Holy RAK Batman!!!

Okay, if you did not know, I was lucky enough to win a "Holiday LO RAK" from Adrienne... She and Toya both did one, and mine arrived today. Jen was here and opened the door, she said "is it...??? " I said happily, "I think it is... " and together, "THE RAK IS HERE!!" Look at all these goodies Adrienne sent me. I could not believe it. I was seriously going to buy some Basic Grey Christmas papers to use in my holiday book, and now I have a WHOLE pack to use! The pattern papers she sent are too beautiful... great designs. And see that Maya Road album... hello little Christmas album!!LOL. Seriously everyone, this is beyond generous. THANKS ADRIENNE!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanksgiving Album...

I am finally feeling better this morning. Better enough to wrestle with this demonized scanner we own. Sometimes, it scans so quickly and nicely... other times, it is like a trial of my patience as I wait to see if it will actually put the scanned image in the album. ANyhow, here is my Thanksgiving mini-book... proudly brought to you by the makers of Nyquil and Kleenex... two companies I have become rather close to this week... I used chipboard sheets, (the thinner kind of chipboard,) and did a little "snapshot" of four different times during the day of what I was Thankful for right then... all the pics are from the day too... Micah was NOT real into that first early morning shot. I was all "Honey, this is about capturing our life, right NOW, as we live it, and I want to record how thankful I am that I got to wake up to you!" He was wondering why the thankfulness couldn't be taken in a shot with combed hair... It is hole punched and I actually used the little circular picture clips to hold it all together. I got book clips for it, but they were too heavy. I was hesitating about more ribbon on the cover, or writing above the "thankful" something like "a time to be..." and I had planned on writing 2006 on it too... clearly the nyquil has affected my decision making abilities too. What would you do???

Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving!!

I am sick...

I am sick, my kids are semi-sick, and we have tons of activities today and this weekend... fun! Oh , well... gotta' suck it up and go on right? I did have a few bright moments of feeling good yesterday, and in one creative little hour and a half I managed to crank out the Thanksgiving album for us. I will try and scan it tonight to post, but since I have been intensely drugged, I am not promising anything too inspiring. In fact, I think the NyQuil has started to eat away at my brain, cause I can't even remember what exactly I made now... But, being sick already gave me something to be thankful for... On Monday I was "on the couch doubled over waiting to puke sick" and the ever faithful Jen went and picked up Lincoln for me, and brought me some gingerale and... a peppermint patty... NOW that is a good friend. She knew I would want that Pepeprmint Patty when I was feeling better, and sure enough, the next day... it hit the spot. So, I am thankful for my friend... I guess being sick has its perks!! LOL... Hope you and yours are staying healthy this Holiday week!! Check back later for the album pics... nyquil+ paint + patterned paper, it is sure to be interesting at least right???

AEzine challenge...11-17

I almost forgot to do this... since I was in "quick create" mode this afternoon, I got it done. (I wonder if the four excedrin migraine tablets and 3 cups of coffee have anything to do with this increased productivity??? Hmmmm... )

The point of this LO was to express your creative style and how it has changed. I think mine has changed most dramatically because I look at how and why I scrap differently. I used to be THE ultra perfectionist... everything had to be just so... including the pictures. NOW do NOT misunderstand me, if that is your style and you LIKE it and most importantly ENJOY it... then its great. But I would spend time fussing over capturing perfect event shots, making perfect little pages, and was NOT having fun... it was not my style...

I am not sure that I have a "style" now perse, but I know that I like using lots of "stuff" and being more creative now. I like getting influenced by other scrappers... I especially like that now I am capturing my LIFE... not just events. I still get events documented too, but I also like having pages about the fact that Lincoln fell asleep watching QVC with me, or that Emerson was playing cars on his dad while he slept. LIFE... OUR LIFE... documented for future generations... Hmmmm... Maybe I just discovered my "style"... And since I have now used the word "Hmmm..." twice in the same post I will go...

OK, Seriously....

