Author: Charlene Becker

I'm 48, wait what? Not sure how that happened... But the best thing about it is that I have a 11-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter. Besides loving on them, I love to share my love of Cooking & Stamping with all of you. I also have a love for real estate lending, writing, painting, photography, travel, dining, and creative adventures!
Life, Love, Mom Life, Parenting, Sophia, Writing, Wyatt

Good Morning! Shhh kids still sleeping…

Charlene Becker

Yes, it is almost 8:30AM and my 2 kids are still sleeping. (3-1/2 year old and 2 year old) I get a lot of friends asking me, do you wake a sleeping child? No! Why poke a sleeping bear? More on this in a minute…

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So this morning, I set my alarm for 7:15AM. It went off, I grabbed my phone like I was going to get up, then stretched, curled back up and closed my eyes. I rested for what seemed like 5 minutes, but it was actually an hour! Oh man, there goes my blogging time. However, I got up, made my coffee and got the kid’s milks ready. Back to the keyboard I go and here I am typing away and it is 9AM. I feel blessed. Relaxed. So back to the question, do I wake the kids? So they are “sleeping in” a little, don’t bother them. Enjoy sipping your coffee for one minute and just breathe. Because you and I both know that it is short-lived. 😉

(Enter kid #1)

I’ll keep writing until I have to make breakfast, but I just wanted to say some more about this. So back to waking them…why wake them if their bodies are telling them to sleep? So, they will get a little off schedule. That’s ok! I know my son was very tired from going to a Monster Truck show with daddy last night. He didn’t nap yesterday and woke up at about 9am and went to sleep on his way home about 9pm. That’s a LONG day for a 3-1/2 year old so I know his little body needs that rest.

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My daughter is teething or growing because she has been extra feisty lately. So I know that any extra sleep will help her. If I were to wake either of them, there would be sadness, confusion, whiny children and then an irritated mommy. Why cause all that? 🙂

Instead, we have 2 adorable “quiet” toddlers, a calm mommy getting fueled up for another busy day. There’s a load of laundry to do, dishes to put away and a possible grocery trip. However, it’s pretty rainy out and as you know that would not make it a fun trip for mommy or the toddlers. Hmmm…I wonder if I can get what I need on Amazon Prime Now. Have you tried it? WOW, it’s amazing. No fee, (except for the $100/year Prime Membership), optional tip for the driver and 2 hours later you have your order. I’ve used it several times and I’m spoiled! I think I could find something to order everyday 😉 Anyway, it’s only available in major cities right now so you might not be able to try it, but if you get a chance definitely give it a go!

Ok #2 is awake now and I’m ready for today!

Have a great, restful day!

Charlene 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life, Mom Life, Parenting, Writing, Wyatt

New Years Resolutions…More Writing in 2016!

Charlene Becker

 

I got up at 7:30AM this morning. Ok, so that’s not early for most of you but it is for me LOL! My kids have been trained to sleep in. We usually put them in bed about 9 or 9:30 so they sleep until 8:30 or 9. It’s NOT clockwork by any means and it’s been rough the last couple weeks. After the holidays we got off schedule because of staying up late and the kids were sleeping until 9:30-10! Which hey, that’s ok for me since I was staying up until 1 or 2am stamping! (Ugh…crazy I know!) We finally had a couple of days (4 or 5 really) where we got the kids up by 8:30 so they went down for a nap by 2 (instead of 3!) and in bed by 9. I’m okay with that. I’m a night owl, so if I get 2-3 hours in the evening to cuddle and watch shows with my hubby, then I’m happy. :-)Even happier if I get to stamp and make cards! However, I need to also sleep train MYSELF! I have gotten used to going to bed at 12-1am and sleeping until 9! I would love to have a couple hours in the morning to myself. Me and coffee. Quiet. Then I could write, journal, read, stamp and make cards, scrapbook…or whatever! So that is a definite resolution for me. I feel like I have all these thoughts and ideas in my head and I need to get them out!

