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This is a necklace that Maridette Cochola designed- She just tied each end of the blingage to the satin grey ribbon and voila..instant necklace. Maridette's BLOG
I feel inspired. Nothing like taking your crafting supplies to a new level.
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I'm officially DONE with all the kits for my visit to EVER AFTER. It took a LONG time this round. I put in A LOT ...I mean A LOT into my class kits. I am shipping TEN huge boxes for the two workshops that I will be teaching. I always like to put "non scrapbooking FAVE items into my kits" and then I have to try to find them again. WHY do I do this? ha- This time I had 50 really ornate cool buttons but I had to go to 8 stores to find them again. I ordered the photos for the workshops- 2,030 prints. Yes, I do 4x6 photos of every single page. There is one of me and I know that having the visuals is vital for a good class when we have so many students. It's worth it to me to be able to teach a workshop that is all about being "creative" and not being stressed.
I even have a ENTIRE PINK suitcase of random products that I will have out during class as a "bonus" creative center. I have so many products that I thought it would be fun to try this out. I am going to bring an entire suitcase for the students to get to use whatever they want. What is not used by the end of Saturdays workshop- I will donate to a local charity. IF you are in the workshops please know that I will be giving away all of the products that I am bringing. If you coming to the workshops PLEASE bring a box or tote to take your product home with you.
Okay... I am having a VERY tender mommy day. I am overflowing with LOVE and HAPPINESS tonight. I have always felt my "life" calling is to be a mommy. I LOVE being a mother. It brings me the most happiness and when I create it's EVEN MORE wonderful because I am doing it for my family too. I love preserving the memories. This week DRILL TEAM competitions begin. McKay is in 12th grade and this is her LAST YEAR! This week, I have to help do the drill team dinner on Thursday, Decorate the girls lockers, make breakfast for 19 girls on Saturday morning by 7:30 am when the buses leave for UVU, and decorate the MHS display case for the drill team. Hmmm.... I love how crazy busy I am AND that I am able to do this for McKay and her friends. I am crazy busy but I just take it day by day. I went to their practice tonight to pick up McKay's photos for the drill team this year. Truth be told, McKay did not like the photos. She choose her clothes and well, she wore a dress and shirt that wasn't flattering (or so she thinks!). I put them on FACEBOOK and looked at all the photos. I am so thankful for these photos. I wish she could see HERSELF the way I do. I see her kindness in her eyes, I see her potential in life, I see a little girl who I will love forever. I wish she wasn't so hard on herself. I know someday she will CHERISH these photos with her darling friends. Here are a few of my favorites:
McKay age 17-
Okay... I love the B & W version and the color version. I like the color version because you can see how beautiful her light blue eyes are.
2011-2012 Murray High School Drill Team
A group shot of the Captains this year-
That's my baby... oh, yes... she is my youngest daughter and she will forever be my baby. ha! I love being her mother. This week we are working to get all the college applications in by December 1st. It's a happy and sad thought to know she is going to college next year. I'm so happy for her, but we will miss her so much.
I wanted to mention the photographer of the photos. If you are in UTAH- he is amazing! Michael Scott Sandberg www.michaelscott03.wordpress.com email: michaelscott03@gmail.com
Phone: 801-419-8645
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You know it's simply the BEST when your surrounded by those that you love so much- your family!!!! We had some fun times over the Thanksgiving holiday. ALL of our kids were able to come to our house this year. I think the best part was the constant laughter that was heard. I ate WAY too much and enjoyed Grandma, Kayla's and Taylor's desserts. Yes, I tried them all! Calories on Thanksgiving do not count- right?
(Matt and Tyler)
The house was decorated with the focus of being GRATEFUL!
Thank you Brie for making this stand for me. I love it. I used Giving Thanks to have a gratitude message displayed.
The table was simple- GRATITUDE (made with TC Cricut Sophisticated Cartridge and cut out of my 12x12 black flocked paper!).
I had labels for the entire family to write their gratitude thoughts on and to hang on the tree.
Most of the thoughts were meaningful, but of course, the kids got a little silly and wrote things like... I am grateful for "Justin Bieber." That was Gentry and that is what I love that we have silly times to go along with our more serious times. I love it when Grandma Collins (Ty's mother) can be with us. She is full of wisdom and she is so strong in her beliefs. I gain so much from her. PS Matt is always smiling. He was playing with my Crop o dile and then he broke it. Yes, he tried to punch a hole in a penny and it broke one side of my tool. It was funny even though I am sad that one of my fave tools is now broken.
