Island Time Blog

Hey Everyone!! I'm MOVING!!!

2009-08-31T21:57:00.004-04:00

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I'm excited to announce that I'm moving to a NEW blog address!!

Please check it out at http://michellenist.blogspot.com

I can't wait to show you my new place! Come follow me over there...

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August Card Club

2009-08-17T11:41:00.004-04:00

My Cute Card Club will be meeting on Thursday of this week. I thought I would share the cards we will be making. I wanted to do bright, summery cards again before the fall colors start showing up! Fun! Celebrate!

If you're interested in joining us, contact me before Wednesday!

It only costs $25.00 to get started with the club - and you get a cute card holder when you join. After your first month, it's only $5.00 a month to continue. Hope to see some new faces this month!!

I hope to get my Close To My Heart website updated this week with all the fall workshops and classes for September/October/November. Keep an eye here for updates!

Blog Candy Winner!!

2009-08-15T09:03:00.002-04:00

Karen is our very first Blog Candy winner.
I drew randomly and do happen to recognize this lovely lady who is a member of my Close To My Heart team!! Congrats Karen! I'll have some artsy blog candy when I see you next week! Thanks for following!!

If you're reading and not yet following, it's as easy as one click! It doesn't create any emails or spam to you. Frankly, it's just boosting my ego which, as a mom, needs all the help it can get! Plus, once a month or so, you'll have a chance to win. So start following now and join my most intelligent friends in their fine taste of blogs. :)

Have a Creative Day!

Lessons from the Driveway...

2009-08-13T14:18:00.014-04:00

This week, we had some friends in town and over for a cookout. While the guys were firing up the grill, the ten children in attendance got out the sidewalk chalk and went crazy on our driveway.

My friend, Tina, and I relaxed for close to an hour watching the creations emerge. There were chicks, trees, owls, and names decorated with every color chalk available. With ten kids participating, it was a bit like watching Bob the painter on steriods. Among all those 'happy little trees', I was amazed by how spontaneous it was while still fitting together perfectly.

If they didn't like something they did, they would either just get up and move to a new spot, or cross it out with a different color and make it into something else. They played hopscotch and crawled back and forth across the blacktop, not caring for a minute how dirty they got.

At the very bottom of the driveway, one of my sons and one of Tina's sons worked together on a message, "God Rocks". They drew a little guitar and (of course) a rock. They were pretty proud of that little message and the moms were too!

As we watched the chaos, I realized that there were definitely a couple of lessons for my scrapbooking friends here in the chalk dust of my driveway:

Don't be afraid to get dirty. Good art requires Mess.
Be spontaneous.
If you don't like it, turn it into something else. (a.k.a. embellish it!)
It's more fun to create with friends.
You can leave a great message in the art you create.
Art should always be followed by a good meal and some excellent dessert.

And there's one more message... If you want to save your art, don't leave it out in the rain!! Yet, at the same time - some art IS for saving, and some...it's okay to let the water wash it away.

Just keep creating out there! I'll be seeing you soon to bring you some NEW products to spark your creativity & art process... until then, enjoy these photos of our little Picassos!

Our Dust Mop Dog

2009-08-10T07:06:00.007-04:00

Happy Monday! First, let me say, I spent a lot of time this weekend playing with the new fall products from Close To My Heart. I am so excited with SO many things that I am just bursting to share it all. I am sure that you are just as eager to see it all! We have to be patient just a little while longer, but you can be certain that my open house will be packed with new art samples and ideas for you to take home and use!

Of course, I may have to give you a sneak peek here and there this month, so keep your eye on this blog! Also, please become a follower so you have a chance to win the blog candy I am giving away to one follower on August 15th!!

To keep you entertained while you wait, I thought I'd share this short video of Kita and my son. This is her new favorite game - to lay still like a mop while the kids drag her back and forth through the house. I think you'll agree it's pretty hysterical! Of course, the bonus is that my wood floors are cleaner than normal!

studio j

2009-08-03T09:52:00.002-04:00

Are you ready for a brand new adventure into preserving your memories? Coming next spring, Close To My Heart will be offering studio scrapbooking to everyone! Right on your laptop or home computer! This program is going to be AMAZING and you can see just a little sneak peak at www.studioj.com

If you think you already know digital scrapbooking, you'll find that THIS is totally different! In fact, you'll love it so much you'll want to share it with others. NOW is the time to sign up as a consultant - get a special introductory offer on studio j and learn how to help others learn this amazing program.

Nothing to download.
192,000 FREE layout opportunities.
It's a whole new world!!

Call me today to find out more! I can't wait to share this!!

A thank you to my friends...and they know who they are!!

2009-08-02T21:42:00.002-04:00

I am thrilled with a chance to write this on my flight home from the Close To My Heart Leadership Conference in sunny Long Beach, California. I can not even begin to share the fun I had within the confines of this blog! Let’s just suffice to say that we made some memories that won’t soon be forgotten...

