my pink scrappy life

Itty Bitty Christmas Sneak Peek

2011-11-11T07:58:00.000-05:00

I can't wait to start shooting tomorrow! I love Christmas time and shooting Christmas pictures is so much fun. The last week or so I have been setting up a "studio" for these fun up coming sessions. Some of my besties came over to help me get organized and throw ideas my way. We dressed up their little darlings in their Christmas best and put them in front of the camera! I had an awesome time playing with some of my new stuff! Thank You Ladies for your help and your support I am so blessed to have these wonderful girlfriends!

Itty Bitty Session

2011-08-26T15:29:00.003-04:00

I had so much fun taking pictures of her little newborn sister I couldn't resist putting her in the spot light for a couple of minutes. Her eyes are SO awesome.

Sneak Peek- Newborn Session

2011-08-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

Babies are just so much fun to shoot (especially when you are related to them)! I was so thankful that my cousin wanted me to capture the precious first days of her little girls life. There is just something so magical about the beginnings. Not only did I get to try out some of my new props, I got to cuddle and smell that sweet little baby(ness) again. After I had my third I hinted quite regularly to my husband that I think FOUR would be just great but even with my sometimes relentless efforts when my youngest turned two and was out of diapers I had to admit that this was the end having babies for me. SO now when I get a chance to cuddle one up I DO! If you want to see even more of this little angel check out my facebook page!

August 4th Photo Fun!

2011-08-08T08:00:00.001-04:00

I had the GREAT pleasure of working with these two handsome boys and their beautiful baby sister. What fun it was to see how they protected and loved her. She is going to be so blessed to have TWO big brothers that will always look out for her! I have also been playing with some great new photoshop actions and I am super EXCITED about starting my photoshop class next week!

Where is the smile?

2011-08-05T10:49:00.001-04:00

I'm all about smiles. I love big happy faces. I find smiles and faces in everything: the clouds, wood patterns, shadows in the grass, spills on my floor. So it is no surprise that after I took the picture of my favorite flower at the Detroit Zoo that I found a face right in the middle of it.

So do you see it? I just know that God loves to show off. I know that he knew I would see it. In the strangest way I knew I was meant to see this flower. So when looking for the perfect logo for my *big adventure* I instantly went to this picture. Even though it was taken 3 years ago (with a point and shoot camera) this flower was it. I've always thought daisies were the friendliest, happiest flowers on this planet. I love the simple yellow and white. I love the soft slim fun-to-pluck petals. I love that they grow tall and crazy. It's like they are always good for a laugh. The idea of this flower was everything that I wanted my photography to be: Fun, Happy, Playful, Surprising, Enjoyable, Silly, Meaningful, Interesting, Imaginative.... So here is another sneak peek of what is soon to come!

I know that it is not the fanciest, most artistic or even practical logo but there is nothing else I would rather be using. I love my smiling flower!

A new look, a new business, a new adventure!

2011-08-02T20:04:00.008-04:00

I'm here to introduce Big Smack Photography! I know, I know what am I thinking! My own business, a hobby turned to ...well something. I am as surprised as you. The second my husband put my beautiful new Nikon into my hands my heart just couldn't control it's self. I felt like after all these years of "yuck" happening to us that something wonderful had just popped into my life. I was slow at using my new toy, it felt so odd, so foreign to have such luxury in my hands. I felt like I shouldn't have it. I was nervous that I wouldn't love being behind the camera any more. I was scared that all my artistic training just wasn't good enough. I felt overwhelmed by all the displays and add-ons and options. I wondered if I deserved this wonderful thing that I had ached for for so long. The first few months were weird, it sat in it's bag a lot. I'm not sure when but an explosion went off in me one day. I needed to get better and learn and return to the camera freak I once was. The passion filled me once again and I couldn't believe the joy I felt when I would take a beautiful picture. I started to share my joy with anyone who would look. As months passed it became obvious what was in my heart, what I loved to do and finally it all came to be. Once I knew what I wanted to do with "the rest of my life" I also knew I wanted to blog about my journey with everyone. I immediately went and opened up a new blog site...that's when this pit arrived in my stomach. I just couldn't get myself to design or even think about another blog. I mean I LOVE my pink scrappy blog. I love my stories and my pages and my history here. Scrapbooking is the reason I found photography. In striving to create beautiful pages I would work so hard on creating beautiful (or at least decent) pictures. That's when the question popped into my head "is it okay to use this blog?" The answer was given to me by one of my closest and dearest friends, Kristen (pictured below), she said, "of course you should it's a natural transition!" The more we talked the more I felt like she was completely right. Why leave my beautiful blog behind when it can come along with me! My doubts were lifted and I realized that it is (kind of) the end of one journey and the beginning of a new one. I am so excited, so energized and so willing to admit that I am new and I just want to learn. I invite everyone to come explore with me as I dive into this adventure! I look forward to sharing my new website and the story behind the name soon!

P.S. Thank you Kristen for being such a wonderful inspiration in my life!

Good bye summer

2010-09-15T12:03:00.002-04:00

It is now the middle of September and even though the sun still kisses our faces here in Michigan and the warmth is still felt, the cool crisp smell in the breeze reminds us that summer is over. The hot humid days at the park are gone, the heavy smells of flowers that fill your nose during those afternoon bike rides are no more and the beach will now be walked over with a shiver instead of bath suits and sunscreen. I am having a harder time this year saying goodbye. I usually welcome fall with open arms and wrap myself up in the sunny but cool days, the apples and pumpkins and the sight of school buses filled with children. This year however I want my carefree warm summer days back. The sad reality that I will soon be packing up all the sundresses and flip flops is not settling well with me. Fall is beautiful and I can't wait to go apple picking at Blake’s and get our pumpkins from the adorable little patch at the corner of an intersection in the middle of nowhere but saying goodbye just seems too soon. The excitement of the colored leaves and the glimpses at Halloween costumes and that rich fall colored decor still stirs that pounding in my heart. I do want fall here. I can't wait for my Frankenmuth weekend with my mom, cousins, aunt, grandma and sister but still it feels like such a shame to let go of the peaceful playfulness of summer. It could be that this fall I am overwhelmed because I am back in school and all 3 kids are in school. Maybe it's because it is my last summer in my 20's, I don't know. What I do know is that I do welcome my favorite time of year with a joy of pies and cool breezes but for the first time in I don't know how long I will look forward to the return of summer.

Apple Hunt

2010-09-04T16:52:00.000-04:00

It’s September which means my favorite time of year has arrived! Apple picking, pumpkin patches, colored leaves and cool breezes will soon be enjoyed by me! There is no better way to celebrate the beginning of my temporary paradise then by doing a page about an apple hunt! Peyton, my colorful third child, is always making me look at even the most ordinary events in a new playful way. He not only wanted to pick the apples from the tree but wanted to hunt down the best ones he could find. He walked from tree to tree pointing at different ones and then deciding yes or no. He often would look at the ones on the ground and I would have to remind him to get the ones still on the trees. His bag did eventually get filled and he enjoyed the sweet victory of his hunt. I’ve always looked at apple picking or pumpkin picking as an adventure but never really went about it the same silly way Peyton did. He has gone picking several times a year even as a baby and it was so cool to watch him really grasp the idea this time around. When before he would just grab the first couple he saw, he now really made a conscience decision to what apples he put in his bag. I can’t wait to see what this fall will bring in his shiny personality.

2010-09-01T16:50:00.000-04:00

Well, my stint as a dare devil has ended and I am back to my normal slightly more provoking self. I’m back to my stories and pictures and pretty paper. The change could be because of my recent trip to Frankenmuth or that Mikayla’s shoes caught my attention either way it’s back to the norm for me. Isn’t it funny that the smallest things will trigger a memory or inspire you to be creative? As much as I like to roam this life and find more things that make me smile, I also love that the people right in front of me bring inspiration all the time. Those three little monsters I call children seem to light a fire in my brain. They drive me to make stories, find interesting things to do and be constantly on my toes. Smiles come easily to me though so maybe the people around me are lucky or cursed depending on how you look at it. Often a sign or a silly person in my path will make me laugh. I love that I find the world so amusing but I am sure that my family would appreciate a Mother/Wife that wasn’t so quirky. So I guess I am only back to as normal as I get.

The Dare Devil in Full Force

2010-08-29T12:11:00.000-04:00

The thing with being a dare devil, living on the edge or being a drifter is that once you do it, it's so hard not to want to do it again and again...

It's like once you steal one cookie from the jar you just can't help but take another. After posting my adorable hello friend card and seeing it all cute up on my blog I couldn't help but dash to my "art room" and divulge in more elusive behavior. In the end I was able to make 10 cards and decided I would share my two favorites. So what makes these my favorites? Well, the Bella is a Bella and seriously who can resist those? The second is all about the color combo. It has all my favorite colors in it, especially the yellow and the pink. On a side note the kids start school tomorrow!

Sometimes scrapbooking just isn't enough

2010-08-28T11:53:00.000-04:00

There are times in my life when I just feel like mixing it up. Actually, although I am not sure I should admit this, I often get restless. I love being out in the world meeting new people and doing new things. I hate being in one place for too long and have a constant yearning to explore. If it weren’t for my adoring husband and beautiful children I may have ended up being a little of a drifter. Moving here and there and never being able to make up my mind about which place really feels like home or which job really feels like me. As the years pass me by I have gained a bit more focus but that nomad spirit ignites in me every so often. Since the excitement in my life is often coupled with a 5 year olds soccer goal or my 8 year olds newest art project you can see where frustration with the normal eats at me. Making it absolutely imperative for a bit more excitement and can drive me into the craziness of card making. On the plus side it is very helpful in using up those scraps left behind from my “normal” activities. I know I am such a dare devil…

Dirt is My Favorite Color

2010-08-26T12:32:00.000-04:00

It wouldn't surprise me if dirt was his favorite color. He wears it all the time.

