It's starting...

to look and feel like Christmas here. With all the talk to Christmas this and Christmas that online because everyone knows that the Christmas season is in full swing in the scrapping world...I am in the mood already to decorate. See I am a last minute kind of girl in the house. Outside the lights have to be up by a certain date because of the neighborhood but inside usually lags behind and I take it down right after Christmas...a naked tree is depressing.

Shimelle last weekend had a Christmas Crafting weekend. I started slow and worked on a few things but mainly I worked on my December Daily.

The first challenge was a Woven Christmas Card. I scrap lifted Melissa Mann because my card skills are less than what they should be.



The next thing that I tackled was the size of my Christmas Journal. At first I thought that I would do a 6x12. All went well. I gathered my paper, cut it to size, covered my covers, decorated the cover page and then I attempted to punch the holes. Because of my bad hands...no crop-a-dile for me because I don't have the strength to squeeze. (It only bothers me when I am at the scrapbook store and its part of the class and people are looking and waiting for the tool. I try to skip it) So I old schooled it and used a paper punch and hammer. Well all went great on the first set of holes...the 2nd set - not so great. I was going to leave it until I noticed that my paper was pulling so I just had to walk away. I went to bed and realized that I can just cut my paper and move on.

My journal is now 6x9.25. I cut right under the holes. I also moved on to my Bind It All. So yes, my pages have holes and bind it all holes on one end. Oh well, I am not perfect.

My Cover Fancy Pants Christmas Magic - Deck the Halls


Inside Foo-Fa-La - Black, Red and Cream


My Inside Cover Page Basic Grey Wassail - Mantle


All My Pages More Info Soon


Next I worked on my page numbers for my pages. I went with the same style because my paper is all different.



They are a Maroon with white numbers cut with Keystone on my Cricut. I rounded 2 of the corners of my maroon squares and used Diamond Stickles on half of the numbers to look like snow.

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In all of this drama, I worked on my Christmas Cards. Pinterest was my inspiration. Remember what I said about cards and me...

Here is what the ones I found from Sweet Paperie



Here are mine




I used Ocean, Pear and Black Bazzill. A corner punch, Ribbon, Buttons, a Uni-Ball Black Gel Pen, a stamp from Studio G and black ink.

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On the baby home front...we are at 2 weeks and the babies are all over the tank and still hanging on momma. They are getting bigger :)

My Last 2 weeks

The last two weeks have been a little hectic, odd and exciting all at the same time. I know that when we get into this time of year it starts moving faster around here and before I know it we are at the end of the year.

October 29, 2011
My babies birthday. It's hard for me to believe that she is now old enough to drive and get a job. I can't believe that she is 16 already, she is supposed to still be the little girl with pig tails.

This year she went out of her norm. She decided that she was going to run a 5K bright and early. No sleeping in for her birthday...we were up and out of the house at 6am to get downtown in time for her to warm up.

This was our view of the grounds when we got to the race site.


I missed her leaving the finish line...there was a extremely large mass of people. Normal running people, barely running people, fast running people and then there was rude running man. He almost knocked down 2 woman by pushing them to the side so he could run fast past them.

I did manage to catch her coming back in


And even though its a bad shot, I love this photo


These are close to the start/finish line. I took my photos and yelled to her to run fast and finish hard. This was the 1st time she heard me during a race. She smiled. Her time was 27:24. I was worried that the pavement would aggravate her shin splints but she didn't have any trouble.

Then we went home for a nap. For dinner, Samantha chose Benihana and she took her friend Ellie with us.



Later after we got home from dinner and the mall we had cake.



This cake...oh my this cake gave me all sorts of problems. She asked for a turtle cake this year. I called HEB, Randalls, Fiesta, another HEB and a bakery. The grocery stores couldn't make a turtle cake because they just didn't know how to do it. The bakery would make it but it started at 20 servings at $5 per serving. There is only 4 of us at home...no way. I went to Kroger and noticed a dragon cake. If they can make a dragon...they can make a turtle. I finally got to talk to the woman who made the dragon cake and she said she would try. I told her as long as it looked like a turtle we were good.

