What I did this weekend...................

In the midst of the end of year hub-bub and holiday craziness, I needed to take time out to refocus my energy and attention to a birthday party for my daughter who turned 14 years. whew, that's over!

We started decorating Christmas balls with fine art glitter (www.ladeda.com) as the kids arrived so they'd be dry by the time the party was over (and to keep them out of the goodie bags!) Then we opened the gifts, I'm pretty sure her favorite was the air-soft gun and gear from her best cousins: Chris, AJ and Erik. Then we pigged out on cake and the kids were off to play! (Wine was uncorked at this point) There was only 1 sleep over this year and the birthday was a success! whew another year................................(adhesive by Scotch: Quick Dry Tacky Adhesive)

The cake was GORGEOUS and YUMMY too! Created by my BFF Donna Morin who is available locally to create cakes to order. djmorin05@gmail.com THANKS DONNA! it was awesome.

YES, I was shaking!

Which is why this fantastic photo isn't as perfect as she is. Can you blame me? This is the first game of the season and my 13 yo daughter is a STARTER for the Sanford Jr. High Football team. She's AWESOME. I'm so proud of her, but as a Mom, it gets my blood pressure up with worry. It was the same when Jared played too. The close- up photo was taken AFTER the game was finished, Sanford won!! woohoo!

Gone to Aruba!

If you've tried to email or call me, I am GONE TO ARUBA! I will return on October 1st, 2007

Help A Starving Artist, ME!

I am a dinosaur, pushing 45 years old in a young and technical world that has pixels and bits spilling all over my paper and ink. I NEED A NEW PROGRAM, but I can't really afford one. Think I'm kidding about being a dinosaur? I am very proficient in Ulead Photo Express and have used it fluently for all of my digi needs so far. I've heard CS3 will help me alter my very artistically created but scanned background papers and bring them into this century, but all I have is CS2 and I can't seem to get it to do what I want! grrrrrrrr. I need to have a best friend that can wholesale for me, OR perhaps you know someone at the company that would love to offer me a "Designer Copy" to use and publicize for them? please help a starving artist :o) I'll make you pretty things.

HAPPY HAPPY JULY!

Welcome July! Yesterday was the postmark deadline for mailing entries to the Cards For Soldiers Contest, I am expecting two packages from Canada and when they both arrive, I will assume that all entries that were sent have arrived as I have not received any emails to the contrary.

I LOVE JULY- for many reasons. (1) It's finally getting warm enough here in Maine to not wear socks everyday, but still sometimes at night. (2) The fourth of July celebrations make my heart swell with patriotism and pride, I am a patriot through out the entire year, but during this time I don't stand out so much as being peculiar, and I have lots of people celebrating WITH me. (3) it's my birthday month! woohoo, I will be in Chicago for CHA on my birthday this year-how fun is that? (4) July is right in the middle-- no more end of school activities, and it's too early to go school shopping! it's the perfect time to relax..........................

So much for that, I'm busy with CHA!!

Other new stuff: I am now a designer for Frances Meyer! Very exciting, such an amazing company (ChartPak) with fine art supplies and trendy products too.

GET READY: for Spellbinders new releases!! You are going to be completely dazzled with what they have designed for Summer CHA, don't miss it; stop by and see what the Wizard can do, the new dies and coordinating rubber stamps.

Ranger U-Perfect Pearls Certification was amazing! we learned over 30 perfect pearls techniques that bring glitz and bling to my art. I cannot wait to incorporate some of these (with my own twist of course :o) into some of my new classes and projects. Check these out:




And I learned how to change a flat tire on the way home!
I've been so busy, I'll come back and post more later.


I am wishing you a very happy and safe holiday with your families,
Cheers!

BeckyC

I'm a grammy!

Please welcome my Grand Daughter, Ryan Terra Conley into this world. She was born Tuesday evening at 5:59 pm, weighing in at 8 lbs even, measuring 21 inches. She's Perfect! I know what you're thinking, I'm too young to be a grammy! That's what I told my 17 year old son too but don't feel too badly for me, being a grammy doesn't make me feel any older as I thought it would, I actually feel younger than I have in a long time!!

HELP MY NEIGHBORS

I am at a loss, my neighbor is in serious trouble and I want to help them.

They have 4 children.
Boy 17 years, Boy 14 years, Girl 11, Girl 4

The 11 year old girl has a serious case of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), her specific case is about germs. She washes so much her skin is wearing off and she won't eat anything because she's afraid it's contaminated. The Mom has had to quit her job (nurse) to be at home with her constantly, she's losing weight and getting sick and it's affecting the other kids, the entire family of course. The Dad is a Marine Patrol Officer, you'd think a government employee would have decent health benefits right? well, his insurance doesn't cover anything to do w/ OCD, too much phsycology involved or something to that affect.

She has been to two appts. in Boston that totalled over $1700.00, with Mom out of work and no insurance coverage, Christmas will be dismall and the length of the affliction/treatment is unknown at this time. They were able to borrow money from a coworker to pay for the first 2 appts.

I am contacting the Chamber of Commerce to address a few local support groups such as Kiwanis and Elks, Toys for Tots etc. It's a bit close to Christmas to plan a benefit, but I'll do something after the new year, or CHA. whew. busy busy.

if you would like to help with paypal donations: (Credit Cards Accepted)
helpthestevensons@keepsakedesigns.biz

if you want to send gifts for the children for Christmas, PM becky@keepsakedesigns.biz and I'll send you the address.

