It's me...Dee

Catching up

2012-02-28T10:44:00.000-05:00

Been a few weeks since I posted, can't believe that February is already gone. Where did the time go? The first thing I want to post is a picture of the little felt hearts I made for each one of my girls valentine bags. I like to get them a heart of some sort (last year was heart shaped paperweights) this year, I handmade these cute little felt pillows.

The second picture is actually a picture of the present I made for my grandmother for Christmas. I made her a box of assorted cards for her to send out. Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away last week and sadly, I got the gift back. I know she liked the cards, she was just not able to use them.

I also went to the local (an hour away) scrapbook store for their monthly make-and-take card event. This month was general greeting cards. I made a couple of birthday cards and thinking of you cards.

I've already used the "quilt" looking card as a birthday card for my aunt. The stores next make-and-take will be spring/Easter cards. It will be right after I return from spring break so not sure if I will be able to make that so, I better get busy making my own cards at home.

Going to Houston for spring break in a few weeks. My husband will be there on business so #3 daughter and I will be joining him. Hoping to get a trip to the Alamo. We'll have to see.

Finished just in time

2012-02-13T13:37:00.000-05:00

Well, I did get out to the craft room Friday night, and knocked out the valentine cards for my 2 nephews and niece. Here they are:

I still have a birthday card to make for the month but that's not for another week.

Not such a successful weekend

2012-02-10T11:28:00.000-05:00

Well, I started out the weekend quite ambitious but did not complete all the tasks. I did make the 2 Hope Your Feeling Better cards. I am really loving the paper from Authentique and would love to find a shop that carried the whole line. The two scrapbook stores I do go to, carry just a few of them. For these two cards, I used the Uncommon line. I did make a card from the Loyal line but haven't decided what sentiment to make as the card is slightly masculine.

And when it came to my grandmother, I made her more of a project rather than a card. She loves when I attach the McGill flowers to her cards so, I took out my McGill punches and an aluminum mailbox I bought from Target years ago and created this.

The card reads, Sending you lots of love on your birthday.

And, here are the 4 valentine cards that daughter #1 and I made at the make-and-take at Scrapbook Art a couple of weeks ago.

I absolutely have to make my valentines for my nephews and niece tonight, but am thinking a couple of cards from above would do just fine. I also need to make a card for an Aunt that will be having a birthday before the end of the month.

A Creative List

2012-01-27T09:06:00.000-05:00

Daughter #1 and I went to a Make-and-Take at a local scrapbook store on Sunday, we each made 4 really cute Valentine cards. I'll have to post pictures tonight or tomorrow. I seriously cleaned my scrapbook room (Really need to start calling it the craft room, don't know the last time I did a scrapbook layout.) I even threw away a school project (3 years old) from daughter #2 that was taking up room. Now, however I need to get creating. My youngest sister emailed yesterday with the subject line of Bringing back snail mail. She then asked for the mailing addresses of my children and she is going to mail them a valentines (daughter #1 ignore that last line!). I thought that was a pretty nifty idea, so I am also going to make a valentine card for each of my nephews and niece and send it to them. So my creative list for the weekend needs to include:

2 Valentine cards for nephews
1 Valentine card for niece
1 Birthday card for daughter #3
1 Birthday card for grandmother
1 Hope You're Feeling Better card for co-worker
1 Hope You're Feeling Better for aunt

I found some really pretty Authentique paper at the scrapbook store on Sunday so maybe I will use that to make the birthday and feeling better cards.

Couple of other projects

2012-01-02T20:43:00.000-05:00

I forgot when I posted the other day, that I also made a wreath for our front door. My husband said he wanted something shiny and bright for the front door so, when he headed out of town on business a few weeks back, I hit the craft store and bought a 12" wire frame, glue sticks and shiny christmas bulbs in red, gold and green. Several glue sticks later, I had a new wreath for the front door. The husband really liked it.

I also had a friend lose her mother-in-law to cancer last week and I made a card to send to her and her family.

Merry Christmas - Happy New Year

2011-12-28T15:12:00.000-05:00

Well, Christmas is over and I'm preparing for my next carpel tunnel surgery on my right hand next week. Let me tell you, it couldn't come any sooner. The holidays and craft making were at times tough to get through with the pain but I was able to complete all the projects I wanted.

The one I was most proud of, I alluded to in an earlier post. Now that I have given the gifts, I can tell you what I did. My father passed away in early November. Though all of his grandchildren are fairly well grown now (the "baby" is 16 1/2) I wanted to give my children something to remember him by so, I went and asked my mom for four of my fathers flannel shirts (something he always wore!). She gave them to me and I made pillows out of them (1 for each of my children - see above). They were very easy to make and looked so cute when done.

I told my sisters what I had done, and they wanted me to make one for each of their children....so, I ended up making one for everyone (my 4 kids, 2 nephews and a niece and one each for my sisters). I did not manage to get one made for me, but I have a shirt just waiting for a pillow form. :) Below is a shot of the kids with theirs.

I also was able to complete another project that I've had on my mind for years, but was unable to translate to paper. I made a cookbook for each one of my children that contained recipes that we make often in the family. The big debate was whether to make the book myself or use a pre-made book and add our own recipes. I finally decided to stop reinventing the wheel and just use a pre-made book with blank cards to add our own recipes to it. I personalized the recipe cards with paper, stickers, rub-ons etc., and on select recipes included pictures of the item that we had made in the past.

Another item I did was a wedding scrapbook for my son and his new wife. I struggled with the look of the book because their wedding really didn't have a "theme" so I didn't have a clear direction of the way the book should have went. I realize that it was a wedding and that should have been the theme but, it was really a different, very laid back wedding and it was difficult to document. I think they were appreciative of it though.

