Make New Friends...

Hi friends...

As I begin this post today let me just share some song lyrics that have been replaying in my head since I started typing this...

Make new friends,

but keep the old.

One is silver,

the other is gold.

A circle is round,

it has no end.

That's how long,

I will be your friend.

A fire burns bright, 

it warms the heart.

We've been friends,

from the very start.

You have one hand,

I have the other.

Put them together,

We have each other.

Silver is precious, 

Gold is too.

I am precious,

and so are you.

You help me, 

and I'll help you 

and together

we will see it through.

The sky is blue

The Earth is green

I can help

to keep it clean

Across the land

Across the sea

Friends forever

We will always be

The reason these words have been replaying in my head is because I met a wonderful and talented lady. Her name is Svitlana...she goes by the name of "izolda" on Scrapbook.com. 

We have been writing back and forth a bit getting to know each other. She invited me to visit her blog as she is offering Blog Candy for the month of August, and OMG the candy is just so delicious!! One of the conditions to winning the blog candy is to link her Candy Giveaway to my blog...pretty simple huh?? 

Well...that just didn't seem good enough to me. I also felt it important to let her know just what her friendship means to me!! She has only been in America for 2 years as she is from the Ukraine and I wanted to give her a "Big Ole' American Welcome! 

I also wanted to let her know just how valuable friendship is to us Americans so Svitlana "WELCOME" to America I am so happy that you are here. I am also so blessed to call you my FRIEND. I hope that by sharing your blog and your blog candy that all of the other AWESOME ladies I have come to know and love will also have the opportunity to meet you too.

So without further ado...My sweet friend Svitlana's blog candy giveaway:

http://izo-lda.blogspot.com/2012/07/giveaway-from-me.html?showComment=1342211189403#c3539790450170849542

The composition of candy (pictures and descriptions I took with Simon):

• A set of acrylic stamps Exclusive by Simon Says Stamp "Beautiful Words"
• A leaf from the late 19th century dictionary
• A leaf from the late 19th century encyclopedia
• A set of stamps Prima "Fairy Belle"
• A Kraft Glassine envelope Tim Holtz Idea-olog
• 12 sheets of 6 "x 6" designer paper from Pink Paislee from the collection of "London Market"
• Two paper-openwork napkins 4 "in diameter
• 1 sheet of 8.5 "x 11" textured paper Bazzill, Color Quartz 
• 1 sheet of 8.5 "x 11" textured paper Bazzill, Color Turquoise Mist 
• 1 sheet of 8.5 "x 11" textured paper Bazzill, the color ofStonehenge
• 1 sheet of 8.5 "x 11" textured paper Bazzill, Color Walnut Cream
• 1 sheet of 8.5 "x 11" White Vellum
• 2 sheets of 8.5 "x 11" white construction paper Simon Says Stamp
• 1 roll of black and white Twine
• 1 pack epoxy glitternyh hearts Pebbles (15 pieces 3 different shades)
• 1 package pins Pebble
• A glitter glue Ranger Stardust Stickles

Svitlana...I am so happy to have met you!

Until next time...

Be well and be blessed my friends,

Tootles

Stars & Stripes...So Proud To Be An American!

Have you ever stopped to wonder just what life would be like without your freedom??

Where would you live? What kind of home would you live in?? Where would your food come from??

As July rolls around every year I can't help but ponder what would my life be like without my F.R.E.E.D.O.M.

I am so blessed to live in the land of the free because of the brave! I never for one moment take this freedom that I so love for granted! 

Many years have passed since I have been able to share a 4th of July with my Uncle Gil. He was a proud Marine. He is the one that gave me a sincere appreciation for this country that I love so much. He fought in World War II...he was a part of the "Forgotten Battalion". Here is a link to the "Forgotten Battalion" http://www.grunt.com/corps/scuttlebutt/marine-corps-stories/the-forgotten-battalion/ so that you may read more about the sacrifices these man made for us! As a little girl I use to scream with joy at all of the fireworks and splendor that was the celebration of our Independence Day, as my Uncle Gil would watch proudly at my side those colors fly and pop! How he must have felt knowing that I and my family could celebrate such a wonderful day, filled with Hamburgers, Watermelon and a big family picnic and a spectacular night filled with so much color and pride,  knowing that he played such a significant part in our freedom.

So on this special day and in celebration of my "Hero" and every brave man and woman that ever donned a uniform to defend my freedom and the freedom of all Americans it is my pleasure and the pleasure of the "PRIDE" to share our little treasures made of paper with you! If you found my blog first please make certain to pounce on over to Elsa's blog http://justafewdesigns.blogspot.com/ and enjoy her tribute to our beautiful country and then pounce on over to all the rest of the "PRIDES" blogs and see what they have created for this special day.

Now, without further ado let me share my creations with you.

First is an album that I created in honor of my "Hero" Marine...My Uncle Gil. The title of this Album is "Our Patriot Family" with it comes some wonderful meaning...the meaning of FREEDOM!

"F" is For Family both near and far...

"R" is For the Red, White & Blue...

"E" is For Equality for every American...

Whether Man, Woman, or Child...

"D" is For Yankee Doodle Dandy...and more importantly for those that defend my freedom.

"O" is For Old Glory...Still flying proudly...

...and "M" is for the precious "Memories" that we all share today and always!

Now let me share a little Stars & Stripes "Firecracker" with you to celebrate this day...

I call it the "Stars & Stripes" Firecracker Mini

 because of the way that it Pops open like a firecracker!!

Cute huh?? I hope you like it!! Now before I send you pouncing to RJ's Den  at http://thriftycrafterdude.blogspot.com/

Let me show you two more treasures I created for this day...

This layout I call "Let Freedom Ring"

and this one I call "July! I hope that I have inspired you create beautiful treasures in honor of your "Hero"...but more importantly than that...I hope that I have inspired you to reflect on the freedom that you enjoy in your life and remember on this day of independence to thank someone who fought to defend your freedom.

Because we live in the land of the FREE because of the BRAVE.

Have a very safe and very blessed 4th of July.

Until next time...

I'll be seeing you...

Tootles