Friday, September 26, 2008

Friday, Friday!!! Yep, another weekend is upon us..thank heavens! I have been patiently waiting for this weekend and the opportunity to spend all day Saturday at my lss for a Scrap Pink crop!! All the usual suspects will be there and I'm so stoked I can hardly stand it! I actually have a plan too..going to work on Christmas cards and a mini album kit...still need to do some packing of my stuff but it won't be too bad!

So, yeah, the past couple days I've spent doing the house cleaning..big drag...but, now my house is spotless and that feels great! I also finished up another Halloween card, still using up those scraps from MM Spellbound. This time I added one of the paper embellies to it, the skull! The quote on front is a stamp from Amuse, love their stuff! Oooh, and I got my Stampin' Up! scalloped punch...LOVING that little tool!!



Not too much else happening....been watching my movies..you know how I love my movies!! My latest favorite is "Music & Lyrics". Can I just tell you how much of a stinkin, huge ass crush I have on Hugh Grant??!! I mean....seriously, I totally love this guy...love all his movies, and well, lets just say he holds a couple positions on my "list"!! I get the biggest kick outta the fact that he did his own singing for this movie...and while he is no crooner, he doesn't do half bad...in fact, I can't stop listening to the soundtrack of this movie..my favorite is his video "Pop, Goes My Heart" ! I'm including it here, you have to watch this, it's just too fun not too...how sexy is he even when he's making like "Wham"??!! LOL!! I also love the 80's style music video..ah, those were the days right? Seriously, if you've not seen this movie, rent it!!




Alright then, that's about it...gonna go get my stuff packed up and ready for tomorrow. Hopefully I will actually accomplish something at the crop and I'll have stuff to share here next week!

Until next time,
Blessings!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

My pool is closed...bummer! So, yeah, summer is now over for me....ah well.....on to better days right? :)

I spent most of today playing a couch potato. Watched a few hours of the QVC Paper Crafting Fair, saw Tim demo his inks and Grungeboard, that was cool..love that stuff! I was good though, didn't order a stinkin' thing!! Nope, spent my fair share while out in Arizona and I've got a big Stampin' Up! list just begging to be ordered!!

Lets see, Sunday I played around doing a digi challenge for the Freak. I had fun doing this one. We had to use a template for this layout, but could use any papers, pictures or theme we chose, just had to use the template. I had not used a template before so this was a good challenge in that I learned how to do "clipping masks" and such. While PSE 6.0 doesn't have "clipping masks" per se, I was able to work around it and get the same effect by doing a "Group with previous" layer function...

The picture I used was another one I took while we were down in the city at Navy Pier. Mandi and I were sitting chatting (Roger was on the phone doing work of some sort...as always LOL), waiting for our dinner and I was just playing around, taking random shots. I changed this picture to black and white because, as usual, my photo skills are not the greatest and the colors in the original were a bit off...I tweaked the black and white using an action and was pretty pleased with the final outcome. The papers I used were from a kit by RetroDiva, the Film Star collection.



the journaling is a quote by Helen Keller and says: "Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the face. " I thought it fit this picture perfect and is something I am trying to teach Mandi!

Okay, so I also found out by doing this challenge that my digi stash is a complete and total disaster of a mess!! I have everything on an external and also burned to disc but, nothing is organized for easy use! I had to search for what felt like hours to find papers etc..for this layout...that's because I just download all this cool stuff and that's it!! So, I spent the better part of yesterday starting to organize my stash. This is going to be a very long and ongoing project for me....but, once it is done I will be able to just click on a folder and see all the papers I have etc.. Maybe, just maybe I can have this done before the holidays hit...keeping fingers crossed!

Today, other than watching hours of scrappy goodness, I did manage to create another card! Can't take a picture of it now, no good light, so that will have to wait until tomorrow!!

Alright, that's about all for me today, so,

Until next time,
Blessings!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Yep, thinking that my post titles will be dates...just easier, and I'm all about making my life simpler and easier!

