I can only imagine...

Where have I been?

2009-05-03T22:52:00.002-04:00

Not scrapbooking. That's for sure. I have like fell off the face of the scrapbooking community. I get like that every few years. I have exhausted my creative flow. I hope to pick it up again...real soon. I have a ton of pictures sitting on my desk and a large amount of supplies still in the bags from my scrapbooking clubs.

What I have been doing is reading. Reading like a mad women. Now I have moved on to watching Foreign Films. To be exact...French Films. In the last month, I think I have watched 10 of them. Thank goodness for sub-titles. I have also decided to try my hand at learning French. I took it in high school but that was almost 20 years ago. My children are finding listening to french amusing. Doug had a friend over and I was sitting listening to my Speak French with Michel Thomas CD and repeating/speaking the words or sentences and all of the sudden, I heard a laugh and I looked over and the friend was giggling...said it sounded silly. I am sure my attempt at French was amusing to him.

I am off to check out all the blogs that I have missed in the past few months! Can't wait to see what you all created.

Time to showcase Coordinates Collections November kit!

2008-11-02T19:21:00.004-05:00

I have to admit that I haven't had alot of time to scrap lately but now that football is over (along with the practices) I can concentrate on some scrapping. As it should be! Just kidding...well, sorta of.

Here is the fun filled kit:

WHAT A HOOT KIT:

12x12 Patterned Paper:

1 October Afternoon county library
1 October Afternoon woolworths
1 October Afternoon depot park
1 Pink Paislee night owl
1 Sassafras Lass chirp chirp

12x12 Cardstock:

2 Bazzill imperial
2 Bazzill squash

Embellishments:

1 October Afternoon hometown alphabet
1 October Afternoon journal card sheet
1 Prima owl stamp
1 Jenni Bowlin blue apothecary stickers
2 Making Memories paperie poolside epoxy clips
May Arts blue/green trim
May Arts yellow crinkle ribbon

OR

LOTS OF LAUGHS KIT:

12 x 12 Patterned Paper:

1 Pink Paislee mary janes
1 Pink Paislee jellies
1 Pink Paislee pedal pushers
1 My Mind's Eye wrapped up stripes
1 My Mind's Eye pretty coat

12x12 Cardstock:

2 Bazzill san francisco
2 Bazzill auckland

Embellishments:

1 Pink Paislee fashion script alphabet
1 Making Memories flower stamp
4 Prima pink/white whispers
1 pkg My Mind's Eye pure joy adhesive chip borders
1 My Mind's Eye pure joy journal card
7-8 Making Memories paperie greenhouse brad combos
May Arts sage velvet ric rac
May Arts pink satin ribbon

You can order your kits HERE. You can even pre-order your December kit.

Coordinate Collections October "Spinster" or "Spooky"

2008-10-10T21:58:00.003-04:00

OR
The October Kits are so fun this month and so totally different from each other. The "Spinster" kit, the one I worked with, gives me more of a elegant, shabby chic feel while "Spooky" naturally gives the Halloween feel.
You can order the Spinster kit HERE.

CC's Fall Crop is this weekend!

2008-10-09T09:53:00.003-04:00

I hope to be able to join in the fun. Sarah always does a great job with the challenges. I know my Saturday will be shot because we have football from sun-up to sun-down. This will be Nick and Doug's last game for the season. They haven't decided if they want to play next year. Ry still has a game next week. I am really looking forward to this weekend's game because it starts at 5pm (and the weather is suppose to be rockin') and he plays my Alma Mater. Nick played them last week and did not do so well, 51-0.

Sarah is posting the challenges tonight, make sure you stop by to read the CC CROP INFO.

I call him Monkey Butt...among other things.

2008-09-28T19:37:00.003-04:00

I attempted to play along with the Back to School month long challenge over at Simpley Obessed but between work, football practice, cooking/cleaning and reading, I failed. I did manage to play along in the first 2 assignments.

I realize that most parents would not and could not refer to their child but not me. Nicholas is silly, active, and all over at times! If he isn't a Monkey Butt than he is being a Silly Monkey.
I also did this layout about one of my most embarrassing moments in High School. I don't really regret anything in High School but I don't want to re-live it either but IF I had to, it would be this moment.

I can't believe that its been almost 20 years since this picture was taken. Where does time go? Why does it have to go so fast?
On the bright side of getting older, I had my hair done this week. I actually got what they call a Malibu Treatment. Since we live in the country and have well water, we have rust. This Malibu Treatment is suppose to pull the rust, chemicals and build up out of my hair. Remember that I had over 13 years of build-up. A couple of days after my appointment, I went over to a friends house for dinner. She could tell instantly that I had something done because she couldn't "see the grey". That's nice...
Danica, if you are reading this and I know you do...thanks! Love ya, Girl! I can always count on you to keep it real.
Off to do more laundry...a Mother and Wife's duties are never ending...

There is not enough hours in the day!

2008-09-25T09:36:00.005-04:00

Since football started, I have not spent anytime in my scraproom and it is driving me crazy. I have managed to showcase the amazing Teresa Collins and her products that are in the CC Store.I did pick up this fun stamp with my last order.
Isn't it fun?
I miss not finding the peace in my sanctuary and enjoying my many colorful supplies. At least my boys are enjoying themselves, I think. After practice, Doug is usally cranky, Nick is a goof and Ry can't wait until the next practice....and dinner.
Here is a picture of the boys in the uniform:

They are growing up so fast! I don't mind so much that I just turned 35 but what bothers me is that my oldest will be graduating High School in 5 years! He is already starting to act like a young man and not a kid. The only thing I can do without is the rolling of the eyes. That drives me CRAZY!

Pioneer Woman and Marlboro Man

2008-09-21T13:55:00.002-04:00

I admit I seem to be last to stumble upon the good, fun and interesting. While reading blogs and enjoying threads on the different scrapbooking communities, I have seen the talk about Pioneer Woman but thought nothing of it. That is until I stopped by to read what was going on in Leila's blog. There, I decided to click on the link to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman . I instantly taken with this blog. The stories that she writes are hilarious, touching and intersting. In fact, I was sitting at work reading them and laughing so hard, that tears were streaming down my face. She has such a knack for writing. I think I read that she was a journalism major for a few minutes. If you have not visited her blog, you should! Not only are her stories hilarious but she has some great receipes and her pictures are amazing.

While there, you must read the store about the courtship of her and Marlboro Man.
Black Heels to Tractor Wheels: . It is so much better than those "historical romance novels".

September Coordinates Collections

2008-09-16T06:46:00.003-04:00

I got my kit last Thursday and knew that I had to get a few layouts/products done by the end of the weekend. Well, I wasn't able to do that but I did finish all the required products last night and hope to create more tonight. Thats the plan anyway. I try to always use only the kit on my DT layouts maybe add an element or two from my stash.

Together.

ALL the papers are from the Kit and then I purchased the Scenic Route journaling blocks from the add-ons. Also, a very sweet person in my life picked up the star chipboard letters. They are Li'l Davis and guess where she got them? THE DOLLARE STORE! Of course in a different town so that I couldn't run and pick up different ones. She picked up pink ones for herself.

4th

Everything is from the September kit.

and then I created a little gift tag for a teacher

Well, gotta run and get ready for work!

So, Rog forgot my birthday...

2008-09-11T07:30:00.002-04:00

well, not actually forgot my birthday but thought it was on the wrong day. I have to admit that I was more upset that he thought it was on the 9th then if he hadn't wished me a Happy Birthday at all. I mean, we have been together since 1995. It's always been a running joke that our birthdays are on the 8th of the month while our friends, Amy and Barry (who introduced us), birthdays are on the 2nd of the month. He apologized over the phone and that was about that. I guess I will consider the dinner he made last week my birthday present. I mean, that was the first meal that he has ever for us completely on his own and cleaned up after. I was so happy to come home from football practice and see he had everything ready for us!!

So, to celebrate my birthday, I think I will just place a nice big order over at Coordinates Collections. Jaime has been putting some fun stuff in the store.

Did you check out the pictures below? Aren't the a hoot and a howler? I sometimes wonder what it would be like to travel back in time. I have this idea that it would be so romantic. I guess that is why I totally love the movie, Somewhere In Time . In fact, I am sitting here listening to the soundtrack as I type. It's so relaxing and comforting. I own the movie on VHS but I need to pick it up on DVD. Maybe that will be my birthday gift? Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.