Another project/gift that I worked on (but didn't get pictures of..ugg) was a collection of greeting cards for my grandmother. She likes to receive homemade cards and even wanted to make her own Christmas cards this year so, I thought she might like to receive a collection of them to send out. I made several Happy Birthday, Thinking of You, Get Well and Thank You cards. I also included a couple Sympathy cards. I must have done something right because she complained I didn't include a graduation card (my cousin recently graduated from college)! Guess what I'll be making this afternoon!

Number 1 daughter and I also spent quite an amount of time (and money) at Archivers this season and managed to do a couple of their make-and-takes. I wanted to incorporate the Ho-Ho-Ho and Christmas tree tag into a card but never got the chance to do that.

I still have the thought I might make a few New Years cards for a few friends. I still didn't manage to make any Christmas cards this year. I really need to put that on my schedule for the summer. Maybe in 2012! I'll make sure to get pictures of them before mailing them. I might even try to remember to take a camera to grandma's to get pictures of the cards I made (for historic purposes).

Well, that's all I have for right now. I'm sitting in my scrapbook room appreciating how very clean it is. This is something it has not been since Thanksgiving! Also, need to turn my attention to Valentines Day and make something for Daughter 2 and 3's boyfriends.

'til later. Dee

Card Making

2011-12-12T11:10:00.000-05:00

Spent the better portion of the weekend making cards. I am giving my grandmother an assortment of homemade cards (birthday, sympathy, get well) for Christmas because she likes them so much. So far, I have 3 birthday, 2 sympathy and, 3 get well cards. I still want to complete a couple Thinking of You and a couple blank notecards. I'll post all of them when the assortment is complete.

I also made a card for my sister-in-law who is celebrating her 50 birthday today. Her husband and children arranged for a "card shower". I used my McGill paper blossoms punch for poinsettia's. Unfortunately, I will have to hand deliver the card as I don't want the flowers to be crushed in transport. (Sorry about the fuzziness.)

Something old and something new

2011-12-04T20:27:00.000-05:00

Made some more cards tonight. Needed to do a couple of thank-you's for people that sent flowers for my dads funeral and a notecard for someone at work who received a new position. Found this paper by Authentique is called Bloom from their Gathering collection. I am absolutely in love with the pattern. I purchased some Bazzill card stock that matched it and made a whole collection of cards.

The "new" part of my creating was flower arranging. I had to make 2 matching arrangements. Watched a video by Becky Higgins on making a flower arrangement and went out to Michaels. I don't think they turned out too terrible and they look great against the bright green.

Life gets away from you

2011-11-27T22:09:00.000-05:00

Well, looking forward to getting back to normal next week. Seems like the past several weeks have been anything but normal. In the past 7 weeks, I've only worked 10 days and only 5 straight at one time. But, that's all changing tomorrow. Children 3 & 4 moved back to school today following Thanksgiving Break, husband will be at work and things will be nice and quiet. Which is good because with Christmas coming, I have some projects to do. I actually worked on one yesterday for all the kids, but can't tell you about it yet, #1 daughter checks out the blog every now and then and I want it to be a surprise Christmas morning. We did visit Archivers last week and made the 2 make-and-takes. They're actually tags, but I may incorporate into cards, not sure yet.

I also spent some time making Thanksgiving cards that I sent to family and friends.

I still need to get the scrapbook I made for my dad copied for my sisters. And I want to post a few pages from that as well.

Still alive and kicking (sort of)

2011-11-11T15:03:00.000-05:00

I'm still here, and still creating but have had a rough last 4 weeks. I had my carpel tunnel surgery done on the 17th. Things went well, so well, that I have scheduled to have the next hand done in January -- can't wait! It makes scrapbooking a little easier which was helpful because on Tuesday, #1 daughter and I had to put an entire scrapbook together from scratch. My father passed away this past Sunday. It was something we had known was coming, he was in a lot of pain and the last few days were pretty bad. We were actually sitting around him that previous Friday evening looking at pictures and every now and then, I would come across one of him I wanted to scrapbook so I hid them so my mom wouldn't see me taking them. (She doesn't like to give pictures away.) So when he did pass a couple of days later I began to plan what I wanted to do. I took all the pictures I wanted to use and copied them (so the originals would stay intact) and began planning pages. Number #1 daughter was so helpful with the book - I know I couldn't have done it without her. Once it was complete we took it to the funeral home and displayed it for everyone to see. I'm actually thinking about taking it to Archivers and having the pages copied and made into a book for each one of my sisters for Christmas. When I get the copies, I'll share a few.

Don't you just hate it......

2011-10-22T19:58:00.001-04:00

Been recuperating from carpel tunnel surgery this week and just made it out to the scrapbook room today. Was getting all crafty making the Martha Stewart rosette pumpkin and my Color Box chalk in creamy brown tore! I only had three layers cut and edged! And, the store I purchased the chalk from went out of business about 6 months ago. Called around and found it at a new scrapbook store about an hour from my house. So, tomorrow I will drive an hour to purchase a $1.99 chalk pad.

On a good note, I have all the other layers cut and scored (yuk!) and ready to edge and assemble. I'll post when I'm done - hope it turns out as cute as the sample in the store.

My digital camera

2011-09-28T19:10:00.000-04:00

I've owned a digital camera for about ten years, it has registered over 5600 pictures taken. I take a lot of pictures. I love the ease of the digital camera but must admit, using a digital camera was the downfall for my scrapbooking. Without having to print the pictures to see them, I don't develop very many and therefore, when I go to scrapbook unless it is for a specific event or person, I don't have a plethora of pictures stacked anywhere. When I have the actual pictures in my hands, I can plan layouts and such with them. I also digitally store my pictures on Shutterfly. Which brings me to a happy note. Twice in the last month, I have qualified for 50 free prints from Shutterfly. I just placed my second order and they were shipped last night. That gives me 100 pictures to organize and to begin thinking about scrapbook layouts.

I've been working on a few Halloween cards lately. I'm having surgery mid-October and am not to sure what my mobility will be so I want to get a jump on things. I'm hoping to make a few Thanksgiving cards this weekend. Here are a few of the Halloween cards I made.