What is it about the women that I have met in this wonderful, amazing company? I am not often timid or unsure about the words I want to use when I explain things, but for some reason my feelings defy explanation except in the simplest of terms:

 I LOVE these women!

I marvel that I have spent so little time overall with the friends I have in CTMH - events once or twice a year, an incentive trip shared, and quick emails and phone calls. Yet, when I am with them, I feel totally and completely myself. They fill a void that I didn’t even realize was there until I joined this group.

Those of you who know me, know that I am not overly emotional and hate drama. However; as I fly home to be with my family, I can’t go five minutes without crying! I am so excited to return to my children and husband, and at the same time completely despondent to leave my friends for a long stretch of months apart.

This weekend was a whirlwind of excitement and intensity. My friends were there for my laughter, and there for my tears. While I experienced my most successful and amazing year with my company, I also realized during this weekend that I am happiest when I see my friends succeed.

If I could, I would gladly award my recognition to those who lead me, mentor me, and have accepted me so completely. The encouraging words said to me last night still have the power, even as a memory, to catch my breath in my throat. It leaves a lump of tears so big it can’t help but spill out again. (I’m sure the fellow passengers are wondering what is up with the basket case in seat 35C....)

I have never experienced friends like these amazing women...their selflessness shows me how far I still have to grow. They kept pointing out and reminding me that I was deserving of it all. Each time I expressed my respect for them, they would turn it around and hand it right back.

To those women, I want you to know that while I am proud of my achievements, there are things that I cherish even more.

Your Beauty...
Your Spirit...
Your Faith...
The richness of my world with You in it...
My heart soars with the realization that you have called me your Friend.
And THAT is a title that I will hold more dear and with more honor than anything else in the world.

Puppy Love

2009-07-22T07:52:00.006-04:00

This weekend, we brought home a brand new little puppy! Her AKC name is "Pikatti's Key To My Heart" and her call name is "Kita". All four children are deep in puppy love!

I have to admit, she is adorable, and currently it is that fact that is keeping her alive. This dog gnaws EVERYTHING. Her mouth is stuck on "chew" and whatever crosses her path - rug, blanket, couch, toy, toes, - goes straight into the jaws of baby teeth. At this point, she most likely thinks her name is "KitaNo".

I know that it is only a stage and that she will grow out of the need to destroy the world. In the meantime, we try to alternate between distraction and time in her pen where everything is chewable. Some things you fix - some you survive.

Kita has two gears - Unconscious and Turbo. She is a bundle of energy when she is awake. It has been amazing to watch the children learn to deal with her. They are all doing a great job of being patient and helping with her too. I know some of you are eager to come and meet Kita! I want to encourage you to stop by! You just may want to consider wearing shoes that cover your toes!

Home is Where the Heart is

2009-07-17T08:33:00.011-04:00

What does "Home" mean?

Well, there's over 15 different definitions! In the past week, I feel as if I have tried out almost all of them!

Last week, I returned to my childhood Home where we came together to mourn the passing of a high school friend, Matt. The Heavenly Father called him Home, the priest told us, and we had all come home to celebrate that - a life well lived, "A Man as comfortable drawn to parties as he was to prayer." We spent time just remembering all the good times we had with Matt.

After the final bagpipes faded away, I packed back up with my three youngest children and headed down to Hueston Woods Campground in Ohio. There, ahead of me, my husband and oldest son had set up our camp. A little "Home away from Home". There we met up with about 14 friends and their families from my college years. Some of them, the best friends I've ever had - the ones with which I still feel the most at Home. We spent time laughing and recalling stories of how we lived when we called Miami University Home for those college years. (Oh, and while we were there, the kids played a lot of whiffleball - so don't forget "HOME plate")

When the weekend ended (so quickly!) we packed up the family and headed to see my husband's mother and sister's family. His mom makes us all feel so totally at Home. We spent a couple of days there just catching up and enjoying her company. After that, we spent the night at the Home of another friend before heading back to my parents' Home...right where it all began earlier in the week.

Eight days - and "Home" so many times! Seeing so many people from my past all in the span of a week made me realize how many incredible people I have had the honor of meeting. High School...College...work...churhc...my husband's family...my family...friends from the kids' school...neighbors...Close To My Heart friends...the number of truly amazing people is staggering! Plus, it is humbling to think that I have only been lucky enough to know a small portion of the population! Think how many wonderful people I have never even met!

It all drives the point HOME for me that I need to appreciate those around me...to cherish their individuality and rejoice in my luck at meeting them! The reminder from Matt's funeral lingers...I want to live each day as if it were my last - to embrace those I meet on my journey through life.

2009-07-14T15:17:00.002-04:00

Do you follow?

Did you ever wonder what it means to be a follower of a blog? I'm sure you've seen the little mini-pictures on the sidebars of many blogs including mine and wondered what it means to "follow" them. Let me tell you how I think of it.

