Because Tulips NEVER Go Out Of Style

Just wanted to share a super quick card this week.  Since spring has been playing tricks on us this year, and just cannot decide to lean towards warm and sunny or cool and very wet. . . .I decided to keep on enjoying the tulips.  They are my most favorite flower after all.  My sweet hubby buys them for me whenever he finds them.  I never get tired of tulips.

I used a very old Personal Stamp Exchange stamp that I have loved for years.  I also used lots of Shimmerz Paints Creameez to paint it all.  It was quick and easy!!!

Then for a little added flare. . . . I highlighted my tulips with Shimmerz Paints Blingz.  I also added some drops of paint onto my background.  Then highlighted the word Celebrate with Pixie Dust Blingz as well.

Quick and easy.  It's a busy time for me, so things need to be quick and easy.  Hope this little card inspires you.

REMEMBER. . .

If you make a Shimmerz Paints order. . . BE SURE to mention this post in the Order Comments sections before you submit your order.  

I will be sure to send you a FREE jar of paint with your order.

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Hope you have a happy "tulip" kind of day.

A Busy Month of May

I don't know about you, but each month seems to get crazier than the last.  So for me. . .I have to plan, and I LOVE Happy Planners!!!  OMGOSH, what an addiction.  When my girls and I see that there is a sale on Happy Planner stickers and "stuff". . . we are quick to hit the road and watch the money fly.

What I also love. . .  is that I can use any and all of my Shimmerz Paints products in my planner.   My first love has always been stamping.  So stamping in my planner and using Shimmerz just makes perfect sense in my mind.  Since tulip season has passed. . . .it's time for my 2nd favorite flower. . . Poppies!!!  I used poppy stamps from Rubernecker.com and from Penny Black.

Once I stamped the poppies. . . . I reached for my Shimmerz Paints Acri-Tonez.  These are super fun paints.  They are mixable (which I did), they are super saturated with color. . .AND. . . if you are into mixed media -- there is no need for gesso!  The color combos are endless when you mixed them.  They are a ton-o-fun!!! ***A fun NOTE:  My pages did not wrinkle!!!!

I mixed Orange U Glad and Roses Are Red Acri-Tonez to get a peachy kind of color, and then once I had my flowers painted the way I liked them. . . I watered down my paint to splatter the background and add some drips.  I used Creameez on my stems and buds in Pining For You, and Lettuce Get Together.  Added a little Ride The Tide Creameez in the background . .. . and that was it!  A few more touches with left over Acri-Tonez. . . . don't wanna waste it. . . . and May was turning out to be a pretty month.

One other thing I REALLY like to add to my planner is what I call inspiration cards.  I like to do them double sided.  You know  . . . . .we all have tough days and just need a little reminder that it's all good and it will be ok.  These little inspiration cards do just that.  My Penny Black poppies, and a few background stamps got me started.  Then I finished with inspirational quotes from The Ton stamps.

So even if May brings challenges. . . .it can still make me smile.  I hope you will grab your Shimmerz Paints, and getting started planning out your summer.

REMEMBER!!!!!

If you place a Shimmerz Paints order. . . .be sure to mention this blog post in the ORDER COMMENTS section before you submit your order.

I will include a FREE jar of Inklingz or Creameez with your order!!!

There is a GIVEAWAY this week, to help with your month of May creations.  These were my go to colors for this project.

Here's how to WIN this set of products:

1)  Be sure to follow me on my Instagram (link above) and follow Shimmerz Paints.

2) Repost my Instagram post and tag me in it.

3) Tell your friends that they can win too when you repost.

4) Comment on my IG post tagging as many friends as you want to.

I will announce the winner Wed. May 10th

I am planning to do weekly GIVEAWAYS. . . .so spread the word!!!

A Dash of Yellow. . . . . . . and Another Giveaway!

I'm not a person who naturally leans towards the color yellow, but spring time is when I can't get enough of it.  The yellows of spring are so bright and vibrant.  They make me happy!  I'm also happy to host another Shimmerz Paints giveaway.

This card is a representation of the happiness of yellow. . . . and all things spring.

***Be sure to keep reading so you can learn how to win this weeks giveaway.

I like using lots of layers.  So after stamping and painting all my little windows of spring. . . .I stamped and colored them again, only to fussy cut little pieces of each image to layer onto the original.  

