Getting Ready

Seems like life is always about getting ready...LOL!

We have gotten the kitchen ready to lay down the hardwood floors.  Cabinets are gone, wall is down and the new wiring is in.  I can live with the loss of the room.  We have a make shift kitchen in our living room.  The dust is killing me though. 

We are getting ready for our hometown carnival tommorrow.  The kids are very excited for the rides and for the fireworks tomorrow.  I am so bringing my camera!

I am getting ready to go to CHA...a little over a week away.  I can't wait to see old friends and meet new ones.  It was awesome to meet so many of my online friends in person last year.  Plus, I am so excited to see all the new product.  Seeing it all in person with the buzz of the show always makes me want to scrap.

Speaking of scrapping, here are a couple of cards I made with the July kit from the Nook.

The Maya Road chipboard clothes are so darn cute!  Had to use them on these cards.

Time to get ready for bed!  Happy Friday!

My Sunshine

My kids...
the light in my life

I really love spending all this time with them.  Summer and the renovation equals filling the time. But it is not a chore. Library, movies, sprinkler parks, meals out.  It has been fun. 

It overrides everything and brings me right back to what is important.

So I am thrilled to be their mom.

This one...his eyes.  They are his father's eyes!

All supplies are from the July My Scrapbook Nook kit.  Love those Jenni Bowlin cards and the Lily Bee!

Heres to another sunny day!

Sunday Sketch!

I can't believe another week flew by!  We have been enjoying quality family time and lots of craziness around here.  The AC is fixed without having to invest in a whole new unit and we feel calm, cool and collected again!

It was my turn to post over at the Pink Paislee blog today (I still get giddy when I get to type that!) and I shared a sketch.  I have to say that sketches sometimes hang me up.  I get visualizations of pages and imagine how I want to use product far in advance or as I am pushing paper, so looking at a sketch can throw me off.  But I found many I like over at Sketchy Thursdays.   The circles drew me into the one I picked which is here on the Pink Paislee blog!

Here is my layout:

I made the basic layout and layered the die-cuts like I always did, but then was stuck.  So I thought of the lollipops.  Orginally they were flat and a bit boring, but then I had the thought to make them dimensional.  I just layered two same-sized circles, but I folded the top in half and popped it up.  The layout still looked flat so I decided to make my lollys shiny, like real candy.  A little diamond glaze did the trick!  It looks pretty cool in person!

Being on a team like PP, I always try to think extra creatively.  I knew I wanted journaling, but didn't want to use strips.  Thats when I remembered the rub-ons.  A bit of trimming and I had interesting and bold journaling lines!

Another layout to add to my ever growing pile.  I really need to order some albums.  I have a stack of pages sitting in my bookcase...anyone else do that too!?

Hope your weekend was great and you enjoy the last few minutes!

Forward Progress

Want to see my house?  The place I have talked about for so long? Here it is!  I love the black, gray and white!

The walkway to the backyard.  I can't take credit for this awesome gardens...it was all my Mother in-law.

The patio where we have spent so much time.  Really, we eat every meal out here.  The kids ride their bikes and Nathan has created chalk masterpieces time and time again!

Our shed...isn't she cute!  It is like another little house in the backyard.

We have some taming of the landscaping to do, but overall...we adore the outside. 

Maybe because we are trying to steer clear of the inside...LOL.  Week one of renovations are done and the new upstairs bathroom is built.  Plumbing is roughed in and wiring has occurred.  The drywall went up and the first coat of tape is on.  We ended up going 8 X 10 and it is so nice!  We still have 370 square feet of living space up there.  I actually appreciate the division the bathroom has caused because otherwise it would be like decorating a banquet hall!  LOL! 

Here are a few pictures from a couple of days ago when just the frame of the bathroom was being started.  I will share updated ones soon.

Our office wall is completely torn down.  Yep, the room I am typing in right now.  Half is a make shift space where the computer is and the other half is covered with plastic and piping.

And the kitchen gets torn down on Tuesday.  Oh boy!

But it is all forward progress.  It is a mess right now.  Our AC is still broken and we may be looking at a new unit.  Thus, we may not be able to furnish this place for a while.  But it is forward progress.

I will just keep on repeating that!

