Her name is Candice McLean and she is a doll and beautiful inside and out.  She is one talented gal let me tell you and has designed her own paper line as well as worked with Rusty Pickle and many other scrapbooking entities.  Candice and I have gotten to know each other a little better (thank you Elena) and one thing we have in common . . . we are both married to Marines. 

My husband is out of the Marine Corps but there is a saying ‘Once A Marine, Always a Marine’.  You never say, ‘You used to be a Marine?’  No, “once a Marine, Always a Marine.”  Candice and her husband Chip are getting ready to start a new chapter in their lives and relocate.  But before doing so, the battalion that her husband leads says goodbye to their great leader and he reliquishes his command to the next officer chosen to lead this fine group of men and women.  I’m sure it has to be bitter sweet . . . leaving part of the family to start a new chapter but I’m also very excited for Chip, Candice and the family.  Well, I wanted to support Candice and attend and it was such a priviledge and honor . . . completely ours.  

Somehow, my camera got switched to sepia half way during the ceremony but kind of looks cool and historical.

We arrived and had assigned seating.  The Marine Corps band played prior to the ceremony.  It was a perfect afternoon with a breeze sitting underneath the tents.  Then the ceremony began . . . it began with singing the ‘Star Spangled Banner’.  The ceremony was incredible . . . with the display of equipment, to the Marines in the battalion marching in unison, to the words expressed by the commanding officer, to the playing of the Marine Corp hymn.  It was absolutely awesome.  Tears were shed and a since of incredible pride and thankfulness to be a citizen of this country was on my heart.  I wish I had more opportunity to have taken photos but I just wanted to take it all in and I didn’t want to disturb any portion of the program.  I was standing next to men and women who are heros.  They and their families give of themselves for our freedom each and every day. 

There were many officers (Generals, Colonels, Lt. Colonels) present as well as enlisted men (Corporals, Sgts., Gunnery Sgts. and others).  Everyone was so nice . . . even the Generals where just so personable.  After the ceremony we introduced ourselves to a few young Marines and also thanked them for serving our country.  One individual introduced another to an officer by saying . . . ‘He is the one who got blown up’.  It was like it was a regular occurance.  The young Marine was scarred on his arm but I hadn’t noticed it until something was said.  Can I just say I am thankful for each and every serviceman and woman who has served (and continues to serve) in our military past and present (that includes my husband, my dad, Chip and his men and women).  I think it was a neat opportunity for my husband as well to be back in the military culture after 16 years or so.  He enjoyed it a great deal. 

After the ceremony which I will remember for years to come, the McLean’s had a reception near the Ranch House.  The Ranch House is a historical landmark there on Camp Pendleton and when my husband was in the service, it was known as the “General’s House”.  It’s where the General lived up until a couple of years ago . . . going back many years.  It also has rich history pertaining to missions (remember my recent missions trips . . . keeps on coming).  I’m learning a lot about California history.  It was a wonderful afternoon in a historical place.

It was wonderful to sit back and watch the camaraderie between the men and women.  We enjoyed talking with people who have been touched by the McLeans.  I know the McLeans leave a footprint on many hearts as they leave their current post but I also know they will be used to touch others as they look forward to the next chapter in their lives.  Thank you for your service to the Marine Corps and to our country. 

Thank you each and every one of you who have served in our military.  A reoccuring theme you will hear from me . . . but I have lived overseas in countries so less fortunate.  I am so grateful for the freedom we have and for our country.  As the Fourth of July approaches . . . remember all we have and be thankful.  Thank that serviceman or woman in your life, clap loudly for the servicemen and women in the parade, or send that card o package you’ve been meaning too . . . remember the sacrifice and faithfulness they have displayed. 

Having been a Marine Corp wife (gratefully and proudly I might add) I can say as they do in the Marine Corps . . . Semper Fi (Always Faithful).  And that is what our servicemen and women are to us as a country and to it’s citizens.

Even though the crop has ended, you can always join us at the Crafting for Kids Message Board for more fun, great ideas and prizes every month!  Until next time . . .

The Butterfly Project

1,500,000 innocent children perished in the Holocaust.  “Children were neither just the mute and traumatized witnesses to this war, nor merely it’s innocent victims; the war invaded their imaginations and the war raged inside them.” ~ Nicholas Stargaught

In an effort to remember these children, the Holocaust Museum Houston is collecting 1.5 million handmade butterflies. 

These butterflies will comprise a breath-taking exhibition for all to remember.  During the next 2 years we have the opportunity to create as many handmade butterflies as possible.  You can do this individually or have a buttefly crop as we are going to do.

The Holocaust Museum requirements are:

1. Butterflies should not be larger than 8 inches by 10 inches.
2. Two dimensional submissions are preferred.
3. Glitter should not be used.
4. No food products (macaroni, candy or other perishables)

Fiskateers should create their butterflies, place their name and number on them, upload to their galleries and then contact Maxine via email at hodgewv@hotmail.com to obtain her mailing address.  Maxine has graciously offered to count and send the butteflies to the museum.  Thank you Maxine.

