Homegrown Hospitality

Soul Searcher or Ding Dong???

D is the letter of the day....

D is for Dang It!  because I "woke up thinking" at 1:14 am....but what I was thinking about...was the word

 

D is for Dad.  This is my dad. 

   

I inherited his artistic abilities, (thank you very much) his digestive tract (not thanking you so much for that) and his ding-dong-ness (aren't we all lucky!!) but much more important are the lessons he has taught me about DESIRE when it comes to life.  He has told me over....and over.....and over.....that it is a MUST, that you have DESIRE, if you want to succeed....in anything. 

easy.

but my problem has always been that I DESIRE all kinds of things & and have not focused on them individually.  I mostly just did this, that & the other and dilly-dallyed around...almost like playing 52 card pick-up with everything I did because I simply did not know what I wanted. 

I am starting to talk in circles now...but you all have been readers for long enough to understand me!

I am going to be 40 in a few months. (yes mom...you are 29 with a 40 year old!)...and I am thinking alot about "what's next"....Creatively, in my life.  I mentioned a few days back that I am a "fork" in the road....

anyways...The one thing I do know, because of my FAITH...is that although I do not know exactly where I am heading in my Creative Journey, or in life....I do know that I am headed in the right direction (which is a very good way to feel)

and what does that have to do with turning 40???

well, simply because I made my very first project the first day I was born. The nurse stamped my tiny toes in ink and stamped them on a certificate and that was the first day of the rest of my Creative Life...and after 40 years, I think that is the right direction.

with that said...

My world o' the year is PURPOSE...which I think looks fabulous with the word DESIRE next to it.  Add in a little BREATHE, FOCUS and PRAY...

and the sky is the limit...

so today...I am no longer making "To-Do" list's in anything I do...today, I am starting a "Do Something" list....and it has to start with DESIRE. 

are you with me?

did this post make you feel like this????

 

yeah...me, too.

A great way to start your day...

  really great way to start your day is with a "Slice" of Making Memories...

  

have you ever seen sooo many arms????...and look..they are not just mine! These are the super cute MM Prize Patrol Girls, Marianne & Amy. I have not seen them since Chicago so we squealed and giggled for the first 10 minutes of my day!  What a way to start...thanks girls!!!!

and what I was squealing about, besides seeing them, I mean...the new "Slice" Project/Recipe Card box....and I was squeeling because I have a LOT of projects in this cute little box....

I promise that as soon as I get my hands on one...I will share more!!!

Have a great day!!! I will check in with you tomorrow....today..I MUST finish packing the Valentines Kits...If you were one of the lucky 20 that ordered. one, they will be on the way shortly!~

Welcome to my Brain

WARNING- I AM SERIOUSLY THINKING OUT LOUD TO YOU...SO TRY AND STICK WITH ME.

THIS IS GOING TO BE COMPLETELY CONFUSING TO SOME OF MY NEW READERS...BUT TRY AND READ THIS THROUGH..and IN THE END...I THINK YOU WILL GET IT!

I have a creative dilemma.  If you are going to have a dilemma, I suppose that a creative one is a good one to have.

Hereis part one of my Creative Dilemma....

my brain pretty much never shuts off

I mean, it must for a few hours a night....but I am giving you the Gods honest truth....I wake up thinking....and I don't just pleasantly awake in the morning, arise with the sun and flutter out of my crisp cotton sheets....I WAKE UP THINKING...and way before the sun even thinks about waking up.

now..I will tell you this, I do wake up pleasantly,with the sun, in crisp cotton sheets in Maui and in South Africa at Lara's house...but who wouldn't?

anyways,

just like any other day, today, of course, I woke up thinking.  (whew...glad I got that point across!)

okay, so back to my original thoughts...and here is where my thoughts are all over the place....

Here is the thing. There are soo many things I love to do  & want to do. 

Thing is...I can't.  I am "only me", which is not a bad thing, I mean, being "only me"...but you know what I mean.  I am constantly learning and continually reminding myself over and over and over that "It is better to do a few things really good than a whole bunch of things.. kinda good, sorta good or well..."

Remember my post the other day....about feeling a little "off " about CHA...well, I have put my finger on a couple of things, and one of those things relates closely to the phrase that I just typed above....

I think....there is toooooooooo much stuff.

so with that said, here is where part two of my creative dilema comes in.

I need to stick to the basics...stick to a few things...and stick to trying to reach out to you.