I also made a Get Well card for someone at work who had major surgery.

Hopefully I'll post some Thanksgiving cards after this weekend.

New Year...new roommate

2011-09-23T14:07:00.000-04:00

Daughter #3 moved off to college late last month so that meant new memo boards for her and her roommate. Just finished them earlier this week for the roommates birthday.

This is the roommates board. Her bedding is a light green with white stripes so I went a little girly with hers. Not sure if it is a good fit, she's a lacrosse player but I liked the look of the light green and pink.

#3 Daughter is into black and white and damask prints (that is what her bedding is) so I went with a black and white theme but added raspberry fleur de lis' to it. I also blinged it out with a rhinestone monogram and shimmery ribbon!

I've also been making Halloween cards, once I finish all of them, I'll post.

I'm a collector

2011-09-13T17:17:00.000-04:00

Yep, I collect things, all types of things. Now, this is not to say I am a hoarder. I think I know the difference between trash and memorabilia. (Just don't ask my husband.) I collect ticket stubs, appointment cards, magazine articles, recipes, web site addresses, grocery receipts (I think this goes back to my rebate days), cards from all the flowers my husband (of 29 years) has sent me, corks, buttons, every card that my husband or four children have given me. I use to save wrapping paper but decided that was silly (??). I even collect scrapbook paper...

I am a self-confessed paper junkie. I see something I like and I buy it. I have an entire collection of papers for children layouts but, my youngest is 18! I see it and think "Oh that would make a great lay-out for" (insert any event in the world, I have a paper or embellishment that could cover it). I also collect embellishments for much the same reason. I'll see something and think "hey I could do a lay-out of this (insert event: birthday, vacation, zoo, etc) and add this (any variety of embellishment I happen to be holding) with that paper (that I have at home) and have a cute layout". But then I'll think about using that embellishment or that paper and think "Wait! What if I want to use it for something else?" so I will buy all new paper, etc for a layout I don't necessarily know of.

But I digress; I collect. So when K&Company came out with the Smash Book I though my dreams had come true. Well I didn't exactly think that, but I did think "now I have a place for all that crap I store in my calendar". And that it what I am doing. When I see a website that I want to visit, I write it in my Smash book. When I see a creative idea I like, I put it in my Smash book. When I think of a cute scrapbook page idea, I sketch it in my Smash book. My calendar is a little thinner and my purse is no longer full of ticket stubs, receipts, etc. that use to accumulate there. I was reading about how to use the Smash book and many are using it as a chronological type scrapbook, I stressed myself out trying to figure out how I wanted to use it and decided just to use it and not worry about an end product. So far...so good.

Below is a picture of 2 pages I have in my Smash book with ideas for my sons' upcoming wedding.

I bought the "black" Smash book. I can't quite remember why but, I remember that I either wanted the black, red or pink one. And being a collector, I also bought the large rubber bands that you keep around the Smash book so nothing falls out, the cute little packet of Smash tabs, Smash stickies, Smash pockets, and not one but 2 Smash pads. I even bought the rubber stamp but have a hard time wanting to carry it around with me. Yeah I collect. I'm sure there's a support group for this sort of thing but, until I start creating paths in my home with my "collections" we're not going to worry about it.

So much to catch up on

2011-08-28T19:39:00.000-04:00

I have so many projects that I have been working on...I've actually been creating all summer long. Its' really been a card making summer for me. Number 1 daughter and I took the Make It Mini workshop at Archievers. Loved all the techniques we used and learned...but not sure where I would use some of the cards.

After this class I was really inspired to create so went to my scrapbook room with the intent of creating Thanksgiving cards....got frustrated that I couldn't find my fall/Thanksgiving paper that I created some St. Patrick Day cards instead!

Then kept on creating...I made a "Thinking About You" and a "Happy Birthday" card:

Then I have 2 recent graduates that are becoming teachers and will be teaching for the first time this fall and so I made them each a card to encourage them.

And last but not least, I have a niece who is expecting a baby next month and I threw a baby shower for her and just had to purchase the Cricut 3 Birds on Parade cartridge to use since her last name is Bird!

I've several other projects but ended up mailing them out and THEN remembering to take pictures. :( No problem, now that No. 2 and 3 daughters have moved to college, and No. 1 daughter is working and going for her second degree...I will have plenty of time to work on things.

My next project I want to tackle is memo boards for daughter No. 3 and her roommate. Didn't have time to do them before and the roommate has a birthday in a few weeks. Also want to get Thanksgiving cards done (found the paper a few days ago) because I am having carpel tunnel surgery on my left hand mid-October and won't be able to do anything for a few weeks. Should also add Christmas cards to the list. Maybe I'll get them done in time to mail for Christmas! One can only hope! Oh, also want to blog again soon....just discovered the Smash Book! OMG.....

Hello

2011-07-18T16:21:00.000-04:00

I know..It's been quite awhile since I've posted...but I'm still alive and kicking. Did a 2 month stretch of part-time employment for a local home improvement store (40 hours a week!) that turned out not so much part-time. After 8 weeks, my seasonal status expired and (thank God) I was no longer scheduled. I have slowly been returning to normal, I traveled to New Orleans in late June and had a fabulous 4th of July. I am now back to school (only 20 hrs a week), so my schedule is straightening itself out.

I have plans to make a Shutterfly book of the 4th of July and then turn my efforts to scrapping graduation, graduation parties, summer traveling, etc. But right now, my only creative thing I've done has been a shelf for all of my wooden rubber stamps. I purchased some lumber and had it cut at the store I was working at and the first week I was off, put it together. It's not exactly straight but, it got the job done as you can see in the picture below. Sorry for the angle, I was using the photobooth option on my laptop. I still need to organize my silicone stamps into a binder or something.

Well, I have a few birthday cards I need to make and a scrapbook room to clean and organize. Until then...

