My Very OWN Pink Tinsel Tree

When I was a little girl say 5-6 years old, I remember having in our basement each Christmas a silver tinsel tree. I always loved that tree. I guess you could say it was the children's tree, but I'm not really sure that is a fact. Over the past few years little by little I notice them in stores and places (on display) and I always think I'd really like one of those. This year I went out to do a little bit of shopping on the day after Christmas and look what I found...I love it. I may even leave it up year round in my office/craft room...so fun and whimsy. The even better part of this is that I only paid $7.50 for the tree. It is about 4 ft tall and I can totally see all my Barbie Hallmark Ornaments hanging on it.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Hi Everyone,

Merry Christmas Eve!

Stockings are a tradition for me. When we get together as a family there is a lot of us. About two years ago my sister decided to make a bunch of stockings. Every year it seemed we needed another stocking or the ones we had were never big enough. My sister didn't want to put names on them so they could be used for whomever was there that year. To help keep track of who is who, I offered to make her some stocking tags. I started on these in December 2008 and haven't worked on them again until this year. I have finally finished. Here is a picture of both sides. These were a lot of fun and I'm very happy with how they came out.

We are getting ready for dinner and then midnight mass with David's Mom. What a beautiful way to announce Christmas!

Peace and Joy to all of you.

What a FUN night!

This evening we had a wonderful visit from Mechiel and her mom Wilma. They are here in SA babysitting some kids from Mechiel's school. The kids are attending a conference. This is a bonus for June! We fixed a lite dinner salad and grilled chicken. It turned out pretty nice. But, the best part was getting to see them. Before dinner we sat and visited, then after they had to get back to their job with the kids. I love moments like this. Thank you Lord!

Two 4 Two

Here we are happy as can be. You know while I was laying down on the blogging job, we celebrated our 1 year anniversary. My wonderful husband brought me the most beautiful bouquet of paper roses. He ordered them special and they arrived just in the nick of time. We both took a week off and spent the whole week together at home. It was such a wonderful anniversary.

Hello, Is Anybody Out There?

I'm sure this is what several of my fellow bloggers want to say to me. All I can say is "where did the time go?"

I hope each of you have had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends. I have so much to be thankful for this year. Most of all I'm thankful for God's grace and mercy in my life and for the wonderful family that surrounds me.

Most of you know that I've been working to redo my Craft-Office Room. Everyone keeps asking for pictures and I said once I thought it was worthy of some initial photos I would share. So, although this is still very much a work in progress here is the new layout.

There is still a lot of clutter around that needs to find a permanent home, but it's so much more functional. The table in the center is not necessarily going to stay in the room all the time, but it is helpful sometimes to have it available. I still have a lot of stuff, but I've really pushed myself to keep the "love it or leave it" rule in play. It was helpful for me to release things that I've held on to for a long time. Well, let me know what you think. I'll try to be a little more diligent in posting. Miss you all. Be Happy, June

Discovery Mode

I've been busy putting together the adorable Home School Card kits I get each month from Be Creative/Deena Ziegler. They are some of the cutest card designs I've ever seen.

Getting to be creative really helps me mentally. It really gives me a sense of peace and clears the cobwebs.

I've also added a bunch of cards and a few other items to my Etsy store this weekend. Check it out at The June Leyen.

Life has been a bit busy these days. It is the usual time of year for busy-ness at work. Every where I turn these days I notice I am in Discovery Mode. I'm learning new things about myself, my work, my craft interests, my life. I think Discovery Mode is a good place as long as I don't allow it to overwhelm me.

As of tomorrow morning, most schools are back in session. It has been a good many years since I've really thought about such an event. This year is different, Stuart is entering his Senior year, my dear friend Mechiel is embarking on a new adventure going from Preschoolers to High School age students. I also have to drive by a busy busy school in order to leave our neighborhood. So, I am realizing that all around me school is present. School is a place to discover ourselves as we grow and become adults. I am praying for Stuart to embrace this Discovery period of his life. I'm praying for Mechiel to discover new and exciting things about her gifts and talents. And, I'm praying for the morning drive not to be too brutal getting out of the neighborhood (i probably just need to leave early...).

I've just discovered what time it is and I must say it is past my sleepy time. Good night all! Sweet dreams.

Christmas Creations...

I know you must think I am crazy. We are just about to get the kiddo's back in school and I'm talking about Christmas. Well, what is a girl to say? I've been dreaming a lot lately about things I'd like to create for my Etsy store. There just doesn't seem to be enough time or energy to do it all. I found a few hours on Sunday to play with my crafty toys. Below are some of my latest creations. I made some adorable Paper Bows using some instructions I got from Leah Fung a few years ago.

I also played with some new dies and punches I got. This is my first time to really play around with these embossing dies. They are a lot of fun and there are so many possibilities. This one has an embossed message "Warm Wishes" on it. The one below has embossed snowflakes on the background paper. And, I'm in love with the new ornament punch!

A Life Update and Some of My New Creations

Work and Home have been keeping me a bit busier than usual lately.

My Daddy had a bit of an accident (fell and banged himself up pretty good), which led to a few crazy days, but he is doing really well now and healing good. I thank God for my sister and her husband who have been very helpful to Dad and Mattie. It all happened while both my Sister's were in town so it was nice that we were all together at this time. And, Mattie has been a real trooper. But Mattie then also had a few rough days, so I think they are both getting on the mend now. They are back to water aerobics and that is a good thing!

