Green Blend Award

Thank you Lisa and Pam!



My very dear friends Lisa at http://indymermaid.blogspot.com and Pam at http://craftycards4u2.blogspot.com were thoughtful enough to send this very special Green Blend Award to me. Ladies, I thank you so very much! I absolutely adore these two ladies and to have them pass this to me is really such an honor. I began my blog almost a year ago, March 6th to be exact. In April of 2011 I was blessed to have Lisa stop in and I was blessed again in July, 2011 when Pam visited. Since then we have become such good friends and I hope they both know how much they mean to me. Ladies, thank you for the award but more important, thank you for your friendship. {{HUGS}}!!!

Here's a little info on this Green Blend Award:

This award was created by Beckie of Just B Creative Crazy.
"The “Green” portion represents how we should be kind to one another and help one another…such as being “Green” and helping our environment. Reissue the kindness that someone once gave to you as an infant blogger. Recycle the ideas you have learned or invented to pass along to up and coming crafters. Reduce the frustrations of wanting to a blogger with magnitude."

What a wonderful concept! When I started my blog I wasn't just green, I was every shade of green available, from forest green to baby puke green and all in between! It was pathetic and I really wanted to give it up. But I didn't. I kept pushing and once I started figuring it out I soon learned how many wonderful people there are in this world.

Here are the terms under which this “Green Blend Award” are to be given:

1. This award is for any co-blogging friend who has helped you develop your blog in any and all ways.

2. This award is for any co-blogging friend who has cheered you along in your blog building, craft advancing career.

3. This award is for any co-blogging friend who always stops by and is kind to you. You can count on them to always be one of the great comments at the end of your post.

4. This award is to be given to 3 to 5 Blends whom you feel meet the listed requirements.

5. Create a post with the terms of use and publish your Blends of choice.

6. Blend of choice may copy the award from your blog and proudly post it on theirs.

7. Blend of choice may continue the kindness by issuing this award to keep the circle forever growing.

I would like to pass this on to those that continue to inspire me and are there for me. It's my way of saying thank you.

Lisa at  http://indymermaid.blogspot.com .
I have to bounce this back to Lisa, she rocks! She has been a HUGE inspiration to me and a HUGE pain in the rear to my husbands wallet! LOL! I hope to be as creative as she is when I grow up! (Even though I'm probably older). Lisa makes me so proud. We started our blogs around the same time and to see how far she has come reminds me to believe I can do it too!

Pam at http://craftycards4u2.blogspot.com .
I'm a bouncing again. Pam is amazing! We have so much in common I sometimes wonder if we are somehow related. If so, then I could be related to that cute little grandbaby of hers with the cute smile and I could maybe be an honorary grandmom at last! ;) Pam also reminds me to keep my faith and not let any physical distractions get me down.

Audrey at http://cuteandsome.blogspot.com .
My fellow Chi town girl! I found Audrey during a blog hop back in April, 2011 and have been a huge fan ever since. She makes the most beautiful and unique projects and inspires me to think outside the box. (But can she make beautiful boxes, omg!) Audrey reminds me to keep my sense of humor when times are tough because laughter is the best medicine! And knee mails do help! ;)

Cindy at http://cindysantics.blogspot.com .
I stumbled on to Cindy's blog back in early April, 2011 and was so impressed with her copic marker skills. She has inspired me to set aside the Cricut and do more projects that involve coloring stamped images. She also has the same sense of humor as I do, perhaps inappropriate to some, but so damn funny to us!! (You know what I'm talking about Cindy...lol)! She also shares recipes from time to time and in doing so she reminds me to remember I don't always have to blog about crafts.

Kim at http://crazyaboutscrapin.blogspot.com .
I started to blog with Kim in March, 2011 and have just loved seeing how talented she is with layouts. I remember a post I put up way back and I was saying how hard it is for me to handle my tools sometimes because of my shaky hands. Kim gave me some advise on a tool to pick up that would help and I thought that was so nice of her to let me know about that. We had only blogged together once and she was willing to help someone she didn't even know. That's my kind of person! Kim inspires me to do more layouts and this year I plan on doing just that!



These next two people are new friends and they both inspire me.

Jessie at http://edoggsugarlipsandprincessbuttercup.blogspot.com .
Jess and I get together to chat and create. She has also encouraged me to work with eyelets, and I'm really liking it!

