Gearing up for the holidays

It has been far too long,

How are all of you in blogland?

Things have been quite busy on my end

I can't believe November is half over!

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving and all

the yummy food that goes with it...

We had a great Halloween

The kids decided to dress up in a Toy Story theme:

I tried my first "fancy" pumpkin carve using a linoleum

cutter and an assortment of pottery tools.

Introducing Hamm!Here I am with the kiddos

(including baby #4!)

Since it has been so long since I last posted...
Here is a class I taught in October
using the awesome "Halloween in Wonderland" line by Graphic 45





I haven't done a lot of scrapping lately but here is one of my recent favorites
Crate Paper's Restoration line is definitely one of my favorite CHA releases!
It's tough to tell in the photo but I used Tim Holtz
distress crackle paint in "Shabby Shutters" on the word "BEAUTY"


Roman celebrated his 5th birthday and here is a fun page I made
I used October Afternoon's "Seaside" papers and also
some fun little kraft tags from Maya Road
Can't forget the Maya mist!
(I used fern and blueberry on this)





On November 30th I will be teaching another installment of the Bored Housewives...
"Tinsel Time"!
I designed this class with Cosmo Cricket's "Mitten Weather" line
I just love the colors, especially the lavender
I am offering 2 classes:
one at 10:30 AM, the other at 6:30 PM
Call (816) 228-4944 to sign up!



Here are a few closer shots

One more class:
Christmas Tags!

I truly appreciate you stopping by my blog today

Your comments just make my day!
*Tara*

A big thank you

First, I want to thank all of you who took the time out of your lives to make cards for Summer and Tia.

I know these will mean so much to them!

I was amazed, cards even came from as far as The Netherlands.

Thank you again for your kindness and thoughtfulness. I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted, I've been quite sick with my pregnancy. Finally the "morning" sickness has subsided...just in time for pneumonia to move in!

I've been in bed for days :( I'm feeling a bit better today but still not back 100%

I do have a new class I will be teaching at The Scrapbook Workshoppe.

I used the school line from We R Memory Keepers for this 2 page layout.

We'll do some paper piecing and make a mini book that goes in the right hand corner of the layout.

The best part is the class is only $12.50!

I will offer two classes on Tuesday, September 21st: 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM

Just call the store to sign up (816) 228-4944

I haven't done much creatively but here is a layout I made with the new My Mind's Eye Lost & Found paper & embelishments.

(a little Jenni Bowlin & Tim Holtz added in there also )

I love this line, it's the perfect mix of flea market and glitz.

This photo was taken in Georgetown, Colorado.

We were delayed due to a traffic accident on our way to Steamboat Springs and we ended up spending several hours in this quaint and charming little town.

It ended up being one of the highlights of our trip!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today, I hope your day is wonderful!

Please read- I need your help!

On August 2nd, some close family friends of ours were in a plane crash in San Diego http://www.cbs8.com/Global/story.asp?S=12911943

On board were Greg, his wife Lori and their 3 children Summer (11) Tia (10) and Austin(8)

Lori was pronounced deceased at the scene and Austin later passed in the hospital

Greg and the girls are in bad shape with countless broken bones and many surgeries ahead of them.

Summer and Tia are in medically induced comas to help their bodies heal.

First and foremost, I ask for your prayers for the Crane Family

Second, I am organizing a card drive for the girls.

I cannot imagine the physical pain these young girls are facing and the emotions they must be feeling.

Be it a small gesture, I believe a card could brighten their day and bring a smile to their face.

If this is something you'd like to do then simply make 2 cards (one for Summer, one for Tia)and mail them to me, I will mail them in one giant care package to the girls.

(I'd like to do this by 9/1)

Tara Powell

708 SW Joseph Circle

Grain Valley MO 64029

Since this tragedy has taken place I have really started to look at my life differently.

We truly don't know how long we have on this Earth, how long we have with those we love.

God could take any of us at any time. No one is untouchable and each day is a gift.

I can't imagine the pain that this family is facing now.

The unthinkable truly has happened.

I just pray everyday for their healing and for God to comfort them in their time of complete sorrow.

I took this photo while in Steamboat Springs and I think it totally sums up God's promise.

Even in the midst of the darkest of storms, he will never leave or forsake us.

I had some free time the other night and made a few layouts

This first one is Koby and Mia back in 2004, they were so little!
Finding these photos brought tears to my eyes, it seems like just the other day they were this little.

They start 1st and 3rd grade this week for Pete's sake!

