Country Liv's Cottage Art

Happy Holidays

2009-12-06T23:57:00.003-05:00

Here's to all my cyber family: Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Merry December to all.

Kim is out of the hospital and I will be going up there to be with her tomorrow morning.

Here is a photo of this year's tiny but pretty tree. Personally, I think it is much better than last year's!

Hugs,
Liv

Oh December!

2009-12-03T18:07:00.002-05:00

Hey Y'All,

Thought December was going to be a better month but Kim's feeding tube sight has become infected again and she had to be hospitalized last night. She had been on antibiotics since last Friday but they weren't working so they are double whammying her system with another type through an IV. Her sugar levels have been too high to register on the hospital's glucose meter and they will probably move her into the CCU tonight. She is keeping a good outlook (as usual) on life and trying to be positive about her healthcare. I don't know how she does it.

I have been doing little odds and ends for her new apartment, like a decorated lampshade; toss pillow covers; placemats, kitchen curtains, tablecloth and cover. After all my years at the sewing machine I had my first mishap: I stitched into my finger. Ouch! It is still very, very sore. That's what I get for trying to finish up the placemats too fast. We still need to do the bedrooms but the Living Room and Kitchen are almost finished. We are carrying sunshine yellow throughout, for continuity, and using black/white in the living room, navy/white in the kitchen, pastel blue/white in the master bedroom and bath, and primary colors in Joshua's room.

I'm off to fix some supper. Hope all is well for all of you!

Hugs,
Liv

PS: I started working on a Christmas Brag Book and when I get some of it finished I will begin to post the links.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T18:27:00.002-05:00

Hey Y'all,
Long time, no post! Sorry about that but I have been busy helping to get my Kim settled in her new apartment. I haven't moved in so long that I didn't remember what a hassle it can be! It really is a nice apartment though with loads of young boys that little Joshua can 'hang out' with and has a playground that Kim can see from her windows. BB the cat isn't very happy about the move; he stays in a closet behind the hot water heater! He will be fine once we get everything in it's place and things settle down to a normal everyday pace. We are decorating the living room in black, white, and yellow! So pretty with the wrought iron decor I found at Hobby Lobby. When we get it all finished I will take some photos before the 'little man' can mess it all up again. His room is going to be a sports theme of course and Kim wants her bedroom to be more girlish and frilly! I can't wait to see what she comes up with for it; she loves the navy, yellow, and white color combo. They are staying more than warm and toasty since they are on the second floor-I just start stripping off clothes after being there five minutes. LOL! I went up today to carry the tablecloth and topper I made for the living room. While Kim was making a really yummy fish, potatoes, and butter beans lunch for us, Joshua and I played Scrabble. It was a nice treat for me and Kim seemed to enjoy cooking for us. She is having a lot of pain with the tube site in her abdomen but she doesn't want to take the pain meds because they just put her to sleep. After lunch we went to cruise Target. As the mother of two girls I always thought that they were jabber mouths but I had never experienced a child like Joshua! He talks, talks, and talks some more and if he isn't talking he's making car sounds or singing! My ears need a rest after a few hours with him!

I hope to start back making some digital elements and kits pretty soon.

For those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving I hope you have a happy, delicious, and loving one.

Hugs,
Liv

Another Choice for December

2009-11-11T19:18:00.004-05:00

Hey Y'all,
I felt I needed to give y'all the choice to have a December 2010 Business Card Quickie Calendar with a menorah on it. At 4 Shared, password is business. Hope I made it correctly.

Hope you all in the eastern US are finding high ground!

Hugs,
Liv

File Fixed!

2009-11-11T10:17:00.002-05:00

Sorry guys. I was in such a hurry that I zipped the wrong file! New, same password:

4Shared

MediaFire

November/December Calendar Freebie

2009-11-10T15:57:00.001-05:00

Hey Y'all,

Things have continued to be topsy/turvey around here but I hope to be able to impart some good news soon! In the mean time I have the November/December Business Card Calendar Quickies ready for you. I am also working on a Jewish December calendar for those of you who would like to have it and will upload it as soon as it's finished. Here is the preview of today's freebie. (these links have been fixed and are also in the next post)

Your may download from 4Shared or MediaFire and the password is business. For those of you visiting for the first time, the rest of the calendar year 2010 links are still active and you can locate them in previous posts. I hope you enjoy these little gifts!

