Happy New Year Everyone!!
I hope you all had a wonderful CHRISTmas!!!
I am so sorry I can not add pictures or change fonts
My tool bar with the quick editing is gone and I can not fix it!
I have looked it up all the ways I could think of and it is GONE!
If anyone out there knows how to help me please leave a comment to help me fix it!!!!!
I am so sad! Thank you, D'Arcy

Merry CHRISTmas I hope Everyone is ready For This Glorious Day!

A day late on my weekly post! So sorry... Today December 23rd and the last day of school, It is still snowing like crazy ( It has been for 2 weeks now!) Guess we got our White Christmas! I have all of my Family coming in from California Tomorrow and I pray the all arrive safe!

This is what our Home looks Like as of this morning! Too bad you can't see all of the Holiday Decor....

Our Little Dude Riding Today in Our snow covered yard!!! Too cute! He loves to ride...

I had my annual Christmas luncheon Yesterday, It was a wonderful time with girlfriends... Take a peak at my Holiday Table setting, We had a Tea!..
So lucky to have a great group of friends! Love ya! I Hope you have a wonderful CHRISTmas full of loved ones , D'Arc

PS. Here is the photo of our Christmas ornaments! Recipe below in old blog...

Merry CHRISTmas....ox

Hello Friends and Family!
First off I have to Give a cheer to my 12 year old! He made the Jr. High Basketball team...
This is a big deal... 54 boys tried out for 18 spots 7th, 8th, and 9th graders....While still getting straight A"S!! Great job Son!!!
I hope everyone is READY or almost ready for the Big Day! CHRISTmas day is only 8 days away!!!! My family all rolls in on the 24th! With a 2nd wave on the 29th! What a wonderful time of the year... I love all the hustle and bustle and a house full of loved ones...
My little dude and I have been busy trying to do one fun Christmas thing a day, together since Dec. 1st. Even as small as watching a CHRISTmas cartoon! (tonight Charlie Browns CHRISTmas is on)On Sunday we made Cookie Ornaments! So fun, I hadn't done that since I was a little kid myself!
Recipe Cookie Ornaments
2C Flour
1C salt
1C water
blend together and knead until the dough is smooth. Roll out dough on wax paper and use Holiday cookie cutters to form shapes. Use a straw to make a hole at the top of each orn. Bake at 325 for 1 1/2 hours or until dry. Decorate with paints, glitter and ribbon! We had such a good Time! (My 7th grader does join us in CHRISTmas cheer when he is home...)
I will post some photo's later on our orn.s My son needed the camera for a school project!
This weeks top 5 Favorite things!
#1 Quite time with my Husband! ( While the boys were at school, we only have until 12 We have a kinder! We have been going on a long walk then stopping off for a warm drink!) I have been loving this time to chat and Get exercise too!!!
#2 Mervin's Going out of Business sale!!! I was able to pick up Dress clothes for my boys! You don't need dress clothes every week so to pick up some great dress shirts and slacks for 50% off Yea! Great for the holidays but think ahead for a school dance, event or even a family Cruise!
They close in 7 days.....
#3 Olive Dahlia on 25th street! I have always loved this home decor and floral shop but for CHRISTMAS it's awesome! Great fresh floral's and little treasures to decorate or give as gifts!
#4 Food networks holiday programs on parties and recipes...
#5 Manicures!!! If you haven't scheduled one for the Holiday, do it ! Do it now.... I truly love this little bit of time to myself! If you have time treat yourself to a pedicure as well. You deserve it!
I hope you Have a wonderful week and take some time for yourself, Spend some time with your kids, and Remember Jesus is the reason for this wonderful season!

Classic Rock Christmas - on WindowsMedia

Classic Rock Christmas - on WindowsMedia

I promised Pictures so Here are a few! Hope you enjoy!
My Darling Scrapbook room tree! So cute I made the crown orns. And most of the orns. on the tree! (from scrap supplies!


A The cookie candy tree dresses up my guest kitchen! I did a fun Candy land theme in there!

My Mantel in the Main living room and my kitchen

Candler! My main Living room, Kitchen and entry I decorated in Woodland Forest theme! (Gold,Browns, Winter White!) My vintage tea cups, filled with little treasures!(Guest kitchen!)

My Formal Dinning! Reds And Browns! !

I hope you enjoy my Christmas Decor Photo's! Plus maybe get some ideas! I Just love this beautiful Season! Merry Christmas...

Our Main (live Christmas Tree 13ft. High) My Boys picked it out! I think it turned out Beautiful!

Dining Room!

This weeks Favorites!

