long neck lady designs

New start

2008-01-12T14:08:00.000-06:00

I was thinking about starting a new blog. something fresh and new, but having to reflect on what I really want the feeling to be. I have been thinking about it on and off for awhile but my friend Beth really got me thinking. The thing is I do not know how to design my owm blog. So for now I am a slave to what is given to me to work with. If anybody knows any free way to do that I would be grateful for the info.

Have a peaceful day!

Sue :)

Shutup.......!!! I'm actually writing something.

2007-12-06T19:44:00.000-06:00

Here's a couple pics from the Halloween party. I could've swore I had downloaded more recent pictures onto my computer. Maybe they are still on the camera. Sorry!

Ok, I don't know if anyone will read this but, I'm sooooo excited that my baby (whose almost 18) is finally coming home at the end of December and will be here for her first Xmas in two years. Awhile back I wrote about how her dad & I enrolled her in a residential treatment center and she is finally graduating after being away since November of 2005. Her sisiters are so excited they are just about to go crazy. Of course we have done nothing in her room but use it as storage, but she is an amazing artist and will have ideas of her own. Here are some recent pictures of what's been happening in my world. I think the pictures will show up first though before this is read. I always do this backwards.

hugs~

Sue

I'm a slacker......and our new rodent!

2007-08-29T20:30:00.000-06:00

This is our new "addition" to the family, and yes his name is Remy!

Ok, with great encouragement from my friend Jana, I am updating my blog. do you ever feel like there hasn't been anything too exciting to talk about, so you don't? that's really where I'm at.

I do though absolutely LOVE most of the new lines from Basic Grey. I think my favorite is Mellow. Recess is so cute too. What's your guy's opinion?

We have a week before school starts and are going to Chicago to visit my parents for Labor Day weekend. It should be fun b/c it's suppose to be perfect weather. We here in southern WI have been getting poured on and major thunder and lightening storms have been happening to the point where I believe 3-4 people have died within the last week by being struck by lightening. It's been crazy.

Just to let ya'll know, I did pass my drug test after doctor approval. It was crazy, I thought I was going crazy. I'm like, I'm not on drugs, just a prescription med. Anyway, the job at the newspaper is going great. I love it, the only thing is I'm not the saviest computer person, so that slows me down.

I'm out!

xoxo~

Sue :)

Blessing in disguise

2007-08-03T11:03:00.000-06:00

So I was suppose to start a new job on Thursday and my drug test has not come back yet. Starting to get a little paranoid but, the short of it is that I get 2 extra days just to play!

Is anyone else's household having a High Scholl Musical 2 countdown, or is it just my crazy girls? Honestly, I loved the first one and listened to the soundtrack just as much as they did. We know all the dances and are getting pumped to learn the new ones.

It's like a modern day, toned down Grease.

See ya!

Sue:)

Pretty boring...

2007-07-30T20:56:00.000-06:00

I can tell that the summer is coming to an end for me. Even though it's not even August yet, I'm itching for fall. I love seeing all the Halloween stuff in the stores all ready. Yes, I'm a little bit of a freak. I'm almost done making all my X-mas cards, so what's a girl to do?

That is who I am being for Halloween. We have a big Halloween party every year.

Have a great day!

xoxo~

Sue

I'll probably be the only one reading this...

2007-07-25T21:55:00.001-06:00

My front door that I painted black.

Our dog Tex put his paws this way all on his own. My daughter took a picture of it and it looks like heart to me. :)

These are from my daughter's ALL pink 13th birthday party!! Great fun. When you get 10 13 year olds all together it's great drama.

Something my oldest daughter wants to paint on her wall.

Ok, now that I'm back after I accidentally pushed post.....

Many life changes that I'm going through. Quit one job, trying find another without losing my passion for creativity. I love to create things, but I get tired so I get lazy.

But I think I'm beginning a new lease on life and finding my passion and trying to put my arms around it.

Have a great day!

xoxo~

Sue :)

leaving on a jet plane!!

2007-04-23T21:12:00.000-06:00

My new favorite drink~~~Diet Coke Plus!

Hey everyone! I'll be gone for awhile in UT!!!! I will be back on the 5th of May.

Have a great couple of weeks!!

xoxo~

Sue:0)

thinking ahead...

