still me

gratitude..........

Got working today on creating some projects specifically about gratitude. I guess that it’s timely with thanksgiving coming right up, but even more… I have been reminded of the power in being grateful, and how it just can turn things around. I even decided to change my blog banner. (I am getting so digitally savvy! So proud of myself). Anyway… in keeping with my ‘fix it up’ motto… and I have been keeping my list! I find myself looking for things and ways to add to it! today I started thinking about ‘renewal’ and breathing new life into stale old things that were/are just uninspiring and boring. I think it’s just another facet of my ‘mission’!  I had a clock and a frame sitting in the bottom of a bin, that i didn’t want to hang up cause I didn’t like what I had in them- so I created this little image that says “gratitude”. Printed it out on a piece of my favorite Dream Dining Room paper, and stuck it in a frame. Then, I took the art, and created a little clock face that I thought would be perfect way to ‘count my blessings 1-2-3’. I printed the face out on ledger paper so that it made sense to make a list. It’s always TIME to count your blessings!  Feels really good to ‘freshen’ those up!
I then created a little ‘gratitude’ book that I am going to do as a class here! so that will be fun. Turned out cute. 
The coolest part of the digi stuff, is that you can just turn things around so quick! So I forwarded the files to my good friends at Advantus, and the files are already up if you are interested!! The clock face you can size to fit any clock that you may have laying around! There are also a couple ‘journaling blocks’ as well as the ‘Gratitude’ title. Would be great on the cover of a gratitude journal. I think I am going to make some up and give away.

I have another project that they are working on the files for, so I will show it to you tomorrow. here’s a hint: I re-purposed a pizza box! Wink.

more birthday coverage...

So the Friday Night ‘Freeze Ball” party was a hit! And I thought that with Christmas coming, maybe you would be interested to know what boys ages ranging from 8-12 might be interested in! i have classified for your gift giving convenience;
1.    the ‘glad they still like this stuff’ category goes to the little army men, and the lego set
2.    the  “got the biggest laugh and greatest response” goes to the Barbie head doll toy… also included was bath salts) and the card read: “just jokin! The real present is in  your email” – it was an amazon gift certificate.
3.    The ‘hasn’t put it down’ category goes the  YO-YO (who knew)
4.    The ‘good timing’ category goes the light up football, that they used at the party!
5.    The ‘biggest HIT’ category goes the long reach nerf FIST. Funny.
6.    The ‘most ANNOYING’ and  definitely a crowd favorite was this ‘yada yada yada’  have you seen this? It must have come from the states; I haven’t seen one here. But it’s a little voice recorder, but the twist is that you can warp the play back so it distorts your voice to faster or slower. The kids have been absolutely amazed. I guess it’s because they have never had a record player that you can put a record that should  play at 45 and you play it at 60, or vise versa. (am I the only one!?)
Now this last category has been added and an EXTRA award given in light of my newest mantra of ‘fix it up, wear it out, make do or do without” and the REPURPOSING mission I am on… and it goes to my mom. This wins in the following categories:
‘travelled the longest distance’
‘took the most hours to create/ handmade gift’
‘custom made and personalized’
‘gift that keeps on giving’
and  the “Fabulously REPURPOSED AWARD”  all go to my MOM for this surprise that came in the mail Saturday morning. Colton had casually mentioned to my mom that he wanted a quilt (you may remember that Cory got a new quilt when my folks came to visit in may). Mind you this was like 3 weeks before his birthday, and I was rolling my eyes and telling him to pick something that could come in an envelope marked ‘airmail’.
Mom was SO EXCITED to tell me that she had sent Colton’s gift, and she just could hardly wait for him to get it. I couldn’t imagine what it could be. Well, right before soccer, Saturday morning- like 2 minutes before we needed to be leaving (and Colton was supposed to be getting ready), this box arrived, and this amazing “TShirt” quilt is what was inside.
It’s a nice and cozy warm denim and t-shirt quilt, with flannel on the back. As I was marveling, and snapping a couple photos, i couldn’t figure out where she got such PERFECT t-shirts. It was totally freaking me out.  There are a total of 12 tshirts, I am posting them all b/c they are SO PERFECT for Colton: soccer, baketball, Arizona, skeletons, American flag, superman, Chinese words, ‘just do it’. tony hawk, and even that shirt you have probably seen before that says ‘I do my own stunts’. It freaked me out even more, because I just couldn’t imagine my mom going out to buy all new t-shirts to cut up and put in a quilt, but they looked so perfect, so just like new. Of course, the quilt was put together with precision only my mom can deliver and has bright fun colors, and a denim border, made from jeans she has been collecting since I can remember. (I have made a denim quilt a time or 2). She then machine quilted each t-shirt, including his NAME in the “superman”-(which is a tribute to the ‘super swapps’) and tied the border.

