The Flame in My Heart

This weekend I was lucky enough to attend the Suite Retreat again! The same scrapbooking weekend I participated in, in September. However, the best part of this retreat weekend was that my mom came with me! We had a true girls weekend since Friday afternoon. We cropped, chatted, ate, got massages, and just hung out! It was wonderful. I am thankful that we were able to spend such quality time together (we don't get THAT many opportunities to have uninterrupted mother/daughter bonding time).

I was able to accomplish MOST of my to-do's over the course of the three days. I finished two LOs. One of my cutie pie, Reon:



Also, I created my first LO for the YMBD Design Team using her chipboard letters. I am so pumped to continue creating with Cat's wonderful products!



I finished the 2 Daises Designs Word Bloom book that I received in my January DT kit for Scrapwords (I was slacking a bit on finishing this... I admit that the knife word around the letters had intimidated me at first, but actually it wasn't as bad as I thought and I truly enjoyed creating this!) I still have to add the pictures and journaling...

I have been dreaming of a project to do about our wedding for almost two years now! I really didn't want to scrapbook an entire album devoted to our wedding because we are blessed with a beautiful, professional photo album. So, I saw the photo cubes my K.i. Memories and knew that I wanted to create an altered project with love as the theme. I was giving a DT challenge for February to create an altered item with the theme love, so I was given a push to tackle this project. I'm glad I did... I love it!



And last but not least... I was able to finish ONE card before we headed home to give hugs and kisses to our hubbies.



This scrapbooking retreat was the perfect end to a wonderful week vacation from work. I'm not sure I'll be fully energized tomorrow morning when the alarm goes off! TFL!

I have come across my new big "WANT"!! I was just peacefully "googling" around on cutting systems (still trying to figure out what would be the best one for me) and I came across this wonderful comparison chart with every cutting system available! Each system is analyzed fully with additional info and facts.

Anyway...I found the Klic-n-Kut Element! It does everything from cutting cardstock to cutting metal and BEYOND! I was reading a few reviews and saw that the software that comes with it has the option of importing a real image into the computer and then the Klic-n-Kut will actually make a cutout of that image! AMAZING!

I think I'll have to save up for a bit!

On Friday, I was offered a wonderful opportunity! I still can't believe that it actually happened. I was hand-picked to create for a new and rising scrapbook company; Your Memories By Design I am so thankful to owner, Cat for giving myself and two other wonderfully talented women this opportunity and honor to design using her products. I always here speeches on award shows where the winner refers to how honored they feel to have just been nominated with such incredible talent, and that is exacty how I feel for both being asked to create with Cat's incredible products and also to be on the DT with Meg and Donna. Just being included in the creative trio makes me feel blessed!

I give all of us a little TOOT TOOT! What a great experience! Woohoo!!!

I am feeling so great so far in 2008. I don't know if I said before, but, I don't make resolutions for myself because I challenge myself to work hard throughout all the years on MANY goals.

I created my Hopes & Dreams jar for my January's DT challenge and created circles to fill up the inside. I created a circle that read, "increase my flexibility with Yoga."

Here's a little background: I danced (all kinds competitively) for YEARS and my worst regret is quitting. I have never found something I have had such a passion for (except scrapping of course) to replace what once was my entire life! Since graduating from College, and having more time on my hands, I realized that I really want to dance again, (another one of my goal circles for 2008.) I have looked into local dance studios that have adult classes but still have technique incorporated (classes for returning dancers). Well, the first step in getting back in this intense sport is to regain my flexibility!

I joined a yoga class, have had 3 classes, and I can already see the flexibility stretching back in my body! I am ecstatic! I'll soon be able to complete one of my 12 goal circles (so far) for 2008 and work towards completing the goal of recommitting to dance.

I can't believe it is already December but I am glad. I am already in the Christmas spirit! Now I just have to finish up my shopping! Just thought I would give you some holiday excitement with a 12 Days of X-mas book I have been working on. Here's days 1 throught 6. Enjoy!

Enjoy the snow that is coming soon!

I took this quiz about my personality and I find it to be MOSTLY ture (not all the things I feel are accurate but I'm shocked and how close this description is!) It is based only on pictures! CRAZY!

