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Is this thing on?

Well, I know it has been over a year since I have posted to this blog of mine. And I'm not sure if it is something that I want to revisit or not. I love looking back at all the posts, and so do my girls; but it is just another thing to update and keep current.
We had an amazing summer this year. Last year, was kind of a bummer summer so we really lived it up this year. Craig surprised me with a trip to Hawai'i for our 20th anniversary. So we dropped the kids off to Grandma in Utah and headed to Chad and Michelle's home for 10 days. I still cannot believe they have lived there for 12 years and we have never visited them. They live in paradise!

We also had a great trip to Utah to see family and I was able to sneak in a couple of visits with friends. I never have enough time to see everyone. We did some hiking in Utah with my sister and my dad and I loved hiking. I wish that it would cool down so we could go hike in Texas. Maybe this Fall.

School is back in session and we have been going for two weeks. I am teaching 6th grade Math again and you would think it was getting easier, but it really isn't. Lots of training this summer and preparing and I still feel completely overwhelmed.  I am grateful for the principal I have and the team I get to work with. It is a small, but mighty group. It is the perfect place for me to land after being at home for so many years.  I am grateful for the opportunity in a small, but strong community.

*I got a new camera for my 40th birthday! Thanks to Dana and Anne. I am grateful for their support in the talents I am trying to develop. I got a great picture of the Matt and Craig Garner kids when we went to Roosevelt for UBIC.

*Christian went on an amazing high adventure trip with the scouts this summer. They went to Pensacola, FL and had the experience to go fishing in the ocean and tour many Navy museums. They also saw the Blue Angels. I think that this year paid off for all the scout camps that he has endured over the years.

*Ella had her summer book club again this year. They read The Fourteenth Goldfish and The Isle of the Lost (Descendants #1). Ella also made a huge leap of faith just before school started and changed schools. She is attending my school for 5th grade. She really likes it and gets to play the violin. I love it. I get to see her throughout the day and she is with me after school. As my baby, I felt like I never got to see her or help her with her homework last year. It has been a good change.

*Sydnee also had a dream come true this summer when she was able to go camping and fishing with Maren and Joey to Flaming Gorge. She is such an outdoors girl. She loves to be outside and loves to be active. Her dream is to have a ranch with lots of animals and a farm when she grows up.

Monday Musings

*I am a 6th grade math teacher.
Bam.
I said it.

*My DSLR camera died.
Dead.
$1200 to fix.

*Craig started a new job today.
Yes.
We are blessed.

*Sydnee changed soccer teams.
Wow.
What a roller coaster of emotions.
And that was just from me.

*Christian was gone for 2 weeks.
One for Trek.
One for Scount Camp.

*Ella has a book club.
Little House in the Big Woods was the 1st book.
I planned the crafts, she planned the questions.
It was awesome.
Penderwick's this month!

Anniversary

Craig and I celebrated our nineteenth anniversary this week. When an anniversary comes around, I feel that it is a good time to look back at the last year and see all the good around you and also the things that can be improved. Just like with a birthday or new school year, I feel it is a fresh start. I know I could definitely use a fresh start to this coming year of my marriage. In marriage I am grateful for hard work, forgiveness, understanding, and overall love. We married young, I was young and have learned so much about myself and how to love another unconditionally. I am grateful he has been by my side through it all. I love this quote:

Five Favorite Spring Picture Books

Ever since I went back to teaching in the classroom, I have found more books that I just can't live without. I really never stopped falling in love with books, it just seems that there is a new must-read book every day at school. Even as an adult, I love picture books. I love a good, flowing story. And the pictures inspire me creatively. Here are five books that I have recently fell in love with again. I hope you will check them out at your local library or bookstore:

and then it's spring

grandpa green

my garden

the gardener

we planted a tree

Halloween Card for FISKARS

And a few photos from our Halloween celebrations

{A little blurry but it is all we got!}

To see more about the Halloween Card, you can check out the full instructions HERE.

Sewing on Scrapbook Layouts by Fiskars

Fiskars Fuse Template + Embroidery Thread & Needle =




The PERFECT sewn embellishment for my new favorite layout.
I miss my girls! I am not traveling for work anymore, but this was definitely one of my favorite parts. Every few trips, I would see my friends.
It was always the highlight.
 They get me.
Understand my creative quirkiness.
And love me anyway.
Miss you girls!
Here are a few more layouts that include sewing:




If you want to read more about sewing on layouts, click HERE.

