Hedgehog or Porcupine?

These are stick pins I received from a swap I hosted on the SOC (Scraps of Color) .NING network.   This is how I am displaying them.  Poor little guy looks like a porcupine.  Good thing those stick pins are not poisonous quills. OUCH!  Thanks ladies and gent (RJ) all the pins are great. 

Weight Watchers Point Guide Book cover



Achievement stickers



I made this cover for the WW point guide book hoping to motivate me to track my points and record what I eat.  Yeah....uhhhh....it's working...that is if I get credit for making the cover (LOL)


Patterned paper(???)
ribbon from stash (it was on a gift)
Monogram I received for hosting a swap

Tea Cards



You're my cup of tea



You're tea-rific

 Here are some tea themed cards that I give with a jar of  homemade chai tea.

The recipe for the tea is on the inside of the card.

DCWV Card stock
Scallop square punch
Stickers
Fiskars border punch
ribbon from stash

Thanks to my online friends

These are a couple of greeting cards that I received from my online friends recently.  When I first receive cards (RAK's, swap thank you's, gifts)  I have them displayed on my dining room table.  When the kids in my neighborhood stop by that is the first thing they see.  They admire the cards and gifts just like I do.  They are always so amazed when I tell them what states the items came from and that I have never met these ladies or men in person.  The other day a little boy asked me "Miss Tina, why do people who don't know you give you stuff...it must be because you are a good citizen..."  How thoughtful was that!  ( I was just going to say because folks are kind and want to do nice things) I took that as a teaching moment...helping them to realize that their hearts and actions can go far beyond their front yards.  And that they, too were good citizens, friends, and neighbors.

I love how the generosity and thoughtfulness of my online friends has blessed me and brightened my days.  I am so grateful that your kindness reached beyond me to a wonderful bunch of kids.  What a wonderful gift, to be a vessel in the pay it forward journey.  My friend Angie instructs her blog viewers to 'craft it forward'...and that is what we are all doing.  Love it! 

I have not captured it in pictures, but I am sooooooooooo honored and thankful for my online buddies who send me e-mails and leave comments.  I look forward to those words of inspiration, encouragement and affirmation.  In my mind those are gifts too.  I truly appreciate all the various expressions of love. Warm fuzzy!

Low down saggy and soggy and blue...

Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh sang this song.  I may have gotten the words wrong, but that is what I remember and lately I have been feeling that way. Just a blue haze. 

Right now, I am overwhelmed with all that is on my plate (health, finances, relationships, work etc.)   Today I am escaping by doing things around the house.  I am borderline compulsive (lol) so my house is kinda neat, but lived in too.  But I can always ORGANIZE!!!!!  I am reorganizing my craft room. Yes, again!   I am constantly reorganizing.  I think it is a disease.  See, I am one of those strange people that likes to be surrounded by order.  However, there is this other side of me that lets things get messy sometimes.  Then when 'I've had all that I can stand and I can't stands no more' (Popeye)-I reorganize (LOL).  Messiness steals my motivation and organizing the mess takes time away from the creative process.  Having these two things in one body doesn't always work as I have not mastered having balance yet.  There are times when I just spin my wheels and very little gets done.  Then are times when I just breathe and go with the flow.  Thanks to God for not allowing me to stay in this blue funk.

So, no craft project today.  Just...uhhhh...life

In spite of what I feel I am going to praise God in the midst of my crazy circumstances.  After all this is only a light affliction.

II Corinthians 4:17 NIV
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.


This too shall pass...so my make melody in your heart song for today is "SMILE" by Kirk Franklin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_FZ-HIcygI

The Blog Hop winner...

Thanks KATIE! I received your e-mail and your prize is on the way to you. 

Thanks again to everyone who participated in the Hippity Hoppity blog hop sponsored by the altered page.  You can check out Angela of the Altered Page on Mondays and Thursdays at 7:00 pm CST on USTREAM at  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/create-with-the-altered-page
Join the .ning network at http://thealteredpage.ning.com/
or follow her blog at http://theblingtheory.blogspot.com/

The hop may be over, but it is not too late to be inspired by all the wonderful projects that the ladies posted on each blog.  So start at the bling theory blog and have at it!!!  Whooo Hoooo!

Happy Scrapping.

And the winner is...

Wasn't that fun!  Thank you for visiting my blog.  A special thank you to Angela from the Altered Page and the blingtheory blog for facilitating the Hippity Hoppity blog hop.  All of the participants created very inspirational projects.  I just may have found my scrapping  mojo once again. lol

The winner of the giveaway on Joy in the Journey is: Katie.  Congratulations!  Please send your whole name and mailing address to my e-mail so I can mail out your prize. 

Thanks again to everyone who participated in the blog hop.  Come back soon.