Happy 4th of July...

Just stopping in to say Happy 4th of July!!! If you are a part of my Scrapbooking, Cards and More membership, I wanted to let you know I upload this new file in the wee hours of the morning!


And if you are not a member - well it isn't too late to join (but you better hurry as time is running out quick!!!) To join just go HERE!

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday - and don't forget to say thanks to a service member today!

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...

The Price of Peace...

Happy 4th of July!!! On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation.

You know I have been mulling these words in my head the last few days... "on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation." What does that mean to us as Americans? What does the Fourth of July really stand for...

With hubby deployed this year - I don't really have any plans. Yeah, I have been invited to some cookouts, I have been invited to go watch fireworks with friends... but without Andrew here, it seems weird to go to the things. Weird for a few reasons... First of all we normally do everything together. So to go by myself is kind of intimidating. Add to the fact that I can't go anywhere without people asking me, "How's Andrew?", "Have you heard from Andrew?"... and the truth of the matter is - Yes, I have heard from Andrew - it's kind of few and far between but I have heard from him. And the truth of the matter is Andrew is struggling. His job is hard, his responsibility is HUGE and he has already lost three really really close friends.

But I can't say that. I can't ruin someones "holiday" with the truth. They would look at me like I am crazy! They would be flabbergasted at those words.

So instead I decide to stay home. Do my own thing. You know... I do have a "thing" when my husband isn't here. I am my own person. So while I am a part of a couple - I am also an individual. And I think that is sometimes hard for people to remember. (But as usual, I digress....)
What does the fourth of July really stand for? What does "paving the road to freedom" really mean? And then today, my dear friend and fellow military wife Penny posted this video on her facebook page. As I was watching this video written and sung by a 12 year Alyssa Gaddis it hit me....

The road to freedom ultimately comes down to "The Price of Peace"...


***(Please Note - if you want more information about the video above or if you want to see it on a larger screen - just click HERE!)

I hope you enjoyed this video. I hope you have a WONDERFUL, HAPPY, FUN FILLED 4th OF JULY!!!!! Please remember as you are on your way to a cook out, or to watch the fireworks to say a prayer for all our service members both near and far, as well as their families who truly are paying the price so we have peace, so we have rights, so we have FREEDOM.

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...

I'm trying to swim up....

I swear it feels like I am sinking... there are so many things that I need to get done -but I just don't have the energy or the will power to get them done! I swear I am trying to swim up for air - but its really hard! I think I am just tired! LOL

Sorry about missing yesterday's post - I was out having a lovely lunch with my friend Susan - who is ex military and a military wife as well - not to mention on of the Godliness people I know. It was really great to "vent" issues I had going on with the deployment and life in general and to get an honest "been there, done that" Godly response. Then after lunch we went next door and had a pedicure! Ahhhhh I sooooo love having a pedicure done! (I swear if my toes are not painted they look naked!!!)

Today (instead of doing what I need to be doing) - I am heading off to lunch and the movies with my next door neighbor Melissa. The movie "My Sister's Keeper" is out - and I am dying to go see it! BUT since it is sad at the end - my friend Jules said no way, no how was she going with me!! LOL So I begged my friend Melissa to go!

The book "My Sister's Keeper" is one of the best books I have ever read! It was sooo good that I actually went out and purchased all 13 other books written by Jodi Picoult! Now she is now one of my favorite authors!

Thus I just wanted to stop in - say "HI!" and tell you all I hope you have a GREAT Friday off (if you get it!)

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...

Scrapbooking, Cards and More....

Did you join the Scrapbooking, Cards and More Membership?? You know if you didn't... it isn't too late but you need to HURRY - cause time is running out!

I wanted to show you the two newest files that I have uploaded to the membership (we have about a month left and there are already 14 files up and available for download!!!) This is probably one of my favorite designs to date!!!!

And to be honest with you I actually worked on this one at the Paperthread Retreat in Charleston, SC!!! And I have to give a HUGE THANK YOU to Jan (Sam and Hailey Designs) who helped me tweak the box (As we all know she is the box queen!!!!) SO THANKS JAN!!!

Download #13: Cupcake Display Box

I think these would be awesome for a birthday party - and I actually made one that instead of putting a cupcake in it - I rolled baby socks up to make a "mock" cupcake and used it as a "It's a Girl" baby gift card!

Here's a close up:

In addition to the Cupcake Display box, I also uploaded file number #14 which is called Cupcake Decor.

This file is a whole bunch of borders and tags that you can use to decorate your "Beloved Keepsakes Cupcake Display Box". I designed these just to help get your imagination started and help you have fun decoration your display box! You could also use any of these elements on cards or layouts! The possibilities are endless!

And don't you know that within hours of uploading this new file - my dear friend Sue had already cut it... but you know Sue - she is ALWAYS thinking outside the box and she turned her Cupcake Display box into a candle holder!!!! Ok a COUPLE different candle holders!!! LOL

How freaking cool is that?!?!? Thank you sooo very much Sue for continuing to share your projects with me!! You ROCK!!!

