A Part of Our Family!

Cooper is such a huge part of our family. So much so that we are bringing him with us on vacation. Steve wouldn't get a vacation place where we couldn't take him! I did this layout to document how lucky we are to have him! I also wanted to record a health scare we had with him. As we waited for the results, Steve had such a hard time. Haven't seen that man cry too much, but I would hear him doing just that during those few weeks. The story has a happy ending though, because Coop is just fine now! This one was in Memory Makers Idea Gallery 2008! I created the large #1 on the computer and then used it a a tracer! Added some layering and handstitching--it was good to go!

Journaling: You are one lucky dog. You escaped from our backyard once. Lucky for you, a good friend was driving by and rescured you. Last September, you hurt your ear, which seemed like nothing. It indirectly led to the discovery of a cancerous tumor. We caught it early before it spread-you are fine now. Lucky for you, lucky for us!

Almost August!

I can't believe the number of water photos I have taken this summer between the beach, wading pool, kiddie pool and sprinkler! Apparently, it has been a wet summer so far and we have all of August left! I love these pictures I was able to catch of Ella because they show her raw emotion and excitement about going down the slide. That girl has no fear! I loved these Inque Boutique chipboard swirls and wanted to use them as "splashes". I added a little Stickles and kept the rest of the design simple to highlight them on the page! Again, all supplies are from the August kit over at The Nook! You should get yours today because these babies are selling out quick!

Don't forget, you have a few days to get those September submissions in to ScrapStreet.com Magazine! We love to feature talented artists and have showcased the work of many wonderful crafters! Make yourself one of those people! I am looking for layouts with journaling that really elaborates the story. Think about stretching it out in slow motion or adding vivid details with your words! Go through those galleries and see what fits or create something new today!

Makes Me Happy Part I

Makes Me Happy: Part II

A finished mini-album has a way of making me feel so happy! They are so darn cute! I made this one using the goodies from the August kit over at The Nook. The chipboard is from Inque Boutique and paper from October Afternoon! I chose to document how our home is our summer retreat! We do have a blast together all summer! I am heading off to vacation next week to a cottage on the beach. I think I am going to pack a few items to complete one or two minis while I am there. How fun!

Its the Weekend!

Happy Weekend! I cannot believe how fast the summer is going by. Once August comes and all the "Back to School" sales hit, I feel really depressed. I am lucky enough to adore my job, but it has been nice sleeping later, seeing the kids a bunch and scrapping lots. Here is another layout I made recently. It is about how I love Ella's cute bangs, her classic-little-girl look! All supplies are from the August kit over at The Nook. Am I really fortunate enough to get to use their kits every month? The online world is funny. I never thought I would actually make friends over the computer. But, I sure have. From my sisters over at ScrapStreet, the girls at 2 Peas and now my friends over at The Nook. Pretty cool!

You should come check out the boards and the fantastic gallery at The Nook! Sign in, introduce yourself and join in! Hope to see you there! Happy Saturday!

My Dad!

I went home recently for a family picnic. My parents and sisters live about 45 minutes away from me so we don't get together as much as I would like. Of course, I took a bunch of pictures. When I was looking through them, I found this great photo of my dad. He just looks so strong and handsome. Steadfast. That is how he has been my whole life! He is technically my step-dad, but to me he is just dad! Everything you see here came from the yummy August kit over at The Nook. It has great colors and awesome chipboard! The journaling says it all: I know that you vividly remember the day I first called you Dad. In my memory, that is all I have ever known you as. Many men are fathers, but being a dad is what really counts. You were there, called me your own, loved me! They say that blood is thicker than water, but I think that love is the thickest of all. Thanks for being the best dad. I love you!

I thank God for him!

CHA---so great

I am tired, my back is sore, my feet hurt, but my heart is soo happy after going to CHA. It was an amazing experience in every way! I met my ScrapStreet girls in person! Bri and I got to have our embrace in the airport! Dora, the editor, opened her home to us! All weekend, we laughed soo hard! I can't believe how easy it was, how comfortable--it felt like we were all old friends!