One BIG problem is that the computer now lives in the garage. Why? Well, we wanted to make room for other things and not have the rooms look so cluttered. My stamping space was also out in the garage (I had a space heater), plus it’s California, not like the weather is that bad. So in November my husband said just move what you NEED to stamp and make cards into the spare room and he moved the baby’s crib into our son’s room. SWEET! Dude, I moved all my stuff in a couple hours during the baby’s nap time. IT WAS ON. I am nice and toasty when I’m crafting now. 🙂

So now, I’m happily crafting away…but I have this deep desire to write. Not just “blog” but actually write! I have ideas for children’s books in my head as well as two ideas for novels (fiction and sci-fi). I have no idea why I feel this pull to write but I know I must. I think it must be what “The Force” feels like. So, moving the computer is next.

This leads me to my New Years Resolutions! C’mon, we all do it. We make them. We break them. Maybe we make them just to have something to break? HA! Well anyway here they are!

  1. Get up earlier
  2. Write more
  3. Blog more (yes different than writing!)
  4. Eat more salads
  5. Eat healthier
  6. Scrapbook more
  7. Make more cards
  8. SEND more cards
  9. Pray more & pray more for my kids!
  10. Spend more time with my kiddos!

Yes, I realize that #9 and 10 should be at the top…these aren’t really in any particular order…but I do feel that in order to do #2 – 10, #1 definitely has to happen first! hahaha

When I started this blog, I hoped it would be a place where I could write my little anecdotes, share pictures of the littles and their cute videos, share my photography (another hobby of mine), share my cards and scrap booking.

However, being a mom of TWO toddlers…well there’s that whole I don’t have time for ME thing. Well, I’m making it! I recently saw a video of Jada Pinkett Smith answering her daughters question about how hard it is being a wife and a mother. I feel like she was answering this question for me! She hits the nail on the head. It’s very hard to balance being a wife and a mother and still being able to enjoy what we want in life. It’s our life too, remember? So the list above doesn’t include “spend more time doing things for myself” but I feel that 1-8 are doing exactly that. I mean, the list could go on and on…get more massages, get more pedicures, go mall shopping (for myself), have more coffee dates with friends, have more girl’s (mom’s) nights out, etc etc etc.  I would really love all of that…but time, money and resources are all a factor. So for now, I’d be fulfilled with the 10 above…for now.

Now my son has come into the garage (with his Kindle) and is asking me to hold him so I must go for now…but I’ll leave you with this…sometimes the only thing holding us back is US.

Here’s a couple of pictures of my cuties opening presents at Christmas! Sophie was fully aware of what was going on and loved every minute! This one is a bit blurry (most are because my kids never sit still!) but I just loved how she held up these Frozen toys. She loves her Frozen 🙂

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Ok, so my son is now out here and in full “I’m going to annoy my mom mode”. Can’t get writing done yelling “stop” every 2 minutes. Guess my time is up. Guess 30 minutes of writing will have to do!

Now, go out and do what YOU want to do. It’s a new day, a fresh start.

Charlene xoxo

 

 

 

Sale-A-Bration, Uncategorized

Sale-A-Bration!!! Earn FREE Products!

Charlene Becker

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It’s here! It’s here! This magic time of year! It’s Sale-A-Bration time! 🙂 What this means to you….

Shop!

Here’s the deal: for every $50 you spend (before tax and shipping), you get a FREE Sale-A-Bration product. That means it’s the perfect time to purchase those products you’ve had your eye on while earning more products for free.

Note: Pages 4-15 of the Sale-A-Bration brochure show products available throughout the entire Sale-A-Bration sales period (January 5-March 31 2016); Pages 16-19 show limited-time products available only until February 15.* Watch for another batch of limited-time products coming February 16!
*Based on inventory, availability may be temporarily extended.

Host!

Need another excuse to get together with friends? Just host a qualifying party with at least $250 in sales during Sale-A-Bration and you’ll earn $25 more Stampin’ Rewards! You can even apply your Stampin’ Rewards toward a Starter Kit and become a demonstrator yourself!

