Saturday, April 30, 2011

Caution: extremely long post ahead

Oh man, what a week! I hardly know where to begin. I guess I'll start with what is closest to my heart, what's weighing it down and casting a big shadow over everything else that has happened this week.

In case you didn't know, the surrounding areas where I live were ravaged by tornadoes this past Wednesday. The storms came in waves, and just when I thought it would let up, another wave would come across the region. The kids and I ended up in the baby's closet, our "safe" place, two different times that day. We probably should've gone in there a third time when the wind blew our front door open and the branches of the tree in our front yard were completely horizontal to the ground, but we didn't. When all was said and done multiple tornadoes had ripped across the Tennessee Valley leaving so many people with out homes, cars, electricity, and more. This is what the National Weather Service charted for our area alone. This doesn't include north Georgia, which took a very hard hit, and the northeast corner of Alabama that was hit hard as well. Actually the entire north and central regions of Alabama were hit hard as well. It's just gut wrenching to see the destruction and the devastation that's left in its wake. We're extremely thankful to be home, safe, and with extreme minimal damage.

When I see what happened across the state of Alabama, and my heart hurts. It's still "home" in so many ways. All of my family is there, and many many friends as well. Thankfully, and I don't say that lightly, all of them are safe. This is video from the F5 that started in Tuscaloosa and stayed on the ground all the way to Birmingham (45 min. away), clearing a path at 1.5 miles wide.




So while trying to wrap my head around all of this, I've been extremely busy managing life. It truly does go on, and I've had to too.

The girls finished up ballet this week. It was a week filled with lots of driving to and from rehearsals that were 30+ min. away, photo shoots of many very pretty ballerinas (I was the official photographer ;) ), costumes, backdrops, tutus and make-up. And at last, today was the big day--recital day. They were so excited they were beside themselves!


It was Sarah Kate's first time to perform and she was just darling, grinning from ear-to-ear the whole time. (Can't you tell by her expression in the pic?) Caroline did very well too. She was determined to be in the correct spot every single time, it made me laugh. Seeing both of them up there dancing for the Lord brought huge amounts of joy to my heart! :D (And let me say, that while their hair HAS grown out, it's no where NEAR the length I needed it to be to put it in a bun. We had to fudge it, which is why poor Caroline's hair matches the color of the backdrop. Just imagine wet, slicked back, and FULL of bobby pins. hee!)


And then lastly, yesterday was the Royal Wedding. It's actually hard for me to wrap my head around the juxtaposition of all the glitz, and glamour of the royal wedding when I know that 5-10 miles down our street is shear devastation and people are without their homes. But I do have 2 little princesses at home, and honestly all the happiness and celebration was a nice getaway from everything else we were seeing on TV. So we watched the highlights of the wedding online. At one point Caroline said, "I want to see them kiss. It's SO womantic." I have NO CLUE where she got that, and while I was shocked that she said it, it DID make me giggle.

She also told me the other night that dinner was "scwumptious". Where in the world is she learning these big words?!

So anyway, that's been our week. Crazy, I know. One for the record books for sure and in more ways than one. And I wanted to document it here so that one day the girls would know exactly what it was like.


Photobucket

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Fashionista

The moment I saw Cosmo Cricket's Upcycle purse paper, I KNEW I had to have it. There's just too many pictures in my arsenal of Sarah Kate "dress upping" as she calls it.



Supplies used: Cosmo Cricket: pp, die-cuts, mini alphas, label sticker, My Little Shoebox glitter letters, Amy Butler cupcake topper flowers, Prima mini roses and music note flower, Glimmer Mist, bling from a Norwegian company thanks to my Secret Santa Hilde. ;)

These pictures in particular are taken from her birthday at the lake. Mom gave her a trunk full of dress up clothes, and the moment she realized what it was she squealed with delight. She immediately stripped down to her next-to-nothings and started pulling on the new costumes. Her favorite part? the "jewels" of course! A ring for almost each finger, clip on dangle earrings, elbow-length gloves...yeah, she was pretty much in heaven. And she definitely couldn't contain her excitement even though this is (another) fake smile. She was irritated that I made her stop to take a picture.


Monday, April 25, 2011

Me and My Boys

Scraplifting myself. Although I'm the only one who will even know. One night last week I just wanted a quick "scrap-for-myself" layout so I lifted myself. And it was fun. And easy. I think this one only took 45 min. or thereabout. If you know me or have watched me scrap then 45 min. is me in superspeed. And turns out I love it, both lifting myself and this layout. It's one of my favorite pictures from TJ and Kristen's wedding.



