Catching Up to Keep Up!!!

So much has happened in the last 3 months! Where to start....

I have been working on quite a few different paper craft projects...and will be posting pics soon! Our local scrapbook store just closed last week...I am so sad because I really enjoyed teaching classes! So, I am tinkering around the idea of teaching/selling classes and kits from this blog. I have a little research to do and will be posting more soon!!! I would love to get some feedback on this...so if you have an idea or some input...please share!!!

I entered the West Texas Fair & Rodeo in September and did really well!! I entered canning, perishable foods, and photography...I don't know how many ribbon total that I won...but it was alot...I will get some pics together and share on another post! BUT the coolest thing that happened was that I was asked to be the chairwoman for the scrapbooking section of the WTFR for 2010....I am so excited...I am going to have to get busy on that real soon!!

I had posted that I was going back to work...and I did...I started at Catherine's August 1 worked there until I was offered a job with N******, which was better hours, more money and I was going to be able to work from home... Perfect right!!!! Nope!!!! I started training October 26th and was at home working 3 weeks later. The amount and quality of training was substandard and I wasn't the only one having difficulties...so...I quit!! Life is too short to be that stressed!!!

Jon has changed jobs...He was offered a job with a former employer making more money and he is able to work more hours... His previous employer had cut way back on hours and he was lucky to get 40 hours a week.

Jordan is doing good : ) We had a little bit of a hiccup on grades the second six weeks, which was a huge surprise since she is such a good student! She usually has A's with maybe one B... but I guess she had to learn that grades will not always come easy and sometimes you have to study.

My father-in-law, Roger, is currently in the hospital, he had triple bypass and has been in and out of surgery and ICU. Prayers are definately appreciated. We had Thanksgiving up at the hospital with Mary (MIL) on Thursday and I am going up there today, Roger is scheduled for surgery at 9am. It appears he has MRSA which is a drug resistant staph infection. Please pray that the doctors get all of the infection out!! I really must run...have to get ready...

Update!!

I've been working...it is part-time but still feels like alot and when it is a 10 1/2 hour day it is hard on me... I have enjoyed parts of it... I am working in retail clothing...and have never had this type of job...so it has been a fun learning experience...It is just the standing for an entire shift that is difficult... Anyway...enough Gritching! : )

Not too much going on... I did teach a class last week... It was a 2 page layout with two cards from the Glitz Sparrow line of paper with Prism cardstock, Smooch Paint, Glitter...and of course...ink...I used Distressing Ink Aged Mahogany and Pine Needles! This layout is a bit out of my comfort zone with the really bright colors...but I just love it : ) Enjoy!

The BIG 13!!!

Jordan is finally 13 and is so excited...today is her birthday and since she has gotten up this morning she has been "prancing" around and singing "Today's my birthday"...
I remember that excitement even though it's been a day or two...and the feeling of a writ of passage! I think the countdown to 16 has begun...Help!
No...she is such a good kid...most of the time...you know they all have their moments... and she is completely different from me in so many ways...I am in there a little bit...but for the most part she is more like my mother-in-law... I say all the time...it is strange...raising and living with your mother-in-law...no...every one knows I love my MIL...
Jon's birthday is tomorrow...the BIG 38... finally we are not the same age... he is 352 days older than me and he just loves the 13 days in between that we are the same age... During that time I remind him though...he is still closer to 40 than me... : )
Enjoy your weekend...I will be scrapbooking all weekend and will post the results next week!

Just a Tuesday

Good Morning : )
I woke up bright and early this morning and thought...wow...I have some catching up to do!
I decided to pass on the job with Teleperformance and am continuing my search...I am so fortunate to have a great husband who supports me! I just did not feel right about working there and did not get a good "vibe" (if you will) about it!! But I have lots of other prospects and lots of apps out there...so I feel it won't be long...everyone just please pray! Please!

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is Jordan's 13th birthday...and Thursday is Jon's 38th birthday... We are planning on a Six Flags trip with a friend of Jordans'...but it will have to wait until August... so I am planning on a girls day for Wednesday!

There is a crop/retreat this weekend...so planning on spending a little time there...still wanting to do some preplanning some time before the end of the week...and going to order tons of pictures...Walgreens is having a special...10 cent prints for 50 or more... so you get 50 pics for $5...not a bad deal...

