HEllO FRIENDS!

I just wanted to say how much I miss all of you my friends. I have just returned from Florida and a 5 day cruise for my anniversary which was Sept 17. It was a trip planned before I accepted my teaching position so it definitely will not be the norm. It was a such a blessing to spend quality time with my hunny after being like ships passing in the night. Plus the kids got to stay with grandma and pop-pop which was a blast.

I am pretty busy with work so I have not been able to fit in anything else. I have about 600 emails in my box and pictures on my camera that need to get uploaded. I am hoping to get some time this weekend to catch up.

I wanted to say a special thanks to my blogging sisters who sent me anniversary cards and birthday cards. I will post them just as soon as I can. I have been so absorbed in work and estranged from my friends, so it blessed my heart when I received these cards. It is such a gift to be thought of. So to my sistahs, thank you, you truly touched my heart.

I miss all of my gal pals at CCGV, I think of you often and keep you all in my prayers. I thank the Lord everyday for each one of you. I pray that all you homeschooling moms are being abundantly blessed. What an amazing privilege you have been given. Go all out for God and He will go all out for you!!!!!

God bless you,

Hugs,

Melanie

Trying!!!!!!!

Ok, I thought I would try out the blog templates but they are not accommodating my 3 column blog very well. I love this one but as you can see the text is really hard to read now on the side bars. I kind of started something I can't finish. So when I get some more time I will try to resolve my layout. There are not many to choose from for 3 column and when I did it did not fit the whole layout either the sides got cut off. I really like this one but the side bars are too hard to read, waaaaaaaaaa! Any suggestions???? I don't have the time to redo my whole blog but I've always loved the really artsy looking ones. My gal pals have all made beautiful changes! Any other layouts that accomodate 3 column blogs please come my way!!!!

Smiles,

Melanie

Hello Friends!!!

It feels like its been forever since I've blogged but I come to you bearing gifts. Here are some cards I made last night using the new Just Because card kit. While my hubby was watching the TN game, I decided to open up my kit and play. Well, let me tell you...if you are a busy bee like I've been, this is the kit for you. It is so easy and quick and look how cute the cards are! I couldn't wrap my brain around anything too difficult. I wanted to relax with something rather thoughtless yet beautiful.

This kit is available for free or discounted depending on your purchase until Sept 30. It comes with the stampset, pre-cut card pieces, ribbon, sparkles, 2 ink pads, card bases and envelopes. It makes 16 cards, 2 each of 8 designs.

I have not finished all of the designs yet, but I got off to a great start.

Visit my website for more info


And here is the finished layout that I started a few weeks ago of Missy and Lexi. I thought I would show you per the suggestions that were left for me. Adrienne said "How about a flower?" Leslie said "how about some brads?" and I said I was going to add ribbon and of course I couldn't leave out the bling! So here it is. Thanks for all your suggestions, here's what I did..................

I used chocolate brads for the flower centers and small rhinestones for the smaller flower centers. I added ribbon to my fabric flower and voila, a new revised page!!!

MIA

Hello all!!! I kind of have been missing in action. I have been in my classroom this week attempting to get ready for the start of school. I don't know how much time I will have to create right now, but as the Lord allows I will post what I can.

I do however ask for your prayers. The task before me in my own eyes is so very great but in the Lord's eyes it is a very light load. So I ask that the Lord would continue to go before me and lay out that path that He would have me walk on.

Parents night was Thurs evening and it was so amazing. I felt like crying when all those precious little first graders were sitting before me. What a privilege I have been given, to be able to teach these children and open their eyes to the wonders of God's Word.

It was pretty funny, I spent a lot of time worrying about what the parents might ask that night and I prayed that the Lord would go before me and give me wisdom. However the one question I didn't have an answer to, came from one of the students. He wanted to know where his backpack was going to go. Being that we are not equipped with cubbies or hooks or anything of the sort, I never even thought about it. Praise God the vice principal was there to supply the answer because this was important to this little one. It was so sweet because it was a reminder for me to always keep in mind what's important to these little ones.

So I pray that you all have a blessed week and when I can I will post some pics of our classroom. It is still in the making but I know it will be all that God wants it to be in His perfect timing. So remember, if you are facing a task that seems bigger than you remember these words " Not by power, not my might but by my spirit says the Lord".


Hugs and kisses,

Melanie

Some layouts

Here's a layout I did of Cameron in the pool this summer at age 5. I kept it simple to focus on the pics. I used the acrylic pebbles from Michaels. I found them on clearance for 1.99 and the bag is big! I can't get enough of them. Perfect for water pages etc.

Ok, being a new puppy owner has made me a little nutso! I had to go and find some doggie things. I found the Pet Stack on sale at Joanns and thought "I must have that" So here's my first layout using it. Nothing is adhered yet, this is kind of still in the making but I'm still trying to figure out if I should add some ribbon. The paper is pretty busy so I'm thinking I should probably leave it alone. What do you think?

Supplies: Pet Stack, cocoa cs, topiary cs, cricut base camp

Bella Card

P.S. That's a virgin drink!!!! LOL!


Here's a card I made for a friend's birthday using one of the images that Jenn sent me. I used my cricut for the stars and the word celebrate.

By the way, have I told you how much I am loving the Cricut Expressions. For those of you looking to buy one, costco.com has the lowest price. Walmart sells it for 289.00 and Sam's club as well but on line at Costco it's 269.00 and FREE SHIPPING!!!!

Love it, love it, love it!

Provo Craft was kind enough to send me a new cricut to replace mine which never really worked from the beginning. I bought it at Walmart almost 2 years ago and only used it a few times because it would just stop working. All the buttons would light up green and nothing would turn them off. I called Provo craft and 3 days later a new one was at my door step. They are amazing!

Supplies: CTMH CS barn red, twilight and white daisy, CTMH markers twilight, barn red and sunkiss yellow, Bella stamp

I love your blog!!

Thank you to my SBS sister Tracy who so kindly nominated me for this award. She is now a DT member for a sketch blog so be sure to check her out here.

I wanted to extend this to all who visit my blog, you know who you are. I love all of your blogs!!! And you are all so special to me. Thank you for sharing your artwork, your testimonies, your families and your heart with all of us. I believe that God allows us to be connected for a very special purpose and I am very blessed by all of you. Keep on sharing, keep on blogging. This goes out to all of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Have a blessed day!

Melanie