I am so honored!!

If you get the chance, click on Lunyme Dezines in the Blog listing in the left column and check out her blog. So why am I honored by her blog?? She used our Paris Designs March Color Challenge kit to decorate her blog with!! Woooooo!!! And a great job it is! I was so surprised and honored when she asked, and I went to "peek" a couple of times but she had not gotten it done. Then this morning there was a PM and I got to see what she has gotten done. I am really "contente" (French lessons coming in here) to see her blog and know that someone like the kit so well they would use it for their blog!! Right now the kit is still in parts, the starter kit, and 2 bonus kits for posting for the challenge... but at the end of the month it will go into the store differently...I still have to come up with a name for it. I will show you what it looks like with the previews as they are now....

This is the starter kit, in the store. I will also say right now there are several special thank yous because this kit ended up being so large. I had a ball combining bits and pieces from designers commercial items for here.

A special thank you to Cindy Doerksen; Lisa Craig-Mullins of Primsey Doodle Designs; Faith True FabricFlowers; A special thank you for divabutterfly shapes, digidiva_cuborders by Connie Prince/DigiDiva Designs; karenheckyeah digital designs; "Bannerwoman Design's - Antique frame, SubscribersGrabBag_8 and _9";
Carolyn Brown, Nightwolf Designs; and
SweetDigiScraps.
That covers all 3 parts of the kit. The rest was me!

Bonus kit 1 for posting 1 LO:

I wanted something that made me think spring, pastels, flowers, baby chicks, little bee's, bugs, soft pretty flowers....

Click on the preview if it does not blink to show you all for bonus 1 ..









And then when you post 3 LO's total I will send you this:

One thing led to another and I kept adding and adding and adding... then had the problem of trying to separate it all for the different parts of the bonus. I was quite pleased at how it all turned out, this was my first color challenge and was still feeling my way around on how it was done.

and bonus 2 previews...they should be blinking..


and...if you do 5 layouts total...you can request a kit from our selection of kits, free.

The Weekend!!

I look so forward to weekends...2 days of rest, relaxing, not having to get up in the morning. Ok, so only 1 out of 3 happens, but I can dream!! Other than that, more of the same thing I do doing the week, only more so. 1 more meal a day than normal, more dishes, today I am even still doing laundry that did not get done this last week (or the one before that if I have to be honest). I felt like I was being smothered in dirty clothes...even though they were all hidden in hampers. I have a stack of homework for my french lessons staring at me each day, but of course I leave it until the day before class. I found we may get older, but our old habits are there to stay. I may try and break that habit, actually work on it 2 days before class.

I have a new kit that Michel started, I am trying to get finished and get it in Deco...Spring in Paris. I don't even have the previews together yet, but it is coming, soon! Need to get to work on April's PTP Club kit, and I have needlework that has been calling out to me for, ummmmm.... 3 years now to finish? And what am I doing? Making a blog post. I try and look on the bright side, if I were doing the other things, I could not be updating the blog and then would have to apologize again. On my list of things to do are a couple more blinkies and, a freebie for here. Maybe to coordinate with the new kit coming out....

On the up-side, several of my on-line friends are involved in the 3rd digi scrap race happening right now. Good luck to all of you!!! On the down side? Is there one? Of course there is...how foolish to even think there may not be one! One of my designer friends is very ill, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. I can't name a name but just pray for Pat's designer friend. It will work just as well! Also, we had one of our brand new CT's resign. Quickest on/off in history I believe. I removed her from the list so only those 4 are new. I tend to take these things much too personally, even if I am given a very legitimate reason for the person leaving. Ever do that? I am sure that at one time or another we all have taken things too personally.