Hugs,
Liv

September/October 2010 Calendar Freebie

2009-11-03T18:13:00.003-05:00

Hey Y'all,

I have uploaded the Sept/Oct Business Card Calendar freebies to 4Shared and to MediaFire.

The password is business.

I have certainly enjoyed your comments about this group of freebies and it makes me happy to know that my art is appreciated! If all goes well, I will have the last two months ready next week and I will keep the download links active until January 1, 2010. Tell your friends to come by and download theirs please!

Hugs,
Liv

PS: Don't forget to vote for me at Wacom(link in previous post) and to keep checking by to see when the new DVD is going to be ready for sale at DigiScrapDepot.

Penscrappers

2009-10-31T23:08:00.004-04:00

Hey Y'all,

I've entered a digital scrapbook page on the Wacom site so if you would vote for me that would be great!

We had to use Nicole Young's beautiful kit 'Storybook Dreams.' This is Kim's little kitty Cutie Pie.

Kim, Joshua, and I had a great day together yesterday and this morning! She has been doing so good this week it has done my heart good too. Thanks for your prayers!

Hugs,
Liv

Something Interesting That Interests Me!

2009-10-29T18:20:00.000-04:00

Okay, I know you all get pushed and pulled from one blog to another all the time but I just have to share this one post with you. It's from Createwings Designs' (Dawn's) blog and it really spoke to me and made me want to DARE! She, Dawn, has started a new idea sharing on her blog called Mixing It Up and this is the first post in that series. Please do go and read it, (it is very short) maybe it will strike a cord with you too! Createwings! I wish I could write my feelings out like some of the people I admire. Have you ever read anything Ro at ScrapGirls has written? She's one of my favorites and keeps me motivated and laughing out loud at some of her muses. Sign up for a newsletter and you will never regret it!

Kim has been having some unprecedented good days in a row this past week! I'm afraid she tries to pack too many activities in her schedule when this happens but she has to live while she can! Good for you honey; keep it up!

Seems both of my Granddaughters have caught the H1N1 virus. I'm praying for them as well as everyone else who has contracted this thing.

Joshua is looking forward to Halloween-not me, for it is definitely my least favorite holiday. I remember the fun I had as a child but all my experiences with it since childhood have been horrible. Hope you all have a good one!

Hugs,
Liv

July/August Business Card Calendar Freebie

2009-10-27T13:50:00.000-04:00

Hey Y'all!

Just finished uploading the zip files for the July/August Business Card Calendar Freebie to 4shared and mediafire. The file password is business.

4SHARED MEDIAFIRE

I am going to wait on printing mine out until after all the months have been completed. That way all of them can be printed at one time on one piece of stock or photo paper. I have also thought about leaving some extra leading space so that I can add an eyelet then string the cards on a small ball-chain. I'm going to make several for family and friends as stocking stuffers too.

Kim had been doing really good up until yesterday; she was sick with stomach problems all day. I only spoke with her less than 5 minutes because she was feeling so rotten. I hope to catch up with her more today.

My granddaughter, Tabitha, caught the H1N1 virus along with Mono and tonsillitis! I have been beside myself with worry but she is much better now. One child died in her middle school so they have closed the school for this week. I am so thankful that Tabba overcame it even with the other underlying illnesses. She was out all last week and with being out this week too it is really going to be a long catching up period.

Rain, rain, rain! It seems like we are either in drought or flood; this week is flooding time and my old joints are aching from it. At least it's not cold too.

Gotta go and work on Sept/Oct card.

Hugs,
Liv

May/June Business Card Calendars

2009-10-20T17:51:00.004-04:00

Hey Y'all,

Here are the May/June Business Card Calendar freebies.

4Shared
MediaFire

Password: business

Liv
------------------------------------------

March/April Business Calendars

2009-10-13T16:04:00.005-04:00

Hey,
I've been busy running back and forth to Concord for the last week so I haven't had a minute to share anything with you ;( Kimberli was hospitalized last Wednesday with terrible pain that was caused by an infection in her intestines. She was released on Saturday afternoon with anti-biotics and pain meds and the admonition to rest and recoup so she could go back and have her feeding tube replaced. The problems for Kim just never end and at this point I don't even pray for that any more. Thanks for all your prayers, well wishes, and inquiries.
I just stopped by to upload the March and April Business Calendar Quickies. The 4shared link is HERE and the MediaFire link is HERE. The password for both is business. Enjoy. (The links for Jan/Feb are still active, just link up from my previous post)

Hope you have a wonderful week.
Hugs,
Liv
PS: Let me know if the link(s) don't work!

