Okay...so my goal of being a better blogger just didn't turn out :( It just seems like the month flew by for us and before I knew it, it was Christmas. However, I did keep up with my December Daily project and hope to get started on my album in the next day or so.

In other news, Jon and I have both been super sick since Saturday (though I'm not as bad as he is, which is a good thing since someone has to keep the house running). I'm starting to worry that he may have the flu, and just pray that the kids don't get it (trust me...I had a much milder version and it was nasty!)

Indoor soccer has been crazy, too. All three kids are playing and then Zack joined a second team, so we've had games three nights a week and a practice one night. We are in the last week of play and then tournaments start.

I hope to have some scrapping layouts to share in the next day or so. I have been doing some scrapping (mainly Christmas gifts) and will get them loaded soon.

Have a blessed, Tuesday!

I'm trying...I really am! I'm determined to be more regular with my blogging, and I'm thinking that my new December Daily album will help me do just that. I did one of these last year, and loved the outcome, so decided to do another one this year. We've started an accountability thread over at Scrapternity that I know will help keep a lot of us on track.
On another scrapping note, the December Scrapternity crop is coming up next weekend (where does the time go? I feels like we just did the November one!) We will have lots of challenges and games, so hopefully you will stop by and scrap with us for a bit. The crop runs through Sunday, with all challenges due by Monday and I know that Pam has tons of awesome prizes lined up!
Okay...back to work (only a few more hours to go and then I can head home!)
Have a blessed Thursday, all!

Okay...I REALLY need to do a better job of blogging! It's now November 30th and I'm just now getting back here (eyes rolling at that one!) In my defense, November has been a super crazy month for me. Indoor soccer started up and this year we have all three kids playing, instead of just Zack. This means that three nights a week we are running into Chillicothe to watch games because of course, the kids are not on the same teams (umm...yea....lucky lucky me)
Aside from soccer, Jon has been working like a crazy man and that leaves me to do a lot of things with/for the kids on my own. Add to that Tay's and Big John's birthday party and the Thanksgiving holiday and I barely have time to breath some days!
On a separate note, I got a brand new fridge this month! I've wanted this baby for three years and was stupid enough to tell Jon "no" the first time around so quickly said "yes" when he asked me if I wanted a new one.

Now, the fun doesn't stop there. NOPE, I also got a new (to me) vehicle! Jon and I were talking about it one day and he just up and found a 2006 Yukon Denali XL in Columbus. He found it on a Friday, we went and looked at it on Saturday and picked it up on Monday! And....I just LOVE this baby! So far my favorite things are the DVD player for the kids and the seat warmers (makes cold early morning leather seats toasty warm!)

Okay...I've rambled enough for now. If I find time after working on lesson plans tonight I will add some newer scrapping layouts.

Have a blessed week, all!

Wow...I can't believe it's November 1st!
With everything that was going on around here, October just seemed to fly by. Now we have the holidays to look forward to, along with several birthdays.

Anyway, I have been scrapping...really, I have. Just not like I wanted to, and I didn't get a ton of layouts done in October. However, I do have a few to share (and may get a few more done today if my mojo sticks around!)

This layout was done for a journaling challenge from the October FH2S crop. It's so hard to believe that this picture was taken three years ago! Kaleb went as Clifford, Tay was Hello Kitty and Zack was Harry Potter.


I did this layout fro the color challenge at the FH2S October crop. This is little Miss Taylor in 2004. She wore a monkey costume that Robin Garman loaned us.


I created this layout while dealing with a nasty migraine. The next day I wasn't sure about it (and am still on the fence) but am keeping it as is, for now.


I created this layout for a Scrap Pink Crop over at {SAS}sy. This is Taylor back in 2003. She was just four months old at the time.


This layout was created for the Sketch challenge at the {SAS}sy Scrap Pink Crop. Again, Miss Taylor. She loves pop tarts...a love that started at a young age for her!

Okay, I have a few more layouts to share, but am going to go and do some cleaning and will get them posted later.

Have a blessed Sunday, all!

The October Haunted {SAS}sy Kit Pre-Order Deal

Check out this super fun October kit from {SAS}sy!