2007-04-21T15:20:00.000-06:00

Here are the beginnings of my mom's mother's day present. I will be adding ribbon for the skirt and probably some other kind of embellishments.
Have a great day!

xoxo~Sue:)

Ideas???

2007-04-13T15:50:00.000-06:00

These images inspired me!!!

Hi all! I wanted to host a swap with the theme of something vintage and summery. Now, I won't be able to organize the swap until after I move which will be May 11thish. But that will then be just in time to get into that summery feel.

If you have any suggestions on what kind of swap you would like to see, that would be great!

xoxo~

Sue :)

Can't make up my mind!!!

2007-04-09T10:34:00.000-06:00

Have you ever had one of those days where it's horrible and great? Or maybe it's just that I'm thankful and recognize the small things that go well and I'm being reminded to ALWAYS be grateful. I am filled with gratitude right now. As the day goes on and things may not go well, I will be reminded of my blessings and to not take them for granted.

Make it a grateful day!!

Sue :0)

Found a great website. www.wonderfulgraffiti.com

Happy Easter

2007-04-07T13:36:00.000-06:00

xoxo~

Sue :0)

goodies from vintage kitchen swap!

2007-04-02T14:52:00.001-06:00

I got the best packages of goodies the other day from my swap partner Andria. We were both involved in the vintage kitchen swap hosted by Jenny.

Here are the fantastic, cute, adorable, magnificant, pink, lovely items I received.

Thank you thank you thank you Andria! You nailed the hammer on the head.

Ok, I forgot to take pictures of the goodies before I packed them to move.

xoxo~

Sue

From the eyes of a youth...

2007-03-29T10:07:00.000-06:00

Here are the fabulous pictures from my daughter's art show on Monday. I love that my children love art!

Make it a great day!

Sue:)

Feast or famine

2007-03-28T15:44:00.000-06:00

You know the old saying "feast or famine"? Well, it's beena feast constantly over here fpr a while. Between organizing 2 fundraisers, trying to buy a house and move in by May 1st, and packing I'm pooped. That's all minus all the regular stuff that needs to get done. You know like feeding your children, making sure they have clean underwear, etc.

So sorry I have been out of commision lately. We went to my daughter's art/music concert on Monday and she made the best artwork. I will try to get the pics downloaded into the computer and post them.

The law says I have to go feed the children. I hope you all know I am joking about that kind of stuff:0).

Make it a great day!

Sue

Happy tears thru the mail!

2007-03-22T18:01:00.000-06:00

These are the 8x8 layouts I had to make for work with the new Daisy D's paper and rub-ons. I had to make 11 that were similar. I'll tell you, my back was aching when I got done! Katja (Ka-tee-ya)-she's now 12 1/2.

Cassidy-she's now 10.

Sue and Kevin-we're now just a couple years older than we were. LOL!

Brittany-she is now going to be 17 in April.

Here is my wonderful RAK from Patti.

She knew from my blog how much I love Peeps. She sent me this cute little guy which I named Springy, and a wonderful atc. I immediately broke into tears because I was having such a stressful day and this bought a HUGE smile to my face. So Patti, I thank you so much for encouraging my heart. You'll never know!

xoxo~

Sue

Tea time!!!! :)

2007-03-21T18:01:00.000-06:00

Here's the kind of tea we had today. I love chai!

Here's our treats! Yum...

Some Easter decor!

Ceramic bunny my mom made a long time ago. Of course now I appreciate it.

We are having a delightful time here. It's a rainy spring day though.

Please check out the post about my funraisers I am holding.

Have a great day!

Sue:0)

Card idea contest winners are...

2007-03-19T14:49:00.000-06:00

Thank you for all your ideas ladies. They were a big help! The winners are Jana and Patti. Congrats girls!

I decided to let you have a choice between rub-ons or the 8x8 paper pack from Daisy D's. The rub-ons have the themes of boys, family, motherhood, and girls.

Email me and give me your info and what you would like.

pinkdreams04@charter.net

Hugs~

Sue:)

Thanks again!

The winners are....

2007-03-17T09:07:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! Beth and Laura are the winners of the Easter/spring/summer canvases. Congrats girls! Email me with what you would theme you would like and colors, etc.

