I Hike. Maybe? Yes, for sure I will!

Let's just say this story starts with my sister. She posted on her Facebook that she was going to hike 30 miles. Not in a month, not in a week, in ONE DAY! So like every sane person should I decided that I will do the same. No, I do not have a fever. I have not lost my mind.

Some of you that have been following my blog, or lack there of, know that my niece Lola was diagnosed with Leukemia on Valentine's day. I would love to say that it has been a great experience, with lots of warm fuzzes, but then you would know I've lost my mind.

To be honest it has been hard, really hard. My heart aches for my sister (my one and only) and her family. They have an amazing story (click here to see). There were days when Lola was first diagnosed that I wasn't sure what to do or to think. That is hard for me to admit as a "professional counselor" at my day job. One day in particular I went to work, it was the day she was diagnosed, it was all I could do to hide in my office & cry. I'm sure my students thought I was crazy. I know my intern for sure thought I was that day. I did tell her. How else could I explain the blood shot eyes from crying.

Ok, enough of that; Fast forward.

I am hiking for Lola. She will be our inspiration. If she can go through hundreds, maybe thousands of pokes, chemotherapy, physical therapy, losing her hair, etc, I CAN and WILL hike.

However I really need your support.

The Ultimate Hike is a fundraiser for Cure Search (great people that will find a cure for childhood cancers). This is where you come in. If you would please click on this link ( this is the general link since my page link wasn't working, search for Grand Rapids, MI hike & you will find me then) and make a small donation in honor of Lola that would be wonderful. I have a goal of raising $2,500 and a team goal of raising $10,000. So let's get the ball rolling!

Used Stamp Sale: TODAY 4-6pm & FRIDAY 9am-5pm?

So here are some details of the Annual Used Stamp Sale:

Sneak Peek for my customers, FB friends, & Blog Followers today (Thursday) from 4pm-6pm, no pre sales because I won't be ready :)

I am still working on pulling out retired stamp sets from my shelves!

1514 Erin St Jenison MI 49428

Prices will be as follows:

Clear/Cling Mounted Sets: $7 or Less

Clear/Cling New Sets: $10

Wood Mounted Mounted sets: $5, $10, $15 depends on condition, size of set, age, etc.

Wood Unmounted Sets: $10 or $15, maybe less depending on size of set.

12x12 paper: $.25 a sheet, most are double sided, 10 sheets for $2.00

8 1/2 x11 paper: $.10 a sheet

Ribbon priced at $3.00 a roll or less, depending on amount on roll.

Other accessories priced low.

Card Samples $.25 a card

3-D Samples some $.50 a sample, some priced higher.

CD Scrapbook Kits: $10 each

Plus More!!!

Oh, Yeah Chalkboard Bandwagon!

In our house we have a really strange door that we use as our main door even though it's a side door. You all know how that goes right? Well, it has this raised 6 panel trim but only on the back side, that is why it is strange. The door is in really, really rough shape. It looks like someone took a hammer to the trim and just beat on it. I'm not sure what in the world went on here when the previous owners were here.

So, I went ahead and picked up some nice enamel paint from Sherwin Williams and painted the back side of the door & the door trim. We are (or at least I am) planning on replacing the rest of the trim in this area when we redo the hardwood floors this summer, so I didn't bother with painting those gross trim boards.

After the paint dried for about a day I went ahead and taped off the fancy trim 6 panel parts of the door. Sorry no picture but you get the idea.

Then I used some brown chalkboard paint that I picked up at a local scrapbook store. I hardly ever shop at scrapbook stores now. Not that I don't love to look but I mainly use all Stampin' Up! products these days with the exception of a few alterable items here and there. So while I was there dropping off some flyers for a craft expo I ran across chalkboard paint & picked it up.
Here you can see the finished product of one inset. I really like how it turned out. The paint isn't really brown but I'm alright with that.

I love that this can now the the place that I can write reminders, to-do lists, goals, and all that good stuff. I have left the two bottom spots open for Adventure Baby to draw on but haven't quite let her do that yet. Seems like a disaster waiting to happen. ;) I did however find dustless chalk at a local craft store so I think that is a $1.99 well spent in my book.

