Monday, May 31, 2010

Want a {SAS}sy Sneak??

I am sooooo super excited about the supplies that I that I have been working with this month for Scrap Attack Scrapbooking! It is not only one of my favorite manufacturers, but it is also some of my favorite color combos! Yipee!!!! LOVIN' IT! Check out a little sneakie....

Saturday, May 22, 2010

1 Down....4 to go....

Well, yesterday was officially Tamon's last day of school for the '09-'10 school year. He qualified for flex week, so he does not have to go for the next 2 weeks. He turned in all of his books, said good bye to all of his 8th grade girlfriends who will not be coming back to the same school next year, and he came home. He greeted me with..."Mommy...you are now officially looking at an 8th grader" >>> He calls me 'Mommy' when he wants to be cute...he really calls me Mom.
I smiled and said...well..."In this house, 8th graders get to help with laundry and cleaning...so go change out the laundry." I think that killed his "high" because he says..." Um...I was just joking...I failed."
HA! LOL...no no no...doesn't work that way! ....But I didn't make him do the laundry, I did let him enjoy the day...BUT....today is a new day...HA!

So Tamon is out for the summer, but all of my elementary nerds are still going. =)
This week coming up is the week that is going to be my ultimate test! LOL...will I survive??? I have a field trip every day except Monday. Tuesday is to Galveston, Wednesday is to Conroe, Thursday is to Houston, Friday is to San Antonio. Wish me luck! Then it all starts over again the following week...only it is every day at the school. Whew....at least it is all in one centralized location...right?

Oh...yesterday, I was up at the school, as I have been every day this last week...and FOUR...yes...FOUR of the staff suggested that I just get a job there for next year. One of them...the comedian of the bunch looked at me and said..."Don't you work here?" LOL...funny! No, I do not work there...maybe that is a sign though...I always said that once they all are in school full time I might go to work at the school...maybe that is God's way of reminding me of that.

SO...I have been puttering along on my DT work and my regular challenges. I can't share DT work yet...but I can share some of my regular stuff...here are a couple that I have gotten done....You can find the bulk of the products from both of these layouts at Scrap Attack Scrapbooking. They keep the NEWEST of the New products in stock...and are constantly adding to the store...so if you are having trouble finding something...or just want SUPER FAST shipping...Scrap Attack is the place to get it!!




Well...thanks for bearing with me through this long post! If I don't resurface for a while...at least you all know why!!! I am trudging through my looooooong days playing mama to a bunch of elementary nerds! (just joking...they aren't nerds...they are dorks) LOL...I love my young'uns!!!!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Check it out!

WOW!!! Time sure does fly here at the end of the school year! Five kids with awards ceremonies, field trips, class parties, grade level programs, athletic banquets...the list goes on and on! I have been so busy, I have not had time to even sleep more than 4 hours a night! If only we could add hours to a day! Well...then we would still do more...**sigh**.


Ok...so I got my Simply Obsessed kit on Monday, and with all of the end of the school year activities going on, I was not able to break it open until Tuesday night. When I did....all I could say was WOW. Yes....WOW. Heather did a fantastic job of pairing the embellishments with the Bella papers! This kit is FANTASTIC!

It's no secret that I do not do many masculine layouts or projects...which does not make sense because I have a HOUSE FULL of guys! I am more typically drawn to the frilly side of life...and again, I find that in my layouts with a typically masculine kit! Somehow, I always find a way to make it girly! LOL

Here is "You Gotta Dance" featuring my youngest when she was only a baby. I altered the photo to add in the bubbles, and I used the patterned paper that was in the kit to my advntage...and I pop dotted some of the circles up to look like the bubbles have come out of the photo and onto the page. I made a couple of pinwheels and added the buttons from the kit for the centers. I also used the fabric flowers from the kit to help create a whimsical look to this layout.


I did this using the music prompt from Scrapping The Music and the GDT contest sketch from Sketchy Thursdays...such fun!! Here is a close up:


This is my son...shaving for the first time ever. He actually used my hubby's electric trimmer instead of a razor. I created my left border to represent the stubble...then the right border is clean. I created the "stubble" by fringing the paper then using a toothpick to wrap the ends around and curl it up.


Here is my Fathers' Day card...as folded button down collared shirt! I wanted something a little different...and this is what was the result. the white part is an insert that you can create your message on...pulls out easily. When pulled out....


