Hero

This is going to be one of my cherished layouts. For some, it might be Ali, Cathy, Donna, or Heidi that really gets them excited about scrapbooking. But Krystal Hartley does it for me. She is REAL. She is smart. She is talented. She is creative. She is giving. She is close to God. She Rocks. So in honor of our growing friendship, I created this layout about a little note that meant the world to me. I wish her nothing but the best of luck in the MM contest. I know she will get some form of recognition from all of this. She just needs to keep doing what she does and one day she will get the well deserved prize!

Diva

{Crazy}

Template by Lindsey Jane Designs. Papers: TLC Tressie. Font Extraornamental2 & Unicorn.

Donation

I was asked to donate some items for a Relay for Life Auction. So I made up this little sign to go into my box. I am going to wrap a 12x12 box with nice wrapping paper and present this to the team for their auction. I really wanted to donate a LT software but I need to move my paper products since I won't be using them much anymore!

Friends Chatterbook

I just had to make one of these little gold mines for myself. I NEVER do something just for me. It's always for someone else or for an event. But this one is mine! I have not done the journaling yet. Let me know your opinions! I just adore each of these photos. I truly had a wonderful time and was so happy to see you all again! Sorry the photos are so poor. It's really late and I am beyond tired. I can fix them later but I wanted to show this off! Love it!

MORE TIPS: Cut the papers into 4x12 pieces first. This will help to keep the pieces flowing well. I was able to complete the entire FRIENDS album with just ONE RW kit and I did NOT add any paper. It was just what I had in the kit and I did cover the front and backs. You have to get creative but it can be done. I was able to complete this one in about 90 minutes.

Cancun...here I come!

I got my two that I needed for Cancun!! What a rush. Now I just have to have them faxed in tomorrow!

Yeah! Better bone up on my Spanish. My 3 yrs of it in high school have become all but a faded memory. My time in Spain was just too long ago as well. Vamos a la playa!

Chatterbookz....A HIT!

Chatterbooks are a huge success. We have done very will with the ADORE book and FAMILY. Cover books are not selling nor are the naked pocketbookz. Go figure.

We have been selling the monogram covers right along with the chatterbooks so that is a nice welcome change.

Still 2 away from Cancun. Lots and lots of lookers but no takers...sorry for their loss. 4 days left for hybrid. Tick tick tick...

Set up complete & Happy Bday Will

Bev and I got our booth all set up today at the great american scrapbook convention in Grand Rapids. We are in a 10x10 with TLC and SBG stuff...ugh....but it's in there.

Very tired, just vegging out in the hotel room. Guess who forgot to pack PJ's...how ironic...I am selling them and forgot mine. At least I remembered my toothbrush...but also forgot my HAIR BRUSH! Doh...And with this mop...come on. You know I ran to Target to buy a brush and another store for Pj's.

Today is my baby boy's 5th birthday!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILLIAM!!! Mommy loves you! See you Sunday and we will have a nice party. We had cake and opened gifts last night since I was going to be out of town. Bummer...that's just one more reason I need to slow down with these expos. I am gone way too much and miss out on the "good stuff".

ADORE chatterbook demo

Here is my demo of the ADORE album. For just $25 you can get everything used here to make your own! Makes a great gift!

Tips: Look at the monogram letter first to see what paper they are done in and adjust the base paper. I made the book first without looking at the letters and I would have changed a couple colors of the papers based on the color of the letters. See the d for example. So learn from my mistakes. Also add the extra papers at the end to be sure you have enough. Just do the base papers first to make sure you have enough paper. I added the embellishments at the end using what I had left.





Edit: I timed myself on this one and it took me just over an hour to complete this one just as you see here. I just cut the base paper to cover the board not the letter so no exacto cutting! Super fast that way. I had one full sheet of Cardstock left also! But the patterned paper was used up! and I pieced a couple of the bigger pages so I wouldn't have to cut the extra cardstock paper. So it can be done!

