2012

Well, here I am and it's only been 9 months since I've been on here. Good grief!! Out with the old and in with the new. I'm starting the Project Life thing this year. I bought the entire kit last year..turquoise edition! But never did it. In fact, I just opened the box. CRAZY! But, this year is going to be different. And! I'm going to blog my progress.

2012 is a big year for me. I will turn the big 4-0 this year! So, I've got some things on my "before I'm 40" bucket list. We'll see if they happen! One of those is to blog about my crafts. I LOvE to craft! Recently, I've gotten more into mixed media art, etc. which has been really fun! So, I hope to document that I here as well. I really want this to be my "display wall" it will be able to share it with others along the way as well.

So, I'm off to my craft room while the boys are out for a bit and will be back SOON with my PL updates! Is anyone doing PL too? Share with me!

Class today...

Today I'm teaching a class at SHEA.  It's ONLY $8 and we'll take a white 12x12 piece of cardstock and do this...  I may add a few embellishments to mine, but loved creating my own background paper.  I used Tattered Angels glimmer mist: Jingle Bells, Trunk Bay, Marmalade, Strawberry Shortcake Chalkboard and Mint Chocolate Chip Chalkboard.  Some TA masks.  It was fun!!!  I'll post the pics of my class for April soon.  A 12x12 layout + 2 cards.  Super fun!

Back at it...

Welcome back to the blog world!!!  I look at blogs almost every day, but yet I never update my own.  Why is that?  Well, I'm hopefully going to change that.  It's time to post more.

There are only a few days left for the February special with Thirty-One....for EVERY $31, get ANY item for 31% off.  It's an AWESOME special!  If you're interested, check out my website. March has a great special too: for every $31 spent, purchase a purse 50% off.  It's incredible!  Want to host a party: catalog, home or virtual...it's up to you.  $200 is all you need for a "party."


So, I've been creating some lately.  Finally...  It's been so long since I've scrapped or crafted.  And, I just taught a class.  I'm teaching again at Scrappin' Happily Ever After.  It's a cool store located in Summerville, SC.  Ivy has it going on with the latest and greatest in scrapbook supplies.  I'll be teaching again in March.  I will post my layouts and cards when I complete them.  It's gonna be cool!!!  This past Saturday I went to a crop there and Ivy had a recipe challenge.  I'm not normally a challenge or an 8.5 x 11 layout type of person, but I challenged myself to complete this.  This is my layout...

Super fun, the crop was.  But, the not so good part, I came home not feeling well: sore throat.  Woke up Sunday with the flu.  So, it's been a long week.  The flu really wipes you out!!!  My husband has really stepped up, taking the kids to and from school, practices, etc. I'm just ready to get my energy back and feel better.  I don't wish this on anyone, and I even got a flu shot.  UUGH!!!

Achieving???

Well, good grief, it's been a LONG a** time since I've been on here.  So much going on, summer is over, school starts tomorrow, my business is taking off and it's just been busy.  Or has it?  I always say I'm so busy, but I look back and what have I really been doing?  This summer has been a roller coaster for me: of both emotions and things going on.  July FLEW by...I traveled through 9 different states in less than a week.  It was busy, but it was fun.  I went to National Conference for Thirty-One Gifts and met some new people, got to know my team better, got to see new products, it was a GREAT trip and I came back EXTREMELY pumped up to sell some Thirty-One, let me tell you.  I was home for 2 days before the boys and I and my mom hopped in the car again to road trip it to Illinois to see friends and family.   It was a great trip, but I was ready to get home and have the boys have some daddy time. 

This past weekend my mom and I along with 2 of my best girlfriends headed to Charlotte, NC for the CKC Scrapbook Convention.  It was a MUCH needed break!  I had a BLAST, spent too much money and laughed SO HARD, I cried more than once.  It was AWESOME!!!

I've been slowly creating and trying to get things worked on, so I hope to be blogging and sharing a LOT more!  Hope to see you here again VERY SOON!!  What's your summer been like?

