Studio Update: Hot and Cold

Sneak Peek

Here's a teeny peek at one element of my newest digital scrpabooking/graphics kit that I've been working on this week. If you have a baby girl shower or little girl birthday coming up, you might want to have a look at this kit once it is complete...it's gonna be pretty darn cute if I do say so myself :o) I'll let you know just a soon as it's up in my Digital Boutique. I'm sorry to have been such a blog-slacker of late, but I've been really busy with this project as well as a number of other nagging but boring tasks that just don't make for good blog content....

Meawhile - things are heating up in the studio...

...or should I say they are cooling down....?

The studio finish-out is proceeding at a really good pace now! The electrical is all in and functioning and the air conditioner is running!! That's a biggie, because now, sweet hubby can work all throughout the day, even during the 100 degree temperature. This is helping to move things along much more quickly! Plus, my parents came over yesterday and my Dad was able to help hubby too! We are grateful for the assistance!

At this point in the process, the messiness is at it's highest - but that just means that we are getting oh-so-much closer to the work being completed! There is now officially light at the end of the tunnel!

This is one of the best things we have done to both our 12' x 24' buildings - radiant barrier...

...$75.00 for 500 square feet...money well spent. It is amazing how much cooler it is in the building once this was up...

And to help with both heat and cold, here are the piles of fluffy pink insulation...



...which hubby and Daddy spent the afternoon yesterday stapling up....it's almost complete....


...but alas...this morning we have a glitch elsewhere...an element has gone out in our water heater in the mobile home, and instead of going full steam ahead with the rest of the insulation in the studio, hubby is making yet another trip to Home Depot, but this time for the needed water heater parts and he will spend time the rest of the morning fixing that - ugh! Will the poor guy ever catch a break...?


Well, once the insulation is up, we are ready with paneling for the walls.... "Paneling?" you say - "yucky brown paneling???" Yes paneling, and I'll tell you why...


...we put sheetrock up in the other storage building, but had no need to tape, float. texturize and paint it....so it went up quickly and we were done...but if we were to use sheetrock in the studio, we would have had to do all those time-consuming steps, and we just didn't want to add any more steps to this proces than necessary. We were so pleased with how easy it was to paint the paneling in the mobile home that we decided to just put up cheap, plain paneling and paint it...it will be much quicker...plus I kinda like the cottagey look of painted paneling (this is how it looks in our living room...)


So...the next steps for completing the studio are:

1. Finish insultaion (this afternoon...hopefully)


2. Install paneling (begin this Saturday)


3. Paint paneling (MAYBE this Sunday)


4. Install and paint ceiling (next week on hubby's off days)


5. Put down laminate tile and baseboards (this will probably happen next week or next)


6. Move in and decorate!!!!


7. Start creating!!!

It's getting close folks!!! I am hopeful that by the end of August I will be able to begin working out there...if all goes well...Lord willing...


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"My times are in your hands..." Psalm 31:15

F.R.O.G. Kit Now Available!

Hi y'all!! Just a quick note to let you know that I added a brand new clip art kit to the
Just Bee 'n Me Digital Boutique:

F.R.O.G. - Fully Rely On God Mini Clip Art Kit

This is a fun little kit based on the FROG design I did for my friend Sue last year as well as the FROG design I included in my 2009 Wisdom & Whimsy calendar. There's plenty of whimsical images and backgrounds included that can be used for a whole host of crafting, card-making, and scrapbooking projects. Plus, it features one of my all time favorite Scriptures:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

Boy, is it tough sometimes to truly trust God...to fully rely on Him... But, it's the only way to live!! He never fails us, and His plans for us are WAY better than anything we could dream up on our own. He is worthy of our complete trust - He is faithful indeed!!

Have a GREAT weekend!!

The "Ooh La La" Lingerie Shower!

I'm happy to report that the Ooh La La Lingerie Shower we threw for my nephew Andrew's Bride-To-Be Kathryn was a HUGE success!!

We had a BLAST putting it all together, but it was a lot of work...SO very worth it though. We wanted to honor this special young woman who has stolen our hearts and welcome her lovely family into ours...

The Parisian pink, black, and white theme was a BIG hit and was so fun to accessorize. Here's another look at the invitations I designed - once we printed these, we used a hole punch to add two holes at the top and through those holes we threaded black with white polka-dotted ribbon and tied a bow! Sorry, I don't have a photo of the finished invite, but it was pretty cute...

