Hello!!

Hello to all my stamping friends!!

I just got back from what will be my annual Special Education and Learning Services retreat through my school.  As many of you know I moved from the role of being a school teacher to a special education teacher and as such this was my first retreat.  We were very lucky to stay in a place overlooking a lake in the beauty of nature.  While I was there for training I also did find time to go jogging and walking so that I could enjoy some one on one time with nature, myself and God.  All I can say is it was devine!

I thought I would take the time today to reflect on a few things going on for me and a few shares too.  This will not appeal to everyone so if you are looking for a card, stop back tomorrow as I will have a post ready for you with a new card!

I have also been reading a number of books.  I never seem to start and finish one before I start another.  Each book has a purpose so I like reading different books to keep my interest piqued!

What is on my night stand:

Have a new Kid by Friday by Dr. Kevin Leman
As many parents have found, as soon as one challenge is over another one arrives!  Generally things are the same in my household.  I like to take more preventative measures and as a result learn things that can prevent the onset of problems.  With my son, this is particularly important because he depends so heavily on routine.  So introducing something new takes time. 

In Search of Eden by Linda Nichols 
This is a story of law and grace, of forgiveness and redemption of finding joy and rest in a broken world. I have just stated it but am very impressed so far!  If you have a review of this book I'd love to hear it.



The Magic in asking the Right Questions by Bill Mayer
This is a great book about positive affirmations and understanding how to control your thoughts.  It is amazing how wonderful your day can be if you start off on the right foot.  I am more grateful today and willing to share my gratitude with others.  I am not longer fearful.  I am open to opportunities!




 A new homeschool find for special needs:

We are always on the look out for great special needs products not just for my son but also for our school.  We are very fortunate to have a great homeschooling community where I live.  There are always classes, sports, programs, groups available for homeschoolers.  Each week we have a minimum of 3 outings but often have 4 sometimes 5.  These outings range from Awana, to homeschool skating, homeschool swimming, pottery class, Robotics learning camp (this was a winner for my son ), mad science club and more.  Each of those outings are typically 1-2 hours in length.  It gives my son time to socialize without shutting down.  He has low social skills and low tolerance in most environments due to sensory overload.  We have been working with the Model Me Kids series to reinforce some social cues, how to create friendship and more. The series comes with videos and booklets.  Because my son has low written output we did not order the workbook but instead have discussions around what we see in the video and then do some role play.  I have already seen a few improvements in his relations with others.  Of course that didn't happen overnight!

We are just about to start using the series Superflex: A Superhero Social Thinking Curriculum

I have heard some great things about it from my friends and fellow special needs teachers/parents.

What I have been working on:

This year is my year of wellness.  I have been attending some personal development courses, working out independently as well as with my husband using the P90X series. 

I have to say, we are only 2 weeks into this program and I am very impressed with the results already.  Mind you, we have been pairing this program right now with a 30 day Isagenix program (this is my second time using the 30 day read about my first 30 day program HERE).  I can actually see definition in my abdominal area.  I took some hideous before pictures (close ups) and will post my results at the end of the program.  I am taking photos every week too so you will be able to see a progressive change.  My goal is to tone my body and decrease my Body Mass Index (BMI).

I have also started a 30 Day Cleanse group support through e-mail and Facebook!!  This has been my one of the highlights of 2011.  The people I have been in contact with have been amazing. The group was created to support people through their 30 day cleanse.  So not only do I send you daily e-mails with tips but you also receive free information and training through the Facebook page (I created a secret page just for the cleansers), but also participate in discussion, shares and real life situations.  I will be there to coach you through the month.  I plan to run another one next month too.  If this is YOUR time to COMMIT to your HEALTH and improve your SLEEP, promote RADIANT skin, increase your ENERGY, shed some unwanted WEIGHT, build up your ENDURANCE and have FUN doing it, than this is YOUR TIME to join me and some other FABULOUS peeps for the 30 day March Cleanse Group.  Contact me for more information.  Please include Info March Cleanse Group in your title.  I will respond within 24 hours of you sending me an e-mail.

