's too.The dimensional Sticker in the center is from Mary Engelbreit. Those are soo CUTE!!:)

Thanks for stopping in and I hope you'll say Hi before you leave.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #192

2011-05-28T18:15:00.000-07:00

Light box..light box...where did you go? Light box...light box...I need you so!!LOL

I FINALLY got around to making this week's Mojo Monday Card.Whew!! It was a very FULL week and I just did finish this card this afternoon before a birthday dinner/party. Came home..took pics of it and am now posting. The papers are from the open stock at Micheal's Craft store.They had a sale ....4/$1.00. I really love the white paper.It has a shimmer to it as you can see and I added the pretty textured ribbon and bow to compliment it.:) The paper flower ...I made from the background paper.Can't miss matching it that way ..can I ?hehe The stamp is from the dollar bin at Micheal's too...they really know how to get you with that dollar bin.:)

Thanks for stopping in and please don't forget to say hi before you leave.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Thank you Jesus!!:)

2011-05-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day..I know..I am late.:)

2011-05-21T07:30:00.001-07:00

I wanted to share with you what the kids and Jim got me for Mother's Day. I know I am late with them..but the days just seemed to ZOOM by....except for this week. I got sick early Monday morning around three a.m. and it didn't let up for three or four days. You know when you get that virus that makes you nauseated and you need to eat to keep from feeling that way all day? Well...that's what I had.:( Sure hope that one decides to skip the rest of the family!! NOT FUN!!
Christy got this gift certificate for me and a beautiful card.:) I have already spent the whole thing cause she took me shopping with her too.LOL How do you like my copy of it?hehe

Robby and Jimmy got flowers for me.The bunch on the left is from Robby and the one on the right from Jimmy. LOVE them...although I have no idea what some of them are.Jimmy got a box of chocolates and made a card for me too.:) I painted out personal things that I didn't want everyone to see....love my paint program!! Keep in mind this was Mother's Day and the house was full of people..and stuff.LOL

Jim asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day...and I said a sewing machine.:) Not a big huge fancy one ..cause I am not a seamstress by any means.Just one that had a few COOL stitches and that I could actually lift and carry by myself..This last request was very important to me..because..with my older one..ancient actually..it was SOOO heavy I had to have Jim or one of the boys carry it to the dining table..and back to the closet ...since all the rooms in the house are occupied one way or the other and there is NO room for a sewing machine to stay put for the ready.KWIM? He did me proud!!LOL I had the case from my old machine and this new one fit in it perfectly.:) I can carry it by myself and when I get a chance to actually sit down and see how it works...I will most likely LOVE it even more.:)
I saw this sewing kit in my files this morning and I KNEW just what I wanted to use it for too!!!:) It was perfect for a layout of my new sewing machine. I got the kit from Crazy 4 Monograms (link in my sidebar) If you haven't been to her blog..you are really missing a treat!! She has really CUTE kits and she just gave away a free set of alpha monograms.WOW!! You really need to go take a look.:)

Hope everyone has a FANTASTIC weekend!!

Hugs,
Valinda

More Big Shanty Layouts :)

2011-05-18T19:38:00.000-07:00

I found a newspaper article about Leon Thomas's (the star of Nicelodeon's hit show...Victorious) visit to our town during the Big Shanty Festival. Click on pic to read article.:) My grand daughters were SOOOO excited when they found out he was there.:) They just HAD to get a pic of themselves with him. I on the other hand..had to ask who he was and why were they so excited to see him...because I don't normally watch Nickelodeon when I don't have children around.hehe

I used LilyBelle's train kits from 2009 and 2010 again.Her kits were perfect for these layouts..since the Big Shanty is the name of the train that our town celebrates every year.:) I was asked if LilyBelle's train kits were still available and I don't think they are as of a month or so ago. Design Pirates had been at their business again..and LilyBelle took all the links to her lovely free kits down. So sad.:( Last I heard she is trying to figure out how to be able to continue with the freebies without the Pirates grabbing them up as fast as they can.

Thanks for stopping by and please don't leave without saying hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #191

2011-05-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

Well...I thought I would try a hand at this weeks Mojo by myself.:) Christy helped me with the one further down this post and I really LOVE it..so be sure to scroll down.:) This one was made using the pack of papers that I will have to try to find the cover for..so I can give proper credit.:)

The little butterflies are something I tried from a flower punch and some stickers and I added the gems for the head and tail.:) I used a glitter marker to make the dotted flight pattern. The ribbon is from Details Accessories.The flower is from Dollar tree.The gems are from Studio 18 and Micheal's dollar bin.The tag is from WalMart and you can get them in the office supply section.I think there were a hundred in the package I got...and they are the perfect size for the cards!!:) The stamp is also from the Micheal's dollar bin.The ink is from Craft Smart (Lavender)
I wish I could take a really great photo of this card...cause it is a lot brighter and prettier in person. The off white colors in these photos are actually a really clean white.:) I promise!!LOL

