Who Knew???

     This is my son Ian and my friend Laura's daughter Elizabeth with the Set List from Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes concert in Glenside PA last night.  My friend kept on saying "Who would of thought we would be taking our children to see our favorite band from when we were in high school".   Definitely  a big treat.  My son just can't watch the concert and enjoy it----which we all did.  He has to go the extra mile to have conversations with band members get them all to sign his set list and get this great picture with his mom, friends and Southside.  
   This is me on the left next to Southside Johnny my friends Laura Meshcio and Jenny Smock.  I am telling Southside how 30 years ago my friends and I took a train to Red Bank to the Monmouth Arts Center to see him and the Jukes play.  Back then the thrill was Springsteen would join the Jukes for an encore.  Now, the thrill of the end of the show was meeting Southside and he was nice enough to join us for a picture.  Who Knew???

After Thanksgiving Shopping

      I slept in on Black Friday!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't go near a mall!!!!!!!!!!!  Wishes do come true.  I did run out of coffee and the only place I can find it is Target.  But, no lines and I did get some great movies for $3.98.

      Saturday was a great day.  My friend Zandra picked me up and Ralene joined us for a trip to the closest scrapbook store.  It is about an hour away.  We started off at a huge garage sale.  I scored  a bunch of lily of the valley flowers and white buttons.  At Scrapper's Cove there was a sale and Make and Takes.  We were able to make about 4 tags using different techniques and taking them home for Free.  Thanks......that was fun.  I bought some of the new sticky canvas paper from Ranger and a giga round scallop punch.  Can't wait to use them.

Great Thanksgiving Memories

Well, this is Homecoming game before halftime.  We went into halftime with the game tied.  We ended up winning in overtime against Wall our rival  45-38
     This is how a Jersey Girl starts Thanksgiving day.  This is Alan Clayton (one of a total of 9 siblings who all still live in the area) and my husband with the blue cup.  It is a feast of pork roll sandwiches cooked outside on a grill.  There was a line of about 15 people all morning. This has been a tradition for as long as I can remember.  
      After all this fun we went home to the turkey which was almost done.   My mom, aunt, cousin and brother joined us at our house for a delicious dinner. We all expressed our gratitude for what we our thankful for and hopeful for the future.

Hometown Thanksgiving

Our town has a parade Thanksgiving Eve.  The big Thanksgiving game is their Homecoming game.  There is a bonfire that follows.  It brings back a lot of memories of going to the parade in High School.  I can't believe it is my children's last parade.  I am so proud of my son.  He is the drum major.  He is the one in the white pants.  It is amazing and exciting to see him leading the band.  I can't really put into words what I'm feeling.  One thing I do know, I am so glad to have time to really enjoy this.  I have baked a pumpkin pie, chocolate pecan pie, two batches of shortbread and put a broccoli casserole in the fridge.  This is a nice pace compared to working and trying to fit all this in.   Anyway, a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. 

Dancing with Stars

I am sitting here watching Good Morning America.  The top three were just dancing and I am

sitting here with a big smile on my face.  I hate when a show is over and I'll miss it for a while.  That is one part of work I miss too.  I used to love going in the next morning and talk to my co-workers about the show the night before.  I guess blogging is my new substitute for that.  I am off to do my dance to get ready for Thanksgiving.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving,,,,,gobble gobble!!!!

Portfolio Day

My daughter's portfolio day was overwhelming.  It was about an hour drive and we arrived early.  We thought 20 minutes early would give us enough time.  Well, the line inside was so long they put us outside with big windows.  So, not until you could see the other line go in and make new lines at all the tables with the colleges we were let in.   It  probably was another half hour waiting at one college before they looked at her portfolio.  We were able to have a total of eight colleges look at her work.  Most of all what she took away was a lot of positive input and she has to include perspective and a still life in her portfolio.  She is now working on that so when she applies to these schools she is prepared.  I am very proud of her.  After 4 hours she remained very positive and receptive to anything the colleges said --good or bad.  Above is a little peek of her work.  I think she was influenced by Somerset Magazines.  She loves to do a lot of collage.  

