* Picture Me Sitting on Couch with Glass of Wine in My Jammies *

No...this is not what you think it is! Get your mind out of the gutter ;) The phone rang last night and it was one of the gals from work saying " did you know you aren't on call tomorrow?".  Well all week long I've thought I was on call for 8 hours both Wed. & Thurs., it's even in my calender. Then she had the nerve to ask if I wanted to work...NOT!

Let me just say that it has been busy at work. No lunch, no time to pee, where am I going to put this patient, BUSY! Too many of them and not enough of us, busy. The thought of being called in 2 days in a row after working 2, off 2 and followed by working a 3 day holiday weekend, did not appeal. The lure of $$ did not even make me flinch when I said "no". Especially since I know I'll be there tomorrow and overtime over 8 hours the government eats up anyway :(

So...to make a long story short, I'm gonna revel in this unexpected day :) Laze around in my jammies, do some scrappin' and go to my son's football game tonight, and thank God for this gift!

Christmas in July... Oops, I Mean August

Snowkini Babes popped into my head as soon as I downloaded these photos. They had so much fun! I was a little chilly after traipsing around the yard in my slippers and nightgown to get these shots :) Thank goodness Eric created a path with the snowblower.

Used my trusty Coluzzle for the circles and created the bikinis and hats for the "girls".

A little stitching with a Bazzill stitching template and sewing machine.

Inspired by a Sketch Support sketch :)

Cardstock: Bazzill, Core'dinations; patterned paper: Basic Grey, My Minds Eye; letter stickers: American Crafts, Sassafrass; stickers (snowflakes): Jolee's; punches: EK Success; gems: Me and MY Big Ideas, Kaiser Kraft, Recollections; flowers: Prima; brads: Paper Studio; circle cuttter: Coluzzle, Provo Craft; diecuts (stick arms) Cricut, Provo Craft; pen: Marvy Le Plume II; adhesive: 3L, Tombow; misc: floss, thread.

It's going to be a "dry" couple of scrapping weeks :( My work schedule through the holiday is going to be grueling! Work 2 days, on call for 8 hours each for the next 2 days, day off, work the 3 day weekend. Cross your fingers & toes that I don't get called in for at least one of the 8 hour shifts, pretty please. Matthew has a football game in the middle of all this and freshman orientation. Phew! I'm tired just thinking about it!

Have a great week!

"Rough & Tough" is one way to describe my last weekend!

My car is a little worse for the wear (minor fender bender) after our little shopping foray and my feet hurt the entire next day! Who knew it was back to college weekend!? Notre Dame, Saint Mary's, IU, Bethel College and a couple of others, the traffic was horrid. All Matthew wanted to do was go to the Guitar Center, we did manage to pick him up a couple of pair of jeans. Mimi made out with some cute outfits. I'm in love with a skirt she found at a resale store, I see a photo shoot in her near future :)

Back on track here... 

I'm still scrapping my endless supply of kiddo pics and these were in my "I Love" pile. He looks so all boy. Pulled this Mammarazzi paper by Bo Bunny from my stash and went grunge! The photo color is off a little, always at the mercy of the Michigan weather!

The title wasn't standing out enough for me so I sponged on some acrylic paint and outlined it with a Sharpie.

The cardboard is torn from a coffee cup holder.

Inked everything with Distress Ink by Ranger.

There was a little too much white space, the hand drawn lines solved that problem. I'm really in love with the finished layout :}

Off to bed, no rest for the wicked. The baby business is booming. Don't these women know we are in a recession? Just kidding...lovin' those of sweet smelling, soft, snuggly, little bundles of joy :) Have a fabulous Friday!



A Few More Cards to Share :)

The card making is starting to get a little easier :) Now that I've forced myself to make a dozen! It does feel very satisfying to use all those scraps! I used the color scheme & butterfly theme from my layout "Time Heals" for this one.

and the layout

 Lovin' those Micheals $1 spot felt butterflies!

Received a happy email :)

Here are a couple of Valentine cards...

Dug into my stash for this one. The patterned paper is actually the packaging!

Isn't that pie the cutest! Used the "From My Kitchen" cartridge for the Cricut.

What the heck was going on nine months ago (besides the obvious)!? It has been a busy week already. One short little vent coming, so plug your ears (or eyes in this instance). Why do women get mad when they are told they can't come in for an elective induction because we are too busy! Do they really think we are lying? Do they really think calling my supervisor is going to get them in any sooner or endear them to the staff? I don't know about you...but I'd rather have a nurse all to myself than have to share her with 3 other patients, especially when my baby's well being is at stake. There. All done. I feel better now.

Dad had another doctor's appointment today. Neurologist again. Very poor nerve conduction in both wrists. Next, consult with surgeon for possible carpal tunnel surgery. Hoping he can regain some feeling and mobility in his hands. Snuck in a couple of stops. Micheals...Soccer & football stickers, Jo Anns...Cricut blades & a new Artbin container for larger embellishments, and finally Hobby Lobby...Tim Holtz metal "gears" & My Minds Eye stickers. "Noodles" for lunch. YUM! Penne rosa with Parmesan crusted chicken, my taste buds were doing the Cha Cha!

