Mommy of 5 Kidz

Exciting News! and a Flat Stanley Project...

2012-01-24T21:45:00.001-06:00

I was invited to join the 2012 Quick Quotes Design Team!

AND

The Momenta D-Lite Team!

Holy moly!

Both announcements were made today...

Today was a MAJOR Day for me! ...and I am JUST NOW able to

sit down at my computer and blog about it! LOL

Please head on over to both blogs and

join me in welcoming the rest of my new team mates!

There are some majorly talented ladies up in there!

*********************************************************************
Now for Stanley...
I'm sure everyone has heard of the Flat Stanley guy...right?

Well, Skye brought one home the other day and we are supposed to send it to another state.

Problem is, I have exactly TWO relatives that live out of state, and neither are very trust-worthy to return it in a timely manner so that it can be included in the district's Gifted & Talented Showcase.
I talked to Skye and all she kept saying is that she wanted to send her Stanley to where there is snow.

As fate would have it, I have made some pretty good friends
through scrap sites, design teams and Facebook.
One of those friends happens to live where it snows
AND I feel pretty confident that she would return Stanley to us.

So, I called her up and asked her if she would be up to
showing Stanley around WIsconsin, and she graciously accepted!
THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH, Michelle!!!
You are awesome and you made a little 6 year old very happy!

We will be sending him out today...I wanted to get a photo of Skye telling
him good bye before I ship him off to ya. :)

Thank you all for visiting me today, and I hope you have a FANTASTIC WEEK!

Li'l Dreamer...

2012-01-24T02:00:00.002-06:00

You have probably all figured out by now that I am not much of a card maker.

I make them...just not often.

It is just not one of my favorite things to do.

I do, however, LOVE to make hair accessories, altered items and most especially...scrapbook layouts.

For this layout, I used a sketch from My Creative Sketches.

Here is the sketch that I used:

Now...I LOVE to scrap with circles, but I was a little bit wary of the large strip behind the circle that is on a slant. I was clueless as to what to do!

UNTIL....

I saw my beautiful moss green leaf vine ribbon

from Really Reasonable Ribbon!

I immediately thought of a rose trellis, and then I was scrappin'!

I created the trellis with my cricut and wove the vine through it.

I used the Estelle White crochet lace to run around the edge of the circle.

I wanted to create a light "airy" feel to this layout, so I kept with muted colors and only a few splashes of color.

Here is a close up of both trims that I used on this layout:

Next time you are stuck on a layout, take a peek into your ribbon stash!

It just might help your imagination wander!

Ribbon is a PERFECT final touch to ANY project!

Thank you for visiting today!

Have a Fantastic Week!!!

supplies used:

Websters Pages "Let's Celebrate" collection

cricut cartridge "Paper Lace"

Tattered Angels mists

Prima florals

stickles

all ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon

I'm a Cycling Team Member!!!!

2012-01-18T08:53:00.001-06:00

I'm so EXCITED!!!!

I was invited to "take a ride" with Little Yellow Bicycle!!

I admit I did a Happy Dance when I got the email in my "IN" box!!!

Head on over to the LYB blog and check out the other SUPER TALENTED ladies that will be joining me as we feature the GORGEOUS new "Saturdays" collection!

DENIM and LACE

Need I say more????

I hope you all have a FANTABULOUS DAY!!!

Oh...and don't forget about the Blogoversary giveaway over at
Really Reasonable Ribbon!

My Creative Sketches:

2012-01-15T11:25:00.001-06:00

So, Over at My Creative Sketches,

they hosted a 3 month long sketch contest in which they supplied a sketch and

everyone was to create a layout based on that sketch.

The contest was October through December...and the prizes were FANTASTIC!!!

I came in at the very end of the contest, and was able to submit and play along with the December Sketch, which I WON!!!

Thank you Pam!!! For the AMAZING prize pack!!!

Below is the Sketch #3 that I used and my layout that I did:

Sketch #3:

My layout based on that sketch:

NOW....

The final phase of the contest was announced and I got SUPER EXCITED!

I didn't get to play along with the first 2 sketches because I only found it in December...

but the final phase gave me the opportunity to play "Catch Up" !!

Here is Sketch #2:

And this is the layout that I did based on that sketch:

And Sketch #1:

And my layout based on that sketch:

**I didn't realize that the layout was crooked in my photo until I uploaded it, and by then, it was raining and I could not reshoot! LOL. Oh Well. :)

SO I had a LOT of fun doing these layouts and using the sketches.

I had lost my mojo for a while, but the ladies over at My Creative Scrapbook have helped me to find it again! THANK YOU LADIES!!!

Oh...By the way...The prize for this final phase of the contest is FANTABULOUS!!!

It is a 3 month subscription the the GORGEOUS Limited Edition Kit over at My Creative Scrapbook!!!

Here is a peek at the January Kit:

Isn't it AMAZING!

Obviously, I am a sucker for the pretty stuff! LOL.

I would be in "Hog Heaven" if I won!!

Please wish me luck! LOL

Thanks for stopping by! Have a Magnificent Day!

Feather Fad?

2012-01-14T10:37:00.000-06:00

Go over to Really Reasonable Ribbon and

check out my tutorial on how to make some

gorgeous feather clippies!

Take a sneak peak...

They are so easy to make and soooo POPULAR!!!!!

Also...HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to my 15 year old today!

I love you Tamon!!!!

(but I don't like you so much when you pin me down and

shoot me with your Nerf gun!!!)

Blog Hoppin' Time!

2012-01-13T06:30:00.008-06:00

Hi there everyone! And

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13TH!!!!!!

My kids are all kinds of excited about that date! They want to come home from school today and watch scary movies all night long! Me...I just want to snuggle up in my bed and sleep!
(I think that is a sign of old age...isn't it??)

Anyhoo.....YOU are some lucky little duckies to be hopping along with us today on our
FIRST Blog Hop Of 2012!

Oh YEAH!!!!!

If you have come to my bloggity blog from Heidi's Beautiful Blog then you are on the RIGHT TRACK!!! If not...you might consider starting at the beginning at

the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog and making your way through.

I am quite sure you have encountered some FANTABULOUS projects along the way today.

Don't we have just the most amazing team EVAH!!??

Trust me....there is much more to come before you are finished hopping!

The is some talent up in here!!!! LOL

This month, we are showcasing this BEAUTIFUL assortment of ribbons that is absolutely PERFECT for Valentine's Projects!

I LOVE the colors!!!!

When trying to decide what to do for my "Bow of the Month", I first had to decide if I wanted elegant, fun, frilly...what?

Skye and I decided that we wanted a FUN bow for V-Day,

so I made her favorite...a Korker

A.K.A "The Curly Q"!

Now...I can't just stop there...OH NO.

I have to make something for Aubrie...right?

Well, Miss "I AM TOO OLD FOR BOWS" loves

the feather fad. SO...I made her some feather clippies!

Aren't they just ADORABLE!!!

Well, I hope you liked my creations.

Make sure to tune back in tomorrow to the RRR blog for a quick and easy tutorial on how I did these hair pretties!

Thank you all so much for stopping by here today!

Your next stop on this hop is at Dawn's Delightful Blog.

***DON'T FORGET about the BLOGOVERSARY GIVEAWAY***
Click >>>HERE<<< to enter!!!!
Have a FANTABULOUS Weekend!!

Rain Rain Go Away!

2012-01-10T07:18:00.001-06:00

***Head on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog to see the FIRST Challenge of the New Year!!! It is a great one!!!

ALSO...Bonnie is doing a "Blogoversary" Giveaway >>> HERE<<<

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ENTER your name! GO NOW!!!! ***

It has been raining here in my little corner of the world for a few days now.

Don't get me wrong...I love the rain.

It gives me an excuse to do nothing but scrap.

Only Problem is...I haven't been able to scrap...

so it is making me depressed! LOL

I have, however, been taking a photo a day...well, MOST of the time.

I have missed a few days already, but like I said before....

I will be happy if I manage to get just one photo a WEEK! LOL.

I wanted to share a few of these photos with you all today.

I do have others on my phone, just not downloaded yet.

Oh! AND I wanted to to tell you that CVS is having

60%off photo printing if you order

online through Saturday the 14th!!!! If you have a CVS in your area...

it would be worthwhile...and MONEY to check that out!

And this next one is not from 2012, but I just yesterday

did the touchup and quote on it.

I think it would have to be my favorite photo from 2011:

I do have a few things that I have been working on, but cannot take

a photo until this rain subsides. It is too dark inside and too wet outside! LOL.

As soon as this rain goes away...I will get some scrappy work photographed.

Until then...Have a FANTABULOUS DAY!!!!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me!

Faves of 2011

2012-01-01T00:01:00.017-06:00

***Head on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog to see the FIRST Challenge of the New Year!!! It is a great one!!!

ALSO...Bonnie is doing a "Blogoversary" Giveaway >>> HERE<<<

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ENTER your name! GO NOW!!!! ***

Every year since I started my blog, I have done a post at the end of the year with my favorite layouts. I don't think I ever included projects because, well, I just never thought to!

This year, I am including a couple of my favorite projects that I did, too.

SO..in NO particular order, here are my top FAVORITES of 2011.

"NO BOYS" ribbon wreath:

"I Do Believe" layout

Boutique style hairbows

**I make TONS of these!!!**

"They Are Sisters" layout:

"You make my heart Flutter" layout:

"& Wonder" layout:

"She's Crafty" layout

"Butterfly Kisses" Layout:

"Boys" layout

"Grandma" layout

"Families are like Quilts" layout

Birthday Banner/card/cupcake flags ensemble:

"Daddy & Me" layout:

"Everyday Hero" Layout:

"American Made" layout

One thing I noticed, and I am adding to my resolutions for this year,

is to make CHANCE & AUBRIE allow me to take more pictures of them!!!!

I have pics, don't get me wrong...but somehow,

they did not make it to layouts.

I know...BAD BAD MAMA!!!!

I will remedy that though.

Another thing that is obvious, is that I scrap Skye a lot.

Well...SHE LETS ME TAKE PICTURES OF HER!!!

