April is Autism Awareness Month. These always bother me, as whatever the cause is, people, families, and providers deal with it every month. Why do we just focus on one month? It is a good time to bring the cause to raise awareness, but we need to stop and say a prayer every day, or week, or month. I learned a long time ago, that when ever I hear a siren, fire, police, or ambulance, it's important to stop and take a minute, to say a prayer for those involved in the situation and for those responding. They often don't know what they're walking into.. anyway, we were given a file for Autism Awareness and in the midst of cutting it I became ill.  First I was told a sinus infection, then it worsened, and labeled Acute Bronchitis... then it bordered on Pneumonia... who would name an illness Acute? There was nothing Cute about it! Anyway, I'm back on the mend and wanted to post at least half the layout before April was over. Take a look and then I'll tell you my intention to finish this layout and will post the final one later..

Autism uses the puzzle piece to represent their mission. I love it, and found this great puzzle 12 x 12 paper. The words are powerful messages that I use with the older girl programs I do. So important to be unique. After all, you might as well be yourself as everyone else is taken! A little mystery is a good thing! What did we all do before Facebook?? Who could call all your friends to tell them you were at a restaurant or going to bed?  And always interesting! Don't we all have a story to tell? Of course, we do., it's what makes us us! My grand daughter loves to do puzzles and last summer we did a huge one of the Planets and Space. By huge I mean at least 3 foot by 4 foot or better, and once we finished it, I had it framed. I loved my Earth Science classes and she loves studying about the planets and enjoys going to the Planetarium here to take part in the programs they do.  I'm going to put her photo on this page and on the adjoining page, a photo of the large puzzle, her Mom and I for her album. It took all of us quite a bit of time... anyway, thanks for stopping by today! Check back as I have some upcoming projects in the works, that I think you'll enjoy!!

Hello!! This week the challenge is Cinco De Mayo! Here in the Midwest, there aren't many community Cinco De Mayo events... I'm sure there are in the Hispanic community, but I did some research and found that it is quite the celebration. Celebrates the music, food, and the amazing battle at Pueblo. A very colorful array of smells and music and clothing. I bet it'd be fun to attend one and I'm gonna watch and see if we have any around my area. With that, the sky's the limit in your creations! Celebrate music, the food of the Southwest, or the colorful weavings you see in clothing or home décor. Now take a look at my card then I'll tell you what I used.

The papers are all from the new Amuse colors this spring. I cut the Enjoy the Day out from a Slihouette file, then had this "duh" moment when I remembered I had purchased the Ole Cricut cartridge and had never used it... anyway, that'll be for another day.
 I made this card with many colors as in the dresses worn by dancers during the celebration. I put some stickers that reflect the music, colors, etc. of the area. I know when I was in Mexico at one time, it was 105 as we walked through the shops and town. In Mexico, the schools shut down, and it's a holiday! Many areas of the Southwest celebrate in a big way as the battle was the last one where a foreign country invaded any where in the Americas, and kept USA as it is, rather than breaking up the large expanse of our country. So here's to my Hispanic friends.. Have a safe and enjoyable Cinco De Mayo
Head over to the challenge page and be sure to link up your celebration project!

 

Have you checked out all the newest products over at the store? And the Bead Buffet? There's no calories on that buffet!! Take at look at how I used some of the Felt Poppers to pretend Spring has hit my area.

 

There's A bunny in my garden! Well that's about all that's in my garden at this point since Spring has done a retreat and left the Midwest. I made this little woven paper basket, papers from CTMH, and threw in this cute little bunny and his carrots, some leftover Easter eggs (because they just look cheery) and Pinque Peacock Felt Poppers. Since my flowers are not blooming, at least it looks Springy in my house. Now if the rain ever quits and the flooding leaves.. we might actually get a garden out this year! If you're in need of flowers, check out the newest ones over at the store, and the Bead Buffet! Try adding some of the felt poppers and the newest flowers to your home décor. Everyone has a green thumb that way!!
Thanks for stopping by today!

