I'm Just a girl

hello my lovelies. it's Friday.

this.

has been a great week.

great.

this morning i woke up feeling so inspired.

so energized.

life is a roller coaster.

mine is anyway.

up and down.

highs and lows.

i was going to blog wednesday.

i have good intentions.

i do.

but i was busy.

had a meeting with a new venue for Spark No. 4

i asked a few of my dearest trues to come with me.

i needed extra eyes.

i needed feedback from them because i know they "get" my Spark vision.

i almost hate to say it.

but i will.

once you have been to Spark.

it is in you.

that is exactly what i want.

to create.

share.

Spark.

and the girls who have come take it home and share it.

amaze.

so wednesday my trues and i Sparked.

when i got home my head was spinning.

so many ideas for this new venue.

teachers.

classes.

i could burst.

makes me happy.

happy.

Meg & Jeremy are here now.

the move was hell on earth.

moving is.

so much work.

but they are here and i am loving it.

we talk until early in the morning.

last night after 1:30AM

Meg and i get on the phone with Brooke and we lay in my bed and talk.

laugh.

i almost pee every time.

i love my girls.

i love being their mom.

i love being their friend.

yesterday Max who is working at a Sushi restaurant as a Sue chef chopped of the tip of his thumb.

i won't post pics.

soooo gross.

anyway,

the girls and i on a 3 way text going back and forth worried.

silly boy.

he will be fine.

we just hope he will find a girl who will still love him.

hahaha.

A week from today I will be teaching in Arizona.

Scrapbooks Etc.

my HOME store.

where my whole career started.

i am so exited to be back there.

i have been creating the class this week.

using my new line Vintage Marketplace.

it's a 9x12 album.

it's going to be really fun to be teaching again.

if you're close to Mesa come play.

i've missed you.

it's been a while.

besides my on-line classes.

this week has been great.

lots of new things in the works.

new lines are finished.

new venue for Spark no. 4

i love an up week.

i hope you are having one too.

heading off to have lunch with Gladdy.

she's been gone to Hawaii and Ireland for the last 2 weeks.

i try not to hate.

i missed her.

here's to a great weekend.

the sun is out here.

i plan on getting out there in it.

ENJOY.

kiss kiss

m.

 

88 is great.

another week flown by.

wow.

i don't know where the time goes!

haha.

i have become a once a week blogger!

yowza.

last week was filled with goodness.

i hosted my Dad's 88th birthday!

all week i prepared for the party.

chose a color theme of kraft, white and black.

inspired by one of my favorite papers from the Wayfarer line.

then i started creating.

i am a theme kind of girl.

the theme of this party was 88!

i chose a color pallet based on stuff i had as to not have to go out and buy a bunch of new stuff.

{budget}

i have a plethora of stuff, so i am trying to use what i have.

it forces me to stay on budget and helps me be more creative!

i love it.

i used old Spark stuff, on-line class left overs and of course some of the Wayfarer line which it NEW.

it was perfect for a masculine book.

i cricuted my little hands off.

cutting 88's until the cow's came home.

i worked on an album for my dad.

i contacted all of my brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews to write him a letter.

i wanted him to have something tangible.

that he could look at, hold and read.

i think it was on of my more brilliant ideas.

he loved it.
i used the Bazzill Lickity Slip raw album.

{LOVE}

i made a page for everyone's letter.

i love the way it turned out.

he was thrilled.

i am still collecting some letters from his grand kids.

HINT HINT.

but what a treasure.

i created 88 garlands of course.

{i love garlands}

and happy birthday Garlands.

also i used my Dad's monogram VBR in garlands.

this party was all about dad!

we held the party at my clubhouse.

it was perfect.

i made sourcream and chicken enchiladas.

my specialty.

they were delish.

i promised i would post the recipe.

Margie's Sourcream & Chicken Enchiladas

1 large can of Cream of Chicken Soup

1 large can of Green Chili Enchilada Sauce

1 large container of Sour Cream, {24 oz}

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, or a Mexican Mix

1 large can of diced green chilli's

1 large can of sliced black olives.

