{ My MiNuTia }

Oh, Happy Day

Well, that's the last of it! The Paper Bella shipments are out dee door. Whew. Busy busy week getting them all ready and they are finished. This month was a doozy....record numbers of orders! Thank you everyone who ordered and thank you also for your patience during that Thanksgiving break.

This time, I upgraded my shipping methods a bit and am so glad I did. When you get your happy boxes, take a glance at the spiffy label on the box, won't you?! Oh, yeah, it's getting real "uptown" around here. :)

Anyhoot, I am so glad to have this behind me as I have so many other neglected tasks and projects looming and can now focus on them. And I can't help but notice that tomorrow we must turn the page to a new month. The big daddy of all months. DECEMBER. Hush my mouth! You know, the month that sends all womin into a fit of exhaustion....all in the name of Jesus' Birthday. I really don't think He intended it to be that way. You guys know me, I'm as guilty as everyone else in trying to make it the bestest and mostest of Christmas' every year. It seems to be really on my mind this go round though. Not sure what to do about it quite yet. Still pondering that.

And in other news, you must know what today is...why it's Saint Andrew Day. You know, the first apostle that followed Jesus. Well, lucky us....because we just happen to have an Andrew in the house.
And when you are named after a Saint, you hafta get special things on that Saint's day. You just do. So hot chocolate it is. With monstrous marshmellows. You go buddy.

It's Drake's big play tonight and tomorrow night. I have been so nervous all day for him and the cast and crew. They are performing The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

He attends a magnet school for Arts so folks expect great work. His drama teacher is amazing and I can't wait to see how it goes!
I hope I can take pictures!!! One way or another....I'm taking pictures and  they are just gonna hafta deal. So is Drake. He'll just die seeing his Momma looming around snapping photos. Oh well....too bad for him!

One more thing...Sabrina Ward Harrison has some amazing stuff to share: The Link...wow. The photography. Her (often imitated but no one can truly capture) style. Her limited edition book...yup...wow. The True Living Project.

All Hail the Queen!

Oh, mon dieu! No need to bore you with the long version....and no time to either...but we've been to see the Queen. The Queen (and King and Princess and Prince) of all things southern and all things fall.

Let's just say our vaca to Oklahoma City was fantabulous!!  So many fun times....as always is the case when we go to visit. I am so thankful for my family. Very blessed.

On top of the great memories rests my spinning head. My momma and sista did me in again with all of their great shopping adventures. Yeah, my head filled with so many ideas and it's truly on overload. This happens everytime I go to that town and I knew it would happen...even anticipated it. Maybe it was the head cold I caught or just the fact that I am getting older....but my head is still spinning from it all!! Perhaps I think too visually...which is why escapades like this do me in for a while.

I tried to pose the wee folk on Mom's front porch, and got lots of photos like this. Mr. Silly Pants, Miss Smile in a Can, and Mr. Oh-So Serious. That's just where they are I suppose...and I love it and I'll take it. They can't all be Norman Rockell's, right?

Here's Sassy and I on Mom's front porch. You can't see them all, but Mom has about 14 pumpkins on her porch. Oh, she's Foofy alright. My Momma is the Queen of extra fluff and foofy! I love her for it. Allie and I counted over 46 pumpkins in her house. Yes, with decorating like that just imagine what her Christmas looks like. I think she said she puts up 4 Christmas trees all in a different theme!! She rocks!

Here's Mom and Dale a/k/a the Queen and King. Still so daggum cute together!

Our favorite activity, besides the eating, shopping, and football tossing was playing Deal or No Deal. Mom picked up this fun new game and oh my, addicting and fun! Great for all ages, too. We also got a treat Saturday night, Mom surprised us with a DVD of Jim Gaffigan!!! I think it was called Beyond the Pale. Hilarious. We all just laughed and laughed! I highly recommend it!

I have so many things going on this week...it's serious crunch time around here and I fear for my future if I do not keep up with the lengthy To-Do Lists, orders to fill, projects to complete, and my son's plays to attend.

That being said....I am outa here. But I shall return...with treasures to show and treats to share! It'll be worth the wait...promise.

One last shot of Mom's entryway. Told you we went to see the Queen. The pumpkin queen.
Now do you believe me?

Under the influence of Natalie

Oh dear...
I awoke to the remnants of the Dixie Chicks singing this morning. I admit I still love their music. Watched them on the American Music Awards last night. Very nice.

