One goal down!!!!

So awhile back I set some goals for myself to reach by the time that I was 35. I didn't tell anyone about my list but this week with the help of two of my new friends I was able to cross one off my list. I am now on the design team for our local scrapbook store, Scrapping at the Pink House. I will have "homework" assignments consisting of creating scrapbook layouts using new products that come in to the store. The layouts will be displayed on the walls at the store to entice shoppers to purchase those products. I can't tell you how excited I am. Thanks Erika and Ronee!!!!

So, here is my first "homework" creation. This was what I had to work with. The new scallop heart cardstock from Bazzill.
This is the finished product. I absolutely love it!

I am not usually a hearts and flowers type scrapper so this really made me step out of my box. It was a challenge but it was a lot of fun and I think it really works. Michelle, the owner of The Pink House, loved it so I guess I got the stamp of approval. I wasn't sure if we were supposed to use personal pictures or not so I just left the frame blank. Next time I will use an actual picture. It was nerve wracking putting my work out to be judged for the first time but exhilarating as well. I am looking forward to many more assignments and challenges!!!

So I made two more frames tonight for Christmas presents. I have really been enjoying the creative process. It has been so long since I have felt the urge to create that it has really been a lot of fun rediscovering why I love to do it in the first place. I am giving these to Matt's sister and grandmother for Christmas. The picture is Matt and Melissa with all of the kids. I took it this summer at the tractor show at the Park. I really love it and am going to blow it up for our house.

We are in total Christmas mode at our house and with less than 24 hours to go, I do NOT have enough done! I am going to be scrambling tomorrow for sure. I think I have one more place to run tomorrow and then I will be completely done. Nothing like waiting until the last minute, right? The kids are all excited. Skylar sang at church this morning and it was so sweet. They broadcast it this evening and I am hoping that Joe was able to tape it so that we can get a copy. She is so earnest in her singing. (Even singing along with the soloist when she wasn't really supposed to, lol) She also had Gwen pull her other front tooth so tomorrow I think I am going to have to get her on tape singing "All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" How could I not? Hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas. I know we will!

I have been feeling crafty lately so wanted to share a couple of my latest creations. This was the card that I made for Skylar's teacher Ms. Wallace. I made her a stationary set with 12 cards and envelopes


This is the Christmas card that I made to go with it. I loved it and hated to part with it but that is what you do with cards, right? lol

And this is an altered frame that I made for my boss Julie with a picture that I had taken of her Mom and daughter. It was my first attempt at altering anything and I think it came out pretty well. I would have loved to add a big brown flower at the bottom right but didn't have one in my stash (I know, crazy, right?) lol I hope that she loves it as much as I do.

I have more to share but no pictures yet. I am really excited to have found a wonderful group of ladies that scrap/stamp. They are truly amazing women. I don't think I have ever felt more creative and inspired. We had a get together on Wednesday night and we laughed so hard that when I left, my face hurt. Oh yeah, good times! lol Thanks girls! Can't wait until January!!!

Pay It Forward Exchange

I found this idea here and thought it was too cool so I thought I would get in on the fun. I will send a homemade gift to the first 3 people who comment on my blog requesting to join the PIF (Pay It Forward) exchange. You may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it!!! The only thing you have to do in return is "pay it forward" by making the same promise on your blog. (If you don't have a blog, just promise somehow). I can't wait to see who I will be giving to. To join, just cut and paste this to your blog, and comment away! So get posting!

Brayden Funny

Just got a call from Mom's house. Brayden just had to tell me what happened. This is how the conversation went:

Him: "Mommy, I caught a lizard (pronounced 'wiz-ard')"
Me: "You did?"
Him: "He bite me on my lip (again pronounced 'wip')"
Me: "On your lip????? What were you doing with him?"
Him: "I try to give him a kiss an' he bite me on my wip"
Me: (laughing uncontrollably) "Well, let's not kiss anymore lizards, okay?"
Him: "No, they only kiss uh-ver lizards!"

Oh, the magic of a child. lol

Short Week

Well, this is a short week due to the holidays. Skylar is out of school tomorrow. She was too excited this morning because they were having a holiday program at school. I got a huge, unsolicited, excited hug as soon as I got out of the shower. Gotta love those unscripted moments of pure bliss.

Of course, two minutes later it was the battle over what to wear and all love for me was forgotten about when she couldn't wear her shorts and tank top out in the 50 degree weather!

Her: "But Mommy, pilgrims didn't wear jeans!"

Me: "Well honey, I don't think they wore polyester cotton blend shorts with flowers on

them either!"

Her: Something along the lines of "UNNNNGGGHHHH"

(Anyone with kids under 6 will know exactly the noise I am talking about. Admit it, you are hearing it in your head right now! lol)

We are gearing up for Christmas already. I think this is the first year that I am actually almost done with my shopping before December. I have the kids pretty well done which is a huge relief. I have the Christmas music playing in the background and a Christmas bear on top of my computer monitor. Friday will be the tree picking ordeal. Matt dreads that day every year because I have been known to travel to 6 or more places just to find that "perfect tree" only to go back to square one and purchase the first tree we looked at. lol Hey, it's Christmas!

I took some pics the other night for our christmas cards. I think that I have enough good ones of all three to piece together something workable. Thank goodness for Photoshop! lol Out of about 50 pics, Skylar is only really smiling in about two. The rest are all goofy looks and expressions. It was comical to fast forward through my slide show and see the progression of the faces. That's my girl! I will have to share pics later so I don't spoil my Christmas cards.

PS - Okay had to share one of the funnier ones. lol

Some crafty-ness

I actually got crafty today!!! I have been reading all of these creative blogs and have really been inspired but just have not found the time or the energy to sit down and do anything. Well, I took a vacation day from work today and actually sat down in my craft room. I have been working really hard to organize and clean it out. Pictures to follow on that later. lol But these are the two projects that I created today. The first is a button tree that I made for Mom for her birthday. Turned out really cute. Think I will have to make myself one! lol The inspiration came from Ali Edwards' blog who is an editor for Creating Keepsakes. You can find the details here

I have also been wanting to do some more cards ever since my Saturday with the Split Coast Stamping girls and this is what I made today to send to an online friend who lost her mother this week. I thought it came out really cute and I hope that she receives some measure of comfort from it. I cannot imagine what she is going through right now. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Valerie.

Anyway, that is what I have been up to today. I made Mom a chocolate fudge cake and lasagna for supper and surprised her. She was shocked. She thought that Daddy was taking her to Jersey Mikes (a sub place). Couldn't let her not celebrate her birthday. Here is a picture of the cake. It was a recipe from Paula Deen's magazine and was absolutely wonderful. Brayden kept saying, "Momma, it is de-wishus" I added pecans to the top after I took this and it was just perfect!