Blog Update ...

Decided my blog needed a new shiny look for the upcoming fall season. I made the header using pieces of my "Leaf Into Fall" kit which is reworked and hopefully being submitted to my stores soon, the flower from a posting bonus I did for Digitals (available in September) and from my "Dream Your Own Monogram for Fall" which I also hope to get into my stores soon.

I've got about 2/3 of the office unpacked and put away. We are definitely up and running with all the essential stuff.

Ollie has a scrimmage tonight at 9:30... ughhhhh going to seriously cut into my bedtime! LOL

Grab Bag Revealed ...

Here were the contents of my grab bag. All three will be uploaded to both my stores this week.









































































Each was a small kit of about 16 pieces, priced at $2.49. I think it was a good bargain for only $2 for all three. Let me know what kind of pieces you'd like to see in future grab bags!

Whew, the office move finally happened on Saturday. It was a super long day and just about everything that could be a problem was except the one thing I was the most worried about. I had no problems getting the server up and running, reconnected, etc. That went smooth and seems to be more organized that it ever was at the other place. Of course I didn't move the server myself last time. Anyhow, got my desk put back together yesterday and some of the office boxes unpacked. Hoping to be settled by the end of the week.

Have some other new stuff in the works. Hope to have some previews coming at ya later this week.

Saying goodbye to Mr. Blinky ....

Today our very dear neighbor and friend, John Valinksi, was laid to rest. The Lord saw fit to bring him home on Sunday. It is a big loss for those of us left behind, but a bigger gain for heaven. He is now reunited with his beloved wife. If you could see the pictures over the years of the two of them and the look of pure love and adoration on his face in each and every one of them... it's really something to behold. She passed over 12 years ago so they've waited a long time to be reunited. He was 93 years old and lived a very active life up until about 2 years ago. The past year has been long and hard and he had no quality of life any more. While I'm sad, in many ways I'm celebrating that he is finally free of the body that trapped him. There aren't enough words to say how much he was loved and respected by family and friends.

So, why say goodbye to "Mr. Blinky"? Slike (John) has lived next door for 53 years. The house we live in was originally the house my husband grew up in and he's known Slike most of his life. He grew up with his children. When we moved in here, Ollie was only 3 years old. We introduced Ollie to Mr. Valinkski and many others that have lived on this street for years. A few days later Ollie kept talking about Mr. Blinky. I couldn't figure out what he meant until he pointed to the house next door. I guess Blinky was as close to Valinski as he could get. From then on it was Mr. Blinky and nobody adored that name more than the man himself. I can't tell you how many times I answered the phone over the years and heard "Hey, it's Mr. Blinky next door!". There are so many memories of this dear man. I'm sure we have pictures around here somewhere, although I haven't been able to put my hands on them yet. I've been through all the digital ones, next stop the boxes of pre-digital ones.

So, while it's horribly sad to see the house dark next door.... my heart sings to know he is happy and at peace.

Rest in peace Mr. Blinky ..... we love you!

Weekend news, etc.

Weekend was a good one for the most part. We decided to leave early Saturday morning and drive up to Essex, CT. From there we took a fun steam train ride to Chester, CT and then a ferry across the river to hike up to Gillette Castle.

After visiting the castle we hiked back down to the ferry, got back on the steam train and then took a steam boat ride on the river. Made for a super fun and relaxing (well except for the hiking straight uphill part! LOL) day. We stopped at a fun restaurant we had seen a billboard for on the way up. It was called the USS Chowder Pot III and had fabulous food. Was well worth the wait for a table. We ended up getting home about 9:30 p.m. and we were all so tired we headed for bed early. That NEVER happens!

Sunday morning Ollie had All Star clinic with the high school team and then we did the typical errands, etc. All in all a very nice family weekend.

Don't forget my grab bag sale! Remember these are new products at a great bargain.

