All the projects for my first book deadline are on the way to F&W Publications. And gosh does it feel good to have them out of the house. I will tweak and tweak and tweak until I make myself nuts! This Saturday, I will be teaching at The Crafty Scrapper. I cannot wait to shop either. Carolyn has her store packed. I have to make at least two trips around the store before I can focus enough to think about purchasing items. I tell ya if you have never been to her store because you worry about the drive. Let me just tell you it is so worth every mile.

Since my sister and her family are still having to stay with us due to hurricane Ike. Madelyn and I had a little photo shot yesterday. I got this one photo that I really love and just in the nick of time I might add. As soon as I took this one a mosquito bit her on the little toe and she was done. In the house she went. But she did politely say, I could take some more tomorrow.

My niece Madelyn started kindergarten this week so I thought I would make her a little name tag for her backpack. I used the same Faux Mosaic Technique for this project as I did for the Tag shown Monday. The only difference is I cut unique pieces of patterned paper (Webster’s Pages seriously love every single product) using scissors instead of a punch. This way you get the effect of broken glass or china.

The photo on the back of Madelyn’s tag is of her puppy Zeus. They both miss each other quite a bit while she is away at school.

To recreate this tag you will need Webster’s Pages patterned papers, Tera Leigh’s Faux Mosaic Kit, 1 page from a Maya Road Butterfly Coaster, Maya Road Jonathan Alphabet Rubons, approx 15

I say we because the first day of school is just as hard for us parents as it is for the kids. It seems that my BIL Kelly survived Madelyn’s first day of school. He took half the day off to go with Belinda and Madelyn on her first day of kindergarten. Madelyn had a blast and eagerly got up ready to go again today.

Merci, Erin and Ansley had a great first day of High School… I’m not sure who’s stomach hurt more… mine or theirs. I tell you watching those three get out of the car and head into that great big school just about brought me to tears. I cannot believe Ansley is a freshman this year. She and her friends had a wonderful day. Yes… great big sigh of relief for me. All I could worry about was her getting lost, not remembering where her locker was etc… you know all those typical mom you need to cut the cord kinda thoughts.

(sorry for the not so great photo but I was doing good to get this one)

And here is Amanda’s last first day of high school photo “as said per my sister”. Man I can’t believe my first sweet, adorable little niece is a Senior and a varsity cheerleader too! Yes I live in Texas, cheerleading is a big thing here. Not sure why but it is. Anyway she wanted it.. worked her tail end off to get it and I am so dang proud of her for achieving her goal!

I am working on a sweet little project for tomorrow using the faux mosaic technique. So stay tuned… it’s a fun one.

When you turn 5 you can feel your legs getting longer in bed and yep… your fingers grow overnight too! Oh and you can’t suck your thumb anymore because 5 year olds don’t do that… and you can buckle your own seat belt… and you wont whine like you did yesterday… oh and the biggest bestest thing is you can open your own yogurt, go to school and take ballet lessons. Yep if you were turning 5 this is what you would be doing.

Happy Birthday Madelyn you are my favorite 5 year old niece. I love you.

Oh and one other thing… if your parents take you out to eat at your favorite restaurant and the employees come to sing you “Happy Birthday” you will sink into the booth and raise your hand so that only your fingertips can be seen from the table…

Gosh I miss being 5!

Here is a mini album I created using products from Danelle Johnson’s Vibe Collection and Creative Imaginations Bare Elements album. This will be featured on the Art Warehouse Product Spotlight web site. There you can print out the supply list and instructions to recreate this mini album. The photos are of my niece Madelyn catching her first fish. She was so excited. That is until her Dad Kelly asked her if she wanted to touch it (see last photo).