I scheduled a class for Thursday, August 6th at Scrapbooker's Dream...It is a two page layout and two cards...The paper is from Glitz Sparrow line of paper...Love it!!!. http://glitzitnow.blogspot.com/ with some bright orange cardstock, Smooch pearl paint and glitter!! I don't think a price has been set yet...but will keep ya'll posted!!!

Well...I think that is about it... I will show and tell after the retreat! : ) Enjoy your day!

Crop results

Well...the little visitor is gone!!! Yea!!! I took off my map (which I had gotten from an outside source) and then changed my password...it is way hard now... Any way...we are back in business... and I am so glad. I went to the crop retreat this past weekend and had a really great time... I got a couple of things done and here is one of my layouts...

These pics are from July 4th, 2008...and you will notice the pic in the bottom right corner...well, that is my mother...she absolutely refused to let me take her pic...so I told her I would just have to scrap that pic...and I did...love you, mom!! It looks like there is an alien attached to her face... Of course...that is Jon and I on the left...top right...Uncle Mark (mom's brother), then Jordan and her Nana, Mary, my MIL...Middle left is the destruction of fireworks...middle right...my sweet grandma...bottom left is Jordan and my dad, Richard...We always have such a great time for the 4th and I look forward to it every year...

The other project I created are for a class...the layout is so cute...with bright orange and purple and turquoise and brown...too cute...you can go to Scrapbookers Dream blog for info on the class...the link is in my blog list to the right... Hope everyone has a great day...Enjoy : )

***NOTICE***

There is a problem with my blog...
Something or Someone has invaded it
and left this ugly black box with incoherant
rambling text. Please be advised "I" did
not put this up!!!!! I do not agree or even
understand what they are saying!!!!

As soon as this is repaired...I will be back!!

The Latest

Well...it has been an active 24 hours...I had bunko last night...which I love and got the best scrapbook prize (I took my own prize home)...not that there weren't other great prizes...it is just that I had picked it out and REALLY wanted it...It was Prima paper, flowers and bling in these bright almost flourscent colors with black and white...too cute...
Then today...I went to Teleperformance for a typing test...and scored 51 wpm...which is good and then made a perfect score on the Customer Service exam...cool...and they offered me a job... The hours may be problematic but we will see... staying positive : ) I started training on 07/20... I still have several resumes out there and one at the hospital...so I could still here from them... be praying...
My 3?th birthday is tomorrow...Jon has taken the day off...so we will be together all day...cool...then I will be scrapbooking all weekend...cannot wait...hopefully I will have lots of projects to share by Monday... Hope everyone has a great weekend : )

Recouped and Ready ; )

Well...the 4th toke a toll on me...it was alot of fun though...but wow...we didn't get home until 1:30am and to bed until after 2am... I am too old for all that... I used to be able to stay up all night...but not any more... It is funny; even if Jon and I go out for dinner and a movie I am ready to be home by 10:30pm... You know I never thought that would happen and I never thought the music would be too loud... : )

Jordan had such a good time...and these three pics were my favs...We had hot dogs and deviled eggs and chips and dessert...yum,yum... and we did not have any injuries this year... last year I was hit with a firework...the tube fell over just as it went off... So all was good...

The guys had tons of fun...blowing stuff up...This was some of the destruction they caused... urg,urg,urg...This is Jon and Jon...Jon my husband and Jon my cousin...

Another cool thing...is that my parents live on a hill out on the lake and you could see fireworks going off all around us...So I think we all got our firework fix and we are good for another year! Hope everyone has a great day! Enjoy!

*(* HaPpY 4th oF JuLy *)*

I have always loved the 4th of July...for the last 15 years or so we have had a big celebration at my parents house for the 4th...lots of food...lots of people...and lots of fireworks... My parents take a trip to Minnesota every spring and they always stop in Missouri on their way back...You can buy fireworks in Missouri all year long at wholesale prices...so...they load up!! We are expecting 25 or so people this year...I love to take the pics... I will share tomorrow!!!

I hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th...and let's remember our soldiers who are overseas fighting for our freedom today...and all the men and women who have lost their lives for our country!

