Surprise....

It is Saturday and I am posting!! WhooHooooo!! It must be something major good right?!?!?!

Well it is! You know How much I like to shop - RIGHT!! And even more - how much I love a deal...... wellllllll......

One of the awesome scrappers I know Amber (she use to work at our LSS which I miss sooo much) is cleaning her scrapping space - so she has raided her stash and has decided to make kits which she is going to sale on her blog!!!

This is what she said about her kits: "Each kit contains at least $30 worth of product!! Each kit has a FULL Thickers sticker sheet, Rubons, and most have at least one stamp included. Most have matching ribbon and flowers as well!!"

So make sure you check out Amber's blog this weekend (I think that is when she is going to post the kits!!) and if you buy anything - make sure you tell her "Lori at Beloved Keepsakes" sent ya!

Happy Shopping!

Until Next Time!

Cya~


Lori McDonald, Designer

My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusivly at Paperthreads.

We also specialize in pre cut/ pre assembled scrapbooking titles, diecuts, embellishments and keepsakes (including our NEW photo Stars). Make sure to visit our Store!

What have you done???

So I was in Lowe's the other day (ahhh I have such a new appreciation for that place since driving the number 48 car!!! Bahaahaha)... anyway I had gone there because I had read on one of the forums that they had "Wall Pops" in the clearance section.

For those of you that don't know - "Wall Pops" are these packages of wall vinyl that come in 13 x 13 in squares. They are normally $9.99 for a pack of 5 sheets - but they are clearance down to $3 a pack. So you know I had to pick up a few...... (ok ok I picked up more than a few - but hey I needed some color varitey!! LOL)

So my question is - "What have you done with vinyl?" I want to go something really cool (maybe for next Christmas) with the Wall Pops but I don't know what!!! I would love to see what you have done with vinyl or hear what you would like to do with it... so come - help give me some ideas!!!!

The only thing I have ever done with vinyl before is the wording on my scrapbooking wall.....

So please let me know what you have done or are planning on doing with vinyl! Make sure you take some time out this weekend for you..... and I'll catch ya on Monday!

Until Next Time!

Cya~


Lori McDonald, Designer

My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusivly at Paperthreads.

We also specialize in pre cut/ pre assembled scrapbooking titles, diecuts, embellishments and keepsakes (including our NEW photo Stars). Make sure to visit our Store!

Late post...

Oopppsss - I am soo sorry for the late post today... but I went to the Dr this morning and then ran some errands and then I had an email from Renae asking me to design a 3D Mailbox for her... you know like the big blue mailbox at the Post Office......

I have to tell you this was a challenge as I have never designed any 3d items... but dang if it wasn't kind of fun! But I do have to admit that it took up most of my afternoon designing..... I plan to do a coordinating file to go with it for the "decorations" but here is what I have come up with so far.......

So what do you think???

Well I went to see my Dr today - about the whole WEIGHT thing.... and I have to say I just love her - she is sooo awesome!! She confirmed that I was doing the right things (oh and for the record in order to lose weight they tell you need to eat between 1000 and 1200 calories a day -so my 1100 calories is right on target!!!)... and that she thought that there was a few other things I could be doing as well..... she gave me an appetite suppressant to help me get over my "stress" eating (I will only take that for 8 to 10 weeks max).... and then she said that I was an apple.

I looked at her like she was crazy!!!! A what???? I guess my body type is an "apple" since I carry all my weight in between my boobs and my lower tummy!! I had to laugh.... I had never been called an "apple" before and all I could think about was the fruit of the loom guys...... Bahahahahaha

Anyway - due to the fact that I am an "apple" she said that they have determined that most apples have an insulin problem - that I am NOT diabetic... but more than likely my body isn't responding to my insulin correctly. So she gave me another medication to take at night that would stabilize my insulin and kick start my metabolic system. I am suppose to take it night right before going to bed...

So we will see.... I have to go back and see her in a month.... crossing my fingers and saying my prayers here!!

Well that's it for today... no more talk about weight until NEXT Wed when I give my weigh in and progress report.... (Are you sighing relief???!!!) I do want to thank all of you that commented and are on the bandwagon with me.... it truly helps to know that I am not alone and that you guys will help keep me accountable (hey I WANT to learn to Kite Surf and I know you guys want to see those photos - right?!?!? LOL)

All righty - I am off to take a bath and watch a little TV.

Until Next Time!

Cya~


Lori McDonald, Designer

My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusivly at Paperthreads.

We also specialize in pre cut/ pre assembled scrapbooking titles, diecuts, embellishments and keepsakes (including our NEW photo Stars). Make sure to visit our Store!

Not a lot....

To report today... I am still working away on new files... I think I have about 15 new one's right now that I need to test cut, convert and get up in the store!!! I have also been working on some star orders that have came in.... and really that is about it!!!

I have to say my biggest battle right now is my weight!!! I am over the "NASTY" number yet once again!!! It is sooo frustrating... I have been keeping a food journal this past week - making sure I don't eat more than 1100 calories a day... I have walked on my treadmill for at least 30 min every day - and I have lost - ZERO pounds!!!! Grrrrr.........

So I have decided to visit my Dr and see what she has too say!!! I know I am a stress eater and with hubby getting ready to deploy - I eat or WANT to eat EVERYTHING in front of me, behind me, beside me... well you get the picture!!!

