Time

     I have spent a lot of time over the last year thinking about, well...TIME.  I think that we can all agree that there just never seems to be enough of it! (At least not enough to do the things that we really want to do.) In the 1970 movie Scrooge , my favorite movie version of Charles Dickens' A Chistmas Carol  ,  the Ghost of Christmas Present says, " There is never enough time to do or say all the things that we would wish. The thing is to try to do as much as you can in the time that you have. Remember Scrooge, time is short, and suddenly, you're not here any more." Such profound and wise words.
     I spent most of 2013 feeling sad, tired and angry. I think most people who know me will agree that when they think of me, sad,tired and angry are not normally the three words that first come to mind. I just felt such sadness that I was letting TIME slip away, working a job that was leaving me increasingly emotionally unfulfilled and physically exhausted, and I was so angry with myself for letting myself get to "that place." For a long while, I felt a real and nagging sense of hopelessness.  The  TIMEs I felt the most happy, and most myself really, were the TIMEs I spent with my family and friends and the TIMEs I spent creating something...anything.
     Then, at the end of July, something terrible and wonderful happened. My supervisors approached me and told me I would have to increase my work schedule. More weekends, more nights, more TIME away from home...UNACCEPTABLE was my first thought. Hadn't anyone been listening to me?! I had said, over and over again, that I was unhappy. Did anyone really care?  This is where the wonderful happened. It finally dawned on me. Why not just walk away? I do need to work.  The bills do need to get paid, but I didn't need to work MORE. Why not ask to have more TIME at home and with my family? I announced my intention to semi-retire beginning January 1, 2014. I made it clear that I needed to be employed, but just not as a full-time employee. Thankfully, my supervisors agreed with my plan. What a relief! I was prepared to seek employment elsewhere, if I had to, but my management has really made an effort to help me move forward on the next part of my life journey.
     So, NOW IS THE TIME!  What am I going to do with all this extra TIME? The list is long. I have already enjoyed an extended Christmas holiday with the family, immediate and extended. I have helped two of the three daughters with a much needed, mom assisted, room cleaning/purge...how does so much crap end up under those beds? I attended the first indoor soccer game of the indoor season. I have prepared a few lunches and dinners...I did miss that!  I have also done a great deal of planning.  I really want to use the TIME that I have made available in the most efficient and enjoyable way. (Anyone with a Type A personality will understand the need to plan, and God knows...I AM a Type A gal!)  Lists  have been made. Goals have been set. Calendars are at the ready.  The TIME for excuses about TIME is over.
     I do realize, I assure you, that there will never be enough TIME.  However, I am elated to have made a confident and purposeful decision about how I am going to utilize and savor the TIME that I have  available to me.  I really want to concentrate on family and creativity in 2014. I will take the TIME to do just that!  It's a work in progress. 

Shout It From the Rooftops! The New Idea Book Is Here!

     Today is the day I have been waiting for all summer! Today the products from the NEW idea book from Close To My Heart are available for purchase from my website http://heatherrunion.ctmh.com/.  A new idea book release is something I look forward to for weeks. Being a consultant for Close To My Heart and getting a sneak peak and early ordering privileges is icing on the creative cake!

     The first thing on my "must have" list from the new idea book...the new Cricut Artbooking Cartridge...one word, friends...AMAZEBALLS! It contains over 700 images...you heard me...700 images! I know not everyone has a Cricut, but those of you who do, know how it can take your creativity to the next level. This Artbooking Cartridge has it all...an adorable font, gorgeous page overlays, 15 layout themes, 10 complete mini-books, those "on trend" Polaroid style frames, and more titles,themes,and icons than you can shake a stick at! I am going to start playing with my cartridge today! To order click here CTMH Cricut Artbooking cartridge.Look for some cute projects to be posted in the coming weeks!

     The new book contains 6 new paper collections and coordinating accessories and stamps. I love the new Sarita line that is featured in this Hostess rewards bundle. Gorgeous!

