SOUL RESTORATION

It has begun. Soul Restoration... a time to clean my house, rebuild, refurbish, a time to decide who gets in and who doesn't. It is my soul's house. I can do this.

Blinkies

I can't for the life of me figure out how to add a blinkie to this blog. Does anyone else know. I have to go to bed now but I so want to add a Soul Restoration blinkie to my blog. I hate being so computer illiterate. I appreciate any advice. Thanks so much, ms.cheryl

I am 2nd

This is the art piece I gave to my daughter for her 21st birthday. She had been begging for a cardboard art piece for 2 years. I had to wait for inspiration and this picture became that inspiration for me. There is a story behind this photo. My daughter, Haley,led her best friend, Haylee, to Christ. Haylee is a photographer and wanted to document a photographical testimony but could not be the photographer and the subject at the same time. She had Haley pose as herself to make her documentary. This photo symbolizes having her sins washed away. The other photos in the series can be seen on her Facebook page ( I'm having trouble linking it here, I will try below).
I have learned by trial and error over the last two years about working with cardboard. I learned it should be mounted on something stiff to keep it from warping. In this piece I mounted it on a plaque from Michaels that had a pretty edge. In the past I mounted on a thin sheet of plywood but it didn't have a pretty edge. So, make sure what you use as a mount is going to give you your desired effect before you glue everything in place.
To begin I painted the base green to match my daughter's bedspread. Then I started on the cardboard. I tore it larger that the base so the base didn't show when looking at it straight on. Then I ripped most of the top layer off leaving some large areas for writting a Bible verse. I decided I wanted a couple of open areas where the base peeked through so I ripped those next. Once I had it looking like I wanted I started painting it. I used 3-4 shades of green and teal because besides matching her bedspread I wanted it to be somewhat like water. You have to allow drying time between layers of paint to minimize the warping. Once it was dry I set it aside for a couple of months, glancing at it periodicly, trying to decide how I wanted to put it all together. Finally I decided I needed a Dymo label maker for the Bible verse and I bought clear tape so my Bible verse would be white writting on the green background. I used crackle accents on the letters for "2nd". I attached all the letters with glossy accents. I attached the cardboard frame for the picture with hot glue. I went over all the water drops and rivulets on the photo woth glossy accents. I puddled the glossy accents inside the bottom of the frame and had it rub over the frame and drip down like the water was running out of the frame. I also had glossy accents coming from all the letters like water. I added a ribbon trim to the bottom, tucked just under the cardboard and I let the glossy accents drip down on it in a few places.
I hope you like the piece, my daughter said it was my best piece yet. Any questions? Thanks, Ms.Cheryl

Did you miss me?

My creative side has been on furlow for some time now. January 2010 I reconnected with my high school sweetheart and married him in May. That will stifle your creativity. Really it just made me frustrated that I didn't have time to be creative or to blog. Probably a time management issue. I am NOT domestic and I had to cook some and clean some MORE than usual. You expect there to be adjustments that have to be made but let me tell you, it has NOT been fun. My husband moved into my house so there was an adjustment for me to move things around and make room. My house is clean and that was an adjustment for him. I thought his house was yucky just because he was a guy and that he would be thrilled to live in a clean house. Not really, he likes it yucky. That causes dificulty. I like my yard mowed regularly and had a yardman that did a very good job. Wayne talked me into getting rid of the yardman and he was going to mow the yard... that was a bad idea. Wayne only mows the tall grass so where it wasn't as tall he just skipped. My yard has looked like an embarrassing mess ever since. He tells me I have a control issue when really HE has a control issue. Really all this kind of stuff is just adjustment type problems and with time will work itself out. The BIGGGGG problem is he is a closet alcoholic and I had NO IDEA. Now we are at a point where I've had to draw a line in the sand...me or the alcohol...he can't decide. My last 210 days have been rocky. The second day of our honeymoon he pitched a fit, told me I had a control problem and we needed marriage counselling. All because I wanted to fold the foil for the BBQ grill double and he wanted it single fold. We had gone to a park to cook out and both forgotten our tools so we had nothing to turn the meat with. He said he'd lay a piece of foil below it while it cooked and place another piece on top to flip it with when it came time to turn it. I said ok but let me double the foil so it would be stronger and less likely to tear and our meat fall. I started a fight although I never saw it coming. You'd have to know my husband is a small man, very quiet and laid back. He thinks alot. He isn't usually quick to rile so the problem with that is I NEVER SEE IT COMING. He doesn't argue, he assasinates my character instead. I've never been in an arguement with anyone that argues like that. At three months I gave in to marriage counselling. He thought the counselor would point out all my flaws and shortcomings and straighten me out. In actuallity it has been the other way around. Turns out HE is the one with the control problem but he projects it on me. One day he said "I thought we had clarity before we got married about everything including Who would be the boss"...Hmmmmm, strange I didn't know marriages came with a boss. Therein lies the problem! That and the alcohol.
I had planned to go to the INSPIRED event in May but cancelled due to the fact it was the week after my honeymoon. It just didn't seem the right thing to do at the time. Now I wish I had gone because my marriage hasn't been good since the "get go". I got all the class stuff from the event but not the instruction stuff. I really need the instruction too. And it's just not the same sitting alone in my craft room. I like being with other crafters.
I had a trip to Idaho on the calendar for October. A trip to Brave Girl Camp. I cancelled that to take my mother-n-law to visit her older brother recently daignosed with advanced prostate cancer. My MIL can't fly due to inner ear issues and her brother lives in Miami, Florida. Thats an 18+ hour drive from here. That trip went about as well as the honeymoon. My husband was a jerk the entire trip. I have really regretted cancelling my art trips for him. Now I'm looking for trips for 2011. Any ideas? I live in Shreveport, Louisiana so I am looking for something within about a 4-5 hour drive in either direction.
I NEED CRAFT TIME WITH OTHER CRAFTERS. I am going through withdrawal. HELLLLP.

