New Layout

I really like the sketches from Liz at the Scrappiest. She is keeping me very motivated and keeping me scrapping my way to my goal!

Here is her latest sketch and here is my layout:

2 views


Journalling reads: It's only been in the last year that I have started noticing the beauty that greets me most mornings. Some days it's just there but some days its just wow!

Admiral and Thunder Bazzill
Basic Grey Marrakech: Cardamon, Sencha, and Elderflower
HS Chipboard letters
Maya Road Ric Rac
Chipboard Arrows
Grungeboard
HS Brads

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On another note:
Last year when my husbands family was selling their parents house. I took the two rose bushes from the back yard - cut them back and brought them home to plant in my yard. The one rose bush didn't make it and I found out from my husbands sister that it was a cutting and had never done well. The second bush was a deep red miniature rose. Beautiful. It bloomed again before fall, made it through the hurricane and bloomed a little bit after that.

Fast forward to now. I cut them back right after Valentines and started counting my buds on Saturday - between my 2 rose bushes that I had already and then Nannie's rose bush, I had 17 buds. Monday, Nannie's roses start to bloom and its PINK! I have never seen such a thing! I didn't know they could change colors and I looked and it was not a sucker that was growing on there because I didn't cut anything that was low off.

If you are reading this: Have you heard or seen this before?

Here is the rose now:


And the rose bush last fall:

61 days

I went 61 days without McDonalds. See I gave up McDonalds for Lent. I am Baptist but because a co-worker is Catholic and we used to sit by each other and were paired for 2 Lenten seasons...I give up something every year...if others can - so can I.

I chose McDonalds because it was something that I did everyday. I spent anywhere from $3.01 to $6.48 depending on what I got that day. I was there so much that they knew it was me by my voice over the speaker. So Fat Tuesday was my last day - I said my goodbyes to my McDonald friends.

I was lazy this morning. I didn't want to stop and get out of the truck, walk in, get my coffee and coke, stand in line and pay. So I decided to go to McDonalds but I really had to talk myself into it. I got there in the drive-thru - my heart was pounding and I really felt like I was doing something wrong. So I order, drive around and the drive-thru girl sees me and breaks out into this big smile. She said that she was missing me and was glad that I came back. She kept me there talking to me for right at 5 minutes (btw...she gave up using her credit cards for Lent). It felt nice to be "missed" but when I drove away a sinking feeling came over me.

I seriously think that I won't be able to go to McDonalds again.
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Somethings I learned during Lent:
*Gas Station coffee is suprising good - except for Exxon - it is WAY too strong.

*Jack in the Box large coffee is WAY too small. I pay $.20 more than McD's for 8oz less.

*Burger King has good coffee and it is the same size but again it costs more.

*Chick-Fil-A has great coffee and if you get the girls in the drive-they will make it for you...if you get the boys - you will be parking and making it yourself which is no big deal but I find that odd really. It costs a little more but is okay except for the flimsy cups. They scare me when I take them out of my drink holder.

Thanks for listening to my random ramblings today :)

This week in review

Monday - this week of the month is known as credit week...aka my hell week. I do credits for the branch and at times it can be a little overwhelming at times.

Tuesday - I ran 117 credit and 33 bill onlys. That so far since I have been keeping track is my largest number.

Wednesday - I had lunch with my husband. I really like it when he comes...my day is so much better :)

Thursday - we went to the library. I saw the best books...How to avoid marrying a jerk, deleting the office asshole, managing your boss …crazy crazy! I checked out a book by Larry King of all people called Love Stories of World War II. Its absolutely wonderful! How amazing is it that two people meet and two dates later they are engaged and soon married after that...then to have the marriages in this book to almost make it or go over 50 years of marriage. What is so amazing to me is that this day and age a marriage is lucky to last one year without issues that lead to divorce.

Friday - a long long day. I worked on my facebook farm, had Chinese for lunch, read my book, looking at layouts on two peas and CC.

Vegas

We took at late honeymoon to Vegas about 6 months after we were married. I really liked it. There was always something to do and not just gambling. It was great. The way the heat just smacked you in the face when you walked outside no matter what time it was and you didn't sweat was awesome...unlike here...you are drenched in less than a minute in the summer, fall, winter and um...spring.

I can't wait to go back and when I saw this sketch at the Scrappiest - I just knew that it would go great with some of the pics that I had left from my Vegas album.



