Traditions...

(image found HERE)

I hope you're having a beautiful holiday weekend! In keeping with tradition we camped out. It was about 90 degrees with 80% humidity, but it cooled off once the sun went down. Besides the giggling until nearly 11:00p.m. I think everybody slept pretty good. If the birds hadn't started chattering away around 4:15 a.m. I would have been a happy camper, but that is just a little too early for this girl. When I woke up I looked over at the kids and caught Tanner laying there with a huge smile plastered across his face. It made it all worth it!
I also learned my flashlight app on my iPhone can be made into a strobe light...which is very useful information when you're trying to entertain kids. They used their colored flashlights to play light saber sword fights. We had a blast! I took some time yesterday to explain to the kids what Memorial Day is all about, and was reminded myself of what a privilege it is to live here. Of how grateful I am to the men and women who serve their country daily and the sacrifices they make. And for all of those who lost their lives so that we could enjoy our freedoms...I am SO grateful! Happy Memorial Day!

So are you ready for the big reveal in the morning of our latest kit "Parasol?" I'm getting really excited to share it! It will be up for sale at 8:00 a.m. CST tomorrow....wait until you see the gallery! See you then!

40 years...

Today is my parents 40th anniversary. I cannot think of 2 people who love each other more, and who are better friends. I can use one hand to count the marriages that mirror what I would like to have one day...theirs is #1. I cannot think of having anyone else as my parents. I cannot imagine my life without your example of love and devotion and self-less, unconditional love. 40 years! Wow...that is a very long time!! Every time I am around you, you renew my hope that true love exists! Congratulations Mom and Dad! Celebrate! It's an accomplishment and I thank you for sticking it out even when things weren't pretty or fun or perfect! You're my hero's!
I love you guys!

Heavenly sneaks...

Our lovely Amanda Smith has some heavenly sneak peeks of her gallery up on her BLOG today. You should go there right away and check it out...they are super cute! And it just so happens to be Friday today which is just the cherry on top. Beautiful weather and an afternoon of scrapbooking planned. Good times! Here is one more peek of our upcoming June kit "Parasol." Would you look at those flocked velevety soft chipboard shapes...so fun!
Happy Friday folks!

And another...

Today has been the best kind of day...mostly because it started with someone ELSE mowing my yard this morning. I've just been on cloud nine ever since. It was the first day of summer vacation for Tanner who promptly celebrated it with an almost 3 hour nap this afternoon. He must have needed the rest, but I'm just crossing my fingers that he'll go to bed tonight!


The real reason for this post, is I have yet another sneak peek to share of our June kit "Parasol." I know it's tiny...but oh such cute things! You may be asking, is that a flocked gorgeous grey transparency I see? Yes, you are correct...and I think I would like to just go ahead and wallpaper a wall using it thank you very much. This kit is full of the latest color combo of greys and soft yellows and oranges (or this pretty salmon color.) Swoon!

I think these Thickers are also my most favorite alpha I have ever put in a kit. They should really develop more embellishments that are foam, I love them! Happy Wednesday!

Sneak Peek!!

Oh my ladies and gents...it's finally time to share a peek at the June kit. This month has just flown by! My oldest has his last day of school tomorrow, and I can hardly believe it's nearly summer vacation! But it's 90 degrees here today and humid and so it certainly does feel like summer! I have run around all day looking like Amazon woman...thank you naturally curly hair. You are not my friend. :)
Sorry, the sweet butterfly isn't in the kit...it just looked so cheerful with all the pretty papers. And if you like this peek...wait until you see the embellishments that go with it! Eeeek! So cute!

While re-organizing and redecorating the scrap space last week I promised to share some pic's of it. I have a scrappy mess all over my desk so I will have to post more pic's of that sometime. Here are a few things making me smile in there right now. You can see that I have still not taken down the brackets where the shades were, because I am still trying to figure out what I want to do. This is the area directly above my desk.
I have a little collection of the letters "H" and "S." The little jar with the #3 is from Samantha Sibbet that she brought me at CHA full of sweet little goodies. So cute!

This canvas is one that I altered. I love what it says and so I had to make it match my color scheme in there. It had pastels at the top of it before I "fixed" it. Everything else is from the flea market, the thrift store, or the antique store. :)

If you think I'm weird for having a plate sticking out of the top of my typewriter, that's okay. It works for me. I have another white thrift store plate that I bought to do this with again. But that's a project for another day.

Happy Monday!

Words...

Sometimes you read something that just speaks to you at that moment, at that place in your life, at that precise place you are. This spoke to me today... it's everything you already know. But it feels good to remind yourself again. It does talk a lot about relying on yourself...which I have to say is the only part of it I didn't love. I rely on God period. He is my strength.