This is what you get. I put the chipboard sticker on the inside of the shirt for the "tag"...and a little hidden surprise for Dad when he pulls out the insert!


Do you like what you see?? Head on over to Simply Obsessed and pick up your own kit today! You will be glad you did!!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Simply Obsessed Crop!!

Come join us this weekend for a Simply Obsessed Crop hosted by Yours Truly! We will be honoring Mother in our challenges...because without Mothers...where would we be? Mother's Day has passed...but honoring Moms should be an every day thing...so that is exactly what we will be doing!



Challenges will post on Friday and the crop ends Sunday night. Head on over to the Simply Obsessed Message Board and check it out! You will be glad you did!!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Prima picks!!

OOOOO I am sooooo loving the Prima Product picks this month! It is no secret that purple is my FAVORITE color....just check out this inspiration board!!! Guess what....I will be using some of this stuff this month...That is a promise! I LOOOOOOVE this months picks!!!

Monday, May 10, 2010

SD4U May Reveal!

With all of the happenings, I just realized that I forgot to post my May reveal for SD4U! I had the greatest kit featuring the American Crafts "Letterbox" line. It is so super soft and even sophisticated...it was so easy to create feminine pages with it! I am sure you could whip out some masculine pages...I just didn't this time. Here is what I created using that kit...






Each of these layouts was so easy to create using the products in the kit. The kit was jam packed with beautiful flowers and equally beautiful papers! You will not be disappointed if you get this kit from SD4U!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Feisty Red Head??

Do you think the old saying about Red Heads is true?? Well, if you don't...think again. Yesterday, I got a phone call from my Sister in Law telling me that there had been an "altercation". Now...I am working in my shop and delivering cakes while my family is at a BBQ cook off.

Of course, the first thing I think is that my hubby has gotten a little few too many beers and gotten mouthy with the wrong person. Don't get me wrong...he is a GREAT person...just a little outspoken...especially when beer is involved.

Well, I was wrong...come to find out...Joe wasn't even drinking!!

Oh no...the altercation was with my Little Red Headed 9 year old "Spit~Fire" and a little girl who thought she could push Aubrie around.
Apparently, this little girl was being mean and making ugly noises and guestures toward Aubrie. Aubrie, being the better person, attempted to make friends with the little girl. The girl decided that friends was not on her agenda, and drew her fist back as if she were about to punch Aubrie. Well, Aubrie drew hers back in defense. The girl swung at Aubrie, who stepped backward and dodged the blow...and at the same time, swung at the girl and made a dead on connection with her cheek bone.

My daughter has three brothers. Enough said.

Aubrie, who is not a fighter, turned and left the park...and went back to where my hubby and SIL were at. They saw that she was crying and very upset, but she would not tell them what was wrong. About 3 minutes later, a constable shows up along with 20 kids pointing my daughter out shouting "THAT'S Her...That's The girl that hit her!"

The constable made all the other kids leave, and asked to talk to Aubrie. My husband said sure. Aubrie was so upset, that she couldn't talk at first. The officer asked her if she had hit the girl and Aubrie nodded yes. Then he asked did the girl hit her...Aubrie said No. Then he asked why did she hit the other girl then. Aubrie looked up at him with tears streaming down her face and said..."they were all being mean to me. They were making fun of me because I am not from this school...I am from New Caney. They started making cat noises at me...but I tried to make friends with them...and that girl swung at me to hit me. I stepped backwards and I dodged her hit...but my instincts made me swing at her...I didn't even mean to hit her, but I did. I'm sorry. I just had enough of them being mean to me." At this point she was sobbing so hard that it was hard to understand her.

The officer told her that it is ok...It sounded to him like the other little girl got what she deserved. He patted her back and told her to calm down, that she is not in trouble...and that he was proud of her for defending herself. He explained to her that he just has to get both sides of the story...and that she is not in any trouble. He shook my husbands hand and told him that he has a good little girl there...and walked away.
*********************************************************************************

Yes...We do have a good little girl. My kids have been taught to NOT start a fight...but NEVER let someone push you around. If someone starts a fight, they will not get n trouble for defending themselves. I will go to "BAT" for my kids on something like this every time...whether at school or not. I will not reprimand my kids for defending themselves.

