Monday, January 31, 2011

PostHeaderIcon Emotions and a bit about the weekend

What a week! I have been having a bit of computer problems and need to get it to the shop to find out what is wrong with it. I was going to take it first thing in the morning but instead of locating my backup discs I helped my friend get some things sorted and packed since she has sold her home. So that is definitely on my agenda today. I am hoping they are not to be needed but I want to be prepared just in case.

I had also gotton me a new phone a couple of weeks ago (Blackberry Torch) that I traded in for an iPhone 4 last Wednesday. I loved the Blackberry and I gotton it instead of the iPhone because I thought my data plan would stay the same....sooo wrong....I guess I got confused but the salesman also told me it would stay the same....so anyhow...since I ended up with the same plan as I would have gotton with the iPhone, I traded for the iPhone. I ♥ it! My DS splurged for me and when in halves with me on a case for me (Otter Box) and I ♥ it too! We had both had a steak for lunch at Logan's Steakhouse and I fed him the cupcakes that I had decorated that morning in my decorating class I am taking at Hobby Lobby.

I am still going strong on my P365 and will post some photos of that tomorrow or the next day. I did create another art journal page. It seems I might have found what that mojo really was looking for. Art Journaling ROCKS!!!!!

This is the page I did over the weekend. Credits and explanation of the symbology of the piece will be below it.
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Impressionist Garden by Beth Rimmer at Deviant Scrap

I was having a really emotional day when I opened this kit. I am not the crying type of gal but losing my Grandfather has broke my heart something fierce. He lived with me for some time and I was his care giver before the alzhiemers took over so much that I could not do it alone. So in doing the little things around my home, I am constantly seeing him. I see his chair, his coffee cup, his slippers...well you get the picture. I also realize that I had not truly grieved the passing of my grandmother (his wife nor my uncle - their son/my dad's brother) because both times I was pregnant and everyone worked really hard to keep me from "being stressed".

The butterflies represent them flying free and in a different form (from catapillar to butterfly/the same but different). The balloons represent each of them on a new adventure also and free from their earthly bodies. The day lillies are there because my grandparents loved them and had some in their yard. The cherry blossom trees are because there is always a spring after the winter (circle of life). The little house thingy on the ribbon represents that this world is small and our time here on earth is fleeting, so live it to the fullest. The lady represents me I am "stuck" in the window because it's just easier to just "be" instead of going forward. I am standing on a winding path (hard to see) because that's how life is and because I turn to God for comfort I added the scripture reference of Psalm 34:18
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (NIV)

Monday, January 24, 2011

PostHeaderIcon Found my Mojo and not letting it go!

After many many months of being in a creative funk, I am able to create regular digipages and art journal pages like a mad woman. It's like I can't get them done fast enough. I hope this spurt will last a good long while for me cuz I am enjoying the process as much as the final results.

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My first ATC
Addicted to Love by Beth Rimmer
On the Edge 7x5 Jumbo ATC Overlays Vol 2 by TotallyWild Dezinez
Font is Quid Pro Quo from dafont.com and Typewriter New Roman

I have always liked the quote I used in this ATC. These images lent themselves perfectly for it. I chose the eiffel tower to represent the world and almost everyone in love wants to go to Paris, right? When you are truly in love you feel like your feet hardly touch the ground (the wings) and your beau will treat you like a queen (the crown). And let's not forget the univeral symbol of Love~the red rose.


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My Memaw-My Daddy's Mama-Jackie Nell Wallace Marr
I still gotta add a date to this of some sort but it's a photo of her probably around the age of 13 to 16...I would think the older of the age because of the lipstick.
I took a photo restoration class at Jessica Sprague's but left this photo untouched for the vintage feel it gives.

Supplies used:
Gypsy in my Soul kit by Beth Rimmer at Deviant Scrap
[ link ]
Template from Cindy Schneider's set 33 from Sweet Shoppe Designs
[ link ]
Font is Mea Culpa


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Did this for a challenge to use patterned paper at Scrapbookgraphics.

This is my hubby.

