Checking In

Here are a couple recent layouts I've been working on. Hopefully this coming week will be more productive. I'm behind on my "A Year in the Life of an Art Journal"...so I'm hoping to spend some quality quiet time this weekend catching up.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend...

Days of Summer

This lil layout was created with a photo taken from the last weekend before school started and I ran a vintage action on it to give it a 70's feel. I used the Graphic 45 paper line "Domestic Goddess" and created a folded paper element for just a simple title of the date 9/09.

October already?

WOW - where on earth did the year go? I can't believe it is already October 1st today. I asked Katie to start narrowing down her Christmas present ideas this morning while we were on our way to school. December will be here before you know it!

So - so many things have been going on..trying to focus on myself while being a supportive mom to 2 tween/teen girls is a full time job to say the least. Between Student Council, club meeting, Trumpet playing, Girl Scouts, cell phones, taxi shuttling, and everything else in the world...hard for a mom to have a few moments to craft.

I did get a little time this week and this is one of my favorite most recent layouts of Ivy.

Titled "My Wishes 4 You"...

Hoo do you see?

A quick layout of my youngest, Ivy...on her first day back to school.
Used some fun fancy pants owl paper that a wonderful friend gave me! I put glitter on the HOO, the circle under the little owl embellishment is just clipped around the edges, nothing fancy here!

Fun way to end the week!

I created this layout at our Biggest Loser finale and crop. I love this photo taken just a few weeks ago before school started. I used sketch #23 from 52 Sketches for the layout. Enjoy your day !

Mixed bag...

Yesterday was kinda a mixed bag for me... I won the biggest loser contest with the local scrapbooking group I organize "Creative Outlet". That was great, I knew I'd done well...but wasn't convinced I'd win, but I'm certainly happy about it.

I applied for something I didn't get...not the end of the world, but was kinda discouraged about it overall.

This morning was awesome...after a 4 week break, I got to return to my beloved water aerobics classes. I was so happy, I went to 2 classes (total workout 1 1/2) WooHoo! I love our teacher Anna...she is the ONLY reason I keep going back to the location. (lol...the story on that if for another day)

I'm just kinda mentally dragging from letting other peoples drama bother me. I know I shouldn't...I tell myself, it's their problem not mine, you can't make them all happy...but in the end, it still feels like a weight around your neck. I think there are some changes in store for after the holidays. For now...I'll try to put it out of my mind, put the happy face on and try to find pleasure in the good!

So here is a recent page...hope you enjoy!

Crafty Weekend

Can you believe it will be September in only 2 days! I can't believe how fast this year has flown by for me, but on the positive side my birthday will be here soon -LOL!!

I know I haven't posted much lately, but I have been working on things...several just can be posted anywhere until they are used for their intended purpose...haha!

So here is a brand new 2 page layout - a RARE event for me these days. The pictures are from a few weeks ago when Katie attended a student council lock-in for team building. She had tons of fun, and gratefully her teacher/sponsor took TONS of pictures (yeah for a happy scrappy mom!)

As promised

A new layout for today! My hubby playing with our FAVORITE nephew (ok - our only nephew). Ethan is so funny. Chris' name was one of the first in our family he learned to say. It's so fun to see him play and tease with uncle Chris ...and of course Uncle LOVE to play too!

Back to school

How appropriate this layout is for today of all days! I took my girls back to school today -one at a time. Two separate schools. One at 7:45 and one at 9...Somewhere between the two trips I realized, this is the last year I will be taking Katie "back to school". Next year she will likely drive herself. I mentioned this too her in the car this morning, she sweetly said "maybe I'll let you drive me"...I told her I would probably just have to resort to stalking her from my own car, following her in traffic...haha! Sure is hard to see these babies grow all up and gain their independence.

That makes 2 of us...

I had a blast making this layout from the sketch below, it all part of the challenge over at From Here 2 Scrapternity.

My lil Bug Boy

A few weeks ago we had a family party for my brother's birthday. I got the opportunity to take some fun pictures of my lil nephew Ethan. He was enjoying his new bug box and a grass snake Ivy found. He was just so interested in it all. Now that my kids are older...I forget about those lil moments you get to witness when children are little sponges taking everything in around them.

Nature Girl

Just a quick layout for you today....we are busy-busy today.
If I'd been more of a planner today's layout would be my sweet hubby...since it's our Anniversary. I'll try and have something "mushy" by monday!

Family Fun

Tuesday I spent some time scrapping for FUN. These pictures were just taken a couple weeks ago at my brother's birthday party. I sat my girls down and got a few pictures of them with their cousin ETHAN!!! He is such a fun guy and we all just love him. while taking pictures someone said to give him a kiss...it made for a great series of pictures for this layout....

Starting with a BANG!

It's gonna be a fantastic day I can already tell!!!
I went to my local Micheals this morning...snagged the new Martha Stewart loopy boarder. My friend (and Micheals employee) said the other location had the corner punch to match it...so off I ran to the next store. I found the ever-coveted DRIPPY GOO border punch I'd been dying for since it's debut last Halloween. Each store only received 6 this year

No wonder nobody can find it...Nobody but ME!!! {insert evil laugh}

I also picked up a 3rd punch that I'd been wanting too, as it was only $9.99.

The best part...I got to use a 50% off coupon on EACH and EVERY one of them!!! On my way home, I got a call from the store manager...she found the loopy corner punch I originally went there for...So I'm heading back after lunch to pick that baby up!

drowning...

DROWNING in swaps that is...are you surprised?
I spent most my weekend wrapping up lil details on swaps.

• finished my P for Happy Birthday Rag Banner
• packed up Katie and I's twilight charms for that swap
• finished my lollipop flowers (six spots) that's 144 flowers
• finished my recipe swap layouts for Carmel Apple Salad - YUM!

It was a productive weekend!!!

Our Girl

Tonight I worked on completing a sketch from Paper Popsicles. I like the way it turn out. This is one of my favorite recent pictures of Katie.

All grown up!

Quick Layout of my oldest daughter learning to drive the riding lawn mower last summer while we were at the farm ...

Who knew this summer she'd be driving her daddy's truck!

Halloweenie...is coming!

Wow, this summer has flown by! My kids start back to school in a little more than 2 weeks (woohoo) In all the hustle and bustle of back to school, football games, homecoming...Halloween will be upon us before we know it.


Here is a layout of my sweet lil Sassy in her pumpkin costume last year. She was a good sport about wearing it (but she was having no part of the hat). This years costume has already been purchased...a hot dog with mustard & ketchup!!! She will look so cute!

Lucky Mom

Recent page I created with pictures from Mother's Day 2008...

Buddies!

I haven't scrapped for "fun" in awhile. Today I sat down and using a Scrapbooks etc. sketch for inspiration did this lil layout of my daughter, Ivy and her pet gerbil.