Coffee First, Wishes Second

It took me a long time to get into the Stella stamps, but now I just loveys her! Her personality makes me laugh and she is fun to color! Do you remember how Tinkerbell had to think "happy thoughts" and dust herself with Pixie Dust before she could fly? Well, Stella needs her java before she can grant wishes~my kind of girl! LOL

Stamps: stella has her fix by Jan Dolby for Stamping Bella; coffee cups by Hanna Stamps~Cafe; sentiment by Memory Box

Paper: SU Paper Flowers and Wild Wasabi

Inks: Memento Tuxed Black, Copics, Copic Spicas

Accessories: Bella's Donuts in Pink Orchid, Bella's Dots in Glitter Pink Orchid, Nestabilities

Happy Autumn!

I live in New England, and it's my favorite time of year~Autumn! The leaves are changing early due to our unusually low temperatures. That means it's time for all things Autumn~for me, that includes anything pumpkin! Yum! Here's my favorite recipe for my favorite Autumn treat: Pumpkin Bread Pudding!

Bread Pudding

2 cups half and half

1 15-ounce can  pure pumpkin

2 large eggs

1 cup (packed) plus 2 Tbs. dark brown sugar

1 & 1/2 tsps. pumpkin pie spice

1 & 1/2 tsps. ground cinnamon

1 & 1/2 tsps. vanilla extract

10 cups of 1/2" cubes egg bread (about 10 ounces)

1/2 cup golden raisins if desired (I usually don't use them)

Caramel Sauce

1 & 1/4 cups (packed) dark brown sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

1/2 cup whipping cream

Powdered sugar

Preparation 

Bread Pudding: Whisk half and half, pumpkin, dark brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in large bowl until well blended. Fold in bread cubes. Stir in raisins if using, Transfer mixture to 11x7 glass baking dish. Soak in refrigerator for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake until tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 40 minutes.

Caramel Sauce: While bread pudding is baking, heat brown sugar and butter in medium saucepan over medium heat until butter melts. Whisk  well. Whisk in cream and stir until sugar dissolves and sauce is smooth, about 3 minutes. 

To serve

Sift powdered sugar over bread pudding. Drizzle with caramel sauce.

Refrigerate leftovers and reheat in microwave.

ENJOY!

You're the Icing on the Cupcake!

This is my first Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge (TECC35 on SCS). I made this for my great-niece, who is turning 4 in a few weeks. She is having a cupcake party!

Lori, shh...don't tell Lexi!

Stamps: Merry Muffins by Stampendous; Cupcake Background by Inky Antics

Paper: Misc. Solids

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spicas

Accessories: Bella's Dots in Glitter Garnet, Stickles in Stardust, SU Ribbon Slot Punch, 3-D Dots, misc. ribbon

Where's the Tree?

Pia Puddingtop is just precious! She has an ornament in her hand, ready to decorate!

Stamp: Pia Puddingtop by Chichiboulie for Stamping Bella

Paper: Debbie Mumm's Harvest & Holiday Glitter Matstack

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spicas

Accessories: Bella's Dots in Glitter Spruce, Bella's Favorite Ribbon in Marshmallow, SU Ribbon Slot Punch

Stella Grants a Wish

This line of stamps is so funny! 

Stella is a fairy godmother, and the images are just darling! This is for BCC47 on SCS.

Stamp: Leaning Tower of Stella by Jan Dolby for Stamping Bella

Paper: CTMH Cranberry, Ocean, Blush, and Key Lime; SU Paper Flowers DP

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spicas

Accessories: Bella's Dots in Glitter Garnet and Crackle Green, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Stickles in Icicle, misc. ribbon

The Cutest Little Red Sox Fan EVER!

Most of you know that I am a HUGE Red Sox fan! I try to watch every game. One of my favorite players is Curt Schilling, even though he has been on the DL for the entire season. Yes, I have a Schilling jersey~complete with #38 and his name! So, as you may have guessed, Emma is well equipped with Red Sox gear. On Tuesday night, the Sox clinched a berth in the play-offs. For yesterday's game, Emma wore her Schilling shirt to celebrate! Okay, the shirt is totally cool~but check out her little ponytails!

