Monday Evening

Hi Friends!

I am sorry I have been out of touch lately.  I have had a major crisis happen in my life.  So if you come by and don't see anything posted for a while, please forgive me.  I do ask that you pray for me and my family.  Satan has attacked in a horrible way and I just need the strength to get through this. 

Thank you and God Bless!

Kim

Tuesday Tid-Bit

Hi Everyone


I do like to make new cards and try different styles and techniques.  I was poking around some of the "How to make" section on the internet and came across this cute friendship card. This crafter used the colors Pink and Green together, but since we are in our Summer season, I changed the colors for mine.

I thought I would give it a try and make.  It turned out so cute and it was a simple card to make.  I had purchased some unmounted stamps from Stampin Up and thought I would try and use them.  I love that they are selling unmounted stamps now. Yeah! The storage is fantastic as well.

I have a feeling that I'll be using this set a lot especially the flowers. They lend themselves so well for layering.

Thanks for your visit today.

Have a wonderful evening!
 
Hugs,
Kim

Sunday Awareness

Hi Everyone!

I have been away from a while.  I was trying to get a blog facelift, but unfortuniately it didn't work out.  So I just played around with a few of the new templates blogger offered and I am content with what I have.

I started a new church today.  I love it!  While the choir was singing, I thought, "I am home!".  It was such a overwhelming feeling.  I have been wanting to try this church out for sometime and a friend invited me to meet her.  I am so happy that God put her in my life at this exact time.  Such a blessing!

My feelings for the day:

"My emotions are valid. I am beautiful and I deserve to pursue, share, and express unconditional love, pleasure, and happiness. I bring new love into the world. I am empowered by love and my gift is beauty in truth."

Come visit my shop sometime today.. I have a great special going on!!!  Some FREE gifts with each purchase.  The more you buy, the more I throw in your bag!!!

http://crazy4cards.etsy.com/

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful and blessful day!

Hugs,
Kim

Wednesday Evening Talk Time

Hi Everyone!

Sorry about this, but I am having difficulty with my computer.  I am not sure what has happened, hopefully I didn't catch anything.  Perhaps my server is down.  Anyway, I can't really blog about anything tonight.  I do wish you all many blessings and will type something up in a couple of days.

Thank you for understanding!

Hugs,
Kim

http://crazy4cards.etsy.com/

Saturday Evening Post

Hi Everyone

So just a quick post tonight. I did a little project today that I wanted to share here on my blog. It's a different take on the matchbook cover, like the one's in my shop. This time instead of adding a piece of candy or paper to the matchbook I decided to use some leftover seed packets that I didn't plant this year. I think this would make a great gift for my friends.

Oh and a super super super special shout out to CowlickCutie for the FABULOUSLY FABULOUS handmade flower. Can I just tell you that I'm amazed at her talent! I love your handmade flowers.

Let's get started.
You will need:
1 digi stamp - Boy Bear
1 sheet of pattern paper 11" x 4"
Corner rounder
Embellishments
Copics

Step 1
Print out your fantastically cute digi Boy Bear and color with your Copics

Step 2.
Score the 11" x 4" pattern paper at 1" and 6 1/4"

Step 3
Take two strips of sticky strip and place on on the inside of the matchbook and one of the 1" flap of the matchbook (make sure this is close to the crease).

Step 4
Attach your seed packet to the inside of the matchbook. Then attach the 1" strip to the seed packet. NOTE: You will want to make sure that the sticky strip on the 1" piece is at the bottom so you have room to close the matchbook.

 Step 5

Adhere your digi stamp to a piece of card stock and decorate.

Step 6
Spread the love! I think your friends will love this little "Just Because" gift.

Have a great week everyone!

Hugs,
Kim

Monday Morning Coffee

Good Morning Everyone!

Happy Memorial Day!  I would first like to thank all of our armed forces that have and are currently defending our beautiful country!  THANK YOU!  XOXOXO

I follow a website called Craft Project Central that let's you sign up for 10 fun tutorials each month. There are others that are there that make these fun tutorials as well.