The tree is now full of sentiments. * I forgot to take a photo of it filled up!
Maxson was just the sweetest. Yes, that is a FAKE mustache on him. McKay had a few from a drill team gift and the kids wore them. Maxson wore his for a long time. What a crack up!
The girls LOVE playing with Maxson. He is into BALLS, Mickey Mouse, and CARS (the movie!). The girls love him so much. I love watching the girls take care of him! Kayla is VERY pregnant and will have the baby next weekend by induction. I knew she was not wanting to be in any photos, since she is so close to having her baby.
Matt, Zach and Ty playing basketball. Ty is wearing the mask because he was so cold (yes, even though he is wearing SHORTS in the Winter!) Love to watch the boys together.
McKay had her wisdom teeth out the day before Thanksgiving, but she was not in any pain and was able to eat most everything. So grateful that she recovered so FAST!
Ty made the BEST Turkey this year. It was the best that we have ever had. It was SUPER MOIST. He put apple, oranges, and celery inside the turkey and cooked it on 240 degrees for 7 hours. We have lots left for SOUP and Zach takes his lunch every day to school.
Then McKay opened up the FAKE mustaches for the kids to play with. We all laughed some good laughs!
I am thinking this could be our new family photo and Christmas card! ha-
I love my family and am thankful that when we are together we know how to laugh at each other and be silly. This year, my gratitude is OVERFLOWING with feelings of appreciation for EVERYTHING that God has given me. I hope that you were able to have a special holiday surrounded by those that you love and who love you!
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My daughter Gentry called me Saturday morning. She said, " Mom, do you have FIVE minutes to listen to my talk that I am giving at church tomorrow?" Of course, I stopped what I was doing and listened as she read the following talk to me. I was crying as she read her thoughts and feelings. I knew that that she had a great understanding at a young age of appreciation. For this, as her mother...I am THANKFUL. I felt so touched that I called Gentry and asked her to email her talk to me. I read it again. Then last night, I called her again. I asked her permission to share it today on my blog. Here is what she said in her talk:
Gratitude 11/19/11- talk given by Gentry:
*Gentry on right with her roommate-
With Thanksgiving being this next week I have been asked to speak on Gratitude. One thing that is important to remember though is that although this season is centered around gratitude it is important to live with gratitude every day of our lives. President David O. Mckay said “Gratitude is deeper than thanks. Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” Somebody once said that “feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
Gratitude is something that should be expressed daily through prayer. One of my favorite quotes is “what if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?” One idea to help you do this could be that once a week you have one prayer dedicated to being grateful to the Lord. Express your thanks in every prayer, but during this prayer only tell the Lord how grateful you are for the many things in your life.
While there may be times in your life that you don’t feel gratitude, there is always something to be grateful for and we need to express that gratitude to the Lord. Gratitude is a habit that can be cultivated. If we work at being grateful and expressing our gratitude daily, eventually we will be in a habit living with a grateful disposition.
In the March 2010 Ensign Vaughn E Worthen lists some more things that we can do to cultivate gratitude in ourselves and others. First, he states that we can keep a gratitude journal. He says to record three to five blessings or tender mercies in our lives. It could be lessons learned, improvements, a positive relationship with someone, or an experience you had. Write your thoughts on them instead of merely listing them because the purpose is to relive them and want to have those feeling again. Next he says we can make a gratitude visit. Think of somebody that has done something kind to you that you have never thanked. It could be a teacher, grandparent, friend, employer, coworker, or parent. Write that person a letter about what they did for you and how it made you feel and then deliver it to them.
In a talk by President Thomas S. Monson he tells of expressing Gratitude. He states: “The United States Post Office dead-letter department receives annually thousands and thousands of children’s pre-Christmas letters addressed to Santa Claus asking for things. After it was all over one year, a single, solitary letter thanking Santa Claus was received. Could this be one of the problems of this troubled world; that people think only of getting—not giving? Of receiving—and not even expressing their gratitude for that which they do receive?”
Next we need to eliminate ungrateful thoughts. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles counseled, “No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse.” He suggests to make a list of your misfortunes and then replace them with things that you are grateful for. Next he says to train yourselves to use gratitude language. Practice saying thank you more often to those around you. Finally he says to enjoy the journey. While we make goals about where we want to get in life, it may not be a fast process. We need to remind ourselves of our progress.
