Happy Holidays!

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The Gift that keeps on Giving!

The final installment of our QOM for 2008 arrived on our desks today and it’s another lovely sentiment. “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” Perhaps you were inspired by this series and may want to share your favorite quotes (or repeat the ones that Kris used) as an uplifting gift for someone special. The beauty of this is that you can make several at once and even use up your miscellaneous Scrapbooking scraps to create them. Kris said if you’re overwhelmed by making 12, she suggested that you can do one for each season or for favorite Holidays. Great idea!

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Make the Best

Here are some words to help us stay grounded and strong while we deal with uncertainty.

Be GRATEFUL for every Blessing that you have.

 
Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.
 

Being resourceful makes you stronger and more resilient.

 
Make the best of your circumstances. No one has everything and everyone has sorrow intermingled with the gladness of life.

 
Create your own standards. Be YOU. Don’t let criticism worry you.

 
Do things you enjoy – and make choices that manage your debt.

 
Envision your future to be everything you desire.

 
Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.
 

Laugh, smile, feel good at every opportunity.
 

Remember the sage advice, “This too shall pass.”
 

Be GRATEFUL for every Blessing that you have.

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Quote of the Month

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” is a quote from our 35th president, John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

Instead of interpreting, I just asked Kris what her intention was in sharing this with us. She told me that very often people express their gratitude with words on Thanksgiving, but she wanted us to be inspired to express our gratitude with our actions all year ‘round. I’m grateful for that!

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Quote of the Month

“The reason women don’t play football is because 11 of them would never wear the same outfit in public” is our Quote of the Month courtesy of comedienne, Phyllis Diller. Truer words were never spoken! I knew there was a good reason I never took up football. Kris combined this quote with a pink and brown color scheme in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Notice her special details like the football in the middle of the dangler and the pink ribbon in the upper corner. The pattern that frames the quote also reminds me of an animal print that I recall Phyllis Diller used to wear often. (Oops, that kind of dates me, doesn’t it?) Those clever embellishments are what make us appreciate Kris’ talents as a devoted paper crafter! 

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Crank Your Cranium!

“Always keep learning. It keeps you young.” My Mom does a crossword puzzle every day to keep her brain function operating. Statistics tells us that people get bored after they retire and they often go back to work to stay vital. Geriatrics are learning to operate the “wii” video games so they can do yoga from their Assisted Living Center. Learning something new does keep our brain matter smoking. I just wish it didn’t make me feel so old when I try to figure out how to operate my new cell phone, or which of my three remote controls does what, or when I have to ask my son to explain again how to download iTunes, or when I try to put together a new purchase that “requires simple assembly.” Learning new things may keep us young, but it also seems to keep us pretty humble.

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All About You - Part 2

21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Lime green

22. FAVORITE SMELLS? The ground after it rains, fresh rosemary and coffee.

23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Lynn :)

24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Gymnastics (have to admit I'm getting tired of "diving.")

25. HAIR COLOR? Natural or colored?  Oops - "Only my hairdresser knows for sure."

26. EYE COLOR?  Depends on what I'm wearing.  Usually green, but sometimes blue.

27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No.

28. FAVORITE FOOD? Adams Crunchy Peanut butter

29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I'm under the seat at a scary movie. Happy endings, for sure.

30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (recommend you see this one as a rental only - the first one was much better)

31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Green with blue and tan owls.

32. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer (I still have 14 things to do before it's over)

33. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs

34. FAVORITE DESSERT? Homemade Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie

35. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?  "Have your Cake and Kill Him Too" by Nancy Martin

36. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Wireless Mouse - no pad

37. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Guilty of watching "Swingtown" that I DVR'd.

38. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles.

39. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? I'm not sure if it's further to Brazil or Australia.  Both were long, long flights - especially coming home!

40. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?  Some tell me I'm artistically inclined.  I have to work at it though.

41. DO YOU FORWARD CHAIN E-MAILS?  Almost never.  However, in this case.....I suggest you delete my answers, fill in your own and send them to your friends to get to know you better.

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All About You - Part 1

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Sometimes I tell people that I'm named after Debbie Reynolds, or maybe Deborah Kerr, but I might have made that up.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? When I stepped on the scale.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Not as much as I wish I did. When I write fast, it's pretty sloppy (which is most the time).

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? I always get chicken, but I do have a fondness for roast beef too.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes, my son is Murphy.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I'd like to think so.  I'm not nearly as high maintenance as everyone tells me. HA!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Apparently, I'm not completely "sarcasm-free."

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.  But appendix - GONE!

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Never!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Grape Nuts

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? I've eliminated "tie-shoes" from my wardrobe.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
I can't decide if I'm getting emotionally stronger or weaker over time.  Physically, I'm no Incredible Hulk, that's for sure.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?  Chocolate, no question.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? If they smile.

15. RED OR PINK? Pink.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My memory.  It seems to be diminishing.....I'm sorry, What was the question?

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Murphy, when he is away at college.

18. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Brown.  (I know, how boring)

19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? 3 strawberries and a Wasa cracker

20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? I'm listening to a downpour of hail and "Smoky Mountain Hits" is playing on the CD player.

(2nd part of the list to come!)

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Forever Family

There is very little in our lives and in our world that doesn’t change. And change seems to roll in faster than ever. It seems once you think you have something (or someone) figured out, it changes! When I look back at all the different chapters of my life, it’s surprising to realize how the stories and characters continue to change. I also recognize how different I am and how I continue to change too. (Although, I’m hoping, for the better ~ opinions may vary on that.) You do start to wonder if there is anything that is constant. For many of us there are certain people that we can always count on to remain a part of our lives at least in spirit and that is family. Kris offers us the following Quote of the Month for August; “Other things may change us, but we start and end with family.”

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The Freedom to Craft!

Nothing is more fun than to learn that someone has been inspired by our creativity. Kris was beaming with pride when we received these samples from Pam and her niece Mandy. These two are separated by many miles but share an interest in crafting. Quote of the Month was just the inspiration they were looking for to find another opportunity to keep in touch regularly and share their creativity with each other. Kris is more into the paper crafting, where Pam and Mandy interpreted their Quotes with more of an emphasis on using fabric. Pam shared that when her and Mandy do get together they shop our site for inspiration of what to do next. This is music to my ears – since every month we offer up lots of projects and ideas. Double your fun and share your love of crafting with a friend!

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