TERESA COLLINS

Celebrating...

Tomorrow is our anniversary. We have been together for 15 years now. I met him at Lifestyles gym on the FIRST day that I was working out there-

He has a different story on how he approached our conversation. The truth is I was working on a leg lift machine and an identical machine was right beside me. He came over and asked me which machine I thought was better. I looked up at him (yes, I thought he was cute!) and responded, "They are both the same machine." HA- all these years later and he says I did not ask you that. He claims he was being "friendly" and just came over to say Hi. 

We talked for TWO hours that Saturday in the gym. It was not the usual "pick up" lines or "I think your cute" talk. We talked about our children. He had two boys- Matt and Seth and I had three little girls- Taylor, Gentry and McKay. I remember, he was wearing gray sweat pants with a hole in the knees. He was very kind. I loved that he listened to me talk about my little girls. We both were "in love" with our kids. 

It was time for me go pick up my little girls. I had made a new friend- not thinking of a "love connection!" My divorce was only final 2.5 months prior to meeting him- and I was NOT looking. I drove home and felt there was a reason that I met him that day and I called a girlfriend and told her about meeting the "nicest" guy. 

Now 15...FIFTEEN amazing years later----- WE are a blended family. Happily married (yes, we have our bad moments!) but I truly married my BEST FRIEND, each other's CHEERLEADER. Funny, but we are pretty opposite in our personalities. I think we balance each other. NOW... we have grown together. I love our large family and ALL of our children. Our family of NINE keeps growing with the addition of  Kayla, Maxson and Spencer.

I just want Ty to know (yes, he reads my blog!) that I really appreciate HIM and am thankful that he helps me grow as a person. I think marriage is really hard at times. I need Ty to help me along the way on my journey to be a better me. I try to do the same for him. TOGETHER we LOVE each other and embrace each other's weaknesses.

I still get butterflies in my stomach when I see him and I want to hold his hand. I love him MORE now- and I think it is because we have had "bad times" that we GREW closer. I've learned marriage is give and take and TRUST me in our marriage... GIVE more GIVE more...oh, GIVE more and you will truly get more. I knew that on the days where I was "not so happy" that if I just LOVED more or did something nice (yes, there is times I did not want to do this!) it would always come back to our marriage in a good way. 

I have learned to BE QUIET...hmmm. Yes, in my younger days I would just say exactly what I felt. Now, I know that you can't take back mean things. You may forget but others often don't. So when I'm upset over something, often I walk away and THINK about my reaction and response.  THIS has greatly helped our relationship. 

Anyway, I am JUST thankful for this beautiful JOURNEY that I am in with my sweet husband. I tell him that I adore him in every way. He tells me that he "WINDOWS me." That is us in a nutshell.

Also, my husband aways says..."HAPPY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE." So true.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY babe- you know that I love you always and forever!!!!!

FRIDAY...

I spent the last two days preparing for my trip in less than one week to GEORGIA. I am VERY thankful that my sweet daughter Taylor helped me do the workshop kits. They have so much product in each kit that my entire main level of my home became a kitting station. I will be at the Cricut Swarm meet up in ONE week. So excited to travel with one of my closest friends for the weekend. I can't wait to hear the southern accents- I always feel like I am home!!!! I finally finished all the kits about 2:30 am. I mailed boxes yesterday and then 6 more boxes today- Here is the boxes that I shipped today from my office.

EMI Scrapbooking- my kits are on the way!!!!! (yes, NOTATIONS workshop is SOLD OUT! The last time I heard there was only 4 spots left in the other workshop. So check since that was some time ago, but we would love to have you come and join in on the fun. I am TEACHING three new *never taught before workshops! All three are FULL of technique and I am pretty excited about teaching with the new product!

Can I tell you a little secret? I just finished up a new collection. I normally don't like to share this early BUT after so many requests last year... over and over that could I please do a yearly HALLOWEEN collection. I listened to your emails and requests and yes, HALLOWEEN 2011 there will be a NEW TC line. I am so in love with the line that I am tempted to print it out NOW and start creating! 

I got my schedule for HSN today. I will be going on March 14th. I will be featuring the TC Stampmaker again ( I know it's soon) because we sold out so fast! Yes, you will still get the chance to grab a machine if you missed it last time. I am loving the free 8.5x11 download of images that we will soon SHARE with you for the month of March. Hmmm... LUCKY, St. Patrick's Day... bicycle...yes, they are so cute! So if you have the stampmaker, you will have another free download coming your way very soon! So this weekend, I will be working on HSN visuals. Oh, you are going to LOVE the lampshade that will be displayed on air. Did you know you can create your own lampshade with stamps? The schedule now shows that I will be on air on MONDAY MAY 14th at 1:00 am (Eastern Time) and again at 9:00 am (Eastern). 

Have a great Friday!!!!!

WEEKLY highlight-

I have so much on my plate...(not complaining because it's ALL very good!). I wanted to share a few highlights from the last week. *I do not have ONE photo from my visit to Scrapbook Daisies so be aware that YES... it was  truly a great highlight to last weekend.

Here is MAXSON. We normally get to watch him each week. He is the SWEETEST baby. I have never been around a baby that is always so happy and never cries. He loves our piano and Ty (Grandpa) is holding him here. He is so special to us. He is almost 10 months old now...

