bits and pieces of my heART

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Dashing through the snow...

WHAT?!?! Get real!!! This is South Mississippi meaning we are expecting a high of 72 today!!! Yes, it is the 20th day of December here as well and no, Mother Nature does not have a clue that it is supposed to be cold and snowing!!! Oh well, my family and I may just sweat to death on Christmas day, but we WILL look good in our sweaters and jeans with the whole shabang {no, I am not sure that I spelled that correctly} of scarves, toboggans and mittens no matter the outside temps...WE WILL LOOK GOOD!!!

Okay, so the real reason that I am blogging today is to share a fun and easy last minute gift idea with y'all! You know, because you are sure to run into someone that you really should have gotten a gift for {but you completely forgot to since you have like a gazillion other things going on right now!}...yeah, for moments just like that! So, here ya go...head over to Our Best Bites and check out the candy bar wrappers...they are the PERFECT {oh snap! I forgot to get her a gift} gift EVER!!!

Okie dokie...I gotta run! You see, I have a fun group of ladies coming over tonight for a game of Bunco, food, gifts and fun and my house looks as if a bomb exploded within the walls!!! YIKES!!! I will make it happen!!!

Happy day to each of you and may you have a very BLESSED CHRISTmas!!!

xoxo...M

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

It's beginning to look alot like CHRISTmas...

but boy, it is at a VERY SLOW pace!!!

So, I wanted a "real" tree this year instead of artificial. In turn, this meant that it would not be wise to do my usual "have the entire house deorated two days after Halloween" routine {unless I would be perfectly fine with a dead tree a month before CHRISTmas} and boy has that put a snag in the entire decorating process. With the usual hustle and bustle that comes along with the holiday season, I am finding that my "real" tree has been up for three days now and still isnt completely decorated!!! As a matter of fact, my fall wreath still adorns the front door...ugh!!! Hopefully, I can finish up today...we shall see!

In paper crafting news, I am giving the December Daily a try. Goodness knows that I have enough CHRISTmas paper and embellishments to do like a gazillion ten of them! {Oh, come on...you know that you have the same obsession with pretty paper!} I am also making a good bit of my CHRISTmas ornaments for the tree as well as our CHRISTmas cards, giftwrap and tags...yeah, I kinda put a tad too much on my holiday to-do list...kinda!

Okie dokie...time to get this party started...remember, I have a few things to get done today...

Stay warm and stay tuned as I may just find time to share some photos of all of the chaos :)

Merry CHRISTmas to you and yours...M

Friday, November 18, 2011

oops...totally forgot to share this mini with y'all...


Is that not the CUTEST thing ever?!?! Head over to Bella Blvd Blog for very detailed instructions along with FREE PRINTABLES!!!! Woo to the Hoo!!! I absolutely LOVE Stephanie and the entire Bella crew!!! And their products? OH EMM GEE!!!! Seriously makes me all jittery inside!!!! Thanks so much, Stephanie for all of your hardwork and dedication that you put into Bella...IT SHOWS!!!!

Okie dokie...I will leave you alone so you can go snag that ADORABLE {and FREE} mini for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday!!!

Oh, btw...I do not intend to use this cutie for Thanksgiving solely. I will simply place a piece of coordinating Bella Blvd. paper over the "questionnaire" and create a place to add photos and journaling of  my own. These graphics are so versatile...so much so that the pages can be flipped and flopped, altered and so much more!!!

Happy scrappin'!!!!

M

Thanksgiving Catch Up...

Good Friday morning y'all!!! Dont you just love it when life throws you one curve ball after another and weeks have passed you by before you know it?!?! Yeah, me too....

Anywho, I wanted to do a little catching up on my "Im thankful for..." posts {it was much easier to stay on track via FB...}, so here ya go:

Day 4: My kiddos...seriously, how boring would my life be without them?!?! Love them to pieces!!!

Day 5: My home....no, I do not live in a huge house made of brick and mortor, but I do live in our 16X80   mobile HOME...where we laugh, love, disagree often, forgive one another and so much more!!!!

Day 6: Electricity...oh how the summers can be dreadful here in South Mississippi, so it is VERY nice to have air conditioning to help us cool off and then there is the occasional {never saw that one coming} snow fall that we are cursed blessed with every now and then...soooo grateful to have that electricity to help us stay warm!!!

Day 7: My eyesight...just being able to see my childrens faces {as well as the many other loves in my life} and God's beauty all around us....SOOOO GRATEFUL!!!

