Where did you get that talent ?!?!

One of the most common questions I get asked as a designer is, "Where did you get all that talent?" First thing I always say is "I don't think I am very talented at all!" I mean what I do isn't rock science - anyone could do it.... or at least that's what I think. But yet, people tell me all the time there is no way they could create files, there is just no way they could come up with yet another title idea......

I guess if I had to trace my talent back down the DNA line... I got it from my mother. Now don't get my wrong - my Dad is talented in his own ways. Like fishing, and hunting, and being able to fix just about anything there is that needs to be fixing. But my Mom - she is the "crafty" one in the family. (Here is a photo of me and my parents taken on "Mock Thanksgiving" last month. And yes before you even ask - I am an only child!!! LOL)



All my life, my Mom had some kind of arts and craft home based business. From painting t-shirts to making clay jewelry, crafting Christmas wreaths, to decorating ornaments, I can't think of one time in my life where my Mom wasn't making something!!! I would have to say I spent more time at craft shows, church bazaar's, and festivals than I did at ballparks or playgrounds! Honest!!! And I have to say that was A-OK in my book. :)

My Mom's latest creations is "Heirloom Santa's". This is where she takes old heirloom quilts and antique crocheted pieces and turns them into the most wonderful creations you have ever laid eyes on! Some of these quilts go back in age 50 to 80 +++ years. She likes to say that she is taking heirlooms of the past and turning them into heirlooms of the future.

Here is a photo of one of her latest creations. This is Mr. and Mrs. Clause. (This photo was taken at the Coastal GA Fair this past week where my Mom won FIRST PLACE in the original doll category - GOOOOOO MOM!!!)


Another comment I get a lot from my customers is how detailed I am. Let me tell you - I got that honestly. My Mom is a detail freak!! For example this is a close up photo of "Mrs. Clause" that my Mom designed and created from an antique quilt. Notice her glasses in particular. My Mom didn't think that the glasses where up to par - so she went in and hand painted the frames and then she glazed the lenses to give them more of a "glass like" look!!!

When creating her Heirloom/Antique pieces, she goes to extraordinary measures to create a work of art. For example - Mrs. Clause is holding a plate of miniature gingerbread cookies and a cup of hot chocolate while she awaits Santa's return.

Now check out Santa himself - he is holding a very elaborate staff in his one hand and a brass lantern in his other hand. Also notice his hair and beard. Each little curl is hand glued into place!!!!

My Mom creates and then sells these Antique Heirloom Santa's and Mrs. Clause's. She is also getting ready to create and add an Angel line to the collection. These are truly works of art and are meant to be cherished for years and years. Prices start at $275 and go up depending on the age of the quilt, the amount of decorations, and the amount of time spent on each piece. (If you are interested in learning more about a Heirloom Santa or Mrs. Clause please email me and I will get you in touch with my Mom!)

So - there you have it.... now you know where I got the artist talent from.... and now you know a little more about my Mom!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and for allowing me to share a little about myself and my Mom! I hope you all have a GREAT weekend!!

Until Next Time!

Cya~
Lori

Got a Cutter???

So for all those readers out there that do not have a cutter yet.... Do I have a DEAL for you...

Michelle, the owner of Paperthreads (oh, yeah - and my boss) is offering a $10 off coupon on the CraftRobo!!! This is a steal of a deal!!

You get the cutting machine itself, $29.92 worth of cutting files, and free shipping!!! With the additional $10 off that brings the price down to $271!!!! That is a STEAL of a DEAL!!!

And better yet - if you buy a CraftRobo from Michelle and tell her in the comment section of your order that I referred you - I will give you FIVE, yes you read right - FIVE of my files for free!!!! And I will even let you decide which five files you want!!! How awesome is that!!! (But you HAVE to tell Michelle that you were referred by me!!!)

So if you have a cutting machine on your wishlist this holiday season - send you loved one off to buy it for you now!! Or heck go buy it yourself, you deserve it don't you!!!! (Get your coupon here!!!)

If you already have a cutter, well make sure check Michelle's Blog..... I'm sure there will be something there you that would interest you!!! And hey we always have room to add another blog to our reading list - right?!?! LOL

Until Next Time!

Cya ~
Lori

Oh WOW....

Do you realize that there are only 40 Shopping Days Left until Christmas?!?!?! Now normally I am the type of person who is completely and utterly done with my Christmas shopping by Thanksgiving day! (Now don't hate me yet.... keep reading...) BUT for some reason - I just don't think I am going to make it this year!!!!! (Man who knew having the husband home was going to throw everything off track!!! LOL Hey - I have to blame someone -right?!?!?! Bahahahahaha!!!)