I will make myself scrap the others more this year.

A little something I think that will help me along

the way is to take a photo a day.

I know...it sounds intimidating. That is 365 photos!

Oh...and 1 more for this year making a total of 366! (leap year)

After hours upon hours of searching for printable photo prompt lists

to get me started, I found nothing that interested me.

Well, until I found >>>THIS BLOG

I LOVE IT! I am already signed up for the emails and ready to get started!!!!

Here is a link to view last years prompts if you are interested>>>LINK<<<

I am going to try to do this without falter. I will also try to share my daily photos, only it will more than likely be on a weekly basis as opposed to daily! LOL

Just like a "Diet Buddy" or a "Crop Buddy" I am thinking

I will need a "Photo Buddy"!!!!

Any volunteers to do this with me????????

Hope you are having a FANTASTIC NEW YEAR!!!!!

I pray the 2012 brings love and happiness to everyone...and a little financial boost couldn't hurt either!!!!

Pile-O-Leaves....

2011-12-31T00:07:00.001-06:00

***CAUTION: PHOTO HEAVY***

I have no idea how a simple pile of leaves can provide such enjoyment...

but these photos of my munchkins show that it is possible.

Some things just need no explanation.

ONE. HAPPY. MAMA.

(I forgot to adjust my shutter speed on my camera, so some of them came out blurry...but I did some heavy alterations and I think it cleaned 'em up. Gotta Love Photoshop!!!! **or piknik in my case!)

I did a Layout!!!

2011-12-28T14:41:00.003-06:00

Below is my layout that I did for the Sketch Contest at My Creative Sketches.

Now, since I have been unable to use my computer, I have had time to scrap.

{{{ A LITTLE BIT ANYWAY }}}

Here is the sketch that Inspired me by Kim Keane:

And here is the layout that I came up with.

I stayed very true to the actual sketch...as I usually do.

( I think if a person takes the time to create a sketch, then the layouts should reflect that.)

Here is:

"They are Sisters"

The best of friends...and the worst of enemies.

Either way... they are always there for each other.

Most everything I used is from Prima with the exception of the little frame which is Crate Paper and the little black crystals in the corners which are zva.

There are several techniques used in here...

inking, painting, stickling, hand stitching,doodling, distressing,

and even fussy cutting.

I have other layouts to go with this one by the super talented Nic Howard...I am thinking about doing a wall collage to go in their bedroom :) I don't think I ever showed these or thanked Nic for them, so I want to do that now...

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL WORK WITH MY DAUGHTERS!!!!!

Here are the ones by Nic:

***************************************************************

I love my layout and want to thank Kim and the team over at

My Creative Scrapbook for the inspiration!!!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me today!

Have a great Day!!!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-26T11:53:00.000-06:00

To all of you from the Willis Home!

We had a very RAINY Christmas week, so I got very few photos that are "share quality".

I did get a few though...so here ya go...

This is Skye and Dayne wearing the critter hats that I crocheted for them. Dayne's is a reindeer and Skye's is a puppy. I made these for the kids as one of their presents, but I gave them to them early to wear to all of our family gatherings. Let me just tell you...These little hats were the talk of the town! LOL. EVERYONE wanted to see them and oooed and awed over them.

Here are all 5 of them getting ready to open

the family gift that Homer left for us.

Homer is our Elf that stayed with us this holiday season.

He left Christmas Eve night and left a couple of very sad kids...but made up for that with a farewell gift...

He left us a Snack Pack for a Family Game night!!!

LOVE THAT ELF!!!

There were 7 giant chocolate bars, 7 packs of Cracker Jacks, a full bag of peppermint kisses (..MY FAVORITE!!!!) two 6 packs of St. Arnolds root beers and a $50 Playstation network gift card.

Oh...and 2 beers for Joe. :)

They all got excited about this gift from the coolest elf EVAH! (wink wink)

Here they are all getting ready to open a gift from my friend Sheila.

She made them all their own fleece blanket and gave them all a shirt.

>>>The ugly bag that Aubrie's blanket is in is my fault!

I put the packages under my tree too early and Miss LuLu tore into her gift!!! AGH!

SO, I quickly put it into that bag before anyone noticed and all was well :)

Aubrie didn't much care about the ugly bag though...she just wanted what was on the INSIDE.

She LOVES her Peace Sign Scarf and Peace Tie Blanket from Mrs. Sheila!

She is my Little Hippie!!!!

Here is Christmas Morning breakfast. The kids all wanted pancakes and bacon...so they got it!

I also tossed in some Whipped Cream, Blueberries and Strawberries for extra yumminess!

Here they are getting ready to sit down for our Christmas Dinner.

You see Aubrie is wearing her hat? Well, as cute as it is, I made her take it off because I am a mean mommy and require proper table manners...even on Christmas Day!

Now, there are other highlights of our Christmas...but I will save those for their own post.

How about a little teaser to think about...

two words...

NERF WARS!!!!!

Head on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog and Check out my post today!

Love that Shirt!!!

2011-12-20T00:46:00.000-06:00

I did this layout of Skye using Momenta products, a little misting, stitching, and painting...

THe little pocket above the pic holds my journaling about the significance of THAT SHIRT! LOL She wears it every time it is clean...straight from the dryer! She is a nutty little munchkin!

New Challenge is up~~~~!!

2011-12-15T22:02:00.000-06:00

Head on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog and check out the latest challenge!

it is going to be super fun and EASY for all to participate!

Oh...and check out all the gorgeousness that the DT has created!

It's Blog Hopping Time!

2011-12-13T06:30:00.003-06:00

Welcome to the last RRR Blog Hop of 2011!

If you arrived here from Heidi's beautiful blog, then you are on the right track!

If not, then head on over to the Really Reasonable Blog

and start from the beginning.

This month, Bonnie sent us a BEAUTIFUL assortment of ribbons to create with.

This pack...the "Winter Whites" as she so appropriately named it, is so stunning that it took my breath away the moment I saw it!

It was so beautiful...I almost wanted to put it up on the shelf and just gaze in awe! LOL...but I couldn't resist the temptation to create something beautiful!

I decided to create my monthly bow with the wintery whites and add a touch of blues.

The blues added just enough of a splash of color to make it interesting, but not too much that it took away from the wintery effect.

Don't you just LOVE that peacock blue double ruffle ribbon!!!!

I also used some acrylic snowflakes from Imaginisce to accent it and achieve the wintery look.

I thought the winter whites were simply gorgeous, and I KNOW that you will, too!

Now it is time to head on over to Dawn's Delightful Blog to see what she has created for us today!

And Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Elf on the Shelf...

2011-12-09T12:04:00.001-06:00

They are popping up in EVERYONE's homes! I see them all over facebook, and people are talking about them in the stores.

I had no idea what it was until I talked with my friend who had one for her daughter. Once I understood the concept,

I decided I should get one for my munchkins.

Well, Skye reinforced that one day when she says to me..."Mama, why hasn't an elf come to our house? Everyone has an elf except us.

Does that mean that we are bad kids?"

"NO NO NO NO NO!!!!! That does not mean that at all!" I told her. It just means we haven't found our elf yet. He is probably hiding somewhere in the house. Those little guys are pretty mischievous you know." She giggled and said..."I bet he is hiding in my room. It would be pretty hard to find him in there." NO KIDDING IT WOULD BE HARD!

I took that opportunity to 'pursuade' her to clean her room and maybe she will find him. (Horrible I know...but it worked!!)

So, I took that cue and set out to find our own "Elf on The Shelf".

Unfortunately, NO ONE in our area had one with the book!

They are so popular that the stores can not keep them in stock this year!

OH NO!!!!! What am I going to do now???

Well, I will tell you what I did.

I improvised!

I called my friend and asked her if I could borrow just her book so that I could read it to the kids, and I found ONE...yes...ONE plush elf that I could buy alone.

Not even kidding about the popularity of these little guys!

Well, last night was his first night with us, and the kids named him Homer.

Now, I knew Skye and Dayne would love having him, but Aubrie, Chance and Tamon surprised me with their interest! That is all they talked about last night until bed...was their elf and the things he might do each night while they are sleeping. Of course The older kids know...but they said it is fun anyway because it is like a game.

Chance said...instead of "Where's Waldo" it is "Where's Homer?"

They are playing along and even encouraging Skye and Dayne to "Believe".

I love that my kids are so great!

So, last night, Homer did not report back to Santa.

He had a long trip to get here, so he rested and will report back tonight.

This morning, Chance came INTO MY ROOM at 5 am to wake me up to tell me that he found Homer.!!!!!!! LOL. He also said that there is a note with him. I said..."Did you read it???"

He told me what it said, and that he liked it and that the kids would love it. "Mom..you had a good idea."

AWWWW...seal of approval from my 13 year old!

When the other 3 got up...they FIRST thing they did was start looking for Homer.

I sat down at the computer to check emails and this is what I found on the desktop...it was a "CLUE" left for them from Tamon. I don't quite understand it...but I thought it was sweet that he is even playing along!

Where is Homer?

In a case

Where Christmas isn’tmarry

Where else for you tofind me

But in a place

That Christmas is mosttharey

The camera is the only tosee

Aubrie was the first to find him after about 15 minutes of searching. I told her not to tell Skye and Dayne, but to maybe help them out with clues.

She did and they FINALLY found him!

He was perched on one of the branches of the Christmas tree....

Homer had set up my camera on it's tripod and took a few pics of himself! See the remote button in his hands? That mischievous elf!

I think we are going to have fun with Homer this year. :)

I did get a little layout done last night, too.
I saw the sketch on the Prima blog and COULD NOT RESIST.
Here is the sketch for this month:

And here is my take on it:

"I Do Believe"

I stayed pretty true to the sketch. I used a circle for the shaped background, though. I loved the background paper that I chose and did not want to cover it completely with that larger shape. Where it calls for 3 photos, I used one larger one that I cut into 3 sections. Skye in one, then Santa, then Kylie.

If you look closely, you will see the tiny bell up on top of the pic...it is there to represent the Christmas Bell. Skye told Santa that She can still hear the bells ring! OMGoodness...to stinkin' cute, I thought! I just had to scrap it. Here are a few close ups:

I added the pocket behind the picture for my journaling.

