Monday's layout

So wanted to do this last night, but the Sunday Sketch wasn't up when I was scrapping :-(
Later before going to bed I checked and found it, printed out for my reference book and this morning started digging through old photos looking for something I wanted to work with.
Found these old 3 x 5's of Jennifer and they were perfect for this layout!

Since I have a number of 3 x 5 photos I think this layout could work for me a couple more times this week!! Yea I am so excited I have a 4 day weekend coming up this week and hope to get some scrapping done.

These photos were taken in 1989, Jennifer has always been extrememly photogenic and still is (lucky girl) She was always "Striking a Pose" when I had my camera (which was almost all the time!) I wanted to use the Strike a Pose as the title, but it didn't seem to fit on page when complete... so I moved on to just her name. I do have a couple more photos from this same day and think I will make this a two pager and put the Title on the 2nd one? What do you think?

Stash used ~
Scenic Route ~ Sonoma papers, stickers
(wish I had more of this one but I only got 3 sheets of 3 different ones!)
Borders punched with Quickutz scalloped brown flowers
EK Success for Notebook edge
Martha Stewart for scalloped dotted border
Fiskar circle punch for hand made flowers... Thanks to friend Kristii for inspiration on how to do these!
Uunknown Glitter brads

Until next time!

Lots of nothing :-)

Another layout with this weeks Studio Calico Sunday Sketch~

Used up some Stash ~ Crate Paper again, I just love the texture of this line of paper...it's a touchy feely paper for me.
Lemongrass line ~ for pattern paper and button embellies and flowers
American Crafts brown ribbon
Quickutz bead border

This weeks reading is "Now and Then" by Jacqueline Sheehan ~ to quote it's "A Magical tale of hope, second chances... and a not-so-little dog". Loving it ! How could one not be drawn to this book, just looking at the cover made me want it.. lol

Have you been to the Olympics 2010, I have... via TV ~ I took this photo of my tv screen opening night of Shaun White. I think he is a great athlete for snowboarding. Why the interest in snowboarding? Josh loves the sport. He started before we moved to Chicago, (we lived very close to a major ski resort in Massachusetts and it was difficult for him to continue here without something so close by. But I got so excited to watch Shaun last nite take the GOLD in the men's halfpipe competition.. I was excited these photos came out so well, I want to scrap them as part of February Project 12 when I get around to it.. I think this is going to be just a one page project book so as to keep closer to getting it done. I still need to do my January page, perchance today???

Go Team USA!!!!!

Until next time!

Sunday sketch

Sunday Sketch ~ by Studio Calico
Stash used:
Crate Paper ~ Orbit Collection
American Crafts ribbon
Bazzill cardstock for matting
Pearls ~ by Recollections Autumn collectin by Michaels

This photo represents a time in my life when Josh was going through those "growing pains" It was a very difficult time as he moved East and not under the best parting ways either. I was so happy to get this and other photos from my sister. I cried daily and can still cry thinking about this period of time. However this photo does make me Smile because I could see he was physically alright and looked happy! Two years have gone by since then and things are much better between us. It was fun to put this into a sketch... I actually chose this photo due to the area where I could slap the title!!! lol but so glad I did.

I could see myself using these sketches for quite some time to come!
Finished my book Christine Falls and off to search the bookshelf for this weeks read ~ stay tuned for more selections and scrapping

Until next time!

Random things

Just a little reminder of those "simple everyday things" that make me love Kerry. The 8th anniversary passed last week :-) and I wanted to scrap the memory, so when I am older and grayer I can look back and Smile.

No sketches involved here, just one photo journaling and I was done.
Pebbles ~ So Tweet pattern paper
Bazzill cardstock
Studio Calico Free downloaded tags for Valentines (I used a punched circle of the heart on popup dots)
Stampendous Stamps ~ exclusive to Archivers for the little love journal note

Watched the opening ceremonies last nite for the Olympics I enjoyed the "tour" of Canada my heart goes out to the Team, Family and Friends of the young man who died on the luge. Such a tradgey. I was in awe of the moment of silence. It truly was a defining moment of the ceremonies. So many people and you could have heard a pin drop!

