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Friday, April 24, 2009

FREEBIE FRIDAY!!!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY YA'LL!!! Now the first thing I want to say is thank you for all the nice and supportive comments yesterday! I will try not to get on the soap box too often in the next year - but hey... sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do!!!! (And I am sure you all understand that!!! LOL)

Before I get to the Friday Freebie - I just want to remind you that the Scrapbooking, Cards and More membership will be kicking off on May 1st!!! That is ONE WEEK from today!!! So if you have not signed up yet - get on over there and do so!!! You don't want to miss out on the kick off of this membership - and don't forget - everyone who signs up by Midnight (eastern time) May 1st will be entered into the drawing for the Beloved Keepsakes Big 'Ole Bag of Scrapping Crap!!!



So now on to today's freebie (which is why you are really here!!!) LOL This idea came from my very own blog reader Jzayler!!! She left this comment on Wed:

How about a sand dollar? I love the story of the sand dollar. My son just got engaged and I was suggesting a sand dollar theme for their wedding.

I too love the story of the Sand Dollar - so I whipped up this really simple but very cute (IMHO) file! Not only does it have the title - but it also has two different type of Sand Dollars along with the Sand Doves (these are not pictured)!!!

Sorry File is No Longer Available - Make sure you check back NEXT Friday for FREEBIE FRIDAY's at Beloved Keepsakes!!!



Even though I am offering this file for free download - it is still a Terms Restricted File - meaning that you will abide by my TOU. If you do not have a copy of my TOU click HERE to get it!

This file will only be available for a limited amount of time.... once it is removed from the blog it will be available for purchase at Paperthreads.

Before I leave - I thought I would actually share with you the...

Legend of the Sand Dollar

There’s a lovely little legend that I would like to tell,
of the birth and death of Jesus,
found in this lowly shell.

If you examine closely,
you’ll see that you find here,
four nail holes and a fifth one,
made by a Roman’s spear.

On one side the Easter lily,
its center is the star,
that appeared unto the shepherds
and led them from afar.

The Christmas Poinsettia
etched on the other side,
reminds us of His birthday,
our happy Christmastide.

Now break the center open,
and here you will release,
the five white doves awaiting,
to spread Good Will and Peace.

This simple little symbol,
Christ left for you and me,
to help us spread His Gospel,
through all Eternity.

I hope you like this weeks Freebie Friday!!! HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

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!

Don't forget to check back often as we host our scrapbooking digital cutting file freebies at least once a week!!!

Read more...

Thursday, April 23, 2009

NOTE ~ Touchy Subject - Life as a Military Wife.

So as you can see it is really late and I can't sleep as normal. But there's a few things I need to get off my chest... so just so you know this post it TOTALLY off subject.... if you are here for scrapping - come back tomorrow..... Don't read any further.... (Danger, Danger, Danger ahead - turn around - turn around now!!!) LOL

You know sometimes I feel like I need to share what I am feeling, what I am thinking, and more importantly what life is like for a military wife! Most of the time I am the happy go lucky scrapper. Yet at the same time, daily I lead a double life. I lead the life of a wife of a soldier. That too is who I really am.

Maybe the world needs more wives like me to educate and inform those that are not related to the military to what our lives are really like. (NO we are not all like the wives on that stupid show called "Army Wives"!!! PLEASE!!!) Seriously, most people don't know what being "married to the military" is all about. But that is what this post is about.... So READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

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I've had so many people say... "I don't know how you do it". "How can you live that way?", or my favorite "Oh I am so sorry. My husband was gone on a business trip for three months, I know JUST how you feel! It was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with!" (YEAH!! Can you believe that one!!! Give me a break!!!)

The truth of the matter is - unless you have been married to someone in the military, unless this your life... you don't know. And I don't mean that harshly, I am not trying to be bitchy... it's just the way it is!! I am not posting this to make you feel bad for me. To feel sorry for me. Please don't!!! We chose this way of life... You can even say we asked for it! I'm not even asking you to say "thank you"...