The bell and the music notes to represent the jingling. I cut the music notes from my cricut with plain black cardstock and then covered them all with Glossy Accents. That stuff is flippin' AWESOME!

I truly love this layout. I think it encompasses the sheer innocence of childhood...and the fact the we ALL need to believe in something!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Keep an eye out for more of Homer's adventures!

Have a Fantabulous Day!

Believe in the Magic...

2011-12-04T22:52:00.001-06:00

Do you still believe in the Magic of Christmas?

I do.

Well, not in the same way as I did when I was a kid, of course.

But I do still believe in the magic.

I see it in the faces of the children when they see Santa for the first time, or see the magnificence of outside lights all lit up, and when they get that one special gift on Christmas morning.

Christmas is my favorite time of year for many many reasons.

One of them is depicted right here in this photo...

This is Skye with her friend and they are both chatting it up with Santa...telling him all the things they want for Christmas.

I loved that I caught this...The look on poor Santa's face! LOL..

These 2 girls bombarded him and he had no chance!

They booth took over the conversation and he didn't get a word in edgewise!

Oh...the wonderment of two 6 year old girls! LOL

I actually caught several pics...but I really think this was my favorite!

Dayne wanted to go with us, too.

I DID NOT make him...he asked if he could go.

Tamon and Chance stayed at home with the Grinch...I mean Joe.

Aubrie and her friend Ally went too, but their pics did not turn out so good! LOL

This is the photo I got of Dayne...

He looks like he was forced to do it! LOL...

I think he was just a little be nervous and changed his mind once we actually got there.

Y'all help me come up with a caption for this one! LOL

And here is Skye alone...

Today was my birthday, and I don't think I could have spent it better than this!

Love the photos and the time spent together!

When we got home, it started raining like crazy, so we spent the rest of the day curled up on the couch watching Christmas movies and sipping hot chocolate.

YUM!

Can't WAIT to scrap these photos!

Hope your weekend was fantastic!

And...since I can't send you all Christmas cards...Here is your virtual card handmade by me! LOL

YUM- yum- YUMMERS!

2011-12-03T13:38:00.001-06:00

Today is my day at the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog for sharing my recipe and packaging idea!

Head on over there and check it out!

Don't forget that you can play along, too!

We would love to see what you got up YOUR sleeve this holiday season!

Here is a preview of what I am sharing....

Hope to see your comments over there!

AND your own recipe ideas!!!

Have a Fantabulous Weekend and thanks for stopping by!

It Begins!

2011-12-02T11:54:00.000-06:00

Bonnie kicked off our recipe swap/food packaging theme week today!
She has some YUMMY looking chocolate chip cookies up on the blog today!
Head on over and check out that recipe!

YOU can play along too! Share your own recipe, packing idea with us and link it in to the blog. You will be entered for a random prize give away!

PS...Mine will be up on the blog tomorrow!!!!

Challenge time!

2011-12-01T08:31:00.000-06:00

On the 1st & 15th of every month, Bonnie at Really Reasonable Ribbon posts a new challenge for everyone to participate in. GUESS WHAT TODAY IS!!!

Yep, December 1st!!!!

This challenge is in honor of the season...

all sparkly and shiny with SILVER and GOLD.

Here is the project that I created for this challenge:

It is a homemade Christmas ornament.

I used silver ribbons with just a hint of gold up by the rose.

The inside is filled with silver, gold, and turquoise styrofoam balls

that I cut off of a Christmas floral.

This is another of the handmade gifts that I said we were

going to be making this year.

I will be making a few more of these to give to mine and Joe's sisters.

You should all check out the exacts of the challenge >>>RIGHT HERE<<<

I would love to see some of you play along with us!

Thanks for stopping by and have a FANTABULOUS Day!!!

Mom, Mama, Mommy....

2011-11-29T19:59:00.002-06:00

Today, I spent a few minutes browsing some of my favorite blogs for inspiration and came across a challenge on the Bo Bunny Blog that was just screaming out my name!

It is their Layout Friday Challenge and this time, the theme was ME!

Here is the exacts of the challenge:

A DAY IN YOUR LIFE CHALLENGE
Create a 2 page layout about an ordinary, routine day in your life.
We want to see what one day in your life looks like.
Your layout should include photos and journaling/wording

Well, I still had a bit of my favorite line "Olivia" so I decided to play along.

The BIGGEST challenge is the 2 pager!

But...it actually came together quite nicely for me.

Since my day consists of 5 munchkins calling my name ALL THE TIME...

I appropriately titled this one

"Mom, Mama, Mommy"

Unfortunately, my printer quit working on me, so I had to make do with just photos that I had on hand.

They are not the best quality because they are from my phone.

However, they worked perfectly for this challenge!

My main photo is one of my kids since I start and end every day with them. I also included a pic of my phone, sunglasses, and a Diet Dr. Pepper.

these 3 things are ALWAYS with me.

Well, usually it is a diet coke, but that pic was taken a few months ago when I was on a Diet DP kick.

I also included a pick of my daughters' backpacks. This represents the trek to and from school every day, homework, and the fact that they have piled them into the chair in my living room...which is a constant battle! LOL I also have a pic of my 9 year old son reading to me. You can't see it very well, but he is in there. He is reading the Harry Potter series...and this was the 2nd or 3rd book. He is now on the last of the series. I don't have a pic of my husband on hand to include, but I do end every day with a kiss from him. That is in my journaling even though there is not a pic.

Below are a couple of close-ups. I used a dowel rod on the ends of the journaling paper to make it look like a scroll. I really liked how this turned out. I also used a mesh ribbon and spritzed it in order to create the cross hatch pattern. I also broke out my handy dandy border punches for this one. LOVE my punches!

I haven't scrapped in what seems like forever, and I think I am a little rusty! It won't be long and I will be back in the groove! LOL

Thanks for the inspiration Bo Bunny Team!!!!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look today. Have a fantabulous day!

Giving from the Heart...

2011-11-25T01:35:00.002-06:00

--So often, Christmas gets commercialized and turned into a race for

the "best deal" on Black Friday.

--So often, we forget why we celebrate, or even WHO we are celebrating.

--So often, we get lost in the hustle and bustle of the holidays that we forget to

stop and focus on the little things.

NOT THIS YEAR.

This year, I am making it a point to stay focused on the little things.

One thing that I am focusing on is MAKING Christmas gifts rather than buying the pre-fabed store bought junk.

This year, I am going to be Giving Gifts from the Heart.

My 5 munchkins and I will be hand making our gifts this year.

I will try to feature each one as it is completed...Notice I said TRY! LOL

We are going to start with this:

Flower Clippie Bouquet

This will be a fun gift for any little girl who likes to wear hair jewelry.

This one is going to be going to my 5 year old niece.

Supplies:

ribbon&jute by Really Reasonable Ribbon

paper by Imaginisce

****************************************************

In order to celebrate Thanksgiving and 'Black Friday' here in the US, Bonnie is having a 3-day SALE at Really Reasonable Ribbon. All day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11/24 thru 11/26 she will be taking 15% OFF your ENTIRE ORDER including sale items!!

So head on over to Really Reasonable Ribbon to get your code and

GO SHOPPING!!

****************************************************

Thanks for stopping by today!

Hope your Thanksgiving was Fantabulous, and that your weekend is even better!

PS...I would love to hear some of your ideas for gifts from the heart!

Santa's Magic Key

2011-11-17T19:48:00.000-06:00

Is the most magical key ever!

Do you have an inquisitive toddler who is wondering how Santa will bring all the presents on Christmas Eve...if you don't have a chimney?

Well, guess what...

Santa doesn't need a chimney!

He has his own key!

It is genius!

I made this key door hanger for the Clean and Simple Challenge over on the Really reasonable Ribbon blog.

You simply get any old key, or, I used a golden key ornament that I bought at Wal Mart. You print out the poem, attach it all to a big gorgeous ribbon and hang it on your door knob on Christmas Eve!

No More Questions and no more having to come up with creative answers! LOL

Here are a few links with various versions of the the poem...

Santa's Key #1

Santa's Key #2

Santa's Key #3

And here is the exact one that I used on mine...

Our stockings hang upon a wall.
We have no fireplace at all!
You see the problem is quite clear.
Santa, how will you get in here?

We heard a legend. Is it true?
Of magic only you can do.
We'll leave out any plain old key,
and mark it "Santa" so you can see.

Your magic makes the key fit right,
so you can get inside that night.
Thank you Santa, here's our key.
The milk and cookies are on me!

Now, Head on Over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog and Check out what the rest of the team made for this challenge!

A Star is Born!

2011-11-14T02:00:00.000-06:00

LOL..

Well, something like that!

**Scroll down for the blog hop**

Here my munchkin wearing her Christmas bow and dress.

She looks so sophisticated to me!

I can't believe that she is only 6!

Head on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog

for instructions on how to make that bow!

BLOG HOP TIME!

2011-11-13T06:30:00.004-06:00

It is that time again, Ladies!

Time to hop along with the Really Reasonable Ribbon's

FANTASTICALLY TALENTED Design Team

and see what we all have conjured up with the Ribbon Club Assortment. If you arrived here from Heidi's blog, then you are on the right track!

If not, go back to the beginning at the RRR blog and get started!

This is the VERY FIRST blog hop with the new RRR team...and I can't WAIT to see what everyone has created with this beautiful Gold and Silver assortment!

As most of you know by now, I soooooooo look forward to creating my "Bow of the Month" with each month's ribbon assortment. It is not only something that I enjoy, but something that my daughter has come to expect! LOL. She gets just as excited about the ribbons in the Club Assortments as I do now!

This month, the ribbons screamed BEAUTY and ELEGANCE.

And here is the bow that I created:

I can not wait to find the perfect matching holiday dress

to get Skye's pictures taken!

What a Beauty she will be!

As always...I will have a tutorial on how I made this bow posted on the RRR blog tomorrow!

If you want to know how, make sure you stop by there tomorrow!