This is the exact face I make when the Sox lose! How did she know that? LOL

I taught her to make fists, pump her arms, and say "Go, Sox!" She doesn't haven't the "Sox" down quite right, but we're working on it. Check out her Elmo slippers. She wants to wear them 24/7!

Even Emma thought she looked adorable! She walked by the oven, saw her reflection, and kissed herself. Don't worry~the oven was off, and we quickly told her "No, Emma~hot!"

Yeah...I just love living in Emma-land!

Along Came Polly

Don't you just love this stamp? There's something so sweet about her!

Stamp: Polly Packages by Chichiboulie for Stamping Bella

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spicas

Accessories: Bella's Dots in Glitter Garnet, Prima Paper Poinsettias, 3-D Dots, Scribbles 3-D Paint in Iridescent White Mist

1970's IT Girl!

This SO reminds me of junior high! I think I actually owned this poncho. LOL   This is for BSC47 on SCS.

Stamps: Beatrice Bellbottoms by Chichiboulie for Stamping Bella; sentiment by Stamping Bella

Paper: DCWV Summer Textured Cardstock and DCWV Blossoms & Butterflies Matstack

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spicas

Accessories: Bella's Dots in Glitter Dark Lilac, Nestabilities, SU Ribbon Slot Punch, Taylored Expressions Ribbon, Prima Paper Flowers, Brads

For Always...

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. He died 8 years ago, at the age of 80. Sometimes, it's hard to believe that it's been that long; other times, it still feels so new and painful...

When I was a little girl, I LOVED to pretend that I was marrying him! My mom gave me an old, sheer curtain which I would wrap around myself like a veil. I wore one of her fancy nightgowns, and I had a bouquet of plastic, yellow flowers. I would proudly march through our living room where my handsome groom awaited! One time, he gave me a "beautiful" dime store ring. It was gold, with a large red "stone." It's 38 years later, and I still have that ring. 

Here's an old Polaroid of me in my "wedding" dress, a photo of me with my parents on my real wedding day (which was 25 years ago, and I am still quite blessed to be married to my high school sweetheart, Rick!), and a photo of my real hubby in our favorite wedding photo.

I wrote this lyric in honor of my dad a few years back. Just thought it would be a fitting tribute for my dad's birthday.

 I love you, Daddy...

For Always

I was only eight years old

With a veil that Mama made

The dime store ring you gave to me

The plastic flower bouquet

You promised you would love me until the end of time

You smiled as you put your hand in mine...

I grew up and fell in love

Decided to get married

You walked me down the aisle

Said I'd always be your baby

You promised you would love me until the end of time

You cried as you slipped your hand from mine...

Watched you age, your hair turned gray

You said you were an old man

I wiped the tears from your eyes

As I held onto your frail hand

You looked at me with eyes that said

The things you couldn't say

I promised you that in my heart you'd stay

For always...

Living life without you now

It's still too hard to believe

Miss you more than I can say

At times I can barely breathe

I promised I would love you until the end of time

I cry as I long for your hand in mine...

Photographs and memories

Dime store ring is in a box

I pull them out from time to time

The years are no longer lost

I hear you say you'll love me until the end of time

I close my eyes and feel your hand in mine

For always...

(Written by Vicki Burns. Copyright © 2006 -2008 by

BibleShareware.org, Inc. All rights reserved.)

All Dressed Up

Last Wednesday evening, a group of us enjoyed the Fall Bella Bash on SCS. It was so much fun to chit chat with the sistahs! As part of our virtual party, we were given two challenges. For the first challenge, FFBB01, we had to CASE (sort of copy) a card from Laura's gallery (I chose Never Grow Up! BSC33), changing two or three things on your own card. 

I changed the image and the DP, and I used Bella's Dots instead of Bella's Baubles. The solid colors, Fiskars Scallop Edge Punch, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, and the sentiment are all the same.

