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Monday, December 29, 2008
Enjoying a Cup
Ahh, vacation. I am sitting here, typing, enjoying a cup of coffee with no real worries. Yes, I need to clean out my kid's drawers and change the kitty litter, but those things can wait. I feel relaxed. Just started Twilight and I am in love with Bella and Edward. Like seriously, the chemistry jumps off the pages. Yes, I know that I am like a year behind jumping on this bandwagon, but better late than never!
I have been creating a bunch. I have never dove into a kit quite like the Jan. one from The Nook! I really am enjoying the Webster's Pages papers and trims! And I have been creating for the Memory Makers calls. It has been so long since I submitted, mostly because I hate having to hold my stuff from being seen. But, I love the topic of this call and it is making me scrap some difficult things like I have been thinking about for a while. Hopefully, I won't be able to share for a while! LOL! The big Pink Paislee decision will be made soon! Gosh, it would be a dream come true. I am sure that like 6,000 people have tried out. But a girl can dream right???
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Holiday Surprise!
Speaking of suprises, we received a huge one on Christmas day. My sister handed my mom a frame and told me to get my camera ready. Well, this photo came next.
Monday, December 22, 2008
12 Days!
Vacation is almost here and let's hope that these two get along like this over the course of those 12 days. Because when it is not "happy and smiles", it is "pulling your hair, hitting, screaming, and whining". LOL! I am so thrilled to have been able to capture these photos! They look so happy, don't they? I was happy to scrap them using the January kit from The Nook. Sigh! This kit is just amazing. Really, I am in love with the Webster's Pages and had no idea how much I love this product! I have hand-cut my little heart out and have made some of my favorite layouts!
The journaling on this reads: Daddy and I have the honor of watching you two grow. We often look at each other and smile. We can't get over how close you have become-the bond that you have formed. There is real love and affection. It grows every day just as our love for you does. 2008
Last day of work tomorrow and then the fun begins! (I hope...)
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Where Have I Been?
Making Christmas cards maybe? Buried under reports and paperwork at school? Lost in the confusion that is my house? Or all of the above! It has been a busy week and I was really feeling it on Thursday. But after making some headway with wrapping presents and having a snow day on Friday, I am better. I can't believe Christmas is only 5 days away! It went by so fast! Since I am in the Christmas spirit, I will let you in on a way that you can win $150 worth of scrappy stuff. Just follow the link here and be prepared to be awed. Wouldn't it be nice??? I also wanted to let you know that the Jan. kit from The Nook is just amazing! I have been playing and will post some stuff soon!
I hope you are all having a nice weekend!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Showing Appreciation!
As we get closer to the holiday and the New Year, I find myself thinking about all those people who are important to me, everyone who plays a role in my life. Most of these people live within reach. I see them on a consistent basis. But some are spread all around. I have contact with them on the computer---like my sisters over at ScrapStreet, the ladies from The Nook, the women from Two Peas! This past week, I was charged to do a layout about wishes that have come true. It is the new challenge that is up over at the So Tell Me Your Story blog. I decided to focus on the scrapbooking part of my life and use this photo of the ScrapStreet girls and me at CHA last year.
All the perks of ScrapStreet are awesome! But the real draw is the community. They support, comfort, redirect and care. This layout is about achieving some of my scrappy goals, but even more, it is about how I got on an airplane by myself. I flew to meet people I hadn't met before. How I jumped into a new situation feet first. Maybe because I knew that there would be people there to guide me! The journaling reads: I dreamed of designing & writing for a scrapbooking magazine, going to CHA--all dreams I held inside. Then, I found ScrapStreet. Best part--I met them.
It really is the best part!
Speaking of So Tell Me Your Story, my time with the Design Team has come to an end. Wow! Six months went by so fast! I truly appreciate the opportunity that Lucy gave me to be a part of the team. I have loved creating the all about me layouts! Thanks Lucy!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Weekend, Whew!!
So happy it is the weekend, although it is going to be a busy one! I am in one of the crazy phases at work too and just need to get through the next few days. It might mean that I need to put my scrappy stuff down a bit...Sigh! I have been creating a bunch the past few days, but can't share yet.