Thanks for stopping by :)

Twenty six years ago...

We were married on a hot summer day. Danced the night away at our reception and headed off on our honeymoon to "Da-U-P", which translates into the Upper Peninsula if you live in Michigan :) It was ninety degrees at home and 60 degrees there! Just about froze my little hind end off (I can say "little" because it really was...then) and had to find somewhere to buy a sweatshirt.

We couldn't afford a professional photographer, so a family friend took our photos for us. Keep in mind that Prince Charles and Princess Diana's wedding was still fresh in my mind when you look at this :)

Now I'm not one to get all lovey dovey and say sickeningly sweet things about my spouse but I do want to say that I love him very much. Even though he once bought me a vacuum as a present (not just once but twice!), chased me with a bat in a paper bag, and trimmed my crabapple without asking!

Now anyone that knows my hubby, realizes he isn't into public displays of affection. He doesn't bring me flowers at work or write me love notes. No romantic strolls on the beach or holding hands, and I'm good with that.

What he does do, is make me just about anything I ask for. Including the beautiful gate & pergola in the side yard, both decks, our computer desk & the gorgeous oak shelves above it that hold my scrapbook albums, my scrap desk, armoire, & cricut cabinet, the coffee table slash storage ottoman in the front room and many more. His way of showing his love is to build me things.

He is a great dad and a wonderful husband and I'm thankful every day that I met him (even if I don't always show it)! 

Here's to twenty seven :)

Cards...Why are they so hard for me?

I really struggle with cards. They are so small, no place for all those lovely embellishments :) Now anyone who scraps knows, we cut a lot of paper. Hence  many paper scraps are created. They accumulate until they overflow but they are too pretty to throw away!

My resolution to make two cards with the scraps from every layout quickly fell by the wayside. Now, my designated spot for scraps is so full they won't fit :( So today I made myself sit and make only cards. Poke me in the eye with a needle! After much shuffling of paper and poring over card idea books, I created 6 cards and I'm quite proud of myself :)

The Bo Bunny line "Sophie" was one of my favorites so I had quite a few scraps and leftover chipboard. Used a ticket punch for the title and some of my never ending stash of flowers with tiny button centers.

My friend Leslie, brought some cards to work that she made at a Stampin' Up stamp camp. I used the "Straight from the Nest" Cricut cartridge to create the presents instead of punches. This one is my favorite. The other three were made after it was too dark to photograph them, so I'll have to share them another day.

 Lerita came and took me out for lunch. It was nice to visit with her. We haven't been able to get together as much because of her new job :(  

 On call all day and didn't get called in...Yippee!

 Mimi tried on her closet in preparation for school shopping. Only 3 pair of  her old jeans fit, darn it.

 Matthew came home from 5 hours of football practice with bruises everywhere. I wish I could wrap him in bubble wrap or go to the practice fields and yell at those darn boys to be careful with my baby! Alas...I think he would disown me :}

Eric made yummy lasagna, garlic bread, coleslaw & green beans.

Hope you had a good Monday!

 



I Wanna Be a Cowgirl

Yes...this is my Mimi in her "cowgirl" getup when she was 3 1/2 years old :) Those are her Daddy's size 14 boots! Hard to believe she is almost 13 and ready to get her braces off soon. She was in love with this cowboy hat for a while, consequently there are several pics of her in various activities wearing it.

This is my interpretation of this weeks sketch from Sketchy Thursdays.

 Here is the sketch:



and my  layout:

I'm on a Bo Bunny kick this week :) These papers from the "Sophie" line seemed to have a western feel. The dimensional stickers are Jolee's Boutique and were perfect for this layout.

A few extra jewels and a little inking with a marker made them even cuter(if that is possible)!

The patterned paper medallions are cut and slipped onto the larger circles, all cut with the Coluzzle.

Had a wonderful day today with my sweet friend Missy! She took me out to lunch at Moo's Place (my fave Chinese Restaurant), to the Chocolate Garden for some truffles...Ooh La La, my taste buds were singing for joy! That place so deserved to be on Oprah. Check them out on the net, you won't be sorry! Finally a stroll around the local antique mall where I found another lidded jar for my collection. Perfection. Thanks Missy for the great day and Starbucks card, you made working on my birthday not such a big deal :}

Goofy Glasses :)

I'm enjoying scrapping all these photos of my sweeties when they were little but it makes me sad too. Matthew is starting High School and Mimi 7th grade. Time has flown by and those sweet little faces are so grown up now!

 These pics were taken at my friend Lerita's house. Her (not so little anymore either) daughter and Matthew were playing dress up :) These glasses were actually purple & shaped like flowers but you can't tell this because the lenses flipped up! He thought he looked like Harry Potter.