Stamps: sentiment by Stamping Bella; Never Grow Up by Tiddly Inks for Stamping Bella

Papers: CTMH Autumn Terracotta, Sunflower, Olive, and Barn Red; DP is Sugared Luscious by Basic Grey

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spicas

Accessories: Bella's Dots in Glitter Dark Cocoa, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, and Fiskars Scallop Edge Punch

Bella's Pumpkin Patch

The second challenge (FFBB02) was to use specific colors. I had a lot of fun with this challenge! I am blessed to live in New England, where I get to delight in the autumn splendor. This challenge made me eager for it to arrive~it's only a few weeks away!

Some fun details about the card: I used last year's photo of the trees in my front yard as "paper." I stamped the leaves onto the photo, cut them out, them attached them to the upper corners of the image. So my leaves are made from actual photos of my leaves! Then I "masked" the veggiebella stamp, taking out her basket of vegetables and the plants on the ground. I replaced them with a pumpkin (on a pop-up dot) and grass. Finally, I attached the wooden fence with pop-up dots to make her look like she is in a pumpkin patch. 

Okay, I am ready for Autumn!

Stamps: veggiebella by Stamping Bella; CTMH Autumn Gifts

Paper: CTMH Autumn Terracotta, Sunflower, Olive, and Barn Red

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spicas

Accessories: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Pop-up dots, photograph

Just Chillin'

This is my first MFT Challenge! It's for MFTSC48 on SCS. 

Stamps: MFT Baby It's Cold Outside

Paper: SU Brocade Blue and Pumpkin Pie; Snowflake Stripe by Allison Connors for Creative Imaginations

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spicas, CTMH Daisy White

Accessories: CTMH Paper Piercing Tool, Stickles in Frosted Lace, Snowflake brads, rick-rack

A Flower for You

This is for BCC46 on SCS. It's not one of my favorites...just okay. But I sure enjoyed making it!

Stamp: daisybella by Stamping Bella

Paper: SU Old Olive, Regal Rose, Bashful Blue, Cameo Coral, and DP in Maine Blueberry

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spicas

Accessories: Bella's Dots, CTMH Edge Distresser, Pebbles Inc. Pearlescent Chalk in Jewel Tones

A Little Bit Batty

This is for BSC46 on SCS. I flipped the sketch on its side so that I could put a moon behind the bat. 

Stamps: little witchy and battiful darling by Tiddly Inks for Stamping Bella

Paper: CTMH Orange, Black, Smokey Plum, and Sunflower; Debbie Mumm Harvest & Holiday Glitter Stack

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spicas

Accessories: Bella's Dots in Solid Black, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Ice Cream, Anyone?

This is too funny! Last night, Rick, Brittany, Emma (18 months old), and I went went out for dinner. We didn't know that on Weds. night, kid's meals are only $1.99. Usually, Brittany shares her meal with Emma, but this time she let Emma get her own meal. Well, it comes with a "Hoodsie," which is a miniature cup of ice cream toppped with whipped cream and sprinkles. While we were waiting for the Hoodsie to arrive, Brittany asked Emma ifshe wanted some ice cream (Emma nodded her head yes~this summer, she discovered that she LOVES ice cream). Then Brittany used crayons to draw an ice cream cone on Emma's placemat. Emma took one look at the placemat, picked it up, and licked the drawing! She thought THAT was the ice cream she was getting! She couldn't figure out why it didn't taste like anything, so she kept licking it! LOL Boy, was she happy when the Hoodsie arrived! Too bad I didn't have my camera with me. 

Stop and Smell the Roses

Okay, so they are painted roses. But "Stop and Sit on the Roses" didn't sound as appealing! I painted this a long time ago. It is on my front porch. I am amazed that it survives the New England weather!

 

Fairies, Fairies Everywhere

This is my favorite painted project! It is a jewelry armoire painted with fairies. I love the colors! Keep in mind that I did not draw any of this~I just traced and painted it. Sure wish I could paint like this now!

Hat Boxes, but No Hats!

Does anyone really use hat boxes anymore? Probably not, but that didn't keep me from painting some! They "nest" under a table in my living room. 