Homecoming Weekend

Last weekend was all about me.  This weekend it was all about Kaylyn and Ian, my seventeen year old twins.  My daughter had about 15 friends over with their parents coming to take pictures here on Friday night.  I did get this picture of the two of them before my son ran off to his date's house for pictures.  The mirror on the mantel is a special touch my husband put in,  but it is tough with pictures--the flash would reflect back.  Luckily some of the boys were pretty tall to block the reflection.  Saturday their high school's football team was in the playoffs.  It was freezing--around 31 degrees and it was windy on top of that.  I really wanted to leave after watching my son perform with the band at half time, but it was a good game.  We stayed until the bitter end.  The score 21-20.  We won.  It was a home game.  It was a great celebration.  So, their homecoming game will be Thanksgiving with a state championship game at Rutgers the first weekend of December.  I need a new hat and mittens to take in these games.

Sunday, I took my daughter to Philadelphia for portfolio day.  I will have to talk about that tomorrow.  I am exhausted.  Even more tired than after Silver Bella, if that is possible.

Sweetness Awards

This Lisa Kettell
I don't have a picture of Pam Kern, but this picture represents why she has won my first Sweetness Award.  Both Lisa Kettell and Pam Kern ended up being answered prayers.  They are reasons why you come to an event like Silver Bella.   I described Silver Bella as being sweet.  From listening to Teresa in person for the first time I think she sets the tone---she is sweet.  She even called me a peach--I was like meeee???? Anyway for the first time I attended an event without my good friend Zandra.  We went to Creative Escape together the last two years. I came in feeling a little lonely,   I have to say now Carol Wingert and Pam deserve Sweetness awards too.  They were so kind and made me feel so comfortable at Thursday night's workshop.  I told you already I was excited to some embroidery---it was fun.  The next morning I had Rebecca Sower's class with the embellished bracelets.  You know she could get a Sweetness award too.  Anyway I was having a hard time threading the needle I was feeling a little frustrated.   Then the lunch thing happened--late for next class--oh my.  Brought a frame too big for project---But listened to Kim Kwan go around the room admiring everyone's creations.  Remembering the night before how she came to everyone's table to make sure everyone was having fun.   Sweetness Award--for sure.  OK last class of the day with Rebecca Sower.  I sat down determined to finish a project.  It's a prayer collage perfect to give my mom for Christmas.  I get the kit-----oh my  more sewing.  ohhhh I borrowed a needle from Carol Wingert the night before.   It's ok  I'll glue now--sew later.  Then Pam Kern who is sitting next to me says help yourself--I have these.  These are threaded needles!!!!!!!!!! I swear I heard Angels sing..........It was a dream come true.  I finished the project......yea!!!  Later that evening Pam Kern presented me with my very own box of threaded needles.  You just have no idea what that meant to me.  Vendor Faire----what Vendor Faire I better get back to my booth.  I know I set up a booth to sell -- I sold I bought I sold I bought......I love Jenni Bowlin and was able to find her booth twice.  She is sweet too mmmm.....Ok Sweetness Award.   I was disappointed I didn't see Sally Jean.  I really wanted a necklace.........Pam said she's there in the other corner-----Yes.......Oh please let there be an initial G, I have been spending so much time away from my booth already....No G.....it's ok there is an eiffel tower.....oh wait there is a bigger one.....I turn it around it is a G OK I AM doing a happy dance now.  And Sally Jean is really sweet and talks to me,  OMG this can't be happening I was looking at pages and pages of her studio on the plane here and were having a conversation---SWEET!!!!  How many Sweetness Awards do I have???? I have to talk about Saturday too.   No morning class--slept in--SWEET.  Lunch with Chocolate cake and listening to Mary Engelbreit......Oh My......More classes with ribbons, buttons and baubles....Oh My!  I went on to Charlotte Lyons.  She is a dear....I loved her stories and she was really dear and I'm sorry she was sweet.....Sweetness Award.   Oh no.......the last class.....say it isn't so.   Oh I walk in and it is Pam Garrison's class and yesssss she has her booth from last night.  I was kicking myself for not buying anything.  I picked out my perfect something and sat down.  I was thinking does this really have to end......then I look up at Lisa Kettel and look how she is glowing.  Why wouldn't she be.  Someone had just presented her with a crown for her birthday.  I had to take a picture.  She represents all the happy bellas out there.  I never met her before.  I realized I did visit her blog two days before I left for Silver Bella.   Are you from New Jersey?? She says yes---I think I hear angels singing again.  The fairy tale doesn't have to be over.  I have just met someone who gets me and I get her........Sweet.    Carolyn Peeler I was not in one of your classes---thought I was.  You were sweet too.  You came right up to me and introduced yourself and said we rhyme Geralyn and Carolyn.   I made tags to give everyone at the event on the back it said Sweet Memories of Silver Bella.  Little did I know how true those words would turn out.  I would love to hear about your sweet memories of Silver Bella.  Please share with me---I don't want this experience to end quite yet.

