yep, welcome from Malaysia!! What a wild ride this trip has been!! Started the journey to Cambodia almost two weeks ago. I don't have the time now but just wait until you hear and see the pictures! The poverty there is extreme, and broke my heart to see..left a considerable impression on me for sure! After Siem Riep (where we were in Cambodia) we headed to Singapore and are now in Malaysia. We leave here tomorrow to head to Singapore for one more day and night and then it's the long journey back to Chicago!
While I've enjoyed my travels, I am looking forward to getting home, seeing Miss Mandi and my Oz man and scrappin' this incredible experience. I am, however, NOT looking forward to getting back to snow and winter temps...I've been living in the tropics for a couple weeks now and it feels great! Spent today lounging at the hotel pool...
I sure do miss my computer too LOL! Been jumping on to Rog's here and there, but boy, do I feel disconnected from all my "peeps"!! Miss ya tons!
Okay, off to have a cocktail and head to dinner...next time I blog, I'll be home....
until next time,
Blessings!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Off to parts unknown...
well, I know where I'm going though!
I'm signing off for the next two weeks! Roger and I are headed to Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore! Be back on the 2nd of February!!
I'm seriously stressed about life away from cyber space, isn't that sick? LOL!
Anyways, see ya'll in a couple weeks!!
Until next time,
Blessings!
I'm signing off for the next two weeks! Roger and I are headed to Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore! Be back on the 2nd of February!!
I'm seriously stressed about life away from cyber space, isn't that sick? LOL!
Anyways, see ya'll in a couple weeks!!
Until next time,
Blessings!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Rock On Simone!
Hey, just jumping online here for a minute, doing a major happy dance! You have to check out my friend Simone's blog! The other day Simone, who is a totally awesomely talented scrapper and card maker, had posted these way cool cards she had made. The cards had this fabulous little rocker dude on them, and I thought that a card like that would be perfect for Roger (seeing as he is a rocker himself!). I emailed Simone and asked her if she would make a card for me so that I could give it to him. Simone said he** yes, that she would make one for me (how totally awesome is she?!)!! Today I was checking out her blog (as I do everyday) and saw what is the bestest card evah!!! You seriously need to check it out!! Thanks Simone, you totally ROCK girlfriend!
Since Roger never reads my blog LOL, I'm not the least bit worried he'll see this...I'm planning on giving it to him while we are on vacation at some point ;0)
So, that's it for now, go check out Simone's blog, see the fabulous card and all her other terrific creations!
Until next time,
Blessings!
Since Roger never reads my blog LOL, I'm not the least bit worried he'll see this...I'm planning on giving it to him while we are on vacation at some point ;0)
So, that's it for now, go check out Simone's blog, see the fabulous card and all her other terrific creations!
Until next time,
Blessings!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Weekend Mojo!
Yay! I spent the entire weekend scrapbooking! Well, not the entire weekend, there was the occasional load of laundry, meals to cook, a couple movies watched and grocery shopping, but the rest of my free time was spent in the company of my scrappy mojo! I had been wanting to organize and purge my patterned papers (once again) and so Friday night I decided that would be the thing to do! I turned on the tunes, and set to work, purging enough old papers that I knew I'd never use, and going from 4 Cropper Hopper vertical holders down to 2 (of course this doesn't count the two that are dedicated to my Basic Grey collection, the one dedicated to my Sweetwater papers or the one that I have for miscellaneous things like transparencies, felt and fabric papers, cardstock stickers, vellum etc! Then, after purging, I re-organized! I had them by theme, you know like polka dots, stripes, florals etc..and it just wasn't working for me. I like my paper lines to be together and having divided them up into themes made finding coordinating papers very difficult, so, after the purge I put all the lines back together and then filed them all into alphabetical order within the holders! yes, I know, anal! But I will say that since then I've been on a scrapping frenzy! I also found papers that I had forgotten I had bought but really liked! So, my new commitment is to use up the stash I have and avoid spending needlessly on papers! I don't even want to think about the money I wasted on papers that I had to have because they were "hot" or cute and that realistically just are not my style! This is NOT to say that I won't be buying new papers at all, I'm just hoping to only purchase new papers when they will fit a specific layout I want to do, not cause it woos my by it's cuteness!