Raven, White and Maraschino Bazzill
Cherry Arte His and Hers Collection - His Legacy
Heidi Swapp Letter - She Raw
Red and Black Ribbon
Playing Cards
Die Button
Sequins
Glitter
Bling

Another weekend down

This weekend was filled with rain and few layouts ;)

This was made for the Coordinates Collection 3 Sketch Challenge.

Oh Fish!


I don't think that I could ever catch another shot like this one. They are very hard to take a pic of...they just don't listen like the dogs.

Raven, White, Diamond, Blind Date, and Splash Bazzill
Cherry Arte Cosmic Energy PP
Creative Imaginations Adhesive Letters
Vellum
Buttons
Ribbon
Fish Embellishment

Mother's Day Card


White, Tink Pink, Lemonade, Leapfrog and Parakeet Bazzill.
Pink Misc. PP, Autumn Leaves Mod Blackbird Butterfly
Ribbon
Stickles
Bling

*Crocus paper piecing from template on scrapbooksetc.com

These were made based off of sketches for the Scrappiest.

Sketch #5 - Yummy Godiva


*Made w/ my November kit from BYOM

Sketch #6 - Very Wet Day

Recap of the week...

Monday: I found out that my daughter will be going on her first "date" to the movies. She will be 16 on this Monday coming up. I find out on Thursday that he is taking a friend so...its no longer a date since she can't go with two boys...and she will now be accompanied by her younger sister :D

Tuesday: I brought home a puppy that we are babysitting. Her name is Monkey and she is a Brussells/Pug mix. I will need to take a pic of her and post her. She is a full of energy girl. My cat hates her. My dogs - Cosmo and Newman. Cosmo is 10 so he is not so hip on her young 4 month old-ness. Newman on the other hand being 3 years old is less inclined to deal with her...he hates her more than the cat.

Wednesday: We will call this Verizon Day. We had it out with Verizon on Tuesday night and then it carried over to Wednesday. We seriously thought that it was going to come down to phones being thrown at Verizon people's heads. Nothing was accomplished with them...we still have a $689 phone bill and 5 lines when we only have 4 phones. The guy who helped us with our upgrade probably laughed his ass off when we walked out the door back in February.

Thursday: Verizon day part 2. I will leave it at that but because of that...it lead to lots of these:


and then 2 of these...


Yes under those...were two cupcakes w/ butter cream frosting.

Friday: Sunny, Cloudy, Black and then Rain. In that order.
This is 3:20pm


This is 3:35pm


This is 3:40pm from my desk - the rain had started.

Very Motivated

I finished up the 4th challenge at Coordinates Collection and I am really pretty proud of myself.

very happy girls


Journalling reads: I really think this was the best day of your life so far This is your reactions to the lights coming back on after Hurricane Ike. They had been out four long and hot days. You realize what we take for granted when its gone. Pic taken 9/08, Scrapped 04/08.

Kraft and White Bazzill
Paper Studio, KI Memories, Daisy Bucket and Making Memories PP
Heidi Swapp Chipboard Letters in Newsprint Ledger and Center of Attention Raw.
Creative Imaginations Sticker letters
Ribbon x2
Buttons x4
Pop Dots

I Would Do It All Again...






Journalling on this layout is private :) and :( This is a sketch challenge on CC

Kraft Bazzill
Paper Studio, Dream Street Rue and Art Nouveau PP
Thickers and Adorn-it Tiny Chocolate letters
Cosmo Cricket Trimeree
Brads
Jolee's Embellishments (ring and birds)
Misc. Heart Brad and Love saying

Always Dream


Inspired from a sketch #8 at The Scrappiest .

This is my middle daughter. She hates these photos but what is great about them is that this is so "not" her. I can't believe she posed in the front yard!

Journalling Strips read: To be what you want. Never let anyone control your destiny. Dream big and follow your heart. ♥ mom.
Journalling around the photos reads: You are always so unsure of yourself. You never put it out there. You always wonder what others think and what they would do or want. You need to live for you because only you know what you want and how you need to achieve it. Dream big and never settle for less. Always strive for more. You deserve it all Amber.

Dreams and Wishes

When I first started scrapbooking, I had a scrapbook store called "Memories" by my house that I could stop at on the way home at night. I loved that store. They were bought out and the paper company that bought them...decided that they didn't make enough money with a scrapbook chain....um hello?

