Daydreaming about summer...

*SIGH*

I miss summer...

We are having a cold snap here, so I thought I'd scrap a page from summer, hehe...

I've been fooling around in Photoshop, trying to teach myself how to make templates - I am OBSESSED with templates these days, and I wanted to try my hand at it. Lets just say there is a learning curve and leave it at that! But I *did* manage to make a few, and I am getting faster at it, so that's a good thing! I'm hoping this will be a skill that will help my scrapbooking evolve a bit!


Page Credits: One Love Charity Kit from Scrap Orchard; 2Peas Architect font; Template by ME;

Christmas Eve...

I *did not* forget about my Christmas album, hehe...

Every year, I am so excited to scrap my Christmas photos and capture the season, but then January rolls around, (and I finally have some PHOTOS to scrap) and hey, guess what? I'm sick of Christmas! LOL! This happenes every year - we tear down our trees and put everything away the first chance we get after New Year's Day, and by then I am SO OVER CHRISTMAS!

But I'm determined to get my album done this time. I might even get the 2008 album done, hehe...


Page Credits: Checkin' it Twice kit by Dani Mogstad of Sweet Shoppe Designs, Template by Connie Prince; Font is CK Ali's Hand;

My Sweet Girl...

Another completed page from my scrapbooking weekend...

I love these portraits of Miss Maddie so I just had to scrap them! I found the *perfect* kit to compliment her outfit, hehe - I LOVE when that happens!


Page Credits: Sugar High Kit by ScrapKitchen & Lauren Grier at Sweet Shoppe Designs; Template by Cindy Schneider at Peppermint Creative; Font is Every Time I Miss You;

Back in the saddle...

WELL - I need to shake the dust off this blog! Life just never seems to slow down (except after 8pm when I am not motivated to do ANYTHING, hehe...) and January has been just as busy as December was!

I had a weekend escape to a scrapbooking retreat at the beginning of the month, so I have some pages to share:

YES, we are *those people* and we have a birthday party for our dog! She is part of the family, after all, and the older she gets, the more we cherish these little traditions with her. She was celebrating her 12th birthday here, and of course we had to have a family photo-op!


Page Credits: An Affair to Remember kit by Shabby Princess; Page Template (random freebie, sorry I don't have the source); Everytime I Miss You font;

Christmas Cards!

I put my 2009 cards in the mail yesterday - WHOOHOO! I am happy to be checking that off my list so early in the season! I am usually a December 15 or later card sender outer, lol...

TODAY - we are off and running! The basketball season has begun! Maddie has 2 games today, and just about every Saturday from now until mid-February. Add little brother with Saturday practices into the mix, and we will be running in all different directions for awhile, lol.

TOMORROW, the kids have their final Black Belt testing for Tae Kwon Do. What a journey that has been! Starting in January, we will step back from that a bit, and try to just focus on one sport, but until then, it's double duty trying to squeeze everything in!


Page Credits: Page template by Bree Clarkson, Holly Jolly kit by Kristin Cronin-Barrow of Sweetshoppe Designs; Font is CK Corral

Thanks so much for stopping by - I hope you have a FAB weekend!

Advent Calendars!

It's December, so it's time for Advent calendars! We opened ours on Tuesday night - the kids love getting a bite of chocolate each night after dinner! Of course the dog had to get into the photo too. She is not "floating" in mid-air there, I cropped out Dad's arm, holding her in place, lol.

I picked up these Advent calendars at Target, but I am *really wishing* I had known about these VERY COOL LEGO advent calendars! How cool are those??? I am making a note in my calendar for next September/October to pick these up for the kids - SO FUN!



Page Credits: Little Joys kit by Zoe Pearn of Sweetshoppe Designs; Font is CK Ali's Hand;

Holidazzle 2009!

Happy Wednesday to you!

I am off and running this morning, work-work-work! But I did want to share this page I worked on last night. Last year, we missed the Holidazzle Parade because we just ended up getting too busy, so this year, I was determined to go early in the season! We were actually there on the first night! (Mental Note: The first night plus warm weather equals a BIG CROWD!)

I took a TON of photos that didn't turn out, but I managed to get a few that weren't a blur! I forgot to get a family shot - BAD PHOTOGRAPHER! Bullseye (the Target mascot, and YES she is a real dog!) was the Grand Marshall - so cute! Of course everyone cheered for the Joe Mauer snowman, too!