Let’s recreate the beauty lost in their imaginations in honor of these children.”

With such a big and loving community of fiskateers I know we can make a huge difference in remembering these little ones who were lost but not forgotten.  

Donna Salazar is a lovely friend and truly a beautiful person that brings joy into others lives.  She’s sweet, warm and has a vibrant personality that carries over into her artwork.  She is an incredibly talented designer and artist.  Her beautiful work has graced many stores, Prima Studio episodes as well as several Somerset publications just to name a few.  Some of you know her as PrimaDonna (Prima’s educational program).  She will continue to be a part of the Prima Studio but is entering into a new journey. 

I want to congratulate Donna as she begins a new venture and releases her new line . . . she has posted some peeks on her blog and has also graciously allowed me to share them here with fiskateers.  Such beauty . . . love it!!  She is a fiskateer too I might add . . . a proud one . . . fiskateer #2215.  She also graces us gals in the Lucky 13 Circle Journal group with her talent . . . she’s one of the 13 (http://www.theluckythirteen.blogspot.com/).  So here’s a few of the very first sneak peeks.  It will leave you wanting more . . . warning.  Oh delight!

http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/06/spillin-the-beans.html

http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/06/a-small-hint.html 

There’s more to come too on her blog so stay tuned at http://donnasalazar.typepad.com.  Ode to a beautiful new line and product.  Oh Donna, thank you for sharing your talent with all us crafters!  I’m excited for you and wishing you much success as you inspire the crafting community!

http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/locations/index.html

On Wednesday evening I had a special opportunity to visit a Paper Source store.  Here are some of the sights I saw . . .

Such a lovely place.  It is a fun store full of nicknacks, beautiful paper from all over the world, handmade paper, adhesive, book binding materials, stamps, ribbon, stationary, custom made stamps, lots of orange and Fiskars tools. 

It was a lovely evening.  So if there is a Paper Source store near you . . . I think you’d love the visit.  Oh so delish!

This particular issue (shown above) is Volume 5 and features such artists as Danielle Thompson, Michelle Ward, Lisa Hoffman, Celine Navarro, Jenny Doh, and Angela Cartwright to name a few.

I was wondering if I had gotten a gift subscription or something and was curious as to why I had received this issue but I was sure loving it.  I started to thumb through it and I spotted my first layout ever published way back when in the June/July 2006 issue of Somerset Memories (formerly Legacy).  The layout is of my mom at the Huntington Beach pier and is dear to me.  What a surprise and what a blessing. 

I have made some special relationships through my journey of being published and writing in different Somerset issues since 2006.  I have enjoyed meeting new people through this avenue and have been so inspired by artists all over the world.  I’m blessed to live close to Stampington’s headquarters and each time I go there . . . I’m overwhelmed with such beautiful artwork.

Stampington publications are just so elegant and classy and my favorite of all.  I would recommend any of their publications.  If you’ve never picked one up I know you would be thoroughly inspired if you did so.  You can check out more here . . .

http://www.stampington.com/html/main_magazines.html

and seen here is Volume 4 . . . the newest one isn’t on the website as of yet.

http://www.stampington.com/html/handcrafted.html

If I might suggest another wonderful place . . . Stampington’s lovely Shoppe at Somerset.  You are sure to find treasures here that you can alter or beautify your projects with.

http://www.stampington.com/main_category.html

http://stampington.com/html/the_studio.html 

I wanted to share with you what a love relationship I have with Stampington publications.  In fact, I love them so much that I want to share a copy with you as soon as it is released to the public.  So tell me by leaving a comment here . . . what is your favorite Stampington publication or what looks to be the most interesting to you.  I’ll pick a winner sometime next week.

You may want to pick up an issue . . . I think you’ll be totally inspired.  So many fun projects in this issue.  A very common place to find the Somerset/Stampington family of publications is Barnes and Noble or Borders.   Take a moment out for you today and enjoy a read.  Enjoy the journey.

“The Circus is coming to Fiskateers town! No matter the distance or weather, you and your kids don’t have to go far to enjoy colorful acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and clowns… ok, not really, but you will have a fun time hanging out with the Kids & Crafts Big Top Crop as we line up some fun challenges and giveways this Summer. What’s even better? You don’t have to pay to get in. You and your kids are admitted for free! It’s something the whole family can enjoy! So, pop some popcorn and join us, Amy E #1764 and Maya #351 on Friday and Saturday June 26 and 27^th for the Kids & Crafts Big Top Crop! Enjoy two days of fun, challenges, giveaways and more! Don’t miss the Big Top Crop coming to your Fiskateers town near you!”

http://www.fiskateers.com/blog/2009/04/12/a-school-missions-trip-reminding-us-of-easter/

Towards the last week of school, Abigail’s class took the Amtrak train to Mission San Juan Capistrano also known as the “Jewel of the Missions” and I can sure see why.  This mission is very close to our house and was a mission I grew up visiting from time to time.  It’s beautiful and so rich with beautiful gardens and history.  We didn’t even get to see the whole thing as a class but what we did see of it, was interesting and lovely.  Imagine the sun shining and it’s about 75 degrees outside.  Their is a cool breeze and everywhere you look it’s pleasing to the eye.  Won’t you take a walk with me in the mission and enjoy the scenery?  Let’s take a stroll . . .