Well I have some more exciting things to share in the days to come.  Make sure you stop by tomorrow for the card I promised above!

Hugs;
Alli

Happy Birthday

Hello and good day!!

We had a wonderful family weekend and enjoyed celebrating "family" and "love".  We don't typically celebrate Valentine's Day on ONE day of the year.  We try and make it an every day event but will create a family centered day once a week or sometimes every two weeks just to reconnect.  We are fortunate that we get at least 5 meals a week as a family and that is pretty good considering my husband is a shift worker.

Over the weekend my beautiful SIL Jenna celebrated a birthday.  This is the card I sent her!!  As it turns out I have 3 SILs who celebrate birthdays in February.

I was so happy to use Kim Hughes Birthday Buddies available through Paper Smooches

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Create card bases and layers.
2. Attach ribbon.
3. Stamp image, colour and outline.  Stamp sentiment.
4. Adhere all layers 

SUPPLIES

Stamp Set(s):Birthday Buddies by PaperSmooches

Cardstock: Vintage Cream by PTI, Dark Chocolate by PTI, Simply Chartreuse by PTI

Patterned Paper: Fly a Kite by October Afternoon

Ink: True Black by PTI

Accent: Misc Ribbon

Tools: Copic Markers, Nestabilities by Spellbinders

Hope you are having a terrific Valentine's Day HOWEVER you celebrate it!!

Hugs;
Alli

Papertrey 4th Anniversary Celebration

Happy 4th Anniversary PTI!!! 

It is my pleasure to be illustrating stamps for Papertrey Ink once again.  Over the past few months I have laid low as a result of my grandmother's illness but not a day goes by that I don't think about paper crafting!  I want to take this opportunity to thank you so much for extending support not only in papercrafting but also in my personal life.  Many of you have reached out and offered to help me and I am entirely grateful for your generosity and caring nature.  You continue to be my inspiration!!

I am excited to be a part of today's stamp designer celebration.  Each of the featured stamp designers has created a FREE anniversary tag and showcased it on their blog.  But want to know the best part??  You can participate too.

CONTEST DEETS

You can create your own project using one of the tag images designed by the stamp illustrators. Simply download and print the link below.

Download PTI Anniversary Tag Download

You are free to use the tag of your choice to create a project.  Make sure to upload it to your blog/gallery and link it on Nichole's blog for your chance to win.

THE PRIZE

One person will be awarded the title Guest Stamp Designer and will work in conjunction with Nichole to create your own stamp set that will be released in 2011!!!  Now how is that for a prize???

I encourage you to stop by and see what the rest of the illustrator team has created using their tags:

• Alli Miles  (you are here)
• Beth Silaika
• Dawn McVey
• Heather Nichols
• Lisa Johnson
• Melissa Bickford
• Tiffany Pastor

Also huge welcome to PTI's newest illustrator, the talented Maile Belles!!!  WOHOO!!!

To learn more about the Year of Stamps contest be sure to stop by Nichole's blog

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!  I look forward to hearing from you.

Hugs;
Alli

Paper Smooches Co-Hop

Have you heard?

Kim Hughes opened a stamp company on February 1st called Paper Smooches! On The first day of every month, she is releasing 3 new whimsical and fun clear stamp sets that she hand draws.

Kim asked me to create a card using one of her February stamp sets.  I used Birthday Buddies on today's card.

 She offers high quality photopolymer clear stamps, shaped card templates, a design center and so much more

There will be a monthly challenge on the The Paper Smooches Blog  (Free digi stamps are involved) Participants will be eligible to be a guest designer for the following month.

Here is a list of some of the Industry's top designers who are also playing with some Paper Smooches Stamps today: 

Michele Boyer
Alli Miles (You are HERE!!)
Lori Craig
Julie Campbell
Carole Burrage
Karolyn Loncon
Kim Kesti
Betsy Veldman
Maren Benedict
Debbie Olson
Melissa Phillips
Carly Robertson
Julia Stainton
Becky Olsen
Teri Anderson
Kryssi Ng
Heidi Van Laar
Heather Pulvirenti
Laurie Schmidlin
Lisa Johnson
Lori Barnett
Jessica Witty
Asela Hopkins
Rae Barthel



Please help me welcome Paper Smooches Stamps!  Make sure to leave Kim some comments along the way!!

