Tonia and Boys, Inc.

christmas and loss

2010-12-30T15:12:00.000-08:00

my last post was just before i got the worst news of 2010. truthfully, it was one of the worst days of my life. i was ill-prepared for it, to say the least. mammaw sadie was 99 years old, but i kind of thought she'd live forever. we always want "one more" christmas, "one more" phone call, "one more" visit, etc.
it was a merry christmas. but i was sad. i miss my family. i miss mammaw sadie. i have good days and bad. sometimes, the grief sweeps over me like a tsunami...totally consuming. i want to call her. i still have her phone number in my phone and each time i type "m" for mom, her name comes up, and it takes me aback. i want to dial that number. i want to hear her voice. i just wish i could talk to her again. actually, i still do talk to her, but, selfishly, i wish she could talk back. in a video i took of last christmas, i said to her "i know you miss cooking" b/c she had cooked since she was "tall enough to reach the table"...lol. she said "oh, tonia, i miss everything sitting here in this chair, taking those pain pills." i know her 99 yr. old body was tired, and i know she hurt. that she is tired no more, and hurts no more, i am grateful. but, oh god, how i miss her. she lost so many loved ones in her life. i can not even imagine living beyond my children...but she outlived 2 of hers. i know she was ready to see them again. on the good days, i remind myself of how she lives on...through the love that our family shares. i am thankful that my boys knew her, and will remember her. i made her chicken soup last week, and silas said "can i have another bowl? i know you put mammaw sadie's love in there". i am actually going to make little salt shakers that are labeled "mammaw sadie's love"...and have one for us and give one to jessi. how sweet will it be to let them sprinkle that in when we are cooking together? :)

i didn't intend on babbling on and on here. it was a good christmas, and i am so thankful for the loving family i still have with me. i am hopeful for this coming year. that's really about all i have to say right now.

tonia

2010-11-05T14:44:00.000-07:00

i have settled very nicely into my new *part time* job at the high school. i know many people are not able to say this about their jobs, but i am fortunate enough to say that i LOVE mine! it is perfectly suited to me. i am so grateful b/c my last job was not where i belonged...at all. i am happier, MUCH less aggravated, and have more time at home! it's great. and i have more time to myself, which is starting to bring out the creativity that had been suppressed (to say the least) as of late.

i am sharing this image of the boys because:
a) it is my current favorite image
b) i am getting more comfortable with my photography, and
c) it is an example from my recent lens purchase of: Nikon 35mm 1.8G (LOVE THIS LENS!)

so, this has not been a stellar year for my blogging. i had like 75 blog posts for 2009. total count for 2010 is: 16.

but....i am on my way back.

:)

Tonia

home (attitude of gratitude)

2010-11-04T12:24:00.000-07:00

today, i am expressing my gratitude for the roof over my head. the roof over our heads.

we bought this house, our first *real* house (vs. base housing/apartment), in 2006. we are transplants to clarksville, transplants to tennessee. both of our families live in other states. we have lived in other states, and even one foreign country, over the course of our time together. clarksville isn't really *home* to either of us. i still find myself phrasing it as "when i come home" when speaking of visiting NC, and eric does the same w/ Ohio. but this house is *home*, too. both of our children started kindergarten from this house. eli and silas were both less than 5 when we moved here. they have made their first little friendships here. we have learned lessons here. we have all grown, in many ways, right here within these walls.

i love this house. i love that it is imperfect. i love that it is cluttered with my children's belongings (and mine!). i love when it is filled with family for a visit, and i love when it is filled only with ourselves. i love the way it smells, and the natural light coming in through the windows. i love having a fire in the fireplace when it's cold out (or even slightly cool..lol). and i thank God for the a.c. in the blistering summer heat! most of all, i love the love, safety, and warmth i feel when i'm here inside; this has very little to do with amenities, and very much to do with the people with whom i share my little life.

there are many things this house is not ("immaculate" comes to mind), but what it is is perfect for us. someday we will say goodbye to it, and though i am open, and even hopeful, to the possibility of moving some day, i will be saddened when it is time to leave. we will carry with us our memories, and create another *home* when that time comes. but this one will always hold a special place in my heart. this is really the house where we began. where we struggled. where we not only survived, but succeeded. no matter what kind of "roof" you have over your head, be thankful for it. it is what you have now that matters.

hahaaa

2010-07-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

i'm alive....and tomorrow is my last day of sucky work!! i'll be on the lake, and then in nc for a while this summer before starting my new job as administrative asst. at the high school :) :)

march l/o's

2010-03-14T20:23:00.000-07:00

for Scrap that Poetry design team :)

the first one is for Dr. Seuss's "Oh, the places you'll go":

and this one is for the "Irish Blessing":

i used much Basic Grey "Origins" on both, and on the Irish Blessing l/o, i mised in some new BoBunny.
head on over to Scrap That Poetry and play along with us....as always, we provide the inspiration in the form of poetry, and you give us your interpretation...any way you like! can't wait to see what everyone creates!

short and sweet

2010-02-22T17:54:00.000-08:00

and to the point...THANK YOU, JACQUE for this sweet little journal!

working 40 hours a week has sure knocked me on my @%*!! i don't know how you all keep up w/ scrapping, blogging, children, lives, and work full time. i think i will never understand that one! there is VERY little time left for anything after work/laundry/meals/kids...just enough time to wind down, sleep, and wake up to do it all over again. so, scrapping has taken a back seat, except for my design team duties at Scrap That Poetry. and blogging...the same. hopefully, one day i'll get used to it, and be able to WANT to scrap more, but right now, when i do have any free time, i just want to do nothing!

oh yeah, and BASEBALL season is about to begin, so i'll barely be home at all w/ both of the boys playing!

i'll update ya'll if anything changes. :)

i do miss *talking* to many of you, my friends. i hope you are all well and having joyful days!

love, Tonia

love's a fire

2010-02-15T15:11:00.000-08:00

that needs renewal.
design team work for Scrap That Poetry challenge blog :) come on over and play with us!!! poetry is so inspirational, and we love seeing all of your different takes on the poems!

