Cutesy Up Your Summer Events!

Who wouldn't love to join you at a summer celebration with these cute and yummy looking decorations?  It wouldn't matter what the outside temperature was, just be sure you have plenty of sunscreen (and water balloons might help).

These items were made using the Ivy Lane paper packet and embellishments and of course, our exclusive Cricut Cartridges.  You can't beat the price savings on creating your cutesies by hand, purchasing papercrafting items rather than already-made items from the store.  Let me know if you have any questions about anything pictured above or would like more ideas.

Summer is almost here!

The Artistic Adventure Awaits!

I leave for Close To My Heart's Convention just 25 days from now!  That is totally hard to believe!  In that many days I will be chillin' here with my Mom and many of my dear friends from across the country as we celebrate 30 years of CTMH!

Disneyland Hotel - Anaheim, CA

Who, besides me, finds it hard to believe we are just two days from June?!  In the year 2014?!  That all just seems too wild for me.  Pinch me...I must be dreaming.

I find myself still working my tail off during the week but am thankful to have the weekend to rest, recuperate and create.  Still working on Convention goodies so unable to share them at this point.  I might create something else tomorrow that can be shared.  Don't give up on me! :)

Be blessed!

19 Years and Counting...

The last few days of the work week were emotional and humbling ones as I realized I had made it through my first year as an Elementary School Principal.  I faced many rewards and multiple challenges as I took on new responsibilities in various capacities.

On Thursday afternoon we waved off our students for the last time this school year as they road off into the summer sunset (until our extended year program begins on June 16th).

All staff members joined me outside as the students screamed as they left the property...in anticipation of the school building which is scheduled to open on August 1st.

Later that afternoon, quite a few staff members joined me at the Elephant Butte Inn for our end-of-the-year celebration.  It was an enjoyable culmination of the year's activities.  

Quite a few staff members shared their appreciation for me and my leadership this year.  I receive a card from a teacher who I would not have expected one from who thanked me for all I did to support him throughout the school year.  There were three staff members who, at the beginning of the year, intended to retire but have decided to give it another year.  It sure feels good to know I made a difference and am excited to build upon it in August.  Despite the long hours, late nights, unexpected situations that seemed unwarranted, children pulled out of their homes and put into foster care...IT WAS ALL WORTH IT.  This is why I get up every day.  I thank God for blessing me with my abilities and gifts, allowing me to serve the purpose He granted me.

Thanking God for another completed school year and an extended weekend of rest and relaxation (with a four hour nap today)...

The School Year has ended...

and I enjoyed a much  needed nap this afternoon and a relaxing evening.  Maybe I will be more functional tomorrow when I can scrap the day away!

It's officially summer time!

Be blessed today!

It's Graduation Time!

Quite a few students and family members, throughout the country, are beginning to celebrate their high school graduations.  It is hard to believe it has been that many years ago I walked across the stage.  (Notice I did not mention HOW many years?!)

We are heading to my cousin's graduation this evening, an opportunity to celebrate his accomplishments over the last thirteen years.

Tomorrow we will celebrate the milestone achievement of the kindergarten students on my campus.  They will have a small graduation ceremony on their last day of kindergarten.

This serves as a reminder to remember to treasure each day and each moment.  The days pass so quickly.  Make each moment count.

Traveling the Backroads...

My hubby and I headed out on a ride this morning to grab a bite to eat and ended up traveling the back roads of Southwestern New Mexico.  We made our way through the winding roads of the Black Range and then through another part of the Gila National Forest which lies around Lake Roberts.

We made a stop and short hike at Ben Lilly, able to enjoy this gorgeous view.

We even managed to briefly see my family.  It was an enjoyable day, with beautiful weather and fabulous company!

Project Inspiration: Scribble Sensational

Check out these super cute images from the Oodles of Doodles stamp set and join the scribble trend!  You will enjoy what you see shared in this video.



If you are interested in any of these products, please let me know.  Enjoy a wonderful weekend!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

I am thankful for growing up in a home with a strong foundation and a supportive Mother and Father.  They cheered me/us on towards academic and athletic achievements and were there at every turn.  Sometimes we wished they weren't at EVERY turn (LOL), but they were.  Now, I am thankful for that.

My mom and I have shared interest in crafts for as long as I can remember.  (My sister wanted no part in it and still doesn't.)  It has been fun sharing in our Close To My Heart businesses and communicating different craft ideas as we both come across them.  We have shared in some fun times as we have traveled the country attending CTMH events.

Here we are creating at a retreat in March.  Don't we look so intense?

Thanks, Mom, for ALL of the support you have given me over the years and for providing a foundation that opened the door for my success and an awesome and blessed life.  Happy Mother's Day!  I love you!

Enjoy your mother today!