Next I want to talk about how gratitude can make us happy in life. Many times when we are going through a trial or things aren’t going as planned it is tempting to murmur. In 1st Nephi 18:16 Nephi states “I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions” Giving thanks to our Lord and expressing our gratitude for helping us endure will help increase our happiness. God has blessed us with so much in our lives and we need to take the time to recognize all that he has given us. The Lords hand is in all things. He does not love it when we suffer. If we realize how much he has blessed us with, we would see that if the Lord blessed us based on our best efforts we would have so much less than we do now.
Gratitude can play a large part in how an experience is perceived. Winter semester of last year my friends and I went to a tumbling gym about a week before finals started. About five minutes after arriving my foot got caught in the trampoline springs as I was jumping and I broke it. That next week I was on campus studying feeling very sorry for myself. Getting around campus was difficult, I couldn’t really do anything for the next month and a half, and why did it have to happen right before finals week. So I was sitting there feeling sorry for myself thinking “why me” when a girl crutched by with only one leg. I think that was God telling me in that moment that I am really blessed in my life. While I might not be able to walk for a while, that girl would never be able to. I needed to start looking at all that I did have in my life instead of all that I was missing. I am not saying that I was happy that I couldn’t walk for the next month, but every time I needed a reminder about all that I had I would look back on that moment and it helped me so much.
I found a quote that states “ Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, and confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, and a stranger into a friend.”
In President Monson’s talk “attitude of Gratitude” he lists many things we should be grateful for. The final thing we should be grateful for is Our Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ. President Monson states: “His glorious gospel provides answers to life’s greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where does my spirit go when I die? He taught us how to pray. He taught us how to serve. He taught us how to live. His life is a legacy of love. The sick He healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He saved. Only He stood alone. Some Apostles doubted; one betrayed Him. The Roman soldiers pierced His side. The angry mob took His life. There yet ring from Golgotha’s hill His compassionate words, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” I am so grateful for all that the savior has done for me and blessed me with in my life. Because of all that he has done and still does for us we are able to live happy and fulfilling lives with the promise of eternal happiness if we live righteously. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I am so thankful for Gentry and that she gave this beautiful talk that was a great reminder to me to always count my blessings. She is on her way home now and I am so HAPPY! I love having the entire family home for the next few days. This is indeed something to be GRATEFUL for.
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With thanksgiving just around the corner here is a project by Julie Jacob. Thank you so much Julie for this project!
Hi ladies...
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I love THANKSGIVING!!!! It is my favorite holiday. I have such a HUGE feeling of appreciation and gratitude in my heart and I am always trying to find ways to express and show it. When I designed the GIVING THANKS collection, it was from a deep desire to design a line that would help others do the same.
This Thanksgiving, I designed some home decor DIY projects with this line. I wanted to show you my table in my family room. I will share with you some of my DIY tips and tricks on how to recreate them in an affordable and creative way!
Let's start with the frames. I have FIVE here. I purchased all of these frames at Hobby Lobby. I am NOT endorsed by HL, but I truly LOVE their frame selections. Also, their frames are constantly on sale. These were purchased at 50% off.
*Giving Thanks paper in large frame.
In each frame you will find three that have quotes that were cut from my gratitude 12x12 tag paper (Giving Thanks collection). One frame has our family photo. The largest frame is a 11x14 cream distressed frame. I simply cut my 12x12 Giving Thanks paper to fit the inside size of the frame. I purchased the bling letters G I V E at Hobby Lobby for $1.99 for each letter. They have an adhesive back, and I adhered them to the OUTSIDE of the glass frame. I wanted the sparkle and shine to not be behind the glass.
This is the upclose view of one of the frames with the quote from the paper. This quote is what inspired my entire line. I thought it was only appropriate that I framed the quote.
The next two DIY frames- again from the sheet of paper- "As I started LOOKING, I found more and more." and the die cut circle LIVE WITH GRATITUDE.
These were simple and quick DIY projects and I think they add meaning to the holiday.
One of my absolute favorite DIY tips is to LOOK at your beautiful scrapbook papers as potential home decor projects. I love that you can create UNIQUE and customized looks by using your creative imagination. Hope you enjoy and have a fabulous Friday. I am going on a date tonight with Ty. It was funny. We have been married for many years and last night we were getting ready for bed and he asked me out on a date for tonight. I giggled and accepted. I love it!
