home

My hubby is home. Thank goodness. for now I am going to sit on the couch with him and enjoy! Could be my best new year's eve ever. just bringing him home. Thank you to everyone for their prayers.
enjoy!
Chris

Prayer after Prayer

I feel like I have just requested prayer after prayer this year. If you have anymore to send my way. My husband is in the hospital tonight and will be having an angiogram tomorrow. I am praying for the best possible results. I will be out of touch for a few days and very slow to respond to any requests/emails or memberships. I will do my best to keep up when I do have access for a few moments.
Thank you for your understanding as always
Chris

It's Here It's Here!! The Party is Here!!

!!! WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME !!!

The Blog Party is here at my little spot on the web today. So thanks for stopping by. My deal is the Holiday Bundle for $4.99 that is over 60% off the 13.99. All today until Midnight EST. The code is CD_12Days_xdwe When you are there all my files are on sale for 40% off, but after you enter the code it will change the price on that item. HERE IS THE LINK TO IT AT PAPERTHREADS.









Also because I was working on some things and had this prepared. My Steal is... The first 100 people or so to visit my blog get to download this new Valentine Doily file. The password is iagreetou1229 This file will be uploaded to the QMC membership for all those members. So if you missed it. It will be there shortly and you have until March to download it. HERE IS THE LINK FOR THE DOWNLOAD. This link was removed after over 100 people downloaded it.

Thank you to all of those who have emailed me regarding the Visually Creative Team. I will keep taking emails until Wednesday. And then get moving on it all. I have gotten some beautiful project shots. Thank you to everyone right away who is thinking about participating.

So this file isn't in the store yet, but is coming soon. I just had to share because I think they came out cute!!!

Have a wonderful weekend and Enjoy!!!


Chris

This Girl Can Ramble ....

So here are some of the new ones I uploaded to the "hopper" at Paperthreads in hopes they make it to the store for the Secret Sale. They are on the left.





I am ready to get past the holiday season and into the New Year. This past year has had some incredible lows for me and my family, but at the same time some phenomenal highs. I have alot of new friends because of this blog which I started in February of last year and a very enjoyable way to help support my family by selling files at Paperthreads.




I have to take a moment to Thank all of you that visit my blog regularly throughout all the changes it has gone through. And for those who have hung in with me. And also to those who send me little emails with stories about their families and their lives because you feel like you are a part of mine through this blog. Thank you to everyone for being a part of my blog.





QMC members - I uploaded the Family frame to the QMC section HERE. It was the winner of our pole and is now there for everyone to see.





The 12 days after Christmas... for those stopping by to see the deal. It is the awesome lady with the cutest Puppppy you have ever seen. SOOOO Cute! Keep an eye out for my day because I will have a Cheap Cheap deal and a steal. So don't miss it. Here is the forum thread with the info.





For those who requested these frames above I will be sending them to you in your email.





Nikki Maxfield. Could you please email me. I am getting bounce messages from your email box. I just realized.Thanks mucho.





Creative Team - I have decided after talking to a few to start a creative team for Visual Designs by Chris files. The commitment will be one project per month. The opportunities include preview files and the files you work with for a project will be given to you to work with. I have a few people seated on this Team already and have a few more spots. If you are interested, please send me 3 project pics and an email with a little bit about yourself. I am going to limit this to a certain number of people because I want to be able to work with everyone. If you have sent me projects in the past just let me know and I will look through my folder for them. I keep them all. (When I need a creative boost, I peruse them) There are some limitations as to who I can have, but we can discuss that in email rather then here. And I will probably do it by familiarity and first response. There will probably be openings in the future as well when some decide to focus on other parts of their lives. So I will keep those who have sent in their info in case they want to join in the future. Thank you in advance to those who have decided they would like to participate in this. My Email Address





My camera battery is dead, but I can tell you some of the gingerbread story. Much like my friend Lori the glueing process to stick it together with powdered sugar and water was an experience. I sat with my hands in a great contortion holding it all together waiting for it to dry. I finally had to go do things and let go and the roof slowly slid off. So I stacked Marshmallows inside to hold the walls up and left the rest for my hubby to work on. So he and my son put the rest of it together and decorated it. There is a marshmallow for a smoke stack and a hugs hersheys kiss for on top of it. It came out super cute. Two green macaroons made trees in the front yard. and the pictures will come tomorrow.





