TERESA COLLINS

Announcement today...

I have not forgot. We are having some technical issues with our links. So hopefully soon...I will post on my blog.

 

THANKS!!!!

 

 

Wednesday- on TV... TC Stampmaker

Teresa Collins Stampmaker on TV for Christmas

Wednesday 14th December 9am we are back on TV at

Ideal World Shopping TV Channel.

 
Extra 2012 negatives & exclusive Spring

design negatives included in this offer!

Buy on Wednesday in time for Christmas.
We hope you watch!

Special Refill offer available too.

 
Find us on:
Sky 644 | Freeview 22 | Virgin 747 | Freesat 812
or www.idealworld.tv

 

It's the LITTLE things that matter most....

I'm home from San Diego.  I love CALIFORNIA!!!!  I love the beach, the people, well EVERYTHING but the traffic. ha! When I was a young girl living in North Carolina, I remember a girl in 3rd grade- Crystal who moved to California. I was so jealous! 

When I arrived Camille took me to Hotel del Coronado. It was amazing! We sat outside by the ocean and talked and enjoyed the view. I wish I would have been able to walk more and get to tour the hotel more. We did go to a couple of shops and that was a treat.

I am fortunate to be back at Camille's store EVER AFTER SCRAPBOOKS for the SIXTH year in a row. I am feeling so much appreciation to answered prayers to be well enough to make it here. It was ONE WEEK ago that I was in so much pain that I could not get out of bed. I believe in the POWER of positive thoughts and thinking. I had to sit and teach both days. I was so thankful for everyone being so understanding. It was a GREAT weekend. 

I LOVE what I do! Just this past week, a cute girl at the doctor's office was asking me about my job. She said, " It must be fun to be creative and create as a profession." I agree that I do. I am passionate about "telling the story" in a creative and beautiful way. I am a huge DIY girl who thinks make it FABULOUS in your own way so that you LOVE it too!

I don't know if I mentioned but I will be filming Season 2 for My Craft Channel Network this week. Yes, I hope you enjoyed my shows and I have much more to share with you this new season. If you have not seen the episodes, check them out here: www.mycraftchannel.com. They have other inspiring shows to watch on as well: Amy Coon with The Paper Life, Stacy Julian, Photo Freedom, Ella Publishing, Heidi Swapp, Embellish IT, Christy Tomlinson, The DIY Dish, Embellish with Second Siter, Get a little creative... to name a few- so check it out! They are free videos to inspire and give you new ideas on DIY and crafting projects.

Here I am filming with my friend Kristen McKay. I am showing the TC Stampmaker here. Yes, I love to wear black It's my favorite COMFORT and go to color. I have loved doing these shows!!!!

I have been working on a project for the past couple of months. I was sworn to secrecy. It has been a lot of work and I have loved the partnership of this new venture. I heard today that we are ANNOUNCING together what it is- on WEDNESDAY. It is something that for  YEARS I have been asked if I was ever going to do. The right opportunity came along, with the right partnership. I hope you will tune in to find out what it is. It has been one of the most rewarding and meaningful thing that I have done in my ENTIRE career. I can't stop smiling!!!! 

Today when my husband picked me up from the airport today, I noticed my car was so clean. I got in and noticed he had taken the time to get my car washed, detailed and even purchased new floor mats. I needed them! I was so appreciative that he noticed and did this without ever being asked. I know it's those little things that melt my heart! It is THE WAY he shows me he loves and cares for me. 

I am home and resting. I am thinking POSITIVE thoughts that the numbness will go away soon and I can start exercising again. I miss being active!!!! 

Did you see the latest TC/ PROVO CRAFT release?

I am thrilled to be asked to design CHRISTMAS images  that would be Cricut Craft Room EXCLUSIVES. These are the visuals of the TC images that are NOW available at the Cricut Craft Room. *note: one set is missing. There are one more set of exlusive designs.

 

Cricut Craft Room™ Exclusives, Christmas Sentiments
Wish your loved ones a happy holiday season with the Christmas Sentiments digital images by Teresa Collins! This set includes four phrases (Happy Holidays, two Merry Christmas images, and ‘Tis the Season) and two tags.

 

Cricut Craft Room™ Exclusives, Christmas Holly

Get ready for the holiday season with the Christmas Holly digital images by Teresa Collins! This set includes two holly borders, the number 25, and a Merry Christmas phrase.

