New Traditions

Candles lit to honor my mother on All Saints Day...I look forward to lighting these candles again on saturday at the cemetary when I get a chance to visit her.  A new to me tradition that I will always look forward to in years to come.

Happy Halloween!

Scrappy and Lady waiting with goodies for our lil' visitors this year :)

Its one of my favorite days of the year.  Creepy decorations, scary ghouls around the corner.  The cool crisp air and all the kids dress as their favorite characters going door to door saying "Trick or Treat" for some yummy candy. 

Unlike most years, decorations were not hung around the house but I'm staying in the Halloween spirit just the same with some classic horror movies (my favorite genra):  It, The Shining and others since this weekend.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Waiting for 2012 to be over...

I am hoping to get back into the groove of regular blogging to help clear my mind.  This year so far has defintily been a challenge and a struggle.  I am thankful for my friends and family that  have been by my side through all of the ups and many downs that 2012 has thrown in my path.  I can honestly say you guys are the reason why I can be where I am today, stay strong (even if its a struggle) and live each day without regrets and look forward to the future.

A short recap of why I have been greatly absent on my page here and why I feel its best for me to carve out some time back on here for reflection.

Pats's motorcycle accident recovery/surgeries into this year have kept us busy but I am ecstatic to say that he is doing amazing-his attitude and view on life has greatly impacted me and how I look towards the future.  He has been so strong through all of this, very determined to get better and move past this horrible event and get back to "normal". 

Back in the middle of May my mother was diagnosed with renal failure, and spent many weeks in and out of the hospital.  At the end of June she came to live with me so that she could start regular kidney dialysis.  Things began to improve and I saw my mother once again enjoy life and nature around her--in the backyard and strawberry picking at a local farm.  Things did not always remain great and she often had to be hospitalized.  This took a toll on her as well as me, being her caregiver-it was difficult to watch my mother deteriorate and be in constant pain.  On September 25 my mother passed away in the hospital due to heart complications.  May she rest in peace, it helps knowing that I was by her side (as difficult as that experience was) and that she is no longer in pain.  The support from family and friends during this very difficult time has been my inspiration to stay strong and help me get through this. 

Pat and I recently purchased our first rental unit and we are in the process of remodeling the apartments and getting them ready for future tenants.  This has been a great undertaking that has kept him up late into the night mudding and painting walls.  It has been a learning experience and a true test of my patience with all of the small details that go into remodeling run down apartments, but I look forward to the finished project.

My scrapping and crafting has taken a backseat for most of this year.  I have been able to get out and scrap with friends and attend the big scrapbook expo in St. Charles.  I look forward to organizing my scrappy room soon and get back into my crafts.  I have a couple of new projects that I want to start first thing in January to help me to hopefully stay on track with my scrapbooking and memory keeping.

I'm not usually one to say I can't wait for something to be over, but with all of the chaos of 2012 I truely look forward to the end of this year and the fresh start of 2013. 

Gone in a blink of an eye...

What happened to May?  it came and it went as quick as can be!!!  So much has happened over the last month (some good, some not so good) I can barely keep up-hoping things start to slow down in June so that I can breathe. 

Be on the lookout for a picture update for May coming soon :)

Enchanted Forests...

I've been a busy bee running around getting crafty projects organized and together. This past weekend I was able to complete a baby shower gift for a friend-a woodsy themed shadow box to match her nursery decor, along with other goodies for them to enjoy:

Here are more close ups of the LO/Shadow Box:

 I used my Create-A-Critter Cricut Cartridge to make all the layered pieces. I have to say this is one of my most used and favorite cartridges to date. There are so many options and the animals are adorable!! I hand stamped the "handsome little prince" title and added some green and white bakers twine to make it look like it was floating in the air between the sleeping owls. Inking is another technique I enjoy using in my creations. Here I inked the grass blades, the fawn and the fox. I love the dimensions it creates.

Watseka Wedding Expo

Above:  My table display all lit up ready for the show.
Below:  Close up of samples on display with my sample material book.

This past sunday I participated in my first wedding expo in Watseka, IL. Weeks leading up to April 15th I was busy organizing my sample cardstocks, pocketfold styles and past invitations and stationary I have created. I rumaged through stores looking for thrifty but neat display items to enhance my tables.

Hours and hours of thought and preparation went into this event...thats part of me being a perfectionist showing! I did come across a few bumps and last minute alterations when my original Pegboard display was too large to transport in my Jeep. Luckily I had safety pins and was still able to use my drapery and lights!

This was the first annual wedding expo hosted by a local wedding DJ company. A small show with a great selection of vendors each with thier own specialty from flowers, cake, jewelry, dresses, and photography-it truely was a one stop shop for the brides.

I had a great time meeting the various local vendors and sharing my crafty passions with the brides and their loved ones. I can't wait to do more expo's in my area and hopefully one day expand to do the larger ones as well.

Going through this for the first time here is a list of suggestions for those looking to do their own show/expo as a vendor:

1. Look over the contract and make sure you understand everything in it. These should be fairly simple to read and go over-don't be afraid to ask questions.

2. Practice your display/table set-ups prior to the show. This helps you get organized and ensures that you will have a flawless display that will represent your quality of work ---presentation is everything!

3. Get some rest and eat! It's easy to stay up the night before finalizing the little details but don't stress over it. It helps to have everything ready to go the night before. Make sure you get enough sleep so you are bubbly and alert the next day-no one likes a grumpy vendor! Eat breakfast before the show and bring along snacks and drinks to hold you through the show.

4. Arrive on time for the set-up, usually 2-3hrs before the show starts. You may think you don't need this much time, but its better to be done setting up early and relaxed before the show than to be frazzled the last minute trying to put up your display. Mine took about 1.5hrs to set up from start to finish.

5. Always stand by your table/booth-don't greet potential customers sitting down. I was surprised to see many vendors sitting until the brides approched their booths. Standing up and greeting guests is a great way to show that you are ready to assist them.

6. Make sure you have a business name/sign on display. Business cards, brochures etc are also helpful to have on hand. Bring extra pens and contact forms with clipboard to make it easier for the customer to fill it out. Have contracts on hand in case anyone books at the show.

7. Although its not always required, having a give-a-way at your booth is a great way to attract clients to the booth. I didn't do this at the show but will consider doing it on future ones. Maybe a gift card for your services, or something not related like Gift cards/basket to local coffee shop or restuarants.

Every show will be different, just be prepared to go with the flow.

My 3 stooges

Ava, Scrappy, Lady

Scrappy has joined us now for almost 2 weeks and adapting just fine to his new home. I think he is fitting right in with his new "sisters". They are inseparable and too adorable for words!