2 Sketches 4 U - Rae's Bonus sketch

Not feeling too productive lately.
I have a ton of housework that needs to be done
before our Super Bowl party this weekend.
I always think I'm up-to-date on housecleaning,
until we have people over
& I realize what a mess it is*sigh*

Yesterday I finally sat down with the bonus sketch
that Rae did at 2 Sketches 4 U.
One night while trying to get to sleep,
I formulated my layout,
right down to wanting to use some bright colors
and cupcakes:)
All their great cards had me thinking of cupcakes!!
Though I don't consider it a total waste,
it just didn't turn out the way I had planned.
Not sure what it is about the card I don't like,
but there's just something?

Look for this card in CARDS July 2009

I have tons to do between now & Sunday.
But as always, I'm wanting to scrap.
My lss is getting some of Imaginisce's new Twitterpatted
and I'm anxiously awaiting a call.
Yes, it reminds me of some Sassafras stuff,
but it is still so darned cute & colorful.
I hope your day is more fun than mine......
off to clean!!!!

CPS 100

I'm so tired tonight.
Every other Tuesday I volunteer in Ashlyn's class.
Those teachers know when I'm coming too!!
They have so much to keep me busy
& I love it.
We also had a parent meeting tonight
concerning FCAT testing.
So glad we went, as I learned a lot.
Fortunately, 3rd grade is only tested on Reading & Math.
So, that means I don't have to stresss myself
over what I need to be helping Ashlyn with.
She's going to do fine,
but I think mommy's gonna need a Starbucks!!

CPS is celebrating their 100th sketch.
They have tons going on at their blog,
including a winner for their 100th sketch & prizes.
Check them out, if you get a chance!!
So, here's one of my takes on this sketch.
I did find the sketch extremely challenging,
but I did 2 takes, liking my second better.
I'll upload my 2nd when I have better lighting,
but here's my first, once again,
using Making Memories Chloe's Closet.

Also getting ready for our Super Bowl party this weekend!
I'm more excited about the food then the game*hehe*
It's gonna be fun!!
I hope you have a wonderfully, blessed Wednesday.
I know I plan on it!!

2 Sketches 4 U - Laura 18

It's a beautiful Monday here in sunny FL!!
Absolutely gorgeous!!
We have temps in the low 70's
with tons of sunshine.
You'd think it was Spring,
except for everything is so barren & dead:)

I'm getting close to finishing up the Sr. album,
until the end-of-the school year, at least.
Which is good, because I haven't felt like
scrapping any pages of my own:(
And I really need to work on my own albums.

I did do a card for the current
2 Sketches 4 U - Laura 18 sketch.
I'm not sure why,
but I keep gravitating to these papers.
I know you'll all be glad when it's gone:)

I have some other cards to post,
but it'll have to wait until tomorrow.
For now, 3rd grade homework awaits!!

A good find:)

I love it when I find a good deal:)
And I'm excited, so I thought I'd share:
in a previous post I asked about Scrappy Glue.
I can't say this enough:
if you've never tried this glue,
you absolutely should!!
It's the BEST glue I've ever used,
and believe me,
I've tried a TON of them.
A TON!!
It glues just about any surface imaginable,
and it only takes a tiny drop to work.
So, I finally googled Advantus Magic Scraps Scrappy Glue
and found,
of all places,
camera sites that have the glue
AND, they have it 20% off through January.
So, I would normally have paid $6.00/bottle,
but w/the discount AND shipping,
I paid $5.43/bottle!!!
Yes, I ordered 6 bottles:)
I ain't running out in my lifetime.

*hehehe* nothing scrappy to show
I'm working on the Sr. album
& dreaming about new CHA product.

CPS 99 & Super Bowl food!!

Good morning!!
I hope everyone is having a blessed day so far.
I want to say "thank you" to everyone
who has offered kind words on my last post.
No one said raising kids would be easily,
but luckily I have a God who listens & answer prayers.
So, I'll see where this new journey takes me.

I didn't get to do a CPS sketch from last week.
This week, we get to choose which sketch we want to use,
so I'm using CPS 99.
You will notice I did turn the sketch,
and, once again, I'm using MM Chloe's Closet.

We're having a Super Bowl get-together
and I'm scouring blogs & websites for yummy recipes.
I've already gotten 2 from Pioneer Woman
& a delish dessert recipe from Kristen.
If anyone else has good finger, football, filling
dishes they'd like to share, please do so.

