A Splash of Ash

Ashli, I hope you don't mind. I want my book 12x12. So I 'fixed' your layout. Do you approve?? If not, I will take this down and not use it my book and I will wait for you to fix it to a 12x12 size. Let me know ASAP...I wanna get my book ordered! Thanks!

Gone Postal!

Top Down: Ashli's, Izzy's, Jan's, Betsey's, Mine, Shelley's, and Amanda's!
Top Down: Mine, Shelley, Amanda, Izzy, Ashli, Jan, Betsey.

You guys are lucky I didn't keep these! WOW! They are yummy!

I got an Award!! See if you did too....

For those of you receiving the Award, here are the rules:

1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.

4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award. http://arteypico.blogspot.com/Make sure you visit the link above. There are crafts of all kinds shown you are bound to come away inspired!

5) Show these rules.

I was picked to receive this award by Amy Sumrall. I met Amy online thru blogging and the Gotta Pixel site. She and I have been communicating thru email for a few weeks and I feel like she has been my friend for life. We share a lot of similar interests and goals in life. Thank you Amy for all you do. Must be the name! I havemy best friend of all times, Amy Kwast, and my Sister Amy Jo! I blessed with Amy's in my life!

My picks are:

Shell Mackay:. I met Shell through TLC. She loves to have fun, is kind hearted, giving, funny. And has the best Accent I have ever heard! If I EVER need ANYTHING...She is my go-to long distance friend. I love to read about her antics and she can find anything on the net within seconds. She always has funny story and Utubes to share! LOVE YOU GIRL!

Wendy M. I met Wendy through TLC also. She was my secret sister on the cruise and that is when our bond was formed. I have loved ever since. She is my compassionate, loving, warm, sensitive Friend. She and I think a lot alike. Love you too, GIRL!

Elisa K. I have known Elisa since Oct. 2006. I saw her wonderful bags online and contacted her about selling them for her. I worked with her and Andy to get the consultant end of her business up and running. I was her very first consultant! I enjoy Elisa's love of art. She is a wonderful mother, wife, business woman, friend. She's very down to earth and creative. She rocks!

Shelley Moore: I met Shelley back in my Scrap In A Snap day! We have been through so much together. She works very hard at home and raises her children well. She just started blogging but she has a way with putting LIFE IN TO WORDS! Love ya!

Ashli Wolf: I have known Ashli for a year or so, I guess. We also met thru TLC. She is crazy. In a funny, sweet, loving sort of way! She can make you feel so good about yourself with just a few words! Her blog showcases her talents and her love of life. Love ya Chickie

Remember, I could only pick 5. Not sure why but...Who are you gonna tag?

My Weakness

I love this freebie by Amy Sumrall.
And I love these 3 Musketeers MINT with Dark Chocolate. I took this picture at easter and wasn't sure what I was going to so with it. And for some reason when I saw this new kit it made me think of this candy! hhmm....I might have to run to the store soon!

Sale at TaraSrokaDesigns 5-3-08

Hey! Look what's going to happen on May 3! Tara's having a sale!

Camera Straps are coming!

I just got an email from Elisa, the order was shipped. I will get them out ASAP.

Thank you all again for the orders!

Hybrid Grad invitation

Here is the digi part of Will's invitations. Going to add this to Cardstock.

Summer Rules

I was sorting my pictures from last year and came across this one! Really puts me in the mood for summer.

Credits: All Krystal Hartley stuff.

Rachel mini kit, Sculpted Glass-nature, Ashli mini kit, Mabel Alpha, Green alpha, FS Collab. kit-frame.

Mabel by KH

We got to play with new kit today. This won't be available for about a month, I think. But this will give you a sneak peek of what's coming! It's called Mabel. (Mothers Always Bring Exta Love) The butterflys, flower, and swirls are more of the glass items! I love those! I had to queeze in a few extra items too. And I had to get my shiney glitter effect in there too! This color palate is so not me...so be kind. This was a tough one for me.

