November 13, 2010

Operation Sunshine


This year my daughter started Grade 2!!!  No longer my baby girl and turning into a little lady.  Unfortunately the cattiness of little girls has begun along with the hurt feelings.  It's a whole new learning experience filled with growing and my hope that there's something positive to learn from it all. The goal of this project is for my daughter to give the girls in her classroom a book mark that would remind them what she appreciates most about them....spread a little sunshine.  A way of showing appreciation for their individuality even if she doesn't always agree with them. 


The idea for this project comes from something my daughter's preschool teachers made for her.  Each child made a picture and told each classmate which virtue (patient, kind, friendly, compassionate, etc) they saw most in them.  Those pictures were collected and then the teacher made a laminated book out of them.  I still catch T. looking at her book.  It's her feel good book.  And how good would it feel to get a genuine positive remark from someone you thought didn't like you or appreciate you?

Elements used in this are pretty simple...my only goal besides using up scraps was to create unique bookmarks, not one is the same.  Different buttons, ribbon, and stamp placement.  The pictures still aren't the greatest but I have to get batter lamps for my quickly put together light box.  It will all have to do for now.

Hope you see feel a little sunshine in your life today.  Have a wonderful day.

November 10, 2010

Never Forget. Always Hope.

My middle son made this beautiful poppy at Beavers (aka Scouts)

In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead.  Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands with throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

If you managed to read the entire poem or recite it by memory, I encourage you to take the time to consider how this poem still resonates in our lives today.  To me it's not just a time to remember those that fought for our freedom but also for remembering those who fought a brave fight with Cancer, MS, ALS, Parkinson's, etc.  I also think about those who continue to carry the torch.  Our brave soldiers signing up for the unknown, those who run or bike marathons to raise money for medical research, and the families that are left to fill the whole that's been left from loosing a loved one.

Have a beautiful & thoughtful Remembrance Day.

November 7, 2010

Ghoolishly Late

Wow, I actually have something to post and keeping with the theme of the last few months...I'm late!!!  yes Halloween has come and gone but I did manage to find time to make these labels for the pencils my kids gave to their classmates.  I did the same thing last year. This time there were 44 to do and I only made a few the same.  I practiced different techniques like sponging, background stamping and using those punches I've collected. Nothing fancy but I just had to post the fact that I FOUND TIME and I haven't disappeared from the face of the earth!

Thankfully, I'm now down to one job and hope to find time to make my Christmas cards before time runs out.  Most likely they'll be late but that just makes me consistent doesn't it?  Thanks so much to all my blog friends that have stayed in touch with me blog or no blog and to those of you who followed me post or no post.  I can't wait to start seeing all of your holiday creations.  'Tis the season you know?!

Please forgive the picture quality.  I haven't found the perfect set up for taking pictures in the new house plus I'm working during the day now so it gives me limited time to take those pictures.

Today I'm grateful for having the kids living in an awesome neighborhood where they can play with other kids their age from dawn until dusk.  I'm also thankful for the fact that the temperature today sunny and warm.  Much more like September weather rather November.

Have a fabulous week.  Happy Crafting.

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