Numbers

Ever think about the numbers that are important in your life?

Like right now it is 100 degrees and we have 0 air conditioners. The kids are cranky times 5 and well, I am not in great shape either. I ordered enough flooring for 410 square feet yesterday. We need to be at the library for 10:15 for story hour. Only 20 days until CHA.

I got a cute Jenni Bowlin journaling card in the July Nook kit and it totally inspired me to create this layout:



Here is the journaling. I just made a running list of all the numbers that are key to my life. Think year of graduation, number of times I have moved...



I don't have a wide-format printer, so I simply used an 8.5 X 11 piece of kraft for my journaling. I laid out the photo and card on the kraft. Then I placed a piece of paper over the top and drew out two journaling boxes...one long one near the top of the photo and one that started at the top of the journaling card. I measured out how far from the top and left margin as well as how big the text boxes were and simply set it up in a word document. Print on a piece of scrap paper to make sure it works and that is it!

I am so loving this Lily Bee line...the brightness is just awesome! You should check out the kit before it is gone!

Happy third day of the week!

Watching them change

Ever feel like your kids change overnight, right before your very own eyes. They go to bed one way and wake up another...

I have seen this in Ella lately. She seems a bit older, but more prominently, she is funny. Like delivers the right phrase and look at the right time in the right situation. And we all giggle and because she is an attention hog, she plays it up even more.

I think she cracks me up at least 5 times each day. I remember this age with Nathan and it brings lots of changes.

She has no problem with confidence as you can see from her photo below.



All supplies are from the July My Scrapbook Nook kit! Aren't these Lily Bee papers so much fun. I misted for only the second time and I can see why it is addicting. It adds that special something!

Off to break up my kids...imagine Nathan dressed up as Mr. Incredible and Ella as the Little Mermaid. And I think I heard something about karate chops...

Holiday Weekend

And we have no plans...LOl!

Not sure what happened there, but it is okay. I hope to have our own BBQ in the backyard.

I really need to make a list of things we can do this summer or day trips we can take. It is so easy to get lost in the time. The kids need some structure so that is my job this weekend, make a wish list.

Renovations start Monday. Smack dab in the middle of a heat wave and we have no air conditioning yet. I think the universe is trying really hard to teach me that things are not in my control. But I could use a little cooperation...just for a few days.

And then I remember that these are all things, luxuries really. And what is really important, I have!

In the spirit of the long weekend here is a layout that was in ScrapStreet last month. Be sure to check out the new issue...it just gets better and better!



Nikki Sivils has these cool wooden flags with her collections. I made mine into a banner because I happen to have a banner addiction right now! Either you love them or hate them, and I love!

Happy Friday...anyone need an extra few guests at their BBQ's?

Summer Days

Well, it has been one week today. Summer vacation.

My kids have this reoccuring question: Is it a home day or a school day? They usually ask it and the answer varies. But the past few days, I have been able to say, "They are all home days." That.feels.good.

We have just been hanging in the backyard. Think sprinkler system, the hose, kiddie pool and eating every meal outdoors.

I wanted to paint Nathan's room this week but with the AC broken, I can't. Maybe it is someone's way of telling me to relax for a few days and just enjoy.

Our renovation starts in just a few days so it will get hectic. I am thinking a mini album might be in order!

Getting back to summer days, nothing like ice cream at the end of one!







All supplies are from the July My Scrapbook Nook kit! Wow, does this one make me happy...the journaling cards and buttons and colors. Really, you need to sign up!

I taught a class on how to make this layout, check it out here if you wish!

Off to start a new summer day...can you say Eclipse later?

Happy Sunshine to you!

Monochromatic Monday

Happy Monday!

Happy hot Monday is what I should say. Yep, the AC has broken and it is 90 degrees. I am hot and cranky, but there is something to be said for the hose outside with the kids and later, a book on a lounge chair.

I wanted to share my newest Pink Paislee project for the Monochromatic Monday post. To read about it go here!





Here's to hoping for cooler days!

Transformed

Ahh...I can feel it! Relaxation with no worries about how I am going to fit together life and work. Organization as I finally have time to regroup, catch-up and reconnect.

