Nobody told me...

...that going camping with my niece's Girl Scout troop would make me feel so old. See, I come from an era when we really had to rough it. We did not have a campsite with buildings, cafeteria and shower facilities. When did cots replace sleeping bags? And when did telling stories and singing songs around the campfire become passe. O.k. so the girls did make smores, but after that they were no longer interested in hanging around the campfire.

Well this was too much for me to digest. I stood alone by the fire yelling into the night air: "You mean yall are going to bed?" "And the chaperones are o.k. with this?" "Aren't we going to sing songs? play games? tell stories?" "Helooooooo is anyone home...."

I was not a happy camper (pun intended). I retired to my tent with my gruop of girls and the fun began. We learned songs and hand games. We got kinda loud giggling and telling stories; and one by one girls from other tents began to come in to join the fun. Soon the tent that was designed to sleep 7 was full to capacity with about 14 girls. They were laughing and having fun. It wasn't totally like the old days, but nostalgic none the less.

I learned that sometimes the old way of doing things still works and that it is a greater distance to the ground than it used to be. (LOL)

God's love is the key to my heart...

These chipboard album covers were done for a swap on the Scraps of Color site. I didn't know how I wanted to decorate the album covers. It turned out somewhat vintage.

I covered the heart with archival misted bible pages. I have had this ripped up bible since high school. I just couldn't get rid of it, so I decided to use it as art. I trust that God will be pleased. Trimmed the front cover with tulle and lace. The embellishments all represent some things that I love: cross iron on, music brad, poetry tag, drama mask charm, Shimmer misted book page-flowers, stick pin-made with beads from stash, and pearls. Sentiment(s): "All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Helen Keller and "Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."

On the back: various heart diecuts cut from the left over tags that I used on my actual page for the swap, smooched lace heart, cross dimensional sticker, lock and key brads, pearls. The butterfly represents my change and growth. The metal heart tag holder is made from ornament holders that I purchased after Christmas at Target. The tags are pictures of DIVA-licious ME and my house. There is a feel good story about my house; those who know me also know why I chose to display it on the tag.
God's love and sacrifice truly is the key to my heart.

The front of the page I sent for the swap

The back of the page

Are they listening?

We got a lot of snow the other day. I was content to stay locked inside and dig out later. Especially when the folks who were knocking on the door offering to shovel my driveway were adult men and women and asking for way too much money. I guess it is a sign of hard times. Gone are the days when the neighborhood kids did that sort of thing. I can remember raking leaves, cutting grass, shoveling snow and planting gardens. I digress...So, I am sitting at my desk pretending to work when I hear this scraping noise outside the window. I go to look and it is some of the neighborhood kids shoveling Miss Tina's driveway. I was moved to tears. I was especially moved when I saw a little 4 year old with his baby shovel helping.

I have been telling these kids for three years that we are a community and we need to care about each other. Everything is not always about money. When you see Ms. Mary across the street carrying groceries or dragging her trash can to the curb--HELP HER. I was not sure if they were listening. Still, I kept encouraging them to show love to our neighbors. So after they built 2 snow forts and had several snowball fights they decided to shovel my driveway.

I bundled up and went outside to thank them. I used my wheelchair so I could help too (can't lift the snow while standing). I could not run, so they took that as a moment to flood me with snowballs. They loved getting Miss Tina wet...quiet as it is kept, I had fun too.

I invited them in for cookies and hot chocalate. Over our snack I learned that they had helped a couple of neighbors a few times washing cars and cutting grass. And that they decided on their own to help me that day. Whoo Hooo!

Well I am thankful that they are getting the idea of being connected as a community. It was all fun and games until someone spilled hot chocolate...of course they cleaned it up. Aren't there laws about child labor (LOL)

Cute Kids Crafts

Since children are always at my home and since I believe in keeping them busy; I started Cute Kids Crafts under the umbrella of TINA'S TREASURE TRUNK© Now the children that I teach and mentor have a division dedicated especially for the masterpieces that they create. They have created all kinds of items from jewelry to paper crafts to doll clothes. Some of the kids have sold their creations at bazzars or yard sales. Mostly they make gifts or things for themselves.

Recently, I was in a card swap and Naudja from Scraps of Color (SOC) sent me a thank you note card. The card was on my dining room table when visiting children saw it and asked if they could make one like it. You want to scraplift? But you all are only seven, eight and nine. Start 'em early, I guess lol. I was catching a cold and really tired, but never too out of it to CRAFT! So after they did a little pleading , I said sure, and gave them cardstock, scrap paper, tools and supplies. They practiced measuring and cutting. They used a rotary cutter, score board, bone folder, texture tool and a few other tools. They used chalk ink to distress/ink the edges of the white cardstock. They even got to test out their stamping skills. The children made 20 of these little thank you note cards and they were used in another swap that I was doing. Is that child labor? Oops...lol.

Unfortunately, the inspiration piece mysteriously got misplaced, so sorry there is no picture. A big thank you to Naudja for inspiring the children!

I hope you check back, I am hosting a writing "Pass-it-on" party over the Christmas break.

It ain't easy being green...

Remember that song? I am just waiting to see the Kermitt the Frog song and character being used for recycling advertisments. It is probably already being used somewhere.

My friend and fellow social justice advocate wastes nothing. She reuses everything! I always thought that I was not wasteful and very frugal, but when I started working with her I discovered that I could do way more. Recently, she had a birthday and I decided to give her items from the health food store in our town. What better way to package them than with recycled products. This was a fun gift to make and she really appreciated the idea.

Materials: bubble wrap gift bag, muslin ribbon-glimmer misted and streaked with stencil paint, "everyday is earthday" iron on patch used for the tag.

I don't remember being bored as a child...

Nowadays children always say that they are bored. I do not recall ever being bored growing up. O.k. so maybe boredom is a possibility, but there is ALWAYS something to do. Sometimes kids just need a little guidance. For goodness sake...they do not come out the womb knowing what they like. Older people have to expose them to various things. Long gone are the days when every school had classes for art, sewing, mechanical drawing, woodworking, metal shop and home economics.

I believe all of us have a responsibility to 'pass on' what we know to others. One way I do this is by hosting gatherings or 'Pass it on' parties where attendees can have fun learning a skill like cooking, acting, sewing, crafting or writing while building communication skills, creativity, collaboration ability, and confidence.

This was not a scheduled gathering. When these three girls insisted that they had nothing to do, I found myself hosting an impromptu drama party. They were urged to use their imaginations...and boy did they! They wrote an original skit, and used props and costumes (I keep baskets of found items and old clothes on hand). They performed beautifully and had hours of fun. Then we made and ate a delicious dinner-does that count as a cooking 'pass it on' party? lol

Secret Surprise Giveaway!

Congratulations to Danah, the 20th follower of Joy in the Journey! Danah, you are the winner of the secret suprise giveaway. Your DCWV paper pack is on the way.

You might be saying "But there was no post announcing blog candy." That is EXAXTLY right!!! Don't you just love surprises? The next giveaway may be when there are 50 followers or maybe it will be when there are 100 followers. You never know, so be sure to follow me here. The next winner will be selected randomly.

Black Friday is upon us, and I am sure there are some great blog candy goodies to be found.