Quote of the Day...

Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.

Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.

Walk beside me and be my friend.

- Albert Camus (also attributed to Maimonidies).

Quote of the Day...

Pessimist: one who, when he has the choice of two evils, chooses both.

---Oscar Wilde

Quote of the Day...

Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow.
from "The Matchmaker"

---Thorton Wilder

Quote of the Day...

It is every man's obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.

---Albert Einstein

Quote of the Day...

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.

---Abraham Lincoln

Quote of the Day...

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched ... but are felt in the heart.

---Helen Keller

Quote of the Day...

In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can't build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery and death.
--- Anne Frank

Quote of the Day...

Personally, I didn’t get it. But then, I was just proud I could distinguish between the symbols for Toyota, Ford, and Chevy. This car was glossy black, sleek, and pretty, but it was still just a car to me.

Bella Swan , Breaking Dawn , Chapter 1, p.5

Quote of the Day...

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.
---Michelangelo

Quote of the Day...

A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.
---Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Quote of the Day...

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.

---Carl Sandburg

Quote of the Day...

The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.
---C.S. Lewis

Quote of the Day...

For disappearing acts, it's hard to beat what happens to the eight hours supposedly left after eight of sleep and eight of work.
---Doug Larson

Quote of the Day...

Originality is the fine art of remembering what you hear but forgetting where you heard it.

---Laurence J. Peter

Quote of the Day...

My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She's ninety-seven now, and we don't know where the hell she is.
---Ellen DeGeneres

Quote of the Day...

Anyone who says he can see through women is missing a lot.
---Groucho Marx

Quote of the Day...

The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives.

---Robert M. Hutchins

Quote of the Day...

I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained.

---Walt Disney

Quote of the Day...

Education is a social process. Education is growth. Education is, not a preparation for life; education is life itself.
---John Dewey

Life Happens!

Well, I was planning on listing some items for Etsy on Wed. night after we got back from the apartments that my husband and I manage, but he decided to have a fight with the lawn mower, so we went to the ER instead. (The lawn mower WON!) He's lucky - he gets to keep his fingers, as long as they heal OK.

But this got me thinking about life and the impossible situations that happen on a daily basis! How do you cope with the ER visits, notes from school that the kids don't give you until too late, the dog that will not be potty trained, or the constant stack of dishes in the sink and clothes in the hamper?

I am a fairly organized person and love to admit that I can schedule my family for anything and make it work, but it seems these days that all I want to do is make it stop! I just want to throw the clothes out and buy new (But I don't make THAT much on Etsy!) and start using paper plates every night. But this wouldn't be right!

So what is your trick for keeping the balance just right for your household? Tell me - I need some help right now!! :-)

Take care all! Megan

Quote of the Day...

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
---Walt Disney

Quote of the Day...

All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.

----Thomas E. Lawrence

Quote of the Day...

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
---Anne Bradstreet (1612 - 1672), 'Meditations Divine and Moral,' 1655

What a busy time its been!

We have been busy, busy, busy at my house here lately! Besides colds, flu bugs, sick dogs, backyard remodeling nightmares, and windy soccer games, there's not much to discuss this evening!

I should be listing some great new items on my etsy site here soon, including an adorable board book made with a recycled board book. It makes me feel good to re-purpose something and have been leaning that way lately in my creations! I can't wait for you all to see them!

Keep reading for a new Tip of the Week coming soon also! Thanks! Megan :-)

Quote of the Day...

For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else.
---Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965), speech at the Lord Mayor's banquet, London, November 9, 1954

Quote of the Day...

The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy.
---Sam Levenson (1911 - 1980)

Celebrate Mom

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Quote of the Day...

I take my children everywhere, but they always find their way back home.
---Robert Orben

Quote of the Day...

It is not giving children more that spoils them; it is giving them more to avoid confrontation.
---John Gray, "Children Are From Heaven"

Quote of the Day...

Human beings are the only creatures that allow their children to come back home. ---Bill Cosby (1937 - )

Quote of the Day...

There was a time when we expected nothing of our children but obedience, as opposed to the present, when we expect everything of them but obedience. ---Anatole Broyard

Quote of the Day...

What's money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do. ---Bob Dylan (1941 - )

Quote of the Day...

If A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut. ---Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955), Observer, Jan. 15, 1950

Quote of the Day...