INSPIRED

Surely you have all heard of Donna Downey. She hosts an event called INSPIRED and I am so excited to be able to attend this year. It's really outside the box for me. I wish some of you would sign up too. We could room together. It will be so much fun. Check out her blog donnadowney.com and sign up!!! ms.cheryl

Candy to be had

Check out charmedcrafts.blogspot.com for some cool after Christmas sweets. I tried to copy the link but my computer appears to be possessed at the moment. Enjoy, ms.cheryl

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I just ot home from church. We presented our Christmas musical Saturday and Sunday night and had a blast. The kids in the audience were given bells to ring during our second song which was Santa's que to come in and stroll through the aisles. The kids loved it. When we sang the reindeer names the men in the choir put on antlers which caused some giggles. And a fun time was had by all.
Wednesday is our choir Christmas party. We always have a white elephant gift exchange. Last year I came home with a sad moss covered wreath with paper blue flowers. I'll take a picture for you. My plan is to redo it and regift it this year. So far I have white and silver ribbons and silver painted pine cones. I have some brown jingle bells just screaming for a coat of silver paint. Tomorrow is my Art day so hopefully I will get it done.
Speaking of Art day, I need to do 2 other gifts too. I have a heart shaped box from House of Three that I plan to paint and face with metal and I need to whip something up for my daughter. Still thinking on it. Are you making gifts this year? I'd love to hear what your handmade gift plans are.
Have a Merry week, ms.cheryl

Donkey Smiles

You have to see to believe...one of the blogs that I never miss a post is Stamps, Paper, Scissors and Donkey Smiles. You can check it out here http://donkeysmiles.blogspot.com/2009/09/blog-post.html
she and her husband are building her a scrap space as an addition to thier home and she has been going through her inventory. She is piling all her excess goodies aside and is offering it as a giveway. Be sure you read her instructions to get your name in the pot.
Now surely you wonder about the name of this post. Michelle and her husband raise donkeys and you can read all about them on her blog. Every Saturday she posts pics and gives a little update. You really must check out the babies.
I have a birthday coming up so I would consider it a spectacular gift to win this. Thanks for stopping by. Check out Michelle's blog. ms.cheryl

Dreamkuts anyone???

http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/2009/08/lets-give-somethings-awayjust-because.html

You know I'm a sucker for a good giveaway. I just said earlier this week I wanted Dreamkuts machine so here's my chance. Yours too, check it out...

GOING GREEN

Have you heard the phrase GOING GREEN ? If not you have had your head in the sand, LOL. I subscribe to a blog that is posting a GREEN project everyday. She has a lot of packaging from household items she is going to redo. Check her out here:
http://a-scrapaddict.blogspot.com/2009/07/im-going-green-in-august.html

I repurposed a toilet paper tube for a gift card holder last Christmas, actually two. One for each of my kids. They LOVED it. You can see a few pictures here:
http://www.mycraftivity.com/nayhddy/gallery/view_gallery.one?gal_id=1
Check it out and start looking at "trash" with a new eye... ms.cheryl

Little Bird Designs CHA Candy

You have got to check out this delight...
http://littlebirddesign.blogspot.com/2009/08/cha-blog-candy.html

You will not be dissappointed. ms.cheryl

Something about Simon

Simon says"WANT TO WIN $100 in new product from CHA!? Enter the "Something About Simon Giveaway!". *Become a follower of this blog and our challenge blog*Write "Something about Simon" on your blog (details are at the end of this post) - if you don't have a blog - facebook or commenting here will work too! If you post on your BLOG, you get TWO ENTRIES into the drawing!*Comment here to let us know you are participating.SO EASY! We will draw an awesome random winner on Friday August 14!"
http://simonsaysstampblog.blogspot.com/
and
http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Ta Da and you are entered. ms.cheryl

La La Land

Check out the Grand Opening blog candy at this brand new company:
http://lalalandcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/08/last-blog-candy-before-grand-opening.html
Get your name in the pot and bookmark this site so you can attend the Grand Opening next week. I'll be there for sure. ms.cheryl

BASIC Grey is BAAAACK

If you thought Basic Grey had gone underground you were in good company. They are back with challenges and more. You can find them here:
http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/2009/07/yay-its-official-we-are-back-thank-you_28.html
And they are starting out fresh with a brand new giveaway.

