Help Our Team Make A Difference at the 2009 Upstate South Carolina Arthritis Walk

Walk With Us at the 2009 Upstate South Carolina Arthritis Walk!

The Arthritis Walk® is the Arthritis Foundation’s annual nationwide event that raises awareness and funds to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability. It is a tremendous opportunity to help improve the lives of the 46 million men, women and children doctor-diagnosed with arthritis. Participants walk in honor of a friend or family member with arthritis. People with arthritis wear blue hats to signify their action in taking control of their condition. The event features a three-mile and one-mile course, with arthritis information and activities for the entire family. In many communities, pet owners are invited to bring their dogs along for the walk.

Arthritis is a very difficult disease to manage, and even more so when you’re only 6 years old. We hope to raise awareness that arthritis is not just “an old person’s disease,” when approximately 300,000 children in the United States suffer from the often debilitating disease. So, together, our family is taking on the challenge to make a difference in Greenville, South Carolina by participating in the Arthritis Walk on October 25th at Cleveland Park in downtown Greenville. Here is the link to our Team’s page for the Arthritis Walk.


Karissa is so excited to be the “team leader.” I am working on coming up w/a cute t-shirt design and a funky blue hat for her to wear. I’m thinking a blue tutu worn over leggings or denim w/a fun t-shirt will be perfect for her. Maybe use a boa trim around the hat or tiara. Sorry to digress--my daughter is a little diva in training and I love designing outfits for her.

Please support our “Team Karissa” with the upcoming arthritis walk. In addition to the arthritis walk fundraiser, I’m also organizing a local scrapbook charity crop at Scrapnesia on October 17th. Here's a little info about the crop:

Use Your Memories to Help Find a Cure For Arthritis! 100% of the crop fees will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation through Karissa’s team. Round-Up your purchase through the month of October and donate your spare change to Arthritis research.

Your $15 Crop Fee Includes:



Crop from 11am until 10pm


FREE Make & Takes


Double Auction Bucks


Cropper’s Goodie Bag


Grand Prize Drawing


Silent Auction


Bring a Friend...Get a Gift


Free pizza and lots of CHOCOLATE!

Call Scrapnesia to reserve your spot today! (864) 288-7771!

Please help support “Team Karissa” in any way you can. If you can’t donate financially, please join our team and walk with us! Please say you’ll join us!

Our Story:

Our 6 ½ -year-old daughter Karissa was diagnosed with JRA (polyarticular) when she was about 2 ½ years old. Karissa’s arthritis symptoms appeared just after she started to walk. Sometimes she would drag her leg, or walk stiff-kneed like Frankenstein. I took her to doctors, (even videotaped her strange gait) yet after a whole battery of tests, we were told it was just growing pains. Being a new mother, I trusted the doctors and hoped it would pass. But her symptoms worsened until one day when she woke up from her nap and literally could not walk. She had to drag herself to a chair and she had a big red golf-ball sized knot above her knee. This was NOT growing pains! For some kids, diagnosis is agonizing because it’s often a case of determining what it ISN’T before you can determine what it IS. We went to doctor after doctor and refused to accept it was growing pains. And finally, after many more doctors and tests, she was finally diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). We have to take her to Duke Children’s Hospital in North Carolina- 4 hours each way, because there are no pediatric rheumatologists in South Carolina.


To look at Karissa, you would not know that she has this awful disease. She is a gorgeous little girl, who loves to sing, act, twirl and dance and adores anything that sparkles! But she’s also tough, and wants to be a super-hero--that’s my girl! However, Karissa has arthritis in both knees, both ankles, both wrists, most of her fingers and even some of her toes. It has been a long journey and we are fortunate that she’s doing well thanks to many prayers and her great doctors.


Please visit our team web page and consider joining Team Karissa or making a donation to help us meet our goal. We hope to raise awareness and funds by walking so that one day there will be a cure for arthritis! And we need you on our team!

Charity Crop for Arthritis! PLEASE JOIN US!

CHA...Here I Come!

