SassaFras Awesomeness

Has anyone seen the new SassaFras embelishments????  They are so cute!  I love all things Sassafras.  Go to the link here to check them out.  You won't be sorry, or maybe you will because you will be broke...you'll want them all. 
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On another note, I'm hoping to possibly get some crafting done today...not going to well.  But, if I do, I will share with you tomorrow.

August Memory Works Express Kit

August Idea Express

August 2010 MemoryWorks Express Kit Contains:

Patterned Paper
{1} 12x12 Strawberry Jam - Fly a Kite (October Afternoon)
{1} 12x12 Ice Cream - Fly a Kite (October Afternoon)
{1} 12x12 Front Porch - Fly a Kite (October Afternoon)
{1} 12x12 Fireflies - Fly a Kite (October Afternoon)
{1} 12x12 Hope Street - Garden Grove (Scenic Route)
{1} 12x12 Sunday - Girls Friday (Cosmo Cricket)

Cardstock
{1} 12x12 Frosted Teal (Bazzill)
{1} 12x 12 Intense Kiwi (Bazzill)
{1} 12x12 Sugar Cream (Bazzill)
{1} 12x12 Suede Brown Dark (Bazzill)

Embellishments
{1} 12x12 Sheet Fly a Kite Sticker Shapes (October Afternoon)
{1} 12x12 Sheet Fly a Kite Journaling Cards (October Afternoon)
{1} 5.5x10 Sheet Fly a Kite Word Stickers (October Afternoon)
{1} 2 ½ x 3 Mini Alphas Clear Stamp with Gems (Prima)
{1} 3" Yellow Frosted Lollipops Flower - Assorted Colors (Prima)
{6} 6 ¼ x 3 1/8 Manila shipping Tags (MemoryWorks)
{1} 1 ½" Metal Book Ring (MemoryWorks)
{3} Jumbo Paper Clips (MemoryWorks)
{3} 1 ¼" Metal Rim Tags (MemoryWorks)
{5} Creative Café Orange Buttons - Assorted Shapes & Sizes (Creative Imaginations)
{5} Creative Café Lime Buttons - Assorted Shapes & Sizes (Creative Imaginations)
{1} ½ Yard 3/8" Red Grosgrain Ribbon (May Arts)
{1} ½ Yard 3/8" Yellow Sheer Dot Ribbon (May Arts)
{1} ½ Yard 3/8" Green Apple & Cream Gingham Ribbon (Creative Impressions)
{1} ½ Yard ½" Brown & Cream Dot Ribbon (Creative Impressions)
{1} ½ Yard Orange Cotton Rick Rack (Creative Impressions)
Bonus Cards

{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Frosted Teal (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Intense Kiwi (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Sugar Cream (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Suede Brown Dark (Bazzill)
{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Sunflower Medium (Bazzill)
{5} 5 3/4 X 4 3/8 Natural Envelopes

Hello there, again!

Hello, everyone.  I know it's been a while.  I've been out of town on vacation and now I'm busy setting my classroom up.  In case you didn't know, one of my layouts was chosen for publication in the July Edition of Scrapbook News and Review.  I'm so excited!!!

So we spent the part of last week and the weekend in Colorado visiting Erik's grandparents.  I'll share pictures with you all in a later post.  I have to go through all of them.  My summer is over.  I start back to school on Monday.  This year, I will have two kids in school!  We're all going to a brand new school.  It's really nice.  I did, however, hate it for the first two hours when I couldn't figure out how to lay out my classroom.  My husband and my friend, Pam (she teaches with me) moved the furniture back and forth.  It was like a movie,  "No I don't like it there.  How about over there?"  Funny.  Now, I'm exhausted from carrying boxes around and unpacking.  I don't know how I got so much stuff.  Okay, well, maybe I do.

My grandfather is still in the nursing home.  It doesn't look like he'll be able to go home.  As, my grandmother, doesn't want him there.  He is unable to take care of himself.  This is going to be a difficult time for my mother and aunt because they are going to have to end up taking my grandmother to court.  Either to get her declared incompetant (which she is), or to get 50% of the money for my grandfather's care.  Has anyone else ever been in a situation like this?  If so, what did you do?  It's so heartbreaking. 

Well, I didn't mean to depress anyone.  I hope summer is in full swing for those of you still in it.  I'm going to try and post tomorrow...the August Memory Works Express Kit.

Before and After...Our Backyard

Thought I would share my before and after pictures of our yard.  We finally really landscaped it.  It's not 100 percent finished, but it does look 100 percent better.  Enjoy.