Thanks for hopping along with us today. I certainly hope you are gaining some inspiration along the way. Your next stop on this hop is at Dawn's Beautiful Blog!

Have a FANTABULOUS Day!!!!

Blog Hopping Time!

2011-10-13T07:00:00.002-05:00

It is that time again, Ladies!

Time to hop along with the Really Reasonable Ribbon's

FANTASTICALLY TALENTED Design Team

and see what we all have conjured up with the Ribbon Club Assortment.

If you arrived here from Andrea's blog, then you are on the right track!

If not, go back to the beginning at the RRR blog.

This Month, Bonnie has put together a GORGEOUS array of Christmas beauties

to jumpstart our Holiday Spirit....

OMGoodness!

Can't you just imagine all the gorgeousness that can be created with this???!!!

I fell in absolute L*O*V*E

Christmas is my favorite time of the year....

The sights, the smells, the smiles, the tastes...

And the list goes on and on.

It is a time of the year that many of us stop and let the world bustle around us

while we savor the moments given to us to be with our family.

I am one of those people.

I am also one of those crazy Moms that likes to be all "Matchy~Matchy"

with my family at our holiday functions.

Nuts...I know...but it sure makes for some pretty pictures!

SO, due to my obsessive nature, I felt compelled to make not just a Bow of the Month for your all today,

but a head band and a clippie to match!!

Here is the Bow of the Month...

I think I am calling it "Mrs Clause" LOL.

Skye brought this mini ornament to me and wanted me to put it in her bow...

so I obliged! lol.

And here is a Christmas Tree clippie.

THis is SUUUUUPER easy to make...

And here is Aubrie's headband...

It kind of reminds me of the Christmas ribbon candies.

The bow is HER addition...

she said it HAD to have the bow because when she wears it....

She is a "Gift" and all good gifts are tied with a bow.

I think she is a little full of herself...but hey...what do I know!!?? LOL

I hope I have given you a little bit of inspiration today. I always LOVE the Ribbon Club Assortment,

but this month was my favorite. I think I may be a bit partial to Christmas though!

Your next stop in the hop is at the super talented Connie!

I KNOW you are going to love what she has in store for you!!!

Thank you all for stopping by...and have a Fantabulous Day!!!!

2011-10-04T07:40:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone...go to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog and check out my latest project. It is super easy to do......

Tutorial Time!

2011-09-14T07:46:00.003-05:00

Check out my tutorial on how to make this bow over at
Really Reasonable Ribbon!

OH...and if you are looking for the blog hop,
please scroll to the post below this one. ;)

Blog Hopping Time!

2011-09-13T07:00:00.004-05:00

Welcome to the September Edition of the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog hop!

If you arrived to me through Andrea's blog, then you are on the right track! If not, you should go back to the beginning at the RRR Blog and start there.

Hopefully, as you hop along to each blog, you will get a ton of inspiration

and ideas on what to do with such a gorgeous assortment of ribbons!

Here is the hop order for easy reference:

RRR Blog Hop Order

RRR Blog

This month's Ribbon Club Assortment is Magnificent!

Packed with Lime greens, Black, Orange and a touch of purple,

this is a fantastic assortment that is PERFECT for your Halloween projects!

So, this month, I decided to make a Halloween bow for my daughter. (Surprised? LOL)

For my "Bow of the Month", I decided to use EVERY ribbon at least once.

It was a challenge at first trying to decide how to place each ribbon. As I was contemplating placement, I had a light bulb moment!

I decided to make spikes and spirals using ALL of the ribbons and then throw it together and see how it comes out.

Well, It came out GREAT!

I added in a little bit of lavender and purple ribbon and some lavender boa feathers.

I wanted to hide it from Skye and surprise her with it and a super cute Halloween outfit, but then, WHO would have modeled it for us????

Now, This bow was SO easy to make, that I put together a little tutorial for it!

Make sure you check that out tomorrow!

Your next stop in this blog hop is Connie.

Go check out what gorgeous creation she has in store for you!

OH!!!! Bfore you go, I want to remind you that there is a Design Team Call going on RIGHT NOW at Really Reasonable Ribbon!

If you LOVE ribbon....then THIS is the team for you!

Check out the RRR Blog for full details.

Thanks for visiting today!

Have a FANTABULOUS day!

Puppy Love....

2011-09-04T09:43:00.000-05:00

Is certainly the sweetest kind of love for any little girl!I captured this super sweet photo of my littlest and her puppy one day after she came home from school.Ever since school started back again, poor Chewy has been going through withdrawls!Seriously! He paces the hallway, barks at closed bedroom doors, and whines and whimpers as he lays in front of the door waiting for the kids to return home.Each day, when the kids get home, he is over come with joy, wagging his whole body and bouncing all around. I can actually SEE his smile!

Head on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog to see what all I used in this layout.

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you all have a Fantastic Holiday weekend!

YOU RULE!!!!

2011-08-26T13:10:00.000-05:00

Yep...that's what I told him...He is gonna rule the school! LOL

I have a super confident 8 (almost 9 year old) who just started 3rd grade.

He picked out all of his own school clothes, and requested that I take pics of him in all of his new outfits!

OMG! This is a boy...and he WANTS me to take pictures???

Of COURSE I jumped at that chance! LOL.

So, here is a layout using Jillibean Soup and some Really Reasonable Ribbon...

Now, I only used a couple of the pics that I took, so I could play along with the Jillibean sketch challenge for August...

I actually took quite a few photos of this crazy kid!

He told me this morning, "Mom...I bet I am the cutest kid in 3rd grade. I mean...ALL the girls think I am."

Seriously??? He is only in 3rd grade! Lord Help me!!!!! :) :) :)

Here is the Jillibean Sketch that I used:

...And it is about school starting because "Back to School" marks the end of Summer for millions of kids every year...and There is an "End of Summer" blog hop going on over at Really Reasonable Ribbon this weekend! Head on over and play along! There is a HUGE prize to be won!

Well, I am off to a "Back to School" parade at my little ones' elementary.

Remember how sad I was back in June when school ended

and we were re-zoned to a new school?

Well, it seems I worried for nothing.

We do miss the wonderful people at our old school, BUT, there are some FANTASTIC people at the new school as well.

And, this parade thing...AWESOME!

(I am as excited about it as the kids are!)

I will have pics to share from the first week of school soon. ;)

Till then, Have a FANTABULOUS weekend!

Keep It Clean!

2011-08-19T21:52:00.000-05:00

The newest challenge is up on the Really Reasonable Ribbon blog.

This time, the challenge is to keep it CLEAN!

Here is my creation for that challenge...

I made a "Clean" card to say hi...

and the bloom doubles as a hair clip!

Head on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon to check out the details on how you can enter.

It is super easy and FUN!

Hope of see some of you playing along!

Thanks for visiting me...and have a FANTABULOUS day!

Back to school already???

2011-08-18T23:52:00.000-05:00

WOW. It seems like the summer just started, and now they are getting ready to go back. I have spent my last week preparing for the kids to go back on Monday.

They are all registered, schedules in hand, supplies in back packs, clothes washed and ready, and we have even met some of the teachers. (I feel it is important to have a working relationship with the people I trust with my kiddos for 8 hours every day!)

But am I ready?

Am I ready to send them back...all five of them to a NEW school.

All five gone ALL DAY LONG.

I realized today that I am not.

I have always had a "little one" at home even when the rest started school.

I do not have that little one any more....she is in FIRST GRADE!!!!

I had to do something to "cheer me up" and get me ready for the pending school year.

What did I do???

I SCRAPPED!

And I really love what I did.

I started at the Imaginisce site and pulled this sketch for the August challenge....

I have just received my package filled with Imaginisce goodies, and I needed to play!

I know I am probably not eligible to win...but I like to play along anyway! :)

Hope you Imaginisce ladies don't mind! ;)

Here is a layout of my "Little One" and her love for all things ART.

"She's Crafty"

I used the BRAND NEW line from Imaginisce...

"Geek is Chic"

LOVE LOVE LOVE the colors and embellies!!!!

I hand cut the little paper doll garland. It is one of Skye's favorite things to do...to create "snowflakes" and "paper dolls" on chains!

I used a large Kraft envelope and "filled" it with art supplies...

scissors die cut with a glam rock center, chipboard ruler, paper clip, and a broken pencil and broken crayon tips all fill her "art pouch".

***You can't even tell they are broken though, can you!! Ha! LOVE ART!!! lol

I even hand cut the heart and the banner. I wanted everything to be "authentic" art....ya know?

I had a LOT of fun doing this, and it truly was scrap "Therapy". I did start feeling a little better about sending them all off for another year of school. I mean...WHO AM I to deprive this girl of her insatiable love for ART!?? :)

So, tomorrow we will take care of last minute things, finish buying supplies and shoes, and in essence, finish DRAINING our bank account DRY! (AGH!)

Have you finished all of your school shopping?

Good luck with it if you haven't!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me...

And have a FANTABULOUS weekend!!!

It is Blog Hoppin' Time!

2011-08-13T07:00:00.004-05:00

Welcome to the August Edition of the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog hop!

If you arrived to me through Andrea's blog, then you are on the right track! If not, you should go back to the beginning at the RRR Blog and start there.

This month's Ribbon Club Assortment is Magnificent!

This is a super fun mix of various shades of blue with a touch of white.

GOR.GEOUS.

Doesn't this just make you want to take a "Day-cation" to the beach?

It made me want to make my "Bow of the Month!"

Hopefully, as you hop along to each blog, you will get a ton of inspiration

and ideas on what to do with such a gorgeous assortment of ribbons!

Here is the hop order for easy reference:

RRR Blog Hop Order

RRR Blog

Angi
Crystal
Jeanne
Cheryl

RRR Blog

Now, would you like to see what this month's assortment inspired me to create?

It is a Bow!!!

LOLOL...but you knew that right????

Well, it is not just ANY bow...

What is the hottest tiny and BLUE thing right now?

...yep, the SMURFS

I saw this assortment and just HAD to make a Smurfette bow for Skye to match her Smurf shirt. The various tones of blue were perfect for Smurfette!

And of course, Miss Skye absolutely ADORED it.

she was more than willing to model it for us!

