New Hair (and new shoes)

I've done it. My hair is short...short and blonde. I've always been a fan of Ellen, so I took a pic of her to my stylist and told her to "give me the Ellen." Do you like?

My next step: Donate my large shoe collection to charity in exchange for a bunch of new Converse sneakers. Seriously.

Japanese Masking Tape Projects (and a little TV Time)

Domo arigato, Japan. Japanese masking tape is one of my favorite things to hit the crafting market in a long time. I love how versatile it is. Thanks to its not-so-tacky tack, I can put it on my wall without damaging the paint, and I can even peel and stick it on paper several times without messing up the paper. It’s a masking marvel. Check out a few things I created with it, using the Love My Tapes brand, for a local TV segment.

Build a Banner
I wrapped the tape around a ribbon and adhered it to itself to create this banner. It’s a quick way to dress up the home or the yard.

For a more seasonal take, I punched bits of cardstock and added letter stickers to spell “spring.” I then attached the letters using the pretty tape.

Create with Clothespins

The tape will adhere to several surfaces, including wood, so I used it to dress up an ordinary clothespin. It’s a unique way of adding a placecard to a table setting.

Tape Up Some Letterhead
I cut the tape into triangles and added a little stitching to create a banner across the paper. I will either add my name to the banner to create personalized stationery, or I will turn this into a scrapbook layout. Either way, this is a simple way to make a playful banner.

Wrap without Paper
You don’t need wrapping paper to dress up a present. Instead, wrap a basic box with Japanese masking tape. It’s colorful and quick…what a gift!

Enhance an Envelope
Make your letter standout from the crowd with a little tape.

And don’t forget the back. Slap a little tape on the flap.

What About You?

I know I’ll be doing more with this fun-to-use craft medium. Have you had a chance to play with it yet? What’s your favorite use?

TV Time

If you're interested, you can check out my Studio 5 segment, where I shared these and other projects. You'll love seeing what Darin, one of the hosts, did with the tape. It was very creative. Enjoy the show!

Also, you can check out several of my past Studio 5 appearances by visiting the section of the "Apperances" Creating Keepsakes website. Thanks for taking a peek. Your support is always appreciated. :)

The Narc Side: Could You Have Narcolepsy?

Do you feel that? It’s time to spring forward an hour, which means you’re probably pretty tired today. I know I am, but I’m afraid this has nothing to do with the clock. Instead, it has everything to do with my having narcolepsy. This is an autoimmune disease caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

With sleep in the forefront of many minds today, I thought this was a perfect time to do a little to raise awareness of this illness. I lost 13 years of my life to this disease, and it’s now my goal to see that this doesn’t happen to others…possibly you.

Questions to Ask

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself if you or someone you know never feels rested:

1. Do you experience frequent sleepiness? This can be to the point where you’re nodding off in any and all places. For example, I’ve slept through root canals, through movies, and even through a Def Leopard concert.


2. Do you have a hard time remembering things, especially recent things?


3. Are you easily distracted?


4. Do you get a full night’s sleep only to wake feeling ready for a nap?


5. Do you experience sleep paralysis?


6. Do you have nightmares that feel real?


7. Do you wake up often during the night?

Now, I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but if you answered “yes” to several of the questions on my list, I would highly encourage you to ask your doctor for more information on narcolepsy.

Take Control

This is a rare-ish disease, but part of that is because so many have gone undiagnosed. Don’t lose years of your life. Instead, take control and find the answers you need. That’s what I finally did, and after years of being told nothing was wrong with me, and I was able to get the help I so desperately needed. This is your life; own it!

Okay, now that that’s out of the way, let’s celebrate Daylight Savings Time by taking a nap. Zzzzzz…

Read more about my narcolepsy story here.

Time for a Tape Sneak Peek

I'm getting ready to head off to Studio 5 (studio5.ksl.com) this morning, where I'll be doing a TV segment on the hot tape trend in crafting. For the most part, we'll be discussing Japanese masking tape, the super fun new product to make its way into the creative world. I'm going to save those projects for the show (I'll post them here soon). For now, I want to share a few of my tricks using other types of tape.

Duct Tape Bouquet

I got this idea from the Duck Brand website (www.duckbrand.com). If you haven't visited, you need to check out their imaginative project gallery. You'll find instructions for making your own duct tape blooms.