1# A great clothing store in Salt lake Called Chic Boutique! Great prices and darling clothes, Shoes and accessories! www.chicboutiquestlye.com
#2 Blogspot Layout Designer Allie Browns-Such Cute Designs I am going to have her do mine! WWW. Alliebrownslayoutsblogspot.com!
#3 Decorating A gingerbread House with my Boys! I by the one at Costco

Plus some extra candy and such! Then we bake cookies drink hot coco and put together and decorate the house! I love that time with my boys! ( I think it's one of the only time's they don't Fight!)

#4 Making little Scrapbooks! I love this way of scrapbooking... You can do a whole event in such a short time and use your scraps (in the same color theme!) Plus it makes a great gift! Love

#5 The Store Buckle...... Love this store! Where Have I been!!! I know I have Walked by one a thousand times and final went in... If you haven't been to a Buckle you must stop in... You can get something for everyone one your list! This store carries Cool Clothes for both sexes! Teenagers, Husbands, Brothers, Sisters, moms and Friends! The Jeans are awesome and I love the accessories!! Check it out!
Have a great week! God Bless, D'Arcy

The Start of the busiest month of the year! December!

In these economic times please don't forget the people less fortunate! Photo of My boys making bears for toys for tots! My boys had the enjoyment of building a bear (they have $10 and $12 animals) then when finish they have a toys for tots bin right in the store! Killed two birds with one stone! My boys had a ball and learned a valuable lesson!(to give)

Happy Holidays to all! In the spirit of the season here is my favorite things for the week! #1Short bread cookies! This recipe is so fast and soooo yummy, Make 2 batches 1 for your home and one to give away!

Brown Sugar shortbread

1 cup butter (no substitutes)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2-1/4 cups all purpose flour

In a mixing bowl, cram butter and sugar. Gradually stir in flour. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 3 min. Pat into a 1/3 in thick rectangle measuring 11in. x 8in. Cut into 2-x1 in strip. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheet. prick with a fork. bake at 300 for 25 min. or until bottom begins to brown. cool for 5 min. remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Yields 3 dozen


2nd Favorite thing


Everyone who knows me knows I love Crowns! I found this cute little store on 25th street (25th street Boutique) A great store with fun bling tattoo art thermal shirts with of coarse Crowns, Fleur DE Le's, wings, sculls, Great prices! Fun jackets for $40.00 and way cute bling Jewelery!!! If your in the Neighborhood check it out!


Favorite thing #3


Bath and Body's Aloe Socks!!! love them and they make a great stocking stuffer or girlfriend gift! $7.50


#4


Teresa Colin's new paper line Crush!!! I will have it in stock in a couple of weeks! Love it!!!


#5 Ti Pan's Christmas tree displays! Wow what a decorators play house! This store has all the things to get your house ready for the Holidays! If you haven't been you must head on over! Clear field and St. George in Utah and in Rancho Cucumunga in Ca.


Hope you enjoy a few of my Favorite things! Don't forget to keep checking back for next weeks fav's!


December's All day crop Is the 13th! Take time out for yourself or finish Holiday gifts!

Pre order my monthly party cookbook special price of $19.99 due out in the Spring! All of my retreat and party recipe with tips and party themes!
Enjoy, D'Arcy

Photo's of My Thanksgiving table and family!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

So sorry I have not had any post lately! I promise I will post more!

My web sight is all updated and fun picture, plus the 2009 retreat dates are posted and my class calendar and workshop events! http://www.darcysretreats.com/

My Open House was a hit! Lots of fun products, Yummy food and of course festive cheer! If you missed it this year make sure you head over next year. I will be holing it for 2 days next year.(always in November!)

For the first time ever I did Black Friday!!! Wow it is all everyone says it is!!! So fun and great deals! We left the house at 7:45am (not the crazy stand in the cold at 4:00am) It was perfect timing to still get the door busters and sales but no pushing and fighting!!! Even all of the lines were fast moving! I am definitely hooked!!!!

The Damage! The whole back and I even remembered to use my "Green" Bags!!! (Note the costco bags are great for hiding gifts!) We did are part to help the economy!!!!!

I have started my decorating for Christmas and hope to be done by the 3rd! (I am only doing 6 trees this year!!) I will post photo's as soon as I am finished! Mean while take time to enjoy the season and Take time for yourself! A hot bubble bath with Peppermint oil or read a great Christmas book! In the hustle of the season don't forget the real meaning of Christmas.
Jesus birth , is the reason for this joyous holiday! God bless

October Retreat 2008!

My October retreat went great and the ladies were Awesome!!

Above photo pj party, then Bus tour at achievers, Tour at Mom and Me's

then a group photo! So sad we did not get everyone in the photo's!

