Its in the Name

CYNTHIA
Gender: Feminine

Usage: English, Greek Mythology (Latinized)

Pronounced: SIN-thee-a [key]

Latinized form of Greek Κυνθια (Kynthia) which means "woman from Kynthos". This was an epithet of the Greek moon goddess Artemis, given because Kynthos was the mountain on Delos on which she and her twin brother Apollo were born.

Who knew? So what does your name mean? Do a google search and find out. Now how can I turn this into a scrapbook page?

Visual DNA






I saw this on Virginia's blog, and decided to turn it into a mini album. I used Provo Craft paper, Prima flowers, various buttons and felt flowers. I took apart a chipboard album ( it was actually a children's book )from the dollar store and covered it. I was surprised how much fun I had working on this. So I know the money I spent on the scrap etc event was well spent. I have been inspired to step out of my comfort zone and try some new things. I can't wait to finish my next book which is about my son. I started taking pics of his "stuff" so that I can scrap about his likes and dislikes. The best thing...I actually finished a project.

I'm the Me I Choose To Be.....Sidney Poitier

I don't know why I liked this single little sentence, but I do. So often we blame everyone else for who we are ( if we are no happy with ourselves ). What if we had a choice...and we have choosen who we are and who we will be? That we effect the life we live by choosing that which is not to our benefit? So if this is true...what do we do about it? Is there ever a time when it is too late to change the path of life? I say no....everyday is a new day if you "choose". So what will you choose to do with your day, your life, your path?

Stacy J's Finish Line Class





These are a few of the pages from Stacy's class. I must admit this class was a stretch for me...I don't need to measure everything...but when she said to cut the pics down to the bone..I will admit I probably had a minor stroke at the time. Then to lay them all down within 90 minutes with one black embellishment ( as you can see I cheated because I knew that was not an option )I just about died. Nicki was sitting beside my hyper ventilating over her album. The album I did was a gift to Quisha who could not come with us on the trip. It was from her 21st birthday ( she will be 23 this year...so as you can see it was about time that I settled down and worked on the pictures ). I will admit doing it this way was worth it in the end to see the look on her face when I presented it to her...her first question was..."Its for me" ?

Cost of the event $300.00
Cost from the shopping spree ( I don't even want to know ).
Accommodations...freely given with love from friends.
Cost of seeing my daughter with a smile on her face when presented with her gift...Priceless.

Heather P's Class



This was my favorite project. I loved the way it came out. I even finished the inside...just need to decide on which pics will go best with the quotes ( you all know how much I love quotes ). I'm thinking of doing journaling on tags to put inside of each of the envelopes. I plan to display it on an easel in my scraproom.

Good Day for a Quote ( got this off of Stacy J's blog ).

" Open your arms as wide as you can to receive all of the miracles with your name on them". Suzanna Thompson

"My feet are off the ground!"




I received this message this morning in my inbox. I usually don't respond to mass emails ( I know my friends just love hearing that ). But every once in a while one slips through that speaks to my soul ( thanks Fran ). The message was so powerful that I had to share . This is a letter from Tyler Perry ( of Madea fame ). If after reading this message you do not change the way you think about things, or thank God for unconditional grace and favor, then I'm not sure what to say. So many times we complain about such minor, stupid stuff that we miss the big picture. God placed us on earth for a higher purpose. My friend Kelli reminded me of that this weekend. You can read her families story here. And while you are at it please remember to support cancer research ( and not just during pink month ).

PS: I know this message is a little long, but I promise you it will be worth the read.

Here is the story ( hope you feel as blessed by it as I was ):

This morning I awoke and was so frustrated about all of the stuff that I'm dealing with in trying to get this studio open. I was about to open my mouth and start complaining when I remembered something that happened to me about a year ago.

I was walking to my car when this woman who appeared to be homeless started walking towards me. I'm ashamed to say this but I thought, "I don't feel like being hustled today." Then I got quickly convicted. I felt guilty so I started digging in my pocket for some money. As she got closer I noticed that she had the kindest eyes that I had ever seen. As I was reaching into my pocket she started to speak. I
thought, "Here goes the sales pitch". She said "Excuse me sir, I need some shoes. Can you help me?" My eyes filled with water because I remember being out on the streets and having only one pair of run over shoes. I was taken aback for a second.

