Cartwheels In My Mind

Have you heard about Cartwheels in My Mind?  I've talked about them before, but I just have to talk about them again because I love love love them!  It is a little online magazine of daily inspiration.  They have photos of the day, tons of DIYs and lots of featured artists.  They also feature not-for-profit bloggers all the time and do blog design.  Yeah, these ladies are full of great ideas.  Recently they did a little feedback comment giveaway.  They were looking to get some feedback on the site because it is still relatively new.  So, I thought I would give them some.  Tonight I was on the site (as I am every night!) and I was reading along and it started to sound like something I had wrote....oh dear it was!  I had forgotten all about the fact that they had a giveaway connected with the feedback comments.  So, needless to say, I am the super excited winner of some handmade scrappy stuff.  I could not be any more excited.  I love these ladies.  Here is my loot:

I can hardly wait for my happy mail to arrive.  I just started scrapping again after about 8 months so this is going to good use!  You should really check them out!  They are amazing!
In other news...
I am very sad today.  Dakota got me earrings for Christmas two years ago just before he left for Iraq.  I never take them out because I love them and it's also hard for me to wear anything but but real gold because my ears are sensitive.  Well, this morning I got in the shower and I realized that one of them was missing.  Somehow it had come out, and I don't know when it happened.  I had to get to work so I had him look for it today.  He looked all over the bedroom, all through the bed, in the clothes I wore yesterday, in my pj's on the floor....everywhere!  The earring is nowhere to be found.  I am so very very very sad.  I feel naked without them.  Keep me in your thoughts as the search continues.
Also, the new supplies are up for round 3 of the craft challenge I am involved with.  I have decided to sit this round out.  Sad face!  It wasn't posted until pretty late last night, I worked all day today, and I am severely exhausted.  I can't really make my brain work hard enough to figure out how to use wire, markers, and paint in one project before midnight tonight.  So, I will pick up with the next round.  I know it sounds bad, but oh man I';m tired!
I honestly do have an excuse for being so tired.  The VA in their infinite wisdom would not allow me to see an endocrinologist for my hypothyroid issues.  My primary doctor put me on synthroid and then when my levels shot up too high she took me off it completely.  That was nearly a month ago.  I can tell that my thyroid levels have dropped dramatically again.  I am way low right now and all of my symptoms are back super strong right now.  I'm having a really hard time with energy.  Because of the whole moving to Knoxville thing, I've not had the opportunity to get into a new doctor with the VA yet and get my levels checked.  Instead I just keep sinking lower.  It's been rough, but Mr. Fantastic has been really great and super supportive.  I couldn't ask for a better man!!  I'm trying and I will keep on trying to stay positive and hold my head up.  Bear with me please though.  Have a lovely week!
Loves!

The Scarf That Took Forever!

About a year and a half ago, I found a really cute scarf that I wanted so bad.  It was really pretty.  I found the pattern and it seemed easy enough so I tought myself to knit.  Well, after I got haf-way through my first practice scarf I kind of got tired of it because I just wasn't very good.  I had bought all the special yarns to knit the really pretty one though.  It required microfiber, ladder, ribbon, feather, and eyelash yarns.  I just tucked them away and swore that oneday I would make that scarf.  The yarn has haunted me ever since!  So a few weeks ago, I picked up my knitting 101 book, found the pattern again and got out the yarn!  The first little bit was rough, but I figured it out, and just kept going.  I finally finished it tonight!!  Woohoo!  So excited!  Here are the pictures:

It looks way harder than it is.  The fanciness comes from the different types of yarns, the unwoven ends for each sectin, and knitting with two yarns at once.  It's pretty easy though - just knit and pearl!  There are some adding and subtracting of stitches but its just so you end up with super big and loose stitches.  I may end up posting the pattern latter on if people are interested.  Let me know!
Have an awesome week friends!
Loves!

Mix N' Match Craft Challenge with Lauren from The Perfect Pair

Go vote on The Perfect Pear Mix N Match Challenge!  Here is a picture of my project.  The winner of the last round was the pretty snowflake.  Let me know if you like mine this time - it is a little unconventional!  The challenge today was to use fabric, ribbon, and a button!

Have a great night! Loves!

Go Vote!!!

The first challenge is done and ready to be voted for in the Mix N Match Challenge.  Go check out the cute and amazing projects.  Mine is #1 - the flower and knit bracelet.  Vote if you wish!!

MNM Challege Peak

Just a peak of what I designed for the challenge.  I used the three supplies listed:  paperclip, glitter, yarn!  More later.  To get in on it all, go check it out from my sidebar. 

Loves

Before and After

So, I did it!  I colored my hair back to a darker shade.  Now mind you that you really should only go 2 shades darker or lighter than your hair color with each attempt.  I totally went way more shades than 2.  It seems a little ashy right now.  In some lighting, you can even see a deep olive greeen tone!  Yikes!  Considering everything that my hair has been through in the last few months, I must say that I am actually very happy with the results.  I plan on going for about a week or two and then maybe doing another layer of something a little deeper on top of it, just to get the brown to really sink in to that blond I had.  I think that should do it.  I'm not an expert though, so we'll see!

So, what do you think?  Does it pass for public eye? 
I am off to the studio to do some scrapbooking now.  Have a lovely weekend!
Loves!

Happy Birthday Kiel and Elsie!!