I may have mentioned that I bought myself a Wii Fit Plus w/ Balance Board thingy. Well my sweet David hooked it up for me and I'm know getting acquainted with it. I love the Hoola Hoop and mostly I've been doing the Free Step while watching TV. The important thing is that I'm actually using it and now have a goal of doing it 3 times a week for 30 minutes.

If you have one let me know what's your favorite activity.

I'm a member of Club SEI and receive a wonderful packet in the mail each month of their latest and greatest supplies. I've been working on a few things from one of the monthly packages and here are few of my new creations...

Be Happy Card

Happy Birthday Card
Happiness Always Card

I also made this mini album pictured below. It could be used for a Wedding Album, Engagement Gift, or just a cute little Valentine or Birthday gift for the one you love.

I'll be listing this on my Etsy site for sale along with many other cards that I made.

You'll have to take a peek. I really enjoyed working on these few things.

I hope you liked seeing my latest creations. Have a blessed day!

Sisters, Salon Infusion and Shemiah Day!

Here I am with my two sisters (Laura on Left and Dian on Right) and my neice Shemiah, Dian's daughter. This was Shemiah Day. We met up a Salon Infusion for some pampering. Most of us had our nails done and one had a massage. This is my favorite salon in town.

We had a very relaxing time.

After being pampered we headed over to Ye Kendall Inn for some lunch.

I think it is the first time in a very long time that Laura, Dian and I had lunch together and just visited. It was nice and I think Shemiah had fun too, except for maybe the talking over lunch part - I think she thought that was boring...but I'm just guessing!

First Buyer

I don't have any fancy picture or project I worked on to share. But I just had to scream out to all of you that I HAD MY FIRST BUYER ON ETSY today. Yippi Skippi, Hip Hip Hooray, Alleluia!

Smiling Big - should sleep good tonight!!!

One Hop, Skip and a Jump to Houston

Recently we went to Houston for a visit and to CELEBRATE! There were so many things to celebrate on our trip. First of all was the arrival of this precious little tiny baby girl.

The next thing to celebrate was getting to see my Dee Dee and celebrate our birthday's together. Yeah! You should have seen the number of candles lite up on that cake.

BLOWING OUT THE CANDLES...Yikes...

The official reason to gather and to CELEBRATE was to wish this awesome little due a HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROWAN!!! Look at him doesn't he look like he is turning into the HULK? He loved his cake and did a good job getting it everywhere.

I also consider it a great CELEBRATION when I get to see my Houston family that I miss so much! Here is Kimmie Kim she put all this fun together and did an amazing job!

She even made these awesome and super delicious cakes.


And, I also got to see some other beautiful people like Nellie and Jane. It was such a wonderful time and I'm so glad we made the trip. There is nothing better than special times like these.

My Memory Fence...

Do you ever have a project that just lingers and lingers and you want to finish it but you wonder when it will ever happen, well I completed one of those projects recently. It was a project started at the first Inspired Artist Workshop I attended in 2008. It was taught by the lovely and talented Jennifer Stewart. Here it is…

This is my immediate family…Laura, Tom, Shirley & Leon (Mom & Dad), All of Us, Dian and June (me)... It is hard to see the twinkly lights, but they are really pretty around it.

Gifts and the Gifted

Recently Nellie, a very special person who I love like my little sister went on a mission trip to Uganda. She was away for a little over a week. On their trip they spent time with many children in different areas of that region. Some things included reading them stories, singing, dancing and making crafts. They also played games and sports with them and helped in some of the classrooms for grades US equivalent to 6th and 7th. This children enjoyed having their pictures taken with digital cameras where they could then see them immediately. They worshiped with them and shared Jesus with them. In my recent trip to visit Nellie, I was hoping to hear all about the trip and her experience. All I am for sure of is that she really enjoyed it and that she said she misses it sometimes. That is saying a lot to me. She also surprised David and myself with these lovely souvenirs. Both are wooden and the cross is hand carved and difficult to capture its beauty in the photograph. It amazes me the talent of the people in all the different areas of the world and I wanted to share this incredible creations with you. As Kimmie Kim says all the time God is Good and God is Good All The Time!




Here is another beautiful gift that was hand made by my Dee Dee. This is my very own lovey, you know the kind that are typically given to newborns. They are made of the softest materials and you just want to touch it all the time because it makes you feel so good. Well for several years now I've been asking for my own lovey and finally I was gifted one for my birthday. Isn't it beautiful? I think so and I love it and will cherish it always especially because my Dee Dee made it just for me. It is so special. Dee Dee makes these lovely lovey's and many other beautiful items. Check out her beautiful creations at Dee Dee's DoDads.

The world is full of amazing gifted and talented people and I am fortunate to know many personally. I'll keep sharing...I promise.

A New Start, A New Year, A New Blog!!!

I recently celebrated my 43rd birthday. It is really hard for me to believe I am 43 years old. How on earth did I get here? With God's help that is for sure. I've been thinking since I got married that I should change my blog. Also, one of my goals for 2010 was to open my own Etsy shop and I'm getting close, so it seemed appropriate as I start another year of life to start the new blog. Life is a journey. Here is where I share some of my journey and also share some of my creativity and my friends creativity. For my birthday I was featured on Isabel's blog. Check it out. The picture above are all the little precious creations that Isabel sent me for my birthday. She is always surprising me with treats. I'm very lucky to have her as my friend.

My new blog name was thought of my my wonderful husband...and it is a spin off our last name. The Leyen is pronounced the same as "line". He is creative too you see, just in a different way. The blog is still a little under construction, but I wanted to so badly to get it off the ground and soon.

I hope you like my new home. Comments are welcome here. Peace and Joy always...