LOVE

2010-02-01T16:52:00.000-08:00

for the current challenge at Scrap That Poetry! Come play with us!

STP IS HOPPING!

2010-01-22T08:13:00.000-08:00

WELCOME TO OUR INAUGURAL BLOG HOP AT SCRAP THAT POETRY! My question to you today is this: What new product (new paper line, embellishments, manufacturer, etc.) captures your heart?

The STP site is where you should have hopped on with us, and I should be your 6th stop along the way. It's my pleasure to introduce you to Julie LaKose, one of our amazing new members!

* scrapbooker of about 8 years now
* madly in love with Jesus, my husband and my two fabulous kids
* I scrap everything from silly things my kids say to stories of my ancestors to answered prayer to favorite recipes to scripture. Pretty much all is fair game in my scrappy art world.
* my husband likes to ask of me "what fairy tale world do you live in?" 'cuz I prefer to see the positive and the hope in every little thing. he asks this of me pretty frequentlySmiley emoticon
* this is my very first design team position and my kids and I screamed like crazy and danced in circles and had brownie sundaes when I found out the happy, happy news.
* I don't watch tv. ever. Nothing against it, I'd just rather read or exercise or scrap.

We are very proud to have Julie as a new Designer at STP. In case you missed the link above, head over to see Julie now!

***REMEMBER to hop back to STP to let us know you've completed the HOP***

have a JOYFUL day!! ~~Tonia

two thousand...

2010-01-11T16:02:00.000-08:00

...and flipping TEN???

seriously?

my mom says my birthday will be special this year b/c it will be 10-10-10. i thought my birthday was special every year.

i know every new year brings out the yearning for change, but this year, i feel it even stronger. i know what it is. we've lived here for almost 4 years (which is the longest i've lived in one place in about 11 years. i'm bored, definitely wanting something different. eric's job is great...i shouldn't complain. we do ok. but, the current state of our country has me a little (and by a little, i mean a lot) apprehensive, and worried about the future. and i'm sick of sub. teaching. i want something different for myself, too. silas will start kindergarten in the fall...my goodness, this life goes by so quickly. so damn quickly.

christmas felt different this year. i've been down. i got to see my fam, though, and that was good. bittersweet, as usual, but even more so this time. many of you already know this, but my grandfather passed away on Jan. 5. We went to NC on Dec. 26th and came back to TN Jan. 3. so i ended up driving back by myself on the 5th to be there w/ my family for the funeral. i was glad to go and be with them, but it was exhausting. so emotionally draining. and i got sick, awfully sick, to boot. i'm just now starting to come up for air.

so, now it is two thousand and ten. anyone else think that is just unbelievable? who knows where it will take us...wherever it takes you, may your travels be safe and happy.

2009-12-06T08:24:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

hansel and gretel and christmas

2009-12-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

i accompanied eli and the rest of the 3rd grade on a field trip this past wednesday. we went to the roxy theatre to see "hansel and gretel" and then went to the Smith-Trahern "mansion" (lol) to see the Christmas decorations.....below are my fave photos from the trip. NOTICE how i located my nearest emergency exit on the bus (i don't care if it was on the ceiling...i was prepared to jump ship if necessary!!)
it was super fun!

candy!

2009-11-23T17:55:00.000-08:00

that is all. carry on.

no secret

2009-11-16T19:10:00.000-08:00

FINALLY got around to playing with Julie @ Kiddie Lit!! You can find their current challenge HERE!

little things...

2009-11-16T16:19:00.000-08:00

are special things, as per the current poem "When You Thought I Wasn't Looking" at Scrap That Poetry

with a grin

2009-11-16T09:35:00.000-08:00

Stephanie over at With A Grin is having an awesome Black Friday/Thanksgiving giveaway. She is just the sweetest, most inspirational, thing! Check it out!

snips and snails...

2009-11-11T12:41:00.000-08:00

...ok, you know where i'm going w/ this one.

just a little something i cooked up for Sketchy Thursdays and Scrap The Boys :)

the photo is from...summer 2008 at aunt jessi's house :) :) we always have so much fun there!

wallet mini FREAKS

2009-11-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

this little baby is made from ONE SHEET of double-sided patterned paper!! i used it w/ some wallet photos of the kids' Olin Mills portrait session this July.

this is my first project for Scrapfreak as their Guest Designer for the month of November. i used "cosmo cricket Lil' Man dapper dan" paper, but i am planning on using some of the YUMMY "PINK PAISLEE Mistletoe and Co." papers for some Christmas gifts! (there are 7 pockets in this little baby, perfect for holding photos, tags, gift cards, or even cash!)

here is the tutorial:

outside my window

2009-11-09T14:28:00.001-08:00

treats :)

2009-11-01T13:50:00.001-08:00

we all had such a sweet little halloween night. it was perfect weather (which is crazy b/c our weather has been INSANE lately!) it was all just so perfect. silas was optimus prime (transformers) and eli was a paleontologist. their choices suited them both so perfectly. lol

also, here is the layout i completed for the current Scrap That Poetry challenge blog :) The poem is "Where the Sidewalk Ends", and we'd love to see your take on the prompt! The DT's work is outstanding, and so diverse! I always love seeing the different directions everyone takes from the same poem. Awesome! Come and play along...there is a RAK!! ;)

thanks...