So after the major withdrawals and the realization that the only thing remotely scrappy for me was Micheal's and Hobby Lobby in a 20+ radius from my house. This is when my dream began.

I saw and fell in love with this store. I want to say that it was a Oriental rug store at one point but it has been vacant for about the last year. When I see this building, I fall in love over and over. Yes, I know it is big.



There are tons of windows and the lighting in there is great just from the natural light. I see aisles of various scrapbook paper sectioned out in themes. Rows and rows of Bazzill and Prism. Embellishments galore. Scrapbook storage ideas. The whole nine yards.



Behind the counter area there is a huge place that is between the back wall and the columns that would be absolutely perfect for a crop area. Tables for no more than 4 each with big comfy rolling chairs, individual trash cans, cutting mats for each person, cup holders. Room to spread out. Room to walk when there is a crop and there are the big monstrous scrappy carts that go this way and that way. I also see a die cut station back here too on the side.



I know I can't be the only one who reads this blog - at least I hope not. Let me know what your scrappy dream is.

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On another note. Easter Sunday was eventful and wet. We lost power...again. Here are some pictures of our beautiful and needed rain.

Spring is Here!

So no layouts for you today but I do have pics from my backyard and what is going on back there!

So first we have what my weather was like...now mind you this was taken around 7:15ish.


This is Mr. Squirrel. I think he was hungry...I filled the feeder up (well 3 cups) this morning before work.


Here is the birds that were eating until my husband came out and scared them away. My daughter says they look like a husband and wife discussing what is for dinner...I think she is hungry. Apparently the conversation goes like this: "What do you want for dinner?" says the girl bird. The boy bird then says "I don't know you pick". This goes on for a while. Girl bird gets mad and says "Just go home, we will eat there" Boy bird says "Why do you always say we have to go home, just pick somewhere" Girl bird then says "Why do I have to pick?" Baby birds in the backseat then start making fun of girl bird and boy bird drawing imaginary hearts around them. I have no clue where she gets this from...moving on.


The honeysuckles are getting ready!




The flowers are blooming...




The roses are thinking about it.


Crepe Myrtle is coming along-I did have two but the hurricane took out one of them last year with a huge pine tree. I felt horrible for it. He was trying to come back but more of him was dead then alive. My husband cut him down...I couldn't watch the tree murderer.


The spiders are looking for bugs that are getting out and about. I don't feel bad for them. Circle of life...


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On another note...I would like to take this time to say Rest in Peace little fishie. I miss you already Nutmeg.

As promised

These are the layouts that I did with my kit from Bring Your Own Memories last night.

family


Moss, Vanilla and Elephant Bazzill
Basic Grey Marrakech Collection: Calming Moon, Chai and Blue Nights
Basic Grey Marrakech Glazed Brad
Heidi Swapp Ghost Letters-rhyme lowercase
Maya Road Chipboard Flourish
Cat's Eye Chalk - Blue Iris
Heidi Swapp Ghost Clock
Crystal Stickles
Prima Flowers
Zig Pen - Navy
Staples


Just Me


Nightmist, Vanilla and Moss Bazzill
Basic Grey Marrakech Collection: Vanilla Chai and Chai
American Crafts Thickers-Lullaby in Charcoal
Heidi Swapp Brads
Cat's Eye Chalk - Iris Blue
Zig Pen - Navy
Ribbon
Bling

She's mine


Based on a sketch by Liz at The Scrappiest

Journalling Reads: Taken after the wedding, the two of you fought over me! 03/08

Elephant Bazzill
Moxxie Die Cut Cardstock - Plum/Olive
Basic Grey Marrakech Collection: Cardamon and Chai
Basic Grey Marrakech Glazed Brads
American Crafts Thickers - Lullaby in Charcoal
Maya Road Chipboard Border
Heidi Swapp Bling Photo Corners
Cats Eye Chalk - Charcoal
Zig Pen - Navy

Wednesday Ramblings

Back a few months ago there was a great blog deletion...it was right around January because I had the bright idea that I would do a Project 365 blog. Well when I went to delete that blog because that 365 project was for me a 2 day project...I deleted my scrapping blog instead. I literally cried when blogger told me that I couldn't get it back, I hit the back button, I searched high and low for a way to get my blog back. Needless today say today I found out that blogger lied! Here is the link to my old blog that I resurected from the dead today but I won't post there anymore. You can see all my layouts from about mid-year last year.

