FATHERS DAY 2008

Their dad and mine. What a great couple of men that I just want to say HAPPY FATHERS DAY to. I would not be the same if it wasn't for you two. You both make our lives complete! So THANK YOU FOR THAT!!!!!

MEGAN, ABBY AND GRACIE ARE ON THERE WAY

My mind is running over time. Yes, I am being torn in many directions because we are coming to the end of the school year but my mind is still pumping. So lets add my favorite girls to the product line. I am pulling all of the incredible papers that I have and making more embellishments for the world stage. I can keep up, can you? So lets get scrapping. What about sitting making cards this summer for the fall/winter season. I have so many simple ideas to put together just the right papers so you can step back and say wow, I did that. Take one of these great flowers and place on a cards front and you have anything from a Birthday card to a Grads money card. Simple, Simple, Simple! So what are you going to create today?

Well lets welcome the three girls, hi Megan, Abby and Gracie, aren't you pretty!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!!!

THE GIFT

So last night we had some really bad storms pass over our home by the pond. If you have never read anything I have written before, you may not know how much I LOVE my home. Everything about it from the fact that we have more land then just the foot print the house sits on to the color on my walls. Little or big, there is no place on earth I rather live out my years then this house. So, when a storm comes my way last night it tends to be unsettling when you see the tree that holds bird seed bending over. That tends to make me have a unhappy evening. So what did I find myself doing in the dark? Make, Make making new products.

So what does this all mean to the post title "THE GIFT"? I am walking around here this morning realizing that I have this gift. Since this time last year I have been having this feeling in my gut, and thank the Lord it hasn't gone away. I feel like someone turned on a faucet, and things just keep flowing out. My to do list is always being added to and that is not a bad thing. I am so excited all the time. I work all day long while listening to the Diva Craft Lounge http://www.divacraftlounge.com/ . Did you know that this existed out there? I am now listening to all of the back shows. It is so much fun to work and hear people talking about the paper biz. So my Gift is this incredible ability to keep trying and create without stopping. I have always created things since a child. But this is different. It is the flow and the fact that these things are rolling and I am sooooo happy. I have been given this Gift and I am so Thankful for it and I am going to keep working my tale off until the flow slows or the faucet is turned off.

What is your GIFT? What is your passion. I promise, if you take one giant step back, and listen to your gut, your passion will show itself to you. It seems to bring this incredible Peace along with it!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

M C Novelties

What do you mean you haven't heard of this Etsy shop? Alright, I will make it easy for you all... http://mcnovelties.etsy.com/ or http://maisyh.etsy.com Just click and find the joy of beautiful jewelry. The colors are classic and forever. When you purchase one of these beautiful designs it will be a purchase that you will have for a lifetime. I have ordered products from MC Novelties and have been very pleased with my order, delivery and little extras that set this designer apart from the rest. So if you are looking for something for yourself or a graduation maybe, this is where you need to stop by.

CREATE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL TODAY!

HERE IS A MINI SCRAPBOOKING WAITING TO HAPPEN

Well, if you ever have the urge to amaze a 3 and 2 year old this was it. I love day trips. I love things that are free. And I love to show kids things that are not everyday so that they can see the possibilities of the future for them. A small down not to far from here named Cambridge has a Balloon Festival every June. There are only about 10 Balloons but it is just enough to not be overwhelming for a child. I remember my first Balloon Festival with my dad when I was 12 in Queensbury. It was awesome. I still have the pin he purchased for me from the Panda Balloon. Last night I felt like that kid again. Now I have been to see many balloon's. About 5 years ago Morgan and Josh and I even had the chance to chase the balloon's and help bring them down. It was such a great memory to share. So last night Noah, being the silly little red head that he is, was so excited. But Logan, the serious 3 year old could not stop thanking me for taking him there. We walked up to the balloon and as it tipped up I could tell he felt it. You know that feeling you get when standing by the ocean. That you are really small in the scheme of things, but that life can be incredible. The child's mouth would not stop. He barely took a breath. He described every moment as it was happening. Just fabulous. Then, as a stood there I realized, this is why we have kids, to pass down the excitement and thrills that our incredible, wonderful and outstanding parents introduce to us. So as many times in a day that I wonder if I am a good mom or and doing the right thing, last night was my moment to shine in my babies eyes. Now that is FABULOUS!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

I AM SO PROUD

So, you gals that love to blog may have run into the Girl Indie Birthday Bash. http://themommydesigner.blogspot.com/ There is a bunch of great prizes being given away and all you need to do is click on the link they provide and give a little revue of the shop you look at and your in the drawing. Isn't that awesome? And yes they asked yours truly to join. So you better head over there because I have a awesome prize pack up for grabs on their blog. Everything you see here is being given away. So go to my website and stroll around then go write a revue. Maybe you will be the big winner!