If you want to see the other files that have been uploaded to the membership - just click on the slide show on the right hand side! It really is a great deal ~ 20+ files for $10 - but like I said - you better HURRY as time is running out!!!!

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...

Another "Mighty Warrior" comes home...

The body of 1st Sgt. John Blair, who was killed June 20 in Afghanistan, was flown in to Tom B. David Airport to full military honors. Blair, 38, died in Mado Zayi, Afghanistan, when after a 45 min gun fight a rocket-propelled grenade tore through the turret of his vehicle. He was an Georgia Army National Guardsman assigned to the First Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment.

Please pray for the family of 1SGT Blair. He was a "Soldier's Soldier". 1st Sgt. Blair admonished his troops not to "ever give up. You don't ever give up." The Georgia soldier was a "tough, unrelenting" leader, the Stars and Stripes reported.

"He was the meanest, kindest person you'd ever meet," Pfc. Justin Campbell told Stars and Stripes. "If he didn't cuss at you, he didn't like you."


And please... pray for his fellow soldiers who are left behind to continue the fight so we can live the life we do.

Read more...

I'mmmmm Backkkkkk!!!

Really, Truly, Honestly... I am back! Now I have to admit I am not up and running at full speed yet - but I AM back!

For all those that have been asking and praying, my Father in Law is doing quite well. He is back at home and he has been approved to eat soft foods! He is scheduled to see the oncologist next week and that will be the next big hurdle. All in all he is doing really good, he gets tired really easy and that frustrates him to no end - but hey I keep telling him he had MAJOR surgery, it takes time to recover and he is OLD!!! Bahahahaha!!! Thanks again for all your prayers, thoughts and concern!

I am in the process of trying to get my computer back up and running! As most of you probably know I suffered what I am now referring to as the "Great Crash of 2009" while I was in AZ and lost EVERYTHING!!! Well let me take that back, I didn't lose everything - I do have backups of all my photos, and all my cutter files and most of my business files...... but everything else.... GONE! All my fonts, all my addresses, birthdays, personal documents, email address, saved emails.... all of it gone!

I did get a new hard drive put in my computer while I was in AZ but of course all my program files and drivers were here in GA... and then if that wasn't bad enough on my way in the house in the wee hours of the morning, I dropped my computer bag and suitcase and dang if I didn't mess up the laptop again!!!! Grrrrrr!!! So that meant taking it to computer shop here to get it fixed! I was soo frustrated that at 3 AM in the morning I ordered a NEW PINK laptop from Dell!!! At this point it has become very obvious that I need a back up! Between the cutter files and my own on-line store I just can't be without a computer at anytime!!! (And that doesn't even count the fact that I need my email to communicate with my hubby who is overseas!!!)

So I am still in the process of getting my current laptop up and running and getting all my drivers and programs installed. I'm thinking about the time I get this one back to 100% the new one will have arrived and I will have to reinstall everything all over again!!! Sheesh......

In addition to all of that.... I am still trying to get all my stuff unpack from my trip! I think I posted while I was gone that I am opening up a NEW line of stuff at Beloved Keepsakes!! I am super duper mega excited about this!!!! BUT while I was in AZ I ended up purchasing two new machines for the new line and a ton (and I mean a ton) of supplies and stuff.... so much that I actually had to ship two boxes home from AZ!!!! One of them weighted 32 lbs and the other was 54 lbs!!!! (Insane!!! I know...) And that isn't even taking in account that my check in suitcase weighted 49.5 lbs!!!!

Oh speaking of weight... (yes I know this post is LONG but I got a lot to try and catch up on!!!) I am very very very excited to say that EVEN THOUGH I was on vacation, and even though half the time I was in AZ my mother in law was cooking three yummy meals a day, and even though I spent two weeks in a hospital just sitting and eating yummy cookies, ice cream and junk from the cafeteria I LOST WEIGHT!!!! Whooo Hooooo.... Yep - I haven't given up on weigh in Wednesdays!

When I left I was 188 lbs.... if you will recall when I started this whole weight thing on Jan 22nd I weight 214..... and this past week when I went to the Dr. I was 186lbs!!!! So that brings my total weight loss to.....

28lbs!!!

Now even though I am very excited - I still have 41 lbs left to lose to get my trip!!! So I am not giving up and I am trying to keep up the hard hard work!

Ok - I think I am going to end this post for today... I don't want to overwhelm you with too much at one time!! But before I go - let me just say that if you are a part of my Scrapbooking, Cards and More Membership - I uploaded TWO NEW files today and they are MEGA MEGA cute!!!! (I'll post them here for everyone else to see tomorrow!)

Hope you are all well and I have to say thanks again everyone for all your thought, prayers and well wishes! You guys are the BEST!!!

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...