1 cup salsa

1 large onion diced.

4-6 cooked chicken breasts. {cubed}

mix.

roll in flour tortillas

put the extra sauce on top add another cup of grated cheese on top.

cover with Tin Foil and bake at 350 degrees until bubbling.

DELISH.

everyone helped with the meal.

we had cake and icecream.

we all honored my dad either with a memory or just why we love him.

everyone participated.

it was a night to remember.

                        {my sisty Ann & i were rockin' the Cheetah}

Dad said he was hoping to live to 90.

i said i would host a party!

my Dad is a great man.

i feel so grateful to have him in my life.

and to have his is influence on my children's lives.

the 88 party was great.

the rest of the weekend was spent helping Meg & Jeremy move.

they are building a house.

it will be done in 2 months.

they are going to be staying with me until it's ready to move in.

{pray for me}

kidding.

i am happy to have them.

i feel so lucky to have grown kids that want to hang with their OLD mom.

wink!

i also documented last week and will be working on a Week in the Life album.

i need to head over to Costco & gather my photos!

I will be in Arizona all of next week!

working with the Bazzill Team.

Teaching at Scrapbooks Etc. too!

i hope to see all my Mesa girls!

another great few weeks to come.

now...

where is Meg going to put all of her shoes?

Happy Monday!

kiss kiss

m.

 

hello Monday. hello Sunshine.

it's a Monday.

wow.

i am looking forward to being home this week.

so many fun projects in the works!

this week my Dad turns 88 and i will be hosting his birthday party!

this week i am designing a class i will be teaching at Scrapbooks Etc. in May!

i can't wait to get back to my HOME store in Mesa where it all started!

this week there will be sunshine.

yesterday it was 86 degrees.

much happiness for me.

yay!

over the weekend i attended some of the Snap blogger's conference.
it was great.

so well put together.

great panels.

great women.

great food.

and yes.

there was dancing.

LOVED it.

i met up with Rhonna and our dear friend Nancy Friday and spend the day.

i would not consider myself a "professional bloger"

meaning i don't blog to make money.

but i started blogging years ago, as a way to stay connected to all of the amazing women i have gotten to meet all over the world.

but i am a bloger.

i have been doing it now for what feels like ever.

Snap was great inspiration.

i am always looking for new ways to be inspired.

Spark was mentioned like a thousand times.

YES.

there will be a Spark no. 4.

right now i am looking at a new venue.

new teachers.

new design.

new look.

new ways to Spark inspiration.

it's just me.

i am working on a new Creative Team.

hoping to have an announcement by mid May.

exhale.

i know i just have to do it.

it's in me.

like a fire burning.

with some of the struggles i have faced this winter i just wasn't sure i would do Spark no. 4 this year.

but Spark is in my blood.

it is my passion.

and my joy.

so if you haven't heard of Spark look into it.

the blog hasn't been updated for a while.

but we are working on a new look.

i want to be able to inspire.

re-new.

re-fresh.

re-energize.

i for one.

need it.

i hope the sun is shining where you are.

i am headed out in it for an hour.

i need to clear my head.

prepare for the week ahead.

walk.

walk.

walk.

so excited for a new day.

week.

Spark no. 4.

family.

friends.

work.

love.

kiss kiss

m.

Friday. Friday.

Hey sisters!

Blogging from the Snap Conference.

i just wanted to  put up the Waferer class kit that i created and the girls hve put together a darling jam-packed kit!

 We only have 15 kits available.

They will be shipping Monday!
with photos and instructions.

let me just tell you this kit is packed.

we went into the garage and loaded it up not only with the Wafarer line but lots of yummy goodies!

$50 plus $8.50 shipping.

PDF of instructions and photos are also available for $15 via email please incude valid email address for PDF!

