CPS 75

I haven't had any time to scrap.
But I needed to.
I had a "going away to college" party to attend & needed 2 cards.
I wanted to make "giftcard holders," but didn't have time.
So, I used the CPS 75 sketch for this instead & made 2 of them:

All Heather Bailey papers.
In fact, the green is some of her new die-cut paper.
I've had it for awhile, but never used it because I really didn't like the color.
Then I opened the package & realized there were 3 different colors inside:)
What an idiot!!!

Haven't done any layouts in forever, so hoping to play around with some pics tonight.

Creatively Yours Card Sketch #9

So, I managed to get my scraproom cleaned & things listed on Ebay.
In the meantime, I've been hired to make some wedding invitations.
This has resulted in me going to Michael's, Hobby Lobby & JoAnn's to look for supplies.
All 3 stores have new merchandise in stock.
This is a very LETHAL thing for me.
But I must have self-control.
Or else my girls will never go to college.

BUT, having said all that..................
I did find these great stamps by Inkadinkadoo.
I also bought some cute K&Co stickers titled "Sweetie Birthday" that have the same "sweet," cupcake, birthday type theme.
So I bought them.
And with my newfound supplies, I did the Creativey Yours Card sketch #9.
I must admit stamping is a hard thing for me.
Especially if I break out the colored pencils.
But I like how this turned out, paired with some Amy Butler papers & my Fiskar border punch.

In other ground-breaking news................
the FDA still has not answered my emails.
This has forced me to continue my slow death by Chocolate Chex Mix.
My stomach really hurts right now.
Will someone please take these things away from me?

FDA Warnings & a new chapter................

I really hate it when the FDA doesn't put warning labels on packages.
Warnings of addiction
Warnings of weight gain
Did they honestly think this would be a harmless snack for someone?

If so................that person never tried them.
You can't just eat one or two or 3.
Nope...............you have to eat the entire bag in 1 sitting!
That's definitely something the FDA should be warning people about.
But they didn't.
And I've already eaten 3 bags since I got back from Destin.
I'm going to write them a letter.
Right after I finish this last bag:)

In other news....................
I registered my baby for PreK 4 today.
I'm so sad.
Because of when her birthday falls, she'll turn 6, two-months after starting kindergarten.
So, I wanted to get her started in a PreK program, but most of the ones I originally wanted were full.
So, I opted for the school she'll be going to for Kindergarten, which is a private, Christian school.
I'm really torn about this decision.
I'll now have my mornings until 11:30 free each day.
But I also won't have my little baby here anymore:(
Why do they have to grow so fast?

I also got most of my scrapbook items listed on Ebay.
I think I have a link in my sidebar if you feel inclined to check them out.
I actually have a few more I should list, but I'm so tired of Ebay right now.
I'm ready to scrap again & haven't had time.
Summer is almost over & I feel I missed it somehow.
The girls did so much again this year, but it always goes by so fast when they stay busy.
And we still have our NC trip w/my sister.

That's all for now.
I'm hoping to scrap tomorrow, but not sure.

Lost under a pile of "stuff"

I'm here
Just can't seem to find my way out
I spent ALL day yesterday......................I mean ALL day
Cleaning through every single drawer, nook & cranny
Unfortunately, I'm still not done *sigh*
I have a double "L" shaped desk & right now..............
The entire "L" is covered in boxes
As I'm purging, the stuff is automatically going into "it's box
I have boxes for the following:

metal
Primas
chipboard
ribbon
Heidi Swapp
acrylic stamps (haven't gotten to the wooden ones yet)
rub-ons
"paper" items
soft embellies (not included in above)
foam stamps
Sizzix

I'm also contemplating selling my large commercial AccuCut machine.
I have a ton of dies too & hate to "give-it-away,"
But, I rarely use it
I also have a Zip 'e Mate with dies I think I'm going to sell
I use the Zip 'e Mate more often (because it's smaller),
But I rarely use the dies

Last week I almost bought new Sterilite drawers
Thanks to my purging, I now have 6 I'm not using (right now:)
I hope I feel like scrapping when this is all over.

If you're interested in seeing any pics of what I'm going to list on Ebay,
PLEASE email me.
I'd much rather strike-a-deal with someone then list on Ebay:)

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.
I might try to do some school clothes shopping?
Dang FL didn't do the Tax Free week this year.

Sometimes.........................

I feel like I can't control my patience.
It usually happens when I have a lot of things I want to get done.
My 3-year old uses this time to test me.
Over & over again.
Just in case I missed it all the times before?
Now she won't take a nap & I need one more than her?

