Teresa Collins on Good Things Utah

Check out Teresa Collin's segment that was on Good Things Utah today!
Teresa is having a give-a-way on her blog. Go check her out HERE. I have a project that she posted on her blog as well...check it out! 

Sad and Happy Day.

So today was an emotional day. This morning I found out that my dear cousin lost her fight against breast cancer. She was only 43 years young and left behind loving parents that were celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary today.  We knew she was loosing the battle but it is still hard to say good-bye.  I know she is in a better place, no more suffering, no more pain, and she is back with her creator.  I love you Ate Tiche may your soul rest in peace.

After making many phone calls to my parents, brother and my aunt and uncle and the other family members. I was on the phone almost all day.  I have a large extended family. My mom is from a family of 7 and my father a family of 9. So talking to aunts, uncles, cousins and more cousins I was an emotional wreak.  But I do have to say considering we are spread all over the world I am impressed with how truly close we all are with one another.  I love my family!

So after most of my day being spent on the phone crying I was glad to hear that my true and dearest friends in Chicago were getting together for a CROP night.  So in good spirits I said "hey skype me in and we can crop together like the old times". We did...it was soo much fun talking and seeing one another. It was like I was in the room with them.  Look here is a snapshot picture I took of them while we were on skype.

Amy and Marie

I love these girls so much. They were there when I had my first child. I was in both of their weddings. (For Amy's wedding I had just had given birth to Drew 2 weeks before the wedding. Marie's wedding was last year, we were out of our house for two weeks before the wedding and we left Chicago the day after the wedding.)  I was there to see Amy's first born.  We have been through thick and thin with each other, the good times and the bad.  To think of it, I was their boss at Archiver's.  I hired both of them! Ha!   I am so glad fate brought us together. I love and miss them dearly.  We are going to "skype crop" together soon.  Amy now lives in North Carolina , Marie is in Illinois and I am in Utah and we can still crop together like the good old days.  And like the good old days...I GOT NOTHING DONE.

Today started out sad and my friends were there to lift my spirits up.  I am grateful for my family and friends.

A productive two days...

Have you ever had a productive weekend and got a ton of projects completed?  Well this weekend I did  just that.  I signed up to do a Calendar Swap over at Life on the {Scrap}Beach.  I had a great time designing it and I had my whole production system going.  But I ran out of red ribbon, I was scared that I didn't have enough paper, I goofed up the sewing on some of the layouts...my list of mishaps kept going and going. But I was still happy with the outcome of the layout.


I used Making Memories Love Struck line for my layout. Thank goodness I had enough paper to make all 12 layouts. Phew!

 

Close up of my project

completed project...all 12 layouts ready to ship.

My next project was a mini album trade again with Life on a {Scrap}Beach with Bev.  I completed the album and forgot to take pictures because I was so excited to send it out to Bev.  Oh well. I have to remember to take pictures. (kinda funny that a scrapbooker forgets to take pictures.) 

Now I get to play with Teresa Collins Noel Paper collection.  So excited to get the Christmas spirit going.

If you were wondering...No I did not do the Black Friday shopping thing.  I am way to chicken to fight the crowds.  I have been online shopping before I think it was cool.  I knew exactly what I needed order it and it already comes wrapped and everything. So much better for me. No crowds or anything. Another reason I never shopped on Black Friday is because I was always working at my local scrapbook store Windy City Scrapbooking on Black Friday.  It was always fun and exciting how busy we were on Black Friday.  I miss you girls! This was my first Black Friday that I was not at WCS, well I guess I have a good excuse this year...I am just a little too far to make it in to work.  Honestly...I didn't know what to do with myself today.  So I just played in my studio.

I was also blessed on Thanksgiving because Robert was cooking the entire dinner for us.  I was treated to playing in my studio all day.  So in two days I finished the 12 layouts and a mini album!  Yea me! Now that is what I am talking about being truly blessed. And my Chicago friends know what an accomplishment is for me to complete so much in two days.  Don't ask..They keep telling me that they think I forgot how to scrapbook.  But I haven't!  SEE! Miss yall.  Okay...thanks for stopping by to see what I will do next. Have a great weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

There are so many things that I am grateful for. I am grateful for my family, the move out to Utah and the opportunities that I have been given.  Don't get me wrong, my life is not a fairy tale. There are many emotional roller coasters that pass through my life...but right now I am enjoying the ride.