2009-10-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

jennifer, for the blog award! i am so bad at these things ;)

The rules are this: I need to pass this on to five people Post it on their blog that I gave them this award, and then I need to answer a list of questions in one word. So, I am passing this award onto (in no particular order...) MO, KIM T., BETH, DIANA, CALLISTA :)

Where is your cell phone? purse

Your hair? curly

Your mother? beautiful

Your father? wise

Your favorite food? Really?

Your dream last night? grandma

Your favorite drink? cheerwine

Your dream/goal? Photographer

What room are you in? bedroom

Your hobby? scrapbooking

Your fear? snakes

Where do you want to be in 6 years? together

Where were you last night? baseball

Something that you aren't? mean

Muffins? lemon-poppyseed

Wish list item? lens

Where did you grow up? DC,NC

Last thing you did? picnik

What are you wearing? bra :(

Your tv? cartoons

Your pets? lola

Friends? fun

Your life? awesome

Your mood? relaxed

Missing someone? great-uncle

Vehicle? honda

Something you are not wearing? jewelry

Your favorite store? target

Your favorite color? changes

When was the last time you laughed? today

Last time you cried? recently

Your best friend? love

One place that I go to over and over? kroger

Facebook? ridiculouslyaddicted.

Favorite place to eat? mama's

beachaven winery

2009-10-26T11:43:00.001-07:00

beachaven winery
Originally uploaded by toniasuzanne

the last "jazz" (jazz on the lawn) of the season was this past Saturday. we had a great time, as usual. next yr. we are totally entering the costume contest.

7 GYPSIES LOVE

2009-10-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

7 GYPSIES WEEK AT BLUE MOON SCRAPBOOKING!!

go and check out the awesomeness!!

fotw

2009-10-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

FREAK OF THE WEEK...is ME!!! ;) ;)

i want candy..

2009-10-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

da da da da da. (that's me keeping the beat...lol)

Tiffany is giving away a sweet little kit to her viewers...check it out. her son cracks me up in the vid!!

Tonia

STP

2009-10-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

...as in Scrap That Poetry, not Stone Temple Pilots.

every week or two, i make myself a little list of the challenges in which i want to participate. i consider myself successful if i complete half of what's on that list. this week, i thought i'd do "two birds/one stone" w/ my dt work at Scrap that Poetry and DreamGirlz. turns out i did my scrappy math wrong, and the dreamgirlz challenge ended yesterday (14th) and i couldn't post my STP work until today (15th). in hindsight, it seems so obvious, but that's what happens when you make a giant to do list, and have to constantly address needs of tiny ones around you.

at any rate, here is my take on the poem over at STP this week...PLEASE, won't you come and play with us? we're really very nice. the poem this week is Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman". again, tons of inspiration, so just take from it what you will (a single word, a verse, the poem in its entirety, your interpretation). we had some AMAZING entries for our first challenge, and i can't wait to see what you girlies bring this time!!

the ugly truth

2009-10-12T19:18:00.000-07:00

is about to be exposed...i was given one of these...by my friend, Kim .... SOO.....

1.i've NEVER thought of myself as artistic (some of you may be nodding in agreement here), but i am starting to....i really FEEL it, and that's what matters, right? right.

2. we are living on one income, basically (i sub. teach), and it kind of blows. i mean, i am super grateful for all that we have, but it would be sure nice to have some extra $$ for a vacation.

3. speaking of vacations, i haven't been on one in many, many years. my husband was in the Air Force, so we moved around a bit, but i wouldn't call it "vacationing"..lol. this is a sad fact. and we NEED one.

4. i lost my best friend last year. she and her husband and daughter came to visit us for a month, and it was like starting a pressure cooker. we got on eachother's nerves so bad, and our friendship ended b/c of it.

5. i cry a LOT. i am so emotional, and always have been. i was painfully shy as a child, and if i ever felt like i was in trouble, had let anyone down, was embarassed, i would just lose it. i am not shy like that anymore, but i still cry a lot. and i usually do so for a good hour on thursday nights (8pm central time-ABC...you know what i'm talking about) it's cathartic, though, and i think i NEED to be this way. i also feel the need to "talk it out" about nearly everything. poor eric. seriously. i try to reign it in, but it's hard. i need to write it in my "bitch book" instead.

6. i can not imagine life without my boys. if i achieve nothing more than being the best mother i can be to them, that will be enough. it scares me how many people don't take parenting as seriously as they should.

7. i don't know how much i weigh. it's been too long since i've been to the dr. (i know, i know...i need to go). i NEVER thought i would have weight issues. i was so stick thin growing up, and even as a senior in high school, i barely weighed enough to donate blood. i just don't pay enough attention to what i eat. i mean, i do eat tons of healthy things (key word: tons), but i don't restrict myself, like, at all. i love food so much, and, for example, i'm having a glass of wine right now. i need to address this, and start walking my 'hood again. it's really hilly, and a great workout. i am the queen of excuses.

