TERESA COLLINS

Australia... it's time

I'm leaving in a mere 15 minutes for the SLC airport. I am actually READY to go! I have learned to try to pack up supplies and such a week or before I need to go somewhere. Then I can focus just on my clothes and stuff!!!! 

However, Ty is just NOW (yes, 15 minutes prior to leaving) starting to pack. REALLY????  Are all men like my husband? He is the type of guy that that just goes with the flow and is not easily stressed.

Excited...Zach's team has played 3 games and won- They are now in the Championship game. We are doing phone calls to keep updated. It's killing us NOT to be there with him. 

I am already missing my kids.

It's MAXSON'S FIRST birthday today... HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet boy- WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

I have my travel journal in hand...time to go!

Excited. Nervous... Blessed... Brisbane, here we come!!!!! 

CHECK LIST...

Today was one of those days where I had a list of so many things to get done. This time tomorrow I will be on an airplane with my husband headed for Australia. I am so looking forward to my first trip to this beautiful country. I had so much to get done but I decided to take it ONE thing at a time. I had a check list and amazingly I got ALMOST everything done. 

*workout- amazingly hard day today!

*visit to my office and  mailed projects overnight- deadline met!

*decorated Ty's teachers room door for Teacher appreciation week. (Gentry and Ty helped me!)

*Bank 

*Jamba Juice ( treat for the kids)

*Wal-mart (looking for camera battery recharger for smaller Sony- oops they don't carry! so this camera will not be going on the trip for me!)

*Seagull Book Store (books for trip needed)

*My friend came over to visit me... I love and miss her. Enjoyed her visit....

We made homemade pizza tonight and I'm doing laundry. We are also watching Funniest Home Video together. It's something we enjoy together as a family! I am missing Ty and Zach who are about an hour from home at a baseball tournament. I so wish I could have went, but I had to take care of the rest of the family and start preparing for our trip tomorrow. 

I want to share something really cool- MONDAY on Good Things Utah Channel 4 at 10:00 am- WATCH my beautiful Taylor Taylor on TV. She is stepping in for me, since I will be out of the country. She is going on air and showing how to make your own Mother's Day gifts  with crafting and TC products. She is such a doll to do this. This will be her FIRST time ever on TV. I can't wait to see my baby (okay she is 20!) doing something crafty. I'm a very excited mother! So watch and send her positive vibes of good thoughts that she will do well. 

Back to my CHECK LIST! 

WINNER & It's been ONE MONTH!!!!!!

I am so in love with the *NEW Notations Layout by Maridette Cochola. I mean it just is so beautiful. Everything you see on this layout is TC products. I love the TIMELESS trim that was painted pink, timeless chipboard accents and the NEW Notations die-cut 12x12 papers. *loving the blingage along the top right too. 

So I am celebrating TODAY. I finished ONE MONTH as of yesterday of "boot camp." I want to share with you that I started into this with one GOAL. I made a commitment that I would go DAILY- 5 days a week NO MATTER what! Not going was not an option. On the first three days, it was so difficult with the extreme soreness, but I knew if I stopped it would be hard to start again. 

I have gone to workout several days and then raced to get home shower. Then I would go straight to do Good Things Utah, or go to meetings at my office, help at my kids school, etc. I am sharing this so that you will know that I learned something that I WAS not doing in my life. I had not MADE TIME for what mattered most. I still did everything that I needed to do in the last month, but I made my workout Monday- Friday the priority. I did not miss one day!

I gave up diet soda & caffeine. It was a rough few days but I cut it out cold turkey. I knew that was the path that I needed to go. I was majorly addicted and I knew it was a horrible thing for my body. I am not kidding in that I would drink diet soda non-stop ALL day long. Of course, I would stay up until 2am most nights too. I now am going to bed every night by 11pm. I try to get 8 hours of sleep each night. 

So here is something that I did not expect- it changed me to the CORE of who I am. I never knew how good I could feel again physically. I never knew how much I needed to feel strong and healthy again. I am lifting weights, running, learning to build my core and have better muscle control. I think mentally I am a brand new me. I feel whole again on a new level. As I workout each day, I leave the gym with so much happiness and a feeling of accomplishment every single day. 

I love it so much that I am going to come home from Australia and sign up again. I hope that if any of YOU want to do something like this- PLEASE know that YOU can. I went from ZERO to 50% in one month. I have MORE that I have and need to do. I now know that I can do this. I have made amazing new girlfriends at the gym that have inspired and encouraged & supported me in this new journey. 

Now for the prize winner of the TC pink storage album:

 

Tona said...

Happy Tuesday!
This has to be the most gorgeous stamp binder I have ever seen!! Thanks for the chance to win one.
WTG on your workouts. It wears me out just reading about them lol.

ReplyApril 26, 2011 at 05:54 PM

Have you seen this PINK goodness?- BLOG GIVEAWAY

These beautiful PINK TC Stamp Storage photocentric albums are now available and are shipping now!!!!

