Paper Bag Scrapbook Photo Album

 My newest creation at Ellie Marie Designs!  

A paper bag scrapbook

An 8x8 photo album

 With plenty of room for journaling

 A cute little notepad for friends' signatures or phone numbers

 Lots of space for photos

Three pull out pages for more photos or journaling

A Few Happenings

Dear Neglected Blog and Those Who Read,

I thought I'd stop by and say hello.  I really do miss you and I'm sorry for not writing more.  I'm still here.  Life is busy but here is a brief update:

Hannah is home for the summer and looking for a job. Please pray she finds a good one soon.

Her friend drove her to Kentucky and we met her there.  It was a great opportunity to see my 96 year old grandmother.  She just got a pace make put in a month or so ago.  I overheard her telling a couple of people  that she got a heart replacement.  :D

Hannah, Ma and Holly

Back at home between homeschooling Holly and looking for a job for Hannah, I've been busy making things for Ellie Marie Designs.

Holly's band concert was tonight.  It went really well.  She played a duet with her friend Katie. Holly's playing clarinet and Katie's playing the flute  It was the Sugar Plum Fairy from the Nut Cracker.

And in our spare time, we observe the baby robins 

in a nest built above our rain gutter.


That about sums up life right now.  Of course there is church and sometimes I cook dinner and clean house.  But not as much as I should.

Mini Thank You Cards

Approximately 2 1/2 x 2 1/2

This one is 3x3.

They will have white inside for writing.


I am working on a custom order for my etsy shop EllieMarieDesigns. Here are a few ideas for mini thank you cards. Need some for yourself or your graduate? Let me know what you're interested in!

Gabriel thru the Years

Just a few pictures over the past 21 years -

Happy 21st Birthday to Gabriel

Today is Gabriel's 21st birthday. Where did the years go? Hannah and his friends at college celebrated with him. I wish we could be together on his birthday. Instead, he's studying for a couple of big tests and we have having pizza for lunch in his honor. Happy Birthday Gabriel!! I am blessed to be your mom and I'm so thankful that you have great friends to celebrate with.

Here are a few pictures. Hannah's not in them. I'm guessing she was behind the camera!

Gabriel and his sweetheart Sarah

Friends who came to celebrate

Megan and Breana - Hannah's best friends

Wedding Reception

A few years ago - 25 or so - I taught a little boy named Randy. He was a sweet kid. Did pretty well in school, at least I don't remember him doing poorly. After his 4th grade year, I got married and moved around a few times and lost contact with most of my students. When we returned to VA, I learned that he was in Hollywood! He played a goofy deputy in "Good Intentions" , a friend (or cousin?) of Elvis in the CBS mini series of Elvis and a few other things.

He got married last week and had a reception tonight for local friends and family. And we were invited! It was fun to talk with him and meet his sweet wife. You just never know what kids will grow up to be. I know I never thought when I was teaching that class that any of them would end up in Hollywood.

At the wedding reception of Randy McDowell. I taught him in 3rd and 4th grade.


Holly and Randy

Masculine Gift Cards

Some cards I made today for Ellie Marie Designs!