Got a hair cut today.. whew I have needed one for so long and just never got there. LOL but today was the day, I woke up and was this is it no more put my straight stragley hair up in a clip... Took about 2 1/2 inches off gave it some layers and I feel better.. Not sure if I will get an updated photo we shall see.

Got a couple movies lined up for later, Kerry hasn't been feeling all that well and wanted to couch potato it.. lol and that is different from when hes feeling ok how????
Engrossed in my book ~ Christine Falls very good read.
Wanting to scrap some more this weekend. Maybe later when it's dark out right now the sun is shining through my window and it's a blessed sight to behold.
Tommorow is Sunday!! Look forward to the Studio Calico Sunday Sketch I know I will create something for sure then.
Until next time!

Hanging by a toe!

My backyard critters ~ well ok front yard here.. never cease to amaze me.This little guy was hanging precariously from the branch and the wire on the bird feeder. They are clever and eat the sunflower seeds. I don't mind them visiting occasionaly, but lately I have
more critter action than birds :-(


Not too much else going on here, went to Michael's this am and picked up a new Martha Stewart punch called Daisy Dot.. I'm finding I like these punched out borders for my pages and cards, thanks to all the inspiration I have found at Studio Calico using the Sunday Sketches... Today they have a great Valentine's tag download FREE so hurry over. I downloaded them already and think they have multiple possiblities.

This week's read is a new author Benjamin Black called "Christine Falls" it's set in Boston and Dublin in the 1950's so no wonder I was drawn to it... hometown and dream country.. lol So far so good!!
Need to get my butt in gear, wanted to bake cookies for co~workers for Valentine's treat, and since I am off this weekend need them tomorrow, not sure If I will pull it off, or not. But I planned on using the Tags mentioned above on them we shall see....
Until next time!

Quick post and run!

Sunday was my 8th wedding anniversary!! I awoke to find this display sitting on my makeup table! Do I have the best Husband or what??? I think so he's the best for me...

These orange tulips have opened up nicely :-)

I took this one on the macros setting on my camera, looks pretty good, can't wait to have it printed up and scrapped.

So many books ~ so little time!

I have been an avid reader for years, as far back as the "Bobsey Twins, and Trixie Belden... remember them? Going from the bottom of the pile up, I have been sucked into these books and would reccomend them to everyone. Something different on them all. So the bottom 4 have been read and I will be passing them on to one of my BFF from work....

Sunday Sketches by Studio Calico have been so much fun for me! I get to scrap, use up stash and try out new things...all plus factors in my book! And furthermore, it scraps a photo of ME!!! :-)

another 2010 goal met.

Jennifer (my daughter) and I in Maine

You know how you buy paper and then stash it never pulling it out and wondering years later why you bought it to begin with? Yes that is me, I am a paperaholic... something draws me to a paper line and I have to have it... and so on .. but makes for fun searching for something different to use.. and end up kinda liking it.. hehehe

This was American Crafts cardstock

Daisy D's - Autumn collection from a few years back

Stickers, patterned paper are from this collection

Used my Quickutz scalloped border and bead dies for this.

Random buttons from collection

Until next time!

New Sketch

Here it is this week's Sunday Sketch from Studio Calico!
I anxiously awaited this sketch (and revisited and created with the previous ones) all day yesterday. Well when this one came up I was ummmm I don't know not sure if I can work with this! Mainly because of photos, not sure I could readily find something to crop 3 x 4 in size!!! Yikes, but dug alittle bit and came up with this.. Concept of layout was easy to use, struggle for me will be photos, but I am sure I could dig deeper and have lots of fun with it.

I used a LRS kit from May '08 Yes I have all my kits still. Good thing the end of 2009 and 2010 is all about using stash for me.. ;-)
This kit featured SEI papers! The Dill Blossom collection
Rub on Believe ` MM
unknown scraps of lace
SEI Brads
Prima Flowers
American Crafts ribbon for flower stem
Stickers ~ which I rarely use SEI

Thanks for looking!
Until next time!

Another take ~

Ok, we all know we can scrap the same photos multiple times and It is ok... I do this quite frequently as I scrap for multiple family members and sometimes the same photos come into play. Like these from Maine. I did this one for my own album (previously seen for Jennifer's album) This is a Sunday Sketch by Studio Calico~ Have I said I am loving their sketches and finding them so easy to make my own... Ta Da!

