And Sometimes You Cry

I've been gathering my strength to post that my grandmother died on Monday morning.  It was very peaceful.  It was so easy compared to what we have been through previously.  That probably sounds bad, but it's true after everything else we've been through.  Now, both Erik and I have lost a complete set of grandparents.  I know it's a fact of life, but this has been really sad.  It's sad to know they are both gone.  My mom has no parents.  The two people who helped me so much in my life are gone.  They helped me with homework, science projects, took care of my brother and I.  They cooked our dinner.  Made us Black Cows.  Taught us how to swim.  They picked me up from practice.  They were there.  There is just something entirely sad when a pair of people you love disappear from the planet.  I am thankful that my grandmother and grandfather were part of my life.  Many people don't get that privilege.  I know this has been hard on my mom too.   I can't help appreciating how much my kids love my mom and how good she is to them.  For tonight, I bid farewell to Jay and Kate...Grandmother and Grandfather.  Thanks for the memories.

Clique Kits Pep Rally "Study Abroad"

Hello there lovely ladies, and a few gents.  Welcome to the Clique Kits Pep Rally.  You should have arrived here from Alisha's blog.  Today we are sharing our projects for the Clique Kits September Kit,  Study Abroad.  I loved this kit.  I loved the bright colors, the origami hearts, and the Washi Tape.  There were so many personal touches to this kit, which is what I love about Clique Kits.  This month's theme was "Be Daring"

"The Clique challenges you to try something DARING this month! We think you are awesome and unique, and special in your own right-so go shine your light!"
(-via Beautiful Nomad)

I took this quote literally, when I created this 12x12 layout of my son at the lake.  He and my husband were shining the flashlight around the fire just before we sent the kids off to bed.

And some close-ups.

The "Shine"  title and the stars are my files which you can download for your Silhouette here (If you use them, just link them back to me):  Shine and Stars.  I didn't have time to convert them to .PNG.  If you are interested in that, please let me know.

The next layout is my Project Life Spread.  This was the week that we went back to Colorado for Ross and Wally's Memorial.  

Entire Spread

Left Side

Right Side

So, there you have it.  I hope you have a great day.  I also hope you enjoyed the Clique Kits Pep Rally this month.  If you aren't a subscriber and want to be one, make sure to sign up now!  October Kits are sold out.  New subscriptions will be added in November.  Don't forget all of the special edition holiday kits.  They will be sold out before you know it.  So make your purchase now!  
Here is the blog list.  In case you got lost along the way.

Clique Kits
Gia
Jody
Erica
Lacey
Stephanie
Rosann
Tyra
Danielle
CharityCassandra
Madge
Sarah
Alisha---You came from here.
Mariah---You are here.

Clique Kits September Challenge

Hi everyone!  As I mentioned earlier this month, Clique Kits is hosting a September Challenge on their blog.  It's sponsored by Pink Fresh Studio.  All you have to do is link up any project of yours and you will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Pink Fresh Studio!  You can enter a card, a layout, a project life spread, anything.  So, I'm going to enter my project because I could use $25 to spend at Pink Fresh Studio.  They have some awesome Glitter Washi Tape, and tons of super cute products.  So, here's my layout.  I created it using the #CliqueKits #September Kit #StudyAbroad.

I used the Chalkboard Paint that came in my kit to make a journaling spot.  My handwriting is not at it's best with the chalk I had on hand, but hey it works.  That blue glitter Washi and the wood vaneers are from Pink Fresh Studio.  Aren't they cute?  Of course, I had to cut out some little red hearts to complete the layout.  

And a little closeup.  I love the little cardboard people.

Now for some housekeeping items:

*You can enter the challenge until September 30.  I hope you all decide to participate because it's so worth the gift certificate.

*I'm running a September Challenge in my Facebook Group, Scrappy Girls.  Check it out and join our group.  

*As a Clique Kits Design Team member, I get a discount code to share with all of you.  Visit the Clique Kits Store and enter MARIAH10 to get 10 percent off of you purchases.

*Clique Kits is offering limited edition kits for the upcoming holiday season.  Make sure you visit the store and sign up because they will sell out quickly.  

*If you want to subscribe to Clique Kits monthly subscription, I would do so now.  They are awesome kits.  Lots of other people think so too because they are sold out for September and October Kit purchases.  Make sure you sign up if you want a November Kit.

*Don't forget the Pep Rally on September 24.  I'll be participating.  I have a Project Life Spread and a layout to share, as well as some free cut files.

Whew.  That was a lot.  Hope you have a Happy Sunday!

Project Life Week 27

Good morning!  I'm going to share my Project Life Week 27 layout with you.  It's for the week of 4th of July.  We always celebrate JoJo's birthday on the 4th since his is on the 5th of July.  I'm sure he's going to be upset when he learns the fireworks are not just for his birthday.  Anyhow, here you go.  For this week, I used one of my Studio Calico Kits.    

I will stitch up the pocket with the little flowers after I add next weeks pictures.  

Left Side:  Doesn't my brother look so thrilled to be at the Light Parade?  I love the picture of JoJo leaping into the water on the top.

Right Side:  Maddie looks stunned.  I just kept it simple for the layout.