Do you follow any band? How about a movie star, someone whom you'll go see at the theater no matter what the reviews were? Well, if you are, then you are a fan. To me, that's what having your name or picture posted as a follower of a blog means, it means you are a fan of that blog.

What happens if you do sign on to follow a blog? Absolutely nothing. You don't get emails or notifications or even blog posts sent to you. You just get whatever name and picture (or none at all) that you want to show publicly set in a special place on the blog you are following. Now that's nice isn't it? It's like saying "I like your blog."

Now if you follow my particular blog, Island Time Blog, during the month of July, you get entered in a drawing for a bunch of great blog candy, gifts from me, (not real candy but crafts I've made). On August 3rd I will post the winner and that person can contact me and let me know where to send all their gifts. Easy, right? So look for the Follow link on the side bar and sign up today.

July's Card Club

2009-07-08T10:05:00.002-04:00

Card club is coming up in a couple of weeks, and so I thought I'd show off what we'll be doing in July. I learened this ultra-fun card that we are going to make! Card club is coming up on the 23rd of July (this is a change of date - usually it is the 3rd week)If anyone new is interested in attending, here are the details:

Cost to begin: $25.00 - includes a decorated card organizer that I make for you!
Meetings: 11-2 OR 7-10 p.m. on the 3rd Thursday of the month
Cost per month: Your first month is included - after that you pay a $5.00 supply fee for the months you attend. If you can't attend, you don't pay.

Here are the shots of the cards we'll be making. If you'd like to join us, shoot me an email or give me a call! Hope to see some of you there!

June Card Club

2009-07-04T08:29:00.006-04:00

I know this is a wee bit late, but I still wanted to post the cards we did at June's card club. My card club meets one day a month - either from 11-2 or 7-10. You can send me an email for details on this if you are interested. It's always a relaxing time to chat and spend a few quiet moments out of a busy month. This month, we're meeting on the 24th of July!

I am also going to promise to be better at giving credit where credit is due - I know SOMEONE made the little shirt card, which prompted me to google HOW to make the shirt card and re-learn that. And the Moonstruck star card is scraplifted but I couldn't find my original copy so I don't remember who did it first - if anyone knows, let me know and I'll put their name up next post! The other two are designed from wishes. I LOVE that book more and more every time I use it.

Here are the cards we did:

Stamp Set: What a Hoot!
Colors: Twilight, Garden Green
Paper: Floral Tapestry

Colors: Moonstruck
Technique: Dry embossed, sanded edging

Kit used: Bella
Stamp sets: Tender Tags, June word puzzle

Happiness is not a Webpage...

2009-06-29T15:30:00.006-04:00

I got a new phone this week...against my wishes, my husband upgraded us to iPhones. I’m sure I will get used to it, but technology is not my strong suit and I struggle with any new system. I spent some time with my brother and sister-in-law and they gave me the heads up on some amazing applications or “aps” that you can download to your phone. One, called Urbanspoon, is a slot machine of restaurant choices - types of food, city, and cost. You shake it up and it spins and stops at somewhere to eat in a nearby town. (mind you, it knows WHERE you are when you log in) Another one is called Shazaam. This ap identifies music! You point your phone at your radio when you hear an unidentified song and it will identify the song, date of release, version, and artist. Wow.

To me, this is a MIND BLOWING amount of information...and frankly, this scares me a little. It’s not the amazing capability we have to communicate and gather information in today’s world that bothers me, but it is the fear that we will forget how to communicate in today’s world!

We ate lunch today at our favorite restaurant in Fort Wayne - Buffalo Wings and Curls. I love a good plate of hot wings and today’s were perfect! Right next to us at a booth was a family of four. Mom, Dad, and two girls about 11 and 9. Between the 4 of them, they had 3 laptops with them. Mom and Dad sat on one side of the table with a laptop in front of each of them. The girls sat on the other side with one laptop perched between them. They rarely took their eyes off these screens EVEN when their food came! Now, wings are not exactly neat eating! Yet these folks continued to surf & play while they dined.
This was not a family that looked like they got much exercise in the first place, so I was having some intense “Wall-E” flashbacks every time I glanced at their table.

Frankly, this scares me a lot!! I don’t ever want to be so hooked into the world wide web that I forget to look across the booth into the loving eyes that look back at me. What good is it to me to be chatting with my facebook friends on the West Coast if my own daughter is yearning for my smile? How can I expect my son to want to come visit me during his college years if the experience doesn’t offer any more than a video call on Skype?

I appreciate the fact that I can easily get information about any song I hear, or have help with the dinner decision... but I want to make sure that technology is a tool that I use in a way that only helps and benefits me and my family. I pray that my children will learn to reach out to others with the heartbeat and soul that is theirs and theirs alone. There is no ‘ap’ out there that can deliver the uniqueness of the four amazing miracles that live right in my home. I want to spend my time with them now for as long as I can.