BUT...

you are there...I am here...the economy is struggling..you still want to create, I still want to teach...and we all need each other as a creative outlet.

so how is it that we meet in the middle?

How do I get to your area..or that you get to where I am...to teach, to remind, to relate and relax..in a economy where we need to watch our spending, stick to using what we have, etc..etc..etc..

time to stop & switch gears for a moment (kinda like a commercial)

If you have ever takenone of my classes..you know that I babble...alot.  I almost think that that is a good thing.  You would never know this...but I am going to tell you, and I swear..this is the truth...

I am a little shy...and lack in self confidence...

I am...& I do. 

I am getting better though.  Through my life experiences, I learn something new about myself everyday....and in return, on this blog and in my classes, I am comfortable enough with you to share some of these things.  I find that when I share...you share...and it helps us all relate..relax....and create together!

now, in my classes, of course I want to teach you to doodle how I doodle, and I want to make super cute things with paper....BUT my goal, no...MY PURPOSE is much bigger than that.  I want to get to a point where the projects we do together are the "goodie bag" part of what I am trying to do...

so what is it that I am doing????

My PURPOSE is not primarily to teach you how to make a project using paper, paint, glitter, buttons, wire, blah, blah, blah...but just like in my Homegrown Hospitality style, I am trying to remind you the things you already know, as well as teach you and remind you and inspire you and encourge you...Creatively.  It is all good for the Creative Soul to bond with other Creative Souls.

Am I making sense?

It is not just about scrap-booking, doodle-ing, journaling, making things, taking photos, etc. but it is about Life, Me..You..Us..Them..Living...Loving..Giving, Sharing, Caring, Praying...and combining it, like ingredients, in our creations....and again, doing it together.

but how to do it all....here is where all of the thinking comes in...

what about something like a Homegrown Hospitality Traveling Circus, I mean Roadshow..like a Home Sweet Home portable front porch type of class...that includes all of the stuff I want to do.

stop.

I don't want to call anything a class anymore.  It sounds too.....un-front-porch-like.  It needs to have an atmosphere..

I will stop now, because I have overwhelmed us.

I would LOVE to hear your thoughts & comments. 

 If you have a store, a retreat, an event, a clubhouse, a living room, a kitchen, a scrap room, a classroom and a pile of friends that want to play with paper, learn to doodle, eat chocolate chip cookies and listen to me babble....email me.... at homegrownhospitality@cox.net 

I have some good ideas!!!!

p.s...a quick photo from CHA yesterday...I will have a few more tomorrow...and if you have any..please send them to me!

 

Today I am walking....

here are some pictures...but TODAY, I will take some as I am just walking the show. Thanks to Lori & Susan for taking some...I know the girls from Green Tangerines did too...so don't forget to send me some...

   

alright...off to jump in the shower, get the wash in the dryer, get the boys to school, get on the 5 and off to the show...

THANK YOU!~

I just have to thank all of you that have stopped by and said hello to me at Teresa's booth!!!  You are all amazing and I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful group of blog followers...that are really so much more!!!

I am honestly at a spot in my "Creative Journey" where I do not know where to go next or what step to take.  I am praying for a big neon arrow to point the direction hat says "Go Here"...and all it keeps shinning is "Keep Going".... That is when I have to do as Bon Jovi says and "Keep the Faith"...(I don't do it just because B.J says it...but you know what I mean)

I love CHA and all of the hoop-pol-la is is..but this year...I feel a difference.  Not because of the economy..not because of the industry...

I can not put my finger on it just yet...well, I kinda can...but I will keep it at that.

The thing is...I am JUST LIKE YOU....a GOD loving, paper trimming, flip flop wearing, glue stick smearing, glitter sprinkling, homesweethome lovin', cookie bakin, fabric stitchin girl.  I am standing on Gods semi-green, sorta warming earth...JUST LIKE YOU...keeping GOD at the center of my life,trying my best to make a living with paper, raising my boys the best I can, Loving my hunk of a husband with all of my heart, appreciating and cherishing my family & friends...doing my part to make this world a little better....and LOVING all of you out there, that are JUST LIKE ME....trying to do the same dang thing!

I only took a few photos yesterday...but I KNOW some of you did...so if would email me some, I would LOVE it...

Here is one...of Teresa, standing in for me while I ran to the bathroom..... 

Today is my last day to work at the Product Performers booth and then tomorrow, I am bringing the ol' Valentine along and we are going to walk the show for a few hours...I think all of the husbands need to "understand" that it just is not a craft...He is such a good sport!!!!

