I will be giggling about this for quite awhile...

Ok... so I am tired. I am ready to crawl into bed, and pull up the covers. Well... first I have to double check the bed is cleared and the blankets aren't covered in dog hair (Yes, Eww!)
I flip on the light, and find this...

A note from Meghan, my eight year old. At first I think, wow she is FINALLY spelling pretty good. Then, what it says hits my tired brain...



It says "Can you stitch my sock? It has a Hole." The sock is scotch taped to the paper note too.
(Now I literally start giggling, thinking how important these socks must be to her.)

I realize that I bought her these socks. They were only a dollar. I got several pairs for her, just before easter and a few more pairs in her easter basket. She wears these often. Now, I need to decide if I crush her heart and admit that socks don't quite fit right, after getting stitched. LOL
So, whatcha think?? Stitched them, and secretly frame the note with the socks. :)

This was too cute... I had to share.

Tulips...

This photo is one I found on another blog today. The blogger had simply written "Wordless wednesday" beside it. I thought it was too funny. I had to share. Of course, I could have taken it as a reminder to get chores going, but ... no I didn't. I went to pot some more flowers and then headed to the funeral today. I could clean now, but NO... I am going to take the kids to the store... get some dinner fixin's and come home. The younger two are going to help me cook dinner, while Sean takes Jordan to baseball practice. Good ol' family times, I tell ya. :)

My kids spent part of the evening, last night, with my parents and their great-grandma too. It is always a special time to get to see Grandma! I have to remember to cherish every moment with my loved ones. It is so easy to be selfish and not spend time with my elders. Yet, just think of what I would be missing!
My mom gave the kids permission to cut the tulips from her back yard. Last year, they tried to roto-til the bulbs out of the ground. I think they missed quite a few. LOL
I now have a wheelbarrow full of bulbs and plants, to transplant tonight in my own backyard.
My parents bought their house about two years ago. They continue to give us things they think annoying. I continue to scoop them up, thankful to not spend more $$ at Lowe's. Hee-hee!

Someday my yard will be pretty. I just need a landscaper to make it look decent. I keep trying all these inexpensive parts of a whole yard, and not much looks complete.

Anyhoo... the bonus from last night, was this beautiful bouquet of tulips on our table today.

The passing of a true friend...

I learned last night, that our family lost a dear friend. Herb was an older man in our church when I was a kid. He was a truck driver, so he was often out on the road. Yet, when he was present, everyone knew it. He was ALWAYS smiling, and had a way of making sure everyone else was around him too.
In the most recent two years... I ran into him at the Christmas Eve church service at the church near my house. I didn't even know that he and his wife attended there. A co-worker at work had invited me and others to the service that night. I had the privledge of sitting next to him and his wife Dickie, throughout that Christmas Eve service. I was so happy that I had gotten to seen him. It truely was a gift that year.
I often ran into him, here and there. At walmart, or out to eat, etc. He even stopped by Michaels one day, about 6 months ago. While he was there, he made sure to track me down; just to see how I was and give me that BIG arm squeeze hug of his. I could never NOT be happy after seeing him. I would smile throughout the day, just thinking of his caring way. That's the kind of guy he was.

I understand that he had some sort of stroke, that effected his spine; and was in for surgery this past week. His body just didn't go through well enough, and we lost him. God must have found it time for him to go :(

Life here will never be the same, yet I hope he found true happiness where ever he has gone!

I often struggle with my beliefs, what I think will happen after death. I just hope that someday I will again stand in the presense of this great man's spirit.

I will think of you often Herb!

A reason to not let computers do human work...

I got up and went to work this morning. Only to find that I had read the schedule wrong, and didn't need to be there until 1pm. I was set to close, not open. What a DUMB computer system, that is now doing our schedule. LOL
Anyways... I took the few hours (since I wasn't heading back to bed) and watched the last show of ER, I had on DVR. Then I decided to finish Meghan's birthday photos, in her scrapbook. I like the layout, but it sure is busy. Oh well... so was that day!
I used several papers from the "We R memory keepers", pink scrappad. Love that paper!!! Even the sticker letters and the chipboard title letters were in the same pad. I added a bit of ink to the edges of some things and that was about it. Cut and add the photos, and ta-da!!