How it all began

2009-06-24T08:59:00.002-04:00

Some of you have asked for this, so I thought I'd share. THIS is the essay that I wrote a couple of years ago about Island Time. It won the "What Inspires Me?" Essay contest at Close To My Heart's album retreat. It's easily one of my favorite pieces and thus the reason I chose it to be the theme of my blog. Now you know! Enjoy!!

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Island Time ~ You’ve heard me say it dozens of times:

“When are we leaving Mom?” or “When is dinner?”
“I’m not sure yet, sweetie…best we find our Island Time.”

Where did it come from? How did it become something you hear over and over from your mother?

It started with a T-shirt from South Padre Island, Texas. It is light green with the words “I’m on Island Time” on the back. I bought it on vacation with your Daddy because the slow, lazy days we had spent there appealed to me in a powerful way. Not that I didn’t miss all four of you! It was just that sitting by the ocean, with no agenda and no schedule to keep track of…it was blissful. Daddy and I talked about nothing…and everything. We took the time to actually look at each other, and listen as we talked! I knew that I would dreadfully miss this when I returned to being the busy mother of four.

Yet, once I got home, that shirt seemed to call to me from my closet, “Put me on…Relax…”

I started to wear it on days I knew would be crazy-busy. Soon, you all knew what it said. Instead of feeling rushed, I’d take a deep breath and say, “We’ll get there when we get there. We’re on Island Time.” It gave me the excuse I needed to slow down and worry less about the clock.

Slowly, I started to figure out how I could get onto Island Time even if I wasn’t on an island! I looked into your eyes when you talked to me. I listened to you with my heart and not just my ears. I stopped filling up the calendar with useless errands and started making room for Island Time with my family. We started to take walks by the lake after dinner, or would stop the car to watch a flock of birds.

We’re still a busy family with probably too many activities and places to be. Now, though, I try to remember that there isn’t as much rush as I once thought there was. I recognize that anxiety and anger won’t get us there any faster. I want to make sure we all enjoy the trip.

I didn’t go looking for life’s inspiration on South Padre Island, but it became the most valuable vacation I spent away from you. It was there that I learned how much we can get out of those little bits of time we have together.

If we just sit back in our chair, take a deep breath, feel the breeze on our cheek, and soak up the warmth of that moment together…we can find Island Time anywhere!

Sissy's turn

2009-06-20T16:07:00.003-04:00

Today I'll keep it short and sweet...after my son's card-making adventure yesterday, my daughter wanted to try it as well. She; however, wanted to try the new "Wishes" book sold by Close To My Heart. Together she and I picked out a card design, and I helped her measure the pieces correctly. She picked the papers we used and then what colors of ink she wanted to use as well. (I don't think she intentionally picked the colors she was wearing, but they were pretty close!) She stamped and glued it all together. As you can see from this, she was VERY proud of her work and can't wait to use that 'wishing' book again!!

My son, the Scrapper

2009-06-19T10:05:00.007-04:00

I wanted to share these cute photos and an important lesson today. My son, who just turned 11, loves to make things. He is always drawing and coloring and cutting and gluing. Yesterday, he had the urge to get out the old box of wooden stamps and make a card for his Grandpa for Father's Day. So here it is - didn't he do a good job? I want to point out that he took that flower stamp and inked up JUST the flower part in red, then JUST the stem part in green and stamped it so that it was bi-color. Inventive! And well done! This was a two step process (imagine what he could do with the clear stamps!)

Here is a photo of his with his stunner card. Doesn't he look proud and happy?

Okay, finally, the lesson - on the edge of his paper, he accidentally got a little thumbprint on his paper. SO, he turned it into a tiny butterfly!

How cute is that?? Now, I did not help him in any way with this card, I didn't even see it until it was finished, so I am very impressed that he so cutely demonstated what I teach my groups all the time..."There are no mistakes in art - just opportunities for embellishment!" What more proof do you need besides this adorable little butterfly?

Mystery Box #2

2009-06-16T15:39:00.004-04:00

Abundance Level Two paper packet - This is one of my favorite paper packs and I can't get it anymore! Whoo-hoo! Retail value $12.95

Abundance Stickease - These are Thanksgiving and Fall oriented, go perfectly with the paper. There are four sheets of stickers and one is alphabets. Retail value $8.95

Heartfelt Collection Ribbons Rounds - These are obviously made to match the Abundance paper. Retail value $7.95

Brads - These also match the paper, how cool is that? Retail value around $1.25

Because of You D sized stamp set - These are all sentiments and an awesome set! Retail value: $22.95

Life Delights Memory Showcase - 9 x 9 accordian album, 9 x 9 paper, ribbon and stickease to complete the album and an instruction sheet Retail value $12.95 This will make a GREAT gift!

Dimensional Elements Simple Numbers - Chipboard numbers. Retail value $4.95

2 packages of Clear Inspirations - One is Thank You and one is Precious, they are clear ribbon slides. Retail value $3.95 each, total $7.90.