I was wanting to share a project I did a few weeks back.As many of you know I love banners.  Here is a banner I created using Teresa Collins Giving Thanks paper line, Blingage Alphabet Stamp set and Gentry's glitter. This was a quick and easy project.

Thanks Banner

Close-up of one of the banner pennant.

I have this banner hanging in our big window in front of the house along with decorated artwork from my kids. Between my two older kids in school they bring home so many art projects, Kindergarten and Pre-K.  My house overflowing with projects. 




Hey I might even throw together a video on how to make this banner. If I can get my editing program to work.  My life story with computer software.    I was just wanting to wish you a safe and happy Thanks giving. Okay...have a great Turkey Day!

Baby it's clold outside!

Late Saturday night it started snowing.  Funny thing is we had no clue that it was snowing...well because you never hear snow fall...just that peaceful clam falling of the snow.  But we love the winter...oh do we love winter.  We moved to Salt Lake City because the close proximity to the ski resorts.  Robert grew up in Denver and wanted to move closer to the mountains. So we moved for the winter.  When we arrived in Salt Lake in March the kids and Robert went up spring snowboarding at least a dozen times and loved it. So they are excited to get the season started.

This morning, the kids popped out of bed and wanted to go play in the snow.  Robert, a brave sole, got them ready to go sledding.  I was able to get a couple of shots before they left.  They love the snow and I am so happy that they enjoy the cold weather.

Caroline aka:Baby is ready to go play.

Drew literally jumped out of the car and landed in the snow.

Sammie was ready to go right then and now.

Kashi even loves the snow...he always make dog angels in the snow.

It is always so hard to get them to look at the camera at the same time.

This is the best I can do. Love these kids so much.

We relaxed and rested the remainder of the day.  It was a great day on Sunday.

Friday Excitment...

 Friday was such a fun day.  The day started out with Copic Training at Provo Craft. Thank you Provo Craft for hosting the training. Teresa Collins was not able to attend because she was traveling to California to teach classes for the weekend.  So thank you Teresa for sending me to represent you at this great event. The class was jam packed with information on the markers and all the amazing things that it can do vs. the other markers that are out in the market.  This is defiantly a tool that will never need replacing.  WOW!  The possibilities are endless.  Paired up with the Teresa Collins Stampmaker....to the moon~!

Marianne is teaching us all about copic markers

All the attendees at the Copic Certification Class at Provo Craft

So the training was all day...but it gave me time to come home and spend some time with the kids before we headed out for DATE NIGHT.  We were meeting some friends for dinner and the Jazz game.  It was my first Utah Jazz game.  We had so much fun!  Thanks Rachel and Kellen!

Bad shot but you get the idea. Just getting to the game.

At the game.  It was soo loud!

Have I said that I am soooooo glad we made the move to UTAH?  I am soo happy.  I feel like I am sitting on top of the world.  Feeling grateful and VERY BLESSED.

Saturday we just chilled out.  The kids and I just were lazy....never thought about leaving the house and then I looked outside to discover that it snowed.  We love snow.  

So I am off to bed.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Teresa Collins Design Team Announced

So happy and excited that the new team has been announced!  Congrats ladies!  I can not wait to work with such a talented group of ladies! Congrats to the following:


Julie Jacobs
Lynden, WA

Amanda Jones
United Kingdom

Stacey Michaud
Newington, CT

Maridette Cachola
Brentwood, CA

Collette Nederhoff
Albuquerque, NM

Yvonne Blair
Ocala, FL

Laura McCollough
Temecula, CA


They are joining the existing TC Designers:
Sesil Cratin  (Design Team Coordinator)  --- look it is me!
Cheri Piles (Assistant-Design Team Coordinator)
Jamie Harper
Jamie Harder

Such a talented group of designers.  Now off to send off more e-mails today!  Wooo Hoo...let's get this party started!

 

My 12 Days of Christmas tags.

I just wanted to share a tag I made for a swap on Life on the {Scrap}beach.  I was in charge of the cover for the tag swap.  I missed the sign up and one of the ladies suggested that I do a cover tag.  I agreed to be on both groups so I could participate.  Oh wow. I am used to only having to make 12 but to have to do 24 WOW!  Loved doing it ladies.  So I thought I would share.

The pile of completed tags.

Detail picture of the tag. 

