ARRRGH

Yesterday was a FML day! My computer caught a virus and I need to be MIA for a bit... UGH!!!!
Watched a full day of football, finished up 2 layouts for Sarah's book, finished up my Christmas mini present for Mother in law this morning... Looks like I will be very productive till the Dr. can cure my virus... lol
So I will check in when I can, I have Kerry's computer right now but its attached to the business so I don't want to work on it more than necessary. Until then I will be pining away for your craftyness and wittiness... Love yas!
Until next time!

Burst of Color

After years of longing for the Fall Foliage in New England, this year I have my very own Burst of Color!! This tree sits out front of our house on the parkway and since it was planted it stayed green all year. This year was the very first time it changed its colors!! I was so excited to see nature working right in my yard. I took this photo on the 2nd of Nov. and even today it still has most of its beautiful leaves attached.. I will enjoy my "tree" as long as possible this year.

In other news : I scrapped another photo of my niece Sarah. I love this photo it brings out her natural beauty! This again is using up stash ~ I did purchase one of the Martha punch sets this weekend, I wanted the loops but alas nowhere to be found at my local Mikes.. so I settled for the "rings" hope to use it on Christmas cards.

I did get some Thanksgiving cards whipped up this weekend and they are all addressed waiting to mail out on Monday ~ Again using stash :-)

So today I'm working on mini book for mil for Christmas, and couple mini's for daughter and sister. I have sewing to do and finished up "206 Bones" by Kathy Reichs great book. Kerry meanwhile is watching the Vikings on TV he's a "Farve fan" and sorting his toolbox. Don't ask!! lol What are you up to this weekend?

Stash used: DCWV Fall paper stack 2008

American Crafts ribbon

Random buttons

Quickutz Cookie Cutter Heart with Bazzill Bling paper

Clear stamp by Autumn Leaves ~ Romance of Spring collection

Until next time!

Keeping the "Simple" Strategy

My Goddaughter/Niece turned the big One Three this past Summer!! Sarah was so excited about her birthday coming she constantly wrote letters to me telling me how excited she was to become a teenager. I love getting Sarah mail and her excitement made me decide I HAD to be there! Kerry and I planned our summer vacation trip to coinside with her party. I had not been home to see family in "3" years so this was pretty exciting for me too. When asking Sarah what she would like for her birthday I got the typical "I don't know, I haven't thought about it"! response.. So I was like "how would you like Aunt Lorry to come visit"? Whooo hoooo big score, the best present ever... lol well besides the scrapbook that I have been making for her.


Simply said here is the birthday Girl at "13"

Supplies used:
LRS Jan 08 Kit ~ featuring Heidi Grace ~ Paradise Point
Quickutz ~ Zelda font
Rubons ~ birthday girl ~ Rhonna Farrer Greetings
~ blow out the candles ~ Marcella by K ~ Modern Birthday
Epoxy Wish ~ K & Company ~ Classic K McKenna Endearments
Glitter Stars ~ Making Memories

All were used up Stash!!! Go Me!!
Until next time!

Simple is the best way

So like my title says Simple is the best way to scrap.. you get more completed faster... lol Yes I've just discovered it... :-) So here is my son all grown up... I just love this picture and who he is becoming.. after some rough years, he is discovering himself. I am so proud of the changes hes making and wanted to scrap it. Another Stash use up LRS kit again Jan 08 kit and featuring Heidi Grace Paradise Point papers... and a touch of Ofray ribbon...

You might remember this little critter with the peanut butter bread... Today's feast was a slice of apple. I found it quite cute to watch, he ate all the inside of the apple wedge, leaving the skin.. lol must be a youngn

Until next time!

Octobers gone!

Just one last Halloween photo then on to Summer Vacation.. This has been sitting on my counter all month and lit up every night! I got this bucket from Target in the $dollar spot, and put 2 tealight candles inside and lit them up. Was a cute and inexpensive decoration.

Rutland Vermont `09 Not the most flattering photo of meself....lol but figured it was worth a laugh or two in years to come. Kerry loves this restaurant "Sewards" they grew up going here and we must have eaten here at least 10 times in our 2 week vacation... according to him they make the best Black Raspberry ice cream and know how to make real hot dogs (with the bun grilled) neither of which we can get in Chicago!!

