Look what I did!

I made this on Smilebox. I never tried this before. It is so cute. Of course I am just using the free program and have not signed up for the monthly fee deal where you get to burn DVD's etc. I thought this was cute!

This scrapbook design created with Smilebox

Where Have I Been?

I haven't posted anything crafty lately because I haven't had any time to do anything crafty! May has been a whirlwind of activity! Besides being a very busy time at school with all of the end of the year activities, my son graduated from college! My DH and I spent 5 days last week/weekend, driving to St. Louis, watching two ceremonies (they have a school recognition ceremony and then the whole university thing), then packed and loaded up his apt., drove to East Lansing, Michigan, unloaded and moved him in to his new apt. where he will be living while he attends graduate school at Michigan State University. Needless to say, I am beat!!! We then had to return home and return to work! UGH!!! But he is settled and starts his work in the research lab on Tuesday and my house is once again quiet!!!
Believe it or not, I am so looking forward to having some quiet and alone time!!! I am getting too old to keep up with the likes of twenty somethings!!!
Below is a picture of the group at the recognition ceremony. We got lucky and sat very close to where Stephen was seated! He is smack dab in the middle of this picture!

This is a picture of the athletic center filled to capacity! It was very crowded. Glad we got there early!

The pictures below are of the university graduation. These are pictures of the quadrangle where the ceremony took place. Just to give you an idea of what the size was.

The picture below is the guest speaker at the graduation, Elie Weisel! I was absolutely thrilled to find out that he was the speaker. I have read many of his books and study the Holocaust. I am a trained teacher of the Holocaust and study it with my class each year. They were thrilled to learn that I got to see and hear Elie Weisel in person.

Here are the proud Mom and Dad with the graduate! We are so very proud of his accomplishments!

And finally, we make it to Michigan. The apt. isn't too far from campus. About a mile from the building where he will work. He bought a bike to use until the weather gets too yucky! Being a grad student, he gets a parking permit and the lot where he gets to park is right in front of his building! Lucky dog!!!

In The Army

Just going through the army photos on their facebook page and actually found two with my son in them. This first photo looks like they just got out of a gas mask exercise. My son is the one on the far right.

This next picture I cropped. Again, he is on the far right taking notes!

So good to see that he is doing ok! Miss him!

Way overdue!

I feel terrible that I have not posted in a long time and I have not thanked several people for their wonderful gifts.
First of all, I would like to thank Nicole and Beadwright for the beautiful red earrings that she sent me for my Pay It Forward gift. They are lovely and I have already worn them several times.

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Next, I would like to thank Lani Kent for the gorgeous cards and bookmarks and the beautiful magnet. Also, for her very kind words. She is an amazing artist and a lovely person.

Finally, I would like to thank my sister, who sticks by me and listens to all my troubles without complaining. She keeps sending me all these great gifts. The latest is this lovely fabric. I know I have a book on the way too. She is an amazing sister and I love her very much. I wish we lived closer and could see each other more often. Perhaps either her or I will win the lottery and that will become a reality!!!

My life has kept me busy. At school, my class was responsible for putting on the Passion Play this past Thursday. It took lots of practice and much of my time and energy! It came off without a hitch and I was extremely proud of my students. I am a tough teacher, always demanding excellence, and they rose to the occasion! Pizza party for their accomplishment!!!

Finally, my oldest son just left for the Army this past week. We haven't heard from him but did receive a "form" postcard from him today. Basically it said that he was fine and don't write, he'll send more info. later. At least it is good to know he is ok. These are some pictures of him right before he left.

Chuck with his younger brother, Stephen.

Chuck with his dad.

Finally, Chuck with me!

More gifts in the mail!

I just received my final OWOH gift from Sabine at http://bibas.krimskrams.blogspot.com
It is a beautiful handmade card and a lovely journal. Thanks so much Sabine. Please visit her blog to see her lovely work.

I also received a lovely fairie gift from Judy over at http://once we werefairies.blogspot.com for her Pay It Forward gift. I love the box as much as the little bag. Please check out her blog to see her fantastic fairie designs.

And this is what I have been working on. It is my first beading project, I think I should have started smaller, but I really wanted to make the lizard. I have no idea what I will do with him when I am done but I am enjoying the process. I have to say though, that I need a magnifying light. Those seed beads are really hard to see, especially at night!

Pay It Forward!

I just read about this on Purplepaintsmuse blog. It is a way to spread a little kindness in this world. Basically, this is how it works. The first 5 people to leave a comment and email me with their snail mail address will receive a special package from me sometime during 2011. This is my way of saying thank you for visiting my blog.
Now your challenge is to continue to spread the kindness. See if you can do 5 nice things for someone in 2011. It doesn't have to cost money. It can be a kind word to someone who is feeling low or an hour of your time at a soup kitchen. There are so many ways to spread kindness.
Email me and let me know what you have done and I will post it on my blog anonymously. Won't you join in and spread a little kindness in your world?
If you'd like to read more about it you can go to
http://purplepaintsmuse.blogspot.com/
and
http:ragamuffingalsstudio.blogspot.com/

If anyone knows how I make those blog addresses actual links, please help me. I have clicked on every button I know and even clicked the link button and typed it in like I was supposed to but then it wouldn't even show on the post. HELP!!!

More Goodies!

I just feel like I am celebrating my birthday all month!!!
Look what I got from ChatElaine. I won this on her website! She made it just for me. Aren't I lucky!!!!
She has two etsy stores if you'd like to check out all her goodies! They are beautiful!
www.ChatElaineGlassArt.etsy.com
www.chatelainejewellery.etsy.com



I received these beadbacking fabrics and the beautiful cabochon from Nicole at Beadwright. I had entered a blogaversary giveaway at Pieces of Fate and Susan picked me!! What was really funny was that Nicole over at Beadwright was the big winner of my OWOH giveaway!!



And finally, my wonderful Big Sister in England sent me some of her leftover fabric. She has decided to give weaving a try so is getting rid of her fabric stash! And I am the lucky recipient!!



This is a close-up of one of the fabrics. Don't you just love the butterfly's!!


Thank you to everyone!!!