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Today I wanted to show how to design and hand create your own GRATITUDE TREE.I will be on Good Things Utah Channel 4 TV at 10am this morning. I wanted to create a meaningful project for my home and family.
Looking for the perfect way to display and create meaning to your home for Thanksgiving? There is no better time then to create your own tree. To make it simple you can print your own labels with my free download of gratitude words and labels. This is the perfect way for your family and friends to display what truly means the most to you!
Step 1:
You can get branches from your own yard or visit your local craft store to buy them premade. *project branches purchased from Hobby Lobby Craft store.
Step 2:
To hold your branches, use a wire topiary from your local craft store. You could also use a large planter.
Step 3:
Place the branches inside the wire topiary.
Step 4:
Add glitter branches to add some fun holiday feel.I love the glitter!
My tree is very tall. I love this! However, you could create your tree in any size.
I love the glitter addition to my tree. The tree is festive and sparkly.
Step 5:
Add speciality pieces to add to your home look and décor.
Step 6:
Display in your home in a place that visitors and family will be able to enjoy and see.
I have my GRATITUDE tree in the front room of my house. I want to fill the tree up with tags and expressions of gratitude.
Step 7:
Print out the PDF files and create your own labels. Some are blank so that you can write in your own words the things that you are grateful for! The others ones are preprinted with words.
Teresa Collin's FREE DOWNLOADS- for personal use only:
Download Tcgratitudetreeblank-4
This is a view of the free TC downloads:
Step 9:
This is your way to get your family involved and see what every one is thankful for this year. Punch a hole along top of tags that you print. Hang from tree branches with bakers twine.
Step 10:
This is what it is all about- having your family each write their blessings on the tree. These are the memories that will truly make your Thanksgiving special.
Upclose of my son Ty's tag. PRICELESS!!!!
Next I showed how to take regular candles and make them into a festive THANKSGIVING appropriate home decor display. Simply print out the download that I created here:
You have the letters to do GIVE THANKS. I did GIVE by cutting out each indivdual letter and adhereing each individual letter to a candle. There is some blank frames to write inside for your gratitude tree too. I simply love this and it was less than $12.00 for all four candles.
I will be showing more of the projects I am showing on TV later this week. I used my Giving Thanks paper collection- so if you have the collection, you can recreate what I am showing.
I hope you will feel inspired to create your own GRATITUDE projects just in time for Thanksgiving!
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These are FREE for your personal use only- enjoy!!!!
This is NOT cut off when you download. Just had to quickly post it on the blog...going now to tape more MCC episodes.
I hope you enjoy and that you are enjoying my episodes on My Craft Channel!!!!!
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I am COLD. Yes, I have this problem in that I am always freezing. It is cold now here. I normally even wear a cold all day in the house. I will workout and about 20 minutes after working out...I am again FREEZING. I have to admit, that I love being home during the winter months because it is colder. I tend to not go out as much after it's dark. I make LOTS of soup! It's my go to lunch and dinner for the family. Another thing...I make hot chocolate EVERY night to warm us up. So as much as I am not a cold weather girl...I love how it brings our family home more. I am so grateful for the change of season.
Today I had a SEOP with Zach. She talked about Zach going into 9th grade next year. She mentioned he will only have FOUR years of school left. My heart is NOT ready. TIME goes by way too fast! Then I took McKay to the oral surgeon. She has been hurting. Her THREE (she is missing the fourth) wisdom teeth are coming in. Due to her school and drill schedule she asked me to schedule the surgery the DAY before Thanksgiving. I told her that I think she is crazy, but she wants to get it over with. We are having Thanksgiving at our home this year. I am excited that Matt, Kayla and Maxson will be with us. I am sad that the girls will be at their dads. Happy- for him of course...but sad to not have them here. I am LUCKY that I have the ENTIRE family here for Christmas though. THIS makes me SO happy!
Tomorrow I will be filming for My CRAFT CHANNEL. Then I will be home and preparing for my GTU Channel 4 Gratitude segment on Wednesday. Tonight I am very tired...so it's time to retire.
I thought I would share some sunshine today- a beautiful project by Stacy Rodgriquez. She is so talented!!!!!!
