Homegrown Hospitality

yes..it is true...

the big project that WE will be working on for the next 9 months will debut right around Valentine's Day!! isn't that amazing, I mean Valentine's Day???...For all of your newer readers, I call my husband "Valentine"...LOVE the way GOD works...

Let me just say that WE are over the moon with excitement and the boys...well, they are up and down..not really too sure what to think except for the fact that Jack said "Mom, I KNOW how this happens"....Jack is 13 so I am sure he is pretty grossed out...Ben is just sweet, confused and just wants to go outside and play.

My mind has been spinning non stop with all of the things that pop in my mind that we get to do again..including packing baby bags, strollers...diapers....but most of all, for Valentine, because he has never had a child...THAT is what I am soooo excited about, well that and getting to do Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, first this and that's, seeing the excitement of little things...We feel so blessed that GOD has given us the opportunity to be parents...

My creative mind is also spinning, not that it ever stops, which makes me feel like I need to get a GIGANTIC grip on my scrap booking, well...not so much scrap booking..more journaling, remembering and creating around the past 13 years of being a mom.  I used to think that I had to have a 12 x 12 album for each of the boys, for everymomentous occasion and I am happily deviating away from that.  It is still a good idea that I create a 12x12 for the big things, maybe 1 per month recapping this and that...but I am really starting to embrace the idea of creating "smaller" (I did not say "mini") versions...I seem to be able to really get my fresh thoughts of past moments out on these smaller projects...and there seems to be less stress when creating them...

okay I am starting to babble..here is an example of what I think is my #2 most fav. project to date, using Teresa's papers...and let me be corny and tell you that I LOVE creating with her lines of  products, new and old! I even stopped mid-project to tell her that I LOVE her stuff and that I feel like my heart has wings when I playing & creating with it...   

as well as the fact that I got to see all of the new stuff coming out......and it just gets better & and better....pssttttt....if you are going to be in Arizona on July 25th, I highly suggest that you call up Making Memories Unforgettable to reserve a spot (or two) in one, or both of my classes because I will be teaching one of my classes with the new stuff....and YOU will be able to get your little hands on it before the rest of the world!!!! LUCKY us~ and course...there will be chocolate chip cookies, duh!~

to be clear..this project shown is NOT the project for MMU..it is just something new I made..and LOVE...so it may be a class...sooner than you know..

and lastly, speaking of classes...I am sooo silly excited to tell you that we have tons of doodlers out there in the USA happily coloring this weekend..AND there are now doodlers in Spain, Australia, Canada & South Africa...THAT makes me so excited...and there is always time to join us because the class is a work-at-your-own-pace-in-your-own-space kinda thing....so if you are interested...there is a button up on the right...

oh..and ONE MORE THING...(see I told you my mind was spinning....)

Monday is the DEBUT of

 

so make sure to visit Margie's Blog and the Girl's Loft Blog for fun things!!!

k..gotta go...Happy Saturday!

... 

Hello Friday!

welp, I am a little late posting today, but better late than never!  My sleep habits are a little off these days so I am waking up little later (okay 4:40 instead of 4:14) , napping a little longer (like 3-5pm) which keeps me up a little later (until like 10!) which in turn gets me up a little later...

I think you get it...

along with my sleeping habits, my eating habits are different these days as well.  Well, not so much my eating, but my drinking because I have cut out all caffeine..and if you know me...um, that is alot.

That is probably "part of the reason" why my nap time has increased an hour each day....but look at this yummy EASY yummy yummy yummy dinner I made for myself last night

 grilled chicken, fresh spinach, broccoli,olives, tomatoes, feta cheese and balsamic vinegar...did I mention it was yummy??? and sooooo good..FULL of vitamins...I made the Valentine Fettuccine Alfredo which he said was pretty good too..but it is stuff like this that makes me happy (and hungry as I type)

 

 so, I was wondering...

is anyone out there want to trade me one of these:

for one of these:

Get Your Calendars Out...

Happy Thursday....here are some things you might want to write down...(and don't freak out!)

there are only 195 days till Christmas.  Yes, I know that I usually start reminding you on the day after 4th of July because once the 4th is over it seems like the year goes into overdrive and honestly,  I just want you to be prepared...I am beginning to think that together we should make this a "Homegrown & Homemade Holidays"with a "possible" "not quite an e-zine, sorta like an Online class just for the holidays"...what do you think?

and speaking of online & classes...My "Doodle On line" class started Monday and the registration is still open...If you have sent me an email in the past few days, please watch for info from me TODAY...and if you would like to join in, please email me at doodleonline@cox.net and I will get you all of the details.  This is a work-at-your-own-pace sorta thing so it does not matter when the class stared because you start at the beginning!