Seeing my son Christmas morning was awesome. Our bedroom is at the end of the hall. So being the worry wart parents we are. He still has a monitor in his room at 3. So we could hear him move around slowly and the more then we heard him jump up. So I stood at the doorway of our room and he came out of his room and ran for the Christmas tree. I followed behind him and sat down on the floor next to his presents so I could see his face. The biggest opened mouth you could ever see. It was fantastic. FOR ME he said almost in a whisper. I said yes it is because you are such a wonderful boy you made the "nice list". He jumped on his mechanical backhoe and started digging at the carpet and having a blast. It was awesome. Some of the other moments included the look on his face when he opened another gift. He opened his eyes look at me and said in a whisper... "I cannot believe it". This made grin from ear to ear. He gave everyone hugs and he said THANK YOU VERY MUCH lots and lots. My mom got him a knight's outfit it was one of the last presents of the night and I think he has only taken it off to sleep or eat. He loves to play dressup. I attribute this to the Backyardigans show. Such great imaginations. I can really see my son using his lots.


Thank you Heather for the Holiday Card. I don't know how you do it, but it was beautiful and humorous all at the same time. Wonderful!!





Also, I got a few picture projects in the email over the weekend I will post them in the next couple days. They are awesome!!


Well can I ramble. ... I absolutely Can. I better run!! Gotta feed those horses.




Enjoy! Again


Chris

12 days after Christmas Party & New Year's Resolutions Anyone?

The 12 days after Christmas Deals & Steals by the Paperthreads Designers has begun. So check out the blogs and find it. And when you find their coupon remember that over in my section of the store everything is up for the secret sale with the exception of the Quarterly Membership which will be closing January 31st and reopening in March for the second quarter. But whatever you dooooooo. Do not purchase the Holiday Super Bundle I have recently uploaded. It will be my steal of a deal, but I can't tell you which day yet for the 12 days after holidays!!!! Visit this Thread here at Paperthreads and it will help you to find them all. And if all goes well. There will be an extra bonus too.. Wooohoo!! Can't wait. And I have two positions in the 12 days after holidays party. So you'll get to hear from me twice. (Are ya sick of me yet???)

I am creating away and working away and trying to think where will I put all of my sons new toys. Thank gooooodness I took the time to clean out his room part way a few months back because we have some serious rearranging going to be happening today. He is so excited for all his toys. he seems to have forgotten that I am here while he plays with them. Well clothes are usually the dreaded child gift, but my son only go two shirts and a pair of pants. Means there will be slim pickings for summer clothes. hahaha.. I seriously need to consider taking them to a second hand kid stores. I have heard this is good and bad. So maybe I will give it a shot.

Okay and New Year's Resolutions...

One ... is to find a way to limit spam in my email box. Somehow.

Two... organize my weeks a bit better

Three... This is my year for fitness (If I didnt have a fitness resolution I would feel sooo lost)

Four ... Clean out the craft room. And narrow the supplies to those I really enjoy doing. (Luckily I have given myself a year to do this!)

Five... Get back on track with the birthday cards. Anyone have a suggestion for birthday websites that will remind you when who why where what?

So have you got any interesting and new ones?

I better go survey the rooms and see how to rearrange. Also, tomorrow I will post my rendition of a gingerbread house for a blog. Welll. lets say my hubby and sons. My friend Lori had an interesting story about one. Ours was in the works still when she and her hubby were working on theirs. So our end result will be shown tomorrow.

Also, I am working on uploads over the next few days. So hopefully they will make the store for the secret sale. so keep your eye out.

Enjoy!
Chris

PS the files on the left were put together for a special project. They won't be available for a bit in the store. But I thought they were cute So I wanted to share it with you.

Lots of items coming to the store!!! and 12 days after Christmas

So as you can tell I have been working on the curly frames. If you requested one of these frames I will be sending them to you in the next few days. These are the ones I have done. I am at my limit on requests for these so I won't be taking anymore. However, I will be offering a custom one in the store for surnames and offering all of the above and the others in the store. So if you made a request when I put out the call for them. You will be getting one. I am just working my way through them. If you like them, I am hoping they will make it up to the store in time for the Secret Sale.

Also, I will be posting a frame to the QMC I am taking a poll the choices are Love, Joy or Family. So vote in the poll and let me know which one should go in the QMC.

And then next... I put together my Holiday Super Bundle. It will be in the Secret Sale Dec 24th-Jan 1st. However, if you keep up on the "12 days after Christmas Blog Party" the designers at Paperthreads are throwing you will be able to get it for Super Cheap!!! So keep an eye out for that. There will be more info about it in the forum at Paperthreads and here as well.

If you decide to purchase a QMC membership, please be aware over the holidays myself and Michelle are spending time with our families and being added to the secion may be a little delayed. Thank you for your understanding.

Okay I have to run.. house full of people coming this evening to celebrate hubbies bday. I gotta run. MY HOUSE IS A MESS. ehhh.. but I got some files done... wooohoo!! Do you think they will understrand this? Probably not, but oh well. hahaha.