Tonight I need to can some tomatoes but I swear I am going to clean my scrap space because its time for scrap therapy, lol!

I just had to try it!

2008-09-10T22:05:00.003-04:00

Ok, so I went over to Yearbook Yourself and uploaded my picture to see how I would have look back in the day. I tried the 50's...not so much. The 70's...I couldn't tolerate the frizzy hair and the 80's and 90's...already did that. I have to say the 60's were my favorite decade...for hair that is. LOL!

What do you think?

1960. I know its funky looking because I am wearing my glasses under the cat's eye glasses but I have to say, I think I look pretty good in those glasses.

1962. Out of all the 60's looks that I tried, this is my least favorite. Not sure if that bun on top of my head works for me.

1966. This works. I think its a cute style. I think its very flattering.

1968. My favorite! I love, love the little flip!!! I wonder if my mom wore her hair like this?

September is on the way

2008-09-10T07:10:00.002-04:00

You're probably thinking that I fell off my rocker because it is already September
10th but what I am talking about is the fun September kit from Coordinates Collections.
This month, I am working with the Johnny Appleseed kit. It is full of Scenic Route, KI Memories, Heidi Grace and more.
I know the kit looks more like a primary back to school kit but I find that I always end up using the flip side to the paper and end up with a whole new look! Thats what I love about designing with Jaime's kits. So, after football this weekend, my plan is to stay in my room and scrap. Wish me luck!

I can finally share...

2008-09-09T07:11:00.004-04:00

some of my layouts that I created with the September kit from Simply Obsessed. It is such and amazing kit and the add-ons are so fun!

I'm sure I could do more but this darn football practice and games have me wore out. On Saturday, when we got home from Ry's game, I layed down because I had a migraine and ended up sleeping until 8am Sunday. Wow! Loved it and NEEDED it!

Yesterday was my 35th Birtday. I didn't do much. My boss took me to lunch to Lonestar....yum. I got a few gifts but other than that it was really just another day. After work, I went and sat in the van (it was raining and cold) and waited for the boys to get done with football practice. After that, we headed home so I could make dinner. Like I said, nothing too exciting.

To make it official...let me add...

2008-09-01T08:54:00.002-04:00

A week of celebration and lessons learned...

2008-08-24T10:31:00.005-04:00

I couldn't believe it when I opened my email and there was Scrapbook Trends asking for a card that I had submitted. Now, I think I am one of the worst card makers EVER but this was one card that I was so proud of. I actually made it for someone special in my life but never did send it out and now I am glad that I didn't. LOL!

Now I can't wait to see the January 2009 issue of Scrapbook Trends! Yippeee!!!!

The Memory Makers Masters 2009 list was announced. I did attempt it but I think I disqualified myself because I forget to send in my release forms (if that even mattered) anyway, Congratulations to all the winners and runner-ups. I do have to say that I am very, very happy with the layouts I sent in. Here is one I did of Nick and his first year in 4-H:

On another note, Simply Obsessed is having their Design Team Call. I know a few of the girls on the current Design Team, from other boards and can I just say they have some talent over there! Good luck girls on your tryouts...I will be cheering you on.

Woohoo! I have been chosen to be the GDT in September at Simply Obsessed!

2008-08-17T08:43:00.003-04:00

This is what I will be working with:

I am so stoked! I had orignally signed up to get the kit (as a treat to myself for my birthday) but at the last minute decided to throw my hat into the ring for the GDT spot. The task: Please create an altered school related item, ie. notebook, pencil box, lunch box, backpack tag, or whatever. So, I decided to use a 3 ring binder that I had sitting on my table and alter it to make a calendar for important school notes and function. I am so unorganized when it comes to that kind of stuff and with all the boys in football, concerts and homework assignments....I needed something. LOL!

So here is my calendar:

and a few of the months:

Well, I gotta run. It's time to pick up the chickens from the fair! I will talk to you all later.

Mark August 25th as a MUST REMEMBER DATE

2008-08-16T17:01:00.002-04:00

If you want one of these beautiful kits from Coordinates Collections:

Johnny Appleseed

OR/IF NOT BOTH

Madame Butterfly

From Jaime, the owner and operator of Coordinates Collections

Due to my upcoming wedding on August 30 then a week-long honeymon, the
September website change and October kit/addons selection date needs to be
modified. So, the website changes and kit selections/addons will take place
on Monday, September 8 at 10:00 am MST and NOT Sept. 1.

September kits will be shipping out the 10-12th so a few days later than the
usual 8-10th date.

Also, any items you wish to have shipped with your September kits MUST BE
ORDERED by August 25!!

I just want to wish Jaime the best! She is so blessed to have found love with a terrific guy. Congratulations, Jaime! I hope the both of you have a wonderful wedding and a fantastic honeymoon. Woohooo!!!

Back to School

2008-08-15T15:01:00.002-04:00

I am not sure if I should be excited or if I should be wishing it weren't so. I mean, I love that the boys are back to school and I don't need to worry about a babysitter but I don't look forward to the early mornings, homework and practice. Nope, not at all.

We managed to get most of the supplies purchased and a few outfits but we still need to head over to the mall for a few more things. My mom was nice enough to pick up shoes for the boys. That helped ALOT!

Speaking of *Back to School*, check out this kit from Coordinates Collections:

Isn't it bright and colorful! Perfect for *Back to School*? I am sure it can be used for other things to. Guess you will have have to stop by CC on September 1st. Hope to see you then!

**********************************************************************************

I got my first kit from Simply Obsessed and couldn't wait to create with it. I have had this picture of Nick and I sitting on my counter for a few days but couldn't get inspired enough to really get started...that is until I tore open my package from SO.
This is what I came up with:

It's a simple layout but I am very happy with it!

Well, I would post more but Doug is in a hurry to meet Auntie Brenda for Ice Cream. So we must GO NOW! Talk at you later...

I have been productive...well, sorta

2008-08-10T01:22:00.003-04:00

I did manage to squeeze some housework and chores in between my hanging out over at SO and their Birthday Bash. I even hung my laundry out to dry. I impress myself!

I accomplished 2 single page layouts and 1 double. I haven't done a double in FOREVER but it was really fun. I used the August 12x12 sketch from Pagemaps. I changed things around a little but I really liked the way it turned out.

This was for Challenge #3-Build your own.

(the title is inspired from the song "These are the Days of Elijah")

From Brandy:

Here's a little twist on the ice cream motif -- let's build a banana split. Your call, but it has to involve double scoops (aka, a 2 page LO) and banana halves (pick any sketch from the Aug Pagemaps to inspire you) and three toppings.

Toppings are:
whipped cream: white flocking (check your kit!)
nuts: buttons
pineapple sauce: glitter
chocolate syrup: brown journaling
strawberry topping: ribbon
cherry on top: one burst of red (can be bling, paper, whatever)
sprinkles: doodling or other fun pen work

I just noticed that I used more than 3...oops! Still love the final project.

Bonus Challenge-Two Scoops

From Crystal
We needed to make a layout that has two pictures on it and with at least one circle.

Challenge #6-Unwrap some scrappiness!

From Deanna
I had to use some packaging from some of my scrapbooking supplies to create a layout.oing to unwrap some scrappy supplies and use the packaging on a layout.

I really don't think this is my best work of the night. I am going to blame my husband because he was sitting in here at the computer (in my way). Yeah, that sounds good.

I'm offically on VACATION!

2008-08-09T08:10:00.003-04:00

For the next 14 days, I don't have to wake up to the sound of an alarm clock. YEAH! I did spend the first evening of my vacation helping my boys was their chickens for the fair. I was soaked when we were done. It wasn't something I enjoyed. I actually asked Rog to come home from work to finish setting up the barn so that they could have their own space and lay new straw down. Now we have to wait until Sunday when we take them into be weighed. I hope for the best but I really don't expect the boys to get Grand or Reserved Grand Champion. Which makes me sad for Doug cause he has worked so, so hard. When Ry was slacking, Doug was picking up the slack. I guess I can only wait and see.

After that adventure, I jumped onto the messageboard atSimply Obsessed to see what challenges that they were having for the Birthday Celebration! I managed to finish created by Jenni Smith, a Design Team member. The Vanilla Fudge Ripple Challenge. We had to use a black and white picture (to represent vanilla and fudge) and some type of scallop (to represent the ripple). Heres what I came up with:
Thanks Jenni for the challenge and the scraplift!