Second thing that makes me super happy is my new kit that came in day before yesterday. I dived into the scrappy goodness of my BYOM April kit and was up until midnight working on my layouts. I NEVER scrap during the week but all I have to say is WOW! I normally don't scrap with Basic Grey - its not really a favorite but man oh man the Marrakesh line is right up my alley! I will be back tonight to post my 3 yes 3 layouts!

See you soon!

Stephanie is going giveaways sign ups today through Friday. There are 8 different things up for grabs. Go check her out!

Monday mornings...

usually I would add "need I say more" to that title but it is just mornings like this one that makes it all worth while getting out of bed before dark, taking the girls to their bus stops and then trying to make my way to work.

This was taken at 6:55am with my Blackberry


This was taken at 7:05am - big difference huh?


Here is my first gripe of the day. I love living in Houston. I was born here and I grew up here. But...I hate that nine times out of ten when I take a picture that there is a stupid telephone pole or light pole in my picture and if it isn't there...the high wires are.

Non Scrappy Related...yet

So, I ♥ fat little goldfish. I always have. I went a few weeks ago to Petsmart and picked me out two little guys (or girls but hopefully not both) to bring home for my entertainment. All was going well...nice and fat, swimming happily and then...one died. I was so sad. The other goldfish was so sad! He was swimming around the tank looking for the other one...I wanted to cry!! Now I am not one of those - "oh my pet died, let me replace it right away" people but I just couldn't bear to watch my little fishie swim aimlessly looking for his friend. So back to Petsmart I went. The orange one (Cayenne) and the calico (Nutmeg) are my newest additions and the white (Salt) one is so very happy again. (Do you see a theme there?)

So here is my babies...they are hard to photograph too...very shy!










And as always...the best for last. I don't think I could get this shot again if I tried again...ever! How flippin cute is this???

Starting again

Here we are April already! I didn't do as many this weekend as I thought I would but I have 3 more to add to my goal of 183 for the year.

These were done for the challenges over at Coordinates Collection.

1 Smart Cat


This is my cat Robert. He is 10 and apparently he loves to read the paper. I got the evil eye from him when I disturbed him one morning as he laid next to his food bowl and was reading the paper...all that was missing was his cup of coffee!

I used a technique on this page that I haven't done before. Grace over at CC said that you could use vellum to mute out the background of you photo. Its a cool idea and it worked well. You can hardly see my stuffed frogs that sits on my windowsill legs now can you?

White Bazzill, SEI Lima SP, SEI Black Orchid - Dream Escale, Villa Marigot, Ocean Brise PP, Maya Rd. Velvet Ric Rac. Ribbon and Eyelets, SEI Puffy Letters, MM Rub-Ons and Metal Embellishment, Black Stickles, Scenic Route Arrow.

1 hungry girl


My youngest daughter. I took this photo w/ my blackberry at Denny's one night when we went out for dinner. Journalling reads: You are one funny girl! One week I can barely get you to eat anything at all and then other weeks you eat like never before! This was taken @ Denny's. You had your pancakes, some of my burger and some of Amber's fries. 03/08.

Based on a layout by Marj "I ♥ my Binkie"

Kraft, white and Maraschino Bazzill, The Paper Studio Red Gingham PP, Thickers, Ribbon, Brad, Die Cuts, Flower, Button, and Zig Pen.

Beautiful New Roses


I love new roses blooming in spring!

Raven and Kraft Bazzill, Chili Prism CS, Jenni Bowlin Vintage Dots, EK Success Beauty Stripes, Adorn It Tiny Chocolate Letters, Cricut - Opposites Attract, and Ribbon.

Last Minute Request

So I get into work this morning and one of my co-workers ran - literally and said that she needed a card for a baby shower tomorrow. She is leaving tonight to go out of town. After we were through the "you should have called me last night" spill...she said she didn't care what it was made of - she just needed one.

So I give you:


I took this pic with my phone. Not sure what is up with the ripples that have shown up.

Made from White construction paper, a print of Yellow Bicycle's PP, Ticked Pink Bazzill print out, Yellow printer paper, glue stick and purple highlighter. Pattern from Scrap and Paper Corner