Two more layouts done today... and some towels too

Sorry guys, I just noticed that my title posted and forgot the photos and text, somewhere in cyber land. LOL

This layout was done with mini stamp pads, rubbed on the edge of the background papers. The turning the stamp pad on its edge, I made some details across the paper itself.
The paper itself is from the "Spring All over" pad, from G.C.D. studios. The shape of the cut on the layout was done for me, just pulled from the paper. Woohoo! Couldn't get easier.
I use glittered cardstock for the photo mats, and added a pop-dot for visual interest under the photos. It works well to grab the attention back to the photos first, and embellishing after... when viewing the layout in person.
I used Tim Holtz Acyrlic paint Dabbers on this page.
Here is an informational link on the Michaels website, for product info. :)

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=pc1437
I used the newer paper slabs from We R Memory Keepers too. I absolutely LOVE the fully distressed edges on these papers. I simply used solid color cardstock to mat my photos and then ran the paint dabbers over the edge of the mats. Put your mat on a scrap paper, on a solid surface like your table. Make short pulls over the edge of the paper. You could make mini circle motions for a different effect too. The dabbers are water based, store them upside down and cleanup is easy. :)
Youtube has several videos on these now too.

tool talk, photo sharing, etc.

I pulled out one of my "old school" tools yesterday. My "Xyron 150" is perfect for adding the adhesive to diecuts and letters. Of course, 1 1/2" inches is the max before getting out the bigger xyron machine! This tends to work for titles and simple embellishments though.
The trick to not only saving $$, but also saving adhesive is to overlap the letters as you feed them into the xyron tool. I just make sure that I get some adhesive on a couple spots of each diecut. The bottom of a T and the top left corner too, leaving the right corner overlapped on the A that slides in under the T.
I was able to make about 12" of letters become stickers on approx. 8" of adhesive.

Sorry the my camera turned this pic. The title on the page is a carstock color that blends into the background, just enough to fill dead space without feeling like it was too, too busy. Click on the images to inlarge them, and tip your head to your shoulder. LOL

Here I made a single page layout, from Meghan's birthday party field trip to the park. The girls needed to run off the sugar before the sleepover that night. :P
And here... I am using the "Cutterbee Bugs" on this layout. They are rolling cutters that space dots on my paper, so that I can then have even hand-stitched effects. One tool allows for a single stitch line, the other would have been a double line. I stitched quite a while about a month ago, and then got bored with this idea. While it fits perfectly with the layout photos, I am kinda OVER the idea of stitching anymore. LOL
This might have to go with me to Jordan's next baseball game. Oh yeah!!


BTW... I have baseball pics... I was able to take a long lunch at work on Sunday, and made Jordan's game for a bit. Just long enough to watch him get a hit over the first baseman and get TWO RBI's!! Woohoo! He has worked on his left-hand batting and is amazing to watch. (Oh, he is pitching again this year too!)

Back to my craft table (oh, and maybe some laundry today too!) Hee-hee!

What a week at work...

My work week has been extremely crazy. From going on a "action plan" (basically a write-up for lack of sales!) to a NEW manager in the store. It has been crazy, but I am excited to get back on a corporate policy driven work day. Our new manager is looking at us all with a new sense of "get your job done" and "help the customer with everything he/she needs". :)
We recently were given a new "price guide" at the framing counter, that allows us to give the customer a better and faster estimate with their framing options. I am thrilled to have such a great tool. If you have any framing to be done, I would recommend a stop by your local michaels. If you live near me, I would love to see you at our counter. We even have 60% off this week, beginning tomorrow. (hint, hint)

Well... the kids are arguing and are BORED. How can that be in this beautiful weather??? UGH! Off to referee! Hugs to all.

Howdy ya'll... time for tool talk.

Tim holtz has new items!!! We are now carrying several of these items at Michaels in the rubber stamping / scrapbooking isles. You can see some Youtube videos featuring these new items, directly on his website. Grab a coupon and head on in to Michaels. You know you NEED new tools. :)

Hey, Diane, we need to get to a crop night... I have so many new tools to work with.

http://store.scrapbook.com/ch-th92482.html

http://store.scrapbook.com/ch-th92483.html

http://www.timholtz.com/dabbers.htm & http://www.timholtz.com/vid_dabber-resist.htm

Happy Crafting~

Spring...