I also had fun Friday night while doing the organizing by playing some online bingo at another fabulous site I frequent, Scrap-Tastic and what's even better is, I won! It was a really nice way to spend a Friday evening, and I can't wait to do that again (the bingo, NOT the purging!)
So, after all this organizing, what do you do? Well, you scrap! On Saturday I spent the day working on a layout. I found in my cleaning a stash of Making Memories papers, the Noteworthy Collection, which I loved and so I decided to use them for my layout and they fit perfectly in my opinion! I used a black and white photo of Mandi (taken by Chris Jenkins), Bazzill cardstock Basic Grey chipboard which I painted brown then sanded and scruffed up, my Tim Holtz foam stamps, Making Memories paint, My Sentiments Exactly stamp, Brown Staz-on ink, Heidi Swapp bling, Prima florals, Hambly rub-ons, some miscellaneous buttons, and a cute little rustic wire picture hanger that I found when visiting my sister in Arizona at the fabulous Mystic Paper! I really like the way this turned out
On to Sunday! again, after the big clean I found some papers I had forgotten I bought and realized that they would go really well with this one picture I had taken of Miss Mandi at Halloween! The collection is the Rockstar collections from Die Cuts with a View. Miss Mandi was all dressed up in gothic rock style so this was perfect! I photoshopped the picture to remove a pumpkin and witch porch ornament thing I had, turned it black and white (to further enhance the gothic feel) and then scrapped it with the Rockstar paper, Bazzill cardstock, Tim Holtz Grungeboard alphabet which I painted with some Making Memories paint, attached some miscellanous twill which had these silver eyelet-y stud things in it and then to tie that together, I added three silver big eyelets to the bottom side of the layout (gotta love that Crop-a-Dile!)...I really like this one too! Maybe it's cause I just really like this picture of Mandi, I dunno!
There you have it! My weekends accomplishments! I'm happy that my scrapping mojo decided to hang out with me this weekend, it was a lot of fun! This week I'd love to scrap some more but alas, the house needs cleaned, and I better start to pack my stuff for my trip or I'm gonna be in big trouble come Saturday! My mojo might just have to hang out without me for a couple weeks, we'll see...
Until next time,
Blessings!
I also had fun Friday night while doing the organizing by playing some online bingo at another fabulous site I frequent, Scrap-Tastic and what's even better is, I won! It was a really nice way to spend a Friday evening, and I can't wait to do that again (the bingo, NOT the purging!)
So, after all this organizing, what do you do? Well, you scrap! On Saturday I spent the day working on a layout. I found in my cleaning a stash of Making Memories papers, the Noteworthy Collection, which I loved and so I decided to use them for my layout and they fit perfectly in my opinion! I used a black and white photo of Mandi (taken by Chris Jenkins), Bazzill cardstock Basic Grey chipboard which I painted brown then sanded and scruffed up, my Tim Holtz foam stamps, Making Memories paint, My Sentiments Exactly stamp, Brown Staz-on ink, Heidi Swapp bling, Prima florals, Hambly rub-ons, some miscellaneous buttons, and a cute little rustic wire picture hanger that I found when visiting my sister in Arizona at the fabulous Mystic Paper! I really like the way this turned out
On to Sunday! again, after the big clean I found some papers I had forgotten I bought and realized that they would go really well with this one picture I had taken of Miss Mandi at Halloween! The collection is the Rockstar collections from Die Cuts with a View. Miss Mandi was all dressed up in gothic rock style so this was perfect! I photoshopped the picture to remove a pumpkin and witch porch ornament thing I had, turned it black and white (to further enhance the gothic feel) and then scrapped it with the Rockstar paper, Bazzill cardstock, Tim Holtz Grungeboard alphabet which I painted with some Making Memories paint, attached some miscellanous twill which had these silver eyelet-y stud things in it and then to tie that together, I added three silver big eyelets to the bottom side of the layout (gotta love that Crop-a-Dile!)...I really like this one too! Maybe it's cause I just really like this picture of Mandi, I dunno!