Salutations booking incentive stamp set - You could only get this set by having 3 bookings at your party so this is a rare stamp set. Retail value approximately $4.95

That comes to $84.80, which is even more than expected for a $40 cost. I'm definitely getting the next box!!

Mystery Box #1

2009-06-14T16:28:00.004-04:00

I got my first Close To My Heart Mystery Box and it was so exciting to open it up and see what was in there! All the boxes are a little bit different, but we all got a FULL album kit to make a 12 x 12 album, as well as 3 stamp sets, a scrapbook kit and stickers and various embellishments. It was like Christmas!

I am looking forward to getting my second box on Tuesday and I promise to blog right away and let you know what is in that one as well. Look for an email for the NEXT 50% off goodie box! It should be any day now!!

If you want to sign up for my mailing list, to be sure to get notified when special things happen, just visit my website's "My story" page: michellenist.myctmh.com

For now, here is a photo of the goodie box contents - remember I only paid half!!

Summer Starts NOW!

2009-06-11T10:04:00.009-04:00

Please ignore the Michigan weather...school is out today so according to the calendar, summer starts now! We have a family tradition I'd like to share with you - we have enjoyed it for the past 3 years and the kids all look forward to it.

Sit down with your kids and make a list of ALL the things they want to do this summer. Every little thing like eating ice cream, taking a walk, or riding their bike. Big things too, like camping or going to the carnival. Just brainstorm and fill a paper with all the exciting possibilities summer holds. You'll find that kids look forward to doing a lot of little things like the library, fishing, catching fireflies, and making s'mores.

Now, hang that paper on the wall - use it to spontaneously pick something small to do one afternoon, or to plan a big excursion. Use a highlighter to mark off the things you do, but make sure you can still read them. The list can be a motivator - "Let's get the kitchen clean and breakfast dishes done so we can look at the list and pick an afternoon activity!"

At the end of the summer, before they head back to school, you can take the list down and together remember all the fun you had. The kids will be amazed to see all that they accomplished. Those little memories add up to a GREAT BIG memorable summer! Make the most of the time you have with your little ones!

P.S. shhh!! I save the lists...I put them behind a scrapbook layout for the summer. Someday, when they are grown, they can pull out a list and remember our tradition. Maybe they will even use it with their own famlies.

Mackinac Island Time

2009-06-06T17:30:00.013-04:00

I wanted to blog earlier this week - I was away at Mackinac Island with my son and the 4th grade field trip. It was a great trip - we had lunch at the Grand Hotel, ate fudge, took a carriage tour, and generally spent a crazy 36 hours seeing as much as we could. I also met my new BFF - best frogs forever - *waves at Jill* which made the trip about six times as much fun than it would have been without her.

I do want to say that the trip was a little TOO Hurried... that we tried to cram TOO much into the time, and we missed the part of Mackinac that is the "Island Time" - where you relax and time stands still for a moment. I understand why we had to skip that, but it does make me want to go back SOON and make up the part we missed. Until I get to do that, here are a few of my favorite photos from the trip...

Forty is the New Twenty?

2009-05-31T21:39:00.002-04:00

Today was the big 4-0 for me and I had more than one person tell me that 40 is the new 20! Well...would I want to be 20 again?

I don't think so!

I have learned a lot the last twenty years and I wouldn't trade them for anything!

I've learned that there are a lot of little things you can appreciate in day to day life that make you smile. I think that the saying is true - "Happiness isn't having what you want, but wanting what you have!"

So, just for fun, here are 20 things that are LITTLE, but made me happy this weekend!!

1. Divided disposable plates at a luncheon (love that my food doesn't touch!)
2. The smell of Lilacs
3. That my little buddy was excited about his 1st Webkin that I got to give him
4. Baked beans, fried green beans, french-style green beans, wax beans - yum!
5. Facebook notes from friends
6. My child's giggle
7. New episodes of Law & Order CI and In Plain Sight
8. Sitting at the beach with a good book
9. Little owl stamps with googly eyes
10. Homemade cards
11. Those cute littlest petshop bugs
12. Youtube - so many funny videos (Try: Battle at Kruger)
13. Cuddling up under Judy's quilt
14. Knowing that my family loves me.
15. The new Dyson ball (Okay, NOT small, but I'm smiling!!)
16. Going to bed early
17. chocolate covered coffee beans
18. Laundry smells better when my husband does it.
19. Deviled Eggs, Broccoli Salad & steaks on the grill
20. A Corona with a lime on the deck

It was a good birthday weekend! I'm proud to be 40 and thank God for the blessings in my life, big and small! I also hope that I learn more and become even more appreciative in the next twenty years...because even though I love my life, I have a lot more to learn!

2009-05-16T09:46:00.003-04:00

Now that it's warmer here in Michigan, the boys start begging to go fishing every chance they get. Since we are right next to a lake, it's easy to let them jog down the path to the tiny dock where they can relax and fish.

