Just a girl

88 is great.

another week flown by.

wow.

i don't know where the time goes!

haha.

i have become a once a week blogger!

yowza.

last week was filled with goodness.

i hosted my Dad's 88th birthday!

all week i prepared for the party.

chose a color theme of kraft, white and black.

inspired by one of my favorite papers from the Wayfarer line.

then i started creating.

i am a theme kind of girl.

the theme of this party was 88!

i chose a color pallet based on stuff i had as to not have to go out and buy a bunch of new stuff.

{budget}

i have a plethora of stuff, so i am trying to use what i have.

it forces me to stay on budget and helps me be more creative!

i love it.

i used old Spark stuff, on-line class left overs and of course some of the Wayfarer line which it NEW.

it was perfect for a masculine book.

i cricuted my little hands off.

cutting 88's until the cow's came home.

i worked on an album for my dad.

i contacted all of my brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews to write him a letter.

i wanted him to have something tangible.

that he could look at, hold and read.

i think it was on of my more brilliant ideas.

he loved it.
i used the Bazzill Lickity Slip raw album.

{LOVE}

i made a page for everyone's letter.

i love the way it turned out.

he was thrilled.

i am still collecting some letters from his grand kids.

HINT HINT.

but what a treasure.

i created 88 garlands of course.

{i love garlands}

and happy birthday Garlands.

also i used my Dad's monogram VBR in garlands.

this party was all about dad!

we held the party at my clubhouse.

it was perfect.

i made sourcream and chicken enchiladas.

my specialty.

they were delish.

i promised i would post the recipe.

Margie's Sourcream & Chicken Enchiladas

1 large can of Cream of Chicken Soup

1 large can of Green Chili Enchilada Sauce

1 large container of Sour Cream, {24 oz}

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, or a Mexican Mix

1 large can of diced green chilli's

1 large can of sliced black olives.

1 cup salsa

1 large onion diced.

4-6 cooked chicken breasts. {cubed}

mix.

roll in flour tortillas

put the extra sauce on top add another cup of grated cheese on top.

cover with Tin Foil and bake at 350 degrees until bubbling.

DELISH.

everyone helped with the meal.

we had cake and icecream.

we all honored my dad either with a memory or just why we love him.

everyone participated.

it was a night to remember.

                        {my sisty Ann & i were rockin' the Cheetah}

Dad said he was hoping to live to 90.

i said i would host a party!

my Dad is a great man.

i feel so grateful to have him in my life.

and to have his is influence on my children's lives.

the 88 party was great.

the rest of the weekend was spent helping Meg & Jeremy move.

they are building a house.

it will be done in 2 months.

they are going to be staying with me until it's ready to move in.

{pray for me}

kidding.

i am happy to have them.

i feel so lucky to have grown kids that want to hang with their OLD mom.

wink!

i also documented last week and will be working on a Week in the Life album.

i need to head over to Costco & gather my photos!

I will be in Arizona all of next week!

working with the Bazzill Team.

Teaching at Scrapbooks Etc. too!

i hope to see all my Mesa girls!

another great few weeks to come.

now...

where is Meg going to put all of her shoes?

Happy Monday!

kiss kiss

m.

 

hello Monday. hello Sunshine.

it's a Monday.

wow.

i am looking forward to being home this week.

so many fun projects in the works!

this week my Dad turns 88 and i will be hosting his birthday party!

this week i am designing a class i will be teaching at Scrapbooks Etc. in May!

i can't wait to get back to my HOME store in Mesa where it all started!

this week there will be sunshine.

yesterday it was 86 degrees.

much happiness for me.

yay!

over the weekend i attended some of the Snap blogger's conference.
it was great.

so well put together.

great panels.

great women.

great food.

and yes.

there was dancing.

LOVED it.

i met up with Rhonna and our dear friend Nancy Friday and spend the day.

i would not consider myself a "professional bloger"

meaning i don't blog to make money.

but i started blogging years ago, as a way to stay connected to all of the amazing women i have gotten to meet all over the world.

but i am a bloger.

i have been doing it now for what feels like ever.