Close up.  Maddie's stunned head is a little creepy but there's nothing I can do about that.  Those little flowers will be stitched into the pocket when next week's layout is done.  I learned that lesson the hard way a few weeks back.  I had to coordinate with the paper I stitched in there as I couldn't unstitch the pocket.

So there is Week 27 for you!

I have tons of housekeeping to take care of so come back tomorrow to check it out.

Clique Kits October Kit

Hey there.  It's been a little crazy around here.  I did want to show you a little peek at the October Clique Kits "Masquerade Ball" Kit.  I'll try to catch up on all of my sneaks for next week's Blog Hop, Project Life Layouts and such this weekend.  So here you go.  I can't wait to get started with projects and show the full reveal later this next week.

Happy Friday!

Project Life Week 26

Finally, I'm posting Week 26.  This was the week of my friend Jeff's memorial.  Everyone came from all over the country to celebrate his life.  Over 500 people attended the memorial.

I couldn't find the photos of this layout on my computer, and I was incredibly busy with a wedding I had to help photograph.  Inadvertently, I found the photos on a flash drive and didn't have to retake them.  I was pleased with that.  So here you go.  I used the June Clique Kits Kit for this week.

Entire layout:  I loved the handwriting stickers from the kit.

Below is the left side.

Right Side Below:  We actually had an earthquake in TorC.  

So there you have it!  Enjoy your Sunday.

Clique Kits September Challenge

Clique Kits launched their very first challenge this Saturday...I'm late to announce as I was out of town with no Internet.  Sorry!  I just wanted to share this challenge with all of my readers.  

So here's the deal:

The Challenge:  Create a layout or project with any supplies and submit it to the Clique Kit's Blog Post here.

• You may combine our challenge with other challenges
• You may enter our challenge up to 3 times
• Link up your projects by September 30th by 11:59pm CST
• You are not required to use a Clique Kit to link up
• You're not required to use Pink Fresh Studio to link up
• Create any type of project (layout, card, project life, mini albums, etc.)
• Link directly to your challenge project entry post. 

A winner will be chosen randomly.  What's the prize???  A $25 gift certificate to Pink Fresh Studio!

Hunting Pictures

Here are just a few pictures of our hunting trip.  Unfortunately, we didn't get an elk.  Unless you're an elk...Then, it's fortunate.  Really, I'm just happy to spend time with the boys.  I am also glad to help them learn to appreciate our world.

Wild Thing (12x12 Layout and a Free Cut File)

Hello there everyone!  I hope you've had a fabulous week.  Today, I wanted to share with you a 12x12 layout I made.  When I saw the background paper, it instantly reminded me of the book, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.  It is one of my favorite childhood books of all time.  Strangely, my children don't actually like it that much.  To each his own, I guess.  Anyhow, here is the layout.

That is my "Wild Thing" JoJo.  He went through a stage of being a werewolf, and that was him making his werewolf sound when I snapped the photo.  I just changed the quote from the book...to mom not Max saying "Be Still"  I included the anchor as a little symbol from the book as Max sails off on his private boat.  To add some definition to the clouds, I rubbed some Distress Ink on them.  I also popped a few of them up of the page with paper rolled into a ball and stuck down with adhesive. At the time, I didn't think I had any foam stickers...I learned that I, in fact did, when last weekend we had a small hazmat situation on our hands in the laundry room.  I digress.  That's a story for another day.  Let's just say, there is nothing Mod Podge can't do.  I also wanted to share the .PNG files and the cut files with you for "Wild Thing"  They actually say Wild Things, but I cut the "S" off.  If you choose to use them, link them back to my blog.  I would love to see what you do with them.  Here is the .PNG.  Here is the Silhouette Cut File.

If you have any issues, let me know.  I've changed my downloads from Google Drive to Dropbox!  

Project Life Week 25

Hello there Everyone!!  Here is my Project Life Week 25 Layout. 

 Here is the whole spread.  For this week, I used my Clique Kits July Kit.  There are just a few of these July Kits left for sale at a discounted price so make sure you visit the Clique Kits Store if you wish to purchase it.

 Right Side:  Yes, that is Wolfie and Erik fixing the toilet.  The kids flushed a banana peel down the toilet.  Why?  I have no clue why my kids do half of the things they do.

Right Side:  That's our tarantula eating a cricket.

And a closeup of the journaling this week, not that there was a lot.  

There you have it.  Week 25!  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Exciting News!!!! I'm a Clique Kits Design Team Member (Bringing my A-Game)

I am so excited to announce that I have been selected as a design team member for Clique Kits.  I started subscribing to their Kit Club this summer and was completely amazed at the quality of the kits.  They are put together with a personal touch and filled with many lovely papers and embellishments.

Imagine my excitement when I learned that they would be putting together their very first design team.  I am extremely proud to be a member of the team.  I am in awe of the other team members who join me and their amazing talents.  Please stop by the Clique Kits Blog and check out the other team members.  I am also very excited to support a company that I truly believe in.  

I want to thank all of my blog readers for being a part of this and following me on this little journey.  Stay tuned for some exciting things in the near future.  I will be hosting challenges and giving away lots of goodies.  Don't forget, you can join me on Facebook with my group, Scrappy Girls.