I haven't felt like scrapping.
I've been really tired.
So, last night I drug out my cross-stitching & resumed where I left off 8-years ago.
Yep, 8-years ago I started a cute pattern for Ashlyn's room.
Only thing...............she wasn't born yet.
So, I figure I might finish it before she's 18?

Today I feel like doing MAJOR overhaulin' in my scrapbook room.
This entails going through every single drawer, nook & cranny.
Believe me.................I have tons of them.
I'm in the process of taking pictures & listing TONS of stuff on Ebay.
I have a paper auction I'll be listing with approximately 600 sheets of paper!!!
Dang pile weighs 22 lbs.
I've pulled another mother-load of embellies that I'll try to group together.
I also think I'm going to list some wood-mounted rubber stamps.
I have 3-drawers full of them & hardly ever use them anymore.
I also have a tackle box that has approximately 6-8 sets of foam alphabet stamps too.
Did I mention the Primas?
Dude........................I have bottles & bottles of them.
I have my favorites within hands reach, so the rest need to go.
Oh & what about acrylic albums, chipboard albums & metal tins?
If you like to alter & do mini albums.......................I'll probably list my stock-pile of these too!!

*sigh* It's sad really.
These are all things I've thought I would use
I've either forgotten about them or just don't use them.
Shame on me, but it's time for them to go.

As soon as they're listed, I'll link my auctions to the right.
My loss is definitely someone else's gain.

Otherwise, I'm tired.
Real tired.
And NO!!
I'm not pregnant!

CPS 74 & rambling

I know you must think I do nothing else but scrap?
Sometimes I think about that too.
And it makes me realize how far I've come with my scrapping.
I remember when I first started scrapping, I always did two-page layouts.
My sister, who got me started in scrapping, didn't do two-page layouts, BUT
she always made sure both pages facing each other "matched."
The AR in me thought this totally made sense.
Because I felt my opposing pages needed to "match,"
I always did two-page layouts, even if I had to use extra photos to make it work.
Because of this, it could take me 2-4 days to complete.
Jump forward 8-years when I can get a couple of cards & a layout done in one day,
AND do all my other household chores,
AND spend quality time with my family.
Now................................THAT my friends is what I call scrapping:)
So, I managed to get the CPS 74 sketch done too:)
Using some more of my SEI papers & some Melissa Frances trim.

In other news besides scrapping, I'm torn over a decision to put my 3-year old in a PreK 3 program.
See, she suffers from 2nd child syndrome & I admit I haven't spent the "quality" time with her I did my first-born.
For this, I feel guilty & think a PreK program will get her up-to-speed.
But things like PreK 3 cost money.
Something I'm watching real close lately...................I just wish it were closer in my pocketbook:)
So, do I enroll my baby & get a part-time job?
Or do I enjoy another "baby" year with her & enroll her in a private school in the fall of 2009?
These are decisions my mother never told me about & at this point, I refuse to make one.

Creatively Yours #8; 2 Sketches 4 U & still TOOTIN'!!

Here's my take on Creatively Yours-Card Sketch #8.
The site offers card & layout sketches.
If you get a chance, check them out.

See this card in the March 2009 CARDS magazine

I also did the 2 Sketches 4 U - Kazan #5 sketch.
I pulled out my new SEI Poppy line for this one.
I need to use more of these papers.............so yummy!!

AND...............................I got 4 cards picked up by Scrapbook News and Review.
They are an on-line magazine that offers subscriptions for a really good price.
If you've never seen one of their issues, they are definitely worth the "read."

Not much else around here, except trying to stay cool.
The weather is threatening to rain, which would be a good thing.
It's too hot to do much outside, unless you're in the water.
Even the pets are staying indoors:)
Hoping to scrap more today, but have to fix lunch & decide what to make for supper!!
Happy Tuesday to you all!!

Triple the Sketch & a TOOT x's 3!!

Triple the Sketch posted a special sketch in honor of CHA & I loved it.
I managed to get a card & layout done.
I turned the sketch for the layout.
Though it looks simple enough, I had a hard time getting this one to come together.

I like my card.
I find myself reaching for my K&Co stuff a lot lately.
I just love their new colors, patterns & embellies.

And, last, but certainly not least, I got 3 cards picked up by Cards Magazine today!!
I'm so excited!!!
They will each be in different sections of their December 2008 edition.
Off to finish supper.
Have a great evening!!