This morning while I was getting ready and putting my "face on", I found myself applying lots and lots of eyeliner. Too much. Going for that smokey eyed look like Natalie has. Wow. Only trouble is she has a make up stylist who applies hers, and me, well I look like a raccoon now. Well, at least I'm heading south today! I'll feel right at home in a few hours. In the south more is more, you see. And when in Rome, do as the Romans....so for my finishing touch I think I'll rat my hair a little on top.....going for that extra poof today. Southern girls theory: the higher the hair the closer to God. Do they still sell Aqua Net?

Where's my #19 pink frost lipstick?

Oh, so thanks-ful

Take a peek at this festive wrap!
Recently, Kelly Jacobs gifted me with a pair of gorgeous earbobs to match the necklace I purchased from her at Silver Bella. How sweet she is. Thank you Kelly! I am still hoping she opens a website with her Vintage Diva handmade gems. We can only hope! The b/w scarf underneath I found at Kohl's, on sale last weekend for shhhhh......$10. Get out! Love it.

The Paper Bella Kit #10 is all gone-gone. I am sorry they went so fast. I am trying to budget my time carefully until the end of the year, so I doubt I'll have a chance to replenish that Kit.  Who knows. So many irons in the fire right now and we will just have to see. I do have some exciting things planned in the future for Paper Bella though. Looking forward to some productive focus time!

We are heading out to my second favorite house in the world--my Momma's-- in a few days. Thanksgiving already...wow! Allie and I headed to the bookstore this afternoon and stocked up for the drive. I got a couple of great books and I hope I can hide them from myself and not crack them open until the trip.

The kids are all looking forward to going and all for different reasons. The Snickers Salad, the turkey, sitting on Grandma's tall stools at the bar, fun excursions with Grandpa, and massive boutique bopping with Grandma and Aunt Sassy! As for me--I'm hoping Sas makes her Caramel Apple Pie! Mmmm. Jim is hoping his Bucs defeat the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day. Not a good thing having to watch that game in my Momma's (who is a Cowboys fan) living room. Poor guy!
I wish everyone in blogland a very Happy Thanksgiving!

(new banner created with the following: Olde World Stamps, and Royal Parisienne by Rhonna Farrer,  Seasons Greetings by Sande Krieger all Digi Kits at Two Peas  )

Before The Big Man

                             { Andrew's First Reconciliation, 11.6.06 }

I wish...
grown ups were humbled by their insignificance more often.
grown ups could learn from children more often.
grown ups would reveal their innocence more often.

I wish I could have captured the look on his face while he waited his turn...with the biggest eyes...watching every move of those before him. His ears tuned into every sound in the quiet and somber church. And after he confessed to the Priest for the first time, I wish I could have somehow captured the show of respect he had....all the children had. Beautiful. Standing before something/someone so much larger than you, and feeling that Spirit is very humbling. He felt it. We all did. And the way he prayed so diligently and honestly, dropping his forehead, and crossing his hands and fingers together so tightly.

I'd like to remember that moment for a long long time.

Provisions & Stars

A few new Provisions have been added to the Paper Bella site! Some are leftovers from past kits this year, some are extras I ordered from Silver Bella. Good prices, too!

The little crown charms are replenished. All of the sudden the red/white twine was gone-gone! It's replenished, too, and just in time for holiday wrapping and card making. I noticed Martha Stewart used it all over in her Holiday Handmade Gifts Issue...which is a great issue by the way.

I played chemist today, mixing up my special blend of glitter for the next kit. Oh, man....so loving it. You will, too...I just bet you will!!

There were a couple kinks on the Bella site the past two days...they are fixed now though. Good deal. If you tried to order a Kit, I hear you had troubles. It's running smoothly again and the Kits are going quickly.

Andrew and I finished up some ornaments for his teacher's school Christmas tree. The info sheet asked the children to make thank you cards and an ornament. An ormanent made of paper. "Ding! ding! ding!" Talk to mama --I'm on the case! He thought the sample they provided was lame (his word not mine). So we made these stars. His thank you notes made me smile.

Dear Mrs. So & So,

Thank you for teaching me math and stuff. Our class is so great. Merry Christmas!

Love, Your Student, Andrew M.

You can get this cool star complimentary at Dub & Sam. Here's the Link.   Just feed your cardstock through your printer, cut and fold. I punched a hole in the top and strung twine through the hole. Andrew did some cutting and added the center sentiment (K & Co.) with glue dots. Sometimes it's a gift to be simple!