 This is the NEW TC Stamp Storage holder that was debuted a couple of months ago. They are now AVAILABLE and SHIPPING!!!!!! I love the blingage on the book!!!!!

Yes, the FRAME comes with the stamp binder. This way you can label the outside of your binder as you wish. It can hold all the stamps you make with the TC Stampmaker like mine below. 

You can jazz it up to display BLINGAGE on the spine if you like. I love that this can hold your stamps or can be used to create your own mini album.

TODAY we are giving ONE away! Post any comment and I will pick a winner later today!

I just got home from a long day. I went to the gym this morning and it was a I DOUBLE DARE you workout! That meant we had six really intense station to work at. If we did it correct form and did not stop we only had to do say 100 reps of lunges squats with the weights (mine is 25lbs) held above my head. If you did not do it correctly, you had to do the DOUBLE which meant 200 reps. Yes, that was me... I worked it and did not quit. However, it was intense and I was sweating so hard that the salt got in my eyes and then I could barely see. HA! I am thankful for a program that pushes me beyond what I "think" I can do. 

Then I helped in my son's classroom. I about fainted when I left and Ty let me actually give him a hug!!!! I don't know if it is really cool to hug your mom in 6th grade (surrounded by your friends!). LOVE it!

I learned a big lesson today. I went to visit teach a friend today in my church. I visit her every month with another one of my friends. We actually visit four woman each month. In our church, it is considered compassionate service and making sure we are helping each other. Today as we visited Sharon, she was in bad shape. She went on a 3 week trip/cruise to Greece. What a dream trip!

Her dream trip ended up being a COMPLETE nightmare. She fell and hurt herself, got a major infection, and bronchitis. She had to leave the cruise in Athens and stay in the hospital for a week. NO visitors, no family... NOTHING. She was all alone. Can you even imagine? 

As we visited today, she was a little groggy and had lost 14 lbs. She was weak and needed help. We noticed her trash bins were overflowing and so we asked if we could help her in any way. She paused. She did not want to ask for help. In fact, she had refused help earlier. Then she said, can you help in my kitchen? We were so blessed to serve her today. We cleaned her kitchen, her trash and then we could smell the kitty litter box. My friend and I both have never had cats. We had no idea what to do! 

The reason why I share this is a little "self confession." I was feeling a little grumpy about the snow and rain. I even complained to Ty about how I "need" sunshine and wanted a real SPRING. I went to Sharon's today and FORGOT about my silly grumpy self and served her in such a small way. It felt so good to help her, someone in need. I realized I was being a big baby. I just need to be thankful for my health, for EVERYTHING. I needed that reminder today. 

Gentry just called as I was typing this post. She got some exciting news- Gentry got into BOTH the programs she applied to at BYU- 2D Studio Arts and Art Education at BYU. We are so excited!!! She was accepted and now she has to choose which one to pursue. PLEASE if you have any thoughts or knowledge, input please feel free to email me. This past year as a Freshman, she took some art classes and the professors would choose her work to display. I knew she had a great talent, but GENTRY did not. She often felt that she was just okay. I had a long talk with her and told her that she needed to believe in herself and her talents that God has given her. I think today she REALIZED that she does indeed have a gift to nurture and develop. I LOVE YOU GENTRY... congrats!!!!!

NOW... POST any comment if you would like to win the PINK TC STAMP STORAGE binder. *retailers you can order these directly from Photocentric along with the TC Stampmakers. 

HAPPY HAPPY TUESDAY!!!!!

Monday... Countdown to Australia

Today is the start of a crazy busy week. I am headed to Australia on Saturday.

I am mentally going over and over if I will remember everything. I shipped 16 big boxes from my office a few weeks ago. THIS always stresses me. I am always asked...Who watches your kids? I am lucky to have Gentry home (although she is a little disadvantaged with her broken foot), McKay who drives now and Grandma Collins is coming to help. It takes a village- ha! My boys are playing lots of baseball and often we have two games at the same time, but at completely opposite ends of town. Like tonight, TWO games at the same time! However, Spring time here in Utah is almost like Winter time. We are constantly having snow or rain. I am so ready for SPRING!!!!! So anyway, I have a team of family who helps me when I'm away. Ty is going with me on this trip to Brisbane. I am looking forward to this event and for the chance to meet so many of the retailers that carry my product line. 

I try not to think about TWO things-

How much I will MISS my family...

and how much I will miss my WORKOUTS! I am almost done with week 4. It has flown by! This morning was a intense workout (as usual). We worked on CORE exercises the entire workout. I have so much more to achieve that I want to continue to stay at the gym that I am at. I am inspired by the trainers (Aaron and Judah) and the people who go there. Many of you have emailed and wanted to know where I go.  I promise you this place is not for the faint of heart or for quitters. That is exactly what I needed. I started at ZERO and am slowly getting stronger. I want this so bad! It is not really what you would call a "traditional" boot camp. There is no army fatigues and none of the chanting or name calling,etc. that I saw on some sites.