I wasn't sure I would be able to get this card done today.I haven't been feeling well since during the night. Upset tummy.Nauseated ALL day.:( With Christy's help..again...we were able to finish it ...actually on a Monday.LOL It all started with Christy's Cuttlebug and her new gears die cut.:) I asked her to cut some for me and she used some soft brass metal. She first cut them out and then embossed them ...then antiqued them using alcohol ink. She used her heat gun to dry them quickly. She then handed them to me yesterday evening and I knew I wanted to use them on a card..but had no idea which one until I thought of Father's day.:)

I had some paper that had clocks and clock hands on it and I wanted to use it on this card for Jim...and since Christy helped with it..it's from her too.:) I had the card completed except for attaching the metal works.I used pop dots to raise the clock above the background.Since she has enough stuff to start a craft store..she had the clock hands and attached them to the clock face with a brad.The hands actually turn. COOL!! :) The washer in the lower right corner..she used alcohol ink to stain it and then used another cool item she has which you can use a hammer and pound letters into a metal object.This says "LOVE" on it.

Christy used the same technique for these small washers and spelled out the word "DAD" on them. The arrow behind the clock face is metal tape again.She first drew the gear onto it and then antiqued it using the same technique with the alcohol ink.:) I really LOVE the way it turned out. Two heads are better than one in our household. ;) I keep trying to get her to join us...but she IS ..in a way.:)

Thanks for stopping in and if I don't get to visit you for a day or two..you know why.Oh my icky tummy!!! Hope it's only a 24 hr bug.:)

Hugs from a distance!!:)
Valinda

Update....today is Tuesday and I still feel a bit queasy..but getting better.:) YAY!!

Sidewalk completed.:)

2011-05-12T06:02:00.000-07:00

This is a pic of the area Jim will be working on next.He plans a hexagon concrete pad and a hexagon picnic table with matching benches.I KNOW it will look really nice.:)

Our finished patio.:) You see the hedge in the background.It wasn't there a few years ago. Jim planted three bushy bushes..can't spell the name...hehe...to that area so we wouldn't be able to look down the hill onto the neighbor's patio and they wouldn't be able to look up into our yard and observe everything we do. Makes it more cozy that way.:) LOVE IT!!

Last concrete step..finished yesterday.:) Jim plans a trellis and gate for this corner. (neighbors let their dogs run loose and there IS a leash law in our neighborhood) and they LOVE dumping in our yard..if you know what I mean.PU...LOL We have never had words with them about their dogs and when the trellis is up..that should take care of the situation.:) I have always loved trellis's anyway.LOL

Steps going down the side yard...so much easier than trying not to slip on the Georgia clay.:) After Jim completes the backyard projects..we will pressure wash the house and the deck and steps etc.No sense doing it right now ..seeing he has more mess to make.LOL

Christy has decided to try her hand at growing veggies etc.This is the beginning. She asked Jim to build her a place to plant carrots and beans and you see the "troth" at the bottom of the steps.There is a door to the right that leads into the garage and the water hose is right on the front corner of the house.Convenient for her.:) So..now you know what we have been up to lately..besides Dental appts and now..Friday..we will have to replace the air conditioner...cause it is fifteen years old and the life expectancy for it is only twelve years.We got our money's worth.:)
It may be a while before Jim is able to complete that hexagon pad.We'll see.:) My Mom LOVES the steps up the side yard.That is the way she prefers to come into the house.Jim made the steps longer than most steps..so you only have to step up..or down..once in a while.Plus..you don't need railing that way.:)

Thanks for stopping in to take a look.:) LOVE your visits!!

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo#190

2011-05-10T11:46:00.000-07:00

Finally got my Mojo Monday card done.I tried something new.Metal tape.:) I embossed it with my Fiskar's Embossing set.Christy used acrylic black paint to fill it in and then wiped it off before it dried so it would just fill in the cracks and look antique. I chose to do a couple of things differently from the sketch.I put the sentiment on the middle of the card and not on the bottom right. Christy also made the paper rose a while back and gave it to me.I made the leaves from the paper in the background.
My Mom and sister had given me a bunch of buttons when I first started scrap booking and I was able to get a couple of cute black ones..even one was already black and white.How COOL is that?:) I just laced a thin black ribbon to it and tied a tiny bow.:) The two on the sides I just laced really thin silver wire ribbon and attached a glue dot to keep them in place.
The corners are made with the metal tape too and in person..they match the metal tape strip in the center of the card. The tiny metal heart spray,the word "LOVE".... and the shimmering dove are from Big Lots.They are for throwing on the table to decorate for weddings.I found several bags for different occasions..Valentine's day...baby shower...etc for only one dollar a bag.
The word art is from Faith Sisters.
As usual..the papers are from my loose stacks.I have no idea who makes them.So Sorry!!