Complete

SUPER DAY! Got my photo with Krystal. Saw my great Secret Sista from the cruise today! HI WENDY! Her sister made me this totally cute beaded lanyard for my name badge. THANK YOU! My dear friend Betsey, (AKA ELIZABETH?!) finally got here! We sat together at dinner and admired the dimpled butter balls! Made a trip to home office to pick out my items. Completed one of the new chatterbookz and a Cover book with the Recipe HF kits. BUSY BUSY Day. If my family reads this...I am still alive but just have been on the go since I stepped foot in the city. It's 3 am EST time/1 am here and I am just getting ready to head to bed. I wanted to finish up the chatterbookz for the expo in GrandRapids on Friday.

Can't post pictures, too late.
Shell STILL has no voice. Been having an incredible time with her. Have the best photo of her...ummm....girl! LOL heehee

Love my secret sister gifts so far! Can't wait to see who she is! I wish we could have revealed earlier so I could spend some time with her and possibly got to know her better if I don't already! Just not enough time to spend with everyone. Bummer.

Ashamed

I have NOT hardly taken any pictures. That's so sad. I just have been so busy with the classes that I haven't really had time to take pictures of anything. I have some dorky pictures with Bev and I of course but that's about it. I need to really get my camera out and get using it. I have yet to have my photo taken with my Hero! That's going to be put as priority. But....I did take a picture for Betsey of the butter balls! LOL She will get this joke!
Shell STILL has NO VOICE...ahh....er...I mean....tooo bad!

Getting ready to go to ETTES crop!!! I can NOT wait!!! I just adore those two sweet ladies. I can't begin to tell you how much talent they have between them. I am in awe of them with each new release.
We are going to be making the new chatterbookz, I believe! CAN'T WAIT!!!! Need to get packed. It's been such a rush seeing all my buddies again and can't wait until the rest of them get here! Hurry!!!! We are waiting for you!

HOT!

Holy Cow...talk about hot temps...whew...

Bev and I went to Temple Square today and took a tour. Luckily she has to walk slow because of her foot otherwise we would have really been in trouble. Even with no humidity today it was enough to make it run down your back.
We sat out by the pool for only an hour and I was burning up. We met up with Shell and Beth Swann for breakfast this morning. Ate dinner at some FISH place last night with a Shari, Lisa F, Beth, Shell , Bev and I. I had a hamburger...since I don't like fish!

We are just getting ready to head over to registration. Have to turn in my projects. Don't expect much to become of it but I entered. Wish me luck.

More later...

SLC here I come!

Getting ready to head out the door. My suitcase is at 50lbs on my scale at home...I may need to take one out from inside the other. I only wanted to check ONE bag going out but I might have to do two.

Can't wait to see some of you all again. I am really getting excited about seeing my TLC friends again! But I just had to say good bye to my boys and yes tears were shed. That's so hard leaving them. My MIL just took them out to lunch with her so I could finish up and get to the airport.
I pray I have everything. I guess if I don't, then I won't have it there. Got my laptop and clothes and my Secret Sister gifts so that's all I truly need. The rest was just extra stuff. Got my cards, layout, and hybrid project for the contest. Oh...and my stuff for the crop and my bathing suit! Can't miss those wonderful moments at the pool! Right Shell! LOL

6yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
that was Sophie walking on the computer. She loves to chase my fingers as I type! LOL She's so darn cute. (1`1) Sophie again...sorry! She keeps walking on the keyboard!

Another LifeTimez Layout

Here's yet another one that I didn't end up submitting. I was going with the funny factor on the one I did submit. I truly enjoy the layout I ended up picking and that was the main decision factor. It's very simple, easily recreated, colorful, eye-catching, fast.

LifeTimez Layout

This is another one that I was thinking about submitting.

LifeTimez

Since I am not going to submit this one as my convention contest entry, I am going to post it here. I have about 5 of them that I was saving until I knew which one I wanted to submit. I am still not sure I understand the rules of what to submit on this CD/DVD requirement so I may not qualify. I don't get what they want? Oh well, I tried.

Laura & Chuck Wedding

I need more time

I have to get packed today since I have to work Monday. I have to get photos ready from the wedding last night. I have to get my goodies all packed. My projects to enter into the contests.
Laundry, ironing, packing, oh my....

I just need more time....

Friday 13th...

No problems here today. I spent most of the working on Gifts for certain people today. I SOooo wish I could share them here but I really want it to be a surprise for them. I can't even say who is getting these gifts. Guess I should photograph them now though so I can share later. Hope I find the time to do that.