It is simply a workout that will PUSH your limits EVERY single day. They change up what we do EVERY single day. I love that you are never bored. You work hard and YOU see results. It's ONE HOUR of my day and then the other 23 hours, I have to choose to make better decisions. I am so appreciative that I found this place. The trainers don't mess around, but they are not mean in any way. I have NEVER used so many weights, but I now see how important it is to really changing and strengthening your body. 

I am planning on taking what I have learned and keep moving during my trip! It's my FOCUS  and I feel too good to go back to where I was four weeks ago. THIS experience has changed me more INTERNALLY than externally. Why did I wait so long? I know FEAR... but not anymore. I'm so happy that I did this!

 

Also- If you are interested: TC STAMPMAKER TRAINING 

TC Stampmaker Training, Phoenix, AZ

Here is the details:

Country Inns & Suites, 20221 N. 29th Ave, Phoenix 85027.

Friday 17th June 9.15 am – 5pm $25 payable by check to Photocentric Inc by May 17th 2011 .

To educate and inspire on the use of the Teresa Collins Stampmaker to enable you to maximize use of Stampmaker and to be able to educate and inspire others in turn

Stampmaker Program

1) Introduction to Stampmaker and ideas for using it.

2) Artwork Creation and Printing using Windows: Create stamps from text, photos, drawings Using Microsoft Word, imagepac software program, Photoscape, Photofiltre, Gimp, different

printers. Followed by tips for using a Mac including artwork Creation in and printing from Photoshop

During this session you will be invited to use your own laptop and create artwork which you will later use to make a stamp, stencil or embossing die or all 3!

3) Tips + Tricks for Making Stamps, embossing dies, stencils

4) Teresa Collins die cut and stamping class

5) Using other materials and tools with Stampmaker, including die cut machines, embossing Machines (Grand Calibur and Cuttlebug), letterpress, polymer clay, leather and much more.

6) Certification: Satisfy us that you can create and print your own artwork, including making a photo stamp and you will become a Certified Stampmaker Teacher with access to teacher benefits.

Places will be limited so please email Sally to reserve your place ASAP and in any case before end April –[email protected]

Hope you can join us!

Teresa Collins Cricut Cartridges- Did you see?

I loved that we did the PINK for the cartridge packaging. I don't have a baby myself anymore and I have been using my cartridge all the time!!!!

This is one that I did for the Imagine machine. I love the possibilites!!!! 

Here is a book that I created. I cut and printed the frame out as large as I could for this Your Story book cover.

Here is some of the papers, frames and images from the cartridge. I created a book with Gentry. Loving all of the possibilities!!!! 

 

I also have a SECOND cartridge coming out too-

All my favorite black and white papers are now available in my Black & White Cartridge-

I am a huge lover of black and white. However, on this cartridge you have 20 other colors that the papers will print out. I am really in love with the classic and timeless feel of the patterns. I know I will be using these over and over again. 

I am so thrilled that these two cartridges are coming out. I have loved doing these! It helped me to stretch my creative wings and I have learned so much in the process. Thank you Provo Craft for the opportunity! 

You can go to THIS BLOG and these:

www.tammyskinner.com
http://mixologycrafts.wordpress.com/
http://courtney-lane.blogspot.com/
http://www.obsessedwithscrapbooking.com/

to see the images better! Also, EACH of these talented girls are GIVING away the NEW

CRICUT EXPRESSION 2 GIVEAWAY

 

This machine is SO WONDERFUL! It uses both the Expression and Imagine Cartridges in the same machine. You can enter to win the machine. Click on the link above to enter on her blog by MONDAY! Good luck-

Today I was CRAZY and decided to go to day 6 (straight) of boot camp this week. I am now almost unable to walk. It was a brutal day today. I think my body is just tired from a hard week. I am so thankful for a day off tomorrow. I am preparing today for Easter. I am teaching the lesson tomorrow at church and wanting to prepare a message for the family for our family dinner. I am not a huge candy fan...so I am stocking the Easter baskets with healthy treats (with a few indulgences!!!) 

Hope you are having a very special Easter weekend!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GENTRY & update

Yesterday we went dress shopping for McKay. I asked Gentry if we could take a quick photo together. I love the camera phones!!!! This is Dani her best friend and roommate at college. She is headed home to AZ on Saturday. We spent today together having a great time. I'm so EXCITED to have Gent home for the summer. 

TODAY is her birthday. She is 19 years old today! 

We went to the mall. She asked for a new watch. She like the white watch bands like I wear, so we went and got her one. Then we went to lunch at Cafe Rio. It's been a great day together-

 PHOTO: We are headed to go try to find her a watch....