I took her inside the studio and had my wardrobe people find shoes in her size. As she put the shoes on she started crying, praising God and thanking Jesus, and saying, "My feet are off the ground! My feet are off the ground!" Several of the wardrobe people started crying. I was crying. But I never forgot those word. "My feet are off the ground!"

I thought, "Wow! All she wanted was some shoes." She quickly disappeared and never asked me for a dime. I realized that I still had the money in my hand so I went out looking for her. She was gone just that quick so I looked all around the neighborhood for her. I found her standing on a corner looking down at her shoes, still crying. I was so touched. I asked her how she had gotten homeless. She told me
that she had AIDS and that she was waiting to get into a shelter. She said that her family had turned their backs on her and that she had no place to go, but she knew that God would make a way for her. I said to myself, "He just did." Her faith and her praise moved me.

I took her to a nearby hotel and put her up until she was able to get on her feet. I had someone that worked for me to check on her from time to time and to make sure that she had food and clothes. After about a month or so we lost touch, but I never forgot her.

This past summer I was shooting "Daddy's Little Girls" and this woman walks up to me smiling. I didn't recognize her face, but her eyes were familiar. She had on a really nice dress and her hair was done. It was her! She told me that the little help that I had given her had changed her life. She was in a house now and doing very well.

I said all of that to say this. After I met this woman, every time I
think about complaining and mumbling I remember, "My feet are off the ground!"

I wanted to share this with you just to let you know that when I say
that I am thankful for you, I mean it. And when I say that you are a
blessing to me, I mean it. We take so much for granted sometimes that....I just wanted all of you to know that I am grateful to God for you
everyday. Thank you for being in my life.

TP



My message to you today is "Don't sweat the small stuff" . When you start to feel as if life is tearing you down, think back to this story....then pick yourself up, dust yourself off and go out and be a blessing to someone. I promise you...your problems and issues will start to seem insignificant and small in comparison. Believe me...I received the message loud and clear. My feet are off the ground.

Imagine






Nothing in the world is accomplished without passion. Monique and her staff are positive proof of this. Its about soo much more then scrapbooking. Even last year when I heard from people who went and how it inspired them, in many cases how it changed their life...I never expected it would change mine or impact it in the way that it has. Its opened my eyes to so many new things. So many dreams that I have been afraid to pursue....I now wonder why it has taken me so long to catch the vision. I think its even impacted my husbands life......he has dreamed of starting his own business for years.He would pick up odd jobs here and there ( in addition to his regular job and his position as Youth Leader at our church ). But I don't think either of us ever saw the bigpicture ( pardon the pun ). So many ladies asked me what he did while Nicki and I were away at the event. He spent a lot of time with our friend Mike who owns his own business. Any of you ladies in Bama ever need some help with your air conditioning units please let me know and I will send my friend over ( he really is the best). Anyway I digress...Marc spent a lot of time with Mike talking about how to expand his telecommunications business, he also spent a lot of time just relaxing and enjoying a few days off without any pressures ( if you heard our story you understand that this was something he really needed ). I also think he saw my dreams in a new light this weekend....in great part do to Monique and Jer. Thank you guys. You confirmed some things about partnership to both of us. I remember last year Mo said she hoped that women would come to this event and be inspired. Well, I can't speak for others but your request came in loud and clear to my husband and me. So if you need a little inspiration....be watching this site because next year I plan to be in AL at Scrap Etc 2008 and I am hoping that I will see you there.

Its the little things that count....








Thank you so much for my special gifts ( Izzy, Nan, Mary, Kay, Melinda, Amy, Carol, and so many more. And a special shout out to all the ladies that participated in the card swap.....these are the true treasures from this weekends event ). The book at the top was my autograph album....not so much for the teachers who came but for the many women I bonded with this past week and over the last few months. You are what made this trip so extra special.

Scrap Etc the Store









This store is awesome, out of this world....mad, crazy....awesome. I soo wish I lived in Bama just for this store ( not that I don't love my friends ). And Mo always has such great promotions. And would you look at that Heidi Swapp wall. Just awesome.

My Pride and Joy ( well with the exception of my kids ).