Soccer Season!

2010-08-23T10:58:00.001-04:00

As school inches closer so does another favorite fall activity: Soccer Season! Of all the joys I get from my darling middle child watching him play soccer is by far on the top of my list. Last spring because of my classes and Mikayla’s ice skating I had to miss out on almost all of his games. During the season I didn’t really mind because my head was filled with figure skating and economics. It wasn’t until mid summer that I longed to see his joy filled smile after he scored a goal or the intense concentration as he tried to keep control over the ball as he kicked it down the field. With his registration done and the fall season approaching I think I am anticipating it as much as he is!

Cooler Than Me

2010-08-21T10:55:00.001-04:00

Gavin has this innate ability to fall asleep anywhere. I already can see him as an old man sleeping on the couch with all his family over after a Sunday dinner or in the lawn chair after spending a hot afternoon in the pool. So it shouldn't surprise me that he can fall asleep while his sunglasses are still on. Honestly knowing Gavin there could have been more thought put into it. He could actually be trying to keep the sun out of his eyes while he took his afternoon rest; I wasn't keen enough to ask him this at the time. I long for his talent of sleep instead of my own tossing and turning restless nights. He is so much like his father it makes me smile.

It's the climb

2010-08-19T10:38:00.001-04:00

The joys of little boys. Entertainment at a glance.

Stunning

2010-08-17T10:35:00.002-04:00

Stunning. Mikayla amazes me. She stuns me all the time. I wish I could say we were so much a like that I naturally understood her all the time. Unfortunately we aren't and I don't understand her. Which is why she often leaves me stunned. Stunned that she is so much better at all things school related than I ever was. Stunned that she is so beyond talented artistically that I have had her draw pictures for me so I could paint them. I am in complete awe that she can shake off the negative so easily sometimes, I even get angry that a punishment doesn't bother her more. She has no time to dwell though she just looks for the silver lining. That is what can be so wonderful about parenting watching in wonder, stunned sometimes, at the amazing experience that growing up is.

The One in the Middle

2010-08-15T10:33:00.001-04:00

Gavin is 100% the middle child. He know how to push everyone's buttons. He knows how to be the center of attention and how to be forgotten. He is the best at getting away with things or having something go unnoticed. He is also my sweet lovable one who has an enduring personality that makes a lot of m friends say he is their "favorite." His easiness and laid back spirit encircles his little life with all the joys it one comes to expect. Unlike most middle children he is never forgotten...unless he wants to be.

100 days

2010-08-13T10:31:00.001-04:00

What I found most freeing about scrapbooking is that I do not have to do it in order. It doesn't matter that Mikalya is entering the 3rd grade this year and that I now just finished her 100 day of kindergarten page. It doesn't matter that Gavin's most likely will not get done until he is in 3rd grade just that I finally felt like doing it and I can now place it in a book and call it good!

New Friends

2010-08-11T10:29:00.001-04:00

After that dreadful thought of winter I decided to find something that wouldn't make me miss summer but also would bring on the gloom and doom of the grey, snowy months either. In my opinion the only thing that makes winter bearable is that fall comes right before it. Fall is by far my favorite season. If I could find a place in the world wear it was fall (with the colorful leaves and giant orange pumpkins) all year round I would force my darling husband to move me immediately. Fall brings hay rides; apple picking and cinder mills all which makes me want to do a happy dance with the crunchy leaves beneath my feet. The semi cool breezes, the school buses slowly plowing down the streets and the sight of kids in brand new back packs has the same effect on me as the brightly colored Popsicles. Last fall brought on a bit of a challenge for my family since the kids were beginning a new school. As any parent would do I stayed awake at night wondering if my daughter would adjust well. For the last four years she had been with the same group of kids and as much as we needed the change it broke my heart thinking she would be lonely until she found her grove. I didn’t have to lay awake long, which of course was good for everyone, she blended in with the girls seamlessly all the drama included. I was lucky enough to go on the first field trip and meet her new friends at one of my favorite fall places…the cider mill! So much for all my worrying.

Oh Summer, How I Love You!

2010-08-10T11:30:00.003-04:00

As I stare at the calendar trying to squeeze in all the things I wanted to get done this summer I quickly realized that the kids have less than three weeks left. I only have two before my classes start. Looking back over the last two months I am trying to decide why summer fills my heart with butterflies. Is it the carefree unstructured days that make my kids go bonkers; is it the hot summer sun that kisses my skin all pink? How about the baseball games or the smell of BBQ’s as I jog through the neighborhood? The Bike rides to the park or the music from the ice cream truck all linger in my thoughts even as the dreadful chill whips through the air. Yet, none of those can quite compare to the 100 pack of cheap popsicles that decorate nearly every store come the first heat wave of the year. The cheap colorful flavored water is a timeless treasure of summer. Through the years the excitement and joy they create in children seems to be unchanged generation to generation. It’s these timeless joys that bring on those butterflies just as mid November brings on the woeful dread of winter. Sigh. I think I will push off those thoughts and grab another Popsicle for the kids so I can relax and devour the last restful days of my butterfly happiness.

Well, Hello Sunshine!

2010-07-25T22:15:00.001-04:00

The morning arrives. The sunshine is usually not yet lazying in through the cracks in my curtains when the squeaking of my door makes me quick to hide my smile. Peeking those blue eyes in, usually with blanket over the head, is my morning sunshine...my sunshine before the sunshine. With fast little patters, one big leap and a scurry across the bed he looks at me and says, "I'm cold." Which in little boy language means "I want to get under the covers with you so I can wiggle around until you are forced to wake up." Those little cold feet slide in and plant themselves some place on my body and just as is expected the wiggle dance begins. He moves from side to side, feet in feet out, pillow no pillow until finally he puts his big fat smile to my face and says, "I'm thirsty." Which in little boy language means "get up." On most mornings my sunshine comes in through my door with a head full of red hair and an adorable smile and a big smacking kiss just for me. Well, all I have to say is HELLO SUNSHINE!

Ever Feel Hopeless?

2010-07-23T22:07:00.001-04:00

Have you ever felt completely hopeless about a page? Like no matter what you do it just isn't working the way you want. This is one of those pages for me. The idea just couldn't make it to paper, the balance just seemed off, the colors needed something. Of course I could have just hidden it away in my hundreds of pages but I wanted to prove that I am above being a crazy scrapper and sometimes it's better just to stop, add your story and move on. So trains you can beat it....I am moving on.

What Money Can Buy

2010-07-21T21:56:00.002-04:00

Teaching kids about money is about as fun as getting smacked in the face. It's so hard to see the disappointment in their faces when there just isn't enough...and there is never enough. So when the lesson is approaching I prepare myself with a positive attitude, an ice pack and maybe a stiff drink (insert martini here). Being on a budget for adults and children alike reminds me of being on a hunt, you are stalking your prey once you pounce you can only hope that there is enough
"money power" to take it down. Unfortunately for Peyton the million dollar train table escaped but Herold the airplane was captured, bagged and brought home. Gavin, always so sensible, went straight for the trains and picked one without any fight. The drama queen, as so many of you know, can never be pleased and will capture and release many times over. After hunting for hours her tummy got the best of her (and maybe the idea of it being made before her eyes) so taffy was her treasure and she was even kind enough to share. The lesson here: shopping is a fight so go out and win some battles.

Mustache Smile

2010-07-16T14:56:00.000-04:00

Who needs milk when you've got my home made berry smoothies?! Of course you have to devour these scrumptious delights in a martini glass. Kelly style all the way.

1 BIG smack

2010-07-13T11:50:00.002-04:00

Ever since Peyton was little he has had one big smack of a smile. He lays it on you like a wet disgusting kiss. Those beautiful blue eyes of his get super shiny, send tingles down your spine and then he slaps you with that grin. Doesn't matter how mad you are it wipes it all away. I think it's his total childish innocents. He has that down. All his bad is in the name of fun or curiosity which makes it a lot harder to stay upset. Mischief is his friend and they need a good wing man so that big lovable giggle-filled grin comes in handy on most days. I admit it I think it is completely irresistible and if I had a choice between staring at that big smack all day or having it taken away for a million dollars I'd choose the smack. Smack me up Peyton I love it!

Full of Flair

2010-07-11T11:31:00.002-04:00

Of course they are full of fair, they are MY children. Each with their own kind of flair. If I had to buy flair to describe them or to at least show their personality it would be easy as pie. Mine or course would be a pink cupcake in a martini glass topped with a yellow sparkling crown. What would yours be? Maybe a lollipop or a fast red car or a ladybug. Mikayla's would be some sort of colorful fuzzy animal. She adores animals. She is constantly talking about having a pet or some sort. Usually saying something like "When I move out I am going to have a pink cheetah as a pet." or "when you finish fixing up the house can I get a cat and call her cheddar?" She would rather spend hours playing with her littlest pet shop toys then watch TV, play with her millions of Hannah Montana Barbies or even glance at her Polly Pockets. Not complaining...just thankful. Gavin is easy and really needs no explanation other then I've never wanted throw away a $300 toy in my life...until now. All I would do is find him a Super Mario Brothers pin and call it good. He lives and breathes that game right now. He makes pictures of the different worlds. He talks about characters who I don't even know. Fireballs and fly hats and mushrooms and lives all fill his head. If he is not playing the game he is talking about the game. How far he has gone, how he is going to beat the next part, popping people out of bubbles and scoring points and lives. SIGH! Peyton is a little harder. I think I would get him one that said "Red heads rule." It would cover the fact that he is a freak with red hair that must have belonged to some other ancient relative. It pretty much covers his I am tough and get what I want attitude and it's short and to the point. I love flair. I love looking and thinking about it. I love that it makes me smile. Which all in all is a good thing since all my kids have it.

