devistation in Oklahoma

I am heartbroken today. 

Yesterday, there were reports that severe storms with tornadic potential were possible for our area.  I left work just after lunch to get home and get the dogs inside.  I did not want to get caught driving in hail, or have my pups outside in the weather.  Within about 30 minutes of me getting home, the tornado sirens blew.  I was watching the weather, and they reported "cyclonic activity" beginning in the Bridge Creek area, which is just west of us, heading my direction.  Josh hadn't left work yet, and I texted the info to him.  The storm predictor said it would hit Newcastle at 2:33pm, which was only minutes away. 

I got everything ready I could, and got the dogs and myself packed into our closet.  The sirens were very loud.  The electric went off, and as I huddled in the dark with our 3 dogs, listening to the weather broadcast on my iPod, I tried to remain as calm as possible, while tears began to stream down my cheeks.  They kept reporting the location of the swirling clouds, and it was directly over our house.  They kept repeating that it would "definitely hit" a landmark just about a mile from our house, and how nasty the storm had become.  They were reporting that it would be a deadly, destructive tornado, and to get out of its path.  I was terrified, but kept calm.  Griffin laid next to my leg and I stroked his soft fur, which soothed me.  I was so scared that in Josh's race home, that he would run right into its path.

The air changed.  Gracie began barking.  I knew it was close.  It happened a couple of years ago, and the stillness is indescribably eerie.  And then the reports came that it was crossing the highway, and I knew we were out of danger.  My in-laws, who live about 3.5 miles from us, came to check on me.  My FIL took video from their front porch, and it touched down just across a tree line from their house. 

The reports kept calling out streets where it was crossing, places that were being hit, leaving a path of rubble behind it.  Josh couldn't get home.  It had crossed the highway near a bridge into Newcastle, and they were diverting traffic.  He ended up getting his truck stuck in muddy grass, then had to go on a 15 mile detour with traffic backed up.  It took him nearly 4 hours to get home.  Our electric was out for about 5 hours. 

Even though we were still listening to the radio reports, nothing could prepare me for seeing the actual footage of the destruction.  When we finally got satellite and internet back up, it hit me very hard.  The same areas that were hit 14 years ago in the F5 May 3, 1999 tornado, were hit again.  I had watched that tornado tear across the land from my parent's backyard, when it was about a mile from us. 

My heart is broken for all those that lost everything, especially the families of the children caught in Plaza Towers Elementary School.  As an Oklahoman, it is in our blood to pitch in anytime we are needed.  We have seen our fair share of storms, wildfires and terrorism, and know how to band together and help each other.  If anyone wants to help, please text "RedCross" to 90999.  It will add $10 to your cell phone bill, and all money goes directly to helping victims with shelter and basic needs. 

For those interested, there are a couple of videos on my FB page. 

Thanks for stopping by today.

owl card

Good morning!  I planned to be showing some Valentine's layouts this week, but plans have changed.  Posts for this week and next, will be a bit spotty ... decided to take a few days off with our mini vacation and the holiday next week. 

Today I have a card that I'm really proud of! My youngest nephew is pretty special to me.  He is super smart and loves hunting and nature-type stuff.  When I saw this adorable owl holding balloons shape, I knew it would be perfect for his card! :)  I ran the DCWV card blank through a woodgrain embossing folder, then added the paper-pieced owl and balloons that I cut with my Silhouette Cameo.  I used my Cuttlebug to die cut fun foam and paper to layer for the title.  There is so much texture on this card, I really love how it came out!  I used some older KI Memories alpha stamps for his name on the envelope, and a Stampin' UP! (aviary) stamp for the owl I used as an 'O' ... I thought it was so cute, and couldn't wait for him to open the card! :)

Thanks for stopping by today ... I may or may not post again this week. 