Supplies used: Crate Paper (a mix of Toy Box and Portrait), Prima pearls, Pink Paislee woodgrain sticker, Collage Press tag, Girls Paperie paper flower, Amer. Crafts rose brad and thickers, Jenni Bowlin ruled sticker, MME layered stickers, date sticker, ledger alphas, and die cut, Maya Road stick pin, Marvy Uchida label punch, ribbon

I'm loving the "gray" trend. It's so fun and so versatile. Dark gray, light gray, patterned gray. I hope it's here to stay--for a while at least. I really like it! :)

Well, that's all for me for now. It's a super busy week for me with lots of ballet and photography projects going on around here. Hope you had a great weekend and are having a good Monday so far! :)

***ETA***
I just found out that I'm featured in TWO places on the web today. One as SRM Stickers weekly challenge winner, and as A Million Memories weekly blog "Member Monday" selection! Sweet! :)


Sunday, April 24, 2011

Saturday, April 23, 2011

the park, puppies, and some Easter eggs

that's what sums up our weekend so far. Of course it's not over yet. But I thought I'd post these.

At the park, Caroline was flying high, Sarah Kate not so much (she's more cautious than her sister), and Little Man was all smiles.




While we were playing outside yesterday, McClain found a buddy that liked the shade too.


And then this morning at the egg hunt. No one was really interested in smiling for the camera. There was candy to be had!





okay. off to iron Easter dresses! Yay!


Friday, April 22, 2011

Good Friday musings...

Lately I've been singing a lot, or at least more than usual. Nothing big time. Just to myself as I cook dinner or clean. I find it takes the ugh out of anything tough that I don't like to do. I like to sing praise songs (or hum when I forget the words). Helps me remember that there's a lot more important things than just me. And on this Good Friday, I thought I'd share the song I've been singing/humming this week. Perfect for today.

"How Deep the Father's Love for Us"

How deep the Father's Love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.


And because I can't choose just one, here are 2 YouTube videos of the song. The first is Sarah Sadler. I love her voice and how her video merely focuses on the words of the song and how true they are.

And the second, by Todd Warren, has put the song with cuts from the scenes of movies. To me it really brings to life (visually) exactly what the song is saying. As I watched it I could help but be brought to tears. Powerful stuff.





Happy Good Friday friends!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: flower edition

These are adorning the yard right now:

Preparing for this on Sunday!

And these are starting to come up.
They're my favorite and an heirloom at that!
( pics from last year.)

Happy Wednesday!


Tuesday, April 19, 2011

You and Me

This past weekend My Scrapbook Nook had a "Spring Fever" mini-crop, and boy did I finally get to catch up on some scrapping! I completed 3 layouts and a card and I'll be sharing them over the next couple days.

This first one, "You and Me", is one of the most recent pics of me and Josh that was taken at David and Ginny's wedding. It was for Anna Sigga's flowers, bling and mist challenge. I also used the current sketch that's up over at Get Picky challenge blog. I love that the Crate Paper stickers came with a number 9 label. It totally fit because that's how long we've been married.




products used: Crate Paper "Portrait"paper and label stickers,
Wilton doily, turquoise Glimmer Mist,

Prima bling and flowers, Creative Charms vintage brads,
Helmar ZapDots (stacked)


In other news, we've officially hit our family "busy" season. Ballet is wrapping up which means costume alterations, dress rehearsals, family coming in town, etc. Josh just started his 5th (or 6th?) season of church league softball, and we're in the process of applying to kindergarten. We're in the works of planting our garden again, and my flowers are starting to bloom. Yay! (big smile.) I'm also trying to keep my little photography side business going, so we're all on the go these days. I can't complain though. It makes life more interesting, and much more full of energy as opposed to those long dreary winter days when I thought I'd never see the sun or flowers again. So no, I'm not complaining. I like going and doing. And it makes relaxing all the more relaxing.


Saturday, April 16, 2011

Thought I'd post here first

*********This kit is SOLD************


If anybody is interested in Noel Mignon's Delightfully Domestic kit, I have one that I need to sell. This kit is completely in tact. I've only opened it to look at the paper and embellishments. And it's sold out on Noel's site. I'm asking face value and $5 to ship. You can see the full kit here

If you're interested, please post here or email me at DeannaMisner AT gmail DOT com.

Thanks.

Friday, April 15, 2011

@ 9 months old

Today Little Man officially turns 9 mos. old. Crazy talk, I tell ya. Just crazy. Here are a couple of pics I've taken of him in the last week or so.

This past weekend at TJ and Kristen's wedding. His first smocked Jon Jon. And maybe his last. :(

He's officially crawling, but doesn't really like it. He only uses it as a means to track me down (thus the sad/whiny face)

And he's happy once he reaches his mama. The boy's still very much a Mama's Boy. I won't lie, I love it.

Other things he's doing?
--eating us out of house and home. He's almost completely on solid foods, mainly because he wants whatever we're eating and shoves it in by the fistful. Chicken, black beans, corn and green beans seems to be favorites. Also the gingerbread muffins at Jason's Deli. He LOVES those. And being the third child means he's also tasted Pop Tarts and Fruit Loops but not because I gave them to him. His sisters like to "help".
--drooling all over the place. STILL. (and no teeth to be found. STILL.)
--ate his first handful of dirt yesterday because I sat him beside me while I worked in the garden. Unbeknownst to me, the little dude can already pull up to his knees, which is what he did on the rail of the garden and scooped up his first handful. yuck!
--starting to discover the world around him. He's a curious one just like Caroline was (sigh...here we go again). He's constantly looking around while I hold him, he bangs on everything, and loves to feel different textures. He's not a cuddly baby until it's time for him to sleep.