 

 

Cricut Craft Room™ Exclusives, Christmas Ornaments

Spread the joy of the holidays with the Christmas Ornaments digital images by Teresa Collins! This set includes six different ornaments.

 

 

Cricut Craft Room™ Exclusives, Holiday Silhouettes

Recreate the best parts of winter with the Holiday Silhouettes digital images by Teresa Collins! This set includes a dove, four reindeer, and three images of children playing.

 

Cricut Craft Room™ Exclusives, Deck the Halls

Decorate for Christmas with the Deck the Halls digital images by Teresa Collins! This set includes a vase, a bell, holly, a tree border, a bell border, and a present frame.

 

The previous post has some projects that I designed with the images. 

I am officially ADDICTED to my Cricut Mini machine too!

 

CRICUT CRAFT ROOM- PROVO CRAFT & Teresa Collins plus FREE TC STAMPMAKER

Today Provo Craft announced and debuted my FIRST exclusive Teresa Collins designs for Cricut Craft Room.

What is CricutCraft Room????

It is a whole new way to create. Cricut Craft Room™ is a fun, easy-to-use, and timesaving online design tool that lets you experiment, explore, and design in ways never before possible. And it’s free. Plus, just for starting your account, you’ll automatically receive Cricut Craft Room™ Basics, a collection of digital fonts and shapes.

 I am in LOVE with the images and that I can now DESIGN on the go. As long as I have internet access I can create (it is very simple to use)- save it- and print it when I get home. I am happy to introduce my latest images that are not available. I have 30 NEW Teresa Collins Christmas images. I am THRILLED to be able to design more artwork for the Cricut machines. I am in love with the Cricut Mini machine. Go to Cricut Craft Room and look under Cartridges and go to ALL TYPES and you will find SIX Cricut CHRISTMAS themed IMAGE SETS under Teresa Collins. I hope you love them!!!!

They are online TODAY for the premiere. I used my Cricut Mini to create the following from my latest images:

I am so in love with making my own tags for gifts and for my scrapbook project! I even used my World Traveler paper for Christmas- love the red here with the KRAFT! This tag is one of the new images.

Who would not LOVE tags with a cute little deer on it? Yes, this deer needed some of my gems! I put it on the tag with pop up dots. Super simple and I am now creating my own tags for the gifts this year!

Okay... I know this is HOME DECOR but I was in love with the deer and decided to cut it out super big and put in this large frame. Look forwarding to seeing more inspiration soon!

Time to share the DECEMBER FREE DOWNLOAD for the TC Stampmaker:

With the NEW YEAR...we thought a CALENDAR themed download would be fun.

Here is some projects designed with the stamps that you can download and create with your Stampmaker. Oh, I wanted to mention that if your looking for your own TC Stampmaker check your local scrapbook store. If they do not sell them, you can find them online at Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble.

project by Lara Scott for Photocentric-

Here is a Old fashioned clipboard calendar using TC World Traveler collection and Stampmaker that is designed by Cheri Piles 

Last year- Cheri created a calendar using an old fashioned clipboard as seen here.

Cheri said:

"On an outing I came across yet another old fashioned calendar and could not resist how perfect it would be to create yet another calendar and incorporate my own image stamps using the Teresa Colllins Stampmaker and the NEW 6x6 paper pads she came out with. I used the WORLD TRAVELER collection because the rich colors go so well in my home and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all of the patterns.

 

 

 

It was so fun to create not only the months with my Stampmaker but also the individual weeks and numbers! I did print out the calendar base using a basic ms word template, which I could have easily made into a stamp too but I had a “moment” and I printed before I realized I could have done so. Oh well, next time.

I stamped  the small numbers first on each of the calendar templates, then I created labels for the months using the back side of the “Collage” paper.

 

 

 

To create the calendar, I chose 12 base papers from the collection. Then using one of my favorite Cricut cartridges – Elegant Edges I created three different frames using black cardstock alternating them throughout the calendar. I chose a coordinating paper from the 6X6 paper pad to layer behind each frame. Then with left over edges I created another frame layer by cutting the outer edge of the 6x6 paper and flipping it over to show the opposite side on the top of the black cardstock frame. Each of the black frames is adhered using 3D foam squares to give depth and more texture.