I saw great products, participating in ordering kits, got some great goodies and met some of my scrapping idols! I ran into Celeste Smith at the airport and summoned the courage to go introduce myself. I hugged Alicia from Dream Street Papers, who I participate in Layout a Day with (I love her work.) Did I really talk to Courtney Walsh at the Chatterbox booth(which had amazing products!!!)? The same Courtney who I have adored in Memory Makers! And, oh, did I have the introduction of a lifetime with Kelly Goree! She is a Pea and recognized me (umm, not sure how that happened--I mean it is KELLY GOREE)! I, on the other hand, did not recognize her (her avator shows her sitting sideways, looking up) even though I am one of her biggest fans. So she asks to see my tag and says something like "I knew it was Stacey Michu." I am all cool because I am not recognizing her. I sit and start making and taking. Ten minutes later, I ask her, "What is your two peas name?" All my ScrapStreet gals just want to die because they know who it is and I have just stuck my foot in my mouth! She looks over and says, "Kelly Goree". Well, the look on my face! The mouth dropped, face turned red and I said, "nu, uh." Yep, it was her! I then started gushing, but the hole was dug! She tried to make me feel better by sharing how she once did the same type of thing with Becky Higgins. We laughed, a lot, and laughed about it the next day too. She is as sweet as she is talented!

It was a wonderful experience! A big thank you to Dora for the amazing opportunity and weekend!

What's In a Name?

That is the challenge at So Tell Me Your Story. I had so much fun creating this layout about my name, really my middle name! I have disliked my middle name forever and usually keep it under wraps, but here I am telling you all! Journaling reads: Yeah so I have worked hard to keep my middle name a secret for reasons that are obvious. "Edythe" sounds like Edith, as in Edith Bunker. Was I teased over that during high school! I inherited the name from a great aunt (you think). In college, it was changed into Edie--a nickname for my other, wild self. HeHe! Nice, thanks mom--just great!

I encourage you to head on over, check out the challenge, create a layout, and post it for a chance to win some RAK from Lucy! Can't wait to see what you create!

Busy, busy!

Whew! It has been busy the past few days. Mostly family stuff with some scrapbooking squeezed in. I have also been busy catching up on Design Star! I am such a sucker for Reality T.V. I have been working on my articles for ScrapStreet and getting ready to leave for Chicago! Here is a two pager I made to document the details of my hometown! I am lucky enough to live in a town with a historic district! I decided to do a flip book to add more journaling about each site I photographed. We make these flip books at school with the third graders. I can't wait to use the idea again on another layout!

Good news! I have been invited to join the team over at The Nook. I really love it there. Why? The gallery rocks, the people are friendly and they come from places all over the world. Plus, Leah puts together amazing kits. What is not to love? I am really thrilled to be there and can't wait to learn and grow with everyone over the next few months. You should definitely come check it out!

Documenting Me

So the first challenge over at So Tell Me Your Story is to do a layout about your beginning, the day you were born. When I saw it, I realized that I didn't know much about that day. How was my mom's labor? (Quick & thank goodness she passed that trait down to me) Did her water break? (yes) Who was with her? Lucy also put this cool link to a place called Time Capsule where you could find out facts about things like the price of milk, top movies that year...I don't have any baby pictures. None from when I was just born. So I used recent photos and came up with this layout! So glad I documented this! You should give it a try and link your project in the comments section here!

By the way, all these goodies came from the July kit over at The Nook! Yummy!

Still Reeling...

OMG! My head is just spinning and has been since I clicked onto the link that Courtney Walsh gave us to lead us to the Chatterbox DT call-backs. Never in a million years did I actually think my name would be on that list. When I spotted it, I said out loud, "That's my name. Is that my name?" Then I looked at the other names and thought no way!!! I tried asking my 3 year old if that was my name, but he really wasn't any help. I thought I was hallucinating. Thank goodness I got an email from Courtney (who is soo nice) right at that moment to prove that I wasn't. Wow, I have always loved Chatterbox products and the new stuff just rocks. To even be considered alongside those super talented ladies (did you see the names?), it truly an honor. I will be waiting anxiously to receive my goodies and promise to give it my all for the next round! Thank you to Courtney and Chatterbox for believing in me! Yipee!

Be My Guest!

So I have said a billion times on this blog that I just adore the Color Combos Galore Challenges! Well, a pretty cool thing happened to me this week. Janet asked me to be the Guest Designer and create a layout for this week's colors! In celebration of the holiday weekend, an Independence Day theme was also incorporated!