Downtown Rutland~

City is the 2nd largest in Vermont... you would not believe it but there is a Walmart right downtown! Quite a different version of City life than Boston or Chicago for sure. But typical New England city.. the State Fair is held here too, so there are fairgrounds not too far from these photos.

I used up stash from LRS kit Pink Paislee ~ Vintage Moon Collection ~no cricut this time :-( The letter stickers were part of the kit also Pink Paislee. The little pearl stones from Michael's Recollection line ~ Autumn and the Stamped owl is Hero Arts, stamped "You're a Hoot!" is Stampendous. I felt this paper gave an older feel to the city.. and the color matched the bricks.

Todays beautiful outside, need to get leaves raked up but since Kerry is taking a nap, I figured I have time to read and scrap!! Currently reading "Casting Off" by Nicole R. Dickson new author for me and I love her style. Story takes place in Ireland and is about the Fisherman's handmade sweaters telling a story...How each is unique with feelings stiched into rows, memories into patterns. Of course with my lust for Irish tales, and the country itself it's a perfect fit. So if you read What are you reading now?

Until next time!

Cute Candy idea

I think this photo says it all.... lol Hope everyone is having a great day, and you have lots of fun with the trick or treaters! This is one of 3 cute little decorations I found this year.. and have them all hanging in our entranceway to the office.

Whooo's got Candy?? I do I do.. this is something quick I made up this week for some friends at work. Very simple and fun.. I took a regular size Hershey Chocolate Bar and cut Halloween papers up with my trimmer to 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches square. Then with a little adhesive (duck brand tape runner) I wrapped it around the candy bar. A small amount of ribbon tied around the center with a hand stamped tag attached. Quick, easy and FUN! Halloween papers were from last years DCWV paper stack - Fall.... see more stash being used up!

On to summer 09 to Vermont here is a layout I created this week.. I am loving my Cricut... this one is using the "Stretch your Imagination" for the birdhouses. Freehand birdie and papers are from the DCWV "Doodln Around Stack" I chose computer journaling for this one, as I was trying to stay within space I left open.

Left side layout

Right side

Until next time!

Random nothings..

Where has the time gone? Yes it's the middle of the week and last week of October and I've gotten all my Halloween cards done and mailed whew... sorry I did not photo any, was to anxious to get them out! I've got a layout or 2 on my table, of vacation from Vermont this summer.. Think I found the perfect paper, now need to journal, embellish and then I can post.. and file away!! I also think I just might be able to use my Cricut Stretch Your Imagination cartridge on this one too.. Score, using up stash and using the Cricut... what a winning combination!!

I miss my scrapping time, I've been too busy at work with the upcoming holidays and trying to hire a couple new team members to boot. I am off this weekend and really hope for some dry NOT rainy weather.. we need to get the leaves to the curb for pickup and maybe take a photo or two of the backyard leave fest...hahaha

So on the way home from work the other day I had to sit and wait for the Geese to cross, glad I grabbed my camera and took this shot... which proves I have to get busy and take normal photos, and not stalk the birds... lol

Well this little critter was happy today! I get them in my bird feeders all the time digging for the sunflower seeds and knocking all the other seeds to the ground.. get frustrated sometimes with it, but the birds deal and life is good!

Good thing I had water in the bird baths too, he needed a drink after this.. lol

So sad that the "new season shows" are into repeats already on a couple of them :-(

Kerry and I ran to Blockbuster to pick up a couple movies with a $2.99 coupon they sent me, so we will watch something tonight..
Until next time!

Warning ~ Photo heavy!!

So yesterday was a "fun mail" day, my friend Jocelyn sent this cute little Halloween Card!! I just love getting fun mail and sending it...Thank you Jocelyn for inspiring me to work on my cards today on my day off! It's raining here again, and I love the fall snuggle weather but I really want to be OUTSIDE in it.. lol

Card from Jocelyn!! Love it and you Girl!

Remember a few posts back I had some sneaks, well I finished up this mini gift album and here are a few pages. I like how it came out.. I used a couple pressed boards I found a Michaels, and painted them terracotta and made them look like a "flower pot". The papers were October Afternoon from a LRS kit. I found the perfect embellishmet for the front from Michaels part of their Recollections Autumn Splendor line.. Love that dragonfly!

This photo says it all!

I love stamping in my books too! I have many stamps that work well for lots of things and love the look it gives them!