Page Credits: Jolly Holiday kit by Weeds & Wildflowers; Font is CK Ali's Hand;

Holiday Photo Shoot

Well the long weekend is over, and it was back to the grind today! I can't believe it will be DECEMBER tomorrow! Aaaack! Have you started your Christmas shopping yet??? I am plugging away at it, lol...

I am still working on my Christmas scrapbook project - here is just a quick little page to document our holiday portrait session that we did a few weeks ago. I am patiently waiting for my prints to arrive! Tap tap tap...lol!

Page Credits: Checkin' it Twice kit by Dani Mogstad at Sweetshoppe; template by Janet Phillips; Font is CK Ali's Hand

I hope you had a FAB Monday - thanks for stopping by!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you are enjoying a relaxing day filled wtih family and good times!


Page Credits: Softly Falling kit from Dani Mostad at Sweetshoppe

Digi Dare #156 - Daughtry at the Cabooze

This is my *very first* Digi Dare! I've been following along for awhile, mainly for inspiration, but since it's the 3 year anniversary, and they are offering a fab freebie - I just had to play along! It was HARD! LOL! I am not used to scrapping with "rules"!

This page is from this past August when we we saw Daughtry perform at The Cabooze in Minneapolis. We were packed in there like sardines, and it was wall to wall people! It was HOT, and I remember I had on these cute little sandals and Rod said, "Ummm...you need SHOES!" I am SO GLAD I changed! My little toes would have been crushed in the mob!



Page Credits: For Melissa Collab kit from Scrapbook Graphics, Crinklebet Alpha by Zoe Pearn, CK Regal font

My baby girl is growin' up!

At some point (when I wasn't paying attention) my baby girl went and grew up on me and now I have this MIDDLE SCHOOLER to contend with! I am preparing for the worst, but so far, I've only noticed positive changes (knock on wood!) taking place.

It was a big change to switch to the Middle School - there are combination locks on the lockers, new teachers and classes, and a whole new schedule, but she has adapted beautifully and is looking forward to a fun year!

I had to scrap this first day photo, since we were out of sight of the bus stop (where people might see - the HORROR!) I got a little cooperation in front of the camera, hehe...


Page Credits: Template by Janet Phillips, Studyhall kit by Krystal Hartley, font is CK Stenography.

Wimpy Kid!

Well as usual, the month is flying right by! I've been finding time here and there for some scrapping, so here is a page to share...

I couldn't resist snapping a photo of Wyatt as he was reading - I surprised him with the new Wimpy Kid book and he immediately dropped everything to just sit and read. He tuned everyone and everything out, hehe...(I did manage to get his attention for a photo though!)


Page Credits: Template by Janet Phillips, It's Elementary kit by Dani Mogstad, Deconstructed alpha by Robin Carlton, font is CK Stenography

Refreshed and Renewed!

...And now, just trying to catch up!

Last weekend I was blessed to spend a wonderful 4 days with friends (Shistahs!) from around the country at a Retreat in Wisconsin. Ahhhh...it was BLISS! I am lucky to call each of these ladies a dear friend. This was our 4th annual retreat, and number 5 is already on the books for 2010! I would not miss it for the world! There are organized classes, as well as time to work on individual projects, and even some impromptu things going on. The "planning committee" always does a FABULOUS job, and there is a ton of fun and laughs all weekend! It is all topped off by wonderful home cookin' by our own personal Chef HB! YUMMA!


These photos just make me smile! I had to scrap them!

Hope you are having a FABULOUS WEEK! I will be back soon with more to share! Thanks for stopping by!

CRIKEY! It's AUGUST!

HOLY MOLY! This summer is FLYING BY! Aaaack!

I just looked at our August calendar, and it is JAM PACKED! I have no idea where we will fit the whole "getting organized for back to school" stuff into the mix...

Just popping in to say HAPPY SATURDAY! We are off and running this morning, and the Saturday chores are on the agenda. BLAH! I'll have to think of something fun to do as a reward if we plow through all of the chores!

Here is a fresh new August Desktop, free from Shabby Princess (click here to get yours) using her brand new kit Giggle Box - love the fresh fun color scheme!


Thanks for dropping by - have a great weekend!

FREEBIE ALERT!

Here is a STEAL of a DEAL to start your Friday off right!

The "Hawt Mamas" are celebrating Traci's birthday this week - I fell right off my chair when I saw these templates!

Grab them here...



(Be sure to check out the main page of the blog, as there is another freebie today!)