So be sure to get in on the new giveaway and tomorrow they start the challenges. See you there, Ms.Cheryl

OMG I HAVE BEEN SO TIRED

I never thought I'd be this tired returning to work after being off 6 months. I have been SERIOUSLY tired. I hope I'm about to get back in the swing of it. My sllep cycle was topsy turvey too. I got some sleep meds to help with that so I expect to be back on track soon. I read alot of blogs and this week I was so behind there were over 400 posts to read and wouldn't you know I had won a drawing at BoBunny that was about to be redrawn for since I hadn't claimes it. I emailed FAST to send my address to them. It's a set of books to read, I can;t wait.
Speaking of giveaways, I am entering one today for a set of punches. You can enter too at:
http://papercraftsbyrach.blogspot.com/2009/08/blog-candy.html

Go check it out.
Did I mention being tired? Gonna take a nap. GOD BLESS and GOD REST, Ms.Cheryl

LaLa Land

There is a new stamp company launching in August. Of course there is a giveaway too.
http://lalalandcrafts.blogspot.com/
This is thier sneak peek. I want in, how about you? ms.cheryl

Check this out...

Sammye Jo has an awesome giveaway going on at http://62cards.blogspot.com/ in her Saturday Spotlight post. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7562388 this is the link to the etsy shop she is spotlighting today. Check it out and leave your comment on Sammye Jo's post for your chance. My fave is Pink Bird #1 and #2.

Button Button Who's got the Button?

Recently I mentioned I was on a quest for buttons. I'm a lazy quester so I have quested from the comfort of my sofa. The above picture is my win from ebay today. 14 jars of white, pink and tan buttons. Some with and some without shanks. 14 jars...$15.57. Thats $1.11 per jar. I'm thinking thats not a bad deal.



This picture is of 4 of the cutest kitten buttons that I bought last night on etsy. The link to the shop is: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6741829 . This shop has some cutiepatootie goodies. You must check her out. Be sure and tell her how you found her. I just got an email from
howbeadyful at the etsy shop I linked above and she has agreed to give my blog readers a 10% discount on purchases from her shop. Be sure and convo her first, tell her you found her from my blog and she will create a custom choice for you with the discount. If you don't convo first she can't do the discount. She has agreed to this arrangement because she likes knowing her buttons are going to good homes. Send me a comment to tell me what you picked out.

I am still looking for more buttons. I've got my eye on some pretty little cameo buttons and some pink plastic buttons with cat faces. I have 2 sets of silver buttons on my button radar too. I talked about a banner I made in a class at Great American Scrapbook Convention in a post on Sammye Jo's blog at: http://62cards.blogspot.com/2009/06/great-american-scrapbook-convention.html . It was pretty and I really liked it but all the buttons were gold and I'm a silver kinda girl, hence the button quest. When I get all my buttons I am going to redo my banner and I'll post pics.
Now this is my first official post on my own official blog : http://mscherylsscrapfoolerie.blogspot.com/ . Please feel free to bookmark it, add to favorites or add it to your blog roll. I have had a pretend blog at my craftivity for almost 2 years but it's not the same as a real blog. I hope to keep you informed of my art escapades here, share tips and information regarding educational opportunities in the world of paper crafts. The only problem is me learning to use this new format. I am computer challenged. My daughter told me I had no bussiness being behind a mouse. Hopefully it won't take me long. My first challenge has been uploading pictures other than the ones I take myself. My son came over and gave me a tutorial using TinyPic. That is how I'm loading the pictures of the buttons. Now, from where I'm sitting all I see is letters, nunbers and symbols. I hope once I click on publish there will actually be a picture appear...We shall see.

Scrap that,
ms.cheryl

Guess who's got a new look

Guess who's got a new look


And I must say I LOVE it!!!!

This weekend Tattered Angels, the makers of the incredible Glimmer Mist (love love love) is running a competition to celebrate their new look!
Its easy peasy. All you have to do is post a picture of their new bottles and the phrase, Glimmer Mist is the same great product with a Fabulous NEW Look! Email your link to liz@mytatteredangels.com and your name will be placed into the draw for a six packed of the brand new, never released WINTER 2009 colours. These are not even on the market yet so you could be the first in the world to have these little babies!!!!
Hop to it....it will only take a second and you could be glimmering all over the place!

TESTING

blah!