Monday, November 29, 2010

Just a few more days!


Can't wait to start my first December Daily!!  I have always wanted to do one, as I love Ali Edwards! Her ideas are fantastic!

This week will be busy, as I'm STILL getting kits together for my class on Saturday. I'm only on page 5! I am making 10 kits, plus trying to put one together for myself. Yikes. I'll be at the store every afternoon this week. :)
Happy Monday!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Thankful

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!  Ours was busy but fun....stopped at three places, starting with my sister in law's in Morton. We had about an hour to visit before spending most of the day at my dad's.  Dad bought a new house this year and has completely gutted it. The kitchen was done so my sister, Jody, decided that we should have dinner there. It was fun to be with my family, although a bit sad. Holidays are so hard still without my mom. I know she'd want us to be happy and move forward but sometimes (at least for me) its hard to not get caught up in my grief.  However, I am SO THANKFUL for my family. Their support has been tremendous.



My sister Jody and niece Sidney

My dad and sister Jenny

me with my brother Josh


We ended the night at my Aunt Linda's in East Peoria. I just love her. She has been there for me a lot...both while Mom was sick and after she passed away. Aunt Linda is my hero...she has shouldered so much this year, including battling Stage II Lymphoma.  I wish I could buy her the world. She deserves it.


L-R: cousin Shane, Aunt Linda, cousins London and Cydney


I did some Black Friday shopping this morning...nothing too crazy. I don't like to go out in the early hours and fight the crowds.  I like sleep too much LOL  Trying to decide what to do with the kids today... my husband is tiling the back splash in the kitchen. I really really just want to scrapbook, but not sure if that will happen. I'm trying to finish up a mini book.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Hello Monday

It definitely feels like a Monday! Definitely does NOT feel like the end of November! We are having very warm weather in Central IL today! It's quarter til 1pm and 65 degrees! Such a tease since snow is forecasted for later this week. 


Have been trying to squeeze in some creating time between all the busyness!  Here is a layout I just finished, using Imaginisce's "Teacher's Pet" line. I bought it last spring while in Northern Indiana at a scrapbook store! Love it! 





I also took some pictures of a mini book I did for my wonderful husband for Father's Day. I admit it just recently was finished! Oops!  My friend, Malika, gave me the idea of asking the kids questions about their dad. Pretty funny answers, if you ask me! Especially from Noah, who is 4. 






I'm SO BLESSED to have such a great husband!! He is a wonderful father to our children!

Getting ready to head to the store to finish cutting for my Christmas class coming up on the 4th.  :)

Sunday, November 21, 2010

pug sitting....

This weekend, we are dog sitting for some friends.  Her name is Bella and she's an 8 month old pug. I LOVE pugs..I really really want one. But, my husband thinks they are ugly and annoying.  I keep telling him someday we will get one!  Our 4 yr old is kind of afraid of dogs (he thinks they are going to eat him when really they just want to play). 
How can you not love this face?? She is so sweet...very loving!  I hate to give her back tonight!

Hoping to get some scrapbooking done today!! I was at a friend's to buy some adhesive off of her this afternoon and we were both saying how we are itching to do some creating!!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Suicide Survivor's Day

In rememberance of a beautiful soul who unfortunately could not see what others saw in her.


  I'd like to you meet my friend, Wendi. I met her a little over 10 years ago at an eating disorders support group.  She was a junior in high school; I was finishing up 6 weeks of partial hospitalization.  We bonded over the fact that I was an EP alum and we loved one of the French teachers.  I had always hoped Wendi would recover for good from her eating disorder. But in the last few years, she seemed to get worse. This past spring, she tried to commit suicide. For three months, she was in a persistant vegetative state until her family decided to take her off life support.  I can say no one's life is the same without Wendi. I miss her every day.

So, if you or someone you know is struggling with depression, an eating disorder, or any other addiction, PLEASE get help.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

scrapbooking tools I cannot go without....


1. Tombow MonoAdhesive tape roller
2. Glossy Accents
3. paper piercer
4. Tim Holtz scissors (they cut like butter)
5. Color Box Chestnut Roan chalk ink (I ink everything)
6. Crop-o-dile
7. Miracle tape
8. 3M foam tape
9. Archival black ink

These are my MUST HAVES for when I am creating!  I also am a big fan of anything bling, my Making Memories paper trimmer, Glimmer Mist. Man, there is so much! What do you like to use??