Have you seen the new products that I listed yesterday? The horse stickers are so great. And I am a big basket collector, so the basket stickers and journal spots are a scrapers dream for me. The Basket Stickers are so pretty. I have added them to everything that sits still this week.

OK, more is on the way so stay tuned. I am living the dream, and scrapping about it along the way!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!!!

HELPING OTHERS STREET TEAM

As I took a walk from blog to blog and ran into my friends, http://maisyh.blogspot.com/ I saw that she had written about this great group here at Etsy. http://www.host.etsy.com/ HOST stands for Helping Others Street Team. This is a great Etsy shop that takes donations and helps Etsy sellers that need to have a bit of a financial boost to get their biz going. I think this is a easy and incredible thing to do for others. It is really as simple as them listing your product and you shipping it on its way. How awesome is that? That is it, that is all you have to do. No worries until the product sells and even then it is like shipping anything else. Come on everyone, give a little. If we all added something to this shop it would make such a difference. Random Acts of Kindness is a way to pay it forward that we should all live by. Because your mother was right when she said, it is the little things that make a difference!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

Owls Are All The Rage

Did you see these papers that just arrived? They are so darn cute that I am ordering more. I love them. The colors are perfect together. Many times the paper lines are totally pointed in a direction but these are wonderful. They can be used for a man or a woman. They would be great for children or teens. So many possibilities. So get them and post what you are doing with them. I love to get those convos with a picture of what you have made, so send them in. So many things to do today. I have a list again this morning to fill out and cross off. I am creating 3 new products this week so keep an eye out for them. And hopefully some new papers will be arriving shortly.

I would love to have everything in my shop totally handmade but I don't think I could really complete my vision if I did that. I see so many different things I want to bring to all of you and share that you may not see in your local scrapbook store. And lets not forget that many places don't have local stores. So let me be your local store and I will keep trying to find fun and new things for you to all enjoy!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

The Trends Are What You Make of Them!

I see people trying to follow this and follow that. So lets take a second and follow what we like. When you are in line at the store, which magazine catches your eye. Is it the object or maybe the color combo? Do you like beautiful and rich, lush pictures. Or are you drawn to the cute fuzzy bunny and puppy kind of things. No matter what you like, it is right. So why do we need to know, that is simple. If you identify your likes or style you can then put that to work in your paper creations and be so much more happy with the results. For instance, the Country Living Mag on my store shelf had the most beautiful pink/green color combo. It drew me right in. At this moment I couldn't begin to tell you what the picture was but that color combo was what caught my eye. So what do I do with that info? I make a small book or maybe a card or page and see what I think. See what I like out in everyday life and apply it to my work so that I am happy with the results. Lets face it, just the time to take everything out and start working is worth the time it takes to figure out what I like. Don't you think?

In my personal work I have been using some really great Far East themed papers. I am going to flow those over into my stickers that I offer because the beauty in the papers is in every inch. But I definitely like the other looks and feel it adds to my collection.

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

THEIR BACK, BIG CLAWS AND ALL!!!!!!

I woke up this morning to the migration of egg laying snapping turtles. These are really big girls with really bad attitudes. Just think about it for a minute. You have to leave your safe pond and carry that big old shell on your back to find somewhere to lay eggs for kids you will never hear from and that won't write. There is even a chance that one of these eggs may hatch and grow up to snap at their mother some day. Really hers is a thankless job. This very large pond is such a beautiful location to live. And this just tops it off!

I will keep you all up to date with their progress. And how many new holes I get in my lawn!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!!!!!

Hello Old Friends, It Has Been a While!

Yes, it is true you have not heard from me in a week or two. Life has been crazy. You take a couple of days off to go to a convention and it sets things back in a big way. So how are you all? Well I am Fabulous! I came back with many great products and ran into companies that I didn't know existed. I hope you have seen some of the new products on the site. Many have tried them, so get um while they are HOT! The above pic was the only photo I took at the entire convention. Can you believe it? I can't. I was just so excited to be there that I could only do one thing at a time I guess. This was from the Friday night Crop. There where 100's of woman in this room and it got a little crazy every once and a while(in a good way). This industry is so incredible and I am so glad to be a part of it.
Now for some new stuff. From paper to acrylic it is all being rolled out little by little. I am in the middle of a new organization plan for storage. When you take two seconds to pull everything apart and rearrange, you can't believe what you will find. I am always amazed by this. I am always looking for new ways to streamline the lives of the 6 people, one dog, two lizards, and one Albino African Frog. The frog is not my favorite family member, he has claws.
New Owl papers that I haven't carried before are on the way plus, I am hooking up with this company from down under for their incredible line of paper products. I am also still finishing up some of my own very popular creations, thanks to you guys, for you to all have some great things to bring on vacation and play with while everyone has gone down to the beach to give you a minute alone.
So I am off to start my very busy day which will begin with orders then move to shaking in a dash of creativity and end with taking Josh and his friend Jess to the movies tonight to see Indie. I hope it is good. I loved the original ones when I was a kid. But I am really excited about the popcorn and soda. I haven't been to a movie in forever. I am going to eat sparingly today because I know what they put on that popcorn is like a weeks worth of calories. And lets not even speak of the ice cream those boys are going to want on the way home!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

