TERESA COLLINS

On the Edge-

I love this layout by Jamie Harder. She used two of my collections- On the EDGE and Sports Edition II. (The numbers are cute from one of the papers!) and Blingage. I have to say that I love mini books and how you can put so many photos and journal more. 

 

I just wanted to take some time and thank my AMAZINGLY talented design team. I am so inspired by the creative things that they come up with. Sesil and Cheri are truly great design team leaders and make our team feel close. I am THANKFUL!!!!!

I am up later than normal... (NOW) since I go to the gym each morning. It's crazy but I think I am officially ADDICTED to these challenging workouts. CRAZY but true!!!!!  I better get to sleep or I will not be able to function as well tomorrow morning. 

Summer Days-

Today we did a challenging workout. We had to keep going around the complex that surrounds the gym- carrying different things each time we completed one round. It was sandbags, kettlebells, barbells, medicine balls over our heads and dragging a 45 lb tire. I have to say...it CHALLENGED me! It felt so good to push myself and actually be able to do these exercises. It so helps that I have "family" at the gym. We are always encouraging each other. I was talking to Aaron today. (owner/trainer) I told him how I got really light headed yesterday at the gym and that I had the worst headache yesterday after I got home. I was so sick and it came on so fast. My vision was blurry and I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital. It even scared me and I was crying. My cute boys put me to bed and kept telling me..."it's okay mom, your alright...just rest, please don't cry." It was so sweet. I did feel better. Anyway, Aaron asked me how much I am eating and I said about 1,200-1,400 calories a day. He then told me that I am NOT eating enough. We burn 800-1,000 calories in the hour we work out at the gym and he said I needed to be around 2,000 calories a day. Who knew? I think my body was trying to tell me that I needed more. Lesson learned, educate yourself. I thought I was doing everything right. 

Last night we had two great baseball games and Matt and Kayla & Maxson came and stayed the night with us. THIS is what I love! FAMILY...It made me especially grateful to be there after the episode earlier during the day. 

Now a beautiful layout with NOTATIONS and ON THE EDGE from Amanda Jones. I love calendars and this one is showing it as just a layout. LOVE IT!

“Summer Days Layout”
Designed by: Amanda Jones (http://amandajonesblog.blogspot.com) 
Featuring: Teresa Collins Designs – On the Edge (http://teresacollinsdesigns.com)

Monday.... it's BASEBALL

I'm busy working on the album for the family of Brynn. At church yesterday, I sat with their family. I stayed after church and talked to them. The mother expressed how much stuff she had of Brynn's- photos, mementos, etc. I told her that I was coming over this week and had a surprise for her and I am going to hold her hand and help her preserve and document Brynn. I feel so humbled to be able to help them in this process. I warned her how hard this will be at times, but that it's truly therapy. We came home from church and Zach said, "Mom, is this why you do what you do?" He watched as I sat and cried with them. My family knew how strongly I feel like I need to help in any way I can. I instantly told Zach how important I think it is and yes, I do "this" because I love it. I feel in my soul that God has lead me to do what I do. I have always felt that God uses us to help each other. We each have our talents and gifts. If you have ever taken a workshop from me, you KNOW that it's much more than "pretty" paper to me.  I want to take it over for this this week before we go to AZ.

Yes, another big baseball event. Zach was selected to go play on the 14U USA Championships Utah team. I hear it is VERY hot this week in AZ. I am going on Friday to meet up with my friends at Photocentric/TC Stampmaker. They are right by Peoria where we will be playing!!!! This Summer has been pretty much baseball and me designing into late into the night. I am trying to balance it all. I woke up at 5am with a NEW LINE in my head. That is how it is for me! I wouldn't have it any other way. We had no idea that Zach would be trying out for the Cottonwood Colts Summer High School team. When he made it, it meant TWICE a day practices plus games. In addition, he is playing for his superleague team. Yes, talk about busy!!!! Anyway, Zach played with the team for the first time in a game last Thursday. It was something I have looked forward too. He looked small playing with the 15-16 year old boys. He is 5'6" now. He started to catch and did really well. He even hit and did really well. It's just great to see how he has developed his skills and now is playing with the "big boys."

Now we are off to TWO games this evening... 