Enjoy!
Chris

Almost there... we're gonna make it..

So here we are a few days from Christmas. I am headed to the store to do the last few items pickup and then home. Tomorrow we have friends coming over for my Hubbie's birthday party and Sunday to ride the horse and then I will have Christmas eve to finish up the home made gifts. I think I will make it. Woohoo!!! If not, no biggy. The best will be going to church on Christmas Eve singing the hymns at mass and at the end of mass Santa comes and waves to the kids. My son is counting down the days on the calendar to Baby Jesus's Birthday. I am looking forward to the family time. Hopefully I will get some good pictures of the projects I am working on. Well I better run. I leave you with this giggly image from You Tube. My sister in law sent me one with a little boy called the Best Paper Shredder Ever. But I couldn't find it on YouTube. So in looking this one just made me giggle. So I had to share.




Also.. working on Matte Frames with all the words sent in. I have a bunch done.

Enjoy!
Chris

Oh and if you missed signing up for the newsletter. The link for it is HERE The freebies are still there so get them while you can.

Secret Sale Dec. 24th-Jan. 1st

A few pics from our trip

Here are some pictures from the Vegas trip.

One is of a friend of ours with my son. My hubby and I were the Best Man and Maid of Honor it was a very nice wedding. And I got to walk down the aisle with my hubby again. Which was very mushy for me. I a mush ball. Totally in love.

One is from the NFR my son was to busy watching and couldnt look at the camera

and the other is just my son in full cowboy gear. 6 shooters and all. He got tired of saying Hi to people who wanted to talk to him. I told him he could just tip his hat. I don't know if that was better or worse. but he took to tippin his hat at those who said Hi and smiling. If you notice he even decide he should wear his spurs. Love him.

I am off to help with the Christmas Cookies.

Enjoy!
Chris

And now on to Christmas .. Holy Smokes 7 days.

Hello to everyone I am back. What a wonderful weekend lots and lots of fun. I didn't lay one card down or one penny down in a machine, but did spend a few pennies on new boots, ropes, paintings and more. I love the Cowboy Christmas Conventions they have. There are three different ones. We stayed at the Mandalay Bay and had a wonderful time. We actually left Wednesday night and thought we would drive as far as we could. Well we were driving down the strip at 10:30 Vegas time Wednesday night. I called the Mandalay and asked if they had an extra room for the night so we could just get there. and they said yes. I asked just to make sure there wasn't a to late time to check in. We may be there late will that be okay. The lady got silent and then very calmly said. ... "This is Vegas Mam" All right then I said okay well then we'll see you tonight. I felt like a dork.

A Super Holiday Bundle.... I have gotten about 10 emails asking me if I am going to do one. I will probably, but I think it will be in January. Today is my hubbies bday and Christmas is one week away and I have nada for holiday gifts unfortunately. So I am trying to create a bit, but wow! Where did the month of december go. I have so many ideas and my brain is a going. But I probably won't have very many uploads to the store during the rest of the month. I just have to enjoy the moments with my hubby and son for the holidays.

Next on my many email list...... WPC files. how I create them? Can I you use them with the Pazzles machine, WPC-Sign, Funtime Scrapbooking. Yes Yes and Yes. I export all my files to WPC format to give you the ability to use my files. Yes I could save files as a WPC but this will not make those files available to some users of the WinPC software. Therefor I export them in Version 14 format to WPC and they should open within all WinPC program versions. I am posting this here because I have read some really worried and upset visitor emails about WPC and all the confusion. I do whatever I can to get those files in the most useable formats. If you would like your files to be widely useable for others I would read this tutorial created by Lori at Paperthreads, Our WinPC guru. HERE is the link to it at the forum at Paperthreads. Also, remember that when downloading WPC version from my QMC area that you have to unzip those files. And if you can't open WPC files by doubleclicking on them. Consider opening your Version of WinPC whether it be Funtime, Scrap Savvy or any other... and open the file from within the program. I hope this helps many. If you have any other questions, please please let me know. You can email me HERE.

My next thought is make sure you have signed up for the Paperthreads Newsletter. Lots of Freebie included. I believe you can get to the sign up from the main Paperthreads website. http://www.paperthreads.com/ You can also review the old one to see how awesome it is.

QMC members... I am a coming with some new files. Don't worry. It is just the holiday that has me slow.

And I will be downloading the pictures from the camera of our trip and will post a few. We got to attend the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and my little boy was on the edge of his seat the whole time. He was whooping and hollering for the cowboys. It was awesome!!!

Enjoy!
Chris

On the left side of my blog are a few of my files already in the store at Paperthreads.

Viva Las Vegas!!

Okay Folks.. I have tried to catch up with almost all my emails and it isn't going to happen 'til I get back.