I just love Bonnie's Ribbon of the Month assortments!

They are always filled with beautiful ribbons that create the most amazing projects!

Thank you for stopping by today...

I hope I have given you a bit of inspiration to start your next ribbon project!

Your next stop on the hop is Connie!

Have a Fantabulous Weekend!

MIA...

2011-08-03T22:56:00.000-05:00

I know I have been MIA this last week. There is a reason for it though. My Aunt has been put on hospice and has merely weeks left to be with us. We got the news and it really upset my Mom. It is her oldest sister. The last couple of years have been very hard on My Aunt. She has lived her entire life with diabetes, and it is finally taking it's toll on her body. She has had both legs amputated and was put on dialysis a few months ago. Even though we knew it was coming, it is never an easy thing to deal with. Once reality set in, my Mom realized that she is losing another sister. There were once 8 children in my Mom's family...now, there are only 5...and after my Aunt passes, 4.

I have never lost a sibling or a parent, my Mom has endured both kinds of pain. All I can do is be there for her to lean on.

I will be back soon with craftiness! Today, though...this is all I have....

I did this layout when I guested at Nikki Sivils in April. It is my Mom with her remaining family.

I made the center flower, I hand stitched the black diamonds in the paper pattern, and I put my handy dandy edge punches to work. I Also chose a quote by Michael J Fox....

"Family is not an important thing...it is EVERYTHING."

I did frame this and give it to my Mom, which she has taken up to the nursing home that my Aunt and Grandmother are in and shared it with everyone.

My Aunt is the one on the right in the wheel chair...My Mom is the tiny one in the back. :)

Thanks for stopping by today everyone.

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

NO WORDS...

2011-07-29T08:26:00.000-05:00

can express what I felt yesterday...

but maybe if I tell you the story, you will get a glimpse.

Since school let out for the summer break, my house has been non stop commotion. I have five kids, so that alone is evidence enough that the noise level in my house is above average...but then, when each kid adds just ONE friend...oh...and two dogs and a bunny rabbit...well, let's just say the sound barrier comes close to getting broken!

They don't fight or argue...the noise is playing, joking, laughing...all the noises a Mom would want to hear, so I have learned to "tune out the noise" unless it is a distressed sound...then I actually pay attention.

Yesterday, I was busy working on the normal "Mom" stuff...laundry, dishes, etc...and then I heard something that REALLY caught my attention. It wasn't a cry for help, or an argument that needed a referee...no.

It was even more rare than that.

It was SILENCE.

PURE

SILENCE

Naturally, I became alarmed.

We have a pool in the back yard, and while the rules are that NO ONE may get in without permission, they are kids, and they will do what kids do and occasionally push to see how far they can go.

SO...I thought MAYBE they decided to go for a swim.

I was in my bedroom which looks out to my back yard where the pool is at the moment I heard the "SILENCE"... SO, I peeked out my window, but the pool was empty.

HMMMM.... where are those kids?

The silence is still deafening, so I walk out of my bedroom and down the hallway to the living room.

When I arrive, this is what I see...

Skye reading the FIRST cat book ever.

(We have read every dog book we could find at the library...

so it was her next choice. :)

and Tamon curled up reading his book...

And then I walk back down the hallway and start peeking into bedrooms...

Chance...(notice the pink blanket?)

It is Aubrie's that she had left in his room.

And then Dayne...

But I think the one that caught my attention the most was Aubrie's book...

I asked her "WHY are you reading Skye's books?"

Well...her answer was quite reasonable...

"Mom...today is Thursday...we went to the Library on Monday. I finished my books already, so I am reading hers to tell her which ones are the best."

Can you say "WOW" ? Talk a bout a heart full of joy.

I totally did not expect to find what I did.

The cause of the silence was books.

IMAGINE. THAT.

Maybe I am doing something right.

Maybe...just maybe...

You know this will be scrapped...RIGHT?

LOL.

Thank you all for stopping by today!

Have a FANTABULOUS day!

We have a tropical storm headed our way, so I might need to take the kids to the library to load up on books again this morning...they finished them ALL!

Stuff on Sunday....

2011-07-25T00:18:00.000-05:00

So, last week was my Dad's 62nd birthday. It is so hard for me to fathom that he is that "old" (NOT that 60 is old!!!!) He is still looking pretty good for a man in his 60's if I do say so myself! Here is a layout that I did with him and pics of my kids. The photos are from Easter, and I did the layout for him and gave it to him for Father's Day...but I never posted it here, so I thought today was as good a day as any!

I did it during my Guest spot at My Mind's Eye using the Lime Twist collection. I have to say...that collection is fantastic! I also tossed in a bit of the American Made collection for good measure. ;)

I also have a post up at Really Reasonable Ribbon. I have been getting craft with ribbon again...so pop on over there and leave me a comment!
Check out what I made...

Ribbon Woven Headbands are super easy, and a tutorial will be coming soon. The supply list is up on the blog, so get over there and see what you need, gather your supplies, and get ready for a tute!

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you have gotten a bit of inspiration from me today. I know how the busy summer months can get when your mojo takes a vacation on it's own....and leaves you at home! LOL...(Been there, Done that) Thank goodness my Mr. Mojo is right here with me this week! LOL!

Have a fantabulous Day!!!!!!

My Son Shine....

2011-07-20T01:25:00.000-05:00

Yeah...it is cheesy...I know!

But he really is. This kid makes me laugh ALL the flippin' time!

He has a fantastic sense of humor...can't IMAGINE where he could have inherited THAT from!!! LOL (wink wink) He is just like me!

He definitely makes me happy when skies are gray!!!

I used the Fancy Pants "Beach Bum" line for this one...

and i kinda gave it a little twist.

Not the typical layout one would expect from this line...at least I hope not!

Notice the "LOOK" he is giving me?

He is cutting those eyes at me and actually saying,

"Is THIS the look you want? >>>How about THIS? OR THIS?"

and he kept giving me funky looks...

I actually got 2 decent ones from the 25 I took!!!!

he HATES to get his picture taken, so he makes it as uncomfortable for ME as it is for him!

BRAT. That is all. BRAT. LOL

Winner! Winner!

2011-07-18T17:55:00.002-05:00

Well, Aubrie picked the winner form the Blog hop....
so, please contact me at mistyw@nctv.com and we can get you set up! I will need your mailing address also. Here is who she chose....

ThemeWeaver said...

What a beautiful young lady, Happiest of Birthdays to you Aubrie!!
My grandduaghter is such a girlie girl and loves to be adorned by pretty things, this would make her shine!! Thank you for the chance.
Janet Cooney

July 13, 2011 3:57 PM

Congratulations!!!!!!

Also, head over to the RRR blog and see who else won!

Oh...and you know I can't just "Post and Run" without leaving a little bit of "gorgeousnesss"! LOL

A while back ago, I created a beautiful little layout for a crop challenge or something..and I totally forgot to post it here! I love love love this layout, and can't even begin to figure out why I would forget to post it!
But here it is...I used the LYB "Twig" line with a touch of "Cupcake Love"

There are lots of layers in this...but it is not overly bulky...ya know? My journaling is inside the blue envelope.

I know it is supposed to be for a mini album, but it served my purposes much better this way! LOVE this line!

Thanks for looking!

Have a FANTABULOUS day!

ALl American Boys...

2011-07-16T14:41:00.001-05:00

When Amber Packer from My Minds Eye asked me to

Guest for them, I was super thrilled.

I was over the moon actually! When she sent my assignments over,

one of them included creating a 2 page layout based on a 1 page sketch,

and including instructions on how to do so.

If you click this link, it will take you to the MME Newsletter

and my instructions on how to create THIS layout:

This is "American Made" using the American Made collection!

I had been holding on to these photos of my son and my nephew for about a year now... and finally I had the PERFECT paper to showcase them.

I hand doodled the barbed wire, I used a cookie cutter to create the chicken wire look, and I used a boat load of black and brown inks to help to give these paper the distressed look.

Sometimes a layout just falls in place...and that is what this one did for me.

I have had this formulating in my head for a long time now! LOL

I love the pure country look to the over all layout, and the "Country Boy" vibe that it sends off! When these 2 boys get together...it is almost a remake of

"Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn"!

I haven't done too many 2 page layouts lately, but I have to say...I think I will start doing them again! I love the way this turned out.

Thank you for stopping by today!

Have a fantabulous weekend!

@ Eleven...

2011-07-15T11:16:00.001-05:00

***Click HERE for the RRR Blog Hop**

....she is already beautiful, smart, talented, generous, loving, caring, and so many more wonderful things. She is a beautiful young lady on the outside, and even more so on the inside.
Aubrie turned eleven on Wednesday the 13th, and I captured a beautiful photo of her. I used the sketch by Imaginisce by Aphra Bolyer and the monochromatic color scheme prompt to create this layout of my little girl who "ain't" so LITTLE any more!
Here is the sketch...

and here is my layout based on the sketch...

I used "Garden Party" and a tad bit of "Enchanted"

to create the layout. I also put my handy dandy I-Rock to work!

Love that little thing!

The pink color scheme is one typically used for baby girls...which she is NOT!

She asked me why I used the pink when her favorite color is blue...

I told her..., "Because you will ALWAYS be my baby."

she thought I was nuts...LOL. :)

OH! Bonnie at Really Reasonable Ribbon posted a new challenge today!

Challenges are a GREAT way to jet your creative juices flowin'!!

Head on over there and check it out....and play along with us!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Have a FANTABULOUS DAY!!!!

Back to school....?

2011-07-14T01:43:00.002-05:00

***Scroll to the post below this one for the RRR Blog Hop***

Yes...we are counting down the days till the first day.

Shopping and gathering clothes, supplies, and accessories has this Mama EXHAUSTED!

But...not so exhausted that I couldn't muster up some mojo to create this

super cute ribbon purse to match a few of Skye's new outfits....

She adores it!

Wanna know how to do it yourself?

head on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog

and check out my tutorial...it is SUPER SIMPLE!

Oh...and I don't think I ever shared this project with you using

My Mind's Eye papers and Ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon...