Next time I blink they will be grown.

Here are a few baseball layouts of Mr. Koby, the MVP pitcher

I am so proud of the leadership he has shown on the team

While at the World Series one of the other players fathers made a comment about how Koby was one of the "Saltiest" players he'd seen.

I asked him what that meant and he explained...

"It means he has pure grit and is totally committed to his team and the game. Every game he leaves his heart and soul on the field"

To hear someone say that about my son just made my day.

I just love these pictures of him, he is such a little guy still but in these photos you can just see the pressure of the game on his face.

He holds himself to such a high standard and isn't satisfied unless he does his absolute best.

The kid truly eats, sleeps and breathes baseball.

I am so proud of his determination and dedication.

Last week my youngest sister, Natalie, and I went to the Lady Gaga concert. Talk about a show! We had so much fun. And yes, if you are wondering that IS a giant bow on my head ;)


Thanks for reading my super long post, I promise I am going to try and be more diligent with updating my blog!

Have a great weekend and remember to kiss and hug those you love.

An update from Tara- BIG news!

I have some big news, I won't keep you in suspense...

I am due around Valentine's Day! We recently moved into a new home...
I have been concentrating a lot on my mixed media art work
Here is a piece I recently finished
It is on a 40X60 canvas and has several different textures and mediums on it
It is available for sale in my store


Here is a 4 piece canvas that I recently sold
These canvases were 12x12 each

July 17 was my birthday, I am now 29

(eek!)

I know 29 is still young but I have a sneaking suspicion that

the years will just fly by from here on out.

What's that saying?

"The days are so long, but the years are so short"

For any of you that have moved and had to move all of your scrapping supplies

I'm sure you can relate, it is NOT fun!

Paper weighs a TON and it really gives you perspective on how

fast the stuff can accumulate!

Lately I have been very good about not buying more scrapbook supplies

unless I know it's something I am going to use in the very near future.

It is so easy to let this hobby turn into a product hoarding frenzy and

that is SO not what it's about

It's about preserving memories and in 15 years my kids won't care

whether I used the latest or trendiest products on their scrapbooks

With school being out my scrapping time has been pretty non existent

but here are 2 pages I managed to quickly crank out

the other night:

Koby has started moved up from machine pitch to kid pitch baseball

He is one heck of a pitcher, so fun and intense to watch!

During a recent game he had 9 strike outs and held a total shut out

until the last inning of the game

We recently went to Steamboat Springs, CO to take Koby's team

to play in the World Series.

It was the first time I'd been to the state and I fell in love!

The mountain air, the amazing scenery, and everyone is so active!

Everywhere you look people are riding bikes, walking their dogs,

I just loved the lifestyle there.

We will go back next July and I am counting the days.

I would love to go there this winter and see Colorado in it's snow covered majesty.

I doubt being pregnant on skis is that good of an idea though...

I can make all the promises in the world about trying to blog more often

but the reality is life happens and gets in the way

I miss blogging and miss hearing from all of my online friends

All I can do is try to get back in the habit of updating, once it

becomes more of a habit it's easier and becomes second nature

Thanks for reading my update

I hope each and every one of you are doing well!!

crash.

Honestly, this describes my life lately.

Crash. Boom Bang.

I was in a car accident on Friday and here's what's left of my vehicle.

God truly had his hand on me and for that I am thankful.

It was raining cats and dogs and I hydroplaned at about 60 mph on the interstate

It spun me into the guardrail, and around 180 degrees into head on oncoming traffic.

The airbag deployed and beat me up pretty bad but not nearly as bad as it could have been.

Seconds after I got off the road two other cars hit the same spot and would have hit me if I hadn't moved in the nick of time.

God is GOOD, no he is GREAT.

Lately my family has had numerous challenges thrown our way and I have been battling with anxiety and depression in a big way.
I'm sorry my blog has sat abandoned but I honestly haven't felt I've had anything worth posting
I did make a layout last week and need to take a photo of it, maybe I'll post it later
Things have just been really rough lately.
I'm sorry to be such a Debbie Downer but I wanted to post an update, no matter how bad things get I know they can always be worse and I am thankful to be surrounded by my family and friends that love me (You know who you are)
I know that this too shall pass
:)

Could it be true? Tara posted an update?!?

I can hardly believe it myself!

Not a day goes by that I don't think about my blog

How it's sitting all alone, left in the cold

Probably crying itself to sleep at night

Feeling unloved and neglected.

