(I think he is adorable!! I wanna just pinch his cute lil' cheeks!)
Another LO! I am so glad to be home and scrapping again! American Crafts hosts weekly contests on their blog. This week's challenge was to use 2 AC products and sewing. So of course I used thickers and the crown pp. I added stitching to the title with embroidery floss and stitched on the buttons. Another thing I adore on this LO is the Maya Arts ribbon (blue with white scallops): YUM! I haven't had the guts to cut into my strip yet but I think this LO was well worth it. I love how simple and bright this LO turned out. Here ya go:
**ps - DH bought me a new camera!
I'm still learning the settings so have a little patience with me a'ight? ;o)
I have created a couple of new LOs since I have been home but seeing as they are for DT assignments, I've had nothing to show you. BUT I was feeling especially scrappy this afternoon so I busted out a card for 2 Sketches 4 You (#33 by Kazan). As always, they have a great sponsor for this week's challenge. And as an added temptation... they are also offering up a Guest DT spot to this week's winner! I adore 2S4U. They are who got me addicted to cards. BUT there are hundreds of amazing card artists that tune in each week so I'm not holding my breath. I used to try to make stuff that I thought they would like but this time... it's all me. Bright, bold, funky. I love this cloud paper, too! I didn't have the right sentiment (in the oval) so I created one on my computer and printed it out. Here it is, hope you love it too:
I finally edited, sorted, cropped and uploaded all of my pictures from this last month (minus those of my mom's memorial service - I started to but I just can't yet). If you are Facebook friends with me... find them all there. Here's a few of my faves that will give you a taste of a very crazy month:
I had to drive DH to the airport in Seattle (about 3 hours from where I grew up) so he could fly home for work (the girls and I stayed an additional two weeks). After dropping him off at the airport, we hit the Seattle waterfront!!
We spent lots of time swimming (it was over 108 degrees on some days!):
and hungout with family. This is my dad:
We played in the Columbia River (in Oregon):
and visited Canon Beach and Seaside, OR:
And saw Multnomah Falls:
I also got to hang out with Adrienne!!
Before visiting Yellowstone:
Where we saw Old Faithful:
and a whole bunch of beautiful geysers:
and a lonely bison (that scared the snot out of Emily!):
In South Dakota we stopped to eat "$.99 all you can eat cowboy pancakes":
and visited Mount Rushmore!
(a personal favorite from the trip):
Before heading home, we "mined" for gemstones:
and visited the "Corn Palace" in Mitchel, SD:
All in all, a pretty crazy and exciting summer!!
Oh my gosh, I have never been so glad to pull into my driveway! In the last month I have been in the car for over FIVE THOUSAND MILES! Can you believe that?? This summer has been the best-worst-happiest-saddest-craziest-most boring summer of my life!! I have seen some of the coolest things of my life (visited NYC, Seaside in Oregon, Portland, Seattle, Old Faithful and Mount Rushmore) and done some amazing things (concert in Carnegie Hall, Harbor Lights Cruise past the Statue of Liberty, Ric-shaw ride through Central Park, open casting call for "The Biggest Loser", played in the Columbia River, ate Clam Chowder at Mo's, played in the Pacific Ocean with my girls, hiked through geysers, hung out with a Bison, pressed a penny at Fort Hays, SD, walked through the set of "Dances with Wolves", ate "all you can eat Cowboy Pancakes for $.99, sat on a "jack-a-lope", mined for gem stones, checked out the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD and so much more!). What an amazing adventure this summer has been!
But it has also been completely heartbreaking. Loosing my mom is indescribable. Planning and "hosting" her memorial service was... numbing. The day before I left for home I went into her room (something I had been avoiding) and said goodbye to her things. To the physical part of her that is left. I bawled and laughed... then bawled some more! I was able to bring home several things that were especially representative of her. I am so thankful to have had such an amazing mom. I am so sad to have her leave us so early but grateful that she is no longer sick or hurting and is now with our Lord. I hope to be the kind of mom that she was....
So on that note, I'm home!! Wooo hooo! The girls' school starts Monday (wow, right?) and my classes start Thursday. But I am sooo excited to start scrapping again! I have three DT assignments due and a big announcement on Sept 1st. So keep watching!! No more sparatic blog posts, promise!!
I'm still here!! I'm just not on my own computer so I can't really post any pics. The only scrappy stuff I have done is for my mom's memorial and it's still a little too recent to think about posting any of that. I do have some scrappy mojo running through my veins so hopefully I will get time soon!!
It is HOT in Central Washington. I am talking 107 degrees and no breeze. I am MELTING. I'm sitting in front of the air conditioner trying to cool off before going to bed (it's almost midnight!). But alas... I'm still hot enough to scream. Or at least growl. LOL.
Hope you all are well. I will be back SOON with some fun news....
Whoa Baby! Making Memories is giving away the whole company... well.. not quite the WHOLE company... but tons of stuff!!
