I started this post last night but couldn’t get the random generator site to work. Fell asleep trying after midnight so happy belated Valentine’s day to everyone. Hope you spent it with your sweethearts. :) We finally went to see Fool’s Gold which was pretty good.

So I finally did get the random number site to work this morning (do people pay $60 for the deluxe version of that just for blog giveaways??) Anyway, I couldn’t decide whether to count starting first with the design blog or with the personal blog so I lucked out and the number that came up was low enough that I could pick one from each. :)

So the winners are Danielle from the comments on this blog. I’d already done a blog for but she’s got a new etsy shop so I’ll get her all hooked up with links and titles for that. Danielle, email me your new phone # and I’ll give you a call this weekend because I don’t think my emails are getting through to you lately. :)

And the winner from the design blog is Shawna Taylor. :) Congratulations!! Shawna, I’ll email you later today to find out which kit you’d like me to use. :)

Thanks so much everyone for the sweet comments and for entering the drawing. I’m still recovering from being computer-less for over a week and now starting full time work hours next week but I’m trying to respond by email to as many comments as possible. I appreciate the encouragement so much though. Really some days are great and I’m sure someday I’ll look back and understand the big picture better. Hopefully sooner rather than later. :)

So I haven’t posted much specifically here on this blog other than mentioning ‘my sweetheart’ here and there and he’s made a few sneaky guest appearances but I always get questions asking who this mystery guy is. I figured it’s about time I dedicate a post and thought what better timing than valentine’s (or the day after)?! :)

So this is the guy who has ALL of my heart.

He’s my once in a lifetime true love. I know without a doubt that he’s who I’m meant to spend the rest of my life with. I can’t wait to experience new things with him, travel to new places and just do the normal everyday things like fighting over who took the garbage out last. I will never take him for granted.

He’s my soulmate, my photographer, the greatest shopper in the world. :)

These scrapbook pages aren’t anything new (I haven’t scrapped in at least 6 months) but I’ve never shared them here on the blog. There are more but I won’t bombard you. If you want to see them you can check ‘em out here.

I haven’t gotten any of these notes in at least a couple weeks now *hint hint*. ;) But he’s a total gentleman. Seriously, the first time he got me a pop and took the cap off before handing it to me I think I totally melted. Who does that?! It’s the little things that are the big things after all, right? :)

Isn’t he perfect?! I’m pretty lucky. He’s a keeper. :) I love you babe. *muah*

In completely unrelated news, my sister Kimberly had her baby this morning. I got to see her at lunch and she’s absolutely adorable. I got pictures but I’m at work and don’t have a cord to transfer them but I’ll be back probably later tonight to post one or two. :)

Kay, gotta wrap things up for the day. Busy weekend of catch-up ahead and hopefully another trip to see my niece squeezed in there. Thanks for the warm welcome back to blog world. I really did miss it and hope to do much better at popping in now and then. Although hopefully with a little shorter posts. LOL

Happy belated Valentine’s Day and hope everyone has a great weekend!

Hello scrapbooking, digital photo people.  Shawn made the mistake of giving me her password so I should put a disclaimer that she has no knowlege of this post.  Thus, don’t hold it against her.   :)

I don’t really know what to write because I can’t really relate to the scrapbooking community.  I do take pictures, but I rarely download them to my computer.  I even discovered undeveloped film in a box that contains some high school stuff.  I can only assume the film is from either highschool for my first year in college.   I just threw it away though.  I figured it must not be important if I forgot about it. 

So what can I talk about?  How about Shawn.  She spends about 95% of her time working on blog orders, about 2% of her time with me and 3% of her time with everything else.  That 3% does include her showering and cleaning up, so you can imagine the smell from her apartment.  Yes Shawn, I was joking. 

I know Shawn LOVES working on blogs.  It is definitly something she is very passionate about.  She is EXTREMELY gifted when it comes to that artsy stuff.  She must have a solid reputation because she’s getting blog orders everyday.  That’s why she barely posts anymore.  Remember the days when she would post everday?

This week Shawn is house sitting for a mutual friend.  Their house is in the boonies so she’s even more isolated from the world.  The house sits way off the road and surrounded by woods.  I thought about dressing up like Jason from Friday the 13th and scarying her.  However, I really love my relationshp with her and would like to continue to pursue that relationship. 

Anyways, now you all know where she’s been.  I know she misses talking with everyone and posting on her blog, but right now just trying to get caught up with the blog orders.   Until next time….peace.