If I don't get to scrap this weekend, my head will explode. Seriously. I know, you are thinking, "well dummy... if you weren't posting this blog message, you would have some time to scrap..."
True enough, a little. I have to clean my scrap space up a bit, and that will take a while, so I am avoiding the cleaning by blogging... what a lazy woman I am huh? So, I have designated Sunday as scrap day... I will create, make things, be artsy... can you schedule creativity? PLUS, I wanted to show you all that my new Autumn Leaves stamps are here... and My 7Gs too... YEAH! See... I must create. Did you see the Maya Road ribbons... CAN'T WAIT TO CREATE... hmmmm that rhymes a little too... see, bloggin can spark creativity... I am being poetic... OKay... laundry duties call, and putting away groceries, and you know what... I had to stop and wipe a butt while writing this... that's why I can't scrap right now... poop does not inspire me... well, not that much anyway...

UPDATE...

Ok, I couldn't take it... I just made this page in 20 minutes, literally... from printing the pictures to the finished LO... yeah, it might look like it only took 20 minutes, but who cares... I got a little creative burst out! LOL... and yeah, the picture stinks... I really want a 12x12 scanner!

Can we say EXCITED????

I am so excited,humbled,giddy,happy, and more... I won one of the two RAKS that Toya and Adrienne had for the Christmas LO. Mine is below, a few posts back. These two are not only great scrappers, they are creative in photography, sewing, cooking, and more... your average "superwomen"! They share these talents on their blogs, which I read everyday. Thanks to you both! Maria was the other winner,she is ultra-talented ... so, maybe now you know why I am so excited!!

Tagged...

I am happily taking Karla's tag challenge of fun little things about me... these are all scrappin' realted BTW...

My Loves:

1. My acrylic stamps... I have just gotten into these over the last few months, and I love them.I have TONS of the red stamps, and have used them for years, but I like being able to see where the image is going.


2.The new Ali E book... well, okay, its not so new now, but other than the Bible, I rarely pick up a book and repeatedly learn something from it. I always go there for quick inspiration.

3.Heidi Swapp chipboard... sand it, paint it, put rub ons on it... I love them...

4.Scenic Route Paper... it was like a mission for me to get them, and now i keep them out in a pile by my stuff because I keep using them...

5.My staedtler pens. DO i love them just because they are German, like me??? No, it is also because they are the only pens I have found that don't make a scritchy scratchy noise/feel when I write with them... anyone know what i am talking about??



Not So Much Love for:

1. Adhesive that is on my table, which I forget, until I go to pick up something, and it is stuck. I need a big quilt cutting mat. (or to remember to clean my table more...)

2.Scratchy pens... see the above "loves" #5 for more on that...

3.Paper cutters that cut crooked... I am putting great hope in that new one from Making Memories...

4.My messy desk...I know its not technically the desk's fault, but being the good 4th child that I am, I must assign blame to something other than myself...

5.Scrapper's Block...knowing what I want to create, but lacking the mojo to do it



Things I tend to repeat

1.Heidi Swapp chipboard titles... is there really a way to have too much HS chipboard though???Really??

2.Stapled ribbon...I just love it, and I am not ashamed to admit it. Long after the ribbon craze is over, you will still see a stapled ribbon on my work I am sure. I will cling to it like I did my 80s leggings... and you see what happened there, they are so back! (though I have vowed NOT to wear them under a mini skirt again...)

3.The off set photo on a large piece of Patterned Paper. (ya' know, like a 6x6 piece of PP and a 4x5 picture... I just can't seem to stop...)

4.Sanding photo edges... I love it,love it, love it... and if being in love with photo edge sanding is wrong, I don't want to be right... hahahahaha... I love a little country song sarcasm...

5.Staples...I know i already said stapled ribbon, but I also like to just add a few staples if a page looks empty. They're cute, fun, and come in so many cool colors now...



What I want to try

1. A digital LO... just one. I love paper and am too computer dumb to switch completely, but I am intrigued by the cool designs...

2.Sewing on a LO... I am a horrid seamstress though...