Calendar Freebie

2009-10-06T14:20:00.006-04:00

Hey Y'All!

Have you seen the little business card calendars? I think they are so perfect to carry in your wallet or laminate and attach to your keychain; they also make great inexpensive personalized gifts. I am doing a 2010 business card calendar in .png format that I want to share with you. You can drop in your photo, print them out on any type of printing medium you like and enjoy! Today you can download my January and February 2010 Freebies from 4shared or media fire the password is business. Here is a preview of what you'll be getting today:

Links are in above sentence.

Things have been so upside down in my life lately that I really can't tell what I should do or think. Please just bear with me for a little while longer and I promise to get back to you very, very soon. Thanks for all your prayers; they are so appreciated!
Hugs,
Liv

PS: something must be up with Blogger-I had a heck of a time getting this posted!
4Shared Link fixed!

Some New Developments

2009-09-28T17:15:00.001-04:00

Hey Y'All,

Well, I'm not sure the Hoorray.com site is going to continue with the Designer Line after Christmas. I was hoping the albums were going to be very popular and I would make some very much needed funds. I have put in so many long hours on the albums I submitted and am very dissappointed that my Beach album didn't get put on the site before the talking heads dissed the whole concept. If you are interested in ordering an album, be it mine or one of the other designers', please go to the site and do it now.

I have started making some kits and elements to be included in a CD that is going to be offered at DigiScrapShop. The Halloween CD will probably be ready for orders by the beginning of November and there are plans to do Thanksgiving and Christmas CD too. If you go to the site via my blog and purchase a CD, I will make a commission from it! This could be lucrative for me and a great buy for you as there are going to be oodles of designers products included on each themed CD. When the CD is ready I will post the link for you to follow. Below is a preview of one of the items that will be available exclusively on this CD.

About Kim. Nothing good to report but I do have a favor to ask: Would you please pray for Kimberli's children for an unnamed mercy? I am not able to disclose the problems facing the children but God knows and every plea helps to let him know how important this is. Please, please, please! Their future depends on divine intervention.

Joshua's Tenth Birthday is October 1!!!! Seems like he was born just a little bit ago. I am so glad his Mom is still alive to celebrate with him. She is planning to take him and 3 friends to Nascar Speed Park, Saturday, for the day (she has been saving for this for a while) and he is sure to have a wonderful time. Her husband is still out of work (and I personally don't think he is planning on ever looking for a job). Just because the adults aren't holding up their end of the bargain shouldn't mean the children have to do without!

Take care everyone.
Hugs,
Liv

Talent Alert!

2009-09-22T18:03:00.002-04:00

Hey Y'all,

My friend Vicki is the proud aunt to an up and coming singer named Neely who is part of the band Tilly and the Wall! She sent out an announcement today and I just wanted to pass it on to my readers:

"I was so excited I had to share with you guys. Just found out that Tilly and the Wall ( my niece Neely's band) music will be on "Ellen" soon, also in the new Drew Barrymore movie that is coming out and on a Target commercial (Song... Pot kettle black). The commercial ran last night during "Gossip Girls" and will be played during that show every Monday night for a while."

Here are some links you can follow to get a sample of Neely's talent!

Pot kettle black song

(Neely is the one with the long blonde hair)

On Sesame Street

on Gossip Girl

Drew Barrymore movie "Whip it"

Hope you enjoy!
Hugs,
Liv

Hello!

2009-09-21T17:00:00.002-04:00

Hey Y'all,

Well, I've been too, too busy lately. Being a homeowner is not an easy thing to do after the home is 15 years old or more. Plumbing, electrical, painting, you name it I've had the problems with it. I have spent the last several days just trying to repair the inlet pipe on my toilet. Finally seem to be successful today, thank goodness.

Kimberli accidentally pulled out her feeding tube last night! Ow! It bled and Bart and Kim decided to put it back in themselves instead of the ER docs because the last time they almost killed her! After several tries with no luck, he remembered they had a new kind that Wake Forest sent to them so he tried that and was successful! It's a good thing he was because Daisy (the pup) snatched the old tubing off the bed and chewed it in half before they realized it was gone! That puppy has been a constant source of entertainment and love for Kim and her family. I wasn't too happy about her getting it because they already had 3 dogs and two cats outside and 2 cats inside along with various fish. Daisy is persona non gratta at my house since she likes to piddle on my carpet and chew my furniture but I think she has been a wonderful addition to Kim's menagerie! The other night Joshua was taking a bubble bath and Daisy jumped in and played in the bubbles with him! Kim called me up just laughing and happy. Made my heart swell.

