This thing called life!

My wish for today!

2012-02-09T10:27:00.000-08:00

Is that my co-worker would quit farting. That's all. Just that one wish, that's not too much to ask for, at least I don't think so.......UGH. At least in a few weeks after the remodel of our office, he will be in the far back corner and I won't have to come to work in fear of being contaminated!! :/ ;)

Treat Bags

2012-02-08T21:47:00.000-08:00

It was my turn again for treat bags for the girls basketball team...I wasn't very prepared this time around and just had to throw something together real quick. This is what I came up with. I found the image online, printed them out and just stapled them to a baggie filled with Bit-O-Honey candy. I kept with the Bee theme, we are playing the Dixie Flyers and thought the play on words worked!!

Yesterdays game was a complete spanking...we got beat, and beat up. We had two girls injured, the one is now on crutches and the other girl was my Ashlie, she got knocked in the face twice, hit the floor both times and came out of the game for a few minutes. We thought maybe her nose was broken she got hit so hard, but I think she will be ok! We are now down to 10 girls to fill 3 teams. It's been a very rough season. I just hope Ash does well in her game tomorrow and has no more injuries!!

Cloudy with the chance of Thunderstorms

2012-02-06T11:36:00.000-08:00

It's been a couple weeks since I've posted, been under the weather in several different ways. We've had sickness in the home, I've had several things going on with me personally that has put me in a funk and in meltdown mode. I'm trying to get back to normal and I will get there....I will probably allow myself a couple more cloudy days to feel sorry for myself and then shake it off, stand up straight, put my big girl pants back on and move forward with a positive attitude.

I'm not sure if I'm trying to do too much or not enough....... :/ does that even make any sense? I'm trying to better myself in every way, it just seems a little overwhelming. I guess I will just take it one day at a time and see what works for me, keep the things that make my day go better and get rid of the things that weigh me down.

I have been trying to exercise and eat better. I've been walking after work a couple nights with a co-worker, and then I am trying to workout on my lunch break on the other days. I'm hoping to continue this, as it seems that I can't seem to get up at 5:00 a.m to get to the gym, and after work just seems like it never gets done. Anyway, sometimes just mulling things over for a few funky days helps me process things and then I can leave it behind and move on to better days....days that look like this!! :)

Dangit, I was so looking for a picture of unicorns, rainbows and butterflies! ;)

This will do! See, I'm already starting to feel better. I guess this whole writing and journaling your thoughts and feelings really has some theraputic properties to it!

2nd challenge and Locker posters!

2012-01-20T14:18:00.000-08:00

This is my layout for the 2nd challenge that my friend and I are doing. It's inspired from the picture in the previous post. I used an already embellished background paper, I can't remember which company or line it is, I added some grungy dots with a stamp from Unity, the banner is also made from Unity stamps and just embellished, I added some white paint dots here and there, some ribbon, brads, and chipboard flowers.

I made this locker poster for our high school girls basketball team for their home game yesterday. Each home game someone is in charge to decorate the lockers and bring a little treat to encourage them. Our poor girls are struggling and it's a little frustrating to watch. We only have two senior girls, about 5 juniors and 5 sophmores. We've had two out with injuries (including my daughter), two out because they needed to get grades up, and then we've just been playing with a couple juniors, a handful of sophmores and then freshmen. Needless to say, it's been a rough season. Last night, even though only the freshmen won, they did play much better and didn't lose by 25-30 points like they usually do. :/ Hopefully they will at least continue to improve and hopefully even win a game or two!

The treat bags were filled with smarties and starbursts and the tag says "Be a STAR and play SMART, GO! FIGHT! WIN! Lady Panthers you can do it! I hope they liked it and had a little bit of encouragement.

Well, that's it for today, my bestie and her family are coming to town and will be here in about an hour. Her husband is going to run our St. George 1/2 marathon tomorrow!! WHOOT!! So glad to see them. Going to visit and catch up while having dinner at OLIVE GARDEN.... nuff said! yummy!

Have a great weekend!

A layout and challenges!

2012-01-15T16:02:00.000-08:00

My friend and I have challenged each other to scrap at least two things a week...it can be a layout or a card. We each come up with a challenge each Sunday, so two total for the week. Her challenge to me was based on this sketch. I think it came from the Pocket Full of Posies blog.

Here is my take on it. Sorry for the glare and the crappy picture, I'm really hoping to get a new camera with my tax return, mine is really on it's last leg. I did tweak the sketch a little bit, but had fun with it and used a collage of pics of Ash getting her learners permit! I used Bo Bunny Ad Lib line, very cute, fun papers for a teen!

My challenge to my friend was based on this picture from the Bo Bunny blog, as of right now, I don't think either one of us has started on this challenge. Life just tends to get in the way, but I'm hoping to work on it in the next couple days. I really like the banner, and as popular as banners have been lately, I've really never made one, or used one on a layout, except for a digi one. I have these super cool Vintage Banner stamps from Unity that I want to play with!

On to my other challenge with my co-workers. Last week, I ran/walked 10 miles and did a 40 minute sculpt dvd. I'm trying to eat better and I've just been taking it a day at a time, some days I do really well, and some days, not so much.But, I am trying to make more of my days healthier than not, and I think that will be the key and be more sustainable.

Other stuff: my son surprised us on Thursday afternoon and drove up from Vegas to watch Ashlie's basketball game. WE all were so excited to see him and Ash was so happy she was in tears. Even though our team lost, Ash did great in the sophmore and JV game,scoring a total of 16 points. Unfortunately, she also got hurt. We have to see an orthopedic on Tuesday and have to have a dr release before she can play again. :( Hopefully, it she won't be out long.

Had a great weekend, have tomorrow off work....YAY!!! I just love days off, they make me happy!!! Hope you all have a great rest of your Sunday and if you have tomorrow off, hope you enjoy it!!

Feel Better

2012-01-06T20:56:00.000-08:00

I made this card for the challenge over at 365 Cards, the challenge was to use red and gingham. I used a cute digi stamp from bugaboo stamps and made a get well card. My grandmother had a stroke around Christmas time, my uncle had an accident in which his spleen was punctured, and my sister in law had brain surgery. So, I have several people that need a little get well wish.

I don't have any definite plans for the weekend, which is nice. Sure hope ya'll have a great weekend!

ACTION!!!

2012-01-05T16:20:00.000-08:00

This word ACT, or some form of the word, ACTION/ACTIVE is the word I chose to focus on for 2012.

I have been stagnating for far too long, and yes, I say that quite often and get in a nasty cycle of laziness, procrastination, etc, but I've had it. I'm done. I want to live and not let life pass me by while I play Bubble Witch, or Bejeweled, Gardens of Time or Words with Friends, or spending countless hours on Pinterest, Facebook, blog hopping or whatever else I waste a HUGE amount of time doing. Not to say I won't still play games, blog hop, etc, but honestly, the amount of time I spend is crazy.

I want to be more active in every aspect of life. I want to actively create, get caught up with scrapbooking, card making, organizing, exercising, meditating, living.

I found this on Transformation.com, and it really spoke to me, especially since it has to do with being ACTIVE and the difference between that and being inactive.

This is from the book Don Miguel Ruiz and the Four Agreements

I haven't read the book, but this was posted on one of the forums and I LOVE it!

"Action is about living fully. Inaction is the way that we deny life. Inaction is sitting in front of the television every day for years because you are afraid to be alive and to take the risk of expressing what you are. Expressing what you are is taking action. You can have many great ideas in your head, but what makes the difference is the action. Without action upon an idea, there will be no manifestation, no results, and no reward." (p.82)

Well, I really want that reward, I really want to see results, I really want to look at myself and not think that I am just wasting my time and my life.
So, how am I going to be more ACTIVE?

Some co-workers and I are starting a challenge on Monday Jan 9th, it will end April 2nd. We will go by body fat % lost. We will walk, jog, run, I am going to renew a membership at the rec center for myself and my husband, and make it a family affair.

My friend and I are doing two challenges a week with scrapbooking/card making. We will post our projects on our blog and keep in touch that way.

Emotionally, Mentally, Spiritually, I will spend time in scriptures, reading uplifting articles, quotes, poems, blogs, and in prayer.

These are just a few things that I am going to incorporate into my life to make life more ACTIVE and more fulfilling. I am going to blog more and maybe that will help keep myself more accountable.....as long as it doesn't take up too much of my time!! :)

Alone time, penguin tag and pandora!

2011-12-02T17:02:00.000-08:00

I had some alone time today...that hasn't happened for a LONG time, and so I took advantage and created a few tags for Christmas. I cranked up Pandora and listened to a bunch of boy bands (geeky, yes I know), but totally fun!! I used distress inks, a cute penguin stamp from the dollar bin, along with the snowflake stamps, colored them with my copics and tied with ribbon, (I'm going to change out this ribbon, it doesn't match). I inked the edge and embossed with white powder, I love the way that turned out!

I totally had most of the day to myself. <3 it! Ash is in AZ for a basketball tourney and the husband is in training for his new job!! Hallelujah! I SO needed some time to decompress, to have no one asking me questions or needing something from me. I have totally enjoyed it and now that the husband is working, I think I will have a little more time to myself...( I know that sounds bad...lol) but it is needed.

Here is my cute Ash...all suited up for the game!! She is totally having fun with it and loves the game, and I totally love watching her play!!

The husband is home now and I rented a few movies from redbox, so I think I'll get in my pj's, grab some snacks and snuggle up for some entertainment!

Challenge:
Crazy 4 Challenges-snow

My Heart Smiles!

2011-11-12T12:48:00.000-08:00

It's been while since I've posted anything, been busy, computer has been in the shop,etc, etc. But, I did get this layout done and have to say that I LOVE it!!! I did a photo collage of my kids and then slapped it on this gorgeous paper, made some paper flowers, used those gotta have tiny type letter stickers from Cosmo Cricut and done. Sorry, the pic is a little wonky, my camera is starting to crap out on me too...ugh, such is life sometimes, when one thing goes, it seems like other things follow.

Love these kids though and am so proud of them! They are the greatest blessing in my life!

The journaling says "These faces make my heart smile"

I need a refresher course

2011-10-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

Holy cow, this layout took me a LONG time, which is not good considering it was a template. Ugh, I definitely need to go back through my lessons over and over again, cuz obviously, I didn't retain much of what I learned.

This picture was taken last month.It's crazy how fast your kids grow up, one minute you're changing diapers, chasing toddlers, first day of Kindergarten, etc, etc.............. then before ya know it, one of them is an adult and the other one is on the verge of getting her drivers license. All I can say, is that I'm going to try and cherish every moment I have with them, enjoy spending time and be grateful for the great kids that they are. :)

Can we get real for a minute?

2011-10-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

I'm having an emotional/mental shift and I'm not sure what is going to come from it, but I'm thinking and hoping that this shift is the beginning of a new me, or maybe not new, but better. A me that is more accepting of myself, a me that can look in the mirror and see the extra 20 lbs and love myself anyway, a me that is ok with just being a normal average 40 year old woman. A me that wants to be better and improve in a lot of different areas in my life.

I want to spend more time scrapping and creating. Am I ever going to be Martha? Not in this life, but I can be the Martha of my life.