This last week I was inspired by a great little desk created by Michelle U over at Mushi's Creative Inspirations blog. You should check out her blog. Michelle is so fantastic and so fun to follow and watch all her fun projects.

Anyway I thought I would take a try and make this cute desk. This was so much fun to put together. I had to keep checking out finished product from fellow crafters that too was attempting to make this darling desk.  It took me a while to get mine done, but not too bad I think. This little desk is great to put paper clips in or loose change for the soda machine. You could even put stamps and return address labels in the little drawers. Anything really your heart desires!

Since my camera was on the blink, I was able to get a picture from another creator so that I can show you a sample of the finished project.  Go check out the web and sign up to make some of the tutorials that they offer.  Great projects to make with the kids!

Hope you are doing well. Thanks so much for your visit!

Have a fabulous day!

Hugs,
Kim

Sunday Morning Chat

Hi Everyone!


The warm weather is finally here and that means evening out on the deck with a great cut of tea.

This is a super super quick box that I've made to hold different flavors of tea that I can take out to the deck with me.

Tea Cup Pippin is great company for a yummy cup.

I also decided to use the decorative edge punch as the handle and I'm loving how it turned out.

Gives it such a Spring lattice look.

I hope you are having a great day.

Thanks so much for your visit!
 
Hugs,
Kim

http://southernbellemarketing.ning.com/page/site-resources

New to business of selling your handmade items and just don't know how to advertise or if you should even advertise?  I found this great person that is so friendly and kind.  She is willing to answer any of your questions, help you set up your page, even teach you how to blog!  (They have a 10 week turbo lesson on blogging coming up!) You may want to consider Southern Belle Marketing for your advertising needs. Their sight is fabulous and many other chatters available to also assist you.  Check it out or email Jackie.

 Jackie Ladner (Owner/Creator)
email: jackieladner@sprint.blackberry.net

Visit Southern Belle Marketing at: http://southernbellemarketing.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network
http://southernbellemarketing.ning.com/page/site-resources

Tuesday Tid-Bit

OMG! This is the best cake ever!!!  I am going share this wonderful recipe with you!

OLD FASHIONED CARROT CAKE

Ingredients

For the cake:

2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 pound carrots, grated
1/2 cup diced fresh pineapple

For the frosting:

3/4 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pound confectioners' sugar, sifted

For the decoration:

1/2 cup diced fresh pineapple

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter 2 (8-inch) round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.

For the cake:

Beat the sugar, oil, and eggs together in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light yellow. Add the vanilla. In another bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups flour, the cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Toss the raisins and walnuts with 1 tablespoon flour. Fold in the carrots and pineapple. Add to the batter and mix well.

Divide the batter equally between the 2 pans. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans set over a wire rack.

For the frosting:

Mix the cream cheese, butter and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until just combined. Add the sugar and mix until smooth.

Place 1 layer, flat-side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with diced pineapple.

Sunday Afternoon Chat

I got this book some time ago and I never opened it up.  It's a book about dreams! I got it as a birthday gift from someone I used to work with.  I have always had very vivid dreams and always wanted to know what they meant.  Since getting the book, I just placed it on the shelf and never thought about it until today.  Funny how things go huh?!

I had a dream about getting presents for no real reason, just people were giving them to me.  I pulled open the book and here is what it had to say:

Present/Presents

1.  When a present appears in a dream, it can first of all be a play on words.  We are being given a 'here and now'.  We are being reminded to live in the moment, and not the past or future.  A present can also indicate a talent or gift.  If we are receiving a present we are being loved and recognised and are also gaining from the relationship.  If we are giving a present, we appreciate that we have characteristics we are able to offer other people.  A pile of presents in a dream can signify as yet unrecognised talents and skills.  If the presents give some indication of time - e.g. birthday presents - we may expect some success around that time.

2.  To present something in a dream (as in making a presentation) is offering work that we have done for approval and recognition.  We appreciate that the work we have done is more important than we ourselves are.

3.  One of the requirements of spiritual advancement is that we learn to live in the present.  We need to be able to take advantage of anything that life presents - to use it for ourselves, but also to recognise that it has relevance to other people and can affect the way that they live.

