A Friends Warmth ...

The warmth of a friend's presence brings joy to our hearts, sunlight to our souls, and pleasure to all of life...

How lucky I was to have my good friend Michelle visit me for some crafting time. My children were spending the day with my sister, so I decided to take advantage of a quiet house and enjoy some 'girl time'. About two hours into our crafting a car pulls in the driveway and it's my sister -my children wanted to come home! As much as I welcomed their arrival, I worried that my dear friend Michelle might want to take cover from the chaos and return to her quiet home (she and her husband do not have children). A house full of eight children did not scare her away. I felt truly blessed as she sat across the table from me sharing her creative talents and good conversation. Though she worked on some boy cards (that took my breath away!), I managed to toss together some small projects and a card purse (holds cards inside-yes, I finished those too but didn't take pictures). I leave you with a peaceful heart ... until next time :)

Who refreshes others will be refreshed. -Proverbs 11:25

These cute cards have a small cellophane bag with lollipops inside ... they are so cute!

<3 align="center">

MOJO89 MADNESS ...

I am so thankful that my sister Marie encouraged me to start giving the MOJO Monday sketch a shot. It seems to be my most productive way of getting anything done! And today ... it was Mojo Monday 1/2 hour lunch ... yup - she's beginning to rub off on me! She is truly amazing and a blessing in my life! (www.isomcre8tions.blogspot.com). Please pray that we are able to see each other at the end of the summer (she lives in Colorado and I live in Vermont!).
This is only my 3rd MOJO card. Feeback and following is always welcome!
~SamieVt

What matters most ...

It has been one of those weeks ... you know the kind I'm talking about. Where everything seems to fall apart all at once. You find yourself frustrated over the simplest setbacks and you feel like the whole world is out to get you. You can't seem to draw yourself out of "the blues". Then the ringing of the telephone and a little 'hello' and suddenly the clouds part. The darkness that has pulled you under no longers blurs your vision. You don't realize your head lifting and your shoulders straighten. Within moments a big grin spreads across your face. It's a so clear ... what matters most is that I have the love of family to hold on to me and bring me up. When I wake up in the morning and open my eyes the sun may not be shining but I know my world will be bright. And as I wait for my little ones to come 'snuggle' (aka-giggle) I will remember what matters most!

I took a 'lunch hour' (or two) this afternoon and put these cards together using various products from different companies including Stampin Up and Close to my Heart. I have become addicted to the Big Shot and use the Top Note die for everything. (Marie - this dies is a must have ... I used it on the page with the tree that you liked).

Thank you friends for blessing me with new friendships.
Best,
Samantha <3

MOJO88

Being crushed for time with the start of a new semester ... I decided to try my sister Marie's "whipped up during lunch hour" card technique! :) I thought about what I was going to do and then when it was time to sit down ... voila - a card in no time at all! I just wish I could apply that technique to homework and housework and ... LOL

Enjoy - and remember, it's only the click of a mouse to become a follower!

Happy MOJO ...uh Tuesday! :)

Life is fragile...

that's why God made mothers strong!

I was sitting here thinking about my beloved sister Marie and how much I detest the miles that separate us. I decided to put together a quick project - one that I know will bring a smile to her face as it includes pictures! Yes, Marie that is not a typo!

The pictures did not come out well as I think an adjustment was accidentally made on my camera and I am not tech savvy at all!

The color theme is pink and brown (my favorite). I believe the idea for this 4x4 accordion book came from Tresa Black (Fabulous Artsy).




Page 1: My youngest daughter, Kaetlyn.

Page 2/3: My boys - Caleb (left) and Steele (right)

















Page 4/5: My precious daughter Sayde and my ol
dest son Ryan.

Page 6/7: My husband and yes even a picture of myself with my sister Marie outside an Arhivers store near her home. (I didn't want to leave ... ever!)






And finally a picture with my dad!

I am going to pull out the tags and journal a special memory about each person and then carry it in my purse so I have it close to me.

I pondered a lot about motherhood while putting this together. It's funny how one does not affiliate strength with this role ... moms are gentle and tender. A mom will cry when her 5 year old son receives his kindergarden diploma. She'll cry when her daughter picks a bundle of dandilion weeds and presents them as a bouquet to her. A mom will cry when her ten year old son stand up with his trumpet in hand and starts belting 'America' off key. She will cry when her young son rides around and around on the mini-4wheeler and her oldest scores a goal in a soccer game. But tears can be deceiving ... they disguise a strength that is beyond the physical, and endurance that defies reason. When a child is mistreated (by a friend or adult) a mother will defend and protect. When a child feels defeated or discouraged, a mom will rehearse all the achievements (past/present/future) of that vulnerable child. And when a child fights agains the mother who loves him/her, that mothers heart and soul will kick into overdrive to figure out how to reach that wayward heart and bring it home again. Yes, life is fragile. That's why God made mothers STRONG!

~Samantha

Family - Friends and Fun

Some days I find my emotions on a roller coaster ride. I'm laughing one minute and crying the next.

I started my day thinking it was Friday. My husband began his vacation and did yard work, opened the swimming pool and camper and spent the day listening to the sounds of a house full of daycare children giggling (whining a tad bit) and just loving their "Samie". I tried to keep up knowing that my sister Valerie was due to arrive at my mom late afternoon.

As my day winded down, and the house filled with daycare parents the phone rang and it was my amazing sister Marie thanking me for a little gift box delivered to her doorstep. Just hearing her voice and knowing that she was so far away made me heart stop for a minute - oh how I wanted to just be able to give her a big hug and let her know how precious she is to me.

While trying to hear her on the other end of the phone, my daughter and husband burst in the door saying "Aunt Val is here!" Again my heart stopped. What joy my sisters bring to me. My heart fills with so much love and admiration every time I hear their voice!

To add a final blessing to my day, Val and I hopped in the car to see my other sister Jessie coaching her daughters softball game.

Family is everything!

Now for the projects ... last night I joined two of my friends for a craft night. The night was filled with so much laughter. We started the night making a card to be donated to the Ronald McDonald house (we do this at every monthly meeting). Then we made this amazing fold card, a scrapbook page and a little Matchbox.

Mojo87 Monday

It seems as though today was one of those Monday's where I should have just stayed in bed. I woke to a young child saying "Good morning Samie"! Yikes - I had overslept and my first daycare child arrives at 5:15 a.m. I put her back to sleep and rushed upstairs to get ready before the others came pummeling through the door at 6:30. I think everyone must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed ... all I heard was whining an cranking all day! To top it off ... I forgot to get a gift for my Mother In Law's birthday! I'll be mud for sure! I hurried to whip up a MOJO card - yup this one shouldn't even be posted! I noticed that my big square which I had set in a diamond position with a small square inside shifted and I hadn't realized it until I was typing this post ... like I said it's Monday!!! and my MOJO just didn't want to go! LOL
Happy Monday to all my friends!