My Heart's Delight

2010-07-09T10:51:00.002-04:00

Peyton is the most animated of all my children. He is crazy and intense, his temper often gets the better of him and he has no patience for anything. He wants what he wants and he wants it now! Honestly I can't blame him for trying to eat up as much of life as he possible can. It's a shame we are all only young once. Sometimes I feel like he KNOWS it goes quick so he is going to have the best time while it last. He loves to watch everyone around him and try to do what they are doing. Of course getting angry when it doesn't go his way, but he doesn't like giving up. He's a little fighter. "Play hard or go home" I swear I hear him thinking this. It is not that often that you will find him calm and reflective. Lounging around on the soccer field taking a break from complaining that he is too young to play on the team yet just isn't like him. Yet, there he is probably pouting because he missed the ball or thinking of what he can get away with next. Admitting you love your child's faults is hard. I know I should be stronger and sterner with him. I know I shouldn't let him get away with being so aggressive. Finding the energy and the will has been hard with him. It's so ingrained in his personality I feel like I will change him. Stupid logic I know. Whatever you want to think of it, his strong will, temper, passion it's my delight. I love that I have another strapping push forward personality in the house! I guess he could be called my partner in crime!

No Excuses

2010-07-06T15:33:00.003-04:00

So there is no need to remind me of how long its been. The shame and guilt have come and gone. The sad September 2009 date of my self taught stamper makes me laugh because really not much has changed. I only wish I had some awesome excuse of why I left my beautiful pink blog to sit and rot away in the vast Internet world. Sigh. Unfortunately I did not steal my family away from reality and go backpacking through Europe, or take a very extended cruise to all the exotic places I only dream about, I didn't become a member of a cult that does not use modern technology and (thank goodness!) I didn't stop scrapbooking! And since I have no one else to blame and I feel the child like need to point fingers I will blame it all on facebook.
I am here from the same location, with the same three crazy children, same quiet hubby and same passion for paper as ever before. My scrapbooking supply has grown, my pictures have taken over the closet and my obsession with crowns, cupcakes, martinis and paper flowers have flourished. The past 10 months have been interesting to say the least. So let's begin again.

Yes that is my daughter and yes she is in a dog cage and that is how she spent her new years eve. I know the joys of childhood right! Our wonderful friends invited us over to ring in the new year with a bang, 8 adult, 13 children and 1 dog. Do you think the millions of toys scattered across the house could be enough to entertain? Or course not. The dog cage, like the classic box, was the most entertaining, desired and played with object all night. Now let me introduce you to Mis-matched princess Mikayla.

Need I say more. Star Power girls.

Self Taught Stamper

2009-09-01T10:34:00.001-04:00

Once upon a time I would get all up in fits when something of mine would get ruined by one of the kids. I remember Mikayla wasting a whole roll of toilet paper, ruining my brand new make-up and my newly painted walls being colored on...with red pen. All those times I was so angry that I couldn't find the humor in any of it. I was so worried about the stuff that I forgot to enjoy the creativity and wonder of my little girl. Two kids later and bags full of broken, ruined and stained belongings I've lightened up and learned to move on. So when Peyton's curiosity got the best of him and my black ink pad became his medium I rolled with the punches and thanked God that it wasn't my staz-on instead. Black hand prints covered my living room floors, walls and furniture the only thing he forgot to get all inked up was the stamp sets! It's hard to be angry when the joy on his face spread even further by showing me what he had done. I laughed at him when cleaning up the mess seemed to bring him as much excitement as did making it. So here's to rolling with the punches and taking one for the team.

Oh Peyton!

2009-08-31T10:17:00.001-04:00

Peyton is such a wild child. His playful and silly personality makes everyone in the family smile and laugh. He is always looking for a way to have more fun, make you giggle or be active. From hiding under laundry baskets pretending to be a kitty to being Mr. Dare Devil and jumping off Mom's bed he is busy! His temper and need for answers makes him has sharp as can be. You can't pull a fast one with this little man. Now that the kids have started school he is so upset when I drop them off and he doesn't go with them. He is constantly asking me "where is Gavin?" and "where is Kayla?" When I tell him they are at school he slumps and pouts. Sweet morning kisses and peek-a-boo faces are what I get to wake up. Sneaking in the bedroom and quietly talking to mom is my way of waking up. His laugh brightens my day, his smile makes my heart swell and his little kisses (with a smacking sound) brings rainbows to my life. He is a handful, a whipper snapper a monster but he's mine and I love him.

TROUBLE!

2009-08-29T10:14:00.001-04:00

love that baby but he is so much trouble! He always has been and I am sure he always will be.

Home Made

2009-08-25T11:00:00.000-04:00

My mom loves to sew. She has made my family many quilts, blankets and even curtains! So I was really pushing her to make Mikayla and I matching pj pants. I found this material at the fabric store and just had to have it. Later we were able to find matching socks and even bought a pair for Grandma to wear to! I always love things that are home made because really it's just like a big ball of love!

Dino Stories

2009-08-23T10:48:00.000-04:00

This paper has been in my stash for years. I love when I use something that's been around for awhile. It makes me feel like my purchases aren't just useless. I know we all feel like that at times. So chalk one up for Kelly!

When we love...

2009-08-21T10:45:00.000-04:00

We grow. This is one of my favorite paper packs. It's called bella. Perfect for an array of different pages. Worked perfect for Steph and Mike's wedding since the colors were right on!

Sweet cousins

2009-08-20T10:37:00.001-04:00

These little sweet peas are just to so sweet. They are only two weeks apart and are just the princesses of the family right now. I love how their little personalities are so different. Maddie is a cheeky little girl. She is always getting into things and fights for what she wants. She can hold her own with all those older kids and boys around. Ashli on the other hand is just as busy but much softer in her approach. She is a little lover and cuddles and sits and plays with you. I really love how both pages give a feel for their personalities. Maddie's is still soft and sweet but a bit more playful and wild just like her. Ashli's on the other had is soft, girly and sweet just like her. Watching them grow gives me great joy and I can't wait to continue to do so.

Lucky Me

2009-08-18T10:31:00.000-04:00

Some pictures I feel just lucky that I was able to catch. They are just so beautiful, so insightful sometimes. That's how I feel about these. They look so peaceful...for once!

The "heat" of change.

2009-08-17T10:26:00.002-04:00

I know it's suppose to be the winds of change but really this year its the heat. Usually we feel that cooler weather coming. In the night winds and morning air...but not this year. I still can feel the change in the air though. School is going to be here and I can't wait. Believe me when I say that its not just because if I have to play one more game of uno or listen to one more fight about rocks from the back yard I may just go crazy but because I love all things back to school. I love shopping for school supplies. I love the cooler weather. I love the smell of fall. I am so a fall person. I can't wait to go to the cider mill and pick pumpkins. I can't wait to ride my bike across the fallen leaves and listen to the crunch crunch. I love PTL meetings, dance classes and of course Gavin's soccer games! I just signed him up and I can't wait to see him play again. Since I was in that sort of spirit these last couple of days I decided to post a couple of soccer pages I was able to finish this summer.

Summer Fun....I think

2009-07-08T08:51:00.002-04:00

I'm so sorry for my lack of posting. This new house and took everything out of me. Believe me when I say I can't wait to hit the paper again and start putting some pages and cards together. I have so many great ideas for pages now! From all of Peyton's new words, to Mikayla making some friends at the new house to Gavin's obsession with helping Daddy work on the house. We are going to move in this weekend and the excitement level is as high as it could be. Of course all for different reasons. My main reason (that is besides finally being in my own home again) is my scrapbooking room! Well really it's the mud room but I'll make it cozy, nice and fun. Just the perfect size to do my two favorite things laundry and scrapbooking (well maybe my one favorite thing) Plus I booked another scrapbooking weekend at the Scrap Palace of Romeo with Jana and will finally have all the time I want to create and have fun. Last year I finished a total of 25 beautiful pages and this year I am hoping to do the same thing. I am on my way to getting organized so that can happen again. I guess those other boxes will just have to wait. And for those of you who were greatly concerned about my camera it has been found and unfortunately not been used very often...I'll have to fix that and let you see the before and after pictures of the house! Enjoy the summer and I'll post from the Palace in a couple of weeks!

Bad Week

2009-05-30T09:09:00.002-04:00

I am not even going to begin to explain the others reason's my week was so bad. Lets just say that every time I turned around something else was in my way. The one thing that has really just topped off my stellar week is that I lost my camera. (SIGH) I will admit that I hated that thing. I was so over the less then wonderful pictures, the huge size and the sticking of the controls. What breaks my heart is that I video taped Gavin's Preschool graduation and now it is gone. His preschool picnic gone. Gavin and Peyton building a house in the bathroom gone. I lost those precious memories of him and his best buddy and I can never get them back. Not only did I lose the memories of Gavin I couldn't take pictures of Peyton helping Matt screw in the new sub floor last night. It was a touching, funny and adorable Peyton moment and all I could do was sit and watch and steam that I didn't know where my camera was. The big question is where did my camera go. The last place I remember it was in my car after the graduation. Now combine that with my forgetfulness of leaving the car unlocked and my current residence and I am pretty sure someone else is pretty disappointed that they grabbed a camera that looks great from the outside but can barely take a good picture. (Due to the fact that a little over a year ago I just happened to leave it out in the rain!) So until I can convince my hubby that I deserve a new one or I just go behind his back and buy one anyway bare with me!

Love those lights!