Our entire family fights over him when he is here. Kayla and Matt normally go for a couple of hours for a little "couple" time. What a BLESSING he is to our family. 

Hilarious... Maxson is really into the GREEN Cricut stuffed animal. I had to laugh at how attached he is to the green cricut. He literally was chewing him, drolling on him and having a good ole time with the cricut! 

hmmmm... which reminds me- I will be in Atlanta a week from Friday at the Cricut Meetup. So excited. Then I will be teaching workshops on Friday night and Saturday at EMI Scrapbooking. I have been BUSY with the Cricut myself this past week... SO many good good things are in store!!!! (Dallas Texas Cricut Stampede is next month too and I will be there teaching at the event)

Gentry and her roommates came to our house this weekend. I loved that Danielle and Hannah asked ME for boy advice. HA! I love that her friends wanted to hang out with me. We watched a chick flick together and had a lot of laughs. On Saturday night, we went to go see a movie together.

Taylor and Spencer spent the entire day Saturday with us too. I know that Taylor knew my heart was emotional and I just needed my family by me. I really appreciate that they watched Ty for me on Friday night. They took him out to eat and made him feel so special. Taylor is so nurturing to her siblings. I know someday she will be a great mother.

It really was just a great family weekend...minus Ty and Zach. They were in Mesquite Nevada at a special baseball event. They had training for the boys-motivational speakers (ex pro baseball players), high school baseball coaches, and pro scouts come and meet and watch the boys that were in attendance. My Zach is just to "in love" with baseball. Right now, he goes to the academy to train 5-6 days a week. He decided he wants to be healthier so at night, he is running with his dad. I want to start going with them...but honestly, running is not my thing. I would rather do Zumba, or power walk. 

Monday- President's Day- I took Tyler and his friend up to Brighton Ski Resort. No, I do not ski. I wish I did, but I never learned. I went to the lodge and waited for them. I have a huge fear of ever leaving my kid's at a ski resort in case they got hurt. I worked on my taxes during the few hours we were there. 

Ty loves his new board that he got for his birthday. His friend is on the left and is just a really kind young man. 

I love that when they were done boarding that they said it was the PERFECT day! Ty told me that he really appreciated that I spend the entire day with him. I love that coming from a 6th Grader. He kept telling me that I did not have to stay... but I kept telling him that I wanted too...and I did!

 

a TRIBUTE

I have had a busy weekend. It was a quick 24 hour trip to and from Long Beach, CA. This was a first for me. I had a wonderful visit to Scrapbook Daisies in Long Beach. Thank you Martha and Tony- I had the BEST time. They are a brand new scrapbook store and they are doing amazingly well. Their grand opening was so fun! We even had a ribbon cutting with the city. I spent the entire day at the store and then taught a workshop on Friday night. I honestly NEEDED to talk to so many of the girls who came. I did not want to mention it there...but I had found out Thursday night that my dear sweet friend Laurie S. had passed away after a two year battle with cancer.

Okay... THIS is why I have not come home and blogged. The only thing I could think to blog was..." I hate CANCER, I hate CANCER...and type it a million times." It took me a few days to be able to write this post.

I want to share with you about my sweet friend for she made the world a better place and I will forever in my heart remember and love her. I have NEVER been more influenced by another woman in my adult life.

On Laurie's facebook- I saw this comment and knew it spoke volumes about my friend-

"Makeup is not beauty. Death does not mean you lost. Fear is not a lack of faith. True strength can not be taken away. You cannot choose your miracles. Faith can't always cure you. Death is not an end. And you can never say I love you too many times! How can we not believe in miracles? Your life, your light, your fight, your faith, your hope, your happiness, your beauty, your battle, was all too great to seem real. It was a miracle that someone so amazing could be in my life, could love me. You have changed my life forever, I will never forget your faith." 

I felt so strongly that I needed to share with you a little about my friend. I am having a hard time thinking that she is no longer here. I know that death is a natural part of the life cycle. I know this and yet I am mourning the loss of this wonderful woman. She changed my life and others by knowing her. 

I met my friend Laurie 14 years ago. I had just moved into our home in Murray. I was pregnant at the time with Zach. I had three young girls. She was one of the first girls that I was fortunate to meet in my church.  She was this beautiful 28 year old woman. The girl who was so beautiful that she could have been a movie star. She was tall, thin and had long beautiful red hair. She had a beautiful little girl who was the light of her life. She had a really hard time getting pregnant and it took many years for her to have her daughter. Everywhere she went, she took her little girl. She was a GIFT from God and she appreciated every day with her. So many mother's with young children complain about how hard it is to have little ones and she was always expressing the gratitude and love she had for her daughter. 

I was assigned to be Laurie's visiting teacher in our church. That meant that I was asked to visit her every month (or more) to make sure she was doing well, and help her with anything she may need help with in her family. We became good friends. I always felt like I got so much MORE from knowing her than she got from our friendship.

I had never met anyone in my entire life that effected me more. SHE was the girl that I admired most in the world and wanted to be like. In all the years that I have known her, I NEVER once heard her say a unkind word about anyone. I loved how she was always kind, always positive and I loved talking to her. She focused on the good in ALL that life is!!!! I decided years ago that I wanted to emulate and be more like her. I felt often that she was a ANGEL here on earth.  I know... almost too good to be true, but this was my friend Laurie! It is because of her... I truly think I became a better person. 