Thanks for stopping in and please don't leave without saying hi.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

2011-05-08T07:17:00.000-07:00

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all my friends and family.May you have a BLESSED day!!:)

Hugs,
Valinda

More LO's from Big Shanty Festival.:)

2011-05-05T05:53:00.001-07:00

This is a layout I made using LilyBelle's train kit. These are some of the kids from our local dance studio performing for us on stage.They were really good too.:)There are two stages through out the festival with live performances.:)

This is a QP that I used that LilyBelle (link in sidebar) made last year for her train kit.These are just perfect for the photos on our Big Shanty Festival. The arts and crafts were scattered all over every street in downtown Kennesaw.:)

I used parts of LilyBelle's train kits from 2009 and 2010 and intermingled them in this layout.The frame cluster is from DR Stapled Cadres. I made the puffs of smoke coming out of the train on my PI paint program.

Here is another Layout I made using LilyBelle's train kit. I made the musical notes to add to it. This is from my middle Grand daughter's music program (fifth grade class) they had on stage during the festival. Lexi is pulling her hair back from her face.:)

Here is more of Lexi's class.She is the one in the far left of this photo. They sang about the things we can do to save the environment. :)

I knew exactly what I would use Lindsay Jane's ( link in sidebar) cluster frames for when I saw them. This is various pics of the kids during the concert.:) All of these are from LilyBelle's train kits...except for the cluster frames. Thanks to all of you for sharing your hard work with me.:)

Well..other news....Jim and I had Dentist appts yesterday and if felt as though we had spent just about all day there. Jim had a nine o'clock appt to get two teeth pulled...so he can have a partial made for his bottom teeth and also had a tooth filled. I had an appt. for eleven ..just after his....and had a tooth filled too. It took three shots to get my mouth numb. :( So we were pretty much..down in the mouth..hehe all the rest of the day. I ended up with a headache to go with it.:( We are both feeling much better this morning.YAY!! Jim has to eat mushy stuff today.(soft foods) I want a steak!!LOL JK.;)

Hugs,
Valinda

Mojo Monday #189

2011-05-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

Yay..I got it done.:) Christy helped me with the suggestion of the staples and even put the two on the left side in herself.:) Thanks Christy!! I made the paper flowers a while back and then cut out the tag from a template.The "Love" is from a stamp in the dollar bin at Micheal's. I have soo many papers that the covers have been torn off of...so I can't give proper credit for them. Sorry.:( If I had known I was gonna start doing the Mojo Monday ..I prolly would have made sure to keep them for the credits.:) I used a brown ink pad (Stamp Craft) to stain the string.
I still don't have a light box to take the pics with so this is as close as I could get to the real thing by using my Photo Impact Paint program. It sure looks a lot better in person.:)

Thanks for stopping by and if you have time..scroll down to see what Jim did yesterday.:)

Hugs,
Valinda

Almost finished concrete steps.:)

2011-05-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

Jim has almost completed the steps going down the side of our house to the driveway.This is the patio he was working on last year.He got most of it completed but still has more to do...off to the left of this pic. He plans....if his back holds up...to make a hexagon concrete pad with a hexagon picnic table with attached benches.He showed the diagram of it to me yesterday.Whew..he sure has some major plans.LOL He decided against the campfire area and I like the idea of the big table instead.:) That doggy is Freedom after she was shaved for this summer.She looks soo different.:) My poor pup is going to be twelve years old this July. She has cataracts and I think she is losing some of her hearing...or her get up and go..has got up and went..cause she isn't active at all.She tore a tendon on her back left knee this winter when she fell down the icy stairs and did the splits.:( Vet said she had to lose weight so she would heal.That is the hardest part.She is almost twelve...hasn't been denied snacks from Jim mostly...LOL...I don't know who it is harder for..him or her.:( Good news is...she can use that leg ..but I don't think she will ever be the same.KWIM?
Yes..we now have two grills.:) Our old one still works..but Jim said it wasn't big enough for our Easter get together this year and he got the bigger one (we used both) for a really great deal.:) We had about thirteen members from the family here for hamburgers and hot dogs.It was really nice.The kids played on the patio and most everyone sat out in the backyard to eat and visit.

Here are the steps he did yesterday.They are dry but eventually they will turn to match the colors of the patio. Crossing fingers.LOL Jim will remove the forming boards soon.He has one more "step" to go to complete this side of the house. YAY!! I will have to show you the whole thing when he is finished with it.:) We live on a steep hill and it sure makes things easier with those COOL steps.!!

Now to finish cleaning my house..doing laundry and hopefully fit Mojo Monday in there somewhere. Lately it's been more like Mojo Tuesday or Wednesday.hehe

Have a fantastic day!!
Thanks for stopping in!! I LOVE your visits!!:)

Hugs,
Valinda