Below are pictured ruins from a beautiful church that once stood as California’s tallest building.  It was destroyed 1812 by a large earthquake.  It took place while Mass was being held and 40 people died in the church as a result.

Lastly, we walked along the area of San Juan Capistrano.  There are some great antique shops and little boutiques nearby.  We came upon this little beauty . . . a knitting store.

I’ve also been to the Los Rios tea house before and it’s a delightful place.
Thank you for sharing the memory with me.  What rich history and beautiful scenery we have here in California!  So this probably concludes our mission visits for a while.

Have a lovely day and enjoy the beauty around you!

First came Tanya and her family.  Her two boys are darling and so wonderful to know she is setting an example for them.  Tanya and her family made it a family event and that was awesome to see.  Then Cori arrived about the same time as well as Michelle and her son.  Cori even brought items that were packaged in orange.  It was awesome to see the fiskateers show up in orange and the OC Rescue Mission residents started to recognize the fiskateers as the day progressed . . . those in orange.  It was neat that fiskateers had an opportunity to meet each other.  Here is a photo we took together.

Michelle decorated this beautiful bag!  What talent and you could really tell she created it with love.  I loved the message it shared!  It really warmed the residents/students hearts and it was displayed throughout the whole day.  As the day concluded one of the gals asked if she could keep it and take it to her room as it really encouraged her.  They emptied the contents of the bag, separated the food and she was the proud owner of this beautiful created bag by fiskateer #915.  It was neat to see how the folks there were touched. 

I was so encouraged as I heard testimonies of how the OC Rescue Mission was providing opportunities and hope for those involved.  I didn’t take photos of those working/staying on campus as I wanted to respect their privacy.  Some of them have recently lost their homes and belongings and are struggling financially because of the recent economical situation.  Others have struggled for years with different issues but all seemed to really find hope at this place.  I was so blessed working along side these individuals for the day.  We all have seasons where we need to receive and other seasons where we can give.  I enjoyed learning a lot about the mission and the great work that is going on there.  There is a lot of opportunity at the Mission.  I must say as well, they sure are organized. 

Others that gave included Susan, Laurie R. and her girls at the crop in the city of Orange, Anita, and others.  It was a successful day and a great way to conclude our Fiskateer food drive.

I am looking into the possibility of teaching a class there at the OC Rescue Mission as a lot of the ladies seem very interested.  I’m excited about the opportunity.

Remember too that the mission is open during the week for drop off.  So although we are concluding our Fiskateer Food Drive there are still opportunities to give.

Elena, Maxine and others were in their own corner of the world collecting and greeting fiskateers.  You are a generous and giving community!  Thank you for being you.  You are making a great difference!  Keep up the wonderful work. 

 http://www.fiskateers.com/blog/2009/04/13/an-opportunity-to-feed-our-community/

Sondra reports . . . “I just delievered 240 items to an appreciative Greer Community Ministries food pantry.  52 came from Funkie Munkie Scraps on National Scrapbook Day (owner Stephanie is a fiskateer) and 188 came from Debby’s Scrap Rattle and Roll crop.”

The neat thing about this is that when we visited Brains on Fire in South Carolina we visited the Funkie Munkie scrapbook store and saw the grocery basket of donations.  That to me was just such a delight.  Seeing the tangible giving heart of this fiskateer community.

Elena reports that she and friends dropped off a whole bin of food.  Elena will be at the San Diego Food bank on Saturday, June 13th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon with friends and fairy flybys.

Maxine reports . . . “I will collecting food at The Scrapbook Page on June 13th (11am-5pm).  Anyone donating food that day will receive a special gift -up to 50 people.  I will then donate all the nonperishable goods to the Huntington Area Food Bank.  We have put special emphasis on baby items.  I know that the work will make a big impact on our community.”

Locally Laurie R. is doing a neighborhood crop where she is gathering food to donate.  Jennifer Priest is collecting bottles and cans and donating the money to a local food bank.  Great idea Jennifer. 

So a reminder, I will be at the Orange County Rescue Mission in Tustin (former Tustin Marine Helicopter base - One Hope Drive) on Saturday June 13th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. collecting food from fiskateers.  I’d love to greet you and will have a goodie for each of you that I see.  I look forward to seeing some of you and again seeing your caring and giving heart in action. 

http://www.rescuemission.org/

Check the calendar for drop off points and a chance to connect with a fiskateer tomorrow (Saturday).  Many blessings and awesome job once again for making an impact and blessing others.  Fiskateers are feeding and caring for their community in a great way!