8. i graduated college at 28. i dropped out my first time around, and started back after i had Eli, and just kept at it until i finally graduated last year. i remember once taking an exam and my boobs were hurting soo bad b/c i NEEDED to get home and feed Silas. i think doing it this way makes me appreciate it so much more, though. and i graduated high school at 17, and was seriously not ready to take life seriously. at least i try to take it seriously now...sometimes.

9. i NEED to be working full-time, but just can't seem to get a job. and i don't know if it's just the economy, or if i'm not giving it my all b/c i'm terrified. i stayed home with eli until he went to Kindergarten, and i feel like i'm short-changing silas if i don't do the same. i am terrified of not having enough time to do the things that make me happy, terrified of missing my time with silas, terrified of workplace politics, terrified of failing.

10. i used to make fun of people who had "online friends". ok, maybe not make fun, but i certainly thought it was slightly ridiculous. now, i know some of the kindest people on earth, and i've met them online. i've been so fortunate to have met such supportive, friendly, beautiful women in this scrapbooking world online. it makes me grateful for the internet that i can be introduced to such different people, all over the world, and know that we are all linked by not only our common interest, but just by our humanity. we can all be insecure, scared, jealous, depressed, and so on and so forth. it sure helps, though, to hear a kind word from others who are feeling or have felt the same thing. you lades are amazing, and i am lucky to call you friends.

sweetiness

2009-10-11T18:53:00.001-07:00

laugh...

2009-10-08T15:58:00.000-07:00

antonym: cry.

for Category Stories :)

key tag mini album

2009-10-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

ok, so i stole the idea from Laura (i think) at Following the Paper Trail. she had a you-tube video showing one of these little minis, and i thought it was genious!! she had tags as her album, but i took it one step further and used gift cards that no longer have any $$ left on them. i know, right!! so, the cute little box started out as an orbit gum box!! and the teeny album is made from the gift cards. it is sweet!

she had a magnetic closure, and i just cut the slit and tucked mine in. fun!!!

tfl,

tonia

HOT

2009-10-04T15:54:00.000-07:00

TAMALE!!!

I heart Mary Murphy!

this is from a diana sketch over at Sketchy Thursdays! :) :)

FREE

2009-10-04T08:33:00.001-07:00

SHIPPING!

for a limited time (not to be disclosed), i am offering free shipping on ALL of my items over at The Sweet Stuff etsy shop! go ahead and snatch up those goodies you've been eying! the more you order, the more savings to you!!

:) T

SCRAP IT...

2009-10-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

...the POETRY, that is! Today is the official launch of Scrap that Poetry!! The first poem is Rudyard Kipling's "If", and there is lots of inspiration to be taken from it. You can choose a single word, a line, the entire poem, or your own interpretation, and go in whatever direction you choose. The poems are there to inspire you to create something! Come on over and play with us...we'll share our mojo with you, if you do :)

I chose to focus on the word "ethos" b/c what i took from the poem was about maintaining a sense of character, your morals, your beliefs. i made this page for my boys, jotted the definition on a card and tucked it in :) simple and sweet. tfl, folks :)

check out The Sweet Stuff shop over at etsy. just added a new mini album yesterday, and will be adding another fresh baked item today (hint: Basic Grey "Eerie") :) :)

thanks, sweeties!

Tonia

mini mini bo bini....

2009-09-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

a fresh from the oven mini over at The Sweet Stuff by Tonia Rhodes shop! journaling cards and pockets swivel out to allow you to place photos, or whatever, underneath. this really is a sweet one. i hesitated to title this one myself...wanted to allow you the opportunity to title it to suit your needs. however, i could totally see it as a "book of me". perfect little quotes in it to go in that direction.

working on some more goodies today, and check out the sweet little halloween embellies i added recently! tfl girlies :) :)

T

quickie

2009-09-28T13:48:00.000-07:00

hard to believe this boy is 8 now. wow.
since my last post had pics of si, i wanted to post one of eli i edited today :)
now, to get ready for supper and head out to the ball field for the evening.

necklaces

2009-09-23T15:03:00.000-07:00

so, two of my lovely, crafty friends sent me happy mail recently! the lovely Julie sent me a twilight necklace from etsy ("what if i'm the bad guy?"...love that quote!). AND BethPerry sent me one of her world famous yo-yo necklaces! i wore it to school today. 4th graders don't get it, but we do, right?? it is beautiful!!

the pics are out of order. i have yet to perfect this on blogger.

and here is a pic of silas and his new haircut (this one was done by a stylist, and not by silas, himself...lol...we all remember those pictures and how proud he was of his crooked bangs! this was a "no nap" kind of day b/c he slept in til almost 9:30 yesterday...we didn't get home from the baseball field until about 10pm monday night!! ahhhh! so, anyway, my camera battery was dead, and after it charged, i wanted to go ahead and get the hair pic, and this is what happened. lol

again, these pics are all out of order. i need to practice this.

so, that's all i have to say about that, and i will probably be blogging more later. i have tons of scrappy work to do tonight and tomorrow, so i'll be back shortly w/ that.

T

happier than...

2009-09-20T15:57:00.000-07:00

...a pig in mud!! i've made the design team over at Scrap that Poetry!! I am soo excited about this, and can't wait to get started! Please, do come and play along with us all over there. There is much inspiration to be found in good poetry! Challenges are twice a month (1st and 15th), and our inaugural challenge will be OCTOBER 1ST...mark your scrappy little calendars!!!

Congratulations to my fellow design team members as well!