Well, I hadn’t spoken to mom since, and got an email from mom this morning giving me a little more insight into the quilt… She went to DI (Deseret Industries-a second hand thrift shop) and found all these t-shirts. How cool is that!? so not only are all the jeans re-purposed, but so are all these fabulous t-shirts. (grinning ear to ear) I love it! and so does Colton! So much fun. What a great idea…

I have to share just one more tid-bit that rounds out the birthday memories… Saturday morning, I sent Colton to pick up some milk from the store, and when he came home, I found these flowers on my desk.  In light of the past couple weeks… and some of the ‘life lessons’ associated with this birthday- this was probably the icing on the cake for me. maybe, just maybe… he’s growing up on the inside, as well as the outside.

fix it up, wear it out, make do or do without!

Couple of weeks ago, we decided to introduce the following concept to our kids as a family ‘goal’ in a way- it’s an old motto that has been passed down from people that survived on their own ability to utilize so completely their every resource.     The Chinese people are really amazing with this concept. They re-use everyting, hardly throw anything away, and ‘make do’ with what they have all the time. it’s pretty inspiring really! And of course, I think that creative things happen when you are required to work with that you have to achieve a desired end. To me, that is my MOST creative time! (scrapbooking or otherwise).  i think that the overall messages of ‘fugality’ and ‘conservation’, ‘re-use’, being more grateful, and responsible have inspired the need to instill and incorporate this ‘motto’ for our family.  I decided to create a sign that I could magnet to the fridge and in places that everyone would see and be reminded of our ‘goal’ many times in the day. Then I created a sheet that had this ‘motto’ printed at the top, and it was a list, where members of our family could write down their contributions to the goal. Things that they have fixed, or even taken care of; stuff that is worn out; ways they ‘make do’ or see others ‘make do’; and also things they feel like they “go without”.
So, it’s been a bit of a game. Things like re-filling water bottles, and writing on the back of scrap paper that would otherwise just be thrown away, washing zip lock bags, … I have made great efforts to eat leftovers by packing them for the kids’ lunch; and eating foods in the fridge before they go bad.  The kids are enjoying spotting things that qualify for the list. A few days ago, we were driving along the road, and stopped at a light, and the boys noticed a couple guys shooting hoops. But that is all it was- a rusty hoop- no backboard, mounted to the side of a building where they must have a business- they were playing in their dress pants and regular shoes (no sweet nikes)- the kids noticed immediately that they were ‘making do’.  Quincy brought home a reading book that was about a kid that liked to fix things, and then give them to his friends that needed them. I was tickled when she pointed out to me that he was ‘fixing up’.
So tonight- I am going through Q’s backpack and I could smell something foul! It was bad. I looked until I found an old, moldy banana all squooshed all over the inside of the front pocket. It was so gross, and I just didn’t want to go to the effort of cleaning it all out, and I decided to throw it away because it reeked so bad. She freaked out!  she has had it since kindergarten, and loves it…but I tried to explained it to her, that it would just be stinky etc.. but she wanted to FIX IT.… so I had to pull the disgusting, moldy, rotten smooshed all over the inside pocket, banana out and wipe it all out- get all the gunk out and clean it up. I then threw the backpack in the washer and it came out good as new. I am sorry to admit that I have never washed one of my kids’ backpacks. she saw it hanging to dry and went over and hesitantly leaned over to smell it. her eyes lit up as it smelled ‘good’ and she said ‘mom, it feels so good to fix it up, and make do… don’t you think?’.  and I have to admit, it does. I seriously would have chucked that backpack so fast. I am really proud of Quincy- and through little things like this, I think a huge impact can be made. I think it’s something that needs to be part of a constant reminder for me, as I strive to incorporate it into all facets of my life- and like I said, I love the satisfaction that comes from creatively re-purposing something to meet a need, rather than purchasing something new. so … I thought I would pass on my cute little sign. I made it green to match my green walls.  AND … it’s ‘green’… print out the sign and post it on your fridge, or anywhere else that you or your family could use the reminder.  Then if you want, you can print out the ‘list’ pdf on some lined paper and keep track of ways you fulfill the goal, or try to think of good ways to incorporate it into your life. It’s pretty cool!
Download fix_it_list.pdf Download fix_it_sign.pdf