I am so sorry I have not posted in a while. After the retreat was Crazy busy then Halloween! This time of year the day's just fly by, as you know!

My web sight should be updated be the end of next week, So please check it out for all the Great new changes!

Most of you know I am changing the location of my 2009 Retreats to a Bed and Breakfast style home a mile up the road from the hotel to better serve my clients and my needs. I am very excited about these changes and am positive everyone will love the more intimate setting and the attention to detail! 2009 dates will be posted on the web sight by the end of next week!

On another note My annual Holiday Boutique is November 14th from 5:00-9:30pm with more then 6 vendors, yummy food, prizes and free gift wrap! Always a fun night of holiday shopping, from clothes to candles and home decor! Hope to see you there!!
I have been working on a ton of handmade gift wrap container, cards and mini scrapbook albums that I am selling at the Boutique make sure you check back to see pictures.

Today is election day so hope you got out and voted!!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful fall and month of November and that god sends you all of his blessings! ox

wow! were does the time go! I promised you my favorite fall Items, that I decorate with and that was weeks ago! so here they are!

For those of you that do not know I have a background in interior design! I have been redecorating my whole house! These were some of the frames I made for one of the rooms I re-did! Love them!! So cute that I am going to make them for Christmas gifts!!

This is Blake!! the rooster! He sits in my Newly done dinning room! (my boys call him that!)

My favorite old Dutch goat cart, I bought it for my husband (He is dutch) for are anniversary! I found it at great little antique store in California! It was a splurge but totally worth it! Love it for every season!

My fun thing to collect is the vintage Halloween postcards and Halloween glittered mini pails! Love it!

I love this fun witches hat! Great center piece! My little one has his costume(clone trooper) my oldest is in 7th grade and thinks he is to cool to dress up! He even has a school dance but doesn't care! It's killing me!!!!!! Boys! We had Bunco this week and it was a Halloween theme! I went as an 80's jazzercise instructor!! Too funny and so much fun!! I have a birthday next week so my mom is flying in Tomorrow! So excited! We have a lot planned for the weekend tell Tue! Then I have a scrapbooking Bus tour on Wed-Thur. Next week followed by a scrapbooking retreat. October is always so busy but way fun! Look on my web sight for the new pictures of classes, new product, and page ideas! Just uploaded new! http://www.darcysretreats.com/ I also have a huge Holiday open house November 14th with 6 different ladies and over 11 booths! It gets bigger ever year! Everyone is welcome if you are in the neighborhood! 5:00-9:00pm Nov. 14th My home in Eden! Hope everyone has a great rest of the week and next week too! I won't be giving an update until after next week! oxo D'Arc

Ok so I just looked at the girl who one! She had almost the same Idea As me!!!! Bummer! She did hand made flowers out of paper and also did a vintage window! What are the chances!!! At least I wasn't far off the mark of what they would want in a winner!!

I forgot to tell you about my favorite place Dear lizzy's in Alpine, It is a cute shabby chic store and bistro!! Love it and the cupcakes are to die for!

Me and my sister! Yummy cupcakes!!!

Here was the pictures of my entry for the Jennie Bowlin Contest! I thought they were too cute! I did not win or make it to the top 3! I am sad! I Felt I had a chance!! I did not even make it to the top 14 because she contacted the top 14 to see blogs and gallery's. I was not contacted, What a bummer!
Always such a disappointment, that is why i normally do not enter contest!! Makes you wonder if they open all of the attachments they receive or do they go by names first! The winner pages are cute check it out for yourself on www,jenniebowlin.com blog

On another note, I hope all of you out there do not get this horrible cold that is going around!! I got it on Friday night and Saturday I felt aw full!! I got over it quick but now my family has it and my Husband has been sick for days!!!! You know men!!! So I hope for health for you all!!!
This weekend I get to scrapbook Friday and Sat. with girlfriends!!! Yea! Nobody to wait on or take care of! My girlfriend Jen plans it and we have it at Melissa's condo!!!! I hope to get a lot done! Free time!!!!
I will be adding those photo's I told you I would this weekend, so be checking back!! (Fall deco, Teresa Collins Halloween pages, my new display I built, and the travel pages!
Check out my new favorite web sight Velvet Strawberries!!!! D'Arcy

Just a note to thank all of the wonderful ladies that came to the Sept. retreat! What a fun group!

I know I am a little behind on my blog this week! So here is what happened last week and this week so far!!!

The new carpet went in... All done looks great and I had My house all put together that night!!! Love it! Lot's of energy lately
I decorated for Halloween and Fall my favorite! I will post some pictures next week! I even got a ton of fall baking done for the retreat ladies.. Hope they loved it!!!