Right now (for one hour, so don't wait) they are giving away some Slice accessories. Check it out HERE!
Did this grab your attention?? Peak your curiosity? I BET! The big reveal is here! The first advert prompt from Dotty Divas can be found HERE. Head on over and check it out!! You have until August 20th to submit. Here is the full advertisement:
This is a challenge blog you are definately going to want to follow. I have seen the advert prompt for the second challenge and it is gorgeous!
I created two projects using the first prompt. The first is a LO about my sister Molly's trip to Las Vegas. Where she had too much fun, if ya know what I mean. The LO was created on a black background and the "swirlies" were drawn free-hand on scraps of pp. I then cut them out and arranged them on the cardstock. It reminds me of one of the show girls' head-dress. Here goes:
the second project is a card. This was super easy because the pp did all of the work for me!
Just when you think you have ahold of this thing called life... another curve pops up in the road.
Last Saturday I was in Kansas City with my Brother-in-law (shout out to Jon!). We went to the open casting call of The Biggest Loser. I was hoping to post pics but it was pretty lame. We waited in line for HOURS (we got there at 5am) and then you get 30 seconds to "get their attention" in a group interview. Insane. We did everything we thought to do and no luck. No call back. Ah well. I'll still root on the next batch of losers. LOL.
But the curve wasn't the casting call. The curve came before we left the hotel. At 3:30am I received a call from my older sister (she lives in Washington with the rest of my family) letting me know that my mom had passed away. It was like being punched in the gut. She was 57. She was my best friend. My own personal cheering section. But she was also very, very sick. If you remember from a post in May, I had to fly home suddenly because she was in the hospital and it looked grim. My daughters and i were able to spend two weeks with her and saw her come home from the hospital and it looked promising. She wasn't "good" but she was definately better. I haven't talked to her much in the last few months because she just didn't feel well enough to talk on the phone. But I could tell how sick she was. It was shock to hear the heartbreaking news, but it wasn't unexpected either. Her obituary is posted below. I'm not on my computer so I can't post the pictures that we used but I did have this LO in my photobucket account. My mom was an amazing woman. I am so lucky to have had her in my life.
On the morning of July 18th, Jesus called my mom home. She's in Heaven now (without a shadow of doubt in my mind, I know she is there) and is no longer hurting. She can walk and breath again. No more oxygen masks. No more tripping on that "damn tube" as she walked around her house, tethered to her machine. She is happy and in the presence of God. What more could I ask for?
We have spent the last two days in the car. 1,704 miles and 26 hours of driving. We are at my dad's house now. Preparing for the services this weekend. Jared will fly back to Wichita (and work) on Tuesday out of Seattle. The girls and I are staying for a few weeks.We will visit some friends in Portland and get to spend at least a day on the Oregon Coast (I miss the ocean!). Then we will drive back (one of my aunts will be driving with us) and take the "scenic route" through Yellowstone and stopping at Mt Rushmore. I brought my scrappy stuff so that I can work on some DT assignments (Watch for some big news after the 1st!). Talk to you all soon!
Saturday, July 18th
Yakima - Terry (Aunt Terry) passed away peacefully in her home after a long courageous battle with multiple health issues. Terry was a loving Mother and Grandmother and was loved and respected by all who knew her. She was (and without a doubt in her mind) everyones favorite aunt. She was always there and you could count on her no matter what.
Terry was always busy with her sewing, quilting and various other crafts; and was good at whatever she decided to do. She loved the outdoors and especially fishing throughout her life. The most important role in life to her was that of Momma and Gram.
Terry is survived and remembered by her daughters Molly (Yakima), Erin and Jared (Mulvane, KS), and Kelly and Tim (Yakima); and her grandchildren JJ, Emily and Kayla. Her husband Donald (Yakima) as well as numerous brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and many, many friends. She was preceeded in death by her parents and a sibling.
Terry will be sadly missed and will forever remain in the hearts of many. Her pain is gone but her spirit lives on...
Between my family, Jared's family and our friends - we have a TON of summer Birthdays!! I have made so many bday cards lately that I literally have a pile on my desk, ready to mail out! I thought I would share a few with ya'll!!
The first is for my friend, Jamie. We are "Birthday Twins" as she calls it (aka, we have the same bday). I saw the pic on this card on her facebook profile. It is of her daughter Maddy walking down a highway in Alaska. I immediately fell in love with it so I printed it off and used it as the main embelishment of her Birthday card! The alphas say "Life is good". All of the pp is from the 8x8 paper pad I won from October Afternoon. I adore this pp!! The card LO was based on a sketch from 2S4Y (Laura's 30)
I had the most amazing Birthday yesterday! Thank you to everyone who sent me comments on fb, texts, etc etc. I am so thankfull!!