oh..and speaking of doodling...there are NEW digi doodles over at The Daily Digi in the "Daily 5" combo...take a look at these...I think they are my fav right now..

also...a new one of many reminders...

there are only 245 days till Valentine's Day and I am working on a HUGE project that should debut around then (I know, I know.. Deena HATES when people "tease" on their blogs about things...but this one is still undercover for now...but it is a biggie...plus, Deena knows...but don't bug her for hints...she IS NOT GOING TO TELL)

and speaking of Deena...and now featuring Suezi...we are combining our stuff and having a HUGE SCRAP SALE in my Garage-Mall-Hall on FRIDAY NIGHT, JULY 10th...do not know the time yet...but stay tuned...this is one of those sales where the EARLY BIRD will defiantly be getting the worm..so maybe make a plan to be here when it starts...there will be lots of stuff including scrap packs, embellishment bags, pre-made & homemade felt lovelys, paper, page kits...basically...a whole lotta "stuff"

and then one last reminder for today...remember that the week of August 1st is this great event that will happen online via blogs & Ebay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great Thursday!!!!

Middle of the Week Post

wow, my blog titles are pretty slick these days!  "Middle of the Week  Post" is up there with my most creative, wouldn't you say?

well, thank you all for sending mesuch awesome comments regarding my giveaway question on Monday.  It seems that wanting to see more projects is #1 on the request line....so that is what you will see added soon...I have a trillion things I have never shown you, as well as a trillion pieces of things that I have shown you but never finished...sound familiar? 

I make things on a daily basis..just because.  It is a good/bad habit.  If I exercised the way I made things, I  would be able to get a job with Victoria Secret (not really, I am wayyy to modest!).  I prefer flannel jammie pants and cozy soft sweatshirts....

which reminds me....

when I say cozy flannel jammie pants, it reminds me of talking with Margie...and speaking of Margie....well, wouldnt it be great to wear flannel jammie pants, cozy sweatshirts and create??? sounds dreamy to me and well, if you have not already heard..Margie and her cute girls have a new project and I get to be part of it...

k, I hate to leave you so quickly, but I have to go do mom breakfast duties...I have a request for pancakes and I love making pancakes...and I love being a mom...

and speaking of "mom"...

oh...gotta go!

Finally...and a Giveaway!

 I am so stinkin excited to finally say that my doodle on-line class is finally started....TODAY!!! 

Now, in honor of that fact that just about everything is in place, I have decided to open up the registration for this week only! This class is a work-at-your-own-pace class so don't worry if you are headed for a vacation...because it is all there for you on it's very own site...the class is 8 weeks long with a lesson each Monday and a new color-me-in doodle every Friday and it is only $15.00 so if you are interested in signing up...all you have to do is click below...

 okay...so the dumb button was not working...so if you want to sign up for the class..please email me at doodleonline@cox.net and an invoice will be sent right over! Once you have paid for your class, the site info, supply info, user name & password will be sent to you!

another thing that I am excited about is that I received a box on Friday from Making Memories with the SLICE Inspiration Card sets...finally!  I worked on these about a year ago...and now they are available..yippee...and do not be afraid to pick one up if you don't have a slice, because it is jam packed with TONS of ideas...and if your don't have a slice..maybe these cards will inspire you to get one!

and guess what...they sent me a few extra to give away...

so...leave me a comment TODAY tell me what you would like to see changed, added, deleted and/or altered to this blog. I have been really wanting to perform an Extreme Blog Makeover...so in order to be entered into the drawing for one of these Slice Inspirations sets...I wanna know what you like...and okay...what you don't like.

and one last thing...I have decided to admit that I am a BiPolar Creater...or is it Creator?  You see...right in the middle of doing something that is completely my style & in my colors with these products

I am distracted by a red fuzzy pipe cleaner...and guess what happened...and hour later...I have created this... 

 

it's me...Simply Complicated...or just an equal opportunity craft-er...or maybe my color palette is evolving...nevertheless, it was a fun creative exercise...

Have a happy Monday...and don't for get to leave me a comment....drawing will be tonight at 7pm!

WINNERS....here is how dorky I am...I thought that I needed to pick a winner (eww!) at 6..so Ben picked a number...and LouAnn..YOU won!  I came to post the winner and realized that I had said 7pm..so now we have TWO winners....Sharon Mayhack..YOU won too!!!

congrats!

Friday's post on Saturday.....

whoops...note to self: take post out of DRAFT form prior to posting...

Happy Saturday.  it is early morning, quiet and clear..I have my coffee and I am sooo happy for today.  The clear skies help alot.  The "June Gloom" makes me very gloomy...and that is exactly what it has been here,..although, here is the sky from our school carnival late yesterday afternoon and although rain clouds haunted us ALL DAY LONG...it was another successful carnival!