Where have I been???

Sometimes I'm not sure where I've been.  It's been a LONG time since I've updated this thing.  One of my resolutions was to update this on a regular basis, like once a week, but that hasn't happened, so hmmmm.... what to do?? 

Well, I've started my own business (so to speak).  I have become a consultant for Thirty-One Gifts.  It's a wonderful company!  They have purses, totes, etc. and the age range for the consumer is from baby to adult.  It's great!  What I love is you don't have to have a party to enjoy they're products, you can order through my website anytime.  And, if you want to have a party, you surely can...at home, through the catalog or virtually through the internet!!!  Check it out!!

I've been to the beach with my girlfriends to scrapbook over Valentine's Day weekend.  And, it SNOWED!!!  Yes, we got anywhere from 1"-5" in the Lowcountry, depending on where you were.  It even snowed at the beach.  There was snow on top of the sand.  It was beautiful!  But, it only lasted a few hours and then it was gone.  The boys enjoyed it with daddy!  They built a great snowman...

ACHIEVE

My word for 2010 is...achieve!  (see Ali's post here)  Every year I make resolutions and I don't follow through.  I know I'm not the only one that does this, but it aggravates me.  This year rather than resolutions, I've made goals for myself.  And, I want to ACHIEVE these goals!  Honestly, I don't think the goals I've set are unreasonable, so I should be able to reach them. 

• Lose 30-50 pounds (if I reach the 30 pound mark, I've achieved the goal.)
• Begin an exercise regimen and STICK WITH IT! (this should help with the goal above)
• Eat healthier, drink more water (again contributing to said first goal)
• Create more! 
• Breathe!
• Practice patience!  (with 2 boys, this and the breathing goal could be challenging!)
• Enjoy life!

What's your word for 2010?

2010 already?

I can't believe it's here....another decade. I remember being in elementary school and, with my friends, figuring out how old we would be in 2000, and we thought that was really old. And, now here I am, in 2010, thinking...I'm not THAT old! Oh, to be young again! I hope the New Year is treating everyone well.

I have many goals for this year, we'll see how many I actually accomplish. The first is to lose some weight, I know so many people say this at the beginning of every year, but this year, I DO plan to do something about it. My husband and I are about to embark on a journey together, yes, we're going to work out together. We're starting a fitness plan in the next week or two, and we're hoping we'll motivate each other, or drive each other crazy, one or the other. (I'm thinking the latter, but we'll see!) I'll let you know my progress once we start.

On with a couple of my other goals, I've posted 2 tickers on the right-hand side of my blog. One regarding layouts completed and the other creating a card a day. I found this site while blog surfing and decided to create a couple tickers for myself. I have SO MANY supplies that I want to create 75 layouts before buying ANYTHING else, except for Tim Holtz's new Distress colors coming out later this month!! And the other is based on a book I received for Christmas: A Card A Day. It's a GREAT book with wonderful ideas! So, follow me as I attempt to reach these goals.

I turned in a project today to Charleston Scrapbooking using Zutter's Spinner Album Kit. I created a monthly birthday album. This was a challenge for me, as it was such a different product, but in the end I think it turned out pretty well. I took pics with my cell phone, so as I soon as I'm able to download them, I will post a few here. There are so many possibilities for this kit: birthday album, vacation album, grandparent's album, etc.

CHA is fast approaching. If you're looking for sneak peeks, check out The Scrap Review. They are posting sneaks from many different manufacturers, designers every day! I wish I was heading to Anaheim, CA to the show, but I'll just have to wait.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Ho Ho Ho...

It's almost here...the most wonderful day of the year. Not only does Santa come, but we celebrate our Savior's birthday. He gave a lot for us all, and we celebrate His birth tomorrow. This year is special, as my kids are 5 and 3 and seeing their excitement is so special, (and sometimes unbearable). :) Whatever season you are celebrating right now, I wish you joy and peace! It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

On another note, I wanted to share with you some packaging ideas that were sparked by something in the December issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Then these were some other packages I wrapped up using a cutout from the Christmas Cheer Cricut cartridge with a red lunch bag and the other is a Santa stamp from We R Memory Keepers.

