Inspiration Class being offered

Hi, Everyone!  I'm excited to introduce my class, Finding Inspiration, that will start July 5.  It's a three week class to show you how to use magazines for inspiration in scrapbooking.  I don't mean scrapbooking magazines.  I mean regular, old magazines you have laying around your house.  You will get downloadable PDF's with sketches and ideas for creating scrapbook layouts.  Classes will be presented each Monday.  Your participation is encouraged.  There will be drawings for prizes during the course for those who participate.  At the end of the course, one lucky participant will receive a BIG prize...worth $29.95.  So, please join me. (Make sure to subscribe or follow this blog to join the class, and to receive updates)   I can't wait to get started.  Pass this information along to others.  The more, the merrier.

Summer is....

...Being Silly

...Riding Bikes

...Making Messes

...THE LAKE...

...Relaxing

...Take Out

Water Fights

...Reading

...enjoying....

I hope you're enjoying your summer.  Create a layout about what summer means to you.

Fun Little Project Idea

Fancy Pants Papers for the flowers, Basic Grey Cardstock for the base.  Unknown Paper for the butterflies.

Here is a fun, easy project made with a toilet paper roll.  I mean, this project is really super easy.  I love how the flowers came out.  Here is the link for the instructions.  It's a video from Cosmo Cricket.

Enjoy it!  I really hope you try it out!

So Far Summer Reccomendations

Books I reccomend.  I'm going to start #2 of the Stieg Larrson Trilogy.  Sh*t My Dad Says, is Hilarious.  If you're offended by curse words, it's not for you.  But I loved it.  It was a great book.  I'm a big fan of the Alex Cross Novels by James Patterson.

Movies and Shows

Blogs to visit

Cathy Zielske

Stephanie Howell

Ella Publishing

Hero Arts

Susan Weinroth

And, the others on the side of my blog.  I need to add these to my list.  Well, I hope you enjoy your day.  Let me know what you guys think, if you've seen or read some of the reccomendations.  Today, if I get a chance, I'll post some scrap-related stuff.  I have to take my dog to the vet this afternoon to get her stitches taken out.  She has a 6-7 inch incision on her back.  I took a picture, but didn't want  to gross you out.  See ya!

Reason #235 and a Happy Father's Day Shout Out

Reason #235 of why men don't scrapbook...They think your Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist is to be used for building beer can pyramids.

Also, Happy Father's Day!  I hope you all enjoy your Sunday.  See you tomorrow!

Under the Weather

Made with the June 2010 MW Express Kit (except for tooth stickers)

Well, we are a little sick around here.  Maddie has a bout of the stomach flu.  He had me up a lot last night.  Today is a Lazy day with a capital "L". 

Here is the cure for any illness.  Maddie got a little bit down.

The sick boy, himself.  Yes, I'm sure someday he will hate me for posting such wonderful pictures for all to see.

Needless to say, my motivation for crafting of any sort has gone out the window.  However, motivation for a nap is high.  So in about 30 minutes I will be putting JoJo down and partaking in a nap.  Perhaps, I will feel more motivated afterwards. 

I swear, I do have some projects to share with you.  Someday I will post them.  Sorry, I guess to be honest, the motivation for anything has been low this week.  Next week will be better...I hope.  Well, it better be because I'm driving myself crazy :) 

Fancy Pants Papers and Die Cuts

Sorry, the photo is a little blurry.  JoJo used to empty out my clothes hamper and pretend it was his boat.  He took an early nap today.  So, I have a bit of time to post.  Well, that's all for today.

So Cute!!!!

This is just some of the cuteness I received today via UPS.  I looooooooooovvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeee this stuff.  I love it so much that I even added a blinkie on the side of my blog.  Head over to my website, and order this stuff.  You will not be disappointed.  There are two more paper sets that I did not post here.  They are just as cute, but they are more girlie...for those of you with girls, which I do not have ;)  Well, that's all for today.  Maybe I can photograph some of my new layouts tomorrow when the light is better.  Truthfully, I am desperate for some rain.  Sure would be nice.  Good Day, friends.

Hello

Just a quick post today.  I haven't done one in a few days.  It's been a busy week.  I just wanted to say, "hi!"  I went to a crop this weekend and got a few pages done.  It was nice to scrapbook for myself.  I've been busy making cards and other stuff for customers.  I will share some of my layouts this week.  I can't wait for True Blood to start tonight.  I love that show.  Well, I'm off to spend time with my husband.  Enjoy your families tonight.

Then and Now...Happy Birthday, Wolfie

Then and Now

The first photo is one of my favorites. It was taken shortly after Wolfie's first birthday.  The second one was taken his last day of school in May.  Then he would let me take his pictures.  Look at his cute little chubby cheeks.  It's hard to believe that he was so small.  This was when we only had one boy in our family.  It seems like a lifetime ago.  Now, we have three wild ones.  Wolfie won't hardly ever let me take a picture of him.  His teeth are missing...taken by the toothfairy in the middle of the night.  His knees are skinned from a bike wreck.  He's a good reader, a good student, and a very good helper to me.  He loves to play games, ride his bike, jump on the trampolin, and read.  So much has changed in our lives.  This is our first boy.  The one who taught us how to take care of babies.  The first boy we will have to guide through life and teach values and morals to.  He is our teacher.  What we learn from parenting him, we teach to his brothers.  He paves their path.  I love him and am so proud of him.

Uugh!