For the back ground. . . . of course I needed something yellow.  So I used Yello - It's Me Paste-Eez and a swiss dot stencil to not add some color but more texture.   A little Pixie Dust Blingz on my bees wings along with a few added touches and my card was done.

I know just the person to send this happy card to.  

NOW. . . .for this week's giveaway. . . .

A little dash of yellow!

Here's how you can win. . . . .

1)  Follow Shimmerz Paints on Instagram

2)  Follow ME on Instagram (link above or @staceylmac5)

3)  Repost this giveaway photo on your IG account tagging me

4) Tag as many friends as you want to. . . .the more the merrier.

I will announce the winner on Monday. . . May 1st

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You can always find all of the Shimmerz Paints products here.  Be sure to mention my blog post to receive a FREE jar of Inklingz or Creameez with you order.

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!

Thank you to everyone to entered to win my Shimmerz Paints / Instagram giveaway!!!  The response was AWESOME!!!

Be sure to continue to follow my Instagram page (link above).  I will be doing giveaways very often. There will always be an opportunity for you to win on a regular basis. . . . . and . . . . . .
Shimmerz Paints is always the place to get tons of shimmery inspiration.

***Beverly Jordan @jordanbev5!!!! 

Congratulations Beverly!  Email me your shipping address to stacshimmerz@me.com and I'll get this prize sent out ASAP.

WAIT!!!!  THERE'S MORE!!!  Another WINNER. . . . 

I will also send. . . . . . Jocelyn Baltazar @creationsbyjoce a jar of Refresh Mint Creameez, Blue Lagoon Inklingz, and Honey Do List Inklingz.  Jocelyn, just email me your shipping address as well, and I'll get your prize shipped out too.

****EVERYONE CAN GET A FREE JAR OF INKLINGZ OR CREAMEEZ!!!!  Just place a Shimmerz Paints order and mention my name in the Order Comments section.  I will be sure to include a FREE jar with your order, of any size.

Happy Creating!!!  

IT'S A GIVEAWAY!!!!

I love a giveaway as much as the next crafter.  The chance to win some crafting goodies always perks me up.  So with that in mind. . .I decided to do a spring time Shimmerz Paints giveaway.  Since Shimmerz Paints are always my go to product. . . I'd thought I'd share the fun of these products.

This is an Instagram Giveaway.  TO WIN: You can click on my Instagram link (above).  Follow ME. . . . Follow SHIMMERZ PAINTS. . . and leave a comment by tagging a friend in MY post.  A winner will be chosen and announced on Monday, April 17th.

Good Luck!!!!

**If you would like to see more about these products and more. . .. you can click HERE

** If you place a Shimmerz Paints order. . . .be sure to mention my name in the ORDER COMMENTS section and I will make sure you receive a FREE jar of Shimmerz Inklingz or Creameez

Hoppin' To Get Ready!!!

Can you believe we have less than 2 weeks until Easter?  YIKES!  Well, with that in mind, I've been hoppin' to get a few little Easter cards ready to give out.  These super quick, super easy little beauties are perfect enclosure cards to include with flowers to a friend.  Or give with a chocolatey Easter Bunny to your favorite bunny.  No matter the reason, these are the kind of little cards that make some-bunny feel special.

I'm so in love with the spring stamp sets from Penny Black.  They are just one of my all time favorite stamp companies.  

This adorable little chick is a favorite of mine.  I actually painted his body with Shimmerz Paints Hold the Mustard Paste-Eez because I wanted him to really stand out and have some texture.  On the back flap of the card, I added a tiny bit of washi tape in that same color so the inside would pop too.

Don't you just love this bunny and hedgehog?  UGH!  So cute!!!  I jazzed them up with Shimmerz Paints Creameez.  Just that tiny bit of shimmer in Creameez gave the life I was looking for.

For my little feathered friend, I used a circle sticker to make her stand out, then added a combination of Shimmerz Paints Inklingz to make those flowers shimmer and shine, and Creameez to her and the basket.  Finally a spritz or two followed by a splatter or two of Jeni B Bleu Vibez from Shimmerz Paints to give the background some pizzaz and shimmer.  A cute sentiment and a few sequins finished it off.