Today is a special day!  Today marks the birthdays of two different friends of mine.  First it is my friend Kiel's birthday.  Kiel is an amazing guy that I met while living in Nashville.  He is an Interior Design student at the Art Institute of Tennessee - Nashville!!!  His work is amazing and his dedication even more so.  I was really looking forward to working under him as he led the Interior Design (ASID) students as President.  (I would have been President-Elect, but had to step down from my position.)  Kiel is very smart, personable, and creative.  I miss spending time with him now that we have moved.  However, we still have date nights when I make the trip to Nashville.  We go out as a group to Cracker Barrel and have lots of fun catching up.  I wish Kiel would visit Knoxville so can can have fun here as well!
Secondly, it is Miss Elsie's Birthday.  Elsie, is a blog friend....well, I follow her blog!  Today LA from Freckled Nest, hacked Elsie's blog for a birthday post.  I left the following message for her myself:

Your blog was my first saved favorite on my new computer in June! You are talented, loyal, dedicated, inspiring, gorgeous, and amazingly kind! I love that you are proof that dreams can come true. You give me the courage each day to know that if I work hard, I really will succeed. I cannot give up, and you are the encouragement I need....my daily dose of "you can do it!" Thanks Elsie, for everything that you do, you talented Diva! I hope that your birthday is every bit as amazing as you are!

So, Happy Birthday to two special people.
 Loves!

Kyle Durrie Letterpress on the go

I found this little video on the Renegade blog. I'm telling you, this idea is amazing!!!!  Kyle Durrie is amazing and you really need to check out her idea of a moving print shop that tours the country and teaches people about the beautiful craft of letterpress.  She has her project idea posted at the largest funding platform in the world for creative projects, kickstarted site.  Please visit her, support her with a donation if you can, and promote her on your blogs if you wish!  I am in love with this idea.


Loves

Back to Basics

I have been blond for about 3 months now and I love it!  The first time I went into the salon, we were able to get it to a warm shade of blond and the second time, we were able to get it to a more natural blond.  It is still not as platnum as I wish it could be, so another trip is needed.  The sad side of all of this is that it is very pricey!  Every 6 weeks I have to go get it fixed up.  Really, it needs a fix after about 4 weeks though.  I take a lot of vitamins so my hair grows really fast!  After some consideration, I have decided that at this time in life, there are more important things for me to be spending my small amount of money on.  I have decided that being blond is just not good for me....right now!  So, in the next couple days, I have decided to return to the dark side.  I'm going back to the basics of my natural hair color.  At least this way, I don't look like I'm lazy and dirty.  Dark hair looks great on me anyways when I am so fair from lacking sunshine and a tan.  Here is an old photo of me with dark hair:

I loved that haircut too, but I am really trying hard to grow out my hair.  Short hair requires a lot of work on my part because the texture of my hair is so weird.  I have thicker hair than you could ever imagine, but it is also very fine and wild!  If I don't spend a half hour on it, I look terrible.  Plus, I can't pull it up in a pony tail.  Right now life is about to get really busy, so my time needs to be devoted to doing other things rather than my hair.  Someday though!!  I'll post a picture when I change colors!
Have a wonderful night!
Loves!

Chronicle Books Giveaway AKA MY BOOK WISHLIST!!!!!!!!! hint hint**

the holidays are around the corner!!! and chronicle books is hosting the bestest giveaway! the steps are easy.

1. make a list of chronicle books valued at up to $500 that you love and would like to win
2. post the list to your blog and you'll be entered to win your list of books! AND, one of your readers who comments on the post will also win your list of books too!!! the last day to submit is december 10th.

So....without anything further, my Reading Wishlist!!
Feel free to get me any of the following books just in case I don't win, and in the case that I do, I will give you a copy of the book that you give me!  hahaha!!  love it:

Mix N' Match Craft Challenge with Lauren from The Perfect Pair

Oh man, I am so excited right now! I just signed up for the mix n match month long challenge with Lauren from The Perfect Pear. Every three days she will give us three things and we have to create something with them. There will be voting, and points, and a winner in the end! I can't wait! This will be my first crafty challenge of sorts. Go visit Lauren on her blog and play along with us. This is going to be awesome!



Veterans Day

A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. Regardless of personal political views, that is an honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact.
Sometimes I look back on my time in the Army and miss it, while other times I look back on it and I am glad it is over.  That time in my life was one that I will never regret or wish to change.  Some days were the hardest days I will ever live through, while other days were a breeze.  I will always remember all of the people that I met through the service, some that I served with and others that I did not.  The events that I went through will never be forgotten. 
Today is a day of Thanksgiving.  I extend my gratitude to all of my brothers and sisters that served before me, along side me, and after me.  I am grateful to those that I served with.  These people may not be related, but they are brothers and sisters of mine that I will never forget. 
I am proud to have served this country.  I am proud to have been a part of something so big and so great.  I am proud of it all.
Today is also a day of honoring; it is a day of honoring the soldiers that gave their lives for this country.  Today is a day to honor the families that have endured that ultimate sacrifice.  I want to take this time to express my humble sorrows to the families of our deceased soldiers.  Although I have lost friends to the tragedies of war, I have not lost a family member.  I cannot ever possibly imagine the pain that the families have endured.  Please know though, that the lives of these soldiers will never be forgotten, never be forsaken.  Know that they are true heroes.
Thank you friends, family, and strangers.  Your ongoing support is highly valued.
Yes, I support the troops!

I got sick of the dirt and colorless days in Iraq so I "planted" fake flowers outside my chu!

The gang....my friends while I was in and still

Thomas was my brother.  I miss him.

My sweetheart and I