WM2-Brothers & Sisters

Wendy has a new bundle available this week. You can get just the paper or just the word art or bundle them to save $! Here's what I did with it! It's available at ScrapMatters.com! Fun stuff!

Kristin Aagard-backyard adventures

Kristin Aagard has teamed up with Kristen Rice of K Studio at After Five Designs for this smoking hot backyard adventure kit. There is a tree house in this kit that will blow your mind! I'll be using it soon. Just gotta find my pictures of the kids in their tree house at Nana's! And....there's ORANGE in it! Whoot! oh yeah...and it's on sale today! 20% off! So hurry!

Meredith Cardall-Cinnamon Sugar

Krystal Hartley - Birds and bees

Fun weekend so far! We had a surprise birthday party for Bev on Saturday. It was fun!

WM2- New templates!

Here's one of the main reasons why I love being on Wendy's CT! Her templates! Love em!

to get them for yourself...click on the templates...it's linked to item in her store at ScrapMatters.com

Krystal Hartley-Mixture of stuff

Sooo love this picture. It's me and my favorite teacher of all times at a dedication ceremony in her honor. I didn't know this picture was even taken until I got home and was looking at the photos that I thought I took. I left my camera with another teacher as I was asked to pull the sheet off her bench during the presentation. Mrs. Darr must have taken this for me with my camera. I loved it! I did this layout as a demo from my Monday Challenge on KH blog. Love it!

Last week of SCHOOL!

Wahoo! I can't begin to tell you how excited I am for summer break this year! Looking forward to just hanging out at the pool and having fun with the boys.

I'm off to the doctors to prove to my INS company that I am in fact losing weight. UGH...seriously...I have to pay my dr to tell you that? Grrr....

Maybe the wellness, cheaper plan wasn't all it's cracked up to be? Oh well, it just shows me I am doing it and my scales don't lie. I hope! LOL

It's HOT today! Love it!

Ettes & Co.--In your dreams & Simple Moments

Ettes and Company have been BUSY!

Meredith Cardall-Wild Dandelions

Meredith Cardall of Elemental Scraps has a new kit out!!! It's a super fun one too! Lots of fun dandelion doodles and stuff! Love it! Made this for my Lil Sis! Happy 34th Birthday Amy Jo! I love you more now than I ever did as a kid! LOL Funny how that works, huh?! hahahaha

Libby Weifenbach-Boom boom clap

Libby's got the a Patriot Kit coming out this week! How perfect for me right now!! I will be using this one over and over soon!

Krystal Hartley-I believe in yesterday

Krystal's got a new soft, shabby, vintage kit out this week! Some super cool papers in this one! And I love the REAL elements too! The little red bird is by Kristin Aagard of After5Designs, though.

55!

I did it...I hit 55 pounds gone!! STILL...not at my half way goal yet. But close!!! It's been an uber stressful few days/week. Work is topsy tervy, extended family is jacked up, and I am feeling stressed beyond measure. I took the boys out of school on Wednesday and we spent the day at Henry Ford Museum with Aunt Barb and Jackson. It was so much fun and I am glad I did it. I asked both teachers before I did it and they both agreed it would be fine. I just needed a break and I know the boys did too. So we spent the day having fun and just enjoying each others company and not worrying about ANYTHING. It was educational but also a mental health day for me! I needed to put things into perspective and now I can see where I am heading. Aunt Barb always has a way to of showing me where I came of from and most importantly, where I am going! I am not sure if she is even aware of it. But I do feel better after spending time with her.

Happy Mother's Day!

Mine's been awesome so far. But then again, I have not gotten off the couch yet! LOL
We have to go spend 4 hours mowing my grandma's yard. All in the name of love, right?!

So to all the Mom's out there....HAPPY MOM'S DAY!! Or Mum's day...which ever you prefer!

I got a hand painted picture of a tree from Will and a handmade MOM magnet with Z pic on it from him. Pics to show up on a layout near you! The best thing is, Zander gave me the SAME picture in 2nd grade! So now I have a somewhat matching pair!! One of our retired school teachers comes to the school and teaches/helps the 2nd graders each year paint this picture. It's so awesome! Again...pics to follow.

May...