Carolina Breeze mini album
Gorgeous... love the happy YELLOW!!!!! Hope you do too-
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Here are the details:
Oh yes, the name was necessary!!! wink-
The Scrap Yard presents
Teresa Collins
BLING IT ON CANADA!
DATE:
August 2nd – 5th, 2012
LOCATION:
Hyatt Regency
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
TICKETS: $375 each
DESCRIPTION:
Attendees will participate in two classes taught by Teresa Collins. Two of Teresa Collins’ hand-picked instructors for two additional classes,
one class by Calgary’s premier “Shabby Chic” instructor
and one class by Calgary’s own 7 gypsies instructor.
That is SIX projects!!!!
Now you may be wondering who the other TWO American Instructors are that I recommended to Lori to come teach along with me at this event. They are SUPER talented and I knew that CANADA would LOVE to have them teach. They both offer... over the top inspiration. I will give you are little hint about each of them-
1.One instructor has only boys. She is a regular guest on Channel 4 TV and always uses her mind to be over the top CREATIVE!
2. The second instructor designs beautiful products and resides in Texas. She is known for how innovative her projects are!
....oh, let's see if you can guess! I am going to do a fun little contest. If you pick the two instructors that will be coming along with me to CANADA- I am going to give you $100.00 worth of Teresa Collins product. Yes, you will get a big big box of all things Teresa Collins. I have not done a contest in a while.
To enter simply visit my FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/tcdesigns page and share your guess. If you are not on facebook then you can email me your guess at teresa@teresacollinsdesigns.com.
I am super excited and I hope you will join us!!!! All are welcome and invited.PS There will be lots of BLING!!!!! I plan to go stay a couple days after the event to sightsee. Doesn't that sound fun?
CANADA I can't wait!!!!!
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I flew on Tuesday for a big business meeting. I fly out early in the morning and got home late that night. A really quick day trip. I was pretty tired. I got home and my entire main floor and kitchen was spotless. I thanked my husband- he does this to help me out. He knows I hate messes...they drive me crazy. Then the next morning, we have two carpools. I set my alarm for 6:45am. My alarm goes off and he said, "No... DO NOT get out of bed, I am doing carpool. You need to rest and you always work so hard." I have to say, he does this for me OFTEN. He is busy and yet he knows I am really not a morning person. If he can, he will try to help me and do carpool. I am thankful for this.
So today I am preparing for my little trip to get the photos taken, our neices wedding tomorrow, and working on my TV segment next week. PS YOU will love that I am going to have FREE GRATITUDE PDF downloads for you to do it yourself... next Wednesday! Now for some creative inspiration-
post by Maridette Cochola-
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I wanted to share more of the Carolina Breeze project with you. I am loving Julie's project. I hope you enjoy her inspiration too-
Carolina Breeze Portland mini book part two-
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I am gearing up for the holidays and planning my last store visit for the year. I will be going to EVER AFTER Scrapbook store in Southern Calfornia. This is my 5 year anniversary- tradition of visiting the store in December. TIME FLIES!!!!!!! I have had so many emails about purchasing the kits that I decided to revisit the projects and information again.
Each year I create a December Daily Countdown album. I have a page for each day of the month. Each page is 1-25
and has the options of making it a full 31 day album. At this busy time of the year, having an album ready
helps me feel more prepared. We will be using a 8.25 x 9.25"h binder album that we will be altering and
painting RED in class. We will be adding a beautiful FRAME to the cover and sparkly jingle bell ornaments to
the binder spine. We will do all the interior pages and the binder album will allow you to later punch holes in
photos, cards and add anything to my book. Each day of the month starting in December take photos and take
notes to represent our holiday season and thoughts. Please bring these to the workshop with you- yes, a little
homework. Journaling is an important part of the process. In this day long workshop, we will be hands on painting,
stamping and SEWING! Note: Sewing will be completely OPTIONAL. Things to think about including in your
December binder album: your children’s “WISH LIST” in their own handwriting, the food you are creating, photos
of your home, holiday plans, who you visited, the service you provided, etc. It is a way to truly capture your
holiday month and how you celebrate those special times!
*ornate frame on the cover of binder album. Please note- there will be a selection of beautiful
ornate frames to choose from for your album cover.
*
SOME OF THE PAGES of the BINDER ALBUM- this workshop will be all day so that you can completely finish both projects!