Hugs;
Alli

Glenda's 100th Challenge

I was thrilled to be asked to play alongside Glenda Wyatt and a group of talented stampers for Glenda's 100th Challenge!!  Glenda and I became friends after I attended one of her local stamping classes.  We meet every so often when we are visiting each other's "city"!  She is an amazing friend, stamper and teacher and I am very honoured to be sharing a card with you today.  As you know I have been occupied with my grandmother's care (alongside my mum) and as a result have not been paper crafting in the past few months.  My focus has been around health and wellness as we are helping grandma through this very rough time.  So thank you for your patience!

So in honour of Glenda's 100th Challenge she is sharing some SPECTACULAR blog candy as well as offering you a blog hop. 

The deets:

Glenda's Random Amusing Challenge #100 is to use red on your card or project.  Use as much or as little as you like.  Incorporate it by using paper, ink, ribbon, embellishments, whatever you like!  You must play along with the challenge to be eligible to win the blog candy.  If you play along, please leave a comment on Glenda's blog and link back to her post from your post.  If you upload to an online gallery, please use the keyword: GRAC100.  You have until midnight Pacific Time on January 23rd to play along and you can play along as many times as you like.  The winner will be randomly chosen and announced on January 24th.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Create card bases and layers.
2. Stamp image on cardstock and clear sheet. Outline using marker. Stamp sentiment.
3. Attach twine.
4. Colour gems with markers and apply to image and sentiment.
5. Adhere all layers

SUPPLIES

Stamp Set(s):Butterfly Kisses by PTI, Little Lady by PTI, Daily Designs Sentiment by PTI

Cardstock: Kraft by PTI, True Black by PTI, Stamper's Select White by PTI, Clear Sheet

Ink: True Black by PTI, Snow Cap by PTI, Stazon White and Black by Tsukineko

Accent: Twine by PTI, Gemstones by Kaiser Craft

Tools: Copic Markers

Make sure to HOP along with these talented papercrafters too!

Allison Fillo                          http://stampinwhenican.blogspot.com/
Alli Miles                             THAT'S ME!!!
Beate Johns                         http://beate.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Belinda Chang Langner        http://cadnileb.blogspot.com
Carly Robertson                  http://carlyrobertson.typepad.com/
Cheiron Brandon                 http://www.cheironbrandon.typepad.com/
Chris Sather                        http://cattsscratchingpost.blogspot.com/
Dawn Stein                         http://www.lavendergiraffe.blogspot.com/
Donna Hitz                          http://www.frozenstamper.blogspot.com/
Elena Shacochis                   http://thestampingshac.blogspot.com/
Geeta Suggs                        http://www.craftyengineer.typepad.com/
Jenn Shurkus                       http://jennshurkus.typepad.com/creative_chick/
Jennie Moczan                    http://www.simplycaffeinated.typepad.com/
Jill Grace                            http://creativegrace.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Joan Jeffery                        http://www.j-jcreations.blogspot.com/
June Gibbons                      http://perfectlikeacurl.blogspot.com/
Kamila Younkman              http://littlescrapsofheaven.typepad.com/
Krystie Lee Hersch            http://www.cupcakemartini.com/
Meghan Fahey                   http://driventoink.com/
Michelle Clark                   http://www.sparkledesigns.typepad.com/
Michelle Mathey                http://msmathey.blogspot.com/
Michelle Woerner              http://stopandstamptheroses.blogspot.com
Nance Lempinen-Leedy     http://nanceleedy.blogspot.com/
Sherry Czarnecki               http://littlestampsbiglife.blogspot.com/
Silke Ledlow                      http://silkeledlow.blogspot.com/
Teresa Kline                      http://www.enjoythevasunshine.blogspot.com

Hugs;
Alli

Life's lessons and a Lifestyle Challenge

I have never been one for change but somehow it finds me and I am quickly learning that the reason it finds me is because I have a lesson to learn. As many of you know last month I was away on vacation (we went to Disneyland) and immediately after our family vacation I went to a course called Beyond Courage with David Wood.  Interestingly, attending the course was not something I had originally intended however things seemed to line up for me to be there including being in California the day it started.  I found lots of reasons why I shouldn't go but one of the greatest reasons was fear. And then something within said "it's time to face up Alli!"