There you have it! My weekends accomplishments! I'm happy that my scrapping mojo decided to hang out with me this weekend, it was a lot of fun! This week I'd love to scrap some more but alas, the house needs cleaned, and I better start to pack my stuff for my trip or I'm gonna be in big trouble come Saturday! My mojo might just have to hang out without me for a couple weeks, we'll see...
Until next time,
Blessings!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
just a quickie...
I added some new tunage to my blog tonight. Just put a total random mix of music on that I like. I LOVE music. Thing is that I listen to all different kinds, from country to rock, to opera to disco to heavy metal! so, you'll see that my mix is all over the place!
The Dreamgirls is my new favorite movie right now, just love it and I could listen to the soundtrack all day long!
David Cassidy, well, need I say more? He is my all time crush. Yep, watched every stinkin' episode of The Partridge Family. Had my room wallpapered in David Cassidy posters, played the records over and over and over (yes, those were the days of record albums LOL) and I still have every single one! Even now, when I see his face my heart skips a beat!
The Scorpions, yep, that tune is Roger and my song! What can I say, we love rock!
As for the 70's stuff, well, I'm a Disco Diva at heart. I love the 70's!! I can't get enough of flower power, bell bottoms, peace signs, smiley faces and DISCO!!
Then you'll notice a smattering of other rock songs and pop stuff!
That about sums up my musical tastes...never mind the fact that I didn't add my love Barry Manilow, or the little hottie that he is Toby Keith...yep, listen to Josh Groban, Harry Connick Jr. and Michael Buble all the time too!
I can't help myself, music makes my world go round! If you have any suggestions for me, let me know, I'm always looking to find some new cool tunes!
Until next time,
Blessings!
The Dreamgirls is my new favorite movie right now, just love it and I could listen to the soundtrack all day long!
David Cassidy, well, need I say more? He is my all time crush. Yep, watched every stinkin' episode of The Partridge Family. Had my room wallpapered in David Cassidy posters, played the records over and over and over (yes, those were the days of record albums LOL) and I still have every single one! Even now, when I see his face my heart skips a beat!
The Scorpions, yep, that tune is Roger and my song! What can I say, we love rock!
As for the 70's stuff, well, I'm a Disco Diva at heart. I love the 70's!! I can't get enough of flower power, bell bottoms, peace signs, smiley faces and DISCO!!
Then you'll notice a smattering of other rock songs and pop stuff!
That about sums up my musical tastes...never mind the fact that I didn't add my love Barry Manilow, or the little hottie that he is Toby Keith...yep, listen to Josh Groban, Harry Connick Jr. and Michael Buble all the time too!
I can't help myself, music makes my world go round! If you have any suggestions for me, let me know, I'm always looking to find some new cool tunes!
Until next time,
Blessings!
Friday, January 11, 2008
You gotta have faith....
In December I was surfing a message board and came upon a blog that interested me very much. The owner of this blog, Patter Cross, was telling details of a challenge she was hostessing on a couple of sites she was involved with, as well as for those of us that read her blog (in case we were not members of those other communities). Her challenge interested me so that I joined it immediately! It is a Scripture Challenge. Each week, she gives us a word and we do a layout, card, or whatever you desire, based on that word. The idea is that at the end of this year, we will have a collection of 52 different Scripture verses that speak to us! I thought this was so cool, and something I was needing at this point in my life. This weeks word was Faith. Now, some of you might know that Ali Edwards does that one word for the year, where you choose a word the speaks to you, that you want to focus on for the year in whatever way you need. I had chosen Faith for my word this year, how awesome is it that Patter chose that same word to start out this challenge with. I tend to have weak faith. I'm not speaking necessarily in a spiritual manner, but that I also don't have enough faith in myself. I want to work this year on that. I want to trust myself more and to have better faith in every aspect of my life.
Okay, enough of that LOL...here is my week one card, FAITH (front and back sides). The scripture verse I chose is the very first verse I committed to memory as a child during Sunday school, John 3:16. It has stuck with me all these years and funny enough, I find myself reciting it at times to myself, like when I'm driving in the car, taking a shower, just kooky moments! I kinda think that this is when my journey of faith began.