Day 8: Technology...I would totally be lost if I did not have internet...SERIOUSLY!!! You see, I am at home all day long with FIVE wee ones {ranging from 3 months to 3 years}, so it is very nice to have some sort of connection with other adults {you know, the people that I do not have to assist to the restroom and/or wipe their snotty runny noses...or have them wiped on my pants leg!} Do not get me wrong, I love these little people, but....

Day 9: My kiddos teachers...they are WAY underpaid in my opinion {since you asked}!!! I really could not ask for any better people to teach and care for my kiddos each day of the week!!! I know that they care for them as if they were their own...Thank you, Lord for blessing me!!!

Day 10: Modern Medicine...you know those curve balls that I mentioned earlier?!?! Well, lets just say that I despise my annual bout {sp?...not sure why that word looks strange...did I spell it correctly? too lazy to google} with bronchitis, but I am soooo very thankful for the meds that the dr prescribed!!!

Day 11: Pinterest...OH. MY. GRAVY. That has to be the most addicting site EVAH!!!! Yes, I know that I have already share my obsession love for this site, but it really is worth checking out if you are still living under a rock {I kid, I kid!} have not done so already!!! I am thankful for the quiet time that comes with my pinning and for the loads of inspiration also!!!

Day 12: Memories...with the holidays approaching rapidly, I soooo miss my Mamaw Mollie!!! She was such a special lady and I am so very grateful that I have many, many wonderful memories of her. This will be the fourth Thanksgiving since she left us and I can honestly say that it is those memories that get me thru the holiday.

Day 13: Ember...this would be my oldest daughters BFF!!! You see, my Mollie Girl has been thru so much this past year....seriously, more than I could ever bare...especially at the age of 13. However, with Ember's friendship and care, Mollie has pulled thru the darkest of times. Ember wants nothing more than to see Mollie smile again and she does something each and everyday to make it happen. What more can a mom ask for than for their child to have such a friend?!?!

Day 14: Scrapbooking paper, my ATG and lots of inspiration...seriously, scrapbooking is very therapeutical for me and it allows me to share all of the wonderful memories that I have with generations to come.

Day 15: My job...I really cannot tell you how much I love all of the little ones that I care for daily!!! Yes, there are times that I become overwhelmed {you know, when both of the 3 year olds need to go potty and require my assistance...the 2 year old has just gone potty on himself and the two babies are both screaming at the top of their lungs because they are hungry NOW and may have gone potty on themselves also?}Yeah, that kinda overwhelms me, BUT once the storm is calmed and everyone is sleeping or playing...I am reminded how blessed I am. This job allows me to be at home with my own sweet Lakon Matthew and also allows me to be a part of these other precious lives. A huge THANK YOU to the parents that have entrusted their little ones to my care!!!

Day 16: Our troops and their families...such huge sacrifices are made by these people. The troops leave their families for months at a time to ensure the safety and freedom of me and my family. THANK YOU!!!

Day 17: My health...despite my recent bronchitis diagnosis, I am fairly healthy. So many people are facing illnesses that there may/may not be a cure for. Thank you, Lord for blessing me!!!

Day 18: My hubby...yes, I did mention him at the beginning of this "I am thankful for..." journey, but the man is worth the double recognition!!! He really does so much for me and the kiddos {he isnt perfect by far, but neither am I} and I will never be able to thank him enough!!! Love you, T!!!

Okie dokie...I am caught up for now!!! Hoping to stay on track from here on out, but dont place me next to the turkey on the carving board if I fail...pretty please!!!

Have a great weekend...I am off to feast with my handsome Liam now :)

hugs...M

Thursday, November 17, 2011

just popping in with another giveaway...

and you are NOT gonna want to miss it!!! Head over to Tip Junkie's Blog for a chance to win a brand spanking new Silhouette Cameo!!!!

Gotta feed the wee ones and do a little laundry then I will be back to do a little catch up!!!

Happy day to each of you...M

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Day 3 of Thanksgiving...

Where would I be without the care and guidance of my wonderful parents?!?!

I thank the Lord everyday for my parents...they taught me about God and nurtured my spiritual growth...they made sure that I had what I "needed" and gave me what I "wanted" when they saw fit...taught me many life lessons {and picked me up when some didnt go as planned}...taught me the importance of family. I will forever be grateful!!!

Love you both!!!

Happy day to all...M

Day 2 of Thanksgiving...

Today, I am thankful to have this man in my life...a wonderful, hard-working husband and father. He works from sun up until sun down to provide for our family...has even done so when not feeling well {like the time he had the flu...104 temp along with it...and while down in his back...SERIOUSLY!!!}. Nevermind the fact that he is a welder and has done so inside of a massive tank with temps soaring well above 120 degrees!!! Talk about having a HOT man in my life :)




There is absolutely no way that I will ever be able to completely express my gratitude to him for all that he does.