I also made cupcake toppers to match...

...as well as chocolate nugget candy wrappers...it all looked so cute together...


Here's a photo of the work pile I still had going Saturday morning...I LOVE these colors and the mixture of patterns...

We used several of my super-inexpensive re-purposed serving pieces for the shower...here's a before photo of two of the pieces I used to make one of the serving platters...the glass plate was $.25 and the glass I used for the pedestal was just a dime...

There it is as a finished pedestal server among many of the other pieces we had laid out...I tied a black and white ribbon on the stem of the glass under the plate and we put cookies on it, but I didn't get a very good photo of it all set up...you can see a few of the small silk flower arrangements I made for the decorations as well...

One of the biggest challenges we faced with planning and executing the shower was that we had to host it in Beaumont, a town about 2 hours away. My nephew just bought a home there that he and Kathryn will share when they get married, and it was the perfect venue for the shower - it was big enough and it was close to all of Kathryn's family and friends. Beaumont is also my birthplace, and much of our extended family lives there as well.

The great room/den in the house was the focal point for the shower activities - this huge fireplace was the perfect place to stage the shower theme and gather the gifts...

This is one of the larger floral arrangements I made...we gave this away as the door prize at then end of the shower...All the silk flowers came from a store in Houston called Garden Ridge Pottery - they were part of their Spring collection and we got them for 75% off!

It had been an afterthought to get this package of black and white bags and coordinating tissue, but once we got to the house, I was so glad we got it...I didn't realize how BIG the fireplace was, and these bags helped us fill up the vertical space and provide pops of pattern throughout the vignette. We hung them using a single Velcro sticky dot pair...the dot came right off the brick once we were done, but held the bag just fine in the meantime...

I knew I wanted a coordinating "Ooh La La" banner to hang from the mantle, but I also knew I was not going to have much time to design, print, and embellish one, so I was on the lookout for a quick alternative. I found these tag-shaped fold-over cards with 2 holes at the top, then I saw these pre-cut black scalloped papers (that fit within the tag) and a light bulb went off...

...what if I just glue these black cards onto the tag cards then use my white paint pen to write out the "Ooh La La", then embellish with ribbon and trims and fold the cards over a piece of cord...? It worked out great, and was really quick and easy to do...

Combined with a pink feather boa and a "Blessed" sign from Hobby Lobby, this was a pretty focal point for the fireplace...

My wonderful aunt had several "props" that we used including this pretty folding screen and white wire dress form which we draped with a black and white slip I found at a thrift store for $1! We also found this gauzy knit pink fabric embroidered with dark pink roses for $1.50 per yard on a clearance table and it draped perfectly over the top of the screen...

I even found these black pumps at the thrift store for $2.50...looks like they had never been worn... Then we topped the slip off with some fake pearls, a black feather boa and a pearl "K" from the dollar bin at Michael's and "Voila", we had a fun foofy diva-mannequin...she really stole the show...

I know you know how much I love a bargain because I always feel compelled to share how much (or how little really) I paid for something, but I do it mostly to encourage people that special touches and little extras for your home or for entertaining don't have to cost a fortune. These aprons are a prime example. We wanted aprons for each of the hostesses (me, Mom, 2 aunts and a niece) to wear but had NO time for sewing and no $$ for buying cute ones already made, so we thought just maybe Hobby Lobby would have plain blank aprons back with their t-shirts and other wear-ables...and sure enough, they had blank aprons...and black ones no less, which is what we REALLY wanted. Best part was, they were already cheap at $3.99 each, but they were on sale for 1/2 off, so these just cost $2 each!!

I just used a hot glue gun to add the black lace, ribbon trim and ribbon rosette (these won't be washable, but you could sew everything on to make it more permanent...but me, I don't sew...)

I love how they turned out and they were a really nice touch - they helped let the guests know who to ask if they needed anything or had any questions...

I wish you could see the Eiffel Tower better in this next photo..it was a great touch (thanks again to my aunt). Next time, we will fill it in with little white lights I think...

These paper plates, napkins and plastic flatware were some of the few things we paid full retail for, but they were very pretty...plus no dishes to wash...

This incredible three-tiered metal serving piece with beaded fringe was my favorite thrift store find of all...it was marked $10 but everything was 1/2 price, so it only cost $5!!