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November 5, 2011

We had babies. I hadn't seen Larry (my crawfish) in about a month. HE was hiding in the rock that is in the tank. I knew he was alive and was to the point I was going to take the rock away when....



Larry comes out and this is what I see. Oh course, I freak run to Google and am looking up "crawfish tail growth" and to find out that my HE is a SHE. Apparently according to Google they can take weeks to months to lay their eggs. I have had Larry since she was saved from the pot of boiling water in late June. Then Google who by this point is not my friend anymore tells me that she can have 100-300 fry. Oh my.

Well she has had her babies. They were clear in the beginning with little black dots for eyes. They didn't photo at all. Now they are bigger and are starting to get some color. I am going to have lots of red ones but I still have some who are clear so I am hoping I get some blues. I am going to give them to people who want them as a pet and won't eat them. I am going to see if the pet store will take some of them and the rest I am going to take to the pond and creek. Yes, I will probably cry.

Babies 3 days old eating on the algae tablet.


Babies a week old coming out to eat. They are so cute and they swim backwards!


I will be back tomorrow with my scrappy stuff from Shimelle's Christmas weekend.

Memories of Yours

I took a few weeks off of Shimelle Starting Points so I could work on a baby album. I finished that and sent it off to Missouri where it will later be sent to Massachusetts to its new home. I will post pics of it in the coming week (once I get the pics all edited and uploaded to photobucket). I also have another baby album that was made from paper bags to post soon too.

This last Saturday Shimelle posted this layout starter


I stared at it for a few days, found my "kit" that I had made for a crop at Archiver's a few weeks ago that I never got to and went to work.

Memories Of Yours (we don't share)


Journaling reads: its what happens with mix teenage hormones with 35 years if stubborn. There were 3 years total I missed out on because we didn't communicate. You made lots of memories without me.

(Back Story-My oldest moved to her dads when she was 15 almost 16. She moved back in January of this year. She is now 19)

I used:
Paper: Black and Cupcake Bazzill, Theresa Collins Timeless, Doodlebug Monster Mania, Misc. PP from my stash.
Embellishments: Heidi Swapp Clock and Brad, Die Cut arrow and butterflies with Glossy Accents added, Bling, and Tim Holtz Distressing Ink. I used masking tape for the journal box.
Letters: AC Thickers in Marquise, KI Memories Embossed Stickers, Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type, I used a Uni-Ball Black Gel Pen for my Journaling.

eighteen

Back in April Amber turned 18. She talked for weeks about having her truck decorated for her birthday. My oldest daughter and her then boyfriend went out in the middle of the night and decorated to their hearts content. Amber was SO happy when she came out the next morning and saw her truck!

This layout is based on Shimelle's Starting Point found here:


eighteen


Journaling reads: for your 18th birthday, Emily and Tyler decorated your truck! You were so happy when you saw it. Even happier to drive it to school.

Paper: Kraft and Sunshine Bazzill, Scenic Route Grids, Basic Grey, MME and Martha Stewart.
Embellishments: Pop Dots and Bling
Letters: AC Thickers in Bumble, Uni-Ball Pen in Black.

Cross Country

Samantha has been running Cross Country since the 7th grade when she could get in Athletics. She likes to run and she complains about running the track. I think she likes the freedom to get out there and move. This is the first year though that I have seen her really apply herself and push herself.

These layouts, I made just because and I like how they turned out. They are colors that usually wouldn't use for my layouts and they work!

17:22


Journaling reads: "Run the Ridge: - your first meet of the season. It was great being there and cheering you on. You didn't beat your goal time but I am still so proud of you!

Paper: Lime, Vanilla and Maroon Bazzill, Penny Lane and a misc blue strip from my stash.
Embellishments: Heidi Swapp Brads and a Martha Stewart Punch
Letters: AC Thickers Darling

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I made this layout at a crop at Archiver's. I saw a layout that inspired me but I can't for the lift of me remember where I saw it.