Hard to believe he's already 9 months old.


Thursday, April 14, 2011

On a whim

I woke up one day back in February with the feeling that I just HAD to paint something. Since it was so close to Valentines Day I thought I'd make a little decor but I didn't want it to look like I should only use it on V-day. So, on a whim, I whipped up this canvas. These mixed media canvases seem all rage right now, and while I've done a few this is one is my favorite so far. I have it sitting on my mantle and I love it! It's not "Valentines" at all. It's got that shabby chic/vintage feel that I really love as well as all kinds of texture.



Products used: blank 11x14 canvas, Girls Paperie, October Afternoon, Pink Paislee, Crate Paper, and Making Memories papers, vintage laces and trims, Martha Stewart doily and double scallop punches, Fiskars Threading water punch, Prima bling and paper flowers, Crate Paper flower die-cut, Helmar and Mod Podge adhesives, my Maw Maw's buttons (doesn't get any better than that, right?), Plaid paint, script stamp, Distressed ink

I started by painting the background yellow. Too yellow. So I white washed it with watered down white paint until I liked the color. Then I stamped the background with a French script rubber stamp and Distress ink. It still looked too yellow/cream so I white washed over the canvas again. The ink bled and faded a little, but I love the effect. Then I lightly drew the shape of a heart, and trimmed the lengths of my papers and laces to fit the width of the heart. Starting at the bottom and working my way up I layered and layered the trims and papers (most of which are white washed too), then added the buttons. For a last little touch and to hide the blunt ends of the papers, I lined the outer edge with ruffled white cardstock. The flowers and bling swirls are the final touch.

Thanks for letting me share! ;) Hope you like it, because I sure do!



Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: cousin edition

From ages 5, 4, 21months, and 8.5 months.
So sweet!

ETA: Actually the twins are 21 months! oops! I had posted that they were 18. Time flies!

And then playing with photo-editing:
softened:
Lomo effect:
Color boost:




Monday, April 11, 2011

My Core’dinations Creative Frenzy

I've been working with some super fun Core'dinations paper lately and I thought I'd share. The first two projects I want to share are ones I've created using the NEW Teresa Collins Core'dinations paper and I really love their texture! The 12x12 pages are a combination of a basket weave in the center and Teresa's signature flourishes or flowers are around the edges. Sooo pretty. To the point that I was very careful with how I cut my sheets so that I could make the go further.

First up is this birthday card.

Products used: Teresa Collins Core'dinations cardstock, "Musical Swirls" Cuttlebug
embossing folder, Fiskars scalloped edge scissors,
vintage eyelet lace, SRM sticker sentiment, Helmar 3D black ZapDots
,
Glimmer Mist, and a paper doily


To make this card I embossed the paper, sanding the swirls. Then I mounted it on the same light pink cardstock, but sanded around the edges of what would be the center rectangle so as to give it a shadowed effect. And then I just *had* to cut out the bird and sand its little self too. I love that it included detail!

"Celebrate Freedom"


Products used: Teresa Collins Core'dinations cardstock, Cricut Expression,
"Birthday Cakes" cartridge
, "Stars" Cuttlebug embossing folder,
Teresa Collins star bling, Helmar 3D ZapDots adhesive, SRM sticker sentiments,
and bakers twine


I know, I know, it's April and not July. But what started out as a baby boy "Congratulations" card quickly turned in to a 4th of July card when I re-found that Teresa Collins glittered star. It was just too pretty not to use. So instead of using navy blue to complete the monochromatic card I had in mind, I switched to read instead. The SRM celebration stickers sealed the deal! ;) I also used my Expression to cut the star border, and then popped it up with

"Pink Ambition"


Products used: Core'dinations tan Jenni Bowlin cardstock,
My Mind's Eye patterned paper, sticker letters, die-cuts,
Jenni Bowlin vintage buttons, American Crafts thickers,
Glimmer Mist, and jute


And then there's "Pink Ambition" a silly layout about Sarah Kate's love of pink. Instead of Madonna's Blonde Ambition I spun the title to be Pink Ambition. Aren't I clever? (Ha! I was struggling for titles for this one! :) ) Here I hand-cut, sanded and inked the ruled line Jenni Bowlin Core'dinations. I love how the ink makes it pop yet gives it a distressed look too. It made for a great "landing spot" to ground the rest of the layout.

And there you have it. Some Core'dinations fun. I really loved that I could sand, emboss, ink, and cut it with my Expression. SO many ways to use it! Plus it's fun getting technique-y with it and getting dirty too!