Options

Kit, Instructions & Photos, Shipping $58.50 USD PDF Instructions & Photos $15.00 USD

Have a great Friday!

looking forward to sharing what i am doing here at SNAP!

kiss kiss

m

making today amazing.

it's a monday.

i am looking forward to a great week at home.

last week i was in Arizona with the Bazzill team nailing down CHA Summer.

feels good.

excited about what is on the horizon.

new products, new lines and of course beautiful cardstock!

loved being in the sun for the week.

spending time with Lorie & the fam.

seeing my darling niece Jordan and nephew Dave and his sweet wife Courtney.

meeting their new baby, my great nephew Vernon Charles.

Vernon is a family name, they had to do it.

he's darling, going to be called Charlie!

loved catching up with them!

ate some amazing Mexican food.

of course.

made a little time to sit by the pool.

it was a great week.

over the weekend i did a little scrapping.

working on a fun little mini book using Janet's line with Bazill Wayfarer!

LOVE.

working on a fun little project, finally getting some of my South Africa photos scrapped!

will share with you on Wednesday!

on Friday i called a dear friend who is going through a hard divorce.

she's struggling.

it's hard.

but it was great to talk to her.

support each other during trials.

it got me thinking.

over the weekend i had a lot of time alone.

something that is new for me.

the boys live in Idaho with their dad and the girls went up to spend the weekend.

so that meant a lot of alone time for me.

i'm learning how to be ok alone.

some things i wanted to share, just some ideas that i am finding that help me stay happy.

it's not huge stuff.

but for me it's small things that are working.

1. create a project.

weather that be an actual creative project ie scrapbook, layouts, canvas, frame etc. For me time in my studio sooths my soul. i love it.

or it can be any other type of project.

Friday i decided to Spring clean the upstairs part of my home.

bathrooms, laundry room and bedrooms.

i made my list of chores and knocked them out.

felt good.

i did sheets & towels.

dusted & Vacuumed.

washed floor boards and walls.

toilets & tubs.

so domestic.

but i had a project in mind and spent several hours doing it.

this week the main floor.

having a project keeps my mind at task.

seeing a finished project feels great.

2. Do small things that make you happy.

bring you joy.

We all have small things that make us happy.

no life long happiness, for me that is a HUGE statement.

what i am talking about is snipits of happiness.

i get overwhelmed very easily with the idea of LIFE long happiness.

for me that is the journey i am on.

day by day.

snipits of happiness that will get me there.

take time for yourself.

Friday night i gave myself a manicure.

i normally don't sport painted nails.

but i took the time after cleaning all day to do my nails.

small thing.

but a happy thing.

wear your favorite color.

i am on a pretty tight budget these days, we all are really.

so for me a snipit of happiness is treating myself to a new shirt or pair of pants or shoes.

not a $300 handbag.

but a little perk.

last week for me it was cheetah.

a $15 shirt on the clearance rack at Old Navy.

lot's of happiness for very little.

even seeing it hang in my closet brings a smile to my face.

have a treat.

i'm not a depriver.

i just don't believe in it.

so if i want a little chocolate i eat a little chocolate.

not a bag of chocolate, or a box of cookies but in moderation.

do something simple but make it special.

as a treat on Saturday after going to the grocery store in the pouring rain i treated myself to an orange pop served in a wine glass.

simple. 

fun.

i know silly, i'm 46 but orange pop reminds me of when i was a kid and pop wasn't something we had in our home and was a treat when we went out to Dees Family Restaurant.

it's nostalgic for me.

makes me happy.

so.

think of the little things.

do them.

3. exercise.

i am going to be honest here.

i have never been someone who loved exercise.

in fact i have always kinda hated it.

didn't get it.

but.

after almost a year of getting up and walking has changed me.

no i am not running any marathons soon.

or doing a tri-athelon like Lorie does.

but i am exercising.

i didn't have to join a gym.

i bought my first pair of walking shoes at costco because they were cheap and pink.

walking is free.

i am not a person who weighs myself.