"LIVE to INSPIRE"

This morning was the funeral of our neighbor's beautiful daughter Brynn. We arrived early to the viewing and spoke to her siblings and then to her parents. Her beautiful mother hugged me and expressed heartfelt words of what she was feeling. Then she said, "Teresa, hold your children close, hug them every day, enjoy every moment, and don't take one day for granted. " I cried and felt her pain. I connected to her as a mother and a parent. I have been feeling so many emotions the past few days. I know that death is not the end. I know Brynn is with God. I was worried about those that she left behind. Her little sister told me that "she felt like she was in a dream and just wanted to wake up and it not be real." Brynn was in our oldest son's carpool in Jr High School. She was a "light"...always fun, happy and kind. She loved Karaoke and celebrated "birthday's for a week" instead of just one day. She LIVED life with passion and went for her dreams. At work, she stayed out of gossip and everyone loved her. She made everyone feel like SHE was their best friend. Each of her four sibling felt this and shared many special moments of her. 

She died at 24 years old. She was living a happy life that she loved- she skydived, traveled and served others. She did things that I have only dreamed of. She went on several humanitarian missions. She followed her dreams and was a nurse in the maternity ward. She loved life and was always making herself and other's laugh. I love that she kept of journal. 

Today at her funeral, I felt like I was INSPIRED deep in my soul. They had bracelets that said "LIVE TO INSPIRE" which Brynn did. It simply was how this sweet girl lived. She faced life with determination and lived a life of helping others. The entire church building was full. A young man, sang the Green Day song that she loved. TIME OF YOUR LIFE. This song was how she lived. In the short time she was here, she did have the TIME of her LIFE. I am wearing my bracelet. It means so much to me. It will be reminder to me to do as SHE did.

I thought about this all day. I knew that I wanted to be more like her. I want to share what it meant to me personally. Can I be a kinder person? Can I be a better mother? Can I serve others more? Can I use my time and talents to help others? In return, maybe someone will notice and it will INSPIRE them in their own life. I think it's a cycle. I know I am constantly INSPIRED by so many wonderful people in my life. I know it is a goal for me to live in such a way that will (and I say this with humbleness in my heart) be an example and inspire the next person. 

After the funeral, I went straight to Zach's baseball game. I was full of emotion. The game went well and they won the game. There was a two hour break until the next game. I went to a craft store down the street, Robert's Crafts. I KNEW in my heart that I needed to do something for Brynn's family. I walked in and felt that I needed to give the family a 12x12 album to document Brynn's life similar to what I first did when my mother passed away unexpectantly. A book A-Z that reflected WHO she was. I knew Brynn loved color and I wanted this book to represent her personality. I saw a display of SO SOPHIE by My Mind's Eye. It felt instantly a warm feeling throughout my body. I KNEW this was the line that I had to buy. I was grabbing lots of paper and wanted to cry with joy inside my heart. I felt such a peace in what I was doing. I know that God works through US to help others. 

I saw a girl who worked at the store, and she said hello to me a couple of times. She approached me. She said she knew I was "Teresa Collin's" the scrapbooker/designer. She was so cute and asked me what I was doing. I literally got choked up and started to cry. I told her that I felt that I needed to share "what I do" with this family and help them create a album for Brynn. Then another girl who worked at the store came over to talk to me. We chatted and I felt a POWERFUL sweet feeling that God was guiding me to do this album.

I choose beautiful colorful papers that I knew would be something that she would have loved. I know that some people may not understand what scrapbooking or crafting is all about. However, if you do it...you know. It's a way to preserve and celebrate life's moments and memories. I am so thankful to be able to do this. The family has NO IDEA that I am going to take them this album. I pray that it will in some small way help them. 

This really touched my heart-

 On the back of the program was the following quote:

"I THOUGHT OF ABOUT YOU TODAY, BUT THAT IS NOTHING NEW. I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU YESTERDAY AND THE DAY BEFORE THAT TOO. I THINK OF YOU IN SILENCE, I OFTEN SPEAK YOUR NAME. ALL I HAVE ARE MEMORIES, AND A PICTURE IN A FRAME. YOUR MEMORY IS A KEEPSAKE WITH WHICH I'LL NEVER PART. GOD HAS YOU IN HIS KEEPING, AND I HAVE YOU IN MY HEART.

I know this post was VERY long. I hope my words articulated what is inside my heart. Today I was INSPIRED to be so much MORE... thank you Brynn. Rest in peace and know that you will never be forgotten.

FREE FRIDAY...downloads

It's a GORGEOUS Friday here in SLC. After my workout this morning, I am racing to TWO back to back games for Zach. He is in a wood bat tournament. These are a fun change to watch. The team won yesterday so we are hoping that they keep doing well today. Ty's team plays tonight too. We are making up for all of the rain out games now. Anyway, it's been such a crazy week- the first week off of school break. I love it though. 