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing. ---Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

I've had a couple of requests to see my craft area...

Well, this is it! It's not very pretty, but it is completely functionaly! I have everything that I need in a completely "Megan-Organized" way. Let's see photos of your creation area!!

Quote of the Day...

May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.

---George Carlin

Quote of the Day...

A bachelor is a guy who never made the same mistake once.

---Phyllis Diller

Quote of the Day...

Where there are friends there is wealth.

---Titus Maccius Plautus

More Family cards done...

I've got some weddings coming up, can you tell?

Quote of the Day...

You know what your problem is, it's that you haven't seen enough movies - all of life's riddles are answered in the movies.

---Steve Martin

Quote of the Day...

It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to where we are today, but we have just begun. Today we begin in earnest the work of making sure that the world we leave our children is just a little bit better than the one we inhabit today.

---Barack Obama

Quote of the Day...

Let your children go if you want to keep them.

---Malcolm Forbes

More Family cards done...

Well, I have some more celebrations coming up! What do you think of these cards for my family?

Quote of the Day...

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

---Buddha

My best friend is so supportive...

So I have this best friend who is super supportive and has never said one negative word about my shop and new business venture. She always has a cheerful greeting and knows how to pump me up when I need a little boost! She's Awesome to say the least!

So anyway, we were talking on the phone the other night and I was telling her how busy life is and does it ever get slower, etc. Somehow we got on the subject of sales on my etsy shop. I've never had a huge rush of sales, but have been lucky to keep getting at least 3-4 per month (Hey - I'm happy about that!!) She says, "Oh, I was going to ask you if you had any baby cards" Well, of course I do - You can have them (She's THAT good of a friend!) The conversation takes another turn, as they usually do, and the subject was dropped.

Two days later, I log into my etsy shop and low and behold, my wonderful, supportive friend has not only purchased the 2 baby cards, but a graduation card also! I'm a little ticked at her for paying me for these cards! (Sorry, Dear!) She didn't have to do that!

I am so glad that she is in my life that I just had to share this little tidbit of good news with all of you!

Thanks Darling, for being such a wonderful person and for coming into my life when you did!

I APPRECIATE YOU!

Quote of the Day...

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.

---John Burroughs

New Tip of the Week - Organizing!

Organize your craft supplies in a way that makes sense to you!

Let's say you see a really neat photo of someone else's scrapbook room and see that they use only wire baskets to hold their stamps. You *think* that this is really neat and *have* to have this, but try only one or two containers first. You might find that you can use shoeboxes for the same effect and save yourself oodles of cash!

Look at your home and see how you organize other things, such as your bathroom cupboard or kitchen cabinets. Do you have everything neatly organized and in its place there? If not, follow similar ways to organize!

I organize by sight - if I can't see it, I won't use it! Everything has to be easily viewed so that I know where things are, and that I can grab it quickly when I'm doing a project!

The back of my space is a long wall of pegboard with loads of pegs! I have all my tools hanging on the wall! All I have to do is look up, reach up, and continue with my project! I also keep a note board with thumbtacks right in front of my work area. On this I keep my current sketches, most used tools (rulers, heat gun, stamp mat, etc) and a few inspirational pieces that I created!

All my stamps are located in a large, standing rubbermaid dresser, with clear drawers. I have them organized by type; flowers, holiday, sayings/words, and rubber vs. cling, etc. This makes it very easy to find the exact stamp that I need, without having to dig!

My inks are located in a small, desktop size version of the rubbermaid dresser. I have them organized by color, in 3 drawers. They fit perfectly and I have the drawers labeled with the colors in each!

In ending, organize in a way that makes you comfortable and stick to it! If you hate putting things away everyday, then make it very simple and easy to do. Good Luck in finding your perfect organizing solutions!

Quote of the Day...

God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he's stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny.

---Garrison Keillor

It's Etsy Day!

The Sellers on Etsy want to get the word out there that the Etsy world is here to stay! Take a look around Etsy for some fabulous hand crafted work and amazing artists and crafters! There is something for everyone!

http://www.Etsy.com

While looking around, take a look at my shop at:

http://DavidsDesigns.etsy.com

Thank you for helping us get the word out to the world!

With Love, Megan of DavidsDesigns

Quote of the Day...

Everything in life is luck.

---Donald Trump

Quote of the Day...

Friendship is Love without his wings!