PS.  I can promise you Shawn broke out into a cold sweat when she saw my post on here.  But it’s not so bad is it Shawn?  I only had to edit it 20-30 times.  ;)

I remember…

Summers at the Conference Grounds and her firm belief that the black sand on the beach was caused by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Saint Helens. I’m still not buyin’ that. Or how the water in lake Michigan could basically cure any illness or rash, especially poison ivy.

Sunday dinners where she mostly sat quietly and observed the craziness of a table set for 14.

Having a stash of pop and munchies in our bedroom when Grandma would watch us for the weekend because “pop turns your insides all black”.

Cod Liver Oil —> *shivers*

A ride with her and Grandpa to visit my cousins in Canada. The trip should take us straight east across the state of Michigan and then on into Canada. Instead somehow we ended up so far off track that we were passing Amish buggies on the road. Now the only amish area I knew of in the area is due South down in Indiana. That’s a pretty major wrong turn. Not a particularly fun trip but one I’ll never forget.

She was beautiful with great skin and a metabolism like none other. Two traits that I hope she passed down.

A hairdresser she was not. (poor mom - that had to be rough) LOL

She was a horrible driver and when they finally took her car away she called the cops to report it stolen. That’s my grandma.

But she did have a green thumb and was a pretty good seamstress.

She volunteered endless hours, refused to turn down any charitable cause and even took people into her own home who seemed less fortunate.

And, although it seemed their entire lives that they never got along, when my grandpa was diagnosed with cancer she never left his side. He was a gem and he loved her. You could tell. I’m thinkin’ there must’ve been something pretty special about her.

Right about now she’s probably up in heaven getting one of Grandpa’s scruffy cheek kisses. Man I miss those. And she gets to see my uncle Bob. He was a gem too. And hold Jacob. How sweet that would be. Hope she’s giving ‘em all kisses for me.

I know I haven’t blogged in forever and I have so much to blog about but tonight I just wanted to get some thoughts down about my Grandma. She passed away earlier tonight after a rather short fight with cancer and a much longer struggle with alzheimers. It hadn’t really occurred to me until the other night in her room that she was my last living grandparent. I regret that I didn’t spend more time going through photos with her or learning some old fashioned sewing tips. I’m proud of my mom for taking such good care of her. I hope she’s resting peacefully tonight knowing Grandma’s finally home.

I promise to be back soon with more of an update. Right now I’m off to bed but I do have a post full of fun blog news including:

• a big blog move announcement and fun new design options
• updates on 2 projects that I mentioned WAY back in my last post a month ago. (One that’s done and turned out super fun, the other unfortunately took a rather different turn)
• A store update
• TV show thoughts…the Bachelor, Brothers & Sisters… 
• and LONG overdue photos and announcements.

In the meantime, go hug your grandmas.

First of all, Jill and I did spend the evening sewing Monday night and I’m finally posting some photos of our fun. We set out to create a completely new design and came up with what I do believe is our favorite purse yet. As soon as I decide which fabrics will match with the most things in my wardrobe I’ll be making one of these Lily Kate bags for myself. That is if I don’t snatch one of these currently listed in the shop as my own. :)

You can find these purses in my shop here. Jill’s been busy making Lily Kate bags ever since and if you’re quick you may find one in her shop. She keeps her store much better stocked than mine so you’ll wanna check back often.

So It’s been a rough day for a lot of reasons. For that matter it’s been a rough couple of months. In fact for the most part there hasn’t really been much about the year 2007 that I’ll probably hold any fond memories of. So lately I’ve been thinking that I might be overdue for a count-my-blessings post. Just a reminder of some of the little (and big things) in life that I do have to be thankful for. So here are a few things that came to mind as I’ve been thinking about this post over the past week…

• Fresh mowed grass (although that was Tuesday and the lines are beginning to disappear)
• Pixel’s growing bladder. She no longer has to be let out every 5 minutes (although now I’ll need to figure out another reason to make a dozen or more trips up and down the stairs each day because I think it was actually helping my figure)
• Hummingbirds that visit the flowers on my deck.
• Carnation Instant Breakfast (and a sister who keeps my cupboard stocked with cartons of it from Sam’s Club) :)
• Blueberry muffins at Panera with Nikki 
• Shoe-of-the-day pics from Jayne, love this girl SO much

• Video mail from the amazing and talented Katelyn, not to mention the sweetest card. She’s so good to me. :)

I really couldn’t ask for better friends. They’re so patient with me when I go days (sometimes even weeks) without checking in online or fall asleep on them while chatting (sorry Shari). I feel so blessed by the friends that I’ve met online. I know it doesn’t make sense to some but these girls mean so much to me.