Check out Traci's store at Sweet Shoppe Designs - she has a TON of cute stuff!

Happy FRIDAY!

WHOHOO! It's FRIDAY!

Just a quick page share today and I am off and running! I am taking the afternoon off to visit a friend, so I have to FOCUS, lol.

This is Mad celebrating her 11th birthday this past March. Just a QP (Quick Page) from the Flower Patch QP Album that I picked up from Melissa Bennett's store at Sweet Shoppe Designs. I like these QPs for quick and easy scrappin' - just drag your photos on, resize, and tuck them behind the photo openings. Slap on your journaling text and you are done! EASY PEASY LEMON SQUEEZY as my friend Bethie would say!


That's all I have for today! Thanks for stopping in, have a FAB FRIDAY!

Remember Me & Dad

We are almost to Friday, people! Man the weeks are just flying by this summer! Yesterday, I picked up a few SCHOOL SUPPLIES on my way home from my lunch date. Usually, I wait until the last minute and everything is picked over! I still have to go back for more, but I got the basics - markers, colored pencils, crayons, folders and notebooks. Don't you just LOVE school supplies? I stocked up on extra markers and etc NOW while everything is so cheap! We always need that stuff, so it's nice to just have it on hand.

It's almost August, and that means almost time for sweet corn! This time of year always reminds me of Dad, because sweet corn was a BIG favorite of his. (Well who doesn't like sweet corn???) I had this snapshot (Mom and I scanned a quite a few photos of Dad, shortly after he died) of us sitting together, eating corn on the cob. Look how teeny I was! I remember being *so excited* that my Daddy was home to play with me, lol. Even though I had already eaten, Mom said I insisted on being RIGHT THERE by Dad.

Happy memories...:)


Page Credits: Happy Go Lucky (free) kit by Shabby Princess, Notepaper from Smell My Feet kit by Shabby Princess, Alpha (recolored) from Bare Essentials kit by Traci Reed, Font is Georgia.

Did you notice my mom's swanky toaster cover? LOL! I need to phone her and tease her abouta that one, haha...

Thanks for stopping by - have a FABULOUS Thursday!

Making Faces!

Ha ha!

I *am* making faces this morning, because it is MONDAY, and that means BACK TO WORK!

BLAH!

I did get some scrapping done on the weekend (it feels so good to be making time for creativity!) and have another page to share. These photos of my nephew Noah really make me smile. He has SUCH a personality already! These were snapped all in succession at the park while visiting "Grandma Shoes" (lol, that is how he says Grandma Sue haha). We were wondering how we would get him to come down from the slides, when he suddenly hopped in the stroller and was ready to go. Well, we figured out as we were walking home that he heard the TRAIN coming, and wanted to see it, lol. I snapped these pics of his funny faces while we were getting organized to head back to Grandma's house.


Page Credits: QP by Ellie Lash, Deconstructed Alpha from Robin Carlton of Sweet Shoppe Designs, Font is Georgia

I hope your week is starting off on a good note! Thanks for stopping by!

Summer Fun...

Just a quick page share today...

Right before the 4th, we were able to spend a few days at Grandma's and enjoy some "cousin time". These girls have such a good time - it's a shame they are seperated by so many miles! BUT, luckily, this is the electronic age, and they can keep up via email, lol! I wanted to scrap these fun pictures from the park, the girls were just having a good time and hanging out together - lots of girly chit-chat and giggles!

Page Credits: Candy Sunshine kit and template by Sugar Plum Paperie of The Digi Chick, font is Love Ya Like a Sister

Thanks for stopping by, have a FAB Sunday!

Mmmm...Fresh berries!

Don't they just make your mouth water?

We were planning to go to the beach after Church yesterday, but it wasn't as warm as we hoped, so we moved on to "Plan B" and zipped over to a local orchard/farm and picked berries instead! (What a FAB idea that was!) It did turn out to be a pretty nice day, and it was perfect for berry pickin'! We came home happy, with berry stained fingers and *maybe* a smidge of a tummy ache from eating too many berries, lol.

Can you believe I only snapped THREE photos? I didn't even bring the big camera, and I'm glad, because berry picking is back breaking labor, lol. Anyhow, since I only snapped three, I figured I could get them scrapped right away!

Page Credits: Strawberry Kisses kit by Tracie Stroud of Scrap Matters, template (no longer available) by Janet Phillips, Font is Love Ya Like a Sister.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you had a great day!