----Lord Byron

Quote of the Day...

A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.

----Charles Darwin

New listings added to my etsy page...

Wonderful new scrapbook layouts - handpainted cards :-)

http://DavidsDesigns.etsy.com

Quote of the Day...

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.

---Mother Teresa

Quote of the Day...

Old age means realizing you will never own all the dogs you wanted to.
---Joe Gores

New Tip of the Week

When creating a new handmade card, always make at least 2 cards with the same supplies; paper, ink, stamps, colors, etc. This will give you 2 cards instead of one in about the same amount of time! This will create a stockpile of handmade cards to send/give when time doesn't allow for a handmade card to be made!

Just make sure that you put a sticky note on the similar card so that you do not send it to the same person again!! :-)

Quote of the Day...

For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.

------Judy Garland

Quote of the Day...

A dog owns nothing, yet is seldom dissatisfied.
---Irish Proverb

Quote of the Day...

If a dog jumps in your lap, it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing, it is because your lap is warmer.
Alfred North Whitehead (1861 - 1947)

Quote of the Day...

Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.
---Baltasar Gracian

Quote of the Day...

It's really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don't know what they want until you show it to them.
Steve Jobs (1955 - ), BusinessWeek, May 25 1998

Wow - isn't this perfect for us shop owners! -

Creativity Challenge!

Ok - here it is! I want to see your creative designs for any of the ideas and quotes that are listed on my blog!

Comment on this post with your picture or a link to your design and let's see who has the most interesting interpretation of anything on my blog!!

The Winner will receive a potluck of scrapbook stickers as a prize for being innovative!!

How much fun is that?

New Tip of the Week

Save your scrapbook scraps to make a larger arrangement! When you have smaller scrap pieces that won't be large enough for *actual* paper piecings or embellishments, glue them to a larger piece of paper or recycled chipboard. When the sheet is full - Viola! a whole new sheet of patterned paper for your crafting needs!

Quote of the Day...

It is not enough to aim; you must hit.
---Italian Proverb

Quote of the Day...

Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life.

Joan Lunden, in Healthy Living Magazine

Quote of the Day...

Good habits result from resisting temptation.
---Ancient Proverb

Quote of the Day...

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
---Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)

Quote of the Day...

Creativity is a drug I cannot live without.
---Cecil B. DeMille (1881 - 1959)

Quote of the Day...

No matter how old you are, there's always something good to look forward to.
---Lynn Johnston (1947 - ), For Better or For Worse, 01-04-04

Quote of the Day...

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.
----Confucius

Oops!

Looks like I fouled up the scheduler on my quotes! Oh, well - you all get 2 today then! :-)

Quote of the Day...

The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.

Isn't that a good one! :-)

New Tip of the Week

If you are scrapping more than one similar item; such as cards for Christmas; make all the elements at one time to save time. Such as folding all the cards at once, punch out a design element for all the cards, etc. Then when all the elements have been created, all you have to do is start a line to finish them!

Remember to check http://DavidsDesigns.etsy.com for beautiful cards and scrapbook layouts!

Quote of the Day...

Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.
---Confucius

New Quote of the Day...

Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings. - Author unknown

(Anyone else read this and think of the movie "Dumb and Dumber" when they are riding the scooter??) :-D

Another New Layout Created

Fun and Girly! I created this layout because I wanted to spend some time doing a pink girly layout - my boys don't like it when their photos are on pink paper! I think it turned out great and can't wait until someone purchases it for their little angel!

This wonderful layout can be seen in full at

http://DavidsDesigns.etsy.com

The polls are now closed

Looks like "Card Ideas & Quotes" won for the theme poll and apparently everything about my shop is great to one person!!

:-)

So we are going to start a Quote of the Week to go along with the Tip of the Week! (Yes, I know, I'm late getting the Tip of the Week out!!) I am going to try and do a quote of the day - but I might not have enough time to get this completed everyday!

Here's the 1st one...

I don’t know what the key to success is, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.

I hope that you all have a wonderful and productive day! We'll chat soon!

Megan :-)

New!

Perfect for Spring!

Check these out at:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23027528

Finally! New listings added on Etsy!

Oh, these are great! You really should check them out! So fun and springy... But, still more to come!

www.DavidsDesigns.etsy.com

What a Weekend!