3.Printing text on Photos... I know I can do this easliy, but with two little kids, sometimes I just want to print the pictures and get to scrappin' ya' know??

4.Going to a scrap "event"... like Scrap Etc. or CKU... learning ,laughing, other crazy scrappers..fun,fun,fun!!

5.Distress powders... after years of embossing cards I have avoided this product, but now I am seeing such cool stuff with it, I am forgetting about all the curled paper,burnt fingers, etc...



Products I would be cranky without

1.7 Gypsies Word stickers... I got the whole alphabet collection from QVC, and I adore them. Yes, I did just go into Julie Andrew mode by using the word "adore" to describe a scrapbooking item... (she played in Sound Of Music, ya' know, the "Hills are Alive" and all that...)

2.Mono-Adhesive... yes, I realize there are much more hip adhesives out there. I even own the renowned hermafix, but good grief, who wants to reload that thing? I am a mono girl...

3.My staedtler pens. I use them for cards, LOs, journals, and even my Beth Moore "Breaking Free" Bible study book... I want the future generation who finds my Bible study books to know that, while, yes, I was a horrid sinner, struggling with all manner of poor behaviors, at least I took the time to write about in a neat fashion.

4.Glue Dots...I love them for embellishments, and for all that stapled ribbon I use...

5.Cropper Hopper Paper Holders... vertical storage is the bomb... eeewww did I just type the words "the bomb"... what a lingo geek I am... oh, well... at least my paper is stored in proper trendiness...



Weird Things I do when I scrap

1. Drink something... I am clutzy, so this is akin to... well, stupidity really...

2.Stop in the middle of scrapping to look at my favorite online store...

3.Say things like "Love it" the way Wheezy on Dragontales says it, when I like how something is looking... In fact, when I leave any of you comments and it says "LOVE IT" I am saying it just like Wheezy from Dragontales...

4.Take out way too many papers...

5.I refuse to sand over my work area, I turn around to the computer desk to sand things...cause ya' know, sand dust is good for computers...



Dear Santa...

1. More stamps... some little flourishes would be grand...

2.An office makeover... cool little cupboards, storage, etc...

3.A taller desk... yes, this could technically fall under the makeover, but I would love a big tall desk that my kids hands couldn't reach...

4.A printer/scanner that can handle 12x12... wouldn't that be the epson???

5.The new Canon Rebel...



So, there you have it. If you read all that, I commend you... consider yourself tagged... and let me know in the comments if you're going to do it so I can read yours... and I'll leave with a fun photo... these are on their way here as I type... and I type so slow that they may be here before I finish... ledger stamps from Autumn Leaves...

can't wait...

AEzine challenge...

Okay, so this IS a bit of "kill two birds with one stone." (and hello... how really sick is that little saying when you truly think about it?!Yuck... ) but, I digress... with the help of my ever faithful three dots, (...) I will get back to business...

So, I never get the Ali challenges done in time, but this week, I knew I could when I realized I had been using my stamps some in the JuSt tO LeT yOu KnOw album... technically, I think I was supposed to use a geometric as well, BUT in my defense... (You KNOW that phrase has to make it in every post, ugh, I am SUCH a 4th child.) My little swirly is a circle as well, so... again I get to use the el-sicko "kill two birds with one stone" saying. I finished them today, and Lincoln cheered for me. He was literally seeking high fives, and telling me the new pages were "GREAT!" How cool is he? (very cool!) Here are the pages, the second one is the challenge one... I am also going to add them to the slide show on the right. I now you can't read the writing when it won't enlarge, and if you click on them there, they'll be bigger. I never know the rhyme or reason behind blogger and the whole "clickable" photos...


JOBS... fun to remember the ol' days... If you read them, and you see the part where I was a produce clerk, and I call my boss "legless" I am not being mean. He really was, he lost his legs from above the knees down to diabetes. He still drove, kept that stand going, and was a kind boss. He once put his truck in reverse accidentally, while he had the door open. His legs flew off and out into the road. I heard him call me, and went to help him. He yelled for me to get his legs, so I did. Yep, a 13yr old girl, standing in the middle of the road with a leg... complete with sock and shoe... cars were clearly wondering... again, I digress...