speaking of re-purposing... i always get emails of people wanting to know when Emily has her garage sales. she is participating in her neighborhood annual garage sale... i guess it's a pretty big deal. Even my friend Liz Eaton is going to be on hand w/ some of her kits and jewelry to sell! the address is University and Sossoman in Mesa, AZ ... there should be tons of signs. i think she told me it starts at 7am.  if you go by, give them BOTH a squeeze from me! i miss those girls.

fun invitation idea!

so long story that goes with this party, but i will suffice it to say that despite it being really cute, and really fun and even a little clever invitation, the party sort of fell through, and i am bummed... so we have re-vamped and  have something else going on tomorrow night involving pizza and night-time 'freeze ball'.  but the idea might spark one for you. the boys were pretty stoked on them... and anything that impresses an 11 year old has to have some merit. maybe they thought that i didn't know how to fold one of these! (do you remember these little things that you used to fold, and then write 'fortunes' inside under the flaps, and the tops were numbered, and the inside was numbered, and you would pick your birthdate or whatever... and inside it would tell you what your fortune was? hours of entertainment.........
the indoor snowboarding will have to wait! (sad face)

soccer

Nothing feels more like being right at home than soccer all day Saturday! Other than the fact that the kids are being yelled at in like 9 different languages! man, the german kids can really play soccer. there are some amazing skills on the field! This time of year is tricky with the weather. When we get there early in the morning it’s COLD, and by the time the afternoon rolls around, it’s HOT. I did a little ‘hybrid’ scrapbooking… and printed out some titles from my computer, and then just added them to my page.  I printed them out on photo paper which I love to do!  I am buried in work and deadlines, (which I am late on UGH) but figured I would post this… it’s using my ‘street smarts’ line of papers which I just totally love. Hoping I will get some actual real-life creative time tomorrow… so I should have more to show!

happy birthday COLTON! #11

of course i got a little teary eyed as i explained to colton that Oct. 22nd is more than just his birthday...but it marks the day that i became a mom. it's pretty monumental really. amazing how this child has changed my life... and continues to do so... as i learn on him, being the oldest.  i took cookies into his class today and joined in as they sang happy birthday to him in like 13 different languages. crazy.  he got to open his presents and one of the things that he really wanted to do is go with eric and i to get a famous 'foot massage'. now, those of you who have ever come, and experienced this marvel... you know that this is one very spoiled kid! lol... yea, i am talking to the tour-alumni that experienced this first hand, as well as all our visitors! colton was sick and tired of being left out of this thing that we are always raving about! so we took just him to get a foot massage. i am just NOT convinced that an 11 year old has enough stress to enjoy that luxury! but it was a birthday surprise that he will always remember! chuckle. it makes me laugh. you will enjoy my non-target wrapping paper. *wink... and the 'homemade' birthday card... i am not sure if you can tell, but he was surprized when he opened the card and there was nothing written inside... not until i gave him his 'decoder' pen- i wrote him a letter inside with an invisible marker that only shows when you hold the little 'blue light' up to it.  so cool... does target have that?
my goal was to be in bed by 1am. it's 1:07. good night.

digi links!!