I used Bazzill, Anna Griffin and Foof-a-La Papers, the stamp is from Stampin' Up!, the little key is from 7Gypsies ( I think), miscellaneous buttons, and I used scraps of my papers and a punch from Stampin' Up! to create the little flowers.
I've done a few Rolodex swaps before and I just have to say, while they are fun to do and cute and everything, it is rather a challenge to scrap in such a small space! There just isn't room for all that I'd like to add!! LOL and, I'm keeping these cards in that fabulous new 7Gypsies ATC holder thingy, it's way cool! I think it's going to look terrific all filled up with these cards of mine!
On a side note, this cute little puter of mine is wonderfully equipped with a built in camera thing so that I can do videos! Maybe my next post I'll play around with it a little and post a video blog entry!
Until next time,
Blessings!
Okay, enough of that LOL...here is my week one card, FAITH (front and back sides). The scripture verse I chose is the very first verse I committed to memory as a child during Sunday school, John 3:16. It has stuck with me all these years and funny enough, I find myself reciting it at times to myself, like when I'm driving in the car, taking a shower, just kooky moments! I kinda think that this is when my journey of faith began.
I used Bazzill, Anna Griffin and Foof-a-La Papers, the stamp is from Stampin' Up!, the little key is from 7Gypsies ( I think), miscellaneous buttons, and I used scraps of my papers and a punch from Stampin' Up! to create the little flowers.
I've done a few Rolodex swaps before and I just have to say, while they are fun to do and cute and everything, it is rather a challenge to scrap in such a small space! There just isn't room for all that I'd like to add!! LOL and, I'm keeping these cards in that fabulous new 7Gypsies ATC holder thingy, it's way cool! I think it's going to look terrific all filled up with these cards of mine!
On a side note, this cute little puter of mine is wonderfully equipped with a built in camera thing so that I can do videos! Maybe my next post I'll play around with it a little and post a video blog entry!
Until next time,
Blessings!
Monday, January 07, 2008
First layout of 2008
I finally did it, I scrapbooked! I had been wanting to scrap for over a week but with the holidays and other stuff, I just couldn't find any time to. This weekend I stayed inside, resisted the urge to go scrap supply shopping (it's one of my "things" I'm working on this year, using my stash) and played around in my room! I took this picture of Mandi in mid December after one of our snowfalls. She was so sweet, wanting to go outside and shovel my driveway (even though we have a snow removal service, cause I'm soooo not shoveling LOL)...and I thought it a great time to grab my camera and take a few shots...plus, I'm doing a December mini album so these pics will go in there for that day too!
The first attempt at this layout (spent all day Saturday on it) I decided on Sunday that I didn't like! So, I ripped it apart and came up with this. It's a very plain and simple layout, you'd think by the lack of stuff on it that I would have whipped it up in a jiffy but it took me all day! LOL I think I over-think my layouts way too much LOL!
Not sure if I "love" this one really, but it's kinda cute and it's a completed layout! In the words of my BFF "it is what it is!"
Used Bazzill, some older We R Memory Keepers papers, buttons and Heidi Swapp Chipboard and snowflake mask and I sewed a little on top...oh yeah, some of the new Creative Imaginations self adhesive paper lace (but it's not all that sticky...beware!)
I feel better now, I've started out on my layouts for 2008....wonder how many I'll get done this year?!
Okay, off to the dentist...pulled a crown outta my mouth eating a piece of candy...stupid candy!
Until next time,
Blessings!
The first attempt at this layout (spent all day Saturday on it) I decided on Sunday that I didn't like! So, I ripped it apart and came up with this. It's a very plain and simple layout, you'd think by the lack of stuff on it that I would have whipped it up in a jiffy but it took me all day! LOL I think I over-think my layouts way too much LOL!
Not sure if I "love" this one really, but it's kinda cute and it's a completed layout! In the words of my BFF "it is what it is!"
Used Bazzill, some older We R Memory Keepers papers, buttons and Heidi Swapp Chipboard and snowflake mask and I sewed a little on top...oh yeah, some of the new Creative Imaginations self adhesive paper lace (but it's not all that sticky...beware!)
