I've been on staff with SNR now for almost a year, but it's been really hard to share it with you since it's by subscription only. Great news, we have a brand new site that's absolutely gorgeous and we're holding an open house this weekend. Stop by between Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. EST until 8:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, you'll have complete access Double-header, double issue FREE weekend at Scrapbook News and Review Magazine. Come get a gander at the site, chat on the forum, join in a challenge, play a game or two and the best part of all, see the inside of the magazine for FREE. Don't delay -- register on our site today. You must be a registered user to play.

back home

There really is no place like home to rest, heal, and recharge. I'm glad I could make the trip out to help my inlaws. My mother in law passed on Friday and we had a small gathering at the house on Sunday before I came home Monday night. I don't have any grand insight or wisdom to share yet. I'm still processing it all. I've never been that close to death before it happened. It's not a pretty or peaceful sight. It's messy and intense, sort of like birth. In fact I'd say it's very similar to birth. When it's over everyone breathes a sigh of relief. I don't mean any disrespect by that, I just mean she went through so much we were thankful that her struggle was over and she could move on to the next journey. Thank you all for the kind words and thoughts and prayers. Shared sorrow is a lighter load to bear.

I'm running off to spend some time with my mom to hang out, do girl things, and have lunch. Happier posts and art coming soon. Thanks for stopping by today.

"You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give." -Eleanor Roosevelt

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do." -Eleanor Roosevelt

I've taken great comfort in Eleanor's quotes over the years. No matter what life hands me, it seems she has an appropriate quote to guide me. As I reflect on the life of one of the strongest women I've ever met, I'm comforted by these quotes. We received the very sad news this week that my mother in law is losing her battle with lung cancer. She is resilient and opinionated and we hoped just tough enough to win this fight. The cancer fought dirty, didn't follow the rules, and hit areas we weren't expecting. In the midst of her valiant fight she did an amazing thing. She pulled the family back together. She showed my family love and peace. There's no greater gift.

I'll be away for a couple of weeks staying with them to help out. Thank you for stopping by.

These are some projects I made for SNR early in the summer for a kit club review of Mosh Posh. This kit reminded me of Grandma's kitchen, so I had to make a recipe book with it. Love the cherries and bright colors in this.

I know today is a somber day of remembrance, but it's also a day to celebrate our resilience. We are still flying the flag and living our lives free from fear eight years after that devastating day. Thank you to each and every person working to protect our freedom.

all things distress

This is a sample for a new class I'm teaching at Stampfully Yours in Escondido in November. I had so much fun getting inky with this tag book. I can't wait to see how the students change it up and make their own versions of this one. I'm planning to write my favorite quotes in here. Eleanor Roosevelt is sure to have top billing. It would make a fun little art journal or mini scrapbook, too. I'd love to hear how you'd use it.

Other news highlights around here this week:
*High School is still going well, even with homework.
*Hubby is flying out to visit with his family this weekend.
*I noticed on our walk today that the leaves and acorns are falling.
*We're up to our eyeballs in seafood. I'm officially a fishing widow or fish wife or something like that.
*Labor Day weekend around here means garage sale mania and a very happy fish wife.
*The stamping girls came over Monday and we stamped ourselves silly. I love stamping days.
*Tomorrow is yoga day, ahhhh

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you have a beautiful holiday weekend.

eye candy

Here are a few things I made for a sponsored event at the magazine earlier this summer. The stamps are from Magenta, one of my favorite companies. Thanks for stopping by. Happy September.