Then there’s Jill who has been my friend since kindergarten. We talk almost every day lately and I love that. She’s been there for me in so many ways and I could never thank her enough for her friendship.

And my new sweet friend Nikki. I should’ve added my apartment in general to my gratitude list and one of my newest favorite things about living here is my neighbor Nikki. Having moved out on my own this past February and going through a lot of months where I felt completely alone most of the time, Nikki has been an absolute Godsend. Our dogs are the best of friends. I have to get video of them playing together because it’s the most hilarious thing. But Nikki is the greatest neighbor I could ask for. She’s always up for a trip to Panera for bagels in the morning on my day off. She calls to ask if ice cream sounds good at 9:00 at night and we make a trip to Coldstone. When she gets off work at 11 I’m the only wierdo who’s still awake that late so she comes over to chat and doesn’t care if I’m in my pj’s and looking a wreck. Gotta love that. :)

These are just a few of the beautiful people that I am so blessed to call friends. In a year where I have lost more than I could’ve ever imagined they have been there with love and support and a good laugh when I’ve needed them most. I truly don’t deserve their friendship but I’m so glad they stick by me anyway.

And I have to ask for your prayers for another friend who just lost his mom to cancer. She died peacefully in his arms last night. He has been there for me through the absolute lowest points in my life and has never left my side and my heart breaks for what he has been through the past few months. I wish there were something more I could do to be there for him. Please keep his family in your prayers.

I’m off to work this morning and then plan to spend a majority of my long weekend designing blogs.

Have a blessed holiday weekend.

Anyone still checking in here??? Wow, where to even begin after such a long time between posts…I have had so much I’ve wanted to blog about since my last post and I think if I waited till I have time to blog about all of it it’d never happen so I guess I’ll just jump in with random bits and I’ll try to catch up with more frequent posts over the next week.

Balance…struggling to find it. Think I’m getting closer…finally.

What I’ve been keeping busy with…designing blogs. Here’s a few links to some recent projects:

Bella Pink, Mariah M Photography, and most recently Maegan’s Confessions of a Scrapaholic and family blogs.

I have 2 others that should be finished this evening and 4 more that are in various stages as well as a website design that I think I’ll be taking on for a very exciting client. I also had the opportunity to work with Tara on the design for her new Wriskey logo (wish I could share but she’s got an exciting unveiling planned soon). :) She’s got some REALLY fun marketing items that we’ll be working on soon too. Busy busy but I’m loving it. The people I’ve met over the past month have been amazing to work with and I’m so excited to be doing something that I enjoy and actually making a bit of extra (read just enough) money to pay the bills. :)

Okay, lots more to blog about the new design endeavors but that’s one of about a bazillion topics floating around in my head for the past month and I’d like to cover at least a few of them in this post so back to the design stuff later. :)

Sooo, apparently I’m a…

My sweet sweet friend Nancy listed me on her blog as a rockin’ girl blogger. Right back at ya Nancy. :) She’s one of the absolute sweetest most generous women I know. And an incredibly talented designer ta-boot. Thank you Nancy, you made my day. :)

So now I’m supposed to name my list of ‘rockin’ girl bloggers’ which is nearly impossible for me to do. If you saw my bloglines list you’d understand why. So I think I’m gonna try and be kinda random here.

Shabby Miss Jenn - because I totally owe my crazy fun new designing career to her little referral to Tara a month or so ago. She’s always incredibly supportive and just crazy sweet. Love her to pieces.

Okay, is it just me or are there certain blogs where you’re just too intimidated to post comments on? Well, here’s a couple on my list.

Melody’s Sofa - She makes me so thankful for the ‘keep new’ check box in bloglines. I think I have 10 or more posts saved to go back and read now and then. Most recent posts added are this one (going to try doing this challenge tomorrow or wednesday) and this one. I wish I could just copy and paste the whole thing on my blog for everyone to read. Truly inspiring.