Circle of Love by Manu
[ link ]
Volterra by Flergs (papers)
[ link ]
Explain It by Tangie Baxter (love word strip)
[ link ]
Template from Buttercup's Punched Petals Vol 2 (modified a tiny bit)
[ link ]
Font used is Miss le Gatees

I am quite pleased with myself over these new goodies to add to my albums.
Thanx for looking!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

PostHeaderIcon P365~Days 20-22

Thursday was day 2 of the flu....my DD could barely squeak out a sound Wednesday and it got worse through the night. After sitting all night with her and keeping her fever down, I thought it safe to get some rest in the wee hours of morning. This is what she woke me up with. Poor thing couldn't talk and had gotton sick all over her bed. Nothing you really wanna see first thing in the morning but things happen.

Day 20
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Day 21-Friday
I am taking a decorationg basics class at Hobby Lobby and after the first class me and Mama went shopping and found the 101 Professional Decorationg kit for $79.99 marked down from $149.99. She bought it for me cuz she is just awesome like that. Here are some of the supplies from the kit.
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Day 22-Saturday
Today was Class 2 of Decoration Basics. I didn't have the ugliest cake but I sure didn't have the prettiest either. Practice, Practice, Practice! My icing, however, was pretty darn yummy!
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Afterwards I met with my friend Sammy and delivered my carpet cleaner to her so she could clean her sofas. She is making a major change in her life and moving from the country to the city to be closer to work and cut down on fuel costs. She is gonna miss her big ole house in the country but I think she is a city girl at heart so she should fare well. After my visit with her, I came home and visited with the hubby and DD for a little bit and ended up taking a power nap in the recliner. That's where I am planted now actually while I am blogging and watching Hoarders. Some of the people on this show really should have some in-center type treatment....scary!
And on that note...I am gonna jet outta here for a bit.
have an awesome weekend!!!!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

PostHeaderIcon Some Art Journalin' and P365'n

I was able to get my coupons all clipped last night but that's only because I am such a horrid insomniac which in turns makes it where I just wanna sleep till noon when I finally do get to sleep. It's not helping either that my DD has been spending time over at her Dad's and I get a free pass on getting up early and taking her to school each morning. Today's adventure though had Shaina's Dad taking her to the local clinic....the irony is that her Mama Nett (Grandmother) was walking in at the same time with her cousin Amber. They ended up sharing room cuz it was so busy which was no problem because it got them seen faster. Official diagnosis for both of them was the flu. They each got handed a mask, a doctor's excuse for school and a prescrition for some meds. It's been an afternoon of homemade chicken soup, 7-Up, tylenol and sherbert ice-cream and lotsa snuggly time in the bed.

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I have really embraced Art Journaling as a way to express the emotions that is somewhat harder to convey with words. I honestly really used to see pages like this and think they were super lame~or just pretty~but when you understand the symbolism behind the images they become powerful works of the heart. I took a chance and applied for Beth Rimmer's creative team and much to my amazement I was accepted. The first kit she let me play with is Caught in the Act! It's got so many fun circus related items that you are sure to have a blast creating something awesomely wicked with it.

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This is a page I made for one of the weekly prompts over at Scrapbookgraphics in Tangie's Art Journal Caravan. Click on the page to view the credits and read about the symbolism in the piece if your interested.

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Thanx for peeking in today!

PostHeaderIcon P365~Days 12 - 18

Despite things being a bit stressed with my Grandfather's passing, I did keep up with my P365 photos. I was mostly determined to do this because I know he would have wanted me to not forget about myself and continue to live my life. Was it easy...well no. But I am glad I did. I want those days documented. I want the photos to go back and scrap the memories because in the end that's all we have.

Day 12~The charm that hangs on my Bible tote.
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Day 13~A portion of the cover of the folder from the funeral home.
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Day 14~The military medals/pins my Grandfather earned for his service in WW2.
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Day 15
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Day 16~A rose from the flower spray that my ex-husband sent from him and my kiddos.
(he took them off after the graveside service and handed one to me, my Mama, my DD and 2 SIL's-I thought that was very nice of him.)
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Day 17
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Day 18~Trying to catch up on my coupon cutting and sorting.
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Thanx for peeking in.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