2009-05-28T11:52:00.000-04:00

Peyton was the only kid I could get to help me with the Christmas tree this year. Gavin and Mikayla put up a couple of ornaments but went away after 15 minutes. I guess it just wasn't as fun as their toys! Peyton on the other hand was amazed at all the lights and pretty little ornaments. I am glad that I had such a good little helper!

Blessings

2009-05-27T11:45:00.000-04:00

They are all such blessings! Remember that stash of paper and embellishments I talked about months and months ago and the challenge I had to use them. Well, I know I haven't posted a lot of what I've done but my stash is being used. I do have one problem, I keep adding stuff to it! I always seem to over buy paper or not use all the stickers or have just a few inches of ribbon left! I guess there is no true solution to this problem just keep plugging away and using it as much as you can!

What makes you Happy?

2009-05-26T10:20:00.002-04:00

Tiara's make Mikayla happy. She loves all things girlie all things bright and fun. I can't say that I don't know where she gets it. From the brightest papers to the embellishments that are piled with bling are the scrapbooking supplies that I tend to grab for. So it seems that naturally she would shy in that direction as well. What makes you really happy is the tough question. These days I’ve found it increasingly harder to define what makes me happy. I know that a cheap plastic tiara wouldn’t do the trick. I know that clip on earrings and brightly colored simulated gem stones wouldn’t cut it. But maybe it should. I’ve been struggling with this for awhile. I am moving into a smaller home, I need to purchase a cheaper car, I’ve been clipping coupons and trying to stick to a budget so finding what makes me happy has been a little harder. Trying to find what makes my family happy I should say. Luxury vacations and top of the line toys are just not smart right now. The things that I use to do with the kids seem so materialistic and that is not how I want to be. I want my kids to appreciate what they have, to be happy with less stuff and to find that playing together is so much more fun than playing the wii. So I am trying to learn a lesson from my daughter’s plastic tiara. I am trying to raise my family with the idea that it’s the family that matters, the people you are with not what you are doing or where you are going that really counts. I must add that I am not against all things material. I think there is definitely room for that. I guess what I mean is trying to find value in what I am doing, what I am spending and what I am exposing my family to. I want my kids to really understand that they have it good. I mean I could never give up my scrapbooking stuff! Yet, I do have to understand that I don't need every new item that comes out with each idea book! I will say that I couldn't resist purchasing the three stamp sets to get my tickled pink set for free! I don't think that I could have found a better paper to compliment Mikayla's very enlightening plastic tiara!

busy little man

2009-05-25T08:06:00.004-04:00

I love this little man. He is just too funny! I also love this new paper I found at Joanns from Heidi Grace! It is so much fun, so playful and just too exciting!

Yikes!

2009-05-16T09:22:00.002-04:00

So I am so angry. I just can't seem to upload pictures with my new computer! I'll go to do it and it'll take forever and then kick me off the Internet! I know that it seems that I would have all the time in the world to play around decrease the size of files on top of having time to make fabulous art work to share, but I don't! Isn't it a wonder that my ancient computer that I just had to upgrade worked better then this new sleek little notebook I have now! Someday I'll figure out how to work this shiny piece of technology but who has the time when they are in the middle of buying a home! Yup you heard me right! We just purchased a very ugly home for dirt cheap in my favorite place to live. MICHIGAN! I am happy to say that for right now there is no plan of moving! So where is this very very ugly dirt cheap home! Well about 1/2 mile north of where I was before! I am closer to the lake though. I can actually see it if I walk out of the house to the side walk and look down the street. Inch my Inch I move closer to it. Someday I may end up on it. Then I can drink my morning coffee (that I never have time to make) relaxing peacefully (while the kids run around like mad chickens) watching the waves crash against the shore (hoping the kids left nothing of importance for them to sweep away!) So for at least another week until I have time to down size my photos, close on my house and stop dreaming about living on the water you will all have to wait just a little bit longer for some photos of what I have done. All I can say is I love Heidi Grace!

Oh Baby!

2009-04-23T22:35:00.002-04:00

It's my sister in laws due date and no baby yet. These are the adorable diaper cakes that I made for her shower. I just loved the ribbon. That sweet pea green just makes me smile! I'll pray for a new niece or nephew for tomorrow!

Candy Bucket Fun

2009-04-16T15:32:00.002-04:00

I totally stole this idea from one of my dear friends at church. I just loved the idea of getting a basket full of candy. I have such a sweet tooth and love my milk duds and taffy! Matt and I went to Arizona awhile back to networking and introduce ourselves to some people. I thought it would be fun to bring a small gift to all of them and what better way to help someone remember you then to bring them candy! It went off really well and I had so much fun making them. I was thinking of doing some more and giving them away at my gatherings and crops! I'd make them a little less business and a lot more pink and scrappy!

Unforgettable

2009-04-01T14:44:00.002-04:00

There are so many moments in a person's life that are unforgettable. I'd say almost everyday there is a moment that I don't want to forget. From Peyton's newest word to Gavin's articulate nature these fleeting memories swirl around me all the time. I try with great intent to capture as many as possible in the best way that I can. In times of stress and uncertainty its hard to pull the camera out and take pictures, it's hard to find the happiness and joy. I try though. I am not saying that I am doing a very good job of it but I do try. I look back at moments like this and smile. I know that these times will come again. I know that I have the greatest joys in life already a wonderful family. As I said sometimes it is difficult to see past adversities that we are facing and I will attempt with much enthusiasm to do it more. It seems that through my journey as a scrapbooker I always focus on the happy moments, but there is much to be learned from the difficult ones. I think I am going to challenge myself in these rough times to capture some of the lessons I've learned, some of the pain people are feeling and what we do to carry on. I'd love to see ideas and pages that do this so please post or email me your links so I can take a look and be inspired.

Gavin's 1st day of Preschool

2009-03-25T12:52:00.002-04:00

I used stardust to do this page also. I will start showing the last paper pack which is unforgettable next week. Gavin was so excited to start school. We decided not to enroll him until January this year and thanks to some awesome people at STL it was all possible. He is a different kid now that he is "all Big" and gets to have a backpack and bring homework home like his sister. This week he is making stone soup. It's all he's talked about since Friday. He had to bring some potatoes in. After the 20th time of him saying "is my potato in here?" the cuteness was over. Two kids have really caught his attention at school. He is always telling me how Niko made him some mail in the post office and how Lauren likes to sit by him at carpet time. I adore his teacher and the aids and am sad that I have to take a year off before Peyton is able to go.

Check me out!

2009-03-18T23:31:00.001-04:00

Check out this blog post...does someone look familiar?

So happy and So loved

2009-03-14T10:45:00.000-04:00

I love Mikayla for all the obvious reasons a mother loves her daughter. What I love the most is her happiness. Let me say there is a lot of drama. There is a lot of crying fits. What I love is that the fits usually don't last long. Mikayla is very good at shaking it off. She stops her crying, dusts herself off and finds something else to make her happy. I love that she doesn't dwell on things for long. (well sometimes I think it might do her better to dwell a little longer or maybe she should just think about her actions. Like not lying to Mom when I saw her do it with my own eyes!) Let me be clear, there are times when it is impossible for her to let things go. It's typically something silly too! For the most part she shrugs and moves on. What a girl, so unlike her mother, I am sure this will help her as she goes through life.

Reach for the Stars!

2009-03-12T10:38:00.001-04:00

Need I say more. Fun, playful and easy. I cut the stars from the scrap paper I had with one of my layouts. The blue and green paper is just the front and back of some scraps I had from the layout as well. I love making cards with the scraps. I always see it as a challenge and I also don't end up with even more scraps in my stash.

Boldt Castle

2009-03-10T19:08:00.003-04:00

Here is another page that I showed and now have added photos. We were lucky enough to be invited to a wedding at this beautiful castle. The story behind it is beautiful and touching. If you ever get the chance or want to visit this glamours place I would highly recommend it. Check out all the details here. I was able to hide the whole story in a tab behind the pictures. I put little facts all around the page. I'm a little sad because the pictures do not give this layout justice. It is a really romantic feeling layout and I think that is lost.

Family

2009-03-10T18:58:00.002-04:00

I showed this page before without pictures. I loved the page then. Now that I added the pictures to it I am even more pleased. I don't think that I could have come up with anything more fitting. From colors to content I think the page showcases what I wanted it to and it really has the taste and feel I was going for.

What a dud!

2009-03-05T18:03:00.002-05:00

I admit it. I have an addiction to milk duds. I just love their chewy, gooey goodness. For the sake of my figure which is in pretty shabby condition after three children I only buy a box of them once in a great while. Sitting down and scrapping a few pages and chowing on milk duds is a favorite time consumer for me. So you can imagine my shock when I walked into my kitchen and found this little monster covered in my yummies! Instead of getting all stressy over it (like the first time Mikayla destroyed a roll of toilet paper) I sucked it up and grabbed my camera and enjoyed the entertainment! This page will be a constant reminder that life is better when it funny and not stressy!

Mission Completed.

2009-03-04T22:17:00.005-05:00

So included in my scrap happy weekend was not only fun business class but also lots of creative time! We did so many fun projects and one of those projects was lead by none other then Jeanette herself! I'll show you that project a little later because it was filled with tons of useful stamping techniques, which of course I want to share with all of you! So instead I'll be sharing some of the pages I completed. Completed...doesn't that word just make your heart skip a beat. I've got a stack...I mean a stack of pages that need just one more thing on them. It's a lonely group of pages. Sitting there, so unloved, needing a final touch (or a picture) so they can finally be placed in that coveted album. They are out right by my bedroom door. Staring at me every time I walk in and out. I try to rush pass them in the morning. Thinking to myself, I have so much more to do. Plus fresh ideas enter my head daily and I want to work on those ones...not old ones that have been sitting there for months...or years...yup that one hurts. Someday I'll go through and stamp out titles, add brads or FINALLY print out the perfect pictures. I could not let this happen to my cherished pages I made at Regionals. It would be an insult to the wonderful girls that worked so hard to make sure that I did it right, got it done and embellished like a pro! Pages. Check. Pictures. Check. Journaling. Check. Mission COMPLETED!