So, here we are, the end of another weekend. The weather here in Chicago this weekend was gorgeous!! It's been really nice to have the windows open but still be able to wear summer clothes, wish it was like this all the time..nope, not going there, feel myself going and I'm stopping it now! LOL!! So, I spent the weekend playing around in the sCRAP room. Finished up my mini album from the Carol Wingert class last week in Arizona...just need to decide on pics for it though...that in itself is the hardest part! I'm not going to take any pics and share until that part is done..just doesn't feel complete til then!

I'm also partaking in a challenge over at the Freak! I'm doing the card and digi challenges for the month of September in hopes of earning myself a blinkie! Ah, such simple pleasures for me huh? See...simple...there is a theme here! I'm a bit behind on them though, what with being gone on vacation, but I was able to make up the Sept. 12th card challenge this morning. It is based on a sketch by Amy, who is the moderator of the card challenges. I am also trying to be better about using up my stash, and since Halloween is just around the corner, I decided to do a take on the sketch with a Halloween theme..thus allowing me to use up some of the MM Spellbound papers I still have (used them on my Halloween house). It's just a simple card, and was my first time using a card of this size. Wonder who I will be sending it to! I mean, what is the purpose of making cards if you don't send them to someone!!



On the layout front...finished off this layout this week! Still using pictures from last November's photo shoot with Chris. Hey Chris, when you coming back to Chicago? I seriously need some new stuff! LOL This is just a simple page. Used some scalloped Bazzill, some KI Memories lace cardstock, various stamps, embellies etc..for the title and some florals! I have always loved music and the title to this layout was inspiried by one of my favorite ELO songs...yep, I love ELO! I've got a bunch more titles for layouts that are music inspired, so be on the lookout for those in my future!


Well, so, yeah...back to the routine of life. My vacation seems like eons ago, but, ah well, it is what it is!! Tomorrow morning it's the start to another week...gonna hook up with my girl Mary in the late a.m. for some brunch and talk, so looking forward to that...let's see, oh yeah, the pool is closing on Tuesday...bummer.....house needs cleaning and my hubs will be home on Friday. There ya have it, my week in a nutshell...hopefully there will also be some scrappy time in there too! Alright, I'm off to work on my digi challenge...so,

Until next time,
Blessings!

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008

Think I might just use dates for my titles...so much easier than thinking up something! I know I said that before..this time I think I mean it!

Just hanging out in the sCRAP room today. Working on finishing up a layout I started before I left for Arizona. I have to say, I've done so much scrapping (for me anyway) this summer and so far..fall. I seem to be much more organized with my time, getting everything done that needs to be and still having some good afternoon hours to play, as well as night hours too! I'm happy bout that, it feels good.

I'm feeling very contented with life right now and that is fabulous. For awhile I was kinda feeling restless...like, what do I do with myself...is this all there is...kinda feelings. I've got some irons in the fire (at least in the planning stages) and that has made me feel more alive I guess...that and the fact that I've been able to really get into my scrapbooking and stamping...that is helping a heck of a lot too! I'm trying not to stress about our impending winter weather...instead I'm looking into various ways to escape it, if even for just a weekend..I think if I can do that every so often, I'll be able to tolerate the winter blah...ick...and crap!! I will say that being in Arizona didn't do much to help me accept this plan though LOL! I WILL definitely be making a move outta here after Miss Mandi is done with high school...no doubt about it....b bye!!

so, yeah, spent 5 glorious days in Arizona with my sister. Had my Sonics....took sooooo many stinkin' Sonic pics that I am seriously going to do a mini album! I know, I know...a mini album about Sonic??? yep...

Here are just a couple of the pics I took....the first one Shari took of me, right after I landed at the airport..we seriously drove right to the nearest Sonic!



Then, here I am having my Cherry Limeaid (another day..yep, went there A LOT!!)