Working Away

2011-05-20T22:16:00.000-04:00

My work at the university ended about a week ago and I have been so busy! I found part-time employment for the summer (yeah! money will still come in) and I have been crafting like crazy. I finished the party invites for #4's graduation.

I also completed a shutterfly book of our spring break trip to San Francisco - it should be in before her party. Also did a 7 Gypsies artist tray for her dance pictures. When time permits, I'll do a full out book but with the party just a few weeks away and me starting a new job, the tray will have to suffice.

I'll be hitting the scrapbook room every chance I get over the next week. I want to have her book as up-to-date as possible before her party. I'll update as I go. Have a good one!

Mothers Day

2011-05-03T12:20:00.001-04:00

Believe it or not, I actually got my cards made for my mother and grandmother a week ahead of time! That's big for me. It's usually the night before and I'm in the craft room stressing over what to do. I'll have to post pictures later, I was waiting for the liquid embossing product to dry. I am also going to be finishing up a little booklet I am making for #4 to use for all the senior pictures she has been receiving (fingers crossed) hopefully tonight.

**Update* Here are the pictures of the cards I made and yes, I was able to finish the booklet I made for #4 to keep senior pictures in. Pictures below.

Here's the card I did for my mom.

Here's the card for my grandmother.

This is the cover to the book I made for my daughter. It is a 6x6 book spiral bound. There are 11 pages inside, enough to hold 22 senior pictures.

This is a view of the inside of the book. She took the book to school and will have everyone who gave her a picture sign the book.

Sisters Frame

2011-04-27T12:08:00.000-04:00

Finally was able to get a picture of the 7 Gypsies artist tray frame that I did for my sisters for Christmas (albeit, the picture is a little off center) just glad to have a clear picture of it.

Card making

2011-04-14T21:21:00.000-04:00

Well, I did actually get to make a couple of cards this past weekend and then tonight made a couple more.

This is the card I made for Gage's 2nd birthday - his party was Mickey Mouse themed.

A friend at work is having a birthday - dropping this in interoffice mail tomorrow.

Want to send this to my Aunt. She was in the hospital for surgery and was discharged today.

Sending this to a friend who is under going chemotherapy.

Still playing catch up

2011-04-08T15:21:00.001-04:00

Got home from work today with a tall order. I want to make several cards this weekend. I need a Thinking of You, Happy 2nd Birthday, Congratulations and a Get Well card. Before I get started, I photographed a few of the pages I recently completed. They came out pretty well even though I am not happy with the Wave Rave for #4's freshmen homecoming. They decorated the gym by throwing paint all over drop cloths (like a rave party) so I though I would mimic that on a page by using glitter glue.... :( not happy but I need to finish her book so I will continue to work on other pages and if there is enough time before her party to redo the page, I will. Enjoy!

Washington DC, March 2010

Wave Rave - Freshmen Year Homecoming

Columbus Zoo 93-10

My how time flies!

2011-04-06T10:45:00.000-04:00

I was shocked when I opened my blog to see it had been November when I last posted. How was that possible??? I knew I had been working on things, I have several pages at home that need photographed and posted.

I recently discovered paper flower making! I spend hours creating all these pretty little flowers. I'm not sure what I am going to do with them all but I love the different varieties you can make. I've included some below. I made sweet williams, pansies, roses, lilies and even a hydrangea bloom.

I have also made several new cards, a thinking of you, a birthday and a thank you card. The thank you card is already in the mail to a sweet man (#3's Godfather) who saw us out to lunch and paid for our meal when he left the restaurant.

One of the pages that I recently completed was for a ball player at the university I work for. Jim had an amazing feat in one of the last games of the season. He scored 7 points in 7 seconds! I was really happy for him so I created a page and framed it for him.

#1 daughter and I attended a scrapbook convention in Columbus last weekend and I got to try several make and takes. Funny enough, I have been searching for instructions on how to make this one particular paper basket and low and behold it was one of the make and takes so we both made one. I think I am going to make a downsized one for Easter. We usually have several colleges students over for dinner and I like to send them home with something. One of the make and takes was for a fabric flower. I really thought it was cute but the stress on my wrists and fingers may prevent me from making any more. It required a needle and thread and by the time I made just one flower, my hands were numb.

As May quickly approaches, I know I am going to be swamped with projects. #4 will be graduating high school this year (the last one!) and I am finishing up her book. She and I recently took a trip to San Francisco for spring break and I am going to do a shutterfly book for her of that trip. I will also be making her graduation announcements very soon and getting them out in the mail. I also am really going to try and get my Christmas cards made this summer and possibly a Thanksgiving card to send out to close family and friends. I bought all the supplies last fall for Christmas cards and ran out of time trying to get them done. Since I don't work during the summer I am hoping to get them done early. I have also been wanting to make a cookbook for my children and niece as a Christmas present and still haven't gotten that done. Which reminded me that I did an artists paint tray project for my two sisters for Christmas and I forgot to post it. I will get a picture of one of them and post it soon.

I realize as I write this blog I do so as if I am speaking to someone out there in cyber space. But in all actuality, I am probably the only one who reads this as I do not publicize the blog and I really do this so I have a record of everything I make because many of the items that I create, I give away. Until next time....

Jessica Sprague

2010-11-08T10:44:00.003-05:00

I just signed up for Jessica Sprague's Inspiration Everywhere class. I also ordered her book Stories in Hand to use along with her class. I'm looking forward to this class as it has you look around you and find where you get your inspiration from. And, it's not just paper, you will be using music, art, etc. in finding your inspiration.

Sitting here on break at work, and feel so inspired to create but know that this feeling will pass by the time I get home knowing that the grocery store, cooking dinner and laundry is between me and the time I can create. Also, daylight savings time is over so it will be dark by the time I get to my scrapbook room. I am never very motivated when it is dark outside. I did find however, that making a list of what I want to create helps me accomplish more. I need to take a few minutes brainstorm what I want on that list.