It uses the Lime Twist Collectin and I flippin' LOVE it! The combo of the paper and the ribbon were a perfect match to showcase those photos of my munchkins enjoying some YUMMY watermelon!

I made the flowers myself, and the little watermelon was made of ribbon.

Don't forget to scroll DOWN to check out the blog hop.

Have a FANTABULOUS DAY!!!!

BLOG HOPPIN' TIME!

2011-07-13T07:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the July Edition of the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog hop!

This month's Ribbon Club Assortment is FANTASTIC!

(But...aren't they ALWAYS!?? I think so!)

This is a super fun mix of vibrant pinks, oranges and yellows with a

touch of green tossed in for good measure. ;)

Doesn't this just SCREAM summer fun to you? Me, too!

Hopefully, as you hop along to each blog, you will get a ton of inspiration

and ideas on what to do with such a gorgeous assortment of ribbons!

Trust me...the ladies on this team have got UBER talent when it comes to ribbon!

I wish I had a teaspoon of their creativity!!!!

Here is the hop order for easy reference:

RRR Blog Hop Order

RRR Blog

Trudy

Andrea

ME (Misty)

Connie

Jeanne

Sarah

Cheryl

RRR Blog

Well, I gotta say...this month's bow was a bit of a challenge for me. I wanted to do a new style that I haven't shown yet, but the sizes and styles of the ribbon presented me with a dilemma.

I could not figure out how to use ALL of the ribbons on my bow...

BUT...I did use most of them!

I also tossed in the new

1 1/2 inch bright pink satin double ruffle ribbon

and 1/4 inch acid green grosgrain

and a 50mm french clip

Now...if you know me at all, you know that I ADORE Prima, so yes, to answer your question, that is a prima rose nestled all snug as a bug in the center of that bow!

This bow will be perfect for adding just a touch of "dressy" to

the otherwise NOT SO DRESSY 5 year old munchkin I have! LOL

Here she is wearing it...all falling out of her unbrushed hair! :)

I hope you enjoy the rest of the hop!

Before I send you on your way, though...

I want to share this with you...

Today is my oldest daughter's ELEVENTH birthday.

She is growing so fast. Getting so beautiful. And developing such an amazing Inner beauty, that I am proud to be able to call her my daughter.

Actually... I am Blessed to be able to call her Daughter.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUBRIE.

In honor of her birthday, I am giving away one bow to one lucky commenter.

All you have to do is follow my blog and the RRR Blog ,

and leave me a comment on this post telling me

who you know that would love a bow and why.

I will let Aubrie pick who wins and gets a bow for her birthday at the end of the hop.

Your net stop is at the super talented Connie's blog.

Have a great hop and a FANTABULOUS week!

Thanks for stopping by!

SALE!!!

2011-07-12T14:41:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone! Bonnie thinks that it is a PERFECT DAY FOR A SALE at Really Reasonable Ribbon...and I think I agree!!!! It has been sooooooo hot down here in Texas, that I have been staying in doors. Two words for you..... AIR. CONDITIONING!!! Indoor Projects~~~!So...Head on over to the RRR Blog and snatch up some ribbon sales and start doing your own INDOOR projects!!!

Sharing My Mind's Eye....

2011-07-10T19:46:00.000-05:00

It just occurred to me that I never shared my projects that I created during my Guest Spot at My Mind's Eye last month with you all! Well, I will share a little bit this week...starting with a layout with Skye and her two BFF's...

This layout was created using my "Word of the Month" prompt from Amber. She told me to pick a word that best described my month and make a layout about it. So...my word/title of my layout is FRIEND.
It breaks my heart that these 3 girls have known each other since birth, been friends and looked forward to being in school together, but will not be able to be int he same school any longer. Our district re-zoned, and Skye will be going to a different school. SOOOOO, I have spent the majority of the summer nourishing this friendship so that these 3 stay friends regardless of the distance during the school year.
Oh...and do you like my flowers???? I crocheted each and every one of them using the FANTASTIC bakers twine from the Lime Twist collection! That twine is AWESOME and super durable! LOVE it! Brads from the Lost and Found collection served as perfect flower centers!!The lace on the inside border of the circle is Penolope natural crochet lace from Really Reasonable Ribbon. I used a couple of quotes handwritten along the outer edges of the circle. Oh...I was asked recently where I find all of my quotes at...because I use a LOT of quotes on my layouts. (It's true...I LOVE quotes!) I find most of them at Quote Garden. It is my favorite "One stop shop" for the perfect quote! LOL

OH!!! ...Aubrie's birthday is Wednesday as well as the RRR Blog hop. Make sure you come over and join us for that! I made a GORGEOUS "Bow of the Month"...just sayin' (wink wink).

Have a fantabulous day!

Summer Fun Challenge!

2011-07-04T11:11:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone! It's time for a new challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon.

The theme for Challenge #27 is Picnic/Summer Fun.
Create a card, layout, multi media piece, tag, ATC, hair bow, you name it. Just be sure to follow the theme above and use ribbon/lace or trim somewhere on your project.

**************************************************

Here is what I created...

I think it is just absolutely perfect for those summer picnics! Skye loves it, too!

Head on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog for the rest of the details

and to see what the DT created!

And since today is the FOURTH OF JULY!!!....

here is a little banner that I created...

OH!! Almost forgot!
The Prima Product Pick!
CHECK. THIS. OUT!!!
I can just imagine all the gorgeousness that can be created with this stuff
using pics from TODAY'S celebrations!!!

Have a wonderful Day everyone!!!

Hope it is safe and wonderful!

Miss Skye...

2011-07-01T17:24:00.001-05:00

I have been taking the "Oh Shoot!" photography class instructed by Candice Stringham...and let me just say...

WOW~WOW~WOW

I have actually learned a lot of info, and have greatly improved my photography skillz to the point that I am almost 100% manual!!!!!!!

I am so happy with this class and I highly recommend it!

That pic of Miss Skye above was taken on manual mode and

NOT PHOTOSHOPPED OR EDITED AT ALL!

Just wanted to share....

Thanks for looking!!

Hey!!!!

2011-06-27T23:59:00.000-05:00

I have a few projects up over at My Minds Eye today! I would love if you would take a quick peek!

Summer is here!!!

2011-06-23T17:46:00.000-05:00

Go check out my post on the Really Reasonable Blog today!

Here is a sneak peek.....

Have a fantabulous day!!!!

Simply Renee and My Minds Eye....

2011-06-22T17:43:00.001-05:00

what a Beautiful combination of products!!!!

I altered a Clip It Up using the My Minds Eye

Stella and Rose collection....

GO CHECK OUT the bogs!!!! You have to comment on both...you will see why when you go!

Good Luck to all of you my Beautiful Bloggy Friends!!

WOOOOOOoooo HOOOOOooooo!!!

2011-06-20T10:55:00.000-05:00

One of you won the Gift Certificate!!!!!!

Check out what is on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog....

We are also giving away a $10 gift certificate to a random winner from on of the design team blogs. The blog we have selected for the giveaway is Misty's Blog and the random number below is from the comments left on her blog hop post.

The winner will have 48 hours to contact me by clicking on the contact button at the top of the blog and sending me your full name and shipping address.

And the winner is..............

Random Integer Generator
Here is your random number: 54
Timestamp: 2011-06-20 14:27:22 UTC

Congratulations Sue D.!

Sue D said...

Fabulous celebration card and love the korker bows!

****************************************************************************************

Be sure to Contact Bonnie through the

RRR Blog!

Fathers' Day is Coming...

2011-06-17T21:42:00.000-05:00

and what does that mean????

Fathers' Day Cards!!!

My Minds Eye is featuring a couple of super cute and super quick

Ideas for your Fathers' Day card making needs!

Here is the card that I made for my own Dad...My Hero.

Head on over to the MME blog and check it out!

Hope you have a Fantabulous Fathers' Day Weekend!!!

Korker Bow Tutorial...

2011-06-14T10:17:00.001-05:00

***If you are looking for the Hop...scroll down to the post just below***

As promised, my tutorial for my bow featured in the blog hop is up on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog. Here are the bows that feature the June Ribbon Club Assortment...

So head on over to the blog and check it out!!! They are super easy to make!

Have a Fantabulous Day!

Blog Hop Time!

2011-06-13T07:00:00.003-05:00

Are you ready for some fun?

Come join us in a special blog hop with The Flower Soft & Really Reasonable Ribbon Design Teams!

As you make your way through the hop make sure you comment on each and every post. There will be 4 prize winners chosen randomly among the blogs.

Flower Soft and Really Reasonable Ribbon will each be selecting two winners (one person randomly from the entire blog hop and one each from someone who comments on their teams blogs) to win prize packages!

The blog hop ends on June 19^th. The prize winners will be announced on The Flower Soft blog and Really Reasonable Ribbon Ramblings blogs on Monday June 20th

If you made it to my blog from Vicki Garrett then you are on the right track! Your next stop after me will be to visit Debbie Seyer.

I gotta say.... I LOVE the Ribbon club assortment this month! It is PERFECT for the upcoming 4th of July annual celebration! I did make my "Bow of the Month." ...but first, I want to share with you what I did with the amazing Flower Soft product!

When I first got it, I was all ready to play! And play I did! I used it on flowers, on stars , on just all kinds of stuff! The word "Soft" is true! This stuff is so soft to the touch! Not grainy at all,...almost like a cloud!

Here is the card that I did using Flower Soft and some of my scrap ribbon from the July Ribbon Club Assortment. The paper is the My Minds Eye "American Made" collection, and was perfect for a quick celebration card!

Now, of course you all know that the tiny ribbon on that card was not ALL that came in the July Ribbon Club Assortment. OH NO> that assortment is packed with red~white~& blue yumminess! You KNOW that I HAD to make a bow with that ribbon! The temptation was too overwhelming! LOL

This month, I did a set of Korker bows for Skye...and BOY oh boy does she love them!

I used all of the ribbons in these bows, and the only thing I added was a few touches of feathers from a feather boa that I picked up at Hobby Lobby.

Here is my munchkin wearing these super cute bows of hers...