Pulled out some "oldie but goodie" supplies... photo turns and brads that I've had forever! A mix of Bo Bunny, Little Yellow Bicycle, and My Minds Eye patterned paper scraps in just the right shades of purple to bring out the purple glasses.

Gotta love the googly eyes :}

The little mirror sticker is K&Co., journaling spot Colorbok.

Called in yesterday for 8 hours of overtime, not the way I'd hoped to spend my day but thankful for the extra $$ for back to school clothes. Took Dad for an EMG study of his hands today to see if they can help the nueropathy in his hands with carpal tunnel surgery. The doctor says there is a good chance they could give him some feeling and mobility back in his hands. Anything would be better than nearly none!

Lunch tomorrow with my friend Missy and then off to the antique mall to look for little treasures.

 Have a great day! 



I Love Imaginisce!

Even more than I already do, since I won the entire collection of "Santa's Little Helper"on their blog!!! Can't wait to get my hands these adorable papers. A perfect opportunity to make a mini book :) Christmas has always been my scrapping nemesis. I can be on a roll and all I have to do to scare the mojo away is pull out Christmas photos. Maybe this will help :)

Speaking of Imaginisce, I have some of the "Live Loud" line to use with these pics of my budding Sid Barrett (He's obsessed with Pink Floyd).

He wasn't thrilled about my impromptu photo shoot at first, but then he realized that resistance was futile :}

He is such a good kid.

Mimi has turned into a hermit, spending most of her time with her nose in a book or in her IPod. I think she is probably still recovering from her soccer tournament...I know I am :) Here are a couple of pics from said tournament.

Baby, it's hot out here!

Off to bed :(  Work for the next couple of days. I'll be dreaming of that sweet package hopefully coming in the mail soon.  Have a marvelous Monday! 



Words to Grow on...

Is the title of the little book my Dad was looking at with Matthew. It feels like someone is squeezing my heart everytime I look at these photos :) You know how you dream of having children and watching them with their Grandparents...this was that moment. These photos are so special to me. Sorry for the glare on the left pic.

This layout sat on my scrap table for a couple of days, it just seemed to need something else. Added the big circle and it all fell into place :)

The super cute Giraffe "Grandpa" & "Grandson" were created with the Cricut cartridge "Paisley".

Layered paper flowers with felt centers & leaves from Stampin' Up.

Here is a journaling closeup

 

Inked everything for a boyish look.

Cardstock: Bazzill, Die Cuts With a View: patterned paper: Echo Park, Imaginince; letter stickers: Basic Grey; chipboard stickers: My & My Big Ideas; flowers: Kaiser Kraft; leaves, flower centers: Stampin' Up; metal rim tags, stickpins: Making Memories; gems: Kaiser Kraft; diecuts: Cricut Provo Craft (Paisley cartridge); ink: Ranger; pen: Sharpie; adhesive: 3L, Therm O Web, Tombow.

Time to take supper over to Grandpa Joe (the Grandpa in the photos) and maybe the peach cobbler Eric is making will be done when I get back! The house is semi peaceful right now...Mimi is doing a puzzle & Matthew is playing his electric guitar (riffs of Pink Floyd are wafting down the stairs). Hoping to get some scrapping in when I get back. Have a great weekend!

Over the Moon!

To be included in the August edition of Cricut Magazine! Page 103 to be exact :}}

.

Great way to end my day of chauffeuring my Dad to his doctors appointment, pharmacy, bank, post office & finally the store. Good thing I love that man.

Thanks for sharing my joy!

Fun in the Kiddie Pool

Not me silly :) My kids when they were little. This little blue pool provided hours of entertainment! Sometimes they would dress up to go in the pool and sometimes it was a nakey day. I've been forbidden to use nakey photos :}}

My layout was inspired by this weeks sketch  http://www.sketchythursdays.blogspot.com/

The colors of this Bo Bunny paper were perfect for the saturated look of my pics. I don't know what I would do without my Cricut! The palm is from Doodlecharms, waves from Going Places and the bucket from Boys Will Be Boys.

Layered the bucket with shadow and added the gem & bitty tag with the date.

Layered the letter stickers on a Jillibean Soup journaling spot.

A doodling mood came over me and the palm gained some stitches and crosshatching :)

Along with a few glittery coconuts.

Thank you Sketchy Thursdays for so much inspiration!

The soccer tournament was a lot of fun and the girls won 2nd place! There were only 3 teams in their division but the girls really had to work for that trophy! They played 4 games over an 8 hour span in 100 degree weather. I thought i was going to melt!!! I didn't know that being a "soccer mom" was so much work! Here is a quick run down of the day:

Find spot under tree & set up camp, sweat.

Run out onto field with camera, umbrella, water, misters, & chairs,sweat.

play game, try to keep girls cool & well hydrated, sweat.

run off field to camp, sweat some more

repeat 3 more times!

Managed to take approx. 300 pics while all this was going on 8) It was a long, stinky ride home. Good thing the waiter at Applebees seated us away from the other diners :}