I want to run, and do it with ease and joy. Am I ever going to be a marathon runner? Maybe!! But if not, that's alright with me, as long as I am running and being consistent...I consider that a WIN!

I want to bake more. Will I ever be Bakerella? I WISH!! She's just plain cool!! But, I can bake and create memories with my daughter (who wants to be the next Cake Boss!)

Will I ever be Amanda from Kevin and Amanda (who is living my dream life btw!) Taking gorgeous pictures and traveling all over, plus eating all the wonderfully sinfully looking cupcakes, cookies, brownies and staying as skinny as she is! How does she do that? Amanda, if by some small miracle you ever read this, please...do tell!!
I just love her!

Will I ever be a Jessica Sprague? I don't think I have enough life ahead of me to learn all that she knows...she freakin ROCKS!!

I guess the point of this post is just for me to get some thoughts out of my head and realize that I don't have to be Martha, or a marathon runner, Bakerella, Amanda, or Jessica, but as long as I am trying and DOING something to progress in the areas of life that matter to me, then I won't be just a normal, average 40 year old woman! I will be creating my own persona and reaching my own potential, and my potential isn't going to look like or be like anyone else. That's the beauty of life and of us as individuals. So, I'm not going to compare myself to anyone else. I'm just going to strive to live my best life and be the best me that I can be!

Celebrate

2011-10-11T12:42:00.000-07:00

I'm slowly coming out of slackerdom, and created a card and a decoration for my daughter's friend who just turned 16. Ash put this huge cupcake on her friend's locker at school, we put magnets on the back so it could be on the outside and everyone in the whole school would know it was her birthday!

The cupcake was made from the Rock Princess cartridge using my cricut, then I just outlined the frosting part with a white galaxy marker, put some big blingy gems on it and done!

This celebrate card was made using a frame from Monster Love SVG set, I think from lettering delights, the word celebrate was from that same set. I used gem flourishes, embossed and inked the white background with a script embossing template from cuttlebug. The flowers were from a punch, I layered them a couple times and put a gem in the middle. The borders are a fiskers punch. The gems, were clear, and I just colored them with my copics!!! Very cool! The background papers are from doodlebug.

I'm entering the following challenges.

Glitter Geeks-flowers
Anything Goes
Papertake-Use 3 different shapes
Crafty Cardmakers- Anything Goes
Card Cupids-decorative punch
Sentimental Sundays-Anything Goes

Card Challenge

2011-09-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

I made this birthday card for the following challenges. Birthday Sundaes and Cupcake Inspirations

The cupcake was cut using my cricut and the Home Decor cartridge for the cupcake. The small letters are Cosmo Cricket tiny type in blue and pink.

Something Wicked This Way Comes!

2011-09-24T13:19:00.000-07:00

I made this card, it's just simple, but I think it's kinda cute. I love the little frankenstein guy, he was a stamp I picked up at the dollar bin along with the sentiment stamp. I stamped him a few times and tried a few different color combinations, I liked the purple and green alot. I embossed the sentiment and colored it with my copics.

I used doodlebug pattern paper, EK notebook border punch, twine, flower, button, ribbon and spattered the background with black acrylic paint watering down. I just used an old toothbrush. I think I'll make a couple more cards like this but with the different colors!

I'm entering the following challenges:

Crazy 4 Challenges -Halloween
Glitter Geeks-

When did this happen???

2011-09-23T18:09:00.000-07:00

At the DMV, getting her learner's permit to drive! Holy cow, I knew this day was coming, but certainly wasn't ready for it. It's such a milestone and another step to growing up and finding some independence. She was so excited and I do have to say that she did a pretty good job at driving home. I know that every time we get into the car from now on, she's gonna wanna be sitting behind the wheel. I definitely have mixed feelings about this, but it's life, and part of life is growing up!

So...it's been awhile

2011-09-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

since I've done anything. I've been stressed out the WAH-ZOOOOO, I've been just surviving the day and getting by. I'm done with that. Life is too short to be stressed over things I don't have any control over. I've felt a slap in the face and it's been a wake up call. I need to focus on the things in life that I actually do have control over and basically that just means me.

I have control over me, that's it. I don't have control over anything or anyone else. So, if I complain about something that I have control over, but I'm not doing a dang thing about...then that is MY BAD. I can't change the economy, or get my husband a steady, higher paying job, I can't make my kids do all the right things and make all the right choices, they need to learn some things out for themselves, and I can't change things that have happened in the past, even if that past was just recently. I can't magically make the 20 lbs that I lost and regained disappear without some good old fashioned hard work and self control.

I can only change myself, my attitude, my outlook and my actions. I struggle with being positive, not that I'm negative, however, I tend to stay right in the middle. I tend to just look at things the way they are and that is that. I'd like to think that I dwell above that line for most of the part, I just don't get too overly excited about things or too overly down about things. I do however, STRESS. And I'll just end up making myself sick and tired and my stressing isn't going to change the situation either way. My attitude though, might just change everything. At least change my perspective and my outlook and give me the strength to not just survive the day, but LIVE it!

I hope all of you LIVE. Live today like it's on purpose, enjoy the day...even if it's not the best one. LIVE....... don't just survive. The day is going to happen regardless of anything else, how we choose to see it and spend the time we have will determine if we are LIVING or surviving.

Hmmm....I wonder if LIVE should have been my one little word!!! ;)

Happy Friday!!

Friends

2011-09-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

Ashlie and Kaela have been friends since they were about 3 years old. Kaela's family lived right next to my mom and dad, and when we would come up from Vegas for a visit, we would get the girls together to play. Well, when we moved back to Utah a few years later they continued their friendship and they've stayed friends even though they've had a few ups and downs. I have several pictures of them together and pics of them every year on the first day of school. It's great to have a someone that you've been friends with for a long time and can be yourself with. These two girls had a sleep over when these pictures were taken and were totally goofy and having a blast. I hope they continue to stay friends for the rest of their lives and value the friendship they have.

This layout was a Friday Photoshop lesson from Jessica Sprague.

Hope you all have a happy Labor Day weekend!!!

For a sweet baby girl

2011-08-26T09:52:00.000-07:00

I made this card based on the color challenge over at Birthday Sundaes with the colors pink, green, white, and using neutrals. The digi stamp is from Bugaboo Stamps, soooo cute! This card is going to a lady in my neighborhood who just had a baby girl.

I'm entering these challenges: Pals Paper Arts-CAS with rounded corners
Paper Crafting Journey-Anything Goes
Cupcake Inspirations-Image
Joyful Stamper (Inspire Me Fridays)-anything

So, I'm trying to cut back on my diet coke habit....I've only had two 44ozers since last Monday, and I'm trying to only have it on Saturdays..........but I can honestly say that I've got such a craving for one right this minute that I don't know if I can wait until tomorrow.......ACK! I can literally taste it, I want that sweet bubbly goodness RIGHT NOW!!! Have any of you tried to kick a habit? It's dang hard....what did you do to succeed? Or, at least cut back significantly? Any tips, hints, or ideas would be appreciated!! ;)

Ok, I'm off to start my day...yeah, it's already almost 11:00, I've been up since 6:30, but haven't gotten much done yet. So, off the pc and on to errands and chores! Happy Friday everyone!!

Two Cute Girls!

2011-08-17T20:41:00.000-07:00

Just posting a quick digi layout I did with the help of Jessica Sprague and her Photoshop Friday series. This is of Ashlie and Shelby (my step-daughter), we are so lucky, grateful, and blessed that these girls get along and actually really like each other. Shelby was with us for a week during the summer and these girls became fast friends. This was really the first real time they had spent together since the wedding, they are only 1 day apart, and have a lot in common.....especially their like of boys!! Good thing "the husband" has a shotgun handy!! ;)

LIfe Is GOOD!!!

2011-08-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

Life right now, after quite a few days of emotional panic.....is good!! Ash had been in Vegas for 3 weeks with her dad and for a few days thought about staying and going to school there. Well, that would have put me into a complete panic, and I actually was, until I got her home last night and registered for school this morning. Ahhhh, now I can breathe and be at peace with the knowledge that she is here and is staying here!! Yay!

Here is the card I made for a challenge or two. This is a color challenge from Frosted Designs, you had to color on your card, layout, or project. So, I colored this cute digi stamp from Bugaboo Stamps with my copics, and used pattern paper from Bo Bunny Ad Lib line. I'm going to enter into a few challenges, which I will link up tomorrow!

Fairy and Frog!

2011-08-03T17:49:00.000-07:00

Another card using the cute image from Some Odd Girl, I think she is adorable!! I still need to add a sentiment, not sure what yet.

I love that black flower pattern paper from Doodlebug, they are so stinkin cute and come in lots of yummy colors, the other side is striped, so can be used for a variety of looks. I colored the images with copics, still trying to get the shading down, but having fun and wish I could have every single color!!

Birthday Fishes

2011-07-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

Made this card for a few challenges, it's a SVG set from Lettering Delights, they have some really cute stuff! You should go check it out!

Birthday Sundaes challenge 19- based on this photo

Frosted Designs-Circles, the fish and eyes...I think that counts, yes? ;)

Inspire Me Fridays-Anything Goes

Paper Cutz-Under the Sea

Crafting for all Seasons-Beach/Ocean

Dutch Dare Card Challenges-#123 Birthday Time

Papercraft Star #55 Anything Goes

Scrapbook Sisters #45 Happy Birthday

The Cutest Little Notecards EVER!

2011-07-28T19:30:00.000-07:00

So,one night I sat up and made about 25 of these cute little guys. I used Jin's tutorial over at Under A Cherry Tree and used a Lettering Delight doodlebat. I think they turned out super cute! I used up a lot of scrap paper and made some girly ones and some boyish ones.

On too a personal note....I'm heading to Vegas tomorrow for the day to spend some time with this kid. It's time for some mother/son bonding. Plus, the kid just broke up with his girlfriend of over a year and he's a little bummed. He's ok with the decision, just feels bad for hurting her. He's such a good kid, and even though he's in a hard time right now, I actually did a happy dance when he said he broke up with her...as a mother, I just didn't feel that she was right for him or a good influence, (I can put that here, cuz he doesn't read my blog). Anyway, I'm looking forward to spending time with him, and maybe we might just hit Retro Bakery again for some gourmet cupcakes!!! ;)

Challenges

2011-07-22T16:50:00.000-07:00

I made this card for a several different challenges. I think it turned out super cute! This is the first time I've used a digi image from Some Odd Girl, and I think she is adorable! The frog was a clear stamp from the dollar bin, I used some pattern paper from my scraps, some green twine and my fiskars border punch. The inside will say something like "hope your day is magical," I still have to add the inside sentiment. I added clear stickles to the wand and her wings although it's hard to tell from the pictures.

These are the challenges I've entered.

Birthday Sundaes-anything goes

Cupcake Inspirations #119-

My Favorite Things-sketch

2011-07-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

Are these not just the cutest? I followed Jin's tutorial over at Under A Cherry Tree and used lettering delights with my cricut to make these shaped cards. I made like 20 of them, I figured I could put 4 or 5 together and give them as a small gift. I made elephants too...I'll post them next time!!

Christmas in July

2011-07-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

I think sometimes when the funk hits, maybe part of the reason is because I'm so far behind that it's easier (for the moment) to just ignore all the stuff that needs to be done and caught up on. Hmmm, something I'll have to think on and organizing/time management is something that needs serious consideration! I spend too much time just being unproductive and that is never good for motivation.