Happy Holidays!! Enjoy the season!

That time of year

It's that time of year, when everyone is trying to get a million things done at once, before the big December 25th deadline! Well, we're all always trying to get a million things done, but it's a bit more hectic this time of year. Right!? This year is no different. My little guy's last day of preschool was this past Thursday, and I needed to get the teacher's gifts done. I always wait until the last minute for EVERYTHING! UUGH!!

Anyway, I was on Leah Fung's blog checking out her candy cane Fridays for 2009 and she showed a unique frame from last year. I totally had forgotten about these frames, but they are adorable, and pretty easy. I created 8 of them for his teacher's, helpers and the Director of the preschool. (I used papers from 6x6 pads of Basic Grey and Cosmo Cricket.) I hope they enjoyed them. I had a good time making them, and now I'll make some more for P's teachers. His last day of school is Friday, so we'll see how long I wait to make those.

Today the boys and I recycled some broken and unused crayons from around the house. This was a fun project. I found it here. It was fun and I LOVE the colors they created. Their creations...

I hope you're gearing up for whatever holiday you celebrate! I encourage you to make some handmade items for your loved ones, they'll love them even more!!!

tap...tap...tap...Is this thing on???

Okay, so I've been MIA for a LONG while. SO SORRY to anyone who reads this! Lots of excuses, don't know if any of them are good enough. So, I'll just jump in to what I've been working on as of late.

A birthday book for my brother. He went to Italy for his 30th birthday...

This book was made with a Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist kit, I believe it's called Traveller. It was fun to make. I added some Making Memories Vintage Findings items, as well as, some other items I had especially for Italy.

A birthday book for my sister-in-law.

This book was made with lots of Basic Grey products: a mini-chipboard album, Urban Prairie 6x6 paper pad, chipboard mini-alphas, Prima "e" bling, and various other items.

I really enjoyed making these. I hope they enjoyed receiving them just as much!!

Now, it's Christmas items to make. LOTS in my brain, but to just get it all done is a COMPLETELY other story!!!

Really...I'm alive!

WOW! This is horrible! I'm a terrible blogger! It's been several months since this was updated, and I'm truly sorry about that. Sickness invaded our house for almost 2 months, my husband was gone for 3 weeks and life has been happening! TRULY...I didn't realize it had been SO long since I've updated this!

We've been busy this summer...going to the pool, the beach, the aquarium.... My best friend and her family visited from Illinois, which was a GREAT time! 5 kids running around the house and yard, and 4 parents fighting headaches, sharing laughs and enjoying adult beverages to get through the screaming! hahaha

I believe Elise has found a buyer for the store, which is TERRIFIC news. I can't wait to meet her. Elise and her family are moving back to the upstate, which is sad, but I know her kids are EXTREMELY excited! And, she'll be back to visit, and word is there's a cabin on her property and I think a roadtrip may be in order to do some scrappin'!!! LOOK OUT Elise!!! :):)

I'm getting back in to the swing of things and have been working on some things in my craft room. My mom got me a Cricut Create machine for my birthday and it's AWESOME! I've been playing with it, but really need to watch the DVD that came with it. I made a cute card last night and can't wait to share it. (I have to take a picture first.)

I've been following lots of blogs lately.

• Jennifer McGuire has awesome videos and is doing a Thinking Inking class for Two Peas in a Bucket right now...9 weeks of FANTABULOUS ideas and creations
• Kristina Werner ROCKS with her "Make a Card Mondays" and "Finally Friday" videos
• The Pink Stamper's Robyn has awesome creations with Cricut Expression
• Tim Holtz and Wendy Vecchi just unveiled their newest stamps to be released at CHA
• I LOVE MellyPea's Weekly Warehouse walks at Two Peas in a Bucket

Two Peas is one of my new fave places to visit too. There's a TON of inspiration there!!! My best friend, Kim, talks about this site all the time, and I would always give her a hard time. But, after visiting a few times, now I know why she LOVES it!