Fun Florida Fling!

We spent the weekend in Tampa, Florida for our niece's wedding. We thought we'd "rough it" and not bring any laptops. Rick and I both have cell phones with media service, so we thought we'd be fine. Well, we had full phone service, but the cellular media service was too slow to use the internet on our phones! Maybe it was a blessing in disguise~we weren't constantly playing on our phones!

We stayed in Treasure Island, at a hotel right on the beach. Emma LOVES the beach and the pool. We spent a lot of time playing! She still LOVES the hat that her Great Aunt Kristin bought for her last summer on Martha's Vineyard. 

Jennifer's wedding was lovely! She was such a beautiful bride, and her husband, Joel, is a sweetheart! The wedding and reception were both beautiful. My SIL, Merlynn, made all of the flower arrangements, the colored tablecloths, the tulle swags, and proabably many more things that I can't remember. Welcome to the family, Joel~we love you already!

We had a wonderful time! Emma enjoyed herself, too~lots of dancing and good food. She even made her own little veil from the table mint holders!

On Sunday, we hung around the pool with Rick's family until it was time to fly home.

Jennifer and Joel are enjoying their 3-week honeymoon in Roatan. We can't wait to hear all about it!

Classy and Fabulous

This is for BCC45 on SCS. 

Stamps: mwahbella and sentiment by Stamping Bella

Paper: CTMH Cranberry, Grey Wool, Twilight, and Crystal Blue

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spicas

Accessories: Bella's Dots in Glitter Platinum, Ribbon

A Perfect Day for Swinging

FINALLY! A day without rain! It is gorgeous here today~mid 60's and sunny! Okay, to most of you that is freezing~but it's quite comfy for those of us in New England! And days like this mean that New England's autumn splendor isn't too far away. Yippee! Anyway, Emma and I spent the morning playing outside. She loves to swing! Her new word for today is "fast." She kept saying "Go fast!" Hopefully she'll forget that phrase by the time she's driving. LOL

Once Upon a Time....

My sweet niece, Jennifer, is getting married this weekend. I made this wedding card for her and her handsome husband-to-be, Joel. I made this to match their wedding invitation. Can't wait for the wedding!

Stamps: hitchedafellabella and sentiment by Stamping Bella

Paper: Pearlescent solids by DCWV; hand-pressed paper

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spica

Accessories: Bella's White Glass Pearls, Bella's Favorite Ribbon in Polkadot Marshmallow, SU Ribbon Slot Punch, K Marcelle Floral Accents, Liquid Pearls in White Opal

More Painted Stuff...

Awhile ago, I painted these TV Trays. 

The Fall one is my favorite.

Talkin' 'bout My Girl

I made this for my son's girlfriend, a "Send off " note as she heads off to Stanford. It is also for BSC45 on SCS.

Stamps: Togethah Forevah by Tiddly Inks for Stamping Bella; sentiment by ArtMuse Artstamps

Paper: Wild Thing Flutter by KI Memories, Inc.; solids by DCWV

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spica

Accessories: Bella's Favorite Ribbon, Bella's Dots in Glitter Pink Orchid, SU Scallop Punch, SU Ticket Corner Punch, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Pop-up Dots

Who Let the Dogs Out?

I actually made this card awhile ago for a friend, but I didn't want her to see it here before she got it! Her sweet dog, Wally, died a few months ago. She just got a new puppy named Sophie. I just had to send Sophie a little baby gift, and this is the card that went with it.

Stamps: Woofin' It Up by Tiddly Inks for Stamping Bella; sentiment by Stamping Bella

Paper: The Pets Stack by DCWV

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spica, Inkssentials Opaque White

Accessories: Bella's Dots in Crackle Pink; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder; button brads; Stickles; SU Ribbon Slot Punch

Needlepoint Fun

Here are a few needlepoint projects I have made. 

This was the very first thing I needlepointed. Of course, it had to do with skating! 

When we lived in CO, our home was very lodge-like. It blended in quite well with CO. Now we live in MA. The lodge-look doesn't fit so well here, but we still love it. We hope to live in a log home someday in the beautiful mountains of Breckenridge, CO.