Supplies used:
Basic Grey pattern paper
"days of Christmas" I created on the computer and printed it out.
"12" cut from Songbird cartridge using my Cricut Expression
Rosette die - Tim Holtz Sizzix
Glitter ric-rack May Arts
Adhesive: Therm-o-web Super Tape, Foam Squares and Tape Runner.
Additional supplies:
Chipboard backing, tag, ribbon.


Okay ladies...sending all this off to Hope. ;)

Crazy Week

 This has been a crazy week for me.  The kind of week were you wonder how in the world did I make it through.  My kids got sick then I got a touch of it towards the end of the week.  We are all doing much better but wow...It has been a long time since we have been sick. 

So I would like to share a card I made using Teresa Collins Giving Thanks Papers. 

Tag Card

I used the pocket on the front to hold a tag to be able to add a photo or an additional message to the recipient. Thanks for stopping by.

Moving my thankful post to a different blog.

I am moving my thankful post to a different blog.  I want to keep this blog my personal crafty blog.  If you would like to read my posts you can find them here...http://iamthankfulfor.blogspot.com/

Now off to our regular scheduled post.   I will leave you with a card I made using the Teresa Collins Giving Thanks paper line. 

Love the colors of the paper.

Thanks for coming!

Day 7: I am thankful...

image by http://www.freeimages.co.uk

I am thankful for daylight savings time.  We were able to get an extra hour today.  I am going to take that extra hour and go to bed at a decent hour.  I am tired from this past week and this weekend.  We have a busy week ahead.

Lonnie made it here today from Chicago.  I have to mentally prepare Robert not being here for a little bit.  He will be getting things ready for our new endeavor.   I will be able to show you some crafty projects soon.

Have a great Sunday. 

Day 6: I am thankful...

I am thankful for a wonderful easy Saturday.  Today was a good day considering that Drew was sick the night before, he woke up like nothing was wrong and never skipped a beat.  Robert and I just tag teamed watching the kids...he got up with them and fed them breakfast so I could sleep in.  I got up and kept the kids occupied while Robert took his morning nap.  It was a wonderful lazy day.

Later during the day Robert and Thad watched some football. After football we had the rest of Thad's family over for dinner.  It was a great time.  I love the fact that the kids love to play together and get along. I love that Em and I got a chance to just sit and talk. It was a little crazy trying to get the kids feed at the same time six little kids wanting to be feed at the same time is quite entertaining.  But after the kids finished eating we sat down to have a great dinner.  It made dinner that much more enjoyable to be able to share it with friends and great conversations. Thanks Em and Thad for welcoming our family to the neighborhood.

So I am thankful for a wonderful easy beautiful Saturday in Salt Lake City with our friends.

 

Day 5: I am thankful for...

I am thankful for...my family. Love and support through thick and thin. In the last couple of weeks I have been on an emotional roller coaster.  Many overwhelming feelings!

Some of you may know that my parents have decided to retire in the Philippines.  This is something I fully support and I am happy for them to make this big move back home.  Before they left they came for a visit.  I was so blessed that they were able to spend some quality time with me and the kids.  I was glad they were able to see what goes on with us on a day to day basis here in Salt Lake City vs. our day to day life in Chicago.  My favorite was my dad would set up his computer by the window so he could look up and see the mountains while working on the computer. Great quality time and many many laughs during their stay.  They left on a Thursday.

That Saturday, my little brother proposed to his girlfriend and she said "YES!"  I was so excited and happy for my brother and my future sister-in-law.  They are in DC working and loving life.  So completely and overly excited to hear about their plans and the details of the proposal.  So exciting and overwhelmed with happiness.

Two days later I get a call from one of my aunts telling me that my cousin Tiche just announced that she has stage IV  breast cancer and is expected to only live for a month.  What?!? Really?!?  She is only in her early 40's. What?!?  I lost it.  I was pissed that I could not call my mom because they didn't have a phone yet, I was mad because this was the first time we knew about her having cancer, I was upset because I was feeling happy when she was suffering. When I found out I sent her a message letting her know I was thinking about her and to stay strong.  Her response to me was "I love you too. Let's party! LOL"  She always knew what to say to me to make me feel better.  She is in such High spirits to help overcome the pain.  She was the one that was always taking care of everyone and forgot to take care of herself.  Everyone has been able to express their love and appreciation for all that she has done.  Family coming together to make things easier.. and this was two weeks ago. Now, time is getting closer and I am deeply saddened again, I just got word that her final days are here. I love you Tiche! Stay strong.

Family. I am thankful for my family!

Tattered Angels projects...

