TERESA COLLINS

HARD DAY...

It happened late last night. The dreaded call from our college girl. Gentry texted a horrible photo of her foot. She was jumping at a tumbling gym down in Provo with her friends. She was on a trampoline and she jumped off it wrong. She said she immediately knew she had landed weird. She could not stand up and she was in pain. She did not want to cry with her friends there. She said she KNEW something was seriously wrong. Her friend Danielle, wanted her to go to the ER and have her foot checked. 

Gentry wanted to wait because her dad Ty (my husband) is a foot and ankle doctor. So she wanted to have him exam her. We got the photo text about 11pm. We immediately called Gentry. Ty knew it did not look good and that her foot was HUGE and swollen. So this morning, she came up from BYU and we went straight to Ty's office. He took exams and confirmed that she had broken her foot in TWO places. In fact, they are rare breaks to see. 

The good news is that she will NOT have to have surgery at this point. The bad is that she is going to be in a cast boot and non-weight bearing for at least SIX weeks.

 
Her foot is double the size (at least) of it's normal size. 

The hard part is for the next three days she has to be completely down in bed with her foot elevated and iced. She has finals this coming Mon-Wednesday at school. 

I've been such a emotional mom today... cried at LEAST three times. As her mother, I feel pain knowing she is in pain. I wish I could take it away. I can't. 

THANKFULLY- she is positive and happy. 

She knows I will go down and help her pack up her dorm room, help her load the car and clean her part in the apartment for final inspection. She has to move from her apartment on Wednesday. I am happy to help her. That is what mom's do...they love and take care of their children. I will be able to serve her more in the next six weeks. 

Today has been a hard day but I know it will all be okay....

BOOT CAMP - 2 weeks DONE!

Oh, yesterday I started the official start of my 3rd week. I celebrated again that I had finished the first two weeks. People keep asking if it is getting easier. Well, YES and NO would be the answer. I am still not physically anywhere near where I would like to be. I still cannot run and sprint and just look like a athlete. I am slower. However, I have seen huge improvements. I think yesterday we did 250 push ups (not at one time) during our class. By my last set of 10 push ups- my arms were on FIRE!

This boot camp is so intense and I come home everyday feeling like I need to go back to bed. I am so sleepy. I actually am sleeping 8 hours a night now. I have too!!!! I have found that SLEEP is my friend. I feel GREAT and I have only the best things to say about doing this. My body is changing. HONESTLY...in TWO WEEKS... I am changing big time. My jeans that I LOVE that fit my body just right are now BAGGY. Hmmmm... I can see changes. 

My attitude is day by day. I reward my hard work with yummy Carnation shakes (lots of good vitamins/skim milk). We are also in full baseball mode. I love this! This week my son Tyler hit his first grand slam home run. I was up in the tower as the scorekeeper. He won the game for his team and I was so thrilled to see the smile on his face. You know he will remember this moment for life! Later that night I went to say goodnight and say prayers with him in his room. He said, "Mom, thanks for always coming to all my games. I'm glad you were there!" Oh, melts my heart. 

Well, I have more NOTATIONS to share... I love this new collection:

You light up my life -  by the talented Jamie Harder

http://ahappyscrappyplace.blogspot.com
Notations: Chandelier
Notations: Music
Notations: Rulers
Blingage: Donna's Gems
Posh: Decorative Brads

To make the flower, punch out four scalloped circles and scrunch them up to distress them.  Then fold each one into a triangle - next, glue them down to make a flower and put brad in middle.
I used a chipboard heart and misted slightly over to add a touch of pink to the backside of the music paper.  

MIXED MEDIA- NOTATIONS

Today I wanted to share you a creative day of mixed media projects by my VERY talented design team members. This canvas project is created by Stacey Michaud. You can find her work at STACEY MICHAUD's blog. 

She used blingage WINGS, and the new 12x12 Notations to create this. I love what she did with the Calendar paper, sheet music and die cut pieces. 

Next, another inspiring project by Julie Jacob.