I was showered with love (and presents!) all day long. Being so far way from "home" I was worried that I was going to be super home-sick. But It really was such a pleasant day. It actually started the afternoon before when I took my girls to the LSS to pick out bday gifts for me. A random assortment of bling, ribbon, alphas and stamps. They did great! That afternoon I also received a bday card (with some ca$h) from Jared's Grandma (whom I absolutely adore). In the evening Jared put the girls to bed and I spent some much needed "me" time shopping at Kohl's. I am now in love with that store, I had never really been before but I am definately smitten! I only spent $30 and bought a new jacket, sweater, shoes, necklace/earrings and earrings. Can you believe that?? Their clearance is amazing! That night when Jared went to work (well, morning seeing as it was 2am) he left me a Birthday card on his pillow. *awe!* isn't he the best??
Tuesday morning I woke up late (oops!) and rushed the girls over to my MIL's house and then headed to the DMV. I still had a Washington ID so I figure it's about time to switch to Kansas... a year later! Especially because my old ID expired yesterday. Oops. LOL. Then I hit a new scrapbook store (Scrap Funattic in Andover, KS). I really liked that store! Their selection was really nice and they have it grouped well. I also think their crop space looked phenominal! I may have to check out a crop sometime soon. I also hit Tuesday Morning and between the two... I came home with way too much new scrappy stuff!! But I'm not giving any of it back... it's mine. LOL
In the afternoon I picked up the girls and went home to prep our house. All of our family (on Jared's side, of course.... mine wouldn't drive the 1,700 to be here. stubborn. *wink*) came over for dinner. We had yummy enchiladas with rice/beans. And two chocolate cakes!! I opened the girls' gifts and also my gift from Jared: a digital scrapbooking program and a Beatles CD (which I am currently listening to!). The problem - I already had the digital program! So today we traded it for the Martha Stewart Circle Cutter which I have been oogling for quite some time! His parents/sister/brother all went together and bought me (my heart skips a beat just thinking about this!) the Making Memories Carousel!! I am SOOOO excited! I already have it all filled up and I am in love! They also bought me the desktop organizer in white, which is already overfilled. LOL. I wanted this so that I can keep my "new" items in plain sight. Usually I just lay them on my desk but it get's way too messy. The tall organizer also holds my paper trimmer (SO much more convenient than where I had it!) and has three drawers on the bottom that hold more tools. Their gift also came with a free copy of the current Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine (which, if you recall, I was featured on their blog last month). It is really inspiring!
So, as you can see, I am spoiled! Thank you so much to everyone who helped make this Birthday my best yet!!
Whoo Hoo! Fun news!! I received an email today saying that I am a DT member at Dotty Divas!
I found this blog through (what used to be called) Pub Calls. I was drawn to this specific DT because the challenge prompts will be based on advertisements! This is something that I am seeing more and more lately and it has really intrigued me. I am so very excited to get started!
I can't show you the first prompt just yet
but I will give you a tiny sneak peak
to get you drooling for more...
Check out the new blog HERE and give me a shout-out in their comments!!
Is the release of the next Harry Potter movie: The Half Blood Prince. If you could see how giddy I am - you would think I've lost it! But I am SOOOO excited! It comes out the day after my Birthday so I'm hoping that we have some extra $$$ to go and see it. Forget that... I'll find the dang $$!! LOL. Anyone else a closet HP fan??
*sigh* I could get lost in those eyes. er.. um... I mean... I love my husband very much... LOL
Here's a close up of some of them. The packages contain 46 pieces each! The left is pink/black with butterflies/flowers and the right are all sorts of brights with stars/hearts.
What a great find, right? And all for $2!! Now that's a price we can afford! LOL And don't you love the American Crafts paper in the background? That's from my "pre-freeze" shopping days. I haven't gotten the guts to cut it up... yet....
ta-da! Isn't it grand?? 21 of my LOs displayed in all of their glory! Now I am trying to figure out what to do with the other two blank walls....
Ok, I called my sister and told her NOT to look at my blog until after her Bday package arrives. So now I can share with you the card and altered item that I made for her!! First, her card. This is the big Three Oh for her and I wanted to try something really special. It was inspired by those word albums (made out of chipboard). I created the template on Microsoft Publisher then used it as a pattern for the cardstock. The 3 and the 0 are part of the actual body of the card, not glued on later. The rest of the card was inspired by a sketch challenge at the Paper Popsicles Blog. I am absolutely in love with this card!!! Lemme know what you think?
For her altered item I made her a name plate for her desk. You know how when you were in school your teacher used to have the wooden wedge with his/her name engraved on the metal plate? This is a funkier and more modern twist on one of those. And because she loves her name (i mean loves it. She has it tattoo'd on her body a few times and also across the back of her car!) this was perfect. I got the idea from a member at Tally Scrapper. Here is her new name plate:
Now I just have to get these things into the mail tomorrow!!! Happy Birthday Sister!!