It's spring, and that means BASEBALL season!
On my TV, with Sean and Jordan vegged on the couch in front of it all. Me saying a few times a day "You know they can't HEAR you, and you won't help them if you scream at them!". LOL
But the most fun part of baseball season, is watching the season opening game with Jordan pitching!! He is prepared to pitch this afternoon, after a few weeks of practice and a rain-out rescheduled for today. He has been explaining the new techniques that he is learning for his coaches this year, and while playing fall-ball too.
I will have my camera in hand, of course!!
Sean has the video camera duties.

Do you often wonder what your kids will do when they "grow up"? I do too, often, of course. Jordan wants to go to college on a scholarship, whether it be baseball, basketball, or he would even take acedemics. It won't be long... as we begin to think about his 8th grade graduation ceremony. Oh my!!
We got the best gift for him for graduation, but just in case he checks in here... I will have to keep that a secret for a bit longer. :)

Anyhoo... hugs to all. Oh, and if you would cross a finger, say a prayer, what ever it is you do... tomorrow I will be getting a possible new lead in my purse theft case. Oh my!! Wouldn't it be awesome to get a promising lead!! More on that soon.

Oh, and have you filed your taxes??? I still have to send our state tax form... though I don't think the state will mind me being late when I request my refund. LMAO

check out the website...

I love this website. It has a ton of neat paper templates for making cards, boxes, and more. I am working on a birthday card for my co-worker today. I think I am starting with this coffee cup card; but I have no idea where the idea will take me. Oh... a giftcard to starbucks will be inside. :)
I will share a pic soon.

http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/mugcard.htm

It's Spring!! Atleast around here, today...

Yep... our weather reached the 70's yesterday and today. The kids are in shorts, whining about wanting the splinkler to cool off. They drug out the last of the popsicles that were in the freezer. I think making popsicles should go back on the "to-do" list. (Oh, if I had a written list. I keep mine, mostly, in my head.)
I took a few pics outside. I am itching to find time to take a photography class. I want to take AMAZING pics. I just need to get another lens for my camera and take a class or two. :)
I found this yard statue, well... Jarod and Meghan found it while I was shopping for spring plants at Lowe's. It was too cute! In the cart it went!! It peeks through the steps to our front deck steps.
I noticed robins and some kind of black birds eatin' worms in our neighbors yard today too. Then I noticed the bluebells in the yard. I didn't even mind that they are literally in the middle of my backyard grass. They are much more pretty than more poor winter damaged backyard. LOL
We took the dogs on a walk today too. The kids are out of their skateboard/scooters etc. Just a pretty great day I think.


Oh... get this... Sean took the truck into the shop today. It is only a 2003, but we think first and possibly second gear have gone out, or are going out. UGH! Now we decide if we should spend $2000-$3000 and rebuild the engine, or give it up and get a newer truck. The kids don't fit in this truck anymore. We really could get a bigger engine to pull the trailer that much better. But, then we throw away all the $$ we have paid towards paying off this truck. Will we ever own a vehicle out right? I guess I can hope my Toyota keeps kickin'. UGH!
We then have to decide which car manufacturer to trust, deal with lower trade-in value in the economy, etc. UGH!!!!



Here is a cookie that Jordan made for his final exam in cake decorating, in his "home ec" class. Yes, I still call it Home ec. He calls it something else. He enjoyed telling me all about learning the techniques, and the differences he was noticing between what I do and his teacher did. LOL

Humph! Ok... going back out to soak up more sun. Hugs to all!

Wanna put yourself bad mood in reverse?