They are:

Windy Robinson

Sarabeth Burke

Kim Tupponce

Sue-ann Tilby

Jessica Wilson

Jane Smith

Please remember to come play with us over at Scrap that Poetry...all the cool kids are doing it ;)

sweet, sweet candy

2009-09-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

from the blog of....Kristina! it's a big one, and some great stuff!! thanks, kristina for offering such sweet goodness!!!

poetry

2009-09-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

....to scrap! i am soo excited about the new challenge blog called Scrap thatPoetry! The DT call ends tonight, so hurry over. You don't need to create anything new...just submit two of your fave layouts and talk a bit about yourself (see requirements on the Scrap That Poetry blog). To those who are applying along with me, good luck!! I am excited to know what the first poem will be!

**when i first posted, the link was wrong...it should work now :)

candy...candy

2009-09-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

check it out over HERE! serious blog candy!!!

sketchy thursday and little boys' play

2009-09-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

...and it's only tuesday. i realize it's my m.o. to get things finished and submitted just under the wire, but for some crazy reason, i actually remembered to get ST's finished early this week!! (maybe it's all the excitement going on over there this week...and the super-fab giveaways!!)

we are all a little sickly at our house this week...allergies, mostly (i hope!). eric's co-worker's son had the swine flu!!!

paranoia?? not me...lol

and i'm pretty sure i have the chiggers. but they don't itch..yet.

anyway...tmi, but here's the l/o and a picture of eli's amazing tubby bubbles making skillz and a random of si bike-riding as well!!

it's cloudy and overcast today and my camera battery needs to be charged, so i didn't have the patience to mess with getting the perfect shot of the l/o...so this one will just have to do ;) tfl!!

STM

2009-09-12T16:18:00.000-07:00

i haven't participated in STM in such a long time, and it was always such a great challenge blog, full of inspiration, so i am glad to have found the time to participate this week! This week's song was Green Day's "Wake me up when September Ends". i chose the lyrics "becoming who we are" to sort of explain how i feel about the bitter-sweetness of these sweet little ones of ours growing up. i'm not gonna lie...it was an emotional one for me. but it was good.

Kim T...come on down...

2009-09-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

...you're the next contestant on the Price is Right. ok, so maybe you're not. but you DID win my blog candy giveaway! random number generator result 8=Kim. :)
message me your addy, and i'll get your goodies out and on their way :) :)

thanks to all of you who follow me here, support my etsy shop, or just stop by to say hello once in a while :) one of the joys of scrapbooking is meeting such good people, so thanks again!

love, T

blog candy

2009-09-01T09:31:00.001-07:00

check previous post for details on the giveaway!

new leaves -fall colors- added at the shop!! red, orange, gold, eggplant, brown.

thanks for your support!

Tonia

ch..ch...check it...

2009-08-31T18:40:00.000-07:00

...i'm working on several new items for the store, and have just added one new fun item, which i am LOVING for fall!! it's a set of fun and whimsical tattered leaves. can be used behind chipboard trees, or just by themselves on your layouts and projects! aren't they adorable?? i am about to use these on some of my own work. they are just too cute!!!

want them in diff. colors?? no prob! just let me know what you want, and i'll be glad to make them for you!

run, don't walk, over to the shop where these little beauties, among others, are hanging out.

want a FREE set?? (and maybe a set of shiny posies, too?? i'll throw in a couple of extra items to the winner, i promise!) do this by Wednesday, September 9th:

leave a comment under this posting telling me at least one of the following things:

i am a follower on your blog (old or new friends...doesn't matter!).

i have blogged about your handmade goodies (please link to my etsy shop directly).

i have added you as a favorite seller on etsy.

each of these things is worth 1 entry. that's right...do all 3 things and get 3 entries into the drawing!!

thanks for your support of handmade, girlies!! i know i can count you in on this, right??

blah

2009-08-30T15:14:00.000-07:00

...even on a bad day, i know i am blessed. hormonal overload, i guess. today was kind of a bad day. i need to make amends with my husband and babies. i hate that it's the people we love the most that we end up being ugly to most of the time.

almost Thursday!!

2009-08-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

this is for the latest challenge over at the amazing Diana's Sketchy Thursdays!! she always has a GREAT sketch to guide you in your creativity!

i used some photos of us w/ our new "chalkboard" glasses we got from World Market. i LOVE that store. last time i was there, i could have camped overnight...must've been in there for like 3 hrs. good news---it was good detox for me...i must've "sampled" their detox tea to the tune of about ten cups...lol

anyway, playing with these glasses was wildly entertaining (couldn't have had anything to do with what we were drinking from inside of them, right??)

tfl...

love, Tonia

gettin freaky.

2009-08-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

... over at Scrapfreak .

quick...quick!

2009-08-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

as promised, i am adding items to my etsy shop!

ch-ch-check it out, ya'll!

and don't forget that if you order ANYTHING from me by this Friday night at midnight, it's free shippin!!!

thanks a bunch!

T

gimme gimme gimme gimme....

2009-08-18T08:18:00.000-07:00

j/k...this is not about greediness...it's about GIVING! we all know it's better to give than receive, but here is a chance to do a bit of both. let's do it.

The first five people to respond to this post
will get something made by me, especially for you.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make but I hope you will.

2- What I create will be just for you.

3-They say I have a year to get it to you. But I promise it will NOT take that long.

4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It’s a surprise to both of us at this point.

The catch? You must repost this on your blog and
offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.