...it was perfect for holding the chocolate and vanilla cupcakes ($5 per dozen at WalMart...and they were delicious!) These little flag toppers were so easy to print and assemble...

OK, this next photo is something really silly that I had in my head...I thought those pink Hostess Snowballs would make cute little bras for the lingerie shower...all I did was add 2 black pipe cleaners as bra straps and a black millinery rose with a rhinestone in between for accent, then put them on a pretty platter with a paper doily and a pouf of black tulle in the middle....silly, I know, but we got a lot of compliments and laughs for these...

Here's another silk arrangement...I enjoyed using a variety of ribbons in coordinating patterns and colors as accents throughout the decorations...

We had dips and chips, broccoli salad, crackers, chicken salad, cookies, cupcakes, nuts, mini-quiches, pink lemonade, peach tea, and coffee...

This is another beautiful piece from my aunt...this was an old brass candelabra that she thrifted for cheap and shabbied with white paint, then she added crystals and beads plus pretty glass votives...she also lent us her little battery-operated tea lights which worked out great. She also had an organza scarf that she made and we covered her tiny white lights with it...it made such a pretty setting...

...and last but not least, my Sister-in-Law, the mother of the Groom, had a chocolate fountain - this was such a big hit...it's pretty, it's fun, and it DELICIOUS! We used strawberries, cream puffs, pound cake cubes and bananas as the dippers...YUM!

We limited our shower activities to two - once everyone ate, we played the "Mr. Right" game, which was SO fun!! Here's the link with the instructions...
http://www.diva-girl-parties-and-stuff.com/right-left-bridal-shower-game.html

After the Mr. Right game, Kathryn opened all her gifts...my goodness, she got some really lovely nightgowns, robes, teddies, beautiful undies, and other goodies...gifts are always the highlight of the shower...

I also provided all the guests with a 3 x 5 index card and asked them to write down romantic advice for the Bride and Groom to be (nothing racy - just a bit of wisdom for keeping the romance alive) I then collected all the cards and put them in a bowl, then we had a drawing of the cards at the end of the shower and the winner received the large floral bouquet as a door prize. We then, with everyone's permission, read the advice cards...they were very sweet and heart warming...it was the perfect way to end the shower!

And this is our sweet Princess Kathryn - she is beautiful inside and out and is going to be such a wonderful addition to our family...we already love her and her family and friends...simply delightful! My Nephew is very blessed as are we! We wish them all the very best! We are excited about their wedding in November..I'm sure it will be beautiful!!

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Just a quick update on my new clipart kit at my new Just Bee 'n Me Digital Boutique - it is selling REALLY well...I am thrilled!! And I am now hard at work on my next kit...I hope to have it up in the next day or two...please stay tuned! Thanks all - have a GREAT week!!

HUGS!!

Today's Daily Prayer for You

Hello friends,

Just a quick note before we leave town for the lingerie shower. I'll be gone until Sunday. The preparations for the shower have been SO much fun, and a LOT of work. I'll have bunches of photos to share, I promise...because it is gonna be WAY cute!!!!

Meanwhile, I just got my Daily Prayer for You this morning and it was a great encouragement to me today, so I thought I would pass it on to you to bless your heart and brighten your day. If you want to receive these AWESOME prayers daily in your inbox, simply click the link in this paragraph or in my sidebar...it's quick, easy, and of course free...

"Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (AMP)

May you be strengthened, encouraged and built up by hearing the truth of your identity in Christ today:

You are a child of God, created in Christ, chosen and set apart, to be a child of light, a royal priest, the temple of the living God. You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world; you are light in the Lord. You are of Christ, an heir of God and co-heir with Christ of God's glory. You are more than a conqueror. You were created in God's image, redeemed by the blood of Jesus and baptized by the Holy Spirit. You are an ambassador of Christ, spreading the aroma of Christ to those who have been saved and to those who are perishing. You are a sheep of His pasture, holy and dearly loved by your Heavenly Father.

May you receive these truths into your heart today. You are a part of the body of Christ, a part unlike any other, created to do what no other part can do. God has arranged all the parts just as he wants them to be (1 Corinthians 12:18). Thank you for being who you are in Christ, for being part of the body of Christ, for blessing the rest of us in the body with your special gifts. Be encouraged and strengthened today! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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Amen!!!

I look forward to getting caught up with you Sunday - have a blessed weekend!!

Introducing the Just Bee 'n Me Digital Boutique!