Pencil Lines 93

So, we drug our butts out of bed this morning for Sunday school.
We usually attend church & have a hard time making that on time.
But, the girls really need to be in Sunday school classes more, so we're doing it.
The girls went with grandparents afterwards & I headed to the beach & William headed home.
After 2-hours in 93 degree weather.............I'm dragging big time.
But, with the girls not home, I wanted to take advantage of scrapping.
So, I tackled Pencil Lines 93 sketch.
These pics are from a photo shoot we did in Henderson Beach State Park.
It was located directly across the street from our condo & we wish we would have thought to go there sooner.
The beaches are more immaculate & white than the regular "public" beaches.
Anyway, these are just a few of the many pictures I took.
Once again, I included close-ups, as I did a lot with this layout.

This shows the beads I glued to the chipboard.
I really hate doing this, but everytime I do something water related, I find myself pulling out the beads.

For my sun, I used a sponge & splotched yellow paint in various places.
I then sprinkled yellow Tim Holtz distressed embossing powder.
Let it all dry & then went back & took the heat gun to it.
All for the love of texture.

Just a close-up of the Maya Road journaling sheer & KI Memories felt bucket & sun.

That's all for now.
I've got bbq ribs in the oven with homemade mashed pots & green beans on the stove.
Waiting for everyone to return so we can eat.

2 Sketches 4 U-Laura #4 & CPS 73

I managed to get 2 cards done today.
This first one is from 2 Sketches 4 U - Laura #4 sketch.
This is one I started while in SanDestin.
It did NOT start out this way.
In fact, I didn't end up using anything I originally started out with.
Except the "travel" theme.
That stayed:)

This card is from the CPS #73 sketch.
I included more close-ups with this card.
I love my little flower, ribbon, butterfly cluster.
I made my butterfly by cutting up a Prima flower, then stitching it together.
I love how it turned out.
I also found these Pearl buttons at Michaels.
I love KaiserCrafts pearl rhinestones, but can't find them locally, so I checked at Michael's & found these.
Again, I used DMC floss.
It just seems to go so well.

That's all I have for now.
After church tomorrow, I think I'm going to the beach.
Girls are having a grandparent day & William has yardwork.
Have a blessed Sunday!!

Reality bites:)

We're back!!
I'm sad:(
I love vacations......I mean, who doesn't?
I love getting away from everything & everyone.
Coming home is such a rude awakening to reality!!

Our trip was good.
Friday & Saturday proved to be more wet then sunny, but we managed some pool time on Saturday.
In fact, the weather was so uncooperative, I ended up scrapping most of the time.
YES, I took a scrap kit & completed a layout & card.
Here they are..............................I love how both turned out.
I love the "vintage" look & feel of these..............very soft & feminine.
I don't usually include close-ups, but I did w/this layout so you could see some of the detail. It's a 6x12 size. I'm really wanting to do more of these. Any ideas on where to get page protectors would be greatly appreciated.

The metal frame around the number six is a Melissa France frame. I think I really love these:)

Some of Prima's newest flowers. They have different words & pictures on them. I LOVE them.

A quick card. For some reason DMC floss seemed to go perfectly w/these projects?

I met up w/my sister & family Saturday night.
I'm always to happy to see them.
We spent the entire week poolside or at the beach.
The beach ended up being disappointing, as the rain brought in TONS of seaweed.
So much that you came out of the water discolored, so we only did the beach one day, though we tried to go several other times.
We also had a Build-A-Bear party for the girls.
Last year we started a new summer tradition where we'll be celebrating their birthdays & Christmas in July!!
We combined both with the party & it was a huge success followed by some ice-cream & Starbucks:) The tallest is 10, with two 8-year olds; one 6-year old & two 3-year olds.

We did a photo shoot at the beach & here is one picture of the 6 cousins. I got some really great pictures of everyone.

We have 3 blondes & 3 brunettes, so it's not a question if they're related. More a question of who belongs to who:)
We did get TONS of stares everywhere we went.
I guess because there were so many girls, but it was fun!!
All-in-all a great time & I was sad it ended.

I came home to find that someone had hacked into my Paypal & Ebay accounts.
A total of $850.00 taken!!
I could get mad, but it all happened the very day I left for SanDestin, so what was I going to do?
I came back to find my accounts suspended & locked, so both Paypal & Ebay had the wherewithall to take action.
They are working on getting the money back & my bank has already refunded some transfer fees they had charged me, which I thought was pretty quick.
So, though it's not the best situation to have happen, I'm confident Paypal will get everything resolved!!

And with that, I'm playing catch-up on all my favorite sketch blogs.
I'm enjoying all the "sneaks" of CHA products, wishing I could have gone.
I'm hoping to scrap this weekend, but I'm very tired & I'm actually wanting to go to the beach:)
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend & hopefully I'll post this weekend w/more scrapping projects.