If you remember, Deanna Tagged me.

Which is very sweet. In Deanna's blog, she listed some random facts about her, so I guess thats what I am suppose to? What do I list and will it make you laugh at me?

I think from the time I was in 5th grade until I graduated High School, I moved 11 times. It was hard on me at the time but I think its made me who I am. I can be friendly and helpful.

I hate, hate berries. Any type. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries...yuck! I only eat them to make sure my children eat them. Just like spinach. Not a fan but I make it and eat it so that the boys do.

I love, love bluegrass music. I could sit and listen to it all day.

I dressed up and went trick or treating when I was a Senior in High School. My friends and I purchased those garbage bags that look like pumpkins, stuffed to fill them out and painted our faces. I think we looked cute. Oh, also that night, I saw 3 guys from the local high school trying to take some kids candy. They didn't end up with the candy.

In college, I traveled to Texas to watch our Basketball team play in a tournament. It was so fun. We were able to go to Billy Bob's HonkyTonk. So fun!

My Hope and Glory comes from Christ. I find when I drift away from that path, I become empty and sad.

Ok, I am done. I have to do the tagging. Right? Ok. I know that I want to tag...
Sarah,Leila, Jenney and Nicole.

What a week and its only Tuesday!

2008-08-05T22:02:00.002-04:00

I think thats because I am on vacation next week. I wouldn't really call it a vacation, I mean I will be spending most of my free time up at the fairgrounds because the boys have their chickens up for auction. I took the boys for football sign-ups. I can't believe how expensive it is to have your children play sports. I mean, I ended up having to pay $255 for the football and its not live I can even keep the pads, uniforms or helmets. I have to return them at the end of the season. Wow! Oh, Doug did inform me he wants to buy his jersey at the end of the season. I think that was on $10 dollars. Anything for my children. I really never had the opportunity to be involved in sports, so I am always glad when the boys want to. Although, I don't think they are really aware of how much hard work goes along with playing. I actually had them running sprints. Is that what they call it when you have to run and bend down to touch the line and then run back to do the same thing? Does that make sense? They didn't last long. We are going to have problems with the helmets. Doug and Nick are NOT wanting to pull the sides to lift off. Instead, they pull the pads out and then pull off. We need to work on that. Practice starts a week from Monday. I can't wait! Better stock up on the powerade!

On another note, I entered a contest over at Color {Me} Daisy. This months contest was inspired buy the August kit Splish Splash. The details of the contest are as follows: Create any size layout using blue OR green, black, white and a Splash of color (your choice). The splash can be anything; however this color needs to be used in a small way to add impact to the layout. So here is what I came up with:

I know its simple but I am very happy with it. I just wish Nick had his haircut BEFORE that picture. I have a think with long hair on my boys. They ask and ask to grow it out but I can't and the country boy in Rog won't let them. LOL!

I also entered in a contest for Septembers GDT over at Simply Obsessed. I don't think I can share it yet but when they decide who the GDT will be, I will make sure I post it. I surprised myself with it. Not sure if thats a good or bad thing.

Oh, one final thing for tonight. Deanna has tagged me. I think Lyn tagged me once before but I was such a novice at Blogging, I didn't know what to do. I will work on that tomorrow. Gotta give it some thought! Thanks Deanna!!

August 1st

2008-08-01T06:37:00.004-04:00

This month, I was the lucky one to recieve and play with Tim Holtz's Grungeboard. When Jaime let us know who was the sponsor for August, I was a little stumped. I had heard of Tim Holtz and Grungeboard but had never actually used it. The first thing I did was run over and watched the demonstration that Tim has on Youtube. From then on, I was excited and couldn't wait to get started.

From the video, I knew it was flexible but I didn't realized how easy it would be to color. I used paint, ink and some metallic rub-ons and was totally impressed on how quickly everything dried...and NO mess!!

This is first layout that I created using some of the numbers from Tim. Each sheet of grungeboard come swith many different sizes and styles of numbers. On my layout, 123456 and seven, I used 3 different styles of numbers and inked them with the Cat's Eyes Fluid Chalk. Oh, and the word AND is also included on a sheet of grungeboard.

You can check other projects that are using Tim Holtz's Grungeboard by heading over to Coordinates Collections Gallery. I hope to upload more projects after work!

Wonder if Rog will let me spend another weekend cropping?

2008-07-31T18:36:00.002-04:00

Do you know one of my bad habits is stalking blogs? I can visit a friends blog like 10 times a day waiting for them to update. Is that not sad?

Anyway, I visited Deanna's blog today and read that the site she is on the DT is having a Birthday Crop during the weekend of August 8-10. This makes like 3 weekends in a month that I want to spend at the computer scrapping. It sounds like a blast and I hope that I get the chance to play over at Simply Obsessed.

The only conflict that I can think of is that we will be getting ready to take the chickens up to the fairgrounds.

Hope to see you there!

Today was busy!!

2008-07-26T22:27:00.002-04:00

Roger's work had what I guess is a Family Day and invited them to a cook-out and a day at Binder Park Zoo. We don't do alot as a family, so I was glad to get this opportunity. It was a good time. We rode the bus to the Wild Africa safari exhibit and the boys got the chance to feed the giraffes and the pigmy goats (I will share pictures later).

I found out Rog had never been to the zoo! I couldn't believe it, he has lived in Battle Creek all his life and NEVER been to that zoo. Heck, when the boys were little, I swear I went 3 times a year. Each boys class had a outing to the zoo at least once a year. Anyway, after the Wild Africa Safari, we went and had lunch and then headed back to the zoo. Actually, we only went back so that Rog could ride the little train (that was always my favorite thing to do when I was little). Then we headed home.

I couldn't wait to get home...I had scrapping to do. You do remember that this weekend is CC's Cyber Crop? Before we left for the zoo, I had only finished the one layout from Sarah's challenges and then finished my layout for the challenge over at Backporch Memories. It was nice to scraplift a quick layout. I am very happy with the outcome. Ecspecially since I didn't even know I had this picture. It just jumped out at me this morning.

Once home, I was able to start on another challenge. Challenge #3 to be exact. We had to be inspired by the color schemes one of the new lines from CHA to create the layout. I picked Fancy Pants's ALL FALL line. All I can say is AMAZING and I can't wait to see it in person.

Anyway, here is my layout:

I hope to get more done BEFORE and AFTER church tomorrow!

There is still time to join in on the fun over a Coordinates Collections Cyber Crop! Hope to see you there!!

First Challene Done!

2008-07-25T23:27:00.002-04:00

The first challenge Sarah posted was Candy, Candy, Candy.

We are to create a layout inspired by our favorite candy or sweet.

This layout must also include ribbon.

So, of course I had to go with Milky Way. That is my favorite candy. In fact, it wasn't an hour after giving birth to Doug that I asked Rog to run and get me a Milky Way,lol!

Milky Ways packaging is brown, green and white. So, that is what I based my colors on. Then I decided to scrap something that I enjoy, that brings me comfort...our garden. Yes, its alot of work but boy is it worth it! I love a fresh bowl of cherry tomatoes!!

Here is my layout (I swear its straight but I can't seem to scan it in straight)!!

Don't forget to stop on over and check out the Crop!

It's been FOREVER!

2008-07-24T20:56:00.007-04:00

What have I been doing? Nothing. Thats the sad thing. I guess I have been trying to save my mojo for this weekend. Coordinates Collections is hosting a Cyber Crop this weekend. Actually, Sarah is in charge and has some amazing challenges posted. You should drop by and check it out. There are even door prizes...who doesn't love a chance to win some prizes.

In fact, I spent most of the past two nights cleaning and organizing my scrap space. So now I am ready...I can't wait to get started!!

Thanks to Deanna, I stumbled upon The Colorstory Challenge Blog which I created a layout for. The challenge posted was to created a layout based on an ad, this ad:
and this is what I came up with:

This picture is of the boys at the beach last year. It has always been one of my favorites. I really enjoyed creating this layout. The colors are so fun to work with.

Anyway, off to look and start on the challenges over at CC! Hope to see you there!!!

Vacation

2008-07-09T20:52:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was my last day of vacation and you know what I did? I spent it with my nose in the middle of The Diplomat's Wife written by Pam Jenoff. I was able to read it in 4 hours! Can you believe that? In fact, I started to read it again before I went to bed. If you enjoy romantic books, this should be at the top of your list.