Colin at http://crimsoncricut.blogspot.com .
Colin is so talented and does some of the most cutest cards. He inspires me to use all those Cricut cartridges I have! He makes things that I never would have thought of, but it comes so easy to him. He is also such a nice person and a new blogger, same as I was a year ago. ;)

Alright, alright, I know this was super long. But I want you all to know just how much I appreciate you and I am so thankful to have such great friends that not only help me make my blog fun, but also my life. Thank you!

Susan

Happy Monday!

What a fantastic retreat last week! I mean really, what is better that hanging out with close friends and crafting together? There's just something about hanging out with good friends for a few days that nourishes the soul. If you don't go on any crafting retreats I would highly recommend you really give it thought. It's almost as if you are able to rediscover who "you" are. I think we are all guilty of forgetting who we are, with being a spouse, mother, employee, etc.., but being around friends you are able to reconnect. Well, that's just how I feel. Call me crazy, (it wouldn't be the first time). ;)

The place we went to is called The Sunflower Stuga, located in Stillwater, MN.

http://www.sunflowerstuga.com

The craftroom

Click on the link to see more pictures of the inside. 

I would recommend this place to anyone. It's very clean and has a well stocked craftroom. The picture above doesn't show it but there were around 20 cartridges available for the Cricut provided along with mats. There are also numerous punches and scissors, stamps (wooden), gel pens, even paper if needed. The best part was the amount of space. Of course there was only three of us this time but we have been there before with 5 people and there was plenty of room. The lighting is fantastic too. There are huge windows that face west so it is nice and bright, and warm! (Sometimes too warm, but that could have just been my hot flashes).

So this year the retreat was attended by myself and my good friends Laurie, a.k.a. Lulu, (a.k.a. Teacher) and Sarah, a.k.a. Lola. We have names for our scrapping alter egos. In case you were wondering, mine is Sisi. (I told you there is something about being with friends!) I thought I would share some of the projects we worked on. First off, Lulu did so many beautiful layouts of her children. Check out a few of them:

She does such good work!

Sorry, you may want to tilt your head to see it!





Isn't Lulu talented? She also did a gorgeous layout with photos from a trip to the zoo. My friend Sarah also got a ton of projects done. I didn't get the pictures yet but when I do I hope to show you this beautiful childrens book she put together using the Create a Critter cartridge. It was so cool! She is giving it to someone she knows that is having a baby. (Sarah, if you read this...please send me the pics!) I really want you all to see this. Now as for me, I did manage to get a few things done also. The first was a layout I made for our own scrapbook, to remember the retreat.

Three very happy scrappers!

(Left to right) Lulu, Sisi, Lola



I also made a card to enter in the Kaboodle Challenge but of course I didn't get it entered. I wasn't real thrilled with it any way but I thought it was a cute sentiment for a pregnancy announcement card. The challenge was to make something involving cooking/baking.

The little oven door opens to reveal a bun in the oven! ha ha



Now for anyone wondering what did I do with my faithful assistants, Kiki and Shadow, while I was gone, well, I left them in care of the daddy. Kiki was ok, Shadow, not so well. Listen to the demonic noise coming out of my sweet Shadow. I've never heard this before out of him. My son took this video a half hour after I left for the retreat. But beware, it will tug at those heartstrings!

Is that not pitiful? Well, he is ok now that I'm home. Of course he won't leave me alone but he is fine. I had a great time at the retreat and I can't wait until the next one. Thanks for stopping in everyone! I will be heading over to visit shortly to see how you are all doing. The weather people are calling for in excess of a foot of snow starting tomorrow so any prayers you can send my way to prevent this would be mucho appreciated! You all have a fab day! Oh, and I still plan on doing my RAK giveaway so thanks to those who left comments last week!

Susan

An Award and a Party invite

Before I get to the party I wanted to thank two very special ladies that passed on the Liebster Blog award to me. Tracy at http://owlbecraftin.blogspot.com/ and Cathy at http://happyscrapin1.blogspot.com/ were kind enough to think of my blog when passing this award on. Ladies, a BIG Thank You! Here's a little info on the award:

"Liebster" is German for "Dearest". The award is a "Share the love arrangement", given to inspirational bloggers with less that 200 followers.

Here's the to do list for any of the Liebster Blog Award recipients.

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.
2. Link back to the blogger who presented you the award .
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers.
5. Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment on their blog.