Christmas is fast approaching and because of the current economic climate I am looking more towards "homemade" rather than store bought. I've had the idea in my head to make cookbooks for all my girls with our "family" recipes in them. I might expand that idea and create one for my son (the cook in the house) and my niece. I need to think about what I want the final look to be (something durable, but expandable).

I am also working on that library envelope book that I plan on giving my middle daughter for her birthday. Her birthday is 2 weeks before Christmas so I better get serious about it as well.

I also love the new 7gypsies photo trays. Thinking about doing something with those for my sisters.

Geez - I better stock up on Red Bull and get busy.

I've been creating...really I have

2010-11-05T10:42:00.007-04:00

I started this blog so I would have a place to archive my projects. Many of the things I create, I give away and I wanted a way to remember them. I have so many projects going on right now that it is hard to keep track and actually, hard to finish... I've been in a card making frenzy lately. Made several different ones for different occasions. Really getting back into embossing too. My oldest daughter recently took a job at Archiever's so I see different thinks coming down the pike.

Below are several of the cards I recently completed and mailed out.

I am also working on a new mini-scrapbook made from library envelopes. I am having trouble finding the elastic I need to bind the book but still have Joanne's to check out.

Also, my son and girlfriend became engaged and we (myself and daughters) are helping with decorating ideas, save the date cards and invitations. Thank goodness we have a year to do all of this. And, buying a lot of fall decorations now on clearance for the wedding next year.

Where do I start?

2010-09-08T10:36:00.005-04:00

This is Sarah's memo board.

I can't believe the summer has come and gone. I am back in school and it seems busier than ever. I haven't been able to create the way I want. I have a list of projects and can't seem to get to them. I did take apart Cait's She Is board and place it into a scrapbook for her. And I was able to get a couple of french memo boards done for her and her new college roommate. I just want things to settle down and have a chance to relax but so stressed out not sure that is going to happen. I am actually writing this post so that I can clean off my desk top at work. I have had the pictures of the memo boards on it and I want them gone so...I post.

This is Cait's memo board.

Sooo busy

2010-06-16T12:09:00.006-04:00

I have been so busy - not just work, and kids, and bingo and stuff but creatively. I am posting several things that I recently completed. I did table decorations for Cait's graduation party, I did thank you notes for Cait (sorry didn't get a pic), graduation cards for several grads we were invited to, and for Cait's party (the theme was Life is a Box of Chocolates - it fits Cait to a t) I made a "box" of wishes for people to write for Cait.

Mark one more item off my list

2010-04-27T19:05:00.004-04:00

The graduations announcements are done! They are all assembled and in envelopes and ready to go to the post office tomorrow. One more thing down, too many more to think about.

I made a post card with a few of her senior pictures on it and listed the information about the open house. Then on the second "back" card, I printed the graduation announcement. I hole punched them and ran a 2010 embossed ribbon through the hole and tied it. I then made vellum envelopes for them to go inside and then put the whole thing in a regular envelope to mail. Cait was pleased with them, as was I and that's all that matters. I even found a few other cute ideas for Gabriela's announcements next year. It never ends!

I'm still kicking

2010-04-20T12:26:00.002-04:00

Yes - believe it or not, I am still alive. Had mucho medical things, and life in general getting in the way but--I have still been creating. As a matter of fact, in the last 4 weeks, I have created a couple of get well cards and started and completed my daughters dance scrapbook. I am now working on finishing up her cheerleading book - banquet is this Sunday as the team played into late March because of state play-offs. So within next 2 weeks, hope to have her cheer book and her general scrapbook completed and ready for her party. We'll see. Still have a house and yard to get ready for two graduation open houses. Busy, busy spring.

I've been busy

2010-03-18T11:28:00.000-04:00

Even though it's spring break...I have been so busy. I just finished up a 3 day photography class (see images above). It had a lot of homework tied to it and accomplished much. In addition to that, I have created 4 layouts for my daughters dance scrapbook.

Joined Club CK

2010-03-12T09:36:00.001-05:00

Okay - joined Club CK today. Wasn't sure I was going to. Seemed pricey for something I wasn't sure I would get anything out of but, received information in the mail and $5.00 off so I did it. We'll see if it was worth it or not. One thing I did was create an electronic signature (?) not sure if it worked or not so thought I would create a new blog entry and try to place it in here.

Here it goes. It worked!

Out did myself

2010-03-09T08:46:00.004-05:00

Alas, I did not do 2 layouts in 2 days...I DID 3 LAYOUTS IN 1 NIGHT! Even I am shocked. Received Shutterfly order yesterday so after making beef and broccoli (from scratch!) for dinner, I hit the scrapbook room. I finally completed a layout for Amanda's book - it was her college acceptance letter. Just in time I guess, she graduates college in less than 2 months and Cait's acceptance letter from the same college is due here Friday (fingers crossed). But it is done so there! I also completed the Meet the Team page for Cait's cheer book and did an additional page with the ads that were placed in the Winter Sports Program. Granted that 3rd page was just me mounting a large and small ad onto a piece of cardstock but hey, it's a page in her book so it counts!

Won't be doing any layouts tonight - got a ball game. Our boys go for District Semi-finals tonight so I will be there supporting them and Cait and taking pictures for more pages!

2010-03-08T11:57:00.003-05:00

Started the week off scrapbooking (sorta). Taught a class yesterday on squash/explosion books. Had four sign up but one showed up. That's okay - got paid for the 4. Copied the picture of the sample I made from the stores website. It is a cute little book. I've probably made at least 50 of these in the past several years. They make cute little gifts.

Going to be a very busy week. Have a department meeting tonight, and a game tomorrow night. Will be taking plenty of pictures from the game to post on my shutterfly sight. I should be receiving pictures in the mail today for my daughters' cheer album. Going to be off next week for spring break and plan on completing her dance album. Also have several school events that need done for both her album and her younger sister. I am actually thinking about duplicating every page I do for her dance album because her younger sister danced with her for several years until they went to different genres. And, I'll need to have Abi's book done by this time next year for her graduation so I think I will be doing that.