I hadn't planned on picking up this book because I took a list of books that I had gotten from the Book Club section over at Coordinates Collections, from Deanna's blog and Sarah's blog but wouldn't you know it, Marshall's Library didn't have it or someone had already checked it out. So, I picked out The Diplomats Wife from the NEW section and I am so glad that I did.

In fact, I ran back to the Library and picked up Pam Janoff's first book, The Kommandant's Girl.

I can't wait to put the boys to bed and start reading it.

It's been a busy 4th of July weekend for the Inman's

2008-07-06T01:25:00.003-04:00

Let's see...
On Thursday night, we we to a cook out with everyone from the bank. That was fun! It was right across the street from the WK Kellogg Airport, so we got to watch the Hot Air Balloons fly into the airport.

I think the boys had a great time, even though they were out numbered by girls, LOL! The boys are at that age where they like girls but they won't ADMIT it. Well, Doug and Ry are but Nick still thinks they are stupid (no offense to any girl...)

On Friday, I ran to town and cleaned out my van. It felt awesome to get it swept out. I know that doesn't sound exciting but I am telling you that the van was in desperate need of a good cleaning. In fact, Doug told his brothers that it MUST remain that clean. We shall see!

At 1 we went to the annual Family, Friends and Neighbor picnic. It was really fun and I love the feeling of sitting down and talking to my neighbors. How often do we do that in today's society? The only problem with the picnic is that Nick must have said something that annoyed his cousins because he came to me to tell me that 1 held him down while 2 others punched him in the stomach. I was hot! From past experiences, I know that nothing would really be accomplished if I called the Moms. Its the "Let them work it out themselves" thinking. Ok, fine. So, I told my boys next time they see them, they need to take care of the issue. No fighting but to let the cousins know next time they want to pull that crap, they better make sure its fair. 3 against 3. The joys of boys and their way of working things out.

Anyway, later that night, I talked Rog into making a bonfire and roasting some s'mores while we were doing fireworks. Doug said it was the best 4th of July ever! I know that isn't true but its nice to know he had a good time. The only picture that I got that I really like is this one:

Today I had to work and we were semi-busy. Which was good because it made the time go by fast. Nick and Doug stayed the night over at Brenda and Charlies, so Rog and I took Ry out to Taco Bell for dinner. Afterwards, we went ran into town, parked the car and walked up to main street to watch all the classic cars cruise. Its a big thing on the weekend of the 4th. Our town has what you call, Cruise to the Fountain. Its pretty neat. While walking back to the truck, we noticed the fireworks going off at the fairgrounds, so we sat and watched them for awhile! It was a perfect night!

On Sunday we have a Family Reunion at 1. So, we have Church in the morning and then rush home to get ready to leave for the Reunion. Usually we don't stay long, just long enough to visit with a few family members and eat.

Just so you know, I have taken 2 hour naps every day of this long weekend! I think I will be taking another one tomorrow. LOL!

Starry Nights

2008-07-01T18:00:00.009-04:00

Thats the delicious kit that I got to play with. It was a tough decision. I kept having to go back and look at the kits but I finally picked Starry Nights. My intent was not to go all American and 4th of July with it but I just couldn't help myself!

I had mentioned in an earlier blog post that I surprised myself with one of my layouts. Ok, here is the layout:

Totally worked with more photos than I normally do! If you have ever seen other work of mine, you will know that I tend to stick with one or two photos.

I finally got the chance to scrap this picture of Dougie. I took it a few years ago and never really had the right paper, imo, to scrap it. I just love the look on Dougies face while watching fireworks. It cracks me up!

I even created my swirl "freehand". Wow...Freehand! That is so not me. Guess this kit brought out alot of "first" for me, lol!

If you get a chance, you should stop over at CC's Gallery

Finally Done!!

2008-06-25T22:17:00.003-04:00

For the last 2 weeks, I have been working on 2 different mini-albums to auction off for the local chapter of our Relay for Life. I finished tonight and I am so glad!!! I had the hardest time working on the girls album. I think its because I have spent the last 10+ years scrapping boys. LOL! I ended up creating 14 pages for each album. I wanted to share some of those pages with you...

From the girls album:

From the boys album:

Well, thats a few of them. I would share more but I am tired and need to do a few things before I hit the hay.

One more thing for the night (probably week, lol)

2008-06-23T20:02:00.009-04:00

Boys. My Boys to be exact. They will try almost ANYTHING. I encourage them to create their own fun and sometimes it scares the 'you know what out of me' because they are fearless...

The boys beg for a 4-wheeler but that isn't possible at this time, so the next best thing is our lawnmower. We have an old one that Roger has taken the deck off and the boys drive that around but for their latest adventure, they decided to use our JD.

Doug and Nick played for awhile before the adventure caused it's first "ouch" moment, it only lasted a minute and then they were right back at it.

You can tell but the look on Doug's face that they are really enjoying themselves.
I miss the days when the boys enjoyed the sprinkler and spending the afternoon coloring pictures for their mommy. Yes, I miss those days...

Forgot to share

2008-06-23T19:14:00.010-04:00

I attempted the GDT challenge over at Backporch Memories. I was chosen for the GDT but that is ok because I really love that the sketches really get my mojo flowing.

June Challenge
and
July's Challenge

I plan on attempting the August Challenge but I haven't gotten that far...yet. I need to finish that mini-album for the Relay for Life silent auction. I am also working on my entry for Memory Makers Masters Contest. I really don't think I have what they are looking for but it might be cool to try. We shall see...
Ok, off to scrap.

Do you want to see what I did today?

2008-06-22T21:35:00.003-04:00

I worked on projects with my July kit, Starry Nights, from Coordinates Collections. One of the layouts I did, I even surprised myself. I was sitting thinking, "I want to do a layout that doesn't have my normal feel but how do I do that?" So, for about 20 mins, I sat here thinking and thinking and then BAM (you know, the Emeril BAM)it came to me. I am really tickled with the way it turned out and am really excited to share it with you...on July 1st, of course.

I can, however, share a little sneek peek at one of my projects. The kit includes some Clearsnap Sparkle Fibers, Icicle Bllue, so I took advantage of the bling and created my own embellishment.

. Yes, thats my very first, freehand swirl but it's mine, lol!

Just so you all know, the Starry Kit isn't a 'Fourth of July' based kit. There are so many ways you can take this kit, even more so with the add-ons!!

Bad, Bad, Blogger...

2008-06-21T14:03:00.002-04:00

I can't believe it has been almost 20 days since I have blogged. How boring am I? LOL! I have been working on a few mini albums for my work. We hope to auction them off to raise money for Cancer. I HATE, yes HATE, that word and what it means. I have lost my Dad, my Uncles Bill and David. Maybe one day we can find something to stop this disease or at least slow it down to a snails pace.

Anyway, I have finished one of the mini albums and hope to finish the second one by Sunday night but I don't know if that will be possible because today I got my totally rockin, totally spectacular July Kit *Starry Nights* from Coordinates Collections. Yes, at first I thought this looked like an all 4th of July kit but when I opened it, all I could think was *A*M*A*Z*I*N*G. The creative juices are a flowing. Unfortunately, I have to do laundry before I can play but I needed to Blog about it before that...lol!

Starry Nights:

I picked up the Starry Kits paper add-on and I am sooooo glad I did. These are some fun papers!

I should also mention the Beautiful and Colorful *Sunny Days* kit from CC.

Jaime has done it again. Offered us 2 fabulous kits with 2 different looks and styles!!! Way to go, Jaime!!! Oh, before I leave you, I MUST mention the sale Jaime is having over at Coordinates Collections. You better hurry over there if you want to take her up on her offer.

The details:
SUPER SUMMER SALE!

All products are 30% off (excluding kit subscriptions, June and July monthly kits and addons and gift certificates). Enter coupon code 30SUMMERSALE at checkout to receive the discount! The 30% is 'in addition to' any discounted price for even greater savings!

ALL PAST KITS are $10 (while supplies last)!

Sale ends June 23rd at midnight.

Enjoy your summer!

See you there!

CC is still down...

2008-06-03T13:20:00.003-04:00

but it is suppose to be back up and running very, very soon. Until then, I want to share what I made for my friend, Danica's daughter. I wanted to make her a cute little photo album to keep some of her favorite pictures and memories of 2008 in. She's very girly, so I think she will like it. Well, I hope so. Sometimes being a mother of all boys, you lose touch with the girly side of yourself.