I know you don't know me from Adam and there are always questions about authenticity, I've been scammed on such a thing myself actually, sent 6 boxes of relief only to have them refused/not deliverable!! (because I'm leery to send cash to unknown people I meet on cyberspace) I will post follow up info here for you to monitor, and send thank you notes etc. After I talk w/ them I'll see how they feel about some family pics on the internet.
Thanks so much for visiting the blog today (woohoo double posting today) and please help if you can, any donation is greatly appreciated.
BeckyC

A Thanksgiving Rememberance

Please enjoy this Thanksgiving Rememberance

Autumn in Maine

Autumn here in Maine is one of the most brilliant experiences imaginable. The harvest festivals are in full swing, the fairgrounds are busy and the craft fair season begins. The foliage draws spectators from around the world to view it's magnificent appearance. For me, it also means RETREAT time is here! This photo was taken at last year's retreat at the Kenniston Hill Inn, Boothbay, Maine. The Inn keepers, Jim and Geri know how to treat us neglected ladies with fine food and service, clean quaint rooms and a double dose of hospitality. I can't wait!

Another photo taken at retreat last year has become DH's CU Security "Happy Thanksgiving" cards that he sends to all customers and vendors to thank them for their business and support.

I'm also busy (in shifts) wrapping the candybars with labels for my husbands security company. We get over 400 trick or treaters, so if we wrap them with a "Happy Halloween" from CU Security, it's advertising.


Meanwhile, I should be working but I'm goofing with my UTEE today. I made myself a new magnet. (I'm a fridge magnet addict.) I just LOVE Halloween, decorating, dressing up, giving away candy......... how can anything be more fun than that?

The magnet was made by melting black and clear UTEE in the melting pot with some Flex then pouring it onto the heat resistent mat and cutting it with a shaped cookie cutter and dropping a large red acrylic rhinestone into the body while it was still soft. I had to secure the magnet and rhinestone with E6000 adhesive after it cooled.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO YOU! I'll check in after retreat.

Mom Turns 60!

I went to Rumford this Sunday for my Mother's 60th birthday party!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MA!
Here she is about to get some help blowing out her birthday candles. The candles were relit 4 times so each small child could have a turn helping grammy blow out her candles.

Babies were everywhere! :o) Our family is really growing.
The party was at my sister, Marcie's house. She throws a great party! Thanks, Marcie!

Here is the Birthday Card I made for her with instructions for you to make one too! You can find that cool Ivy Cardstock on my website, it's my design www.keepsakedesigns.biz

BIRTHDAY BOUQUET CARD

1. Stamp the Angel Company’s butterfly image with Versamark pigment onto black cardstock and emboss with gold powder and cut out.
2. Brush the wings with Pearlex Pigment Powder. Apply teal to the outside edges then fill in with purple. Spray with sealant.
3. Coil thin wire into a tight spiral and glue to the center as the body. Embellish the body and tips of wings with teal and dark blue Stickles. Let dry.
4. Use a spray adhesive to glue two pieces of Ivy patterned cardstock (Keepsake Designs) back to back. Cut a 10-inch circle of the double Ivy cardstock.
5. Glue a 10-inch paper lace doily to the center of the circle of cardstock. Place the project doily side down.
6 Score the circle to fold easier. Fold the bottom of the circle up about one inch, and then fold the sides in at an angle, overlapping slightly. Use a scoring mat with a measuring grid to help keep the angles balanced and straight.
7. Affix random fabric flowers to the top of the card with large brads and snaps. Add dots of brown and yellow permanent marker to the brads as desired.
8.Affix the butterfly to the center of a flower using dimensional tape in the center only, fold the wings up..
9. Place an eyelet on the left and right flap about one inch from the edge and tie a bow with blue ribbon.
10. Tie a round metal-rimmed tag to the bow and add a sentiment (Magic Scraps Birthday Flair Button).
11. Include a sentiment or note inside the card.

WISH ME LUCK!
Ranger makes it's DT decision this week, do a dance and say a prayer for me. THANKS. Until next time, Becky

Wrapping Up The Summer

Around here, things get hectic with the back to school shuffle. The recreation comes to a screaming halt when we find ourselves scrambling to get the clothes shopping done, school supplies updated and still try to fit in "one more fun thing" before the weather goes bad.
Too late, the weather is bad. Cool and wet.

It's been eventful; I have blogs elsewhere but seem to find myself here for other blogs so I figured I should get connected. My HGTV segment aired on Aug 23, 2006; I was so nervous and it took forever, but I was happy with the results. You can view the projects with instructions and still shots here: http://tinyurl.com/fen35

I attended Ranger Industries trainging for Melt Art this month! Me & Suze Weinberg in the photo. Come back here soon, I'll be sharing all of the fabulous techniques I learned while I was there.

Now I'm gearing up for Fall Classes to start, I'm teaching intermediate scrapbooking classes at Massabesic Adult Ed. http://www.maceplace.org/ArtCraft.htm (Waterboro, Maine)
** please check the class dates, they are NOT in order** and a one-day workshop in Lebanon in November, more details to follow.

Until next time...........................................

keep the art going.....................