PostHeaderIcon The void left behind

Today was my Grandfather's funeral. It's a day that I knew had been coming and was trying to be prepared but nothing can prepare you for the flood of emotions you experience when you get the news of a loved one passing from this earthly world into heaven. If you have been following my blog for awhile you already know that since summer of 2009 that I have been my Grandfather's caregiver. He finally went permanently to a nursing home facility in April of 2010 because his alzheimer's really kicked in and he needed much more care than I was able to give him being here alone and with no outside help. It broke my heart to make that decision knowing he never wanted to be in a facility of that sort. Even after he was in the nursing home I stayed very invovled in his care and did my best to stay on top of his needs and advocated (and throwed fits when needed) to make sure he had the very best. I was lucky that God put the people in the places we always needed just as we needed. The CNA's that worked with him were angels on earth, his nurse nicknamed him Peanut and when hospice care was brought in it was my husband's ex-wife who helped me. She had been only working there for a month or so...not long...and she just started a new job on the 10th. My Grandfather passed away on the 12th. You cannot convince that she wasn't there for any other reason than to help me with my Grandfather. I am desperately hanging onto my faith in God at the moment. I attended my church's ladies conference a few months ago. Becky Brown brought us a message from 1 Thessalonians Chapter 4 and the point of it was that God's got this death thing. As long as we have a relationship with him and have given our sinner's heart to Christ~then He will take care of everything else. Our Pastor comforted us today with the 23rd Psalms. My Grandfather died as a Christian. He is no longer suffering. His days are now perfect. It does not make my heart ache any less. What do I do now? So much of who I am was wrapped up in making sure his needs were met. The void left is painful and raw.

My Grandfather was a WW2 vet and married my Grandmother after the war.
This is a photo of them. Ernest and Jackie.

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This is a photo of my him and my Grandmother with my Daddy, Jerry, standing next to him is his little brother, my uncle Kenneth.
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This was a good day with me and my Grandfather. Thankgiving 2009.

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RIP Papaw!!!!
Ernest L. Marr
February 15, 1922-January 12, 2011

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

PostHeaderIcon P365~Days 8 - 11

So far so good on the Project 365~yeah ME!!! And my son is doing it also, is that not awesome or what?!?!?!?! It's been a very busy few days. My hubby came home in the wee hours of the morning on Friday, took a nap and then went to his part time job he does here at home when he is not on the road being a lineman. Currently he is working in Missouri and we live in Louisiana. It's a bit of a drive but he does get to car pool thank goodness. Saturday I went to my basic cake decorating class I signed up at Hobby Lobby (Go ME!) and LOVED every bit of it. After one class I already know I am going to follow it up with the Fondant Class and then the Advanced Decorating Class. =).
My gf Sammy met me afterwards and we picked up a few art supplies for an art project I talked her into doing with me on Friday...woot for us! It's gonna be soooo much fun! We then headed to McAllisters to eat lunch and then spent a lovely hour at LifeWay bookstore =) Lunch is my Day 8 photo and the Girlfriends Daily Devotional is my Day 9. We both got one of these~I thought it was pretty neat to get a Girlfriends Devotional with a girlfriend.
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Day 10~My hubby's work gloves for around the house. He chopped me some firewood, stacked some on the back porch and chopped me some kindling before he got called back out to do some storm work. I saw these laying on the coffee table and just missed him terribly at that moment.
I {heart} him!
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Day 11~The hubby got back home after doing nothing but driving to retrieve trucks in some bad weather. He is resting before going back for his regular hitch out and I am keeping us all snuggly and warm with our fire =)
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Thanx for peekin' in!
Balinda

Friday, January 7, 2011

PostHeaderIcon P365 Day 7

The hubby made it home about 5ish this morning. I don't really sleep when I know he is on the road traveling~so I was up sorting out the expired coupons from my coupon binder. Seems like hundreds of them expired all at once. I haven't really done any coupon shopping since before Christmas. That sorta wiped out the bank account but there are some things I wanna pick up in the am when I go to Shreveport.
So that brings us to the Picture of the Day....now it's time to do a LO this weekend so I don't get behind scrapping. Something simple and quick with the focus being on the photos...who knows what I will come up with. Whatever it is though, I will be sharing here.