About a year after meeting Laurie, I was at her house visiting with her. I remember we were in her living room. We were talking about trials and enduring. She was sharing about the recent death of her nephew in her family. Her sweet family was deeply saddened. Her sister was having such a hard time with the death of her son. Laurie, shared a very scared experience with me. She shared this sacred story, She explained- I know that death is NOT the end. She said that her nephew had come to her after he had died. He wanted her to deliver the message to the family that he was with GOD and that he was still alive. He wanted them to know that death was not the end. He was worried about his mother most and knew that Laurie needed to help his mom. I remember, crying with her and feeling the witness that she did experience seeing her nephew after his death. Little did I know that a few shorts years later, I would lose my mother and that Laurie would once again help me through my deep grief and mourning. 

I know we all have our own religious beliefs. I am not trying to say anything more than for me personally- I know that death is NOT the end. I know that as I am mourning the loss of my friend, I am so thankful to know that I WILL see her again. 

Laurie, went on to suffer with more infertility, but over the next several years, she had two more beautiful girls. They were her world. She loved her husband (NEVER heard her say a bad word about him!) and family. She was so full of light that I always wanted to talk to her and be around her. 

A little over two years ago, she was blessed to be pregnant again with her fourth child. A true miracle again!!! It was during this pregnancy that they found that she had cancer. I was devastated and could not believe how strong she was. She lifted her family and friends. She believed with all her heart that she would be healed. I watched her fight the fight of her life with GRACE and FAITH. 

She lost her battle with cancer on Thursday at 8:00am when she returned to live with our Heavenly Father. I was a little frustrated with myself this weekend. I have felt down and depressed and basically heartbroken for her family. I will forever keep her memory alive in my heart and will strive to be more like her every day. I love you Laurie!!!!!! The world is a better place because of you! Please say a prayer for her family. I know that it will comfort and bless them at this time. 

 

 

 

BALANCE... headed to LONG BEACH

I wish I could say...I have the SECRET to being and feeling BALANCED. Trust me, I would share it with you. I know what works for ME and right now I am in a good place. It has taken me years to get to this point. To realize it is really "okay" to have dishes in the sink, a floor that needs to be cleaned, and a huge stack of clothes that need to be washed. I think I finally "allowed myself" to accept that I am not 

SUPERMOM, SUPERWIFE, SUPERDESIGNER...wink!

Okay, that is probably pretty FUNNY- but it's true. I can't say I don't feel a little stress at times with daily non-stop deadlines but I have had to face it all one day at a time. I have to say that Ty is the one who FINALLY got me to STOP being so hard on myself. I am one of those girls that is by nature...impatient. Well, not so much with anything but myself. I expected each day to have all this "balance" and to be able to do EVERYTHING by myself. Maybe I had a mission to prove that I could do it all. Do you suffer from this same sickness? I know too many woman who can relate to my vision of the perfect ______ (fill in the blank!). 

I am so not perfect in my "efforts" to do it all and find that personal "balance"... however, I had a "ah ha" moment about a year ago. Okay...bear with me here- Ty was not so happy that I was all stressed, running around with the house upset that the house was not clean, the laundry was a mile high, we did not have dinner prepared and I was CRYING out of control. Yes, it was me having a mini mommy breakdown. I will never forget what he did. He grabbed me and HUGGED me so tight I thought I was going to stop breathing. He would not let me go...He said, "STOP, right NOW. These things do not matter. YOU matter to us. We don't care if the house is not perfect, or about any of those things. We want you to be happy. So what if these things are not done TODAY or even in the next week. STOP being so hard on yourself." I think the part where he went on to say "just do a little each day to where you feel like you've made progress" that hit home to me.

So normally when I prepare to leave, I used to be VERY stressed. TONIGHT, I am just thankful that I have relaxed so that I can really ENJOY this creative journey of my life. I went to my son's COURT OF HONOR with the Scouts tonight. Ty gave a charming talk about his experience at his overnight camp last weekend. My daughter's Taylor and McKay went with me. We cheered him on as he beamed on the stage. We are his cheerleaders. I came home to make a LATE dinner tonight. Zach was home from baseball practice and wanted grilled shrimp. I made dinner and even enjoyed my favorite grilled asparagus with tomato slices- NOW... I have to get to bed so I can get 4-5 hours of sleep before I head to the airport. I am enjoying EVERY moment of EVERY day... because no matter what..... BALANCE is probably something that is often "in my mind, in my own head." I am learning to RELAX and enjoy the journey...

So tomorrow- I am REALLY excited for a quick 24 hours in LONG BEACH, CA. I am all packed and ready to enjoy WARMTH... well, I hope it's warm.