Besides the Christmas stockings I have made (I'll post those at Christmas), this is my absolute favorite needlepoint project. When I lived in Boulder, CO, I shopped at a needlepoint store in a very small town. The woman who owned it became a dear friend~her name is Edith, but she's gone by "Mugs" her whole life. (A nickname lovingly bestowed upon her by her late father.) Mugs' mother, Tim, is an absolute doll! In her 70's (she's in her 80's now), she was still hand-painting needlepoint canvasses for Mugs' shop. She would drive around CO taking photographs, then would use the photos to paint her canvasses. The Flatirons of Boulder are stunning~they compose a beautiful slope on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains. Anyway, Tim took a photo of them in the fall and hand-painted this canvas for me. I just love it...

That's it for now. Thanks for looking!

All Grown Up

This was a tough challenge! It was hard to fit three circles on a card, so the card had to be over-sized. But I think this is one of my favorite challenges!

Stamps: Take a Stand Maya, Cuddly Cat, and Togethah Forevah by Tiddly Inks for Stamping Bella; sentiment by CTMH~Card Commentary

Paper: SU Certainly Celery; Pink Pattern Collection by Nichole Heady for Papertrey Ink

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spica

Accessories: Eyelets, Big Bite

Peace

This stamp and card are SO 1970s! They totally remind me of junior high and high school! LOL

Stamps: Hippiechickabella and sentiment by Stamping Bella

Paper: CTMH Dutch Blue, Topiary, Honey, Petal: DCWV DP

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, CTMH Olive Ink, Copics, Copic Spica

Accessories: Bella's Dots in Solid Dark Plum; Pop-up Dots, Cuttlebug Embossing folder; Nestabilities; CTMH sanding block

Sending You Fairy Nice Thoughts

A dear, dear man~the father of my childhood best friend~died a few weeks ago. All of my memories of him are fond ones. I made this card for his wife, in honor of Lou. Here's to you, Mr. "E."

This is also for BCC43 on SCS.

Stamp: Eloise Greengrass by Chichiboulie for Stamping Bella

Paper: SU Black, Creamy Caramel, Perfect Plum, and Lavender Lace; Deja Views Fresh Print DP

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spica

Accessories: SU Ticket Corner Punch, Prima flower, Bella's Dots in Glitter Medium Lilac and Solid Black; CTMH Sassy Strands in Winter Classic; Pop-up dots

You're Super!

This is a  birthday thank-you note for a friend. She loves bright colors, so I hope she'll like this!

It is also for BCC44 on SCS.

Stamps: Superbella and sentiment by Stamping Bella

Paper: CTMH Holiday Red, Clover Meadow, Sunflower, and Star Spangled Blue

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spica

Accessories: Bella's Dots in Glitter Blue Jean and Glitter Garnet; star brads; SU Window Word Punch

Soft As a Baby's Bottom

A friend recently adopted a boy from China. She has adopted two girls from there~all three have had cleft palates which have been corrected. They are such beautiful children! Anyway, this card is for her in honor of Joel.

This was also for BCC42 on SCS.

Stamps: All Bummed Out  Baby by Tiddly Inks for Stamping Bella; sentiment by SU Short and Sweet

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Spica

Accessories: SU Hodgepodge Hardware in Stylized Silver, Bella's Dots in Glitter Blue Jean

Doughnuts or Donuts?

The unthinkable happened this morning: we were out of coffee! I knew that yesterday, went to Starbucks, and then forgot to buy it! I was so busy enjoying my iced latte (thanks, Kristy!) that the need for regular coffee just slipped my mind. Now a morning without coffee around here is like a a day without air! LOL Darn...guess that means I have to make another Starbucks run today!

In the meantime, Rick ran out to the local Dunkin' Donuts to get our morning fix. Now, if you live in the Northeast, you'll know that there is a Dunkin' Donuts every 1/2 mile! They are everywhere! We're not big into doughnuts/donuts (which is it, by the way?), so we rarely get them. But Starbucks is a 20 minute drive and is CRAZY on Saturday mornings. So we went for the quick fix.