Here are the supplies I used.  There were a few little things like pop dots, or twine that I didn't mention, but you get the idea. . . .I'm sure.

Happy Spring!!!

I will be doing a giveaway very soon.  So be sure to follow me on Instagram (link at the top of the page) and on Facebook.  You could WIN!!!

One final note:  If you would like more information about Shimmerz Paints, or choose to place your order. . . . .be sure to mention my name in the ORDER COMMENTS section, and I'll send you a FREE jar of Creameez or Inklingz with your order, and you can see more from Shimmerz Paints here.

Springing Forward

OMGosh. . . so much time has gone by.  I try to stay up with this blog, and then go off, live life and neglect the poor thing.  So instead of making all kinds of excuses. . . I'm just going to "Spring Forward" and share with you some fun things.

I have reconnected with my first love of crafting. . . . stamping.  It's been years, and although I cleaned out a lot of my stash, I've been able to use some of those vintage stamp designs that I fell in love with years ago.  Of course, like any stamper, if I see something new and super cute. . . it must be added to the collection.  This Easter card is one of my new finds.  I have always loved Penny Black.  I used to stock their stamps in my store (a very, very long time ago).  Over the years, they never seem to loose their flare for beautiful stamps.

I cannot create a card without Shimmerz Paints!  I just can't imagine not including Shimmerz in any creation.

Easter to me, is a time to celebrate our risen Lord, and celebrate new life.  We reach for pastel colors, and have the itch for those sunny, warm days, that haven't quite arrived.  We think of Easter eggs, and candies, those new Easter outfits, and time spent with family.

This adorable bunny inspired me to dust off those pastel colors, and celebrate all that spring is.

My color medium of choice was Shimmerz Creameez.  They are highly pigmented, but have a hint of shimmer to them.  Just enough shimmer to catch the light and make any project pop a little more.

I hand painted the striped background with Ride the Tide, Piggy Pink, and Freshly Minted Creameez, and painted the bottom portion of the background with Ride the Tide.  Once dry, I used a polka-dot stencil and Salt of the Earth Paste-eez to add my textured little dots to complete my background.

Here are the products I used on my little Easter card.  It was super fast, and oh so easy.  Who has time for complicated?  Not me!

If you are inspired by my little bunny card, and want to place a Shimmerz Paints order. . . .you can order HERE.  Mention my name in the ORDER COMMENTS when you order, and I will include a FREE jar of Inklingz or Creameez paint with your order.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook. . . . because. . . I will be doing regular GIVE AWAYS!!!!!

In the meantime. . . . Get hoppin' on all those cute spring time cards.  Happy Easter!!!

BLOWING THE DUST OFF

I have been staring at this blog for an entire year now.  Wanting to post. . . but just not doing it.  Not sure what was holding me back. . . .other than work, family, and day to day life.  I feel for this blog like I do my craft room.  The desire is strong, but time is just not on my side.  Or maybe it's fear.  Fear of starting again, and then not following through.  Hmmm. . . .maybe a little of both.
BUT. . . . . . . . . . . .  Today is the day to blow off the dust and begin again.  I make no promises.  I may post and then fall away.  I hope not. . . but let's be honest. . . . .my track record of keep this blog going is not stellar.
I also blew some dust from my craft room.  I had to take a few steps back and chill out so I could recover from a bout of walking pneumonia.  I'm also not good at being sick.  I'm especially not good at the doctors idea of "resting".  HaHaHa!  I failed at that BIG time!  After my family got my attention, I decided the best way to "rest" was in my craft room.  OH MY STARS!!!. . . . my stamping skills are rusty at best.  I had to resort to Pinterest for ideas, and thank goodness for Kristina Werner and her blog (http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog ). . .  .otherwise I would have just sat there and thumbed through all my papers and stared at all my stamping / scrapping goodies. . . .especially my own products. . . .SHEESH!
I started slow. . . but start I did.  I gathered ideas from here and there, changed them a bit to fit my needs and the products I had. . . .but you know. . . . it was fun.  It was really FUN!  I felt my stress melt, I was distracted from work, I wanted to do more cards.  I really enjoyed that time.  So I'm going to be brave and share what I did those few days.
These are all cards I made for friends.  We gather once a month to have lunch, share our lives, and love on each other.  So since it was our holiday lunch. . . .holiday cards is what I made. . .+ one birthday card.