Decorative Masking Tape

I love this stuff from Fancy That! It's packing tape all styled up. I covered basic juice glasses to make these candle votives.

And I wrapped it around this white letter holder for a fresh new look for my desk.

That's it for now. I'll post my TV projects soon. In the meantime, I'd love to hear what you like to do with tape?

I need your help with this hairy situation

As you may or may not know, shortly after my mama was diagnosed with breast cancer, I decided to grow my hair out for Locks of Love. (You can read more about this here.) Well, the time for the cut is drawing near, which means I need to start looking at styles.

I haven't gone short-short since I was kid and had to cut my hair after a perm gone wrong, so this is a tad scary. What if I look terrible with a short do? Eep! But, you know what? The purpose behind the cut is far more important than a bad hair day (or year), so I'm going to do this thing.

I've collected a few cute cuts and would love your feedback. Keeping in mind that my face is not celebrity-thin, which cut do you think would look the best on me? I have a favorite, but my mind isn't made up so I'm not going to tell you which one it is yet. First, I'd love your two cents. So, can you spare some change to help me with mine?

Option #1: The TomKat Cut

Pro: I'm a tucker. Not a day goes by that I don't tuck my hair behind my ears. I like that this cut makes that possible.

Con: I've had bangs like this before (image two), and they're a lot harder to keep up than they look.

Option #2: The Big Love Look

Pro: I love the longer layers in the front. I think it will help disguise my double-chin dance.

Con: My hair is naturally wavy, which means it would probably be a pain to get the sleek, straight strands.

Option #3: The Princess Part

Pro: My hair is definitely on the thick side, and this seems like it would accommodate that without much fuss.

Con: Does it look cute or messy? Not sure.

Option #4: New Moon, New Do

Pro: Feels like a modern and fun take on the traditional short bob.

Con: Like I'll ever look as cute as Miss Alice. That's a hard act to follow, even if it is just hair.

Option #5: Liv's Locks

Pro: People sometimes tell me I look like Miss Tyler, so maybe that means this cut would look good with my face.

Con: It looks like it might be too long. I have to cut at least 6 inches.

So, what do you think? 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5? I can't wait to hair...errr, I mean hear. ;)

Card Group Creations: Feb. 2010

Had a great time at card group tonight. We spent the evening crafting, snacking, laughing and swapping.

Brady and I are getting ready to get our craft on.

Brenda and Beth are also getting ready to make cards.

Kalyn and P.K. pause from the card-making festivities to take a snapshot.

It's swap time. The girls gather around the table to collect their goodies.

Cute P. Kelly selected a green theme in honor of the upcoming holiday. And with all the incredibly cute cards, it was clear to see the luck of the Irish was certainly on our side this month. :)

Kalyn said a happy hello with this tree treat.

Brenda made this cute design!

Brady stitched this fishy fun!

Andrew put this happy one together!

I hope it's hip to be square, because I made this one.

P.K. designed this birdy beauty. We love the sentiment--"Life happens. Love helps."

Jennifer made a stylin' masculine birthday card.

Nature's delights found their way onto Becky's cutie-pie design.

Roxanne found foam happiness with this lucky creation.

And Tracy also found luck was on her side when she created this clean design.

Beth gave us reason to celebrate with this bold bloom.

Well, that's the look inside our little card group this month. With March around the corner, may you find the luck of the Irish is on your side! ;)

A Look Back at the Last Decade

I’m a little late to the party with this one, but this is a post I’ve wanted to make since Dec., so I suppose it’s better late than never. With a decade of the 21st century behind us, I want to document some of my highlights from the past ten years. Join me, won’t you, on this little trip back in time.

1999 (I’m starting here, because this was when the past decade of time really started taking shape.)

• High school graduation. Go class of 99!
• My first full-time job (my parents wouldn’t let me work in high school) as a hostess at Crapplebee’s.
• I started college. Go Griffins!
• Cory and I met (at Crapplebee’s) and started dating.

2000

• The Westminster College campus is my new home. What a culture shock for this sheltered, naive girl. But SO worth it. I loved the dorm life!
• Feeling very grown up, I bought my first car, a 2000 Chevy Cavalier. I traded in the car my parents bought for me in high school, which was a 1996 Cavalier. Why I went from a Cavalier to another Cavalier, I’ll never know, but it was a good car.
• The harsh reality of the modeling industry became all too familiar. It’s not at all the glitz and glam it’s cracked up to be.
  