2 in 2 days - It's a Miracle

2010-03-05T08:27:00.004-05:00

Got home last night much later than I anticipated. Girls wanted Olive Garden for dinner and then afterwards "little one" needed new bras and khakis for school. Then, dropped her off to tan while I went to get gas and wash the car. Sat in line for 45 minutes at the carwash! At the little place I go, once you turn a corner you're stuck until you get to the bay. A sign at the corner stated "12 minutes from this point". It lies! It was more like 35 minutes from the sign. Then...as I sit and watch the cars in front of me washing, the owner of the wash goes into the bays and starts to wash the bays down. I watched as he sprayed smootch all over a clean car. When I finally got into the bay he came back in and started doing it again. I told him I didn't pay $12 to get my car washed for him to spray smootch all over it. He left the bay.

Anyway, needless to say it was easily 3 hours later than I wanted before I finally hit the scrapbook room. I did this layout and then started looking at my list and realized I needed pictures. Got onto Shutterfly and ordered some prints so I can keep working. I know my last 2 layouts aren't as intricate as I am use to doing but---they're done. I really need to keep it simple if I want to scrap all that I need to by May 22.

What time is is?

2010-03-04T12:32:00.002-05:00

Can't wait to leave work. Now that my workspace at home is more organized I want to get home and scrapbook some more. I was so shocked at myself last night that I want to work some more. Plus, the sun is shining and the afternoon sun lights up my scrapbook room and I love being out there then. So, hopefully, I will have something else to post tonight. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Totally Spontaneous

2010-03-03T21:09:00.003-05:00

I can't believe it. I was out in my scrapbook room cleaning, organizing, making lists and sorting pictures, when inspiration hit me. I pulled out the pictures found some "royal" paper and laid it out. All told, 15 minutes tops. I still need to put Varsity 2009-2010 on it but couldn't find the shade of orange i was looking for. Want it to look like a basketball of sorts because this is for basketball season. Anyways - I have even put it in her cheer scrapbook. I honestly can't remember the last time I just spontaneously did a page. Pretty cool I think.

Senior Poster

2010-02-19T12:42:00.001-05:00

Been slowly working on the senior poster that I need to make for my daughter. Got the pictures printed and picked up over a week ago. Made my weekly trip to Michael's and Hobby Lobby and got coordinating paper, sticky back felt, embellishments and even managed to pick up the Mickey font cartridge for my Cricut on clearance for $25.00. I get so caught up in the "want it to be perfect" mindset that I freeze up when it comes to committing paper-to-paper. I did finally print the captions that are going under each picture, I have the pictures "kinda" where I think they should go and the title letters are not only cut-out but pop dots are in place and the sides have been inked. So tonight...matte the pictures, trim the title blocks and attach everything to the poster board. It has to be ready for tomorrow night so this is it.

I did it! Finished the poster in plenty of time.

Still creating

2010-02-10T13:34:00.000-05:00

I have been a little stalled lately but, haven't stopped altogether. We have had large amounts of snow fall (28"+ in a week) and the weather forecast calls for more by Sunday. I keep telling myself I will use this time to create but have ran into a new dilemma. I need a certain shade of cardstock (actually 2 shades) and the scrapbook store has been closed because of the weather. Hmmm.... I have been scheduled to teach a class on March 7. They want to see a sample. Racked my brain trying to think of something "new and exciting". In my efforts I actually finished two cute little matchbook scrapbooks I did for my daughters and their boyfriends. Will probably turn into valentine presents...who knows. Anyways, i have decided to stop trying to re-invent the wheel. Remember - "keep it simple!" so, I am going to turn in a squash book as the project for March. I've made tons of these before and even did this at a Days of Creation when my children were in elementary school.

I also have a board I need to do for my daughter for Senior Night at her high school. I have the idea pretty much fleshed out. The title is going to be She is and it will be pictures of all the different things she has been involved with her senior year (scholar, volunteer, teacher, dancer, cheerleader, etc.) I have the pictures, I have sticky felt for the letters, I need to get card stock to matte the pictures to and to put the titles on. I also want to make some paper flowers to decorate it that I found on Kaiser Crafts. They look like a cross between pom poms and flowers.

Plus, just getting out her dance pictures made me realize that I need to start and finish her dance scrapbook (15 years worth) before the beginning of May. I also need to start on designing her graduation announcements and ordering her senior pictures. She thinks shes busy...I may be done by oh next May when child number 4 graduates!

2010-01-18T14:58:00.000-05:00

Success...success. I actually made three cards last night and mailed them today! Yeah, today is MLK Day but I still put stamps on them and dropped them in the mail! I wrote a note to my Aunt who hasn't been feeling well, I sent out a thank you and a get well card to a bingo patron. So really, only one from my list but hey - I did it.

Last night when I was working on them, I had to keep telling my self to keep it simple, don't over think things. That has been my problem lately. I will start a project and want just the perfect font, just the perfect embellishments, pictures, etc. I need to step back take a breath and just scrapbook. I was looking back over my husbands book which I did years ago and was still pretty happy with the pages. They were cute, simple and original. I just need to relax when crafting and let it flow.

I might have to paint breathe on my walls. I already have discover, create, dream. Sounds like breathe should be up there too. Maybe along with K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple stupid!).

2010-01-15T11:41:00.000-05:00

I did it! Well, almost. I have attempted to get organized and started being more productive. I have actually ordered my daughters composite for the high school, ordered her senior pictures, emailed volunteers regarding bingo for the month and, called the specialist (who left a message 3 weeks ago) and scheduled an appointment for next month. Things are looking up. Of course, just as I've said that, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I still have to: print off a couple tax forms, get started on my card making, write some thank-you notes, order Phil's scrapbook, email the cheer parents, prepare for parent night tomorrow night, go prom dress shopping tomorrow. Oh yeah - things are moving right along. Oh and least I forget, school starts Monday!!!

