sorry it's been a while...

so my first intentions were to upload videos to youtube on a regular basis...starting out with organization of my scrapbook room, followed by technique videos. I got 4 uploaded...and then took a little hiatus. oops. well...it has been crazy with transitioning my downtown scrapbook studio to a craft consignment store...and my mom finding out she has Stage 4 terminal cancer...so i am sure you understand. (ready for life to get back to normal for sure...)

here is my latest...it is about how i organize my letters. man, this has been a struggle for me for some reason. they have been in vertical folders, notebooks, hanging by color...but finally i have found a system(s) that works! i noticed a few things about myself when watching the video (reminder...i am not about doing multiple takes...so they are very imperfect):

i say 'um' alot
i really need to thoroughly clean my room (and get the ceiling tiles put back up...yikes, sorry about that!)
i talk with my hands...alot!

so with that said...enjoy! 8 )



(If you can't see the whole screen, click here.)

Spring...

I love spring. While our weather hasn't completely decided if winter is over yet, we have had a few nice days here and there. Of course, a huge part of spring is the dandelions...





Spring also brought us Mally's preschool graduation (of which she was a very funny little girl...)





Spring also brought us Keaton's Spring School Concert...


And my shop opening...

And Mother's Day (of which ended with a beautiful, shiny, clean car)...



And of course, a freshly painted, newly organized bedroom (with lots of adorable pillows and some vintage flair)...






Happy Spring everyone!!!

xoxo

Opening Day!!!

Craft Corner is coming along beautifully! The opening day will be Saturday, May 14th! Sooo excited!!!

I will definetely be adding some photos soon. I am amazed at the awesome talent that has come into my shop!

Hours for opening day will be 9am-6pm. After that, here are the hours for the remainder of May (I think I will have extended summer hours, but need to check on daycare options first):

Friday: 1pm-6pm
Saturday: 9am-6pm
Sunday: 1pm-5pm

By the way, I will still take more vendors if you are interested in selling your craft! Email me at nicmackin@hotmail.com for more info!

Also-to keep up with shop info, follow my blog dedicated to it: http://mtccraftcorner.blogspot.com/

4 Generations

While the last couple months have been tough, we were able to set some time aside this Easter and enjoy some time together as family. We enjoyed a wonderful meal full of ham, cheesy potoatoes (my favorite!), green bean casserole, rolls, corn...all followed by an Easter Egg Hunt for the kiddos.

We also took some time to take some family photos...here is a priceless photo I will cherish always...4 generations together.


Hope everyone had a blessed Easter. Christ has risen!!!

xoxo

Never say never.

Never say it won't happen to you. Never say that because it is not in your family that you are not at risk. What am I talking about?

Cancer.

I hate this word. Cancer has officially changed our life, and not for the better. Within the last month, my mom has been through so much because of this disease.

Specifically, she has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. She has been through a lumpectomy (which did not get it all). She has been though emergency surgery due to a hematoma. She has been through numerous doctor visits, scans, tests, procedures...and now, she has been diagnosed with the worst stage, the terminal stage. It is in the rest of her body-her lymphnodes, her liver, her spine, her pelvis, and her ribs. She is in pain.

She is now undergoing aggressive chemo. The next 3 months will determine the length and quality of her life. Hopefully this will decrease her pain, but unfortunately at the same time will make her sick. And make her lose her hair...


(picking out her wig...)

We are trying to stay positive...definetely looking to God through all of this. Luckily, we all have so much incredible support from countless family and friends. I could not be thankful enough for that.

So, we are in the midst of a very rough journey. But we will get through this. She is strong. And no matter the end result, we know that because of our Lord and Savior, she will win either way. But I am praying we will have lots of time left with her on this earth...

Five years.

I can't believe it has been five years.
Five years since my dad has passed away.
Since I got that dreaded phone call.
And drove that 20 minute drive that seemed to last an hour.
Five years since I lost a bit of my heart.
It has never mended.
Miss you dad. Miss you with all of my heart.
I found this on my computer a few days ago. Thinking of that day still takes my breath away.

I heart this

Keaton brought this home from school the other day. I love that underneath the people (us) she wrote 'this is love.' Seriously, how awesome is that?

xoxo

total patriotic randomness

ok--so i was just on facebook and a friend of mine posted faith hill's rendition of the star spangled banner from a few superbowls ago. love, love, love. so, of course as i was watching it, i started clicking on different renditions that popped up on the side of the screen. i will preface this all to say i am a nerd-i totally cry every time i hear the star spangled banner. especially at the part where it says 'and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that the flag was still there...'.
while i don't really talk politics on this blog anymore, many of you still know that i am very interested in politics and current events as well as this country's history. i love reading about the founding fathers and famous individuals that throughout history have made such a huge impact on this country.
so...as i am motivated, i am going to post some of my favorite you tube videos that are patriot driven, starting with the afore mentioned faith hill rendition of the star spangled banner. (grab your kleenex)



and of course, whitney houston's performance of perfection:


and this renders me speechless everytime i watch it (no matter what you think of the man). total chills:


and this one...can't believe it has been 10 years as of this september:


and this brought me to tears as i watched it live:


I can't hear this song without balling. God bless those who have sacrificed for our country and for our freedom. thinking especially about my cousin jeremy.


and this is so cool.


God bless this man. such an inspiring message.


as i am putting this blog together i am thinking this would be a great post for 9/11 or for the 4th of july. but then i remember that we should be reminded of these things everyday. we should always be praying for our soldiers and always be reminded of their sacrifice. we should always remember what happened on 9/11 and how the country came together afterward. we should always remember how this amazing country was founded and how truly blessed we are to live here. God bless America.

Exciting News...

As many of you know, I have a scrapbooking studio downtown where I hold crops and classes. My goal was to someday open a scrapbook store...

Unfortunately, after feeling it out for over a year now, I don't know if the store would be supported in this small town.

So plans have changed.

I am still opening a store. But one with less risk. And I think even more fun.

I have decided to open a Craft Shop! It will be filled with homemade crafts made by local people. By extremely talented people. I am so excited. I have commitments from a number of people, but am still looking for more.

My goal is to have a wide variety so all ages can shop and find something they need or want. My goal is to support local crafters, to give them more opportunity outside of craft shows to sell their beautiful items. My goal is to be a place where someone can stop in and get that special,homemade gift for a friend or family member.

I will still be holding scrapbooking events. And selling some scrapbooking products. And hopefully, after we get settled, I will also be offering a wider variety of craft classes, taught by the very talented individuals who will be selling their items in the shop.

I am sooo excited about this new venture! Please contact me at nicmackin@hotmail.com if you are interested in selling your homemade crafts in my shop!

xoxo

reminiscing...

i have been in the mood lately to scrapbook mallory's baby photos. technically, i have already done so...i did an album of her first year where i did a double spread for each month, the design of each month the same. it is nice to have her first year documented, but i missed out on doing those fun 'individual' pages of her. so, i grabbed january's scarlet lime kit (with some additions) and did some layouts of mallory's early months.








wasn't she just a precious little baby? thanks for looking.
xoxo