So the first five people who post, and are willing to pass it along,
will get a handmade gift in the mail from me.

When you get it, make sure you post a pic on your blog!

Gauche Alchemy

2009-08-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

check it out, ya'll!!!

GRAPHIC 45 GIVEAWAY here!

faah-REE shippin!!!

2009-08-16T07:01:00.000-07:00

that's right...to celebrate the grand, great, gigantic (ok, maybe not gigantic, but i'm working on it!), opening of my very own etsy shop, i am offering FREE SHIPPING on ALL ITEMS purchased before Saturday, August 22nd (Friday night at midnight, to be exact....so order b4 you go nighty night on Fri.!!)

i'm going to be working very hard this week adding new items...stay with me, people!

toniarhodes.etsy.com

mmmm...i smell pancakes!

T

Favorite Flowers

2009-08-07T09:27:00.000-07:00

this is for the latest challenge over at my girl Julie's awesomely inspiring challenge blog These are a Few of my Favorite Things. check it out!!

you're so pretty the way you are

2009-07-31T09:41:00.000-07:00

how will i ever stop making these things?? btw, it's k&co. wild saffron w/ misc. ribbons/flowers.

give it away, give it away, give it away now

2009-07-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

check out Callista's awesome giveaway here! lots of summery sweetness in this one!!

pocket mini

2009-07-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

ooh, this was soo fun. i adore this little pocket mini. next time, i'm gonna use longer envelopes o make it a bit bigger, but this one would still be fun for journaling or wallet photos. and oh my goodness, isn't it yummy!!??

so, i am pretty sure this is the start of my own etsy store. it is "green" b/c it's recycling envelopes (this one is just regular size card envelopes, but next time, i'm gonna use the long "bill" envelopes.) so, each page has a pocket opening on the outside, so it's actually a pocket, which is great for this size mini album to have the extra space. i am making the inserts now (post pics later)...i was just so excited i had to post the pics of the album right away!

and the pics are clearly posted in reverse order b/c i forgot that blogger did that, so the bottom pic is the front, and upward goes thru the album.

tfl.
T

embellies

2009-07-07T12:21:00.000-07:00

just playing around with canvas and fabric today :)

to tonia from julie

2009-07-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

happy mail, happy mail!!
thanks so much to my girl, julie, who sent me this lovely nikki sivils stamps!! i was soo happy when i pulled them from the mailbox today!! unfortunately, when i went to her blog to share my excitement, i saw that she had been robbed!! i feel just awful for her. she is just one of the sweetest people i've ever met, and i only know her online! it makes me so sad when things like this happen to good people. please keep julie and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

bitchiness

2009-06-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

guttergirlz. bitch.

summah-time

2009-06-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

some pics from vbs, pool, jazz, etc. general summer mayhem.

i have been doing VERY little scrapbooking lately, and it's making me sad! i mean, i LOVE all the things about summer that keep me from scrapping (baseball, pool, JAZZ, or just being outside w/ the kids!) but i still miss it. i mean, between all that and trying to keep us from being buried alive by laundry, i just have hardly any time to devote to scrapping! and when i do have time, it seems like i'm just exhausted, or having scrapper's block or something! do any of you find yourselves having a similar problem in the summer??

T

alphabet time

2009-06-15T09:50:00.000-07:00

A - Age: 29 and feelin fine
B - Bed size: queen
C - Chore you hate: putting away laundry, for sure.
D - Dog's name: Lola, the cutest little pug in the whole wide world.
E - Essential start your day item: caffeine, unfortunately.
F - Favorite color: yellow, blue, brown, black
G - Gold or Silver: Silver
H - Height: 5'3"
I - Instruments you play(ed): not instrument, but song. i can only play "mary had a little lamb" on piano. that's the extent of my musical abilities, unfortunately. i have been trying to learn a little guitar.
J - Job title: undefined. by day (and school year), i am a sub. teacher, but my most important job is being a mommy.
K - Kid(s): Eli (7) and Silas (4)
L - Living arrangements: the four of us, in our own sweet little house.
M - Mom's name: Nola Gay but she goes by "Susie"
N - Nicknames: Tah, Ta-ta
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: other than my own birth? the birth of my boys, i had about a week stay when i was 7 or 8 for blood poisoning
P - Pet Peeve: those who choose not to be friendly. it's a choice. why not be friendly when presented an opportunity?? a smile, a kind word. not that difficult, really.
Q - Quote from a movie: oh, there are so many, but: "there's no crying in baseball" -"A league of their own"
R - Right or left handed: Right
S - Siblings: one awesome little sister, Jessi.
T - Time you wake up: around 8, give or take an hour either way, for the most part.
U- Underwear: yes, of course.
W - Ways you drink your coffee: BLACK, or with Baileys. if it's iced, i like it sweetened.
X-rays you've had: a few
Y - Yummy food you make: mini baked ham and cheese sammies...they FLY off of plates.
Z - Zoo favorite : polar bears, and otters.

jazziness

2009-06-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

some of it is blurry. i got all japanese gangsta at the end of the night (glow in the dark paint...i wasn't involved in any wet shirt kind of contest as suggested by one of my myspace friends!) there was a HUGE group of us at jazz. i'm not sure that the entire population of clarksville wasn't there!! it was the *worst* i'd ever seen it. sooo crowded! we got there an hour and a half early and were LUCKY that our friends had already saved us a spot! the kids had a blast, as usual. i LOVE the pic of them all huddled around the nintendo ds! just thought i'd give ya a glimpse into the awesomeness that is JAZZ!