“Shadow Box” project

By Julie Jacob

Products Used:

7Gypsies black shadow box

NO2501 Notations “Flourish” - back

NO2502 Notations “Damask” - back

NO2506 Notations “Music” - back

NO2504 Notations “Chandelier” - front

Notations - Memory Album Kit - letter stickers

BL1926 Blingage “Carol’s Clocks”

BL1927 Blingage “Collin’s Keys”

BL1922 Blingage Alphabet Stamps

PH2117 Posh Trims

Black Cardstock

Cricut Expression - Plantin Schoolbook cartridge

Letter Stickers - October Afternoon, Basic Grey

Found Items - old thread spool, lace, Scrabble/letter tiles, domino, old playing card, old jewelry (brooch), notepad cover (Keep Calm and Carry On), flash card.

3D foam squares - Thermoweb

2 - 4x6 photos

1 - wallet photo

 

Instructions for making:

 

1.  Trim “Flourish” paper to 4x6.  Adhere in top left spot.  Mat wallet size picture with black cardstock and adhere.  Add found items.  These are going to differ and be individual and unique to your own piece.  Use whatever you love...vintage things, old jewelry, doilies, bits of this and that.  Anything goes!

2.  Trim “Damask” paper to 4x6 and adhere in top center spot.  Again, add your doo-dads (found items)  Do you have a family crest?  A motto or Scripture verse?

3.  Adhere 4x6 photo to top right spot.  Add clock and sticker letters.

4.  Trim “Music” paper to 4x6 and adhere to bottom left spot.  Add fun stuff.  Our last name starts with J...so I added a bunch of those, including one I cut out on my Cricut Expression.  Adhere key...I used Quick Grip adhesive for this. 

5.  Adhere 4x6 photo to bottom center spot.  Add sticker letters.

6.  Trim “Chandelier” paper to 4x6 and add to bottom right spot.  Add sticker letters from Notations Memory Album Kit...pop the ampersand with some 3D foam squares...and adhere Scrabble tiles.

7.  Add black rose trim to bottom edge.

See more of Julies work at http://juliejac.typepad.com/crazy_little_thing_called/

 I am so inspired by these beautiful projects!!!!!

Today I am going on a field trip with my son to the Nature Center. I also help with the literature circles each week so Tuesday is my day with Ty. I love Tuesdays for this reason. Hopefully if it does not rain I will get to watch my son play two back to back baseball games tonight!!!!!

 

 

 

NOTATIONS- Winners*****

I am a happy girl. Why? I made it through a MUCH dreaded (can't sugar coat it!) MONDAY of boot camp. I don't mind the hard work. In fact, I feel 1,000% happy now that I'm home and drinking my 52 oz tumbler of water. You should know...the trainer tells us every day. If he has not KICKED our (BUTT)- he says the three letter word- then HE did not do his job. I feel so EMPOWERED. Is that the right word? I just feel so good. I still get sore, but it's nothing like the first week. I am honestly STILL the most out of shape participant in our group. 

This one girl in class is AMAZING! I mean she is a ZUMBA instructor for a living. She works so hard and she lifts weights and seems to effortlessly look GORGEOUS doing it! I watched her the other day and went up to her after class. I wanted her to know that she INSPIRES me. I think she is so over the top amazing! No matter what they throw at us, she is 100% beyond. I want to someday be at that point. So I will keep working it. I know that fitness is not a 6 week fix. It is a commitment to the long haul. I am there!!! I am NOT losing any more weight currently. I had a few facebook and personal emails asking how the weight loss is. I have decided to only weigh once a week, but MY honest desire is to SEE the difference, to feel it, to wear my "skinner" clothes again. I am doing some INTENSE weight training right now. I am seeing muscles here...wink! My legs are getting firmer...

most importantly... I am SOOOOOO HAPPY.... oh, am I HAPPY! 

I just feel so much better physically. Yes, in only 13 days. It's hard to go each morning but it's not even an option. I am going 5 days a week. I will miss an entire week when I go to Australia. However, I am taking my workout shoes with me. No excuses!!!! That reminds me... I am so excited to travel to Brisbane Australia at the end of this month. I am HONORED to be invited to attend. I am looking forward to seeing the beautiful country and people of Australia. Email me if your from Brisbane- I want to know what I MUST do and SEE!!!!!!