Here is the cover: (notice the bling? I think she will like that)

This is Kaydee and her friend and Libby Lou (is that how you spell it?) for her birthday. I guess she had a FABULOUS time being all princessed (is that even a word? LOL) up.

Just another photo of them. Did you notice the scallop on the edge? Thats the Martha Stewart punch from Michaels.

The girls over at Crop Addict are such enablers. Yes, you read right girls...TOTAL ENABLERS. LOL!

Reveal time...

2008-06-01T21:21:00.002-04:00

The first usually means I can upload my projects to the gallery at Coordinates Collections but at this time the site is down. You can jump on over to Jaime's Blog to check out the details. Ok, at first glance, you may think this kit is geared towards girls but it really can work with boys too! I promise...

I got my kit yesterday and was able to get a few things kicked out, including this layout of my son Doug when he found my scrapbook markers.

I will share more later...

Did you enjoy your Memorial Day?

2008-05-27T15:46:00.003-04:00

I did. Took it easy and played on the slip and slide with my boys, that is until they decided they wanted to play in the mud. Yes, mud. Even at their age, they still enjoy the mud. Yes, that is Doug smearing Nick's face with mud. I just sat there astonished that they were playing in the mud. I did think about stopping them but what were they really hurting? They were finally off the couch, not playing those dumb video games or fighting. So, I let them play. LOL!

I have been in a scrapping slump

2008-05-27T15:22:00.004-04:00

and it is driving me crazy. I can tell. Honestly. I mean, I have been so moody...this totally tells me that I MUST find time to scrap. I just wish I could get my hands on that fabulous June kit from CC. Have you stopped by Coordinates Collections to take a peek at June's kits? I picked Flip Flops...

Isn't it delicious? and if you answered yes...you must check out the add-ons.

I think I ordered all of the add-ons, lol!

and of course, I had to get the paper add-ons!

I finally scrapped...

2008-05-20T10:40:00.003-04:00

and it felt wonderful! I actually did 2 layouts but one was for the Anniversary contest over at PageMaps, so I can't share that one until the announce the winners. BUT I can share the one I did last night...
The pictures isn't the best but I love the blue sky and seeing Nick enjoy flying his kite.

It was time for a change...

2008-05-18T14:06:00.006-04:00

I may not have my 'dream' scraproom but it is 'my' scraproom. It orginally started out as Ry's bedroom and then he shared it with Doug but by the time Nick came along, there wasn't enough space in the room for all 3 boys. So, I moved our bedroom into the smaller room and put all 3 boys in the big bedroom. Once I moved our bedroom into that space, I painted the walls a light, I mean light, purple. You couldn't even tell it was purple. LOL! When I moved our bedroom downstairs, I decided to make myself a scraproom out of the old bedroom.

So, for the last 6 years, my scraproom has just been a boring, pale purple (off white) but on Saturday, I decided I needed something colorful and fun in my creative space. After work, I ran to Menards and picked up a gallon of 'Melon Burst'.
It is little bright, isn't it? I debated on this shade or something a little darker but again, I wanted to go for something fun and colorful!
It took me a couple of hours to paint my space and had to ask Rog to finish it for me cause I was too tired and started to do a sloppy job. I spent most of today putting things back in their space. I need to pick up some different storage containers for my scrappy supplies...something that will accent my ***Melon Burst***. If you have any suggestions...lead the way. Here are a few pictures of my space put together.

Are you a bargain hunter like me?

2008-05-10T16:28:00.020-04:00

Well, if so, head over to Coordinates Collections. Jaime is offering a few specials this month.

You can get this for FREE

Yes, free and all you have to do is spend $50. To get more details just click here. Plus you can see the other bargains. I am telling you, it is so worth heading on over to CC and checking it out.

Wish I could have done more on NSD...

2008-05-05T19:48:00.014-04:00

but Rog and the boys didn't want to share me with the computer all day. LOL! Anyway, I was able to participate in 2 challenges.

The first one was to "Follow the Leader". I had to scraplift one of the new DT members over at Scrap4life and I picked Jenney's 'Blue Eyes'.

I recently had some negatives reprinted and found this treasure of a picture. I had forgottten I had taken it.
My version is titled 'that smile'.

The second challenge was "Round and Round". I had to use circles on my layout. I wouldn't say this was one of my favorite layouts but it was good to get it done..

Oh, and I found out that I won the challenge that Jenney posted!! What a great way to start my Monday.

Are you looking for something fun to scrap with in May?

2008-05-05T12:04:00.008-04:00

Then you must check out CC this month (well, actually every month) for their awesome kits.
The Relaxation Kit:

12x12 Patterned Paper:

1 Crate Paper Blue Hill Flower
1 Crate Paper Blue Hill Rain
1 Basic Grey Sultry Swell
1 Piggy Tales Cinderella Prince
1 Piggy Tales Cinderella Royal Ball

12x12 Cardstock:

2 Bazzill Palm
2 Bazzill Passionate

Embellishments:

1 Crate Paper Blue Hill Impression Die Cuts
1 Piggy Tales Cinderella alphabet stickers
1 Maya Road chipboard wings keychain
1 Kaiser wood flower
10 SEI Dill Blossom mini coasters
6 Prima Essentials Caliope 3 flowers
May Arts salmon velvet ric rac
May Arts aqua solid two tone ribboon

and the Celebration Kit

12 x 12 Patterned Paper:

1 Basic Grey Cupcake Candles
1 Basic Grey Cupcake Twister
1 Prima Dude Roundabout
1 Fancy Pants Party
1 We R Memory Keepers Frenzy Euphoria

12x12 Cardstock:

2 Bazzill Leapfrog
2 Bazzill Jacaranda

Embellishments:

1 Basic Grey Cupcake mini monograms
10 Bazzill yellow cardstock edges
2 Bazzill oval chipboard tags
1 Maya Road Calendar Turn, Day to Remember
6 Prima Dude Painterly Petals
10 Basic Grey Cupcake painted brads
May Arts red grosgrain circles ribbon
May Arts orange burlap cord loop

Plus check out the add-ons.

Aren't they fun?

Know what I am doing on National Scrapbook Day (May 3, 2008)

2008-05-02T20:23:00.004-04:00

Not sure if Rog will agree to me sitting around scrapping for another weekend but I will try. Jodie and the gang over at Scrap4Life have some really fun and cool ideas to celebrate National Scrapbok Day! So if you want to join in some fun challanges head on over to Scrap4Life.

My Mind's Eye is the Project Sponosor over at Coordinates Collections

2008-05-01T10:23:00.008-04:00

They were very generous with their wonderful lines of paper, transparencies and die-cuts. I had so much fun creating and for the first time, I am totally happy with one of my cards!

(Deleted for Publication)

Notice the green grass around the album? I promise that isn't part of the design...

Lady and the Kittens

2008-04-29T18:39:00.007-04:00

Ok, we have had Lady since Christmas and we have had little pudding longer than that. They get along so well. Perfect playmates...which surprises most people. So, when pudding had her babies, I knew Lady wouldn't bother them. Now that they are starting to crawl, she is a little scared of them. She will smell them, back up a little and then start barking. Very cute. Lady is just one big softy and pudding knows that.

Here is Lady when the boys got her on Christmas Morning

and Lady now

oh, and here is Doug with one of the new kittens that he has named Snowball. She is just one of the 8 cats/kittens we have. LOL! Do you need a kitten?

Finished the last 2 Challenges...Yipee!!

2008-04-27T20:57:00.002-04:00

Challenge #2 This picture isn't of anything special but I just love the colors and the memories of the boys being so young. Miss that...

Challenge #6 Can I just say to all the moms out there...DON'T leave the room without checking the lid on the Peanutbutter jar. LOL!

4 Challenges down....2 to go

2008-04-27T08:34:00.008-04:00

I hope Roger lets me finish the challenges today but I know I ignored alot of things yesterday so that I could scrap and play for most of the day. I thought I would share my layouts.

Challenge #1 Coming Home. I have to say this is one of my all time favorites! So glad that I picked up some of the fabulous Teresa Collins.

Challenge #3 Nicks first steps

Challenge #4 Simply Loveable...see below

Challenge #5 You *Brighten* my day. Not my best layout but I think its because I was so tired when I was working on it. None of the pictures really match but they are some of my all time favorite snapshots of the boys when they were little.

Todays the Day over at Coordinates Collections...