THE AWAKENING

Author Unknown
Aug 31, 2006

A time comes in your life when you finally get it...when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out - ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your awakening.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change...or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon.

You come to terms with the fact that neither of you is Prince Charming or Cinderella and that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you...and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are ... and that's OK.

They are entitled to their own views and opinions. And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself...and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval. You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.

You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you.

So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself...and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance. You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties…and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world around you, is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche.

And you begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you should wear, what you should do for a living, how much money you should make, what you should drive, how and where you should live, who you should marry, the importance of having and raising children, and what you owe your parents, family, and friends.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with ... and in the process you learn to go with your instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.

You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be.

You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. And you learn that alone does not mean lonely.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.

You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK....and that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things you want ... and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands. You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less. And you learn that your body really is your temple.

And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise.

You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play. You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve...and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy. You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different than working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone...and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the greatest robber baron of all: FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms. And you learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people.

On these occasions you learn not to personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers. It's just life happening. And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state - the ego. You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.
You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.

Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire. And you hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.

And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.
........................................................................................

I don't have any wind chimes. But I am making a point to keep smiling, trusting, and having faith. Life has given me lots of lemons lately....now it's just a matter of what I decide to do with them! Happy Friday folks!

Mr. Sun?

Time for Mr. Sun to make an appearance here!! It's been rainy...I mean like my grass is 6 inches tall already, raining. Not much you can do about it until it stops raining and dries out. So I headed out to mow today. I had already gotten some of it done on Friday, which was the last time we didn't have rain. This afternoon while I was out mowing I saw a snake, which nearly made me park the tractor and head indoors. If you know me, you know my biggest fear is snakes! I almost got him, but my John Deere doesn't maneuver as well as the squirmy snake. Let's just say for the rest of the afternoon I mowed with my toes in the middle of the tractor! Eeek!

I worked on this layout a bit yesterday and put the finishing touches on it. I fell in love with this Prima paper at the summer show. It's fringe at the bottom and circles with stitching scream "circus" to me. My new Girls Paperie sticker letters were the perfect match for the title. There is lots of random bits added here and there. The token ticket is from our "Brilliant" kit. The butterfly is Sassafras, the chipboard heart is Me and My Big Ideas, the journaling card is by Little Yellow Bicycle.

It's a good thing this spiral stitching and fringe was added for me...I never would have taken the time to add that!

Hope you all had a great day! I'm off to workout and try to make up for the box of Junior Mints I ate today. I think subconsciously I bought them because I was so distraught about the snake! LOL! Comfort food I guess? That's what I'll call it!

Scrappiness...

I am in total scrap room makeover mode right now. I have been taking it all apart and putting it s-l-o-w-l-y back together again. Of course working in there makes me want to scrapbook, so I keep taking breaks. It could be a very long process! LOL! I also got to go to a friends for a crop who recently moved her scrap space and it's fabulous...so I was feeling inspired. I took down the curtains and want to figure something out new to do as window treatments...maybe a garland of some sort? I have 2 solid walls of windows, so I am loving the added light in there without window coverings. But it looks a little bare in there now, so I'll be dreaming up something fun and creative and cheap to do on the windows.

Here is a layout that I made at the crop on Friday. I realized when I got there that I had not brought a single embellishment with me! I travel light these days when I head to crops and only packed some paper/photos and tools. I did have some Cosmo Cricket "elements" papers, which is what I used here to decorate. This is a photo from Mother's Day...I got served breakfast in bed. Pretty fancy huh?

Here's another simple layout. Quick and easy.

The colors here look a little off. It's better in person...but I always think that's the case.

Chipboard letters are from the "Clothespin" kit and this paper is from the "Brilliant" kit.

I'll have to share some pictures of the scrap room soon. I hope you all had great weekend! I had not one but 2 viruses on my laptop within a week so I wasn't able to blog. Here's to hoping that it's smooth sailing from here on out! Happy Monday!

Winner!

I'm happy to announce the winner of our kit giveaway tonight! It really was so fun to "get to know" you all a little better! I got to see pictures of your sweet kiddos and husbands and furry friends. I had long-time customers and brand new to Freehand Scraps scrappers post the blinkie and I want to thank you all so much for sharing the Freehand Scraps love on your blogs! Thanks for your support! The randomly chosen winner was:

Tia said...
Here's mine!
http://shieldsshenanigans.blogspot.com

May 12, 2010 8:22 PM

Tia falls into the "long-time" customer category and is a super talented crafter! When I drew her name and headed over to her blog I read all about her very first competition in a triathlon. And you know, I think she definitely deserves a kit for that! Oh my, Tia, you make my 3 mile runs look so pathetic! Good for you! What fun pictures those will be to scrapbook! And since I already have your address...I'll get your kit out to you right away! Congratulations!