Here is the details:

GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION! Hello Everyone! We are busy preparing for our Grand Opening Celebration! Here is the chain of events for Friday February 18th:  Open at 10:00am - Prizes and raffle ticket for the first 50 people  1st Make & Take - 11:00am  Appetizers - 1:00pm  Ribbon Cutting - 2:00pm  Cake & Drinks - 2:30pm  2nd Make & Take - 3:00pm  Teresa Collins meet & greet - 3:30 - 5:00  Teresa Collins Class 6:00 - 9:00 pm We will be having a 10% discount all day and we have tons of new product in the store!  Raffles throught the day and at 9:30 pm we will be drawing for the following Grand prizes:  Cricut Create, Cricut Juke Box, Quickutz Alphabet set and handle, Free Friday crops for 6 months!  For every $20.00 in purchases you will receive a raffle ticket, for every make & take you will get a ticket, if you were one of the first 50 people you got a ticket.  Winners throught the day are also elegible for the Grand Prizes and you do not need to be present to win! Hope to see you on Friday...It will be a day full of FUN! Teresa Collins Workshop ( I am NOT sure if they have any spots available!!!!) TRUST me this book is over the top POSH, GIRLY and ADORABLE!!!!!! POSH BOOK  Date: Friday February 18th  Time: 6:00 to 9:00pm

©2011 Scrapbook Daisies | 3962 N Studebaker Rd #203 Long Beach, CA 90808 562-377-0302

 

Also, for the VERY first time ever. I am bringing ALL of my extra class kits from my private workshops from 2010 for a very special cause. YES, I only have maybe 25 kits total but I am selling EACH of them for ONLY $20.00. They have color photos, instructions and ALL products. *I became aware of a dear family that is great need due to a unexpected death and I want to GIVE the proceeds to help this family.

Thank you Scrapbook Daisies for helping me HELP this family!!!! Even if you are not in the workshop, come by the store at 3:30 for he fun festivities. *ALL DAY LONG actually. The kits will be available at this time! (Gratitude, Celebrate, NOEL kits are available. 

TODAY

TODAY.....I am doing something that I know in my heart is right. I gave a dear friend advice recently on being BRAVE and doing what is right. I have thought about this situation for so many months- over the past year. I am so thankful for the huge support of my family and friends. I know that I am so much stronger then I ever imagined (thanks MELODY) for helping me set that seed in my head. I now live it every day. I wish I could say more... but I know that I will post on my blog later today. 

Today I woke up and thought about my children (Taylor is not is this photo- but you know I adore HER!) and how THEY mean the world to me. I want to be an example to them. TODAY and everyday I want to try to be a good role model and show them that when life throws you lemons- make lemonade.

I want to focus on the good things going on. LIFE is so GREAT! I will be spending the weekend with Gentry and the family.This makes me so HAPPY! I will be going to Long Beach on Friday for a quick ONE day visit. Meet me at Scrapbook Daisies- I am there to help with the GRAND OPENING celebration and TEACHING one workshop on Friday night. I have decided to help in the celebration by bringing ALL of my extra class kits to sell. Yes, there is only about 15 total but if you are interested- they will be with me at the store. I have purged and cleaned my studio!!!! Originally, my trip was going to be Saturday too, but so many things happened and I needed to be home this weekend. Zach is doing some exciting training with baseball this weekend. Ty will be helping him and I will be home with family. I am working on some creative assignments and well...busy!!!!!

MORE later- have a FABULOUS DAY!!!!!!!!

VALENTINE'S...

It is almost a new day...but while it is still VALENTINE'S, I wanted to express my love for my family. I woke up this morning and hurried out the door to take my kids to school. I was running a little late and as I rushed in to take my last child to school, I noticed a HUGE big vase of flowers. Tyler had went to work and had put the flowers at the end of the counter for me to find. I found a love letter and a little gift. He had noticed that I was out of my favorite perfume and went to the store and got it for me. I have worn Light Blue for a LONG time now. I so appreciate his thoughtfulness! Then when I got into my car I noticed that he had got up at 6am and filled my car up with gasoline. I was on empty on Saturday night- ha!

I had VALENTINES notes and treats for the kid's teachers and for each of my family member. I love that the kids really love having their yearly "love" gifts. This year I gave them special fortune cookies (thanks Cindi) that had love notes inside the cookies. They are nothing like your normal fortune cookies. They are big maybe 3' wide. 

I spent the morning tending to some business and it took much longer than I had anticipated. However, the outcome will be worth all the effort. I raced to met a dear close friend for lunch. It ended up being THREE hours. I raced to pick my kids up from school and make a special DINNER for Zach, Ty and McKay. I put out the red plates for "love" and served chicken cordon bleu. We got the kids all settled and Ty took me to dinner. What I love most about tonight was the chance we get to talk about life and be together. He is my rock and I told him that I am so thankful to be married to my very best friend. I know that he will always support me, but I know that he is honest with me. I need that from him. Daily I will ask him for his opinion regarding my business decisions. I appreciate that he will tell me the truth- even when it is not what I want to hear. Our personalities are quite opposite at times...we balance each other out. 

I hope you too were able to spend it with someone or people that you love. I think the world would be a greater place if we would share MORE love and greater kindness to each other. 

Here we are at FEB 15th.  NEWSLETTER TIME!!!!

http://www.teresacollinsdesigns.com/newsletter/feb2011.pdf 

I hope you enjoy the inspiration!!!!

*looking forward to Friday in LONG BEACH, CA- Scrapbook Daisies- 

VALENTINE'S with TC STAMPMAKER

I have a HUGE addiction to making my own VALENTINES. I always go to the store and look at the Valentine's cards but NEVER end up buying one. For years, I have always made my own "love notes" for my family. This year, I worked on my cards last night. I made ALL of my cards from stamps created with the TC STAMPMAKER.