Fridays post...

Today is our school carnival & it is supposed to rain.

Can I do anything about it?..Nope.  When people ask me what we will do IF it rains...I tell them that we will get wet...duh!

so new things on the creative horizon...

I did a bunch of fun things for my pal Michelle Hill & Polka Dot Whimsy..You can see "my stuff"on the PDW site..go look (p.s. you need to scroll down on the inspiration page to see my stuff)

I am also designing some new project workshops with Teresa Collins, Prima & Jenni Bowlin..If you are interested in having me teach at your home, office or store...event, workshop or heck, picnic (no event too small) email me at homegrownhospitality@cox.net

This is one of two classes I will be teaching on July 25th at Making Memories Unforgettablein Tucson AZ..watch for details soon on my side bar and at their site...

and here is one that I will be teaching in August atScrapin-Escapes Retreat (and you do not have to be attending the retreat to take the class...email Jessica for details)

and that silly silly Doodle class...that was supposed to start on May 15th...yep, we are moving on without the supplies.  All of those who signed up will be getting a newsletter and password to the site so that we can start on MONDAY...mark my words.

oh..and this...

I am sorta giddy to be able to tell you that Heidi Swapp(gasp!) is creating a badge with this doodle stamp for all of our blogs (yes, yours, too!) to help promote this SUPER AUCTION that is going to debut on AUGUST 1st...MARK YOUR CALENDARS and save your $$$...

and just a teaser to remind you of who is "Fighting For the Girl{s}...

it is going to be pretty amazing...and a BIG HONKIN THANK YOU to Prima for donating all of the Canvas books for each of the artists to create a cover for!

oh..and some NEW Sx2 digi elementsare over at The Daily Digi.  (check out my side bar album on the left for examples of my very own hybrid stuff) ...and don't freak out...NO..I am not a digital girl, so if you aren't either...then this is just for you....because while I am able to doodle the element, print them out and use them physically on my projects, the other Stephanie is totally DIGITAL, able to create them into digital elements and use them completely digital...

k, that sounds simply complicated! yes, it is...it is just perfect for us non-digital create-rs...and just perfect for you digital people....

oh...

and Deenaand I are having a big ol scrap sale on FRIDAY, July10th...at my house..I think...I am pretty sure that we are going to convert to Gara-mah-hall into a little scrap shack for a few hours to sell off some of our stuff...details to follow....

alright...that is it for now...time to get my shoes on and walk...and walk...and walk...I am going to ask that you help me stay accountable to my training...Here is yesterdays photo..although it was not the third of June..it was the 4th, because today..is the 5th...and today is the carnival...and during the time that I have been typing this post, it has already rained..and seems that it has blown through...whew!

you can click on this photo to get to my Avon 39.3 Page...and THANK YOU to all of you who donated this week...your magazines are on the way!!!!  

I have been

thinking about things, pondering situations, wondering about possibilities, feeling under the weather over the rainbow,taking mental inventory, feeling rather physically blah, running like a whirling dervish, praying for focus and feeling just plain blahhhkkkkkk....for too long...and I am done. Done I say, done....I said on Facebook this morning that I am done crossing i's and dotting t's..and I am done...done..done..done..

here is my reminder of who I am...

On to a new day...full of possibilities and LOTS to catch up on....so if YOU are waiting on something from me...it is coming....

 

coffee & a doodle

This is pretty much how I start every morning,

a little doodle,

 a LOT of coffee

and a swarm of prayers.

so this morning was no different except for the fact that I added in a mental list of the things I am trying to retro-fit in my life for change.  Not sure what exactly the change is, but I feel a shift coming therefore I need to re-focus, replenish, reorganize...a whole bunch of "re's".

I feel like I am always re-doing things a lot...no, I am doing this a lot, but that is because of my ric rak life...going up and down, up and down.  (I should really look into becoming a pro teeter-totter rider...I would be really good.)

so the doodle...I came across the flower download on Ali's blog last night and proceeded to stop what I was doing and print it out.  It is actually a very good exercise and makes you stop and think about things..

big or small. 

For my flower, I chose (or is it choose) to doodle in the things that are top in my life so it is a little more complicated then being just simple things...but that is okay, it is my flower.

After I decided what I was doodling inside each petal, I started coloring but then stopped and just looked at it. I  saw something, that I had not realized until I stopped...

No mater how high up or down low I am on each petal, it starts and stops in the same place..

the center.

and dog gone it...would you look who is in the middle of my flower! duh!

so how bout you?  What would be, or will be, or is on your flower?