I took my camera with me to Joshua's soccer game Saturday but even though Joshua played great (as usual) the camera wouldn't cooperate! So . . . no photos to share ;(

Have you ever been to DigiScrapDepot? It's a great site that has all the usual forum, challenges, etc. but the one thing it has that you won't find other places is loads of designer freebies! I upload mine there and so do hundreds of other designers. Today I uploaded some Halloween that Vicky is going to put on a CD along with a lot of other designer Halloween and offer it for sale! Super idea and it just might help me pay for the scanner I just had to replace. Check them out! I really had no idea that there was even a shop attached to the freebie site but she has some great designers listed and I'm getting ready to go back over there and check them out.

Need to get!
Hugs,
Liv

Apology to Hoorray!

2009-09-15T14:55:00.003-04:00

Well, what do I know? Obviously nothing! The layouts I was so ticked about not being in the 'Our Family Heritage' album are . . . they just aren't in the 'original' lineup of layouts. The layouts are available if you click on 'change background' after you open the album up! Is my face red? Yep! Also, my 'baby' albums have different covers too, that I didn't know about. I made an assumption and it was wrong, I am sorry for the rant!

Kim's a little shaky today, her sugars dropped during the night. She says she will be fine in an hour or two and is planning on helping out a friend. That's my girl!

Oh, and my friend Brenda is vacationing in North Myrtle Beach, wish her a happy one please!

Gotta go!
Hugs,
Liv

My Heritage Album is up!

2009-09-14T15:26:00.005-04:00

Hey Y'all,
I just checked in at Hoorray.com and they have posted my Family Heritage Album! I wish the photos were larger so you could see the backgrounds better; I'm really proud of this design. I made it while going through my Dad's photo albums and odds and ends that had been packed up when he went into the nursing home. Bittersweet memories for sure; I miss him. They left out the pages I worked hardest on, something about photo placement but I don't get it- photos don't have to be rotated to look good on a page of this kind. Here are the pages they left out:

Here is a layout of Dad with the masculine one.
Very disappointing for me. I guess they don't follow how scrappers do their layouts. Anyhow, don't forget that you can get FREE SHIPPING when you use the link on the right to purchase one of the designer albums (hopefully mine!).

Have a great week!
Hugs,
Liv

Halloween Freebie!

2009-09-08T01:15:00.000-04:00

Hey Y'all!

I finished the Halloween Mini Kit for you. Hope you have a use for it. You can make the elements into stickers for your pages if you like. You can also print these graphics out and use them for hybrid scrapping.

4 Shared

Media Fire
Elements
Papers

The password for all Halloweenies is pumpkin

Hope y'all have a great week! Don't forget to let me know if you like this or not in the 'comments' section! Thanks!

Liv

PS: Think I should make a Halloween album for Hoorray?

Happy Labor Day!

2009-09-07T13:58:00.004-04:00

Hey Y'all! Happy Labor Day to all of the United States! Happy day to all the rest of the world too!

I have been so busy trying to design that little Halloween kit, and exchanging wonderful emails with a long lost girlfriend, that I forgot to update y'all on Kimberli's condition.

She was released from the hospital Saturday evening with the understanding that she wasn't to be left alone. Her blood gasses, strength, sinuses, and headache were still not right, but they don't like to keep you hospitalized if you can be helped at home. Bart picked her up after soccer practice and before his stint at the stockcar races. I had planned to stay with her while he and the children went to the racetrack, but she refused to let me come up there, saying she was fine on her own. Seems that Suzy and Joshua stayed together in the stands while their dad was in the pits and did very good together. Joshua idolizes his sister, and any time she gives him these days he cherishes. I kept in close contact with Kim the whole time they were gone; she seemed to do fine. She was under strict orders to call me every time she was getting ready to move out of her bed for a drink or potty break so I could keep tabs on her. She actually went to church Sunday morning! She told me she managed to stand every time the congregation did and even sang some of the hymns. She also did some cooking last night; this from a girl who was at death's door (literally!) on Wednesday. She never ceases to amaze me with her determination to be a contributing member of her family.

I have almost finished with the Halloween kit I have been working on. Yes, it turned into a mini-kit instead of just doodles. I sit and complain about not having time to do what needs to be done and then I go and spend extra time on Freebies! Can't help it because once the muse kicks in you have to go with it! Check back later today or tomorrow to see if I have posted it!