Sorry I have beenout of commission for a couple days. I am planning a huge golf fundraiser in Madison, WI for Teen Intervention. I am very passionate about this cause to help teens from at risk behaviors since it has hit close to home with my oldest daughter who is now getting the help she needs in a out of state residential treatment center. There was a time when I wouldn't have even shared that with anyone b/c I would have been embarrassed. But you know how God works in mysterious ways. This has been a blessing in disguise. What an incredible (and extremely hard) journey this has been for our entire family. Drugs, alcohol, and other high risk behaviors have no prejudices--they go after anybody who will embrace them. Soon on the T.I. website there will be a place to sign up for the tournament and sponsor a hole if you would like. We are officializing the date and place. Looks lik ie will be on June 2nd. Pray for sunny and 70.

I am also planning a 12 hour scrap-a-thon here in Madison. It will be May 26th. I didn't know what else to call it besides a scrap-a-thon but anyone is more than welcome to do whatever they want artistiiaclly there. It will be at the Hilton Garden Hotel in Middleton, WI. The nice thing about that is it is literally right next to Archivers (where I work), so if you run out of anything you can hop right over. This is going to be a private fundraiser for my daughter. I am going to put it into a scholarship fund for her tuition. Most insurances do not cover 24/7 residential treatment centers. They would rather just do a "quick fix". I will stop talking b/c I could definitely get on a soap box about that. If you are interested in signing up please shoot me an email. It will be apporximately $50/person which will include food, snacks, door prizes, and other wonderful things I'm trying to work out.

Thank you again, and I will announce the winners of the card idea contest on Monday. So if you have any ideas, pass them along quickly!

xoxo~

Sue

The unveiling!!!

2007-03-15T17:49:00.000-06:00

This is the very cute button image from the swap I am doing on Jenny Holiday's blog. I will get the address of it. It's absolutely fabulous. I just look at it and it makes me happy.

These are pictures of the canvas I did for Kari's spring swap. I had such a great time with it. I did want to show anything until I was sure that she had got them. Well, today she did. YEA!!!!

I have 2 blank canvases left if anyone wants me to make them one. It doesn't have to be Easter, it could be just plain spring or one gor summer. I'll make one for the first 2 to put their hat in the ring.

Have a great day!

xoxo~

Sue:0)

another note on the ideas...

2007-03-11T12:50:00.000-06:00

I would need the ideas no later than the 18th of March seeing I have to make 22 cards by the 22nd.

Thanks,

Sue:)

what i have to work with!

2007-03-10T21:49:00.000-06:00

Those are most of the goods. I have some ribbon too!

Thanks.

Aghhhhhhh.......

2007-03-10T20:10:00.000-06:00

I have to make 33 samples for work, which is Archivers. I'm using the new Daisy D's paper which is very cute. Lots of toned down colors of blues, greens, reds, yellows, etc. Daisy D's always has that vintage look too. I have my ideas for my 11 scrapbook layouts but I need help with card ideas. I need to make 2 sets of 11 cards. After I get the 2 originals cranking out the rest is no big deal because I'll just be copying them. Does that make sense? I kinda lost myself there.

I am going to give away a package of the new Daisy D rub-ons for whose ever idea(s) I pick. I need 2, so 2 will be given away. If I pick both of your ideas then you score big! Please send a picture of your ideas and some instructions. I'm a visual kind of person. Can't wait to hear from you all.

Hugs~

Sue:O)

Me and my peeps!!!!

2007-03-08T20:13:00.000-06:00

Sorry this one is so blurry but, does anyone like Peeps as much as I do? They are my favorite candy. And they have a new color at Target. Pastel green~how cool!

Now here's the real question. How do you eat your Peeps? If you are a Peep conissuer (SP?) then you know exactly what I am talking about.

I split the packaging open and let them sit for 2 weeks on top of the fridge and let them get hard. That's the BEST!

Does anyone else share the love out there? Let me know how you eat your Peeps.

Hugs~

Sue:)

Nothing...

2007-03-01T15:56:00.000-06:00

The girls couldn't get enough of th snow. They plated and ate dinner outside tonight just to fix their fort.

I have got nothing new to report. I've been sick here on and off. Today is a on day. You know, the whole throat, ear, head, eye sockets, body aches.