So, for now, I'm glad for quick and easy. That's where these layouts come in...they were done using quick pages! Yay for quick pages! ;) I did add some extra embellishments and of course the journaling, but sometimes, just to get back into a groove, you've got to get stuff done, get it off the table and put away nice and neat like!

CARDS!

2011-07-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

Yay!! I finally made some cards and I'm hoping I'm outta my funk and can find some mojo. I just stamped the owl and tree limb and made 7 different cards. The stamps are from Unity. They aren't super detailed, just clean and simple, but I tend to do more simple than anything.

This first card is for the challenge over at Birthday Sundaes. It's using orange, white and green. The other cards, I just made because I figured while I'm at it, why not make several at the same time!!

Crazy Girls

2011-07-09T15:05:00.000-07:00

This page was a digi template from Jessica Sprague, a tutorial on how to make clipart into a brush, (the pointy hand is the clipart/brush). It's a pretty cool technique and I'm really wanting to get back into learning photoshop.

I've taken a break from anything creative, not that I want to, but it's that unmotivated stress thing that has sapped any desire to do anything. I'm hoping that little phase is over and I can really find motivation to be productive. I feel so much better when I'm actually using my time wisely, instead of stagnating like a couch potato. I thought I'd slowly jump back into it, hence the digi template. This picture is of my daughter and her friend, they are so goofy together and have a ton of fun.

Ok, I actually think that I might make a card now....I guess once you start doing something, it really does help bring back some mojo!!!

Happy Saturday! :)

Really bad funk

2011-06-25T11:28:00.000-07:00

Have you ever gone through times where you just have no motivation? No desire to do anything other than get through the day? Been weepy and emotional for any reason and no reason at the same time? Man....I've had about a month of feeling like this and I'm really not sure why. Maybe I'm hormonal? Don't know. Then, I thought for about a few days that maybe I was pregnant and that threw me into a whole other panic, (I'm not....whew). Whatever was going on and for whatever reason, I think I'm on my way back to somewhat normal. I'm not an over emotional person to begin with and the fact that I would get teary several times a day at the drop of a hat was pretty strange.

I haven't kept up on blogging and when I would check other blogs and try to leave a comment, it wouldn't let me leave one, so in my unmotivated funk, I just kinda gave up for a little bit. I did receive a couple of blog awards from some really sweet ladies, Thank you!!

I haven't really put much effort into scrapping or making cards lately........but, I did play with my MTC and cricut and make a bunch of shaped cards, some penguins and some elephants, and a thank you card. I forgot to take pics of my penguins and elephants and my child now has my camera for the next couple weeks...ack. Well, if you've ever checked out Jin's blog UNDER A CHERRY TREE, I was using her tutorials to make those cards. They were fun and kinda took a little effort on my part, it takes me awhile to figure things out, so I made like 25 of each!! I'll post pics in a couple weeks when I get my camera back. For now, here is the thank you card I made using the cricut, MTC and Jin's tutorial.

I love the frame, so pretty! Then I just used rub on letters, flowers and some bling for the centers. The pp is some I've had forever and can't remember which company it's from.

Alright, I'm off to the mall, the husband is getting itchy to get out of the house. Happy Saturday!!!

Some happy time!

2011-06-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

I have most of today by myself, and it seems like forever since I've any time whatsoever, in my house, with my things............by myself. So, after my daughter headed to Vegas for the weekend and with my husband doing National Guard stuff, I thought I would really try to get some scrapping done. I can tell I haven't created in a while, cuz this layout....um...I don't love it. While I love scrappin pictures of my daughter, I had a totally different idea in my head for this picture and what came out on paper ....wasn't it. OH well, at least it's done right?

I did this layout, based on the colors over at Cupcake Inspirations challenge blog. I thought a lot of bright colors would compliment the black and white picture.

Here is the layout. Ash was lucky to spend a weekend with her cousin in Vegas a couple years ago. Her aunt and cousin invited her to go to a Miley Cyrus concert and spend the day shopping, eating, getting manicures and makeovers...............spoiled child! ;) This picture was taken at Serendity Cafe where they had frozen hot chocolate. YUM!

So, yeah with all my free time today...this was about all I got done as far as scrapping stuff, and the colors are a little wonky.....ugh.

I think I'm going to read while I have some quiet time, or play Gardens of Time.... :D If anyone plays and wants a neighbor...let me know!!!

Monday Challenge!

2011-05-30T18:17:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why I'm on a Happy Birthday card kick lately, other than you can never have too many birthday cards. Someone, somewhere is always having a birthday!!! The koala is from the Create A Critter cart, I used scraps from my stash, the black border is fiskars, I used flowers, some bling for the centers of the flowers, the Happy Birthday sentiment is from a 7Gypies stamp. I popped up the koala with 3D Glue Dots. I'm not sure if it needed something else, but I figured I'd leave it as is.

I'm entering this in these challenges

My Craft Spot

KB Cute Monday

Make It Monday

Happy Birthday

2011-05-23T17:33:00.000-07:00

I put this card together for my step-daughter who will be 21 in a couple days. I used a free digi stamp, can't remember where I found it, but it sure is cute! I used copics and prisma pencils, stickles, white enamel accents, glossy accents and the background was a doodlebug card with the matching envelope...I love those cards, so dang cute and the perfect base to build upon!

I didn't enter into any challenges, right now I'm too dang tired to look up which ones will fit this card, maybe next time.

I hope everyone is ok, especially those who are in the areas that have been hit with tornado's, flooding, wildfires, and other crazy scary things going on. Please stay safe and be careful.

A Simple Happy Birthday

2011-05-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

My Ash and I made this simple birthday card for her friends birthday. Well, actually I made it, and she picked the colors and which image to use. She chose the snail from Create a Critter. The grass is from a strip of green cardstock and I used Martha Stewart scissors to cut the blades...I think it turned out cute! The sun is from a flower that I had made and just cut the excess off. I'm entering this into the following challenges.

My first Cricut Award

2011-05-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Traci over at Cricutjunkie for this award, you should definitely go check out her blog...she's got some super talent!

Now on to the rules. Your Blog has been deemed Cricut-tastic! Wear this Badge proudly on your Blog share it with friends! Since Cricut is 5 years old and they have an E2 out share this award with 10 people that you think have Cricut-tastic Blogs! You also have to tell 5 Cricut Related things about yourself

1. I started out with a baby bug and when I upgraded I gave the baby to my mom.

2. I was taking my Expression with me to a crop and dropped it.....(gasp) Yeah, it was broken. Luckily my mom and dad went in half with me to replace it. (thanks mom & dad)

3. I only have 11 cartridges and want them all!! ;)

4. I used the cricut to make the cutest basketball signs for my daughters school team.

5. My favorite cart right now is Create a Critter....now I just need to get those punny stamps to go with it!

I'm passing this award along to these blogs....I follow a ton of blogs and am going to try to find ones that haven't received this award yet. I hope I can find 10 before I have to actually get back to work! ;)

1.Rexann at http://ibecircled.blogspot.com/

2. Cheryl at http://pinkandpaper.blogspot.com/

3. Faith Abigail at http://www.faithabigaildesigns.com/

4.Patty-http://creativediva98.blogspot.com

5.Kris-http://creationsbykris-kris.blogspot.com/

6.Jalisa-http://www.patchesofpink.com/

7.Mintas Creations-http://mintascreations.blogspot.com/

Ok..I know that's not 10 but that's all I have time for, and I really need to get back to work..It's been fun and I hope you all check out these ladies and their blogs, they do amazing work!!

check out these giveaways!

2011-05-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

Cards by Kerri is having blog candy too, here is what she is giving away!

So go check out these blogs and enter for a chance to win! Plus these ladies have some really fun projects for inspiration.

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And this giveaway over at Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons

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And another one!! This one is over at Michele's blog Thoughts of a Cardmaking Scrapbooker! She is giving away both of these cartridges, so 2 winners!!! One cart is for the imagine for those of you who have that cricut...so go check it out and enter the giveaway! Good luck! :)

Closed

2011-05-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

ACK...what happened to my header? It was centered and now it's all wonky. Ugh..I know if I start trying to figure it out, I'll just mess it up........can we say FRUSTRATION?

Dream

2011-04-30T16:50:00.000-07:00

I put this card together with the 10-15 minutes I could find here and there, ugh..I just wanted to take a big chunk of my time today and scrap,but that didn't end up happening. I thought it came together nicely though and will enter it in several challenges. I found a list of challenges over at Feline Playful and tried to fit my card to several challenges. I used mostly papers from my stash, the light blue dot paper is Bo Bunny, the bigger flower was cut from my cricut, can't remember which cart, the smaller flower is a punch and the bird is a stamp.

Here are the challenges I will enter:

Frosted Designs Fabulous Fridays-Stripes and Polka Dots

Paper Variety- Polka Dots

If the Shoe Fits/Fashionista Friday-Things with wings (bird)

Joyful Stamper-Inspire Me Fridays-Anything goes

Just Add Ink-Add a flower

Paper Cutz-Anything goes

Stamp Something-Things with Wings

Patches of Pink-Anthing

Totally Papercrafts-Glitter (on bird wing and flower center)

I think that's it....wheww, I hope I linked everything correctly.

Now I've got to go finish getting ready, heading for the LONESTAR concert tonight!!! :D

A secret squirrel surprise!!!

2011-04-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

I'm not quite sure what that is referring to, but when I asked my husband the other day what he had been up to.....he said it was a secret. A secret squirrel surprise.............um.........OK, weirdo! (said in a very loving way..lol). So, when I got home, there was an envelope with my name on it. Hmmmm, the secret surprise must be inside! Well, the husband was like a little kid.."open it, open it." he said. And inside were two tickets to see these guys!!!! I'm so excited! They are coming to my little town of St. George and performing at the outdoor amphitheater at Tuacahn. I'm not too much into country, but I really do like Lonestar and this song was one of our songs for our wedding!! How super sweet is that! I'm totally excited and so looking forward to it! I have a pretty great husband, and he can do his super secret squirrel surprises anytime! ;)

Meridian Magazine - Way To Be: Optimism

2011-04-28T14:29:00.000-07:00

I just read an article and decided to post part of it as a reminder to myself. I sometimes struggle with being positive, it takes an effort from me to see the good in life, especially when crap keeps getting shoved in my face. I try to be positive, to see the blessings in my life, ( and I do have much to be thankful for) but sometimes I can't see how a situation will work out & I struggle to see the light at the end of the tunnel, when all around is pitch black. Thankfully, I have a husband who tends to be more on the positive side, he doesn't stress much and doesn't sweat the small stuff. I guess he compliments me very well. His positive attitude rubs off and I can let go of fear and let faith in. I only hope........that my little bits of pessimism doesn't rub off on him...then we'd both be in trouble!

I really liked #1-4, actually all of them are helpful, but I do enjoy my tv/computer time and while I know I should limit it a little more, it does bring me a little piece of happiness.

Seven Ways to Improve Optimism

1. Sleep 6-9 hours per night. Without proper sleep your health deteriorates and your brain becomes foggy. If you are foggy life looks foggy instead of bright. ( I really like this one!)