The flowers are from Prima.. love Prima flowers almost as much as Real Flowers... lol

So while I was taking a peek at Laura's blog today she had a session on a mini book, and you all know my love of mini's so I figured I would photo some of them! These all sit on a shelf in my craft space to review and enjoy!! Hope you like them, a couple are still being worked on others are completed.

Owl still needs the perfect photos, I think I will use it for my growing collection of things "Owley" lol is that a word??

I love this one with actual photos covering the front!

There is one I did on my Faith... I do have a belief in God and all his glory, but do not attend a church faithfully. This mini was a documentation of growing up Catholic and my foundation of religion as I grew and acceptance of who I am and how God fits into my life. There is alot of journaling on the last couple pages.. This book is actually made of recycled cardboard and inked up around edges and through out.. I used the Basic Grey "Urban Couture" line for this and love how well it worked with those old black/white photos.. Growing up I do not have alot of photos of myself or family, but through my hobby I am making sure my children have them! Sadly I lost touch with the other children in these photos as we moved out of W. Boylston, I remember the name of the Church, but have no clue who the Priest or Nuns were. Nothing was written on back of photos :-(

My Faith ~

Sorry photo turned out blurry when enlarged.. It looks fine irl...

Inside back cover ~ the previous page I left out as it was personal journey through religon for me!

Hope you all have a wonderful day, and since this took so long to post, I'm off to find lunch...lol

Until next time!

Tour de Naperville ~ back home

Home Sweet Home.....

I love the bright colors of the fall, and this little flag greets all who walk up our path.

Remember all my bird stalking (watching) stories.. lol well this Birch tree is where most of it takes place. It sits right out front and I am blessed to have a corner of our living room with two large picture windows to view out of. I just love the contrast of the bright yellow and clear blue sky!

Around back I have this planter with 3 smaller mums still going strong. I love how it perks up our bulkhead. Soon these too will be gone for the season and I will be awaiting the end of winter for spring to fill this up again to bloom.

I have taken alot of photos of birds in this birdbath, it never ceases to amaze me how much they love this one! I do have a couple others in the yard, but they all gather around this one. Today it was over run with Robins.. lol they kept coming and really gettin down... LOL
I love my Sparky, he spends alot of time out of his cage with me and it's fun to watch him looking out at the birds. He is usually pretty good and not startled by much unless it's a Hawk... Yes a Hawk, we live close to the Prairie Forest Reserve and they are always there.. I am ok with them coming to visit as long as they do "take out" not "dine in". Sounds gross I know but it is a natural

fact of nature.

Here is a close up of the Red Tailed Hawk that swooped in.

Last but not least, this makes me Smile every time I sit to eat!! I love Halloween.

Until next time!

Tour de Naperville

So a friend did something like this on facebook the other day and it was pretty cool. She did a tour of her town and posted some photos. I tried to get more posted here but blogger is acting out and not uploading them so I'll start with these and add when I can.

Downtown Naperville is a fun place to go, lots of small shops, and a great River walk along the Dupage River. This is one of the fountains in front of a covered bridge that crosses the river. There are plenty of places to sit and relax and just enjoy!

Today when I was there I watched a couple who were getting photographed here, fun times! I wondered if they were engagement shots or just fun shots? My guess was engagement they were having so much fun.

Who could resist this fun place? Alot of the side streets downtown are filled with unique shops like this one.. Yummie Cupcakes

This is a newer place and my eye zoomed in on the Pumpkin Yogurt!! I love the fall and all the treats that go along with it. Have to say Pumpkin is my favorite fall treat!!

So moving along on our tour... don't you all just love this place? The distribution center is located here in Naperville and mind you it's HUGE..... lol I pass this everyday on my way to work..

Ok, so this is not unique to Naperville but it is fun. The weather was great so I whipped out my

gift card and stopped in for a Treat... Can you guess what I got?

Yup, if you were paying attention earlier you would have guessed a Pumpkin Muffin and Hot Chocolate yum! I sat outside and enjoyed the weather wondering to my self why everyone was staying inside to eat.... oh well their loss.

As we continue our tour, I've headed back towards my home on the Southwest side of the city. This is one of 4 High Schools we have, my son graduated here in 2007 with a class of over 1,000!!

This is one of 3 Libraries we have too! This is the newest one and Naperville has been ranked #1 for a number of years running according to the library index. It is awesome and I spend lots of time putting books on hold and going to pick them up!!

Until next time!