I went yesterday and purchased these glass jars w/ lids. I got them from a local store- BIG LOTS. The small ones were $3.00 and the large was $5.00. I love that they are affordable yet great quality. They are heavy weight glass.  I filled my jars with pink HEART sugar cookies (yes, I had ONE!), conversation hearts and LOVE taffy. 

I stamped sentiments on Bazzill WHITE cardstock (scored and created all of my tags with 2 sheets of paper). 

I stamped the I HEART U and cut the cardstock into a simple banner. I glued this directly to the jar with my FAVE Therm.o.web SUPERTAPE. *my fave adhesive for adhering to jars and various home decor items!!!!

I wanted to create a stamp with the XOXOXO... because I love this sentiment. I am going to give this glass jar with taffy to Tyler's teacher tomorrow! I hope she likes it.

Here is a view of three of my "love jars" that I created last night. I cannot tell you how much I love giving "hand created" gifts of love.

I did not stop there. I created cards for each of my kids and Ty. All of these stamps were created (in my kitchen Friday night!!!) with the Stampmaker. I even decided to make HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY cupcake toppers. 

Oh, and there is MORE... Look at the adorable CANDY TUBES you can create yourself. Again, all of the images below were stamps that were created with the TC Stampmaker. You can do these yourself... Lara has included her directions on how to create these below-

Now, I have to admit, when the TC STAMPMAKER sold out on HSN- I knew that I needed to constantly show you that I create with and love the machine. So to SUPPORT you that purchased the machines (thank you!)- we are going to GIVE you a 8.5x11 FREE download of ALL of the stamps used.  *expect more free TC downloads to help support YOU in your creative projects!!!!

Yes, all you need is to print out the PDF on your inkjet printer with the art film that comes in your kit. We created all the artwork and it's completely FREE- just print out (darkest black setting ink for the best quality) and then make your stamps!!!

Go to STAMPMAKER BLOG to download your 8.5 x 11 PDF of images. *thank you Lara for working with me to make this possible.  *download will be available later today.

Have a WONDERFUL day of LOVE!!!!!!

THIS is WHY....

Yesterday was spent helping with the 6th Grade sock hop with my son Tyler. I helped with the LIMBO games. WOW, impressed that kids are that limber and can go so LOW! I took so many photos. Of course, gym lighting is not the best but just thankful to have them. This is my son's last year in elementary school. Makes me a little emotional-

As I was watching the activities, my friend Michelle came in. She does not have kids there so I was surprised. I was caught off guard to see her somewhere that normally I would not see her. Instantly, I thought that only 30 minutes before seeing her- I was driving in my car and I kept thinking of her. I kept thinking drive to her house. GO see her!!! You see her husband died recently in a very unexpected way. He was a coach for our MHS Hockey team. He was walking across the ice prior to a game and slipped and fell. He hit his head really hard and at the age of 48 years old- died from the injuries. Our community has been so sad. He was a remarkable man. Their entire family is so loved. He left behind the love of his life and 4 beautiful children. Gentry went to one of her high school dances with one of their sons- we love HIM! 

After the funeral, I felt a deep sadness for them. I felt strongly that I needed to help her. My mind kept going... how???? You see Michelle and her husband were best friends and had one of the sweetest strongest marriages I have ever witnessed. They were ALWAYS together. You know the type of marriage of relationship that you would say..."I want that kind of relationship!" 

One of the photos that they had displayed at the funeral, was their vacation last year to Cancun. The photos was a huge heart in the sand and it was their initials and I love you. In the photo, Michele and her husband were leaning over in a cute kiss. I admit, I was crying with sadness but also... HAPPINESS that they had that PHOTO taken. Michelle has this PRECIOUS photo to remember that special time.

Back to yesterday- I have been praying for Michelle and her kids everyday. Not a day goes by that I don't think about them. So yesterday I kept thinking...go to her house and kidnap her. (In a GOOD WAY!) Go see how she is doing and see if in some small way you can help her.Then there she was at the school sock hop. It is my belief that I was supposed to see her yesterday. I instantly knew that I had to share with her my feeling and thoughts. I knew all day yesterday that I had to SHARE with YOU too!

If you are reading my blog, I want you to know me. What is important to me? Why do I really scrapbook? Trust me, this has not always been an easy journey. It's not always "fun" to have major deadlines, companies who have not paid me (thank you-because I learned valuable lessons), leaving my family at times, and sometimes "crazy DRAMA" in the industry, and of course my constant year of dealing with a crazy stalker who STILL to this day will not leave me alone! Okay- here is the TRUTH...all of this is all OKAY- I am so thankful for all that I have learned and well I have learned I am so much STRONGER. Not for one moment do I have regrets or feel sorry for myself. I am the luckiest person in the world-

THE REASON....

is because I know that scrapbooking and sharing and what I do is SO much more than paper, scissors and glue! It's MORE than that.

I hugged Michelle and I told her that I want to help her with documenting her husband's life. I suggested we do a A-Z book, just like the one I created about my mother. I started scrapbooking because of her death. I know the need and the emotional benefit to others that you can get by making a book to honor their life and legacy. Michelle has a young grandson who will never remember his grandfather. Through these books- he will. I told her that I am going to help her. I am going to her house and we will cry together, talk, and I'll help her tell the story of her husband. 