Thankful for My Many Blessings

Waking up this morning, I thought about the many things I experienced this week.  Many were good, some were not-so-good, and much of it made for a busy week.

I had fun celebrating the staff this week in honor of Teacher (aka Staff) Appreciation Week.  I did a little goodie each day, kicking off the week with manicures!  You know that was a big hit.  (One of the local businesses charged the PTO just $6 for each of them; much of their time and effort donated AND much appreciated.)  The rest of the week I sprinkled gifts and lunch/breakfast items.  It was awesome to receive the thanks for the appreciation/recognition and it seemed like it was enjoyed by all (except for when the 50 baked potatoes ended up on the smaller campus and the 25 were given to the bigger campus - lol).  I had some disappointed staff members for a short time until we corrected that error.  Oops!

Quite a few of our students experience some challenging lives.  I am thankful to have grown up in a two-parent home that was STABLE.  Stable is the key word here.  I have witnessed situations this year I could have never imagined and experienced true stories I have only heard of.  Yet, despite their challenges, they smile, come up and give you a big hug and lead you to believe that everything is okay.  A tough day cannot remain too tough as long as I make my way through the hallways of our buildings and see their smiling faces.  You have to find a good balance to hold them accountable while being empathetic of their situations, situations which they do not control.

Here they are cheering on the baseball and softball teams as they left for State on Friday.
They were so proud of their posters.

I share this as a reminder to myself, and to others who need to read it, to be thankful for the many blessings in our lives.  Do the things that appear to be challenges really hold much significance?  Oftentimes that is put in perspective as I experience situations like I did this week.

Have a weekend like no other!

Heartfelt Sentiments Team - Product Focus

I am thrilled you are joining me on our team Blog Hop where we are showcasing creations using the "Jubilee" paper packet this month.

Jubilee Paper Packet

The hop is a circle so feel free to click on the link at the bottom of each post to keep moving through.  I have also provided a link to the participant's blogs below.  If you are coming from Marianne's Blog, you are on the right track.  Thank you for joining us!

1.  Melissa Robinson - you are here*
2.  Tonya Whitehurst - http://heartandsoulscrappers.blogspot.com
3.  Joy McHargue - http://www.studiowowjoy.com
4.  Debi Barber - http://debiistheothersister.blogspot.com
5.  Judy Faye Garner - http://judyfaye.blogspot.com
6.  Marianne Hancock - http://thescrapbookchick.blogspot.com

I am looking forward to seeing the other ladies' creations because this paper packet did not jump at me upon first seeing it in the Idea Book.  Remember, I love bright colors!  However, once I got the paper in my hands, I had a mind change.  I still see "farm" when I look at the one sheet in this paper packet and do not have a need for such for scrapbooking so...  I decided to use this GORGEOUS B&T from the paper packet to create a fun card!

I incorporated stamped images from two different stamp sets and added a tad bit of bling to finish it up.  The photo does not do it justice.  Love the pattern and color of the B&T paper and enjoyed being able to see beyond the obvious of this paper packet.

Now, hop on over to Tonya's Blog to see what artwork she has up her sleeve (or on her blog - lol).  I appreciate you stopping by and hope you will leave a comment before you move on.

Have a great day and happy hoppin'!

Wishing you a wonderful week!

My week was full of work tasks as promised (or as feared) but I think I made a good dent in some things.  However, that's not to say it won't be a busy week!  I have two late evenings this week due to meetings and it hasn't even started yet.  :)

Nothing like ending a weekend with a sunset like this.  God sure shows His face with beauty, enough to know He has my back and that the week holds nothing but greatness!

Wishing you a fabulous one!

The Life of an Educator...

So I am trying to keep calm, and prayer sure helps to provide the calming, but it can be a challenge these days...  You would think I would be celebrating the fact that we have just 14 more days of school, wouldn't you?  It is truly hard to believe that is the case.  This school year has flown by and I cannot believe I am about to complete my first year as an elementary principal.  But, with the end of the school year comes...preparation for summer school and next school year.  Yep!  That's right!  It is about to get WAY CRAZY!  (I thought it was already crazy?!  Silly me!  LOL)

I have a pretty hefty deadline to meet by Monday, an all-day training I have to attend today (yes, on Saturday), and some important tasks to complete ASAP.  How is that for filling you in on my life right now?  LOL  Yet, while I am unable to spend this weekend in celebration of National Scrapbook Day, I hope you can do the celebrating for me.  I figure I will take National Scrapbook MONTH for all it is worth and be sure to delve into some scrapbooking fun once these deadlines are met.

I hope you have a wonderful day wherever you are.  Tell whoever you need to that I said it is okay to scrapbook to your heart's content today, regardless of the mess you make!

Happy