Okay, so I wanted a pic of Shari and me at said burger joint and, well...lets just say..I SUCK at the whole self portrait thing (so need to work on this skill)....anyways, this is the best of what I got..hee hee...and it will be in the mini, I'm just saying..

What else did I do, besides eat at Sonic you ask? Well, I finally made it to Melrose Vintage!


What a totally fabu store this is! So stinkin' cute inside....just how I'd love to decorate my home (well, if I was a single girl..can't say I'd do that to Roger...all frilly stuff's and floral pretties)..it was soooo cool to wander around inside, check out every single corner cause they had every single corner filled with amazing stuff! I bought myself a way pretty charm bracelet made by a local artist..she incorporates pieces of antique jewelry from her family into them...it's awesome! Also got a blingy, vintage-y photo frame, perfect for a picture of Miss Mandi!

Then it was time to venture on to Mystic Paper! I can't even tell you how I wish we had a Mystic Paper here! I scored myself some Graphic 45 (nobody carries them around me), some vintage labels, a ton of odd bits and bobs to add to layouts here and there, and some fun Halloween stuffs..can't wait for it all to arrive (had to ship it home to Chicago)...we actually hit Mystic Paper twice this time...

also did some antiquing at one of the local antique malls...got myself some cool things for the sCRAP room! I am so on my mission to redo this room....that is going to be my fall/winter project. It will involve paint, furniture and some major overhauling but I can't wait...I'm all inspired!

besides doing some mall shopping and hitting the Lucky Brand store (total bonus...scored myself a couple new pairs of my favorite jeans..the Sundown...why can't we have a Lucky Brand jeans store here either? I mean....)the crescendo of my entire trip was a class with Carol Wingert!!! I have been wanting to take a class with Carol forevah!! She just rocks creativity! I was able to spend an entire morning/afternoon playing in her class at Scrapbooks Etc., and we made the prettiest mini album...(will have to share that later...I still need to finish off a few pages). Carol then joined Shari and me for a yummy lunch at the fabulous Tia Rosa restaurant! Last time I was in Arizona I had wanted to go to this restaurant but didn't get out there...it was worth the wait! I really enjoyed getting to chat with Carol for a few hours, getting to know her better! What a lovely lady she is and such a talented artist! I was a total geek (of course) and Carol was nice enough to sign my copy of her book "Lifelines". Of course, as a scrapper, no event is complete without a picture...

There ya have it! I've only been back two days now and unfortunately it feels like a lifetime ago that I was there! Had the wildest plane ride home in my life...lets just say, if I wanted, I could be living as a wife with a super old Iraq-y dude, in IRAQ!!!...um, yeah...like I said, WILD ride home!!

Switching up the tunage too...playing some ear candy from Stephanie Meyer's Twilight playlist...loving these songs (just a few here on the blog though)...nothing else jamming in the sCRAP room but these! Can't wait for the movie...Shari might even fly in to see it with Mandi and me..how cool would that be?!

so until next time,
Blessings!

back in my hood...

hey!

back home from my trip to Arizona!! I had a great time, but am sooooo tired I can hardly stand it! I'll be back in a day or so with some pics and details!

let me just say this though, Melrose Vintage...HELL YES!!! love this store.....

okay, that's it...except that while reading my blogs, I saw a post that a beautiful, full of life mom, wife, friend and SISta, was killed suddenly this weekend in Texas....I'm feeling so sad, even though I didn't know her personally. My heart goes out to her family and friends. Take a minute, reflect on all that you have and give your thanks...life is a total uncertain for us, a gift that can be taken at any second....cherish those seconds and the people that you love and love you.

Until next time,
Blessings!

Outta here!!

I am outta here! Off to visit the sis in Arizona. Gonna do a ton of cool things, visit Mystic Paper, Melrose Vintage, SONIC! (yeah baby, so damn excited about my Cherry Limeaid!) and the best, take a class at Scrapbooks Etc, with Carol Wingert!! I can't even tell you how freakin' stoked I am to be taking a class with Carol!