My weapon of choice for this card was Shimmerz Paints Inklingz in Blue My Mind.  This color is so surprising.  It looks green when you first open it, but once you add water. . . the magic happens.  It turns this glorious turquoise blue with gold shimmer.  I just used watercolor paper and Blue My Mind Inkz to create my background.  Add some Miner Miner 49er to some die cut snowflakes and BAM!. . . . . .a card was being born.

This happy little snowman is full of Creameez, Spun Sugar Dazzlerz on his body, and a splash of glitter around the window.  I love this stamp.  He makes me smile!

This card is totally the genius of Kristina Werner.  The only change I made was to use Shimmerz Inklingz in Green Pastures, The Holly & The Ivy, and Miner Miner 49er.  The only other change I made was to use gold washi tape instead of gold paper for the border.  Kristina has a wonderful blog. . .go check it out.  I'm sure she will inspire you as well.

Lastly the Birthday card.  Anyone who knows me. . . knows that I LOVE my doxie's.  Daisy and Lily both bring me so much joy.  So what could be more perfect than to use this adorable doxie stamp (stamp and inspiration came from Newtons Nook).  I colored it with my Copic markers, but added some Shimmerz Inklingz in Me & Blue, Naughty & Nice, and Greener Pastures to add some hi-lights to that adorable little sweater.  THEN. . . . I added a handwritten message inside that said, "I HOPE YOUR DAY IS A WIENER".  Hahaha! I cracked myself up on that one.  

I had such a great time.  I'm glad my family made me stop and "rest".  I hope to "rest" again really soon. . . .and . . . I really hope to keep blogging. . . . keep creating. .. and not just working.  Life really is more than work. 

Be sure to see all the fabulous work on the Shimmerz Blog (www.shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com) What an incredibly talented group of ladies we have on our design teams.  They are sure to inspire you!!!  

AND. . . you can get all the products and colors I used on my cards at www.shimmerzpaints.com

                       

Hello *** Is This Thing On?

Hello. . . . My name is Stacey, and I am a lazy blogger. :) 

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Admitting it is the first step to recovery. . . right? 
This blog has been on my mind for many, many months. 
I'm not sure why, but I feel like the Lord is telling me to start blogging again. 
You know. . . you pray about things. . . then get this gentle tug from the Lord to do something, and it's on your mind. . . A LOT. 
Then you ignore it and go on with life. 
As time goes by, you feel that tug almost turn into a smack upside the head to do that "something". 
Well, I've been getting smacked for weeks now, and think that finally. . . maybe. . . it's time to do "something" about it. 
So here I sit at my computer wondering why on earth. . . of all things. . . . I feel as though I should start blogging again. 
I mean. . . it's been so long! 
Really?!!! 
I'm busy. 
I have no time for this is what I kept telling Him and myself, but the smacking continued. 
So I am going to be blogging again. 
I'm curious what the Lord will do with it. 
Maybe it's for my kids. 
Maybe I can minister to someone. 
Maybe, just maybe, it's for me. 
I'm really not sure. . . but. . . I'm going to be blogging again because I want to be obedient, and darn it all my head hurts from getting smacked on. 

 Welcome back to my crazy, but very blessed life.

Please Tell Me That Your'e FINE!

You know, this has been such a long winter for the McElyea's. The last two winters we may have had a sniffle here or there, but nothing to really stop us. This year. . . Holy Smokin Rockets!!!. . .we've had it all. . . and more than once! The flu, several colds, bronchitis twice, allergies, etc. It's been a winter of non-stop ICK at our house. Heaven forbid we run out of tissues!!!
I've learned something while wading through our sea of cough syrup and Vicks Vapor Rub. . .
When we see or talk to someone and ask how they are, most generally the answer is good or fine. We take that for granted and so quickly say it. I, like most, take it for granted that the day is fine. I forget to be thankful for those "fine" type of days. Fine is often boring. Fine is like being in a rut. But is that a bad thing?
After being so sick this last week, I've decided to try hard to remember to be thankful for "fine". I need rejoice in "fine". "Fine" is something I know well. It's comforting and safe. When things are "fine" I know my kids sleep well. "Fine" tells me that there is no strife or conflict. "Fine" is reassuring. It dawned on me that that is a good thing. Then, because I had a lot of time on my hands while in bed, I looked up the definition of "fine". I found. . .

adjective, fin·er, fin·est, adverb, verb, fined, fin·ing, noun
–adjective
1. of superior or best quality; of high or highest grade: fine wine.
2. choice, excellent, or admirable: a fine painting.