Define Success? (a long post:)

As parents, I think it's our goal to see our children succeed.
Each of us measures success in different ways
& each has differents "areas" in our lives we wish to see success.
When one of these areas isn't looking so great,
and we realize our child is the one suffering,
we blame ourselves.
We blame ourselves because we either don't know what to do,
or, we've done all we can & there's nothing more.
I say all this because of Ashlyn's 3rd-grade year.
Up until now, she's been a straight A student.
As a 3rd-grader things have been really tough
& unfortunately, it's coupled with a school-system
that teaches based on FCAT testing,
rather then teaching them to learn.
So, as an adult, how would you answer this question:

"How do you define success and what part does money play in your definition?"

This is an ESSAY question my 3rd-grader had to answer!!
She's in the 3rd grade & yet these are the types of questions they base
whether or not she will pass or fail 3rd grade!!

So, I sit here staring at a paper that has a "D" on it.
Every afternoon we spend 2-hours doing homework.
& yet, every week she brings home papers with grades similar to this,
though this is only one of maybe 2 or 3 "D's" she's brought home.
But, as a parent, what more can I do?
I'm completely frustrated!!

Onto a less serious note:
I've been up to my eyeballs in an album.
Last August I was hired to make a Sr. album
& the lady is just now getting me 15 ziploc bags of pictures!!
So, I've been working on getting this album completed,
as quickly as I can.
I did manage to set it aside last night,
to do the 2 Sketches 4 U - Kazan 18 sketch.
Before I show you the card,
I do have one thing to clarify:
In a previous post,
I mentioned I wouldn't be trying out for their Spring DT.
That decision was made for personal reasons,
that have since been resolved.
So, I'm going ahead & letting it be known,
that I AM going to try out.
Not that anyone cares what I'm doing,
I'm just not one to lie & thought I should clarify.
Okay, am I the only one that had difficulty w/this sketch:)
Whew....this was a toughy for me,
but here it is.

Still using some new Making Memories Chloe's Closet
I think I need more of this yummy stuff!!
I also took a picture of my 3 Vday pails completed.
These will be given to teachers for Vday,
filled with chocolate of course.
I almost bought it yesterday,
but I know better:)

So, sorry for the long post,
but technically, it is my blog:)
But w/that, I bid you a very blessed Wednesday afternoon!!

A little somethin'

I don't alter things often enough.
I collect things as if it's a hobby,
& I typically like the end result.
So, while on my Target splurge,
I found these cute little magnet frames.
They were NOT on sale,
but I snagged a package anyway,
because I knew exactly what I wanted to use them for.
I've had this shadowbox frame for so long,
I can't remember when or where I got it?
Note to self: get more frames:)

I also got these pails at the Target dollar spot.
Can you tell I *heart* Target *sigh*
These will be for the teachers.
Nothing fancy, but I think they turned out cute.
I will fill them with chocolates.

I've been wondering if anyone remembers "Scrappy Glue?"
It's a magical glue made by Magic Scraps.
I believe Magic Scraps is out of business,
but I could be wrong?
Anyway, if anyone knows what it is
& where I could get some,
I would be willing to send a nice RAK.
The last time I bought some,
I bought 3 bottles (4 years ago?)
& I'm literally down to my last drop.
If you've never tried this glue,
it is absolutely the best, hands down.

Welp, trying to decide what we want for supper.
I'm thinking Cracker Barrel.
Some yummy soup & a salad sounds delish!!

Friday Free fer All!!

It's Friday & I'm tired:)
I'm feeling rather random today,
so here goes:

1) RUN, do not walk to your nearest Target.
They have clearanced so much stuff in their store,
it really should be against the law.
I can't even tell you how much I've spent in the past 2-days,
but suffice it to say I went to all 3 in my area:)

2) Tim Tams!!! 'Nuff said.
These are so delish (I know many of you love these creatures too)
and Pepperidge Farms has some now.
I really must teach myself moderation*hehehehe*

3) I feel very blessed lately.
Maybe I'm paying attention more to my blessings?
I should:)

4) Being petite ain't what it's all cracked-up to be.
Trust me on this one.
Having a size 5 foot with extremely narrow ankles........
will I EVER find cute heels in colors other than black or brown?

5) I'm a Pop Rock junkie:)
I must admit I love all those new kids from Disney.
Miley, Demi, Jonas Brothers

6) I miss my sister dearly:)
She lives in Kansas & some days I call her 12 times.
No kidding!!
She's the one that told me about the Target sale.

7) I am saddened by the loss of Simple.
Though it wasn't my favorite magazine,
I LOVED Cathy Z.
I realize she's not dropping off the face of the earth,
but it worries me about the mags.
I had a sub to Simple,
which will now be taken over by CK,
which I cancelled last year.
I hear CK's issues have gotten much better
& I really hope so.