Enjoy!

Vendor & Craft Event on Friday 4/15!

Vendor/Crafters Event

Pathway Church

Friday, April 15, 2010!

8350 Byron Center Ave SW, Byron Center, MI

Doors open at 6:00pm

Quarter Drawings start at 7:15 pm

Purchase tickets 4 for $1.00!

Multiple items available from each vendor.

Beauti Control * The Pampered Chef * Tastefully Simple

Lia Sophia Jewelry * Celebrating Home * Party Lite

Judy’s Closet—Handmade Gifts and Christmas Items * Tupperware

Wrapped in Luv-Blankets/Towels for Kids * Discovery Toys * Thirty-One

C-Malley Concessions * Miche Bags * One Krafty Chick * Stella & Dot

Polka Dot Perfections (formerly Just a Bite Confections)

Homemade Gourmet * Willow House * Noah’s Ark Animal Workshop

Aloette Cosmetics * Croppin’ Chicks Getaways * Dee Tee’s Hodgepodge

Lynn’s Rice Wraps * Bellamora *Cookie Lee Jewelry

Stampin’ Up * Sculptured Dolls * DC Designs

MORE VENDORS AND CRAFTERS MAY ALSO BE AVAILABLE

CELEBRATE EASTER WITH US THIS MONTH! GREAT IDEAS FOR THOSE EASTER BASKETS!! MAKE A PURCHASE FROM ANY OF OUR VENDORS AND RECEIVE A FREE TICKET FOR AN EASTER DINNER BASKET DRAWING!

Light refreshments will be provided! You will have time to shop before and

after the drawings. Many of the vendors will be offering specials.

Disappeared (Again).

First of all let me just apologize right up front for the long post.

I have taken a couple of months off from blogging, not necessarily on purpose, but time flies, and bam long time no blog.

It's not that I haven't been stamping and doing workshops but I just haven't had the time & energy to blog. I've just been drained. Not nearly as much as others in my life have been, but still, it's affected me I've discovered.

Are you ready?

Some of you know that I have a sister who moved to Africa this fall to start a missionary journey with her family. My sister, her husband & 2 nieces packed up everything they owned and either put it in storage, sold it, or moved it to Africa with them. Let's just say, whoa luggage! While they were there my niece, Lola became sick. They went to the hospital (I use that term a bit loosely) and found out that Lola tested positive for Malaria. Now, before you all freak out, I guess that it's really not that bad & treatable with meds.

After a while Lola still wasn't feeling herself. So they decided to take her to the capital of Tanzania, Dar, to go to an English speaking hospital. Previous to this Lola hadn't really been walking for a couple of weeks. Odd, yes, scary I bet. At some point they saw another Dr & told them that Lola most likely had mono, but she continued to go down hill. They traveled 3 days via car to reach Dar. While they were their they found out that Lola could either have mono or Leukemia but they would have to send the tests to South Africa. During this time the mission organization that they are with told them that they were coming back to the states. Keep in mind that it was 100 degrees in Dar so they only had what they brought with them, summer clothes. They of course didn't have 3 days to drive back home and 3 days back to Dar. They left everything behind and boarded a plane to the states.

They arrived in Chicago on Saturday February 11th. The next morning they headed to the new children's hospital here in Grand Rapids, MI. On February 14th Lola was officially given a diagnosis of ALL Leukemia. Her prognosis is good and she is currently finishing (or just finished) her second round of chemo. She is also considered in remission already! She is doing great overall & her sprit has returned. :) The treatments will continue for a couple more years or so. I'm not sure if that will be chemo the whole time or if that time span includes followup. You can read all about their amazing story (with pictures) right here!

The good news is my adventure baby gets to go and see her cousin tomorrow! She hasn't seen her since October!!! We have been keeping Adventure Baby away from Lola so far because of her illness.