2001

• I decide I wanted to be an optometrist and declare biology as my major.
• Cory surprises me with a trip to Disneyland for my 20th birthday.
  

2002

• Cory gave me my sweet puppy, Kisses, as a Valentine’s Day present.
• I'm homeless for a few weeks when the 2002 Winter Olympics came to SLC and the athletes move into our dorms. Being a part of the Olympic magic was incredible!
• I stumble into a position as a secret shopper at the mall. Talk about the best job ever.
• After two stress-filled years, I read the writing on the wall and switch my major and minor around, and I start looking at different career paths in the communications field.
  
  
  

2003

• I get my first taste of the TV world with an internship at the local ABC affiliate.
• I graduate college with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (minor in biology).
• Cory and I buy a house together, where we still reside today.
• I start a part-time PR position with McDonald’s and the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which leads to my gig as an “I’m Lovin’ it Lady” for Mickey-Ds. This job eventually turns into me working as Ronald McDonald’s personal assistant. Yes, this is a true story.
• I start my first “real,” full-time job, doing PR for Stampin’ Up! Little did I know at the time, but most first jobs aren’t that cool. I was very lucky to have landed with that company right out of the gate.
  

2004

• I start grad school.
• After four years together, Cory pops the question on a Florida vacation—such a memorable moment!

2005

• I'm hit with a severe case of mystery mono. It took two nights in the ER before they finally figured out what the heck was wrong. No fun.
• I can see clearly now, for the first time in my life, thanks to laser eye surgery.
• My purchase of Sally, a beautiful 2005 Mustang, allows me to cross “own a Mustang” off of my bucket list.
• Cory and I get married at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. One of the happiest days of my life!
• Aloha! Cor and I go on a Hawaiian cruise for our honeymoon. This was my first cruise, my first trip to Hawaii, AND my first (and only) honeymoon. Many amazing firsts for one trip. :)

2006

• Paper Crafts magazine offers me a job as an associate editor, so I say goodbye to the PR life and give editing a try.
• We celebrate my golden birthday with a trip on the Wendover Fun Bus to the Golden Nugget. Good times!
• Cory and I get our first taste of the Big Apple with a remarkable trip to NYC.
• After years of being told there was nothing wrong with me, I'm FINALLY diagnosed with narcolepsy. Both a happy and a sad moment for me—happy to have answers, and sad to learn that I have something that is without a cure.

2007

• One of my favorite people in the world, Sweet Gram, passes away.
• Cory and I add to our family when we adopted Jack, our crazy-but-loveable Jack Russell.
• After being a part of our family for 14 years (and growing up with me), Gumdrop, my darling kitty, passes away.

2008

• That’s What She Said,” my little blog, makes its debut.
• My career takes another positive step when I'm offered the senior editor position at Simple Scrapbooks magazine.
• Just call me Professor Meg. I accept a part-time teaching position with the University of Utah.
• Cory checks himself into rehab after being prescribed and taking serious pain medication for his back for nearly six years. I believe with all of my heart that this move saved his life.
• My dear mama is diagnosed with breast cancer.
• After nine fabulous months on the Simple team, I accept the position of creative editor for Creating Keepsakes magazine. The creative editor title had been a goal of mine for many years, so this was a very proud moment for me.
• Happiness on a String (http://www.happinessonastring.com/), a little jewelry company that my good friend and I own, is officially open for business!
  

2009

• Simple Scrapbooks magazine closes its doors. Very sad.
• Pop and I “run” (more of a walk, really) the Race for the Cure.
• I join two of my friends in a commitment to grow out our hair for Locks of Love. This is something we continue to work on today. (I think the big cut is drawing near.)
• My sweet sis-in-law is diagnosed with Leukemia. (On a positive note, she’s doing really well and is strong as an ox.)
• My high school reunion comes and goes; I didn’t attend. A mistake? Perhaps. But what’s done is done.
  

Good times with the Simple Scrapbooks team!

Today
Whew! I never realized SO much could happen in one short decade. Makes me wonder what the next ten years will bring. Looking at this list, I realize how up and down life really is. If there’s anything these experiences have taught me, it’s to cherish those ups and to learn from the downs. I’m proud of my list and the person its events have helped me to become. If you haven’t already done so, I suggest you make your own list. It’s a wonderful way to record your own unique moments and have proof that you were here, living your life, each and every up-and-down step of the way.

Cheers!