so the digi-boutique is up and running!!
here is a look at the KITS... and then if you keep looking around, you will see elements of the kits that you can purchase separately... you will see stuff on there that has never before been released... some cool holiday stuff! (just in time),  i have been really excited about the response.. THANKS FOR ALL THE EMAILS!, and nice comments... it has been so fun to hear so much happy feedback... janet also posted a couple digi pages! we are in the same boat just learning how to play with these files! and we are both buzzing with ideas, and this new-found freedom!
it's such a fall day here... and the leaves are getting more beautiful everyday! it's time to take some photos..
i am going to be on a quest for pumpkin patch photos... CHINESE style... which means: pumpkins at the open market. i am also wanting to take our family photo for a christmas card.. i have been trying to figure out what i am doing for that! i feel a digi-christmas card coming on!
tomorrow of course, is Colton's birthday... and i have already prepped him that we 'll be doing his 11-year old 'photoshoot'. you can only i m a g i n e his excitement! i will totally have to do it before he gets presents so that i can leverage them! no smile, no presents... ! 
i need a haircut too! wish me luck. smile!

gasp!

I didn’t realize that it’s been so long since I blogged. Where has the time gone? I have been working, working. Day and night in full blown catch up mode…and you know what is amazing, when you can totally and completely focus on something.. things come together. It’s been such a creative week for me, and thus everything else is a blur. I am going to have to dial back into reality for a bit tomorrow- Colton is turning 11 on Wednesday. And similarly to every birthday, I have wished I could bop over to target and pick up everything needed for presents, parties and wrapping. Smirk. 2 days to pull it all together. This is colton’s 2nd birthday celebrated in China- how is that for crazy!?

So I wish that I could show off some of the samples of the CHA winter stuff that I have been working on, but they are under wraps for awhile. But I can tell you that they are all about “FUN”… making scrapbooking FUN again! The colors fresh and bright and designs totally accommodating for creating. I’m pretty excited, and inspired. Makes me happy.  Well, that was the thrust of the week thru Thursday, and then I did a massive ‘gear-switch’:

Digital scrapbooking.

True confessions:
1.    the digi stuff has both fascinated and intimidated me. Some of my favorite inspiration for scrapbooking has come from magazine advertising. I love it. I would LOVE to have formal training in Graphic Design…I wish I had that skill set!... and at the same time, just couldn’t be bothered with learning Photoshop… mostly, I have just been jealous of people with that skill set.
2.    i feel inspired by the possibilities and overwhelmed by the learning curve.  You can create anything digitally…I have realized that I have to actually DO digi scrapbooking to start imagining new applications etc.
3.    in the past, I have told myself that without the REAL dimension and 3D elements… it’s not ‘real’ scrapbooking…but, REAL SCRAPOOKING is not about the medium…it’s about CAPTURING the memory, and the moment. Anything that does that, qualifies.
4.    I think I might be addicted. I haven’t done much, but I am trying! I like the ‘no clean up” aspect. I have learned so much in the last couple days. Pretty excting.
5.    It  certainly makes sense for my non-local scrapbook store situation…how great to have a never declining supply, and no need for adhesive! (down to my last bottle of glossy accents)

Ok, so having confessed it all, now I am going to admit to you, that I am totally intimidated to be posting these pages. These are officially my first digital scrapbook pages ever.  I am sure that they will look like NOVICE pages…(they are!).  the ‘digi-boutique’ on my website will be opening (behind schedule-all my fault)… and I am quite excited and intrigued by the whole thing. As I have been playing around, I have been thinking of all kinds of things that I wish I had access to… and all I have to do is create it!  pretty amazing. (could I order up a few more hours in the day!?)   So anyway.. here they are! I wonder if down the road I will look back on these pages and laugh kind of how I do my early scrapbook pages.
These pages are created from the 3 kits that will be available on my site... there will be kits, brushes, fonts, alphabets, and a few embellshments... and definitely more to come!!

I am going to go to bed early and mentally, emotionally and physically prepare for a great Monday… the start to a fantastically productive and creative week. (a birthday party and start of a diet to boot!) going to need a good nights sleep.