She found one that she loved. We enjoyed a birthday lunch... SHE is now NINETEEN. (Dani, Gentry, and McKay)

I love you sweet Gent... I am so thankful that God blessed me to be your mother!

I want to thank you. I was overwhelmed with support, advice, kindness and more with my stalker situation. I had so many emails and phone calls and facebook messages. I have heard from so many women who are or have suffered from similar situations.

So many girls are facing bullying in their own life.  It only made me realize that "standing up" and pushing for tougher laws and making sure that our voice is heard is vital. I am a firm believer that we all have freedom of speech. If you don't like something or someone, then stay away from them. What does it matter what someone looks like? how much they weigh? or if you happen to like or not like my designs. It is really nonsense.

I have never understood why my "ex-friend" would even come to my blog and feel such a need to keep contacting me if she really hates me the way she claims. Her focus needs to be on her own family and herself. If we FOCUS on what really matters most in our life, we will be happier. I am choosing that path. That does not mean that I will fight back against her attacks. This matter was so serious that law enforcement has and is involved. I wish I could share more, but legally I can't. In fact, I spent this morning at the police station. I feel like if I can do anything to change the laws and help others to know that THIS kind of harassment/ stalking and bullying is serious and you will be held accountable for your actions. Again, I do not want sympathy. I am standing up to the big bully here. I have learned so much about myself from this experience. I am so much stronger. 

One of the things that I am hearing over and over is that MANY of you have had someone in your life that is TOXIC. You were like me and did not listen to that "inner warning" about this person. You thought you could change someone. You may even blamed yourself. This person wanted to work for me and I knew it was not the right thing. When I turned her down...she started this WHOLE mess of constant harassment. How thankful that I did listen and knew she was not the one to work for me. She had done some design work for me in the past and it did not work out. I learned from that experience. If you have any doubts if you cannot trust someone- LISTEN to your heart. I know that I didn't and now for 15 months, I have had to face her rage/wrath towards me and my family. 

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU... I hated to talk about this horrible problem in my life. However, I will not live my days in fear of her. LIFE is so precious and wonderful to allow anyone that type of CONTROL. Here is to HAPPY times and HAPPY posts!!!!!

Today is amazing- wonderful and I am so thankful for SUNSHINE here in Utah. I had the BEST day at bootcamp this morning. I am surrounded by amazing workout friends now. We are like a little gym family. I feel so happy and I am officially a "boot camp" lover!!!!!

I love you Gentry...HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my princess!!!!!

STALKING... (long post)

I have no idea IF I will actually POST this blog post. Maybe I will write it and then delete it. I have debated for over a year now on how much to share on my blog. How much is too much? How do I share such a CRAZY & weird part of my life. I mean, really I am just like YOU. I am a mother, wife, sister, friend, who happens to own a scrapbook company. I am so busy doing what I love so much that I have really been baffled by the HATE that I constantly get from my "ex-friend." 

I have NO IDEA why someone would take so much of their time and life to hate me. I mean really, she is a wife and mother. I can't imagine WHAT is going on in her head. You should see the countless emails that I have from her. Of course, they are all similar to the one that I got last night:

Her alias for now is MARY ARTEST:

mary artest has left you a comment:

Wow... I can't believe it!! You are happy that your daughter broke her foot??? You are happy about it?? You need to proofread your posts. Or perhaps you did and you are too stupid to know what you just said! Perhaps you went to BYU also. Do they teach English there??? You are one ugly person....And why didn't you call me today??

I guess you would say block her from commenting and emailing you. Well, it's not that easy. She changes her IP address more than she changes her underpants. She is constantly emailing me, and trying to add me on facebook as a FAKE person.  I did enjoy seeing that she was Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt trying to add me. She is one of my friends on FACEBOOK. Really, I don't care! 

 

mary artest said:

Wow. Saw you on Good Things Utah! Good job! I have heard that the camera adds ten pounds. My question is... HOW MANY CAMERAS DO THEY HAVE THERE? Your arms are huge, and the rest of you is constantly hidden behind the display. WHY are you hiding???? Your necklace is hideous! What are you thinking??? P.S. are you still being threatened? Are you still wearing the pink sweats? Have you NO fashion sense? OH YEAH, you are from Utah! NO talent...NO taste...NO class!! Oh, no thanks on the giveaway. I have been given enough crap by losers such as you!!!! Good day!!!!!

 

The reason I tell you this is because I have GROWN and learned so much from the past 15 months of constant hatred and harassment/stalking from this "ex-friend." I should have listened to my gut and heart when I met her. I knew she was struggling. I knew she desperately wanted to be a "name" in the scrapbook industry. I had a conversation with her brother and he told me things about her that I never knew. I caught her in many lies about her "life", her "marriage" and all that stuff. I never told her, because I knew that she must be in a lot of pain. I didn't care. I wanted to "help" her. I now realize that TRUE friends are rare. I could not fix anyone. 

