I LOVED CERTIFICATION!!!!

I am back and I loved my certification, the whole experience was great. Phil and I got to spend some time alone, except for all of his phone calls, and I got to spend time with my friend Sandy, and got to learn a lot about the Studio Home Dimensions.

When we got to class on Wednesday morning, Sandy got us seats right up front and there were these boxes in front of each chair. It was like Christmas, and you could feel the excitement in the air. When we started opening our boxes we were shocked at everything that was in there. I would show you everything but I haven't taken a picture of it all but if you go to Sandy's blog you can see all of the cool tools that we got. I have never worked with clay before and had no idea what all of the tools were for, but it didn't matter cause I was just getting excited looking at everything and knowing that I was going to get to do something with them. Then the class finally started with introductions, all of the ones there to get certified and the ones that were helping Donna teach. The two women from Polyform, Iris and Amy, were there and were very helpful. And Amy shared a story with us about her love for working with clay and even sang a little song for us.

Donna was her usual creative self and loved sharing her talents with us. And I have to tell you , she is just as nice in person as she appears on t.v. I really have been fortunate in the fact that she has done all three of my certifications, and I hope that she will be the one that does the one that I'm going to in March. And I got to meet a lot of nice women at this certification, and I'll get to see some of them in March.

This is Sandy and I on the last morning of the certification. Yes, we both look tired but it was so worth it.

This picture is the samples of all the things that we could do with the clay. Take the time to look at the some the close up photos.

Aren't these nice looking?

This is Amy's letter that she did. I of course

did a "C". I'll post it after I bake it.

There are other photos, but I'll save them for another time. But I do want to show you the photo of Donna and me. She was signing my book and also writing a sweet note to Mom.

Okay, I am tired and ready to go to sleep so I'll say goodnight for now and I'll pop in later to write more. So, remember to dream the impossible and aim for it.

Charlie

One World One Heart

I am so excited that I am getting to be involved in my first giveaway in blog land. I am in Florida right now, so I will need to wait until I get back to the studio in Hampstead, N.C. to post what I am going to give away. I think that I am going to try and give a few things away, just need to get home so that I can take pictures and post them.


For you whom are new to this, here is what you do. Just make a comment on this post and I will put your name in a drawing, that will take place on the 14th of February. I'll post the winners and will send you your prize. Isn' that easy? Also, click on the picture below and it will take you to Lisa's blog where all the bloggers that are participating are listed. Go in and visit allthe blogs and sign in for a chance to win. There are really some neat giveaways out there.









Remember to dream the impossible and aim for it.
Charlie

No snow.

Well, we waited and waited but still no snow. Phil and I really thought about going to Raleigh to see some snow, but we went ahead and came home last night after the basketball game and went to bed. I know, we sound like an old couple,don't we? Oh well, hopefully we will get some snow one of these days. LOL.

Guess what I am going to get to do this week? I am going to Orlando, Fl. for another certification with Donna Dewberry and Dewberry Designs. I am going to learn how to work with Polymer Clay and how to teach it. I am really excited about getting to learn something new, not just for me but so that I can pass it along to all of my students. I just love learning new things and sharing it with others. This week is going to be really nice, besides the certification, because Phil is going with me. He is going to play golf during the day and then we can do things in the evenings. Then, a friend that I meet at convention a few years ago is going and we will get to see each other and get caught up on things. Her name is Sandi, and she is the one that actually got me started in blogging. I've been reading her blog for about two years and I wanted to have one so that I could share in all the fun. It just took me a while to figure out how to do it. She has a great blog, go check her out at http://dreamcreateinspire.blogspot.com/, she is so talented and is such a blessing. Also, my friend JoAnne is now living in Jacksonville, Fl. and I am hoping that we will get to spend some time together. So, needless to say, I will probably not come in and write to you while I'm gone, but then you just never know, I might. But when I get back I should have lots of good stuff to share with you. So until then, I want to share something with you that a friend shared with me......Jesus is our hope, and I am hope-full.
Charlie

Snow or no snow?

Just have to share some exciting news, they are calling for snow here in Wilmington, N.C. We haven't had any snow here since 2003, and then it was only here for a few hours. Then about 2 hours away they are calling for about 4 inches of snow there, and we are talking about driving there so that we can see snow for sure. People are really excited about the possibility, it s like being children again.

Well, happy weekend everyone. I'll be in touch soon.

It was a fun morning.

This morning my friend Joanie came to the studio and we worked on our ESTY Shop for a few hours. Of course neither one of us really know what we were doing, so it took a while for us to get things going. The most fun this morning was writing the part about us, and of course we got silly, and of course it shows in what we wrote. If you get a chance, go and check us out.

As promised, I took pictures of the batiks that I was working on with the wax and without the wax. I just love doing this art!!! I never really know what a piece is going to look like until I iron all the wax out.

This piece still has the wax on it.

And this piece is finished. I had done this one before but it had too much brown in it, but I really like it with more of the red tones in it.

This one I had to work with some. When I took all of the wax off I didn't like the way it looked so I added some more watercolor to it. What do you think?

I also want to add a plug for the blog that I mentioned last week. I am addicted to this blog and I go in everyday to just read it and to read the comments that people leave. You always wonder if you can ever make an impact on someone else's life, and I have to tell you that this blog is making an impact on my life. If you get the chance go in and read it.

http://www.cfhusband.blogspot.com/

Okay, remember to dream the impossible and aim for it.

Charlie

I've been a very bad blogger!

Hi, I am so sorry that I have not been updating my blog, but time has just flown by. Poor excuse, huh. But then at times I haven't felt like I had anything to share, silly me.