I feel better now, I've started out on my layouts for 2008....wonder how many I'll get done this year?!
Okay, off to the dentist...pulled a crown outta my mouth eating a piece of candy...stupid candy!
Until next time,
Blessings!
Friday, January 04, 2008
testing...testing!
Just testing out a quick post from my new baby!
I'm going to try and find a picture on my harddrive and see if I can load it up to the blog....still learning, but having fun!
Hard to believe that today is the last official day of winter vacation and that Miss Mandi will head back to school on Monday...for that fact, I will too!! Yep, going back to restore my nail license. I let my license go a couple years ago, just got burnt out with doing nails and all but I've always regretted that I foolishly let the license lapse, so I am heading back to nail school to take my hours that I need to restore it! I thankfully won't need to do to many and I won't have to take the board exam again....even thinking I might set up shop again but I'm getting ahead of myself here LOL! Seriously, just wanting to restore my license is the only plan I have right now!
Alright, lets see if I can insert a picture here
YIPPEE it works!! Okay, that makes me feel good! This is one of the pictures I had done in November by Chris Jenkins Seriously, awesome photographer!!
Okay then, it's all good....soon enough I'll be done with my pc and using this new baby 24/7!!
Until next time,
Blessings!
I'm going to try and find a picture on my harddrive and see if I can load it up to the blog....still learning, but having fun!
Hard to believe that today is the last official day of winter vacation and that Miss Mandi will head back to school on Monday...for that fact, I will too!! Yep, going back to restore my nail license. I let my license go a couple years ago, just got burnt out with doing nails and all but I've always regretted that I foolishly let the license lapse, so I am heading back to nail school to take my hours that I need to restore it! I thankfully won't need to do to many and I won't have to take the board exam again....even thinking I might set up shop again but I'm getting ahead of myself here LOL! Seriously, just wanting to restore my license is the only plan I have right now!
Alright, lets see if I can insert a picture here
YIPPEE it works!! Okay, that makes me feel good! This is one of the pictures I had done in November by Chris Jenkins Seriously, awesome photographer!!Okay then, it's all good....soon enough I'll be done with my pc and using this new baby 24/7!!
Until next time,
Blessings!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Happy New Year!!!!
Wow, 2008!!!!!!! I can't believe that we are actually in 2008. I remember just yesterday when we were dreading the millenium, and the end of all we knew to be! LOL
Time has flown, another year, another year of bloggin! I want to wish all of you that take the time to stop by and visit "My Little Corner" of the world, a very Happy New Year! I hope that 2008 brings to you much joy, happiness and success!!
So, I'm a pretty bad blogger huh? Yep, haven't had an update in forever, the holidays just came and went with a flurry and heck, I was just dang busy! I wanted to update, I read all of my blogs I visit and everyone was updating but I just didn't get a chance! I will say, in my defense, that Santa brought me a wonderful new present this year and that has been part of the reason I have been mia from the 'ol blog this long. "What could it be?" you ask...."Seriously, what kinda gift at your age Cricket, would keep you away from the computer and blogging?"....well, let's just say, I haven't been away from the computer!! In fact, Roger, whoa Roger, came through for me in a most surprising way this Christmas! Roger gave me a new....get ready for this....computer!! Not just any computer mind you, a brand, spankin' new, all sleek, shiny and purty white MACBOOK!!!!!!!! I was totally blown away! Yep, ask those that were present when I opened the present (see that cute little play with the word present??)...in fact, I think my mom captured my shocked, then scrunched up into the ugliest crying face evah on film!! (well, not film but you get the picture...see...did it again..picture, picture...hee hee)
So, for the first two days I just sat and ran my hands over it...didn't want to open it up for fear of..heck, I'm not sure, but I just kinda sat and admired it! Then I got up the courage to clean off my desk and plug her in...wow, can I tell you how stinkin' easy she was to connect to the internet...how easy it was to configure my email...how simple adding all my external devices were?? I've seen the commercials (you know the one with the two guys who play Mac and PC)...and I've heard countless times that Macs were soooo much user friendly, but I have to say, they really, really are!!!! That's not to say that I haven't had to refer to my "MacBook for Dummies" that Roger was also kind enough to give me..a number of times...heck, I've been a PC user all my computer life..and the switch over isn't going to be without some type of struggles, but really, I face an issue and within minutes I have resolution!! I'm currently in the process of getting her all set up. I need to transfer my digital scrapbooking stuff and my photos to her (still think I'll keep them on an external), but I have learned to import my pics from my camera...no additional software needed..iPhoto does it all for me!! Soooooo cool!! and until I get that all down pat, I'll still be hanging onto the PC for some stuff...really, I enjoy my Microsoft Digital Image Suite for digi scrapping so not sure what I'll do about that!