2008-04-26T10:03:00.009-04:00

Elayne has 6 challenges posted.

Challenge #1 Sponsor Challenge
Our fabulous sponsor for the crop is, Teresa Collins. WhooHoo! I ordered alot of her stuff before the crop so that I could be prepared. Smart thinking on my part, if I say so myself. Anyway, in this challenge the layout has to be at least 75% Teresa Collins. Will do. Can do!

Challenge #2 My Favorite Room Challenge
Yeah, good challenge but I think will be my most difficult to accomplish. Honestly, I don't have a *favorite* room. I mean, I love my scraproom because its mine but it needs to be painted and tweaked. In this challenge you must use something from a your favorite room (colors, patterns, shape, etc.) to inspire a layout.

Challenge #3 Sketch Challenge
I am starting to appreciate sketchs
more and more. Sometimes my mojo doesn't flow as well as I wish and those sketches come in really handy.

Challenge #4 AD Challenge
Love this one! Isn't it gorgeous?

In fact, its the only one I have accomplished so far. I just love that apple green!

Challenge #5 Spring Challenge
In this challenge you have to create a layout using the theme Spring. Also on this layout you must:
-have 3 pictures with at least one picture that features two or more people & at least one picture with someone smiling BIG
-flowers
-journaling
-sunshine inspiration - you can be creative with this
-at least 3 different pieces of patterned paper

Challenge #6 Timeline Challenge
In this challenge the layout must span time. Either in years, days, hours, seconds...and it must include:
-journaling about the event or time that is spanned
-numbers
-dimension (can be 3d adhesive, chipboard, dimensional embellishments, etc.
-stitching of some sort (hand, machine or even stamps to look like stitching, etc.)

Each of these challenges will have a random winner drawn. So make sure you stop over at theCC Cyber Crop and join in!

Oh, yeah and we will be playing Scattegories too! Way fun and another way to win some awesome prizes.

So, I haven't scrapped in awhile...

2008-04-24T10:41:00.002-04:00

but I am going to blame it on CC! See, they are having an all weekend crop and I am saving all my creative juices, what I have, for that. Doesn't that sound like a good excuse? LOL! Be sure to stop by. Elayne, the Crop Coordinator, is going to be playing alot of games...I love games. I can't wait and hope you will join us!

Our NEW addition...

2008-04-16T19:40:00.004-04:00

Backstory: We got this adorable kitten from my friend, Danica, last year. The boys named her little pudding because we had a taller cat that looked similiar who they named big pudding. I tried to get them to name the kitten something more interesting but what does mom know? Anyway, little pudding managed to become pregnant before I got the chance to take her to the vets. So, for weeks, we waited and waited for the birth.

Now, Rog doesn't want the pudding in the house but every night after he goes to sleep the boys run downstairs and let her in and take her to their room. They were afraid that she was going to have the babies and they wouldn't know where. Anyway, I went upstairs yesterday before leaving for work and I heard this little meow coming from under Dougies bed...

Yup, you guessed it. We had some kittens.

At first I thought there were only 3 but by the time I got home, we had 5. We have 1 white one, 3 orange and 1 black one. A house full to go with our other 3. Thankfully I have someone interested in 2 of them already.

On another note, I haven't done any scrapping that I can post! Just working with some May sponsor goodies! Make sure you stop in around the 1st of the month or head on over to Coordinates Collections.

The Joys of Having Boys...

2008-04-06T13:52:00.020-04:00

I have made the comment many times that "The Lord blessed me with boys because I am not very girly, so I would have a harder time at raising girls." I take pride that I have all boys and when people ask, "Don't you want a Girl?" or "Are you going to try for a Girl?" I always say, "No, I am very happy with my boys...my gram had 8 boys and if I had tried for a girl it would have been another boy." I say this with a smile because its the truth...and I am sticking with it.

With boys you get so many little challenges. I can't tell you how many times I have had to break up their fights (more like wrestling matches), ask them to say excuse me when they pass gas (in one form or another), yell at them because they are outside in their good clothes jumping in the mud puddles (which I think I inherited from my Gram Carol...she was always yelling at me about the same thing when I was a kid, lol!).

The one thing that I struggle with is the bugs, worms and toads/frogs. They love 'em. I am not sure if it is because they know that I am not a fan but whatever it is...the love 'em.

Yesterday, I looked out the patio door and there was Nick. Shovel in hand digging holes in the yard.

Mom: "Nick, what are you doing?"

After seeing him with the shovel and 6 different holes throughout my yard.

Nick: "Diggin for worms."
Mom: "Oh, Ok. Why?"
Nick: "Well, I am looking for worms."

Really?

Mom: "What are you going to do with the worms?"
Nick: "I am going to put them all in one hole so that I know where they are all at when I need a worm."

Makes perfect sense, I think.

I really don't mind the boys looking for worms or toads. As long as they don't ask me to HOLD them...we are ok!

Want to enter some cool contest, challenges and crops?

2008-04-03T21:00:00.003-04:00

with some awesome prizes? Then check out Coordinates Collections April Contest.

***TERESA COLLINS MINI ALBUM Contest
***A DAY IN THE LIFE Contest
***Daisy D's Sponsor Contest
***April Sketch Contest
***Monthly Kit Contest:

For more details, click on the above link and it will take you directly to the information. It will be so worth your time! Hope to see you there!

Can you say AMAZING?

2008-04-02T14:12:00.012-04:00

The kits from Coordinates Collections this month are AMAZING! Jaime has really outdone herself!

A Few Good Men

My Fair Lady

A Few Good Men and My Fair Lady Add-Ons

April Kit at Coordinates Collections are totally AWESOME!

2008-04-01T14:34:00.005-04:00

When we were first given the choices, I was a little stumped but of course I went with the more masculine...remember, CC offers 2 kits! I chose the A Few Good Men kit and I am SO HAPPY that I did. Whoohoo!

You can see both kits over at
Coordinates Collections for yourself and always order one, if not both. LOL!

Here are my creations with the kit. I have more supplies to use...and I will.

CHEESE
Everything is from the kit EXCEPT the white cardstock and the green vinyl letters (which are available in the store)

PROUD
Everything is from the kit or an add-on.

The waiting game is over...

2008-04-01T14:21:00.003-04:00

I wasn't chose for the DT over at Scrap4Life. They were going to pick 3 but decided that it was such a tough call, they went with 6. So, Congratulations to all of those who made it.

To be honest, I am a little disappointed. I thought I had a pretty good chance. I have to admit that my last layout wasn't the best but I thought my overall work was pretty good. Don't I sound full of myself? LOL! I wish when you didn't make a DT or win a contest, they would let you know how and what they based their decisions on. I am the type of person who will ponder on why I didn't do so well.

On a better note, I am glad that I stumbled on to Scrap4Life. They have the same fun, cozy feel that Coordinates Collections has. So, I am blessed to be able to hang out on 2 wonderful sites!

Thanks to Jodie and the gang over at Scrap4Life for the opportunity.

The waiting is almost over...

2008-03-30T18:45:00.004-04:00

for the announcement of the 3 scrappers who will be joining the DT over at SCRAP4LIFEannouncement will be made on Monday morning. I can't wait to see who the talented scrapper are going to be. Everyone is so talented, I am sure its a hard call for Jodie and the DT! I wish them all the luck.

Even if I am not 1 of the 3, I have had fun. The challenges for the call were just that...challenges.

Week 4: Using the colors Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue and Green. Keep things Bright...
Week 4 Gallery

Week 3: Make your own embellishment
Week 3 Gallery

Week 2: Transparency
Week 2 Gallery

Week 1: Bling
We had to use bling in the layout and as a mom of 3 boys, I don't use bling often...if ever. lol!
Week 1 Gallery

Scrapping with primary colors...

2008-03-29T10:24:00.006-04:00

is NOT as easy as you would think. The last challenge for the DT call over at was to create a layout using the colors red, oragne, yellow, green and blue and focus on journaling. Ok, I decided to use the bright colors but not to overdue them and focus on my journaling...opening up about myself. I think the layout was ok, maybe not my best, but ok. More theraputic.

Jodie and the rest of the gang will be making their decision this weekend and I think they will be having a hard decision. Each of the the final 10 were very creative. You can head on over to Scrap4Life and check out all the entries!

Haven't been scrapping...

