This One's for Mindy

I just have a moment this morning while sipping coffee and reading e-mails to upload a new word art for today. This one is dedicated to Mindy (Fresh Brewed Coffee) to welcome her back when she returns from vacation. Mindy has been an encourager to me from the beginning ... and it's easy to see what a devoted wife, mother, and coffee-drinker she is.

It's also been inspiring to watch her growth (online) in her talents as a designer. Like many designers, she's gifted us generously with freebies. And, now, we can also purchase her designs through these great shops: Dragon Flaire Studios and Polka Dot Potato.

Thanks, Mindy, for your kind words, your winning spirit, and your loving heart.

And for the rest of you Mommy-Coffee-Drinkers? I salute you from the bottom of my heart.

Happy Caffeinations! DOWNLOAD

Melanie

Lessons from Urkel

Come on. Admit it. Watching the ABC lineup of family sitcoms 20 years ago was one of those guilty pleasures in which you indulged yourself. Silly? Yes. Predictable? You bet. They brought with them numerous of catchphrases that infiltrated our culture -- for example, in Full House, every member of the Full House-hold had their own phrase that was used a minimum of three times per episode. Like "you got it, dude" and "have mercy" and one I still use -- "how rude!"

Somehow, though, the most lovable of characters was Family Matters' clumsy, geeky, goofy Steve Urkel. That little guy reminded us about the value of determination ... perseverance ... kindness ... loyalty ... and the power of friendship. He gave us lessons in "might is not always right," "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," and showed us how to "turn the other cheek."

I don't have an Urkel in my life right now; more's the pity. However, he's present almost daily with me because he makes me smile, and reminds me that things are going to be okay. And in my clumsy states I remember one of the catchphrases for which he's most known -- one that is written on the faces of everyone at one time or another. And that means it's very SCRAP-ABLE!!!

"Did I do that?" DOWNLOAD

Hope this little reminder brings a smile to your day ... and a photographic memory to you mind's eye, to inspire you to find the perfect photo to use this little word art.

Blessings,

Melanie

Need a Vacation!!

I need a vacation so badly. A true postcard-writing, photo-taking, souvenir-grabbing, map-reading, wrong-side-of-the-road-driving vacation. Sigh. Heavy sigh.

To take my mind off of it, I decided to concentrate today on the word "rest." So, all those of you who have been on a holiday this summer (or winter, depending on your side of the hemisphere), or are on one right now, or are packing your bags ... just know that you have an extra passenger. I'm vicariously enjoying YOUR trips.

PS: This trick isn't working. I'm still wanting to fly away somewhere cool, calm, scenic ... well, you get the picture. PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT YOUR TRIPS.

DOWNLOAD

To Scrap or Not to Scrap

I came across this today while looking for something online at work -- and thought I'd make a quick word art of it. I don't know about you, but I'm already sick of the campaigning for the next presidential election in the USA. It always reeks of empty promises, and they seem to spend much more time bashing opponents and little truly constructive work. I'm not going all political here -- just liked this definition and wanted to share it. Maybe some of you will find it "scrapable"!! Three cheers to all the statesmen and stateswomen who look to the future.

On another note, who's got a good Monday story to share today?

Here's the link: DOWNLOAD

Blessings,

Melanie

A Good Sense of Humor...

...is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and everyone else around you. You've seen this quotation often. Here it is again! DOWNLOAD

Take care of yourself today.

Blessings,

Melanie

Summer Blockbusters

Every weekday morning, I have the glorious privilege of watching the sunrise from my lofty perch in my office downtown. Even in the summer haze, the scene is incredible. The rebirth of a day. What a show! It's a summer blockbuster, that's for sure. I'm a huge movie fan, but this show is FREE. Another one of God's gracious gifts to us.

Pretty amazing, huh.

I've loved this quotation since I first read it, but never used it in any layouts. I do have a photo that I want to use it ins soon, so created this word art to have handy when I needed it. Here's the link if you, too, have a need for it. DOWNLOAD

Blessings!

Melanie

Laundry List

What a challenge it is to live life by this creed! It's just another reminder to do the best that we can at all times, no matter what challenges and tribulations we face. This may sound preachy, but most all the word art on my blog is a reminder to ME that I'm passing along. It helps keep me on track, in a way, if I more publicly declare the areas in which I need to work on myself. You don't have time to read such a long laundry list of things I need to do to clean up my act (!) -- but I think that perhaps I'm not the only one. :) DOWNLOAD

Hope this speaks to the person who most needs to hear it today. The best day. Until tomorrow, that is. :)

Blessings to all who enter here,

Melanie

By Request

I'm in a rush today trying to catch up still from things I missed while comatose from pain meds, so this will be brief. This is in response to an anonymous request for some particular word art. Hope this will accomplish what you wanted, Ms. Anonymous! DOWNLOAD

I still have more of the Oh, Petula kit to upload, for anyone who is interested. Hopefully, by tomorrow evening I'll have time to do that. In the meantime, blessings to all who come here.