Honestly, who wants to face the things we fear head on?  Beyond Courage seemed to scream that and part of me was afraid to know what was stopping me in life.  Beyond Courage turned out to be everything I needed. I was able to awaken to my life adventure and connect with myself on a whole new level.  Although I had the BEST 7 days with my family at Disneyland (we have been saving for this trip for years now so it was a dream to see it happen and then actually have that family time) Beyond Courage was the BEST 5 days of my life because everything I learned I will use EVERY day for the rest of my life.  I faced more fears and learned more lessons than I could imagine.  Leaving Beyond Courage I was fearless, ready to take on the world and filled with hope.  And as you know I came home to my first challenge.  While Grandma's surgery was successful her recovery has been slow.  Given her age this was expected but I am not sure I was ready for this new road.  Or was I?  Beyond Courage definitely set the stage for this; albeit I was not ready to take those new lessons and apply them right away.  Initially I curled into a ball and wanted to run away but some of my great friends who also attended Beyond Courage reminded me of the tools I learned and challenged me to put them in action.  I also need to say that my mum has also been a huge part in helping me with this new role in life.  One of the reasons I haven't been posting much is that I have been caring for grandma.  When she first left the hospital my mum looked after her for 8 days.  After that, grandma came home and so began my new responsibilities.  Grandma needed quite a lot of care including assistance with walking, writing, taking her pills, caring for her sutures, making meals, cleaning her space, driving to and from appointments, bathing, coordinating long term care and so much more.  Last Saturday home support began coming to the house daily.  I have also been in charge of making OT appointments, doctors appointments, nurse appointments,  etc.  We have about 1-2 different "support people" coming to the house each day to help her regain her strength, work on cognition in addition to helping her make a meal, do laundry, bathe, and make her bed.
Long ago I agreed to look after my grandma (I even remember being about 13 and telling her she would live with me someday) but until that very moment of experiencing the "look after" part I had no idea what it would entail.  One of the hardest parts of the day is hearing her ask a question over and over again after I told her the information.  We are still hopeful that she is experiencing the side effects of the surgery.  Some days are harder than others.  I have filled out more paperwork and talked to more professionals than I have ever spoke to in such a short period of time.  I am grateful that there is so much support for the elderly.  I was very touched that Red Cross lends items to those in need (on a referral basis) so that you can become acquainted with the items and purchase them if they are needed for long term (bath seat, bed rails, walkers, wheelchairs and more!).  Mum was able to get a handicap parking pass for grandma so that when we drive her to and from her appointments she has a shorter distance to walk.  Her pain level is still quite high.  She is walking slowly but I praise God that she is able to walk at all especially given the prospect that she was going to lose her leg or both. I love her to bits and I am SO grateful to have another Christmas with her.

Grandma had an angioplasty done on her leg in 2006.  The valve stopped working in her artery due to plaque build up and caused her leg to lose the pulse and severe pain in her foot.  The plaque build it was due to her choice of foods and lifestyle.  Her cholesterol is high and of course her age also played a factor.  Grandma's lesson to us (she  said this) "Don't wait until your sick to get healthy! Be healthy so you don't get sick."

If I can encourage you to learn anything from this it is that today is your NOW.  You have the choice to make changes in your lifestyle.  What we do TODAY has an effect on TOMORROW.  Plan ahead and enjoy the adventures that are planned for your life.  There is no age limit on this whether you are 6 or 90 you can make a difference in your health.