BIG Kitties Play Hard TOO

Yes...this is a normal size laundry basket : )

Hoss has to get into any empty basket..box..anything..At this point he had already played very hard...and is taking a break...I can't believe I actually got a picture...he can be camera shy or he will get upset and put his ears back when I get the camera out...

That is all for now...just had to share... : ) Enjoy your day

Hhhheeeyyyy!!!

Well...my latest project is my banner...I finally got some digital scrapbooking software...and for a steal I might add....it is sooooo much fun... I have always loved the actual paper and INK and all the little do dads...but...I can really see where digital scrapbooking can be useful... After I finished my banner I did 3 layouts in like 20 minutes...so cool...and there are so many different things for free online for digital scraping... anyway...I will share one of the layouts...but please remember this was the first one... Hope everyone has a great weekend and stays cool : )

SHOCKING : 0

I knew Farrah Fawcett had been sick for quite some time and then on Wednesday a priest had gone to see her...it is just so sad...and then when the news broke yesterday afternoon I was absolutely shocked about Michael Jackson's death...He was such an amazing entertainer...I was a teen in the 80's when the Thriller ablum came out...and the video...and I remember dancing in my room by the hour listening to his music with my friends...You can watch the video on YouTube here is the link...they cannot be embedded right now...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtyJbIOZjS8...Enjoy the video!!

I have been working on the garage...we are getting a new garage door installed on Monday and then I will be back to paper crafting...so stay tuned...have a great Friday : )

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

I have truly been blessed...I have so many great men in my life (that doesn't sound very good)...let me explain... My mother married my dad (step-dad) when I was 10 and before then my grandfather had been the male role-model in my life...I think it is vital for every girl to have a paternal figure PRESENT in her life...and I am truly grateful for mine!!Thank you !! My grandfather (PaPa) passed away a few years back...I miss him so much and think of him today!

Then there is my husband...although a little rough around the edges at times...I love him and could not have picked someone better to be the father of our daughter...and my father-in-law is so great with Jordan it is amazing to see him with her...so much patience!! Jordan is a very blessed child to have all of these men PRESENT in her life also...Thank ya'll!!

I did make a couple of Father's Day cards and thought I would share:
This one is for my Dad...I used Basic Grey Periphery...






And I made this one for my Father-In-Law...he loves Japanesse gardening and artwork... Enjoy!!

Graduation announcement

Well...hello : )

Things are starting to calm down...and I know Hoss is glad that I am home...he keeps jumping in my lap...he just needs some lovin...so sweet ; )

While I was away I also made some graduation announcements for Dawson...the young man who rides bulls and his photo is on an earlier post...anyway...just thought I would show and tell... I ended up making 80 total announcements and his picture was in the announcement with a vellum overlay... I used Stampin Up cardstock...it made such a huge difference...the black was a true black instead of blue/black...

Be sure to be watching for kits...I have several I am working on...Really fun and interesting!!!

A couple will be from past classes I have taught!!!

I'mmmmm bbbaaaacccckkkkkkkk!!!!

I am sure some people have thought I dropped off the face of the earth!! I finished the month (or so) working at the daycare and now it is time to get life back to normal...or in my case semi-normal : )
I have officially started looking for a job...I will keep ya'll posted...I have loved my time at home but needing a new to me car and with the economy the way it is Jon's hours have been cut...so...I may even look for something part-time...ya just never know...
I was able to go to a scrapbooking crop this last weekend and worked on an acrylic album...they are so much fun...I will post some pics when it is done : )... I just love my crop group!! They are some of the greatest people I know...and I am not just saying that because some of ya'll read my blog...I really mean it!!! (You can check out their blogs with the blog tags on the side)
Jordan came home last night from her grandma's and I am so glad she is back...I miss her when she is gone!! Although she is probably not glad to be home...we are currently working on cleaning house!!YEA!!! Over the last month or so things have been neglected...seeing how when I would get home collapse from exhaustion, eat and go to bed!!! It is amazing how much energy babies and toddlers burn...I mean seriously!! They are all precious though and I wouldn't admit this to just anyone...but...I am already missing'em...especially the twins ; )

Twins

This week has been crazy!! I am glad it is over and a new adventure will begin on Monday... I am helping Mendy with her daycare through the month of May... which I have helped her from time to time but her regular helper is having a baby and wants to take some time off... The majority of the kids are under two and then there are the twins...I tell ya...I love these babies...babies...they just turned one in March! Here are a couple of pics I have taken of them...