{that would not make me happy}

wink.

but, since last June i am walking my butt literally off.

it's still there believe me.

but i am down 2 pant sizes and feel great.

no special diet per say.

just walking.

what it has done for me mentally is immeasurable.

i has given me the time to clear my mind each day.

i love it.

one of the first things a Dr. will tell you when you are having depression is start to exercise.

it works.

i woke up this morning the sun is out.

the sky is so intense blue i can't wait to get out there and enjoy it.

it rained most of the weekend.

yesterday the sun finally came out.

i woke up wanting to motivate myself.

remind myself of the small things that add up to a happy life.

and share them with you.

i don't know who you are.

but i feel grateful you check in on me.

we are on this road together.

make today amazing.

kiss kiss

m.

 

 

i love mondays.

i woke up this morning to blue blue skies.

happy.

went to the gym and worked out.

love it.

feels so good to get up and get it done.

on my walk home i felt so grateful for the sunshine and signs of Spring.

yesterday was rainy. snowy. cold. grey.

today.

amazing.

the start of a new week.

new projects.

love that i will be home this week.

my new travel schedule of one week home and in Arizona every other week.

being home this week feels good.

i am loving the trips to Arizona too.

working with the Bazzill team.

seeing old friends.

staying with Lorie.

and getting some Sunshine in my soul.

LOVE.

i need to be a better blogger.

oy.

i just forget.

haha.

so today is a little catch up.

2 sundays ago the girls and I went to the Holi Festival of Colors.
it was amazing.

we had so much fun.

truly a life experience.

i love doing stuff like this with my kids.

last week i was in AZ all week.

working on 4 new lines for Bazzy.

a Summer mid release with Janet Hopkins.

it's so stinking cute!

also a Halloween line and 2 Christmas, Winter lines!

can't wait.

they are all amazing.

i love being there in the office with Frani, Mona and the gang.

Sonic runs with Douglas are a 2 a day thing!
i got home late Thursday night and spent Friday catching up with life and my graphic designer who works in Chicago!

Over the weekend i did a little Spring decorating.

did the mantle.

put up all my Spark your Spring decor.

(the girls created some special kits for this class they sold so fast that they made few more if you're interested.)

love the way it feels having my Spring up and done.

excited for Spring.

i also created 10 cards for a Bazzill Card Swap using my new line

Vintage Marketplace.

i haven't made cards in a long time so it was fun to get in the studio and play with my new line.

it feels like it's going to be a great week.

feeling good.

positive.

i wanted to thank you all again for the kind words about my sweet Lola.

i miss that little girl.

trying to decide if a new puppy is in order.

hmmmm.

hope you have a great week ahead.

happy monday.

kiss kiss

m.

facing life. head-on.

this morning i woke up to these words.

one day.

on Wednesday night i lost my sweet little Lola Bella in a devastating accident.

Lola was my constant little companion.

she followed me everywhere i went.

i live alone and have for over a year now.

i love being on my own.

i love my home.

but know that i am not an "alone" girl.

a few months ago Brooke asked me if i would be willing to take her roomate's wild little dog.

i fell in love instantly.

Lola was just like me.

blonde and wild.

just a puppy.

learning.

Lola love to cuddle on the back of my neck.

if i was working on my laptop she was curled up around my neck.

loved this sweet girl.

i will miss her dearly.

Wednesday night i was in shock.

yesterday.

devastated.

the reality of it hit me hard.

yesterday was tough.

sometimes life is just that.

tough.

yesterday i went up and down emotionally.

at one point i felt like what more.

how much can one girl take.

i put on my workout stuff and i got my butt outside.

and i walked.

and walked.

tears were shed.

i was sad.

mad.

i kept walking.

the sun was out.

i had the music cranked.

i was walking as fast and hard as i could.

my mind raced.

then this song came on.

 

i have never heard it.

but the words were exactly what i needed.

i have said it before.

i believe in a God who knows me.

he knows what adversity i can handle.

it is something that i hold onto.

trials will come.

and what i know.

we get through it.

we learn from them.

if we are open.

that is the hard part.

not closing down.

which is the hard part for me.

when i get down staying down.

for me.

getting out and walking was just what i needed.

sunshine.

fresh air.

a reminder that i am small.

this amazing world is so huge and there is so much for me to be grateful for.

i will miss my sweet lola bella girl.

but.

i will be ok.

today is a new day.

i am ready to face it.

head on.

today my trues are coming for a sleepy.

can't wait.

perfect timing.

just what i need.

time with friends.

looking forward to the weekend.