WOW!

2009-02-27T22:43:00.006-05:00

I met one of the most amazing women this weekend, Jennette Lynton the founder of Close to my Heart. She is beautiful, peaceful and inspiring. I was overwhelmed and nervous about meeting her. I'd been thinking and praying about it for weeks now. I knew I wanted to approach her. I knew I wanted to talk to her. Yet, I was so afraid that I would be disappointed, that I would get a hand shake and smile and be sent on my way. I was afraid she wouldn't be the kind and friendly person I see in all things Close to my Heart, on her blog and what I heard. What if She was like one of those people that everyone says "oh he/she is SO great" and then you meet them and they aren't. I had worked up such a fuss over one person I was determined to avoid her at all cost. No way was I going to be disappointed. No way was I going to get my hopes up. No way was I going to be fooled. The first day of regionals finally arrived. My bags were packed, my hair was done, I was dressed and out the door with plenty of time to spare. Matt and I were not driving for more then 15 minutes when all of a sudden the highway is slowing down. CLOSED. CLOSED. CLOSED. If I were in Detroit this would be nothing, piece of cake nothing, in Phoenix ...that's a different story. I could feel my heart racing. I was so upset. How dare there be trouble on my very important day! Don't they know that I am NOT meeting one of my role models today! Don't they know that I am going to "avoid at all cost" my inspiration. Don't they know that scrapbooking is my life, my passion, the cream in my coffee or the pink in my blog! I kept thinking "this is so unfair!" Like a child I sat and pouted as minivans and utility trucks sped by me. I sat thinking how I was going to miss my chance of not meeting someone who created a company that makes it so easy and beautiful to preserve my precious memories. Matt, in his unknown glory, saved the day. A calm head and some U-turns and we were back on track. We finally arrived. I lept out of the car, told Matt to take a hike, and quickly walked into the building... I was LATE. Last minute, last one in the door, last one checking stuff out horrified LATE! I crept in and looked around for a safe place to sit. (Since all my CTMH buddies in the D wouldn't come with me!) and who would be standing in back of the room but Jeanette. I was like a deer in headlights staring at her. There was no running away, no hiding in another room, no introduction needed. I stared at her until finally without even knowing what was happening I was giving her a hug. All I could muster out of my frozen mouth and stunned body was "It's such a pleasure to meet you." She asked me my name and smiled and sent me on my way. I felt peaceful and calm, like I had met an old friend. She is like "human sunshine". Like a pink scrappy happy.

I was so excited I could scream. It was the first time that I have met (at least according to me) someone of celebrity status. After that I was determined to get some more. I was determined to be prepared. I would have my camera ready. I would have my thoughts straight. I would have the joy of having a conversation with her. The rest of the morning I waited for my chance. I waited to have a minute to introduce myself the proper way...with camera in hand. I spied on her. I felt like a facebook stalker. Watching and wondering if I would ever get a second go. Had I blown it in my rush and confusion of the morning? Was a lack luster hello all I would get? Of course not. I would never settle for that. I bravely went up to her after lunch ( interrupting a conversation... I am so sorry for that!) Smiled and handed over my camera to the lovely lady. I smiled big and wide for all you at home who wouldn't come with me! Happy Happy Day. Not only did I get my picture taken with her. I actually got to talk to her! It was a blessing. She was and is everything that I thought and wanted her to be. She treated me with love and respect (even though I am a nobody in the sales land, even though I am not the brightest candle in the bunch and even though I interrupted her conversation) I felt valued. I love her for that. I am sure every consultant who she talked to this weekend felt the same way. She truly loves and appreciates us all and that shows. So here is my first celebrity meeting. Not to rub it in or anything (yeah right!) It wasn't just Jeanette that was awesome it was all the staff. Since once again I didn't have any groupies from Michigan to hang out with I had to pal around with people like Kristine, Stacy, Carlie, Tia and Monica...It was a hard life.

And to my extreme pleasure they all treated me like I belonged there. They were all funny and silly. Kristine had me laughing all the time. She is one of those people that you just want to be friends with. I can't imagine what it would be like to work with her. You'd never be able to breath you'd be laughing so hard. Monica was adorable, for someone who has six kids I don't know how she looked so put together! She was such a doll you just wanted to pinch her cheeks. I mean too disgustingly cute! (maybe I don't like her...)

Carlie was so brave teaching all us our pages and projects. She was sweet, kind and patient. You could tell that she is the type of person that sees good in everyone and everything. She never got frustrated, annoyed or mean while taking us step by step through project after project. Even when there were 20 women asking her a question she was pleasant and heart warming.Tia was silly and playful, like a kid at heart. Once I told her my idea she jumped at it and wanted to play along. Her and Stacy were thinking up ways to make this post even more fun!

Stacy was awesome in one of the business classes. I not only learned some great tips to help me with Close to my Heart but some things for Matt's business as well! Plus she was friendly, light hearted and an avid drinker of diet coke. I liked her laid back demeanor yet, you could feel the passion jumping off of her. I also met some other great consultants. All of them welcomed me with open arms. I learned some great tips and tricks that they do to help make their businesses fun and exciting. The whole time I felt like I was at one of the Crop for Kids events or my bi-monthly church crop. I hope you all are green with envy at my awesome weekend, my new friends and pink scrappy pages! So there it is me just hangin, with the girls plus all the fun artwork we did the first day. I'll post the other stuff as soon as I take pictures

The Flu has left the building

2009-02-14T16:27:00.003-05:00

It's amazing I am not sure how we all survived. It's a sneaky little thing that flu. It's sneaks in your house in the quiet of the night. When you are all sleeping soundly, feeling good, dream our dreams and then BAM it hits. The crying begins, the yuck is flying every where and suddenly your husband's face is turning blue. Then one after another it takes you down. Stunned from the sudden hit and fearing for your own health you become an obsessive hand washer, a mad cleaner and constantly saying "don't touch that." Still three bottles of disinfectant later you are laying in bed feeling awful and praying for it to pass quickly. Sigh, the woes of being sick. My husband was the only lucky one. Yet, as soon as it came, it went and we are all well and ready to begin life again.

Now we are moving onto our next paper pack! Starstruck. It's boyish and playful and fun. What would it be better for then these adorable pictures of the world's cutest non-baby (okay he's still my baby but he really isn't a baby...get it?!) He is a super star brusher. Isn't it nice when kids actually like what you want them to do? I hope this is one habit he keeps. When he's all done he even spits, more like sprays, heart breaking cute either way! I love watching him grow but it's all bittersweet since there will be no more babies at my house. Knowing that three is good makes cherishing each moment that much important. It also helps me focus on what is awesome about growing up and how really honestly each stage is wonderful. Plus my sister in law is due in April and I can hold and cuddle her little baby soon enough!

Hey there cupcake

2009-02-06T11:13:00.000-05:00

I just love putting those old supple containers to use! This use to hold an abundance of beautiful yellow flowers that I used for my sister-in-laws baby shower invitations. The poor sad jar now sits empty with no purpose. Well, until now. I've stamped and decorated and it'll soon be filled with some yummy Valentines day candy. What a happy day for this once empty jar!

listening to your heart

2009-02-05T10:45:00.003-05:00

Sometimes it's hard to decode what your heart is saying. Sometimes God speaks to you in amazing ways. Last week we had an unexpected and sudden death in our family. God spoke to my cousin's heart that day. She called me up and wanted to get together. She said she had been thinking about our grandfather ( who passed years ago) a lot and had a bad feeling. I had to work that night so we instead decided to meet up for coffee in the morning. When morning came I got the phone call about my uncle. I was so saddened that I hadn't been there for my cousin but so happy that God had sent her a message, in a way some comfort. So obviously you all know why I have been MIA. I will miss my silly, funny uncle so much and I hope everyone prays for my aunt and cousins and their children during this hard time. My family makes me feel blessed and reinvigorated and I can't wait to dive back into my creative juices and get rolling again. I have a new love for God and a feeling that he is watching over me. What a great life it is to have someone love us so much.

Love the Sights

2009-01-29T09:57:00.000-05:00

Frankenmuth is a beautiful little town here in Michigan. I visit it several times a year. Even when I don't have lots of money to spend at all the fun little shops I enjoy the sights. Every time I go I find something I haven't seen before that I love and just NEED to take a picture of. From festivals to new Christmas decorations so many things fill my heart with flutters. As times get harder and harder here in this great state it makes me sad to think that we may have to leave it. It's places like this that make me love where I live. I couldn't imagine being unable to pack the kids up and drive to this adorable little place and buy my favorite candles, visit the yarn shop or get .25 wine "shots". I pray every day that things turn around and that Frankenmuth will still only be 1 1/2 away.

Amore

2009-01-28T09:38:00.000-05:00

For my third paper pack I am going to showcase Amore. It's very romantic and lovely. The deep red makes me want to eat chocolate out of heart shaped boxes. When I was in high school I worked at a Hallmark store. I loved how every holiday, every season brought on new items and a new feel to the store. Valentines day was one of my favorite times. The bright colored chocolate boxes and fun heart shaped cards were all pulled and displayed in the front of the store. Men and boys of all ages would slowly and reluctantly walk into the store looking for a presentable card or gift for their sweet-heart. I would giggle to myself at how silly they all looked next to the usual grandma's who scattered the store on most days. This paper reminds me of that time. A time when I use to get cards and chocolates for my boyfriend and cared that they got me something too! Being a mother of three I now look forward to my children's hand drawn pictures and have long forgot about the fancy laced covered cards and bowed up candy boxes. So here's to the memories!