Michelle told me that she was married to her best friend and she always wanted to be with him. They just always loved being together. I knew that I was meant to see her yesterday. I needed to share with her and be there to support her. We cried together and I felt a feeling confirmed in me that I am here to help others. I talked to her about creating a keepsake memory album- she cried. I can use my passion for what I do...in a way to hopefully help her and others. 

I have met thousands of woman over the years who talk to me about loss, and why they started to scrapbook. I know that for me, it's so much MORE than a beautiful project. It's a way to EXPRESS love and feelings for others. So appropriate for Valentine's!!!!

I will share with you what I'm working on tomorrow and give you a FREE download to make your own STAMPS! 

Thanks for letting me share- Happy Saturday!!!!!

 

Going to Atlanta....

Oh thank you everyone for turning up at THE PAPERLIFE live chat today. It was crazy with such a big turn out. I know that Kim who was moderating the chat she had to go rest after all the action... she had quite the work out. Loved that my friends heard about the last minute chat and came on to support!!!!

Here is the recording of the show that you can listen to:

PAPERLIFE LIVE WITH TERESA COLLINS

I have some news... the Georgia girls have been so patient- the store owner contacted me today with the workshops that she wanted me to teach:

EMI SCRAPBOOKING EVENT WITH TERESA COLLINS

Friday night March 4th
6-9pm 
One The Edge 7x10 Pull Out Accordion  Album

Saturday Morning March 5th
9am-12noon
Timeless 7x10 ALBUM

Saturday Afternoon March 5th 
1pm-4pm
Notations




Here is where the event is being held

Holiday Inn Express
870 Buford Road
678-845-7100
exit 14 off GA 400
1.0 miles from the store

Store phone 770-888-2417
[email protected]
www.emiscrapbooking.blogspot.com

Signups are nearly FULL- and we are just showing the projects!!!! So we are having the event at a larger location to hold MORE students. This is exciting and I hear the girls in Georgia are ready for a fun TC weekend. Want to join us???? 

TODAY is a FABULOUS Thursday and I am just so GRATEFUL for everything!!!! I am excited that TOMORROW I am going to volunteer to help with the 6th graders- they are doing a SOCK HOP! I can't wait to see my son Tyler all dressed as a 60's boy. He even will be dancing to the golden oldies!!! So love to see these MOMENTS- I will post photos!

Attention: TC STAMPMAKERS fans- I am doing some SPECIAL (free downloads) for VALENTINES this weekend and Monday. You won't want to miss visiting my blog this weekend. Hope you will like the fun items that I'm creating with the stampmaker. LOVE is so in the AIR!!!!!

 

Show... THIS MORNING

Okay... I will be on LIVE this morning with THE PAPERLIFE and their team... 

11:30 am MST-

You can call in and chat or just listen from the comforts of your home-

Teresa Collins LIVE

Hope you will join us!  I will be discussing lots of news from CHA... it will be fun-

POSH is so POSH....

I have had the BEST day today! Lots of creative things going on in my world. I want to share my project that I will being teach in Australia with my distributors event:

It is only a quick 1 hour 15 minute workshop ( I will teach it a few times!!!)- Can this be done?????

I kept wanting to keep adding MORE and MORE to the project. 

There is more but I wanted to tell you how much I love making flip up book projects!!!! I am officially obsessed with the POSH trims- 

It was so neat to finally show some images from the cartridges. Can't wait to reveal MORE!!!!! 

I am headed to Scrapbook Daisies next week and I am really thinking it would be nice to have WARMER weather. I hope you will come and join us and help with their GRAND OPENING celebration!

The store's information is as follows:

 

Scrapbook Daisies

3962 N Studebaker Rd #203

Long Beach, CA 90808

562-377-0302

I want to share a cool mini book  inside a frame created by Meridette Cachola using the POSH Collection.

 

 Thanks Meridette for this beautiful project!!!!!

ARE YOU READY??? HUGE TC/ PROVO CRAFT SNEAK PEEK

I have had the craziest week. I am in FULL design mode right now. TODAY I finalized a new collection for CHA Summer. I know I'm a little behind. It's just beautiful and I am feeling (thankfully) so creative. In all the mix of doing papers... I am working on all the COOL stuff that I am doing with my friends at Provo Craft.  In fact, I had a meeting to go over and look at the cartridges that I designed. My heart was beating faster when I saw how BEAUTIFUL the images are. It is really important to me that the cartridges have my style. So TODAY we decided to share with YOU... just a little peek of images on my IMAGINE cartridge:

Here is something I love... a cool beautiful word FONT with an added CROWN. I LOVE this!!!! (hope you do too)

 
Sorry about the line along the bottom. This is a screen shot of a page of these beautiful frames! I have ornate frames that have EACH alphabet letter INSIDE. Can you imagine cutting these out with vinyl??? I love MONOGRAMS and wanted my cartridges to have images that I would use not only in scrapbooking, card making but HOME DECOR too!

 
Okay... one last sneak peek. I really love birds and well... birds are cool with crowns. Right??? 

Oh this is just a SMALL SMALL look at the images that you will find on the IMAGINE cartridge. I also have a EXPRESSION (CRICUT) cartridge coming out too. 

Did you see the announcement with Provo Craft at CHA?