2. Every new day is just that. New. Let yourself approach each day fresh. Have a hiker mentality. After a good rest comes some more rewarding work. Without the work, you never reach the summit. Another hiker philosophy is “mind over matter.” Make your mind keep going even if the circumstances around you encourage you to stop. A new day is a spiritual experience. God gives us a rest and fresh start every 24 hours. What a blessing. ( sometimes I have to break it down into hours....right now is a new hour, breaking it down into smaller time bites is easier to handle)

3. Look at all the good in life. Even if every child doesn't turn out perfect, or if business is failing there are always good things to look at. You are all still together. You can still go for a walk and talk together. You control what you see. See the picture as okay, and you will be okay. ( what helps is to just look at the bigger picture, this challenge isn't going to be forever, and somehow, I will get through this and it will work out)

4. Focus. Stay focused on the really important things. Relationships and making meaningful memories are more important than all those stressful emotions. We have the relationships forever, the stresses are temporary. And, as long as we have relationships, we will have the means for happiness. Because good relationships bring happiness, not money and perfection. ( I really need help with this one....FOCUS has been part of my one little word for this year!)

5. Turn off the distractions. TV, computer, and constant going get in the way of making lasting relationships. Turn that stuff off and play a game, bake, garden or just talk instead. If you do this life will feel better and more productive. Media ruins productivity. (while I agree, I still do enjoy my tv/computer time)

6. Make a new family culture. If our cultures are based on the things we do or the money we spend we will find stress and unhappiness even if things keep going perfect. Simplify your culture. Teach your children life skills and recreate with games, walks, and good books and you will find fulfillment in life. We often think we need to do more to find that fulfilling feeling we are looking for. Usually we need to do less and do it well. It's a worth while family culture shift. (Simplicity....I need to embrace this!)

7. Improve communication. When things go wrong, stay calm. Say what is happening, but don't react to it. When things go well, say what happened too. Praise more. When life seems to be going along as normal, stop the normal to talk and connect. Think of yourself as a family therapist. Encourage people to talk to you and value what they say. Really listen.... then help find solutions. Schedule regular talk time with your spouse and children. In my book, Parenting A House United I talk more about how to have effective meetings, and how to correct negative behaviors in a positive way. (I need to find opportunities to open up and communicate more with others and then really listen, sometimes I feel too disconnected.....I need to work on this)

We live if difficult times. These are not the first difficult times the world has known. Historically, those who focus on family and being optimistic are the ones who triumphantly make it through the hard times. They are the ones who have journal entries full of inspiring observations and lessons learned which strengthen people for years to come. We are all writing stories. What will your story be? One of pessimism or optimism? You Choose.

And remember, what you choose will be what your children choose too. (End of article)

I have a quote book with positive sayings, scriptures, stories, quotes, I read over this now and then and it seems to give my soul a great big lift, I guess I should carry it with me everywhere I go!! ;)

What works for you when times are tough? How do you stay positive when negativity is pullin at ya? If you feel so inclined, please share. :)

Smile

2011-04-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

Hope you all had a great and happy Easter weekend. Mine was nice and quiet, it was perfect!

I just finished a quick page from The ETTES P.S.I love you collection. I added a bunch of embellishments and dropped in the cute pic of my Ash! Gotta love those quick pages....cuz that's all I had time for tonight.
I'm hoping to find time to play with some challenges this week, but as usual, it's a busy one, so not sure how much scrappin time I will be able to find. I guess I'll just take what time I can, even if it's just 15 minutes here, and 10 there....I guess that's better than nothin!

Digi wedding

2011-04-19T18:57:00.000-07:00

I have a TON of wedding photos and there is NO way I'm going to scrap them all, so I purchased a few templates that had places for lots of pics. Here is the first 2 page digi I made. And, after a frustrating hour last night, I finally figured out what I was doing wrong. ACK, hopefully the next template layout will go much smoother!

Simple!

2011-04-17T19:31:00.000-07:00

I seem to be stuck on clean and simple cards lately. I've printed out several random digi stamps and have been playing with the few copics that I have and am just having a lot of fun! So, I've got a few more simple cards to share.

I also made a few more cards with the cute owls I cut from my cricut using the Paisley cart. I'll post them later, I'm hoping to get a more clear picture, for some reason they keep turning out a little blurry.

Now, a question for all you cardmakers/scrapbookers......regarding challenges. How do you keep track of which challenges are open, which ones you've entered, all the many challenge sites/blogs out there. Whew, it seems like there are sooo many and I never can find them all or re-find them once I've come across them. Do you bookmark them all? Follow them all, use a certain tracking program, write them down?? I'd love to know how you all organize this, so if you have a certain tip you've come down with and wouldn't mind sharing.....I'd be very grateful! :)

Alrighty, I'm out for the night, got some reading to do and then get ready for the week. Oh JOY! ;)

Hoppy Easter

2011-04-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

So I made these cards using this cute free digi stamp I found over at Bugaboo Stamps, they have a lot of really cute stamps there, and they add a new freebie one each Friday!! How cool is that? Then I made the cards for the 2 color challenge over at Card Cupids. You can check out the challenge HERE. I only have about 9 copic markers and so I'm hoping these don't look too Christmasy with the red and green. I think the frog is adorable though!

And since it's almost midnight, I'm keeping this short and sweet! Hope you all have a great Friday and a great weekend!

Monster Love

2011-04-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

I finally played with my Make the Cut and some SVG files. I really don't know what I"m doing, but I followed a tutorial over at Under A Cherry Tree............easy!!! And look what I made! So cute...I love it, and am now looking forward to playing around a lot more with different SVG files.

A must need read!

2011-04-12T08:12:00.000-07:00

I subscribe to the Kind Over Matter blog, and the post today I feel would be very beneficial for every person, everywhere. How much nicer would our world be if everyone practiced this kind of compassion. Words for thought, and maybe words to put into practice. I'm going to go forth today with this in mind and hopefully be kind and loving to those who at first encounter might not seem to deserve kindness, but usually those are the people that need it the most.

Owl always love you!

2011-04-10T20:31:00.000-07:00

I decided to play with this fun challenge over at Cupcakes Inspirations, they have cool challenges based on cupcakes! Now how fun is that? So, here is my card that was inspired by this weeks cupcakes!

I used the Paisley cart for the owl, sparkled her up with some Icicle Stickles, added ribbon and put it all together. I think she turned out cute and can't wait to send it to someone special!

Brought to you by the letter "L"

2011-04-10T09:23:00.000-07:00

My husband is gone for two weeks to annual training with the National Guard and I've had a long weekend and had all these plans to scrap as much as possible, HA.......... I've made a total of two cards and 1 page layout using the Project Life idea, you know slip your pictures in, write a little journaling, cute it up a little and you're done. I did get one project done though, a monogram plaque representing my new last name. I used a wooden plaque from Hobby Lobby, some light blue acrylic paint, a scrap of light blue from Basic Grey, a damask rub-on, and the L chipboard, also from HL and then just tied a ribbon to hang it from. I really liked how it turned out and it was super easy!!! You should totally make one for yourself....really you should! ;)

thank goodness for templates!

2011-04-01T19:03:00.000-07:00

It's been such a long time since I did any digi stuff and I've about forgotten anything and everything I learned. I'm going to have to go back through the classes and refresh myself on all the techniques and steps so I can not take so long just trying to put a template together. Holy cow, just doing this simple template took me an

hour...........UGH! I love it though and really need to take the time to learn it better.

2011-04-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

I received this blog award from Steph over at BZBCREATES and Laurie from Scraps by Sissy, thanks so much girls!!!

Now the rules for this award are as follows:

1.) Thank the person who gave it to you

                                                         2.) 7 things about yourself
                                                         3.) Send it to 15 other bloggers
                                                        4.) Leave a comment so they can pass along the recognition

Seven things about me...I will try to think of something different this time!!!

1. I was on America's Most Wanted for about a mili-second! (Not I'm not on the Most Wanted List, sheesh people, the worst thing I've done is get a speeding ticket!) ;)

2. I am a little addicted to bejeweled and am totally irritated when one of my "friends" gets a higher score than I do........I gave him my hints and tricks. NOTE to self: don't share game secrets with anyone!

3. I don't sleep well and have a hard time getting up in the morning.

4. I wish I could travel the world and take breathtaking photographs.

5. I am constantly trying to lose 10-15 lbs, right now I'm losing that battle. UGH.

6. I was divorced for 9 years and just got married less than a month ago! Yay for LOVE!!

7. I love to look at other blogs, I have sooooo many that I follow and not enough time to visit them everyday.

Now.....I'm supposed to send this to 15 other bloggers. The problem is, that most of the blogs I have followed for awhile already have this award, so I'm going to pass this along to some new blogs, some blogs that I have just recently found and started to follow. I hope you'll visit them and share some love.

Also......thank you to all who visit me and leave comments, I have made some great new friends and have enjoyed sharing creative time, scrappy inspiration, lifes moments and great new ideas!!

ok, here is a list of blogs that I am passing this award to. I'm not sure I will hit 15, but will do my best!

Shawna-http://twokidspaper.blogspot.com/
ScrappnBee-http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com/
Stephanie-http://www.iwannabelikemartha.blogspot.com/
Christina-http://seechristinascrapbook.blogspot.com/
Cynthia-http://cyndiscrap.blogspot.com/

Ok, that's only 5 so far, but I have to get off the computer, take my lunch, go pick up my daughter and get her home. Whew..always something! Have a great Friday and a great weekend, I'm hoping to get some scrapping time in this weekend, but Ash has three, yes 3 soccer games tomorrow.........ugh, there goes my whole day. I think I will take some images to color, I've been playing a little bit with my copics and prismacolors.......I think I LOVE them! ;)

Project Life

2011-03-27T22:19:00.000-07:00

This is what I've got so far with my Project Life. I didn't start at the beginning of the year and I'm not doing a photo a day. I just thought that this would be a really great way to quickly and easily keep caught up on our life memories. I started this album from the time I got married, a new chapter in our lives, and it will document important events and memories from the everyday moments in life. I'll apologize now for the glare...sorry!

I'll be using the We R Memory Keepers protector sheets with a bunch of different configurations to get caught up on the tons of pictures I'm far behind on. I really like the idea of just slipping the pictures in and jotting down a quick note, and then on some of the better pictures, I'll spend more time and do a nicer 1-2 page layout.

Do you do Project Life? If so, how do you put it together? A picture a day? By event? Or just as life happens?

Some random photo goodness!! ;D

2011-03-26T19:25:00.000-07:00

I've been busy..........super busy. I've been organizing, cleaning, working, playing soccer mom, basketball mom, now I'm playing the wife role too, working at my job working and helping a friend make a scrapbook for her husband for his birthday (which is today) the album is of his dad, who just passed away this past Christmas.

Have I had time to scrap? (Other than helping my friend)...not much. I have however been working on my Project Life album and will share some pages in a day or two. For now, I'm just gonna share a little bit of random everyday life!!

Me and Ash at lunch for my birthday!

My dad, giving Ash some basketball advice. LOVE this picture!!! I have a super great dad!