That's all I have for randomness right now.
I have been creating,
some things I can't share right now
& others I just need to photo.
Hoping to scrap this weekend,
especially since it's been cold in our neck of the woods.
I hope you have a wonderfully, blessed weekend!!

Things don't always go the way you planned

I apparently had high aspirations of what
I was going to get accomplished on Tuesday:)
See, yesterday was my birthday
& I pretty much exhausted the entire day away from home!!
I spent the first 1/2 of the day helping in Ashlyn's classroom.
She truly enjoys having me there,
though I'm usually doing "busy work" for the teacher
& not helping her with school work.
I then headed downtown for other things
& ended up having a beautiful lunch w/my mil.
I'm truly blessed to have the most wonderful mil
a girl could ask for!!
Then it was home to help with homework,
then dinner with my parents, which was also fabulous.
Minus me having to stand on a chair,
while they sounded a gong to get EVERYONE'S attention
in the restaurant (Japanese hibachi restaurant),
while they sang Happy Birthday to me!!
If you know me,
this was extremely devastating.
Being the center of attention is something I don't do
& if I have to, I don't do it well.
The night ended with a beautiful cake
the girls & William made for me..........
right down the decorations*heheh*

It was a wonderful day overall,
& I was exhausted by nights end.
Here's a layout I did over the weekend.
It's using a So Sketchy - December sketch.
I have to tell you about the lace border...........
some of you might remember Paper Pizazz?
Are they even still around?
Anyway, I had an 8.5x11 book of patterned paper by them
& included was this strip of lace.
I'm fairly certain I've had this lace trim
for approximately 8-10 years?
So good to finally use it:)

And, as promised,
I revamped my 2 Sketches 4 U card,
using a sketch for their Spring design team search.
If you didn't see the original,
go here for a good laugh.
Much, much better!!
Wouldn't you agree:)

And that, my friends,
is all I have for today.
I hope yours has been as blessed as mine!!

2 Sketches 4 U - Laura 17

Happy, happy Monday everyone!!
I've had a rather productive day
getting housework accomplished,
& family & scrapping time.
I made the mistake of going to Michael's today.
I was vowing not to buy any new scrap supplies this year.
I have way more then I'd ever use in, probably 5-years,
but nonetheless, I walked out with $80.00 worth of stuff.
I was so excited,
that I came home & started creating!!
This first card is using the current Laura 17 sketch.
This is using some of Making Memories new Sabrina line.
I could have bought everything in this line,
but I refrained.
The flowers are Petaloo
& the label is from another of their past lines.

This next card is using a sketch for their Spring dt call.
Since I'm not trying out,
I'm posting my card now:)
Now, I absolutely LOVE this card
& I had to go & mess it up.
The paper is Studio Calico
but the label & letters are new Colorbok
& the bird, flower & tiny alphabet stickers
are Making Memories new Chloe's Closet.
Well, I don't like the bird with this card,
at all!!!!
I attempted to remove it using Undo,
but couldn't get all the adhesive off,
so I stuck the dern thing back on.
I think I'm gonna cut the top of the card off.
I really hate to do it,
but I think the bird really makes it look cheesy.
The sentiment is supposed to read:
"you are dear sweet friend"
NOT, "you are a dear sweet friend,"
but after much contemplation,
I realize people might think I forgot the "a",
so I went back & added one.
So, I'll be taking another picture as soon as I chop off the bird*hehe*

I did have another layout to show also,
but it seems I deleted it from my camera
before I could download it,
so that will wait until tomorrow.
I've also started a card using the other dt sketch
& am hoping to have that done too!!

I'll be helping in Ashlyn's school tomorrow
& maybe going by JoAnn's and/or Hobby Lobby.
I hope you have a wonderful day!!

So Sketchy layout

Happy drowsy Sunday to you:)
It's chilly & overcast here,
which makes for beautiful nap weather

I just wish I were the napping type.

I finally broke down & did a layout yesterday.
My goal for last year was 300 layouts
& I fell drastically short.
And, at the rate I'm going this year,
I'm afraid it might happen again!!
But, whenever I feel motivated,
I'll do one here & there
& it always feels good.
For this layout, I used the
So Sketchy January 5 layout sketch.

Nothing fancy with this one,
as I wanted the focus to be on the picture.
I captured this Christmas morning of 2008
& if you could see the picture IRL,
you would see the sheer joy on their face!!
I adore this picture & what it represents.