I just finished this week NINE weeks at my gym. It would have been ten but I traveled a week to teach in Australia. It's crazy at the changes that I feel. I am still struggling with the food thing. I am not sure how much or little I should be eating.  I am losing inches but not actual weight- I stay exactly the same. I have been really strict on what and how much I eat. I think maybe I am not eating enough (I'm at about 1,200 calories every day) with my workouts. I write down everything in my daily journal. However, since it's really MORE about how I feel, and how I look (healthy and toned)...I have not worried about the scale. Anyway, I love my gym and they are a group of friends that have helped challenge me and support me. It's hard every single day at the gym and we are always calling each other out - "you can do it, don't stop, etc." Who knew that I would find such great friends by going to the gym every day? Thanks Jenn, Ginger, Lisa, and Sharon for being such GREAT role models for me!!!!! The trainers are the BEST I have ever worked with. 

I wanted to share your FREE TC STAMPMAKER JUNE negative download today- you can go to the website and download the image sheet and create your own stamps. I love the images this month!!!! Oh, I am heading back to Home Shopping Network soon. I will be live on HSN on July 8th and 9th again. I'm getting all my display's ready to go!!! Here is the link: www.photocentric-imagepac.blogspot.com

www.photocentric-imagepac.blogspot.com

You can also see some sample projects that the design team has done so far!

*tag made by L. Scott with NOTATIONS and free downloadable stamp images!

Have a GREAT Friday!!!!!!!!

HEAVY HEART...

Today started out great. I went to a fantastic workout (yes, it killed me!) at the park today with my gym. I raced home to shower and to get to my office for a business meeting. So many good things are happening and I got product for my new releases- next month! As I was walking out the door, I got a phone call from my husband. He wanted to let me know that our neighbors daughter was killed last night. I was in such shock that I could barely drive home. I think words are not even enough to express how hard it hit me. I know the parents- they go to church with our family, and their daughter was only 24 years old. I did not really know their daughter that well since she is a bit older than most of our kids. I just kept thinking of the family and the pain they must be going through. I can't imagine.... The TV news stations kept going by our home. Their home was surrounded by cars. I prayed all day for their family. I simply know that it is the biggest fear we have as parents... to loss a child. I walked around in a daze. I called all my kids and talked to them.

LIFE is so fragile! I KNOW every day is a gift and still I take things for granted. I wish I could help this family in some way. I know that they are suffering such a tremendous loss. She was hit by a car - a hit and run- on her bicycle. The driver did not stop. It is truly something that makes my blood boil. WHO would do this and not stop and help? The family deserves to have closure. This girl was a angel on earth and I will always remember her constant smile. Matt knew her and said she was just the nicest girl. I hope that you will join with me and pray for this family and pray for the driver who hit their daughter to come forward.  I feel helpless and wish I could somehow know what to do to help their family. 

Today I want to share a mini book made by Cindy Cain using the Timeless and Posh collections. I love it!  I love the chipboard covers and how she inked the smokey black along the book edges.

You can see more of Cindy's work at www.loveshackscrapspot.blogspot.com.

 

ON the EDGE.....

This week is so wonderful. I am so enjoying the sunshine and having my kids home. I am starting each morning at the gym- priority and then I come home and make a hot breakfast for the kids. I made a commitment to myself as a mother to cook healthier meals every day. Fast food is so much easier in the busy Summer BUT I am going to be more prepared. This working out thing has really changed me in more ways than one. I am trying NEW things and trying to face my weaknesses. *like not being a confident cook. Today we have both boys playing baseball games and so we really enjoy these times.

 

I want to share a beautiful stamp project made by Julie Jacob.

This is ON THE EDGE collection, stamps and the Blingage alphabet! I love this line and it reminds me of SUMMER!!!!

Have a great day!

enjoy the journey

I went on a last minute trip this past weekend to Bear Lake. It is a beautiful beach about 2.5 hours from my home. There was a group of EIGHT girls and we had the BEST time! It was nothing but girl talk, exercise (we played tennis, took a 2 hour walk, and several of the girls did a 50 mile bike ride!) We watched "How to lose a guy in 10 days," and ate some yummy food. I have to admit, it was JUST what I needed. I did not scrapbook or do anything crafty the entire 2.5 days that I was gone. I love that Ty encouraged me and wanted me to go have a fun weekend. He truly supports me and knew that I would have a great time with my friends. Ty had a little boy's weekend with Tyler and Zach. 