(That loverly crown, above, is from Rhonna Farrer's Royal Parisienne Digi Kit at Two Peas. )

 

Thx Beckalina

Last weekend, for a brief moment....Allie smiled again. Becky and I have been talking about a photo shoot with Allie for months and months. We saw a brief window of time and gave it a try.

What a great time the 3 of us had shooting these! It was a hustle bustle-ish Saturday downtown and people were everywhere. Allie was very shy about the photos but we caught her smiling a few times. Becky is so full of talent in photography and it was juch a joy seeing two of my fav. gals working together!

It's amazing to me to see how much Allie's changing. When you see someone all the time, you don't often notice. But photos certainly show you. She's so toned and trim and the baby face is...well....it's just gone. There were several great photos that we all liked. It's going to be so hard to pick which ones to get!!

In other news, let's see....I have started wading through my studio. Holy moly. I haven't wanted to even go in that room for a while now because of the mess. But working on it!! Could even be some huge giveaways in this blog's future!

I have also been working on updating the Paper Bella website. Had to get the beloved Bellaween Kits off of there! There will be changes happenning on the site over the next few days. I'll send a newsletter when it's all updated. I am adding some spiffy provisions to the site as well. So excited about them!

So, the next few days will be all about cleaning up the studio and cleaning up the website. I have so many additions to make and am really looking forward to it!

Oh, lastly, did you see that Sally  is having a Trunk Show November 20? Oh be still my silver soldered heart. She even has tools and solder supplies now! I have most of that already but if a tall blonde Mr. McSanta happens to be reading this...well...the jewelry in the trunk show should be fab-u-lust and would fit nicely in my Christmas stocking!!

Grandmas...there are a couple more photos here:

Move over UHU?

Several years ago at Art Continuum, I learned about this best eva glue. I liked it alot, yes I did, but not the fact that it came in a canister with a brush.....while most kitschy, it simply wasn't functional for me. Ya so, look what I found yesterday.

Coccoina Colla Bianca in a glue stick!!! 

Oh be still my heart! I swiped it off the shelf so fast....and smiled and skipped to the checkout to purchase my old friend in a new format. This Italian glue has been around since the 1920's. It smells like almond paste. HEAVEN.

It's made from potato starch so it's perfect for our fragile papers and it's non toxic, acid free and water soluable. Unlike PVA glues, it doesn't cause papers to wrinkle. Perfect for photos, too.

I'm so happy to have found this! :) Glue made from potatoes starch and it smells like almonds. Wow...how'd they do dat? Oh, those Italians....

You can get it HERE .Or ask your LSS to get it....they won't be disappointed.

..................
NOW, for something most unrelated....for those in the know last weekend...my DD had her cell stolen and has been jonesin' for a replacement for a week now. Part of the punishment was to make her be without a while. Well, we all finally got tired her taking our phones this week, I mean, you'd think she was missing an arm or leg without her phone!! It was quite pitiful and sort of a punishment for me as well--we text each other alot. Today we caved. We caved big time. She has that new white chocolate MP3 phone now. SO SPIFFY she is! Caveat....she paid for part of it!

The smile on her face all day today....has been worth every penny (and nickel and dime and quarter and dollar). I love a happy little (although taller than me) DD!

Sorry, for that interjection...now go getcha-self that gluestick!

His Day!

Happy Birthday
to you.
Happy Birthday
to you.
Happy Birthday dear Jim, my love,
Happy birthday to you!

This is cool.

So while my sister and her pals traveling to town last weekend, she picked up this ever so lovely calendar for me and thought to herself...."oh, yeah, she's gonna LOVE this." Well, Friday night during class, there arose such a clatter I jumped frm my seat to see what was the matter...and there was this calendar floating about the room!

Turns out the Designer of this vintage calendar, Delsie Chambon, was sitting right there at Silver Bella!! She is so sweet and talented! In looking at her work and style, I felt like we had an instant friendship. We were all oogling over the calendar and there sat the designer....right there!  What a co-winkydink.

I just had to show you this lovely tall desk calendar. It's hardback, the weekly kind (which I swear by) and it's so lovely. I am so picky about calendars and all things organizational related....this is so perfect for me. I'd say it's about 9x13 inches or so in size. It's called A Song in My Heart. Best part? It's only $12.91 at Amazon.

If you venture over to Amazon to check it out, look inside the calendar at the pages inside. So pretty.

Another good thing--imagine altering this ledgerish journalish calendar at the end of 2007. Wait, actually the best part, was getting one from my Sassy, and it's autographed by Miss Delsie! Thanks Sas and thanks Delsie!!