Here is a little gift idea I came up with. I had this vision of altering a candle and my hubbie walked in one day with a Yankee candle in the glass jar. Perfect! I ended up making this cute little "apron" to cover the bottom. It is easy to do. Just decide on your papers and focal embellishment, and start putting them together. As I went to wrap mine around the candle, I realized that I was short. It is bigger than 12 inches around. Made me think about creating a tie in the back! I used eyelets and ribbon to solve my problem. I accidentally came up with the apron concept. I love it because I didn't actually have to adhere anything to the glass. It can be removable so once the season is over and if I still have some candle left, I can just take it off!
I used the Dec. Kit from The Nook to make this! A bunch of very cool die-cuts come with the kit. I have found them easy to use, allowing for all sorts of projects and cards!!!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Is It Friday Yet?
I woke up today feeling pretty icky--sore throat, stuffy, you know how it goes. After being awake for a bit, I feel somewhat better. But I can just feel it, brewing. Waiting for me to push too hard. And I am definitely one to push too hard. Oh well, at least this layout makes me happy. I love Urban Prairie soo much. The colors rock. I layered with a bunch of the stickers and papers. I decorated my daughter's room in the same color scheme! The Ki Paper is very cool. I feel like making placemats with them. I was trying to get a Christmas card photo on Thanksgiving and caught these pictures. They are sweet, sometimes.
Speaking of sweet, I had two of my scrappy friends give me this award! How fun! I am glad that the blog is appreciated. Somedays I wonder if anyone is looking. LOL!
In turn, I need to nominate 5 blogs I love. Well, I love lots of blogs, but I will narrow it to 5.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Decorating Weekend!
Can't wait to put up our Christmas tree this weekend! The kids are very into the holiday season this year and can't get enough of reindeers, Santa, and lights! I started decorating the rest of the house, and will use some crafty stuff I have created. Speaking of Christmas trees, I made this layout the other night using my Dec. kit from The Nook. I swear that I wasn't originally going to "build" a tree. I knew that I wanted to pair the pictures like that and wanted to use the I Love Santa diecut. As I was layering, I realize that I was creating a tree. I put the star on top and was done. One hour. Love when that happens!
These pictures crack me up. Nathan and Ella have both been a little bit afraid of Santa. Last year, Nathan at least sat down, but wasn't very thrilled. I love the look he is giving Santa. Ella just cried, loudly. But what else is new. LOL!
If you want to get in the holiday spirit even more, here are a few links. Check out The Nook's Design Team's cards. We are posting one each and every day for the month of December! Also, Leah is sharing her talents with us, providing a class on how to complete a mini album. I adore what she has shown so far. Check it out here for more!! The Nook is full of amazing inspiration! If you would love to be a part of that, consider trying out for the design team. It has been an amazing experience for me and I am sure you would feel the same way! Check out the details here!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
ScrapStreet Fun!
Happy Wednesday everyone! Just wanted to remind you that the new issue of ScrapStreet.com Magazine is up! I enjoyed writing my Open Road column and hope that I provided some easy-to-follow tips to enhance your journaling. This was the first month where I asked guest designers to help me out and I love what they came up with! Thank you to Katie, Jen, Jessica, Audrey and Janneke! I also had the pleasure to write an article featuring the 2 Sketches 4 You blog! Love that place and working with Kazan on the article was awesome (she is sooo sweet). If you haven't checked it out, you need to!
You all might be very interested to know that The Nook is having a design team call. I can't believe 6 months has gone by so fast! I have really loved every second there. I plan to try out again and encourage you to give it a go too! It is a great community with great kits and people!
I leave you today with a few cards I did last month for Showroom in ScrapStreet! Love these colors!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Happy December!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Next!
It is like I can just hear someone yelling out, "Next..." as a signal that Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is just around the corner. Maybe it is just a bad memory of the not-so-nice lady at Toys R Us yesterday morning. I know that there were a million people in the store since 5:00 a.m., but it doesn't give anyone the right to be rude. Thanksgiving was great. The kids are at an age where they just play, which meant Steve and I could actually relax this year. Nathan and Ella both tried turkey and stuffing. Black Friday shopping was fun--love hanging out with my other BFFs even if they do torture me all the time. I am on food overload and haven't scrapped in days, which is making me a bit cranky. But all and all, it has been a great holiday weekend.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Giving Thanks!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Our BFF!