See you soon! :)

photo Friday

It's Photo Friday! :)

 

Each year around this time, we celebrate Dog Mom's Day.  As you all know, my furry kids are my life, and all those complex feelings of getting to spend my first Dog Mom's Day with Gracie were mixed with not getting to spend it with Droopy-Doo.  We tried a group picture this year, which was a challenge for sure, but so worth it! :)

Dog Mom's Day 2013 with Junior, Gracie and Griffin

After a shopping and lunch trip with some scrappy friends on Saturday, Josh surprised me when I got home with GORGEOUS roses and an adorable card.  It was a card "from the dogs," and Daddy got them each to give the envelope a lick to seal it. ;)  It was one of the sweetest things he's done in awhile, and I really, really loved it!!!  After wiping my tears, and laughing at the funny card, I had to give ALL my babies hugs and kisses, including their Daddy.  It was a wonderful way for me to celebrate Dog Mom's Day this year! I love my little family soooooo much!!

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for stopping by!! :)
Next week I will have some Valentine layouts for you ... just in time for Summer, LOL! :)

 

Dog Mom's Day card

While we celebrated Mother's Day last weekend, some of us celebrated being a Dog Mom.  Just because we don't have to pay for weddings, college, back to school clothes or a car, doesn't mean we are less than a mother to our children.  Our kids simply have a couple more feet than others. ;)

As I was making cards for the Moms in my life, I made one specifically for one of my Dog Mom friends too.  It was simple, but from the heart, and she really liked it! :)  I used my Stampin' UP!/Sizzix Framelits set to cut a label that I then ran through my Cuttlebug in an embossing folder.  I cut the lettering with my Cameo, and did some stamping on the inside, as well as on the envelope.  I finished it off with some glittery tape on the front and inside of the card.



I love the different textures



my supplies

I will have the rest of my Mother's Day cards and homemade gifts in a post very soon.
Thanks for stopping by! :)

right now and masculine projects at IFS

It's Right Now Wednesday, and I am ....

*listening - to Gracie chewing her Nylabone
*eating - cereal
*drinking - milk from the cereal
*wearing - PJs

*weather - it's been BEAUTIFUL and warm - finally Spring :)
*wanting - like always, an uninterrupted day to just scrapbook
*needing - to recover a few pics from a corrupted SD card (bummed)
*thinking - we'll never get to paint and redecorate our bedroom and bathroom
*enjoying - we're closer to the weekend

Today on the Ideas for Scrapbookers Designer Showcase, they are featuring masculine projects.  I have a birthday card shown there that I made for my nephew! :)

I used Doodlebug's Boys Only collection again, with a belly band card I cut with my Cameo.  I also cut the tear-away strip envelope with my Cameo - I love those!!  I jazzed up both the card and envelope with some stamping.



inside of card, and belly band



back of envelope, obviously before it was sealed

Thanks for stopping by today, and be sure to check out the other awesome masculine projects today at Ideas for Scrapbookers! :)

"staph" meeting

I will start off by saying this ... I'm not entirely sure about this layout.  There are things I like about it, but LOTS that I don't.  I wanted to use my Lawn Fawn Dewey Decimal 6x6 pad, and I liked the colors together with the photos .... but it's just not *right* to me.  The happy banners sort of minimize the severity of the situation/event in the layout.  I am seriously considering a re-do for this whole layout.  OK ... back to our regularly scheduled programming ...

A couple of weeks after Josh's back surgery, he woke up in excruciating pain.  He had been just fine the day before, up and walking around, driving himself, getting much better each day.  This stopped him in his tracks.  We ended up having to call the Fire Department to help us move him.  Once we got him back to the ER, we were told he had a staph infection and would have to have a second surgery to clean it all out.  He was in the hospital this time for twice as long, and he was absolutely miserable. 