The girls are napping,
so I'm gonna try to tackle another layout
& maybe even a card.
I hope your Sunday has been as blessed as mine!!

CPS 98

Good Friday morning to you!!
It's supposed to be a GORGEOUS day here in sunny FL!!!
I've nothing planned,
but feel the nice weather will draw us outdoors today.

Though I still have previous weeks of sketches undone,
I'm at least current with this week's sketches.
So, here's my take on the current CPS 98 sketch:

William got himself a new iPod touch.
I say "got" because he uses an American Express card with his business.
That thing has been a blessing,
as we've "gotten" so many "free" gadgets because of his points.
So, he "got" an iPod touch,
but it's my responsibility to get the thing up & running.
Last night, he took it upon himself to create his playlist,
promptly plugged in the iPod,
whereby it immediately downloaded over 10,000K,
YES, you read right,
over 10,000K pictures:)
Of course, that leaves me to clean everything up,
but it's no big deal really,
just comical to me........because he really does try:)

Tomorrow is supposed to be a nasty, rainy day.
I'm hoping to get lots of scraptime,
sprinkled with time well-spent with my girls.
I hope you have a very blessed weekend!!

So Sketchy

I'm feeling good about this week.
I'm exhausted................
but feeling good.
I've been doing really well with keeping priorites in-line.
I've been getting a lot accomplished
& at the end of the night feeling wonderful about my days!!

I've been working with the So Sketchy sketches.
Love these sketches,
but this first one has been sitting on my desk since Sunday!!
The minute I saw the sketch,
I knew I wanted to do a sun,
but dang if I couldn't get my idea to come together.
Here's the end result,
which I'm happy with overall,
but it's not a circular design.

This second card came together easily.
I originally had it turned vertically,
like the sketch suggests,
but it seems to look better this way.
I like this sketch enough,
I'll probably do another & turn it vertical.

The Gators are playing Oklahoma tonight.
Normally I would be watching,
not that I'm a Gator fan......because I'm not,
William is,
but I'm tired & I think I'm headed to bed:)

2 Sketches 4 U - Kazan 17

Happy Monday to everyone!!
I'm already exhausted:)
After 2-weeks of Christmas vacation,
my body readjusted to getting up later,
so 6:00 was early for me!!
Hopefully this first week won't kick my butt.

I've spent the day trying to stay on target with my
goals & getting things accomplished in priority.
I've done good today & even have a few things to show.
Not sure I'll do anything else.....
I've a feeling I'll be in bed shortly after 8:00:)

The first is my compilation layout for 2008.
I started doing one of these layouts about 4-years ago.
I was using the same format every year,
just changing papers & embellies.
This year, I went with something totally different
& I like the end result.
I use one photo from each month,
that best represents a highlight from the month
& I journal what the pic represents.
Easy enough & here it is with a close-up of the middle.
I layered 2 Amy Butler die-cut butterflies.
When I bought these, I bought 2 sheets for this purpose.

I also got both sketches completed at 2 Sketches 4 U.
The first is Kazan's sketch 17.
I'm definitely in the Valentine card making mood
& this was an easy one, using a bunch of old SEI!!

This second card is using Peet's bonus sketch.
It might be hard to see,
but the lace trim goes through the center of the heart.
This card uses a lot of older product also,
including some Daisy Ds papers & Heidi Swapp hearts!!

And that's all I have for today.
I'm hoping to work with some So Sketchy sketches
& the CPS sketch.
Hope your week proves to be a blessed one.

CPS 97 & 2 Sketches 4 U

I'm finally trying to get back into the swing of things.
I'm not looking forward to Monday at all.
School starts back up
& I'm going to miss having the girls with me,
not to mention the awful hour I have to start getting up.
I'm also purging, cleaning, reflecting & deciding about resolutions.
I've never really been a resolution type of gal.
Goal setter?
YES!! Definitely!!
and I think that's the path I will continue.
I managed to meet most of my 2008 goals,
with the exception of a couple, but I tried
& I'm good with that!!
Yesterday I spent a little bit of time working on sketches.
Here's my take on CPS 97:

Please look for this card in THIS magazine October 2009

Sorry for the bad picture,
but the transparency had a glare.
I layered 2 Maya Road chipboard crowns
& glittered them & added rhinestones.
I also did the current 2 Sketches Laura 16:

Look for this card in the June 2009 issue of CARDS magazine.

and here's my take on Katie's bonus sketch:

The girls are w/my parents today,
I'm finishing up laundry so we'll have clothes this week
& I'll be scrapping in between!!
Hope your New Year has kicked off to a super start!!