Thanks for keeping my family in your thoughts and prayers!

Hugs,
Liv

PS: Don't forget to check out my albums at the Hoorray.com site (link on your right)! Remember, FREE shipping on each album!

Updates

2009-09-04T13:00:00.002-04:00

Hey Y'all,

Well, my visit with Kimberli and Joshua was the pits. Ended up that she took a turn for the worse Wednesday morning and I had to send her back to Northeast Medical in an ambulance. All the usual symptoms but worse than usual and I couldn't handle them on my own; vomiting, diarrhea, chest pains, headache, difficulty breathing, incoherent, dehydrated, and in keytoacidosis. They still had not 'stabilized' her 24 hours later but the nurses assured me that she is going to pull through this too. As of this morning she is doing much, much better! PTL! Her blood counts are all out of whack and sending the wrong signals to her brain for help, so she will have to remain in ICU until they can get a handle on what's causing the wrong signals (something about the body still thinks its in DKA when it isn't). Thought I'd let y'all know; thanks to all of you for your well wishes.

I'm trying to get a little Halloween Doodle page together to give to you, so bear with me for a little while longer.
Smiles,
Liv

PS: Don't forget to click on the Hoorray link on the right to get your free shipping on top of the 20% off the site is now offering! I'm hoping they will get my Heritage album up for you to see soon.

It's Up!

2009-09-01T18:13:00.002-04:00

Hey Y'all,
The link to the Hoorray Designer Line FREE SHIPPING is up (find it on the right column)! You can only get the free shipping on the Designer Line and only when you link from one of our blogs. Check it out ASAP as it's starting now and ending the end of September. I just know you'll love the convenience of online albums!

Kim and Joshua (and Daisy) are down here-things are rough all over.

Hugs,
Liv

The Latest Word . . .

2009-08-31T18:18:00.003-04:00

Hey Y'all,

The latest word on the Hoorray.com promotion on the Designer Line is it begins on September 2 and runs through September 30! WooHoo! That's a lot longer than I had anticipated and the discount is larger too; it will consist of FREE SHIPPING! I love free shipping. It makes the difference on whether I buy or not every time I go shopping online. The discount link from here to there should be ready for 12:00am on 9/2. So get prepared to shop and scrap up at Hoorray.com with the Designer Line. You will be doing us both a favor, i.e., you'll get a great keepsake and I will make a little commission and possibly keep my position as designer with them. I don't want to be let go before I actually get in the hang of this designing thing! (I'm beginning a new album tonight, I'm thinking wedding, anniversary maybe even a little Halloween thrown in at some point!

Kim is feeling better today . . . she's pushing herself again in trying to be useful to the family. Her headache has not subsided one bit from before the surgery! I get so worried, I know that I get on her nerves, but I so want her to take care of herself.

Hope all is well with all of my friends and family. Stay close.

Love,
Liv

Some Album Pages

2009-08-29T22:23:00.006-04:00

Here are some of the pages that I did for the 'Baby's 1st Year' album. The covers are first (I did over 20!), then some of the inside pages. I did multiple colors of pages and babies, but I don't think Hoorray is offering all of them at first. Hope you like them and can leave me some feedback either way!
Thanks for looking! These two albums are up at Hoorray now; one for boys, one for girls.

Liv

Things Just Don't Come Easy . . . huh?

2009-08-29T20:56:00.005-04:00

Kimberli had her sinus surgery Wednesday morning and here it is Saturday night and she still hasn't been able to sit up or have any solid food. The headaches have abated somewhat according to her and she has finally stopped vomiting. When you are sick already and have to have surgery for anything, it is much worse than it should be. She is getting tube feedings and tube hydration so that cuts down on the vomiting, thank the Lord. Thanks to all who kept her in their prayers for the surgery!

I'd like to thank all you folks who sent Kimberli birthday cards again. They are stacked up on the room divider so they are visible to all who enter, you guys did me proud!

About Hoorray: postponed the discounts for my readers that was suppose to go into effect yesterday. I'm so sorry but I have no idea when everything is going to come to fruition! I'll certainly keep you posted though. I can upload some of the album pages that I have done so you can get a better look at them. Mind you, they are going to have that big copyright on them but you can still get a good look. I'll work on that tonight.

I've installed a new Firefox gadget within the body of my posts; it will give you options to look up words or Google anything that I might talk about. Pretty neat, just highlight the word you are interested in.

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.
Liv