This month is killing me. I've been sooo busy. I can't believe we are a week into it already. WOW! I love the month of May but it's crazy busy this year for me. My Sister's Birthday is coming up, my anniversary, Memorial day, Graduation, Last day of school, Busy busy busy.

I have a BFF having a 50th Bday in June and sooo wanted to fly out and surprise her but it's just not going to happen. I'm so bummed. But on the flip side, my son is going to Washington DC! So all is good. I am hoping she makes it to MICHIGAN this summer. I've got a lot to show her! Or not show her? Which is it?! LOL

Zander's Fundraiser Photobook

Click here to view this photo book larger

Meredith Cardall-Brighton Lane

I am just blown away by this kit from Meredith. It's called Brighton Lane. I think it tops all my other favorite kits of hers. She made me swear when I saw it! I said Digital Art Makes News!! I love the colors, the elements, the feel of it. I have a feeling I will use this one again!! Happy iNSD(W/E) Everyone!!!

Ettes & Co.--Bliss

Here's some layouts from the Bridal shower last weekend. Ettes have new kit called BLISS coming out. The colors and prints were perfect for my er...I mean, My Sister's shower! Oh well, the last one is not from the shower but hey...it's an awesome photo! I did NOT take it! LOL Story of my life! heehee

Just words...

I am finally going to put my thoughts in print. I have thought a lot about whether or not I wanted to because I don't ever want them to come back to haunt me! Sometimes, I think it's better to just keep things to myself. But I feel it's time to put this out there just so people "get" what I am dealing with internally if I come across differently than normal right now. I am struggling in the most major way known to me about sending my child off on this trip. I know deep in my heart it will be 100% FINE but in my alone times, I cry, A lot! I am so proud of him and even more proud that he willing to cut the apron strings and fly a little higher. But STILL...6 days of no contact (physical). I know these are selfish thoughts. I get that. And that is why I will NOT show my fear, doubt, self pity, to my son. I act totally excited (which is not a lie) I am totally excited. I AM! But wow, does anyone understand what a big step this is for ME? I'm slowly dying inside from the anxiety and pain of knowing I will not see him for 6 days. It's just hard. And I want to put this down so that in the future I can come back and reflect on the thoughts I was having now and hopefully see that it was all for nothing. I know he will safe. I know he will have fun. I know he will Grow in more ways than one from this trip. I Get All That! I DO! And this is what is going to get me through those SIX LONG DAYS. Thanks for hearing me out. Don't judge me for loving my children too much! It's just an emotional time for me for many reasons. This is just one that is weighing heavy on my mind. He has his Fundraiser Saturday! I'm so excited for him and I have set a personal goal of $500. I believe we can do it! He has to get $300 for sure because his Great Aunt has promised him she will match him dollar for dollar up to $300! So he has to raise $300 for sure to make our favorite Aunt pay! LOL God I love her. She's has always had a special bond with Josh and I and now my oldest has found that love too. Family means the world to me and its awesome to have a few that really touch the soul. So thanks for hearing me out and letting me share my emotional pain with you. I will get through this. The hardest will be watching him board the plane. The rest of the time I will be busy working and having fun with Will. We have promised him a day of fun with just Mommy and Daddy. I worry sometimes that he might feel left out right now with all of our energies being put into Z. But he has lots of fun things happening too. He's very active in Scouts and Skating. So he gets attention too! No worries!

Krystal Hartley Stuff

Totally and completely love this picture of Amy Jo and I that was taken at her shower yesterday. We don't take many pictures together but I guess we don't need to when they turn out like this! It lasts a long time in the heart! I sooo hated wearing my dress at the shower. I felt like a fat cow. UGH...Only I could lose over 50# and still feel fat. I just hate wearing a dress. So uncomfortable in them. Anywho...back to the layout. I did this for tomorrow challenge on KH Team blog! Watch for it!

Krystal Hartley and Amy Stoffel-Artesia

Krystal has teamed up with Amy Stoffel again! This time they call their collab-Artesia.

Here's my take on it. Sooo totally way not what I normally scrap. Care to comment? I can take it. Well maybe, just don't push the knife in too far, mkay!

It's a photo of my sister. I loved the effect the mask gave to her face. She's beautiful beyond words and I love how it made her features POP.