I AM OFF TO BE THE ADULT I LONG TO BE

YES, this is me realizing that a few times a year that others can look at you and not address you as Morgans mom, Mrs. M, Pat's wife, Dallas's owner. No, this weekend I can be introduced as AmyLynn, the owner and creator of Brambleberry Lane. I can hand out my card, without interruption from husband or child. I can have a conversation from start to finish with people who have no idea that I have given birth 4 times. Don't get me wrong, I could not get up every morning or rest my head at night with out the 5 of them(plus Dallas). But it is nice, as a woman, to have your own identity and make your own mark. I know that some day I will have a empty nest but I think one of the most important things in life is balance. Happiness for your family and happiness for you. I love Brambleberry Lane. It has made my life take a turn of pride in what I do and it is spilling over. I eat better. I exercise more. And my brain is happy in the morning because it knows it gets to get up and create something fabulous for you. Yes, there is something to be said for all of the incredible things you get from family life. But there is also something to be said for living a full life too!

So Julie(my best friend, and God Mother to Logan) are you ready to go away and have some fun? 4 hours in a car will be so grand and I couldn't think of a better person to go with. So we are going to have some fun and I will check in with all of you as soon as I can. And I will check in with some new products as well!

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

CONVENTION WEEK IS HERE!

I am so excited to go to convention. As I write this, mister Noah had just said "get my trucks" about 20 times in a row. Yup, Pat will be getting those trucks this weekend. While I will be having a bit of peace. No one to get me up in the night. It will be like going to a spa.

Anyway, I am bringing lots of lists of products that many of you have requested for me to find. The great thing about the conventions are you can see things in front of you. I know in the past I have missed purchasing something fabulous because the pictures on line did not do it justice. So make sure you are on line with Brambleberry Lane next week for many new items.

So today is the day I make sure everything is ready for the people I am leaving here. I need to make sure Morgan has enough insulin. Josh can find his French horn(how he can't amazes me since it is so big) and his baseball equipment. Make sure all of the sippy cups and tops are lined up for the two little ones. And that my husband has plenty of yummy food to eat. Yes, this is just a couple of things I will be doing today in preparation for me getting two seconds to myself. Yes, starting Brambleberry Lane was just a part of my master plan to get away from my family for two days of the year. I have been plotting this master plan for years! Every time I have another child it is simply to hide the fact that I was trying to get a couple days off. Come on if you are going to have 4 kids, who would expect that it is just to hide a secret life. See how good I am. Do you also see how much I need this time to travel in the world of paper.

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

A NEW TOY FOR THE STUDIO

Have you ever run into something unexpected? Then you realize it can help shape your vision even more. I found this great punch and it landed in my hands Tuesday. It makes my already wonderful stickers look like seals. As you all know from previous posts, I have fallen in love with creating this sticker line. I can't get enough and it looks like you all can't either. Now, I am not going to use this on every set. And if you see a set you like and you would like it solid round or seal edge just let me know in a convo. I can change pretty much anything that is my own creation.

Next up is the embellishment race. I love to see all of the great embellishments laid out in front of me all done. But I need more time in the day. I have so many new ideas that I can't get them all done. Oh, yes the flow of ideas is BIG! So stop back often.

Brambleberry Lanes Design Team is coming together nicely. I have some great gals that love to make beautiful creations. In the next couple of months everything should be in place for a weekly design team member creation post. These are busy ladies with many thoughts and ideas they would like to share with you as well.

Check out whats new and remember.....

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!

OUR WHEELS ARE ALWAYS TURNING

Ever since Christmas, my list has grown longer and longer on our new creations. I am always trying new fields to dive into to go along with the incredible Scrapbooking Industry. Well I have taken another leap into albums. The acrylic one that is. Oh yes and I am loving it. I am introducing at a gathering in a little over a week. But I think you will all agree it is worth waiting for. I have played with so many different ideas and I think I have hit the right one. Many times while playing with the acrylic I thought, OK this can go on line now. But I knew I wanted it to be different and have that great Brambleberry Lane touch of style. I like to think I have a good eye for this sort of thing. I try to put out there many different products, for many different tastes. So I hope you will all enjoy this line of happiness that is CRYSTAL CLEAR!

Many new products coming this week as well. I am torn between the outside and in. I found myself creating stickers on the lap to outside the other day. I just love the spring.

CREATE SOMETHING FABULOUS TODAY!!!!