 

The release date is the first week of MAY for the Teresa Collins Imagine cartridge. The release for the Cricut cartridge is mid JUNE. NOW... I can officially tell you that there is MUCH MORE to come. In fact, I am working on MORE cartridges too. I will have my artwork for the third one turned in this week. Yes, I am CRAZY busy and I love it!!!! 

A little recap of my upcoming events:

Feb. 18-19th: Workshops at Scrapbook Daisies Long Beach, CA

March 4-5th: EMI Scrapbooking Georgia

March 14th: HSN (Home Shopping Network) Florida

March 18th-19th: Provo Craft Cricut Swarm Event/Workshops Dallas Texas

May 2011- Print Blocks Event Brisbane, Australia

 

I am once again VERY behind in my emails. I have a plan (a good one!) to get caught up this weekend- so if you have emailed me please know that I will be addressing your questions soon. 

Happy Wednesday!!!!!!!

 

 

State DRILL & JR PROM

This has been a busy weekend. I was basically off line all weekend to enjoy these moments with the family. Friday was STATE drill team competition at UVU in Orem. I have to say that although the girls did not place- they did AMAZING and I loved watching them perform. It was a long day sitting and watching about 100 dances. 

Something happened that really has had me upset ALL weekend. I can't sugarcoat what happened. It is something that as a mother makes me more angry than I ever am. My daughter McKay called me and asked me where I was. It was very crowded and I spent 20 minutes driving around the parking lot to find a spot to park. She called TWICE and said..." I need to talk to you about something, are you here?" I told her I was there and I thought it was strange since the competition did not start for 30 minutes. 

I got there and she runs up to me and hugs me. She was shaken and seemed to be just thankful that I was there for her. She proceeded to tell me that she was with her team and they were as a group standing in the seats that our parents were starting to sit in. The other team wanted all the seats that our girls were standing by. McKay was going to sit down in one of the seats and instantly a mother put her purse down so that when she sat down she was on her purse. McKay quickly got up and was confused why she had put her purse where she was sitting....and so she stood up fast when the mother proceeded to PUSH my daughter backwards and told her that that was HER seat. Yes, she shoved my sixteen year old daughter.

You can only imagine... McKay was so scared and went and moved to get away from her. She told me she thought the mother was going to hit her, so she hurried and moved. Many parents on our team saw this woman (mother of a competing team) shove my daughter. Everyone was very upset. Our drill coach saw it and immediately went to this lady and let her have it. She told her that she had no right to ever push or touch her girls. I was told that the drill coach really did do a good job in defending my daughter. 

Okay... I was FURIOUS when I saw McKay so upset. I could not believe that anyone would do something like this. I was almost in disbelief. REALLY????? Imagine if some adult pushed your child. I know that I was being protective and I asked them to point out the mother to me. THEN I felt a strong feeling to go calm down and say a prayer. I decided to NOT know which woman had done it. I honestly was so mad that I knew that I was going to say something to this mother. So I went to the bathroom and asked Heavenly Father to help me feel peace and that McKay would be okay and do well in her performances. I waited a few minutes and returned to my seat. I knew that the drill coach had done a great thing in defending my daughter and I needed to be an example to McKay. I knew it would embarrass her if I had done anything. She asked me not too. 

However, I will be calling that mom's school tomorrow and letting the school know what happened so that their team is aware of the incident. I think what hurts me the most is the fear that it caused my daughter. Our family is not at all physical. I have never pushed my children or did anything physical in nature towards them...so this really shook her up. 

Yesterday was JR. PROM for MHS. McKay was asked by a wonderful young man, Jonathan. This was her first prom and she radiated!!!!! We got this beautiful pink tulle dress and then McKay and I altered it (added sleeves,etc.) to be more modest. Her date was so respectful- opening her doors and treating her like a princess. It was her first time ever in a limo. The dance was at our State Capitol. 

Here are some photos-

McKay decided to go with curly hair. Here she is getting ready. 

The dress was two colors of pink... the TULLE was so pretty.

My sweet sixteen year old daughter. I wish you could all know her. She is so sweet and has many friends because she is so nice to everyone. I always told her that as a young child, she would make friends with rocks...she talks to everyone and instantly makes friends.

 
She is my daughter that does not like to wear jewelry. Oh, so it was fun to see her wearing a little bling!

 

 

McKay wanted to wear silver sparkly TOM'S to be comfortable!!!!

Her date came and she had a hard time pinning the flower on this jacket. 

So bummed that it was dark by this point and the photo was not the best lighting...

I had my ISO up so high but thankfully got this photo of them getting in the limo. They had a GREAT night and it was really fun for her.

Ty and I took the boys to the movie's last night and focused on family fun this weekend. I am working on new collections in the mix too. 

WINNER:::::: 

paula fisher said:

You should design jewelry!! No really. I see you are coming to Long Beach, CA. My town.!! I'm SO THERE. Really think about the jewelry thing! Paula F.

Please email me your information (email and address) and Congrats!!!!

 

TC COORDINATIONS- Did you hear?

Another wonderful thing that I debuted at CHA. I did a CORE AMOUR Teresa Collins collection with COREDINATIONS CARDSTOCK to compliment POSH and ON THE EDGE!!!!!!

Here is some photos of the collection- named Prince and Princess. The kit comes with BOTH of the collections. The papers are beautiful- thick- sandable papers. *note: the designs are NOT the same as my paper collections however they are similiar in theme, color and design.