 

Once I completed each of the pages, calendars and frames I went back through and added page corners to ones that needed a “little more” something and then I created scalloped strips from the black glitter paper (which by the way does not rub off!!)   ;)

 

 

I really am so impressed with the WORLD TRAVELER line because you DON’T have to use it necessarily for travel, you can create something like I did (12 pages of goodness!!) and you would NEVER even know it was a travel line – it’s THAT versatile."

Hope you enjoy! ~Cheri
http://cherinspirations.blogspot.com

To download the free download, please go to:  www.teresacollinsstampmaker.com/downloads-2

These free downloads are for your personal use only- ENJOY!

Hope to see many of you tomorrow in Southern California- my bags are packed.

Announcement... some things I believe

I am so THANKFUL for the times that make me go...I get it!!!!

Those times in your life where PLAN B makes you WAKE up even more than you thought possible. I firmly believe these things:

God gives us trials to not hurt or punish us but to help us grow. Sometimes for me, I think it is a WAKE up call to APPRECIATE even more the good in life. 

I think a POSITIVE attitude truly helps us to face challenges and grow stronger. If we have an attitude of acceptance and willingness to DROP to our knees and surrender to God's plan for us. 

I believe EACH of us are given DIFFERENT trials to grow. We are given each other to support one another as we face life's challenges. 

TRULY have gratitude in your heart- it does make challenges easier to grow from. Not focusing on the negative, but looking at the GOOD. 

So I am going to share something VERY personal. I feel so strongly that maybe my story will help someone. Last week, I got a call from my sister in N.Carolina. I had missed talking to her on Thanksgiving. In fact, that entire week of Thanksgiving, I kept getting the STRONG impression that she was going to pass away or become very ill. Okay, I know... that is crazy. I kept feeling as if I needed to call her and tell her to take care of herself. I kept telling MYSELF to stop thinking such CRAZY things. I didn't BECAUSE I did not want to scare her or for her to think her sister was NUTS. Thanksgiving day was crazy busy and I never got around to calling her. I was feeling guilty the next day and kept feeling like subconciously I was avoiding calling her. 

Then I got a call from my sister the following week- last week. I was so thankful to talk to her. She then told me how two days prior to Thanksgiving she thought she was going to die. She had NEVER been so scared in her life. She is a young 40 years old. However, she has high blood pressure, and a big time SLOW thyroid. She is on medication for both of these problems. Well, like most women she wanted to lose some extra weight. She told me that she had been taking Phentermine. If you don't know what this drug is, bascially it is SPEED. She was NOT sleeping and on that Tuesday night- her heart started to RACE so fast and she could not get it to slow down. She tried to relax and nothing seemed to help. She was feeling really odd. So she drives down the street to CVS Pharmacy. She checked her blood pressure on the machine- it was 175 over 110. She asked the pharmacist what he thought. He told her to go straight to the ER and she was at high risk of a stroke or heart attack!!!!!

My sister is single and NO ONE was there to be with her. She drove herself to the hospital and they took her stats. She was now 180 over 120- blood pressure. They found that she was CRITICALLY low in potassium. They said she could have a heart attack at any moment. She was so scared and yet she called no one. She did not want anyone to worry!!!! THANKFULLY, they gave her medication that helped stabilize her. Her high blood pressure medicine was not at it's proper strengthn. 

When she called me, I was so shaken. WHY did I not listen? It was not because I did not care. It was more of a fear to be honest- that my crazy feelings was accurate. I was so mad at myself. I would have been on a plane in record time to be with her. I love her so much and I wish I could have been there. She told me she did not call until a week later because she KNEW me and she KNEW I would be upset. So I learned a valuable lesson here. I should listen to the promptings and I should keep in closer contact with my sister. I will tell you I did lecture her BIG TIME about how bad phentermine was for her. I begged her to call me if she ever was having a problem. I want to be there for her. 

It helped me to THINK about how I take care of myself. Am I doing enough? Am I really doing things to prevent illness and going to regular doctor visit? I am past due for a few things. Yes, I am now going to get a mammogram, colonoscopy, and going to the dermatologist (check for moles/skin cancer) in January. I have never done any of these (except the mammograms). I dread them, but I know that I need to stop procrastinating because of a fear of WHAT IF they find something wrong. Anyway, I figure I am not the only one who does this. 

So I am HAPPY & THANKFUL that my foot has tingles and I have been able to walk LOTS today. I had a second treatment with the Decompression Machine. I love it! I am walking on air... so happy to be able to not be in pain. I know the numbness will eventually disappear. 