She Runs


Journaling Reads: You've been running since the 7th grade but this the 1st year I have really seen you apply yourself and work on getting faster. I am so very proud of you for staying with it and pushing yourself for more!

Paper: White and Grey Bazzill, Making Memories Passport and Travel Collection
Embellishments: Ribbon, Cardboard Stars, Cats Eye Chalk, Karen Foster "Born to Run" stopwatch
Letters: Crate Paper-green and kraft, AC Thickers Foam (the best font ever) and Uni-Ball Black Gel Pen.

Only One

I only have one in school at this point. She loves (not really - insert teenage eye roll here) being the only subject pretty much these days for my photos. She has never "been on her own" in school before except that one time that I had them in 5th, 8th and 9th grade - at three different schools. This time, she is truly alone since the other two have graduated. No one to ride home from school with instead of riding the bus. No one to sit with at lunch except her friends. No one to talk about her day with when she gets home except me and her step dad. She still spends lots of time with me but I know from experience that there will come a time when I won't be so important for a few years.

I used Shimelle's starting point from here for this layout. Here was our prompt:



Early Morn'


Journaling Reads: You had cross country practice everyday except Thursdays during the week all summer long. Fridays though you loaded the bus at 6:30am to go and run at a park for a change of pace. I am so proud of you that I never heard "I don't want to go today" all summer.

Paper: Kraft and Orange Bazzill, October Afternoon Night Light from an old kit
Embellishments: Kaiser Craft Dots
Letters: Dear Lizzy Thickers and Uni-Ball Gel Pen

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I was on a roll at this point and used this Starting Point found here.



Homecoming 2010


Journaling reads: Your freshman homecoming. You went w/ Travis who was a friend of Amber's from work. With all of you cross country girls. You ate dinner at Mia Bella and then I took you to the dance. You had a great time in general but not with your date.

Paper: Grey and Champagne Bling Bazzill, Basic Grey Marrakesh
Embeliishments: Uni-Ball White Gel Pen
Letters: Making Memories Glitter Letters and a Uni-Ball Black Gel Pen


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The next layout came from this Starting Point.



Fifteen


Journaling Reads: Birthday dinner at Tommy Bahamas. Family only-no friend this year. Great food and Pineapple cake w/ toasted coconuts topping! Yummy.

Paper: Kraft and Yellow Bazzill, Scenic Route Garden Grove from an old kit
Embellishments: Jenni Bowlin Calendar, Scenic Route Arrow
Letters: Making Memories Glitter Letters and Uni-Ball Gel Pen

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Last one. This year I almost forgot to take my first day of school photo. I had to take one with my phone in the truck. You can find the Starting Point here.



Sophomore


Journaling Reads: As I sit here and look at the big...huge Sophomore sticker above...it floors me (I know I always say that) but you were my shadow when I would take Emily and Amber to school and when we would pick them up after. Now I look at you - your the only one left in school. I can't say your all alone because you have a lot of friends. I can't say you get bored because you keep busy with cross country and track. You still like me at this point, Robbie...I am not so sure about - You two argue a lot! You aren't too boy crazy (woo-hoo!) and remove yourself from any drama. This year I hope you grow into your own even more!

Paper: Kraft Bazzill and Bo Bunny Mamarazzi
Embellisments: Jolee's Sophomore Stickers and Reminiscence Stickers, and Ric Rac
Letters: Jolee's Stickers and Uni-Ball Gel Pen

Growing Up

I have been following Shimelle for a few weeks now and even went back through her blog to find all the "Starting Points" that she posts. Starting Points are where she starts a general layout but she only puts the paper down. You finish your layout however you see it going. I love to look and see what everyone came up with and see how everyone started out the same but ended up so different.