The Family are some friends of ours. The father/grandpa was my teacher while in high school. I was asked to shoot their family last year. The daughter on the far right is a good friend of my sisters too. They attend our church also. And in my tiny town, we are all probably related or friends!! I thought the colors complimented their outfits very well.

A Crazy Home...

I have had these crazy photos for awhile. I wasn't sure how to scrap them until now! This paper by Amy Sumrall made me think of these photos. You all know I am bright and bold kinda girl so this fits perfectly in my life! I swear my oldest and my Hubby are twins. Look at the facial expression. These photos were taken months apart from each other. But the expression is the same for Zander & Josh! FUNNY! Then there's my Will I Am. So much like his momma...

Credits: All Amy Sumrall items.

TLC swap photobook covers

ok...I made up some covers for my photobook. I need one more layout before I can send it in...SHELL, KRYSTAL? Anyone else! I wanna get this done!

"2 boys & a Cat"

Back story: I love this picture of the boys. I asked Josh to help me come up with a title for this and simply says, "Two boys and a cat" and then walks away. I holler to him...I can't name it that. He hollers, 'Then don't ask me again"

hhmmmphhh....men....

So to show him I could make it work...here it is!

Krystal Hartley Potato Bar .99 kits!

Cheryl's KitCheryl's Kit
Ashli's Kit
Ashli's Kit Ashli's Kit

Meredith's kit called HANNAH

NOTE: These layouts were done over a course of a few days. I just couldn't post them until now. But no, I am never very far from my computer. Anyone wanna buy some paper? I have a few million sheets I could sell ya! CHEAP! Well, wait, what's the cost of a new laptop? That's how much I want for my paper stuff! hahaha

Amanda Dykan CT Layouts

Template by Lori. Papers by Amanda Dykan of PurplePaperFlowers.

Just a couple of layouts using Amanda Dykan's paper pack called Radio GaGa. Stitched flowers are by Krystal Hartley. Template by Erica.

Sisters

Another layout using MY KIT! Photo was taken yesterday at my brothers b-day party. We were laughing because I was horsing around prior to the picture.

RACHEL {the mini kit} more...

ok... This is kit is SOOOO ME! I am loving these colors! I am trying to stay with just what is available in the mini kit right now just to show some ideas. But watch out...I am going to start mixin N matchin soon!

Ok...the top layout is my younger brother. He turned 28 on the 17th. Zayden is his son.
The bottom layout is my sister. She will be 32 next month. I grew up hating this girl more than anything else on the face of this earth. I am NOT kidding. But I am proud to say she now my ROCK, my best friend. I love this lady more than I ever thought was possible. Funny how time has a way of changing things. God knew what he was doing when he made her my sister! Love you SIS! No really, I do! Promise!


ETA: William took the photo of Amy Jo too! I just cropped it a little more and went B&W. I have a wonderful little photographer on my hands!

RACHEL {the mini kit}

I am going to be flamed for this but I don't care...

Here is what I did with my new mini kit. Watch for it at http://www.polkadotpotato.com/ on 4-22-08 for only .99!

William took this picture of my nephew Zayden today! Not kidding! My 5 Y.O. captured this shot! Straight out of the camera, I swear!

It's coming again!

POLKA DOT POTATO .99 BAR!

I have played with Krystal's 3 mini kits and let me just say, you will want to make sure you have an extra $2.97 on April 22. You HAVE TO BUY THESE KITS! wow! I will give you a few hints. Fantasy based, Floral embroidery, and Wild, Bold, see-thru! If you want a PEEK...go to her blog. She has few tiny previews of the mini kits. These are being named after her CE members. We got to pick our 'theme' and she went all Krystal on them! My fingernails are gone waiting to see mine! I am NOT A NAIL BITER but man...I can't take this.

So consider yourselves warned. You WILL NEED these mini kits! The top selling kits will get turned into full sized kits! So make sure you 'vote' for your favorite so you will get the full kit later! I have a feeling it's going to be a tie. You will want them ALL!

He's Mine!