Got my photos back for the contest today as well...wow....some are just stunning in print. I amazed myself this time around.

I have a wedding to shoot tomorrow. Looking forward to it. This is the first of 4 this summer that I have to shoot from now until Labor Day. I am doing Bevs son, our school Liberians daughter, and then a friends step daughter all before Labor Day. Plus I have two expos thrown in there for good measure. And the photo contest. Hm mm.....wonder where summer went??

So today was not really unlucky. Just an emotional day. Stress seems to trigger that ugly feeling in me. And I was feeling very ugly today. Needed that hug and I got it. From the boys and Josh. That's enough to make to me smile...

Freebie Template

Template is from Shandy Vogt. Again, used CS2 to make this one. I finally figured out the whole creating mask thingy. I found a tutorial. Will post a link later...it's on my other computer.

I just love these photos of the boys and my mom getting fresh with the giraffes! Last year Josh held a biscut in his mouth to see if the giraffe would take it from him...well as you can see they have really looonngg tongues. And he got more than he bargined for with that idea. So Zander wanted to "try it" this year. YEP, same results! So now Zander says it will be a tradition that he wants to share with his children some day! LOL funny!

First attempt at a Template

Credit goes out to http://www.brittishdesigns.blogspot.com Used a freebie template for the first time. Struggling with the cropping of the photos. I thought using the magic eraser was the trick but nope...so those with Photoshop knowledge...do share.

The Colors Of Summer

I couldn't decide which one I liked the best so I came up with this idea. I am trying to locate a place to have it printed on canvas for a good price.

White Lily

Played with my photo a little... Made a mat in Photoshop.

Help me pick

Our Tiny Town is having a contest. I am thinking of submitting a photo. The theme is flowers. So I want to know your favorite photo. Please cast a vote by leaving me a comment.PHOTO #1PHOTO #2PHOTO #3PHOTO #4PHOTO # 5PHOTO #6

PHOTO #7

My wish list

I have been really thinking hard about what I need to complete my acrylic album. I have the bling from TLC but I really want some of the cool Queen & Co. felt, some paisley or flourish rub-ons and some transparencies, overlays, and rub-ons from Hambly, and some big flowers.

I have really been thinking about what I want to do with my album and I am going to put my convention photos in it. So I will need to go shopping while out in Utah! I arrive on Tuesday and don't have to do anything until later Wed. So I am hoping to find a place to shop!

Off to the pool....

07-07-07

What a fun date! Today was my nephews 2nd birthday. He was only 2 pounds when he was born (9 weeks early). And today is walking, talking, knows is colors, and generally in good health. Still only 17 pounds though. So everyone thinks he is still very young and when they see him take off running, they all freak out. So this post is dedicated to my 'little tiny boy', Jackson. We went to the Toledo zoo with him on the 4th. Here's a photo or two. Aunt Rachie loves you!This is William and Jackson in the polar bear den. You can see how tiny he is here. Will is very small for a nearly 5 year old too. Here he is today opening his gift from us. We got him some CARS cars. He loves to play with cars and trucks. Typical boy!

And getting ready to blow out his candle. He loves SpongeBob.

Sophie

Paisley Brush from http://www.limegreenbogiegirl.blogspot.com/ kirsty

wiseman. Other is just LifeTimez. Used Blue stripe from the Lucky to me kit, paisley is from A Mother is...kit. and then just color picked the background. Fonts: circus and bow.

Backyard Fireworks

Credits: Krystal Hartley; star spangles forth

Stars&Stripes paper; freebie off a blog

http://nbk-nicnic.blogspot.com/; star brush

Just threw this together really fast. Used LifeTimez software only. No CS2 work here today.

Happy 4th!

Photo taken today at the Toledo Zoo.

FiestaWare

Here's my new fiesta ware dishes!!! Gosh...there is really a lot of Yellow in my life, huh?

Freebie from KH

Here's my attempt at using the freebie yellow paper from Krystal for doing the Yellow Challenge. I used some pictures that I took the other day of my flowers. I mixed and matched several items and then used CS2 to change the color of the black items to white. To do that, you will need to import it as a jpg or png file under the add photo option. I changed the color of the items and then did a save as function and put them in my digi folder as a .png file. The background yellow paper was designed by Krystal Hartley.