As much as I love the photos (thanks Maridette and Lisa) the PAPERS are more gorgeous in person!!!!

TWO weeks from today...I will be at the GRAND OPENING celebration of Scrapbook Daisies in Long Beach, CA- teaching three workshops too!!!! Join us for this GREAT event-

TODAY is FRIDAY. I love Friday's. LOVE!!!!

Especially when I get to spend the day with my daughter McKay. She is performing in the STATE drill team competition today. So for the rest of the day and night- I am staying OFFLINE to FOCUS on my 16 year old sweetheart. TODAY is going to be amazing!!!!!!

More from CHA

I am so thankful that Maridette took so many photos of my booth. You can see the BLINGAGE hanging from the frame. 

Here is cute Meridette. Not only is SHE an amazing designer...but her photography REALLY is beautiful and inspiring!!!!  Thank you Meridette for all of these beautiful photos-

 NOTATIONS was a HUGE (big smile on my face) hit!!!! These are just a few of the pages and diecuts, alphabets that come in the kit. The kit comes with all the papers and the black 3-ring binder album ALL in one kit!!!!! We sold so many that we knew at the show that it was time to RE-ORDER- exciting!

I so loved the necklaces made by the design team- Collette and Cheri know how to work the BLINGAGE necklaces!!!!

 

Blingage is always a popular item in the booth. I heard over and over that stores have a BLINGAGE section for their TC Blingage. That makes me so happy!!!!!

Here is the front of the booth. 

So LOVE seeing all the girls on the design team too! I do feel bad...we stayed so busy that I did not get to spend as much time chatting and catching up with each of them.

I visited the Provo Craft booth- 

Here I am with Jinger Adams the spokeswoman for PC. She introduced the audience to my papers for the class that I sponsored and announced the cartridge news again.

It really was a GREAT show and I am feeling very thankful for the amazing opportunities that have happened in my career in the past year. I look back on the months and for all the bad that happened (mainly the issues that led to getting law enforcement involved)....

Oh, the GOOD is oh so GOOD and outweighed any negative. At then end of the day, life is way too short to allow anyone someone to have that POWER over you. 

BITTER or BETTER???? I am choosing the BETTER. I have no room in my heart and life to be bitter. 

MORE exciting news tomorrow and a WINNER picked for the CRICUT machine!!!!!

HOME SWEET HOME

I am home. I got up this morning with the kids and then was so tired that I went back to bed. This is something that I rarely do...so I knew my body was in need of REST. The show in LA was really amazing!!!! We were CRAZY busy but it was so worth the months of preparation. So much happened at the show and I want to share it all with you. I will try to recap everything in the next few posts. However, today my daughter needs my help getting ready for her JR PROM this weekend. Here is a few photos until I can do a proper blog post:

A view of the booth. The line was girls waiting to do the make n take albums. 

This is the day that we set up the booth and then I went to the PROVO CRAFT CRICUT SWARM met up- announced the NEW TC cartridges!!!!!

So thankful for good friends like Sesil and AMY!!!! We set up the booth and then tore it all down a few days later. (photo yesterday- I was so tired at this point!)

Well, at the show THIS girl went above and beyond in showing her true character. She is a loyal and devoted person. As many of you know this past year has been plagued with a lot of horrible and negative things being thrown at me from an individual that for whatever reason cannot seem to leave me alone. My friends rallied around me at the show and stood up against the ugliness that this person has been doing. I am forever grateful for this. I am SO BLESSED and fortunate that I was and always surrounded by GREAT friends!!!!!

 

Here I am doing a VIDEO with a buyer from HSN (Home Shopping Network). I have MORE dates coming up in March and in May 2011. I am wearing my WIZARD of OZ shoes...ha!

We were invited to the Provo Craft party. It officially made me the coolest MOM in the world with Taylor and Gentry. They had the winners/dancers from So YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE? perform. We watched TWITCH, Jonathan, and COMFORT and more perform.

I promise MORE updates on my cartridges in the near future!

We were in the front row. WOW... it was fun celebrating the 5 YEAR birthday of CRICUT!!!!

Okay... there is SOOO MUCH more.  I will be working on my post later today.

FOR now... JUST ANNOUNCING-----

I will be back in SUNNY and WARM  California in 2.5 weeks-

Scrapbook Daisies Grand Opening will be Friday February 18th at 2:00 pm ---ribbon cutting and media will be there!!!!

 

TERESA COLLINS WORKSHOP-

the Posh Collection on Friday Feb 18th 

from 6:00 - 9:00 pm

*Using the new POSH trims, blingage gems and MORE!!! Oh, it is the girly girl book that you will LOVE!

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS:

On the Edge on Saturday

Feb 19th 10:00am - 1:00 pm

(learn to make a LARGE accordion style book project!)

This is a LARGE project. It is fast paced and FULL of product!!!!

WORKSHOP:

Timeless on Saturday Feb 19th from 2:00 - 5:00 pm

 

The store's information is as follows:

 

Scrapbook Daisies

3962 N Studebaker Rd #203

Long Beach, CA 90808

562-377-0302

SIGN UPS begin TODAY!!!!

I will pick the winner of the CRICUT machine on FRIDAY of this week!