My mom and Ashlie at a cake decorating class, it was Ashlie's birthday gift from my parents! I have a super cool mom too! :)

My cutie Ash, she watches Cake Boss, DC Cupcakes, the Ultimate Bake Off, and any cake decorating show she can find. I don't know how many times she has watched the season 1 of Cake Boss, she used to fall asleep to it!

Ahhhhh, don't eat me!!! This was up in Springdale, by Zions National Park at the Majestic View Lodge, they have a small museum, with wildlife.

Zion's National Park....so beautiful!

At the end of the Riverwalk Trail in Zion's before the narrows, on the bank we came across hundreds of piles of rocks. It was really kind of bizarre and cool to see, I wondered what the significance was, but it seemed totally random and people were just piling up the rocks, so we had to contribute with a pile of our own.

Rock piles.....pretty dang cool!

Us..........newly wed, spending some time in one of the prettiest places on earth. (Zions)

Soccer, on a cold, cloudy day, 43 degrees, Ash was freezing........and then the rain came!! Ahhh, gotta love it!!

THIS...is dedication, and I wouldn't miss it for anything. I love this game, love this girl and love watching her play.

Sorry for some of the blurry pics, my mom took them and she's more challenged with the camera than I am. So, this is how we spent our morning. I don't think Ash had ever been more grateful than when she got in the nice hot shower!

Heaven in 32 flavors!

2011-03-17T19:38:00.000-07:00

Seriously, how can you choose??? I mean, look at these little puffs of sweet cream and moist cake with some cool colors and unique flavors. We got 16 different ones and tried them all. 3 bites into them and you started getting that sugar rush, but did that stop us???? UM, NO!! I was mad though after we left because I forgot to get the butterscotch one and the maple bacon one........eh, that will be on my list for next time!!!

There was pink lemonade, chocolate loves vanilla, chocolate loves strawberry, smores, cookies and cream, cinnamon toast, triple chocolate, glazed donut, salty carmel, cotton candy, grasshopper, and a couple others that I was too stoked up on sugar to remember. If you ever get to VEGAS...go to RETRO BAKERY, you won't regret it!!!! ;)

Wedding stuff---the people (picture heavy)

2011-03-16T18:22:00.001-07:00

Pics of the most important people in our lives, family and friends. Not all could make it, but both our families were all there with us on our special day. I figure this might have been the one and only time we had all the kids, all the siblings, and all the parents there at the same time.

Love this one!!

His, mine----and there will be no "OURS" both of our youngest girls are 15 and only 1 day apart.....I'm looking forward one day to grandkids (like 5-8 years down the road) but none of our own, I was done having kids when my sweet Ashlie was born.

Oh happy day!!!

My whole family!!

Me and my Jordan

Me and my Ashlie

My niece (she's 13) singing us a song she wrote especially for us and our wedding. When they post it on you-tube, I'll post here...she's pretty talented!

My sister and her hubby...cute couple!!

Cookie Recipe!!!

2011-03-14T17:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to the thread on 2peas for the cookies...they are yummy, get the recipe and make copies, (I lost the first one) and then make them......make lots of them!! You will thank me later!! ;)

Wedding part 2

2011-03-12T15:03:00.001-08:00

treat table with yummy cookies and cupcakes. We had great friends volunteer to make the cupcakes and I made the cookies from a recipe a fellow pea posted. Let me tell you, these cookies..........are divine. They are kinda like shortbread cookies, with a lemon frosting. I guarantee, you can't eat just one....or two, or maybe even 6!! Yes, they are that good!!!!

A shot of a couple cupcake stands I made from candlesticks!!

A few shots of the table/centerpieces...

Just a few pics of the decor...

Posting Wedding part 3 later, this will actually have people in the pics!! ;)

Wedding stuff--part 1

2011-03-09T20:59:00.000-08:00

first off, I scrapped a few pics of Steve and myself based on the sketch challenge over at 2peas, I used these two layouts as part of the decor for the wedding. At this table I also had a couple of scrap pages with a snapshot of us so that people could sign their names if they wanted. My super cool friend made the vases on the right of the layout and we used those for some of the centerpieces on the tables.

see the flowers in the birdcage??? They were made from cupcake liners...cool huh? I can't remember where I saw the idea, I read and looked at too many blogs, tutorials and idea sites to keep anything straight in my head. They were super easy to make and turned out pretty dang cute!

Here's a close up of the paper flowers..

the next thing I made was cupcake stands, again, I got the idea from a blog and can't remember which one.....but they are stinkin cute!

I made them from wooden candlesticks and a flat round wooden disc found at Joann's. I painted some blue and some black to match the colors.

Well....that's it for now, I'll be back with the treat table and cupcakes next post...ooooh cupcakes, YUM!!! ;)

A great weekend with great friends!

2011-03-02T22:53:00.000-08:00

Ash and I got to Primm a little earlier than our friends did and had about 1.5 hours to kill, so we killed some time messing around doing this.........

Yep, we did this for about an hour....while sittin in the parking lot of the hotel! The music was loud, the bass was pumpin and we had people starin at us like we were total freaks, but Ash would just laugh and sing at them! She's such a goof, but I totally love her and she had me laughin my butt off!!

Primm was totally fun! Playing with friends is always a good thing, it renews the soul and cements the bonds of friendship. Shopping is fun and theraputic, same with eating. Throw them all together and you have the ingredients for a great time, and a great time was had by all!!!!

Me and Steph...we did get a few other pics, but I won't bore ya with em...and at least we TOOK pictures of us this time, I don't know how many times we have been together over the years and neglected to get a friend pic, we're not very good memory keepers sometimes, at least not when it comes to taking pictures of ourselves.

Do we have a future Nascar racer in the family?? I'm surprised she fit in there..she's got some really long legs!

Now why can't I look that cute in a hat....totally not fair!

Our goofy, funny girls!!

I love this girl.........she also turned 15 over the weekend.........ack, where has the time gone and can I PLEASE slow it down for awhile.

I'm glad we got the chance to hang with our friends and hopefully it won't be too long in between visits! Thanks Steph and Cass for the great time and great memories!!

Wahoo...my weekend starts

2011-02-24T09:53:00.000-08:00

in two hours!!! I'm gettin off work early, pickin up the kid from school, going home to pack and heading out! Where am I going you might wonder...and even if y ou don't wonder, I'm gonna tell ya anyway! PRIMM.....yep, that's where I'm going for a couple days. Where is PRIMM you might ask? Well....it's in the middle of I-15 between Vegas and..... whatever else lies beyond Vegas, which would be a lot of deserty landscape, some run down little ghostly towns and then I think ya might eventually hit Bakersfield CA.

Primm isn't somewhere that I would just "choose" to go...but the cool thing is.....is that my very very very good bestest friend and her family are there for the weekend for the WORCS races...(quad racing--4 wheelers)) ! So..me and Ash are headed down to spend time with them. My Ash and her Cass are very good friends too, so this will end up kinda being a girls weekend! We plan on eating (of course!), shopping (duh!), Steph and I will hit the casino for a little gamblin (shhhhh..don't tell) and then of course, more eating, shopping, and laughing, shopping, eating, laughing, (a little more gambling) and then maybe a little birthday dinner for Ash. My Ash will be 15 on Sunday.....holy crap! Not ready for that.

On the way home, we plan on stopping in Vegas. I really want to go to RETRO BAKERY in Vegas, I saw them on Bakerella's blog and SOOOO want one of those cupcakes......or 7!!

I'll let ya know how the weekend goes, and hopefully will have a lot of pics to share!

A note of thanks!

2011-02-18T20:26:00.000-08:00

I used this challenge over at The Paper Variety to make a thank you card for my co-workers. They were super sweet and threw a luncheon in honor of my upcoming wedding. I've worked with some of these people for 8years, they've seen me at my worst-just after my divorce and gave me moral support when my ex was giving me a hard time and fighting me at every turn, they are as happy as I am that I have a really great guy in my life and will be tying the knot soon!

Here is the sketch..............

The card based from the sketch!

And...the man I will be saying "I DO" to in two weeks!!!

Payin it Forward

2011-02-17T08:37:00.000-08:00

I just received this award today from Tracy...how sweet is that? Tracy and I have a lot in common, she's like my Candian soul sister! She has a great blog, with tons of tutorials, projects, life happenings, and videos..you should definitely check her out!

Ok..here is how the award works.

Now in order to accept this award I need to share 8 things about me and pass this on to 8 other bloggers. So here it goes....

1) I am getting married March 5th after being divorced for 9 years.

2) I am addicted to diet coke and chocolate!

3) I LOVE being creative

4) I love lazy days, having a movie marathon and eating popcorn

5) I love watching my kids play sports. ( I end up being one of those obnoxious mom's that annoy me, so yes...........I end up even annoying myself!! ;)

6) I have to have lotion on my hands after washing them and before touching paper...(shudder)

7) I have the best family and friends in the world

8) I have made some great online friends and really enjoy reading everyone's blogs!

And here are the blogs I chose to forward this award to:

1) Jillian-at JilianBean Crafts

2) Scrappnbee

3) Emily-Just Me

4) Monica-Simply Remarkable

5) Mary-Pieces of Home Designs

6)Stephanie-I Wanna Be Like Martha

7) Danielle-Me: A Momentary Glimpse

I hope you get a chance to check out these blogs and leave them some love...I chose them all for different reasons, but they all have style!! ;D

Wow!! Thanks!

2011-02-15T04:43:00.000-08:00

Becky, over at Fourth House on the Right gave me this blog award

How nice is that?!!!! Super nice I tell ya!! You should check out Becky's blog, she is always creating something so cute and has some crazy cool talent!!

With this award we are a supposed to share it with 3-5 other blogs that have under a 100 followers. I just wanted to say to everyone thanks for blogging, I've made some really nice online friends and have found tons of inspiration. Keep up the good work!!

Ok..so here are my choices:

1) Delanie-she is doing a project called A Month of Me, she is taking a picture of herself or a feature or just something that she does everyday for a month and documenting it. I thought that was a really neat idea, too many times, us as scrappers are the ones behind the camera and our stories get forgotten or we only show tiny glimpses into who we are. Go check her out, maybe she will inspire us all to do some kind of "ME" project!

2)Renee I came across this talented lady and her blog on 2peas and just really love her style. She's getting back into scrapping and blogging after taking a break, so go visit her and tell her hi!

3) Stephanie-Oh what can I say about this girl?!!! She is funny, talented, and super cool. We are so similar it's kind of freaky, but we've gotten used to it and just laugh..we can literally finish each others sentences and pretty much just communicate through brain waves and across hundreds of miles of space, there are no need for words anymore!! ;) Steph just finished an organizing project, and this girl cleaned up...you should go check it out!!

Ok...that's it for me, I've sat here for too long and am now in danger of being late for work....ya know I still have to shower and do my hair and all. The girls at work are throwing me a bridal shower of some sort................ugh..kill me now!!! Don't get me wrong...I appreciate it, I just DO NOT LIKE anything that puts me in the center of attention. Gives me some anxiety. Wish me well, maybe I should find a valium somewhere...anyone?? ;)

Celebrate Family

2011-02-13T21:10:00.000-08:00

I created this layout last night, it was super easy do to the template that I used!! I just added the papers, colors and some extra embellishments. These pics were taken last December in Vegas at Caesars Place. We had gone down to take Ash to her dad's for the weekend, we picked up Jordan and went to eat at the Cheesecake Factory........had some really good food, enjoyed each others company and then headed home. I love that I can create something to remember moments like these!!

