Nashville Star

I didn't make it. To be honest, I didn't really expect to. It was a terrific experience though, and I'm glad I did it. I'll write a bigger blog post later, after I figure out how to get the pics off my cell phone (yeah, we totally forgot a camera!). My DH and I are already talking about trying again next year.

Thanks everyone for your support!

Okay....

THIS is what I'm doing on Thursday. They are coming to Portland, and my DH found out, and encouraged me to try. I have NO expectations whatsoever. I am going just for the experience of trying out. At the least, I'll have a day in Portland w/my wonderful hubby and no kids! I've prepared two songs from the list: Linda Ronstadt's "When Will I Be Loved" and Tricia Yearwood's ('cause I liked hers better...) "How Do I Live (Without You)." I also have The Wreckers (which, sadly, have disbanded so that Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp could again pursue solo careers) "Leave The Pieces" on stand-by. I'll be taking pics and posting about my experiences here after the fact.

Thanks for the support!

Something kinda big

is happening on Thursday. I'll blog more about it later...Curious? Leave a comment and let me know!

Here's a hint: This One's For the Girls! (and it involves one of the big Three TV networks)

Smiles,
Dianne

Just chillin'

It's been a full and busy week. We fed the missionaries on Wednesday. I made a cake. Here's what was left:

It was delicious. I used/adapted the Pampered Chef Mexican Chocolate Cake from their current Season's Best cookbook. I say adapted because I didn't have any sour cream and remembered that my Mom used to make an amazing chocolate cake that had mayonnaise in it. So I used that. And some milk. As you can see, it tasted very good!

We had a Valentine's party at school. Well, it was really a birthday party for one of our kids, but we had it on Valentine's day, so that counted. We made V-day pouches and brought little treats for everyone. I made Pirate valentine's for C. They turned out well and made him happy, which is really all that matters. The inside was stamped with "Happy Valentine's Day" and I wrote "from C"

I also got to take him to the "Gilbert House" as we call it. That was a lot of fun. I realized that while I spend a lot of time with him (because I take him to work with me) I don't get to be free and unfettered with him. I'm always walking that fine line between "don't spoil him 'cause I'm his teacher" and "ignore him more than I would otherwise because I'm his teacher." This outing made me realize that I need to spend time with him in places where I can just be his mom.

All in all, a good week.

Valentines!

The one that started it all: (label says, "Just because I gave you a heart, it doesn't mean I love you. Happy Valentine's Day." This was for my girlfriend's son who didn't want to have mushy valentines. These were the most popular.

My favorite: And you might remember the "Love Monkey" from last year. This one's a bit different, but basically the same idea.

Some of you will be getting one of these Valentine's from me....at least by the 4th of July, as promised!

Enjoy!

I should really say something interesting...

but not sure I have anything!

I'll post pics later of the valentines I've been making. I did some custom graphics for a girlfriend of mine whose son didn't want anything too mushy. They were the most popular!

So far today we've made just over 140 Valentines.

See you Soon!

Framed!

Just foolin' around a bit w/my DD. We had a good time!

Not what I planned

ARGH! This post is all about frustration!

I feel like ever since I went back to work I'm living the whole "day late and a dollar short" syndrome. I'm always behind at something. Not a good feeling to have perpetually, let me tell you! (I've been sewing an apron for my dear friend Satina since November. Thankfully, she's patient and she loves me)

As I was rushing to get some samples ready for my upcoming classes at Stampin'Cat, I decided to take some pictures of the American Crafts notebook I was altering for the store. I only had about an hour before I had to leave for the 30 minute (or so) drive to Salem to pick up my middle child H at the birthday party at Chuck E Cheese's. My play was to finish the picture frame sample for the Rub-Ons class, add a few touches to the notebook, then zip off on my way. Easy-Peasy. I'd already done one side of the double-sided frame at work that morning--all while fending off the inevitable "Whatcha doin'?" questions by the 15 or so kids in my class that day. (it's fun explaing rub-ons to inquisitive 6 year olds! Really!)

Well, while I was taking this picture:

I hear a little "clink" sound and notice that my sweater knocked over the picture frame. I didn't worry about it, because it landed on a Heidi Swapp mask which was on a stack of foam brushes. Relatively soft. I kept clicking on my work in progress and didn't give it another thought.

Well, I learned the hard way that the people making picture frames for the dollar tree use cheap glass: not good. Not only did I not really have the time to do this over, I didn't have any more of those super cool American Crafts flower rub-ons or the 7 Gypsies word rub-on. After saying a few choice words (Crapinacan! is a favorite right now. Not the most ladylike though, so I'm thinking of changing it) I decided to make my double-sided frame

a single-sided frame. I'd show you the finished product, but I forgot to take a picture of it. (it still turned out really well!) And I forgot to take a picture of the finished notebook (it was even better than the frame!). And I didn't get to the birthday party to pick up H (which was plan B) so he ended up going home with his buddy's dad (who just happens to be Satina's husband). I did make it to StampinCat before too late however. But now I really feel like I owe Satina a few favors....

Sigh. Time to go find that dollar and that day somewhere. Have you seen them?

And that's (the dark side of) the other side.