Speaking of Christmas - you know... if you are looking for that perfect gift for a female in your life - be it your mother, daughter, sister or best friend - a "Beloved Keepsakes" is always a "GREAT" gift idea!!! (Yes - this is my "all about me" post today!!! LOL)


When I am not creating cutter files or scrapbooking - in what I like to call my "real life" I make personalized photo jewelry. From yellow ribbon photo pins, pink ribbon photo pins, white ribbon photo pins to photo bracelets with Swarovski™ crystals - I am sure there is something for every woman on your Christmas list this year!!! (I mean - who doesn't like jewelry?!?!?)

So check it out!

You need to be ordering soon if you want to insure that your "Beloved Keepsakes" is completed in time for Christmas!!! All orders are custom made and all order can be taken directly from the website. Should you have any questions, feel free to email me at:

lori@belovedkeepsakes.com

(Did this sound like an ad or what.... I swear there is no small print at the bottom of your screen!!!! LOL)

Ok - so enough about that.... I better get my but in gear as I have a Dr.'s appointment in a little bit about this stupid pain in my side - aka kidney stone! I already know what she is going to say... push the liquids, push the liquids.... BLAH!

So.....

Until Next Time!

Cya ~
Lori

Good Morning...

Ok, I have to tell you my thoughts are all in a jumble this morning!!!

First of all - I got my files done for the special deadline I was working on! Wheew!!! See if you didn't already know this about me - not only am I a neat freak (Oh speaking of neat freak - I need to get the laundry started - shoot!), but I am also very ummmmm... "Detailed Oriented" as my Dad would say (personally I say call a spade a spade - I'm just down right annal!!!). Now that means that if something is due on Friday - I wanted it turned in on Wed!!!! So I make these unrealistic demands - on myself! Can you say crazy? Very Good - now can you say stressful?!?! Oops - phone..... BRB.

Holly Cow - that was my best friend calling to talk about Thanksgiving.... Since we had "Mock" Thanksgiving with our families last month, we have decided to have the real deal with our very close friends in Jacksonville!!! So she was calling to firm up plans... I can't believe it!!! Thanksgiving is like - NEXT WEEK!!!! Holly COW!!!!! I am sooo behind on things!!! Where did the time go?????

Speaking of Thanksgiving (see I told you my thoughts were ALL over the place today!) - I am planning in having a sale at Paperthreads Thanksgiving Weekend!!!!! So now that I have realized that that is like - um next week - Let me sign off and get these files test cut!!! I REALLY would like to have 20 NEW FILES in the store before the sale!!!! (Thank Goodness Hubby has an alllllllll day meeting today!!!!)

Hope you have a GREAT PRODUCTIVE DAY!!!!

Until Next Time!

Cya~
Lori

PS - Did you see the New and Improved Paperthreads Newsletter??? I was released yesterday!!! If you didn't get it - you better go sign up TODAY!!!! (There was freebies in there!!!)

Just a quick update...

Just wanted to let everyone know I'm working on a tight deadline for a project that I was asked to be a part of - and I hate to say it but I think I have yet another kidney stone.

BLAH!!!

So I am not feel up to snuff as they say.... so today's blog will be short and sweet!!!

I have 16 files I need to get up into the store and I am hard at work trying to get those done....

Did you know I did not hear from a single one of you about what you were adding to your Christmas list this year?!?!? What's up with that? Have you all been bad - or are their just no good Scrapping tools or stuff that I don't already have???

If you are pining for something good this year, I would love to hear about it.... I have to email my personal list out soon - and I want to see if there is something else out there I just have to have!!!!

Ok - I am off to drink some cranberry juice and take a pain pill!!!

I'll try to come up with something better for tomorrows post!!!

So Until Next Time!

Cya~
Lori

Quick drop in...

Hi Everyone... Just a quick drop in to say Hi!! I am still alive - and most of all I want to say a very warm, heartfelt thank you to all the Veteran's out there!! I thank you so much for your service to our country - for your sacrifices - for your dedication - and for being the proud Americans that you are!!!!


To the families of the Veteran's - I want to thank you as well! You are the heart, the soul and the backbone that makes it possible for the USA to be the place that we all live in!!!

So thank you, thank you so much! You deserve sooo much!!!!

As for me - it has been an emotional day - and an awesome, awesome awesome weekend!!! I'll fill you all in on it tomorrow!! As for right now - I am off to cuddle with my own Veteran!!!!



God Bless each and everyone of you!

Until Next Time!

Cya~
Lori