Did I mention we are SEWING????? I hope you won't be scared away. It's so fun!
The second project we will create on Saturday is a canvas travel journal. This is going to be the book that I journal and document ALL my travels in 2012 in.
TRAVEL JOURNAL 2012
During our all day workshop will will be creating a TRAVEL JOURNAL to document EVERY WHERE you travel to in 2012
(or you could do any year!). This brand new workshop has never been taught and you will love it's size and texture.
Create a large CANVAS 8x10 trip journal to document all the places you go to... near or far- for the next year.
We will paint on canvas and have a completed album ready to document your upcoming travels.
I hope you can join me for a creative fun filled weekend with friends!!!!
EVER AFTER SCRAPBOOKS
1954 Hacienda Blvd, Vista CA 92081
(760)-630-2767
You can call the store directly if you would like a kit only. For those of you who may not get into the class or simply cannot
travel to the store location, the kit can be mailed to you. You will be provided with a CD with page by page color visuals of the projects along with your kit.
Now another project with CAROLINA BREEZE that I adore:
Julie Jacob-Carolina Breeze Portland mini book part one (part two will be tomorrow on the blog!)
*Carolina Breeze and Travelogue mixture: Teresa Collins Designs
I love that Carolina Breeze is NOT themed and can be used for anything! Thank you Julie-
I am headed for a one day business trip tomorrow. I leave early to catch the plane but will take a late afternoon flight to be back home tomorrow night. I am so excited about this trip and I also love that I'm able to sleep in my own bed tomorrow night. I'm very excited to share with you all the wonderful things happening in my creative world.
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It was my mother in law's birthday. It was a Friday night. I had the most painful, intense headache I had ever experienced. I was 7 months pregnant. I had a stroke that night. It changed my life FOREVER.
Today...it has been 13 years. I have been so blessed. I have not had another stroke, even though the neurologist told me- "You are a walking time bomb!." I was told I would be on Cumadin (blood thinner) for the rest of my life. I don't want this blog post to focus on that awful night and the aftermath. I will say that I had FAITH that I would survive that night, that I would recover and that my baby would be okay. I just knew God was there and had answered the prayers of a pleading mother. It was not my time yet. I later felt so strongly through prayer, that I needed to get off the blood thinner. I knew it was all going to be okay. The doctors thought I was wrong and was making a mistake.
TODAY... I am so thankful and would feel so unappreciative if I did not verbally express how I feel. I am so fortunate to be here. We went to church today. I forgot the treats for my church Primary class. One of the four year old girls cried and cried. She said, "But, I'm starving and I need a treat!." I felt so bad. They are used to their little treats after our lesson.
Then we went to Heber, Utah to visit Grandma Collins. As a family- 24 of us total went to Cowboy Church together. It is like Cowboy Poetry, but today was dedicated to a church service (nondenominational). It was quite uplifting and I most loved being with the extended family.
We all went to Grandma's house to have dinner and celebrate her birthday today. I am lucky to have married into a large family.
Of course, there was cake and ice cream and lots of laughing together.
I know that one day the kids will CHERISH these memories of being with their family and at Grandma's house. (Zach and McKay)
A group shot. I wish more of the family would have been able to be here.
I wanted to take a group photo of Carol and her three kids- Ty, Leann, and Bret. I know how important it is to take these photos!
Happy Birthday Grandma!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here is Grandma with her grandkids. PRICELESS!!!!!!
Of course, the kids always have a great time together. Joe and Jake are cousins and we need to see them more!!!!
TODAY was a very good day. Each and every day that we have on earth is a gift and I live each day with appreciation in my heart for more TIME with my family. I wanted to share today WHAT is overflowing in my heart and mind.
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Today was a girls day. Taylor and McKay and I went to Provo for the day. Kayla was having her baby shower. She is having a little girl in ONE month. Her friends hosted a very nice SPRINKLE shower for her. Of course, we loved that Maxson was there too. Gentry lives in Provo now since she goes to college there. It was a nice day to celebrate the newest addition SOON to come into our family.
Maxson is so active it is really hard to get any photos with him.
Gentry LOVES college, her roommates and she even got a job on campus. Both Matt and Gentry are going to BYU right now.
Kayla thinks she is huge, but I think she is absolutely adorable at 8 months pregnant. She is really such a a great mother.
I think Maxson is adorable and I love this little guy so much!