This little green planner will be in my possession at all times (lol). I can't wait to really put it to work. Sunday morning we were suppose to leave at 8 am to return home. My nose decided to bleed instead. It was closer to 11 am before we hit the road. Well guess where I went before leaving town? Things happen for a reason....thanks to that delay I was able to pick up the binder to store all of my extra guts in. I'm so glad now that I picked it up. I didn't realize how much extra comes in the insert packs. I also signed up for Robin's Bigpicture Scrapbooking class...so a lot of the page inserts actually made sense to me. And I'm trying really hard to apply the principles of being organised to my life......if it does not add value....why am I keeping it? Definitely food for thought.

Hambly and Creative Imaginations



The only other non HS or Memory Dock products I splurged on.

Did you know I "Heart" Heidi Swapp Products?







Well now you know (lol). Most of my money ( including eating money ) went towards Heidi S stuff and Memory Dock products. Monique has a wall with just HS stuff.....I probably left drool everytime I visited.

Make and Takes



The night of the Rave there were booths set up where you could do a make and take. Fontwerks had a cool button station....I tell you Nicki spent a large portion of the night there (may have to find that girl a button maker). Hambly had a cool booth set up where you made a mini book, Junkitz had a 12x12 layout, A2Z had the most adorable accordion album made out of a folder, and there was another booth with a cute mini notebook that I can't recall the name of.

The Free Stuff







Tell the truth, this is what you have been waiting for? Monique had some great sponsors ( way to many to name ). After each class we were given a ticket to go to a booth to receive some free product. There were also giveaways at the end of each class. Sometimes there were even freebies given out at the store. If you have not figured it out by now....this event "Rocked".

The Scrap Etc Gals













Need I say more?

The Photo Booth Man





Besides my hubby and maybe Jer this has got to have been the most patient man there this weekend. He never once lifted an eyebrow, or loss his cool when a bunch of crazy women hogged the booth. Even when the machine chewed up our pics he simple reset the machine and let us in again. At one point Nicki and I lost a picture ( I swear that machine did not like us )and he promised that if he could find it he would save it for us. The next day he had the picture waiting for us as promised.

Lynn this one is for you (smile)



You and your friend made me feel so special. I never thought much about the fact that there were people out there who read my blog on a regular basis. Now I know differently. I hope that when you come here I inspire you in some small way...I can tell you that this weekend you inspired me. God's blessings to each of you. Drop me a line sometime I would love to hear from you.

My Bestfriend Cass





None of this would have been possible without the hospitality of my girlfriend and her family. On Saturday they brought Nicki and I lunch ( yeah for Chick Fil-A ). Each morning there was a breakfast snack waiting for us, and dinner each evening. My goddaughter even commented on the fact that it would make no sense to stay at a expensive hotel when we could stay with them (lol). After we finished eating we took pics at the photo spots Mo and the girls had set up.....and even a few in the booth. We enjoyed being able to spend just a little time together. It was very hard not having Cass with me. I am hoping next year that we will both be there. I never in a million years thought that Alabama would hold such a high place in my heart. There are so many reasons now that it does.

Allison Tyler Jones






Allison's class was not what I expected. It was even better. I knew this was the one class that Nicki would be looking forward to. She has been showing an interest in photography for some time ( she is waiting patiently to get her hands on my camera). The funny thing is that I actually met Allison the night before, I even took a picture with her along with another group of ladies. Anyway, it was not until the next day when I realized I had been standing beside Allison Tyler Jones. Allison gave us some great info and she entertained ( all of the components for a great speaker ). This girl is funny. If you don't believe me just ask Melita (lol). She laughed so hard she started crying. I am searching right now for Allison's book so that Nicki and I can read it from cover to cover. It sold out at Scrap Etc. All in all it was a great way to end the event classes.

Virginia was in the House



Ok its a shame when you have to go all the way to Bama to meet up with people who live in your very own backwoods (lol).

Heather Preckel





This was my favorite class. And Heather has such a sweet spirit. You can tell a natural born teacher by the way people respond. Anytime we had questions either Heather or one of the IT girls would be right there ready and willing to offer help. Rhonda and Lee Ellen were life savers. I actually got to meet Heather the night before at the make and take session Rave Night ( I loved that project also ) anyway, Heather commented on my flower pens that I had been giving out...I told her it was here pen anyway...you should have seen her face. You would have thought I had given her gold. The next day she remembered me and thanked me again for the pen. She really was a sweet person.