Temperament-Cosmopolitan

When you wake up in the morning, you set out to impress and to make a lasting impression on those who you encounter. You surround yourself with all the right people and right things - making you a real trendsetter. Others admire and want to be just like you. Second best will not do - it's the best (and only the best) for you. You are attentive to detail in yourself, your surroundings and your social circle.

Interests-Fashionable

Sophisticated, glamorous and experienced. You love everything that is new, fashionable and in vogue. Others admire you, but can't always relate to you since you are a real diamond in the ruff. You like to be two steps ahead of everyone else when it comes to the latest and greatest trends. It could take your counterparts years to adopt your current trends. You just seem to know what's "hot" before everyone else does.

Amusement-Ambitious

Work is your number one focus and your most important passion. It is your happiness. You are persistent, attentive and tireless. When everyone else slips away, you are left holding all of the responsibilities. You are the person that everyone knows they can count on in a tough situation, but sometimes you can be taken advantage of. Don't let your passion to pursue your goals override your need to live a balanced life.

Passion-Physical

You are a cuddle bug - from a warm hug shared with your best friend to making love with your partner, you enjoy every bit of human contact that you can get. You demonstrate your love for others most fluidly through physical one-on-one contact and you feel the most loved when you are being touched. You feel disconnected when you are physically isolated from others. You're a people person and a lover of all things human.

I'm so excited for Thanksgiving this year. Starting off my excitement is that I have 5 days off from work! So, I get to have a day to myself with scrapping, and prepping for MY first Thanksgiving meal. I am hosting dinner this year and I can't tell you how excitedI am about it. I love to cook and THIS is THE meal to try-out! I finally get my chance this year.

Yesterday, Reon and I went shopping for all the fixings...and we had a surprisingly fun time! Picking out all the ingredients and goodies made me feel warm and filled with happy thoughts of thanks. Here's our menu:

*Cheese and Cracker Platter
*Deviled Eggs
*Crescent Rolls
*Traditional Roasted Turkey
*Stuffing
*Cranberry Sauce
*Green/Wax Beans
*Corn
*Glazed Carrots
*Mashed Potatoes
*Sweet Potato Bake
*Pumpkin Pie
*Egg Nog drinks!

I can't wait to start cooking and have all the smells fill the kitchen and house. I know it won't be a "small" task to complete but I am ready and happy to cook for the family. Entertaining is one of my hobbies and it sends me such joy to have everyone over for a great time with laughter and love. I hope that everyone's thanksgiving will be bright and happy too!

P.S. They are calling for snow tomorrow!

I think it is very important to find a simple pleasure in life. Sunday, I found mine. It always makes me feel calm and satisfied when I experience a time in my life where the simplest activity gives me serenity.

I met my friend, Julie, at Starbucks so that we could "catch up" with each other (a much needed activity in our chaotic lives). We ordered Pumpkin Spice Lattes and found a cozy table to enjoy some coffee 'n chat! Daylight savings switched over Saturday at midnight here in Michigan... so as we were sitting in the cafe, I noticed the ambiance that the pendant lighting created inside along with darkening skies outside. The sound of grinding coffee, machines steaming and the calming music was a great backdrop for us to share intimate discussions and to leave our afflictions behind.

Every so often when life takes over, these tiny parts of our lives seem to have the greatest impact!

Okay so from our apple picking adventure, I finally made a homemade apple pie. I have made many things from scratch but I believe this is my first REAL homemade apple pie (all from scratch).

Today we went Apple Picking with Kristin and Mark. We had such a fun time. Who knew that walking around and orchard and picking apples for a couple hours could be so entertaining!

I have to say though, I believe it was made entertaining mostly by the guys. They are the ones who decided that it would be hilarious to taste test the apples along the way to see which ones we should pick.

Reon had a goal all of his own. His mission seemed to be one of a good Samaritan to the other apple pickers in the Orchard. He went around to try to find the apples that "no one would want" pick them and throw them away. I have to give it to him to be so kind to alleviate the stress of picking the "bad ones" of the tree so that people could get to the good ones easier. That's my husband- always thinking of others :-)


When we got there the line was outrageously LONG! It did move quickly however if I had to estimate there were probably 200 people in line to go on the tractor ride to the orchard and 250+ in line for the Cider Mill.
Once we got up to the cashier to buy our bag, we didn't think that you could fit the 25 apples in our bag that they were claiming. That was MY mission. To fit as many apples in the bag as I could. I wanted my money's worth of our Peck!