I am packing to leave early FRIDAY am for San Diego, CA- I'm teaching workshops at EVER AFTER. Okay, these are my workshops-

If your coming to the workshop- YOU will be painting and doing lots of fun stuff! *** NOTE: THIS CLASS IS SOLD OUT!!!! (sorry, there is NO KITS available) Please check the store for what to bring to class.

This is the 8x10 Canvas TRAVEL binder that you will create and take with you on your next trip! *CLASS SOLD OUT (* no kits available)

If you are near the store, PLEASE come by and say hello! I will be teaching these two workshops on Saturday. We are sewing, journaling, painting... it's going to be so FUN! 

Friday night- I will be teaching this NEW *never taught project:

You will get all the supplies seen, but the ENTIRE collection of CAROLINA BREEZE too. I also have added some of my favorite products to the kit that you don't see here. This class was so popular that I have kitted FIVE extra kits to TAKE WITH ME...so if you have not signed up- there is now FIVE spots left!!! 

Call the store if you want to join on the workshop- again, I have NO WAY to make more kits so once the extra five spots are gone... they are gone! Please call 760-630-2767 to sign up. I can't wait to see all my California friends. I know I may need to sit around a bit more than usual this weekend, but I know it will be a great time. Oh, ALL the workshop kits come with complete written instructions and PHOTOS for every single page if you are a kit only. 

Last, a little information- I have TEN KITS of my WORLD TRAVELER 8x8 kits that I will be taking with me to EVER AFTER to sell. If you are interested please let me know or show up at the store. $30.00 

I found out today that there is going to be a ANNOUNCEMENT TOMORROW about something that I have been doing (okay...designing). I will post it tomorrow here tomorrow and on my facebook and twitter accounts. It's really exciting to be doing this (again)- hint!

Sorry such a long post. I sometimes can't stop sharing all my crazy feelings. 

 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!

I did not want to miss telling my daughter Taylor and her sweet husband Spencer- HAPPY TWO YEAR anniversary. I have to say that marriage has been such a good thing for my daughter. I was very concerned when she wanted to get married so young. As a parent, you know how much you want your children to make the right choices at the right time. I knew Spencer was a keeper...but Taylor was only 19 when they married. 

They are best friends. That is the best way to describe it. I love how each other are a team. They are also very smart for their age. It makes me crazy happy when I watch and see how they save money and don't do things they can't afford. Often date nights are at home and watching a RedBox video. 

For their anniversary they used a Cheesecake Factory gift certificate and then went home to watch a movie. The wait was almost 2 hours and I asked her why they waited... Taylor said, "Mom, it was a gift certificate and we didn't want to spend money when we could use our cerficate." Hmmm... smart couple. 

I want to share something that TOUCHES me. Most people don't know that they never went on a "real" honeymoon. They lived at his parents home for over a year, and Spencer goes to school full time. So they simply could not afford to go on a trip. So for the past two years they have saved EVERY MONTH to go on a trip- a late honeymoon. 

Next week- they are going on a cruise.

They will be going to Mexico... two days in Cabo San Lucas.

They are beyond excited. This is their first big trip and late honeymoon. They found a crazy good deal and I'm so happy for them. I am learning as a parent to allow your kids to grow, to struggle at times, and to enjoy the fruits of their labor. So Taylor and Spencer- I love you both!!!! I am so happy you have each other.

I wanted to share another photo of McKay holding Azalea...the newest Collin's blessing!

Oh, my heart is so happy to have the family I have. I always wanted to be a mommy and wife. NEVER would I have known how much happiness I feel in my life because of my children and family. PURE HAPPINESS!!!!

Today I woke up with the same severe sciatica condition. I am OKAY... I know that this will pass and I will work hard to overcome this challenge. I had to cancel my appearance on TV this week and my filming for My Craft Channel. I have never done this- I will work through pain, but I KNOW that I cannot this time. I am doing everything possible to be able to get on the plane Friday to go to EVER AFTER. I have a doctor's appt. shortly. I'm hoping the treatment will help!!!! So I'm a fighter and I will overcome this challenge. I firmly believe God gives us challenges to make us stronger and at times to help us grow in ways HE knows we need. Have a FABULOUS day!!!!!

LIFE unscripted... AZALEA is born today!!!!!!!