My mom called earlier this week to tell me their apartment building was on fire during the night, they had to set in the car for 2 hours...their apartment was ok, thankfully, and no one was hurt. She called last night to tell me she bought a new mattress. She had back surgery a year ago and the doctor and her PT were actually concerned with the amount of back pain she is having...said she must get a firmer mattress. She did, said it felt like sleeping on a board, but, she was so surprised, has not had any pain all day. I wondered why she did not just write me her normal e-mail. I usually get at least one from her each day, each one telling me she understands that I am so busy and can't write right now. What a sweetie...backward guilt. I think she is just looking for reasons to call...wants to hear my voice and make sure I am actually ok, just swamped. Then with the time difference she calls around 8-10 pm...not my best time of the day, and usually around dinner time. (I know it is too late to eat, but we do it anyway!! Can I have a break here??) By that time of night I am tired, wanting to eat and relax and go to bed. I normally eat, relax a tiny bit and then get back on the computer! But not great at chit-chat. I have not been good about writing or calling and of course I don't visit but once a year. In that my daughter and I are alike. We communicate over the phone in short sentences. Hi...hi. How are you? Fine, tired, you? Fine, tired. Things going ok? Yes, suppose so. (Silence.... each is thinking, but saying nothing. The one who called, hmmm guess it was a bad time to call, but she sounds ok. The one being called, Now what do I say? No news, not really in the mood to talk, but she sounds ok, so I don't have to worry about her. ) Well, you are sure all is fine? Yes, all is fine, really. I will try and write soon...just busy. Ok. Me too. Good talking with you! Love you! Love you too, yes, glad to talk with you! Bye! Bye! My mom? She is the chatty one...can talk to people all day long, every day and loves it. My daughter and I...and my grand daughter all fit in this category, which I believe, are not. If I have actually talked with another human during the day, it fills my quota. I can write, but not really a "social" person. Speaking of being social... we have a dinner out tonight. The language will be french so at least I am not expected to say much. Up side? I don't have to cook and no dishes!! On that upside, I will sign off and go get ready!

IT'S WILD!!!

This month at Club Deco went wild!! Take a look at what the kits for this month are...and I am not sure they are all there...

Isn't this something!! if you want to see it closer, or learn more about it...click here! Look down at the bottom of the page to see details.

Ok...ok... just a little behind this month..

But I think I have accomplished a lot! You will be seeing some of that accomplishment soon... did the new color challenge for March, have our March Club Deco kit ready to go, one kit for the store tomorrow... and the biggest news, we have new members on our CT team!!

Welcoming, in alpha order...

Laura M
michellesalgando
movefearlessly
Raistspurr

Thank you all for coming on board!! We are thrilled to have you with us on the team...and let me tell everyone, from seeing their galleries, we are very lucky to have them with us. They are all very talented!!

As the time flies by...

I realize I am behind again here. I am sorry..I had meant to post something before! I have new kits in the store, the grab bag was revealed, a new contest going on.... But in saying that I also did not get my Christmas cards out in the mail, nor my Happy New Year ones which were scheduled in place of the Christmas ones. Just this last Monday I finally took our tree down..it was either that or figure out how to dust it.

Here life is hectic. As passover approaches, my cleaning jobs have gone into high gear to get all done. Total cleaning inside and out of everything in the apartments. French class, ah yes. I thought I might slide by and not get "that call" from our professor but it came, and I started again for my 40 hours of lessons. So for the next 3 months, french. Our building has been having plumbing problems, so, they have been turning off the water for the past 6 working days, from 8 am to 5 pm. I just saw a sign coming in from class last night that it will continue through the 8th. I understand that everyone needs to be able to have hot water coming into their apartment, and if it were me I would have been screaming loudly, but it is SO inconvenient!! Lets see...what else? Oh, yes, I am the Managing Editor for the Women of the American Church in Paris publication, Bloom Where You're Planted. An almost full time project which runs until the middle of July. Michel has been so busy he has hardly had time to do anything, so the designing these last couple of months has fallen on my shoulders, and I have 2 kits I must get done this month. Beyond that, and normal everyday things...not much is going on!!

I will try and get some of our kits posted, want to put up a freebie SOON here on the blog for everyone, and, would like to take a moment to wish everyone a wonderful February!!

Was your Christmas merry?