This bright, sunny card in no way reflects my mood today.  I am just in some sort of blah state.  I got my Creating Keepsakes in the mail yesterday and felt so inspired to make cute layouts.  But, somehow, all the creativity has been sucked away.  Perhaps it's my house with the dirty dishes and piles of laundry; the kids whining and crying; or the stupid hospital sending me bills that I've already paid.  I'm on hold as I'm typing right now.  I really need a nap, but Maddox refuses to let me sleep for even 5 minutes.  I'm up early because my husband gets up and is super noisy.  He doesn't feed the dogs and they get me up as soon as he leaves.  Then, the iPad we've been awaiting arrived today...while I was gone and could not sign for it.  Ugh!  Maybe tomorrow will be a better day with less whining.  Sorry everyone, thanks for listening if you made it to the end of this post.

Weekend Fun

We went to the lake this weekend.  It was a much needed mini-vacation.  It was our first trip to the lake.  It was only 104 degrees.  Here are a few pictures.

Is this overkill?  Erik decided to put the woodpile in front of the trailer.  So, unless we wanted to spend an hour in hundred degree tempratures moving a woodpile, this was the easiest way to get the trailer.

The kids first time on the intertube.  Look how thrilled they are.

Here they go!  I wished I had my zoom lense to capture the pure terror on their faces.

They made it!

Wolfie's turn.  He's with his cousin.  He's giving the slow down signal.  He did that the entire time.  If we went any slower we would have been stopped.

As you can see, they were going so slow you really didn't need to hold on.

Sunset

Fireboy Maddie

JoJo's little fish.  We hit a school of small white bass.  We were catching them left and right.  So, JoJo got to reel this one in.

That's all for today.  This week will be a busy one.  Wolfie will turn 7.  I do have a few projects to share with you this week.  I really need to buy ink so I can print pictures.  It's just so expensive.  But, we'll see what I can do.       

My Beautiful Grandma

April MWExpress Kit

My Grandma Alice, turned 80 on Sunday.  I made the card above for her with the Memory Works Express Kit.  My Grandma is the most beautiful woman I know.  She raised three boys pretty much as close in age to mine.  She is the best Grandma in the world.  Once when I was sick...in high school, she made me homemade chicken soup.  She force fed me Vitamin C tablets routinely throughout the day.  She is the sweetest, most mild woman you will ever meet. 

I love to play tricks on her, because she always falls for them.  And, I love to hear her laugh and say, "Oh Mariah" with her southern accent when she finds out I'm playing a trick on her.  She always tries to force feed you more food even if you're stuffed.  Yes, I do love my grandma.  I am so lucky to have her in my life.  My children are so lucky to have her in their lives. 

And just one more card made with the April kit....

....I'm off to help Crafty Maddie with his butterflies.

June MW Express Kit

June Idea Express

June 2010 MemoryWorks Express Kit Contains:

Patterned Paper

{1} 12x12 Botanical Blue - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 12x12 Spontaneous Floral - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 12x12 Pleasant Stripe - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 12x12 Floral Swirl - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 12x12 Helpful Houndstooth - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 12x12 Sweet Circles Die Cut - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 12x12 Collectors Item - Thrift Shop (October Afternoon)


Solid Cardstock
{1} 12x12 White (Bazzill)
{1} 12x 12 Spring Willow Medium (Bazzill)
{1} 12x12 Sugar Cream (Bazzill)
{1} 12x12 Birchtone Dark (Bazzill)

Embellishments
{1} 3x6 Calendar Card - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 3x6 ½ Lined Journaling Card - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 4x6 Transparency Frame - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{2} 2x2 ½ Die Cut Journaling Cards - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1} 3x4 Library Card - So Sophie (My Minds Eye)
{1}¾" Roll Lime Artisan Tape (Pink Paislee)
{1}6x12 Sheet Chocolate Whimsies Alphabet Stickers (Pink Paislee)
{5} Daisy or Dahlia Flowers plus 2 Gem Centers- Assorted Styles & Sizes (Petaloo)
{2} Metal Trinket Pins (Tim Holtz)
{6} Metal Mini Paper Clips (Tim Holtz)
{10}Metal Mini Brads (Tim Holtz)
{1} 6x6 Sheet Chipboard Button Shapes (Scenic Route)
{3} ¾" Vintage Mini Circle Tags (Making Memories)
{1} Yard 3/8" Green Grosgrain Dot Ribbon (May Arts)
{1} Yard 5/8" Turquoise & Brown Dot Ribbon (May Arts)
{1} Yard Natural Burlap Twine (May Arts)

Bonus Cards
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 White (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Spring Willow Medium (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Sugar Cream (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Brichtone Dark (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Intense Teal (Bazzill)
{5} 5 3/4 X 4 3/8 Natural Envelopes



A new month means a new kit.  I LOVE the Memory Works Express Kits.  I really think they are a great investment.  I can't say enough about them.  There are plenty of supplies to complete several projects.  It also gives me a nice variety in my scrapbook stash.  Let's face it...we all have our own styles and buy the same things that fit in our style.  With the kits, someone else coordinates a lovely kit with items you never would have chosen.  These kits really inspire my creativity.  Tomorrow, I'll be back with a beautiful card I made with the April Express kit, for a beautiful lady...my grandma.
Enjoy your day.

And the Winner is.....

Thank you all so much for participating in our Backyard Blog Hop.  It was a lot of fun.  All of the Memory Works Consultants did a great job.  Thanks for all of the wonderful comments.  So now, it is time to announce the winner....

Comment Number 21...as per the random generator that I cannot figure out how to post here.  So that means that Sharyn DePriest is our winner!!!!!!!  Send me an email so I can get your address. 

Have a good day everyone!