I scrapped last night and the night before. It felt good. I was really worried this time about my desire for it disappearing forever. But I have my office space now. The computer is on a sofa table and I have a small kitchen table to create on. But all of my stuff is in one room now.

And now, I get to work on creating my own scrap space. I am going with Ikea Expedit. Yellow or green walls. We measured for the wrap around desk! So exciting...if you have any pictures of your space or links to spaces you adore...please share with me!

Summer has a way of transforming you...I can't wait to experience it.

Speaking of transformations, here is a layout I did for the June issue of ScrapStreet.com Magazine. We were lucky enough to work with Nikki Sivils products and they are pure fun!



Hope you have an awesome Sunday!

This Should Cause Some Excitement

So I have been less than thrilled lately with my desire to scrap...it has decreased with all the commotion of the move. I know it will come back! Especially when I have this to look forward to.



There is an amazing deal right now...these kits are just fabulous so you should jump on it!

Also, did you see the Pink Paislee sneaks. I am giddy...really giddy. I still consider it a dream come true to work with them and look at what is coming our way soon...



that is just one of the four amazing collections...see the other sneaks here!

these things should do the trick!

Life.Is.Good

it really is.

I have a wonderful family. We have spent the past two and a half months co-habiting with my mother-in-law and father-in-law. It went soo well.

but as of yesterday, that blip in time is over. It is just the four of us in our new home. And we feel grateful. I have no bedroom furniture right now, just our new mattress sitting all alone in the middle of the room. A year ago I would have hated the thought of that as I like to have things just-so. But today, I am so appreciative that I can sleep on the same floor as my kids, right next to Steve. No bedroom, no problem.

I changed the past few months, learned about flexibility and change. My saying...It is what it is.

It is interesting living with other people. It changes you because you start to see yourself through their lense. You parent differently quite simply because you don't want to look like a raving lunatic...LOL! I lowered my voice a bit and realized my kids responded better to it. I learned to approach things more positively with them. I got that from my mother-in-law.

I also learned from watching Teenie and Tom. They are happy. Live life the way they want and they have a great dynamic. You don't get to see that at family dinners or holidays. But I saw it and realized I wanted to replicate parts of that in my own marriage.

I am a moody person, no doubt. But again, when you see people who are not moody exchanging pleasantries and being happy with simple conversation, you evaluate yourself. I realized the power of a good morning or how was your day, even when you just want to be alone.

And my mother-in-law. She would not let me stay in those moods because she would say something funny or chase me around the house to try to kiss me. And the funk would be broken. She is very forgiving and understanding and she sees the best in me. I will miss her (although not a certain clucking sound or plastic cups with straws...giggle).

I am so not perfect and I will lose it with my kids, will wake up grumpy and will get defensive with Steve. I wouldn't be Stacey Michaud if I didn't. But I have seen a different way, have acted a different way. I like how it makes me feel. So we are going for 90-10.




Supplies: All Pink Paislee mixing Starlight with 365 Degrees!

Life.Is.Good.

Words to Remember

like yourself

be yourself

expand yourself

challenge yourself

defend yourself

protect yourself

forgive yourself

love yourself

and let yourself be loved!


Words for my daughter, my son, and myself.

For My Sister

I was surfing the web the other day and came across this video. I immediately loved it and cried watching it.

Being a mom is the most amazing gift. It can also bring great pain because of the fierceness with which we love.

I was reminded of my sister, Michelle. A year ago today she and Jimmy let James go to Heaven. She handled herself with so much grace during that whole situation. A sister ten years younger, yet with more maturity and strength than I had ever witnessed.

I still don't know how she did it all. Because she almost died too...but pushed forward with the strength of a bull. I can still see the resolve that shone bright in her eyes.

In the days and months following, she could have curled up into a ball and given up hope on all that life has to offer. But she didn't, couldn't really because she had her two girls to watch over, care for and love. She needed to be their role model, their rock and their mother.

She carried on. She is not perfect and she had bad days. She continues to be a source of inspiration for me.

We all miss James so much today, yesterday and every day. But we somehow look for the positive and move forward.

For all mothers today, those who have babies, have lost babies, have had a hard time having babies,if you dream of one day being a mother, if you are a daughter...this is for you.



In spite of it all, being a mother is an amazing gift.