I’ve been patiently waiting for everyone from Scrapnesia to hurry up and get to Florida! I’m so excited for CHA-I can’t stand it! I’ve been in Florida for a week now. Did the whole family Florida vacation. You know, lots of sweating, everyday family chaos, sweating, and sick children. I thought vacations were to rejuvenate you…HA! Did I mention mosquito swatting is a popular sport here? I don’t know how I survived living in Florida my whole life… Anyway, my husband and daughter are back home in South Carolina and now I’m here waiting for the REAL fun to begin! Make sure you check out the BLOG everyday! We plan on uploading lots of pics, videos, you name it. And we have a few surprises up our sleeves. Did I mention I LOVE BLOG CANDY? I wish tomorrow would hurry up and get here already!

Perfect Layers Rulers...The MUST-HAVE Tool Every Scrapbooker Should Own!

Many people have been asking where they can purchase the Perfect Layers Rulers now that they have been discontinued from Stampin Up and QVC. Well scrappers, hold on to your seats....your search is over! Head on over to Scrapnesia and get your Perfect Layers Rulers today! From what I've been told, Scrapnesia is the ONLY store that carries these must have tools, as they order them directly from the manufacturer! What is the Perfect Layers Ruler, you ask? By using the Perfect Layers Rulers, you will have perfect mats for your photos every time!!! No more crooked mats from a wobbly paper trimmer!!! Cut borders and trim pieces in a variety of widths--without guessing or measuring! The Perfect Layers set makes it simple, giving your paper crafts a professional edge. Includes: Ruler #1 - widths of 1/8", 5/8", 1/4", and 3/8" Ruler #2 - widths of 1/16", 1/2", 3/16", and 5/16" (Cutting Mat and Exacto Knife not included) Scrapnesia recommends purchasing the EK Success Cutter Bee Self-Healing Mat and the Fiskars Fingertip Craft Knife for use with the Perfect Layers Rulers.

Vero Beach High School Class of 1989 20 Year Reunion!

I can't believe it has been 20 years since I graduated from Vero Beach High School! I certainly don't feel that old and I hope I don't look it! Anyway, here are the details for our upcoming 20 year reunion... The Vero Beach High School Class of 1989 20th Reunion will be Saturday evening, July 18th at Quail Valley River Club on A1A in Vero Beach (Old Riomar Club). Invitations were mailed out in April. The price is $60 per ticket and includes the facility, dj, and dinner.Email VBHSclassof1989@hotmail.com with any questions! Hope to see you there!

Check it Out! Upcoming Bloom & Grow Altered Clipboard Class: May 16th!

I made this altered clipboard for an upcoming class I'll be teaching at Scrapnesia. I just LOVE how it turned out! The paper and embellishments are so bright and cheery AND I added a pocket to the outside! How cool is that?

Take my class and you’ll learn how to take an ordinary 6 x 9 wooden clipboard and turn it into a work of art using the fabulous papers from the My Mind’s Eye Bloom & Grow line, dew drops, Stickles glitter glue, paint, ribbons and more. Not only will you learn how to alter a basic clipboard and turn it into a scrappy masterpiece, all the techniques used can be applied to your scrapbook layouts. You will leave with a beautiful altered clipboard to display in your home or office or to give as a gift. Perfect to use as a teacher’s gift or for a friend! Class Date: Saturday, May 16th at 3:00 Where: Scrapnesia 1178 Woodruff Road, Suite 7 Greenville, SC 288-7771 Class Fee: $15 Supplies to bring: trimmer, adhesives (glue dots, pop dots) and scissors You must sign up in advance to ensure all the ‘prep’ work is done for you!

I LOVE Actions! Free Photoshop Actions!

I posted this to another site, but thought I would spread the love! I'm not the best photographer. I have a pretty good digital, but really don't know all the cool features it can do. But, what I do know is Photoshop and love touching up my images using Actions... Anyone familar with using Actions? Here's a GREAT site to download FREE Actions with easy explanations on how to use them... FREE PHOTOSHOP ACTIONS Check out the Before and After Pic of my little cutie pie....

My Scrappy Layouts, Cards & Altered Projects

Here are some of my many layouts, cards, projects, etc. In no particular order. Some were completed YEARS ago! Can you tell how I have evolved as a mad scrapper? LOL