The picture taking thing has slowed down since school is almost out...I am also starting to look for a J O B...yuck!! I need a new (to me) car...wish me luck...hopefully it will not be a permanent situation... I have enjoyed picking Jordan up from school and being with her more... but sometimes you have to do what you have to do!! Ya'll be praying for me to find the right fit of a job!! Anyways...hope ya'll enjoy the rest of your weekend : )

Hoss

Again...sorry for the absence...been busy helping a friend... Tooday I was trying to take it easy... I woke up and was having a hard time moving though.. I have arthritis and somedays it is pretty difficult even getting out of bed. This is one of those days...

Anyways...I have not told ya'll yet about my darling pets... We have three kitty kats and they are just precious.. well at least one of them is... We have Dot-which we rescued..she had been declawed and then put outside..she can be pretty bratty- then there's Cricket-she doen't like Dot AND then there's HOSS...the most precious baby boy I have ever seen...I know gag, right?...but...when I am having those rough days he is just so sweet... I think it is incredible that our pets KNOW when we are having a bad day...physically, emotionally, or whatever and will try and comfort us... This morning I woke up and my sweet...did I mention he weighs 20 pounds...my sweet baby boy laying on me and licking my fingers... You just have to laugh... Don't get me wrong he can be a brat too... Like this picture shows...he is on top of my kitchen cabinets.. he gets up there and then he cries for his mom to come and get him and when I am trying to help him down...this is what he does... he will just lay down and look at me like "what are you tryin to do?" ....at least he smiled for the picture ; )

Well...I hope everyone has a good day...more pictures to come...I have two sessions on Saturday ...should be fun... BYE : )

Cosmo Cricket Layout

Good Morning : )
Well...it has already been another busy morning in our house...Jordan is off to school and Jon to work...and me picking up the house...helping a friend today set up for an open house...a photo session this evening...dinner...laundry...whew!!!
But since I haven't shared any paper crafts in a little while...thought I would post this...This is a layout I did some time ago of Jordan... These were some pics I took at Mendy's barn.. I used one of the Cosmo Cricket lines of paper...Prism cardstock and the cloud edge scissors...The trick to using the edging scissors is a pencil and ruler to help you keep a straight line... So go dig in your old tools and break out some edging scissors and play... : ) Have a great day

My Every Intention

I guess everyone has noticed that I have been out of pocket again and it was originally my intention to post everyday...I guess we all go through spots of mass histeria and are running around just trying to keep up... This has definitely been me here lately. Fortunately...most of my running has been fun stuff...like taking pictures...
I took some pictures this last Friday evening with a family to get some pics of the kiddos... They were both so cute and we had such a good time... I am not posting their names but you will see they are both so stinking cute...

See I told you : )... They were sitting there so stiff and then I asked the sister..."Do you love your little brother?" and this is what we got...just precious... : )
Well...I had better get back to the mayhem...Enjoy your day

On the Go : )

I have been on the go and just taking a minute to stop and collect my thoughts. What had started out being a favor for a friend...has turned into an unexpected adventure. In my previous posts I showed ya'll a couple of the senior pictures I had taken... and now I have taken another set and have two more sessions scheduled....This is a picture from last Sundays session : ) We were downtown and walked all over...it was alot of fun : )

March Kit Club Layout

Good Morning : )

Well...I thought I would show you my creation from our LSS Kit Club...I like going to these classes because you usually learn something new...and they can help you get out of your comfort zone... I would never use foam on my pages before ...BUT...with a little INK...not bad...(the balloons are foam)...Sandra did an excellent job on this layout!! ...Thanks for teaching : )

I have Bunko tonight and am responsible for a main dish...so I had better go get busy!! Plus...have housework to do...hope everyone has a great day : )

Bedroom Update Pictures

Good Morning : )

I finally got a good NIGHTS sleep instead of staying up all night and sleeping during the day...not good...so that means I actually made my bed today and took some picutres...and here they are!

The bedrooms in our house are VERY small so it really limits on you what you can do...the second picture is the wall adjacent to the bed...the chocolate wall : ) I love my room : ) I will get back to scrapbooking very soon...I just have a few more things to do... We are having a garage sale this coming weekend... I had better get busy... Hope everyone has a great day :

It is Official!!!