Same photos ~ Scenic Route papers again, Quicktuz flower and scalloped border (I am quite loving these diecuts) Cricut for circles and EK success for the 5 tiny stars... wow I have not used that punch in forever surprising that I knew I even had it.

Hope this weeks sketch is just as fun can't wait for it to get posted.... off to stalk the Studio Calico site.....

Until next time!

Sunday randomness

Yum, who loves good Mexican food??? I do I do..... Thursday was girls nite out with a couple of my Besties from work. We had a blast, and tried out this new place. One of the girls had a coupon for $25.00 off when you spent $35.00 great deal. (not including drinks but worth it) Of course we were all about saving cash... the food was fantastic and the Margaritas and company was better. Looking forward to next months outing. We decided once a month to do something like this.. Yeah for fun in twenty ten!!

Last weeks Studio Calico Sketch was fun, and I created another layout with it last nite. Waited till today to photograph and post. My dad is my hero, I have learned so much from this man and continue to learn from him everytime we talk. I really need to get some written down information about his past and document it for future generations.

Dad~

I used up stash again.. loving the sketches and use of materials on hand. I even made 3 small thank you cards with the leftover pieces.. go me!

K & Company Urban papers and stickers

Quickutz flowers

Cricut George and Basics for Circles ~ loving my Expression!!

American Crafts cardstock ~ Earthtones

Can't wait for this weeks sketch to get posted, I am all over this process like a wet noodle or white on rice.. lol In meantime I am duplicating the sketches I made for Jennifer's book for my own mixing up the scenic route colors a bit, but still doing the Studio Calico Sketches.. probably will not post not sure yet, as they are same style as last week.. who knows, will wait and see.

Finished up The Weight of Silence yesterday.. Definately a book worth reading! It was this authors debut novel, and if she writes another one like this I would read it. This weeks reading list is by Holly Chamberlain called "One week in December" it's off to a good start and of course it doesn't hurt that it takes place in Boston and Maine!!! :-)

Last nite Kerry and I watched The Ninth Gate with Johnny Depp, I purchased it last week on sale at Target.. and now it's sitting with my "Depp" collection... I am anxiously awaiting Alice in Wonderland this year with him as the Mad Hatter... I just love his work, he has captured my attention since 21 Jump Street... who remembers that show?

'Until next time!

"Tweet" Sketch

I Love how this weeks Sunday Sketch from Studio Calico turned out!

I really can see myself using this one over and over again. Best part is I have been doing these sketches every week since they started this challenge. Go me!! lol

Last of the Maine photos for Jennifer's album. A slight break away from that Scenic Route, but this "So Tweet Collection" by Pebbles was just called to this photo and layout... I kinda wish I had done this one for my own book, sighhhhh but I will use this sketch again for some other birdie type photo I am sure.

American Crafts cardstock
So Tweet Collection papers by Pebbles for patterned papers.
Quickutz again for flower and scalloped border
Technique Tuesday's stamp for "home"
Cricut "George and basics for circles"
Freehand Bird
Martha Stewart punch for the bottom border

Bitter cold out again, our winter thaw lasted about week and 1/2! but the Sun is out and that makes a huge difference in your attitude. I so love being outside winter is tough for me when its bitter windy cold.. hard to sit and read with that type of weather... lol

On this weeks reading list is "The Weight of Silence" by Heather Gudenkauf ~ new author for me and I can't put it down. Music is "Songs from the Heart" by Cletic Woman.

Until next time!

One more layout

Ok, so I hurried up and finished this layout. Plain, but with bright colors and it's done.. lol
I have a bit more journaling in the pull tab on upper right :-)















Until next time!

Do we ever have enough time?

Long weekend at work! Not crazy busy, but steady enough not to get everything done. But do we really ever have enough time at work? I vote no... lol there is always something that needs attending to. And there are always many people wanting too much done and not enough time or people.. so goes the way of retail... shruggin.... we do what we can.. that's all, and I do not stress over it, afterall there is always tomorrow and you all know NO one is going to do it for you!!
Watched the football game with Kerry last nite.. enjoyed the time, sorry the Vikings lost but my point being the "team who has there game on" will win and that's what happened, couple bad calls for both teams, some bad choices but in the end "they" have to live with those choices not us. For us it's entertainment...
Here are last weeks layouts no sketches here, my own layups lol
Still using up that Scenic Route paper, will be sorry when it's gone, but it just seems to work great with these Maine photos . American Crafts cardstock seems to be my go to.. or Bazzill the colors just speak out to me.. I have another layout on table, hope to finish up today and get posted. Quickutz border for the scalloped edges and the flower..
Sister Carrie ~ shes the youngest of the 3 of us and the most like me in personality :-P

I want a line of these chairs for my yard don't you?

