Autism Awareness Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Autism Awareness Blog Hop! We are so glad you are joining us!! The cause of this Blog Hop is very near and dear to all of us, and we all need to be aware that Autism is rapidly increasing in numbers in our children. 1 in every 100 children is diagnosed with Autism. It is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Know the Signs: Early Identification Can Change Lives Autism is treatable. Children do not "outgrow" autism, but studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes. Today, on the 4th Annual World Autism Awareness Day, we are joining prominent buildings across North America and the world — including the Empire State Building in New York City and the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada — who will turn their lights blue to raise awareness for autism and to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day. Light it up Blue is aiming to light the world blue all throughout April — city by city, town by town — by taking action to raise autism awareness in our communities. So help us, LIGHT it up BLUE this month! Cortney doesn't have autism but many of her friends do. These children have a special place in my heart and Cort's life! I see the struggles that these children and parents endure on a daily basis. We need to raise the general publics' awareness of this rapidly growing disability! You should have come here from Paula's Blog, if not feel free to start at the beginning of the hop here. For my card today I used an older Quickutz die I had in my stash to cut the puzzle. The frame was cut using my Cricut and the Elegant Frames cartridge. I cut the flowers using the Mother's Day Bouquet cartridge, and the key from the French Manor cartridge. I did lots of inking and glittering.......and added a bit of seam binding and rhinestones. The word, hope, was stamped from an old magnetic stamp set I had in my stash by Making Memories. It was stamped directly on vellum with Versamark. I embossed it in black.

And how about a little blog candy? I have a brand new Freshly Picked cartridge to give away to one lucky winner! What do you have to do? Just leave a comment for me......and I will pick a winner on Monday night at 9 PM!

Thank you so much for stopping by today.....it means a lot!

Be sure to visit these talented ladies' blogs and be inspired!

Sarah

Joy

Elizabeth

Paula

Michelle <------- Me!

Alma

Marianne

Kate

Birthday Wishes....

Good morning and happy Friday to you! Only having to work 3 days this week sure did make the week fly by! ; ) My card today uses some tidbits from my desk.....leftovers from other projects. The floral paper is a Crafty Secret's Creative Scrap called, Love Mail, which I tucked behind a frame I cut using my Cricut and the Elegant Edges Cartridge. The sentiment is a Melissa Frances rub on. I tucked a Jenni Bowlin journaling tag behind the pink paper from a fun scalloped edge! Just add glitter, a bow, and a large Prima flower to finish it off!

My girl is going to school with me today for a half day. She is so excited! She colored several pictures for a few of my close teacher friends! Tomorrow she has a bowling birthday party with her "boyfriend." His name is Jimmy and the two have known each other since they were 3 years old. If I ask Cort who her boyfriend is, she replies, " Jimbo!" with a HUGE smile on her face! Yep......pet names and all! LOL! Her school has a prom, and the two of them are going together!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for a very special post!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Another Brown Bag.....

Good morning! I am going back to work today after having 11 days off........I know, I know, no violins for me! LOL! Once I am back in the classroom, it will be like I never left. Maybe my students even missed me..... a little! ; ) I have another altered paper sack to show you. I actually converted this one into a card. Once again, I raided my stash for little pieces and embellishments, and this is what I came up with. The butterfly was cut using a Spellbinder's die, inked up, and given a generous amount of glitter. I had the crocheted flower from another project that didn't get used.

I added a Melissa Frances rub on to a metal rimmed tag. And gold glitter was added to the metal part. The paper is Papertrey Ink and Basic Grey. A few pearls were added as well as some stick pins for antennae.

A bit lumpy......just like I like it!

My girl is still home on spring break.....but today she is with a sitter. She misses school so much! She has been wanting to color pictures everyday for her teacher.......she will have quite a stash to give her come Monday! Wish I could have spent the whole week with her, but work calls........it is time I go back!

Have a great day!!! And thank you for stopping by!

Point, Click, Capture....

Good morning! Cort has spring break this week, so I am home today and tomorrow with her.........(yipppeee!!!!) Which means some down time after vacation! I haven't shared a scrapbook page in awhile and thought I would show you one I created using my Gypsy and Kate's ABC's. Cortney got a camera right after Christmas from her gram. She was quite interested in it and figured out the button to capture the image. We have lots of pics of the floor, ceiling, and back of the couch! LOL! But I was thrilled that she took such an interest in it! : ) I welded the title together and made it my focal point. I used a bit of Glimmer Mist, some fabric and vellum butterflies. The paper is by Girl's Paperie. I have little tidbits of fun items peeking out from my circles........

I used a piece I cut from the Paper Lace cartridge and used it as a template to Glimmer Mist.

And there is my girl being a lil' photographer!

Thank you so much for taking a peek and letting me share my family with you! I so appreciate it!

Wanna Know My Secret?

My family and I were in Jamaica this past week! We stayed at Beaches, Negril and had a wonderful time! We did so much in a week! The people in Jamaica were so nice and accommodated us like we were kings! I have so many pics, it was hard to choose the best ones. But here are my favorites...... A photographer there took some of us at sunset........here is Kyle jumping with joy! ; ) I felt like I was 18 again and at prom..........

........my sweet family...........

My girl and I.........

My two guys........

.....see? I told you.......just like prom!

Kyle and I went horseback riding.....and to cool off at the end of the trail, we took the horses right into the ocean! It was a blast!

Kyle enjoying fresh coconut juice!

Brian took Kyle on a dune buggy ride right through tons of mud........

We had breakfast with the Sesame Street characters......here is Cort with Cookie Monster....her favorite!

.....and yes.....I learned to scuba dive. I have to admit, I was REALLY nervous to try this. But I survived and even enjoyed it! ; )

My very brave son holding a live starfish!

Thanks for letting me share my little "secret!" Not a crafty secret.....but still fun!

Have a great Sunday!