FIT ON 40

2009-06-12T10:15:00.001-07:00

i picked up a car charger for my new phone today, and i am ready to get on the damn road to NC!! i've had enough of baseball (those of you who know me know that this sounds crazy). but, yes, i've just had enough of the giant hot mess that is our baseball league this year. and the summer is my major opportunity to go and stay for a couple of weeks since i'm not working and eli is on summer break. just waiting for baseball to finish, though i don't know why. the coach's own son QUIT like 3 games ago. so, he comes to the games in street clothes to watch and we have to pull up AT LEAST 2 tee-ballers to play in every game now. i need to get the FIT down to I-40 and head east! i hope i remember to stop around mocksville and don't just keep going all the way to the beach. what a shame that would be!!

2009-06-10T13:22:00.000-07:00

does anyone else ever feel as though their husbands create more of a mess than the kids??? i won't go into a whole tirade (jessi let me do that in her ear earlier...thanks!), but damn! i can't do it all by myself!

one of those days around this joint. i can totally foresee a glass of wine in my near future.

T

lola

2009-06-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

l/o challenge over at http://rachaelwoodphotography.blogspot.com
my sweet lola.

bloom

2009-05-28T13:54:00.001-07:00

just a few shots of my favorite blooms this spring. pear tree, roses (from eric, for no reason), lilies, peony, begonia, honeysuckle :) hope you have plenty of flowers around to make you happy!

T

"lollipop, lollipop, oh, lolli lollipop"

2009-05-20T16:30:00.001-07:00

my go at handmade lollipop flowers!

VINTAGE PLUM!

2009-05-14T13:19:00.001-07:00

where we like to hang out online is not much unlike where we like to hang out in reality. we want some place that is cozy, comfortable, friendly. we want to see things by which we will be inspired. it should be aesthetically pleasing, easy, and carefree. we would like to be supported, to be recognized, and to be able to *talk* about things that interest us, right? Luckily, I have been introduced to such a place...a quaint little *neighborhood* called Vintage Plum. The VP peeps, from owners, to design team, to members who can just pop in from time to time, are awesome! Once you've visited, you will want to come back often and hang out :) just a nice big bowl of happy, right? the cherry on top? Vintage Plum is a scrapbooking kit club! a new kit is released monthly, and is always just the perfect mix of sweet supplies. don't know what to do with the supplies? easy! the design team is awesome and provides much inspiration! the everyday chit chat, inspiration, challenges, and product are all so inviting! so, come on over, get relaxed, and get creative. come on over to the Vintage Plum.

www.vintageplum.com

layin down the law!

2009-05-04T16:18:00.001-07:00

'bout time i got a set of rules and regulations posted on the wall!

this is the face...

2009-04-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

...of not getting a strike!

my other two children...

2009-04-05T13:36:00.000-07:00

lucas and isabelle. well, in my mind, they're just like my own ;)

turtle

2009-03-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

week 7 & 8 grat. journal

2009-03-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

gratitude journal week 6

2009-02-25T10:57:00.000-08:00

i think i am actually a week behind ( i hope that's all)...though it's a 52 week challenge, i've not been married to completing them "on time". oopsie. at least i'm doing it! this card is b/c i am unbelievably grateful for my sister. we have such a great relationship, and though i wish we could be closer, geographically, we just couldn't be any closer at heart. she is my other half...my best friend. i should be embarassed that i ever called anyone else my best friend, b/c she is mine, always really has been, and always will be. i treasure our relationship, and can't imagine a better sister. i love you, jessi! wipe your tears now :) "i'm so drunk", i mean "i'm so funny!" ;) ;)

big bite

2009-02-24T19:19:00.001-08:00

lean, mean, eye-let setting, hole-punching machine!!

this is what i've been doing

2009-02-24T19:08:00.000-08:00

first little batch of felt goodies...some are just page embellishments...some broaches, and some for my little sweetie isabelle's headbands for her perfect little head! i may have found a new obsession. at least this one is pretty inexpensive! keep me away from the scrapbooking specialty stores for a while, though hobby lobby will definitely still be visited. :)

grat journal weeks 5 & 6

2009-02-16T11:21:00.000-08:00

week 6 -photos/camera/memories

week 5- water :)

2009-02-16T11:04:00.000-08:00

olw entry for "fun" :)
a mini photo shoot of silas fresh from a haircut a few months ago :) i really LOVE the color combo!

gratitude journal week 4 - beer.

2009-02-02T13:05:00.001-08:00

this week, and most weeks, i am grateful for beer. very, very grateful. especially MAGIC HAT!

v-day

2009-01-27T16:03:00.000-08:00

is coming up, and i have been itching to use some new "love elsie" paper :) the pic is from Jazz, of course, but it's one of my faves of Eric and me. :)

stm - i am pink today

2009-01-22T14:27:00.000-08:00

"Making strides against breast Cancer" Nashville, 2008. Thought this was perfect for a "pink" l/o.

gratitude journal weeks 1-3

2009-01-19T09:47:00.000-08:00

week 3 -HOPE

week 2- JUST FOR TODAY

week 1 -HEALTH

the pictures are not awesome. it's hard for me to photograph these tiny little cards and get the lighting/flash to cooperate, but you kinda get the picture.