Of course, while he was there, Rick just had to pick up doughnuts for breakfast. Emma has never had a doughnut. Did she like it? Judge for yourself!

Don't worry...the cup is empty. She just wanted to drink out of one just like everyone else! 

Have a great day!

A Few More Painted Projects...

Here are a few more painted projects:

This is small table at the top of my stairs. Sorry for the bright flash spot!

These both hang in my laundry room. The first one is done on watercolor paper. The second one was an experiment to "paint outside the frame."  

This is a door crown, hanging above my from door (on the inside). I started to make one for each season, but never finished them b/c of my hand.

Clothed in Christ~A Study on the Armor of God

I finished my newest Bible study! It is titled Clothed in Christ~A Study on the Armor of God. It is an 8-week study. The first week focuses on the nature of our spiritual battle, setting the stage for why we need the armor of God. Each of the next 6 weeks focus on an individual piece of the armor of God. The 8th week ties them all together. It is available for free use at www.bibleshareware.org   

You can preview the first lesson directly from the site. Click on the "Download" page, then select the study (or any others). To request any complete study, please use the "Contact Us" form provided.

Have a great day!

Hidden Talents? NOT!

My sweet SIL, Lori, wants to know what other "hidden talents" I have. Well, I  just about fell off my chair laughing! Have you seen her cards and layouts? I am so NOT talented that I have to copy her! Except for writing, I cannot come up with anything on my own!

Over the years, I have had several hobbies. You already know about the writing, the card-making, and the scrap-booking. Most of you know that I am a die-hard Red Sox fan, and that I love figure skating~both doing it and watching it. I like to take lots of photos of just about anything. My favorite photos are the ones I take from flat on the ground, looking up through tree branches. On more than one occasion, my kids have walked away from me because they were humiliated that I would plop down on a sidewalk, flat on my back, and take a photo. LOL

I also love to needlepoint and quilt. I used to paint a lot. I could never sketch~but if I had a model to look at it, I could copy it. So nothing I ever painted was original~it all came from a pattern or photo that someone else made for me. Then the whole hand thing happened in 1999, and I lost most use of my right hand. I can't paint any longer, but I can quilt and needlepoint, albeit very slowly.

Here are three of my favorite painted projects. This first one is a simple still life. I love the colors. It's hanging in my kitchen eating area. The bright spot is from the flash~oops!

Being a children's author, as well as a former 3rd grade teacher, I love all things related to children's books. This shelf is hanging in my home office.

  

Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle

The cow jumped over the moon.

The little dog laughed to see such sport, and the dish ran away with the spoon.

And, of course, there is my obsession with Peter Rabbit. I must say, the Miss Potter movie is my new favorite! I just love all of Beatrix Potter's characters and stories. Oh, to be an author of her caliber!

I made this little "stepping stool" years ago. It is now in Emma's room. She loves to sit on the top step and read books! 

Peter Rabbit in Mr. McGregor's garden

Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and their Mother

More another day! Thanks for looking!

A Simple Sketch

Here's another one....one of my favorites.

You could dress me to the nines

and then take my photograph

Airbrush out the flaws and lines,

add the features that I lack.

I could primp, I could preen

but all that would be seen

is just a simple sketch of everything that He

wants me to be.

And if you could commission

a Van Gogh or a Monet,

a masterful rendition

of my face he might portray.

I could pose, I could sit

but still in the end it

would be a simple sketch of everything that He

wants me to be.

"A picture paints a thousand words," or so the saying goes;

so I paint my soul on canvasses of poetry and prose...

When this portrait session ends

He'll stroll through my gallery; 

portraits hung for my defense 

of my faith's reality.

So I hope and I pray

that these words will display

more than a simple sketch of everything that He

wants me to be.

So I hope and I pray

that my life will display

the One that gave His life for me

so that someday I might be

more than just this simple sketch.

Written by Vicki Burns. 

Copyright © 2006-2008 by Bibleshareware.org, Inc. 