So I wanted to say Hey! If you are stopping by, I'll be back on Monday! I have got to get the Mobile Blogging thing figured out. That would be fun. Maybe I will see if I can do that. Well if you don't see a change here til Monday you know I couldnt get it to work.

Sooooo I am off to Vegas tomorrow for the weekend and to see the NFR. Wooohoo!!

Have a wonderful weekend yourself and create create create!
Enjoy!
Chris

A Moth of Fun....

Is it really a break when you decide to do a ton of other things instead of what you normally do? Probably not, but no biggy. I am having fun. I decided to fill in my yearly scrapbooking with a few digital pages. Most know that I create hybrid pages. Digital backgrounds and accents on top. Gives me the time to put things together and then add that perfect touch to the top. Like icing on the cake. So some of the elements on this page are from Tracy Sims, the paper I created. I think I will put a flower over the top of the one in the digital ones and maybe take out the butterfly and add a butterfly die cut with glitter kinda thing.

So this was my Bambino just so excited over a moth in a lampshade. I captured his smiles and a few relatives coming over to check to see what was soooo amusing. It is kinda a jumble of pictures, but I couldn't leave out a one.

Today is the get it done, pack it up and finish it day before we head to Las Vegas. So I have to make sure the horse sitter and dog sitters are in line. That people have the keys they need. I need to go get my truck washed and vaccuumed out also. Last night I took all the papers and things that accumulate out of the truck and put them in a plastic bag and took them out of the truck. Wew. So much can accumulate in them. I just thought I would come up with a fresh start. And then pack. I have to pack pack pack. ugh. I hate to pack. I don't do it well. I should sit down and make a list and stick to it, but I just keep adding in case. We will have limited space in the truck so I have to get it slim down a bit. Plus a bridesmaids dress, my friend is getting married. Oh lovely... just remembered that I still need to sew the hem up on the dress. So off I go so I can get moving. Have a mahvelous day!!!

Be Safe, Be Warm and

Enjoy!
Chris

Monday Monday Monday. and then Vegas Baby!!

Well It's Monday. What a great weekend! I love seeing my Dad. But now I am in the rush to prepare to leave on Wednesday for Vegas. I was able to check my email a bit this weekend, but I will be unplugged this coming weekend so I have until Tuesday night and then won't be back til Monday a.m. If you need something quick email me or I will get to it as soon as I get back.
**
This past weekend we spent lots of time hanging out together as family. My bambino got his kitchen with a grill and he loves it. We had to go on Sunday and buy more plastic food for it. My son is a cooking crazy man. He also received a Fireman Costume. So in between he has the Fireman jacket on and the Chefs hat. So he is busy busy. It was nice because he got about 5 or 6 gifts and he can play with them now before Christmas. He can be overwhelmed at times with tons and tons of things. Overstimulization. So having a few at a time was good.
**
Well I can't think... I have so much running through my head and a ton of emails to catch up on so I better run. I just wanted everyone to know I was still alive!
**
Have a wonderful day!
Enjoy!
Chris

A quick stop in... Die Cuts of my designs, Autumn Beauty by Rosalie

A real quick stop in...

Hello to all. My Dad is here and today is the day we have "Christmas Morning". I am waiting for my brother and his wife to wake up so we can all get showered and head to my sisters. My Dad got my son a kids kitchen. My Son knows it is there because he went with Grandpa to pick it out, but he is anxious to get it out of the box. So this should be fun. Apparently, my little boy gets beat out for the kitchen every day at school. They have centers and there are only 5 kids to a center at a time. So he wanted his own. I figure he may be the next best chef of the world. So lets get it for him. Of course for the more manly testasterone approach it has a grill on one side and a kitchen on the flipside. :) This will be a perfect accompaniement (sp?) to his fort in March when it is warm enough to be outside regularly again.

A few things...

Have you seen this layout

http://www.paperthreads.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=337&limit=recent

From Rosalie over at Paperthreads she is on the Creative Design Team there!! Woohoo!
I don't have the large photo version to post here. If Rosalie is stopping by my blog maybe she can EMAIL it to me and I will post it here. I love the way the leaves and the paper and the Autumn Beauty Jumble are cut to out and the papers all match so well together. Thank you Rosalie for such a great project.


In other news... Have you heard of a Scrapbook Whimsy?? Well Wendy over at Scrapbook Whimsy has become the first retail spot for purchasing my files already diecut. So if you don't have time to run your cutter or have hit upon my blog and don't own a cutter, but want one of my diecuts Wendy is the first one with a Commercial License to retail the diecuts. Here is her beautiful store site! Thanks for participating Wendy and congrats on your storefront. I will be working on getting her link up on my main website as well. Thank you to those who have seen my diecuts for sale on her website already and were concerend and emailed me. I so appreciate the support and everyone watching out forme. She is selling the actual cut piece of my file and not the digital file. My digital files are not for sale anywhere other than Paperthreads. If you see my digital files posted anywhere else, always feel free to let me know. I appreciate my visitors always. If you are interested in the Commercial Policy it is HERE.

