Bowling Green, Kentucky...

is where we will be moving to very soon. So, I thought I would share some of the things we have learned about the new City and State we will be moving to.

1. Forbes Magazine's 2008 ranking of Bowling Green for industry location, and expansion, in cities of its size.

2. Bowling Green is ranked in the top 4% of Kentucky Communities for the number of residents who walk or bike to work.

3. Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green.

4. 54,244 ~Bowling Green's estimated population, 2007 (U.S. Census Bureau)

5. Studio Calico is located in Bowling Green. (yippee)

6. The cost of living is less than the national average.

7. National Geographic Adventure Magazine has described Bowling Green, the center of the region, as a place that "could inspire a complete and total life change."

8. Housing costs that are 20.6% lower than the national average.

9. Award winning public school districts.

10. Unemployment rate is 2.1%.

11. Historic Town and Country Homes (Victorian Era)

12. The state of Kentucky and Bowling Green was occupied by both the South and North during the war between the states. (Civil War)

13. One hour from Nashville, Tennessee.

14. Local Artisans, Theatre, Music, and Festivals year round.

15. National Geographic Adventure recently rated Bowling Green one of the 50 best places to live in the United States.

16. National Geographic Adventure touts, "ideal mix of terrain, activity, and opportunity."

17. NO TRAFFIC!

Well, I simply could go on an on...but you can google Bowling Green and get a since where we are headed on our next adventure in life.

So now you know....we are moving!

The Jig is up and the News is OUT!

Yes, it's true. We are moving. WOW! I just thought that I was placing roots finally in my life. As an army brat I moved all the time and it continued until I met my husband and we married. Coming home from a funeral last week we got "the call" from his boss on his cell phone...the "Company is MOVING!" He simply did not want my husband to be alarmed when returning to work the next day. We have been busy searching all the information we can about our new town and the state. It will be harder for my husband to move than myself. He has lived in our area since the early 1970's. But still, this is home for us. So, I was inspired by the CHA ad/poster to create this layout, "Our Town."

I really like the Studio Calico exclusive paper along with the Crate Paper for this design. The Prima goodies just add that special something.

This just goes to show you...in this day and time with the economy the way it is...No ONE is safe from CHANGE!

Another goodbye...

Yes, we said goodbye to my son in December right before Christmas and I used the Art Freckles January Kit and black/white photos to scrap the moment my heart once again said goodbye.

I really enjoyed creating this layout and used my Cricut to create hearts from cardstock.

CHA officially starts today and boy, I wish I were there!

Don't you wish you were there for the excitement?

Sweetheart Card and Doodling

I created this card using the Art Freckles January Kit. I really love the die cut bird and I just could not resist doodling on it and using Versamark with the "love you" stamp on the envelope.

St. Valentine's Day is just around the corner. What are you creating by hand?

Big Day Today...

Our country is ushering in a new President at Noon today and the country and media are buzzing all over...

I too am buzzing. But not about the impending inauguration of our new President. I recently made the design team for Art Freckles and when I received January's kit- Love n' Lollipops; I was extremely excited to get to work. Over the next few days I will be sharing what I created with the contents of the kit that is, by the way, SOLD OUT!...I truly believe this is one of the best kit clubs for the money. Lots of paper, embellishments, and cardstock. So, without further ado...here is my first layout with the January Kit.

I also want to take a "sidebar" here and say, THANK YOU to all of my creative friends here online that read my other blog, Bliss of the Unknown
and I appreciate the emails that I received with my post a few days ago. I promise to respond when I get a chance. This week is a busy week for me personally (funeral/wake/memorial) and promise to be more attentive to your emails next week and respond. Again, thank you.

Cold here in the Southeast...