Zach is now playing Summer ball with Cottonwood High School's baseball program. We found out on Friday that he made the team. He is going into 8th grade next year, and they are a great baseball program/school. They work with boys prior to them getting into high school to start early. Zach was thrilled to be given this opportunity. It means 40 more Summer baseball games. Today we have FOUR games- 2 for Zach and 2 for Tyler. It's crazy busy when you have boys that love baseball so much!

Today the gym was non-stop running. I have to say it was the FIRST day EVER in 9 weeks that I ran and did not have to stop and walk during the entire workout. When we started and I saw on the board what our workout would be- I told myself... "this is going to kill you!" Then I ran the route the first time, the second, third up until the completed  8th lap around the complex. I had completed the fourth lap and told myself..." YOU CAN DO THIS AND YOU ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO NOT TO HAVE TO WALK ANYMORE." It worked and I have reached a little personal milestone today. It has given me confidence to know that I can do THIS and other things if I keep my HEAD into it. I have to believe and not give up!!!!

I wanted to share this ENJOY THE JOURNEY Notations project by Maridette.

Love that she mixed in TIMELESS and the large crown frame (TC Imagine Baby Boutique Cartridge)

Here is the information/instructions of how to create and the supplies used:

“Enjoy the Journey” by Maridette Cachola

Teresa Collins Notations kit album        

 

 

Supplies: Teresa Collins

 

Notations 12x12 Journal

Timeless Clock transparency

Timeless Black flocked paper

Notations kit album

Blingage Zach’s bookplate

Blingage Jesse’s jewels

 

American Crafts Letters

Donna Downey canvas “Journey”

Thermo Web pop dots

Ranger Glossy Accents

Ranger Distress Inks- Black Soot and Vintage

Ranger Distress Stains- Antique linen

Ranger Stickles in Diamond

Tattered Angels Glimmer mists- dark denim and dragonfly

7 gypsies gaffer tape

 

 

Front Cover

 

Cut the following:

 

1. Notations 12 x 12 journal to 9 1/2 x 8 ¼
2. Cut out 2 Timeless clock trasparency
3. Punch out an ornate frame, pointer image, date label and Limited Edition label.  Distress all of these elements.

 

Instructions:

 

1. Using the distress stains apply onto the canvas letters Journey. Set aside and let it dry.
2. Once it’s dry distress the edges and some areas of the letters with vintage photo.
3. Ink the edges of the Notations journal paper
4. Take the Notations journal paper and randomly spray glimmer mist dragonfly onto it.   Then dark denim.
5. Mat the Ornate frame with black cardstock and adhere to the Notations journal paper using pop dots.
6. Add the letter stickers “enjoy” onto the frame.
7. Adhere the word “Journey” onto the cover using glue dots
8. Add the letters “the” above the letter “o”
9. Place the clear transparency clock just underneath the “R” so the “r” overlaps the clock
10. Using the pop dots attach the “pointer finger” image over the clock next to the “R” then the date and limited edition labels like so.
11. Apply the clock transparency to the lower left.  Add Jesse’s jewel in the center
12. Lastly add “2011” stickers next to it.

 

 

 NOTATIONS CHANDELIER PAGE

 

1. Cut the Notations Chandelier paper at 6 ½ x 9 then score at 1 ½”
2. Adhere the page to the Right of the chandelier border notations kit album page
3. Add “Noted” tab at the top
4. Decorate the chandelier with Diamond Stickles
5. Attach the “inspire” stickers at the bottom of the page.
6. Now add photos and journaling.

 

 

ACCORDIAN FOLDER

 

1. Grab all of the file folder pages (3) and adhere them together on the 2 sides and the bottom.  I used Tim Holtz tiny attacher to staple them together or you could use glue.  Make sure the side where all the tabs are, are open.
2. This will create accordian pockets to place memorablilia and extra photos.
3. Add 7 gypsies gaffer tape to all 3 edges.
4. Cut TC Timeless black flocked cardstock at 5 ½ x 2”  
5. Score at 1”
6. Attach one side to the top of the accordian page and the other to the chandelier banner page.  Make sure the flock side is what shows.  This will create a flip page.  Distress the edges if you like.

 

Hope you are having a FABULOUS Summer day too!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

HANDMADE....

Have you ever wanted to personalize a project with your own stamps? I love how Cheri designed a image and then made it into a stamp (with the TC Stampmaker machine).  