My sleep schedule is messed up...LOL...it is currently 4:02am Central Standard Time and I am still up...wow...I am normally a great sleeper and usually need a great deal of sleep...I guess not this week or has is been two... Oh Well at least I am getting something done during this period of insomnia... I took senior pictures today for Courtney (technically yesterday, but whatever) and have worked on them using Photoshop and don't think I did too bad... This is one of my favs... Oh and the young man in the previous picture...this is his girlfriend...she is so sweet... I think they are too cute together!! Please give feedback if you have an opinion...they are appreciated : )

Scrapbook Class Ran Late : )

Hey there...I hope no one gave up on me. I had every intention on posting some of my bedroom pics BUT...instead of a 4 hour class it ran over a bit and I got home a little later...which is fine..I love being with all of the ladies at the LSS and we had a great time...

Instead I thought I would share a senior picture I recently took and ask for some feedback... I am posting my fav ... The young man's name is Dawson and he is a bull rider and quite good from what I have heard...He wanted something a little different than the usual studio portraits and being we are in TEXAS (the greatest state in the union) we had to include his interest... BULLS...I am in no way a professional photog...but I have taken some decent pics in the last couple of years since I bought my Canon SLR camera. Anyways...any comments are appreciated...I am taking another set of senior pictures tomorrow afternoon... Have a good night

I AM STILL ALIVE : )

I hope everyone has not given up on me : ) I am still alive and breathing...barely...asthma is rough when you live in west texas... Lubbock blew into Abilene yesterday : ) but I am on the mend and once again up late and working on getting ready for the class I am teaching tomorrow morning.

I finished my bedroom for the most part...and will post some pics tomorrow...I am still looking for just the right thing to hang on one wall...guess I will have to go junkin'...darn the luck : )
Hope everyone has a great night!

Bohemia Inspired Art Work

I just thought I was going to bed. Jon had a softball game this evening and didn't get home til late...so...I am still up!! BUT I put my sleep deprivation to good use...

These were the most hideous pictures I had ever seen...they were from the 70's originally and they were faded scenes of daisies and black eyed susans...they were probably very nice in their day since they had been done by a professional framer and the frames themselves were in great shape....but way out dated. So...I painted the frame, painted the mat to match my color selections and used my foam stamps...a little bling...and a couple of bling vintage buttons... They really remind me of the Bohemia line of paper with this same color palette...Not bad for a country girl : ) I just love finding something not so great and making it your own... Well it is 1:37am so I am seriously going to bed now... Have a wonderful Wednesday

Still Painting!

I seem to be moving at a turtle's pace!! Ya know how it is...ya just can't get done fast enough... Maybe it is just me...I get so excited...I am such a kid sometimes : ) Anyway, I just wanted to give ya'll a sneak peek!! Recall the 80's wallpaper...

TADA!!! Well..This is that wall now!

The color in the photo is close...it is the perfect CHOCOLATE brown...and then that got me to thinking...That could be a problem : ) Too late : ) Just don't be surprised if I end up blogging about a "quick" trip to the store in the middle of the night because there was a chocolate emergency! I'm delirious and going to bed!! Sleep tight : )

Time Flies When You Are Havin Fun?

The painting is in progess...and I have proof!! : )

See I have been working...and not just neglecting ya'll...

The wall that is now chocolate brown (same as color above) was previously covered in vintage 1983 vinyl wallpaper which was ivory with rust colored stencil flower/fountain shapes...I don't know what else to call them...they used to be on everything in the 80's... I remember vividly...

I removed the paper and textured the wall and then painted...including the edge work by hand and painted 2 picture frames which I will hopefully finish tomorrow... The rest of the walls will be ivory....

Last year during Spring Break I revamped our hall bathroom...It is very small but it sure took some time...it was also adorned with the same era wallpaper in the same color scheme with a rose motiff...at least the contractor was consistent : ) The picture shows it to be more yellow then it really is... but it is a lighter gold color...

