21 Years......

21 years ago I married my best friend.

  We were literally just kids when we met...dated through high school...and then college.  I graduated in May of 93, and two weeks later got married at the ripe old age of 21. The priest at our wedding had the best advice for us......always maintain a sense of humor.  If you have that, you can make it through anything.  He then gave us a wedding gift.....a framed picture of Jesus laughing. 

  Our world has been twisted around quite a few times.  It definitely tested our love for each other on more than one occasion.  There were times we fought like crazy people.  But through it all we have always seen the bigger picture. And we remember what our priest told us......maintain a sense of humor...and you know what? He was right.

My husband make me laugh even when I am really not in the mood.  And because of all the "big" things that have happened to us...it has put all the "little" things into perspective.

And we try so hard to make time for each other.  In this crazy life, it is easy to take each other for granted.  To let all the "stuff" in life get in the way for time together.  It has helped us stay connected.  Our kids need both of us.....and for both of us to be happy and love each other.  That is the best gift we can possibly give them.  So with that I have a layout to share that was published in Northridge's Cricut Magazine.

It uses a pretty stamp set by Cherished Memories and coordinating cuts using my Cricut.  A bit of embossing paste and a stencil was used for a subtle background.  The pictures were taken 20 years apart.  A few more wrinkles....a few added pounds...  ;)

You know I am the crazy video lady.....so if you would like to relive the 90's, see all of my "wonderful" hairstyles, and see how my family has grown and evolved, you can see it all on the video I created for my hubby.  :)  

Guest Designer for 3 Birds Design!

Good morning!  I am so excited to share that I am a guest designer for 3 Birds Studio!  I absolutely adore their papers, stamps, and stickers!  I've used a combination of all of them here.  To see the full project head on over to the 3 Birds Studio Blog! 

Have a great day friends!

Happily Ever After!

Good morning to you!  I hope you had a great weekend! The weather in Chicago was glorious and we honestly couldn't have asked for a better weekend!  I was "unplugged" for most of it as I was spending time with the family.  As the kids get older it gets tougher and tougher to carve out that much needed time together.  We spent the weekend swimming, BBQing, playing "bags" (total southside Chicago thing), making a bonfire, eating SMore's, and Cort and I were in a Memorial Day Parade too. 

My card today was published a few months ago in Cricut Magazine.  It was created with the Bridal Shower and Sweethearts cartridges.  

I did a bit of embossing on the nest and added some glitter. The sentiment is from SRM Stickers. 

Back to work today! I am on the official countdown to summer now though!  Just a little under 3 weeks! 

Have a great day everyone!

True Love

Happy Saturday to you!  I am up on the Scrapbook Adhesives 3L blog today with a fun card using the Silhouette!   I used the talented Jamie Cripp's, Circle With Leaf and Banner cut.  I glittered up the circle and adhered the layers with Scrapbook Adhesives 3L E-Z Squares Refillable Dispenser. The flower is a Columbine cut, also from Jamie Cripps.  I watercolored it and added clear Stickles to it for a bit of shimmer and shine.  I attached the layers using Scrapbook Adhesives 3L-DODZ

The sentiment is an SRM Sticker.  The background was given subtle texture using Papertrey's Impression Plate.  The layers, and all of the pretty cuts were adhered using Scrapbook Adhesives 3L E-Z Squares.  I added a few pink sequins and a bit of silk ribbon tied with string.   

I am heading out to play a bit of golf with my husband and friends.  (And no, I am not a good golfer at all! LOL!)  I go for the company, the cute clothes, ride around in the golf cart, and the wine! ;) 

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Runway Loud

Good morning to you my friends!  I mentioned yesterday that I had more exciting news to share with you.  Cortney has been invited to "walk" the runway for a wonderful charity event that benefits the March of Dimes! She is so excited to participate in this! The press release is below!

Pinch me.

Seriously.

Who would have thought all of this was even possible?

19 Year Old With Cerebral Palsy Wishes To Be A Runway Model.

RunwayLOUDTM a Fundraising Event benefiting March of Dimes is helping one girl's dream become a reality.

May 19, Branson Missouri - RunwayLOUDTM, a fundraising event scheduled for the middle of August in Branson Missouri has been in contact with the family of 19 year old, Cortney Kovack. They’ve been discussing how to make their young girls dream of being a runway model a reality regardless of the Cerebral Palsy that confines her to a wheelchair.

Event producer Sharra Smith said, “I was made aware of the inspiring request of Cortney’s family by my friend Erin Wicker, who is the Social Media Manager at Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson Missouri. Erin had sent me to a link on the Cerebral Palsy Family Network through facebook. I realized that RunwayLOUD had an opportunity to help make a young girl's wish come true and make an impact in her life, in a big way!”

Cortney has just turned 19, but she functions at the level of a 3-4 year old girl. When asked how they knew this is a desire of Cortney’s, her mother Michele simply said, “At an early age Cort always seemed to shine in front of a camera. She was happy and beautiful. All we can think about is giving her the opportunities that most think she’ll never get, due to her CP”.

“Having the honor to host Cortney, brings something more important to the RunwayLOUD event and to every person attending. She brings her Dreams, and the dreams of other children just like her. In watching those dreams become a reality we get to be a small part of her happiness.” said Smith. She continued, “Cortney also allows us to remind people that the March of Dimes supports a number of grants on prenatal brain development and factors that may disrupt it and continues to work towards unlocking the triggers of CP.”

More information, tickets, sponsorships and donation options can be found online at www.RunwayLOUD.com.RunwayLOUDTM Entertainment LLC payments of over $75.00 are tax deductible as a charitable contribution.

Ozarks Marketing Group LLC

As always.....thank you for letting me share this with you! Thank you for all of the outpouring of love and support!

Spring Showers

Good morning! I FINALLY have something crafty to share with you! But don't get too excited because tomorrow I will have MORE exciting news to share with you regarding Cortney! ;)

Today's card is an adorable stamp by Crafty Secrets called, Animal Party. 

I colored it in with Copics and chose colors that were very soft and pastel to match the designer paper. I added drops of glossy accents and a bit of glitter to emulate raindrops.  (Cuz I'm clever that way! Ha!) 

I can't seem to not add ribbon and string to my cards.  I think it has become an obsession....almost as bad as my glitter "problem."

So ribbon and string were added.....again. 

I added a vellum flower to the center with a yellow epoxy dot.  

 I am heading to a nature reserve today with my 5th graders. We will be hiking, scooping water and bugs from the pond, eating edible plants, and enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather! This is one of the many reasons I love being a teacher!

Check back tomorrow for my big news! 

Fiera Fashions

Good morning! I apologize for not having anything crafty to share with you....as I know that is the main reason you gals pay me a visit. ;)

 But this week has been such a fun week filled with modeling for Cortney! She had the opportunity to model some beautiful jewelry created by the talented Rebecca Fontes.  She has an Etsy shop called Fiera Fashions. 

I feel a sort of kinship to her because she has a child with Cerebral Palsy too.  She knows what it's like to have dreams for your child that you often don't think will in a million years happen.  And then something special does happen....and it's recognized by lots and lots of people. 

She was one of the first people to offer to help Cort realize her dream. 

I love the earth tones and bit of turquoise in these pieces.  So pretty!

I will have something crafty to share with you soon....I promise!  

Life has a way of taking a detour once in awhile....and while I am on this journey, I want to enjoy it because one never knows how long it will last. 

:)