Credits: Tara Sroka Designs
HollyDays kit, Nutrional labels, Love Muffin kit, Queen of Green kit, You ShamROCK kit.

Divas

I saw this kit listed on Digifreebies and I just had to whip something up. I will give full credits later. Off to work, long day. But I had to show this one to Wendy & Shell. I just love this photo of us. I have used it a few times but that's ok!

Credit: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/misfitsscrapz/

By Missy of Misfits Scrapz

You may now address me as...

Madame President! LOL hahaha Of course I must say, no one else wanted it either. So I stepped up to the plate and decided to take the position for our Parent Group at school. I made sure I got my dearest friend to be my VP. So that will be a nice time. The only other president position I have ever held is the Krystal Hartley fan club president! LOL

So we will see what next year brings me. Wish me luck and pray I find the strength, knowledge, and guts to do it and do it well.

Off to finish a project for kindergarten round up. Due tomorrow. Is it really April 15th already?? Gosh this month has been crazy with florida trip and grandma passing. I need to get busy.

Friends-KH

Here was my second choice layout for the Swap. But instead, I am using as CE requirement! LOL

Credits: ALL KRYSTAL HARTLEY!!
Includes Sweetest thing {the kit}, Blooming Happiness Pack 1, Goin' Girly paper, Listen (Freebie), Little black alpha, Gladness Freebie, Carnival -the green lace (not available)

I think that's everything. I am not one to stay within the given kit. I have to mix N match! And her products allow me the chance to do just that! I love her stuff! Don't you! Go support her and get yourself a kit. The little black alphabet is only $1~ Seriously!

Journaling reads: Without TLC, I would have never met one of my dearest friends. Krystal Hartley. I admired her work for a long time and then I find out she thought of me as her muse. God has a way of bringing people together. Our friendship was just meant to be! I will cherish it always. I may never see her again but I will always have her friendship.
Photo taken at TLC Convention 2007.

TLC Swap

Well, here is what I came up with for my layout in the FORMER TLC CONSULTANTS SWAP hosted by Krystal Grant. I couldn't decide on my 'theme' but I think this will do just fine. I decided to go with a single photo of myself. I have another done up with my favorite, most cherished photo of my hero and me. But I guess I will use this one.

Calling all former TLC consultants

My upline (oops...Former Upline) is having a layout call for all former TLC consultants. We are going to create a layout about ourselves and what POSITIVE things that we got out of Top Line Creations. I have many many things to be positive about TLC. My Friendships with most of my readers is due totally to TLC. Without Top Line Creations, I would have never met some of you. Probably all of you, really. Whether you were a member of TLC or not I probably wouldn't have crossed paths with any of you had I not been with TLC. Everything happens for a reason. I am firm believer in that statement.

Here is her post to get the details. I am doing this one for sure. And you can bet your life saving on it that it will be done using only Krystal Hartley stuff. Without her, I would have never thought about doing what I do today. Thanks for the inspiration, believing in me, and lifelong friendship.

HELP ME DECIDE:
I have several photos that I can use on this layout. But I am not sure what direction I will take this. It has to have one photo of myself in there. Would you all want to see a layout of just ME or include my photos of all my friends with me? Majority rules.

Grandma Tommi

This is Grandma Tommi and her Mom. I made this layout for my MIL. She loves this photo of her Mom & Grandma.

Here she is with all but 3 her Children. She lost one back in 1996. And the other two just could not be there. This was at our Uncle Jeff's 50th B-day party last year in North Carolina. We lost her at 3 am this morning. She has gone Home. Visitation is Monday from 2-4 & 6-8. Funeral is 10am Tuesday.

I LOVE YOU GRAM!

BasicGrey Bracket Album

Credits: Template & papers by Amanda Dykan at www.purplepaperflowers.com
Paper pack is called Pemberly.

10000 views

Cool. Who would have thought it would happen on my tiny little blog! Fun. Of course probably half are me from posting. LOL And this is post 515 for me. Just had to share.