Thank you again my friends...and don't forget to leave a comment, even if it tells you that you are spam...

Just stating the facts...

a little doodle for today..

 

CHA is wonderful...Thank you all for coming to #1573 (Heather did run!!!) and for waiting so long & patiently for the make-n-take...it is a big one so there is a little bit, or well, sometimes..alot of a waiting..but you know the ol' saying..

so thank you again for your patience...and for being such wonderful sweet & kind fans of Teresa.  I am right there with you..she is a gem and I know that she appreciates & loves all of you!!!

Today..I will try to take some pictures...promise.

Have an Attitude of Gratitude..

No matter what....

No More Whinning.

Note to all readers of this blog - If you leave a comment after reading this or any post I write, please be aware that you will get a notice saying something like this: 

An error occurred...We're sorry, your comment has not been published because TypePad's anti-spam filter has flagged it as potential comment spam. It has been held for review by the blog's author.

Please know that I am very frustrated and continue to patiently wait for Typepad to figure it out the problem & fix it.  Please have patience with me and keep on commenting...I check my spam filter OFTEN, get your comments out of the spam, and then publish them...I love hearing what you have to say..and your thoughts..so please do not give up!

alrighty...with that out of the way...no more whinning because CHA has rolled into town!!!!  I find myself humming the tune  "It's the Most Wonderful Time..." because I am so excited and best of all, my friends from all over the place are driving & flying in...can't wait!!!!  I think I have said it before, but it is like going to a Summer Camp Reunion and I am over anxious.  I am so thankful that for me, there is no traveling or overnight time away from homebut I do miss being at the hotel seeing everyone chatting and catching up.

Did I mention that I am so excited?? and  finished all of my projects....here is another peek at my most favorite project so far..

and as we speak..I am baking chocolate chip cookies...It just would not be right of me to show up at a CHA without them...and it would not okay forLain & Wendy to be sitting in their room tomorrow night after a long day without some cookies, and my friends at  Me & My Big Ideas would be very hurt if they rolled up first thing in the morning to NOT find that I had left a little something...and in Chicago, I left Mel some and her dudes t the booth ate them all before she could even have one...so I have to hide some for her...and I have to drop some off to for  him, just as a forever thank you for saving my phone from the depths of a trash can filled with water...and I can guarantee that a some point, someone will come up to me and ask..."Did you bring..." and man will they be surprised when I say..

"Well, as a matter of fact, I did"..and hand them a bag.

I am a dork.

I know.

Tonight I am headed to the Red Bee in Tustin to hang out with Teresa & Jamie...they are teaching a class, but I want to brush on on my zutter skills because at the Product Performers Booth, booth #1573, Teresa has a HUGE make--take...

my suggestion...if you are going to the show tomorrow...

 RUN when the doors open....well, don't run...cause you might fall, but walk REALLY fast to booth #1573.

k..gotta go..cookie are coming out..

 

 

 

I wonder...**Edit on Saturday**

Is my blog is fixed?..

will someone try to comment right now?

Nope...

but thank you all for trying..and for the comments....you can see them...because I fished them out of the spam tank, towel dried them and added them to my blog.

you have no idea how fussy I am.

trying not to be..

be back later (insert frowning smile)

Third Times a Charm...

I have blogged three times today...

and erased them all.

I am going to call Mike Rowe From the TV Show "Dirty Jobs" and tell him how icky it is to be a human Spam Filter.

I am getting your comments....straight from the compost pile...YES...even the peeps over at Typepad that are trying to contact me...via "comments" are also going straight to Spam..ut, um.. "they are trying to resolve the problem"

I have lots to say, lots on my mind, I am totally over anxious for CHA to start...and have lots of creative things overloading my system....and one last project to finish

so today...I want to wonder what you wonder...and since I still have to filter through the Spam Can...why don't you email me, or what the heck... send me a comment on what you wonder about...what you want me to look for at CHA...any specific things you wanted to ask...about anything...let's go for it...

and tonight, I will answer them.

until then..here is a little look at what is going on at my house right now...

My bunny is out hopping & stretching his feet...but now it is raining..so he is all wet and Valentine is chasing him all over the yard trying to catch him and get him back in the cage. (man he has big nostrils...the rabbit, not valentine)

and I am finishing up what I am almost positive is my very, very, very, favorite project ever....Using the new "Document" line from Teresa Collins

   

ok..let me know what you are wondering about...

see you tonight.