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I have spent the evening making more candied pecans for my Mama and then an extra batch for my hubby and for me to share with my friend Samantha tomorrow at lunch and Cindy tomorrow evening when we ride to go visit her. I also had to make some sugar cookies for me to decorate at my first Decorating Basics class tomorrow at Hobby Lobby. It's been something I have been wanting to do for awhile and finally I just jumped and and signed up. I am getting a bit more excited as the night progresses....yanno..that nervous cuz ya don't know what ur getting into and the excited cuz it's something new ur learning excited =). I so hope I have some sorta talent for decorating. Next year is my DD 16th and I really wanna do something really special for her instead of buying something just ordinary or doing what we usually do...cupcakes...I mean if it is cupcakes~well I want them to be WOWIE kinda cupcakes.
And on that note I will bid you all a goodnite.
Till next time!
Balinda

PostHeaderIcon Art Journal Pages and P365 Day 6

Can ya believe it's almost a week into the new year? I think the older I get the faster time flies...guess that's how things are supposed to happen, huh? Anyhow I spent a most wonderous day in my pink plaid pj pants and did laundry and digiscrapped/art journaled all day. No ~ my house is not that clean but then again it's not that dirty either...I good balance, don't ya think?
The hubby is coming home in the morning~in fact he is traveling this way as I type. He is such a good man and a good husband~I say this with all the love in my heart but by the time it's time for him to leave out again for work~I am ready for him to go. I blame it on me being single so long before we married and then being married and having a hubby that works away most of the time makes me very independent. I ♥ doing things with him but I am not the clingy wife..I sorta was at first but realized that I am still my own person and I needed to act like it. All is good =)
Proud to say almost a week in and I am doing good with P365~small victories are fantastic in my book. Water is important in my life and I want it to stay that way~so it gets showcased. Ta-Da!

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Since I ended up being an Art Journal Caravaner dropout last year, I committed to staying on top of the challenges in the forum this year. Below is the page I journaled about my one little word. Click on the image to see the credits. It's not too late to join the caravan!

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Here is another page I did for the AJC~What came to mind when I saw the verb process?
Image is linked to the credits


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I over process/over analyze way too much~that's what the tv w/the clock gears represent. The antenna represents the pipeline of info that is constantly coming into it. The butterflies are the thoughts that are finally free to fly. The suitcase houses all the info I "process" as junk and not worthy of my attention.

Supplies used: Holliewood~Art Dollies and Junkyard
Paula Kresselring~Butterflies and Dragonflies
(from DeviantScrap.com)
Clock image from www

Sherrie JD is also giving an art journaling class over at Deviant Scraps also.
Thanx for popping in! Till next time!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

PostHeaderIcon Good-bye Uncle Richard

Good-bye Uncle Richard. I did not know you as well as my Mama but it's still saddens my heart that you have gone to be with the Lord. I attended your Memorial service today and it was evident that you had a great impact on the assistant pastor at your church. He spoke of all the things that I did know about you. Your love of growing things and not letting anyone leave your home empty-handed were just a couple. Your son is almost a spittin' image of you and I am glad that we have connected and have a chance to bring our families closer. God gave you the gift of gardening so I am pretty positive you are up in heaven tending to one of God's gardens.
May you Rest in Peace and one day I know I will see you again in heaven♥

My photo for Day 5 is the stained glass cross that was in the foyer of the sanctuary at the Methodist where the Memorial service took place.



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For some reason tinypic decided to delete this photo so I am having to come and put it back..grrrr!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

PostHeaderIcon Woot! Days 1-4 of P365~2011

I am excited that I am getting to post my first 4 photos for P365 of 2011! Do I have all mine from last year scrapped and printed...no where close...I missed a big chunk of days due to illness and being plain out lazy...but I did pick it back up at the end of last year. I learned that I need a project like this to keep me taking photos...I get in the mindset that nothing exciting happens to me so why lug the camera along? I looked back thru my photos from last year that I did take and realized that it truly is the everyday moments that keep ya going. If everyday was "excitement central"...I don't know about you but I would be pretty worn out and not enjoy those "down times". Since this is my project I thought I would start out with a photo of me. I lost 30 lbs last year and hope to lose at least that much this year. Heart disease runs in my family and I don't want this belly fat that has snuck up on me to be my downfall.


