Paper Seamstress

My new favorite thing to do in scrapbooking is sewing on paper. Yep! I get my big ole sewing machine out and my current layout, and I go to town. The love the texture it brings to my pages. And, it's just 'plain ole fun'! It's like you're doing something you're NOT supposed to do-yet you're not going to get in trouble for it!

Sewing on paper is not a new technique, but I'm ALWAYS behind the times. (Kinda of like when I was in Junior High and pin-stripped jeans became popular. I hated them, thought they were stupid, and swore I would never wear them. Six months later I had five pair. Or the time when all the girls started letting their bangs grow out. Mmm Hmmm, about the time they got theirs all one length-I decided to start that gruelling hair-growing-out process.) Oh dear, am I a...follower? Never mind. That's a whole other blog.

Like I said, this type of embellishing is not new but I'm lovin it! Lovin it enough to blog about it, aaand, share some of my creativeness.

Obviously the blue flower page is not finished. I'm being quite indecisive on photo size and how to arrange them. But here's a hint, shhh, it's about two lovely girls!

My request to everyone today, Shine, Shine, Shine!

Sunshine on a cloudy day

It's not quite officially Spring yet, and it's an incedibly dreary day but I'm pushing the envelope anyway. I'm insisting on wearing short sleeves and flip-flops as much as possible. along with a scarf and parka Overnight my favorite colors have become baby pink, Easter Lily yellow, Robins egg blue, Spring green, Lilacs in bloom lavender...etc, etc.

And of course I'm ready to plant flowers. And lots of them. I don't have a true 'green thumb' but that doesn't stop me. Digging in the dirt just makes me happy. This year Devony and I have decided to start some flowers from seed. Devony is growing Sunflowers, Passion Flowers and Agastache (whatever that is?) I'm growing Snapdragons and Pink Petunias.

On the way out of the greenhouse I spotted some bright yellow Pansy's that I just had to have. Along with all the other colors. :)

Official or not, it's Spring in my world. And in my world it's Shine-ing...sunshine or not!

I have NO excuses

Dear Blog,

I'm so very sorry I've not been writing to you. I wish I had exciting news that would excuse my behavior. But I'm embarrassed to say, I don't. However, I promise I'm going to do better. From now on at least one post a week. I promise. You've been so patient and loyal to listen to my ramblings on about this, that, and the other. This is the least I can do. I feel confidant that I can handle that.

Sincerely,

Creator of Shine

Happy Groundhog Day/Anniversay

Hear ye, hear ye.

It's official. Phil saw his shadow. :( Six more weeks of winter. Oh well, what do we expect? It IS only the 1st week of Feb. Spring doesn't officially start until March 20. I guess the groundhog knows what he's talking about.

Hear ye, hear ye.

Today is our 16th Wedding Anniversary. WOW. I don't really care if we have a few more cold and snowy days, it just gives me an excuse to cuddle with Doug...and the dogs...and the kids. I know what your thinking,"Doesn't sound very romantic." Oh, but it is. In fact, it's perfect.

Be grateful for the loved ones in your life. Show your love and Shine!

I LOVE February

Poor little ol' February usually gets the short end of the stick. In January everyone is still recuperating from the holidays. By the time this month rolls around we are worn out with holidays.-winter has lost it's charm.-and Spring is juuuuust within our reach. So February kind of just 'creeps up on us', and considering it's the shortest month of the year, it's gone before we know it.

This small month really has some big things going for it.

First of all, there's Groundhog's Day. And don't rolls your eyes over that one. We all know that we secretly hope Punsxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow. To check out more info on it go to www.groundhog.org/ . It's an amazingly crazy-big event in PA. They say the 'Groundhog cookies' are an absolute must!

Also, on that very day, is Doug's and mines (wait that's not right, Doug's and mines?-Mines and Doug's?-Doug's and I's??) anyway, it's our wedding anniversary. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good groundhog as much as the next girl, but that's so not romantic to have your anniversary on that date!

There's also Lincoln's birthday, our 16th president who has said most of my favorite quotes: "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.", "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." and "Whatever you are, be a good one."

And next, there's Valentine's Day. Sigh. Oh, how I love Valentine's Day. Flowers, chocolate, red hearts, pink ribbons and lacy doilies; I'm such a sucker for all that stuff. Valentine's Day is also my father-in-laws birthday, then February 15th is Doug's b-day and my fabulous friend Angie's b-day too. (we're all about having holidays do double-duty around here... Dev's b-day is xmas eve...see what I mean)

Feb. 17th is Ash Wednesday. This is the first day of Lent for the Catholic Church. Lent is the beginning of preparation for Easter Sunday. Yes, I had to Google that.

And last-but-not-least, on Feb. 22nd, our Founding Fathers birthday: George Washington. Oh wait, and there's Leap Year too. Well, once every four years.

For most people, the only thing the second month of the year has going for it is the 14th. But for our family it's a very fun and exciting 28 days. So now you see why I LOVE February.

Fully enjoy this great month. And Shine while you do it!

Mood and Food

Yes, today my mood is as crazy as my snack choices. This is the first day in a looong time that I've had to myself. Soooooo, what to do-what to do? Scrapbook? Paint? Read? Clean? Cook? (no definitely not that one) Blog? Organize......something? "AAAAAH." I'm over-whelmed with this much time. Guess I work better under pressure. Even when it's just fun work!

And so far, today's fun work has consisted of taking pictures of my food.

Basically what I'm saying is that I'll probably waste my entire free day. Knowing me, I will probably 'start' a little of everything today. (uh-oh. that goal just flew right out the window) Then in a couple of days, when I don't have much time, I'll fly into 'over-time' work mode and finish everything. OK...OK, most of it.

Enjoy your day and always remember to Shine!

Goals

It's the 5th day of the 1st week of twenty ten and boy have I ever set some goals for myself. I've never been very goal-oriented. I was usually a, "Whatever will be, will be." type of girl. A little something I like to call, faith. However, the last year or two I have been setting a lot goals for myself. Just small things that I make up as I go. Such as, "I am not going to eat out one single time this week" accomplished. "Finish all the housework today, even if it means staying up til 2am" accomplished. "Don't start another project til this one is complete" accomplished. "Take store returns back promptly. Don't let them set around for 2-3 weeks or more" accomplished. (kind of) Please tell me other people do that too.

Willy-nilly goals...be gone!

2010 goals...big. Very, VERY big.

Of course I have the normal things like grow spiritually, emotionally and physically (also accomplished in '09). And the never-ending, improve on every other aspect of my life: motherhood, wife, daughter, friend, etc. I am so-a work in progress!

Being a mother and wife, so on and so forth is wonderful and makes me who I am...but...this years goals are a lot more personal. My children are FAR from being grown and gone (it's OK with Doug and I if they never want to leave. it's selfish...I know. but we love them so) but it's also OK for me to start thinking and planning for a future that will be very different from the one I've been accustomed to and have loved for the last decade and a half. This years list is full of goals pertaining to outside (me, myself and I) personal interests and hobbies, as well as possible future career moves.

On Dec. 31, 2010 I will post those crazy goals along with the outcome of...accomplished or not!! By the way, there are 10.

Shine!