2008-03-15T18:46:00.005-04:00

but watching movies. It has been nice to sit down and relax and watch a movie or two. Last week I rented The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Judd Law and I am David with Jim Caviezel. The movie is base on the book written in 1963 by Anne Holm. The movie plot is about A 12-year old boy escapes a Stalinist concentration camp in Bulgaria and sets out on a risky journey to Denmark in hopes of finding freedom, while facing danger and encountering various people along the way. A guard at the camp initially helps him to escape, giving him a compass and telling him he must go southwest to Greece, take a boat to Italy and finally go north to Denmark, a peaceful and neutral country. Since he has been locked in a camp all his life, David is inexperienced, and wary of other people. Johannes, his teacher, taught him Italian, French, English, Danish, Russian and a little bit of Hebrew. Johannes dies later in the story and leaves David to go to Denmark to find freedom. In his journey he meets many people and comes to develop his emotions and learn how to trust other people . You can find out more information about the movie and book by heading over to that site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_am_David. I wish I knew how to give you the direct link but I am not that much of an experienced blogger. LOL!

Glad that Monday is over...

2008-03-11T17:20:00.004-04:00

anid that Tuesday is here (and actually almost over...)

It seems that I am more tired on Mondays than I am on Friday's and I can't figure that out. Can you and if so, please explain to me?

Last week, I took the plunge and got a drastic hair cut. I had about 4 inches cut off. I haven't had it this short since I was in middle school but I feel like a new person. It does take some getting use to but I like it. Yeah, I like it.

A few weeks ago, I signed up to tryout for the Design Team over at Scrap4Life. Each week there will be a challenge and those who have moved on from the previous week has to accomplish this challenge. For the first week, the challenge was *BLING*. Now, with 3 boys, I don't use much bling on my layouts. So, this was a total challenge. I was nervous all weekend waiting for the announcement on Monday.

Monday came. Announcement came. My name was listed. Phew...

This week I need to created a layout using Transparency or acrylic letters. Another challenge. Jodie and the gang over at Scrap4Life know how to challenge me.

As soon as I can, I will post my layouts.

Lovin' the March kit from Coordinates Collections...

2008-02-29T20:24:00.004-05:00

I am so thankful that I was chosen for the Design Team. The gals are wonderful and Jaime, the owner, really rocks her kits. This month is no different. I had alot of fun 'creating' with this kit. So much so, I made a total of *6* projects with the kit and still have a ton of stuff to use up.

Have you seen the previews?

2008-02-27T20:59:00.002-05:00

Jaime, the owner of CC, has really been rockin' her kits. It was so hard for me to pick just one kit to showcase for March.

Around the Block

Embellishment Add-Ons

Paper Add-On

And then there is the fabulous 'Around the World' kit. I couldn't just pick one kit, so I ended up ordering this one for myself.

Around the World

Embellishment Add-On

Pattern Paper Add-On (which I really wish I had order...just may add it to my upcoming order)

There are a few more add-ons for each kit, just head on over to CC to check them out.

Love weekends like last weekend!

2008-02-26T18:28:00.005-05:00

I took Friday and Monday off from work because the boys didn't have school. They had a min-winter break. Boy, it seems that kids today get more days off than I ever did.

I decided to make it a fun day for us. We joined Brenda at Pizza Hut for lunch. Gotta love their Buffett!! Since, we aren't able to do much for Spring Break, so I decided to take the boys to a local Inn. We signed in around 3 P.M. and they swam until 4:45. Then we went back to the room and watched cartoons until about 5:15 and then back off to the pool. Our friends, the Swaffords, stopped by and swam until about 7:15. Then we all went to KFC for dinner and then back to the Inn to watch cartoons and go to sleep.

After the breakfast bar, the boys got ready to swim again. They swam for a couple of hours before check out. All in all, I think the boys had a wonderful time and that is exactly what I wanted.

Aunt Brenda and Uncle Charlie invited the boys over Saturday night. So, I dropped them off and ran to the local scrapbook store. Didn't really get anything, they didn't really have anything I really wanted. So, I headed back home and jumped online to participate in the online crop over at Scrap4life. I stayed up way later than I normally do. I had alot of fun and was able to accomplish a few layouts.

When the boys came home on Sunday, Rog decided to take them ice fishing. I couldn't believe it...another day to myself! So, I spent another day scrapping. What a great weekend.

January...

2008-02-05T16:20:00.002-05:00

The sponsor for the month of January was American Crafts. I was so thrilled! Love AC. AC was kind enough to send us some papers from their new Amplified Line, Thickers, brads, ribbon and a few other goodies. I like the layouts I did, but am unsure of if I did the goodies justice. I created 2 layouts and a couple of cards.

I, in no way think I am a good card maker. I think, no I KNOW, I am going to have to work on this. LOL! Some people just have such a talent for cards and I just can't seem to pull that out of me.

Scrap, Scrap, Scrap....That has been my week!

2008-01-26T09:32:00.000-05:00

I have to admit that I haven't been the most productive wife or mother this week. I have been busy working on layouts and altered products for a call that I found on the PUB. On Sunday, I went to a 'Pamper yourself day' at Roger's Aunts house but I spent the whole time scrapbooking and was able to finish this layout for the January Scenic Route contest over at Creative Scrap Shack.

I spent the rest of the week working on the Design Team call for Creative Scrap Shack. I have to say, even if I don't make the team, it has pushed me to scrap, alter and make cards. Now, I love to do layouts but I have to admit...doing cards and altering is more challenging for me. LOL!

Here is a layout of Ry. I look at him everyday and realize that he is no longer the little toddler that stumbled into the kitchen after his nap and would say "Hi, Mommy"
(I choke with emotion everytime I think of that)

The call also asked that you do a layout showcasing three different techniques. I LOVED doing this layout. I used the Hello Fall from Coordinates Collections. This kit has to be one of my favorites! Jaime really knows how to put kits together.

The Design Team call closes on the 31st, so I will know then! Here's to the 31st.

Ok, I have totally slacked on my blog...

2008-01-15T21:11:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it has been almost 2 months since I lasted posted. I had so much trouble trying to pull the page up at home but now that I have a new modem, it is much easier. Meaning, that I can keep up on my blog (fingers crossed) LOL!

Today, started off with a bang. Yesterday, I kept Dougie home from school thinking he had a stomach flu but he never got "sick" so I thought he would be ready for school this morning. When I woke him up, he started claiming that he still didn't feel good. When he told me his side hurt, not his stomach, and it has hurt since Friday...I stopped in my tracks. I decided that I was going to take him to the Doctors this morning but after a few minutes, I decided I was skipping the doctors and taking him directly to the ER.

Once there, they did a physical exam, urine test and an xray. Everything seemed normal but they did say if the pain persist, to call the doctor or come back in. What a relief. Doug was more excited that the nurse said he should stay home today and rest.

I spent this past weekend hanging out at Coordinates Collections for the weekend crop! I had so much fun. I haven't scrapped that much and that fast in a long time. There were six challenges.

Challenge #2 was to use 3 different pattern papers, chipboard and buttons. This was my favorite challenge!!

Challenge #4 was a sketch challenge! This challenge was a true challenge for me because I used 5 pictures on this layout when I typically only use 1 or 2.

To see more of the creations from each challenge, just visit the gallery at CC.

There were some rockin' layouts! I have enjoyed and been inspired this past weekend.

Speaking of CC, we are have a Scrapping with the Stars contest! I missed last years Scrapping with the Stars so I am excited to be part of this "seasons". You should stop over and check it out...

The Christmas Season has begun...

2007-11-23T20:49:00.001-05:00

I LOVE Christmas. I love the reason for the season, I love the music, I love the colors and smells... I just can't understand why some people let the stress of the season ruin the meaning.

I hope to get my Christmas Tree sometime in the next week but it all depends on when I can get to the Christmas Tree farm. The boys and I usually make the trip with Aunt Brenda and Uncle Charlie. I hope to pull out some of the decorations this weekend. At least the garland to hang around the doors.

oops! I haven't been blogging...

2007-11-05T15:56:00.000-05:00

I have been so busy with work and scrapping with some amazing sponsor products from Heidi Grace. I just love the stuff that they sent to Coordinates Collections for the Design Team. The colors and style are so me. Here are a few of my layouts:

I took the boys to a local park for some photo opts and I decided to jump in and was thrilled with the photo of us. Since I am normally the photo taker, there are few pictures of us together.

This picture was also from the photo opt at the park. I loved the way they seem so grown up...they are still my babies.