Red Shoe’s Blog - this one I’ve recently started commenting on and I’m so glad I did. Catharine is not at all as intimidating as I thought. LOL She’s completely sweet and has even posted flattering comments here on my blog. Totally makes my day. :) She has the most amazing store and it’s right here in Michigan so I’ve been holding off ordering online in hopes that soon I’ll be able to shop there in person. First thing on my list…a little red fairy door. Is that whimsical or what?! :)

Brianna Graham - I honestly didn’t think we had any photographers this stinkin’ cool in Michigan, let alone right in Grand Rapids. She’s got a new website that’s just gorgeous and is selling out workshops left and right. Attending one is on my ever-growing wishlist. It’s another spendy item so I’ve gotta decide if it’s right before or right after the tiffany blue bike. I think they’re both pushed out to spring at this point so I’ve got some time to save my pennies. :)

Shabby Juls - A dear friend that I’ve gotten to know just this past year and I’m so thankful for her. Some of my favorite rockin’ posts from her blog…this recent one - definitely gave me a different and much needed new perspective on life right now, and is this not the coolest table you’ve ever seen?! And how ’bout this fun retro bike that her DH restored? She’s also started selling some gorgeous hand painted items in her new etsy shop.

Okay, gotta run. I wish I had time for more but if I don’t post this now it’ll sit in my drafts folder for another month. I promise to be back soon with pics and lots more links. Still on the list of things to blog about…

• a new balanced to-do list
• eating healthier - I’ve gotta share my latest favorite meal to make (yes I do make stuff…occasionally)
• movie and music reviews
• Pixel update
• lots of thoughts lately on the amazing friends that I’ve been blessed with. Goofy video and picture mail to share that made me smile. Super sweet real mail that I’ve received. I don’t know what I’d do without them and it’s about time I dedicate an entire post to the subject of friends. :)

That’s just a few of the things still knockin’ around inside my head so hopefully you’ll come back. Off to hang out with one of those dear friends and do some sewing tonight. Maybe I’ll be able to add a new bag or two to the next blog post too. :)

Thanks so much for the e-mails and comments checkin’ in. I won’t be such a stranger from now on. :)

First, Fifi’s blog is becoming more and more fabulous every day as she’s adding posts and updating the albums. If you haven’t checked it out since I first posted the link you’ve already missed a ton. I don’t know how she does it.  

Pixel had a GREAT time at the dog park. I wish it weren’t so far away ‘cuz I think we’d go there everyday if it were closer. Nikki was so sweet to invite us along. I just happened to be out watering the flowers on the deck when she was driving by & the afternoon out in the sun, rather than sitting on the computer all day, was just what I needed. Pixel and Murphy had a blast. Here they are terrorizing a poor little dog who was trying to enjoy a nice walk through the park. LOL

Pixel slept pretty much the entire rest of the day and evening. She’d wake up to eat a bit and go outside and then fall right back asleep. So…finding a closer dog park might be on the agenda for this weekend. I’ve had Koda all week while Scott’s up north fishing and dealing with the two of them has been rather trying.

I did get at least a temporary site posted for the blog design and also the boutique. Check out Jill’s purses. She’s been busy busy sewing. :)

I know I’ve got a spelling error (which I’m usually so careful about) on the pricing page. I’d like to add paypal buttons to that page this weekend so I’ll fix the spelling error when I do that.

Tara (Bella Pink), Maegan and Shari, I’ve got you all on my list and I’ll be emailing you today with questions to help get me started on your blogs this weekend. :)

I’ll be catching up on e-mails today. Last night I actually gave myself a bit of a break from my usual computer tasks and just spent time chatting with friends and finding new music. And I found some great stuff. I was originally in search of a song that had me in tears on the way home last night by this group. I’d have bought their whole album but it’s not available until the end of august and they haven’t even let the first single out yet. :( The song is called East to West and you can hear it by clicking the link above. It’ll definitely be on my blogpod as soon as it’s available.

I did actually discover two new artists that Lauren and Katelyn had never heard of though. Score! :) Sara Bareilles & Jon McLaughlin are fast becoming my new favorites. I’ve updated the blogpod with a couple songs from each of them, as well as some other new stuff that Lauren sent me and I think a song or two discovered on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’. One of the great bonuses of watching that show. :) This selection of songs best represents what I would consider my style of music. I like all kinds but if I had to pick a style these songs would fit it perfectly. I already see the lyrics from a few of these definitely showing up on a scrapbook page or two (or three).

Hopefully I’ll be back with 1 or 2 links to fresh new blog designs and maybe a purse or two by the end of the weekend. I have two that are so close to being done but just haven’t spent any time in the studio this week. And I really should work on my own blog design that is long overdue if people are going to be coming here to see what an Eclectic Whimsy Design blog could look like, dontcha think?

Hope everyone has a great weekend.