This was pretty awesome description!  I think I like writing my vivid dreams down, then looking in the book to see what they in tail.  So, from time to time when I have some of those fun dreams! I will let you all know what the book says.

If any of you would like for me to look up your unique dreams, make a comment and I will be happy to look it up and reply! 

Anyway, have a great evening!

Hugs,
Kim

Monday Evening - Second to below

Hi All,

I wanted to finish what I was writing about last night.  Researchers have come up with a plan to get your kids moving again!  It starts with you making a commitment.

1. Create a healthy chain reaction.  Make one day an 'active day'.
2. Remember what's in it for your kids.  Studies have shown that regular activity can improve their sleep, focus, and their confidence.
3. Make one dietary change at a time.  Try adding one serving of fruits and vegetables a week.
4. Make healthy fun! Add some berries to their cereal or try using yogurt for desert.
5. Eat and cook more meals as a family.  They found that kids that help prepare meals are more interested in eating them.

These are just a few ideas I read and hope that you can incorporate some fun back into their life and be healthy too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Kim

Sunday Morning Chat

Hi Everyone!

I am sorry I have been away recently and haven't blogged.  Many challenges have been knocking at my door. As written below regarding my house and a scheduled sale date of May 13th! OMG! I want to say; Thank you for your prayers! Jesus' hand has been in this one! The sale date is postponed until June 15th, which my legal team is submitting the paperwork again, for the bank to reconsider a loan modification.  If anyone is experiencing what I am going through.. my heart goes out to you, but know that  God will prevail! He loves us so much and all he asks is to trust him, give it to him and don't take it back.

Yesterday, we went to a seminar that was so wonderful.  My husband and I have been on this weight loss program that has been a fantastic journey.  It has been so successful!  He lost 65 pounds in 5 months and I have lost 75.5 pounds in 8 months.  He hit his goal and is back to the weight he was when we got married! (mmmm!) I have 32 pounds to go! SWEET! Just in time for summer!! I introduced the program to my girlfriend, (picture below) and she lost 58 pounds since January 3rd of this year! She looks great!

What was discussed is our children and how the obesity rate is climbing.  Bad food choices and very little exercise is what is happening!  They stay inside and play video games, Wii, watch TV and munch munch munch away.  Diabetes in children have climbed as well as them having high cholesterol levels.  Where will this take them into adulthood?

We all know that Michelle Obama launched her "Let's Move" initiative aimed at eliminating childhood obesity in a generation, she was right to call this problem "an epidemic."  Everyone knows making the right choices is enough to make your head spin.

Families should focus on the fundamentals: that calories are the energy you get from food.  If you eat more calories than you expend in a day you risk gaining weight.  Modifying your lifestyle to include small 'balancing' changes will help your family develop life-long habits and enable them to reach and maintain a healthy weight.

So let's get our children back outside playing!  Get them on their skates, bikes, walking, take them to the play grounds, enroll them in gymnastics, dance, something that gets them moving; instead of remaining in a sedentary position!  It's our responsibility because we love our families and want them to be of healthy mind and body.

Thanks everyone! I wish you a very happy Sunday.

Hugs,

Kim 

PS:  If you too are experiencing yo-yo dieting, leave me a comment with your email address.  I will respond quickly and you too can join our journey! Love to all!

Thursday Night Chatter

Well I wanted to let you know I am off to Reno for the weekend!!! Wooo Hoooo! My girlfriend had a birthday on Tuesday and I want to see her rocking new body!! She and I have been on this fabulous program that has been melting the weight off!  Then we are going to have a garage sale and get rid of a lot of old stuff! 

I will have to write when I return!  So here's to all you moms! Have a great Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs,
Kim

Spiritual Sunday

I've never read

Mary Had a Little Lamb

poem written that way before and I agree so I had to pass it on!

Kings 8:24

*********************

Wishing you a day Full of God's Blessings!

Please feel free to pass this on.  Bless you!

Saturday Morning Coffee Break

Good Morning,

I find myself in a situation that makes me just want to cry! Instead, I want to share my story. I need to write this down so that I don't cry. I took a chance and now this is what is happening.