Okay I didn't make this page above. It's a layout done by one of the many talented people from Close to my Heart. I just thought it was so lovely and really fit my story so I wanted to show it to you all. The card on the other hand is fully mine!

Free Stamp set in February

2009-01-27T10:04:00.002-05:00

It's Close to my Heart's 25th Anniversary and in celebration they are giving away a free B-sized stamp set (valued at 13.95) with every 25 dollar order in February. The stamp set is called good times and boast a fun party theme with sayings like hip hip hooray, celebrate good times and Party on! Plus it has images of balloons, presents and my all time favorite cupcakes! Check out the website starting February 3rd at www.closetomyheart.com!

Oh what to say?

2009-01-27T09:35:00.003-05:00

You ever make a card and not know what sentiment to use? Well I am having this problem. I started this card days ago. I had a plan. I was interrupted and now I can't figure out what I was going to put on it or where I was going to put it! So here is my almost finished card that I mentioned in my last post.

My talking two year old!

2009-01-25T09:56:00.005-05:00

Okay, here is the cards. I'm not going to talk about it. What I am going to talk about it my sweet little two year old Peyton. It took him awhile to get into the talking mode. He didn't have much to say for the first two years of his life. Things have changed. He is a chatter box...at least at home. One might think that I would get a little overwhelmed with all his talking. It's so not the case. His little screams good and bad make my heart sing. His "Ma-mees" and "Tank OOs" melt me every time. He is also a very silly boy. Most kids don't really pay much attention in Church. They never really pick up anything except that they get to color. Not my Peyton. He loves the "peace be with you" portion where everyone shakes hands. He sticks his arm out to anyone and everyone...several times if need be. Then he continues to do it. All the while cracking everyone up around us. I wonder if the Pastors will ever catch on to all the giggles where ever we're sitting. Anyway, I just wanted to share a little bit of this, a small thing that makes me greatly happy. Short and sweet and to the point have a blessed Sunday everyone!

Perfect Paper = Great Pages

2009-01-25T09:48:00.003-05:00

Let me tell you, working has really put a damper on my stamping time! So I am putting up two posts today. I have one more card I’ll show you tomorrow that I haven’t finished yet.

Do these pictures look familiar? Well I posted them in celebration of my AWESOME scrapbooking weekend with Jana back in July. We went to the Scrap Palace of Romeo for a weekend of girl’s fun, fun, fun! It was such a blessing to be able to share in so much enjoyment with one of my favorite people and favorite scrapbookers. I hope we can do it again. Sticking with my theme paper of daydream I am sure Jana will agree that this paper screams Scrap Palace. When I first got my little greedy hands on Close to my Heart’s new idea book I spied that paper and knew exactly what event was going to be put on it. The colors and patterns reminded me of my superb stay. It’s astonishing how the mind works and how certain papers, embellishments, colors or patterns can bring you back to a time and date. Really these are the best kind of pages because it speaks volumes about the event without using any words. I can only hope that I really will be able to do it again.

MMM...MMM...Good!

2009-01-22T16:29:00.003-05:00

First, I would like to apologize for not posting yesterday like I said. Pink eye has taken over my house. How does this happen you ask! Well, one day you wake up and notice yuck in your son’s eye. You wipe it out because it is gross. That’s the end of that right?! Well the next morning it comes back. You are a little more concerned now. Why is he getting yuck in his eye! He is not running a fever, he is not acting sick, and he is even sleeping very well. So once again you wipe it out and go about your day. The third day comes and yuck has over taken your son’s eye. It is almost sealed shut. So you head over to the doctor’s office to see what’s up. 2 hours later you head over to the pharmacy to get the prescription filled. 45 minutes later you are on your way home. Then you struggle for 15 minutes to get the drops in your son’s eyes. Half hour later you almost have him to sleep because suddenly he has become the boogeyman. So the rest of the day goes on much the same; trying to keep the “boogeyman” happy and away from the other children. So again I apologize!

On a better note I could just eat these cards. Ya’ll know how much I love cupcakes. I am sure you can just imagine my reaction when CTMH came out with a new cupcake stamp add that with my favorite paper and woo hoo I’m happy! I had only a short time to play with these last night I can’t wait to get really creative with all that I can do. I am imagining layers and sparkles, what do you think?

Daydream

2009-01-20T19:22:00.004-05:00

This week I am going to feature the Close to my Heart paper pack daydream. I feel like I am in a dream when I am using this paper. The soft yet playful colors bring back that girly childish enthusiasm that I feel like I loose in my everyday life. I adore the swirls, lines and loads of colors. I would be keen on the idea of designing my craft room around this paper (that is once I get a craft room again!). It just screams Kelly! I mean can’t you hear it chanting my name…kind of like the people at the inauguration today, but instead of O-BA-MA they’d say KEL-LY, KEL-LY! (Okay I know this is totally off subject but isn’t this just a happy day? I will admit that I did not vote for him but I love that our country has such a wonderful and peaceful transfer of power. I love that I got to watch history. I love the tender moments of the day and I love that I get to explain and teach my children about how amazing and unique our country is. I am proud to be an American.) I think the best way to share your excitement about something is to share it with someone else. In light of this revelation I made this acrylic album for a magnificent friend of mine. Her new daughter was just baptized into the Lord and I was proud to offer this as a humble but love filled gift. I also used our new rub-ons…which I am now addicted to. I can’t wait to see it filled with beautiful pictures of the new baby girl.

I must admit that I have a hard time embellishing things up when I do not have the pictures. Does anyone else have this problem? I still think it looks delicious but I wouldn't have minded a little more bling. I guess we'll take care of that later in the week with some of the cards and layouts that I can't wait to show you!

Happy Birthday to me!

2009-01-19T14:37:00.004-05:00

Okay it's my Birthday. I am feeling very old. I've known my sister- in -law since she was in the 5th grade. She just turned 25 this month. I feel very very old. My oldest is 7 and the baby (who really isn't that anymore) is turning 2 on Wednesday. Yup still feeling old. I've owned two houses, had 6 different cars, been to Vegas 4 times and have known my husband for 9 years. (Sigh) old. Looking on the bright side of things I've been officially scrapbooking for the last 12 years. Wow. I remember when I use to buy all my supplies from the Hallmark and used construction paper and sharpies to make my pages. Later I moved onto the one and only "scrapbooking" store in Grand Rapids. The entire store was stickers (on rolls) they covered the store wall to wall. I slowly moved on to buying stuff from Joanns and the much fancier local scrapbooking stores. I now have been part of Close to my Heart for almost 4 years. Seriously where has the time gone? I've learned a lot in my years so I guess that could be considered "bright" too. I've learned that almost everyone says "my kids will never act like that" and then or course they do. I've learned that marriage is work. That life is only what you make it. That houses don't sell themselves and one day at a time is a lot easier said then done. I've learned that angels live among us. That rainbows really are God's reminder to us and that sprinkles cupcakes are worth every dollar. So I guess even though I am getting "old" I would rather be right here right now then 13 again! (That is for Mariah who thinks that I can't dance...which she may be right) So happy birthday to me! I hope I can make this year go by slower and enjoy life more and scrapbook as much as possible! I give you all permission to celebrate with me so please eat a cupcake, have a martini or a glass of wine , wear a crown all day and scrapbook how "old" you are!

A fun gift

2009-01-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

I am stealing this idea from the million different crafters. I love the idea of giving food as a gift though. I think it's one of the best things and I always love when I get yummy treats given to me. So to continue the use of my emporium paper (which I think may be my favorite...but I haven't worked with the others yet so that may change!) and just did something simple. Sometimes simple is just beautiful and I feel that it what I achieved with this. I think I am going to use this idea for covering chocolates for a baby shower I am helping plan.

Growing to fast

2009-01-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

Isn't this page just delicious!? I just want to swim in that cocoa color. I love the rich feeling of the dark red and the playfulness of the soft yellow and green. I attempted to use our rub-ons for the first time and was extremely pleased with the result. The title really seems to be growing out of the page! These pictures are very sentimental to me. We've been going to the same place to get our pumpkins for four years now. Each year we've taken pictures of the kids. It's amazing to me that the first year Peyton wasn't even in existence. We hadn't even talked about having a third child. It put things into perspective. Four years doesn't sound long but I feel like Peyton has been apart of our family forever. Funny how that works! I look at these three little babies (yes they are all still my babies!) and am so thankful for them. So happy to see the grow and amazed that they are mine. One of these days I'll print off all the years and put them on one page so we can really see how tall they are each fall!

Long time no see!

2009-01-15T15:56:00.004-05:00

So what a way to start off the New Year! It’s already the middle of the month and I haven’t even posted! I am so sorry for my lack of care to all my blogging friends. I have no excuse. I wish I did. I wish I had something great like “I’ve been so busy creating that I’ve just lost track of time.” How about “I was soaking up the sun in some really exotic place and couldn't get my hands on ANY scrapping supplies.” I’ve got nothing though. Just a big I’m sorry and I promise to be better. There is one good thing coming out off all of this. I have placed and received my very first Close to my Heart order from the new idea book and have some wonderful projects to show you. In light of the new idea book I’ve decided to showcase one of the beautiful new paper packs each week for the next five weeks! This week I’ve decided to look at Emporium. I know you’ll just love the beautiful color combo’s in this paper, the fun new stickers and the oh so cute pewter brads. Here are a couple of cards I put together. I have a fun project and a layout to show you later. I hope you all enjoy and I can't wait to go blog hopping to all of yours to see what you've been up to!