Sweetness Awards

Inspiration Board Makeover

This is Inspiration Board before the Makeover
This is my Inspiration Board after Silver Bella--I love it !!!!   It's all ready for Santa!  Don't you love that new magazine "Where Women Create".   I Love to look how everyone keeps their stash.  Mine is usually still in the bag I brought home for awhile.  I just couldn't wait to take everything out and look at it.  Now I'll be able to see it all everyday.

Back to Jersey

My last day in Omaha was great.  I did get to Old Market.  I am so glad I collect paper.  My suitcases were already full of all sorts of goodies.  I was able to buy some great greetings from folder postcards, buttons---I really didn't expect to find any in a town that Princess Lazertron hailed from, some sweet valentines, and some sheet music.  I really enjoyed our trip.  My husband even mentioned going back.  He loved the zoo and the casino kept him occupied.  Our flights home were smooth--even got home early.  I can't wait to blog surf tomorrow and look at everyone's pictures from a great weekend escape---It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Vendor Faire At Silver Bella

This is what my booth looked like--if you were there and you are reading this--Please leave me a comment and say hello!!!
Look at all this talent at Silver Bella's vendor Faire......Sweet--Right?

Greetings from Silver Bella

This is what I read on the plane.
The classes, the workshop, the talented teachers, the shops at vendor faire, the talented bellas I met.....you got me at the goody bag.  This event was everything I expected and more.  I am so thankful I was able to attend Silver Bella.  I have been collecting victorian papers for about 20 years.  Looking through magazines including Victoria, Home Companion and anything Somerset magazine produces.  This was a dream come true to see and meet these amazing artists and their creations in person.  The first thing I am going to do when I get home is set up my mess of an inspiration board (I am sharing that with you on my banner).  After I greet my children who I did miss very much.  I hope to share some pictures of the projects I made at this event.  Most of all I can't wait to set up an internet shop.  I woke up this morning feeling like a little girl again.  Mmmm I want a Lolly Shop.  My word before I left Shine, today it is Sweet.  Everyone and everything I encountered at Silver Bella -----SWEET!!!!!!

Ready to go to Silver Bella

I have a hard time with the pictures and where to add them.  So......I decided to try it again and give you a peek to what I am bringing to Silver Bella.  This is my word for next year.  My favorite moments lately is watching my children shine.  All of their hard work is paying off.  I also feel blessed I have my moment to shine at Silver Bella.  Well. I have to pack my clothes and  get this house to shine.  I still have to vacuum up all that glitter.

Countdown to Silver Bella

I am having so much fun creating for Silver Bella. I now have to gather together and make sure I don't forget anything. I can't wait to see everything and everyone in person. Viewing all the blogs is so exciting and a little intimidating---everyone is just so talented. I am glad we are doing an embroidery project for our first workshop. I used to love embroidery, but I haven't tried anything in probably 20 years. I attended my niece's baby shower today. Ahhhh new life nothing is more exciting than that. She looks great and is due in January. I am hoping to get in a trip up to Rhode Island to look at colleges with the twins and a visit with her.