My little dude had a soccer game and got 3 goals!!! Their on a winning streak! (so cute!)
Hudson is really working at making the basketball team for Jr. high! My sweet husband help me to build a bunch of new displays for my store and my Scrap Studio! I love how they turned out! I will post pictures of that too next week! I have to thank my little family for helping me set up for the retreat on Thur. The retreat was from Fri-sun and then they helped my pack it all up! Thanks Boys!! Love you!!! The above pictures is the group of ladies and one the fun bling rings they made for a make n take!
Monday I had another creative day making samples, decorating and fixing the displays! ( I will take it when I can get it! Sometimes I get such a creative block!!!)

My sister and My darling Nephew came to visit and we have been having to much fun!!! This is a photo of the boys having Dizzy Lizzy's at my favorite shabby Chic store and sweets parlor! (Dear Lizzy's) They have the best Cup cakes! What a treat!!! Then off we went to Gardner's Village to see the witch displays! Today the Dinosaurs park and a soccer game!

Grey's was on tonight so we had to have a Little TV break! You know that is one of my favorite things!!!! Love Thursday nights!!!!! It is really fun having my sister and the little dude for a visit! The boys really enjoy each other...

Photo Gallery on my web site darcysretreats.com has more photo's of Sept. Retreat!! Talk with you next week and be looking for more photo's!!!! D'Arc

Here are the photo's of my Bon Appetite 3 page class! this was a $20.00 class, I still have a couple kits left if you want to purchase one just email me darcyscrapper@aol.com I love this paper! Real fun for any food photo's or baking! I am making a little recipes book out of this line! The class will be on my November calendar, just in time for a Christmas gift!

Another busy week finished!
We started out last week with my husband and I having a Date!( long needed!! ) 4 months since our last one... We had a great time until or oldest called and said he rolled the quad!! He did not have his helmet on!!!!!! Thank goodness our baby sitter's dad is a fire fighter/ paramedic and they live just up the street!!!!! He is OK.. Thank you, lord!!! He could had killed himself , a boy a couple of weeks ago did kill himself doing the same thing!!!! So scary!! BOYS!!!!
He should not have been on it while we were gone!!!! I think he has learned his lesson..
Tuesday's class went well.( Bon appetite line from Teresa Collins line) I will post photo's later today.. My Halloween 12x12 pages are really cute too! Class October 15th Picture's of this class I will post next week. I have finished a ton of projects and kits I am selling & will post photo's on the new scrapbooking store tab soon.. The 12x12 page layouts are fun!
Thursday was are little ones 2nd soccer game.(Ben's the coach and I am the team mom!) We won! The little guys were so excited..... So cute to see little 5 year olds running around! I think they play for the treat sac!!! Plus we had the Ski team dinner, I had to make Dessert ! (brownie, chocolate chip cheese cake!!!) YUMMY!!!
Friday was the fall walk a thon and in the evening was the fall festival. I volunteered for both so it took up a lot of my day. The kids all have fun and it raises $$$$ for the school. Hamps. ran 50 times around the basketball court...And he was beat by Nolan who did 60! He was still 1st in his class...
Sat. We were off as a family at 8:00am to Salt Lake for the Dew Tour..(MOTO) All day outdoor events... Then dinner at C.P.K. My boys favorite!!
Sunday was full of Decorating and finishing up projects... I decorated our last guest room and worked on the scrap Studio classroom... Too cute I will post some picture. So no church today!!
Then we had to move out, all of the furniture on our main floor to get the new flooring for today.....We are always doing something to the house it's only 4 year old but since we bought it last year we have changed almost everything.... (Still a ton to do) We could have built but we loved the Neighborhood and the views of the valley and the lake are so beautiful!!!!
Anyone that knows me knows I get bored with rooms very fast and have to redecorate them all of the time! (guess all the years of owning stores and changing displays all of the time, help cure that....) Now that I don't, I redo my house..... I did start decorating for people again... Yes I threw that into the mix...... I have done 4 condos and am working on a couple of house right now! I am only going to do this through word of mouth, so a couple of project's a year will be great!
So this week I am gearing up for my 2ND to last retreat of the year (it's this weekend!) The projects are way cute and the menu is very fall...(It will be in my book!)
Speaking of fall! FALL is my very favorite season! The smell, the colors, decorating and the comfort foods.... LOVE! I started decorating my house for fall and then stopped due to the new flooring. Hopefully I will get it all done before I have to set up for the retreat at the lodge this Thurs. I really due enjoy decorating for this beautiful season... (the flooring guys were going to be here at 10:00am and it is now 1:15pm So they are behind! Hope I get to sleep in my bed tonight!!!)LOL. I wrote a mouth full today, I guess I might be stalling I need to go down to my studio and finish a bunch of stuff but I am not feeling it!!
Take time to take in the beauty around you, Light a fall smelling candle,bake some cookies or take some outdoor pictures of your kids!!! I think I am going to take the advise from myself and do at least 2 of those things!!!!! Have a wonderful week !! D'Arcy

Photo of ladies from the June scrapbooking retreat!