STM challenge

2009-01-16T11:28:00.001-08:00

Somehow, I have maintained the presence of mind to focus on a layout today. Yesterday, it proved to be impossible. The challenge is from Scrapping the Music, and the lyrics I chose were "The story of us". I feel like I'm a storyteller when I scrap, and it really is about all of the little moments that make up our lives...our stories. The photo is of Eli helping Silas learn to bowl. To me, it represents how important those little everyday moments are in our lives. Eli teaches his brother every day, even if he doesn't even realize he's doing it. Silas just adores his older brother and models so many things from him. My sweet, sweet boys. Eli teaching Silas to bowl...just a blurb...in a chapter...of their story.

Tonia

2009 weekly challenge

2009-01-12T12:50:00.000-08:00

Inspired by Emily Falconbridge's 52 Q challenge, I have decided to do my own weekly challenge and have asked my sister to participate with me on this one :) She has a plate (and a half) full, but somehow, she always finds the time! She inspires me.

So, instead of 52 questions, I have challenged myself to complete a mini art project based on gratitude. Each week, I will make a new card dedicated to one thing for which I am grateful. 52 should cover the big ones, though I am thankful for so much more than that. It will be nice to look back at the project when it's completed and see exactly what I was thankful for along the way this year.

Here is my Title Card, and since I am starting a couple of weeks late, I'll play catch up this week and do 2 gratitude cards to get up up to date in 2009.

for no challenge, for myself...

2009-01-08T15:39:00.001-08:00

...b/c i miss my sister, and I found some great pictures of our childhood today.

altered items

2008-12-19T10:14:00.000-08:00

i really need to start doing more of this. there is such a sense of gratification to change something's purpose by altering the item. i have done a few of these b4, along w/ clipboards, and they are so fun!! the paint cans, especially, b/c they end up as a beautiful storage item...something you're proud to have around. w/o the altering, chances are, ya wouldn't really want to have it on display, right? i covered the paint can using only 2 pieces of patterned paper (i used elmer's spray adhesive to adhere the paper to the can). i only used one set of cardstock stickers ( i used brighter colors to pop off of the more muted paper i used for the background)and just random, coordinating ribbons, and a couple of glittery adhesive foam stickers. i was really pleased w/ how this turned out, and eli said his teacher loved it :) i'm sure it didn't hurt that there was a starbucks giftcard and truffles inside ;) go ahead...alter something!

stm LIVE IN PEACE

2008-12-14T09:59:00.001-08:00

1ST guttergirlz challenge-fave 4letterword

2008-12-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

WINE.

in my life - STM challenge

2008-12-02T16:06:00.000-08:00

it's a 5 o'clock world STM layout

2008-11-25T11:36:00.000-08:00

"tradin my time 4 the pay I get"

being a stay at home mom sure does pay well! hope you enjoy the layout :)

Scrapping the Music - Just a Girl

2008-11-21T17:14:00.000-08:00

Loved this challenge. Loved this picture. Such an amazing love to see between a great-great grandmother and her grandaughter. After my two boys and my sister's first, Sadie Belle was ecstatic to finally have a girl, and named a bit after her, to boot ;)

Scrapping the Music - India Arie "Video" challenge

2008-11-16T07:53:00.000-08:00

I'm lovin' what I see. :) Forgive the glare from the flash, please.

haircuts and rock candy

2008-11-09T19:36:00.000-08:00

took a little drive to Forbus General Store in Pall Mall, TN. rock candy...insanity on a wooden stick.

mommy and daddy got amaretto swirl fudge...mmm.

and i finally got their hair cut. si's "stylist" got a lil' scissor happy, but he looks adorable. eli told his stylist he wanted just a little taken off b/c he likes to twirl his curls. sweetness. and yes, silas is licking icing off of his home depot saw. safety first, though. alway wear safety goggles when licking icing from a saw. that's my boy!

Click Click Click Click

2008-11-06T10:35:00.000-08:00

this one was "clicked" by eli @ Jazz on the Lawn - Beachaven Winery this Summer. ;)

TRICK OR TREAT

2008-11-01T07:48:00.000-07:00

TRICK OR TREATING was so much fun! Silas really enjoyed it this year, and wasn't scared of the spookiness of some of the houses like he was last year. He insisted on wearing a dracula cape w/ his ghost costume, and Eli got lots of compliments on his aquarium costume :)

Family Picnic Day

2008-10-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

my big boys @ Family Picnic Day at Eli's school.

little E

2008-10-28T15:37:00.000-07:00

smarty pants.

Scrapping the music challenge

2008-10-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

thanks to jessi for getting me involved in this challenge. this is my creation for kid rock's "all summer long." obviously, i chose the lyric "it's the simple things in life." the picture was taken in jessi's back yard one lovely, dirty night with lucas, silas, and eli :)

twenty-nine years.

2008-10-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

my soul has moved about this earth for twenty-nine years now. in those years, i have grown, and i have loved. i have felt love in return. i have played important roles...daughter, grand-daughter, sister, aunt, friend, wife, mother. i have been sheltered in the warmth of a loving family, and given solid roots from which to grow. i have lived far, far away, and come back home. i have succeeded, and i have failed. i have tried, and i have achieved. i have had hope, and had dissappointments. my heart has been broken, and put back together. i have said many hello's, and too many goodbye's. i have shared my soul. i have given, and i have taken. i have brought life into the world, and i have mourned for lives that have ended. i see beauty, in so many things, and i am hopeful for the future. i am grateful for happiness and health. i am twenty-nine.

Lola

2008-10-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

L-O-L-A, LOLA ;)

sweetest dog on earth.