Fiskars School Supply Cake

I recently went back to my 'roots' and I am teaching school. I am working the public school system once again and loving it.
While I am recertifying in Texas, I am working as a long-term sub teacher in 2nd grade. Teachers never have enough supplies.
So this cake would be great even as a Christmas present.
Seriously.
Since school started we have almost gone through all of our glue sticks.



{I know it kind of looks like it is the leaning tower of school tools, but I think that is just the picture.}

I fell in love with the Chalkboard Stack by DCWV when I made this project. I love, love, love it. The chalkboard trend is alive and kickin around here.




I also created these mini supply cupcakes. Thought they would be great for the office staff and teacher aides. Just a few post its, paper clips, and a bag of erasers (sprinkles!) on top.

You can read more about this project HERE.
Enjoy!

Fiskars Vetrans Day Banner

I received a text from a friend recently asking why I hadn't posted on my blog. She said she missed my projects. I am so glad someone is reading this!

I know I recently have the excuse that this full time job is kicking my butt...blah blah blah. But it really is. I love to take moments and go into my craft area and get creative, but the mojo is just not there.
Nada.
Zilch.

These projects I will be posting are from the past. Before the creative bug went bye bye.





I am especially proud of this sewn garland. Yes. I did that sewing all.by.myself. It is the first time I used my sewing maching that I have had for years and years. It still scares me, but I feel like I am starting to tame it.
This banner really needs to be packaged up and mailed to my sweet brother and sister-in-law. They live this 'god bless the usa' full force. He is in the Navy and they are ready for another move across the country. I am grateful for him and their family every day for what they do to support and protect this country.

To read more about this project, please go HERE

Fiskars Hexagon Design Set & Expansion Pack Blog Hop

I know, I know.

It has been incredibly long since I have last posted on my blog. Summer was unexpectedly busy, and fun.
I also had some very last-minute changes to my employment just as school was starting for everyone at the end of August.

With all that has been going on, I am still crafting away any chance I can get.
I am very excited for Fall.
I always feel it is a time for renewal. School is starting. New clothes, new school supplies, and we all settle back into a routine. There are just a few things I am excited for this year during the Autumn season:

1. I usually stay away from Bath & Body Works during this season because I am a sucker for all their fall scents. But I had to make a stop for a gift & just died over this:

 I will definitely be burning my new Pumpkin Cupcake & Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin candles in this lovely luminary.

 2. Cardigans. I know I live in one of the hottest places in the USA. Texas. But I still love a good comfy sweater. Loved this one I found recently on one of my favorite online boutiques:

 3. Deep Purple Accessories. Been searching for a purse also in the color. I have never really been a purple person, but this fall I am in love with Plum.

 

 This is also from the boutique found here. 

4. Yummy Jewelry

This summer I found a great jewelry company with a beautiful story & so much heart. This company designs jewelry from materials that are created by women from around the world. They just had a Fall Collection release last month and this is one of my favorite pieces:

This piece is a mix of 4 different products created by women from around the world including: leaves, bamboo rings, silks, and banana fibers. If you want to learn more about Color By Amber & their lovely jewelry go here.

 5. Last, but not least, I am so excited for the release of a new die for my Fuse Creativity System. The Hexagon!

 

I can't wait to create something with the Expansion Die & that old-fashioned soda sign. This die is currently available at JoAnn Fabric and Crafts.

Come back this weekend and I will share with you what I have swirling in my mind with the hexagon die and expansion pack.

 To see all the rest of the creations that Fiskars team members have made with this new hexagon die, follow the blog hop.
 Starting with the Fiskateers Blog. If you leave a comment on the Fiskateer blog, you will be entered to win a Hexagon Die & Expansion Pack! So don't forget to comment.

And here are the other design team members that are participating:
Emma Jeffery
Smitha Katti
Lisa Storms
and Me! Kim Garner
I am grateful for this opportunity to share the release of a new Die for the Fiskars Fuse Creativity System. And also share with you all the exciting things that I found for the Fall season.

What are you excited for this Fall??