Spring is here.

get out.

enjoy!

it's a choice.

kiss kiss

m.

ps. thank you all for the amazing support on line yesterday. i was touched beyond words.

 

hello Monday. Hello snow. Hello first day of Spring

it's a Monday.

i woke up to snow.

wow really?

isn't it the first day of Spring?

dang.

so typical of Utah.

i am going to embrace it.

{work with me girls.}

i can't believe it's been well over a week since my last blog post.

time flies when you're having fun in Arizona i guess.

tee hee.

i had a great week in sunny beautiful Arizona last week.

i love being there.

it's home to me.

i spent the week with Bazzill working on new lines for CHA Summer and a fun Mid-Release we are working on with Janet Hopkins.

{ichatting with Janet}

it's DARLING.

i love being in the Bazzill office with the team.

{vintage marketplace}

we got a lot done.

i am going to be going to AZ every 2 weeks for a few days.

totally loving the idea.

excited about the future with Bazzy.

what we are creating.

the CHA Summer lines are going to be delish.

it always feels so good to be in Arizona.

the sun is amazing.

the weather was perfection.

spending time with Lorie and the family is always great.

seeing dear friends.

eating the best Mexican food ever.

{my fave}

we only lived in Arizona for 5 years but it has stayed with me.

it truly is home.

on Wednesday Lorie and I took a day to shop.

we hit Melrose in Scottsdale.

i could have spent several days there.

the shopping was amazing.

so many fun little shops.

too many to fit into one day.

another trip is in order.

so many little antique shops we didn't have time for.

good thing i am going back at the end of the month!

can't wait!

a week in Arizona always does me good.

good for the soul.

i spent the weekend catching up.

with life.

the house, the kids, Lola and all of the people i love.

Friday night had dinner with Gladdy and Meg.

Saturday night with Todd, Lorie and Scotty.

they came up for some last of the season skiing.

too bad the snow was crap.

and they had to go home Saturday night.

it's been snowing in the mountains since they left.

bummer.

i love a lazy weekend.

spent most of it in jammies.

putting away supplies from Spark your Spring.

thanks to Rhonna and her amazing Spring Circus desings and Brooke putting this together!

getting ready to decorate for Spring.

doing a little housework.

just being home.

Spark your Spring starts today.

Registration is still open and you can jump into the class at anytime and go at your own pace.

lots of fun projects for Spring!

with the snow outside i am going to have to "create" Spring inside!

today's Monday.

ready to start out a great week.

it's supposed to be Spring by Saturday!

i for one am looking forward to it!

i am feeling good.

the pile i have been sitting on is getting smaller.

happy monday.

kiss kiss

m.

 

Do what you love & Spark your Spring.

Happy Friday.

i want to thank you all for the words of encouragement as well as sharing with me your stories.

know that i read every comment.

it feels so good to know that i am not alone in my struggle.

but makes me sad so many people suffer.

i hope that Wednesday's post got you thinking about doing something for someone else.

take your mind of off your pile for a while.

i am still getting to e-mails and Facebook messages, so bare with me.

i want to say, i am not a councelor, nor do i have any type of training.

i am just a girl who has some life experience and am willing to share it.

for me it helps to hear what is working for other people who struggle.

in the art community that i work and live in it seems like so many creative people struggle.

i have many creative friends who have battled depression.

i think talking about it helps.

sharing ideas.

getting through it together.

i don't want my blog to turn into a "depression blog" but it's part of my life and the response has me feeling like i do have a voice.

one of the things that has helped me and brought so much joy into my life is being creative.

doing what i love.

i love making stuff.

i love being in my studio surrounded by my stuff.

stuff i have designed.

stuff i am working on.

pretty jars filled with ribbons, buttons and flowers.

rows of paint and glitter.

my studio is my happy place.

so i create.

i am looking forward to Spring!