Well, my family didn't attend any picnics or fireworks so I was a bit stumped. Then I thought about what the holiday means. I realized that my kids have no idea that there is a war going on, have no idea about all of the sacrifices that many men and women have and continue to make to keep this country safe. They shouldn't know about that now. But they should know someday. I also scrapped this for me. I am not directly impacted because I don't have a loved one serving in the military. Yet, people I care about dearly have loved ones who are fulfilling their duties. I needed to do this for what they are giving up. The journaling reads: Each day, Daddy & I do our best to protect you. But there is something you don't realize yet. This Independence Day, there are people who are fighting for your freedom & safety. We owe them so much. They are brave and strong. With pride, they stand up for you. I won't soon forget. Now, neither will you.

That is the beauty of a challenge. They make you consider a topic you wouldn't have ever scrapped without them. Thanks Janet! It was my honor!

So Tell Me YOUR Story!

WooHoo! I can finally share some very exciting news! I have been asked to join the Design Team for an awesome new challenge blog called So Tell Me Your Story! The busy and talented, Lucy Chesna, has started it! I have been checking out the other DT girl's blog, and I am in such good company! The philosophy behind the whole blog is something I really believe in! Basically, there will be two challenges each month to get you to scrap all about yourself. So many times we do layouts about our families and loved ones, but are we recording enough about ourselves? Just this past year, I have started to use scrapbooking as a form of journaling. Years ago, I kept actual journals where wrote to find my center as a person. Now, I do this on my pages. I like to tell the truth, good, bad and ugly to show my family who I am and how I feel. I think my kids and their kids will really appreciate it one day.

There are a ton of challenge blogs out there. I adore this one because it is so meaningful! Plus, who can't handle one or two layouts about themselves each month? The first challenge is up: Scrap about the day you were born!

So head on over there, check it out, and leave a comment! Be sure to include my name in your comments too! Can't wait to start creating for this one. Join me!!

Independence Day!

Happy fourth of July! It is such a quiet holiday for us this year--no picnics, parties, fireworks. Hmmm--may have to at least have a hot dog later. Speaking of independence in a different way, this picture of the two kiddos makes me giggle. They were so little. Ella was just days old here. Now, they are both fiercely independent and strong-willed! I rescrapped this photo because I thought it would be perfect with this week's Color Combo Challenge colors! I added in a bit of green just to make it all pop! Journaling reads: This is the second time I've used this picture. The first time, I reflected on how Nathan was handling the transition to having Ella around. There was a rough patch and I felt a lot of guilt. Over the years, that has most certainly changed. I often comment to Daddy that we have given you both a wonderful gift--each other. Because when I see you with each other now--there is only love!

I am amazed lately about how my two kids adore each other. Yes, they still fight a lot. But they also really look out for each other. When we are at the park, Nathan doesn't go more than ten minutes before he has to know where Belle is. It is so sweet!

Let me end by saying that when it rains it pours. The scrapping gods are good to me right now! More about that later...

Bling It On!

I am not usually a bling kind of gal, but lately, I am obsessed. It just adds so much sparkle to a page! Love this picture of me and the kids because Steve caught this moment where they were kissing me! We often have little love fests like this! Journaling reads: Before the two of you came, I was a little aloof. I've never been a hugger. Inside, I've always wished I was more comfortable with it. Then I met you & my wish came true. I can't get enough hugs & kisses now. How can such little people teach such a big lesson!

Yeah, I'm mushy now! Who would've thunk it?

Excitement!

That is my word of the day! It is the first of the month, so the new ScrapStreet Magazine comes out. My first journaling column debuts this month and I am so proud. The writing process is one that I truly enjoy and I dreamed about contributing to a scrapbooking magazine one day. Here I am! Teaches you to dream and believe it. My feature is called The Open Road and the article is titled, Find Your Voice! Two of my layouts are in the article. I would love for you to check it out and let me know your thoughts! The rest of the magazine is fabulous too, so spend some time looking around while you are there!

In other exciting news, I made the cut for the design team call over at The Nook! It is a great site--very friendly and active! I am soo inspired by the gallery there--truly talented ladies post their work everyday! Can't believe I am in the top 30 and feel honored to be in this group of ladies. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

I will have a new layout tomorrow!!!