The arctic blast from Canada has reached the Southeast. It's just crazy. It was so warm last week that my crocus have started to bud and they usually do not come up until February. But, the little "yellows" are definitely showing themselves. They say this is the coldest temperatures we have had in almost 6 years. Windchill temperatures will be estimated to be in the single digits by morning. WOW! However, I am finally settling into my regular routine. I have been doing lots of scrapping here lately and I am finding that I am using my stash. So, I find challenges that help me do this and recently over at Bad Girls there was a challenge where you had to incorporate the following

1. An Owl or a Bird

2. Anything with Glitter

3. Flowers

4. Any kind of Frame

5. Lace

6. At least 3 different types of Patterned Paper

So, here is my creation using the above ingredients...

It is just great fun to use up some of my goodies and make room to purchase more.

The View from my Scraproom...

The View

It's no secret that I am an early bird. This was not the case in my "younger" years. I get up way before dawn and have my TAWG then get on the computer and breeze through my email and go to specific websites that are my favorite. I check in with my son over in Iraq via email and sometimes I find the silence to give me great solace. I believe that the DAWN is God's moment and I always try to view the colors of a new day.

I took these photos on the Dawn of January 1, 2009. This is the morning break view from my scraproom. It is a glorious site and it changes from season to season and I really like watching the sun brighten the day.

I often wonder what other people notice about the dawning of new days. Are they hurried and rushed or is there this moment of complete awe and thanks? I am always in awe of a new day. It means life is continuing whether or not there are trials and tribulations or wonderful celebration. I am looking forward to this new year no matter what the journey unfolds. So, do you think to find the sunrise in the morning? Ever thought of the silence? It can be deafening but for just one minute lay all your burdens and chores away and take in the majestic glory of HIS handiwork.

What is the view from your scraproom?

Resolutions Anyone?

That's All

I am SO not a "Resolution" person. But I went to Studio Calico's Blog this morning and was challenged to scrap my "Resolutions." So, keeping in mind that I am a "list" and "goal" setter that I in fact could scrap this and display it where I am reminded daily of my goals for 2009. These goals are obtainable and are specific to just "me." I know I can do this!

Scrappy Sunday...

I have been busy creating today in my scrap room. The weather has been dreary for so long that I now believe my eyes can see through the fog! I created more ATC's today and I was so darned proud of them and went back to Art Freckles to show my latest creation for the swap. I read the first post and realized..."OOOPS" all 5 have a different embellishment we were to use. So, back to the drawing board. I will send these as well considering I made these ATC's for the participants anyway. Go figure....I guess I should read ALL of the print next time! LOL

Art Freckles is a new kit club and I am really enjoying the boards right now. I do not feel overwhelmed or feel like I am missing anything and the inspiration is great. I invite you to check Art Freckles out and join in for an upcoming contest. All of the information is posted on the message board and the deadline for sign ups is January 15th. Hey, it does not cost anything because the theme is based on YOUR STASH! Speaking of Art Freckles, here is my latest layout I created for a challenge using felt. Sorry for the quality of photo but lately the rain and no sun take a toll on natural lighting. Thanks for looking and I hope to see you around Art Freckles!

New Addiction in Creating...

Yes, I am addicted to creating ATC's (Artist Trading Cards). I created these 10 cards for a swap I am in and I changed each one just a little to make them exclusively original for the owners. I hope to be collecting these myself from artists all over this year. They are fun to create and quite frankly...it is a great way use up my stash of goodies.

I have been scrapping more simple pages this weekend for my son's book. He prefers "simple" layouts or as he would say, "manly." But of course, I had to create a few for me and here is an example of one of my recent layouts from this weekend.

Well, the Winter Break is almost over for our family and we will be back into our regular routines this coming week. I am looking forward to slowing down a bit and getting back to my daily creating and time alone.

I hope your New Year has gotten off to a great start!

I have FRECKLES!

Yep, FRECKLES can be a very attractive thing to have. Morgan Freeman has freckles and so does Sissy Spacek. Heck, FRECKLES are everywhere! When I was growing up my uncle had a Cocker Spaniel named "Freckles" as well. But I am not talking about those cute little accents where the sun has kissed us and left its mark on our skin...

I am talking about ART FRECKLES! Yes, I have them. I am proud to be the new Design Team Member at Art Freckles.

So, be sure to check out the Art Freckles Blog

and the Art Freckles Website