I am such a messy scrapbooker, as you can see.  I usually have things lying everywhere LOL

It's such a gloomy day. I'd rather be up in my scrapbook room but the house needed to be cleaned. Lots of other errands to run.   Maybe tomorrow!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

just pinch me....

Ok nevermind. Don't. 

I'm so excited today! This month I submitted work for Teresa Collin's design team. I absolutely love her and her products! I thought I might as well try, as she is one of  my favorite designers!
I happened to be on the computer this morning and saw that Teresa  had updated her blog with the list of finalists.  I scroll down the list, my heart is racing..my stomach is in a knot. I don't see my name! Until I get to almost the bottom and I see this:
                                                         THERE IS MY NAME!!!  I feel so lucky and blessed to have made it this far! It's such an honor.  I'm just over the moon today!!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Scrapbook Sunday

Sorry for my absence. It's been a busy few days. The kids and I spent all day Saturday in Peoria visiting with family and celebrating my niece's 4th birthday.  All three of us were worn out when we got home. Noah even fell asleep on the way home.  Unfortunately, he ended up getting sick last night...my husband was up with him (and cleaning up puke) a good part of the night. 

I went to church this morning, then we all went to a couple open houses.  One was waaay out of price range but very nice. Not sure if we'll find that perfect house that both Chris and I can agree on.

Anyway, I took the rest of the day to sit in my scrap room to get some layouts done. I feel like I have these ideas floating around in my head and never have the time to make them come to fruition.  Well, today I had the chance.  It was good therapy as I've been feeling kind of down lately.  I lost my mom to cancer last year and that makes the holidays even more tough.  Plus, my grandmother is suffering from emphysema and isn't doing well.  Ever since losing Mom, I guess I don't handle death and loss as well as I used to. I feel like I've had enough in one lifetime. Rationally, I know that isn't how life works.

My first layout I did I used Teresa Collin's Giving Thanks.  The picture was taken on Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head in the background.   Last month, Chris and I were lucky enough to get away for a pest control convention without kids!  The company footed most of the bill and my youngest sister and MIL watched the kids. It was so nice to get away just the two of us!! It rarely happens that we can even get a weekend away.

My second layout is done with My Mind's Eye Sophie collection. I love their pieces...I found this at an Archivers this past summer when we went up for CHA in Chicago. I bought these piece with this picture in mind.  This is the last picture I had taken with my mom. She passed away last summer from lung cancer at the age of 54. Mom fought hard but unfortunately, the cancer was so far advance when she was diagnosed. I miss her so much. My life isn't the same without her.


My third layout involves even more therapy. I did this in honor of my friend Wendi.  I met Wendi at an eating disorder support group in 1999.  She was still in high school and we bonded over the fact that she had Mme. Pfahl for French. We became friends and occasionally went out to eat or shopping together.  She was like my little sister.  This past spring, Wendi tried to take her own life. She was in a persistant vegetative state for three months.  I will miss her forever. My heart aches so much when I think about her. 




I used Little Yellow Bicycle's Freespirit. I bought it for the peace signs...as that was one of the things Wendi loved. The week after Wendi's funeral, my friend Natalie and I went and got tattoos to honor Wendi.  Yep...peace signs:




Well, I think this is the longest entry I've had so far! It's time for bed...been a long day. I didn't mention that I broke one of my toes on Friday night either. Yep, just call me Grace.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

I heart my friends.....

Have you seen these?? They've been around for about a year or so, but are now becoming all the rage! They can be done in any theme! A lot of fun to do as well!  Here is one I did with Teresa Collin's Freestyle line. I used some older pictures of me and my girlfriends from high school. There are rare times that all seven of us are together.  This one night in April 2007 we were able to go out to dinner! This past December, we all went to Vegas for my birthday! (yes, I've made a mini book of that too! LOL)












Travel Ledger mini book

If you've seen my scrapbook photos on FB, then you know I LOVE mini books! I still like to do the traditional 12x12 layouts, but mini books are my passion!
Here is one I did with Teresa Collin's Travel Ledger line documenting our family's trip to St. Louis this past August!  We surprised our son with a trip on an Amtrak train. At 4 yrs old, he is NUTS about trains! The look on his face was priceless!