So, I'm back to posting, and will do a better job at keeping this place updated! Check back soon for some new pics!

Where has the time gone?

Okay, I really hadn't realized I haven't updated my blog in over a month! Seriously...it's been that long!?!? Not good! So much has been going on, nothing major, just LIFE happening! I went away for the weekend with some scrappin' girlfriends recently. That was a MUCH NEEDED break, and it was FUN!!! I haven't laughed that hard in a LOOOOOONNNNNNGGGG time! It was a GREAT! We were right on the beach and it was GORGEOUS weather! We're planning another one, hopefully for sometime in April or May, again it should be incredible weather! YIPPEE! Okay, so I went on this weekend excursion, and didn't take my camera! SERIOUSLY, what scrapbooker doesn't take her camera!? ME! I didn't forget it, just didn't bring it! I don't know why, I just wanted to create and not have to worry about remembering to take pictures.

Got home and had a monogrammed card order to work on. I made 25 card sets for a bridal shower. It was fun and am hoping I get to do it again. Interested in having something made? Contact me! I would love to create something for you! Here are some pictures of the order I recently completed.

We just got back from my parent's house, where we attended our first Steeplechase. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful experience. Well, except for the dealing with 2 hungry boys who were in foul moods until their tummies got fed! Mr. P had an attitude until 1/2 the PB&J sandwich was down. Then, Mr. E took over with the attitude, started throwing his sandwich, so Daddy took it away, and Mr. E proceeded to stuff a hand full of grass in his mouth. YES, I said grass! And, did my mom or I have the cameras out, of course not! So, we'll just have to journal about that wonderful (NOT!) experience! Other than that, the day was terrific! Both boys snapped out of it and we enjoyed the rest of the day!

Here is another creation...

journals for my hubby & his brother for their AT hike

I need to take some photos of some of my newest scrapbook pages. SO FUN!

Have you seen the new punches from EK Success??? They are the BOMB!! LOVE THEM!

Happy Love Day!

My valentine for my "main squeeze." :) Got this idea for gift cards from Jennifer McGuire's blog. It's fun to make!

The valentines for the boys.
The boys making valentines for daddy! LOVE to cut & paste.

I'm not a big fan of Valentine's Day! I think it's a little commercial to have a day to tell someone "I Love You," when you should do it EVERY DAY!!! I've felt this way for some time, but still make valentines for my loved ones. I'm going to enjoy this day of love with my family and my brother and sister-in-law. The boys are looking forward to seeing their aunt and uncle.

Hope you all spread the love today! Happy Valentine's Day!!

T-minus 6.5 hours and counting!

LOST starts TONIGHT, and I will be watching intently! I can't wait. The 6 go back, or do they? What happens!? I'll be tuning in.

Took Mr. P to the doctor today for his 5 year check up and it's all thumbs up. No shots, which was a GREAT thing! He's doing well, and he enjoyed chatting with his doctor! Of course Mr. E had to have a mini physical too, because he can't be left out of anything!

So, for Christmas I made notecard sets for the boys' teachers. I used Basic Grey 6x6 paper pads, cardstock and Just Rite stampers for all except one, which I used some Tim Holtz stamps for. I love the way they turned out! And, their teachers and assistant liked them too...BONUS!

I just used a bit of twine and tied them up, simple packaging.

Just wanted to share.

Project 365...are you in?

Been a while since I last blogged. I've recently joined Facebook and have been addicted to that for the past week. So, I've abandoned my blog for a while. So, sorry to the few friends that catch up with my goings on here. :)

Okay, so who is participating in Project 365? Did you buy the kit or are you completing your own? I actually got a kit! YIPPEE!! My friend, Elise, was ordering so offered to get my mom and I ours, and luckily she was able to get them. The kit was sold out within minutes! I've started and will be posting here each week, if you're interested. It's actually a pretty cool kit, and I'm looking forward to looking back at the end of the year to see what happened over the course of 2009!