First of all, I have got to confess and tell you that I ate what ever I wanted to for 24 hours this weekend, and I loved it. We went to eat with Hunter after watching Samantha dance at the basketball game and I had dessert. But on the bright side, I shared it with two of Hunter's friends, therefore I didn't at that much. Then on Sunday we went to a movie and Phil and I shared a tub of popcorn. I have to admit that it was nice being able to eat, but I didn't overdo it and I'm back on track today. I hope to start going to the gym this week, or at least start walking. It is funny, since taking Myles to the studio with me I've been putting in more steps in my day. I will get him out of his playpen and I will run around the tables and he will chase me. I am counting that as exercise, wouldn't you? I didn't weigh myself this morning, but I will tomorrow morning.

Last Friday while I was at the studio I worked on two watercolor batiks. I didn't take a picture of them yet, but as soon as I do I'll take pictures and share them with you. I love doing Watercolor Batiks, really love them.

This Friday, the 18th, I am having a family day at the studio. My mom is turning 71 on the 27th and we are going to work on a scrapbook for her with all the old photos from her childhood. I am really looking forward to spending the day with all of the girls, it will be loads of fun. I will take some pictures of our day and share them with you in a later post.

Phil goes to the doctor this week, matter of fact on Thursday. I am going to go with him, and together we will discover what the doctor has to say about his cancer. We are really believing God to take care of all of this. Please keep him in your prayers.

Phil and Drake spend some one on one with Myles. Aren't they way too cute.

talk to you later,

remember to dream the impossible and aim for it.

Charlie

I've lost 6 pounds!!!!

Hi, I got on the scales this morning and looked at my weight, got off and then got on again so that I could make sure that I was seeing what I was seeing. It read the same thing, I had lost 6 pounds, and I was so excited. Really. Only 44 more to go. LOL. My friend Kathy went to the gym for her first workout this morning, then she came into the studio for a while. When she walked it you could tell that she had been working out, and some of her hair was out of place. That is a personal joke. Now I'm looking forward to seeing if she is sore tomorrow, I hope so. That will mean that she is working the right parts the right way. She is so excited about working out and getting in shape. I hope to be joining her there in the next two weeks.

I want to share a blog site with you that I visited today, it is about an amazing couple and the birth of their baby. God is so good.
http://www.cfhusband.blogspot.com

Remember to dream the impossible and to aim for it.
Charlie

I have a new man in my life.

I have a new man in my life and he has stolen my heart. His name is Myles, and I am so in love with him. LOL.

I finally brought him home on New Year's Day, and we have been together just about every minute since then.

He has a playpen at the studio and a the house, so if you stop by the studio you can come give him some loving.

Of course he has plenty of toys, and chew toys.

Isn't he just the cutest thing? I really love him, and Jewels loves him too. Drake likes playing with him and is really gentle. The gentle giant.

You can''t really see Drake in this picture but the three of them are playing on my bed.

Tonight Samantha came and took him home for a sleep over. I've only talked to her about 3 times now checking on him. lol.

I went into the studio today to work on moving items around. I really need to get back in there and get to painting and fixing classes. I'll start tomorrow, I think.

How are all my "50 in 5" 's doing? I'm at 5 pounds now. Anyone else want to share?

Have a great night, and remember to dream the impossible and aim for it.

Charlie

It's the weekend.

This week has gone by so fast, but then when you spend most of it in bed sleeping, time does have a way of speeding by. I guess my body needed all of this rest,but I'm getting ready to get back into the swing of life, but not 14 hours a day. That can kill a person!!!

Wanted to say thanks to all the e-mails on my 50 in 5. Here are some of the ways that women are joining the group. I have a few that are doing weight watchers, one has been doing it for a while and has lost 20 pounds and has 18 more to go before reaching her goal. She really recommends this program, and loves it. There are weekly meetings, I'm sure one in your area. One sweet lady is going to Curves and has been for going for a while now. She has lost around 40 pounds and is beautiful. That might be something for you to try. The membership isn't really to much, so look into it. Another person is going to be joining me at the Crest Fitness Center here in Hampstead. I am hoping to get with a trainer so that I can really know what I'm doing. So far with my low carbs I've lost 4 pounds, and I'm eating great.

Okay, I hope to be back in soon with lots of info for classes. I am going to Florida in a few weeks for a certification in the Clay products that Donna Dewberry is now offering and then in March I will be going for my certification in the High Definition paints. Lots to learn to pass on to my students.

take care and remember to dream the impossible and aim for it.

Happy New Year and join me in my quest for 50 in 5.

I hope that all of you had a wonderful New Year's. Phil and I did something different this year, we were home to see the new year ring in. Of course he was asleep, but I woke him up so that he could see the ball drop, not that he remembers it. Then I proceeded to call my three kids and wished them a happy one. I miss the days when we were all together, at a church, and bringing a New Year in on our knees, holding hands, and praying. I think I will set that as a goal for next year.

Now for my 50 in 5. I am going to shoot to lose 50 pounds in 5 months, and I would love to have you join me. If you are local, I am taking a scales to the studio, whenever I reopen, and you are welcomed to come in and weigh yourself. I'll even make you a folder to keep track of your progress. I am going to do the low carb diet, that is what really works well for me. I have another friend that is going to do Weight Watchers. I don't care which one you do, I just want to be here to help you and support you. I would love to get a group of women together that want to support one another, share ideas. what works for them, and let's just share our lives with one another..

Let me hear from you! Join me in my 50 in 5, or what ever it is that you might want to lose. Together we can do anything.

Remember, dream the impossible and aim for it.
God Bless,
Charlie