This week this was our prompt:


And I came up with a page of Amber. I swiped this from her Facebook. Amber moved out a month and a half ago. I am so proud of her! She made a plan, found a room to rent, found a job and is making it on her own. She checks in with me twice a week with a phone call but she texts me every day. She tells me when she is going out with friends and where they are going as well as when she gets home...in case she is "Almost an Adult-Napped". Yes, this is my doing not because I am nosey but because in case something happens (God forbid) I have something to tell the cops.

On Her Own


Journaling reads: I knew the day would come when you would move out and go to College Station but it still hasn't sank in. I expect at anytime for you to walk through the door and say "Hi Mom, I'm home" and head for your bedroom.

Paper: Java and Brown Bazzill, Basic Grey Romani, Bo Bunny Swiss Dots, Paper Studio, Scenic Route, Daisy D's and Graphic 45. I used a lot of stash on this layout.
Embellisments: Cats Eye Chalk in Brown, October Afternoon Journaling Spot, Buttons, Prima Flowers, Bazzill Flower and Bling.
Letters: AC Thickers in Poolside Glitter Foam

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I also created this one one night after we got back from College Station a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't wait to get to CVS to get the photos off my phone and get to my table. My oldest daughter moved out when she was still in high school and went to live with her dad. She is now back home with me so this is the first time for me to really experience the growing up and moving away thing.

She Lives Here


Journaling Reads: I knew this day would come but I never thought it would be so soon! It doesn't look like much since the grass is dead but we are in a drought. Your room is the window on the left. A freedom to stretch your wings and grow for $200 a month. I am so proud of you! love mom

Paper: White and Java Bazzill, Making Memories Geometric and Crate Paper.
Embellishments: Buttons, Heidi Swapp Brads, Glossy Accents, Ribbon and Tim Holtz Staples, Masking Tape and Chocolate Zig Pen for the bold line around the layout.
Letters: Jillibean Soup and Adorn-It. I used a Zig Pen in Chocolate for journaling.

Stay or Go?

Stay or Go...this has been the question that I have been asking myself for the last month along with where do I want my blog to go? How much do you really want out there and how much do you care what is on it.

Back a few months ago, I found that my ex-husband or his wife had been on my blog and it really played games with my head. Not because I have things to hide but because this is my little part of the internet and I don't go snooping on their part of the internet. Its not that I have to answer to him anymore now that both girls are over the age of 18 but really I have no interest in their life and I would prefer that they had no interest in mine. So I backed off and my posting became more generic and sparse.

Then I realized that I was only scrapping because I had to for a DT requirement. I wasn't scrapping because I loved it anymore. I was doing the equivalent of 1 page a month and hating it.I was beginning to feel like I had no creative freedom anymore and couldn't scrap without a sketch to guide me. Nothing came together on the paper on my own. Now with that said, when my last DT obligation was done...I was sad and felt lost but I know that I was not a contributor to the blog, forum or the site in general with my work schedule that I had during my entire time with them.

So where do I see my blog going? Well actually I have no clue. I am a scrapper with "no home". I have lots of places that I visit, lots of people that I "know" across the internet that shares a love of paper, embellishments and glue with me.

What do I want out of this blog? A place to post my layouts. A place to inspire others when they come to visit. A place to place inspiration for me.

I know it is all simpler said than done but the good news is I took some much needed time off, took a real vacation without checking my email - personal or work. I have laid off of Facebook, I am now a once to twice a day kind of girl. Bad news is that I have jumped on the Twitter bandwagon (thats me in the back of the wagon) and that is where I have all my scrapbook people. So much easier...Facebook for my people and Twitter for Scrapbook (and Snookie). I am addicted to Pinterest and I have been pinning my inspiration which seems to be a lot of Studio Calico which I love but can't afford. I have found a scrapbook kit club that I am seriously looking into starting a monthly subscription. I am following along with Shimelle and her Starting Points prompts.

I have been scrapping and have a nice little stack of layouts to be photographed that I need to share soon.