Hey - it is what it is... My husband is damn good at what he does - and the bottom line is - someone has to do it for this country! But.... Please don't tell me you understand how I feel..... Not unless you have walked in my shoes. Not unless you have lived the life of the wife of a deployed service member.

This was written by sister Army wife who's husband is on his way to join mine "over there". I have to tell you there are a couple of other things I could add BUT there is no way I could sum it up any better!


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An inside view to an Army spouses feelings during deployment
By: Jennifer Chaloux

Trying not to cry too hard so you don't make them feel bad...laying your head on their chest trying to memorize the sound of his heartbeat, the way he holds you, kisses you on the head, his laughter, and his cologne.

Holding their hand and not wanting to let go, not even for a second.

A million kisses and hugs.

Saying I love you 50 times a day, and still questioning whether you have said it enough.

Doing laundry and realizing there are none of his clothes to do and wishing there was.

Setting the table for 4 even if there are only 3 of us.

Sleeping on the couch for weeks because you can’t bear to sleep in your bed when he is on a cot.

Feeling guilty for enjoying a sunny day, a good movie, or just a ride in the car.

Avoiding phone calls because you just can’t talk about it , again, I’m fine is never enough, but you can’t make them understand no matter how hard you try.

Alienating yourself so you don’t have to fake a smile, or conversation.

Wanting to just scream and yell until you have no voice left and wiping away those endless tears.
Snapping out of it will take a year.

Wondering if he will be the same person he was when he left, and feel comfortable in his own home when he gets back.

Feeling selfish for having a pity party when he has it a lot worse.

Watching the news when you are told not to.

Knowing when we talk he will never tell me he had to dive under something to avoid getting hurt, day after day.

Not knowing who you are at the end of the day, because you can’t be who you were without him.
The word “why” is the first word in everything you think about.

No matter how hard you try, you always thinking the worst case scenario.

Wanting to sleep the whole next year because it’s the only time you get a break from stress.

Wearing his clothes while he is gone, and using a shirt with his cologne as a pillowcase to snuggle up too.

Trying to pray double time but feeling like a hypocrite, because right now I would be angry with God if something happens.

Walking around with a lump in your throat and a pit in your stomach for the next year.

Saying thank you he's fine because if you say too much you'll just cry, like you have done for the past 4 days.

Truly feeling lost, scared, and powerless.

Just going through the motions of getting up, getting ready and going through your day clutching your phone in case he calls, trying to fake being in a good mood so they think you are okay.

Getting that “look” when someone sees your military ID at the check out, and waiting for the questions I don’t want to answer.

Feeling jealous of other couples holding hands.

Avoiding your favorite cd’s or tv shows that we enjoyed together because you have no ones hand to hold or arms to lay in.

Tired of hearing “don’t think that way,” how can you not?

Realizing you have no one that truly understands, and finding friendship in other army wives that do.

Doing the same paperwork six times over, knowing you’ll have to do it again.

Having that conversation no one wants to have about injuries, death, and their wishes if it happens.

Watching other families before they deployed, men holding their newborn babies; knowing they will miss their first giggle, word, and wonder if they will know him when he gets home.

Seeing children that are too young to understand where their mom or dad are.

Families taking pictures of everything, no matter how trivial.

Seeing mothers treating their 40 year old as if he were a kid again, and she always will.

Trying to memorize every one's face and last name, because when he calls he never uses their first name when he talks about them.

Not being able to be there when they are promoted to show them and tell them how proud of them you are.

Wanting people to understand 90% of the soldiers don’t want to be there either. They want peace like all of us do.

Wanting to tell all the people at a anti-war rally that they are there because they are free, and have those rights because they live in a country protected by the military.

When the worst happens they will want the soldiers to protect them.

That every family, and person who lost their life to the 9/11 attacks are being disrespected if we didn’t fight back.

Don’t hate the war and the soldiers, hate the people who started the war.

