Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Sad News

Hi there my Crafty Peeps!!  In my last post I told you that my brother-in-law had been in a terrible car accident just before Christmas and was critically injured.  Early yesterday morning, January 15, my brother-in-law passed away.  He leaves behind two great adult children and his "little" brother, my husband Jim.  Funeral services won't be until the 27th, which gives the family time to make arrangements to come home.  We are a bit spread out across the country.  It will be a very simple mass and celebration of life.  That is how Bob would have wanted it.  We are thankful that he is now resting and at peace.

I would like to thank all of you for your outpouring of love and support during this time.  Many of you knew Bob had been critically injured and prayed for him and our family.  My family is lucky to have so many prayer warriors out there.  So many good friends that just lent a shoulder.  It meant the world to us, thank you.  And we thank you for your continued prayers and support, especially for Jim, as he grieves the loss of his brother.

Hugs to everyone, and remember, be nice, it's really not that hard!!

Always,

Leslie

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

#Ginabahrensdesigns Design Team Project for January 2018

Hi there all my crafty peeps!!  I did not forget about you... promise!!!  Life has a really bad habit of getting crazy when you least expect it to.  And my family is no exception to that rule.  2017 has not treated this family very kind.  To make a long story short, my 2 yr. old niece was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma earlier this summer, my 16 yr. old nephew passed away suddenly in July, I lost my job (but had a new one with in days hmmmm....) my grandaughter was still having some seizure issues (she stopped breathing on me), and of course the family drama that comes with all of this emotional upheaval.  This all happened in about a 6 week period.  So needless to say, I needed to take a step back and just regroup and catch my breath.  I have a really great support team who totally had my back and a few who didn't.  That's ok, it's their loss.  I hope they never have to go through what my family has this past year.  And, now to just add a little more fuel to the fire, my brother in law was in a terrible car accident just before Christmas and still remains in ICU at a hospital in Cleveland.  Mind you, we are 5 hours away in Indianapolis!!

So, no matter what comes our way in 2018, I will face it with grace, strength and a smile.  So on a VERY positive note, I wanted to let you all know that I am now on Gina B. Ahrens design team.  Some of you may know her from her YouTube channel, but Gina also designs stamps, stencils and digi downloads.  They are all available over on her Etsy shop!!  AND, as a bonus, you can use the coupon code LESLIE15 and receive a 15% discount on any purchases you make at her store!!  She has also written a book and it is also available there!!  Really, go check it out!!  You will LOVE it!!  Here is the link to her Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/GinaBAhrens

So, (drumroll please lol), here is my first project as a design team member for Gina!!  I hope you enjoy!!  I hope that it inspires you to go out and do something creative.  And as always, BE NICE, it's really not that hard!!!



Here's to a fresh, new, creative 2018!!

Always,

Leslie

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Announcement Coming!!

Due to some technical difficulties (ie my son playing video games loudly in the background and a sick hubby) my special announcement will come Friday evening or on Saturday!! But stay tuned!! It's a good one!! Take care my crafty peeps!! And remember, Be Nice!!! It's not that hard!!!

Always, Leslie

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

New Design Team!!! Explorations Of Me!!!

Hello my crafty peeps!!!  A few years ago I started to follow a woman on YouTube by the name of Cindy Sines Utter.  Her creativity both inspired and spoke to my heart.  And over the past year or so we have also created a wonderful friendship and sisterhood.  Something that I am very thankful for!!

Each month Cindy gives out a journal prompt/question and then her team, as well as those who follow her YouTube channel will then create based on what the prompt/question is for that month!!  It's a great way to explore yourself and explore your journey in art!!  This is called, Explorations of Me.

I am so excited to finally be able to let the world know that I will be on the team for Explorations of Me!!  Along with my co-design team members,  Anne Manzari WilliamsonGina Bronzini Ahrens and of course Cindy Sines Utter.  And I have to admit, all three of these ladies are my sisters in creativity!!  We are going to have a fantastic and fun 2018!!

I have used journaling for many years to deal with both good and some not so good issues in my life.  And to be honest, I have usually destroyed them, it was my "process" of documenting, and then moving past what I had journaled about.  But then I began to journal not to just document and heal, but journal for joy as well.  I know, what a concept right!!!  It has become my greatest joy in life, to share the good and the bad, to keep the good and deal with the bad and create some really cool art in the process!!

So, begining in January of 2018, I will start my journey as part of the Explorations Of Me team!!  I will also be sharing here the creations of my team sisters!!  I will also post links to their channels/groups below!!  I would love for you to follow along with me on this journey and post your pictures or videos over on my facebook group (link provided below as well)!!

Remember, there are no rules in creating!!  So come create with us!!  Oh wait, there is one rule!!  BE NICE TO ONE ANOTHER!!!

And last and certainly not least, I wish all of you, from my family to yours, a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!!

Always,

Leslie

PS:  Look for some more exciting news TOMORROW!!!