Now... the winners of the collection packs of 12x12 Notations- picked randomly-

 

Jodie said:

Teresa...you are such a giver! I am glad you are sticking with the boot camp, I am on my 19th day with NOpain in my back and back to marching myself...Feels so great to be moving! Love this new line btw!!!love jodie

Reply | Edit | View | 4 days ago on Teresa Collins- MID…

Misty-rn said:

LOVE ALL YOU DO!!!! I would be honored to own this new release! I am leaving for CKC tomorrow for an annual girls weekend. I am looking forward to getting my hands on some of your new products.....well all of the new product I can get :) Keep up the great work!

Reply | Edit | View | 4 days ago on Teresa Collins- MID…

KarenY said:

As always, I love this new line! Can't wait to buy it and use it. I've been on a real black and white kick lately. And I never thought of coloring in the designs! Duh! What a great idea. I'm going to have to try that at my crop this weekend.

Reply | Edit | View | 4 days ago on Teresa Collins- MID…

Please send me your information at teresa@teresacollinsdesigns.com

THANK YOU!

Tomorrow I am sharing the MOST beautiful MIX MEDIA project and INSTRUCTIONS by Julie Jacob with the new 12x12 Notations. You will not want to miss it!

 

My SUNDAY

I absolutely love going to church as a family and today was just a usual Sunday in my life. I woke up and worked on going over my lesson to my church class. I teach the 4 year old class. I absolutely love these little children!!! 

Today we talked about being baptized like Jesus. Oh yes, their attention span is not very long. The first question EACH and every week is, "Did you bring treats for us?". Today I gave out Quaker Chocolate Chip granola bars. Hmmm... not a hit with one of the little boys. He decided to not eat. They were very chatty and finally after going through the 45 minute lesson, I asked them if I could take a photo of them.

Immediately, they wanted to see themselves on my phone. A "debate' went like this-

Child 1: I am the tallest one in the photo. You are the smallest!

Child 2: I am not the smallest. You are wrong-

Child 3: Look we are the same.

Child 4: silent because they could really care less

I told them if they were listening the entire time that I would let them draw on the chalkboard for the last five minutes of class. This was working great. However, I had only brought 1- yes, ONE piece of chalk to class. This meant...SHARING!!!

Oh, SHARING at the age of four!

I sat back and watched and tried to get the children to share.

This is what I saw next:

Oh, sharing is not always EASY!

Not only was this little boy NOT happy but he started YELLING at the boy drawing. I talked to him and asked him why he was having such a hard day. 

He said- Okay... I thought this was so cute....

"My brother woke me up at 6am to play PLAYSTATION with him and I'm now I'm having a hard time because I'm tired and grumpy." 

I love Sundays!!!!!!

April TC Stampmaker- FREE Stamps

It's April and that means another FREE 8.5 x 11 sheet to print your TC Stampmaker stamps. This month there are  WAY CUTE stamps to make. PLEASE when you print them on the art film, remember to print them DARK DARK black. The darker the better. That is the KEY to making your own beautiful stamps! Each month we will give you FREE images HERE to print out yourself. 

 

These are the FREE downloadable set of stamp negatives. 

You will love the downloads each month. I felt strongly that I want to continue each month to support the machine and how cool it is to create your own stamps at home.

NOW for the cool inspiration- the projects designed by the Design Team  using the stamps. Each design team member printed the download, made their stamps and created some beautiful projects!

 

This adorable bunny card is designed by Sesil Cratin. *Note:  Blingage Pins

I love this Happy Easter card. Look a t the eggs. The stamp design with the egg is so detailed. I love this!

The following cards were created by Lara with Photocentric. The bunny is such a fave of mine!

LOVE that she made a HOME decor frame for EASTER!

I simply LOVE the necklace. She stamped the flower directly on a clear piece of shrinky ink and created her own charm necklace. 

I LOVE this layout by Amy Coon. I love the softness and how pretty her layout is. 

I hope you enjoy the free monthly downloads. 

I am having a wonderful day with the family. It's snowing here and so it's a great day to relax and be together. All of our baseball games were cancelled. Of course, there is lots of baseball on the TV. We are going to spend a little "creative" time at Dear Lizzy and Cabela's later today. Guess which place I will enjoy most? ha-

Have a GREAT Saturday...

