We saved a turtle!!

We just had the oddest thing happen to us yesterday and I just had to share it with you. Last night my family decided we would all go for a walk. The weather was so nice and we had walked several blocks and had walked along the street next to the quarry and turned to see a HUGE turtle in the road. It was larger than a basketball and was only moving his head. His shell was cracked on the back and we couldn't tell if he could move or not - but he was a huge snapping turtle - so we didn't dare get too close. My husband decided we would try to help the poor turtle so he went back home to get a big bucket and shovel to put him in so we could take him back to the quarry where we assumed he came from. Well - while my husband was gone, the turtle decided to move - so we did find out he could walk. Really the only thing that appeared wrong with him was the crack in the back of his shell. So me and my kids kept an eye on him until hubby came in the Jeep with a large container and shovel. He gently lifted the turtle up and placed him in the large container. That turtle snapped so hard that I thought he was going to snap the shovel handle in two pieces, but he didn't. There was a huge fence around the quarry and there wasn't a way for us to put him in there without just dumping him over the fence, which could have hurt him badly - plus hubby said the thing weighed prolly 25 to 30 pounds and would have been hard to lift that high anyway. So - we took him to a nearby lake and released him. He seemed so happy to get into the water and be off of that hard concrete street. Then the coolest thing happened - we watched him swim away - then right before we turned to leave - he came back and just popped his head up out of the water and looked at us as if he was thanking us. It really was a cool moment and it felt so good to know that we helped that little guy out!!

I have a few other things going on right now. I am working on some craft projects for a new book by Design Originals. I'm hoping to finish them in the next few days to turn in. I think they are gonna be cute. Then I am also looking for a new digital shop to call home since Digital Candy closed. I have only sent out one application so far - just sent it last night - keeping my fingers crossed. I also have a new kit that I just released called Summer Sunrise and I'll put the preview on the right side for you. It's 25% off in my shop at Paula Phillips Designs through the end of May.

I also just found out about a new scrapbooking store that will be opening in my area - whoo hoo!! I don't know yet what the name of it will be- but it's in my old neighborhood in North Richland Hills and I can't wait for it to open. I also found out that Sharon Cheng, a super Stampin' Up demonstrator and awesome scrapbook instructor will be teaching classes there and I got a sneak peek at 2 of the classes she will be offering and can't wait to sign up!!

Well - that's about all going on right now. Just trying to get through all the end of school activities and plan for my yearly trip to see my family in Oklahoma and Kansas. I hope all of you are having a wonderful start to the new week!!

~til next time,
Paula

I saw a celebrity and FREEBIES!!!

Hey everyone!!!

Well - the storms have passed - some got pretty bad last night, but other than the practice facility for the Dallas Cowboys, everything else seems to be ok.

I have to tell you about my trip to the mall that ended up being my first time to actually see a celebrity right in front of me!! My husband had won a gift certificate to Dick's Sporting Goods and was wanting to go spend it, so I reluctantly agreed to go to the nearest one with him, which was at NorthEast Mall in North Richland Hills, TX. Anyway - we went up the escalator past some of the clothes (we were headed to the fishing department) when I saw a group of ladies and one of them looked very familiar. I stopped and was glancing back to see who she was - when my husband came back and told me that was Kelly Clarkson!!!! It most definitely was!! She had very little makeup on and her hair pulled back, probably trying not to be noticed, but she was still cute. I kept trying to get my daughter to see if she could get her autograph, but my daughter wouldn't do it - darn it - hehe!! So - we went on to the fishing department and watched her and her friends leave the store. There were several employees standing around watching too - and just to be sure I asked one of them if that was Kelly Clarkson - and they said - Yes it was. :) I couldn't believe it!!! Just had to share - hehe!!

.

I want to take a minute to tell you to please go check out the forum in my website!! There are some great new challenges in there that I think you will enjoy!! I will be starting a points system too so that you will be earning points towards free kits from me!!! The site addy is:

www.paulaphillipsdesigns.com

Ok - now for the freebies!! I have two of them for you. I have created a 12" x 12" template for you to use, and one of my wonderful CT members, Marisa, has made a 12" x 12" quick page for you with my Spring A Ling kit. I hope you enjoy them!!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.
.

.

.

Download Template HERE

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Download Quick Page HERE

.

Thanks for checking my blog and I hope you all had a wonderful National Scrapbooking Day!!

.

~til next time,

Paula

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!!

I am working on a couple of freebies for you, but we are having storms here and our electricity has already gone out once. It has come back on - so I just wanted to write a quick note to let you know that I will be finishing them and putting them up tomorrow. :) I have a quick page from one of my wonderful CT members, Marisa and a new 12" x 12" template!! Be sure to come back tomorrow to grab them!! Now - I'm turning off my computer to make sure that it doesn't get fried from the lightning!! Have a wonderful NSD!!!

~til nex time,
Paula