I have counted how many apples we stuffed in the bag... the number amazes me! 45! I am happy to know that I spent ONLY $0.22 on each apple. With all those apples, we sure are going to be eating a lot of pie!

Here's the LO that I needed to finish up before I posted. This is Aleta Maurina - one of the adorable twins.

The journaling reads: The beauty of a girl cannot be mimicked, fabricated, or created by human means, it only occurs naturally. ~ Pam Callaghan

The overlay is titled Beauty and has the quote, "beauty is a light in the heart"

Alright, so first I have to say; I never thought I would be so tired from a scrapbooking weekend. It was all relaxation, scrapping, massages, food, and fun girl talk! LOL. One big pajama party, but an exhausting one at that. I came home and actually had to take a nap!

I had such a blast this weekend. I did a lot of creating and actually learned a lot about myself as a scrapbooker. I realized that not only am I an organized scrapbooker but I scrapbook as a therapeutic outlet. I enjoy the soft, soothing music on my iPod- it inspires me to let my inner self come out on my pages.

I got to the hotel (which was beautiful and luxurious!) at around 4 p.m. on Friday. I created my menu for the meals we were given (that was the best, we got to order what we wanted. All from great places, one of my favorites being Panera Bread Company.) Then, I signed up for my massage for Saturday. Once I got situated I started scrapping (getting used to my new creative space for a few days). It was so great to see everyone having such a great time.

Each day we were given little surprises. When we arrived, they had a packet with our name (it contained all the information we needed for the weekend, i.e. the itinerary) There was also a goodie bag awaiting us, which had a beautiful insulated mug (mine is pink!), chapstick, popcorn, Certs, and gum. It was perfect. Saturday's gift was a little photo organizer box, it is darling. Sunday we were given a hand-made thank you card complete with a note to each of us AND a bunch of stickers. The whole thing was so well organized and thoughtful!

I am a little sad that it is over, but I am happy to be back with my hubby! He got back from the Jeep Jamboree at around 6. We both had fun weekends to share stories about, his being a bit more adventurous then mine!

Here is what I accomplished!


This is my sketch book that I have been wanting to alter for a LONG time! I tend to sketch out my scrapbook Layouts so I wanted my book to be a creative piece to hold all of my ideas too! It has a section for LO sketches, journaling, and quotes. It also has pockets in case I need to slip pieces of inspiration inside!

(One more LO to come, I have to finish the journaling and then I will post that too!) TFL!

Well! Last night was a lot of fun, however I am hurting today! Reon and I joined his work crew for a little "friendly" game of Whirly Ball. We both had not played the game before but had heard that it was tons of fun. So, we made the attempt to try it out.

This was the first time that I was meeting his coworkers from his new job so I was a little timid; until I got out on the court. Apparently, they felt the same way because they all kept RAMMING INTO ME! They definitely didn't take it easy on me. I TRIED to give them a taste of their own medicine. The main problem, was that I wasn't heavy enough to impact their bumper car. It ended up that I would try to ram into them and I would move them a little and then MY car would bounce back! LOL! So fun!

Reon's boss, Kale, hit me real good at one point and the steering stick from my bumper car smashed into my thigh (BRUISE). Then a few minutes later, I was T-boned by two other coworkers. My car jumped off the ground and slammed back down. BRUISE!

I am plotting my revenge for the next game! IT'S ON!

I can't believe it! I made the Scrapwords DT! This is so exciting. I have always hoped to become a DT member but I didn't actually think it was a possibility. Thanks to Leslie and her team they have made my scrapbooking dream a true reality! Everyone seems so supportive and welcoming. I am honored to be a part of this dynamic creative team!

Well, Reon must be completely beside himself that he has experienced racing two weekends in a row. Last weekend, he got to drive the race cars in an open track, but this time he actually got to ride in the Pace car for the racers warm-up run. It was so funny to see him, he was like a little kid on Christmas.

We were there supporting a friend who actually participates in the races. He did spin out and we saw a race car roll over, and then over again landing back on the wheels. It was a little scary but all in all it was safe fun. When Pete brought the car back in, we played around and sat in it making "Vrooming" noises trying to fully appreciate the racing experience. I have to say it very easy to get in, but getting out does present it's challenges!