Happy (almost) New Year

2008-12-31T09:22:00.004-05:00

Well with the state of the world sometimes it is hard to find things to be "happy" about lately. So I've got a couple of pick me ups for you. First is this adorable page with Peyton on it. He is my everyday pick me up. Whenever I am feeling blue I just head on over to where ever he is and he changes it all. He is always goofy and silly. He loves to laugh and play. Most of all he loves to make others happy with him. The second pick me up for the day is that the Close to my Heart brand spankin' new spring 2009 idea goes live on-line tomorrow! I am so in love with the new paper packs. All you scrappers with little girls just wait until you see daydream! And been dying for some new "lady" stamps the MS. collection is for you! There is so many fun new things I can't wait to put in my first order and start scrapping with them!

On a side note we are moving this week so excuse the lack of blogging!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-23T14:37:00.002-05:00

Well the holiday has sneaked up on me. I still have somethings I plan on posting if I ever get the time to sit down and upload the pictures which is hard to do when you left your camera at someones house. So if I don't get to it I am so sorry! For now I want to wish everyone a blessed and merry Christmas. I know this is a hard year for many people but remember to look for all of God's blessings big and small. Can't wait until the new year comes with more fun scrapping and paper crafting goodies.

My Guy

2008-12-17T09:07:00.000-05:00

Gavin is just such a sweet little man. His love for Lightening McQueen is unwavering. Remembering when it all started seems impossible. He has moved on to like other things as well. I mean we don't watch cars 20 times a day anymore and he doesn't wear his cars pj's 24 hrs a day. Every toy he touches doesn't have to be related to the movie and our conversations don't always involve some sort of comparison to the movie. He has grown. Apart of me is very pleased that we have moved on but another part is sad because it means he is growing up. There is no better way in my opinion to "get over" those sad/happy moments then to go back and search through your photos and come up with a good old scrapbooking page to put the memory to rest and your heart at ease.

pattern paper and stickers : bo bunny

cardstock: bazzil

Brads: unknown

More Challenges

2008-12-16T09:20:00.003-05:00

It seems I have been hard up for ideas lately. I guess the idea tank is just out of ideas. What is a girl to do? Well, this girl heads over to splitcoaststampers and does some "idea" stealing or maybe it would be better to call it borrowing! Not only do I get to see hundreds of pages and blogs they host challenges that really get the mind cranking again. Believe me my mind needs some cranking. I could really use some good classes right now. Hanging out with the kids all day really does something to it! Anyway here is the link to the challenge here!

Yup these challenges really got my mind a moving. I think it started moving so fast that I forgot what my inspiration was suppose to be in the splitcoast challenge here. I promise that it started out that way but then it grew a life of it's own...what do you think?!

1st page

paper: sandlylion

stickles, Close to my Heart color ready alphabets

random buttons

2nd page

all items by Reminisce unless otherwise stated

Green die cut and ribbon by Close to my Heart

IFC18

2008-12-08T14:33:00.003-05:00

So every once in awhile I love to go and do the challenges at Split coast stampers. This challenge was to use embossing on the page. After debating whether or not I should really be scrapbooking today. I mean I do have tons of laundry to do, torn paper all over the house (so who has heard of flicker? He is the new character on Handy Manny. My son is obsessed with him. I mean OBSESSED! He has been drawing, coloring and cutting him out all week. I have about 300 flickers hanging around my house with all the scraps of paper hanging around too. If I try to throw them away guess who finds them and gets very upset. They even have a bed in his room right now. Okay that was a little off topic but I was just trying to explain why and the amount of paper all over my house right now!) and I have to go into work tonight. I really, really , really do not need to be down scrapbooking. So to justify my unyielding desire I "killed two birds with one stone" I did the challenge AND used the new promo paper pack and stamp set from Close to my Heart! Plus CTMH white core cardstock is perfect for embossing! So I did some straight embossing and then grabbed my distressing kit and started sanding away. This is what I ended up with. Go check out all the other people who did the challenge here!

Wow, you look good today!

2008-12-05T12:41:00.003-05:00

Well, I'm a mother of three, I get up early, I do house work and to say the least I have a very unglamourous lifestyle. A long time ago, like maybe three years, I use to get dressed everyday. I use to get my hair cut and colored. I use to never leave the house without my toe nails painted...even in the winter. I actually use to own a full length mirror and wonder how in the world anyone could NOT have one in their house. I use to buy expensive make-up from department stores and splash my favorite scent on. I bought my clothes from places like Banana Republic and Macy's. My shoes ALWAYS made the outfit just right. Well obviously now-a-days things are a bit different (otherwise I wouldn't have brought it up) Now I roll out of bed and hope that the shirt I pull out of the wash doesn't have buggers on it from when the boys were using the pile for a safety net. I fumble in the dark for a pair of matching socks and hope that a pair of my "cozy" pants are free from stains and not all in the wash. Between this I am yelling at the kids to stop playing and start brushing their teeth, combing hair, putting shoes on, changing underwear...I think you get it. I quick wash my face, brush my teeth (trying not to notice the four tons of toothpaste in the sink) and head out the door. This has been my life for awhile. Honestly it never really bothers me. I never really think to myself "gosh I must look REALLY bad" until one day I actually "get ready" and a lovely person will come up to me and say something like "you look really nice in blue." I can't help but laugh because what they really mean is " you look really nice when you get dressed." So is my life. I may not change it. I preferred my sleep to my beauty these days. Although someday I hope that everything I own doesn't come from Target's 75% off section, and that my shoes will once again be my passion and that I can walk out of the house every morning knowing that I don't have dried toothpaste on my face.

What do you think?

2008-12-02T11:36:00.001-05:00

So my blog has a new look what do you think? Do you want one? I found mine at www.thecutestblogontheblock.com go check it out and decorate away!

Thankful for little girls

2008-11-27T21:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I am thankful for so much. I have so many blessings in my life. These two little girls are one of them. They are cousin's born just two weeks apart. They are so lucky to have eachother. They are going to grow up together and be able to share it with one another. I've never had a sister but I bet this is the 2nd best thing.

Just a page

2008-11-25T12:03:00.000-05:00

Just a page of Mikayla's first day of Kindergarten. I look at these photos and it reminds me so much of my days at St. Johns. I have many memories there. I love the education I received. So many of the teachers touched my heart, showed me compassion and taught me about God. I am glad that at least for now Mikayla can go to a school that provides the same caring environment that SJV gave me.

Splitcoast challenge SBVC52

2008-11-24T09:38:00.008-05:00

I love splitcoaststampers.com not only do they have tons of stuff for all of us stamping freaks they have tons of stuff for scrapbookers as well! Challenges are always fun and this was one of them check it out here. If you are interested in making some of these flowers look a couple post down and I have a link to the tutorial and I say how I made mine.

S is for School

2008-11-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Gavin didn't go to school this year. Things are so crazy in our lives that I just couldn't justify putting him in. Money is tight, times are tough and through it all I would rather have him close by and making me work a little harder! So I took the pictures of him last year and pushed them to the back of my stuff. I think I was still a little upset that he would be "missing out" on something. Well the school year is under way and I am feeling a bit better about my decision. It has made him closer to his little brother. It gives him time to be "boss" of the house since Mikayla is in school all day. Even more important is it makes me try super hard to find fun things for him to do. The "pain" and "sorrow" has gone so now they finally made it into the scrapbook with no remorse or regret. Do you have photo's like that? Ones sitting around that are just to "hard" to scrap right now? Even if I don't know it at the time I've realized that somethings are just too hard to scrapbook right now. I don't want to remember, I don't want to face it or I'm too angry to think about it. So I push them off into my box and make excuses like "I don't have the right paper" or "I'm not in the mood right now." I think scrapbooking makes you grow. It makes me face things that I may have put off for years but instead they are right up in my face saying "when are you going to scrap me!" Today I am glad for them. It's made me look at my decision and say "Yeah, it was the right one, maybe not the easiest one but the right one." Gosh what would I do without this hobby!

Let me take you back...way back.

2008-11-21T11:44:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you buy paper and you just know what you are using if for. This is one of those times. I just loved this paper. I saw it and it instantly reminded me of this day. Even though it happened five years ago I just knew this is what I wanted to put on it. I was so proud once it was all finished I had to show it off to my husband who kind of laughed at it. I couldn't believe what he just did. How dare he laugh at my artwork! How dare he make fun of my passion! Right before I got really mad he says "Boy, does she look like Peyton." Well, that's better and he is right she looks just like him.

Another CTMH pearl paint tip

2008-11-21T09:54:00.003-05:00

Alright so I first saw this tutorial on this website. As I was watching it I thought "hey that would be a great thing to do with Close to my Heart's pearl paint." So I made three flowers doing three different things. For all of them I found two pieces of scrap paper that I liked and punched out a bunch of different sized circles. On one set I took my edge distresser and roughed up the edges. I placed all the circles out and painted over them with the CTMH's pearl paint. I let them dry slightly. I took the circles that I used with the edge distresser and put a brad through them and squeezed the edges of each circle. The next set of circles I did the same thing (these ones did not have distressed edges). The last set I crumpled all the circles in a ball and then flattened them back out and put a brad through them. These are what I ended up with. I didn't need to get them wet like in the tutorial because the paint keeps the paper movable. I did use my heat gun to set them. I hope you have fun making some of these flowers. I'll post a layout as soon as it's done.

1 year and counting

2008-11-19T09:00:00.001-05:00

Well it's almost been two years and that little man still steals my heart. I know you are not aloud to have a favorite but this boys just is sometimes. He is constantly happy. He loves to make people smile. Being silly is just his personality. From day one he's been like this. So I decided to make a page every year that describes my favorite silly things he does to make people laugh. His first year I decided to talk about the "look". When Peyton was little he would tilt his head down and make is big eyes look way up and move his head around until he got your attention. Then he would shriek with joy which of course would make anyone smile. He'd give a big smile kind of like saying "mission accomplished." Year two is approaching fast and I am debating whether to talk about his tackling hugs or his "I love you" hitting!