I know that posts are worthless without pics so I will leave you with a slideshow of my vacation pictures. They aren't the greatest but I went light and only used my phone, no Nikon for me this time.

and the fountains:



See you soon :)

2P's Continued

I did manage to do 7 of the 10 challenges that 2P's had this past weekend. I am pretty proud of myself :)

the baby


I used Kraft, dotted paper from my stash, Valentines ephemera, ric rak and Thickers

Sam


I used MME Lost and Found, Vanilla and Swimming Pool Bazzill, Doilie, AC Lizzy Buttons and Felt Bird and glitter Thickers.

friends


I used Summer Rain Bazzill, American Crafts 5th Avenue, Cat's Eye Chalk in Black, K & Co. Ephemera, Bling, Ribbon Flower, leaf and Pink Paislee Letters

10 favorite songs


I used The Girls Paperie, various journal spots, 7 Gypsies Travel Letters, Black Gel Pen

@ the rodeo


I used Java Bazzill, Cosmo Cricket Halfway Cafe, MM clip, Cosmo Cricket Ribbon, Wood Paper, Cork Star and Thickers

Saying Goodbye and CHA @ 2P's

Its been a long time since I had the time and really felt like scrapping for me rather than "having to" for my DT work. My extra part of my job finally finished and I am starting to feel like my old self again instead of ready to go to bed as soon as I come home. This extra part was supposed to end 4 months ago but here we are and it is finally done. And with that said, this is the 1st time in a year that I am no longer on a Design Team. My term ended with Sassy Lil Sketches and although I am sort of shocked (but not really due to the above sentences) that I was replaced but you know all things happen for a reason and SLS has a great group of girls who stayed on and came on. Doors close for a reason and I wish Katie and Cherie the best of luck in the future. With that said, here are my last two layouts that I did for SLS based on Cherie's sketches.

Prom


My middle daughter and her date for Prom this year. This layout was made with all scraps left from one of my kits from Bring Your Own Memories that is no longer in business. I still miss them! The crocheted flowers are from Petaloo and they came in a door prize from Scrapbook.com for NSD 2011.

Together


My girls on the ferry in Galveston on the last day of school. There was a time that I thought that I would never have them all together again. This layout was made with another kit from BYOB and I added the Maya Road Chipboard embellishment painted yellow for the sun. Buttons and Maya Road ribbon along with the vinyl Thickers complete this layout. Very much out of my comfort zone with all the bright colors but I think it turned out much better than I was expecting!


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Two Peas is having a CHA Social with challenges and because I have so much time now and want to get back into scrapping since I know I haven't made more than 25 layouts this year so far, I need to be challenged to use my stash and my photos that I have had printed that is just sitting and collecting dust.

The first challenge was to scrap something that makes us feel "cozy" and I knew the perfect photo.

Fresh Flowers




I love fresh flowers when we go out to dinner. It makes it a little more romantic and special!

I used Black and Red Bazzill, Paper Studio Black and Cream Script, American Crafts Metropolitan Santa Monica, Ribbon, October Afternoon Thrift Shop Label Stickers, Cosmo Cricket Tiny Letters, Doodlebug Red Glitters Letters, Uniball Black Gel Pen. I also used my Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher. The layout is based on a sketch by Jana Eubanks.

The second challenge was to do a layout with hidden journaling or a key.







These are photos of Robbie and I at the movies. They have a photo booth and I couldn't resist!

I used Kraft Bazzill, Imaginisce Kewl Stuff "Drop me a line" from my stash, Cats Eye Chalk in Black, Kraft Envelope, Ribbon, Lock and Key Charms, My Tiny Attacher (see above layout) and AC Thickers in Marquis. Based on a sketch from Becky Fleck.

Whew, that feels like I just wrote a book after not blogging for eons. Have a great weekend I hope to be back in the next few days with more layouts and a paper bag album that I have been working on!

Sassy Lil' Sketches DT Call

It is that time again!
We are looking for a few talented layout and card designers for Sassy Lil' Sketches and Sassy Lil' Card Sketches.