"Fine" is sooooo much more than we give it credit. I can't really change that, but I can change my attitude toward it.
I'm sure many of you think that I'm now sick in the head. Well. . . maybe. . .but I think that we need to be grateful for our "fine" type of days, because when things aren't "fine". . . . is when we long for it.
So. . .I hope things are "FINE" for you today.

It's TIME!!! They're HERE!!!

Coloringz and Shimmeringz are finally here! Do you want super intense color? Reach for one of 11 colors of COLORINGZ. Do you want crazy shimmer? SHIMMERINGZ are for you. No color, just mind blowing shimmer in 5 shades.




WAIT!!! There's more!!!

Coloringz and Shimmeringz are all on SALE!!!

You can see all our Shimmerz Products here!

I'mmmmmm Back

Cough, cough. . . whew! Blowing off the dust from this blog. It's been a really long time since I've been here. So, let's get aquainted again. My name is Stacey and yes, I'm still alive.
So much time flies right by and before we know it, it's been months. I've missed blogging. After Rena passed away, I just sorta checked out for a while. Coming back here was just too painful. Seeing her face and hearing her voice in my head was just more than I could handle. Well, because time and the Lord heals wounds, I can say, I'm stronger and wiser. I still hear Rena's words in my heart and my head and I never want to loose that. Her words were a gift that I will always cherish, but it's time for me to step out and continue blogging. . . because I do love it.
I've got a lot to share, but first. . . I have to share my family. They have grown a ton! Even Dave and I have grown. . . older! YIKES!! He's still a hottie though. :)
Sami, Kaleb and Gracie. . .UGH those faces. . . they truly make me smile and bring me so much joy!




I want to thank you ALL for your kindness, prayers and words of support and love during the past few months. You touched me deeply.

My life is still crazy. . . but now I'm ready to share that craziness again.

I'MMMMM BAAAAACK!!!!!

My Broken Heart

I lost my 2nd mother today at 7:20 am. She's gone and I'd give anything to bring her back.

Rena and I met in the Boston airport 20 years ago. She hired me to be the nanny to her 4 boys. I was terrified. Never been that far from home, but the instant I saw her I knew that everything was going to be okay. She wrapped me in her arms and told me how happy she was to see me. From that day on our relationship grew into something so special that there just aren't words to describe it. Rena told me that I was the daughter she never had and I was blessed to have two mothers that loved me. My love for her only grew over the years. She met Dave and loved him too. . .just like she'd known him for forever.

Rena could disagree with someone yet make them feel good about it. She loved unconditionally. She loved life. She wasn't afraid to try new things, meet new people and welcome you into her home and life. She loved completely.

Cancer took Rena from us today and with her a piece of my heart will forever be gone. This is THE MOST painful thing I've ever been through. I have to wonder. . .how long will it hurt this bad? Does the pain ever go away? I serve a wonderful and mighty Lord and I just have to trust that He knows what is best. My heart is just so broken.

In this video that her son Brett put together, you may recognize me in an orange sweater and much shorter hair, but what I hope you see is that she had such a zeal for life and deep love for family.

Slideshow: momfinal - Slideshow

I love you Rena. I will always love you! I miss you already so much.

Pick a COLOR any COLOR!

You asked, we listened......and are so pleased and excited to announce 11 NEW exciting Colors to expand our Pearlz Line!!! Check it out........


Pearlz are available today right here in the Retail Shimmerz Shop.....and even more exciting.....if your order is at least $35 you will receive a FREE Jar of Pearlz! (offer good through May 17th, 2010)
Be sure to join us on Facebook to see the new colors featured throughout the day.
We can't wait to hear what you think

Bad Blogger. . .Bad. . .Bad. . .Bad!!!