Wait, am I talking about my blog or my scraproom?

Probably both!

Things have been busy, I know, same story, different post!

While I have been insanely occupied I have still managed to crank out a few artistic creations

This is a piece I painted with Golden acrylics on watercolor paper last week

At first I didn't like it but it's starting to grow on me.

Here's a banner I made with the GCD Studios "Homespun Chic"

They had a design team call that I thought I would try for and then I forgot the deadline and missed it! How typical.

Here's a fun layout titled "Flaky Fun" that I made with some My Mind's Eye and Jenni Bowlin

I used some Maya Mist and Maya Road snowflakes as a mask, such fun!

Mia and her Daddy had a blast sledding back in January (even though they broke the sled! LOL)

Mia celebrated her 6th birthday in December and here's a layout I did using Jen Wilson's Life Stories paper, I LOVE this paper!!!

Of course the adorable Sassafras just adds cuteness to the page.

Do you like my misting along the edges?

I misted over some doilies and really am pleased with the way it turned out.

Another birthday layout I quicklyput together using some of the new MME Quite Contrary line

The stamp is Studio Calico and it is a new fave of mine

My best bud, Tina lent it to me

If she thinks she's getting it back she has lost her mind! LOL

This is another quickie I made

I challenged myself to use scraps/materials that were on my table and nothing else

This is the result!
My Koby was missing his 2 front teeth for months but one is finally growing in!
He is thrilled, to say the least

I saved my favorite for last...

This Homespun Chic line is one of my favorites I have seen in a while, anything retro is right up my alley (Being that I am the Head Housewife of the Bored Housewives!)

The black and white letters are K & Co and I have stocked up on them, LOVE them!

My family has been going through a lot lately

If you wouldn't mind saying a prayer for us I would appreciate it more than you could know.

I have total faith that God will see us through this storm
Thanks for stopping by my blog today

I have missed you all!

A new found hobby

I am ridden with guilt over my blog.

It's hard to believe it has sat with no new posts for another month.

New businesses truly require a lot of time!

We have met so many kind people in our short time in business, and made many satisfied customers. (Just read the feedback on our facebook page!)

I do have a new found hobby but let me bring you up to speed with my scrapping hobby first!

I took somewhat of a hiatus from teaching but got back in the groove and designed some things for Valentine's Day.

Don't you love the Cupid line from Pink Paislee?On this mailbox I used the Crush line from Teresa Collins

I got the mailbox from the Dollar Spot at Target, can't beat that!

The white Prima flower has been misted with Cherry Metallic Maya Mist

I have really taken a liking to Maya Mist, their new colors they released at CHA are gorgeous!

The Scrapbook Workshoppe got them in and I just had to have Carnation Pink, Blue Hydrangea and Fern Green. Such bright, springy colors.

Want to see some new pages I've done?

Here is a funky one I used a lot of Studio Calico on

(The mist used is the Fern Green Maya Mist I was just harping about)
Here's a fun layout with more Studio Calico

I used the January Add on kit for this

When I saw the wooden letters it was love at first sight!!

Missouri has received it's fair share of snow (and then some!)

Collage Press hit a home run with their JoyRide line

I knew it was the perfect paper to scrap these photos of the kids sledding

Have you seen the Jenni Bowlin/Coredinations cardstock?

Here's a small strip of it on this next layout:

Just a fast one I threw together in about 10 minutes

I LOVE these photos of Lola & the boys!

Punctuality is a must for my oldest son, Koby

He hates to be late!
(I could learn a thing ar two from him...)
We overslept one morning, needless to say he wasn't in that good of a mood.

One more snow layout!


Now, onto my new obsession...
Mixed media & acrylic paint!!
My friend, Tina, has been a mixed media maven for some time now
and has graciously started to share her knowledge with little old me!
I love how there are no rules and anything can be used as ephemera
Golden acrylics and mediums are my new drug of choice...



Here is my first piece, "So it Seams"
I used pieces of a vintage Butterick pattern and do you recognize the black floral paper?
Basic Grey! The sewing machine stamps are Studio Calico, I used UTEE to emboss them and then did a light glaze of Titan Buff.
(This is a 16x20 canvas)


Another fun piece on paper with more vintage fun


This isn't mixed media but just a painting I did as a gift for my mother in law

I played around with Light Molding Paste on this

I hope she likes it!



If I can give you any idea of how busy I am...

I started typing this post at 11:00 AM.
It is now 5:30 PM and I am just now finishing

Have a great weekend!