Let them eat cake!

2008-11-17T11:09:00.003-05:00

If you have paper in every corner of your scrapbooking space raise your hand. (my hand is raised) Last month I did a craft show and decided to get ride of some of those clutter filled scrap folders. Well, since then I have decided to clean up my space and I soon realized that I have paper stashed everywhere. I have bags from scrapbooking stores filled with paper, project folders filled with paper, CTMH boxes filled with paper not to mention my other folders and files and carries filled with paper. Of course I started to organize and put it away and I soon found a pile of paper that has no partner and has no home. How sad to have no home. How sad to have no one that is just a little like you. So I thought to myself everyone needs a home and I decided to make a "junk" folder for my extra paper to go so it has a home. This is not junk by the way, its just paper without a goal in mind. Well you can't just hang out with no goals can you? I will not stand for that so I mad a goal for myself and my "junk" paper. My goal is to make a page or some cards or a project out of my junk paper once or twice a month when I sit down for a random scrapbooking session. I put the folder close by so I can glace through it when I need to. I am hoping that it will inspire me to use up that paper I just had to have and remind me that I do not need more paper with no project in mind for at least a little while. I also decided that I am going to make a change jar with some of the paper and every time I use a piece I am going to stick some random change laying around my house in if for a reward. Once all the paper is used up I'll have a nice little stash to spend just on scrapbooking stuff. I encourage you all during these hard times to find ways to stay inspired, keep creating and reward yourself for meeting your challenges.

A new fun blog

2008-11-14T08:40:00.002-05:00

Okay this is a little late coming but please go check out Close to My Heart's founder Jeanette Lynton's blog at www.jeanettelynton.com She is doing a 27 days of thanksgiving. Each day she is telling us what she is thankful for. Plus there is always awesome artwork.

A sample

2008-11-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

Today is the day. I am off to the craft fair and just thought I would post a sample of the cards I am selling. Wish me luck.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T08:46:00.004-04:00

Back in 2005 my little Gavin refused to be a chicken. I found this costume and fell in love with it. I thought it was just a big ball of fluffy happiness. The money was wasted he wouldn't keep it on. As you can see from above how he felt about the costume. So now it is time for Peyton to wear it. I finally have a child who will wear my adorable little chicken. I'll post a picture of him in it later. Hopefully he doesn't change his mind about it!

Thank you, Thank you.

2008-10-30T10:05:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I reach a point when I am stamping that I've just had enough. I can't stand the thought of having more ink on my fingers, of pulling out all my markers or hunting through my hundreds of stamp sets to find that perfect image. I hear the gasping as you read this. How in the world could I get sick of it? I am not sure the answer to that but sometimes I do. So to calm my nerves and to make myself feel a little better I created this. A card with no stamps. I love the way in turned out and I think I may even send it to myself. I'll write something like "thank you Ms. Kelly Kuehn for remembering that card making is suppose to be fun and there are no rules. You are just so darn creative sometimes and you deserve a big pink sprinkles cupcake. Love, Kelly" What do you think? I know I wish there was away to get sprinkles cupcakes every day too.

Nice package.

2008-10-29T10:02:00.000-04:00

Get your head out of the toilet that's not what I'm saying. I love these sayings from My Favorite Things. They make me giggle. The packages are from A CTMH stamp set. Simple but charming wouldn't you say?

Just for smiles.

2008-10-28T13:52:00.001-04:00

2008-10-28T09:58:00.002-04:00

Yet another stamp from CTMH life's a jungle stamp set. These little animals just steal my heart. I have been so busy this week and I am starting to panic. With some help from my cousin I am heading up to do a craft fair this weekend. I keep looking at my boxes of stuff and thinking, is it to much, is it to little. I feel a little bit of panic setting in as I count down the days...only four. I think I have to get off this computer and back to crafting. AAAAAAHHHHHH!

God Speaks, do you listen?

2008-10-22T22:42:00.003-04:00

I love when God speaks to us. It's not always easy to find but it's there. From rainbows and yellow tulips (that's for you Keri!) to strange hummingbirds God speaks to us all the time, we just need to take the time to listen. I forget this on so many days. I forget that God is there and that he loves me and he will only hand me what I can handle. There is a lot that makes me bring this very heartfelt topic up tonight. (A little off the path of my usual pink scrappy-ness) Besides my encounter with a very rude customer tonight, my effort to get back in school, praying for my little brother and the over all state of the world one of my friends is facing some scary stuff tomorrow. She is battling breast cancer. I hear you all sighing. I know that feeling to. I think about her everyday and wonder how she is dealing with it. How does she get up every morning and function. I mean she has four young children (one who is also battling cancer...I know!) Yet she has the most beautiful soul I have ever seen. If you want to hear an angel or be inspired and feel surround by love this women is it. Kind, brave, amazing these words can't describe her. I often think to myself "who am I to complain!" Yet, the last two weeks for me have been a mix of blah and more blah. I came home from work tonight and just wanted to sleep the rest of the week away and wake up when things were a little warmer (literally!). I forced myself down here to finish up some things and came upon her update on carepages. She is going in for a pet scan tomorrow to find out how big or very very very little the cancer may be and as she puts it "interestingly" one of her child's memory verses for tomorrow is "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me. " Psalm 50:15. So God spoke. Isn't it just amazing.

Well, I couldn't just leave you with that could I?! So I made a card for her too! See there is nothing like some pink-scrappy-happy to cheer a person up.

No Lion around!

2008-10-22T12:22:00.003-04:00

I am a bad blogger. I have left you all hanging, I know. Well no one returned my money or my other personal items. I really loved all the wonderful comments, emails and phone calls to cheer me up, thanks so much. So the best way to get out of a yuck is to start crafting again. So here is an adorable little card I made using close to my heart's life's a jungle stamp set. I totally "stole" the mane idea from another crafter. I hope you enjoy!

Love this blog

2008-10-15T11:06:00.001-04:00

Hey I just found this blog and love the ideas she has on it. GO check it out!
http://www.lynnskie3.blogspot.com/

What would you do?

2008-10-07T23:38:00.003-04:00

So today a very distracted Kelly left the grocery store without a very important envelope in hand. It's one of those great little envelopes that banks put your money in. Not only is my $100 gone I still hadn't taken out my driver's license or my debt card (both needed for identification reasons). I didn't realized they were gone until later this evening. So I called up the only store I had been all day to see if by chance a kind person didn't actually steel my money...or at least turned in my "personal" items. This is how my conversation went.
"Hello (name of store)"
me-"Hello, I was wondering if anyone turned in a lost TCF bank envelope. I left it at the counter earlier today. It had a driver license, credit card and some cash in it"
"Cash (short pause) no"
That was it. She hung up on me after that. Not only am I extremely upset that I lost a lot of money, had to cancel my credit card and am facing an hours wait at the Secretary of state I was treated unkindly and with no respect by a place I spend my money at! So after dealing with an unhappy husband and shedding a few tears I got to wondering "what would I do." If I found that kind of money, actually any amount of money with all the information to return it to it's owner what would I do? Of course I would return it. Ironically my SIL left her wallet at the post office this past weekend. Once she realized it was gone she said to me "what would you do?" I told her I'd mail it back to her... I'm at the post office! Anyway, what I really wanted to say, at least what I was starting to say is at what point did our attitude shift from "oh someone will mail it back to me" to "great so glad I paid for someones groceries?" At what point did I lose all hope in human compassion and understanding? At what point did I just assume that no one would be like me? Before I even called the store I just assumed that someone just took it and was walking around thinking "it's my lucky day" It makes me sad that I feel this way and for my own belief in human kindness I hope I get a pleasant surprise and a renewal of common good. I hope someone proves me wrong and makes me feel embarrassed and even more sad for my assumptions. Sorry for this rather depressing post...I think I need some stamp shopping. Unfortunately I have no debit card, no cash and no ID to even go to the bank to get any.

A celebration for me!

2008-10-05T13:24:00.000-04:00

I made this card in celebration of me getting sprinkles cupcakes again! I know many of you are now insanely jealous that I have devoured these scrumptious cupcakes not only once but twice now. The tiny thought of them makes me smile from ear to ear. Not only that but I am planning on ordering one of their t-shirts. As soon as I get my little hands on it I will put it on take a pic and the rest of you and sulk in your jealously. I wonder if enough of us beg if they'd be willing to open up a shop right her in Michigan! Grosse Pointe would be a great location considering it's minutes from my home. Seriously now doesn't that look JUST like me up on that cupcake. Well it's at least the way I feel!

Cards in a box!

2008-10-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

Cards in a box! Don't you just love it. I made this out of the small pizza boxes I bought from just4funcrafts. This is a great website to get some of your basics for a great price and their shipping rocks! Inside is 40 gift tags for your Christmas presents. I haven't picked a lucky person to receive this yet but I thought it would make a great teacher gift or something. I used the close to my heart creative basics eversong paper, the no peeking stamp set, the red sparkles and the chipboard is from maya road.

I spy.....Uncle Bryon!

2008-10-01T13:10:00.002-04:00

Mikayla is learning all about neighborhoods at school right now. For one of their homework assignments she had to make a building in her neighborhood. She was assigned the police station. Well lucky for her Uncle Bryon just happens to look super handsome in his uniform and sent her a picture to use in her project (thanks Bryon!) Now all you scrappers out there know how excited I was to do this. I busted out the paper and fun flock. The white gel pens and liquid glass. Now the only thing I (I mean we...this is Mikayla's project right?!) need to add is an American flag and a handicapped parking space. Just perfect...