I also did a mini album for my good friend Danica. She has 2 girls, which is a nice change from the 3 boys I scrap. LOL! Here is a few pages from her album:

She must have liked it because she had tears in her eyes while looking through it. Which made every second of working on it worth it!

Product of the Week for 10/8 for Cooordinates Collections

2007-10-12T13:48:00.001-04:00

How many of us really collect trinkets or newspapers clippings? I know I do. I actually found alot of them while organzing my scraproom. I had so many little things that I kept to remember my years in Jr. and Sr. High School...not to mention my years in College.

So, I decided to use the 7 Gyspies Naked Pizza Box to create a little memory box to keep my dear items. I really liked how it turned out. I used the 7 Gyspies Zanzibar papers that I got over at CoordinatesCollections to cover the pizza box. I decided to dig out some pictures...some from each generation. I was thrilled with the way it turned out!

Ry's proud moment...

2007-10-12T13:29:00.000-04:00

Preparing for the first day of Bow-Hunting usually starts a month before the October 1st opening day. Last year was Ry's first season Bow-Hunting. He did fairly well. He shot a small 6pt. buck. Something he and Roger were very proud of.

This year, Ry was able to do some shooting at an indoor range along with shooting the target outside. I think it did him some good...alot of good. On Thursday, October 4, Rog and Ry came home after hunting saying they needed to get the flashlights and to call Uncle Will to track the buck. In our family, this is pure excitment during the hunting season. About an hour later, they returned with this:

Rog was so proud for Ry. He even cleaned his barn up so that when friends and family came over to see Ry's buck they would have a place to walk. I have to laugh because when you show a picture of the buck to other hunters, they are awed. It isn't an everyday thing when you can get a buck like this.

POW for 10/1 Creative Imaginations Patsy and Chris gift boxes...

2007-10-01T16:48:00.001-04:00

I have a bug. I don't know what type but I know it has me down. I was telling a friend and she told me that she had the same thing and a Doctor told her it was from a bug that is found on salad. Makes you wonder about eating salad again, doesn't it? I was down yesterday and down for most of the day today but I am starting to feel better. So, I spent most of my day in my scraproom listening to Family Life Radio and working on my POW's that were DUE TODAY!!! Thankfully, I was able to finish them. Phew...

Patsy Boxes:

Chris Boxes:

I love these! I decided I would create little "treat" boxes for a friend. After 3 weeks of making projects, I think I am getting use to making other paper projects other than layouts. I have one more project to make before I start another new task over at CC.

Why must the good always come with the bad?

2007-09-27T07:22:00.000-04:00

I awoke Sunday in a "MOOD". I can't tell you why maybe it was a sign that I was in for an up and down week. That night, the boys went for a walk with Grandma and brought me back this beautiful bouquet of wildflowers.

It made my day.

You have to understand, my boys don't typically think of things like that for me. They are the rough and tumble type and not the loving and giving type. I think I need to work on that.

POW for 9/24 from Coordinates Collections

2007-09-25T10:51:00.000-04:00

I have been in a organziation mood lately. Everything must have a place of its own. I am also a list maker. I think I have inherited that from my grandma. We make list for our chores, our finances and our time. Not, that we accomplish anything on our list. lol! One list I love to create is my list of Christmas for my boys. So, when thinking of how I was going to use the 7 Gyspies portfolio, I thought how perfect it would be to document my Christmas lists.

You can find this over at CC at 20% off.

The POW (Product of the Week) from Coordinates Collection

2007-09-17T20:06:00.000-04:00

When Jamie, the owner and operator of Coordinates Collections emailed me and offered me the position on the Design Team, I was thrilled. The only reservation I had was that she wanted me to do projects of the week rather than paper layouts. Now, for me, that is a new experience because I have never really did anything BUT layouts.

On Monday, I revealed my first project. The ATC Matchbox Kit with Trading Cards from 7 Gyspies. It took me a few days to think about what I could create. I recently started reading and trying to focus on Living the Intentional Life by Dr. Randy Carlson. He suggest 12 Daily Principles to live by and how lucky there were exactly 12 trading cards. I was tickled to be able to combine my love of Christ with my love of Scrapbooking. I was happy with the outcome and thrilled to share the Intentional Living message with other.

The weekend just flew by...

2007-09-16T20:58:00.000-04:00

Goodness. I can't believe how fast the weekend went. This past week was a tough one for the boys. Ry got in trouble twice for throwing things. One was some type of science project with needles in it and another, according to him was a stuff animal and according to his teacher was a pen cap. Anyway, he got called into the Principal's office, which meant he lost his ability to play any type of video games for a week and no TV on Saturday. Then there was Nick. On Friday, I got a call from his Principal. Nick will be eating alone this next week. According to his Principal, Nick and this other boy got into an agrument and Nick said something that wasn't necessary. So, he to lost his video games for a week and no TV on Saturday.

Because Doug didn't get in any trouble, I needed to reward him. I asked him what he wanted to do special. Just us. He wanted to go bowling. So on Friday Night, we headed out for some extreme bowling. We played 3 games and had some ice cream. We were on our last game, when the guy who works at the bowling lanes came over and asked me if we were having problems with our score cards because I just kept looking up on the TV screen at our scores. I told him we weren't, I was just looking at all the gutterballs that Doug and I had gotten. I think Doug managed to get a gutterball in frames 4 thru 9 and I had guttered in couple of frames. Yeah, we aren't the best bowlers but we had a wonderful time together.

Church was amazing this morning. During the service there were 5 children dedicated. I felt alot of comfort in today's service. It was exactly what I needed to hear. I never really had a strong parent role model, and because of that I think I struggle with what type of parent I am. I always wish I could be that perfect parent who never gets angry, who never raises her voice and who can always reason with their children. Maybe someday, with prayer. Ry and Doug got to go with their youth group after service for an outing for some bowling while Nick and I headed over to the fairgrounds to finish cleaning up the chicken barns.

Tomorrow is the big day over at Coordinates Collections. I am going to reveal my Project of the Week (POW). I hope everyone enjoys it. I plan on posting on my blog too...after CC, of course. So, make sure you check back.

Add another candle on that cake...

2007-09-08T08:24:00.000-04:00

Yup, it's my birthday. Yesterday, the girls at work threw me a potluck and let me tell you how delicious it was. We had homemade stromboli, a cheese ball with crackers, mexican chip dip and the most beautiful chocolate cake with drizzled peanutbutter and slivered almonds. Yum!! They really spoiled me and made my 34th Birthday great! My Mother-in-Law gave me the most beautiful card with some money. I also got a gift certificate to Hobby Lobby, which is already spent. LOL! I had to get some scrapbook albums because my layouts have been stacking up. Oh, and to add to my wonderful day, I got my package for Coordinates Collections. I would post a picture of all the great stuff but it has to be a surprise to be revealed on that particular day. So, if you want to see the first Product of the Week...check out CC around September 17.

Rog asked me what I wanted to do today. Besides going to work, I told him not much of anything. I would be thrilled if they would do up the dishes. LOL! Birthdays just aren't the same for me since my Grandma Carol died in 1992. She had always made a big deal about Birthdays.

I hope to do some scrapping tonight. Wish me luck!

Here it goes...

2007-09-05T13:33:00.001-04:00

Ok, I have never, ever thought of starting my own BLOG. That was until I came across Coordinates Collections. About a month ago, I started spending time in my scraproom again (after almost a year off). About 2 weeks ago, I saw that CC was having a Design Team Call. I thought, what the heck, it couldn't hurt to tryout. I mean, all they could say was no. Right? So, I jumped on the message board and made myself at home. Within a week, I had almost 100 posts. I do like to talk...

Although I didn't get the " kit spot" on the Design Team, I was offered a wonderful opportunity. Jamie, the owner and operator of CC, emailed me and told me that she enjoyed my work. She asked me if I would be interested in a position on the Design Team to highlight the PRODUCTS OF THE WEEK aka POW's. Well, I couldn't say no!! CC not only has a great group of ladies to hang out with but the kits ROCK. Being a mom of 3 boys, I sometimes find it hard to find kits that are masculine enough to scrap their activities. You know what I mean?

Anyway, back to why I now have a BLOG. Not only has Jamie offered me a position but she also offered Jenni, aka jgj27, the position of Coordinates Collections BLOG Coordinator. She has this awesome thread about Blogging and it just made sense to join in on the fun. So here I am...