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I subscribe to Kevin and Amanda's blog and she sent this super easy recipe for Candied Pecans.
I always thought they were difficult but her recipe was the easiest EVER! and the results are quite yummylicious!


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I am a huge fan of Myka Jelina and her gothic fairies. I ordered this cameo pendant as a Christmas gift for myself and finally got it in the mail. The piece is called Alaura and it's a guardian angel.


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My Great Uncle Richard passed away last week and tomorrow is his Memorial Service. I wanted some comfy but stylish shoes and found these at Walmart. OMG>>>>soooo comfy and the cutest ever even with jeans. They have some in brown that I am gonna get as soon as hubby gets paid and I will be set where I can dress up my jeans and not gripe about my feet hurting me.

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That's pretty much it for today~gotta long day tomorrow. I just hope it doesn't rain or at least waits till we get home. It's a 2 hour drive each way.
Till next time!
Balinda

Monday, January 3, 2011

PostHeaderIcon My One little word chose me today....

I "thought" I had settled on my one little word for 2011 but while out shopping this evening this song came on the radio. My radio very rarely leaves the KLOVE station (to find one near you just visit www.klove.com ) Anyhow this song came on and eventhough I have heard it a dozen times before it just really spoke to me this afternoon. I realize that I dwell alot on the past and though I don't really have low self esteem, I do criticize myself ALOT. My word was Faith last year...to grow it and give into it. So the word "MORE" feels right to live by this year~I am more than I was~There is more I want to become, more I want to do, more in God's footsteps I want to follow. I don't want to be judged by my past anymore (<----more) because I have grown. I want to be more healthy, more focused, more attentive to my husband and my kids, more helpful to my parents and more focused on me and when to say no and more balanced so that I can juggle all of these things.


Here is the video to the song......It's moving and really speaks to my heart. I hope you enjoy.
Tenth Avenue North - You Are More


PostHeaderIcon Much needed blog makeover....

It might be messy here for a few days until I find the new blog wear that I wanna
take for a spin for a bit. The other had been on here for 2 years.....I never changed it cuz I just really liked the simpleness and ease of loading it had going for it. I am also updating and deleting linkage that is no longer current. If ur on the AJC at SBG or either doing a version Project 365 I would love to add ya to my list so we can visit one another and offer encouragement. =)
So watch ur step and I will try to keep the noise down to a minimun.
Balinda

Saturday, January 1, 2011

PostHeaderIcon RIP Trent and Pudge

Well Blogger ate my first posting~I am supposing some higher power is saying not to write so much...so now it's gonna be the cliff note version. December has been bittersweet. It's the month my grandmother passed away (this year marks the 15th I have been w/o her). And 2 friends of my children were killed in a tragic 1 car accident early in the month. One of the young men (Trent Mann) graduated last year and Pudge Urda was graduating this year. Pudge's mama is my DD homeroom and Math teacher. They had a double funeral service that was held in the school's gym. To say that it was standing room only would be a big understatement. I have spent alot of my Christmas being very thankful for the ability to hug and love on my kiddos esp knowing there are 2 mama's out there with ♥'s aching and families missing these young men.
Both my kids took it hard..my son because he was much closer in age and hung out with them. My DD because she realized that eventhough her brother drove her nuts, she never wanted to lose him.
This video was made by a young lady by the name of Jordan Miller. Pudge is the one you see in the frame. Trent is the slender one.



On a much different note, I am picking my one word for the year~starting the Art Journal Caravan over at Scrapbookgraphics again and getting things sorted to have a fabulous year.
I will come back later and post some holiday photos and get back into gear with Project 365.
Till next time.
Balinda

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Balinda (RebelChick)
Just an everyday girl trying to find my way in the world to live life fiercely and passionately. I was a signature tagger for several years but art journaling has replaced that passion and it feeds my soul creativiely and spiritually. I also homeschool my DD, scrapbook, play around in photography, spoil my cats and drive my hubby insane on a daily basis. My faith in the Lord helps me juggle all these blessings. I keep this blog because it makes me happy. Sometimes I blog a lot and other times it collects a little dust. Thanks for visiting and being my friend.♥
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