GRAB BAG SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woohooooo TSG is having a grab bag sale and I have my first grab bag there. It's on sale for one week only for $2. What's inside is a surprise, but I can tell you that there are three nice sized kits in my bag. It's a $2 value for what will be between $6 and $7 when they are put in the store individually. Here's a peek at my ad and it might contain some tiny hints. hehe


So stop by today and pick one up while it's on sale. You can find it here. Also, there are 9 other grab bags in the store and I can tell you that from what I've seen, they are all fabulous! Sale on these ends at midnight, Friday, August 24th.

Catching up ....

WOW, the week has flown by! Sunday was a tough day for me as always. For those of you who don't know, I have a little angel in heaven named Jenn. She died during birth on August 12, 1994 and Sunday would have been her 13th birthday. It's not something that every goes away, just some years are better and some are worse than others. I think I came through ok this year, just kind of quiet and sad. Here is a layout that I did of her for my Grandmother's 80th birthday album last year. A huge thank you to my dear friend Diann who really helped me with this photo when I was struggling with the editing.

Ollie was able to return to hockey last Thursday night for clinic. He started a full week of 1/2 day camp this week. It's required leaving the house about 7:20 a.m. to get him there on time. I take him all the way up to came, drive down to work, drive back up to Gary's shop (the guy running the camp graciously offered to bring him back to the shop every afternoon and let him stay there until I get off work... I can't say enough about how well Gary treats these kids!), and then home again. It's about 70 miles round trip all said and done. He's done super in camp this week. He's been tired each day and his wrist is hurting him some, but he's improving by the day. Gotta love the kids determination, as tired as he has been he still managed to run 2 nights and go to clinic again last night. Coach gave him a 10 lb. weighted vest and has him running sprints uphill for 20 minutes 3x a week. He sprints uphill about 30-40 yards and then walks down, sprints up, etc.

My parents left on Monday after being here for over 3 weeks.

Going to spend tomorrow having some family time. I think we are going to make a day trip to Essex, CT and browse around. Looks like some nice things to do there. Have a great weekend!

Rachel & Friends

I forgot to post that this kit went into my stores last week!





This is a special custom kit for a very special young lady. Miss Rachel's two best friends are boys and Mom needed a kit that she could scrap pictures of Rachel & her friends. Fun, fresh and funky colors allow for a kit that has so many uses. Unique elements and fun word stickers make this a perfect kit for teenagers, tweenagers and kids of all ages.

Kit Contains:
14 papers (5 solid textured, 9 patterned), 1 cardboard arrow with glitter border, 3 bead borders, 1 glass brad, 3 painted metal flower brads, 1 flower, 3 funky frames, 1 funky ribbon flower, 1 ribbon and eyelet border, 2 paperclips, 2 tied ribbons, 2 staple sets, 8 Word Stickers, 2 crumpled tags, 4 twill ribbons

Ollie Update, Box of Dreams Challenge and a Freebie ... OH MY!

Ollie Update

Taking Ollie to the doctor on Tuesday was an adventure! They had messed up the appoinment and didn't have us down for the date they had told us and written down on the appointment card. Regardless, they squeezed him in with a different doctor. We now have clearance for him to play, but keeping a very strong eye on the wound. We will have to back him off playing if it gets overly sore, starts to open up at all, bleed, leak, etc. etc. He can leave it open all the time now except when playing hockey. When he plays we have to put bandaids on the fingers and wrap his wrist. Doctor told me to make a paste/ointment out of diaper rash cream (zinc oxide) and Neosporin. That will help protect the wound from some of the sweat and germs. Big thing is to make sure that no equipment is rubbing on it. He has clinic with the high school tonight so we'll see how he does then. He'll have to work extra hard to be in shape for the season now. I know with his drive and determination he'll get there!

Box of Dreams ~ August Challenge #2

WOW! Super response last week ladies. I love all the layouts and promise to make my rounds with comments. With Ollie's accident and my office moving in a couple of weeks, it feels like life is a little upside down right now. However, I'm plugging along and making progress where I can. Just know that I'm super impressed with the layouts this time around.