Life as a mother of a jr. high school kid and a kindergartner! I never thought I could be so busy!
Up at 6:30 (anybody that knows me knows I like 8:00am) Get breakfast going, get Hudson Up at 7:00am drive him to school at 7:25, get back wake up Hampton7:45 , get him ready and bus stop by 8:10! Come home grab a Quick snack ( I do not like to eat Breakfast this early) get dressed for workout, go to work out, get home at 10:45 shower& dressed and then it's time to go get Hampton 12:20 from bus stop! Get back home go to My Studio work tell I need to go pick up Hudson from School or later if it's Basketball then get home maybe get a chore done then it's time to make dinner, clean up dinner and before you know it, it is time to get the kids bathed and to bed at 9:30!!!! Then I still have a ton to do before I go to bed at 12 0r 1:00 am! Then I start all over!!!! How do people with more then 2 kids do it!!!! I also know I am not the only mother out there! WE all do this! (we need a vacation!) To think school has only been in session for 2 weeks. I need a nap! Lost 5lbs though! I also have to throw in soccer days and music lessons and helping in the class rooms...oh ya I wouldn't have it any other way! love those little turkeys and boy can they be turkeys!!!
With this schedule I managed to get my web sight updated, new photo gallery, schedule, and shopping gallery. New scrapbooking kits ! Right now it has to be shop by email and send checks tell I can get pay pal set up! So go check it out! http://www.darcysretreats.com/ I also entered the Jenni Bowlin Contest. (say prayers) You had to use her kit from Aug. and do 1 scrapbook page and one altered project!!! I love how mine turned out, I will show pictures later! Contest results are out Oct. 1st.. I hope I hope!!!! I don't really ever do the contest thing, I have gotten so disappointed in the past! Something just said do this!!!
One last thing before I go to bed and end my day, I was very lucky to have meet Shylow who owns A Page For All Seasons and she kindly has been donating the cutest page kits for my retreats! I love them and so have all of my ladies. They are way cute and come from a great group of designers. Please check them out at http://www.apageforallseasons.com/ or the link on my web sight! Thanks again Shylow!!!! Goodnight to all of you busy mommies!!!! D'Arc

Fall is in the air!!! Already! The trees are starting to change, Hudson started jr. high and Hampton starts Kinder on Tue. Sept. 1st is already monday! The time just flys buy! Down with one retreat and time to get ready for the 1st of my 2 fall retreats! (I had some cancelations so I need to fill them up!)
I have done so many email blasts and computer work this week! No more for the rest of the week! Friday I need to spend the whole day in my studio! I have to work on Idea pages for the new product, finish the new page kits(pictures coming soon) Plus do the 3 make and takes and two classes for the Sept. Retreat! Crazy!!!
I love the fall it's to fast this year! The new fall/Holiday gold canyon candles just came out! Yummy! Due to the chillier weather I burned a pumpkin today! It also got me in the mood to start working on the Sept. retreat theme!(Apples and fall leaves) With baskets and red and orange paper goods! I will work on the menu this weekend!
Good news for you ladies that have been asking me for my recipes and tips on how I do things and how I plan an event! I a writing a book!!! I never thought in a million years that statement would come out of my mouth!!!! But I am I have had so many request to do it, that I started working on it! Stay tuned!!!
I hope everyone has a fun Labor day weekend! Talk with you next week!

Wow fall is in the air!

My boys!!! love them!

Retreat went great! Thank you to all that attented the retreat and day crop!!! I think all of the ladies had a blast! I am so tired!! I needed a nap! Hudson started jr. High today, so last night after taking down the retreat and then putting it all away I had to stay up late to get him ready for his big day! ( He said it was great!) Hampton doesn't start tell next week!
Hampton got 1st in his race moto race again on Sat. plus 1st over all!!! Another big *** trophy!!!
(where to put them????) He came to the retreat and all of the girls cheered for him! He got so shy.... Love it!
Now the landry, house cleaning, computer work, and kit making I need to do!
My kits and photo's should be on my blog next week! so check back! (fun stuff)
Have a wonderful evening!

Just some photo's of my Work Studio!
I will add classroom and Scrap Studiostore photo's soon!!!