Thank you for loving me, T...no matter what!!! Love you with all of my heart!!!

~M

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Day 1 of Thanksgiving...

I challenge each of you to join me as I thank God each day for one {of many} of His blessings...

Today...I am thankful for His son, Jesus Christ. Without Him...I would simply be nothing. He died for me {and you} and has promised each of us a seat at His side in eternity as long as we accept Him as our personal Savior.

As I reflect back on this year, I am reminded of such sadness and loss. Death has occured more this year than in any other year that I can recall. I have witnessed parents lose their newborn child {more than I care to remember}...I have witnessed parents lose both of their teenage sons...I have witnessed young families lose their husband/father and sooo much more. But, above all of this {and thru the darkest of moments}, I have witnessed God's grace and unfailing love. He has seen these families thru these times and continues to hold them up...even when life seems absolutely unbearable. Doesnt that just take your breath away?!?! Knowing that no matter what...He is with us and will carry us. All we have to do is cry out to Him.

It is my prayer that each of you see His many wonderful blessings in your life, but above all...I pray that you feel His love.

Blessings to each of you...M

Friday, October 28, 2011

a promise is a promise...right?!?!

This post is gonna be short and sweet, but I told y'all that I had an uh-may-zing giveaway to share....so, here ya go:

CHECK THIS OUT!!!

Kinda makes your heart go "SWOON", huh?!?!

Best of luck to all!!!

Hugs...Misty

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

are you SERIOUS?!?!

He has the FLU?!?! Yep...my youngest tested positive for the flu this week...UGH!!! His case is the first positive case for the local clinic....guess it has to start somewhere, huh? I really thought it would end up being strep {you know...the whole 104.7 temp!}, but when that came back negative, the ped wanted to test for the flu 'just to be safe'. Sure enough, my little guy tested positive :( Thankfully, his fever is staying MUCH lower and he seems to be on the mend now!!!

What does this mean for all of you...my WONDERUL & AWESOME readers? I will be back to the blogging world just as soon as I have sanitized my house from top to bottom!!! PROMISE!!!

And I just may have an uh-may-zing giveaway to share...just sayin'

Blessings and germ free days to each of you...M

Friday, October 7, 2011

it's FRIDAY...

and I am popping in with another quick note. as I have already told y'all....I absolutely LOVE Gussy Sews!!! I mean come on, who does not LOVE ruffles?!?! Ummm...only crazy people!!!

well, there is another fun {and totally FANTABULOUS} giveaway going on over there again today!!! and just what kinda friend would I be if I did not share with y'all, right?!?! you see, kristi {another super inspiring & creative gal} from Barn Owl Primitives is giving away a $100 Gift Certificate to {BOP}!!!! Can I get a {oh.my.gravy.amen.}?!?! seriously, she has tons of pretty uh-may-zing pieces in her shop!

so, go ahead and get your sweet little name in the drawing!!! and you may as well go ahead and do a little bit of Christmas shopping while there, right?!?! {hint: I really, really, really like the "have yourself a merry little christmas" piece in blue!!!}

okie dokie...back to the pile of projects! I pinky promise...I will do a little bit of creative sharing soon {and there may just be a little giveaway from me also...just sayin'}.

happy day...m

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

another quick share...

...you know me....I JUST GOTTA SPREAD THE LOVE!!!

With the month of October upon us {passing us by really}, I am beginning to plan and prepare for the wondrous Christmas season {yeah, remember...Im OCD like that!}. Where else to look for inspiration than the inspirational blog of one Centsational Girl?!?! Seriously, she truly makes decorating super easy {and fun, IMHO!}.  And for a little something extra special...she is featured in the recent issue of Holiday with Matthew Mead...I really need to a copy of this...just sayin'!!!You can take a sneak at a video with just a few of the featured designers here. Hope you enjoy it, but most importantly...I hope you are inspired!!!!

Off to finish up a few projects and will be back soon to share a few more bits and pieces of my heART!

Until then...blessings!!!

~M

Monday, October 3, 2011

a late night snack...

that I just had to share with you all...my lovely blog followers :)

Tatertots & Jello is at it again with a FANTABULOUS giveaway!!! It is pure yumminess with a delicate ruffled edging...its Gussy Sews!!!!

Go ahead...you know you wanna little taste :)

Will check back in soon!!!

Hugs...Misty

Friday, September 23, 2011

tgif...

can I get an AMEN?!?! Seriously, this week has been a whirlwind...to say the least! Not sure why exactly, but the past few days have knocked me slap off of my feet! Picking myself up and dusting off though as I am way too BLESSED to be STRESSED!!!