I can't make excuses. . . well I could, but I know better. Blogging just hasn't been a huge priority for me lately. I get caught up in all of lifes craziness and then before I know it, a month (or two) has gone by. YIKES!

Well, lots of stuff going on at my house. Let's see. . .

*Shimmerz (of course), we have a new Shimmerz Pearlz color release next week. Oops! Spilled the beans. lol Be on the look out for those. Dave outdid himself of these babies!

*Gracie got her ears pierced (finally). I guess the 4th time is a charm. :) She was also a model in her first fashion show for Dillards. Super fun!

*Kaleb is golf crazy again. Just would be really nice if the weather would somehow cooperate. It's really not fun playing golf and trying to learn some mad skills when the wind blows 40mph and then the hail kicks in. It seems like every Mon. and Wed. the weather is yucky. Kaleb is also making noises about drivers ed. Eeep!!!

Sami turned 18!!! She's legal (as she puts it). She was talking about moving out with some friends, but hopefully the financial reality of that will smack her and she'll put that off for a couple of years. My heart can't take that!

Dave and is getting grayer each day, but still just as charming. He cracks me up. What a funny, sweet guy!

I'm FINALLY doing well. Had a couple of complications from the Splenda, but doing so much better. The anxiety is gone, the depression is gone, food doesn't take like dirt anymore (although I won't complain about the 20lbs I lost), I don't ache, and I actually have some energy again. Of course I wish I had the energy of a 20 year old, but let's be realistic! I've even been creating again. I've missed that soooo much! I'll post a picture very soon.

I have lots of pictures to share and I will. I just need to make some kind of collage to consolidate them.

Thank you so much for all your sweet words of comfort and support during my little Splenda breakdown. Your prayers . . . I can never thank you enough for those. You all are such a blessing to me.

(((HUGS)))

I Am So Excited!!!

We have some Exciting News to share......

Liz Kartchner is the newest Face of Shimmerz!!!

She is excited to become a Shimmerz Endorsed Instructor and will be using Shimmerz Products in her upcomming classes!

Liz writes a monthy column for Creating Keepsakes Magazine called "Dear Lizzy", she wrote the book "52 more Scrapbooking Challenges" and has a fun Craft Line called "Dear Lizzy" from American Crafts.

Welcome to Shimmerz Liz!!! To learn more about Liz you can check out her inspiring Blog Here

It's Been Too Long To Be This Sick

It has been almost 2 months since I've blogged anything. I'm sorry for my lengthy absence. Let me tell you why I've been MIA.

As many of you know, I've been struggling with horrible anxiety attacks. I was doing better for a while, but then the bottom dropped out and I've been dealing with a wide range of issues. After seeing two different doctors and lots of blood work, I've been diagnosed with . . . .

* Adreanal Fatigue - which causes anxiety, fatigue and a fear of leaving my house.
* Ovarian Failure - which literally throws me into early menopause.
* Depression - that speaks for itself.
* Chronic Fatigue - so exhausted that I just can't function.
* Hypoglycemia- which is low blood sugar.
* Everything I ate tasted bitter, so I stopped eating. I know. . . not good.

I've tried naturally remedies, prescriptions, massage, accupressure and accupuncture, trying to find some relief and cure. Nothing was working at all. I was becoming more exhausted and more depressed. It was ruining my life, but I tried really hard to put on a smile and march forward for the sake of my family. It was awful!!

Then I had a heart to heart conversation with Dave. He explained how tired he was and just wasn't feeling great either. I told him that something was seriously wrong with me and I didn't know how much more I could take. So we began to list possiblities that only affected us and not our kids.

We came to the conclusion that we drank a lot of premade iced-tea that came in gallon jugs. It was green tea with ginsieng in it. It was supposed to be healthy. It didn't have sugar or caffeine in it. It contained Splenda. Even healthier. . . right? WRONG!!!!! My coffee creamer had Splenda, our ice-cream contained Splenda. I baked with Splenda. And since food tasted horrible to me there were days when all I had in my system was iced-tea. . . with Splenda. I drank a lot of it in a day. Up to a gallon.

So we Googled side effects of Splenda. Here's what we found. . .