I used a sketch from my inspiration book that I've used many times through the years, plugging in photos and patterned papers to form the grid.  I used punched borders on the top and bottom, adding some washi tape under the photos.  I used his second set of hospital bracelets as an embellishment this time.  I planned to use some Epiphany Crafts epoxy circles with a new stamp set (With Flair) by Technique Tuesday.  I stamped the circles with Stampin' UP! inks and punched them with my 1" circle.  I wanted the look of flair, but it sort of dulled the colors a bit, and I didn't like how it turned out.  I just used the stamped, punched circles instead.  

I was stumped for a title for a long time on this one.  I love using puns or silly titles sometimes, and I believe I was worn out from thinking it over so much.  I consulted with my lovely friend Jarvae, who thought it was kind of funny.  That was all the encouragement (enabling) I needed ... so there we have it ... Staph Meeting.  LOL! :) 

paper by Lawn Fawn; cardstock, ink by Stampin’ UP!; tab punch by McGill; border punches, round punch by EK Success; washi tape by Recollections; cardstock by DCWV; stamp (autumn spice) by Lily Bee Design; stamp (with flair) by Technique Tuesday; alpha stickers by Doodlebug Design; rub-ons by Creative Café; chipboard buttons by Studio Calico; floss by DMC; brad by The Paper Studio; title cut with Silhouette Cameo

Feel free to leave feedback about re-doing layouts.  You may be seeing this one again in the near future! :)

Thanks for stopping by! :)

new look

I am playing around with a new look ... this may not stay permanently ... just seeing how I like it for a bit ... any feedback is appreciated! :)

snow day

A couple of weeks into February, it started REALLY coming down one day at work.  I was still going back and forth quite a bit taking care of Josh after his surgery.  I headed home early to get ahead of the storm, and took these pics ... it was the most snow we had in awhile, but still didn't last very long.

 

I've had these background papers from Echo Park's Dots & Stripes Christmas collection for a LONG time.  I love the sheen the silvery-gray has, and of course the tiny snowflakes in the dots ... perfectly my style! :)  I paired that paper with some other Echo Park scraps I had in very soft pastel blue and pink.  I have no idea why I decided to cut postage stamp shaped die cuts for Snow Day layout, but I really liked how it came out, so I went with it, using some postage themed stamps, too.  I punched a glittery border from some Doodlebug sugar-coated cardstock (also in my stash for YEARS), and used some sparkly Thickers for my title.  One of my favorite parts of this layout though, are the clear (plastic?) snowflakes.  They were attached to a gift bag at Christmas, and the bag was going to be thrown away.  I quickly cut those off to save, knowing they would make a gorgeous embellishment if we ever got any more snow! :)

paper by Echo Park; cardstock, sugar-coated cardstock, twine, ribbon, alpha stickers, pearl by Doodlebug Design; border punch by EK Success; button by Recollections; fun foam by Hobby Lobby; snowflake cut with Cuttlebug (typewriter alpha dies); alpha stickers by American Crafts; stamp (snowflakes fall from heaven) by Jillibean Soup/Unity Stamp Company; ink by Stampin’ UP! and Stampabilities; brads by The Paper Studio; stamp (postmarks2stamp) by The Stamps of Life; brad by Prima Marketing; stamps, postage, journal card cut with Silhouette Cameo; clear snowflakes from unknown source (recycled Christmas packaging)

Thanks for stopping by today! :)

photo Friday

Happy Friday!!  T can't believe it, but this is my 400th post!  Seems like I just started doing this whole blog thing not so long ago ...

I've been looking forward to today for awhile ... my friends are getting together again today!!  Most of them are taking a class today, so I plan to meet them for lunch, get my hair done this afternoon, then meet back up with them when they get out later!  We may even get a bit more shopping in tomorrow! :) 

Speaking of my amazing friends ... Sheryl was in OKC yesterday for a meeting, which happened to be in a building across the street from where I work.  When her meeting was over, she surprised me with some gorgeous flowers in a unique, beautiful vase!!  She wished me a Happy Dog Mom's Day, with a flower from each of my kids. ;)  It got me all teary-eyed!!  She is such a beautiful, sweet, thoughtful, wonderful woman!!  Love that!!