If you like these bows, be sure to visit the Really Reasonable Ribbon blog again tomorrow for the tutorial! They are SOOOO easy to make!

I hope you are enjoying the blog hop so far! Thank you for visiting me! Don't forget to leave a comment...there will be winners chosen randomly from ALL of the comments left on ALL of the blogs!

Your next stop on the hop is Debbie Seyer. If you get lost along the way....here is a link to all of the blogs on our hop...

Linda

Vicki

Debbie

Gini

Dina

Deb

Cibele

Debbie

Cheryl

Really Reasonable Ribbon’s Ramblings

Have a Fantabulous day!

Everyday Superhero...

2011-06-07T17:09:00.001-05:00

My first assignment for My Minds Eye is up on the blog!

It is for this month's sketch challenge using this super cool sketch by Anam Stubbington.....

Here is my take on the sketch...

I based my layout on the song "Every Day Super Hero".

It is a song that describes my big boy perfectly. He is such a good big brother and his

younger brothers and sisters look up to him.

He always plays with them and is so big that he is like a mountain...they just climb all over him!

He is their big brother, but more importantly...

he is their "everyday hero".

Head on over to the My Minds Eye blog and play along!

You could win a SUPER DUPER FANTASTIC prize pack!

I can't wait to see what you all come up with!

Saying Goodbye...

2011-06-03T17:08:00.000-05:00

Is never easy to do on the last day of school. It was even more difficult today, because next year, my kiddos will not return to the elementary school that they (we) love. Our district has been rezoned and we will attend a different elementary school in our district. I am not a Happy Momma right now.

This week has been crazy for me...with five kids, you can imagine the many hours of awards ceremonies, field trips, and final exam preparations that we have spent in the Willis household. Amongst all of that...I have barely managed to keep the tears from flowing...but today...they have not stopped. It was our final farewell to the greatest group of educators that a person with 5 kids can be blessed with. Needless to say, my week has been emotional...and I am SOOOOO not an emotional crybaby! LOL

Well, just when I needed it, I got a wonderful e-mail from a wonderful person brightening my day. Amber Packer from My Minds Eye invited me to be the guest for June...and I have to say...it truly made me smile when I thought all I could muster were tears. Thank you so much, Amber! I really meant it when I said you made my day!

Please visit the My Mind's Eye Blog and check out some of my favorite MME projects. DON'T FORGET to leave a comment, because some lucky person will win a super duper fabulous prize pack! And let me tell you...My Minds Eye Prizes are THE BOMB!!!!

Wanna WIN som BLOG CANDY??????

2011-05-31T12:28:00.000-05:00

Well, then head on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog and check out how to get in the running for it! It is SUPER easy to get your name in the drawing....so GO!

Here is a pic of what you will win....

And,,,can I just say...WOWOWOW!!! I want that!!!!!

Head on over....registration is EASY PEASY!!!!!!

Bows and More....

2011-05-25T20:00:00.000-05:00

Ain't that ribbon is for????

I think so!!!!!

I made a bow for my munchkin using more of Bonnie's

BEAUTIFUL ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon...

Here is what I did....

but you will have to head over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog

to see the details and all the ribbon that I used for this bow!

A Few Of My Favorite Things....

2011-05-17T23:41:00.000-05:00

Is still running the "FAVE PHOTO" challenge. It is SUCH a fun challenge to play in! All you do, is scrap your FAVORITE PHOTO, and upload with Mr. Linky right on the Fave Things blog. THEN you will be entered to win the super cool prize! Heck, what have you got to loose by playing along with us??? UM>>>>NOTHING!!!!

So Head on over to A few of my Favorite Things and link up your layout! Go on over there now and check out the prize for this round! IT is way cool!

Here is the layout that I did...

It is truly my favorite photo right now.

I also participated in a crop this weekend over at BACKPORCH MEMORIES.

I got a few layouts done that I am happy with...

They are admittedly a little plain, but you all know how crops go with time frames and all...

UGH! LOL...I will probably go back and rework them, but overall, I really like how they are coming together.......

OH...AND the DT Girls over at Back Porch Memories asked me to be the Guest Designer for the month of June! COOLIO! I am so excited! I can't wait to get started!

Oh, and I signed up for an online photography course. My photo taking skillz are good, yes, but I want to be better. You can never STOP learning, right?

So, I have been playing around in my Manual Mode with my camera,

just to make sure I still can!LOL...

And here are a few of the photos I have taken....

*THESE are ALL straight from my camera, NO editing at all*

Of course I took quite a few more, but I think these were my favorites.

I have begun editing a few of them...and they are flippin' AWESOME!

I will share some of those later...this post is already WAY long!

Don't forget to head over to A few of my Favorite Things and play along,

and the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Challenge is still going!

AND...GO check out the cool sketch on the Scrapbook Daisies Blog...

Oh Yeah! AND the Crop over at Back Porch Memories is still in Full Swing!

ALL of these that I just listed, all you have to do is play, and you will automatically be entered into the random drawing for the prize(s).

SO, I just gave you FOUR places to play...What are you waiting for!! GO!

Thanks for visiting and have a Fantabulous Day!

What's wrong with this picture???

2011-05-17T01:03:00.000-05:00

So, I was flipping through Joe's I-phone to see if he had gotten any pictures from this weekend. We had a BBQ cook off and he won 3rd place on his chicken, so I was checking for pics. Well, he had a few, but THOSE are not what interested me. AS I was flipping through his pics...I came across some VERY INTERESTING photos, to say the least. Tell me...

WHAT DO YOU think is wrong here?????

YEP! My goofy husband was playing with the features on his I-phone

and he FUNKIFIED us!!!! LOL

I thought it was hilarious, and just wanted to share.

Have a Fantabulous day!

Inky Antics You say???

2011-05-16T12:55:00.000-05:00

Yep! That is what I said!

Inky Antics is the sponsor of the newest challenge up on the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog!

The theme this month is "ANYTHING GOES"...

And they are offering a $25 gift card to the winner!

Here is what I created for this challenge...

Don't you just love that little baker girl???!! She is from the set of Inky Antics stamps that I used...LOVED it!

You can win your own!! Head on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog and get the whole "Scoop" with the rules and regs for this challenge.

***Oh, and for those of you who requested tutorials...I will get one together for the bow soon! ALSO, the crowd {and Bonnie} has spoken...so each month I will feature a new bow with Bonnie's Ribbon of the month assortment, so watch for tutorials with those bows! **

(I am already working on next month's...it is going to be A.DOR.ABLE!!!)

So...for noe...go check out the challenge...it is going to be super fun!!!

BLOG HOP!!

2011-05-13T11:44:00.002-05:00

**Please note that BLOGGER is having issues. SOME posts will be up and some may not be. If you can not get through the hop today, please come back again tonight or sometime soon and try again. We will all have our blogs up and running ASAP. Thank you for understanding!*

Hi everyone! Welcome to the May edition of the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop! If you have gotten to my blog from Andrea's beautiful blog, then you are on the RIGHT track! When you leave my blog, then next person you will visit will be the magnificent Connie!

Now, this is my very first blog hop with Really Reasonable Ribbon, and I am so excited! I FELL. IN. LOVE. with the beautiful Ribbon Club collection for this month! All those pinks and browns are to die for! The problem with me is, though, I am not much of a card maker. I know, I know....if I can scrap book, I can make a card. I have heard it a thousand times. But it is not so! LOL. I can't make a card that I am happy with...so I just do not do it.

I DO, However, Make Bows. LOTS of Bows. BIG bows, Little Bows...skinny Bows, Fat Bows....I can make the bows! This ribbon assortment was just begging to be made into a bow! SO....I did what any respectable Mommy of 2 little girls would do...I made the bow! LOL. I actually used ALL 8 ribbons on this bow, too! I also used a 70mm French Clip as you can see in the photo.

Isn't it GORGEOUS in her hair?!! She even wanted to wear it!

I didn't have to bribe her! LOL.

The sweetest thing, was when Chance, her 12 year old brother says to her...

"Aubrie, you actually look pretty with that."

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! How sweet! LOL

You can make smaller versions with smaller clips and less ribbon

(I used almost all that came in the kit)

BUT, I wanted this bow to be big and "Bowtiful" because

she will be wearing it with her matching dress

to her Gifted & Talented showcase. I want Dressy, not casual. :)

Thank you for visiting me today! Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of my bow! Oh...I am considering making a "Bow a Month" using the Ribbon Club assortment every month...tell me if you would like that, or if you want to see something else from me. :)

You next stop is magnificent Connie!

Have a FANTABULOUS Day!!!!

"When I Grow Up....

2011-05-11T06:30:00.001-05:00

I want to be a Grandma."

Yes...that is all I want to be when I grow up...a Grandma.

With Mother's Day just past, I had a lot of time to reflect on what Motherhood really means to me. It means different things at different stages of life...once it was babies and bottles, then it was toddlers with a bag of Cheetos in tow, then it was first days of school with me on the brink of tears...but I had to be a "big girl" and not cry in front of them. But now, it is watching them grow, and praying to God that I am doing right by them. I help them with their homework, read books and go to have lunch with them at school. I attend all their functions, put them into sports and other events, and I even make sure they have a chore or 2 to do to instill a sense of responsibility.

My kids are my everything.

But, when faced with life AFTER they grow up? What then?

My 5 year old has been studying about careers in school. They are discussing what they want to be when they grow up. A few weeks ago, my daughter turns to me and casually says,

"Mommy, what do YOU want to be when you grow up?" Her eyes big, full of curiosity and TRULY wanting an answer.

Now, at this moment, I could have laughed and told her "I am grown up, silly" Or I could have blown her off as so many adults do when a child asks a silly question. (Which irks me to no end)

But, to me, this question was not silly. This question was a real question that required a real answer.

After a moment, I answered, "I want to be a Grandma when I grow up."

I didn't realize at that particular moment how much impact that statement would have. It was just the first thing that popped into my head, and it satisfied my 5 year old. But then, something happened.

I started noticing my Mom and my Step Mom with my kids, and how much adoration my children have for them. I know their faults and the bad things they have done in life, but to my kids, those 2 ladies are as pure as Angels. They are perfection. I can only hope that I will have grand children that adore me as much as my 5 kids adore my Moms. As much as I adored my own 2 Grandmothers.