There you go a snippet of what is going on in my life right now or I guess really I should say in my niece's life. :)

Springtime Vintage Brooch

Check out this great brooch that was yet another one of our make and takes at Leadership this year. There are layers and layers of our new Springtime Vintage fabric plus some of the new paper, vintage lace, and a beveled windowpane in the center. I have to say I wasn't sure what I thought about the Beveled Windowpanes until I used them. They are really nice and add just that small amount of detail to your project.

The fabric was cut out using the Sizzix Big Shot, of course, and some of our great dies.

Want to make your own??? I'm throwing around the idea of holding a brooch class sometime this spring. Let me know if you are interested!

Clearly For You Card

So I'm a gal that loves texture and this card brings it, that's for sure! This was another one of our make and takes from the Stampin' Up! Leadership conference that I attended last week.

The Clearly For You stamp set is new in the Occasions Mini Catalog that just came out this month. Did you notice the crimper that I used on this card? I often forget about the crimper but boy I really like the look!

Scrapbooking Fundraiser for Jenison Bands!

Please join us for a Weekend Scrapbooking Event & Stampin' Up Class Fundraiser

( You don't scrapbook? Join us anyways with your hobby of choice!!!)

January 2011

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2011, FROM 6:00 PM TO MIDNIGHT AND

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2011, FROM 9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM

COST: BOTH DAYS $ 25 (LUNCH INCLUDED ON SATURDAY)
FRIDAY ONLY --$ 10.00 -- SATURDAY ONLY--$ 15.00
WHERE: HAGER PARK REFORMED CHURCH, BAUER ROAD, JENISON
WHAT TO BRING: A SMALL SNACK TO SHARE AND YOUR OWN BEVERAGES

PLEASE INVITE FRIENDS - Extra raffle ticket given out if you bring a friend who is new to this fundraiser!!

PLEASE CONTACT JAN VISSER 457-7603 OR KATHY GUNNINK 457-2945 FOR SIGNUPS

GOODIE BAG AND DOORPRIZES!!!

I will be teaching a Stampin' Up! class at this event also!!! How fun is that. 5 projects for $10, I will be donating half of your class fee to the Bands.

Just want to attend my class, you can do that too!

** I am still working out the exact times that I will be teaching** Check back for more information.

Sign up for the Stampin' Up! class at taraangus@gmail.com

Free Valentines Day Card Class!

Happy early Valentines day to all my customers and blog readers!

Come on out on Wednesday February 9th between 7pm and 10pm to make a free Valentines Day card for your Honey. Have more than one Honey? Ha, ok, maybe I should say would you like to make more than one card? You can do that too! Each additional card will be just $1.

The card class will be held at my home in Jenison. The card will be fairly quick to make so feel free to drop in at whatever time works for you between 7pm and 10pm. I do ask that you RSVP so I know how many to expect.

Please RSVP to taraangus@gmail.com

Simply Adorned: Leadership Style!

Let me just tell you that last week was a blur, but a great blur at that! I spent most of the week in Nashville, TN at the annual Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference. We (meaning SU! demonstrators) were treated like royalty! Serious. The conference was at the Opryland, what an amazing place, I'll share some pictures of it later for ya all!

For now here are some of our make and takes that Stampin' Up! provided for us (I stamped them though).

Using the new Clearly for You stamp set we made all of our make and takes. These projects use the 1 1/2 x 2 inch Simply Adorned (our jewelry line) Charm. I am totally into birds right now along with what seems the majority of the world so this charm insert is perfect for me.

Love the lace necklace on this one! So vintage and so serene.

If you want lots of vintage bling this necklace has it! From the monogram "T" for Tara to the pearl bauble.

Do you notice the small accents of our new fabric???

Lastly, we were able to make a great insert for Valentines! I bet you could get away with wearing it all year long though.

Love the key and the glitter paper!

Super cute and Super fun to make!

Sneak Peek: Stamp Room

Here is a quick sneak peek of my newly redone stamp room! This picture was taken over Christmas break and I'm happy to announce that it is almost "show worthy" and hope to finish it up this week. I will post pictures once it is done.

Tonya, This one's for you! :)

Leadership bag!

Matching Wallet.

Baja Sweater

Rich Razzleberry T-shirt.

To all my friends that couldn't make it here. These are a few items from Memento Mall!