JOIN!

It’s the best time of year to join Stampin’ Up! During Sale-A-Bration, you can become a demonstrator for just $99 and choose $30 more of FREE products for your Starter Kit. Plus, the kit ships for free! – YOU PICK YOUR PRODUCTS!!!

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And….here are some cute samples using products from the Sale-A-Bration brochure!

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Hope you enjoyed these samples! I know I can’t wait to get creating using these new adorable sets from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. If you have any questions please let me know!

 

Cyber Monday, Double Stamps, Extravaganza, Free shipping, Sale, Uncategorized

Sweetpieces Stampin Up Cyber Monday Sale! Free Shipping, Double Stamps All day! Double Rewards!

Charlene Becker

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This special is in ADDITION to any current Stampin Up sale going on TODAY ONLY! SHOP then Call or Email your order – do not place your order online. http://sweetpiecesbyme.stampinup.net

 

Order must be placed directly through me today only. Email me at sweetpiecesbyme@gmail.com  or phone/text at the number above.

Stamp card will be received by mail or in person when you attend a class.

For every $35 you purchase  (before tax & shipping ), you will get 2 stamps on your reward card!!! (Instead of 1) After 9 stamps you can choose 1 free stamp set of your choice. *excluding hostess sets

 

 

 

Black Friday, Christmas, Sale

Black Friday Stampin Up Double Stamps – Reward card

Charlene Becker

BLACK FRIDAY SALE!

TODAY ONLY! Shop all day and earn double punches! Normally for every $35  purchased before tax and shipping you would earn one stamp on your reward card, but today you will earn TWO stamps! When you have 9 stamps on your reward card you can redeem it for any current stamp set (Except hostess sets). Shop online at my website HERE.

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Christmas

Stampin Up Sketch Challenge #3 – Flurry of Wishes, Snowflakes

Charlene Becker

Hi There!

Here is another sketch challenge that my upline posted. I was behind so I just posted one and here’s the 3rd (I missed the 2nd which was a color challenge).

Sketch Challenge 2

Okay…so I know that I JUST made a card using Flurry of Wishes…but I just CAN’T help myself. It’s so stinkin’ beautiful! Not to mention I LOVE stamping and then punching out perfect little snowflakes. What’s that? You don’t have it yet? What?? Go, now, get it! 😉

Here is the card that I made! I had to emboss the snowflakes AGAIN…but at least I used gold this time 😉 Ha! I loved throwing in the black cardstock for a pop of color (that’s an oxymoron isn’t it??)

Flurry of Wishes www.sweetpiecesbyme.com Stampin Up

Hope you enjoyed my card today and if you see anything you like…(FLURRY OF WISHES PHOTOPOLYMER BUNDLE!) click below to purchase from my site! Thanks for supporting my business. In reality you are supporting my family, which means diapers for my baby girl 😉  Remember for every $35 USD you purchase before tax and shipping, you get a”punch”and once you have 9 “punches” you get to pick a FREE stamp set of your choice! So…get shopping! ;-D

 

Christmas

Stampin Up Upline Sketch Challenge #1 – Flurry of Wishes, Snowflakes!

Charlene Becker

Hi there!

My upline started a sketch challenge for all of her downline to participate in, how fun! Every week we can enter the challenge and upload our project/card/scrapbook page to our team FB page. Then every week she draws a name for a $20 Stampin Up catalog shopping spree! I’ll be posting my challenge projects here every week!

I think she borrowed this sketch from over at Fab Friday. 😉 It’s a cute little sketch and when I saw it I thought snowflakes!! I just love the Flurry of Wishes Photopolymer stamp bundle. So glad I purchased it. It makes it so easy when you can just punch out snowflakes!