So...is anyone interested in purchasing a scrapbook store? PLEASE!!!! Elise is selling A Scrapbook Store, and right now, hasn't found a buyer! I wish I had the time and money to devote to it, but right now, with 2 young boys it would be very difficult! I really am hoping someone, or maybe a group, will show some interest. I DON'T WANT IT TO CLOSE!! And many other women feel the same way! So, if you're interested, call the store.

We traveled to NC to ride the Polar Express with the boys at the beginning of December and also to IL for Christmas, so I just wanted to share a few photos with you.

The Polar Express trip:

The IL trip:

Happy 2009!!!

Happy New Year! Our New Year's Eve was filled with party hats, noise makers, sparklers and fireworks. It was a low key evening at home, but I bought party hats, noise makers and sparklers to add some excitement. The neighbors across the street let off some fireworks and we watched from our kitchen window.

The boys got to stay up as late as they wanted. Little E fell asleep around 10:00 and Mr. P went to bed around 10:30. BUT, they were both up at the normal time of 7:00am. Lucky us, NOT!!! Our computer is on the fritz right now, so I'll have to upload pics as soon as I get the problem solved.

Now, the Rose Bowl Parade just started, football is on today and we're having Italian Beef later. YUMMY!!! We're also working on organizing the house and purging, so some of that will take place throughout the next few days. My goal is to have everything done by Jan. 31st. We'll see! I have some other resolutions for this year. Hopefully I accomplish a few of them.

Okay, so have you ordered your KOTM from Becky Higgins. Project 365....I can't wait!!!!

Home again...Home again...jiggety jig

We are HOME!!! Just pulled into Charleston and it's 70 degrees!!!! Yes, I said 70 degrees!!!!!!! YIPPEE!!!! I'm SO EXCITED!! We had a wonderful visit to Illinois, but the weather was not fun! We experienced all spectrums: 0 degrees, saw a little snow, experienced an ice storm (a first for the boys..not for the hubby and I), temperatures below zero with the wind chill (YUCK!) and ended the trip with thunderstorms and 60 degree weather. Can you say INSANE? Yes, the weather in Illinois is an adventure. Unfortunately the boys did not get to experience playing in the snow or sledding, as my in-law's yard was an ice rink! So, they "skated" out to the van a couple times and wound up on their rear-ends.

I will post pictures soon! We're about to pull in the neighborhood and then it's time to unload all the "stuff." At least we were able to do lots of laundry before returning, so there's not a lot of that to do. That brings a smile to my face! But, there's plenty of other stuff to do.

Check out Becky Higgins' blog to see her new KOTM. It goes on sale Jan. 1st. I began my pics yesterday! Can't wait to get this one!! Oh, and anyone out there interested in owning a scrapbook store, Elise is looking for a buyer, as she's needing to do more for her family. I hope she can find a buyer, as I don't want to see the store close. Keep your fingers crossed for her!

Dashing through the snow...

or ice... Well, not really, but we're headed for Illinois, and it's going to be FREEZING COLD!!! They had an ice storm yesterday, but I've been informed the roads are clear by my dad, the "Pathfinder." So, we're taking a slightly different route, but should pull in this evening! We left this morning, 71 degrees the van read, and when we arrive it will be in the teens or twentys. BRRRRRRRR!!!!! Sunday the high is 9, yes that's 9 degrees!! The boys have no idea what cold is, and I remember it, but am not wanting to live it again. The things we do for family and friends. :):) I wouldn't have it any other way.

It may even be a white Christmas, which I'm pretty stoked about. Because if there's ever a time I want snow it's Christmas day. Our boys have NEVER seen snow, oh wait they did see a slight dusting a few weekends ago when we were up in the mountains on our way to the Polar Express, but it wasn't much. So, they may actually be able to go sledding and everything. WOOHOO!!! And, I hope there's hot chocolate involved after that!