NOTATIONS release*****

THANK YOU for the wonderful comments! The three winners will be picked on Monday. I added a new sku to my CHA S release and have had to focus on a new deadline. I had a great day today. I went to my 5th boot camp workout this week- this morning. I can't lift my arms today- ha! Then I had a meeting at my office. I was going over all my CHA S releases and then I decided to add some MORE fun items to my line up. I am almost giddy when I look at my new collections. I told you earlier but I have a new HALLOWEEN line debuting. It is my ALL TIME favorite. Anyway, the office phones are going crazy with orders for the new 12x12 Notations. I am just feeling so much gratitude to do what I do. I want to share with you MORE projects with the collection.

You should know that the papers are HEAVYWEIGHT and the perfect papers for Mixed Media artist!!!!

I loved the designs so much and thought they would be perfect for home decor, so I added the thick black outline to several of the paper designs. I can never get enough of the damask with cream. The alphabet die-cut letters are one of my new faves!!! LAYOUT BY JAMIE HARPER

This layout is by Laura McCollough. I love that she used my FREESTYLE, POSH and NOTATIONS to create this GIRLY layout. Did you notice the copic markers colored within the design lines? This paper die cut is zig zag-

Such a pretty layout- it reminds me of Spring!- by Colette Nederhoff. The butterfly is the stamp from POSH, that she stamped inside the Notations die-cut tag.

I love this layout by Jamie Harder. So love how she created the title too!

The dots and sheet music paper is just patterns that I use over and over in my pages. Jamie Harper created this classic and chic layout. 

I was drawn to this layout. I loved the simple touch of RED. (Red Blingage flower) Layout by Jamie Harder

I wanted to show the contrast in the two layouts above. Julie Jacob did some BEAUTIFUL Tim Holtz Distress inks to the Notations paper. I love how she used the blingage button to the black tag and the distress ink on the die cut frame tag. I love this photo too!

Tonight was are watching our sweet little Maxson and Nimbus (their dog). Movie night at our house. We have a house full of boys right now. I wanted to mention that McKay tried out yesterday for the drill team again. They have the girls try out each year. It's was not aguaranteed spot on the team. McKay has been so nervous. She knew that they would be given points and based on the points they would or would not make it. This would be her third year. She really hoped to be the team captain but it was again based on having the highest points. The points come from the dance skills, their conduct, interview and what type of leader the judges thought they would be for the team. The coach wants the girls to earn their positions. The try out was 3.5 hours last night. McKay called me when it was over and was OVERJOYED. She not only made captain but scored high enough to be the Head Captain for the MHS drill team. We were very excited because she worked so hard for two years and this will be great to put on her college applications. She is a Senior next year. So congrats my sweet girl!  As her mom, I will be very busy helping out next year with all the activities. 

 

 

Teresa Collins- MID-RELEASE NOTATIONS

Introducing my 12x12 NEW- NOTATIONS collection:

I did a NOTATIONS kit but did not have 12x12 papers in the kit. I was asked over and over at CHA S to create a line of papers from my kit. So I decided to keep the same look and feel and design it to be full die cut papers that are double sided.

These two 12x12 papers are DIE-CUT sheets. All 8 tags on the left side are die cut (easy to press out from the sheet. The Alphabet sheet (I am in love with!!!!) has all the alphabet and they are all individually die cut too. You will not have to cut out each individual letter. I hope you like!!!!

Here is a few layouts of using the new collection:

I love the bracket TAKE NOTE paper- I used the M from the alphabet die cut sheet. That is also my blingage metal book plate (alphabet letters: Cosmo Cricket, flower: Pink Pasilee House of 3)

Stacy Michaud used several of the papers to create this beautiful layout. I love how she cut out the calendar paper to create the numbers, the ruler paper, and the MEMORIES die cut tag.

I am seriously in love with the COPIC markers. I love how you can color in the details of the NOTATIONS line. 

I wanted to highlight the swirl paper in this paper- so I colored it in with GREEN copic markers. I added lots of blingage to the circle (a die cut tag is in the center of a doily). NOTATIONS PAPERS: dots, dictionary with swirl.

Isn't Maxson getting so big?

Here is a beautiful layout designed my Maridette Cochola  I love how the same paper can have a different look depending on YOUR creativity.

Lots more in the next few days to share!

I hope you like- ask for it at your favorite scrapbook store-

TODAY- I am giving away 3- yes, THREE full collection packs!!!!!!

I just got home from BOOT CAMP and I'm feeling like a prize- THREE is in order!!!!