When I found out 1,000% who this GIRL was who was threatening me- I deleted her from facebook and told the police that I NEVER wanted anything EVER to do with her. I simply wanted her to leave me alone. I grieved the loss of WHO  I thought was a friend and I moved on. 

mary artest said:

You are ?????? years old.. You have never used the rubber bands, yet somehow you 'LOVE' them now. You are so shallow and inexperienced. I have a suggestion for you. Instead of (posers boot camp), maybe you should take a class in English grammer and composition. Your writing is quite embarasing. Your experience level is obviously quite limited. Why do you think anybody would want to read your whinning and complaining about your pretend 'boot camp'. You are such a tool. It's funny how you pay people to train you, and you think they respect you. A clue for the 'clueless', they don't care about you and they even make fun of you after you leave. You are so pathetic. How come you are constantly losing weight, (6 pounds here and 2 pounds there), yet you are still a COW. I saw you walking today (on 1300 east) (not running)(in the ugliest pink sweat pants I have ever seen), you are bigger than ever. You are such a joke!

  I have thought, prayed and thought about her. I have prayed for her to realize that she needs to go to a happier place in her life and heart and LEAVE me alone. Honestly, why she focuses so much on me and has sent me so many emails- some days she will send three messages. I have no idea what is going on in her mind,but I have to worry that she lives so close to me. I have to worry that some day her verbal threats would turn physical. 

Yes, so today let's talk about WHY I am sharing this...because I never thought in a MILLION years I would have someone this negative come into in my life and family. I am fighting this 100%. I will not let anyone threaten my family. NEVER! Anyway, I am 1,000% stronger because of her. I have something HUGE that is happening because of this experience. Yes, I will be telling my story. I want others to know that cyber bullying is WRONG and that YOU will get caught. The laws are getting tougher and I'm happy to say that I am standing up to this "ex-friend."  I will not stop until laws are changed. At first,  I just wanted HER to go away and then I realized that I needed to share my story. 

Now to the GOOD GOOD NEWS... I am 3 weeks into BOOT CAMP! I am so happy. I ran today and did not stop. I think we ran 36-40 laps. I was amazed and really thrilled to go from a NON- RUNNER to running. I did it! I feel so happy. I have worked so hard and I feel so much better. Boot Camp scared me... but not anymore. I know that ALL OF US have it within us to do GREAT things!!!! We are only limited by our own mind. I promise you that if I can do this, YOU can to! I am reading this amazing book-

Through HIS eyes by Virginia H. Pearce:

What do you believe about yourself? ARe there things that keep you from recognizing your talents and potential? Chances are, it's time to do some spring cleaning-- a little sorting, sifting, and discarding--in your personal belief box. In the book, it helps YOU to discover self-defeating thoughts to toss out of our belief box, examine negative beliefs that wreak havoc with our emotions and behavior and learn to identify and STRENGTHEN truths that encourage, uplift and allow us to embrace the LIFE that God intended for us. 

I am so excited, Gentry comes home from college in the morning. I am one HAPPY mother!!!!!!

Okay, I am going to post this blog. I hope you know that I am 1,000% okay and in such a good place. I don't want sympathy or anything like this. I want laws changed. Have a great day!

INSPIRATION

I am headed to Provo this morning to help my daughter clean her dorm. Since she broke her foot, I knew it would be really hard for her to clean and do her final exams. I am so thankful for the opportunity to go and help her. I think it helped me push through a crazy hard boot camp session this morning. 

I am so tired that I am trying to take 1 hour naps each day. Crazy huh? Today that is not an option. I will be cleaning, stopping by the Creating Keepsakes office to drop off "something" and talk to my friends, and then we have a baseball game and guitar lessons. I love being busy and know to appreciate each day. Our kids grow up so fast! 

We have so many BLESSINGS happening in our family. Matt and Kayla are expecting a baby in December. Matt is finishing his first year in the business program at BYU. Also, Taylor and Spencer are signing papers this week to own their own home. (well, it's a condo) I am so happy for them! I had a phone conversation with Taylor last night. My baby is now buying her own place. I can't believe how driven and how hard they have worked to accomplish this goal. As a young married couple, they saved and saved to be able to purchase a home without any help from their parents. Spencer goes to college and works part time. I am proud of them! 

 Now... for some inspiration- I love TIMELESS. That is what I wanted to name this line because it truly is a line that is about LOVE...and it never ending..hence, I named it TIMELESS-

Cute mini book album made by Cheri Piles using the Timeless Collection.