Today I'm a guest designer and the challenge was to use a star...... hummmmm, a layout for one of our new grandbabies sleeping, or my older one, or kids sleeping??? nope seems too easy.. so I made a Star swing card first. Let me show you then I'll tell you the story but it's not what I sent to the challenge.

It is a card file from Shilouette. I love it! Decided since my granddaughter had a concert later this month, that I'm sadly going to miss due to being on vacation, I'd leave this card for her telling her I'm sure she did a super job and I hated to miss the concert. I used a star print cardstock.. then added these blingy musical notes I found somewhere. I stamped Super from a CTMH stamp set and added a few additional gems. Nice, but it needs something.... ribbon? where would it go? Musical washi tape? again, where to put it... so I decided to leave it alone and I'd rethink my star project...
Now as I flipped through tons of photos I found a Prom photo. Imagine the sky opening up, music playing, etc.. decided to do a layout with it. Now, here's the layout I sent to the challenge.

 

I saw this star flourish in the Shilouette store and knew I wanted to use it! I also found the Prom (it had 2010 with it). I didn't use the year, because this is more like 2002.... so far behind! Anyway, this is my youngest daughter and she's getting into scrapbooking. Well more like, "Mom, here's some photos, can you put them in a scrapbook for me?" There's room on here for her to personalize, the year, names, etc. I hope you enjoyed stopping by today and my chatter! Thanks and have a wonderful day!

Hello Everyone! I hope you're having a great weekend! Have you checked out the challenge blog? This week the theme is garden. We always have a garden in our yard, and the past few years, I've shared the abundance with clients where I work. They appreciate the fresh veggies, and I'm glad I don't have to deal with all the excess! Today I've made a Stand up card that could be a flower stand, or a little potting shed perhaps. Take a look at it, then I'll tell you all about it!

 

It's file from www.creativekuts.com. I added a birdcage,bird and the sentiment from the Chirrped set of stamps from Amuse Studio. The papers are all from a stack by DCWV. I added bling to the flower centers, sentiment and a ribbon bow! It looks springy and if you grow flowers or veggies, may your thumb always be green! And with this paper file, anyone can have a green thumb! Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you'll add your garden project to the challenge link up! I'll be looking forward to seeing it!

What could be more fun than decorating?  Isn’t that what we all do in some form weather it is our photos or projects..
This month as you can see the Krazy Crafting Crew has gotten together and made inspiring refrigerator magnets!   Spring clean means spring décor to me! We all hope you find a little inspiration along the way today.  Magnets can be done so many different ways… the sky is the limit!
Our hostess today is Cicily at http://pinkdalmationscrapper.blogspot.com/ 
If you have already been on the hop, and have arrived from Pam www.scrappletree.com/ , you are in the right place! If not please go check out Pam's blog so you don't miss a thing!
Here's my project! Take a look then I'll tell you about it!

I had this rather large magnet, with last year's calendar on it.. and I seemed to hit a mental block on how to redo it, but I knew it was the one I was going to use since the calendar was useless now and the business has folded..... so I decided that since every time the phone rings and we can't find a note pad.. I'd make a handy one to put up so we could! I covered the magnet by running it through my Xyron Creation Station Max upside down. Had this pretty plaid scrap and covered the calendar. I cut the cute little elephant out from the Silhouette store, as well as the Don't Forget. I think the pad looks crooked.. note that when you use the red line tape, there's no 2nd chances! But that's okay, when we use up this pad of note paper, and I put a new one on, I can fix that! And my hubby won't care as long as he can find a pen to write a note! Guess I'll work on a pen holder next.. hey, do we have any chains??? Thanks for stopping by today! Now you're off to:

Your next stop is Robin http://scrapandchat.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for hopping with us! And stopping by my blog today!

Here is your line up in case you need it to navigate…..

Ciclily http://pinkdalmationscrapper.blogspot.com/

Anita http://anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/

Jearise http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/

Lissa www.somanycrafts.com/

Pam www.scrappletree.com/

Janet http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/

Robin http://scrapandchat.blogspot.com/

Katina www.twochicsandacricut.com/

 Liz http://tryin2craft.blogspot.com/

Robin http://create-a-latte.blogspot.com/

Lisa http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/