*Anxiety
*Depression
*Metallic taste
*Ovarian problems
*Fatigue
*Heart palpitations
*Blood sugar issues
*Joint and muscle pain
*Memory problems

And the list went on and on. I was SHOCKED to say the least. I was suffering from ALL of these. There were even testimonials of other people telling about their health issues and they were all leading to one thing. Can you guess? SPLENDA!!!!

I immediately stopped drinking the tea. Oohhh, how I loved that stuff! I had already given up caffeine long ago because of anxiety issues, so that wasn't part of the equation. I began drinking huge amounts of water to try to flush out my system as much as possible.

The result. . . it's been almost 3 days and I feel like a totally differnet person. Seriously!!!! I'm not depressed, not one anxiety attack, no chest tightness, no bitter taste, I can read an email and actually remember what I read the first time. I'm not moody, my joints don't ache, I have energy and actually "want" to do things. I am amazed!!! Dave is sleeping better, has more energy and his joints don't hurt anymore either. He wasn't drinking as much as I was, but he's feeling a marked change.

So I went to the doctor to confirm this, and yes indeed, he confirmed that I was poisoning myself with SPLENDA. Literally poisoning myself. I was blown away. I was so incredibly relieved and also angry at the same time. The FDA approved this stuff and told us all it's safe and it's just like sugar. THEY LIE!!!! And I'm living proof.

I have no doubt that if we had not found the answer that it wouldn't have been long before I was admitted to the hospital for a nervous break down.

I am so thankful for God's healing hand and loving leading in helping us find the answer. I believe that this hunch was truly inspired my Him.

So, I encourage you to look for yourself. Google the side effects of Splenda. Take inventory of your health and especially the health of your kids. Save yourself the worry, and anxiety that I went through.

My prayer is that this blog post can reach out and help others.

(((hugs))) to you all.

P.S. Please feel free to share this information with your friends and family.

NEW Product Release -- Part II

I've been waiting anxiously for this release. We've been working hard to create Vibez in 16 incredibly vibrant, super shimmery colors. Because they are so VIBRANT, you can spritz them once and get amazing color saturation with a level of shimmer that will blow you away.

Of course we've got goodies to give away. So click on over to the Shimmerz blog, http://shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com to see all the details. Then click on over to the Shimmerz website www.shimmerzpaints.com to get your Vibez today.

New Product Release----Part I

What an EXCITING day! We've been working hard on this release for months. Today is the day. We are releasing Shimmerz PEARLZ. We are also teaming up with. . . well. . . you need to watch the video to see.

Be sure to go to the Shimmerz blog today and win! http://shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com We are giving away a set of Pearlz each hour.

Okay are your ready? Here it is. . . .

It's a New Year----So What's New About It?

I'm not a person to make New Year's resolutions. I don't like to set myself up for failure. Besides when you're a person that over-thinks everything from every possible angle anyway, making resolutions can be a painful process. :) I do like to set goals for myself and my business. You know sales goals, new release goals, etc, etc.

Then there are personal goals. Like, making more time for myself to recharge. Being more mindful of my relationship with the Lord. Being a more "fun" mom and wife. Going to CHA and networking. Making a name for myself in the industry. Finally learning how to really use Photoshop. Being everything to everyone all the time. And my list goes on. It's crazy!

Then in one of those rare, still, quiet moments the Lord spoke to me and I finally got it! One of my goals should be about just being ME! God made me the way He wanted me. I was made and am according to HIS plan of who I should be. It doesn't matter if I'm known in the industry. It doesn't matter if I don't learn Photoshop. What matters is that I am a child of God. I need to just be me and learn to accept me---AND---stop comparing myself to everyone around me. I do that alot! I work hard and try really hard to have a successful business that also stands for more than cutting throats in order to make money. That's important to me.

So here's what I'm learning in a nutshell. . .

*I love my Lord and Savior inspite of me not being perfect.
*I love my husband, kids and family with all my heart inspite of not always being fun. I am here for them and make time for them. They are important to me and they know it.
*I love my business and am so thankful for it inspite of constantly second guessing myself and how I should run it. I have wonderful people that work for me. Wonderful customers who buy from me and I don't HAVE to do it a certain way in order to be successful. I have to listen to my gut, my instincts and my Lord. That's how it will be done.

So what are my goals? Well first and foremost. . . just breathe and be ME. All the rest will come and if it doesn't . . . well that's okay too.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!