My family took a break this weekend and visited my sister and her family! It was a wonderful break! I did get 2 beautiful card sets created while there and they will be listed on my etsy site, hopefully, this evening! :-)

We are also planning a rummage sale for this weekend and luckily I am almost ready for it! It should be a good time! I needed to get some spring decluttering done!!

Speaking of Spring; who else can't wait for this wonderful winter to pass us by? We are watching the blizzard warnings for our area pretty close, sounds like we will be getting about 12 inches of snow, but should melt away pretty quickly! Is it bad that I am hoping for a snow day or two to get my etsy listings caught up? :-)

I am also planning a new poll to try and find out what you would like to see here on the blog and what you like/dislike about the page!! Please make sure to vote once the poll gets up and running!

Thanks for checking my blog out again, and I hope that you have a wonderfully productive day!

Best Wishes; Megan :-)

Oh, My!

I started the day out with 1 lonely follower this morning! I have 9 now!! I think that is pretty good! I've been posting in the etsy forums again and its been so much fun! Ok, I have to go to bed now, but I just wanted to throw out that update :-)

Oh and there are more really neat items coming up, I just have to find the time to list them! And we can't skip the circus tomorrow night!! (Ok, no comments about the circus!!)

www.DavidsDesigns.etsy.com

New Tip for you!

New tip of the week:

((When life hands you lemons, quick make some lemonade!))

I really screwed up my foot recently (air cast, ace bandage, and crutches!!) and have been unable to get to the basement to my scrapbook room. So I have been spending some extra special time with my kids and the house/yard during these scrapbook free days!

Isn’t it amazing how busy life gets? We go through each day with a to-do list of things we “have” to get done, and never really appreciate the fact that each day gone is a day that we could’ve taken a walk, smelled a flower, stolen a secret kiss, or cuddled on a blanket outside!

So for today's tip, remember this... Life does not always have to be so complicated;

Just break your foot and watch things calm down a bit! :-)

I love making new cards! These were so much fun to make and turned out great!

Check these and others like them out at

DavidsDesigns.etsy.com

Well, he got 4th place...

My son got 4th place in the Regional tournament, so he is not going to be able to go to the State tournament, but I am so proud of the way he wrestled this year and the fact that in his first year he did so well! He is just disappointed now that the season is over! We will get to do it all over again next year, but with both boys, as my oldest decided that he wants to be in wrestling too! I guess next winter will be even busier than this one was!! :-)

Not really DavidsDesigns related, but....

I'm so excited for my son, he made it into the Regional tournament in wrestling. This is his 1st year and he's only 5!! If he places 3rd or above, he will be off to the State championship on March 28, and he hasn't placed below 3rd at any tournament yet!! How great is that!!

I'm so proud!!

More great items listed!

More Items added at DavidsDesigns.etsy.com!

New Additions at DavidsDesigns.Etsy.com

Check out these new additions! Spring is a-coming now at DavidsDesigns.etsy.com!

Sorry I've been MIA!

Its been hectic over here! I'm working on some new items to post in my etsy shop, so make sure to check back often to see what I've dreamed up! Also, keep watching for the Tip of the Week! :-)

Another DavidsDesigns Creation!

I've been working on cards for family and friends today and just had to show you all this beautiful Anniversary card that I created for some friends! The green and brown really make the flowers pop and the copper color of the lettering is just perfect! I'm so proud of myself!

Just imagine what I could do for your family or friends' anniversary, birthday, or whatever card! Please contact me at DavidsDesigns@ymail.com if you are interested in having me create a special project for your needs!

Tip of the Week

For a fun Thank You card after a child’s birthday party; take a photo of the opened gift, the gift-giver and your child. Include this photo along with the Thank You portion of the note. This not only teaches your child to say thank you, but also shows the gift-giver how the gift was appreciated! This is also really nice to keep track of who gave what for scrapbooking! :-D

I have had rave reviews for this in the past!

Wow! Pirate Invites!!

I didn't even know that I had it in me! Aren't these invites great?!?! This is the type of work that you could get if you contacted me about that special project that you have in mind!

(Sorry about the black - but I had to make sure that my customer's info was safe!!)

A New Tip of the Week!

Stretch your scrapbooking budget in these harder times -

Paper:
Trade papers with a friend, trash to treasure you know!
Use scraps to make paper piecings, paper posies, etc. This will use up even the smallest of pieces and save money on embellishments!
When cutting paper for a border around a photo, cut the middle out of the background photo. It won't show, but give you a perfectly matched paper for a paper piecing embellishement!