Stepping stones

Still here

Life is just crazy right now. I have 3/4 of my Hybrid album printed out. So that is still in the works. I took a day to spend with DH yesterday afternoon and went shopping. enjoyed that.

Just kicked off a new BoxTops4Education collection program at the school so that is keeping me busy too. The big VOTE is Tuesday. Let's hope someone steps up to the plate so I don't have too.

Josh's grandma is getting worse daily. So the stress of that is heavy on my mind. Just had Birthdays for BOTH in-laws yesterday. It was so awesome! We had several families member there which NEVER happens. We put 110 candles on two mini cakes!!! Seriously, you could feel the heat coming off it when they got carried in! Photos to follow!

Off to work today. Long day. It will be nice to have something to focus on and keep my mind off the not so pleasant stuff in my life right now.

Working on a hybrid project!

I just ordered my Basic Grey Bracket album and others from Sweet shoppe yesterday. I also bought this: Template Set

I am out of ink at the moment so I am at stand still. But I am heading to town today to get more. I am so excited to try this!!!

Andy & Sarah

Credits: Tara Sroka Designs- I Do for the background paper. Other paper was just colored to match the dress sash. Template by Fryske.

This is my Dearest Friend Bev's son's wedding last year. You can see Bev in the blue dress. Her hubby Jim and son Andy and new DIL Sarah. I was honored to be asked to shoot the wedding for them.

TAG

10 YEARS AGO-I was living in Ionia, Michigan waiting for the birth of my first child. Working full time in Lansing for Dr. Woodland.

5 THINGS ON MY TO DO LIST
1. Work on my CT layouts tonight
2. Sell off my TLC inventory
3. Visit Josh's Grandma
4. Visit my Grandma
5. Hug my family

5 SNACKS I ENJOY
1. Popcorn
2. Pretzels
3. Chips
4. Chocolate at times
5. Cheez its

5 FOODS I LOVE
Mexican
Spaghetti
Sweet & Sour Chicken with Fried Rice
pizza
Potato casserole that my mom makes

What would I do if I were suddenly a billionaire.

1. Pay my poor uplines that just got screwed.
2. Pay off my OWN Debt
3. Take a long vacation with all my family
4. Buy my Grandma's house
5. Help my family out too.

5 PLACES I HAVE LIVED
1. Hudson, Michigan
2. Holt, MI
3. Lansing, MI
4. Ionia, MI
5. Hudson, MI And that is literally ALL of them! It would have only been 4 but I did move BACK to Hudson!

FAVORITE QUOTE:
Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened.

Florida Memories

I have been trying to figure out how to use this gorgeous yellow paper from Krystal Hartley. I love yellow. It has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember. But it has to be the right shade of yellow or else I hate it. Go figure. Well this yellow paper made me smile. I have had my eye on a shirt for awhile too that is yellow, black. white, and grey. So here is my spin on the shirt since I can't buy it. Its really retro looking and these flowers remind me of it. You never know what will inspire me to create a layout.

Credits: All Krystal Hartley: Freshalicious paper pack, Build your own Dragonfly, Sweet floral Freebie, Sweetest Thing {the kit}, FS Easter Collab kit, and spring fever doodles at PPF.

New Job!

I've gotten myself a new job! I am now on the Creative Team of Amanda Dykan of PurplePaperFlowers.com
These layouts are done with her Pemberly Paper Pack.
This layout is done with her Radio Ga Ga paper pack.
For full credits just click on the photos.

Floridaaah

Credits: Krystal Hartley- Sculpted Glass:Nature and Rough N Red alpha and freshalicious paper pack

Just had to try these new Sculpted Glass embellys! Made for a fun page don'tcha think! I saw the word Floridaaah on a billboard at the airport and just had to use it!!

on a side note: I had to make sure one of the boys got red swim trunks this year so I could use all those red alphas of Krystal's. I love love love them!

Home Safe

Well I made it! Everyone is home, safe and sound. And I have literally thousands of emails to catch up on...soo....more later!