Now I'm off to bed, I know this is a really short, kinda boring post....hopefully you enjoyed the layout! I had a late nap today and now I'm just draggin butt and ready for bed again...I guess I need to rest up for Monday!

Have a great week everyone!

Happy!!!

2011-02-09T21:11:00.000-08:00

I'm back with another challenge layout, this time from Challenge Heaven, there are several different challenges each month. They have a color challenge, a word challenge, one based on a sketch, on a song, numbers, and themed. I chose the word challenge and the word was HAPPY....well this picture, taken a long time ago, just looks like happy to me. Ash has always had a huge, amazing smile and I totally adore this picture of her. I kind of felt like the layout needed something else, but in the end, decided to keep it real simple! The actual picture on the layout is glare free, not sure where that weird little glare came from.....oh wait..yeah--my sucky photography skills!

True Love

2011-02-06T13:59:00.000-08:00

I'm lovin the challenges over at the Paper Variety, such fun and sure helps get some creative mojo goin! The inspiration for this challenge is based on this picture.

Whether you took inspiration from the colors, the sayings, or the candy, was up to you. I took a saying off of one of the hearts "true love" for my layout. These aren't the best pictures I have of me and my guy, but they are the only ones I have printed and ready for scrappin....so, I just worked with what I had!

If you are looking for a fun challenge head over to The Paper Variety and check em out!! You'll be glad ya did!! ;)

Love Day!

2011-02-01T20:40:00.001-08:00

Just a card, made with scraps lying around my super messy desk. I.must.organize.soon!!! Anyway, it didn't take too long to put together and it helped to have some creative therapy time, it sure helps with stress and irritability to be able to play with paper!! :D

Friendship!

2011-01-29T09:47:00.000-08:00

My bff told me about this challenge over at The Paper Variety, based on the quote below. You could create a layout, card, or project. Well Steph and I don't have too many pictures together, even though we've been friends for over 15 years. I sent her the last picture we had taken together and I had already scrapped that picture, but only thought the layout was so-so.....so, the challenge was perfect, I ripped (carefully) the pic off the other layout and created a new one based on the challenge! I must say....I like it much better!!!

Steph and I are so similar it's crazy...it gets twilight zonish sometimes. It's like we were twins separated at birth, two peas in a pod, soul sisters! We finish each others sentences, it's weird, like we share the same thought process, the same dna, the same brainwaves....I don't know what it is, but it's pretty cool. We can just look at each other and know what the other is thinking...it's like we don't have to even talk...although we do a lot of talking too! We have a lot of the same interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes, and the cool thing is .........our daughters even like each other and are really good friends!! WIN/WIN!! We are hopefully meeting up at the end of next month to spend girl time and we will definitely be updating our bff picture!!

Love & Memories

2011-01-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

I LOVE this layout, it's simple and easy, but one of my favorites! I think because of the memories it brings to mind is one reason it's a favorite, but I just really like the way it turned out too! Ash and I were heading to Lake Havasu to visit our BFF's, this is on the tail end of the trip we took with her dad and brother when we went to Cali! It surprisingly was a good trip, considering her dad and I had been divorced for about 7 years at the time.

Anyway, heading to Havasu, just me and my girl....spent some much needed time with great friends. Steph and I have been friends for a very long time and our daughters have been friends practically since birth!

Me and Steph...and I'm borrowing this pic to do another "friend" layout, cuz we don't seem to take very many pictures together, and that has got to change!!

Here are our girls, who luckily are very good friends too!!! love that!!

And here is Ash...dinking around and being her cute self at the London Bridge in Lake Havasu!! I'm very blessed to have such good friends and such a great girl for a daughter!! :)

Freebie!

2011-01-22T10:12:00.000-08:00

I got this free calendar desktop background kit here! So cute and easy...I'm still not very good with photoshop, but this was pretty basic to put together! I love it!!! You should go, check it out and grab this freebie for yourself, come on....you know you want to!! ;)

Gettin Hitched!!!

2011-01-18T20:12:00.001-08:00

to this guy right here!!

He asked, I said yes! I can't imagine someone coming into my life that would be a better fit for me than he is. He gets me, it was comfortable right from the beginning, we laugh together, we have alot in common, and did I mention that he gets me??? Cuz he does! He understands my need to create and craft, he understands when I just need some time to read a book, and he understands when I just need some me time. I love that!!

We set the date..March 5th, not much time but that's ok..we are going with a small family ceremony, although, with his family...it's turning out not to be so small!! ;)

Sketch Support

2011-01-17T18:41:00.000-08:00

This layout is based on this sketch, over at Sketch Support, it's a fairly new site by Allison Davis and Co.....there are SOOOOO many sketch blogs/sites out there that it's a little overwhelming, but I saw this and knew that I could use this for the pictures of my Grandfather. These are some of the last pictures I have of him before he passed away in May of 2010.

He was a great horseman and was in the U.S. Calvary, he bred, raised, and trained horses most of his life and next to his family,horses were his greatest joy!

And now for a quote!!

2011-01-11T19:51:00.001-08:00

"Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are & how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence."

Og Mandino

Love this! Take the time to read through it and really think about it, let the words penetrate your mind and soul. Take a blessing, one at a time and ponder it, examine it from all sides, hold it close to your heart, protect and value it. We all have value and we all have a purpose to this life, be nice to yourself in words and in actions, and we will pay that forward to others in this life, whether they are family, friends, or complete strangers. We have the power to make our corner of the world a little nicer, more pleasant place to be!!

Weekend Project

2011-01-10T19:27:00.001-08:00

We've had this magnet board for a couple years now, and just finished makin it pretty this past weekend............did I tell ya I'm kinda lazy and I procrastinate alot???? hmmm....well, Im workin on that! ;)

So, here is the board before:

And after: Sorry for the glare! Ash picked out several papers and we mod podged it on the board, made a few flowers and put tea hooks in the middle of the flowers and along the bottom.

Ash was very happy with the way it turned out, I think it's super cute and wondering why we didn't do it a long time ago!!!

FOCUS

2011-01-08T11:08:00.000-08:00

That is definitely the ONE LITTLE WORD I have settled on. Here are a few things I want to focus on this year.

1)Using my time more wisely, not watching as much tv, scrapping and creating more, participating in scrappy challenges.

2) Eating healthy and exercising on a regular basis, eating clean 6 days a week and getting to the gym 4-5 times a week.

3) Meal planning and cooking better.

4) Improving myself spiritually, spending time daily in the scriptures, praying with more focus and sincerity, and listening for inspiration and insight.

5) Learning to use photoshop and digital scrapping better, and on a more regular basis so that these techniques and concepts become easier and more natural.

6) Spending more family time, with my parents, being more connected with my daughter.

7) Getting outside and enjoying nature, taking advantage of living within 45 minutes of Zion National Park and go hiking more.

8) Keeping the housework caught up and kept up so that it's not such a time sucker on my Saturday.

9) Serve more, in my church, my community and with my family. Give of my time and efforts to help someone else.

Well, those are just a few things I want to focus on this year, I've never participated in Ali Edwards OLW class, but kept hearing about it and liked the idea of choosing a word to concentrate on during the year. I hope this will help...I have procrastination issues and can get really lazy at times, I'm tired of it and know that I can accomplish so much more if I quit wasting time on unimportant things. Now, wasting time doing something that I enjoy or can learn from or get some great ideas from ex: blog hopping, etc well...I don't consider that a waste of time!!! ;)

Celebrating the New Year

2011-01-06T07:52:00.001-08:00

Yeah I'm a little late getting this posted...story of my life! I guess a New Years resolution should be to quit procrastinating, but I've put off even thinking of resolutions. EEEK..procrastination at it's best!

I have mixed feelings about the New Year...on one hand I am extremely excited and hopeful that this will be a very good year..there will be some changes coming and good ones at that! On the other hand, I really need to focus and spend time accomplishing things, being more connected, participating in challenges and getting things done....which is all fine and great and all, but I tend to get overwhelmed a little and then half a$$ things, not really putting 100% effort into anything, and then feel even worse. I'm not sure how to resolve that, maybe focus on progress, not perfection???

I've been thinking about the ONE WORD that I want for this year...I keep coming back to FOCUS, but not sure if that really rings true for me....there are a few other words that keep circling in my mind, so when I settle on one for sure then I will post it.

OK..so I got this freebie quick page from here, they have the cutest digi stuff, you should go check it out! I just dropped a few pictures in and quick like..it was done! I love quick and easy!
I forgot that I could go back and add more elements to a quick page...so, I added more bling and sparkle!!! :)

We spent New Years at my sisters, in about 3 degree weather with 3 feet of snow on the ground!! Ugh!! For us desert rats, that was almost too much to handle....I about froze my patootie off! We all came back sick, but had a great time ringing in the New Year!! This is the first year in almost 9 years that I have had a special man to countdown to a New Year, and with that comes the excitment and hope for a very good 2011!!!

I'll get to those resolutions in a little bit, for now...I feel like crap, stayed home from work, and am going back to bed!! ;)

2010-12-29T18:34:00.000-08:00

So..ya know those finials I made? Well, here is what I did with them! I hope my bff doesn't check out my blog for a few days, cuz hers is in the mail! I got the idea HERE. Super cute and super easy!! I did this one for my son's girlfriend, but the rest I did in black! You can use the clip for a photograph,list, note, menu, or whatever you want....I'm glad I made an extra one for me!! ;)

Going up north in the morning to my sisters for NEW YEARS..should be fun!! I'm in So. Ut in the desert and she lives in No. Utah and is burried in about 3 feet of snow..........BRRRRR.

So, I'm signin out for a few days, gonna think long and hard about makin some resolutions, not sure I'll actually make any, but I will definitely think about it!! ;)

Hope you all have a Happy New Year full of peace and prosperity!!! Catch ya in 2011!!!!

A finial how to...

2010-12-25T22:27:00.001-08:00

I've seen alot of projects lately using finials....well, these little suckers aren't the easiest things to find, so I ordered some online only to find that they were way to big for my project. Looking around the craft stores I came up with a way to make my own. If you already knew this, then just ignore me, but I thought I was pretty clever to figure this out!

Here are the supplies needed:

1) Doll Pin Stands

2) Doll Pin Heads

3) Ball Finials

4) Wood glue

Here is a pic to help figure out what these look like.

Step 1: Glue the pin head (circles) to the pin stands (base)

Step 2: Glue the little ball finial on top of that and DONE!! Super easy!! I'll post in a day or two to show you the project I made using these homemade finials!

You could also leave the ball finial off and use the base and circle, but I kinda like the top part!

2010-12-19T06:46:00.000-08:00

I took my turn to decorate the girls lockers for their home games and this is what I came up with, I really like the way it turned out. The basketball was just an image from the internet and then I matted that in black. The paw, I cut with my cricut, just circles and ovals, the girls name and number, laminated it, put magnets on the back and done! The girls have struggled with playing and haven't won a game yet, but last night played better than they have before and that is encouraging!! Ash played a dang good game and scored 5 points.....so there is hope that they might actually come together a little better, have better ball control, quit with the turnovers and put some more points on the board. It should be interesting and fun to see how things turn out!