Cheri loves mini albums and was very excited to pair up the "TIMELESS" & "BLINGAGE" collections with the 8x8 YOUR STORY book. She created each page using her ELEGANT EDGES Cricut Expression Cartridge. She was also able to create matching borders, frames and Silhouettes using the same cartridge. The Elegant Edges cartridge features a "Book Template" which is what drew her to create this mini album.  To see more of her work visit her blog at http://Cherinspirations.blogspot.com

Items Used:

Timeless Collection: Labels Paper, Pink Stripes, Clocks, Black Damask, Gray Damask, Pink Frames Flocked, Swirls, Clear Stamp Set, Decorative Brads, Die cut Card, Ellements.  Blingage: Alphabet stamp set,  Amy's Gems, Taylors Clips, Zach's Bookplate, Gentry's Glitter, Miranda's Jewels, Gentry's Glitter. Donna's Gems. Misc: Black Cardstock, Gray Ribbon. Thermoweb 3D foam squares.

Tip: On the Cover Cheri used the clear stamp border stamped her boarder then flipped it over matching the edges to create a bigger boarder strip then added a circle of Gentry's glitter.

Cheri is so talented and I love EVERYTHING that she designs!!!!!!!!

Off to go clean... I can't wait! (just kidding)

CRAZY weekend-

Watched Ty get an award by the Murray Liberty League for this hit over the fence- Grand Slam Homerun. They gave him $5.00. This was such a special moment for him!

Ty is in the RED SOX uniform. 

Then he pitched in the game-

Then the weekend was being a nurse and mom to my sweet Gentry. I stayed by her side to care for her. It was a very special weekend for me. I think God gives us ways to serve others to express our love. I am headed to Provo tomorrow to help my girl clean her dorm room and pack. She is coming home after her last final exam on Wednesday. She is doing "okay" now with the help of her AMAZING & sweet roommates and friends. 

I went to boot camp this morning. I was in full mode "DREAD" mood. I went and it really was hard. I had to dig really deep. As I drove there this morning, I kept saying to myself OUT LOUD... YOU CAN DO THIS... YOU are SO much STRONGER then you think you are... YOU are not a quitter. You get the picture- I was talking myself into being in the moment and enjoying it. It worked I worked HARD and when I thought I could go no more... I dug deep and thought of how much healthier I am becoming. I did 105 burpees today along with all the other exercises. I came home so tired but felt  like I am changing. I am not letting the negative talk STOP me anymore. I am almost into this 3 weeks. I am not sure what I am going to do when the six weeks is up. I am committed to exercise and am slightly addicted to those endorphins that I am feeling daily. So I will keep you posted...

I think I am motivated by so many of my family and friends- so many of you. My friend Brie made this for me:

She had made this girl- ME- to remind me that SHE is STRENGTH and LOVE. Brie made this to help remind how strong I am. I love it! I have it displayed so I can remind myself of this message. I love that she used my POSH papers to create this-

NOW... I wanted to show a project with my ON THE EDGE collection.

This On the Edge book is made by Maridette Cachola.

1/2 of On the Edge Chipboard book and cut it in half

Blingage Wings

distressed dots

On the Edge die cuts

I use this line over and over... thanks Maridette!

HARD DAY...

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

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

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

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

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

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

THANKFULLY- she is positive and happy. 

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

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

BOOT CAMP - 2 weeks DONE!

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

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

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

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

You light up my life -  by the talented Jamie Harder

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

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

MIXED MEDIA- NOTATIONS

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

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

Next, another inspiring project by Julie Jacob.

“Shadow Box” project

By Julie Jacob

Products Used:

7Gypsies black shadow box

NO2501 Notations “Flourish” - back

NO2502 Notations “Damask” - back

NO2506 Notations “Music” - back

NO2504 Notations “Chandelier” - front

Notations - Memory Album Kit - letter stickers

BL1926 Blingage “Carol’s Clocks”

BL1927 Blingage “Collin’s Keys”

BL1922 Blingage Alphabet Stamps

PH2117 Posh Trims

Black Cardstock

Cricut Expression - Plantin Schoolbook cartridge

Letter Stickers - October Afternoon, Basic Grey

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

3D foam squares - Thermoweb

2 - 4x6 photos

1 - wallet photo

 

Instructions for making:

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

7.  Add black rose trim to bottom edge.

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

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

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

 

 

 

NOTATIONS- Winners*****

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

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

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

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

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

 

Jodie said:

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

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

Misty-rn said:

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

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

KarenY said:

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

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

Please send me your information at [email protected]

THANK YOU!

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

 

My SUNDAY

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

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

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

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

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

Child 3: Look we are the same.

Child 4: silent because they could really care less

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

Oh, SHARING at the age of four!

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

This is what I saw next:

Oh, sharing is not always EASY!

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

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

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

I love Sundays!!!!!!

April TC Stampmaker- FREE Stamps

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

 

These are the FREE downloadable set of stamp negatives. 

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

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

 

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

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

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

LOVE that she made a HOME decor frame for EASTER!

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

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

I hope you enjoy the free monthly downloads. 

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

Have a GREAT Saturday...