Sketch Challenge 1

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I turned the sketch horizontally and loved it even more. Sometimes things just come to fruition when you are looking at a different angle! I stamped the largest snowflake in Soft Sky and then used clear embossing powder on it. Then punched it out with a 2-1/2″ circle punch. I used the snail adhesive on the back and then put the gold cording where I wanted it to go. I was trying for a kind of loopty loop effect. 😉 I made a banner using the gold embossed vellum paper and finished it with a gold embossed sentiment and metallic sequins. The simplicity of this card is SO elegant!

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Here are all the items you will need to make this lovely snowflake card:

 

Christmas

Mojo Monday 423 – Cozy Christmas Card Stampin Up featuring Home for Christmas

Charlene Becker

Hi there!

Here is the sketch challenge for Mojo Monday 423. I love this sketch! I adore the layers and the cute banner! I’m all about layering so I can use my super cute design papers! Have you seen the Home for Christmas designer series paper?? Ummm gorgeous!

I had fun cutting out the sweet little deer on this card. It’s Rudolph! The paper has about 20 little reindeer you could punch, cut out or use whole! So versatile!

Cozy Christmas, Home for Christmas - Sweetpiecesbyme.com

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Here are the items you’ll need for this card: (coming soon)

Christmas, Halloween

Mojo Monday #422

Charlene Becker

Hi Stampers!

I’m SO late on this Mojo Monday card challenge but I did it! (Better late than never right???) I actually completed it a couple days ago but just haven’t found the time to make this blog post! Needless to say when I went to link it up I forgot the linky closed at 8pm MOUNTAIN time…and here I thought it was midnight or something and I had 30 minutes to do it LOL! I’ve been super busy planning my card classes for the next few weeks (Yes, I’m a procrastinator…um obviously!…see previous sentence). However, my toddler 3 year old has been extra challenging the last few weeks (that means a stubborn little turd), plus my almost 2 year old was sick this past week. I was up to my elbows in bodily fluids…but we won’t go there! haha 😉 So I have a right to be LATE!

Here is the card sketch from over at Mojo Monday, and even though it is a “contest” challenge, I will get nothing. 😉 ha!…Except satisfaction that I completed a challenge, albeit on time.

I loved this sketch! I decided to use this beautiful design paper from Stampin Up called Winter Wonderland. It’s shiny and versatile and gorgeous! If you don’t have it yet, you need it. Trust me. Get some. Check out the dainty and fancy gold thread…see it? So pretty! Get some of that too! 😉 Hope you have a great week!

PS – I hope to do the Mojo Monday card ON TIME this week and get it posted. On MONDAY. ;-D  At least I will try. I have a Color Challenge that my upline posted…hmmm I’m thinking I will combine the two! I will post it here as well if you’d like to play along. 🙂

Silent Night, Winter Wonderland Charlene Becker www.sweetpiecesbyme.com

Here are the items I used for this card…remember, you NEED this stuff 😉

Also, I can’t help posting a picture of my little guy from Halloween. My son Wyatt really wanted to be a ghost. I made the costume about 30 minutes before we were going trick or treating even though I knew that he wanted to be that weeks ago…He kept changing his mind! I guess I was afraid of a “Nooo I don’t want to be that! I want to be a Ninjaaaa!!!” …But all was well, he loved his ghost except he wanted to see his face, so I had to cut that part out. Then he was a nun. Ha! Just kidding, but it sure looked like it. We had an awesome time trick or treating though and enjoyed time with friends. I even made a jack o’ lantern pizza and some roasted pumpkin seeds! I loved this recipe found HERE although I would only add 1 tsp of cayenne pepper to about 3 cups of seeds (triple everything else). I used 1-1/2 tsp and it was a tad spicy, and got spicier the more you ate…and  these things were addicting! I also dried my seeds on a baking sheet for 2 days. Not sure if this is necessary, I just didn’t have the time to cook them! It probably would be fine to rinse them well and cook them the same night, although I think I’ll dry them for 1 day next year.

PS – I was a ninja turtle. The purple one. 😉 Donatello I believe!

Halloween 2015 Collage