I found the best way to turn around my rotten mood I was having tonight. I have been feeling horrible about how much time I am not with my kids lately. I have only worked full-time outside of the house since August. It isn't easy. I don't get things done at home, I am often so tired that dinner is too quick. The household chores are simply not kept up. I am not the do-it-all working mom.
However, tonight Sean took the boys to the movies. I stayed home with Meghan. She may have wanted to go, but wouldn't have really enjoyed "fast and furious" like the boys and Sean will. So... what to do. I realized, it was time for me to catch up on a little "mommy - daughter" time.
We made some canned chinese. My mom used to make this for us when my dad went out-of-town on business trips. I had grabbed it at the grocery tonight, thinking of my mom when I saw it. :)
Anyhoo... We ate chow mein together. Discussing the day (which was partly the field trip to the bakery that dad went with her on, and started my bad mood; having had to miss it and work).
Then she decided to take a bubble bath. I gathered the good bubble bath, the colored bath tablets, a few toys, and set her up.
I then grabbed the vaccum and worked while she played. Chatting back and forth. :)
We then got her out of the tub, dressed, earrings changed, all that fun stuff.

THEN... we got silly. We put in her "Taylor Swift" cd, and started DANCING. Now mind you, I don't dance in public. It is only when really drunk or really caffinated... normally. LOL

We simply let loose. Even Lucy got in on the fun. (We worked on training a bit there, when Lucy thought she should jump up though.) LOL
She got too hyper. :)

Anyhoo... I am now feeling much better. A good feeling to have spent time with my little girl. Silly time that makes me feel like she is still little, and I am not missing her entire life while I am at work.

Ok... sobbing now (again). LOL

Hugs, if your still with me and my wordy wonderings.

Chipboard - What can you create?

For me, Scrapbooking is my way of letting out my creativity. I often get this feeling in my mind, body, and soul... that I just need to CREATE! I think about grabbing a handful of paint and throwing it on a canvas. (I even taught painting classes)
I then think about ways to use glitter, paint, embossing powder, etc. Oh the fun of it all!!
So... I thought that I would share a new technique I have enjoyed lately.

(I c/p'd this from the orientaltrading website) I hope I don't get into trouble for borrowing it. :)

9 Tips for Painting Chipboard
Looking for a cost-effective way to add big flash and fancy to your pages? Try plain chipboard cutouts! They are literally a blank canvas for your creativity. Follow these tips for painting embellishments and all your scrappy friends will be jealous of your mad chipboard skills!

Tip #1 Keep it Clean
I’ve pinned down a good method for keeping clean. Just stick a straight pin into the back of your chipboard piece to use as a handle.

Tip #2 Paint Matters
Acrylic paint is the best medium. One, two or even three coats will do the job. Oh, and if you’re using non-acid free paint, it’s best to avoid direct contact with photos.

Tip #3 Smooth Things Over
Use foam rollers and foam brushes for evenly smooth, brushstroke-free results.

Tip #4 Raid the Toolbox
Grab some sandpaper for this technique. Use fine-grit sandpaper before painting to create a subtle aged effect. Use medium-grit sandpaper after painting to create a shabby chic distressed look.

Tip #5 Ink-A-Dink
Like the aged look? Using a stamp pad, ink the edges of your raw chipboard piece then paint. Inking afterwards is another great technique. Simply stamp your design onto the center.

Tip #6 Faux is our Friend
First paint a base coat of color, then it’s time to use all those faux painting techniques you’re not quite brave enough to try on your walls. Sponge paint, stencil, crackle paint, add polka dots, or splatter paint! Try dry painting only the edges with a darker color to add depth.

Tip #7 Puffy Paint
You just gotta try this! First, puffy paint a design on your chipboard piece. (I love a nice, big monogram.) Let it dry, then cover it with a few layers of paint. The raised design will show through for a totally unique page accent.

Tip #8 Stick to It
Firmly press on an intriqutely-styled sticker. Paint as normal and then peel the sticker off. Instant drama!

Tip #9 Add Glitz
Mix glitter into your paint for a little more shimmer and shine. Check my archives for some great glitter tips.

Now for the hard part… waiting for your creation to dry before you can add it your page!

***Back to me now... Here is my finished layout. I forgot to take pics, as I made it, but I will try to do so, on the next layout. This technique will be a favorite for me. :)

Greatest invention ever!

http://twitpic.com/2oq2f

Check this out... Starbucks' new idea!
Starbucks Plug & Pour!