This one was where you interview someone else, asking them questions about you... Oh my word, Micah and I were laughing so hard while I was asking him these. He was cracking me up, and I know it is not properly conveyed in writing, but when he was giving the airport "description" of me, he was all serious... until he broke out that little sign comment. (see, now you want to go click the slide show and read it don't ya'? or not... I don't mind... you're still reading aren't you... my three little dots have tricked you again... they are hypnotic aren't they... ?

Finally... it is here...

And it has some friends coming soon! I have long been coveting these, I missed my chance every time to order them, but finally I found them! (okay, I could have had them sooner, but I refused to pay as much for shipping as the stamp itself cost!That is my eternal pet peeve)This one came from eBay, the other two are from my new favorite online store, the one that feeds my Maya Road addiction!LOL. I cannot wait to use it, the only bad part... I have NO time to scrap until tomorrow night!

Monday....

What can you say? It is Monday. I am doing laundry, and trying to get lots of other little "chores" done. BUT.... I did workout again today. I am sitting here in my workout clothes, as a reminder to not go have that second cup of double creamered coffee... cause good grief if the sight of myself in this doesn't motivate me, nothing will!!!!!!!!!! LOL. The first time I worked out in ages, a few weeks ago, I was quite shocked. I did a video of all lower body weighted exercises. The woman even states that you are going for "muscle failure". (I was thinking, "lady, my muscles failed just haulin my booty out of bed, but okay, I'm with ya") So, after my workout, and yes, I managed to hang, I decided to go run on the treadmill. Now, I have always prided myself on being able to go run a mile, yes a sloooooooooooooow mile, but a mile no less. No matter how long its been since regular exercise, I can always do that mile. Well, NOT anymore, and espcially not after the "muscle failing lower body workout". I jacked that speed up, hopped on and folks, this is embarrassing, but a mere 3½ minutes later, I was done. Yes, I did say 3½ minutes. My little legs were shaking, literally. I am now, officially, old and out of shape. But I was challenged, and the next time out I did a half mile. Today, it is too cold to take Em out there, so I am signing off to go do some dancing with him instead. He is too little yet to realize just how bad a dancer his mother is... I will close with some little pics of my Halloween pirates. They were cute, giddy over people giving them candy, and even Em was saying "Twick or Tweet".

Christmas LO...

Here is the Christmas LO I did for Toya and Adrienne's RAK...

NOW... I do NOT have a scanner that will scan a 12x12 LO so, I actually found some very easy to follow directions, (and you know if I understood it they were literally made for computer dummies!) about how to scan in the LO in two parts and then "stitch " them together in your Paint program. Well, at first this was annoying because I couldn't get the edges to line up, but I finally got it to work okay this morning, by taking the scanner lid off. So, here are the LOs and YES I know there is a shadow, that is the line where i meshed the two images. (eve nwith the shadow though, it look better than the digital photos I got of it yesterday!)I realize this could have been fixed with all the "color saturation" features and such, but since i have never used them before, I thought it best to leave well enough alone. (unless Toya, Adrienne, Kristin, or someone else who knows what they are doing can come hold my hand through the process... LOL.) AND I resited the urge to sand photos, paint the edges of the paper, and use HS chipboard... it is a Christmas LO miracle folks...LOL. The picture on the LO is terrible, but it was taken with a cheap disposable camera, in a dark area. I am excited for Christmas just thinking back on this day, because my goals for what Christmas will be in our home is so different. I am looking forward to helping the boys give to others,not just receive, and to celebrating true family time,worship time, and being JOYful. I love this time of year!!!!!!!!! Oh, so I am babbling and you are ready to actually see the LO... sorry, here it is! Thanks for looking! Halloween photos are coming soon!

*** I just noticed the lovely white area still in my photos, clearly the stitching technique needs to be learned a little better. I think I just need to adjust the attributes, maybe...LOL