This is my house and I have to say, the experience I have gone through in the past few months have been challenging. I have worked, as my husband has too for the past 35 years. We have had top notch credit rating. Then a series of events started happening in the past two years. First it started with a motorcycle accident in which my hub was pretty broken up. Thank goodness he survived and is doing pretty good.

Once he healed he knew he could not go back to construction, instead he did some electrical work. Then about 10 months ago, the company folded and he was laid off. It was a struggle to pay a first mortgage as well as a second mortgage. So in an effort to save my house, we applied for a remodification. To help us pay along the way, we used Curtis' inheritance after losing his dad to cancer. We were able to keep up with the house payment and all our bills with my paycheck and unemployment. We knew we had to make some cutbacks, so the cable went and a few more fun things we had that was an extra expense, GONE!

In October I knew we could not keep it up and could no longer make the payments. There was no supplement to my income as the inheritance money was gone. Hub couldn't find work, so we defaulted. I knew once we did this, our outstanding credit would be gone. What could I do? We had a legal team working with the bank to get the modification through.

If anyone has gone through this, you know what I am experiencing. I have never never not paid my bills and it was the most difficult decision I made. I knew I risked the chance of loosing my home. So here I am today and received notice that my house is up for auction on May 13, 2010.

Sad, very very sad that the bank does not want to work with us. We tried to work with them and refinance in the beginning, but they didn't want to do that, which brought us to the decision to tried the modification.

My heart is heavy and all I can do is pray. Pray for strength as the days count down to when May 13th comes around. I pray for guidance, as I don't know what will to be. I leave this in the lords hands. He will guide us and not leave me alone.

Thank you for listening..

Hugs,
Kim

Wednesday Message To My Friend

This is my dearest friend, Janay. We have known each other for about 33 years. She and I were roommates back in 1978. Boy did we have FUN! This picture was taken on our Mexico vacation back in 2005. We were having breakfast and I said, "SMILE!" Didn't she do good?!


This was her birthday, May 4, 2005 and in a few days, she will again have a birthday and I would like to dedicate this poem to my dear friend and know that this comes from my heart!

Friendship is something

that grows through the years

Withstanding feelings of anger, joy and tears

It is something you cannot live without

A friend you can turn to when in doubt

They should listen carefull and not speak a word

For you would do the same when they want to be heard

A person you can confide in, learn from and trust

This is a friend and everyone must

Be able to have someone just like this

Now a boyfriend to hug, cuddle and kiss

But a person so special, faithful and true

The only one I can think of is a person like you

Our friendship is strong, healthy and great

Through the years I see its wonderful fate

A fate of laughter, greatness and fun

We have only one life to live and this is the one

The past- full of memories that runs through my head

The bad ones never talked about or said

Every moment of life should glisten with fresh morning dew

This reminds me of the greatest friendship one ever knew.

Love you, JJ

Tuesday Tid-Bit

So are you married to a spender or a saver? I have been married almost 31 years and I still can't get used to my husband not wanting to save! Grinds my teeth! I began reading some on this, how to save my marriage or take him off the accounts?! ha!

They say that opposite money-management styles can really complicate a marriage. (I say, no duh!) This is what I found on the topic. I hope it can help me and anyone out there that suffers the same.

"The differences you may have glossed over before can't be ignored now, because there's less money," says Marcia Brixey, author of The Money Therapist: A Woman's Guide to Creating a Healthy Financial Life. But there are plenty of things you can do to find common ground, says Katherine Yost, Ph.D., a marriage and family therapist in Belluvue, Washington. With planning, everybody can adapt to the new economy and have his or her emotional needs met at the same time.

For starters, they say, let the spender spend. (ummm, ok that's the problem!) People who are told "No" to everything begin to feel resentful and deprived, (ok so what?!) and sooner or later they'll break out with a spending binge. Everybody gets at least a little discretionary cash--and with it a sense of freedom. (I am missing out here!)

Similarly, allow the saver to save. Putting some money away for a rainy day is fiscally sound, yes. (and mature!) But people who keep a tight rein on spending need to continue doing so to ease their sense of helplessness about what's in the news or what's happening at work. A dollar save feels like insurance to them. (so TRUE!)