From the porch to the left side of the yard.  Obviously before (there was a sandbox here and a shed but I didn't get out fast enough to take a picture)

After (we have a new basketball court for the kids)

Before: From the Garden to the yard

After

Before:  Garden to the gate

After

Before

After

After

Before

After

That's all because my camera battery ran out.  My husband worked really hard.  My brother and father in law really helped us out a lot as well.  I'm glad that we got it done, for the most part.  We'll add some more trees and finish the pavers around the grass once we save up some more money.  And one more picture of my little cutie.  He took his work so seriously.  He just informed me right now, that "we're operating the Mota (Kabota)" in this picture.

And let's not forget the underwear bandits.  I swear they get dressed everyday, but I cannot keep them in their clothes.

They will so hate me one day.

See ya later!

Thank You Card

Paper, flower, and brad are from MWExpress December Kit; Ranger Distress Inks

Hi there, everyone.  I'm just dropping in to say hi.  My grandfather was moved to a nursing home yesterday.  It's really nice.  We went on Sunday and took a tour, etc., etc.  I went to see him yesterday evening,  and this morning.  My mom, aunt, and Maddie went this afternoon.  What a hard thing this has been.  I spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up.   I was with them everyday.  They helped me with my homework, taught us how to swim, taught me how to cook, and countless other things.  I never thought this would happen.  Both of my grandparents are extremely healthy.  They're not on any medication at all.  Well, I guess my grandfather is due his congestive heart failure.  That only started in May.  I just thought one day I would get a call that said one of them had passed away in the night.  It is incredibly sad to leave your loved one at a nursing home.  Even if it's really nice place.  My grandfather looked so vulnerable and sad.  I know this is probably the best decision and that it's only temporary until he gets strong enough to go home.  But, it's still hard.  It's unfair.  My grandfather has always been mild-mannered and patient.  It's just sad that he has to go through this.  Well, I guess that's all for today.  Sorry to depress you.  I just wanted to say thanks to the people who have emailed me.  Thanks for the prayers. 

Finding Inspiration Week 2

Here is the prize for Week 2.  It's a five paper pack from Crate Paper.  If you are interested in winning this prize, just complete an assignment from Week 2's lesson and submit it via email.  I will choose one lucky person to win.  Here is the pdf for this week:  Finding Inspiration Week 2

Hope you enjoy. 

Update and a Quick tip

All pages made with Basic GreySupplies

No, you aren't having deja vu.  That is the same page three times.  As some of you know, I have 3 boys.  Each boy has their own scrapbook (in cronological order).  To cut down on the work, I make three sets of pictures and three pages with the same layout.  Each boy does get different and individualized pages in their albums as well.  But, this method really does help speed things up.  I also make a separate family album.  I don't scrapbook that in cronlogical order...just when I'm inspired by photos.

So, the past few days have been a whirlwind.  My grandfather is still in the hospital.  He has pnemonia, and is having a hard time breathing.  The doctors seem to think he'll be okay.  He'll have to stay in the hospital until he gets better.  I've been going to the hospital daily since Thursday.  It's a difficult time because my mom and aunt are going to have to make some difficult decisions.  They would like for him to go to assisted living, but my grandmother WILL NOT go.  She has been very mean this time around.  I think things are starting to get to her.  She says she doesn't want my grandfather to come home.  She thinks he's faking to get attention, and so he won't have to do the housework.  She does everything, but keep in mind she fired the cleaning lady that cleaned her house for 25 years (because she didn't do anything but talk to my grandfather).  So, we'll see what happens.  My grandmother is not normal in the head and it's extremely difficult.  My aunt and mom are probably going to have to get power of attorney.  It's really a very sad situation.

My husband landscaped our yard this past week.  It threw everything out of routine,  but it really looks nice.  There are still a few things that need to be done, but it looks so much better.  I will share some before and after pictures when I get them together.

My car was in the shop for 2 days.  The DVD player broke and it continuously tried to eject the DVD, which killed the battery.  It's still not fixed, but the DVD player has been disabled.  I'm going to have to take it back this week to get fixed.  

I'm really disappointed with the Post Office as well.  I sent some cards (24) to a customer.  They are lost.  I can't believe they are lost.  I've never had anything like that happen.  I'm hoping they will be sent back to me soon, or that the person will receive them.  They are for her birthday in August so they really need to get there. 