Cindy Sines Utter:
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYxjVJwr0XYjYD-jg_30zCA
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/IAmAJournalingJourney/

Gina Bronzini Ahrens:
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/ginabahrens
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/alifeofartandselfexpression/

Anne Manzari Williamson:
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfKwb1Jzher6sgtMxxuLe1w
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/anneliesesmmeverything/

Leslie McGrath:
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/ScrapnLifeAway
Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/678705795570057/


Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Steampunk Mixed Media Art Journal Page

I hope you enjoy my video tutorial on how I created this art journal page!!




Thanks for watching!!

Always,

Leslie

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Hi There!! A Little Bit Of This And That!!

Well hello there my crafty friends!!!  This blog is in some serious need of TLC and TLC it will get!!  There have been so many changes in my life since I last sat down to write, some things really great and some things really not great.

I will start off with what is very near and dear to my heart and that is my great niece Briana.  Back in the beginning of summer Bri was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma.  Now mind you, she is only 2 years old, and she is one of the bravest 2 year olds I know.  She has just finished what we hope will be her last round of chemo.  She still has a long road ahead, so please keep her in your prayers!!

In July we lost my nephew Joey.  He was 16.  His passing was unexpected and has left a huge hole in our hearts.  Joey's parents are really hurting right now, so please keep my brother and his ex-wife in your prayers.  No parent is meant to bury a child.  I remember the day he was born, holding him in my arms when he was just hours old, and then having to say good bye to him.  It is just not fair.

I have also had a change in my job situation.  I no longer work at the local high school here.  The kiddo that was my main responsibility turned 22 and "aged out".  So that left me with out a job.  I was able to secure another position within the same school corporation, but now I am with little kiddos and not high school kiddos.  This also meant that I lost my full time hours, which meant I also lost my health care benefits, which were really good.  So I was able to get on my husband's health care plan, which really sucks.  Chasing these little ones is much different than high school students and there is only one word to describe it....  EXHAUSTING!!!

With all the stress on our family, there is bound to be drama, and there has been a lot of it.  It is unfortunate and it saddens me that people who are supposed to be grown adults refuse to take responsibility for some of their actions.  They are more than willing to shout from the roof tops (or hide behind an email) and spout off on all the wrong doings of others with out taking some responsibility for their own part in the drama.  But, I have stood up, because I can, and reached out to those family members who are hurting right now, and for that I have been chastised and called evil.  But that's ok, because I can get up in the morning, look myself in the mirror, and with honesty say, I've done good.  You see, you can lie to all those around you, but you can't lie to the face looking back at you in the mirror.

My grandbabies are growing like weeds!!  Khloe is in 1st grade, Liam is in Kindergarten and Penelope turned 2 in July!!  Penelope did have another pretty hard seizure that required me to call 911 because she decided to stop breathing on me.  Shortly after that incident, Penelope was attacked by a dog at the baby sitter's requiring 6 stitches on her face, and still has major bruising weeks later.  Needless to say, the dog is no longer there.

I really need to thank my friends, those who live here locally and those who are part of my online crafty community.  This has been a very difficult few months for my family and most of you stood by and supported me through all of this.  There were many events that I missed, but our family needed time to disconnect and heal.  To spend some quality time together because we are not promised tomorrow.  A few people didn't understand and took things personally and for that I am sorry.  It is my sincere hope that they never have to suffer through what our family has had to endure these past months.

On a happier note, I have been on the design team for 7 Gypsies and Tattered Angels, which is owned by a company named Canvas Corp Brands.  I have had a lot of fun working with their products!  I may also have a surprise announcement for you all later in October!!

But my grown up kids are doing great, Kevin and Katrina are doing great, Kevin is still teaching and Katrina is still working for a physical therapist.  Samantha is still working as a social worker in Columbus and........  Donnie moved back home from Evansville!!  So, we are no longer empty nesters again, kinda!!  He is never home, so we don't really see him!!  Jim is still working hard as a retail manager and I am arting up a storm!!!  My mom's house down in Florida survived hurricane Irma with minimal damage, and for that we are very thankful.  That is her little piece of paradise and it would of been heartbreaking for her to have lost that.

I was watching a video the other day, and for the life of me I can't remember who it was.  But they said something to me that just grabbed me.  So often I hear people say, (even myself) I can't do that!  Well I am here to say yes you can,  you need to  BEGIN, BELIEVE and BECOME!!!  I think you are going to hear that a lot from me!!!  So be on the look out!!

And before I sign off here, I just have one thing left to say, and I've seen this sign all over my neighborhood, and it says:  Just Be Nice.....  so to all of you, go out and do something crafty and JUST BE NICE!!!  It's really not that hard!!!

Always,

Leslie


Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Steampunk Pocket & Tag

This is a start to finish process video of steampunk pocket & tag that I did for a challenge!!  So go grab a beverage & your favorite snack and enjoy!  I hope that it inspires you to create something beautiful in your life!