Merrick (Kayla's friend) hosted the shower and did beautiful food and decor.
Loved the pink around the cups!
A chocolate cake from Costco...I resisted the temptation!
We filled out the ADVICE card for Kayla and Matt.
I love HELLO KITTY and knew the baby needed her. ha!
Maxson decided to dress himself and choose the GREEN sneakers. I loved them!
Kayla opening gifts. The baby is a girl and they are naming her Azalea (like the flower). Everyone is so excited for the new addition to the family.
I love this look on his face.
Kayla has a great group of friends. They have a book club, a mommy's play group and they support each other during this stage of their life. I remember these days. I had Taylor when I was at BYU too.
I simply love being with my girls. Today was just amazing and filled "my mommy cup" to the brim.
This was my FAVORITE photo from today. It is blurry, but I love this moment as I was holding Maxson and looking up at him. I adore him!!!!!!
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Halloween photos from our family- *note most of my family are not at our home this year.
I had to start with cute little Maxson. He is too CUTE here holding up the sign- "Will WORK 4 CANDY" with his mommy Kayla. He is a awesome little boy! Kayla is having her baby next month too. A little girl they are naming Azalea.
Gentry was with her group of college friends. She LOVES BYU and her friends!!!! She is in the cowgirl hat (gray).
I love that she is enjoying her time at school so much! This is Katie and Dani- her roommates.
McKay and her friends went to a girlfriends to get dressed as Zombie Girls. They then went to a trick or treat party! This is a little spooky... wish I was there to get some more photos.
Here at the house...we gave out lots of candy.
Tyler decided he did not want to go trick or treating so he carved a pumpkin instead.
He drew his own pattern and began to cut.
This is his creation. Yes, remember he is a 12 year old boy. The kids coming to the door actually really liked it. ha!
I did not eat ONE piece of candy. I knew if I started to eat it...it would be bad. I am trying hard to stay away from sugar and limit my intake.
This is a sign that I have in my house. LOVE the orange glitter letters!
I have now put all Halloween decor away and I am focusing with my family on GRATITUDE and being more thankful. I will be showing my home decor here on the blog and on a segment for Channel 4- Good Things Utah on November 16th. Each day I will post a favorite gratitude quote on my blog:
Have a GREAT day!
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I am so honored to be asked to teach at CKU reunion. It was held in San Diego this past weekend. I wanted to share how much fun it was and share my experience & photos with you. I was inspired, uplifted and feel so thankful for this opportunity. It was a mixture of workshops: scrapbooking, sewing, mixed media canvas, jewelry, and more. First, I was teaching with with such wonderful instructors. I simply love these girls. It was a great line up of teachers. I was thankful to meet up with Jodi Sanford on the shuttle to the hotel. She is beyond down to earth and she is full of heart. I love how she talked about her sweet family. FANCY PANTS is amazing and I love knowing her and how she puts her family first. Then I met up with Jen Cushman and Kristen Robinson with Ice Resin. I LOVE THESE girls!!!!! I am in love with their product and I am in awe at the talent that these girls possess. Like I told JEN- SHE is the REAL DEAL! Kristen is too. They are mixed media artist and I am so fortunate to have them as my friends. As always love to see Megan H. She is a breathe of fresh air. She has a kind heart and we just click. Her album was amazing too! Michelle Hill was teaching and she had the CUTEST homemade project ever. The ruffles and the colors just were so beyond creative and cool. I think she is super sweet and she just has the best personality. I love that she is passionate about the hobby. Sam from Technique Tuesday is beyond the sweetest- coolest girl ever. I wish I lived closer to her. Her album was over the top cool!!!!! Plus, I met up with Christy Tomlinson & Ben (her husband) again. She truly inspired me again this weekend. I am so grateful that she was willing to share from her heart and she helped me in so many ways. I admire how strong she is and her husband is so funny and he is such a good husband! Stacy Julian was teaching and she always reminds me of what is most important and real. I wish I would have been able to take all of their workshops!
I admit I am biased but my album track girls ROCKED!!! We had so much fun. I was so grateful to get to share with them and vice versa. We had a great time together.
Photo- some of the student in my album track.
Take one...
Photo TAKE two...there is TODD jumping in the photo
Photo TAKE three- Todd is still distracting some of us
PHOTO take four...Todd decided to join the party. He is CKU staff and a really funny guy!
