Creating in May

I've had the opportunity to make lots of different projects in May, for Teacher Appreciation Week, thank yous for MOPPET workers and teachers, a craft for the "She & Me Tea" at church, and our last MOPS craft. Here are some pictures of the things I've been making (earrings, favor buckets and bookmarks):

And now a couple of pictures of one of my favorite things to do in the spring, before the skeeters come out - dinner on the patio! Eating outside seems to make the meal more enjoyable and relaxing for everyone!

44...cool!

So, today I am 44. And I plan to record 44 things I am thankful for in some creative way today (haven't decided if I'll do a layout or a mini book).

Today, I bought myself these things for my birthday (love Target bargains and the local strawberry farm just a few miles away):

And I am listening to cool tunes on Monique's blog: http://www.moniquemclean.typepad.com/

I found this great doodle yesterday at http://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/homegrown_hospitality/ (see RAK doodles on side bar) and thought it would be perfect to put on my blog today. I am truly blessed!

A recent honor and some projects

A few weeks ago I won challenge #2 from http://colorstorychallenge.com/ (Kim H's great challenge blog). She asked if I would design for challenge #4, posted yesterday. I love this month's color combination and design inspiration, so I couldn't resist creating 2 layouts, which you can check out there at her site (click the link above). Here's the one I did of our Willow dinner on Sat. night at Scrap Etc.

Thought I would post a couple of the projects we made at Scrap Etc. I loved them all, but won't post them all since a couple of them may be gifts in the near future :o).

Heidi Swapp's Mirror album. It was a bit intense the 1st session, but the inspiration we received the second day made up for our blood, sweat & tears! (Okay, so there was no blood, LOL!)

And we made 4 adorable "bingo cards" in Jenni Bowlin's class. Think this one of Seth when he was a baby is my favorite. Love them all though and want to make a decorative hanging with them (someday...).

So, it's May and one of my favorite months! Wonder why? Could it be that I get to celebrate my birthday, Mother's Day and our anniversary this month? Maybe. Could it be all the fresh strawberries available all month? Certainly helps! And then there is the beautiful weather we see in May! One thing it is not, the pollen we suffer through this time of year in NC!

Scrap Etc...wow...

I've been looking forward to attending Scrap Etc. for over 8 months and it was wonderful! Drove to Nashville Thursday (and listened to Brook Shield's book "Down Came the Rain" on CD), a 7.5 hour drive which went very smoothly (as did the ride home when I listened to "Let's Roll" by Lisa Beamer... lots of tears with that one).

Scrap Etc. was a packed 2-day scrapbooking event which inspired us to "tell our story" in many different ways. We had 8 classes with gifted instructors Vanessa Hudson, Monique McLean (also event planner/dreamer), Wilna Furstenberg, Heidi Swapp, Jenni Bowlin, Angelia Wigginton, Gretchen McElveen, Danelle Johnson and Kristi Sakori Blakenship. We came home with meaningful projects (and cute ones at that!) and tons of ideas about ways we can tell our stories, as well as ideas about different stories to tell. There were 600 scrapbooking women at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and the friendliness was overflowing! I had a free room at the nearby Sheraton Music City, so stayed there (briefly) at night - even felt the earthquake in the early morning hours on Friday (was a 5.2 that originated in Illinois).

I met friends from Willow Traders: Christina, Naomi, Ruth, Andi, Rachel, Sandy, Lisa, Staci, Renee (& friend Janet), Theresa, Linda, Tali, Dana, and Shirley (& friend Wanda). Christy and Heather met us for dinner on Saturday. We were all together in "Group D" of about 80 women, a smaller group, and our group leader was Janna (so fun, organized and energetic). We also met Heather and Heidi from Twelve Fridays. Meeting these "online friends" in real life was incredible. We had so much fun together... too many stories to tell here, so I'll let some pictures help tell part of the story...

Willows in "Group D"

Ruth working on Angelia's project:

Saturday Night dinner:

Heidi Swapp's Mirror album project that almost sent 2 willows "over the edge" :-)

With Heather & Heidi from Twelve Fridays:
With Monique, master planner and dreamer (& I was so touched when she recognized me and called me by name at the registration table Thursday - she and her team worked incredibly hard and gave us all a fabulous experience)!

Friendships were forged, hearts were touched, minds were inspired, and projects were made. It was a wonderful experience, one that I know will impact my life for the better. I am so thankful that Kent worked it out so I could attend, that Mildred came to stay with Seth & Tessa while I was gone, and that so many people worked so hard to put together a truly meaningful event! What a blessing!

Happy Birthday, Seth!

Wow, you are 9 today! It's hard for me to believe... so it's true that often the days are long but the years are short! Seth, I am blessed to be your mom! And, here you are before your first rock concert (which you chose to do this year instead of a party). So glad you and Dad got to do this together and that you enjoyed Styx/REO Speedwagon/Def Leppard!

I recently completed a layout for a challenge by Work In Progress and for Debbie Hodge's "Scrap Yourself" class. It shows me holding you shortly after you were born and I became a mom. I will include it here today as well. My life changed so much the day you were born, and while it took me a while to adjust to being a mom (and I'm still not always great at it), I am so grateful for you, my son.

Happy Birthday, buddy! Love you!

A couple of layouts...

Created this layout for Debbie Hodge's "Scrap Yourself" class over at NYC Scraps. It's going to be a super class - a chance to use up some favorite supplies and kits, and to give some real thought to my past, present and future. Used The Scrap-room's March "noteworthy" kit.

This layout I created for Kim's colorstory challenge. Color scheme was orange/green with accents of red and blue. Really fun pulling out some older stash and capturing these silly nicknames we have for Tessa and Seth.

A fun day under the Willow tree...

Willow Traders is celebrating their 3rd anniversary this month with a different kit club "hosting the fun" every day. Yesterday "twelvefridays" was in charge and it was a GREAT day of inspiration and challenges. I created these projects after being inspired by their Design Team. LOTS of fun and I won a prize, too! I also signed up for a sub to get their exclusive patterned papers each month :-)