Two Days worth

Sorry I didn't post last night. I was so tired I didn't even finish a two page layout. I got most of it done, but posted one page for yesterday and the other for today once I added journaling and a title. These pictures are from when Austin got to bring home Chester, the class "pet". It just happened to be a day we had a play date at the park, so we took some fun pictures for him to share with his class.

Today was a busy day--we went to my cousin Matthew's 2nd birthday party. He's such a cutie patootie! It's fun to see the three boys play together. It was good to spend time with family, too. We didn't see any of them over Christmas, so we got a chance to catch up.

After that, we went shopping. I tried Michael's for EZMount, so I can mount my Bellas, but they didn't carry it. Then we went to Party City to look for goodies for Austin's "Knight" party next month, but didn't have any luck. Everything is Pirates, but not Knights. Guess I'll have to be creative. Then we spent an hour in Sports Authority. We had a coupon for $25 off a $100 purchase and since Austin's basketball stuff cost well over $60, we decided to take advantage, so we all got a few goodies. I got some workout clothes because we are going to Hawaii next Christmas, so I need to start working out NOW! Wish me luck sticking to that one :)

Unfortunately, I didn't have much of a chance to create this weekend--hopefully tomorrow :) I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

Tagged, here I go

Ok, Kathi tagged me a couple days ago and this is the first chance I've had to do this. It's on my favorite topic--scrapping, so why not?!

The game includes eight questions for me to answer and a ninth question, which I will add, before tagging two more bloggers. Here goes:

1) Name your two favorite scrapbooking topics: My boys--of course! And Disney pictures. I keep a whole separate Disney album and it's by far the favorite on for everyone to look at. It's also my only album that is all coordinating/matching papers, so I hope CTMH never retires Giggles and Grins--LOL!

2) Where are the two best places you've been to? Only 2? We've done so many fun things. Definitely Hawaii--can't wait to go back in December. One other--I guess I'll say Disneyland.

3) Name two things you do every day: Hug my kids and husband and tell them I love them (counting that as one) and check email/blogs

4) Tell us two things that pretty much everyone knows about you: I love to scrapbook and read and I love chocolate

5) Tell us two things that everyone DOESN'T know about you: Someday I want to write a book or 10 and that even though I love going to Starbucks, I HATE coffee. I always get Chai tea or peppermint hot chocolate or if it's summer, a green tea frappaccino

6) Tell us two things that got you into the hobby of scrapping: I always kept some sort of scrapbook--usually in those awful magnetic albums. Then for my wedding shower a friend gave me a scrapbook kit and the rest is history. Although I really wish I hadn't started with my wedding album...

7) Tell us two things that you want to accomplish in the next six months: Paint my scrap room and finish this layout a day challenge for January--it's getting tougher as I get busier. Also, take a photography class.

8) Name your two favorite scrapping tools: again--only 2? Ack! My stamps and my cutter--basic, but I couldn't cut a straight line to save my life!

9) Name your two favorite sources of scrapping inspiration: CTMH's Cherish/Imagine books and magazines.

My addition: What are your favorite brands of scrapbooking paper (notice, rebel that I am, I didn't limit it to two --LOL)? CTMH, SEI and Basic Grey

I'm tagging Marjorie who is always posting fabulous works of art and Sparkle, on of my other favorite artists, who may be too darn busy unpacking to do this. Remember, answer these questions and then add your own question that includes "two of something." Then, tag two more! I'm anxious to see your answers . . . your questions, too!

Day 11--In the nick of time

Well I'm going to just make getting this one in with a little over an hour to spare. I kind of cheated a little today. This was a layout I'd worked on a long time ago, but never got around to putting journaling and a title, so I finished it up tonight. Then I decided it needed a little bling, so I added some stickles I just ordered from Korin. I LOVE this stuff--wow--sparkle without the mess!

My open house went well today. Ten people stopped by for some stamping fun! It was great, but I am EXHAUSTED! I managed to get everything back to my scrap room, but now I'll have a big mess to clean up tomorrow. Oh well, hopefully I can find a little time to play with my Bellas and new Sweet N Sassy stamps.

Beach layout (day 10) and Love Card

Ok, I'm amazed I even got a layout done today--what a crazy day. I'm doing my open house in Black and White with a touch of color, so when I was at Target, I picked up red napkins (on Christmas clearance) and clear cups, but I couldn't find anything black. I have two white tablecloths, so I thought black would look best. Anyway, went to Wal-Mart today and no black there either...hmmm...don't people have Over The Hill parties? Hit the grocery store for food for tomorrow and no luck there either. Finally, the dollar store had black plates and plastic ware. After running all over town, I felt really dumb that I didn't just get something else at the first stop--no one probably cares except me anyway. I don't know what it is, but when I plan any kind of event, whether it be a CTMH or birthday party, I turn into some insane Martha Stewart who has to have everything just so. Oh well. Needless to say, I didn't have a lot of time for creating today.

On a fun note, we had Austin's first basketball practice and all I can say is, what a hoot. It's so funny to watch kids just starting out. We definitely saw some things that we need to work on before next week, like dribbling, and more importantly, listening to the coach!

Anyway, here's my layout. I got the idea to make starfish out of the die cut flowers in the Serendipity kit from another consultant on the CTMH board and I had to try it for myself. I love the way it turned out. The only problem? After I finished, I found another set of pictures I never printed from this trip. Guess we'll have more pages in the future.

Here's a card I made today too. Inspired by a card in the idea book.

Lastly, Kathi, I saw you tagged me and I'll get to this weekend--I promise :) Just need to make it through tomorrow--might be an all nighter. Now back to work, plus Grays is on in 45 minutes--priorities you know!

Time to get BUSY!

I have my CTMH open house in just two short days and I've been so busy with the L.O.A.D. challenge that I haven't been making much in the way of other goodies to show off. Today I focused more on that.




I didn't get a 2-page layout done :( However, I did do this one. It's one of the make n takes for my open house. It's 8X10 so it can go in a frame or be used as part of a larger layout.





Here are a few cards I made with various new papers and stamps:




First Card--Silhouette papers and Make It Count Stamps--saw one similar on the CTMH board (don't remember who)
Second: Heartfelt and Playful Flourishes stamps--this design is lifted from one in the catalog



First card: Make it Count stamps and Good Times papers
Second: Eastertime and Happy Birthday stamps--wanted to show it as something other than Easter

This last one is with the January Stamp of the Month, Eastertime. This will be another of the make n takes. I have to thank Kathi for the inspiration on this one--I tweaked it a little, but not much.


Now tomorrow I have more cards to make and I need to go find plates and tablecloths. Plus I want to make one more Serendipity layout. Austin has his first basketball practice tomorrow night, so it should be a very busy day! I may get some sleep tomorrow--LOL!

Remember if you are local, stop by Friday between 2:30 and 7 pm for My "Black Tie Open House". I am planning 3 make n takes, lots of samples, food, prizes, and goodies for everyone in attendance!

First Haircut--Day 8

I love these pictures of Brendan's first haircut. My sister told me that she couldn't take the "Flock of Seagulls" look anymore and we had to take him for a haircut--LOL!

Papers are CTMH's Free Spirit

Stamps: Charm lowercase and Make it Count

Day 7--Beach Baby (without the beach)

I dug up these old pictures of Austin and thought they were perfect for the sketch on the Virtual Convention site. I did an emboss resist on the background paper to make the palm trees white, like on his shirt. Then I also embossed the flowers and words in the circles. In hind site, I might have embossed the title too, but no going back now :)