Okay so I have about 220 emails to respond to from the last few days. So if you sent me an email I will be getting back to them as soon as I can. I just wanted to stop in real quick and say Hi before I head to my sisters and spend more time with Dad and then next weekend is Vegas woohoo!! So I will try to catch up with them all before I go.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!
Enjoy!
Chris

Tippin Santa... and this weekend

Look at this cute Santa.. I saw this at the Gallery at Paperthreads by Karen and I love it. Super cute. So I asked Karen to send it over so I can post it here as well. Thank you Karen. My hubby saw all the silver and liked the extra touch of "snow". Thank you again for sharing with me.

From now til Monday my Dad will be here. I will be super limited in my email and keeping up because I see him about 10 days out of every year and try to spend as much time with him as possible. And I split my time with my siblings and their kiddos also. So if you email and I don't respond right away. I will get to you. The left side of my blog has all the links for Where you can find me? If you are asking about the QMC. I always ask for your order number and login name. So if you send those in your first email it saves one extra step.

And as for now. I am off to clean a bathroom and get us dressed to head to the airport. Woohoo!! I can't wait.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Enjoy!
Chris

Heroes Among Us.. Visiting with Santa

So what a weekend. We got so much done, but there is still so much to do before my Dad visits. Sunday we had a board meeting for our association those are always so so so interesting. But then after that we went to the mall and saw Santa. My bumpkin was pretty excited because Santa had a huge S belt buckle. He decided to go in cowboy gear because that is what Dad was in and man what a smile we captured. Love it Love it!!

And I have one frame done for the five and I am working away on the others. I think I am going to offer this as a custom file in the store for those who might want their last name in it. I just thought I would share this one with you.

Well my Dad will be here Wednesday and I have a list as long as my arm to get it done. So I better run. Hope you had an awesome weekend!

Enjoy!
Chris

Personalized Gifts..... love em.

Well we are taking a break from the cleaning before putting up holiday decorations. Wew! So I thought I would post a few things. I have received my list of 5 for the frames. Thank you to those who sent them over. I will get to working on them. One or two will hit the QMC. I will email those who sent in title ideas to them specifically and the rest will go up in the store. Here are a few files that hit store in the last two days. They were fun to make, but I wasn't to into the holiday files for some reason. Probably because so much is going on.

Here is a link to my section in the store if you are in need of any of these.

Everyone liked the Family frame so that is awesome. Wasn't sure how it would go over since it isn't a holiday file. So glad everyone liked it.

Also, many have requested some info... the mugs I am ordering are coming from the website below. The ladies name is Carrie and unfortunately we (being my siblings and I ) are under a time crunch and waited til the last minute and she emailed me quickly last night and said she would get them out right away. And I so appreciate customer help over the holiday season. So that is fantastic. I can't wait to see them and I hope they come out well. Here is her Link. I have no financial interest in her site, just like to pass on customer oriented businesses to others who may need them. And it is called Marvelous Mugs. www.marvelousmugs.com I LOVEDDD that she had a design your own setting .Usually you have to give them one picture to put on the mug. So hopefully my collage of pictures will be a crowd pleaser... WHY DO I HOPE? Because I ended up ordering one for the hubby and others as well. Can't wait Can't wait. Okay I love to holiday shop. I love to give gifts that I have thought about and worked on. It makes me feel awesome. Personalized.

It is Saturday.. I am rambling.. and I need to go cut 23 stockings out of paper and 23 preschool kids names and the like. Put up a tree, make bread, finish laundry, go to a homeowners assoc meeting, go to church... and more.. Wew! So I better run!

Have a wonderful Saturday and Enjoy!

Chris

PS Those who sent me your frame words.... some didn't send the file type they need. I will not be posting these to everyone. I will be sending them to the requestee. Please make sure you sent me your file type. Thanks mucho!!

Family Matte Frame

Well Luckily the powdered sugar was from some doughnuts my little one found in the back of his section of the cupboard. Woohoo! That is much better then the other possibilities.





So today has been a creative day for me. Here are some of the things I have been working on... First I want to put together a coffee mug for my Dad (luckily he doesnt have internet so I can post this) So I have been putting together a collage of pictures and we found a lady who said she would send it out to us right away for next weekend. My sister-in-law called her and said she seemed awesome to work with. I will let you know how the order goes and post the link when I get it done.