Other news, rain for last couple days washed away all the snow! We have greenish brownish grass lol not for long though winter is not over here in Chicago we usually get about 50% of our snow in Jan/Feb... so can't put those boots away just yet!
So make time to scrap/read/whatever you like to do... there is always time just waiting for you to make a choice.. and I choose fun time... hehehe
Until next time!

to sketch or not to sketch?

Studio Calico has been doing Sunday Sketches for 3 weeks now and these are my takes on last weeks ~ Nubble light

and this weeks ~ Maine take on the sketch Love the "Scenic Route" line will miss it!

Got to use my Cricut ~ George and Basics for the circles, quicktuz for the star and flowers

and the scalloped edge border, ek success notebook punch... and of course stash...

These are for Jennifer's album as I move on in my Maine photo collection.

So in other words to sketch or not to sketch? I loved these layouts once completed, but part of me was too wrapped up into making them look as close as possible to them.. Going forward I know this will be easier and not so time consuming (seems took me forever to duplicate them).

I know they are for the basic idea but my mind is like if you are duplicating it you need to follow it .... lol

Until next time!

a bit of this and a bit of that

Today was a crafty day, Kerry spent the morning sleeping and I was busy creating a few more pages to finish off Carrie's book from our "Girls Day" I think she will enjoy the book and hope she enjoys the last photo. It was taken during the same visit but not when we were together. I figured she wouldn't mind as it was a current photo of me! lol

I do love my birdies and owls... too bad this roadside place was closed when we stopped, I know I would have purchased one of these babies for my yard. they were beautiful and unique.

I just love my HOUSE!! Here it is in all it's winter glory, just sitting there inviting you inside. I never thought a winter photo could look this good. I hope to use this in my Project 12 January session, not quite sure yet though.

I love the look of flags hanging outside homes they make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I grew up in the country and was a country themed decorater till moving here. Kerry is Not into country, says it looks "old" lol and he's old enough!

That being said, I do grab bits of country "feel" where I can. Hence this cute snowman with the yes you guessed it "Birdies" lol (note to self - you need a new pole!)

Saw this little Woodpecker in my tree enjoying the bird seed. I wasn't able to get a better photo but I think it was a Red Bellied Woodpecker based on the markings.

In other news Sparkie seems to be "over" her nesting stage for now. Thursday was the true test, I removed the 5 eggs and kept her in the cage downstairs most of the day. Well I think she was just tired of sitting on them all the time, because she is certainly over it! I hope it was just a one time deal!

Kerry has been excited with his new Blu Ray DVD player we got for Christmas. Last night we watched " A Leauge of Extronadinary Gentlemen" with Sean Connery... sighhhhhhhhhhh :-)

Wonder what the next newest and greatest technology will be, but for now we are content with this.

I have been watching some of the CHA reviews and definately am in Like with the Bella Blvd. lines Robot Love and Campout both are great for those boys in your life. Jocelyn I think you should check them out!

Currently reading a Scrapbooking Mystery by Laura Childs called Tragic Magic... good series if you have not read them worth checking out.

Until next time!

Winter is here to stay

Looks like winter will be hanging around my house for awhile this year. We got probably 9 inches of this fluffy white stuff between last night and today. I love wht effect it is giving our backyard pond. We purchased a heater to try and keep the water from freezing solid for our critters. It works great. Kerry keeps and eye on the temperature and makes sure the waterfall is not freezing too. If you look off to the top right of this photo, there is a bee balm plant leftover from summer glory full of snow!

For those who know me you know I am a nature person. For those who might be visiting my blog for the first time I love photographing the nature and the little critters who visit my backyard stress free zone. This little guy was cute, I purchased a small bag of shelled peanuts and put them by the back sliding door. He spent time burying most of them in the snow and the others like this one sat and nibbled it..