So since this is supposed to be my "crafty blog" I thought I would share some of my creations.


 

Thanks for stopping by!  Let me know your thoughts, questions or comments.

Day 4: I am thankful for..

I am thankful for my friends. I am thankful for the dear and true friends that have come and gone. I am thankful for the new friendships that are starting to blossom. I am thankful to the new friends I will have in the future. I am thankful for the ability to let someone take care of you in a time of need. I am thankful for the fun, laughter and experiences we had together. I am thankful for the ability to grow as an individual with their help. I am thankful for the memories that I have had with my friends. I am thankful for the ability to have that connection with another person. I am thankful after many years of not seeing one another we can sit down and the years are erased by a simple conversation. I am thankful for the understanding that is there when someone is at a loss of words but no words are necessary. I am thankful for my friends because they are my support system. I am thankful for the harsh words that were spoken when they needed to be expressed. I am thankful for the acceptance when an apology was given. I am thankful for the mistakes that I have made; and still having the continual unconditional love and support of my friends. We are not perfect as individuals but we are perfect together as friends. There is no way that I would ever be able to list all my friends... you know who you are! I love you truly from the bottom of my heart. I am thankful for my FRIENDS.



Thank you for listening to my ramblings.

Day 3: I am thankful for...

I am thankful for moving to Utah.  We moved from Chicago to Salt Lake City in March.  We have already done so much in the 8 months we have been here that what we did in Chicago in the past 5 years.  We have more opportunities to do things as a family.  We are more a family now that ever.  Our quality of life has improved 110%.  You can see it in the kids smile, laughter and personalities that this was the right move for us.  I realize that there are some of our friends that are scared of change, but we were ready for a change, we needed the change, change was good for us.

We get asked why Salt Lake City? Why Utah?  Robert grew up in Colorado, always on the mountains during the winter months.  He wanted to move to the mountains.  I wanted to live close to an International Airport, have good public education and a family friendly environment. Salt Lake City is perfect.  We are still in the city but so close to the mountains....and come on people it is the capital of the scrapbooking industry.  (that is going to be a different post all together.)

So I believe we are here to stay. We were talking to some friends and someone said that "Salt Lake City is a little hidden gem."   It is so true, the beauty of a city and the beauty of mountains that surround you everyday.  AMAZING!  So to us we feel like we are in a little suburb of Chicago but with mountains and cheaper taxes.

So today I am thankful for moving to Utah.


Here are some pictures while in Utah.

Our little house

Drew and Sammie

Maddie and Sammie

Caroline, Sammie and Drew off on a hike with Robert

Jumping in Moab, UT

Now do you see why I am thankful for moving to Utah?  We love it out here in Utah!
:)Sesil

Day 2: I am thankful for....

I am thankful for knowing Susan Dallas.  Susan passed away suddenly 2 years ago she was only in her early 30's.  She was an amazing wife, mother and friend.  Ask anyone who was able to cross her path she was full of life, joy and a great friend.  I think of her often as she was my confidant, you could tell her anything and she always had this great wisdom and knew exactly how to say it with out making you feel like and idiot.  Okay...sometimes I was an idiot.  But she was not afraid to tell you like it is, what you needed to do and suggestions on how to do it or how to get there.  I am honored and blessed that I was graced with her presence during her time on earth.

I love you Susan, you will always be a part of me. By the way...quit laughing at me up there.  I know you are..you were always laughing at me. I love you dearly. Chris and Evan I love you more than you know..you will always be part of our family.


 

Some of the Windy City girls at Christina's wedding. 

Day 1: I am thankful for ...

I am thankful for my neighbors Tom and Carol Lee. They are both in the Utah Symphony and  passed along some tickets for us during the summer including tickets to tonight's performance with Riders in the Sky.
It was amazing! A cross between folk music and classical music...it reminded me of a Disney Western.  That was my fist thought when they started playing together with the Symphony. Later during the set  I discovered they performed a song called  "Woody's Round Up" for "Toy Story 2"  The entire performance was entertaining and amazing.

Unfortunately, I had to attend the symphony by myself because Drew had his last T-ball game and someone had to stay home with the kids.  (By the way, Drew came home with his first trophy. Wooo Hooo! Go Drew!) Thank you Robert for watching the kids so I could go listen to some Old Folk Country songs accompanied by the Utah Symphony.  Tonight was a good night.  Date night..solo.  Try it.

So that is what I am thankful for today.
:)Sesil