As you know, this month we are focusing on font challenges. Each week I will give you a link to download a new font. Use it in a layout and post to the Box of Dreams gallery here. Post a link back to the challenge thread so we can ooohhhh and ahhhh over your layout. Posting back here also makes sure that I get yor posting bonus out to you at the end of the challenge. Each challenge completed earns you a piece of the wonderful camping kit that Raylene made.

Here is the link for downloading this weeks font. The name of the font is 3 Prong Tree and it's a fun font to go along with the theme this month. It's not chunky like last weeks font, so will be fun to see how you use it. Would make great titling, or fun with a style applied? I love to see how everyone approaches these challenges in a different way. Remember you can play along in the challenges even if you did not attend the crop or complete the first challenge. Each week is individual. Deadline for posting each weeks challenge is Wednesday at midnight.

New challenges will go up each Thursday morning.

I can't wait to see the layouts! And just for fun and because I love my blog readers and customers.... here is a set of buttons that coordinates with the challenge bonuses. You can download them here. Don't forget to leave me some lovin' if you love em'.... hehe

Send some good thoughts our way ...

Today is Ollie's follow up visit with the doctor. We're hoping for a date he can return to hockey. He's so anxious to get back on his skates and start working towards the new season. He usually uses the summer to work his skills and get in shape for the season. It's been hard for him to sit idle. Once he's released we are going to have to try and find as much ice time as possible to get him back in the groove. He'll be happy though and that's a good thing.

I'll post the update this evening.

Everybody home ...

Well almost. Hubby and I came home from a quick weekend away last night. We left early Saturday morning for Sturbridge, MA and stayed in a cute little place overnight. Left yesterday noonish, but took the long and winding route home. Just enjoyed the ride, stopped at some antique shops, etc. etc. Pictures from the village hopefully coming later today or tomorrow. Need to dump the camera.

Got a text from Ollie earlier that he and Pa are heading home too. I'm hoping he had a great time and took some good pictures. I'm excited he's coming home though.... I missed him bunches!

Ollie update...

I forgot to update here about Ollie this week. We went to the doctor on Monday to have his stitches removed. The doctor was a bit surprised the ER told us to come that soon. He would have rather waited 12-15 days instead of the 10 they told us. However, it was healed enough that rather than send us home he went ahead and took the stitches out. Here's a new picture the day after the stitches were removed.

I think I forgot to take a picture of the fingers. They removed those stitches as well.

Anyhow, good news is he's still healing nicely. Bad news is that he's still restricted from hockey until further notice. The doctor is concerned about the wound splitting back open or an infection from the bacteria in the equipment. We go again next Tuesday afternoon for an evaluation. At that time, he'll give us a target date that he can expect to play. He did say he would consider letting him skate with the brace on after looking at him on Tuesday. That would at least allow us to get him on the ice for some public skate sessions and start getting his legs in shape again. I'm also going to check into the gym near our house for some speed and quick feet training. At least will give him something to do.

My Dad took him and they left in the big RV on Wednesday. They were headed for Boston and who knows where else they'll end up. I let them go with instructions to take care of the wounds as the doctor instructed and to be home by Tuesday around noon at the latest. I've gotten several text messages and it sounds like he's having fun.

Box of Dreams Crop & August Challenge #1

Thanks to all who attended the crop last night at TSG. It was a fun crop ladies! I really enjoyed getting to know everyone a little better and all the fun conversation.

A quick recap to the crop. This month we are focusing on font challenges. Each week I will give you a link to download a new font. Use it in a layout and post to the Box of Dreams gallery here. Post a link back to the challenge thread so we can ooohhhh and ahhhh over your layout. Posting back here also makes sure that I get yor posting bonus out to you at the end of the challenge. Each challenge completed earns you a piece of the wonderful camping kit that Raylene made.

Here is the link for downloading this weeks font. The name of the font is Rugged and it's a fun font to go along with the theme this month. Raylene pointed out it would make a great font to use a clipping mask with a fun paper. Remember you can play along in the challenges even if you did not attend the crop. Deadline for posting each weeks challenge is Wednesday at midnight.
New challenges will go up each Thursday morning.

Thanks again ladies, I can't wait to see the layouts!