     The biggest surprise of the idea book...the new Base and Bling line! These are affordable, lightweight accessory bases to make necklaces, bracelet cuffs, hair clips, rings and headbands. Wearable art!! Tell your friends! Check out this adorbs necklace that we made at convention using the Fabric necklace kit (item number Z1905) . To order, click here CTMH Fabric Necklace Kit

     There is so much awesomeness to see in this new idea book! I could go on all day...instead, I think I'll feature a new product or project idea each week. Want to take a look at the new idea book? Check out CTMH Autumn/Winter Idea Book 2013. Want a Close To My Heart Idea Book to hold in your own hot little hands? Contact me. I'll hook you up with one for FREE! (I know...I'm generous, right?...can't help myself!) Contact me on my website Heather Runion's CTMH site, on Facebook Heather Runion's CTMH Business page ,on Twitter https://twitter.com/HeatherRunion or just give me a jingle at 304-728-6710. I am so pumped for these products, and I cannot wait to share them with you! I am breaking out the Cricut today for some much needed "art therapy'" at Chez Runion...it's a work in progress.

On Being Nice

     I think being nice is nice. I feel nice after being nice.  I love being nice.  I wish more people loved being nice.
     Being nice is easy.  Think about it for one second.  It takes little or no effort to be nice.  Being nice should be practiced.  The more you are nice, the easier and more natural it becomes.  The more you are nice, the more you want to be nice.  (Besides, not being nice is HARD.  Who wants anything in this life to be any harder?)
     In my professional life, I always try to be nice.  Dealing with the public is not always nice.  The vast majority of my patients are nice.  A few are not nice...no matter how hard you try to be nice to them.  I often wonder why they find it so hard to be nice.  Maybe they are sad, or alone, or just plain mean.  I try to be nice to them anyway. Maybe some of my being nice will eventually rub off on them and they won't be as sad, or alone, or as mean anymore.
     I have had a great role model in the "Nice Department."  My mother, Tootsie, is the nicest person I have ever met.  She has one mission in life...being nice to others. She is constantly doing something nice for someone else.  She has shown me that being nice is the most generous thing that you can do in life.  She is beloved to everyone she knows because she is nice. Check her out. She even looks nice!

     This is a picture my mom with my dad. (He's pretty nice too!)  In 2013 why don't we all try to be like Tootsie and be nice to someone everyday.  It will make us all feel really nice.  It will make 2013, possibly, the nicest year ever!  It's a work in progress...



    

Crazy Cool Crafty Stuff

     How is it possible that there are 5 weeks only left in 2012?! Where has the year gone?  Looking back, it has been a very creative year for me. Did I accomplish all of my personal creative goals for 2012? No. But, I did make more creative time for myself in 2012 than I did in 2011. That's for sure! I felt good about every minute of it. This weekend, in fact, two of my craftiest friends and I held the first meeting of our new "Let's Get Together and Make Some Crazy Cool Crafty Stuff" Club. (We haven't come up with our official name yet. That is a work in progress.)  We had a blast! We created 3 projects I found on Pinterest, and each one was a rousing success.
Check out these cool shadow boxes.

     These are based on a project found on the blog Blue Eyed Blessings  http://www.blueeyedblessings.blogspot.com/ . There is a wonderful detailed tutorial there. This project was very fast and the results spectacular!
     Next we used a product from Sculpy called Pluffy. We rolled it out, then stamped on it using Close To My Heart My Acrylic stamps. Popped them in the oven, then painted them silver. I originally got this idea from my friend Melissa Laverty http://fancymelissa.com/blog/  and got more inspiration from Cathe Holden at http://justsomethingimade.com/2010/11/christmas-stamp-embossed-ornament/. These were super simple and a great project to do with your kiddos.
     Our third, and final, project for the afternoon was a project I lovingly call "Glittery Balls." (I snicker every time I say "balls"...heehee. This project was inspired by Lori Allred from My Craft Channel http://www.allreddesign.net/2012/11/ibp-glitter-cups.html.

These "balls" are so easy and so FABU! Just GORG! (That's how my teens talk.) Just use some Pledge Floor Shine some glitter and cha-ching...glittery balls! I used my Cricut and the Cricut Vinyl for the personalization. The possibilities of embellishing these balls are innumerable.
     I also created an Advent calendar using Close To My Heart's Workshop on the Go Kit. This is one of my favorite projects and would make a great gift.

You can order this kit from my website http://heatherrunion.ctmh.com/Retail/Product.aspx?ItemID=6870&CatalogID=1733.
     After re-reading this post, I am feeling pretty good about my holiday crafting. It's not even December 1st, and I am off to a Flying start!
     I'm thinking the theme of my next post will be my creative year in review...it's a work in progress.

Sophia's Love Potion

     My fifteen year old, Sophia, had to write a recipe for a love potion for one of her classes this week. I thought I would share it with everyone because I think it is very sweet!