Most important, though, is to make new couple rules. "When financial guidelines are explicit," says Yost, "the whole family does better."

I have to say, I have tighten the belt these days, but really more on me than my husband. I make sure the savings account is now a bill. Some money has to go into that account. I give myself about $20.00 a week and him, I give $100.00. Your probably asking, "Is she NUTS!?" He has to get some groceries out of that too. Even though he is unemployed, which makes him feel less because he is not taking care of the family and leaving me to be the sole bread winner. I still want to allow him his dignity.

So as for making many rules as some of the marriage therapist list, I have one ground rule. Savings account is a bill and with it is a set amount that goes in. The next is the bills and what's left is to spend. So far it has worked pretty darn good. But I will keep you posted, as we have only done this for three months!

Until then, have a great Tuesday!

Hugs,
Kim

Monday Morning Chat

This past weekend buzzed by for me. We were so very busy. Let me tell you briefly about our passing days.

On Saturday, my husband and I went to a "Kid Day in the Park" event at our local park. We had a booth set up for our "Take Shape For Life" program. My husband was in charge of the balloons for the kids and handing out stickers. It was so much fun! We offered a nice little give away and explained our organization to many of the visitors.

Sunday, day spent doing yard work. I was pulling weeds, getting the Roses trimmed, moving some plants around. It was a beautiful day, but went way to fast. Later in the day I put my new "Curves Toner" shoes, (wanted to try them out!), put the leash on the dog and off we went. If you are ever thinking about getting a pair, "DO IT!" they are wonderful. These shoes are very comfortable and you just keep walking. My poor Jessie was tired. She kept looking up at me and I know that look! Pick me up mommy! We walked for an hour!

Later in the evening I got my second wind and began posting some more of my "Lady Cards" . I found some new color paper designs and made some earrings to match. I was so excited about them that I wanted to get them posted. You can visit my shop to see all the different designs!

http://crazy4cards.etsy.com

Today is Monday and my legs are pretty sore, but a good sore! I was thinking I can perhaps take a smaller walk tonight and of course I will take Jessie. I want her to stay in shape as well as myself! Plus she keeps me company.

So friends, I will chat with you again tomorrow. Thank you for stopping by!

Hugs,
Kim

Saturday Morning Coffee

Oh Good morning!!

I have been away for a couple of days and have I had a few problems. My system crashed and I had to restore the whole thing! Have ever had to do that? OMG pain in the you know what! I think I have everything back up and running.

So, I sold one of my adorable 'Lady Card and Earring' cards, which inspired me to make a few more. I went to my local Michaels and found some more cute paper. I have to say, the paper skirt and the earrings match perfectly! Some of the outfits I want to wear.

As a child, I played with a lot of paper dolls. I even created new outfits for them and maybe this is where it all came from. I am almost playing dress up again.

So take a look at a few colors I came up with! Let me know what you think!!!

Here are 4 new designs. I have posted a couple more in my shop. Be my guest to take a look and purchase one of these adorable cards for your mother on her very special day!

www.crazy4cards.etsy.com

Thank you for stopping by and have a fabulous Saturday!

Hugs,

Kim

Wednesday Wake Up Call

Hello!

I am posting this on Tuesday evening, but tagging it for Wednesday. I was off on Monday and was able to tell you all about my wonderful day with my niece. It really was fun!

Later that evening I was playing around with my Cricut machine and made a bunch of flowers. I wanted to come up with a promotional give away. What I came up with was an adorable Mother's Day Card! Just a simple card.

Here are two colors of the designs.

I have other colors I made too, but these I like the best. So once I got these made I thought, now what shall I give these away with??? I got it! A pair of earrings!

So there you have it! Buy any earring set and get a FREE Mother's Day Card!! PLUS, I am still offering FREE SHIPPING in the USA !!!

Awesome deal! Hurry on over to my shop and take a look at all the fabulous earrings I have created. If you don't see what you like, send me a message and let create something wonderful!

http://www.crazy4cards.etsy.com/

I hope to chat with you soon! Have a great Tuesday night and fantastic Wednesday!

Hugs,

Kim