Bags are all packed...well, all but one or two things, and I'm back and forth on taking Mack with me..do I? don't I? Will I really use him much or is it just gonna be extra schlepping for me? Oy, I hate that I can't decide..oh well...will make a decision on the fly I guess...

so, off to bed early, leaving on a jet plane way to early in the a.m., but this girl wants to kick her vaca into high gear and start as soon as possible!

If Mack goes with me, maybe I'll do some blogging from the road???? hummm...could be fun......

If not, I'll be back in about a week!


Oh yeah, and because I think this guy is a hottie....I've got him singing on the blog...enjoy! (yeah, I know.....whatevah!)

Until next time,
Blessings!

Inspired!!

Happy Sunday! Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend! I'm having a terrific one...spent time cleaning the house, running just a few errands and SCRAPPING!!! Last night, I decided to hang out in the sCRAP room and play!! I watched "Live Free, Die Hard" (love me my action movies...love me my Bruce!) and decided to do a layout that I had in my mind for awhile! I originally had a different title for this one, but while working on it, the "So You" title just popped into my head and I liked it! I'll save my other cute title for another layout!

I have this friend Cathy, and she has such an amazing sense of style! I just love to look at her layouts, they are always so beautiful. What totally kills me is that she just does them! No real thought, she just creates! I wish I had that ability to just sit down and make something beautiful without all the constant pains of thought...plans, re-thinking, blah, blah, blah! I decided that I was going to use Cathy's style as the inspiration for this layout. It isn't how I normally scrap (though, wish it was LOL), and so after browsing all her eye candy in her gallery at the Freak, I got a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do with my layout! I have to say, while it took me awhile to get into the groove of it, once I got going, I had a great time creating! I used only white Bazzill as the base, Bo-Bunny rub-ons, Thickers (of course), a chunk of Making Memories ribbon (halloween ribbon too!) and sparkly brads, and a few florals to which I added some blingy gems to the centers! Look, no patterend papers!! Jump back!! LOL!! I am sooo happy with how this turned out that I might just use Cathy for more inspiration in my future layouts! The pictures I took of Miss Mandi a few weekends ago when we were having lunch at Navy Pier.


Thanks Cathy! Thanks for all your beautiful work and the inspiration you give to me!

Until next time,
Blessings!

Challenged!

How fun are challenges?!! I haven't really participated in any challenges before...just never thought to do it, or I figured..why? But, I have to say, I am having a lot of fun doing the challenges over at the Freak! Monica and the girls have brought back the Freaky Friday Challenges (they had been on hiatus during the summer) and I decided to try my hand at doing some of them, specifically the card and digi ones.

Last night I completed the first Card Challenge. This challenge was to use one of the PageMaps card sketches for September 2008, to use something new in our stash, and to make it a thank-you card. I used my old Basic Grey Black Tie patterned papers, Bazzill cardstock, my SU corner rounder to create the scalloped piece of cardstock, my SU window punch, MM letter stamps, a Heidi Grace polka dot floral embellie, and my "new" stash product was the grey trim from Chatterbox! I am in need of about 10 thank you cards so this was a good jump start for me!

Today I worked on the first Digi Challenge. This challenge was to use one photograph, 3 patterened papers and 2 different embellishments. I used a gorgeous kit by Summer Driggs "Vintage Oreos" (I love this kit!!). The font is Occidental. I also changed my original picture from color by adding a Vintage action and some vignetting to the edges...I also added the EZ Vignette to the entire layout once I had everything in place! Of course the subject is my beloved Ozzi!!


As for the rest of my weekend...I don't have too much planned...I'm feeling all inspired so I might just hang out here in the sCRAP room and play!

Until next time,
Blessings!

Two Days????

in a row of posting!! Whoa!! LOL

Not much to say today...spent the afternoon playing around in my sCRAP room...made a couple cards (will share those another time) and afterwards, while sitting at my puter, I decided to just fiddle a bit with some digi stuff...man, I love digi, it's just so easy to sit and play and not have any mess to drag out or clean up!!