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend, Happy Mother's Day, and thanks for stopping by! :)

classic birthday

Hey everyone! :)  Today I have my first "official" post over at Ideas for Scrapbookers! :)  So excited! :)

This year, Josh's birthday wasn't the most fun time for him.  He was dealing with debilitating back/leg pain, and waiting for his surgery ... the day after his birthday! The Saturday before, we went out and had a really nice dinner, except that it was hard for him to sit.  Or stand.  Or lean in the booth.  It was really hard to see him so uncomfortable and in so much pain.  On his birthday, I surprised him with a gift when I came home from work, which was candy for his hospital stay, and a gift card for Bed Bath & Beyond, so he could get the knife set he's been drooling over for years. :)

I made my layout using photos from various times - dinner on Saturday, his gift on Tuesday, and after he got his knife set a couple of weeks later - not my typical style, but it worked to tell the story here.

My background pages are from Echo Park's Birthday Boy mini theme.  I used Stampin' UP! inks that matched the stripes, then stamped and punched the flags using the Pennant Parade set.  I printed my journaling, then used the SU/Sizzix Framelits Labels die set to cut the shape in my Cuttlebug.  I added a few more flags and sticker sentiments, and I was happy with the outcome.

stamp (simply sweet alpha), twine, brads by Doodlebug Design; ink, stamp (pennant parade), pennant punch by Stampin’ UP!; stamp (year round fun) by Recollections; paper by Echo Park; stamp (happy birthday) by Studio G; paper by The Paper Studio and Bo Bunny; stickers by Bella Blvd; shapes cut with Cuttlebug (Sizzix/SU!framelits labels, Spellbinders nested lacey pennants)

Thanks for stopping by today, and be sure to hop over to Ideas for Scrapbookers as well! :)

right now and DIY crafts

It's Right Now Wednesday, and I am ....

*listening - to True Faith by New Order on iTunes
*eating - half a turkey sandwich (yes, I love having "real" food for breakfast, LOL
*drinking - water
*wearing - PJs

*weather - finally springtime weather today (but rain tomorrow)
*wanting - an extra day for myself
*needing - an extra day for myself, LOL
*thinking - that we have some amazing friends
*enjoying - air conditioning, that Josh and our friend Mark fixed last night!

Today I have a quick DIY craft for the home ... I saw a version of this on the Silhouette blog last fall using vinyl to make a dry erase calendar.  I was still scared of vinyl at that point, so I just filed it my head under "Cool Ideas I'll Never Make."  ;)  Then, I came across an awesome blog, Cupcakes and Bling, by Kari, who we are hoping will soon join our little group of OKC scrapbook friends!!! :)  Kari took the idea to a different place, opening my eyes to a whole new use - one that I needed!!!

She used a 12x12 frame with some pretty patterned paper inside, and a dry erase marker for a weekly menu board.  I thought it was a brilliant idea!!!  So off to Michaels, where they had their frames on sale a few weeks ago ... I found a plain 8x8 frame for less than $5, and grabbed a set of dry erase markers too. 

I came home and immediately cut a piece of gray chevron paper and put in my frame.  LOVED it!!  But once we started to use it, realized it was actually hard to read.

I changed the paper out to a softer gray, more of a tone-on-tone print, and added a layered paper flower I cut with my Silhouette and some scraps.  The layered shape had four layers, and each layer had a solid piece, then a matching sized piece with holes on each petal.  I wanted to use my black and white houndstooth, and thought the vellum would tone it down a tad.  Once I cut the pieces, I ran the vellum through my Cuttlebug with the swiss dot embossing folder for some extra texture.  I attached it and the leaves with some glue dots, and LOVED how it came out!!  The funny part is, that it actually came out looking a bit like digital camo print, and Josh really liked it too!! :)

Now we use it to keep track of our menu, things we need to do, and have even left each other love notes on it.  :)

Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by! :)