2010-01-13T13:53:00.000-05:00

Wow - haven't visited here in quite awhile. Needless to say, got all the materials ready for Jessica's class but never got around to participating. I'm feeling guilty about that. I had good intentions but let things get away from me. Now that the new year has come and gone (11 days now) I have done alot of reflecting. I am not one for new years resolutions but this year, I want to try it out. I am making a resolution of reaching out to people. I am going to get crafty and make cards to send out to those I have been thinking about. None of this facebook, email stuff but a tangible object they can open up and read. I am sure, that some will think it is a little odd. But I have a number of people in my life that I haven't spoken to in years. I have all the classic excuses children, work, life in general but I really want to take hold of this idea and run with it. I have already begun making a list: Aunt Sharon, Aunt Juanita, Denny and Judy, Steve and Linda, Pat and Joyce. I think of them often, but never tell them. Going to do something about that.

I was also surprised that I had received a couple of comments from others on my blog. It felt good. I really never thought anyone but myself would be reading this and was really using it as a sounding board. Made me think I should become more accountable for myself. Not to display things for others, but to get down and face myself and work on some things.

Random thought: heard a song on the radio yesterday that I hadn't heard in awhile. Made me realize that in that area as well I had slipped (back to listening to The River and The Promise yesterday). anyway, I digress... "Empty me of me Lord so that I may be filled with you." My new mantra I believe....

My Family's Holiday Values

2009-12-03T18:55:00.000-05:00

The values I grew up with are so totally different than the ones I hold now. Growing up it was all about presents. I'm sure I knew about baby Jesus being born but I am equally sure I did not know what that represented to mankind.

I like to think that my husband and I put Christ back into Christmas for our children. We always made it a point to do for others at Christmas and include the children in this as well. Their classes at school would adopt a family and money would be collected and presents bought for this family. We would take "mittens" off the tree at church and replace them with real socks and mittens for children that needed them. We even spent Christmas Day at an shelter serving food to the homeless. And as always, Christmas Eve was spent at church. I still like that. Christmas Eve the family goes to church. I wish I could say the whole family but, unfortunately my son no longer believes and doesn't attend with us. He has new girl in his life who does believe. Maybe this year if we ask him, they will both attend. Certainly worth a try.

2009-12-03T13:13:00.000-05:00

Sitting at work in the dark. The local power company had to take most of the city I work in off-grid while they repaired damages to a sub-station thanks to thieves. My particular building however, still has limited power because of an emergency power source to keep our main frame from crashing unexpectedly. Everyone is walking around in the semi-darkness chatting and laughing. With all that has been going on in my life lately (running 100 mph non-stop), it's making me wish that I could take my life "off grid" for awhile. Everyone slow down, spend time together, enjoying each others' company. That is what is suppose to happen at Christmas but we find more and more often, we're running from place to place and always behind schedule.

I haven't looked at my Jessica Sprague classwork in over a week and we are suppose to be on Day 3. I want to take time to look it over and get caught up. I need to go home now and make 10 locker decorations for my daughters cheer squad. We have locker decorating on Sunday evening before Meet the Team and we have a game tomorrow night, a wrestling meet Saturday afternoon, another basketball game Saturday night and my husband and I will be at bingo on Sunday afternoon. Doesn't leave a lot of time for creativity so I need to get cracking.

So behind...so, so behind

2009-11-23T22:45:00.000-05:00

The past four days are a blur. I spent all of Friday either running to the hospital or running to someone elses' house from the hospital. The good news is - everyone is home, healthy and recuperating. The bad news at times, I had no idea what day or time it was. By the time I made my last ambulatory run (taking my mom home) and picking up her pain medication, it was 5:50 p.m. and I was suppose to be waiting in line at the movie theater with my sister to see New Moon in a city 30 minutes away from where I was. Wasn't happening. We were late getting to the theater but in time to not miss the movie. The movie for the most part was good. I'm not a big movie goer -- prefer watching from my comfy couch. But must admit, seeing Taylor and Robert 25' tall was an experience. Anyways - enjoyed the time with my sister and niece.

Saturday went by just as quickly. Wanted to finish my daughter's scrapbook for Sunday. Cait, my daughter, came to me around 5 p.m. and told me she wanted to make squash books for her three best friends (Andrew, Josh and Brandon) to give them at the football banquet. Okay - 3 scrapbooks--24 hours--not pictures or supplies ready. I can do that. Then, her boyfriend called and invited her to dinner with him and his mom. Love the kid but a little planning please! Cait didn't want to go by herself so she asked me to come along. Okay - who can turn down Olive Garden. Three hours later and a quick run through Target (to pickup our Shutterfly order) and Walmart to pick up goodie bag items for Phil and Jake and we were back home and scrapbooking. Cait worked so hard. She is by far not my craftiest child but she did a really good job and was so proud when she finished the last one up at 3:00 a.m.! Yes, we were going until 3 and fell into bed knowing we had a full day on Sunday.

Sunday flew by with bingo activities (a whole other story!). Before we knew it, it was football banquet time. All the mothers were gathered around sharing their scrapbooks they did for their children. It was so much fun. Speeches were a little long (but aren't they always), awards were quick and before we knew it, all the seniors were lined up to receive their scrapbooks. It was a little nostalgic, we were attending our last football banquet.

Monday came bright and early and even though I am off this week I still needed to go in to the office to get some things done. We have a candidate coming in next Monday and a slew of work to finish before he gets here. Needless to say, it was just a few short minutes ago that I even logged into Jessica Sprague to see what I have missed. Everyone has been so busy. The projects look great. I read all the notes from Jessica and stopped short of reading todays' class because I really want to get into all of the downloads she provided to us Friday and Saturday. So, that being said, I have a lot of work ahead of me.