All rights reserved. www.Bibleshareware.org

Your Melody

Sound asleep, before daybreak

Familiar stirrings once again

Suddenly I'm wide awake

As reverential tunes begin

There words of mine cannot wait

I must reveal what stirs within

You are touching me, moving my heart to sing

May I be Your melody...

With each line my spirit molds

Throughout the chorus of the day

With each measure truth unfolds

As my heart Your fingers play

Your notes resound in my soul

Each one takes my breath away

You are composing me, moving my life to sing

May I be Your melody...

My fingers dance across this keyboard

My notes are words on pages white

I close my eyes and lose myself in reverie...

Wrapped up in these melodies

Since You marked me as Your own

Someday I'll be the harmony

For angels singing 'round your throne

Keep making music out of me

Until You finally play me home

I am Your instrument, play Your symphony in me

May I be Your melody...

May I always be

a holy melody...

(Written by Vicki Burns. Copyright © 2006 -2008 by BibleShareware.org, Inc. All rights reserved.)

www.Bibleshareware.org

Canvasses of Poetry and Prose

Okay...so some friends are bugging me to post some things on my blog in addition to my card-making and family photos. As a hobby~and as part of my work for the Bible curriculum I write for Bibleshare.org~I write lyrics. I have won a few honorable mentions for them in contests, and have always loved the idea of being a real lyrics writer. But I haven't pursued it much, primarily because I have felt called to write the curriculum first, and my life-long dream was to become a children's author, which I finally am! So that's where my work time goes. Maybe someday I'll chase the lyrics thing a bit more. At any rate, I guess I'll post some of them for those few people that actually want to read them. If you're not one of them, then scroll right on by! 

So all of the lyrics/poetry that I write are collected in a work I call Canvasses of Poetry and Prose. Since I spend all of my work time writing, that seemed like an appropriate title. Keep an eye out~I'll post things from this work every once in awhile.

Happy, happy Tuesday!

46 Years Young!

It is so nice to have a weekend birthday! Rick and Brittany were both off of work, so we got to spend the whole day together. It started by sleeping in, which I love to do! Then Rick was a good sport and went to Michael's and the mall with the girls. It wasn't all drudgery for him, though~we ate lunch at The Cheesecake Factory! While Emma napped, Brittany and I scrapbooked. It's so fun to do that with her. In the evening, we went out for a dinner of appetizers and dessert ('cause you know that on your birthday, the calories and fat grams don't stick to you!). Then we watched a movie. 

We scrapbooked more on Sunday afternoon. Then we drove to Amherst (@90 minutes each way) to have dinner with the boys. Emma enjoyed her first grilled cheese sandwich. It was a hit!

Brittany and Emma gave me a combined birthday/Christmas gift: 2 tickets to see Carrie Underwood in October! I am SOOOOOOO excited! Brittany and I will go. Her friend, Kristen, will watch Emma until Rick gets home from work. Did I mention that I am SOOOOOOO excited?

Rick and the boys went in together for a BEAUTIFUL Coach purse for me! I LOVEY it! It's is burnished leather in the most beautiful shade of grey. Check out Rick's face~he was pretending to be sad about the purse (the kids were teasing him about how much he put in versus the boys, who are poor college students! LOL) Did I mention that I LOVEY it?

Today I was able to spend a few more hours scrapbooking. I made a lot of progress this weekend! Tomorrow, it is back to work! 

Thanks to all of you for sending me you sweet birthday wishes!

The Week in Review

Okay...so I am WAY behind on my blogging! It's been a busy week! I had migraine issues, Rick had what we think was E-coli, and we had tons of shopping and packing to do for Brennan and Keaton's move to their dorms! Here are a few highlights from the week. 

In this one, Emma is wearing Uncle Keaton's shoes while walking Bitty Baby.

Here is Emma with Keaton's sweet and beautiful girlfriend, Tina.

Here is the truck, packed and ready to go!

On Sunday, we went to visit Brennan and Keaton, as well as to celebrate my birthday. One of Emma's favorite things to do is ride on Uncle Brennan's shoulders!