I wish it were that easy for me to just drop everything. I don't want to fish...not a big fan of worms or squirmy fish on hooks...but I envy their ability to leave their cares at the door and head out of an hour of mindless relaxation.

I don't know what conversations these two eleven year old boys have, but I know that they are cementing their relationship as brothers in those lazy afterschool hours. Their chores and homework can wait until after dinner. This is the perfect example of island time - enjoying the moment and not worrying about the clock!

Tulip Time!

2009-05-05T09:06:00.006-04:00

As busy as this week before the Megameet is, I decided I really needed a fun mental-health day. My mother-in-law was coming to visit, so I pulled the two girls out of school, invited my mom along, and we headed to Holland, Michigan for the annual Tulip Fest. I have wanted to go to the Tulip Fest ever since we moved to Michigan in 2001, so I was excited to finally make it! We had a GREAT time. First, we ate a yummy lunch at Bootwerks on the lake. It was even warm enough that we ate out on the deck. THAT felt wonderful!!

After lunch, we rode on the Tulip Trolley to learn all about Holland and the history behind this Dutch settlement. It was all fascinating and the girls enjoyed it. After that we did a little shopping, naturally, and just walked around and enjoyed seeing all the tulips.

I noticed one thing as we wandered around that rather surprised me. When you get close to the flowers, none of them is really perfect! They all had a drooping petal, or a missing petal, a crooked stem, or something else marring them. (Most likely this is from all the kids pulling and smelling them!) Yet, from a distance, they are simply AMAZING to see. Together, they make a complete and beautiful picture - filling the landscape with colors and patterns.This made me think of people... Individually, we all have our issues, don't we? Yet, when we work as a team, and help each other out we can do amazing things. Stick together and we change the landscape - making impossible things happen. It was a breath-taking thought.

The point was brought home to me again when we got home last night. We went directly to the middle school for my son's 6th grade band concert. Now, I have HEARD this child play his instrument and it is not pretty. Alone, there is a lot to be desired in his playing abilities. Yet, when you put him in that group of 70 some other unqualified musicians? They sounded pretty darn good! I could even make out the songs without looking at the program! So, today's message is most definitely a teamwork "Stick together" phlisophy! We can surely accomplish so much more as a group when we help each other out. We hide the faults of each other because, as a group, it is our strength that stands out. Plus, it's more fun to hang out with your 'buds' isn't it? (I couldn't resist one little plant pun before I get to work!)

May - A fresh Start

2009-05-02T22:18:00.004-04:00

I know it has been WA-A-A-AY too long since I updated my blog, and I do promise to do better! April was just a lost cause for anything optional. Rather than relive all the excitement, we're just going to start today and go on from here!

Today is National Scrapbook Day, and I got a chance to crop with a very close friend of mine. It was a wonderful morning - we ate, scrapped, chatted and laughed a lot. I was preparing all the art for next week's Great Lakes Megameet. Are you going? It's a HUGE vendor show, with almost 100 booths and 9,000 scrapbookers coming through. It's always a blast and I'm excited to be in booth #512 with lots of my enthusiastic team. Stop by and see us if you come by. If you want to learn more, you can check it out at www.megameet.com

For now, here's a little sneak peek of some of the new art you can see there... you can see even more at my website.

2009-03-26T15:07:00.001-04:00

The last few weeks have been a challenging time for my blog. Not only has time been a bit hard to come by, but my moods haven’t been agreeable to inspirational musings. As the Easter holiday approaches, where we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we seem to have had more than our fair share of facing mortality and darkness.

My father-in-law is very ill, and failing a bit more each day. I’m sure many of you know what a difficult thing it is to witness the demise of someone you love. While in the midst of facing this family crisis, our friend and neighbor died very suddenly one night, leaving behind three young children.

One painfully slow, one terrifyingly quick.

There is a blessing in my father-in-law’s situation. We are able to help, show him mercy, learn compassion, and spend some time savoring sweet memories as we have to say our goodbyes. There is also sadness that we must watch him suffer and weaken My neighbor’s family didn’t have that sadness, which is a blessing for them. Yet, their sadness is that goodbyes were stolen away. Their lives together were torn apart far too soon.

Two different ways to die.

It is hard to imagine our own mortality, isn’t it? No matter how old we are, we don’t feel older inside. Our bodies may be aging or sagging a bit, to be sure. Yet, that part of myself that is ME, that only I hear and feel and know, feels the same to me as it did as a teenager. I sometimes can hear that little girl I used to be, or the college student wondering, the teacher teaching, the mother mothering... all those parts of me - while they may mature - don’t feel OLDER.

I read this week that to understand that ‘ageless’ part of me is to recognize, indeed, my soul! My soul, which is the one and only one like it ever! anywhere!...doesn’t age at all. The soul is immortal, you see... it is the part Jesus saved through his resurrection! So, as my body ages around me, my soul lives on. Someday my body will fail, and my soul will go on to be with God. Through Jesus’ grace & mercy, that soul will never age!!