Oh where do I even start? I want this post to be POSITIVE. I am going to share the struggles first because it's REAL but it is NOT what I will focus on. Let's rewind back to Thursday. I spend the day preparing to host the drill team dinner for the girls. I kept busy making lots of food and it was a big success. I even went to the school with a few of the drill mom's and we decorated the girls locker. The girls were so excited for their FIRST drill team competition this year. I have been OVER THE MOON excited to see them perform. I'm such a girly girl and love the competitions. 

On Friday, I was at my office for a meeting. I have six new Craft Channel segments to tape this coming week, an appearance on Good Things Utah (TV), and I'm flying to EVER AFTER in CA to teach next weekend. So there is lots of designing to do to prepare for this coming week. I raced from my office to pick up my son from school. It was Zach's short day and I was TEN minutes late. I felt horrible and was stressed from going NON-STOP. Ty was in surgery and he got home right when I needed to go to the high school. I was decorating the glass display case for the drill team. Yes, there was much to get done. I wanted to try to be done by the time a workout class started. Thankfully, Jill (another mother from the drill team) had come to help me. 

I was inside the display case when I felt a really bad leg pain going down the back of my left leg. It was from the top of the leg down to the feet. I had never felt such a odd pain and it started to get worse. It then went numb. I called my husband and he asked me to please come home. Of course, I had to stay and finish the display. I was so thankful Jill was there to help me. I was fighting the pain and trying not to let Jill know how much pain I was in. Finally, we were done and I walked to the car with my numb leg and foot. As I was driving home, I honestly thought I was not going to be able to drive home. The pain went from a 4 to a 8. I came home and tried to do some mobility exercises. I was in so much pain at this point that I was crying and shaking. It was so intense and it was so painful that I felt helpless. I layed down but no matter what posititon- I was in pain. The pain in my leg was severe and I was crying non-stop. I was suffering from this:

Sciatica

Sciatica is pain, tingling, or numbness produced by an irritation of the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed by the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord into the lower back. It goes down through the buttock, then its branches extend down the back of the leg to the ankle and foot.

I was bedridden and had to finally resort to pain medication. I was finally able to sleep a few hours and then when I awoke- I was left with numbness in my leg and foot. I needed Ty's help to get up. It's now Sunday and I still have the numbness and pain. Hmmmm.... there is nothing that I can do about it. When I am up for anytime, the pain is a like a zolt that is intense until I go back and lay down.

The worst was that I could not go to the drill competition on Saturday. As a mother, this broke my heart. I cried and cried and yes, felt that I was letting my daughter down. I was at home in bed, and not there for her. Talk about feeling sad! Gentry and three of her friends went when they found out I was not able to go. FAMILY is everything! I cried knowing that Gentry was there and making sure McKay had family there to support her. I was getting text updates. The girls did amazing!!!!! They placed 3rd in both military and dance. 

 The coach was crying because they did so great. I was crying out of happiness too! I know that we cannot plan how things are always going to go in our life. We have to have faith and know that when our PLAN A does not work, we have to accept PLAN B. My plan B this weekend was not what I wanted, but I have FAITH that it was going to be okay.  Honestly, that is life. I knew that my daughter understood that I simply could not make it to watch her.

I want McKay to know how much I love her! I can't wait to go to her future competitons. 

NOW FOR GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!

TODAY... a new MIRACLE in our family!!!!! My entire family is in Orem, Utah to visit our newest little blessing. Azalea Maelynn Collins was born at 2:02 pm. 7 lbs 9 oz. 19 inches and she is beautiful. I was waiting at home for photos and info about her. I feel so blessed and thankful for her. Matt and Kayla are so blessed! I can't wait until I can see her myself. I wish I had been physically able to go see her myself. 

This is Azalea...

This is Kayla holding her beautiful little girl. I love that Kayla used the blanket I gave her to wrap her up. It especially made me happy since I have not been able to hold her yet. I am simply overwhelmed with gratitude. She looks just like her brother Maxson.

I love this photo of Matt, Azalea and Kayla. FAMILY!!!!!!

So tomorrow I will to focus on getting better. There is exercises and stuff that is important to do with sciatia nerve problems. It hurts to do them, but I know I have too. I am taking it day by day...PLAN B is in full force. I am going to focus on the blessing of my family and how they are supporting me. I know that it's all going to work out. 

I am simply overjoyed and in love with the Azalea and so thankful that she is finally here and heathly!!!!!