This is more women in the album track. (sorry this was late in the day and we are missing many of you from this class!) This one was taken outside. It was GORGEOUS weather in San Diego. I love it!
The hotel was beautiful and EVERYONE there was so nice to us.
The candy bar was a HUGE success!!!!!!!
Earleen is a constant source of good times when she is around. LOVED having her in my album track. I think she thinks I am kidding, but I want to go on a girls trip with Annette and Earleen. LOVE these girls!
She took a photo of me and I took a photo of her. FUN TIMES!!!!!
Sharing some projects in my workshop.
Many many laughs and good times were had. (Annette)
The girls loved the stamping station and the comfortable pace of the workshop.
The girls from Japan (four of them) were so fun to have in my class again. They are so full of appreciation and truly inspired me with their journal. They are troopers- they had been to the SPARK event the week before. I love their enthusiasm and love for the hobby!
This doesn't look like it here... but this is the CRAZY GIRLS. Yes, only in the best possible way. I loved their non-stop laughter and chit chat. It was a FUN group and I loved getting to know them.
Many students brought their travel photos with them. They were working hard to create their album.
THIS WAS SO REWARDING... I was so FORTUNATE to have these three beautiful girls in my class. This is THREE generations of scrapbookers. Jordyn is only 12 years old. She is with her mother and her grandmother. They were so cute together. Jordyn and I bonded. I encouraged her OVER and OVER and made her promise me that she would JOURNAL. I encouraged her to journal her feelings and life and take photos along the way. She is quite talented too! This family is beautiful and I am inspired by them.
PROOF- there is many of you that do READ the instructions. ha!
P
Kathy- you girl are inspiring. Always smiling and happy and just a pleasure to know!
Janet and Veronica...two amigos...thanks for taking care of me. I am so thankful for their help. I was in so much pain due to my back. Janet gave me medicine and food to keep me going. They were always making sure I had something to eat and drink. They know me too well...I forget to eat and drink while I am teaching.
These two beautiful girls are from Brazil. They love this hobby and it shows. They make me want to go to Brazil and teach there!!!!
This was the stamping station- using Blingage alphabet set and the World Traveler stamps!
Jennifer Priest...she is very talented. I loved getting to know her.
Angela was truly the sweetest. I appreciate the story that she shared about her brother.
Saturday night was the commencement with Lisa Bearnson giving a keynote address.
I am fortunate to know Lisa and I was looking forward to hearing her talk. I knew she would share great insight and inspire me. She did just that!
Lisa talked to us about "FINDING JOY IN THE JOURNEY"
She shared things with us that will help us to find that JOY. This was the first point. I hope you don't mind but I took notes ( I always have a notebook & pen in my purse).
1. Surround yourself with HAPPY photos.
I have so many at home. I know that this is true. I made a decision to take MORE photos and display them.
2. Good, Better, BEST-
Every day look for the Good, and the BETTER and then the BEST. Focus on being positive!
3. Put on the GLAM-
4. Turn it off and turn it on.
5. Light YOUR candle
6. A good book is the hospital for the mind.
Lisa recommends: "The Greatest", The Noticer, STAR GIRL and The Hiding Place.
7. Serve everyday.
8. Remember This
9. Never, ever GIVE UP
10. Do it together
11. Write it down
12. Happy Memories equals Happy Scrapbooks.
credit: Lisa Bearnson
She is amazing and I am so thankful for this reminder. I was "feed" from listening to her. She shares from the heart and I know that what she said is ways for each of us to enjoy "our" journey. Thank you CKU- thank you Emily Haskell for all the work you did and for answering a million emails. YOUR the best! Thanks Brooke and Annette for helping me so much at the event. These girls are so fun. Oh, and thanks TODD for being a total goof ball...in a very good way!
Thank you girls for taking my track (and those who were not) and for all the good memories. I hope there is more CKU's in the future!
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*I'm recovering from traveling and focusing 100% on my family for a few days. Enjoy the blog post from Sesil Cratin. For more photos and how to visit: http://teresacollinsdesignteam.blogspot.com
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| Full picture of the advent calendar. All papers are TC Christmas Home and Blingage. |
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| Top row of drawers. |
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| Middle area of the calendar. |
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| Bottom row of the calendar. |
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| To see more work from Sesil visit her blog at: sesilcratin.blogspot.com |
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