Libby Weifenbach-Class of 2010

If you have a graduate in your future or past, you MUST grab this kit. It comes with 7 different colors of element to match almost any school color combo. If it's not spot on, fix it! You can layer, blend, mix the paper to match almost anything. I did this layout of a dear friends son. He's such an awesome kid and I just wish him nothing but success in his future. I'll link you to the kit once it is released. Comes out Saturday AM!

WM2- Day by Day and Go Green

My very first layout using Wendy's Stuff!! I got to play with a new template set Day by Day V.4 and her newest kit called Go Green.

Ettes & Co.--Fresh Linen

Ettes and Co have a new kit out today! It's called Fresh Linen. And it has shades of ORANGE in it!!

WM Sqaured CT

Look where I will be hanging out for the next 6 months! I was going to cut back on my CT's and then low and behold...I do the opposite. Should be fun. I think I just needed a small change? I don't know what I want/need some days. I have to get organized for sure. And I feel like am on the road to keeping it all going again. I do my best work when I am pressured and stressed! LOL And I know my girl Meredith will give me a free pass if I need it. She's just good like that~ ♥U Mere!!
So you will now see me working for Krystal, Kristin, Ettes, Libby, and now Wendy - WM2. And of course, Meredith!
So you are looking for a nice place to hang out....come join us at ScrapMatters! I'll be playing around there and at SweetShoppeDesigns. So if you need me, you know where to look!

Skinny jeans 4 starts today!

I'm hosting another round of Skinny Jeans contest for the next 10 weeks. It will end the last sunday in June. My goal is to lose 15 pounds...but I really want 20 pounds! LOL riiiight!

Anywho...My journey continues. I have been in a funk with it lately. I just feel like I am not doing enough so today is my day to recommit to the plan and to myself. I have continued to lose but just feel like I have lost my passion for it. So much has been happening in my life with surgeries for me and DH, Working on fundraising for my Son's trip, Wedding shower planning, and school stuff that I just kinda fell off the wagon. But today I am recommitting. No more slacking. Time to get back to tracking and working out. It is official ME TIME again.

Banner for Fundraiser

The banner I ordered from VistaPrint came today! For the price, I am thrilled with it! It was "free" but you know how that goes...$10 to ship it. So for $10, I say we will get our moneys worth out of it for sure. I think it will look really official when we do his fundraiser event(s). I'm working my tail off trying to get his fundraiser organized and find donations for the bake sale plus my sisters Bridal Shower is next Saturday. Ahhh....when it rains it pours. I feel like I am not ready for the shower but I know that if I had go with what I have done it will still be perfect. I just had/have so many ideas burning a hole in my brain...literally. I still have to have that hole in my scalp looked at but I just can't seem to find the time to get to the Drs. It doesn't hurt but it keeps seeping and oozing. ugh...It won't really make a difference if I lose a little gray matter anyways. I'm only working with 1/100th of it anyways.

So to say I am extremly busy/running ragged is an understatement.

I got back to the drs tomorrow morning for a recheck from my surgery. And Josh has his Sinus surgery at 11am tomorrow. So we will just hang out all day at the hospital. Not looking forward to the after-effects of this surgery for him tomorrow. Fixing a deviated septum and removing polyps in the nose. OUCH! They say he will look like he got hit my semi. I'll have pics, don't worry!

Kristin Aagard-Kit retirement sale

My Girl Kristin is going to retire a few kits. Out with old, can only mean ONE THING, in with the NEW!!! These are some great kits and will still give you a lot of miles for a little cash. So...April 16th-26th is the time to grab these great kits for only Two Bucks each! You all know how I feel about this girl, she's talented beyond measure and I am honored for each day that she let's me remain on her team! Thank you Kristin...for everything! You are more than a designer to me and you know it! XO