NOTATIONS release*****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

Teresa Collins- MID-RELEASE NOTATIONS

Introducing my 12x12 NEW- NOTATIONS collection:

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

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

Here is a few layouts of using the new collection:

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

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

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

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

Isn't Maxson getting so big?

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

Lots more in the next few days to share!

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

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

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

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

Good LUCK!

BOOT CAMP- 1 WEEK

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

COMMITMENT-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oh, so now for the YOUR STORY machine winner:

Nik Weber said:

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

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

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

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

Good Things UTAH- today! PRIZE....

 

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

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

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

JUST post any comment to win-

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

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

My thoughts-

It is SNOWING here. I am home watching General Conference on the TV with my family. I have a tender heart today. I am so thankful for those tender mercies. I came across something that once I read it, I knew it hit home to me.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. we ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." I loved this. I am not sure who said it. I know that I am a firm believer in looking for the good in not only ourself but in others. We should build each other up. For well over a year, I have had constant and nonstop hurtful and threats from a person that wants to TEAR ME DOWN. This person has not stopped and has only gotten worse. I have come to realize that this trial was given to me to help me grow. I truly believe with all my soul that we will be accountable for what we do to others. I know that I have the hope and a firm belief that I am stronger than this trial. DAILY...as I get messages of UGLY, HATE and MEANNESS..I think... BITTER OR BETTER. It is your choice. IT is HOW I choose to respond and look at the constant harassment. I don't dwell on it. I KNOW that Heavenly Father loves me. I know he loves EACH of us. I am bigger than this. I will not share the UGLY on the blog now. I want you to come to my blog and feel the happiness that I truly have in my heart, home and family. However, I felt a strong need to share with YOU. IF you have someone or something that TEARS you down and HURTS or threatens you then- PLEASE dig deep and realize that YOU are of WORTH. No matter what you look like, your weight, etc. YOU ARE LOVED exactly as you are. I hope you know you are DIVINE. We are all Heavenly Father's children.  Maxson took his FIRST steps last night. Kayla and Matt caught it on video and posted on FACEBOOK. I cried with JOY! Such happy and tender moments of this sweet life. I sure love this little boy.  Thanks to all the girls who came out to Robert's Crafts last night. I was busy the entire time. I loved every moment of it. I love talking to all the girls. Kyle, one of my newest sales directors went to the event. It was his first time experiencing a creative event. I think he really enjoyed it! We made POSH crepe flowers. My husband and son's had a boy's night attending the men's session of General Conference. Then Ty took the boys to dinner. It's a father/son tradition.

It is SNOWING here today but I wanted to share with you the SWEETEST birdcage. Hopefully it will bring Spring here to Utah soon.

The Timeless altered Birdcage is designed by Colette Nederhoff. She is one of my design team members and she has a gift for altering items.

Timeless Altered Birdcage

INSTRUCTION SET #1

Supplies:
1 4X6 photo - vertical
Metal Birdcage Wall decor (found at Hobby Lobby)
TCD Timeless Pink Stripe Paper
TCD Timeless Time Clocks paper
TCD Timeless Gray Damask Paper
TCD Timeless Labels paper
TCD NOTATIONS paper kit- using 1 label
TCD Timeless Clear stamps
TCD Timeless trims
TCD Timeless Decorative Brads
Blingage:
Gentry’s glitter
Matt’s Wings
Ashley’s Necklace
Collin’s Keys
Stephanie’s gems
Script: Old Script
Black Stazon Ink

Adhesives: Glossy Accents, Glue Gun and Adtech Glue runner
Instructions:
1. I found this birdcage wall hanging at Hobby Lobby and spraypainted it flat white. The front
opens for easy access to decorating the inside.
2. Trace the shape of the back piece out of the Pink Stripe paper and glue the paper to the
backing. Punch out the frame from the NOTATIONS kit and Stamp a key on it at the
top.
3. Leaving at least a 1 ¼” space at the bottom of the backing, Place the photo, and the frame
as shown in photos and I then took a scrap of the gray
houndstooth and corner rounded the top edges. This scrap is only about ½” tall and
4” wide. Tuck under top of photo and use for journaling whatever you like. I stamped
a clock on the gray houndstooth (also a scrap) and cut out. I stamped the border
stamp along the right side of my photo and tucked the clock under the bottom right
corner to finish it off.
4. Cut a piece of the Timeless Flower Trim to fit the bottom of the backing. I placed a
Decorative brad in the center of each flower using a variety of styles. This strip
of trim is then glued along the bottom edge of the whole back of cage inside.
5. Using, Photoshop, I printed the words “Birds of a Feather Flock Together” using the
Old Script Font on a piece of the Gray Damask paper. I then freeform cut a bird
with the words in the center of the bird body. I applied a line of glue around the bird
shape and accented with Gentry’s glitter. Make an eye with a gem.
6. Cut out a crown and a label from the Labels paper. I glued the Crown to the birds head
and added gems to accent the crown. This bird and crown get glued to the outside
of the birdcage and I placed the journaling label below it. Secure all of these with hot glue
7. I cut a piece of the Black lace trim and attached the wings, key and Ashley’s necklace.
This gets tied on to one of the upper left hand sides of the bars to dangle.
8. I used the remaining Timeless Pink Flower trim to make the accents at the top and both the
flowers at top have brads in them. The final flower is used inside with a brad in center to
add to the upper left corner of photo.
9. Journal whatever you wish on the tags inside with a Zig pen.