We've been watching the Tour de France.  I love watching it.  We Tivo it so we can watch it in the evenings.  Tonight is True Blood, Entourage, and Hung.  I love HBO Sundays.  I guess that fills you in on pretty much everything.   I'll post week 2 of Finding Inspiration tomorrow.  If anyone has their layouts done email them to me to be eligible for a prize.  Until next time.

Time is flying

Okay, everyone.  This will be a really quick post.  It was my intention to post some samples for My Class PDF.  However, this week has gone by too fast.  Between landscaping, car trouble, and now my grandfather being admitted to the hospital, I haven't had time.  So, I'm sorry to let the ball drop.  I don't know when I'll post next.  I'll be at the hospital all day tomorrow, I think.  My grandmother will be coming to stay with us.  My grandfather has pnemonia.  He was in the ER earlier this week.  My aunt took him back today and now they're admitting him down here.  He'll be arriving via ambulance shortly.  He's 92.  So, we'll see what happens.  Well, sorry to disappoint, and I do hope you got something from this 1st week's class.  Next week, we'll work on layout titles.  To get to the classroom just click on the Finding Inspiration Picture on the sidebar of this blog. I'll keep you posted.   

Don't have a title today

Fancy Pants and Prism Papers

Finding Inspiration Class Here

Hello, everyone!  I just wanted to do a quick post today.  It seems like there are so many things I want to share with you all but when it comes time to post them here, I forget.  My summer is almost over.  I can't believe how fast it has gone by.  I've been more lazy this summer than usual.  So, now it's time to get things done.  Tomorrow, my husband is going to start landscaping our backyard!   That is so exciting.  I hate my backyard right now.  It looks horrible.  I will take some before/after pictures to share with you.  He's going to pour a large slab of concrete where the kids can have a basketball court.  The gravel will be redone and more will be added to other areas of the yard.  I can't wait.  I want to be able to enjoy my yard. 

I'm considering doing a monthly album page.  I'm not sure if I want to take on that job as well as the others I have. Cathy Zielske has digital templates available, and I'm considering it.  Well, this was a random post with no real topic.  Hope you enjoyed it :)  Talk to you later. 

Week 1 of Finding Inspiration and the winners are...

Thanks to all of you who left comments and started following my blog.  I really enjoy blogging, and I just want to give you ideas that inspire you in your crafting.  I hope that you will enjoy what you see.  And with that, let's get to our winners.

Our first winner...Already a follower...goes to Sue!  Email me, Sue, with your address.

Next up...A new follower...goes to Naomi!  Naomi, email me, with your address, and I'll send you your prize. 

Congratulations!  Thanks to all for participating.
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Now, on to Week One of my first online class, Finding Inspiration.  You will find the class PDF here.
Complete your assignment by July 11 and email it to me.  I will post it on the Classroom Blog.  (The link is also on the sidebar of the blog).  I will randomly choose one participant to win a prize.

Don't forget to pass this info on to anyone you think might be interested.

Happy 4th of July...God Bless America

Hello, Everyone!  I just wanted to share some pictures of our 4th of July celebration yesterday.  (For the Blog Hop, go here.)  I love 4th of July, and I think it's because my son's birthday is on the 5th.  Therefore, we always have a party and fireworks.  This year, however, was different.  We went to the lake and camped in all of the craziness.  It was my first attempt at photographing fireworks, and a lot of the pictures came out pretty well.  So here we go...

Not the best picture, but wanted to give  you an idea of the ridiculous amount of people at the lake.

 A cool frog we found in my grandmother's pool.  It has the coolest eyes.

Another picture of the craziness.  There's about 3 or four more boats to the right that are not in the picture.  The people are packed in like this for miles of shoreline.

JoJo eating his birthday cake.

Maddie with his sparkler.

Wolfie with his sparkler.

The boats tied up out on the water.  Erik and JoJo waiting for the show.

Fire Works

Shot of the island where the fireworks are lit.

My favorite...I set this as the desktop background.

Maddie fell asleep while waiting to roast his marshmallow.  He refused to go to bed until he had one.  We couldn't get the fire started.  So, he fell asleep while waiting.  Once the fire got going Maddie said to roast the marshmallow for him.  He ate one marshmallow and went to bed.

Tonight, we're going to light some fireworks and go to the city's firework display at 10pm. 

I hope you all enjoy your  weekend.  I'll be back tomorrow to post the bloghop winners and to post the Week One Finding Inspiration PDF.  Thanks to all of the men and women who have fought for our freedom.  Happy 4th of July!