Spring has to be one of my favorite times of the year.

after the long, cold and dreary winter here in Utah i am ready.

ready for blue skies, green grass, sunshine and flowers.

the last few weeks in my studio i have been creating.

getting ready for Spring.

taking down my Valentine's decor has me inspired to put up Spring.

i love having a project.

it keeps me busy during down times.

i have created a new online class.

Spark your Spring.

the class is filled with fun stuff.

honestly it has brought me so much joy.

my house is thrashed.

but i don't care.

it means i am creating.

this class will have 3 days of jam packed workshops.

Spring decor, Easter ideas, kid crafts and party decor, gift giving, even some altered clothing ideas!

i have loved creating it.

 

 

 

 

 

i hope you join me in doing something you love.

Spark your Spring has been a labor of love.

love for Spring.

love for creating.

happy Friday!

kiss kiss

m.

the journey.

first of all.

i want to say.

thank you.

i have been overwhelmed with comfort by your comments.

i have read every one.

i am still replying to e-mails and personal messages of Facebook.

replied to texts and phone calls.

i am grateful.

all it took was reaching out.

telling my story.

coming out of hibernation.

i hope some of you if not all of you who read my words and suffer from depression were inspired to reach out.

what i know.

we are not alone.

if we seek the help we need.

so many amazing women struggle.

and men.

on Sunday i woke feeling down.

really down.

so i took some advise a friend gave me.

in stead of sitting in my shit and spreading it.

i spread a little love.

each day i say goodnight to my children via text.

it's a ritual.

no matter where i am i try to connect with them before i go to sleep.

tell them simply, "goodnight. love you."

Sunday i decided to tell the people in my life who have made an impact a simple i love you text.

it took well over an hour.

i simply text i love you.

i went through my phone texting away.

it was a visual way for me to see all of the amazing people in my life.

a great reminder of how grateful i am for them.

the texts came flying back.

my heart was full.

this friend's advise was simply,

tell the people you love " i love you."

it got me up, out of my funk and in return my heart was full of love.

it's sometimes the little things.

again, we never know who is struggling themselves.

i got more than one reply that said "You don't know how much i needed this today."

do it.

now that we are on this journey together i hope i can share what is working.

i hope in return you share with me too.

together we can lift, support and from time to time pull each other up out of the shit.

take a small step today.

tell the people you love simply.

"i love you."

the same friend also suggested and said it has worked for her was to do a random act of kindness for someone you love.

love this idea.

when we are thinking of others it's hard to be only thinking of ourselves.

truth.

story:

After my brother took his life the people who love my parents surrounded them.

someone dealt with the car.

cleaned it.

sold it.

my parents never had to see it.

a few months after his death their next door neighbor came and cleaned my brother's room.

took all of his clothing and put into boxes.

she did the things that we as a family weren't ready to do.

we were paralyzed.

several months past.

the people who loved us were still surrounding us with love and support.

the shock was gone.

reality of his death had settled.

we were getting back to our lives.

that same next door neighbor came back to my parents.

she had taken my brothers clothing and created the most self-less gift.

my brother Jim was a big man.

6ft tall, broad shoulders, big smile. Huge smile. huge hands that were gnarly from his work. he was a roofer.

anyway, she had taken his shirts, he always wore a flannel shirts.

she created a quilt.

presented it to my parents on the year anniversary of his death.

it was amazing.

a reminder of him.

it was symbolic of the comfort the people who loved us had given.

what a gift.

for years my mother took that quilt around to her many speaking engagements and told the "story" made people aware of depression and the story of serving one another.

depression isn't a secret.

you shouldn't feel shame.

depression is a disease.

like cancer.

diabetes.

alcoholism.

if you don't reach out the people you love won't know.

i know.

we are pros at hiding it.

"i'm fine."

right.

it's time to not settle for FINE.

it's time to be GREAT.

if you are lucky enough to not suffer i am sure you know someone in your life that you love that does.

reach out to them.

love them.

love each other.

spread love.

tell the people in your life you love them.

look for ways to serve.

share your good.

you will never know the impact you may have.

happy wednesday.

again,

thank you for being there.

kiss kiss

m.