I'd like to take this opportunity to invite you, my special guest, to partake in my 2011 Lifestyle Challenge.  Starting in early January, I, along with a number of people (our numbers are going up daily...) are participating in a 9 day fast start cleanse.  Just so that you are aware, we all benefit from cleansing to rid the body of impurities.  By releasing impurities are bodies are more apt to accept optimal goodness and nutrition from healthy foods.  Using the Isagenix 9 day OR 30 day programs you are able to cleanse the entire body unlike other cleanse programs that target one or two areas. Want to know the best part?  Not only is enrollment free if you enroll before Dec 30 BUT you also get a free personal coach.   I am also going to host an invitation only facebook page where we can share our journey together.
 Please keep in mind Isagenix is not a diet (although a positive side effect is that you can lose weight).  Isagenix is a lifestyle.  It is a nutrition program with real food. As your coach I will walk you through each day and also talk to you by phone regularly. I will help you with meal ideas and help you with your health concerns.  We will create achievable goals both short term and long term. When you have questions you can either call me by phone OR e-mail me at your convenience.  Together we can work out a plan that works/fits for your lifestyle.  If you are a gym owner or in the health profession this would be a fabulous way to help support your clients on another level especially if they have goals for health and wellness. Ask me for more details.

On another note, I am also committing to the IsaBody Challenge.  Health and wellness is more than learning to eat right.  It is about committing to your self development and also exercise.  Those two areas are areas I need help with.  Did you know we spend more money on entertainment than we do for self development?  So again, please join me and we can support each other through this process.  I am SO excited about 2011.  I am ready to be my true authentic self.  I will continue to be transparent to the world.  I am ready to share and embrace change and continue to thrive despite the challenges put forth before me.    Remember what they say when they explain the airplane procedures "put on your mask before you put on someone else's"  Well the same holds true in life.  You can only effectively care for those around you if you care for you first.  It's a hard thing to do but let me stress it is an important thing to do.  You need to be healthy to look after others! Are you ready to create your own journey with me? Are you ready to put your health first? If so I would LOVE to hear from you.  Send me an e-mail with 2011 Lifestyle Challenge and include a good time to get a hold of you in the coming week(s).  The holiday season is quickly approaching and the 2011 Lifestyle Challenge is around the corner so let's get started sooner than later. Also if you are interested in joining the IsaBody Challenge as well let me know too as we need to enroll before next week :)  This invitation is open to new and those who currently use Isagenix products. Contact me HERE.

On that note, I wish you all a very happy holiday season.  And know I cherish each and every one of you.  I cleaned my stamp room yesterday with hopes that I could find some time to create something new real soon.

Hugs;
Alli

Update and a card!

Hello peeps!!  I am happy to report that after 9 days grandma was released from hospital yesterday.  She has a long road ahead for recovery but she is out of the hospital and is feeling better so I am ready to celebrate. Thank you so much for your e-mails and comments recently.  I know many of you have been supporting me through Facebook too.  THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.  You supported me and gave me strength to face each day.

We will be making some big changes in the family as grandma will not be driving for 6+ weeks and has plenty of appointments, OT visits, along with home care providers stopping by.  She is using a walker to move about and that also means we need to change the way her furniture is laid out and remove some of her furniture too.  Because she lives with us, we may also be changing our eating plans as she used to come upstairs to eat with us...so now we may be eating with her downstairs.  Mum has taken on the enormous duty to look after her this coming week.  Grandma requires 24/7 care, including changing her bandages (she has 59 staples in her leg right now), cooking, memory work, exercise/physio and driving her to and from appointments.  Her short term memory has been greatly affected and so I am asking that if you or a loved one has gone through this and has some methods or strategies they would like to suggest I would appreciate it.  She has been clinically referred to as suffering from delirium however there has been some talk of dementia.  Only time will tell.

On that note, I had a recent card appear in Card Creations: Favorite Occasions, Vol. 2.  If you haven't picked up this issue I highly recommend it!  The cards are spectacular.

One of my fav stamp sets is Dawn McVey's Signature Greetings from PTI! I love her fun combination personal handwriting and computer font.  If you didn't know I am a typography fan and fresh combos make me excited!  And I seriously love the sentiment "Girly You Rock!"

Thanks for stopping by! 

Hugs;
Alli