 

welcome change.

Last weekend was the ‘General Conference’ of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, of which I am a member. This semi-annual occurrence, is 2 days of instruction, direction and inspiration given by the church leaders from the headquarters in SLC, Utah. The conf. is broadcasted to over a hundred countries and languages, reaching as many as possible.  It is something that I look forward to and truly enjoy… the messages of hope and reminders of how to be better… more like Christ. This October, I was watching it online in streaming video at KSL.com. How AMAZING that I was able to see it right away, total video-on-demand!! Seriously, I LOVE technology!! That is even better than it was just 6 months ago here in China.
Anyway… The whole thing was just so awesome, so inspiring and perfect for me…what I needed right now… but at the very end, the Prophet, Pres. Thomas S. Monson gave the concluding address, and I have been thinking about it all day. His message was (in a nutshell…or what I took from it) was a reminder to embrace CHANGE, and to enjoy the journey! To make the most out of TODAY! Be the best person you can be… move forward and make happy memories! … (obviously these are just a few little highlights, he talked about a lot of stuff)…
Tonight I have been going back through my photos of this last year… thousands of them. We have been here just over a year, and I remember that it was this weekend last year that we went to the Great Wall for the first time. I can remember my sense of wonder and amazement. As I slowly browsed through my iphoto, tears would well up… chuckles of laughter would come…so many smiles came to my lips as floods of feelings, memories, lessons, challenges, firsts, friends and experiences came to mind. I am overwhelmed at the MEMORY of the last year of my life. The move, the schooling, the babies, the new circumstances, and everything such a learning curve… all of it just hold so much emotion… so much growth… and for all of it… I am so thankful. And I would not trade it for anything. It’s been the best experience, opportunity and RIDE of my life. (so far).
I could never have planned this last year. Eric and I still laugh about how UPSET I was when I learned that it would be necessary for us to come here. and now, I can’t IMAGINE not coming.  It’s funny how things that you sometimes fear, and don’t understand, can be the best thing that you ever did; and can open up doors of opportunity that you never even imagined possible. 
As I look back at the photos of me…and I look into my own eyes… I can remember where I was, what I was feeling. I can remember the things I was struggling with or excitements that I was feeling as I was experiencing so many new things. As I contemplate who I was, and who I am now because of being here, because of significant CHANGE, and being willing to go with it… I am amazed, and thankful at my own personal growth. 
Pres. Monson reminds us in his talk that the only constant in our lives is CHANGE…and it’s so true. I think that we resist change because it’s scary ,and it requires learning and adaptation. Some things happen to us that require change… and then there is also the changes that we know we must make within ourselves… that we can choose. It’s not the ‘new year’. It’s not my birthday. It’s not a new school start, or summer vacation.. it’s just plain old middle of Oct, but I am feeling inspired to make some changes: in the way I organize my day… from work, to playing with the babies, to planning and preparing meals. I have been in such a SURVIVAL mode, it’s time to reformat my life and work smart. I have a lot of priorities, none of which can really get cut out… so I have to pull it together.
It’s time.
I just appreciate the reminders from the Lord of what is really most important, and the encouragement to do and be better. It’s like a big breath of fresh air. 

I just have to share these 2 photos… one was taken the other night… Cathernie (who came on the tour) brought these cutie PJ’s from target for the babies, knowing that I was missing my ‘target’ fix. … and this other one was taken just last summer, about a month before we moved here. this photo seems SO LONG AGO, can it possibly only be one year?  Oh, babies are so fun. They are just at the funnest, funniest ages. Capri’s new thing is to tell us ‘you are so funny’. We must tell her that a lot!

by request...

sounds like lots of you want to make pumpkin choc. chip cookies too!!!

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES    

1 c. pumpkin
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. oil
1 egg
2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. milk
1 c. chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla
Nuts (optional)

Dissolve baking soda in milk; set aside. In large bowl add pumpkin, sugar, oil, and egg; stir. Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda mixture. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and vanilla. Spoon onto cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees 10 to 12 minutes or until done.