Snap was great inspiration.

i am always looking for new ways to be inspired.

Spark was mentioned like a thousand times.

YES.

there will be a Spark no. 4.

right now i am looking at a new venue.

new teachers.

new design.

new look.

new ways to Spark inspiration.

it's just me.

i am working on a new Creative Team.

hoping to have an announcement by mid May.

exhale.

i know i just have to do it.

it's in me.

like a fire burning.

with some of the struggles i have faced this winter i just wasn't sure i would do Spark no. 4 this year.

but Spark is in my blood.

it is my passion.

and my joy.

so if you haven't heard of Spark look into it.

the blog hasn't been updated for a while.

but we are working on a new look.

i want to be able to inspire.

re-new.

re-fresh.

re-energize.

i for one.

need it.

i hope the sun is shining where you are.

i am headed out in it for an hour.

i need to clear my head.

prepare for the week ahead.

walk.

walk.

walk.

so excited for a new day.

week.

Spark no. 4.

family.

friends.

work.

love.

kiss kiss

m.

Friday. Friday.

Hey sisters!

Blogging from the Snap Conference.

i just wanted to  put up the Waferer class kit that i created and the girls hve put together a darling jam-packed kit!

 We only have 15 kits available.

They will be shipping Monday!
with photos and instructions.

let me just tell you this kit is packed.

we went into the garage and loaded it up not only with the Wafarer line but lots of yummy goodies!

$50 plus $8.50 shipping.

PDF of instructions and photos are also available for $15 via email please incude valid email address for PDF!

Options

Kit, Instructions & Photos, Shipping $58.50 USD PDF Instructions & Photos $15.00 USD

Have a great Friday!

looking forward to sharing what i am doing here at SNAP!

kiss kiss

m

making today amazing.

it's a monday.

i am looking forward to a great week at home.

last week i was in Arizona with the Bazzill team nailing down CHA Summer.

feels good.

excited about what is on the horizon.

new products, new lines and of course beautiful cardstock!

loved being in the sun for the week.

spending time with Lorie & the fam.

seeing my darling niece Jordan and nephew Dave and his sweet wife Courtney.

meeting their new baby, my great nephew Vernon Charles.

Vernon is a family name, they had to do it.

he's darling, going to be called Charlie!

loved catching up with them!

ate some amazing Mexican food.

of course.

made a little time to sit by the pool.

it was a great week.

over the weekend i did a little scrapping.

working on a fun little mini book using Janet's line with Bazill Wayfarer!

LOVE.

working on a fun little project, finally getting some of my South Africa photos scrapped!

will share with you on Wednesday!

on Friday i called a dear friend who is going through a hard divorce.

she's struggling.

it's hard.

but it was great to talk to her.

support each other during trials.

it got me thinking.

over the weekend i had a lot of time alone.

something that is new for me.

the boys live in Idaho with their dad and the girls went up to spend the weekend.

so that meant a lot of alone time for me.

i'm learning how to be ok alone.

some things i wanted to share, just some ideas that i am finding that help me stay happy.

it's not huge stuff.

but for me it's small things that are working.

1. create a project.

weather that be an actual creative project ie scrapbook, layouts, canvas, frame etc. For me time in my studio sooths my soul. i love it.

or it can be any other type of project.

Friday i decided to Spring clean the upstairs part of my home.

bathrooms, laundry room and bedrooms.

i made my list of chores and knocked them out.

felt good.

i did sheets & towels.

dusted & Vacuumed.

washed floor boards and walls.

toilets & tubs.

so domestic.

but i had a project in mind and spent several hours doing it.

this week the main floor.

having a project keeps my mind at task.

seeing a finished project feels great.

2. Do small things that make you happy.

bring you joy.

We all have small things that make us happy.

no life long happiness, for me that is a HUGE statement.

what i am talking about is snipits of happiness.

i get overwhelmed very easily with the idea of LIFE long happiness.

for me that is the journey i am on.

day by day.

snipits of happiness that will get me there.

take time for yourself.