Anyone that has followed my blog knows I have a special place in my heart for new bloggers. With that being said, I hope you all will stop over at these blogs and follow. A moment of encouragement could mean a lifetime of inspiration! (Hey, that would be a cool sentiment on a card, wouldn't it?)

Here are my five choices (in no particular order) with less that 200 followers.

Colin at http://crimsoncricut.blogspot.com/ .
Anna at http://annabeedesigns.blogspot.com/ .
Jessie at http://edoggsugarlipsandprincessbuttercup.blogspot.com/ .
Judy at http://scrappinana.blogspot.com/ .
Jackie at http://inspired-by-scrapping.blogspot.com/ .

Congrats winners! If you need help putting this award on your blog let me know, I'd be more than happy to help you!

Please take that moment to stop over and check out their blogs, they are all very talented and I promise you will be glad you did!

Now on to the party! I should clarify that, it's really a scrapbook retreat that I attend yearly with a few very dear friends of mine. Who am I kidding? It's a party, lol! Well, the party/retreat is from tomorrow through Thursday. I would like to invite you all to join the party via my blog! If all goes right, meaning the wireless connection works, I am planning on blogging while I am there.  If you see a new post from me stop on in and leave a comment, there will be candy to be won! Be warned though, three days away from home with just the girls things do seem to get a little bit crazy, in a good way though!

Again, thank you Tracy and Cathy for the award, it's much appreciated! Hope to see you all join the fun with me this week!

Hugs!

Susan

This Kiss

Happy VD everyone! I used to say Valentines Day was just a Hallmark holiday but that was before I started making cards. Now it seems there can't be enough holidays! I thought I would share this cute little card I made for my hubby, a.k.a. funny Valentine. My husband Patrick is the funniest person I have ever met and there isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't make me laugh. For this card I really wanted to incorporate a song into it so I went on Word and made the background paper using the lyrics to a Faith Hill song, This Kiss. What do you think?

This Kiss this Kiss...unstoppable

I really liked the idea and think it came out so cool. The font is Curly MT, I think. I would let you see the inside of the card but I'm afraid you might get too much info so I did you all a favor and didn't post the picture. ;)  ha ha....

Well, that's all I have for now but I do have a fun thing planned for my blog next week that I really hope you all will join me for. I'm really excited about it! I'll post more towards the end of the week. Thanks for stopping in all you sweeties and I hope your VD is enjoyable! (Wait, really? LOL!) Laughter is the best medicine after all!

Susan

How long is too long?

I know, I know! Three and a half weeks, that's much too long! First things first though. You simply MUST check out the fabulous job Chris from http://chatterscene-mom.blogspot.com/ did on my blog! Look at this, it's stunning! Now let me say, when it comes to computers I have the skills of a goldfish. That's true. Chris on the other hand has computer skills of a Great White shark. Very talented! All I knew that I wanted for my blog was three colors, brown, pink and a touch of teal and not real busy with a lot of flowers, etc. (Not that there is anything wrong with that have you, I just prefer non-busy). Oh, and I knew I wanted some tabs on the header. (Like your's Lisa..lol). That's all I gave Chris to work with. Now, look at what she did with that little shred of information. I know, right?!! That is talent. Chris even came up with the adorable Grasshopper with the Mick Jagger lips! I love it! I can't even tell you how thrilled I was when it was finished! I started this blog just about a year ago and since that time I have been searching and searching and even more searching to find just the perfect person to help me with this blog design stuff. The wait paid off...BIG TIME! Chris, I can't thank you enough. Everyone else, if you are kicking around the idea of a customized blog- do yourself a big favor and check out http://chatterscene-mom.blogspot.com/. She rocks it!

And please feel welcome to grab the code for my new button, (on the right side), and add Ms. Grasshopper Jaggerlips to your blog too! I will be doing some fun blog candy giveaways soon and if I see you added my new button before I post about the giveaways you will be entered in a "special friends" blogcandy. Fun huh? I'll be posting more on this in the next week.

Grab Ms. Grasshopper Jaggerlips!



I want to also thank many of you for your understanding of my missing in action status as of late. There is nothing more annoying than when life gets in your way of fun. For me it seems like I get a downpouring all at one time rather than a little shower here or there, which would be much easier to deal with rather than a flash flood of issues. I really appreciate the friendships I have made on here and do cherish every single one.

One more shout out to my friend Chris for her wonderful creativity and awesome computer skills, a big thank you! Thanks for stopping in everyone, I look forward to seeing what's new and exciting on your blogs!

{{Hugs}}

Susan