Christmas in July Blog Hop

Hello everyone and welcome to our Christmas in July Blog Hop!  You should have been at Lisa's Blog before this final stop.  Please stop and look around.  I've added a gallery of my work on the side of my blog.  Also, I will be offering a free class starting Monday, July 5.  You can find more information here.  I have a card tutorial to share with you today.  It's never too early to start preparing for Christmas.  So, I'm going to give you instructions for this card.  I made it for my dad for Father's Day.

This card was made with the June MWExpress Kit.  The design is easily adaptable for Christmas cards.  You could even tuck a gift card inside.  So, here are the steps:

1.  First, cut a piece of 12x12 Cardstock to 6.5 inches by 12 inches.

2.  Score the paper at 1 3/4 inches, and 7 inches.

3.  Fold on the score lines.  I used a border punch to add a decorative edge to the small flap.

4.  Embellish the front.  I used a piece of cardstock cut at 4x6 inches.  I used a stamp from Hero Arts, Ranger Distress Inks (Faded Jeans), and Perfect Pearls for the embossing resist technique on the cardstock. 

5.  Add a border strip and some buttons to the corner. 

6.  Close up your card with some coordinating ribbon.

This really is a simple, quick card to make.

Also, I'm offering a prize for those of you who subscribe or follow my blog.  So, just sign up by entering your email address into the feedburner tab, or follow in your blogreader.  Leave a comment letting me know that you signed up.  If you are already a follower, leave a comment and let me know as well, because you are eligible too.  In fact, I'm feeling generous.  One new subscriber/follower will win this kit, and one "already subscriber/follower"  will win too.  So, be sure to leave a comment.  This contest is open to everyone, including international visitors.

   

Now, don't forget to visit the Memory Works Blog.  The design team comes up with wonderful, inspiring projects. 

Simple Stories is the exclusive line from Memory Works.  I love this kit.  New designs are going to be available soon...In August!!  So go here to keep up to date with the latest happenings. 

Here is the complete bloglist, incase you missed one.  And DON'T forget to go back to Sue's Blog after this for a chance at a second prize.  She has some lovely ones, she's been such a busy elf. 

Sue

Liz

Wendy

Lynn

Sharon

Noelle

Shelley

Rosann

Jenn

Maryann

Luisa

Lisa

Me

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm glad you came.  Enjoy your 4th of July Weekend.

It's July!

July Express Kit

July 2010 MemoryWorks Express Kit Contains:

Patterned Paper

{1} 12x12 Stamp Die Cut - Panorama (Making Memories)

{1} 12x12 Ledger Palm Tree -Panorama (Making Memories)

{1} 12x12 Exploration Words - Panorama (Making Memories)

{1} 12x12 Seaside Chic - On the Boardwalk (Graphic 45)

{1} 12x12 She Sells Seashells - On the Boardwalk (Graphic 45)

{1} 12x12 High Style Holiday - On the Boardwalk (Graphic 45)

Solid Cardstock

{1} 12x12 Tawny Medium (Bazzill)

{1} 12x 12 Spring Willow Medium (Bazzill)

{1} 12x12 Sugar Cream (Bazzill)

{1} 12x12 Papaya Puree Medium (Bazzill)

Embellishments

{3} 6x9Sheets Black Happy Valley Letter Stickers (Scenic Route)

{8} Tootsie Orange flower Pot Flowers- Assorted Shapes & Sizes (Bazzill)

{6} 2 ½ x 3 ½ Panorama Die Cut Artist Trading Cards (Making Memories)

{5} Panorama Journaling Tickets - Assorted Shapes & Sizes (Making Memories)

{1} Panorama Treasure Box (Making Memories)

-6-Large Luggage Tags with Twine Ties

-6-Pearl Pennant Pins

-5-Stamps with Glassine Envelope

-62" Bakers Twine

-50-Coordinating Buttons

{1} ½ Yard 3/8" Aquamarine Double Dot Ribbon (Bo Bunny)

{1} ½ Yard 3/8" Black & Cream Gingham Ribbon (Creative Impressions)

{1} ½ Yard Rust Jumbo Cotton Rick Rack (Creative Impressions)

Bonus Cards

{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Tawny Medium (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 Papaya Puree Medium (Bazzill)

{1} 5.5 x 8.5 Intense Teal (Bazzill)

{5} 5 3/4 X 4 3/8 Natural Envelopes

All of this for $29.95 plus shipping and tax

July Ideas Express

Hi everyone.  It's been a while.  I just wanted to say hi.  I'll post later today, I think.  Also, don't forget our bloghop starting tomorrow, July 2!