So the creative week I wanted didn't happen so much. I did manage on an off day to get some stuff for the spring swap with miss artsy mama.

Talk to everyone soon.

I have a class to teach at Archivers tomorrow. It's the new Pet Album class. Very cute, but very LONG. I will feel bad if I need to take a potty break. Tell me they'll get over that, right?

I would post a picture of me just for you to see how disgusting I look, but I'll spare you.

Sue

It's finally winter!!!!!

2007-02-25T15:51:00.000-06:00

Here's the fort the girls and some of the neighbor kids were building in the backyard. They were out there at least 2 1/2 hours.

Just the girls verision of burying one another in the sand. :0)

This picture I love. It's our friend's daughter Katie. She looks like she's struggling through the snow. Actually she's just enjoying licking it. Mmmmmm!!!

Trying to make a snow angel but the snow is too heavy and hard. so you kinda just lay on top of it.

Right before they came in to get warm.

Here's some great pictures from today. It's so much fun outside. I love it!!!

Have a great day!!!

Better late then never...

2007-02-21T22:32:00.000-06:00

Here is my journal finally. It's 10:35pm. I'm still good to go. It's still today. I could not get a good picture of it for some reason. And I just spilled coffee all over my jeans. Maybe I should go to bed.

Well here are some shots. I guess I'll look at the pictures first to see how many I'll put up.

Ok, I have got to go to bed.

Have a good day-night!

a day of firsts!!!

2007-02-20T22:34:00.000-06:00

So Beth taught me a great new technique using transparency paper and a really hot tool. I also learned that she actually measures stuff. Who knew there was such a thing?

This is Kate, Beth's daughter who at first glance looks like she would be saying, "Great job Mom and Sue, your art is incredible!" But actually her real thoughts were, "These 2 are psycho woman and they are either going to put a hole through their finger with the sewing machine or burn the house down with the hot tool I don't know the name for!"

But we were confident at what we we doing!

Here Beth is again giving me my first sewing lesson since 7th grade. She let me sew one line on my picture. I was ooooing and ahhhhing at her talent on the machine.

So we didn't quite finish are journals yet......but the finished creations will be up on tomorrow's post. I know you are all sittin' on the edge of your seats.

Go make it a great day!

A cleansing day.....

2007-02-19T11:53:00.000-06:00

This is the cutest little Easter book I found today at the antique mall. Talk about multiplication!

This is probably my favorite picture in the whole book. I LOVE all the eggs of all different colors piled up by the wall.

Surprise Special egg for Easter morning. How cute!

These are just some greeat letters I found from an old children's game. I have no idea how to play it, but I'm just going to use the letters for fun.

Last but not least, some 1958 flash cards. I was looking for older, but I grabbed these anyhow. At $3 it was a great buy to me. And they are a little bit more yellow than in the picture. Finally I had to leave the antique mall to pick up my kids from school. I hadn't even begun to shop. But I thought the excuse of being held hostage there wasn't going to fly with them. So I'm going back VERY soon.

Here is my very 1st attempt at altered art. My friend Beth is going to show me some cool stuff with transperencies tomorrow. I cannot wait.

Go make it a great day!

Thank you for all who have respoded to my questions via comments or my direct email. It just makes me feel like we are all here cheering each other on.

Slept in, then went shopping with my hubby!

2007-02-16T21:56:00.000-06:00

Today was full of fun. Early morning was rough when my niece who was sleeping over got real sick in the middle of the night and didn't say anything to us until early. I felt so bad....I just wanted to snuggle her up. And even though she was feeling horrible, she was worried that I was tired. She's a sweetie pie!

I went back to sleep though after she left. Ok....confession time: I slept until 12:30pm. Can you even believe that? What is wrong with me? I guess I needed it!

Two of my girls are at a babysitting job, and now Kevin and I had the night to ourselves. We went shopping for much needed dress pants and jeans for him. I got him to get a vintage wash jean. If you knew him that is almost near impossible.

Well....the pictures on top are the vintage pictures I picked up at the antique store. I love Grandma Lynn. She looks like she doesn't take any nonsense from anyone. The one of the 2 girls was my treasure I discovered when I got home. That picture is fron Champaign, IL where we used to live for a little while and we are HUGE U of I fans. So I was quite tickled when I found that little piece of info when I got home and really examined them.