Love Potion

 

Ingredients

2 cups white lilac petals

2 cups purple rose petals

4 3/4 cups trust

1 cup loyalty

3 ounces honesty

1 gallon happiness

3 teaspoons support 

2 cups attraction

A pinch of compassion 

Instructions

1. Evenly mix the white lilac petals and the purple rose petals together and set aside.

2. slowly add the loyalty to the trust over ow heat. Stir for 3 minutes then allow to cool.

3. Stir the support, attraction, and compassion into the happiness.

4. Once the trust mixture has cooled, add the happiness mixture to it.

5. Pour the flower petals over the new mixture.

6. Finally, sprinkle the honesty on top.

Administering the Love Potion

To administer this love potion, you must first put it into a spray bottle of sorts.  Spritz yourself first, and then convince the one you love to spritz them self. REMEMBER: The potion will only work if the one you love sprays them self. You cannot do it secretly! Once both of you have been sprayed, you should fall in love within the next 24 hours. Good luck!

    

      Trust, loyalty, honesty, happiness, support, attraction and compassion sound like a perfect recipe for love to me! Interesting that she has her first real boyfriend...(insert bittersweet sigh). Here they are before the big Homecoming dance a few weeks ago.  A stunning couple if I do say so myself!

     Young love...definitely a work in progress!

 

Crafty Happiness

     Being creative (gettin' crafty) really is how I get to my "happy" place. Art is truly therapy for me. Lately, I have felt the need for lots of therapy! I love to create just about anything, but, in my creative heart, first and foremost, I am a scrapbooker. Long ago, I grew beyond the idea that a scrapbook had to be a leather bound album filled with 12x12 pages. I think just about anything that tells a story can be a scrapbook. I really enjoy scrapbook art that can be displayed in your home or given as a gift. This is a project that I recently completed that I am totally in love with! Check it!

     Stunning, right?! The best part of this project? It is a Work Shop on the Go from Close To My Heart! The Scroll Album Kit http://heatherrunion.ctmh.com/Retail/Product.aspx?ItemID=6868&CatalogID=1733comes with all of the embellishments needed to complete this project. All you need to add, besides your pictures, of course, is adhesive and Chocolate ink. The thing I love about this project, is that it is a no brainer! It comes with a full set of fully photo illustrated instructions to guide you from start to finish. I am really considering doing several of these for Christmas and Birthday gifts this year.
     Think you might be interested in this project? Check out my website at http://heatherrunion.ctmh.com . The kit is item number G1042 and retails for $35.95 plus tax and shipping. If you are local to me and need some help completing this kit, give me a jingle, I would love to "meet up" and assist you in completing this masterpiece! What the heck, find a couple of friends who want to get in on this crafty fun, and we'll make it a PARTY!
    All this talk about creating is making me feel inspired. To the craft room I go!

Thinkin' about "THINGS"

     You know, lately, I have been thinking a lot about "things."  The more I think about my obsession with "things," (yes, I said obsession), the more afraid and ashamed I become.  I am not just talking about material "things." I am talking about work "things," home "things," family "things," money "things," time "things,"...a whole lot of "things."
     I have to be entirely honest, I have a pretty great life. Really, I do. I know it.  I have a great family, beautiful home, supportive friends, co-workers I adore, and more blessings than any one person really should have. Still, I often find myself unhappy worrying about "things." Many of these "things" I can change, some I cannot. But, I find myself mired down by fears, real and imagined, that prevent me from taking action. Am I lazy? I don't believe I am, but why can't I simply get over or work through all these "things?"
     I think that fear... well... sucks!  I want to be brave, not just sometimes, or when it's easy, but brave all the time. I just feel like there are so many "things" going on in my life right now, that I have forgotten how to be brave. Shucks, I am even afraid when I go to the dentist anymore. (Sorry Doctor Boyd, you are a wonderful dentist. It's me, not you.)
     I think the only way I can work through all this stress and fear about "things," is for me to become brave again. I mean, honestly, what do I really have to lose? My family? My friends?  I don't think so. I feel like "things" are pushing me to make some major changes in my life. It is true that no one is promised a tomorrow, so I better get brave quickly and take care of some "things."
     I often pray about "things." The Serenity Prayer is one of my favorites.

     Maybe, just maybe, I can start to work through some of these "things." Do me a favor, please. Say a prayer for me. I'll take all the help I can get with "things." It's a work in progress...