Christmas has come and gone. Hard to believe it is already done for this year. Work, craft shows, being behind everywhere... suddenly it is Christmas day and I am not ready. I wrapped "zero" gifts. DH got what he got unwrapped, what he got me was wrapped by the store. I don't remember the last time I went through the wrapping paper section in a store and looked at paper. What they have here comes in boxes, on end...and doesn't stimulate the imagination. Or at least not mine, because I walk by them like they are not here. I did look at ornaments this year and buy some more for our tree...which I put up. Love the tree up, watching its twinkling lights at night, watching the ornaments move when the building does (15th floor, building moves with wind and vibrates with the metro at times). Different neighbors come and see the tree. Obviously from what I have seen, we do ours more much differently than most others I see here. Many different types, sizes, shapes, colors of ornaments, from many years and all over. Home made, plastic, glass, metal, wood...you name it, it is on the tree.

I have a friend in Michigan who does their Christmas on Jan. 6...the day when the wise men were said to have come and given the gifts to the holy child. That concept runs through my head a lot, but makes it difficult with us both working. Still...I like the idea.

We were alone this year. Jacqueline, my "belle mere" was not here, nor were we with her or any of Michel's family. Mine are all back in the US. Did not invite anyone over for anything. Thought about it. Mentioned it to DH..he said you don't do that here. (Inviting only for some appetizers and holiday cheer.) My reaction? I am American... by now they should expect us to do things differently. Again, I can laugh at that, as we carry many of the French customs with us when we are back in the states. I like how they do things here also. So we are a blend. Like coffee I guess. Which I am sipping my first cup of the day while I write this. I had to reboot the computer and noticed I had not written here for (OMGosh) quite a while. Guess I won't say exactly how long. See what I mean? Behind. I did get most of our winter clothes out, there is still a box or two I am missing...must still be down in the cave (the name for the room we get underground with our apartment, like a cellar). By the time I find them it will be time to put them away. Hmmmm.... seem to be rambling.

I hope you had a MERRY CHRISTMAS
and have a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Marche de Noel

Or, the American Church/WOAC Art and Craft Fair. It is amazing how many of the french do not understand the concept of a craft fair. They use the same word but differently so then of course it became an exposition...but that did not work. LOL, too many "other" things fall under that word heading. So this year, it got an official name change. Marché de Nöel. That actually lets the other population here that are not English speaking know what is going on. Here are some photos of when we were at the German School fair, but it does show our items even if they are a bit crowded on just one table. I even have added some new items this year, and must get some printing done for his cards....At least a multiple pack. Time...time...need time...

The grab bag

I suppose I should put it on. Oh, we also have another kit ready to go into the store. It is called An Art Nouveau Surprise. I will get to that in another post... Our weekend went by in a total blur. I spent most of it working on the art fair I am coordinating for the American Church in Paris. We are trying something new this year, and putting it on the web with vendors listed with what they sell and photos, we will have a hand out at the door with a complete list and telling where the rooms, and different things are found. The hardest part is getting the word out! If you are interested, you can see it by "clicking here".
Too bad most of you don't live around here, you could come and shop and have fun!

November already!

It is foggy out today. It has been cold, damp and blah for a bit now. I am behind...my Halloween decorations are still not up, some are not done, so guess I will just move on and try and get them done for next year and be early for a change. We did get the 2nd kit done and in the store on the 1st of the month!! Want to see? Between the two of us we had fun with this one. Michel's bat wings and ghost are translucent, he has multicolored hairs on his spider and a "lacy" web rather than a regular old one. He even created a brush for me for the barbed wire which was fun! His idea of a haunted house is not exactly mine, but his is at least very colorful. I had the most fun with the papers. Rich, bright and some multicolored with lots of depth, design and some even look very dimensional. I find I have the most fun creating papers for some reason, which works out well because he enjoys the elements. We combine on some of the odds and ends. I also managed a grab bag at the beginning of the month which has not been "opened" yet, first one. We will change them with what we put in and how we do it with each one, but they seem to be fun! I also did one layout of my grand daughter using the fright kit... hmmm did I keep a small enough copy to put here? Must go and check! Ok..found it! Of course when I showed dh the LO, his first comment was... you distorted the ghost. I said yes....it is reaching for her hat. It was on purpose and fun. (Deep sigh) Sure seems difficult some times.