Melanie

Into Each Life

... a little rain must fall, so they say. And I believe that to be true. That's part of the give-and-take, ying and yang, yes and no of life. It's cool how that works, actually. God has a great plan for all of us and no matter how many times we go up and down on the seesaw of life, he keeps us in balance if we let him. I was 40 before I realized how crucial that was -- to achieve, maintain and nurture balance. I can't say that I have totally achieved it yet, but I'm still a work in progress. How about you? :)

Here are the Oh, Petula Part 2 downloads: paper, tag1, tag2, wordart. I'd love to see any layouts in which you may have used this or any part of the kit. See the previous posting for an explanation about the inspiration, if you're interested. For those of you unfamiliar with Petula Clark's body of work, the wordart in this part of the kit is the name of one of her hit songs, "It's a Sign of the Times."

Blessings!

Melanie

Reminiscing About Petula Clark

Growing up, I was exposed to more contemporary Christian music than what was going on in the Billboard charts. However, a few pop artists caught my attention, and Petula Clark was one of those. Call me a geekazoid, but I still enjoy listening to her old stuff. A couple of days ago when I was watching daytime television with this stupid headache pounding, I was able to enjoy watching a biographical documentary about Ms. Clark and really enjoyed it. I enjoyed hearing the familiar songs, seeing the flashback clothing and observing the changing hairstyles of the times. It was also interesting to see what she is doing now -- and I never realized what a songwriter she was. Maybe you did, but this was news to me.

Anyway, I've put together a small kit that I'll be posting over the next several days, inspired by the strong designs and colors of her time. You'll have to forgive me because my mind sees one thing, and my hand draws another. One of these days I'll be able to get on paper when I practice a little more. Thanks for your patience as I do that! The colors don't appear as strong in the preview as they are in reality. PLEASE DO NOT SHARE THE LINKS, JUST DIRECT ANYONE TO MY BLOG; NO PIRACY, PLEASE.

Here are the links for Oh, Petula, Pt. 1: the paper, the button, the yellow daisy, and the orange daisy.

Saturday

Just popping in briefly to post new word art. Still feeling under the weather, but thanks so much for your kind comments. Celebrate today with your family and friends.

DOWNLOAD

Blessings,

Melanie

What a Pain

The migraine is getting the best of me, and I'm staying home from work today to try to conquer it. It reminded me, though, of something one of my nephews used to say when he didn't get his own way, so I thought I'd turn that into some lighthearted word art. When he said it, he would point to his arm, usually, and sometimes his stomach. So, you can use arrows easily for that in all kinds of ways. I'd really love to see any layouts in which you used it. I need the smile today!!

Logging off to take some more pain meds. See you tomorrow.

PS: Lindsay has some fabulous sequin arrows today that would be great to point out all kinds of aches, pains, smiles, laughs, and all sorts of wonderful things. She's always a great place to visit. You can find those here on her blog: ARROWS by Lindsay Jane Designs

DOWNLOAD of the headache word art.

Happy 4th

I'm planning to totally enjoy this holiday in the middle of the week by making waves ... in the backyard pool. Decadent and lazy, I know, but it's therapeutic and, hopefully, helps me get rid of this 4th day of a bad migraine. That doesn't mean that I've lost sight of the reason for the celebration of USA's independence -- or that I don't think of all the people who have made sacrifices for our freedom. For those who continue to make those sacrifices, both here and abroad. Defending our faith, defending our lives, defending our rights. What an extraordinary gift for us all in this land of the free, home of the brave.

Here's today's freebie -- a word art with a double meaning. Making waves is what I intend to do today, but "making waves" is what it took to earn our freedom. If you'd like this in other colors, just let me know.

DOWNLOAD

Worldly Thoughts

I've been giving a lot more thought to the whole "Think Green" campaign over the past several years. We recycle at home, we try to pay attention to how much water we use, we don't litter, and so on. But you and I both know it isn't enough. I'm not trying to go all political on anyone, but I do think we're at a major turning point now. A point of no return, so to speak. What kind of world will our children have in which to raise their children? Will there be any parks left? Will "fresh air" be available only through purchase? Will they have to go underground to avoid the harmful rays of a sun unleashed because of a destroyed ozone layer? These are tough questions ... and touching concerns. Our world is just on loan to us. That's just what was on my mind this morning, and I remembered this quotation from Chief Seattle. Pass it on!

DOWNLOAD

Speaks for Itself

Ever have one of those days ... and you knew it was going to be one from the moment you woke up?

Of course, you have!

This blog freebie speaks for itself, so I will refrain from all the blah-blah-blahs this morning. Have a good one!

DOWNLOAD