Beautiful artwork from Pat Shoop

Pat had sent me some images of wonderful art she created from using the projects in The Elemental Journal. I just had to share them all with you:)

Take a look and enjoy! Make sure to leave a comment for Pat.

If anyone else has any projects they have completed from the book, feel free to send me the images and I will post them here!

new book released-The Elemental Journal!

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to share with you the news that my latest book is out called The Elemental Journal from North Light Books. It was an extremely fun book to make. I got to play with normally discarded items and recycled pieces as well. The book focuses on several different types of materials in which to make journals from including: metal, wood, plastic, paper, and fabric. Brilliant colors and scenes shot in the outdoors are seen throughout the book itself as well as step by step instructions. Many of the pieces are fairly easy to accomplish and the best part is that most of the supplies you probably already have in your home!

The book also has the following contributors: Sarah Fishburn, Karen Michel, Susan Tuttle, Judith Hoffman, Jill K. Berry, Gerri Newfry, Jen Osborn, Tonia Davenport, and Kristen Robinson. These talented ladies produced some of the best work I have ever seen and am so proud to have in my book:) So what are you waiting for? Go check it out here www.amazon.com/gp/product/1440305366
Love to know your thoughts on it. If you pick up a copy, if you review it or "like" on Amazon, let me know. Also if you follow me on Twitter you get a chance to win a free copy of the book! The drawing will be done when I get too 300 followers or February 28th whichever comes first. Have a great one!

Still time to enter the drawing! Etsy Spring Cleaning Sale only 2 items left in stock!!!

Hello everyone! I wanted to make those of you aware that the drawing is nearing a close. April 1st is the deadline! If you are interested in entering the drawing for a chance to win a copy of my book Wedding Journals and Keepsake Gifts, please donate either an item from the Free Arts for Abused Kids wish list or a monetary donation ( even $1 counts!!!)

Things are being a bit quiet here. My husband has a second interview with the company FILA ( shoes ) in Maryland. I truly hope he gets it. Not only because it has been a long 9 months of unemployment, but also because I really want to move:) We have been talking of moving for a long time now. The original goal was after 5 years in this house, have equity and leave....10 years later....you get the picture. Anyway, keep your fingers crossed for us and the prayers. WE need it:)

Only 2 items left in my etsy store! I am cleaing out to make room for more items. These are the items left:






The shadowbox is $15 and that is including shipping in the USA. If you are out of the coutnry, email me for a shipping quote. The wall hanging is 9.99 plus shipping.


I have also picked up the items I will be sending to Free Arts for Abused Children (as pictured). My children and I went to Wal-Mart and grabbed a few things. It was good for my kids to be a part of this too. I try to teach them how to help out others who are less fortunate. I want them to realize that althoguth things are tough for us right now, there are others who have it a lot worse. Email me your comments. I love to hear from you all! Your input means a lot to me!!! Have a wonderful day and thank you again to those who donated to my cause! Enter the contest! Even if you are not getting married I am sure you know someone who is or who is crafty!!!!

Sleeping is Nothing

Sleeping and hospitals are rarely synonymous, but in this case, a sleeping was exactly what you were supposed to do. Jake had been told that he needed to get a sleep study done even after his ear tubes were put in. He apparently has enlarged tonsils, still snores, and the prospect is not looking good for him to avoid getting his tonsils out. Being the 4 year old he is, he was brave and was looking forward to our "sleepover" as I had called it. My biggest fear was getting down there without getting lost. Once that hurdle was solved, we then went off to begin our new adventure.


The hospital seemed different at night. I had been there before when he had gotten his tubes in and it was livelier, more bustle. Now it was quiet, with sleepy children roaming the halls, along with the oncoming night shift. The imagination and fun didn't end even near bedtime however. Jake was enamoured with the idea of a McDonald's in a hospital. How cool is that!!! Even though I had taken him for McDonald's that afternoon, we just had to get fries. After our trip, we returned with steaming fries in a greasy bag and grins like cheshires to our room. Reading stories during the setup helped to ease Jake's uncomfortable ordeal. Nothing hurt...but the gel and "stickies" as they were called were cold and a bit irritating to him. The staff however was fantastic! They were sweet and informative and helped Jake open up. As of now, I can only guess at the results. He tossed and turned, snored like a lion and moved around quicker than a jackrabbit. Needless to say, nothing out of the ordinary. Me on the other hand, barely slept at all. 5 star hotel the couch was not:)

We were up at 6 am and had the get the wires removed. The gel had to be wiped down (that is impossible to get out!!!) before we were ready to be moving on. He got a big hug from me as we waved goodbye to the staff and made our way down the hallways to leave. We passed by the oncology department on our way out. For a moment, I found myself clutching Jake's hand a bit tighter. After all, sleeping is nothing.