Then I have been working on some new packaging for the store. and Some new ideas. I thought these frames could be great to putting around a picture. Here is my offer to you. I will take the first 5 requests of one word to replace the word family with and email you the file. I think this would be great for scrapbooking, but also for in an actual picture frame with a picture behind it. So EMAIL ME here. So send me your word and your file type needed and put Matte Frame in the subject. I probably won't have them for you until after the 17th, but thought I would offer it to those who might be interested. I have my five. Thanks guys!

I just thought they looked nice so I thought I would post again for today!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Enjoy!
Chris

Powdered Sugar.

Howdy and Hello!!
Well It's Friday. Woohooo.. Made it another day. Just realized I need to head out and feed horses because the hubby didnt this morning when he left, but thought I would post a quick note.

-The poinsettia in a pot is up at the QMC
-I have everyone who has joined the QMC added, if you can't get in let me know. The link is on the left of my blog.
-Lots of great emails about the Scrapping With Cancer/Brody so I am thinking we will make it through the holidays and then come up with a Cut-A-Thon of some type for the scrapbook kits he is putting together. Some of the designers have agreed to join in. Thank goooodness. So I will have to work out some details. Here is the link to Brody's main website. http://www.freewebs.com/scrapingwithcancer/
-Still working on the Blessings Jumble. It just isn't working for me yet.
-Added a few files to the store yesterday .. woohoo!!
So those are some updates.

This weekend I am cutting my son's preschool classmates names on my KNK and also a stocking patten so they can glue them all together next week. My little one will miss school on Wednesday because Grandpa will be here. (I am so excited about this).
We got some lights up last night and if I can get them off the camera quick I am going to upload them here to see. they came out cute with the lights in the background. I have been playing with my camera features and having lots of fun.

Okay well gotta run my son just came up to me with a big powdered sugar smile... So now I need to investigate what was the cause.

So there should be more later.........
Enjoy!
Chris

Yikes theres a trail... powdered sugar.ahhhhhhhhhhh

Inspirational.... & of course jumping on beds..

Wednesday Wednesday... That means tomorrow is Thurs and I get to stay home with my bumpkin and work on pulling out decorations for the house. Woohooo!!.

I found this through an email newsletter. Some of you may have seen it. It really touched my heart because I am on a foundation for children with Traumatic Brain Injuries. So seeing something like this just makes me smile and wish this child the best.

A boy in Canada who has leukemia decided to put together scrapbooking kits for other children also with cancer. So they could document their experience as well. His Aunt gave him his first supplies and he was hooked. I have to say Wow! Here is the link to find out more about it. I have not decided how, but I think I am going to try and donate to this young man's awesome idea. Maybe a cut-a-thon. Where we can all cut a bunch of the mini albums to send up to him so he can include them in the packages and save money on albums. Or a set of diecuts to be cut out and sent to him for in each of his projects. I don't know. I am going to have to think on this. And I would give the cut-a-thon participants some door prizes or something. I will have to work this out for January and see who I can get involved because I am swamped right now in December. but put on your thinking hats and if you have any ideas. Please send them my way.

Also, because there are a few steps involved with getting a file in the store and I am just feeling lazy about getting the files ready for the store. I am going to post the poinsettia card file in the QMC. So look for it there if you want it... I think Ginny asked.. What Joanne did with the background. I am pretty sure she used foil behind the stencil cut out. It is fabulous. So check out the QMC and it will be there soon.

Also, for those questioning my trip to vegas in December. First I am going for a very close friends wedding. My hubby and I are the best man and maid of honor. And my son is going to. So I am sure he will decide he needs to walk down the aisle with us. Also, I am going for the National Finals Rodeo. This will be my 5th year going I think. And I start shopping at Cowboy Christmas and all the others as soon as my feet hit the pavement in vegas. Personally, I am not a gambler. So I cannot see anyother reason to go to Vegas other than or this event. Friends went last year and it was the woman's first time and she said... so when do we do this shopping thing... And the general consensus between the men was as soon as Chris's feet hit the ground in Vegas. I stay at the Mandalay Bay so I can be where one of the conventions are. I do not like to shop, but for this I do and I will shop for 3 days straight. My husband will go out and play cards with my Uncle and friends and my bumpkin and I will order in a movie, jump on the bed together, have pillow fights, order in room service with ice cream and giggle all night. My hubby can play cards as long as he wants since he usually comes back with a few hundred dollars more then he left with and thats good for shopping. And he can stay out as long as he knows I will be ready to go at 8 a.m. late night or not to shop. So for those adults justa rolling your eyes at the thought of Jumping on the bed... My rule is you can only jump on hotel room beds. not the one at home. And it's fun. So why not? Whens the last time you jumped on a bed with your kids and heard them giggle?????? and with that....