Ever since I read the book "Marley & Me", I find that I appreciate our dog even more than before. And I make sure to find time every day to hang out with Coop! He is our 7 year old, 100 lb. golden retriever. Our original child and now the best friend to the family. It is funny how pets can make such an impact on a family! The journaling on this one reads: I once said that you were one lucky dog. But really we are the lucky ones. You teach us how to be loyal and loving, how to play, finding simple pleasure on a sunny day. You teach us to stop and relax, demanding at least one belly rub every day. You add so much to our lives. Yes, you are a dog, but you're also our bff.
**EDITED with pics! Just wanted to thank my two lovely friends Marcia and Tina for a wonderful afternoon. We had great food, great conversation, and great fun! Wish we could do it more often! P.S. We don't look so bad for three gals who graduated from high school 2o years ago! LOL!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Christmas Already???
Every where I look, I see signs of of the holiday season. The stores are packed with decorations, gift bundles and wrapping paper. It seems soo early, but then I remember that Thanksgiving is next week!!! So, to continue to get everyone in the mood for the holidays, I am sharing my latest layout! I used the December kit from The Nook, which arrived a few days ago. I tore right into it because I simply adore the Cosmo papers and the yummy trims! It is a good thing that I didn't scrap any of my Christmas pictures from last year!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Thankful!
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! I can't wait as it is my favorite meal of the year! But it is special for other reasons too. It's a time to stop and really give a quiet thanks for all my blessings. I think I want to start a gratitude journal again. Even if I just try to fill it out once every month. My favorite part about journaling is actually looking back, seeing where I have come from, where I still have to go.
To get us in the mood for the holiday, Lucy posted a new challenge over at So Tell Me Your Story. The charge is to do a layout showcasing what you are thankful for. I came up with the layout above. I used the very yummy Fancy Pants Daily Grind line. I adore these colors and actually handcut most of the details! The journaling reads: Sometimes I find myself smiling, feeling grateful for my blessings. Our babies, this house, our love, friends and family. There was a time when everything I have now felt like a distant dream. But it is real. All these blessing begin with us. So thank you for all the gifts you have given. For loving me.
What are you thankful for?
Friday, November 14, 2008
I Feel This Way Sometimes!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Oh, and something else that is pretty cool--Head on over to ScrapScene to see my "Today" layout and ribbon tutorial featured as one of a few tutorials in today's post by Angie! I don't know about you, but I am addicted to ScrapScene! I take a trip there daily and have found many awesome blogs from their site. Funny thing is, once you go there, it will take you right back here! LOL!
Have a good one!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
For a Good Cause!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Today!
I have 8 billion things to do today. Things I have to do and things I want to do! Any guesses as to which of these will actually get done! I was inspired to create the layout using the title of Today based on the challenge over at the Journaler's Junction. I had the opportunity to write an article in ScrapStreet.com Magazine featuring their very cool blog! I took these pictures the other morning before work. Yup, they were standing in the driveway. I wanted some pictures because I knew this fabulous kit was on the way from The Nook. Seriously, look at the colors and the mix of embellishments. I journaled to capture what this "Today" was like. It reads: "Today you...fought, hugged, screamed, argued, & hugged again. All before 8:00 a.m." Isn't that the way it is every day!
I wanted to create an interesting use for the ribbon in the kit so I made a criss-cross pattern using eyelets. It is all about threading the ribbon using a diagonal pattern. It was very easy to accomplish and I think it adds a nice touch to the layout. I like the idea of the ribbon overlapping and connecting--sorta like my kids do! If you would like specific directions for completing the ribbon effect, check out my technique class over at The Nook.
Hope your today is wonderful!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Thomas, Here We Come!!
Just a FYI: I continue to compile a list of guest designers to contribute to my journaling article! Hoping to have a pool full of people and call on different scrappers each month. So if you haven't already, let me know if you are interested in getting involved at some point! My email is on the sidebar! Off to scrap, it is Friday night after all! (yeah, I know. No life...)
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Swamped!
Off to bed now. I have been glued to the TV tonight as history has just been made in our country. I want to live in a place where we can live judgement free and where things like color, size, disability and religious beliefs are recognized, honored. A place where we look for strengths, embrace uniqueness, and just care about a common cause. Not sure if this history will help us get there or not. I am choosing to have faith that it will.
Off my soap box and into bed! Good night everyone!