I hope everyone who reads my blog, all 2 of you (just kidding), has a safe and happy holiday!!! Will post more from the freezing north!

Yea, we got it....

Hot Chocolate!!! We are on our way home from riding the Polar Express in Bryson City, NC. It was an AWESOME trip! The boys really enjoyed it and E and I enjoyed it also! The boys were in their pajamas, as were all the other kids and lots of adults too! We travelled all the way to the North Pole last night and saw Santa Claus. He joined us on the train for a little while and each child got the "first gift of Christmas," a bell. It was great! Lots of pictures were taken, so when we get home I will upload some.

It was COLD there, highs in the low 40s and lows in the 20s. And, the boys got to see their first bit of snow. There was just a little bit on the mountains going up there, and Mr. P said "that's a lot of snow." Little does he know it was just a dusting! He said Grandma and Grandpa need to order lots of snow. When I told my parents that they laughed, and so did I. When we head back to Illinois for Christmas they are going to get to see LOTS of snow, I think. And, it's already freezing there, GREAT!! I guess my blood has finally thinned a little.

LOTS to do in the next couple of weeks before we head back. I'm putting my creative hat on when we get home, I need to make the boys' teachers gifts this week, as Thursday is their last day for school. Then they're with me for 3 weeks, YIPPEE!!! NOT! :) Actually we'll be gone for a little less than 1/2 that time, so hopefully it won't be too crazy! Is anyone else having a hard time believing that Christmas is less than 3 weeks away. WHOA!!! What does everyone have on their list of things to do??!! Leave a comment, and there may be a goody in store for you. :):)

Almost Turkey Time

Sorry for such a lag in posts. I've been busy and gone and busy! We wrapped up the soccer season for Mr. P., my mom came to visit, the hubby and I went to Asheville for our 10th wedding anniversary while mom watched the boys, my mom left, we celebrated my hubby's birthday and now it's almost Thanksgiving! WHEW...it's been a crazy 3 weeks!!!

Asheville was BEAUTIFUL!! We've lived here 8 1/2 years and have NEVER been there. So, I booked a surprise weekend trip, which he guessed where we were going, but oh well. I made reservations for a nice dinner and then had tickets for a candlelight Christmas tour of the Biltmore. The house is AMAZING!!! We saw it at night and went back for an audio tour the next morning. One man built 175,000 sf house for himself as a bachelor, then got married and they had a daughter. It was massive and I was in awe each time we visited, and I still can't fathom it. The weather was a bit chilly, but still beautiful and the colors....ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING!!! If there's one thing I miss about the Midwest, it's the changing of the seasons! I don't miss winter, but I miss the fall foliage and the beautiful colors. Luckily we got to see it this year.

And, the Biltmore winery was amazing as well. We spent a good bit of time there, and had a BLAST! We definitely want to go back. Mom, when can you watch the boys again?!?! :):)

I've been doing a little creating too. For the store and myself. My friend Kim and I have a Christmas Card Express class tomorrow afternoon and I'm looking forward to it. 8 cards will be made during this class and each "student" gets the stamp set with their class kit. This set is ADORABLE. It's from Hero Arts. Here are the 8 cards that will be made:

Okay, and I'm SO excited to share this one. I made it today with the same Hero Arts stamp set and packaging from American Crafts brads. It turned out way cute, if I do say so myself!!! I'm thinking an ornament for the tree. My husband said I should make these for the boys teachers, so I guess I'll need to buy more brads or eyelets. ;) ;)

Oh, and one more share....the birthday card for my Mr. E. Kim let me use her Owl stamp from Hero Arts, and has enabled me to want one, REALLY BAD!! Elise.....when are you ordering them!? :):) (She wants one too.) I really LOVE this stamp.

Okay, sorry for all the pictures. But, I wanted to share what I've been up to. What have you been up to???!!!???