And thanks for the get well wishes with the migraine! It went to a dull roar about half way through the sophmore game and was gone by the freshman game....medicine and rest usually help me get through the worst of it, and hopefully it will be months before it hits again.

Well....heading to Vegas today to drop Ash off for the week, gonna pick up the son and go have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory! YUMMY! Have a great Sunday!

Dear Migraine

2010-12-18T07:23:00.001-08:00

I've got a very busy day today,I don't have the time or the patience to deal with you right now...plus you just bugged me last week. What's with that???? You usually only visit about 4 times a year, and now twice in a week............you're not welcome, I don't like you and you SUCK.
Please go away and don't ever come back.

Thank you very much
ME

Makin up my own words

2010-12-17T22:11:00.001-08:00

so..I've been following Leslie's Words of Me project (I'm really far behind) but just found out after I had completed my last layout that I had just picked a random word from her post and used that as the WORD of the week. Yeah, totally off base...I don't know what I was thinking...obviously there wasn't much of that goin on...(thinkin that is) :/ anyway, the word for week 4 was commitment, I did my layout on the word appreciate. The word for week 5 was renew and I used the word prompt..hmmm, yeah I know I need to catch up-pretty much on everything, but such is life. I've been so busy lately with basketball and spending time with my boyfriend, (do you still call them boyfriend when you're over 40???) Anywho, been busy and tis the season for being crazy busy just all on it's own. I'm lacking in sleep, which is why this post probably doesn't make a lick of sense, Oh..and I'm lacking sense, and patience and I've lost a little bit of Christmas spirit as well, (but that was only for a little while, the new manfriend seems to have a very calming effect on me...LOVE that).

Ok, so here is my layout on the word prompt..I found a quote that I liked and used that. I did a digi layout because I took a Jessica Sprague class, but that was awhile ago and forgot pretty much all that I had learned...so I need to go back and do some refreshing, but I'm trying to keep from forgetting everything that I learned...and now it's late and I'm yammering on and on and on.....yada, yada,yada. I better end

this post now before it becomes the longest post ever..on absolutely nothing!!! Alright already, I'm shuttin up now and heading for bed!!! Good night all!

First Freshman Game of the Season

2010-12-12T12:45:00.000-08:00

and we didn't come out of that too well...in fact, we stunk it up, lost by 26. UGH. We have a new coaching staff and a 15 freshmen, most of whom haven't had a lot of experience playing the game. Hopefully we can get it together and bring a different game plan to our next opponent. Ash did good and held her own, made a layup and hustled, making the other team have a turn over. She is doing well, and is also playing up with the sophmores and sometimes with the jv team. I've got a few shots of her, her dad got some much better pics and will hopefully email them to me! For now, here's a few of Ash..she's #12!

Tip off!!

Defense!!

Bring it!

Going after the ball on this one and almost landed on the bench!

It was a total blast watching her play, although sucky that they lost. There's always next time!

Where the heck have I been?

2010-12-04T08:08:00.000-08:00

The only thing I've done in the past week is work,laundry and keeping up on the house chores. Not one bit of crafting/scrapping/t.v. watching has been done....why you might ask? Or, maybe ya just don't care, but I'm gonna tell ya anyway!

I've been spending time with a real live boy...up close and in person!!!! Exciting huh? Well...it is to me. I've been divorced for almost 9 years now, most all of that time has been alone, (as in no romantic relationships whatsoever) don't feel bad though, mostly it was by choice. Dating hasn't ever been a priority, and I don't care to just date every available man, just for the sake of dating or not being alone. After my divorce, I made the decision not to settle for something that I didn't want and I didn't want anything that even reminded me of my toxic, unhealthy marriage. Do you know how hard it is to find a really nice guy---one that you actually WANT to spend the time to get to know??? For me, it was pretty hard.

I'd done the single dating activities that my church offers..............UGH. Not for me. I'd done cyber dating, and spent some time talking to some guys online. Some were really nice, some really freakin weird, and some were just players. Not what I was looking for, but I would do it--mainly because I was bored.

Well, a few weeks ago I just decided I was done. I deleted my online account, dismissed every guy I was talking to, and let it go. The next morning I get a call from my girlfriend....she was so excited....she had a guy for me! lol...sounds funny, cuz that's exactly what she said "Shar, I have a guy for ya!!" Well, super! She had tried to set me up before, unsuccessfully, I might add..but she was excited and was sure that this one was it. She had that GUT feeling and when she's had that before and introduced a couple together, both couples ended up married!!! So....introducing me and this guy was going to be her mission. Weirdly enough, this was the same guy that she wanted to introduce me to several years ago, but he had just gotten involved with someone else, ended up married, and now is available again! So..a long story shorter....(cuz dang, this is turning out to be a freakin novel) we met.....we like each other....we are totally comfortable...we have spent every available moment together and it's like we've known each other forever.

When the time is right and the right person comes along...ya gotta just go with it, let it happen and see what develops! This snuck up on me and then hit me like a ton of bricks!!! Crazy how things happen!!! I'm excited, I'm kinda freaked out (but just a little bit and in a good way) and I'm really looking forward to the future! It should be interesting!!!

Card cupids and apothecary jars!!

2010-11-27T10:33:00.000-08:00

These are the cards I worked on yesterday for the card cupid organization, I don't have sentiments on them yet, will do that later when I figure out what to put on them. The bee is from the Paisley cricut cartridge, I used icicle stickles on the cheeks and flower center, used tulip puff paint for the black dots on the big flower center. Anyway, had fun making them and I hope they will bring a smile to the child that I send them to!

I made these apothecary jars in October and filled them with candy corn and those orange taffy pumpkin thingys...I found the idea here!! LOVE IT!! Then for Thanksgiving, I filled them with pumpkins/leaves/berries...now for Christmas, they are filled with ornaments and colored tinsel...they can be used all year round and filled with pretty much anything you can think of to put in them. It's a fun project and so cool....you should do it...NOW! ;) Sorry for the crappy pic. Anyway, some fun projects and I actually did something other than watching t.v. Yay me!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2010-11-25T08:47:00.001-08:00

To all of my family and friends (IRL and online) I am thankful for you!!!

A few things I'm thankful for:

1. An awesome family.
2. Freedom to live my life in the way I see fit.
3. My Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ.
4. My car, job, home.
5. Good music...I just downloaded the new Michael Jackson/Akon song...pretty good!!
6. Creativity..
7. Books
8. Movies..saw Harry Potter yesterday..LOVED it!!

Just a few things, and not in order of importance, I just wanted a few of them documented and out there...I'm really wanting to start being more conscious of the things that I sometimes take for granted. I'm hoping to have a heart of gratitude on a daily basis, I know it can really change the way I think and feel and for the positive...and I know that being more positive is definitely a good thing!!

Ok..people, I'm done and outta here!

Go--enjoy food!! Cuz food is something I'm also thankful for and am going to enjoy lots of it today!! Yay! :D

I feel so special!

2010-11-23T20:10:00.000-08:00

I checked my blog this morning and found that sweet Steph over at BZB Creates gave me a blog award!! That is my first!!!! How
freakin cool is that??? Well, it's freakin cool, I tell ya!! Thanks Steph!!! You all should definitely check out her blog, cuz she has a pretty cool thing goin on with her CARD CUPIDS, she (and anyone else who wants to) creates and sends cards to children who are fighting illness, disease, or are in the hospital and struggling for whatever reason. The cards can be for birthdays, or just some kind words to lift a child's spirit. Making a few cards for this organization is definitely on my to-do list for the next 5 days that I'm off work!!

Look how pretty that award is!! I love it, I want to hug it! :D

So,there are some rules that come with the award..

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this.
2. Share 8 things about yourself.
3. Pay it forward to 8 bloggers you have recently discovered.
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their awards.

Ok..so 8 things about me, these are totally random and probably a little quirky.

1. I have to sleep with the fan on.....not for the breeze, cuz I DO NOT like the breeze on me, but for the sound. I can't sleep at all without it......I even have a battery operated one to take with me if I ever have to camp!

2. I have to have lotion on my hands after I wash them, and before touching paper....is that weird...uh huh-yep, it is! I just hate the feel of touching paper with freshly washed hands...blech, it's like nails on the chalkboard to me. (shudder)

3. I have a book in my purse at all times. I just devoured The Hunger Games trilogy, then read some of Terry Brooks, and I think from a thread on 2peas, that I must check out the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

4. I love diet coke and chocolate...see previous post, SO DANG HAPPY!! :D Oh,and you can throw some hot tamales or cinnamon bears in with that and I'd totally be in heaven!

5. I was on America's Most Wanted! no further information available at this time. ;)

6. Love to travel, Italy being one of my favorite places so far. Would love to visit Ireland, Greece, and Hawaii.

7. I have a boy and girl...boy is 19, girl is 14, and I think they are the coolest kids ever! I'm beyond proud of them and thankful for them in my life.....(yeah, I went and got all gushy!)

8. I collect scrapbook supplies, and then have a hard time actually using them...........does that make me a hoarder??? ACK!

Now..to pass along this award to 8 other bloggers..

Leslie: http://wordsofmeproject.blogspot.com/
Tracy: http://tracystreasures-tracy.blogspot.com/
Holly: http://experiencelifewisely.blogspot.com/
Mary Pat: http://siehledwithakiss.blogspot.com/
Pam: http://observationsofanordinarylife.blogspot.com/
Christina: http://seechristinascrapbook.blogspot.com/
Christy: http://christyscorner86.blogspot.com/
Marcie: http://marciemorgan.typepad.com/

And,there ya go! Check out these talented ladies and enjoy looking through their blogs...I know I do!

Doin the happy dance!!!

2010-11-22T20:39:00.000-08:00

Look what I found!!!!

They're not just for Easter anymore!!

Yes, I'm super excited, these are my favorite candy, and they made little Jingle balls for Christmas time!!

I know, I know...I'm a total geek-dork about this and my daughter was deathly embarrassed to take these pictures, but I don't care! Ya gotta be real and blog about the good, the bad, and the ugly.....right??? I'm not sure what category this falls under.....maybe the good and the ugly???

So...if any of my dear lovely friends out there in cyber space want to send me a bag or 20, I'll gladly email ya my address!! ;)

Favorite Quote

2010-11-17T19:57:00.000-08:00

This has got to be one of my all time favorite quotes..and I mean EVER!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves,'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous'? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." Nelson Mandela, 1994 Inaugural Speech

That pretty much sums it up and says it all...............NOW.............go forth and SHINE!!!

Words of Me week 4

2010-11-16T19:52:00.000-08:00

I'm really liking this project,even though I'm behind (story of my life), but it makes me stop and take a few minutes to really think about what's going on in my life at this moment. What I am thinking & feeling...so the word for week 4 was appreciate, and I just wanted to document a few simple things that make a big difference in my life at this time. I have the best parents and kids, and I really do appreciate that! :)

Yep, I've got it.........

2010-11-16T09:44:00.000-08:00

a case of flatassititus, this comes from sitting...pretty much consistently for 9 hours a day, 5 days a week. Symptoms include; lopsided buttocks, numbing, feeling of pins and needles, the uncontrollable urge to jump out of chair, grouchiness, restlessness, and the need to strangle the next person who walks in the office.