Post any comment to win- I'll pick three winners for the new 12x12 NOTATIONS collection.

Good LUCK!

BOOT CAMP- 1 WEEK

Hip Hip Horray... I have made it ONE week of the most challenging workout program. I went into this with an attitude of success. I have had so many things holding me back. I vowed to myself and my family that I WOULD NOT GIVE UP! 

COMMITMENT-

That is what I knew that I had to have. I knew that I could not use the excuse of feeling pain to not go. I think the first three days were by far the worst. I could barely move, walk, sleep, etc. I have never felt so old, so out of shape, so humbled. I had to reconnect with my body. Hmmm.... How in the world did I let myself get so out of shape? Well, I made many excuses. You know that my biggest was designing and work obligations. I simply never had time. In all honestly, you make time for what matters most to you. 

I now have to rearrange my schedule. Guess what? My fitness matters to me and my family. I woke up this am and dreaded going to boot camp. This is the third work out this week. My back is hurting and my abs are so sore...see my excuses???? However, not even a thought came to me NOT to go. Of course I am going. I went today and celebrated that I am actually- STRONGER. I am making progress. I can lift more. I went from NO pushups a week ago to doing at least 100 this morning. I am SMILING right now... this is progress. 

I am STILL the slowest runner of the group. However, I was only a little behind the rest of the group. I could RUN longer without walking in ONE little week. I am now lifting 25 lbs instead of 15 from one week ago. I can do burbees (oh, how I hate these!!!!. I faced one of my biggest fears and guess what????

I am happier than ever. Those endorphins are in HIGH gear. I celebrated with my family this morning. I heard lots of "go MOM!" "Good Job" and the one that makes me weepy... " I am proud of you."  

Now this past week has not been all HAPPY times. I had to let the housework go, Ty did most of the cooking and McKay did her fair share of carpooling. I needed to rest more, take a couple of naps and get let my body rest at times from the intense workouts. I noticed a HUGE change on Sunday. I could walk faster, move better and was less sore. 

Today I am still sore in some places, but I am 100% back to being my crazy self. I can't believe THIS crazy boot camp has changed me so much MENTALLY in only one week. I will continue to dig deep and work hard for the results that I want.

AHHHH... results...yes, in one short week I lost 7 lbs. and several inches. I am definitely seeing muscles more now. I cannot honestly believe the difference in my body in only one week. CRAZY!!!!!

I wanted to share this with YOU. I wish I had done it sooner. Even if boot camp is not for you ( I realize it is EXTREME and pushes beyond what some would consider comfortable)... go out and face YOUR fear. I am so glad that I have. 

Oh, so now for the YOUR STORY machine winner:

Nik Weber said:

I was way impressed with this machine. I have so many ideas of what I could do with it. Love all the cute projects you come up with...such a talented lady!! ~~Nik

Reply | Edit | View | Yesterday on Good Things UTAH- t…

Nik please email me your address! Congrats....

Have a FABULOUS day- I am so thankful for sunshine today and that my son Ty will actually get to play his baseball game tonight. 

Good Things UTAH- today! PRIZE....

 

I woke up early today at 5:30am to go to boot camp prior to going on Good Things Utah. I was dreading the early morning workout. I wish I could say that I look forward to going, but I don't. I do look forward to how I feel after I have put in a hour of intense workout. Today we were indoors the entire time and worked hard on weights and abs. I am even starting to see some definition in my arms. It wore me out!!!!

I came home to quickly change and head to the ABC 4 TV studio. I went on air and showed some books that I have made with my TC papers, embellishment, photos using the YOUR STORY machine by Provo Craft. I never knew this machine existed until a few months ago. I am now a big fan! I love how from the comforts of your home you can bind your own projects or photo books. It's so simple and easy to use.  Literally, in 90 seconds YOU can bind your own books.  

So today I am going to give away a REALLY cool prize. It is the machine, the hard bound books and the trimmer. YES, all of the above shown in the photo. 

JUST post any comment to win-

TONIGHT- watching basketball with the family and enjoying time together. Ty's mother came to spend the night with us and I LOVE THIS! I love my kids having their grandmother with us. LOVE!!!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!! Trust me you will love. The TV host Nicea, was so impressed that as soon as I was done with my segment she asked me where to buy the machines because she really wanted one.