Here are a couple sneak layouts from my gift album to my sister Carrie.. I am doing an 8 x 8 of our girls day in Maine last summer with my daughter Jennifer too (another album forthcoming for her! ) I selected a few favorite photos and the ones with good stories to remember.

Kennebunkport, Maine

Sister Carrie

I'm using mostly the Scenic Route Seasons ~ Summer line some inking and natural color cardstock. Having fun working on this especially on cold winter days!

Until next time!

On a roll

I started an album for my sister Carrie yesterday and it's moving along nicely. I am doing a "Girls Day" from our Maine outing last summer when I visited. I know she will appreciate it and I am having so much fun scrapping and making progress. I promise to get photos uploaded soon, just not today. Time is slipping away and I need to work tonight... sigh having my first full weekend off since before Thanksgiving was great! Lots of relaxation, scrapping, reading and watching movies.. Last nite was "Edward Sissorhands" gotta love me some Depp!!

Finished my book and moving on to James Patterson's "Alex Cross's Trial" I am a huge James fan and can't wait to start this one.

The last evening of 2009 had this "Blue Moon" ~ meaning the second Full moon within a month.

12/31/09

And since I had to work 1/1/10 it was still out.. another beautiful shot.

I am more in like with the early morning shot...

Until next time!

New Stamps = Cardmaking!!!

Back again.......

Getting a little ahead here ~ Valentine's day card. Yikes you can tell I work retail, the holidays just rush on by. Hope to have a few fun projects in the works for the niece and nephews with some little mailboxes I got from Target last year..


But todays card was an experiment with my new Stampendous cling rubber stamps ~ both the sentiment and the owls they are exclusive to Archiver's and I just had to have them!! The cardstock is from stash, I have not used chalk in ages.. but felt it would be a good addition to these little owls...



Off to read for a bit and dream up another project to work on.. Today is a lazy PJ day here
Currently reading ~ Finger Lickin Fifteen by Janet Evanovich.... this is a lol series starring Stephanie Plum.
So whats on your reading list right now?
Owl be seeing you!

New Challenges, New Year

I found a new challenge posted on facebook this am from studiocalico.blogspot.com
and was all over this one.. They are doing Sunday sketches!! :-)
I got this card in the mail yesterday from my sister Cindy and what perfect timing this was. One challenge completed, one layout down for 2010!

Stash used : Bazzill cardstock
Quickutz font alpha "Katie ~ Grand version"
Papers ~ Reminisce ~ Polar Frost ~ stripes
Reminisce ~ Frosted Flakes ~ snowflakes
buttons ~ ribbon ?
Until next time!

photos finally!

Yes! I got photos uploaded ~ Thanks to Jennifer for suggesting Picassa....
I'm baaaaaaaaaack!
So I have my 5 Golden (White) Eggs!!! lol Sparky is very possessive of them poor thing keeps sitting on them keeping them warm.. Ihave to research how long she will continue sitting before giving up.. (They are not fertile and was told to leave her be for now).

I did manage to get another Maine layout done while I was off computer for a bit.. I love the color combination on this one.

A couple winter type cards using my "SnowFriends" Cricut Cartridge... :-)

Have a couple more winter type photos, will get scrapping and get them posted soon!

Thanks for stopping by! I love the fact that people find my blog worthy of reading.. Thank you all so much for doing so and leaving such lovely comments! I appreciate all of you~

Until next time!

Happy 2010

New Year, New Ideas, New Stories......
What will your new year bring you... Lots of Love and Happiness and Scrapping!!! :-)

I've been busy reading... Finished "Lovely Bones" and almost done with "The Time Traveler's Wife" both excellet reading choices if you have not read them. Thanks to my friend Kara who got them both for me :-) I love when you find someone wo shares a love of reading and has similar tastes, makes it easy to purchase gifts.

New changes on blog background... would really like to experiment more here but have so many more fun things to do.
Weather has turned COLD.... hmmmm well it is winter right? Do have some photos to share, will try and get them hooked up today, Kerry is busy with his mom not feeling well and took her to emergency room last night they kept her overnite and ran some tests. Still waiting on results, in meantime I am sure I can figure out getting my puter up and running again to upload photos..and get my creative juices flowing again.
Until next time!