I had an opportunity to capture this adoration on camera with my 5 year old and my Step Mom on Easter Day. Skye was coloring in her new book, and my Step Mom asked to see her page. Skye PROUDLY displayed her artwork to her Grandma, and told her all about what was going on in the picture. My Step Mom, looked and listened intently, as Skye rambled on about the 2 brown puppies and one is Brownie and one is Brutus...etc. I was watching more than listening, so I am not sure what all she said, but it was a moment shared with the 2 of them, that I was so happy to capture.

I did this layout using the My Minds Eye sketch for May and the Stella and Rose Collection. This was done with products that MME Graciously donated to Renee from Simply Renee at the Winter CHA show to fill Renee's NEW Clip It Up system!

I also did a little bit of photo organizing and found a few photos of my own Grandmother. Please go over to the Clip It Up Blog and visit me and check out my organizational tip.

Thank you for visiting me today! I do hope your Mother's Day was a Magnificent one!

Have a Fantabulous Day!

NATIONAL SCRAPBOOK DAY!!!!

2011-05-06T17:11:00.000-05:00

Well, NSD Weekend anyway!!!
Unfortunately, with the downsizing/closing of the Scrapbook Daisies board, the DT and I did not plan any NSD events. I thought I was going to be spending NSD NOT playing anywhere! AGH! The Horror!
Well, I looked around and I found a super fun board...Scrap-Tastic! Becky is the "Head Chica in Charge" and she is Awesome! She is hosting NSD over there, and has given a little twist to it that I have NEVER seen! She is inviting the participants to host their own challenge!! How Flippin' FUN is THAT!!!???

Well, I am playing along over there this weekend as time permits between kids...kids...oh yeah...and KIDS! I am also hosting my own little challenge! Go check it out!!! Oh...did I mention PRIZES!!!?? YEAH BABY!!!

JUST CLICK RIGHT HERE AND GO!

Please mention that I sent you over if you go. Oh, you will need to register, but Becky is SUPER FAST about approving requests! Seriously...FAST!

Hope to see you all over there sometime this weekend!

Have a FANTABULOUS NSD WEEKEND!!!!

Funky Flip Flops!!!

2011-05-05T00:27:00.000-05:00

Well, summer has not QUITE gotten here, and it seems to be taking it's own sweet time...but I decided to try to hurry the situation along with a little summery project. I like to personalize my girls' flip flops every summer so that they are unique. One of the ways I do that is to add ribbons. LOTS of ribbons! Here is the pic of a pair that I just did for Skye....

They are SUPER easy to do, and I prepared a little tutorial on "HOW TO"...just pop on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Ramblings Blog and check it out!

Make sure and leave me a comment! Have a fantastic Day!

It is MAY People!

2011-05-04T07:17:00.000-05:00

It is COOOLDER today!
Yes, Michelle...I am sporting my handy dandy fleece blanket as I take my munchkins to school! LOL
Weather at a Glance
Weather Station
Roman Forest, Roman Forest
Elevation
125 ft
Station Select
Now
Scattered Clouds
Temperature
44.0 °F
Feels Like 44 °F
Wind(mph)
0.0
Sunrise / Set
6:35 AM
8:00 PM
Moon
New Moon
More Astronomy
Today
81 °F
Clear
Tonight
49 °F
Partly Cloudy
Tomorrow
81 °F
Partly Cloudy
Friday

2011-05-03T09:45:00.000-05:00

New Caney, TX

9:40 AM CDT on May 03, 2011 (GMT -0500)

Elev: 125 ft

Lon: 95.2° W

Lat: 30.1° N

Weather at a Glance

Weather Station

Roman Forest, Roman Forest

Elevation

125 ft

Station Select

Now

Mostly Cloudy

Temperature

56.3 °F

Feels Like 56.3 °F

Wind(mph)

4.0

Sunrise / Set

6:36 AM

7:59 PM

Moon

Waxing Crescent

More Astronomy

It's MAY in TEXAS and it is COOOOOOOLD!

Double Dutch Challenge!

2011-05-01T19:29:00.000-05:00

Well, TODAY is the day....my very first project for the Really Reasonable Ribbon Design Team is up on the blog and there is a SUPER FUN Challenge going on, too! All you have to do is head on over to the blog and check out the specifics, and then create! (which is what we all do BEST!)

When I first learned of the assignment and went over to the Fred She Said site to pick my images, I saw THE MOST ADORABLE little angels. EVER. I knew instantly that these were the images that I would use. I had written a poem for Skye when she was born, and it mentioned Little Angels several times...so I decided to put the poem to print and decorate it. It is now framed and resides on her bedroom wall. You can click on the image to enlarge it so that you can read the poem easier.

I used digital images from Fred She Said along with my trims from RRR. I used the Amelia White Crochet Lace along with the Diamond Satin Rose Ribbon. I also used the Chino Pearls in the corners.
To accent the angels, I simply used a color coordinating stickles to give her dress some sparkle.

Don't forget to head over the the Really Reasonable Ribbon Ramblings blog to check out the projects from the rest of the DT! They are AMAZING!!!!! AND...I hope you play along with us in this challenge!

Thank you for visiting me today...and I can NOT BELIEVE it is ALREADY MAY! WOW how time is flying by! This month will be super busy for me with the end of the school year activities...but I DO have a few more projects to share with you all soon!

2011-04-27T18:26:00.000-05:00

What do you get when you have TWO 8 year old boys, a couple of Halloween costumes, a sunny day, and a trampoline?

Answer...a BUNCH of FANTASTIC photos!

These two super heros were battling the forces of evil against the evil

Dr. Chance in order to save the world!

Or, at least to save each other from being tossed into the pool!

I had a BLAST taking these pics of these boys playing.

I LOVE that they have a great imagination.

I LOVE that they don't need a play station or an Ipod to have fun.

And I LOVE the pics that I got!

Will share a few Easter photos later on in the week.

Hope yours was FANTASTIC!

Scrapbook Daisies Blog Hop!

2011-04-20T02:01:00.008-05:00

Hello!!! And welcome to the next stop on the Scrapbook Daisies April blog hop. If you have arrived here from Michelle's blog, then FABULOUS! You are on the right track! If not, then please consider starting at the beginning of the hop at the Scrapbook Daisies blog so that you don't miss out on any of the fun!

I got to work with the "Hattie" kit this month featuring My Minds Eye! I Am SOOOO loving the colors of the kit... and the chipboard embellies are AWESOME~

Here is one of my layouts with this kit. I used the Sketch from My Minds Eye this month to complete this layout about my 3 sons.

My friend Kris pointed out to me that I DID use the theme "April Showers", and after taking a closer look at the
Design Team's interpretations, I have to agree!

April showers --- May flowers --- I used flowers!
April showers --- water --- my use of all the blue color!

April showers --- water --- sailboats sail on water use of the sailboat embellie)
April showers ---water---waves ---wavy ric-rak

They are not just boys....they are BROTHERS. There is no bond as strong as the bond between brothers.

Next up is my Scraplift of the Fabulous MARTHA! I was honored to be able to lift one of her layouts this month...and she has SOOOO much to choose from! I chose this one featuring her adorable son...SUCH A CUTIE!

It was a perfect match to the colors of this kit, and I enjoyed the challenge of trying to imitate her style with the blocking and journaling strips! ALl of the supplies are from my kit except the alphas. Here is my lift....

It is my son Dayne on his 2nd grade field trip. These four kiddos are completely bonded at the hip, I think! They are always together. I am so happy that he has established friendships like this at such an early age.

***Edited to add...this morning he took this layout to school to share with his friends! Lol.

And here is my FAVORITE layout that I created from this kit.

I used the April PageMaps and created this...

For some reason, I have been REALLY into quilts lately. So much so that I have been "Window Shopping" on the internet for a new one! LOL! When I saw this sketch, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it! All of the supplies are from my kit except the alphas and mini buds that came from my stash and the crocheted lace trim around the quilt that came from Really Reasonable Ribbon. I thought it was the PERFECT finishing touch to this project! It was left over from the project I did for my first DT post over there in May...I am SO excited...I can't wait to share it with you!

Did you enjoy seeing the design team's creations and our"lifts"?
Ready to get YOUR scrap on?
Want a chance at a prize?

You're invited to create a lifted project of your own!
Here are the deets:

* Choose one of the Scrapbook Daisies design team members that participated in this hop and lift one of her projects. It can be any of her projects that you find on her blog or in her Scrapbook Daisies gallery.
* Upload your completed lift to the Scrapbook Daisies Facebook page and include a pic or link to the person or project that you lifted (if you do not use Facebook, you can link your lift to the blog hop post on the Scrapbook Daisies blog
* Deadline is Sunday, April 24th at midnight your time.

Your next stop on the hop is... Martha!!!!

Thank you for stopping by my blog! Have fun Hopping!!! And Have A Blessed Easter weekend!

Nikki Sivils GDT!

2011-04-16T10:22:00.002-05:00

I am so honored to have been chosen to be a GDT for Nikki Sivils! Her paper lines are so cute and whimsical and a LOT of fun to play with!
Susan told me to pick my top 2 favorites...and that was HARD to do! BUT, I finally selected the "We Are Family" line and the "Summer" collection. I LOVE the deep tones in the "Family" line and the "Summer" is so bright and colorful...made me long for days in the park!

I started working immediately when I got them, and got most of my work done, but the last week and a half, I have been one sick Mama. Tamon told me..."Mom...you're crazy. You don't have time to be sick." He was only joking, but he was right! LOL...Mom's DON'T get to be sick do we!!!???

Well, I did finally finish up that last layout, and sent in my stuff to Susan, and I was happy! I really was happy with what I had created!!! SICK or Not!

AND....My work is featured on Nikki's Blog today! YAY!!!!

Here are my projects....

Please go check out what Susan had to say and leave me some Luv over at Nikki's blog!

There are more "up Close" photos over there also!!

Thank you for stopping by today!

Have a FANTABULOUS weekend!