To reduce side affects, it is recommended to get up, stretch, walk around the building, climb stairs, or go on a diet coke run.

Diet coke run is #1 on the list!!!

I'm outta here!! ;)

A mom brag, and a card!!

2010-11-12T10:16:00.000-08:00

I have to do a mom brag right now...my Ash, made the freshman high school basketball team!!!! Whew!! When we went through soccer tryouts, felt that we had a really good chance of making the team and then were disappointed with the results, well, we were more than nervous for basketball cuts. There were 32-35 freshman that tried out, and only 10-15 spots on the team. Ash has played a little b-ball here and there, but she's got enough athleticism(is that a word? lol) and ball control that she did very well in tryouts, we were hopeful, but not overly so. We went to the school earlier than normal and before the buses got there, to check the team list. Ash didn't want to go in at first, she was too nervous, but I said, let's just get it done and over with...go find out!!! (honestly, I couldn't stand it anymore!) I went in with her, and the list wasn't posted yet...so, we sit in torture for about 10 more minutes when the coach got there and posted it. She reluctantly walked around the corner to the office window and I could here her say "I MADE IT!!" Then she took a pic of her name on the list!!! (That's my girl!) I'll find away to scrap that somehow!!

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Now on to the card I made the other day. It's just simple, I tend to do simple a lot and honestly it just fits my style better. I think I'll send this to my grandma!

I'm fighting off a head cold and kinda feel like crap, I guess it's bittersweet that I have a long weekend right now. I didn't want to be sick all weekend, but this way, maybe I won't have to take sick time from work.

Now, off to get a nice, big, fountain diet coke!! That always makes me feel better!!! ;)

Order.

2010-11-07T13:48:00.000-08:00

Words of Me project week 3...yep, as usual I'm behind, but hopefully by next weekend I will be caught up with this project and a few other things I'm working on. I think this scripture from Isaiah is paraphrased..it's not word for word, but summed up my thoughts on order. I also wish I was ultra organized, ya know, a place for everything, and everything in it's place, but I kinda just half way do everything. I don't know what that says about me, but I try. I feel like my life is pretty orderly, I don't do chaos well, or messes, a little clutter here and there won't throw me over the top, but if it says cluttered for too long, then I do start to freak out a little. Anyway, I guess as long as I'm trying, I won't get too down on my not so perfect life. I think perfect would be a little boring..not to mention unrealistic, plus a little chaos and mess can really throw some interest into life. So..whatever life is, I say BRING IT!! As long as it's orderly chaos! ;)

A few other quotes on order that I really liked:

"Order & simplification are the first steps toward the mastery of a subject." Thomas Mann

"Order is Heaven's first law." Alexander Pope

"Good order is the foundation of all good things." Edmund Burke

"Chaos often breeds life, when order breeds habit." Henry Brooks Adams

Halloween Fun

2010-11-05T19:15:00.001-07:00

Ash had a Halloween party with a few friends. I made little treat bags, the cupcake toppers and wraps came from Target and were SO cute!! The kids played minute to win it games and relays....then went to the haunted house. FUN!!

Minute to Win it Games!

The skeleton was a clear stamp that I picked up for a buck at the local craft store. I embossed with white powder, the candy was wrapped with American Crafts halloween paper. These could have been much cuter and with more detail, but they were for teenagers who would just rip them apart and throw them away....so, I went with simple!

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Let it go

2010-11-04T09:04:00.001-07:00

Whenever I find a quote, a line in a song, a scripture that really speaks to me, I have to write it down. I've got little slips of paper EVERYWHERE, tucked in my journal, taped to my walls, stuffed in my pocket or purse. I am planning and working on a quote/scripture journal and will have all of these inspirational sayings in one place, embellished with paper, buttons, ribbon, sparkly stuff and other fun things, but I don't want to lose any of these little gems in the process, so...I thought why not just post them on the blog, then they are there whenever I need to refer to them and will be easily found when I am ready to scrap them.

I came across this little line in a song written by Michael McLean

All that's wrong in your life, let it go
All that is worth saving is love
Love will hold you tight
Love lifts the burden and love shines the light
Only love, nourishes us so
If it's not love
Simply let it go.

This hit me at a time when I was struggling to let go of something that I had in a death grip. It wasn't healthy for me to continue hoping for something that just wasn't going to happen and I had no control over. It is absolutely freeing to my soul when I can finally pry open the tight grip on whatever it is I'm holding onto and let it go. I know that God has bigger and better plans for me and I need to trust in Him enough to let Him do His work in my life, knowing this, brings a peace and calmness to my heart, mind and soul, and frees me to concentrate and focus on more important things. So, I look forward to what opportunites and possibilities come my way!!!

Bliss-week 2

2010-10-25T20:17:00.001-07:00

There are so many other little things, goofy things, simple things that can be a little piece of bliss. I love alone time. Chocolate covered cinnamon bears!! :D Hot chocolate on a crisp fall morning. Watching my awesome daughter score a goal in her soccer game. Getting a text message from a special someone. Getting an answer to a prayer. Flirting. A total stranger saying hello. The list can go on and on, but like I said in my other post...for this project I'm keeping it real simple, and there's just not enough space to write everything down on an 8x8 canvas....which is why I'm writing a little more of my thoughts with these posts!

Have you thought about what bliss means to you? Feel free to share, I love other peoples thoughts and opinions! May you find a little bliss in each day!

Gratitude

2010-10-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

I wanted to touch more on my thoughts regarding this topic and add some quotes as well. I've been working on an assignment on Transformation.com and funny enough, the chapter was on the Heart of Gratitude. I love it when things just line up and fall into place like that!! It's awesome!

So, some of the quotes listed below were from Oct conference, just a few snippets from a talk by Thomas S. Monson.

"gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others."

"When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives." he quoted Gordon B Hinkley.

"to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."

LOVE that!!!

Also, from my transformation assignment, this is from Bill Phillips new book that came out in July of this year. Bill Phillips did the Body for Life program and has now added a more of mind/body/spirit element to getting and staying healthy. Bill states facts and research findings in this part of his book. There are many Dr's/researchers/studies going on regarding gratitude and it's effects on health.

"health isn't just a condition of the body,it starts within the mind and heart, out of all the positive thoughts and emotions, none is more healing that gratitude."

"Simply being thankful can lead to a healthier, happier life."

"grateful people were discovered to be more likely to feel a connection to others and to something greater than themselves."

"scientific research makes it clear that when we practice gratitude it helps us become more energetic, motivated,happier and altogether healthier."

I just took some snippets from the talk and the chapter in the book....I've found this absolutely fascinating. The connection between gratitude, health, emotions, energy, and overall well being is pretty amazing. I'm definitely going to start practicing a daily gratitude meditation, I mean, who couldn't use more motivation, energy, health and happiness???? I know I could!!

Words of Me week 1

2010-10-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to do the Words of Me project that Leslie has going on over at her blog...If you're interested you should check it out here. It's basically 52 weeks, 52 words which include your thoughts/quotes, etc on the topic. So, as usual I'm a little behind...I think tomorrow or Tuesday will be word #4 and I just finished my thoughts/layout on week 1. Oh well, slowly but surely I will catch up and hopefully stay that way! The first word/week was on gratitude. Now, there is a TON that can be said on that topic, but I decided to keep things very simple with my layouts.

He's Aliiive!!

2010-10-21T18:40:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know....wrong monster...lol, but it works for this cute little guy!! This is Horace, I painted him about 10 years ago, ya know, when tole painting was the hot hobby of the day. Well poor Horace has been shoved under my bed for those 10 years. Arms and legs in one bag, head and body in the other bag, just waiting patiently to be assembled. I did pull him out last year..........looked at him, thought..."oh, he's so cute, I really need to finish him," then shoved him back under the bed with the dust bunnies to keep him company. I vowed to get him done for this Halloween, and YAY...he's done!!! He's ready for trick or treating with his flashlight and candy pail. The shorts...I got at the thrift store, size 2T lol. I love his big toe stickin out of his shoe and his little friend pokin out of his pocket....too cute!!! Well, I can sigh with relief, knowing that I fullfilled my duty and got him done!!

2010-10-15T15:33:00.000-07:00

Finally posting a few layouts from my digi scrap class over at Jessica Sprague. I'm sure you can tell which ones were from the class, and which one was my own!! Haha...I'm not nearly up on all the technical, super cool aspects of photoshop that I need to be to create something as cool as Jessica does, especially in 30 minutes. The puppy love was my own (I'm sure you figured that out right away!) and it was to be done from start to finish in 30 minutes. Im not proficient enough to put something super cute together without going back through the instructions and following them step by step. So...I do the best I can and am going to work my way back through the classes so I understand them better.

Ok..better get off, I just put in Wolfman, and better watch or I might be lost...I hope it's a good movie and doesn't freak me out to bad....I'm all by my lonesome! ;)

Warning, vent ahead......

2010-10-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a love/hate relationship with diet coke. I. AM. ADDICTED. I climb on the wagon every so often for a few weeks at best, and then in a weak moment, throw myself off the back and run frantically to the nearest drive thru that offers coke products. Well, at this exact moment....I'm off the wagon. So, I'm in my happy place, (the drive thru) waiting to get my X-tra LARGE diet coke. Happily hand over my 2 bucks and drive away.............ah crap. They freakin gave me regular coke......GRRRR, by the time I realize this, Ive already left the drive thru and am headed back to work from my lunch hour. I'm running late too, otherwise I would've gone back, handed drive thru girl my coke, made her drink some and ask her if she thought that was what diet tasted like. Yes, in the grand scheme of things, it's certainly not the end of the world, but at that moment, when I'm anticipating the deliciousness of bubbly diet coke and I end up sputtering and spitting out regular....it felt pretty dang close to the end of my world. *ok, vent over, returning now to our regularly scheduled program* ;)

A sassy, sweet, spunky, silly, sparkly girl!!!

2010-10-02T18:18:00.000-07:00

I love this girl! And, yes, I've said that and posted that before, but I really do. I think she is totally cool! I did this layout based on this sketch, don't know why I picked 5 words, but they describe her, so I went with it! She has just enough sass, spunk and sparkle to really be an amazing girl! She's 14.5 years old and I can say that I still love being around her, the horrid teenage attitude has been kept to a dull roar so far, I'll keep my fingers crossed that it stays that
way!!!!

I made the flower in the corner with paper scraps, I saw this on a tutuorial that someone linked to over at 2 Peas, but for the life of me, I can't remember who linked it or who's tute it was. I had fun making it,in fact, I made a lot of flowers, fun and easy and a great way to use up scraps!!

Cute and Easy

2010-09-26T11:25:00.001-07:00

that's the way I like it!!

My mom's neighbor has just successfully waged a war with cancer. The battle was not cute and not easy, but the little "thinking of you" gift was. I found these cute little dishes at Tai Pan and the muffins came from Costco. They fit perfectly in the dishes, a little cellophane, curling ribbon, a cute card, and it was done. I just wanted something to give to her, to let her know that we were happy she was now cancer free and that we would continue to pray that she stayed that way. These gifts would also be good for welcoming someone to the neighborhood, even a birthday gift for a neighbor or co-worker, pretty much any occasion that you might want a little something to go along with a card or thought!!