Understanding the TRUE meaning of honor, pride, dedication, and hero. They are drivers in a convoy, infantry, mechanics, medics, Dr.’s and nurses, Chaplin's. Most of all they are our husbands, wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. They have a job to do, and a family to take care of.

That family not only consists of a spouse and kids, but your family as well.

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!

Don't forget to check back often as we host our scrapbooking digital cutting file freebies at least once a week!!!

Read more...

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

HAPPY EARTH DAY 2009!

Well today is officially "Earth Day"... Did you know that Earth day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment? Yep!! That's what its all about!!!

So HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!!


Not much to report here in the land of creativity!! Still working away on the designs for the Scrapbooking, Cards and More membership that is scheduled to start on May 1st!! If you have already signed up - AWESOME!!! Thank you soooo much!!!!

If not - well you better hurry up!!! Don't forget that everyone who signs up for the membership before MIDNIGHT (eastern time) on May 1st will be placed in the drawing to win the Beloved Keepsakes Big 'Ole bag of Scrapping Crap!!! (And let me tell you this is a BIG OLE BAG!!! LOL)

I think this is going to be a great three months of hanging out together and I have some way way way cool designs planned and already ready to go!!!

Sorry about missing yesterday's post!! I went to see my God Daughter who turned TWO!!!! (WOW - where does the time go???) With Andrew leaving and my BFF husband getting ready to deploy as well I haven't actually seen them since Jan! Holly Cow!! She has grown sooooo much, she talks in completed sentences, she is sassy and she can say Aunt Lo Lo!!!!! Crazy!!!

I need to also get Friday's Freebie designed and ready to go.... do you have any ideas?? Anything or any topic you would like to see for this Fridays freebie??? If so - leave me a comment!

I am off to test cut! Hope you all have a wonderful HUMP DAY!

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!

Don't forget to check back often as we host our scrapbooking digital cutting file freebies at least once a week!!!

Read more...

Monday, April 20, 2009

Happy Monday!

Wheew... sorry this post is coming in so late!!! I have been crazy busy!!! I bet you are wondering what I have been busy doing, right??? Well I have been busy creating and getting ready for the Scrapbooking, Cards and More Membership that will be starting May 1st!!! I am super duper excited about hosting the next membership!! I think it is going to be a blast!!!

And to prove just how busy I have been.... well here is a photo of my scrapping room!


Now those of you who know me - know I am a neat freak - so if my space is this messy - well there must be some major creating happening!! As a matter of fact - I just got done tweaking one of the files that I am MEGA excited about for the membership! I can't tell you what it is (you will just have to join) but I will give you a peep!!! (And when I say a peep, well I mean a peep!!! Bahahaha)


So are you curious yet??? No a better question is - have you joined yet!!! If not - you better hop on over an do so!!!

Additionally - did you see the Paperthreads newsletter went out today??? How exciting is that!!! Our editor Jan does such an amazing job!!! And I was actually pretty pleased with myself as I got a product review done as well as an article written and turned in on time!! Whooo hoooo!!! If you haven't seen it - you better go on over and grab a copy!!! You don't want to miss it!!!

Well I think that is about it for today..... oh one last thing - I spent most of yesterday afternoon bawling my eyes out!! It's all my Dad's fault! See I was over there for Easter and we were talking about TV shows... and my Dad was like have you watch "The Locator"? To which I replied - nah! He said you should watch it, I really think you will like it....


So I came home and set the DVR to record all the shows - well... I tell you I must have watch five of them yesterday and just BAWLED!!! They were soooo good!!!! So if you haven't seen it yet - make sure you flip over and catch a few episodes!! I don't think you will be disappointed!!!

Ok, I think that really is it for today - tomorrow I will be out of town so it will be really late before I get a chance to post!

Hope you all had a GREAT weekend and an even better start to your week!

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!

Don't forget to check back often as we host our scrapbooking digital cutting file freebies at least once a week!!!

Read more...
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