I think I need some chocolate! Ha! That probably won't help my 3 mile run in the morning. Have a super night!

Giveaway details!

I posted a newsletter here yesterday...and the newsletter that I emailed (if you are signed up for our email newsletter) has details about a giveaway! I thought that I had better post it here also! All you have to do to be entered to win one of this month's "Cherry Blossom" kits, is post our Freehand Scraps blinkie on your blog...and then leave a comment here with the link to your blog! Super easy. Right? I have been having fun checking out all of your blogs that it's been posted on so far!
http://freehandscraps.com/images/fs-ad-120x120-may10.gif

Hope you all had a terrific Mother's Day weekend!

Newsletter!

Time for a newsletter! This month's kit "Cherry Blossom" is in full bloom! It's chock full of brand new products from the Dear Lizzy line, October Afternoon, Jenni Bowlin, Fancy Pants, and more! Speaking of blooming, we have officially planted our flowers for the summer and have traded our snow boots and tennis shoes, for sandals and flip flops. It's about time I'd say...it was a long winter! I also want to wish all of the Mom's out there a very Happy Mother's Day! I hope you took some time to celebrate yourselves today. You deserve it! (Hmmm...I'm thinking this "Cherry Blossom" kit might be the perfect gift?)
I also have to share a project from the gallery this month. I was so inspired by all of them! It's too hard to choose just one! Here is a darling wall hanging that Lexi Bridges made using the fabric paper in the kit and the pink crochet ribbon. How cute is this?
This is a card by Holly Stork that you could use as a sketch for an any occasion card. Too cute!

Do you love Freehand Scraps as much as we do? If you'd like to share our blinkie on your blog or with your friends...here is the link!!
http://freehandscraps.com/images/fs-ad-120x120-may10.gif

And finally, if you haven’t heard about our big sale, here are the important details!

We are excited to be offering a 40% discount on all of our past 2008 and 2009 kits. It's simple, and a GREAT deal! The only way to take advantage of this offer is to email me at heidi@freehandscraps.com and I will email you a Pay Pal invoice to take care of the cost. The standard shipping rates apply. (The first kit has a $8 flat rate for shipping, but each kit after that is only an additional $1.50 in shipping cost!) Be sure to take advantage of this special limited time offer!

As always, I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued support of Freehand Scraps! I am so blessed to have such wonderful customers! Happy Mother's Day!

Thoughts about Moms...

In honor of Mother's Day I have been reflecting on this journey through motherhood that I have been on. It's been one full of twists and turns and ups and downs and tears and unbelievable joys. I hope you don't mind if I share my heart here a little! It has been the greatest blessing/gift of my life to be a mother. (And for all of you ladies who are not mothers...I know several "mothers" who don't have any children of their own. You just can't know the tremendous influence that you have on the children in your life!) I had a lot of ambitions as a child, but #1 on my list was to be a mother. I got my teaching certificate because I want to work overseas teaching children about Jesus one day, and more specifically the love of Jesus. I don't care what age group, what language they speak, girls or boys, orphans or not, my heart is for children. They say that children need 10-12 meaningful touches every day...I don't know who says that, but I know it to be true! There are so many, many children here, and around the world who will never know love, or have even 1 meaningful touch today. Even well intentioned mother's like me get busy, and frustrated and t-i-r-e-d! It can be so easy to forget about the little ones who are constantly vying for our attention and affection. As a single mom, there are so many days that I feel as though I am stretched so thin that I couldn't possibly meet all of their needs. But then I take a step back and see that where I fail (because face it moms...we all do...no matter how hard we try) that is where Jesus steps in. It's through my weakness that I am made strong through Him. Whatever I lack, He is there to give me the strength and patience and the positive outlook that I need to be a good Mom. And well that just makes me feel great! I was fortunate enough to have a Mother who made me feel like a princess, or a pirate, or a wilderness explorer, or a ballerina, or a waitress, or a pilot, or whatever game I happened to be playing that day. She encouraged me to be independent (I started curling my own hair in the 2nd grade...I was girly even back then folks!) and making my own lunch for school. Essentially she gave me wings! My parents are 2 of the most hard-working people I know. They showed me their faith in action, and continue to do so. They showed me through their lives how to honor God in all you do. How to rely on Him for not just the big things, but the little things too. My Mom is one of my best friends in the world. She allowed me to become who God wanted me to be. I am eternally grateful to Him for allowing me the privilege of being her daughter. I can't tell you how many of my friends have told me that they *wish* that she was their mom too! I can only hope and pray to give my kids the same kind of faith and upbringing that I was blessed with.
The above photo was from my Week in the Life project as she walked Chloe after school. Below is her Mom and my Grandma who is also a mentor and mother to me as well...and to my kids.