Comments on the Fiskateer Blog will close at 11:59pm Central Time Friday, September 20, 2013 and winner announced Saturday, September 21, 2013. Winner must reside in the United States or Canada (excluding Quebec).

This post is sponsored by Fiskars, Inc.

Summer is here.

Summer Journal

This post is sponsored by Fiskars, Inc.

Fiskars Fuse Creativity System Project Guide by FaveCrafts

 

I was asked to participate in creating some projects for FaveCrafts new Ebook for the Fuse Creativity System. I was excited and nervous. Once I started my projects, the creativity just took off! The Fiskars Fuse system is pretty amazing. There is so much you can do with that machine; from handmade cards, scrapbook layouts, to home decor. And beyond!

 Here is a peek at the projects I created:

But there are so many more projects! Go now and download the ebook for FREE. There are so many other projects created by amazing Fiskar designers that I can't wait to make! Please check out the rest of the Ebook HERE.

This post was sponsored by Fiskars, Inc.

Pretty Proud

This last week was the finale of The Voice. It is funny how I haven't really watched any of the week's episodes, but Ella and Craig were obessed. They watched it together, or Craig DVR'd it so Ella could watch it after school. Once school was out, Monday and Tuesday night we were up pretty late letting her watch along with her dad. This past week was the finale, and we were so excited for all the talent and happy to see a beautiful blonde from Texas win! On Wednesday morning, Ella and I were talking over breakfast and she told me about how she tried to sign up to be on The Voice. Whaaat??
When they were watching on Monday night, she got on the website and started filling out all the information: her name, address, etc. etc. But when it came to her birthday, that is where all her dreams were crushed. You had to be born before 2003 to enter. But while she was eating her waffles, she just explained to me very non-chalantly that she would just sign up next year. When they allowed 2004 birthdays.
Wow.
For a gal who has sung a solo in front of an audience ONE TIME, she is pretty confident.

Here are two other reasons I am proud:
Christian performing in the Mr. FSMS pageant. He practiced and practiced this song for months. Thanks to his cousin, Taylor, he can learn from You Tube any song he wants to play.

Sydnee has also begun perfecting the art of Lego Animation this summer. She has taken it very seriously the past 2 days, and produced two films. They are both under a minute long and she worked on them for over 6 hours the past 2 days. Talk about dedication and patience. It is fun to work with her on iMovie as we both navigate the unfamiliar. Here is her first {silent} movie:

Have a great weekend!

Let's Get Personal

It seems that this blog has been all about business lately. Even though my 'business' is tied so closely with my personal life, it seems all my posts have been about projects. We are still living life around here and it is definitely full & fun & busy. Who isn't these days?

When I am not working, (or cleaning up a mess) I am usually with my kids. This truly makes me the happiest and the most stressed all in the same breath! But they are fun, and put up with my'outside' voice that takes over at times.

 



 The school year is almost over, and I am excited for summer. We have a few things planned, but not much. So excited about that. No schedules, no alarms, just relaxing and eating lots of popsicles & snow cones. It is going to start getting very HOT here soon!


 We had a taste of summer earlier this week with the kids out of school for a couple of snow days we never had to make up, and I am excited for what is in store. But there is one thing on my list to do before the kids are out of school for good on the 7th of June.
 MM&I Day (Me, Myself, & I Day: while school is still in session, savor one more day ALONE. Maybe I will shop, have lunch with friends, or maybe.....hmmmm might have to think about this one!)
What would you do on your last day before summer break??

O.K.
I guess I can't create a blog post without including one creative project. Saw this quote on my dear friend's blog and wanted to create with it. Love how this turned out.



Alright, just one more. Promise.
   
My favorite quote
from my favorite song
in my favorite Broadway musical.
Ever.
Amen.

Prima + Fiskars

Fiskars & Ruby Rock-It Designs

 

 The photo booth pictures from Joey & Maren's wedding were perfect for the Ruby Rock-It Carnival Queen Line. I am also in love with the new hexagon punches from Fiskars that you can find at your local Joann's store. To find more information about this project go to the Fiskars website.

This post is sponsored by Fiskars, Inc.

Vintage Finds for Scrapbooking

Check out the full article about Vintage Finds for Scrapbooking HERE

Post sponsored by Fiskars Inc.