Hey friends!! It's finally here - my first digital boutique at Aimee Asher Elite! I am so excited and my head is absolutely spinning with ideas for new, upcoming graphic kits!! And these are not just for scrapbookers - these kits will have a whole host of uses for card-makers, crafters, altered artists, teachers, women's ministry leaders, children's ministry leaders, and so on!!

Here are the two thumbnails of my very first kit - County Fair Fun Clipart & More!
It is absolutely stuffed with colorful, fun images!

Here are just a few of the ideas I have for upcoming kits:

• Prayer Journal kit
• Back to School graphics kit
• Women's Ministry printables (notecards, bookmarks, etc)
• Recipe card and food gift label sets
• Bridal & Baby Shower kits
• ...and SO much more!!

I hope you'll go check out my shop and bookmark it - I will be doing my utmost to add new products every week! Plus, I hope you will comment and leave your suggestions for new kits to create - I would LOVE to get your input!!

Thanks to all of you for your support as I have worked to live out this dream of being a freelance illustrator. Your encouragement has meant the world to me!

BIG HUGS!!!

Progress and a Peek at my Week

Hello - I'm still here!! Goodness gracious, I'm so sorry to have disappeared on you for over a week now - yikes! But, I've been a busy girl (and hubby's been a busy boy) and I thought I'd stop long enough to give you an update on my week...

The studio is coming along nicely...but the unrelenting heat has made the work much more difficult and time consuming. My husband is a saint, and the hardest worker...here's a bit of the progress...

The windows are all in...love the light!! And it's hard to see, but just above the back window is the all important air conditioner!!!

It's really neat to be married to an electrician...I can't even fathom what all this would have cost if we'd have had to pay for an electrician...or a carpenter for that matter!! I LOVE my sweet, handy hubby!! As of this post, he has just completed all the wiring, and so once he turns the breaker on, he'll be able to run the AC, which will allow him to work during the hottest part of the day too. What a trooper!!

This week the radiant barrier goes up on the ceiling and insulation goes in on the walls...we're getting close!!

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I summoned every bit of self-control I had (not much I'm afraid) all throughout the Spring to try to avoid the many, many garage sales we have around here because there's just something so wrong about buying junk when you are in the middle of a big downsizing effort (I still looked though :o)...BUT, in the last few weeks, I have begun to crack, then crumble and I've made a few purchases...here's a few of the latest finds (some of which were on a free table, and some of which my Mom picked up for me). I LOVE the vintage strawberry tablecloth...although it is in good enough shape to use as a tablecloth, I will likely use it as a cutter for several projects I have in mind...one of which will go in our red, green and white vintage country kitchen...


Although this dusty box of faucets looks like a mess, that is three complete Moen brand faucet sets...the entire box was only $3!!! (Moen faucets new are pretty darn expensive). The two brushed nickel-finished ones in front will go in each of our bathrooms in the mobile home when we tackle those later in the Fall - this buy alone saved us well over $200!! Seriously, this is the kind of buy that keeps me drawn to garage sales - you just never know what kind of incredible bargain you'll find...

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And finally, this is what has really been taking up all of my time this past week or so - I am oh so close to launching my first ever digital scrapbooking/clipart kit at Aimee Asher Elite: Country Fair Fun!! I'm just having a couple of small issues with uploading everything, but we've almost got it. As soon as it is available in my new shop at Aimee Asher I will share the link here. It's a really neat, BIG kit (I got kinda carried away designing for it)...it has 46 separate graphic files including 21 cute sticker-doodles (my cut-out, sticker looking graphics), 9 yummy, colorful textured background papers, 2 complete ready to print recipe cards, and SO much more. This is the "cover" for my kit and gives you a pretty good idea of the type of things I have included...once it is all launched, I'll share the other sampler page so you can see all the images...I can't WAIT!!!!!

Oh yeah...you may have also noticed my new blog banner....that's part of an overall effort to update and coordinate all my websites and the new shop too...there will be even more blog updates coming very soon...

Well, I'm heading to my Mom and Dad's house today to work on the upcoming lingerie shower for my nephew's bride-to-be (yikes, it's this Saturday!!). The invitations were a big hit...they came out so cute...and now it's crunch time on all the decorations. I'll be taking photos every step of the way and I'll share those soon!

Thanks for your patience during my extended absence...I'm so grateful for you...thanks as always for stopping by!!! HUGS!!!