I am so thankful that the officer stood by what was right, and reaffirmed this little bit of teaching. He just made it even more clear that it is ok to defend yourself.

With all of the "Mean Girls" and "Bad Boys" that have swept the school system, I want my kids to know that defending themselves is not only ok...it is a must.

I am proud of my daughter. I am proud that she stood up for herself. I am proud that once she hit the girl once...she did not continue...she simply walked away and turned the other cheek. I am proud of who she is. At least I know that I am doing SOMETHING right as a mother...

LORD HELP ME once she hits high school though!!!!!!

Friday, May 7, 2010

What 's so Amazing?

Let me just tell you....
It is amazing that wishes DO come true...that prayers ARE answered, and that THESE kids call ME Mom. WOW. How did I get so blessed? How did I merit having Five perfectly healthy and only mildly temperamental kids? =)
As Mother's Day quickly approaches, I am finding myself pondering many many things about my age, my children, my family, and most of all, my gifts. This layout below holds all of that all wrapped up into two tiny photos. One photo of my family...because without a stable family life, my children would not be the healthy, happy, free spirited kids they are today. The other photo is of my five blessings. My kids. My loves. What is so amazing? THEY CALL ME MOM.



I used this sketch from the Crate Paper blog for my inspiration...as well as the layout consisting of almost entirely Crate Paper. I {heart} Crate Paper!


I also used the song prompt from Scrapping the Music for my title and journaling. I am just an old softie...and this song..."The Rainbow Connection" was one of my absolute FAVORITE songs when I was a little girl. It is the Kermit the Frog song! you know....the one where he is playing the banjo sitting on the log. It struck a chord in my heart strings and I HAD to do this! This is the part that got me...

Have you been half asleep
And have you heard voices
I've heard them calling my name
.........
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
There's something that I'm supposed to be



Yes...I hear these sweet voices calling my name. There IS something that I am supposed to be. I am Mom. THEIR Mom. And they are my rainbow connection.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone!!!!!!!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Mother's Day Make-N-Take Idea

So...who would like an idea for a Super Easy AND inexpensive Mother's Day gift??? I know I would!! I have three Mother's that I give gifts to, so sometimes, something a little less expensive is ideal. Well, today, I am going to give you just that!

An Altered Candle in a Jar~!

I went to Wal Mart and bought a few different candles in a jar...they smell WONDERFUL and are only $5! You can't beat that!!! When I was selecting my candles, I tried to match the colors of the candle to the supplies I knew that I had on hand for the altering part.

For this one, I used the Pumpkin Spice...it is orange in color to match the Crate Paper collection that I will be using, and smells sooooooooo good! I know My Mother in Law is going to LOVE this!
SO....once you have your candle, gather the rest of your supplies...
...I am using the new Pink Plum line from Crate Paper!! Flippin' GORGEOUS!! Oh.... Mod Podge is a must.

Next, you cut your patterned paper to fit around your jar...so that you can COVER that atrocious UGLY label that is on it. LOL...we are going to make a gorgeous label! You will cover your jar with Mod Podge...this will be your glue. Apply your paper label that you cut out...being sure to center it. Once it is on, you will cover that with Mod Podge again...this is the sealant part. Let it dry for about 15 minutes.



Next, I add a border to the top and bottom of the label. Sometimes it is a ribbon, trim...whatever...this time, I used my loopy Martha Stewart punch and created my own border using some Bazzill brown card stock. Remember...we are keeping it simple! Use the same steps for applying this as you did for applying the label.
Now you will decorate that lid. Use your circle cutter to cut out a circle from paper to completely cover your lid. Mod Podge your lid, apply the circle, then Mod podge again...let it sit for 15 minutes. While it is drying, you can be assembling your flower for the top.
I used the lacy trim from my kit to make a center of a large lollipop flower. I did use mod podge on the paper to give it stiffness...or you can use a spray sealant...or even just use pre-made flowers...totally up to you!



Once my flower was made, I hot glued my GORGEOUS Prima butterfly to the center and hot glued the whole assembly to my lid that had dried while I was working. Oh yea....I did use foam thickers...I find that the foam works a LOT better for forming around the face of the jar than chip board alphas do! LOL...of course you can use whatever you want...Just make it your own! ....Here is my final product.....

My next task is to make a matching card for this...but that should be super easy!!!
I hope you enjoyed this simple Mother's Day Make-N-Take idea!