This is the negative that she created and printed out. Then she made the stamps herself. Check out more of her work at Cheri Pile's Blog.

Today was nonstop ON THE GO... a crazy workout (I can barely walk up and down my stairs from the lunges we did!), and then Gentry and I helped at Field Day. We did the face painting. The popular demands were- mustaches, goatee, peace sign, dragons, Harry Potter glasses, butterflies, and flowers!!!! It was so fun. Then I had to take two boys to two different baseball games/tryout (at the same time!). Thank you Rachel for helping me out today!!!! Then straight from baseball to guitar lessons. It was a whirlwind day. 

Today as Gentry and I walked to the elementary school, she said something that MEANT so much to me. She said, "Mom, you have always been the mom that came to everything at school. You helped out with everything and I don't remember you not being there. " Wow... she noticed. I left the house this morning with only 1/2 of my house clean. I was feeling a little "extended" and like I can't seem to keep up. SHE said something that I had never heard from one of my kids. I thought about it and hoped that someday my kids would really know that I was and am THERE because I love them. As a child, my mother worked full-time and she was such a great provider for my sister and I. She simply could not be there for field trips and such. I still knew she loved and cared about me. I always make a point to get to know the kids when I am there. I'm like a proxy mom for each of them. For all of my weaknesses- trust me there is many- I know that the core of my soul is full of love for children. I have a huge tender heart for mothering not only my kids but other kid's too. I secretly always wanted to be a teacher. Who knew I would grow up and actually teach scrapbooking workshops!!!!!

Tomorrow... oh, I'm scared. Our gym is going on a "field trip." We are meeting at a park. Yes, that means RUNNING, SPRINTS, more RUNNING and I'm a little afraid. Not going is NOT an option. I will face the fear tomorrow and do the best I can. 

6th GRADE promotion today and SHRINK art bracelet

 Today was a day that I knew was coming for  a LONG time now. This morning, my youngest son graduated from 6th grade. They have a sweet little program for the parents. This is my FIFTH and last child to go through the same songs, and presentation. Today it was Tyler's turn. 

He is now 12 years old and growing up so fast!

He is full of personality and is very outgoing. He will definitely talk your ear off. He is kind and thoughtful (most of the time- unless you are a brother or a sister-ha!) and works hard in school.

This is so Ty to have his GREEN tie hanging below his suit. THIS photo captures him!!!!

 
I am so grateful for the teachers that have taught my children so much. I am going to miss these dear teachers and friends. They have influenced my children for the good and taught them MORE than just what is in a book. I have served as PTA President, went every week to this school to tutor or do literature circles, been a room mother every year and went on countless field trips. MY HEART IS TENDER... I will miss this so much! My greatest joy in this life has been being a mother. I am going to miss these sweet and special moments.

Ty is standing here and giving his speech. I instantly started to tear up. I knew my heart was thinking about the time when I was pregnant with him. I feared that I would die from my stroke that night. I thought about HIM and wondered if I would see him grow up. TODAY watching him, I was overcome with the deepest thanksgiving in my heart and the thankfulness of being alive today to see my youngest son at promotion. My heart then thought of my friends son, who is in Ty's class who lost his father from cancer a couple of years ago. I watched him and KNEW that his father was indeed watching him. I clapped extra loud for him as his father would had he been there to see his son at promotion. 

It is times like these that I am often reminded of the tender mercies of Heavenly Father. Why I survived and was able to continue in this life journey... I have wondered many many times... I have moved on to just LIVE each day with GRATITUDE in each and every moment. 

Here he is getting his certificate from his THREE amazing 6th grade teachers. 

I am always thankful for photos of our children with Tyler or I. One day these photos will mean the most to our children. I cherish each and every photo that I have with my mother. I wish I had MORE!!!! Here is my two Ty's. 

It's even okay that this photo is blurry and I don't really care too much for the photo...embrace the imperfections!

So this morning, after a HARD day at boot camp- I savored the experience of watching my young son at another milestone in his life. Yes, emotional mom... me... is just LOVING being a MOM today!!!!

I wanted to share with you a project that I love so much! This is made with the NEW TC BABY BOUTIQUE IMAGINE cricut cartridge. 

Designed by Jana Eubank- Isn't this soooo beautiful? It is a bracelet made from all my designs on the cartridge. I LOVE the frames with the initial inside!!!!! All these images are on the cartridge. You can see more of Jana's work at www.janaeubank.com

Hope you are having a wonderful day!!!!