Happy Mother's Day to all you Mom's and non-Moms alike! Mine got an early kick-off this morning by me being woken up to breakfast in bed, which consisted of a Capri Sun and 2 chocolate doughnuts. They had it all set up with a little place card holder with pictures made for me tucked into it. I even had a napkin and a fork and spoon...which was a cute touch! Tomorrow they told me they are letting me pick where I would like to have lunch...and Tanner suggested Chili's because he knows it's one of my favorites. It doesn't get any better than this...I am blessed. My cup runneth over.

Testing 1, 2, 3

Well it's been a few days...and since technology (or namely a computer virus) has not been my friend this week...get ready for a "longish" post. I must admit that I *barely* lived without my laptop for the last couple of days. I never quite realized how dependent I am on it...even with being able to access the internet on my iPhone. I did trying blogging from my iPhone...with not much luck. SO, here is a little recap. The week in the life project is coming along...in Heidi's time frame that means that I have photos uploaded ready to be ordered. This is an accomplishment in and of itself...but I really do want to get started on constructing the album, I think it's going to be a favorite of mine. :) Here are a few more week in the life photos. This makes me wonder if my car actually can reach speeds this high?

Rain on the sunroof...this was Chloe's idea to take this photo. Smart girl.
Nothing says spring like this! Chloe pretty much asks me to go back and see this little guy every day!

This dresser needed some love and new paint...but I drooled over it at a neighbors garage sale for 2o minutes, I loved it!

Emails and lots of big things happening around here.

And here is another layout from my gallery. "Dreamer." I love this combination of papers!
This kit has such an awesome set of embellishments!
I actually shredded fibers from the edge of the fabric paper to give it a little "fringe." This paper is one of my favorites in this kit. So fun!
Last but not least...one of my all-time favorite quotes!

Speaking of quotes like this and sentiments...I have a little stack of them on my scrap desk that I save just to add to my albums. Words inspire me! I am heading into my studio tomorrow! Be back to share more. It's good to be back in blog land! Hope you had a great day!

Gallery!

I thought that it would be good to share some of my gallery...I have been trying to post a newsletter, but I can't access my work email right now. Some days...technology is really not my friend! :) I spent a lot of time this afternoon and evening uploading my "Week in the Life" project photos to scrapbookpictures.com and they are still uploading as I blog! My goal is to work on it while it's all still fresh in my mind...that and get all of the lists and notes from the days happenings off of my desk! So here is a layout from my gallery. I decided that I wanted to try painting on this layout with bubble wrap, which is something I have never tried before. I just wanted to add some subtle texture. I then added little dabs of stickles to each of the painted dots. It looks a lot better in person...you can't really see too well in the photos.

Here you can see it a little better.

This card went home with my sweet Mom...for Mother's Day (a little early.) I'm sorry, but I DO have the best parents on the planet. They bless my life so much! I noticed that Mother's Day cards and Easter layouts were very prevalent this month in the gallery. This kit rocks!

Hope you had a terrific day!

Introducing...

"Cherry Blossom!" It's on sale on the website and full of spring time goodness. I loved this kit! (Did I already say that? I know, but I really did love it!) Here are a few photos of it! This shows the whole kit...except for the fabric. There are 10 fun sheets of patterned paper, including new fabric paper by Dear Lizzy. There is an awesome alphabet by October Afternoon, plus a second Bingo alphabet by Jenni Bowlin Studios! There are some fun felt shapes and badges that are also from the Dear Lizzy line, one yard of pink crochet trim by Fancy Pants, plus a sweet little journaling card by MME. I don't think I could pick one thing as my favorite! It is perfect for Easter photos, and birthday parties, or plain old spring time pictures. You'll have to be sure you look at the gallery to get some inspiration. The girls out did themselves this month!
These are the darling JBS buttons! I want them in every color!
That strawberry felt shape is perfect in my opinion...and the stitching is already done for you! The polka dot fabric paper is under it and you can somewhat see the texture in this photo. (It is self adhesive by the way which makes it easy to use.)

I sort of missed National Scrapbooking Day here on the blog yesterday! I have had my family in town all week and Chloe had her preschool program yesterday. It was a smashing success, and all I could think of as she was up there singing was that this was her last preschool program. She is heading to kindergarten next year and getting so big. I was reminded ALL over again, just how important documenting these days is. Scrapbooking those memories and this time in our lives is a gift. One that we can look back on and remember all of the fun that we had and what we've learned. I am planning a giveaway soon, and I will probably get a newsletter sent out tomorrow with details on that. Hope you all had a beautiful weekend!