Enjoy!!!

Chris

Man I can ramble...

Oh did I tell you I have an awesome lady who is selling my die cuts on her website. Not the digital files, but the cut files... Oh man I need to go work on dinner... more on that tomorrow. soooo excited... toodles

Holiday pics and ramblings.

Tuesday night... I am working on files and decided to take a quick break. I just had my last slice of white bread. I made it from a mix by Orgran (sp?). It was quick simple painless and I got to eat a few ham and cheese and tomato sandwiches. Yum yum. It didn't last long tho'. Small loaf and my hubby thought it was good to. Luckily my son didn't know we weren't feeding him the special bread. I am into baking right now for some reason. Was at the store today and picked up another gluten free mix by another company to see how it turns out. I don't own a bread machine so not sure if this would help and not sure if I want the counter space taken up when I might lose this baking bug at any time. We shall see how it plays out.

So for Thanksgiving we did the After Dinner Chores Cards. My aunt put the little cards from my Treat for Trickers file underneath everyones plate. And when dinner was done everyone picked up their plate and there was the chore for after dinner. Let me tell ya dishes were done much quicker. There were at least 7 people in the kitchen at all times helping out. So it was nice to see everyone getting involved. It worked out pretty well. I am curious if anyone else used them and if they worked out. If you don't know what I am talking about it is in the QMC and in my past posts here on my blog. It was right after Halloween that I posted it. The pictures on the left are of all the hardworkers and my brother with his that said empty trash. Which he kept in his pocket so that no one else would say he should do dishes. He also become the drink getter. So he got really good at grabbing beer for the dishwashers. Everyone had good spirit about it. So that was nice and there wasn't any major pouting.



The pictures below are my son getting to put the angel on the Christmas Tree at Grandma's house this year. Okay I have to get back to it.
Enjoy!
Chris

PS the first picture was just me playing with my camera with the lights from the trees.I thought it looked fun so I shared.

Monday Morning and Freezing!!

Woohoo!! It is Monday.. really early Monday was when I wrote this and I am just now getting it uploaded. wew!! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend. I am so ready to get back to creating. I took some time off to get a breakand hang out with family. To refresh. And it worked. My mind is just a going. I was prepping the Potted Poinsettia to cut and didn't get a chance so Joanne test cut it for me and what a beautiful job she did. I will do my best to get this into the store this week. I am readyto create create and create. Below is Joanne's card beautiful. Thank you for test cutting for me and thank you for sending the final piece to me. Fantastic!

Thank you also to everyone who participated in the presales and the sale for the weekend.I am not sure when the next will be. December plans to be a super busy month. My Dad is coming to the desert to visit, we are going to vegas for the nfr, and it is my Hubbies bday, Anniversary for my parents, nieces birthday, oh and of course... tadaa.... christmas. Can we please pack some thing else into the monthof December. Actually forget I said that or it will happen. Wowser!

But this past weekend was my anniversary. 6 years and counting. Love my Guy. We went out to dinner Saturday night at the place he proposed to me. It was fun. My punkin got to visit with his Aunt and Uncle and had a great time. I got to visit with my hubby and just relax. Afterwards we were going to go dancingtry to party like a rock star and stay out late like we used to. HAHAHA. We were ready to go get the kiddohead home and just hang out. Although... we did shut the Lowe's down on the way home. Woohoo!! Wewere out late enought to make it to last call at Lowe's. Of course we were getting paint and itemsto work on the fort which is just awesome that my hubby has been working on. Super romantical.. not for some.. but fun for me. Just that time together. Mahvelous.

And Sunday... I went through my little ones room. I got rid of 5 bags of things, some to goodwill,some to the trash, some to the ebay pile. My ebay pile is huge. I need to get on it.Took some explainingto my son that when gifts come there needs to be room for them. I took the time to organize the toys weput back and spread those toys out so he can get to them more. An area for the toy tools, the cars, the puzzles, the books. Etc. When we were all done. he was super excited to be in his room. It was refreshing and I am ready to work on each room of the house for my Dad to come visit and clean things up so next weekend we can put up the decorations.

Well I have to run my fingers are freezing. Jan.. one of the designers at Paperthreads.. she livesaround the corner from me just recently she moved here from a much colder client. Well she has beenpraying for cool weather. And it has beeeeeen cold. Cold for me anyways. My hubby went and pulled the portableheater out of the RV and brought it in the house this morning. It was 55 in here. Not chilly for some, but chillyfor this desert lady. We need to light the pilot light for the heater, but it is nice to actually havea few chilly evenings. sleeping under blankets instead of just a sheet. wewwweeee. But I am fully goingto blame it on Jan cause I know she has been praying for some colder weather and it's here.