Make it a great day!

Finally, I create!

2007-02-16T16:01:00.000-06:00

Here is the wooden cube by K & Company that we decorated with the new Foo Fa La paper. The clear stamps we used were by Autumn Leaves. I love the clear stamps, you can actually see what you are stamping. I am going to decorate all the sides minus the bottom with some black and white pictures of my family. It should look very cute.

This is the assembly process. I should put the finished product on the bottom, but hey, I'm still learning. All and all, a fun day.

Here's my friend Kate and I at today's Archiver's make and Take. We had such a blast! Right here we are creating a frame covered with the Basic Grey line called Blush. I'm sure the majority of you are familiar with it. They turned out so cute. We also embellished them with the new Making Memories grommet maker. If you haven't used it yet, try it. It's fabulous! For ideas on it go to http://www.makingmemories.com/.

Go and make it a great day!

Much fun to be had....

2007-02-15T20:42:00.000-06:00

Jeff, Lori , Sue, & Kevin @ The Melting Pot

Banana foster fondue depleted. If the bowl wouldn't have been so hot we would have licked that baby clean!

Jeff getting a coq au vin facial

Jeff & Lori

Sue & Kevin

Last night was such a blast going out with my husband Kevin and my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. The Melting Pot was an incredible experience! If you haven't gone or haven't gone recently, go! My favorite thing was the banana foster fondue. That was worth it all. Plus I had a coupon for a free dessert. Free and chocolate-yummy!

We spent about 3 hours there relaxing and just eating at our leisure. It was just what I needed for my Norman Rockwell moment for Valentine's Day since the middle of the day was way insane. By the way, right after I wrote yesterday that the girls had come back down to earth they lost their minds again. Thank goodness we were out of there!

I had such a fun day today antiquing with Beth. I found some great vintage photos and she found some goodies as well that you cam see on her blog.

Have a great and fun night and good night (I'm tired!)

Finding my silver lining

2007-02-14T16:47:00.000-06:00

So now that I finished my first post and accidentally deleted it, it gives me a new chance to even be more grateful. Today was not the Norman Rockwell Valentine's Day I envisioned. Thankfully all is well with the hubby. But my girls are really not in the loving Valentine spirit. The last 2 days all I've wanted to do is create and haven't had the chance to. Wah, wah, wah!! So as I go crazy in my head over here, I know I need to be Loving and patient in my heart. Love conquers all!!!!

My silver lining.....
I have a husband that loves me unconditionally
Wonderful children who will soon become sane again
Friends and family all over the place who support me
I'm going to the Melting Pot tonight for dinner--can you say chocolate fondue here I come?
I was able give of myself today
I got some of the new Basic Grey paper packs and fibers!!!
I'm just lucky

I feel a whole lot better focusing on the positive rather than the negative. And oh my gosh, the children are coming back into reality already. It's all good, even on the 2nd attempt.

Go make it a great day!!

Good Morning....

2007-02-13T06:34:00.000-06:00

As I start my day with a day old microwave cup of coffee in hand, I'm thankful. Thankful that I am able to wake up my girls even though they were reluctant to get up, thankful for my life, thankful for answered and unanswered prayers.

I'm going to just take the day as it is handed to me. I might go hunting for treasures for my art or I may try to find the treasures at home. But whatever I do I will be creating something today. It might be art or maybe just a memory. But it's just good for me to be still and let it come.

Go out and make it your day!

I did it again!!!

2007-02-12T22:48:00.000-06:00

I was just checking my blog to see if I could do this again. I think I finally have it. I spent the night showing my friends how to make some simple cards. They were so grateful. It's amazing how happy you can make someone just by sharing something so simple.

Good night!

Try, try again....

2007-02-12T17:07:00.000-06:00

Well here I am trying to create another blog. I am suppose to getting dinner ready, but here I sit. Today has been a productive day. I got my first altered art project completely finished and my friend Beth is going to show me how to put it on the blog. Remember all...it's mt 1st attempt. But I'll try anything.

I am very proud of myself for developing a realization of what I truly like, who I am, and who I want to become. I believe people are put into our lives for a reason and I am thankful to you Beth for helping me dig deeper.

Let's try this again....

Hugs to all,

Sue

Go and make this your day!