How to apply for our August '11 to January '12 Sassy Team
Please send an e-mail to sassylilsketches@gmail.com with the following information
by JULY 7th:
1) specify LAYOUT or CARD DT in e-mail subject line
2) your full name
3) your email address
4) your blog address (or online gallery if you do not have a blog)
5) a short bio
6) one layout or card (depending on which team in which you are applying) based
on any Sassy Lil' Sketch/Sassy Lil' Card Sketch on our blogs. Please include the date of the sketch you used.
7) one layout or card (depending on the team in which you are applying) that showcases your individual style.

We welcome international applicants.

Sassy Lil' Sketches expectations:
1) Layout Sassies: Create one layout a month based on a Sassy Lil' Sketch.
Card Sassies: Create two cards a month based on
Sassy Lil' Card Sketches.
2) Share your monthly Sassy Lil' Sketch creation(s) on your blog and any online galleries which will allow you to do so.
3) Join our Sassy Lil' Sketches Forum. While active participation is not a requirement, it is encouraged. The forum is how we will communicate with our Sassy DT.

A note from us:
Our sketches are designed by Cherie to be shared with the scrappy world. We maintain the two sketch blogs for fun and inspiration. At this time there is no compensation for our Sassy DT members except the pure joy in inspiring others to create. We hope you will apply to be one of our Sassies!
Thank you,
Cherie and Katie

Sassy Lil Inspiration Challenge

In April it was my "job" to provide the Inspiration for the board from the 16th to the 30th. I decided to try and increase the amount of traffic to the thread and the board by offering up a challenge.

In order to participate and see the challenge you need to be a member of Sassy Lil Sketches forum.

This is what I came up with:
My challenge for you is to take a look at what I have posted from April 16th to April 30th. This is the link to the forum

Find 5 different inspirational items and apply them to your layout or if you chose to do cards you will need to make 4 cards that are different in design but can have the same 5 elements to qualify. You can mix and match from the finds posted but I need to know which finds you are using in your design. If you chose to make a kit from your scrapbook supplies before you put together your layout or cards...I need a pic of your "kit" before you start.

This challenge will run from Saturday 4/30/11 to Saturday 5/7/11 at midnight CST.

For all those who enter, you will be entered into a drawing for 1 of 2 prizes. Layout/Card winners will have their first choice of "Door #1" or "Door #2" both of which are valued at $15-$20 each.

The 2nd part of my challenge is to promote Sassy Lil' Sketches to all your in real life friends and family who are scrappers as well as your friends on other sites. In order to be qualified for this part of the challenge, you will need to leave a comment on my 5/2/11 blog post with a link to where you are linking up SLS to attract possible new members. If you get someone to join SLS and participate using at 1 of Cherie's sketches from the blog and posting at least 10 times, have them to leave a comment on my blog that they came because of you and I will put your name in the hat again.

Now for the specifics...You are eligible to enter to win one (1) time with your layout/cards. You are eligible to enter multiple times on the 2nd part of the challenge. All Sassy members are eligible to play along...International girls are very welcome to play along just like everyone else. The most important thing is to have fun, play fair, jump in with both feet and take chances! Lets go girls!!!

Sweet Treat

This month for Sassy Lil Sketches, I chose to scrap a surprise that I received from my husband on a date night.

You can find the sketch by Cherie located here in the Sassy Blog



Journaling reads: Totally unexpected but very much appreciated. Very pretty and the fresh fruit smell was amazing. What a great way to begin a date night! I hope to get another one...one day! 2/2011

I used:
Cardstock: Kraft Bazzill
Printed Paper: Bo Bunny and Autumn Leaves
Embellishments: Bazzill Wings, Brads, Bling, Decorative clips, Ribbon, Cats Eye Chalk in Charcoal, Glossy Accents and Tiny Attacher by Tim Holtz.
Lettering: American Girls Glitter Letters and Fabric Thickers topped with Glossy Accents.