It is a precious thought in a time of darkness... even as my father-in-law’s mind fails him, that somewhere HE is still there - preparing to meet the Lord. And as the family of my neighbor mourns her sudden departure...it reminds me that we will never know the time and place of our death. Yet, rather than fear it, we should share with others the secret. The secret that immortality - is already inside us. If only we should listen, and recognize our true self is not what we look like, or in what we accomplish or fail to do, but it is who we are at our deepest level - God’s perfect and unique creation. Forever meant to praise him.

The Life Cycle of a Banana...

2009-03-07T08:51:00.004-05:00

For 2009, I decided to do Big Picture Scrapbooking's "Project 365" where we take a photo a day for a year. So, I'm taking some rather unusual photos, for sure. For some reason, I just LOVE this photo I took in my kitchen last week.

I always buy two bunches of bananas, one bunch ready to eat, and one bunch that is greener to eat after the first bunch is gone. On this particular day, my Mom had come for a visit and brought a couple of bananas that needed to be eaten right away. Plus, my husband had just made some yummy banana bread out of our last bunch that was too ripe to eat. Mmmmmmm.... It's not very often you get the four stages of banana life in one place at one time!

When I saw this photo, for some reason, it made me think of the stages of our life...First, we're a bit green! As little children with no life experience, we need to ripen a bit more before we're ready to face the world. The next stage of our life is the prime - yummy! Independent! Looking great and appealing to others. (get it? appealing?) Then, there is the slightly overripe stage - little issues & dark spots crop up making us see ourselves as less desirable. Some people don't even like bananas at this point! Yet they are on the verge of the very best banana stage - yummy bread!!

Now, the banana has to change to become banana bread... and that might be a bit scary! Turning from banana into the bread requires a type of death as the banana knows it - and also requires help and loving effort from the baker. Without this transformation, the banana will still continue to deteriorate...and become icky!!

I think that we are very much like the banana. When we get to the point where we are to become a new creation, we must trust and rely on the ultimate baker, God, to take us through a transformation into the very best that we can be. The banana bread is the very best part of the banana! And our eternal life is the very best part of us!

You might think that my analogy is a little bananas for sure, but lucky for you, it's time for me to split!! (get it? split?) Have a fruitful day in the Lord's presence!

2009-02-20T14:34:00.014-05:00

Good day! I just wanted to share a few cards that we made at our "cute card club" this week. This club meets on the third Thursday of each month and we have a great time. We always make 3-4 cards for $5.00 and take away some fun techniques and great ideas. The first card was inspired by Pam Weber, who made something similar for our new catalog swap last month. This is a spinner card, so when you tip the card from side to side, the little U.F.O. spins itself down the slot. Everyone thought this was super cute!
The next card is a very simple card to make! The first thing you do is dry emboss a frame on the cardstock background and sand it so that the white core shows through a bit. For the decorated piece, we masked the stars before we stippled the background - using honey, vineyard berry and outdoor denim. I really like how this one turned out and am TOTALLY in love with these stars - I am stamping them on everything that doesn't move!
Finally, this card uses the February Stamp of the Month, as a balloon set, instead of an Easter Egg stamp! You can visit my CTMH website if you'd like to see some other examples of how you can use this set: michellenist.myctmh.com
I love all the inspiration I get from other scrapbookers and their work! I hope that I can give back just a smidgen to the creative community at large! Thanks for reading!

New Shoes

2009-02-16T19:52:00.002-05:00

My son Alex turned to me at breakfast. It was the first day of the new grading period, so I shouldn’t have been surprised when he remarked, “I start gym today and need gym shoes.” I looked over at my husband, Scott.

“Honey, get the magic wand. Alex needs new shoes.”

My son rolled his eyes but got the message... he wouldn’t be getting new shoes in the next 10 minutes unless they appeared as a prize in his cereal box.

After school; however, we headed down to Kohl’s where I could find decent brands and use my pick-a-day coupon offer at the same time. It didn’t take him long to find a pair he could live with and he went through a couple of sizes before his toes had enough room to squiggle. I looked at the tag on the box.

10 and a half.
10 and a half men’s shoes!

This is my eleven year old? In the same size shoe as my husband? I shook my head in disbelief as we packed it up and headed to the checkout. The pleasant lady rang us up and then asked me to swipe my card. I did so and the screen prompted me with my total and the words “Accept or Deny”.

Deny? Yes, please...
Deny! Deny! Deny!!

How can I accept that the INFANT that I bottle-fed, changed and toted about on my hip is now a men’s 10 and a half.
How can I accept that the TODDLER that I chased, tickled, and cuddled is now a men’s 10 and a half.

I remembered one day on a family canoe trip, when Alex was about 5, that we floated out of the trees and past a large field of cattails. In utter and complete awe, Alex said to me in hushed tones, “MOM! Look...there’s how hot dogs grow!!!’

How can I accept that the preschooler’s sense of wonder has changed into this phase of eye rolling and “whatever”.