Here I find myself realizing that today is the FIRST DAY OF FALL...WOO HOO!!! {Go ahead...it is totally okay to picture me doing the happy dance cuz I really am!} I LOVE IT...the changing colors of nature...the crisp air...the smell of my favorite Yankee candle that fills my home...the cooler temps...the sight of my little not-so-little-anymore boy running down the football field...and so much more! Seriously, it makes me wanna put on a comfy sweatsuit and go on a walk thru the woods {not happening today though as it is obvious that no one told good ole South Mississippi that it is officially fall...seriously, someone needs to tell her as the outside temp is already 70 degrees and it is just after 8 am!!!} Anyways....*insert eye-roll here* and a big ole 'UGH!!!'...yeah, the kind that my almost 14 year old gave me last night when I told her that I would NOT be taking her to roll her Algebra teachers yard this weekend!!!!

Anywho, because my calendar says that it is officially fall, I thought I would share a little something scrappy today...its an oldie, but a goodie {atleast I think so...ha!}. I created this fun little "Halloween" mini album last year for a sweet pea friend. It was soooo much fun to create...might just have to do another this fine, fall {ya know...cuz my calendar says it is fall!!!} weekend!!!










Okie dokie...gotta head to town today as I have a few other "fallish" projects up my sleeve! Stay tuned for more bits and pieces of my heART.

Happy day to you and yours....M

Thursday, September 15, 2011

and we have a winner...

...from this post!!!

CONGRATS, hilsmom!!!

email your shipping info {uhohskettieo at yahoo dot com} and I will get your kit on its way!!!

***********************************************

THANK YOU to everyone that is following me as I share bits and pieces of my heART!!! Stay tuned as I just may have another giveaway....SOON!!!

Happy day...M

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

just sharin' the love...

Hi y'all! While I was feedin' my whole facebook addiction {another story for another day} this morning, I ran across a recent post from one of my favorite shops EVER...Orange Blossom! Seriously, Shauna & Courtney have created the CUTEST frames to display your favorite photos {and so much more}. Well, ya want to hear something sweet...they are giving away a $50 Store Credit!!! OMGravy!!!

So, head over to Tatertots and Jello to enter for a chance to adorn your home {or mine if you are in the "giving" mood today...just sayin'} with one of these FANTABULOUS frames!!!

You can thank me later ;)

Will be back later with something a little scrappy!!!

Happy day to all....M

Monday, September 12, 2011

do you pin?!?!

I do...it is actually kinda scary just how addicting Pinterest is {for me atleast...ha!}! Not to mention the whole "why didn't I think of that?!?!" thing! Seriously, it is a fantabulous idea! Kinda makes me wanna find the creator and kiss him {not exactly how my hubby feels about it, for sure as he thinks I now have "a problem"...WHATEVER!!! I call it "searching for brilliant ideas"}!

Anywho, I would be ecstatic to follow your boards {ya know, if you are a pinner and all!}so link me up! Pretty please with a cherry on top!!! I promise, I will not give the hubs your info...ya know, if he ever decides to hunt down all of these other people with problems brilliant ideas in hopes of getting me to sit and watch a movie with him {or actually HEAR him when he is all blah, blah, blah telling me something that is very important!} Pinterest Promise!!! And if, just if, you are interested in taking a sneak at my pins...you can click here. I will not mention the fact that I am quickly approaching 2000 pins...dont you dare try to get me to admit to how many I have!!!

Okie dokie...gotta do a quick wipe down of the kitchen and spritz a little bit of pinesol around the room. Hey, a girl has gotta atleast make her home smell like she spent all day cleaning it {ya know, rather than sitting and pinning...ha!}

**Oh yeah, dont forget that there is a smallish giveaway in the last post...leave me some love for your chance to win a cutesy mini album kit of your choice!!!**

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

lets get this party started...

**this giveaway is closed...check here to see if you are the winner!!!**

...with a little celebration!!!

In honor of my first blog post and my 6th year as a pea, I am giving away one of these fun, custom made mini album kits from Uhoskettieo!!!

                                                           Sugar & Spice Kit



From This Day Forward Kit



                                                            Sun-Shiny Day Kit




Leave me a comment telling me which kit you would like to win, your name and where you are visiting from...easy peasy!!!  Oh, and it would be super cool if you would come follow me, too...just sayin' :)

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again as I share "bits and pieces of my heART".

Happy day to all....Misty

*Only open to bloggers within the US
*Comments must be received by 11:59 CST Wednesday, 9.14.2011