This and That

It's been so long since I've just posted about me and mine and what's been going on around here.  So here we go.  

1.  We've been keeping up with our Real Food Diet.  I recently purchased Lisa Leake's cook book, 100 Days of Real Food, which I love.  I highly recommend it.  It is packed with information from her blog, and wonderful recipes and meal plans.  I cook a lot with her recipes and I can't say there hasn't been one I haven't liked.  Everything I've ever made using one of her recipes has been a big hit in our house.  

2.  We got a membership to Costco.  I decided to do this because it's so expensive to try and keep up with solely Real Food in your home.  We got the basic membership, Gold Star, after much contemplation.  We went in and looked at all of the food and prices.  We decided to go ahead and get it because it would save us so much money when it came to meats and healthy snacks.  This first trip we saved $35 as compared to what I'd pay at a local grocery store.  That's only $20 away from the cost of membership.

3.  I am really missing my iPhone...better known as Mariphone.  Maralaxy is nice, but I want my iPhone back.  Guess I found that out the hard way.  It's my punishment for being a traitor.  

4.  I'm on a country music kick right now.  I completely love American Kids by Kenny Chesney.  It's such a small town song, and sometimes I really miss my hometown.  I miss my friends now that we're all spread out.

5.  This kid has turned into a monster.  It's like the instant he walked into middle school he was a completely different child.  It's so hard to parent a middle schooler.  I'm sure much more is yet to come as he gets older.

6.  We're all adjusting to a few bombshells that were dropped on us.  We're trying to adjust to the deaths of half of our grandparents and a friend.  We started this year with 8 grandparents.  It's been a hard thing to accept.

7.  I took my step sister's senior photos this weekend.  It's hard to believe that she's going to graduate this year.  It was nice because I've been so burnt out on taking pictures.  This was just laid back and relaxed.  I'm finally getting to where I want to start taking pictures again.  

8.  I've been busy making layouts and cards.  You guys have seen that, but it makes me really happy to have a creative outlet.

9.  I can't believe how fast this year is going.  It's been hard, but were are 3/4 of the way done.  The holiday season will be here before you know it.

10.  I've been trying to get Wolfie to read Harry Potter for the last couple of years.  The kid is finally reading the series.  He's onto book 5 now.  The only problem is that he's more interested in reading than doing his school work.  So, now I actually have to take the books away from him.  :/

So there you have it.  A little this and that.  Hope you have a beautiful Sunday!

Enjoy the Ride (12x12 layout)

Here is the first layout I made with Clique Kits' October Kit, Masquerade Ball.  It's a great kit filled with lots of goodies from Basic Grey's Second City line.  

I started the layout with some Washi tape I had.  It came with my previous Clique Kits' kit.  You can find the Blue Glitter Washi tape here.  Then I added some white paint for fun with a roller stamp.  I loved the 4x6 cards and mini treat bags that came with the kit.  I colored this mini treat bag with a Mr. Hueys Ink Dauber.

I can't wait to share more projects with you this coming month.  Today, you will find me on the Clique Kit's Blog with some photography tips.  Don't forget the Limited Edition Card Kit.  It's fabulous!!!

As always, don't forget if you shop the Clique Kits Store to enter MARIAH10 for ten percent off of your purchases.

It's October...What happened to September?

I can't believe that September is already behind us.  It went by really quickly.  I just wanted to welcome you to October.  I'm so excited to start my design team work with Clique Kits!!  Today was the first Design Team Showcase.  You can see me and my layout on that post here.  Also, tomorrow, I will be posting my very first post on the Clique Kits blog.  Sorry for the super quick post today!  I hope all is well in your world.

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.