My goal is to lose 50 lbs! (I REALLY want to lose 70 lbs) but I would be VERY happy with 50 lbs... that is how much I weighted when Andrew and I got married!!!

One of the things I have decided was to give myself a HUGE reward... if I can lose the 50lbs in the next 15 months while hubby is gone.... when he gets back I want to go to "Kite Surfing" school in the Dominican Republic!!! Sounds like a plan to me....

So I think maybe I will start posting on my blog - just once a week where I am and and how it is going...... So I will start with today..... (Man this is taking some mega courage on my behalf!!)

So - Today is Wednesday January 21st and my weight this morning is 210.5 lbs... this leaves me with 50.5 lbs to lose to reach my goal of 160 lb!

There you have it.... anyone else want to jump on the band wagon and make today the first day that you hold yourself accountable??? If so leave a comment!!!

Until Next Time!

Cya~


Lori McDonald, Designer

My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusivly at Paperthreads.

We also specialize in pre cut/ pre assembled scrapbooking titles, diecuts, embellishments and keepsakes (including our NEW photo Stars). Make sure to visit our Store!

The need for speed....

Well I am back from my "Bucket List" weekend! I hope you all had a great weekend and for those of you that downloaded the free file - I would LOVE to see what you make with it!!

Now I know that I have gotten several emails and comments from you guys... seems you can't wait to hear what I did this weekend... so here's my tale!

Only those who know me best actually know that I am a closet "NASCAR" fan!!! Yep I will admit it I LOVE NASCAR! The cars, the speed, the hot drivers!!! (Oh did I actually type that???) Bahahaha!!!

When hubby and I first started dating it was quite funny cause on Sunday's we would go after church and hang out with friends - and every Sunday I was in the garage with all the boys watching NASCAR - and hubby would be hanging out with all the girls and non NASCAR watchers!!!

So for my 39th birthday - hubby purchased me the most AMAZING gift! He got me into the "Richard Petty's Driving School" at the Daytona 500 Speedway!!!!

Yep - that's right!! I got to go the Daytona 500 Speedway! One of the most famous NASCAR tracks out there (that sucker has a 31 degree bank!!!) and I got to drive my own race car around the track!!! Not only did I get to go around the track - but I got 16 laps around the track!!!

But first I had to learn all the ends and outs of the car at "driving school"!

Then we headed out to pit row and picked our cars!!! It was quite funny in my class of 11 people I was the only girl! So the guys always let me go first!!! (In the photo below I was telling them that they didn't have to be so nice to me just cause I was the only girl!!!) Bahahaha!!



Once we were all suited up and out on Pit row - it was amazing to be able to stand right next to an honest to goodness NASCAR car!!!



I have to say - I personally though I looked like a chipmunk in the freakishly large helmet - and let me tell you - it is very very very strange to be in a car and not be able to turn your head right or left because you have on a "hans" device!!!

Each driver had their own pit crew... this is my crew chief Dale getting my all strapped in and locked in to my car!!! (And yes - I was soooo excited because I have two favorite drivers.... Jeff Gordon #24 and Jimmy Johnson #48 - and can you tell - I GOT TO DRIVE THE LOWES #48 CAR!!!! Whhhhoooooo Hooooooo!!!)

Once I was all fastened in, my window net pulled up - I heard the four most famous words in NASCAR "Gentlemen START YOUR ENGINES"......

And before you knew it.... I WAS OFF!!!

I took eight laps around the race track -

Crossed the start/finish line - and got the checkered flag....

I then came into pit row... got out of my car and had a talk with my pit crew about how I did, what I could do better and then went out for eight more laps!!!

Here is a photo of what I call the "Cheese Shot"!! Bahahaha!!!

And once it was all said and done.... I received a printout of all my lap times and speeds!!! And what I know you are dying to know..... my top speed was...... drum roll please........

152 MILES PER HOUR

Then - as if this had not already been the MOST PERFECT day imaginable..... it was "FAN DAY" at the speedway.... and guess who I SAW........

Yep - JIMMY JOHNSON!!!! He was actually on stage as I came out of pit row from driving his #48 race car!!!!

And if that wasn't enough... I actually got to see JEFF GORDON up close and in person!!! Whooo Hoooooo!!!!!

Man - this totally was a "Bucket List" day!!!! And it is an experience that I will NEVER EVER FORGET!!!!!! (THANK YOU HUBBY!!!)

If you are a NASCAR fan - or if you or someone in your family has always dreamed of driving a race car... I can just NOT say enough good things about the "Richard Petty Driving Experience"! EVERYONE I dealt with was super nice, friendly, helpful.... they put you right at easy and each and every one of them did anything and everything that they could to make this experience the absolute best that they could!!!

So that's how my weekend went! Hope your was just as memorable! Thanks for letting me share - and I would love to hear "What's on your Bucket List?"

Until Next Time!

Cya~


Lori McDonald, Designer

My cutter files work on many machines. Some examples are the: Klik-n-kut, Pazzle, Wishblade, Silhouette, Cricut, Craft Robo. Some of the most common softwares involved with these machines are: Funtime, Scrapbooking, WinPC/Signlab, Inkscape, Create & Cut, Illustrator, KNK Studio, and Robomaster. These file are available exclusivly at Paperthreads.

We also specialize in pre cut/ pre assembled scrapbooking titles, diecuts, embellishments and keepsakes (including our NEW photo Stars). Make sure to visit our Store!