Hi-ho, Hi-ho..............

it's off to SanDestin we go:)
We're leaving later today.
So many last minute things to get ready for an 1 1/2 hour drive.
My sister & her family are about 4-hours away from my bro's house in KY.
We'll be meeting up w/my sis tomorrow night.
The girls are excited, as am I.
Trying to figure out if I should pack a scrappin' kit............just in case?
I'm not one to sit around & watch TV.
So, I'm thinking this might be good when the girls are zoning tonight.
I'll be gone until July 19th.
So, if you check my blog for updates............you can take a break:)
I'm hoping to hit a couple of scrapbook stores in Destin
And work on my tan!!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend & coming week.

2 Sketches 4 U Kazan #4 & Pencil Lines 92

Just a few things I've gotten done the past 3 days.
The latest sketch for 2 Sketches 4 U - Kazan's Sketch #4.
I'm so lovin' my K&Co stuff, especially the 4x6 pads. Perfect for card-making. In case you can't read the sentiment, it says "Happy New Year." I started off w/a simple sentiment, but the colors screamed New Year's Eve, so I quickly thought of my Heidi Swapp clocks.

2 Sketches is having a design team search & they've posted 2 sketches for the call. I won't be trying out, but I'm hoping to use the sketches later this week...maybe even today:) Good luck to all who enter. So much talent to be found at this wonderful site.

This layout was done using Pencil Lines #92. Using some more of my K&Co Wild Saffron line & a 2005 picture of Ashlyn. This was a very simple layout for me, except hand-cutting the flourishes.....that always takes time.

In other news, we'll be headed to Destin this Friday. My sister & her family will be coming down from KS & we'll be visiting w/them all next week. I'm pretty excited to see them and my 4 nieces!! WOW.....talk about a lot of girls!! 6 girls cousins & my sister & I? Whew......I feel sorry for my bil!!

I hope everyone is having a great week so far. The weather is so hot outside, so try to stay cool:)

Triple the Sketch #14 & 40% off sale extension

I hope everyone has been enjoying their 4th of July weekend.
I know I have.
My mil picked the girls up Sat morning & I was expecting them home around 12:00ish.
So, I decided against cleaning floors, or any other household chores for that matter, to optimize my scrapping time.
I never would have guessed she was going to keep them until 3:00!!!
So, for the fruits of my labor, I got a total of 8 cards & 1 layout completed.
I would have done more layouts had I known she was going to keep them so long.

Anyway, I've had bits & pieces of some K&Co papers & embellies & got a wild hair to buy more supplies to go w/the stuff I already had & do a bunch of cards. I did 4 cards using my Wild Saffron collection, two of which are for the Triple the Sketch #14.
It wasn't until I went to post these just now that I realize I flipped the sketch for both of these & they look awfully similar. I didn't even make these cards at the same time either. I actually made the first one w/the envelope Friday night. I love my envelope:)

I'm not going to post the rest of my cards now. We have a birthday party to attend & possibly some swimming?

Just Let Me Scrapbook has extended their 40% off sale. Check it out here, but the deadline is now July 8th!!

I hope you all have a very blessed Sunday!!

40% off shopping Coupon!!

For those of you that might want to do a little shopping over the 4th of July weekend, here's a great deal you don't want to pass up. 40% off ANYTHING, including SALE items.

Just Let Me Scrapbook is celebrating the 4th of July with a BANG!!
Dramatic savings for ANYone who makes a purchase ANYtime now through Saturday, July 5! Enter the code JULY4 during online checkout to receive a whopping 40% off your ENTIRE purchase.

Clearance items ARE included!

I hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July!!
THANK YOU to all our service men & women who are serving or have served for the protection of our country & it's people. Our family truly appreciates you all!!

CPS #71; 2 Sketches-Laura #3 & Good news!!!!!!!!!

First, the GOOD NEWS!!!!!!
I had an email this morning for a card to be published in the January 2009 issue of PaperCrafts!! I'm so excited!!
I don't know if I'll ever get tired of those emails, especially since I rarely get them:)

In other news, I stayed up late last night working on some card sketches. I had so many ideas swimming through my head, so I couldn't go to bed!

This first one is from CPS Sketch 71. Originally, I wasn't planning on doing a 4th of July card, but then they posted some 4th of July quotes & that got my ideas going. The stars are Technique Tuesday & I embossed w/regular embossing powder (red or blue) & then I recoated with an Iridescent color, for the shine.

This card is from 2 Sketches 4 U - Laura's #3 sketch. I also used Sherry's Wrights idea for the card-holder section. She posted the instructions on her site, so go see how easy this was, plus her work is so inspiring!

I used some of the new SEI papers, that I love!!!

Well, my entire day has been made w/the PaperCrafts email. I'm going swimming w/my girlies. I hope you all enjoy your Tuesday!!