Colette's Comments:

I found this flat-backed metal birdcage at Hobby Lobby and knew it had to be a cool scrapbook project.   This cage opens up so it was easy to trace the back of it and cover it with the paper and embellishments.  The Timeless Paper Line is awesome and coordinated so well with the GIRLY photo of my daughter and her best friend.  I also incorporated a fancy label from the Notations line.   I wanted to include dangly things so that meant the Blingage and also the Timeless trims.   To make the Bird, I typed with OLD Script in Photoshop and printed onto the Gray Damask Paper.  I cut out a bird and then glittered the edges to make it sparkle.  The crown was added to the

bird's head.  I glued the bird, AND a label from the Timeless Labels to the outside of the cage.  

 

 

I loved it and hope you do to! 

I will be going on Good Things Utah tomorrow- Monday at 10:00 am. I will go to boot camp first and then RACE home for a quick change and head to the studio. This will be a great day! * I feel so much better today. I am much faster on my stairs. I am sure tomorrow will be another hard day at boot camp- I will be ready.

Boot Camp DAY 3- Robert's CRAFT TONIGHT

I was so busy yesterday. I rushed from boot camp to go film a "infomercial" with Shannon. This was the first day of doing anything other than boot camp. I got up and went to boot camp first even though I could barely move. I honestly know that prayer is what helped me endure it. I was MORE sore than ever. I got there and we did "intense" weight training for 30 minutes. We did several rounds with the rubber (resistance bands). I have never used these before but I really love them. I realize that in only 3 workouts that my core is getting stronger. 

Next, we went outside to PUSH our cardio "self." One of the trainers put me in a harness and attached to the back of my harness was a long rope that he held. I had to run and he was holding the ropes to hold me in place. I had to work hard to run as he was holding me back. It was so hard and yet the trainer kept encouraging me, "harder, harder, YOU CAN do this... don't stop...go... harder, harder, DON'T GIVE UP...GIVE IT YOUR ALL!" Well, I did. I kept telling myself, "GIVE IT YOUR ALL... BELIEVE in yourself." I worked through the pain. 

I have only did this 3 days but I realize WHY this is working for me. I work best when I have something I am accountable to. The trainers are there watching and pushing you. This helps me to DO MORE! I can't just say..."Oh, I'm tired and I think I'll just work out 20 minutes today. " That is not an option here. I realize that THEY PUSH me to do things I would never have done. I am a huge fan of this type of training for ME! I realize to see results that I have ONE HOUR a day at the gym and 23 HOURS a day to decide how this will change my body and fitness level. I am still doing weight watchers and will FOREVER. It is NOT a diet but a sensible way for me to sustain my weight (or lose if I choose!). I lost 6 lbs in 3 days with boot camp. THIS IS NOT THE NORM. I know this. I think I lost more because I went from ZERO  activity to extreme work outs... PLUS I am writing down everything I eat and am doing the WW program. I have "no goal" in mind. For me, it's to get in the best possible shape of my life. Hmmmm... numbers on a scale are not really a good guideline to access this. Right- you can be skinny and weigh less but be in poor shape. I am working for physical fitness, hopefully less "jiggle" and more energy. Oh, and working out is good for the SOUL. Yes, those happy good feelings of working out are the BEST!

I could not bend down yesterday and when I went to go film, I asked that I just STAND there and not have to move or bend. HA! Filming went great and I had to go buy supplies for my make n take in Orem (it's TONIGHT!). I walked in the store and felt just grateful to be able to walk- although SLOW! I am super excited for the make n take and Girl's Night Out tonight at the OREM location of Robert's Crafts from 5:00- 9:00 pm. Join us for a free make n take and a fun night out!

Last night, our family went to Zach's baseball game. It was so fun! Zach was pitching and he just loves playing. It shows and our family comes together to support him. Matt, Kayla, Maxson, Ty, Taylor and Spencer were there to cheer his team on. Zach pitched the entire game. They won 12-1. However, Zach was walked THREE times. This was bugging him I could tell. It's pretty hard on him- he is 13U now and he is often walked when he is at bat. Hmmmm.... anyway, the drive home was long with Zach feeling a little frustrated. 

Okay...enjoying General Conference today! My soul is inspired. My soul needed the messages. I am grateful oh so grateful. My SOUL is happy and I am happy.

Now... time to go for my hour long walk/run. Here I go!