Friday night i gave myself a manicure.

i normally don't sport painted nails.

but i took the time after cleaning all day to do my nails.

small thing.

but a happy thing.

wear your favorite color.

i am on a pretty tight budget these days, we all are really.

so for me a snipit of happiness is treating myself to a new shirt or pair of pants or shoes.

not a $300 handbag.

but a little perk.

last week for me it was cheetah.

a $15 shirt on the clearance rack at Old Navy.

lot's of happiness for very little.

even seeing it hang in my closet brings a smile to my face.

have a treat.

i'm not a depriver.

i just don't believe in it.

so if i want a little chocolate i eat a little chocolate.

not a bag of chocolate, or a box of cookies but in moderation.

do something simple but make it special.

as a treat on Saturday after going to the grocery store in the pouring rain i treated myself to an orange pop served in a wine glass.

simple. 

fun.

i know silly, i'm 46 but orange pop reminds me of when i was a kid and pop wasn't something we had in our home and was a treat when we went out to Dees Family Restaurant.

it's nostalgic for me.

makes me happy.

so.

think of the little things.

do them.

3. exercise.

i am going to be honest here.

i have never been someone who loved exercise.

in fact i have always kinda hated it.

didn't get it.

but.

after almost a year of getting up and walking has changed me.

no i am not running any marathons soon.

or doing a tri-athelon like Lorie does.

but i am exercising.

i didn't have to join a gym.

i bought my first pair of walking shoes at costco because they were cheap and pink.

walking is free.

i am not a person who weighs myself.

{that would not make me happy}

wink.

but, since last June i am walking my butt literally off.

it's still there believe me.

but i am down 2 pant sizes and feel great.

no special diet per say.

just walking.

what it has done for me mentally is immeasurable.

i has given me the time to clear my mind each day.

i love it.

one of the first things a Dr. will tell you when you are having depression is start to exercise.

it works.

i woke up this morning the sun is out.

the sky is so intense blue i can't wait to get out there and enjoy it.

it rained most of the weekend.

yesterday the sun finally came out.

i woke up wanting to motivate myself.

remind myself of the small things that add up to a happy life.

and share them with you.

i don't know who you are.

but i feel grateful you check in on me.

we are on this road together.

make today amazing.

kiss kiss

m.

 

 

i love mondays.

i woke up this morning to blue blue skies.

happy.

went to the gym and worked out.

love it.

feels so good to get up and get it done.

on my walk home i felt so grateful for the sunshine and signs of Spring.

yesterday was rainy. snowy. cold. grey.

today.

amazing.

the start of a new week.

new projects.

love that i will be home this week.

my new travel schedule of one week home and in Arizona every other week.

being home this week feels good.

i am loving the trips to Arizona too.

working with the Bazzill team.

seeing old friends.

staying with Lorie.

and getting some Sunshine in my soul.

LOVE.

i need to be a better blogger.

oy.

i just forget.

haha.

so today is a little catch up.

2 sundays ago the girls and I went to the Holi Festival of Colors.
it was amazing.

we had so much fun.

truly a life experience.

i love doing stuff like this with my kids.

last week i was in AZ all week.

working on 4 new lines for Bazzy.

a Summer mid release with Janet Hopkins.

it's so stinking cute!

also a Halloween line and 2 Christmas, Winter lines!

can't wait.

they are all amazing.

i love being there in the office with Frani, Mona and the gang.

Sonic runs with Douglas are a 2 a day thing!
i got home late Thursday night and spent Friday catching up with life and my graphic designer who works in Chicago!

Over the weekend i did a little Spring decorating.

did the mantle.

put up all my Spark your Spring decor.

(the girls created some special kits for this class they sold so fast that they made few more if you're interested.)

love the way it feels having my Spring up and done.

excited for Spring.

i also created 10 cards for a Bazzill Card Swap using my new line

Vintage Marketplace.

i haven't made cards in a long time so it was fun to get in the studio and play with my new line.

it feels like it's going to be a great week.

feeling good.

positive.

i wanted to thank you all again for the kind words about my sweet Lola.

i miss that little girl.

trying to decide if a new puppy is in order.

hmmmm.

hope you have a great week ahead.

happy monday.

kiss kiss

m.