Ink:
Need more time before re-inking your stamp pad? Spritz the ink pad with a small amount of water and let sit for a while (I'm not sure if this is recommended or not, but I do it and it really works to extend the life of the pad until I can get it re-inked!)
Buy a reinker with a friend and use it together, as needed - only if this is a trust-worthy friend though! No stealing the ink!!

Stamps:
Use odd household objects to create new stamps! I found that the inside plastic of a roll of tape makes a really neat circular stamp!
Repurpose old pencil erasers into rubber stamps, just cut a design with a craft knife! I have a whole tiny alphabet set from pencil erasers!
Use foam shapes as stamps. Layer a few of the shapes together, glue, and voila! a new stamp!
Wrap rubber bands around your brayer before inking for an interesting new background design! Guaranteed to never look the same!!
Use your brass embossing pads as stencils for your ink. Sponge inside the shape and then let dry!

Ribbon:
Save all small ribbon scraps. These can be used as a decorative border when used around a matted photo, as a part of your paper piecings, or as texture on your next card (green ribbon = green stem on a flower!!)

Save on Purchases:
Always check Goodwill or Thrift shop type stores for scrapbooking supplies like ribbon, buttons, thread, charms, flowers, etc! The list goes on and on! I recently found a bag of green buttons for a whopping $0.35 + tax. You can't go wrong!! You can also look at Rummage, Garage, or Tag sales. Think outside the box!
Get a job at your local scrapbooking store, just for the discount! If you spend alot of money on supplies, the discount would help you save and put some money in your pocket!! (That is if you don't end up spending your whole paycheck on supplies!!)
Always buy a product that is multi-purpose - such as tools that do double duty, cutting and embossing, etc. Rubber stamps can be used multiple times, while a package of stickers can be used 1 time each!

Tip of the Week!

Always keep a full supply of cards on hand so that you do not have to run out at an inconvenient time to get a card for some occasion or gift.

How many times have you had to stop at the store on the way to the birthday party to pick out the card? I always keep cards handy for those unexpected moments also, such as get well and sympathy cards. This makes it much easier to send your well wishes and prayers in a timely fashion!

More Items Added!

I've done some more adding to the etsy.com site. You should check it out!

www.DavidsDesigns.etsy.com

Almost Forgot!!

Oh, almost forgot (Good thing I've got this list!! :-) I've added some ADORABLE new Valentine's Day cards to my etsy.com site. Check them out - You'll be happy that you did! :-)

http://www.davidsdesigns.etsy.com/

New Tip of the Week!!

For this week's tip, I wanted to share something that I am always doing.

I am constanting thinking of things that I need to do, people I need to call, or errands that I have to run. To combat the fact that I could never remembered anything, I started keeping a small notebook (Ok, its a full size legal pad!) in my purse for whenever that little thought hits my brain! I write everything down, even something that I need to put on the grocery list at home! I even have used it to doodle my next scrapbook layout and journaling that I need to do! Its the best idea that I have ever had; because I can now claim that I have an excellent memory and people are always calling me very organized now! Trust me, I'm not!!

Every couple of days or so, my sheet is very scribbled up (I have to cross off the items that I actually do!) so I just rewrite the list on the next page, in order of priority and recycle the used up sheet!! The list is always shorter and I feel like I have gotten things accomplished! Who doesn't like feeling productive?

Let me know what you think of this little tip!

Have a great evening! Megan :-)

So Sorry for being MIA!

My father in law had to be placed in a nursing home for hospice care this week and I haven't been by the computer very much. I will be posting the tips of the week later today.

~ New ~ Tip of the Week!

Well, I have decided to start giving out a Tip of the Week. These tips could include scrapbooking and crafting ideas/tips, everyday living, frugal lifestyles or anything else that I feel like writing about! Do you have an idea for a Tip of the Week? Let me know by leaving a comment and we will see what we can come up with together!!

Tip of the Week #1

Save time when scrapping by multitasking!

For example...as the ink dries on your design, work on your journaling or placement. Another example: try to create the all the elements for a page at the same time, such as similar embellishments or photo mats, to save time. Always be on the look out for ways to make the process easier for you. The more you watch for ways to save time, the quicker you will get.

But most importantly ~ Have Fun with your project!!