2009-11-18T19:20:00.000-05:00

Okay - so I haven't even read the assignment for today. Been so far behind. Had to take my mom to the hospital today for outpatient surgery. The surgeon was running 4 hours behind so instead of having surgery at 10:30 a.m. surgery finally took place at 2:30. Everything went well but she has to stay the night. That introduced a whole new set of complications because that meant my father was going to have to stay at home alone all night. NOT a good idea. I called my mom's brother to come and stay with him -- don't necessarily think that was the best option, but I am afraid to stay over and my husband can't because of work. I just tried to call my dad and see how things were but he has somehow recorded over the message on their answering machine and all you hear is him fumbling with the phone and cursing at my uncle. Oh boy - another thing to add to my list for tomorrow. Record a new message for my parents tomorrow. My uncle just called from the hospital, they can't find my mothers glasses or clothes she came in with. Oh boy. Better stop by their house tomorrow and pick up a change of clothes for her to come home in.

So as you can see, I am a little burnt out right now. Too tired to think. I did manage to purchase a scrapbook for my daughter tonight. A project I have spent the last 5 months on will be wrapping up soon. My daughter is a varsity cheerleader and our football awards is Sunday evening. All seniors (my daughter included) will be called to the floor and their parents will go down and give them a scrapbook of their "year". Because she is a cheerleader, I actually included not just senior year but all four years of high school. It ended up being 57 pages. I will continue it through basketball season to include her entire senior year. Our boys team is suppose to do fairly well this season, so I may be looking at another 8-10 pages. We'll have to see how things pan out. I'm really quite pleased with it thus far. I have one page to complete before Sunday night and it is actually a page that will contain a shutterfly photo book i did for Senior Week. I knew that to cover all the events of senior week it would take another 7-8 pages so I made a cute little 6x8 book that included all the events and a few special messages for her. It's really quite darling, I just need to create a page to include the book....hmmmm. Need to think on this. Well, until tomorrow.

The Prompts

2009-11-17T12:48:00.000-05:00

Okay - got my next assignment today - 31 days of prompts. Printed them out nice and big - now I have to decide how I am going to display them so that they will be a constant in my life. Briefly glanced through the cards, don't want to spend too much time on them or I will psych myself out of working on the project. Some of the questions frighten me a little. I don't come from a family that had a lot of holiday traditions. Most of my childhood holidays (July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas) were spent trying to avoid my alcoholic father. I was well into my 20's when we (my mother, sisters and I) finally told him enough was enough. We did not want another holiday ruined by alcohol. So, much to our delight, my father did abstain from alcohol for a several years {holidays only}). So when I look back I don't have warm fuzzy scenes of the family gathering around the tree, attending church, having a nice holiday dinner. Christmas Eve's were loud, angry and chaotic. Christmas Days were hushed (hung over), tense and draining.

That's probably why when my husband and I started our own family, traditions were very important to me. I know that when my children look back on their childhood christmas' they will remember going out to cut down the Christmas tree (maybe not fondly :) ), me baking christmas cookies, receiving their special christmas bulb on the 12th day before Christmas and receiving their Christmas pajamas from Kris Kringle on Christmas Eve morning.

We have started so many traditions with them - maybe that's what I will focus on the most.

Putting up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving
A manger scene and christmas tree in every room of the house
Decorating for 2 days
12 Days of Christmas with Kris Kringle
Buying everyone a special ornament to receive on Cait's birthday
Buying of the Christmas p.j.'s
Hanging the mistletoe in the door
Hiding the "pickle" in the tree

We have so many traditions now, I really have to sit and think about all of them.

Assignment #1

2009-11-16T14:52:00.000-05:00

What are your holiday values? Those things we treasure most, and the hopes we have for ourselves and our families during the holiday season?

Family, together time, traditions, creating memories.

I would like for us to be together more this season. We've experienced some difficult times in our family and have come to realize that we are not always going to be able to have everyone together. I am sad to think that Jordan cannot be with us this holiday season. It makes me sad to think that I too could have a holiday without a child being there. They are all getting older and it seems that it won't be long before they will have other commitments and responsibilities that will take them away. I joke that it won't be long before it will be just Matt and I but, reality is, it won't. We had so many years of rushing around to one event or another, driving to games, practices, performances, shopping, decorating, baking, entertaining that to realize within the next two years - all of our children will be on their own (or away at school). Wow - I will actually clean the house and it will stay that way for longer than 10 minutes. I look in their bedrooms and realize that within the next two years, they are simply going to be empty shells of what they use to be. In another four years, they will become guest rooms for when someone comes to visit. That reminds me, I need to take pictures now to show that they were lived in.

I want to strengthen the girls desire for tradition and holidays with family. I don't want them to get to the place where they think it's easier not going home and just calling instead. I want to always be surrounded by my family, my children, their children (when its' time). :) I want memories of the kids sitting around playing games, having fun, laughing and enjoying each others' company. I remember growing up with cousins and playing with them and having fun but after my grandmother died - that was it. No more gatherings. Is that what is going to happen for my children?

Wow - I want a lot. I believe in order to achieve any of this - I have to start. I have to commit - I need list things that can achieve these goals. I have to stop being lazy and commit to being present and involved. What are things I can do to realize my goals:

Commit to attending church with Caitlin each week. Can we both commit to attending St. Francis with Matt? Can I overcome my displeasure with Fr. Bob to attend church? How can I adjust my attitude so that this will change?

We need to carve out a time for "family dinners" again. Maybe Sunday is not the day for us. Why not a week night? Can we all commit to making it to dinner one day a week? I need to talk to the family about this.

A New Frontier

2009-11-16T13:44:00.000-05:00

Okay...I thought I was pretty sassy setting up a shutterfly account ( ncvarsitysquad.shutterfly.com ) for all the cheerleaders to download picture to but now...I have my own blog. Not that I plan on shouting it from the rooftops or anything. I actually created this because I am doing an on-line class with Jessica Sprague jessicasprague.com and in this class, I need to journal or blog. And, since I tend to lose things or misplace them, I didn't think a paper journal was the way to go and with a blog, if I am at home or work, I will have access to it.

So it's now official - I blog.