I seriously need to work on organizing the tons of digi supplies I have. Most of my supplies are on an external but the papers and embellies for this layout I happened to have sitting on my harddrive (I need to move a bunch of stuff to the external). It was kind of a challenge to just use what was available to me in that moment...sure, I coulda hooked up the external and had all my crap but, call me lazy LOL...

anyways, I'm pretty happy with how this turned out..nice and simple!


Credits: Photo frame - Karen Russell, Papers and Embellishments - Michelle Coleman, Brush - Katie Pertiet for Designer Digitals, Font - Pea Jay.

Alright, that's it for now...
Until next time,
Blessings!

September!

Happy belated Labor Day ya'll! Hope everyone had a nice, long weekend. Mandi and I spent Saturday up at the Renaissance Faire in Bristol, it rocked! This was our 4th time up this season (next year I'm doing season passes) and we enjoyed it as always! Sunday I floated around in my pool for awhile and my mom came over for dinner and some pool time too! Monday, again, hanging in the pool and a traditional Labor Day bbq with mom! Sadly, Miss Mandi developed a nasty cold on Saturday evening so she hasn't been able to enjoy the weekend as much as she had hoped...send some get well wishes her way if ya can!

Here we are in a new month...just a few more weeks and it will be officially fall. I've stated a hundred times here so far that I am dreading winter, but I am trying not to focus too much on that fact, instead I'm trying to love fall like I always do, and for all that fall brings, the crisp air, the beautiful colors and the apple pies I love!! Mom made a batch of homemade applesauce on Sunday and brought some over...oh my heck, can I just say delish! I told her that she seriously needs to show me how she makes hers applesauce step by step, so that is my plan for the next coming weeks...I know Mandi will be in serious applesauce heaven, it's one of her favorites!

What else did I do this weekend? Well, in keeping with the Halloween theme, I played around in the sCRAP room and made a few cards! Using some of the scraps of papers left over from my Halloween House project, this is what I came up with:
I used some Thickers for the word "Boo"...love me my Thickers!! I also used a sketch that I found at this gals blog, Ana Wohlfahrt. I have been surfing tons of card making blogs lately and ran across hers..I altered the sketch just a smidge and didn't use the small title block part...and, I've decided that I really like sketches, heck, it takes all the pressure off of me in having to create a design! LOL I will still create some of my own, but I am so loving the fact that someone else has done the hard part for me! :)

Using the same basic sketch idea, I created this next one. I used some Melissa Francis papers that I got last year this time while visiting my sister in Arizona at the fabulous Mystic Paper! I'm heading out there next week again and hope to stock up on some more yummy goodness!! Added to this one is a cardstock sticker! I also turned on my sewing machine and did a little stitching around the border..

Today was the bestest happy mail day!!! I got orders from Cornish Heritage Farms, Papertrey Ink, Ellen Hutson and my kit from Carol Wingert!! I am so stoked with all my new goodies, can't wait until after dinner tonight when I can play a little!

What else is going on? Well, I'm huge into reading "The Art of Happiness" by his Holiness the Dalai Lama. I have always had a fascination with Tibetan Buddhism but it wasn't until my trip to Cambodia/Malaysia this past winter that I really developed an intense interest in learning more about it! While I enjoyed every aspect of the wonderful experience I had, meeting and getting to have my picture taken with a couple of Buddhist monks was a highlight for sure!
(this was a layout I did for a challenge awhile back).

come on, just look at this man, doesn't he exude peace and contentment? My wish is to one day be able to travel to India to hear him speak, what an experience for life that would be!

I really recommend you to read his book "The Art of Happiness", if you are looking for a way to bring total happiness and contentment and peace to yourself, this will certainly be a jumping off point for you.

Alright then, I think that's about it for me today! Gotta run, dinner needs to be started and I've got a ton of new toys just calling my name to be played with!

Until next time,
blessings!