Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

I've been really pre-occupied lately with the birth of my new niece, Gabriella.  I was my Sister's coach and helped her bring this sweet little girl into the world on November 18th.

Not only was I Mom's birth coach but I am also her Godmother!  I just love this little girl, she's already got quite a personality.  Gabriella is my third niece, and soon, I'll have a second nephew too!  My other Sister is expecting in January!  Lots of babies around!!

We found out just recently that my Grandmother is doing very well.  Her cancer has subsided and her outlook is extremely good! 

In my professional life, I found out on November 14th that the Scrapbook Cupboard was going to stay open!  She had announced that she was closing and I had already taken an interview and had scheduled another one.  What a stressful experience to go to job interviews.  I hadn't had to do one in years!  5 years actually and I thought I might have been a little rusty.  Well, no matter for now.  Bev has decided to keep  the store open!  Whew!  This will allow me to keep doing the classes I do, plus do all the behind the scenes administrative stuff that I love to do too!

Donna and I will still be working closely together and actually we met with a graphic designer this week.  I won't say more but that we are cooking up some good stuff!

Today we are kicking off a Dreamy Thursday blog event with Dreamweaver Stencils! Every Thursday, the members of the Dreamweaver Dream Team will be showing some samples on their blogs.  I feel like I haven't been home more than an hour in the past two weeks.  So please forgive this week's submission, it's a repeat from one earlier this year.  Tomorrow will be my crafting day but that will be a day late for this.  Perhaps I'll post that tomorrow too!



With some black matte paste, I pasted the sign.  On some wood, I pasted the Season's Greetings and then cut it out to fit it on the sign.  The 'snowy' part on the bottom is just the Dreamweaver paste that's been piled on without any stencil.

Oh boy!  I know that it's not new but thankfully I have something to share today.  Come on back tomorrow, I'll post something then!  And next Thursday, come on back and I will be up to date on my crafting!

There's lots to be Thankful for this year!  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Striking it out - on my own??

Well it has become official.  The store I am currently working with will be closing their doors.  I'm expecting the store to be closed before Thanksgiving.  Bummer, huh!  I've been with Bev and the Scrapbook Cupboard for 5 years!!  Yup!  5!  Seems like a long time but it's been some of the best times of my life.

So, what now?  Well I've got a ton of irons in the fire and hopefully one of them will pop back out at me and let me know it needs some attention. 

No, No, No, I don't really hope to get burned, I'm just so overwhelmed with the thoughts that are going through me.  I *almost* said I was never at the closing of a businesses doors but then I reflected that I used to belong to Corporate America and I was there when Nellie Mae was swallowed by Sallie Mae.  The difference between then and now - other than the awesome stock option package I was given with Sallie Mae?  Well, a lot.  A real lot!

I still have all those people to say good-bye to.  Co-workers, friends, customers... I still have to clean out my desk (cabinet space), I still have to find another job...

I'm very fortunate.  Very, very lucky.  When I was laid off with Nellie Mae, I had another job waiting for me.  I was 6 months pregnant with my first child and that was to be my new job.  It was a wonderful time, not having to worry about money (because I cashed in those stock options of course!) and just spending the time learning how to be a Mom.  Now, well I've got options out there too! 

Donna Maligno and I have teamed up to create KD Craft Concepts.  We will be striking out on our own, at least partially, to bring some of you regulars a taste of Donna and Kim classes and events.  In what capacity?  Unknown at this time.  We're still hashing everything out. I will also mention that, I've gotten a few other offers as well and will be exploring these very soon.  I'm hoping to find a new place to teach on a regular basis, we'll see how it all works out. - That's why the irons are in the fire, I need to get rid of some wrinkles and I need those irons HOT!  :-)

I'm sure you'll be seeing me posting more.  October was a miserable month... I was sick most of it.  And this month, we are awaiting a new arrival to the family!  My Sister will be having a baby girl soon.  So, whether photos of the new baby or photos of new classes and more information about where I will be, I'll be in touch!

School's out ...for Summer?

Last night the Governor of Massachusetts cancelled all school until May 4th.  He did this on March 25th.  That is about 6 weeks of no sc...