Jr. National Young Leaders Conference

So...I might have posted this already but I am pretty sure it was a FB post. Z got picked to represent our town in Washington DC for the National Young Leaders Conference. I was so excited, I was shaking as I opened it and was reading it. Then the tears started. I cried because I was so proud of him for getting asked, then I cried because I saw the cost, then I was crying because I knew he would never go and I was sad that he would miss out on such an awesome experience. Because frankly, he's only really ever stayed overnight at a friends house once before and heck, he doesn't even stay with his Nana much. So I knew in my heart he would not want to go. Well I took the letter with me when I went to pick him from Science Olympiad practice after school. I showed him the letter and said, well what you do think about that! And he asks, When do I leave? I was awe struck. What? He said he wanted to go? REALLY? Because I never imagined in my wildest dreams he would want too? So now I feel like crying again. Did he really just say he wanted to go and leave me for 6 days? REALLY? Can he? Can I make it? So now it's a whole 'nother ballgame. We have to see what we can do to make this happen. It's nearly $2K to go. Plus cost to get there and spending money. Ummm...can we do this?
So fast forward to now....He still wants to go and we have raised about half the amount he needs so far with just family and friends. But it's still not enough. So, we are now going to be doing fundraiser for him! We are going to have hotdog/bake sale outside our local store on May 1. It will be done by donations only. So we shall see how this pans out! I'm so proud of the work he has put into this so far. He's asked all the questions and mailed out his own letters to family and friends letting them know about his adventure. He really really really wants to do this. How can I not let him? I have to let him grow, go, be, and become! He can do this...I can do this! What an opportunity for him! I'm so proud of him and I can't wait to see DC thru his eyes. I've never been there myself yet! So I will keep you all updated on our progress. And I will be sure to post pictures of him at the hot dog sale! My boy is shaping up to be all he can be and more! I've done well with my boys for sure!

Krystal Hartley-Carpe Diem

Krystal has a new kit in the stores today! It's ORANGE!!! It's called Carpe Diem. So go seize your day and grab this kit!

Kristin Aagard- Vera Lim collab

Kristin Aagard and Vera Lim have teamed up to bring you this super sweet every day moments type of kit called Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow. The kids faces can be changed out to suit the moment! LOL I LOVE IT! Genious!

winner winner!!!

I have won two different contests within the last few days. I won the contest that Simple Scrapper held. I submitted my Skinny Jeans page for that. Won myself $10 to store of my choice (SSD to be exact!)

And now this:
http://thepixelgypsy.blogspot.com/2010/04/twist-lift-winner.html

Ettes & Co.--Walking on Sunshine

The Ettes have a new kit out. Called Walking on Sunshine. And there's ORANGE in it!

and that's no all I have to tell you about the Ettes. They are having a big BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! Fayette turns 49 on Saturday!!

See the details up there in that awesome sign!! ^^^^^^^^^Be sure to stop by!

more Portfolio challenges layouts

All images are clickable for credits if you care to know!

Tired...

For some reason I am dead tired today. And I am tired of this yucky feeling that seems to be following me since Saturday. I'm not sick sick...just not feeling well. I have no clue if it's part of the healing process from my surgery or what. Anywho...off to work. My sis is on her way to florida for the rest of the week. Can you say...JEALOUS. I sooo wish I could go on a vacation. But alas, it's not in the cards.
I have the coolest kit by Kristin coming out soon. It's freaking awesome!! Think everyday type of kit. With a KA twist!

Bridal Shower

Been busy working on Bridal Shower stuff. I got these done. I tied ribbon around the top and want to attach some sort of red drink mix...if I have time and resources! Just thought I would share what I have been doing. It's all about the details, right!

Libby Weifenbach-alpha templates

Libby has some really cool alpha templates out today. You can pick the paper you want to create your letters out of so it is totally yours! I love them! I did some thank you cards with them. She also has a new camo alpha out this week. It can been see on the Science Olympiad layout. Zander took 2nd place in both his events and the school took 3rd place over all. VERY PROUD!! The kit used in the layout is called Can you see me now.

I'm Loving It

Did you know that the first McDonals opened its doors in April 1955?! Yep it's true. So we had lunch at the newly remodeled local chain today. I say newly remodeled...they did in the fall but we literally have NEVER been inside since then until today. We always use the drivethru.
Papers are from Libby Weifenbach's kit called Bee's Knees. Font is called McLawsuit. Love it! hahahaha

Love on a bike art

Today's challenge that I did was to lift some art work from the site: Love on a bike.

Top photo is the art I picked. Then you can see my lift from that.

April Portfolio Challenge

So SSD has these month long challenges going and you can earn % off discounts. So I am playing along this month. This is my first challenge. It was to lift a layout by Jule.