Also, if you have a second my friend Lori at Paperthreads needs some positive thoughtsand prayers as she hits surgery this week. We are all praying for a quick return to thecomputer designing desk because some of her new files are just soooo cute. And also I love her witand can't wait for her to be back in the swing of things.

Seriously my fingers are gonna fall off they are frozen. I am off to find some hot cocoa. Have a wonderful day!

Enjoy!

Chris

Thank you to those who sent me Thanksgiving emails and cards. It was very touching. I was very worried after I didn't get a chance to respond to so many emails when my grandfather passed away I would burn some people. Thanks for standing by me when I am swamped and your thoughts are awesome. I am off to finish up the Blessings Jumble!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hellllo to everyone and Happy Thanksgiving. I am planning on little computer time this weekend. So hopefully everyone won't have to many questions, but give me a bit to respond if you do. My goal will to be to try to keep on top of my email so that my box doesnt fill up, but I probably will put them in the queue to be followed up on Monday.

Well I am off to watch the video of my son in his first school performance. They said dress cowboy. So he did. He insisted on his Professional Bull Riders shirt, jeans, boots, hat, chaps and stick horse. So I video taped it for the family to see. Totally made me smile! I will post one of the pics here after the weekend.

So I am thankful for everyone here!!! If I get some energy I will post more later. I am working on the Blessings Jumble still and am not happy yet with the end result. So it will be coming. Don't forget the sale! Lori is jumping in on it and a bunch of the designers at Paperthreads.

Enjoy!
Chris

Gratitude, Home, Heart and Soul... what awesome Blessings!

Wow what a weekend. We spent Saturday at the house and worked on the fort. It is one serious fort. The gator and other rideon toys fit underneath it as a perfect garage. The stars are on it and the green indoor/outdoor carpet. Now we are working out the walls or rails as they will probably more be. Then we went up to the inlaws for a delicious breakfast and chatted for a few hours on Sunday and then came home by way of the local home improvement store and I picked up a few flowers for the front porch. Supposed to be 90 today and then 65 by Thanksgiving. This is why we all get sick here so much. 90 during the day, but it was 45 at our house when we woke up. Wow. Lots of Layers. All in all a great weekend.

This coming weekend is Thanksgiving, decorating on Friday for my MIL, Saturday my anniversary and Sunday hopefully Sunday will be a day of rest. What will be most important for everyone here is it is the SALE. all my files will be on sale and I am getting as many holiday ones done as I can. Wanda sent me this awesome picture of her card using the Silent Night file. Love it. It is beautiful and simple and clean. Love it! Wanda wrote that she used vellum for the inside of the card which I think gave the snow some of its feel. Thank for you sharing Wanda!

Below are some of the files I am working on . They all can't get posted in the QMC because it is supposed to be 20 files or a little more and I am already at 8 or 9 and the QMC for this quarter goes til March. Wew! But I keep reminding myself that December will be crazy and I won't be able to post many. But I think those members already joined will be way ahead of 20 files for this inagural membership.

Here are some of the files I have been working on...

And I am working on the Blessings Word Jumble which I will post here and in the QMC. Lots of great words and stories behind them. This was one of my favorites. I hope everyone feels as blessed as I do this year. It may have been a rough one, but we are still enjoying our moments in life.

" When my first son was born (he's now 4), I looked right at him and knew, he is my heart. When I was pregnant with my second son (now 22 months), I thought..how could I love another child like I do my first? He is my heart. Then my youngest was born, and I looked at him and knew he was my soul. My boys, my blessings, are my heart and soul. And that's what I'm sharing with you. Heart and Soul."

and this was another one sent to me that just warmed my soul...

Good morning from Tennessee, Chris. I'm on your Yahoo group and will be joining your QMC shortly - just haven't gotten around to doing that yet. I have so many blessings it's difficult to share just one or two. But this morning, I'm particularly grateful for gratitude itself. My father, an 85-year-old WWII veteran, suffers from severe PTSD and has never been able to get past the anger and hurt to see his blessings or be grateful for life's small miracles. I've witnessed his bitterness and sadness for years and it has been particularly bad lately as his physical health falters. The lack of gratitude in his soul robs him of the joy and wonder of life; and watching him daily turn this lack of gratitude for small things into rage and bitterness makes me particularly grateful that I am able to thank God each and every day for the small blessings I am privileged to share.

I am also grateful for my home. The safety and warmth of home (not just my house, but all the things that make it a home) is precious to me."

Gratitude and Home

Heart and Soul

What an awesome set of words

Thank you to everyone who sent them. If you still have one to include it might not be to late. I am going to publish these all this week because I find them inspirational and hope they are for others. Email me if you'd like.

Enjoy!

Chris