MyCraftivity.com - Have you signed-up yet?

Ok - so at work we've just launched this ultra-cool social networking site for crafters. It's called www.mycraftivity.com and let me tell you - I LOVE it! Basically, we're going to have FREE (that's right - FREE) projects, books by the chapter, giveaways, and all sorts of really cool stuff.

I am so excited to be a part of it and truthfully, I hope if you get a chance you register and check it out. It's basically MySpace for crafters. The social networking feature is SO fun and we'll eventually be adding all sorts of bells and whistles in the near future. If you craft or have an Etsy store, it's a great place to network with other crafters and get the word out about your stuff. If you own a store, you can create a group and send messages to your customers if they're members, too. Or - you can just network with other friends who also like to do various types of crafts. I know that I've really been into the scrapbooking and knitting part of the site, but there are sections for virtually EVERY craft.

Check it out if you get a chance and add me as a friend. I'm gingerjane!



On a side note, my wedding and anniversary rings will be changing very soon. I had to take them to the jeweler to get "dipped" which means they plate a platinum alloy over the gold. I've recently become allergic to something in yellow gold, so I had to take this step in order to be able to wear them. I get them back on Wednesday and I can't wait!

Here's the ring!!!

Ok - I'm at home today because there is a ton of snow and ice and my mom was freaking out at the thought of me going to work (God love her) and Maggie was out of school, so I'm working at home today. Anyway, I thought I would take a quick break and show you the diamond ring from my hubby!

Sorry for the photo but I used my photobooth program to take the photo. I'm pointing at the ring - it's the one at the top of my wedding set. It looks much more beautiful in real life, it's really gorgeous.



This is how Scott gave it to me. On Wednesday (Feb 13th) I returned home at about 9:00 at night from CHA. I was WORN out and tired and cranky because I had not had dinner so I came in and began to eat something quickly. Scott insisted on taking a bath immediately which sort of ticked me off but quite frankly I was too tired to argue about it.

Scott has this habit of taking a bath and then forgetting to grab a towel out of the linen closet so he usually will holler for me to get one. That's what he did that night and I proceed to go into the bathroom and I'm griping the entire time about why can't he get his own towel. I yank one out of the closet and the ring box falls on the floor. I took one look at it and sort of blanked out and then shut the door. I reopened it and picked up the box and that's when Scott said something about opening it and I started crying immediately. Basically, he set the entire thing up because it's our joke about how he can never grab a towel and that night he wanted me to grab the towel and be surprised by the ring. You have to know Scott. He's not the most romantic guy - but he's perfect for me.

Apparently, he took the girls to the jewelry store while I was at CHA and Maggie helped him pick out the ring. I actually went to the store to get my wedding set cleaned to match (trust me - I didn't realize how messy it was) and the girl that waited on me told me about how sweet he was when he was in there. (She recognized the ring) She was like "I KNEW he wouldn't wait until August" because Scott was originally going to give it to me for our anniversary in August, but he couldn't wait. What a guy!

So - that's the story behind the ring. Silly but sweet. :)

I'm sorry...

I am sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I know - it's been over a MONTH since I posted and I apologize for that. Things have just been really crazy around the house and so much has happened in a month. I'll try to do a quick summary (in order) so that you can see what's been going on.

I returned from TNNA and it's catalog season at work so I've been swamped. I have also totally become addicted to knitting and am working on a blanket - so there's an update from my knitting post. I even joined our lunchtime knitting group at work. It's funny to watch 20 girls sit around a lunchroom table with needles and yarn. The clicking of the needles is quite a site. And - now I'm one of them! Anyway, enough of my knitting speak.

I also gave in to Scott and Maggie's constant begging and we got a dog. His name is Achilles and he's an American Hairless Terrier. Basically that boils down to BALD DOG. Imagine Mr. Bigglesworth, but as a dog. That's my dog. He's hilarious. Here are a few photos that my breeder had sent to me. I have some pictures but once again had no time to upload. Plus, he's a feisty booger, but he's so sweet. He's really a good dog and he cuddles with me at night. He pretty much follows me around the house and sits with me whenever I'm standing still for a minute. He's almost 4 months now, and these were taken last month.





I never thought I'd become one of those people that puts clothes on my dog, but he has his own wardrobe. He has to wear clothes because it's cold and he has no fur. (The reason why we went hairless is because of Maggie's allergies) He's actually a cool dog - whenever we have him out, people stop and make a fuss over him. He's my boy!

We had a tragedy in the family the morning before I left for CHA. My sister-in-law, Gayle, passed away on February 7th. It's a long story as to what happened, but it was a shock and I do ask for prayers for my nephews. Gayle was a big part of our lives. She and my brother were married almost 20 years - they had been divorced the past 7 but were married for a LONG time. I grew up with her, so I have had a lot of grief to deal with and I probably haven't dealt with it very well considering I had to board a plane the next morning and missed the services. But, we're healing. Everyone is healing. My biggest concern are her three sons that she left behind. They're in their late teens, early 20's, but they still need a lot of support. The shock has really taken its toll on them. Anyway - I do ask for your prayers.

CHA was great - all things considered. I traveled with my good friend Jennifer (which made traveling a lot easier to have someone that gets it), and this was the first time that I was with F+W and not releasing a line. I have to say, it was SO relaxing for me. I was able to walk around and talk with stores, manufacturers, designers, etc., without having to worry about "are my lines ok?" or "Do people like them?" I could just appreciate everything that was out there and I didn't stress about the show like I normally would have. Saw some AWESOME stuff! I have to say - I really, REALLY like October Afternoon (not to be confused with October Road which is one of my new favorite shows!). I got some and cannot wait to tear into it. I also love Scenic Route (as always) and American Crafts. I was also excited to see my good friend, Teresa Collins and her newest release. It's STUNNING. My girl is so talented! She was the buzz of the show! Congrats T! You deserve it girl!

I made some new friends and had dinner with the Hero Arts team. They are awesome and so welcoming. I also hung out with Janna Wilson who is quite possibly one of the funniest girls I've ever met. I can't wait to see her at the summer show. (You better go girl!) Talking with our authors was a good time and it's amazing how busy our booth was. I loved it!

I saved the best for last, though. The night I got home Scott had an amazing surprise waiting for me. I'll save how he gave it to me for another post since I need to take a photo of it, too, but he gave me my Valentines/Anniversary present. We were engaged 12 years ago on Valentine's Day and this August we'll be married 10 years. When I got home that night he gave me the most beautiful anniversary band. I cried. It's gorgeous. He took the girls and went and picked out this ring and it's just beautiful. It means so much to me. I promise to take a photo and post about how he gave it to me but just know that it's GORGEOUS and I love it. The diamonds are perfect cut (whatever that means - LOL!) and they sparkle like crazy. He said something about them being colorless and flawless, too, but when you're looking at your ring, pretty much all of that stuff goes in one ear and out the other because you don't really care at that point. You're just so overwhelmed at the gesture. At least I was. So - I was a very, very happy girl and have been ever since.

That's it. There's my update. Sorry for making you wait this long. I realized when I had NINE people at CHA say something to me, that it was time for me to post. Heck - I never realized that many people read my blog. Leave me a comment sometime people! :)