Anywho, enough babble and gushing over my new baby! Of course no blog post would be complete with a picture so here it is...my new little MacBook...still need to name her..yep, I said name her...and if ya got a good idea for that, I'd love to hear it!
I promise to try and be a better blogger in 2008. I will say that I was much better in 2007 then I was in 2006 so things are looking positive!
Again, I want to wish you all a wonderful new year...I look forward to spending 2008 in cyberspace with all of you!!
Until next time,
Blessings!
Time has flown, another year, another year of bloggin! I want to wish all of you that take the time to stop by and visit "My Little Corner" of the world, a very Happy New Year! I hope that 2008 brings to you much joy, happiness and success!!
So, I'm a pretty bad blogger huh? Yep, haven't had an update in forever, the holidays just came and went with a flurry and heck, I was just dang busy! I wanted to update, I read all of my blogs I visit and everyone was updating but I just didn't get a chance! I will say, in my defense, that Santa brought me a wonderful new present this year and that has been part of the reason I have been mia from the 'ol blog this long. "What could it be?" you ask...."Seriously, what kinda gift at your age Cricket, would keep you away from the computer and blogging?"....well, let's just say, I haven't been away from the computer!! In fact, Roger, whoa Roger, came through for me in a most surprising way this Christmas! Roger gave me a new....get ready for this....computer!! Not just any computer mind you, a brand, spankin' new, all sleek, shiny and purty white MACBOOK!!!!!!!! I was totally blown away! Yep, ask those that were present when I opened the present (see that cute little play with the word present??)...in fact, I think my mom captured my shocked, then scrunched up into the ugliest crying face evah on film!! (well, not film but you get the picture...see...did it again..picture, picture...hee hee)
So, for the first two days I just sat and ran my hands over it...didn't want to open it up for fear of..heck, I'm not sure, but I just kinda sat and admired it! Then I got up the courage to clean off my desk and plug her in...wow, can I tell you how stinkin' easy she was to connect to the internet...how easy it was to configure my email...how simple adding all my external devices were?? I've seen the commercials (you know the one with the two guys who play Mac and PC)...and I've heard countless times that Macs were soooo much user friendly, but I have to say, they really, really are!!!! That's not to say that I haven't had to refer to my "MacBook for Dummies" that Roger was also kind enough to give me..a number of times...heck, I've been a PC user all my computer life..and the switch over isn't going to be without some type of struggles, but really, I face an issue and within minutes I have resolution!! I'm currently in the process of getting her all set up. I need to transfer my digital scrapbooking stuff and my photos to her (still think I'll keep them on an external), but I have learned to import my pics from my camera...no additional software needed..iPhoto does it all for me!! Soooooo cool!! and until I get that all down pat, I'll still be hanging onto the PC for some stuff...really, I enjoy my Microsoft Digital Image Suite for digi scrapping so not sure what I'll do about that!
Anywho, enough babble and gushing over my new baby! Of course no blog post would be complete with a picture so here it is...my new little MacBook...still need to name her..yep, I said name her...and if ya got a good idea for that, I'd love to hear it!
I promise to try and be a better blogger in 2008. I will say that I was much better in 2007 then I was in 2006 so things are looking positive!
Again, I want to wish you all a wonderful new year...I look forward to spending 2008 in cyberspace with all of you!!
Until next time,
Blessings!
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