I looked over at him holding onto his new shoes and waiting for me to finish.
He smiled at me with actual unsolicited gratitude, “Thanks for the shoes, Mom.”

Holding back a sigh, I signed my name and hit the “accept”. With that, The shoes and this changing, growing little man were mine.

By Jove, I think we've got it!

2009-02-07T23:35:00.003-05:00

Well, over the last few days, we did a little experimenting - okay, a LOT - and came to the conclusion that my cute little "things to ponder" widget was throwing off the entire operating system that is internet explorer. Ponder that.

So, it's gone. Unfortunately, so is my slide show. I took that off during the experimenting phase, and can't seem to restore it!! Hahah! Doesn't that figure? Anyway, I'll work on that another day, but for now, I'll let those with internet explorer catch up with my whole three posts.

My friend Ben tells me this doesn't get any easier, but that it does get to be more fun.
Guess I'll trust him on that one for now!

Album Retreat Pages

2009-01-28T13:10:00.005-05:00

Well, finally - here are my pages from album retreat. My goal is to have photos on them soon!! (soon being a loosely defined term...)

I know these photos are already up in a lot of places, the bulletin boards, other blogs, etc, and I hope to be posting some ORIGINAL art in the next week or so. It's time to plan February card projects!!

Also, I have heard that some of you (not my Mac friends) are having trouble with viewing the blog on internet explorer - I will look into why that is happening and try to fix it! Thanks for your patience!!

Creatively Yours,
Michelle

The Summons

2009-01-26T17:48:00.001-05:00

In case anyone is interested, here is the song The Summons - you can listen to it online!

http://www.spiritandsong.com/musicondemand/songs/30338

Two Funerals

2009-01-26T17:10:00.005-05:00

With all four kids in school this year, I joined the Resurrection Choir. This is the choir that sings for all the funeral masses at our church. (doesn't it sound nicer than funeral choir? I think so...)
Today they actually had two funerals and I was able to stay and help for both. It's a great opportunity to STOP for a day. I'm rather forced into a bit of reflection and always come away peaceful and ready to enjoy life a little more.

Now, lest you think I'm "holier than thou", I tell you this because I NEED these little moments away from my crazy schedule to help me remember what is important in life. When Father Dave did his sermons today, he didn't talk about their impressive jobs or spotless houses (or even their organized craft rooms). What he did talk about was life, love, and friendship.

Amen!

One of the verses in the song "The Summons" went like this:

"Will you love the ‘you’ you hide, If I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around,
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?"

It just struck me today that we all have that "you" we hide. We're afraid people won't like us. We have a lot of fear about that! The last time I was with friends we talked about how we all were intimidated by each other before we met. Or thought someone hated us! Now, we enjoy each other, laugh constantly, and can't wait to get together again.

Why is it that we assume that the actions of others are about US? When, in reality, we are only seeing a sliver of who someone is. Their actions become understandable only when we understand who they are.

SO, I'm going to urge myself to quell that fear inside and reach out to others by just being ME.
I'm going to smile and say "Hi" first... and assume that everyone wants me to do so! I'm going to reach out to others that I don't yet know. Watching the families today showed me that there a LOT of amazing people in this world that I haven't even met!

I have faith that this can reshape my world... I'm going to have a lot more love and friendship in my life! That's what matters in the end, so it should be what matters the most now. As for that organized craft room? Well, that will have to wait until tomorrow!

My first Blog post!

2009-01-24T14:12:00.017-05:00

I have to confess - starting this blog was quite the ordeal. I am not very computer savvy, and getting it to look like I wanted it to was a challenge. The main problem was that I wanted a slide show of my favorite tropical photos on the left side. That took the longest to figure out. Every website I looked at, or help topic I read seemed to be in a foreign language!

I finally figured it out and got my photos to run!!!

Except that it seemed slightly anticlimactic... I hope that you just LOVE those little photos over there on the left. It looks simple, but trust me, it took hours!! I am not even sure I could show you how to do it again! I won't be changing that any time soon.

Now, don't worry...It was time well spent! Not only did I learn to put a slide show gadget on my left side bar but I also learned a number of things on my quest for this knowledge.

Here's what else I learned:

*There are THOUSANDS of gadgets that I will never know how to work. (nor want to)
*I need a help topic page for the blogger help topic page.
*The Blogger slide show application wants to run its own slide show photos.
*I can add music, blog lists, games, weather and more to my blog if I want to.
*My children need the most help with simple things when I am the most frazzled.
*Photobucket wins an award for THE most annoying popup ad in the world.
*My friend Shannon really is online every minute of the day.
*I love my Mac.
*Finally, I learned that if I stick to something I can eventually figure it out.

So, that's it for now. Here it is - my first blog. I will eventually figure out how to add my photos and art and all that fun stuff.

But not tonight.

Tonight I am just going to watch my slide show for a few hours and bask in the little accomplishments of life.