I just hope this revamp turns out as good as the bathroom did... I guess we all will see soon...pictures will be coming : )

BUSY, Busy, busy : )

Lots of work going on around here today...I am cleaning and getting ready to paint soon. I did want to show and tell a layout I did for a friend of mine...This is her grandson, Austin, isn't he just too cute...I don't know if you can see it but there is a hidden journaling tag behind the second picture...in between the to pictures. This is an S.E.I. line of paper...so sorry I don't remember the name of it...but will try and look it up! Hope everyone has a great day...

Distressed Two Page Layout

I hope everyone is having a fantastic day... It has been interesting around here...We started spring break today...so my daughter is home and I left my car keys in my mom's van...so...kinda stuck in the house. I am also getting ready for spring cleaning...and will be elbow deep in paint before the end of the week...I will post pictures as soon as I am done...rememeber I love to work on a strict budget...I will let you know about all the bargins I got later in the week... So much fun :)....

I wanted to show and tell another project I completed for a class I recently taught... I used Bazzill cardstock and some of the Flair Horsin' Around and Autumn Slendor lines of paper and a couple of Prima flowers and Stickles....This is a quick layout with a-lot-a bang and remember...Ink Makes Everything Better : )

Coaster Mini Album

I am such a bargain shopper...always have been...and some would say borderline CHEAP!! But that is okay...I don't mind. I found these cute little coasters in the Michael's clearance rack for 50 cents. Don't cha love it!!! There were 4 different designs with 8 coasters in each pack...so buy 5 packs and mix them up...add cardstock Elsie stickers with some brads and ribbon and of course INK and there ya go....These would be great teachers gifts or thank you gifts... Enjoy!

Good Morning : )

Today, I wanted to take some time to post some of my past projects...If you have any questions please post...Enjoy!!


This is a mini album I made for Thanksgiving using the BoBunny Beautiful Life line. My idea was to put it out on the table for the holiday next to an arrangement...use pics and let everyone know what you are thankful for...and see how things change or stay the same from year to year...


I made an explosion box for a class and used The 3 Bugs in a Rug Maverick line. Karla at the LSS asked me to make this...and I ended up making three...one is like this one using Cosmo Cricket Dutch Girl paper and the other is a 6" box...I will share the pics on that one later..


This was for another class I taught at the LSS using the Appleton line of paper. This is Jordan on her first day of 6th grade. Of course being a scrapbooker I had to embarrass her...Yes I followed her INTO school to take pictures...in the MIDDLE SCHOOL....hehehe....



And lastly...Another class I taught at the LSS before Christmas...This is a clock on canvas using many different lines of paper. I also pulled these papers out of my scrap file...so one is Paper Adventure, one is K&Co, another is Cosmo Cricket and I think Karen Foster...it's been awhile... Oh and I guess you can see the ink...INK MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER : )!

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A FANTASTIC DAY

My Latest Project and Upcoming Class

Hi again...

I thought I would go ahead and add my newest project... This is one of those things I had to think about for quite awhile to come up with. Another friend of mine, Pam, and I were talking about creating a card file/perpetual calendar and this is what I came up with. The base pages are manilla file folders, that are stitched together and then embellished. I used the Basic Grey Perphiery line of paper. I'll be teaching this class the last saturday in March, the 28th at Scrapbooker's Dream...which is in Abilene, Texas. If you are local and need info, please post....The cost is $30 and is a 4 hour class. You know if you are a scrapbooker you always have scraps to make homemade cards and this project will help keep you organized throughout the year. You can make your cards, label your calendar for the birthday, address and label your envelope and have it ready to go way in advance...

Here I Gooooo!!!

After lots of encouragement, I am finally posting on my blog I started a year ago... My MIL (Mary) is one of my very best friends and she has been lovingly nudging me to do this... I LOVE paper crafts of all types and have tried most of them, among many other things and have learned some things along the way. I will show you my projects that I have completed or in process and we will have some fun along the way. There will be some characters along the way, so I will fill you in...
Jon is my husband of 13 1/2 years...
Jordan is our 12 yr old daughter...who is going on 21... I know someone can relate...
Mary my mother-in-law and friend...
Roger my father-in-law...he's pretty quiet
Becky my mother and friend...she started this whole paper obsession...
Richard my dad...he's pretty quiet too
Mendy is my best friend of 18 years
Mason and Kylee are Mendy's twins that will be 1 yr this month....
I think that is pretty much the cast...there will be a few added here and there...
Well...enjoy and hopefully we will all learn some things along the way : )