Now, here is the deal. If you pre-order your kit by midnight PST on 10.11.09, you will receive a FREE pack of coordinating American Crafts Thickers!
Also, since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, {SAS}sy will donate $1 from every kit that is purchased to the Susan G. Koman Foundation.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to get my hands on this baby!

Okay...I promised that I would get some scrappy stuff up before too long...and I FINALLY got some free time to get them loaded.
I did all of these for the September Crop over at From Here 2 Scrapternity. We had lots of fun challenges, and I am still working on getting to those that I haven't had time to complete.

I completed this layout for the Menu Challenge that Ms. Pam posted. I decided to do a layout for my oldest, Zack. Soccer is his passion and I journaled about that and tucked it behind the largest picture.


This layout is one for my mom's album. The challenge was Something Old/Something New. It's a picture of my great aunt. I love working with these vintage pictures!



This next layout is another one for my mom. I did it for the Apple a Day challenge. This is one of Mom's elementary school pictures.


The last layout I completed was for the Scraplift challenge. We had to pick a member from the gallery and lift her...and to make it really challenging, everyone had to pick a different member. I picked Sherry and lifter her wonderful layout (you can see it in the gallery over at FH2S).
This is what I created. I loved that I was able to use up some pretty old stash from Quick Quotes and got another baby picture of Taylor finished (hard to believe she'll be 7 this November!)

Well, I'm off to work on some more laundry and hopefully, I will be able to scrap a little bit this afternoon.

Have a Blessed Sunday!

Wow...what a crazy life I've had the last month or so! School started back up in August, with me heading back to my classroom on August 17 and the kids heading back on August 2o. To add to the usual craziness, this year I'm teaching a language arts block (instead of just grammar and writing) so have to brush up on all the standards that I haven't taught in over 5 years. But the fun doesn't end there! We also purchased two new text books from new publishers...are being trained in new teaching strategies that the district has adopted....and have a new language arts coach that comes and observes us as we struggle with all the newness! So you can see, it's pretty crazy, and that's all before 4pm (when I finally drag myself home, even though school is over at 2:30) when I head home to three youngsters playing soccer and Scouts and board meetings and PTO.....and I guess you get the picture!
Anyway, I haven't had a ton of time to scrap, but have completed some new layouts and promise to get them posted some time this weekend!
Also, I wanted to remind you/invite you to the September Crop over at From Here 2 Scrapternity! It will start today and run through the weekend, with lots of challenges and games! So if you get a chance, please head over there and join us during the weekend!
Okay, it's time to go and dry my hair so I'm off of this computer. Hope you all have an AWESOME Friday!

Ready for a little {Sneaky Peeky?} Over at {SAS}sy they are putting the finishing touches on their AUGUST mid-month {SAS}sy Kits and they rock! They are packed with new CHA products and extremely versatile. I love that it can be used for boys or girls…just depends on what side of the paper you use!

Additional peeks and Pre-Order information will be coming soon. This kit will debut on Wednesday, August 19th so mark your calendars now. Enjoy your first peeks…

From Here 2 Scrapternity Guest Designer Call - September
So - you want to be a GD for FH2S??

THAT'S AWESOME!!

Here is what you need to do.....
READ THE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE POSTED Here
(YOU NEED TO SIGN UP FOR THE FORUM TO VIEW AND PARTICIPATE)
FROM HERE 2 SCRAPTERNITY

Submit to us one (1) layout that you believe is the best representation of your style. It doesn't have to be your best work, but one that displays how you normally scrap.

Include a short bio (name, where you live and anything you want us to know), a link to your blog and if you want, a link to other galleries, and an acknowledgement that you read the requirements.

You can send your entry to:

FH2S_SUBMISSIONS@YAHOO.COM

We will contact the winner NO LATER than Aug 16th and announce by Aug 17th.

THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST AND GOOD LUCK!!!

Are you ready to crop?

August 21 through the 23, Scrap Attack Scrapbooking is having a {SAS}sy Birthday Blowout Crop!
Join Lauri and the new Design Team for lots of challenges, games and fun!

The new August kit is up at Scrap Attack Scrapbooking and I have to tell you...it RAWKS! It's called the Nikki Sivils Kit, and the papers and embellies are awesome...just check it out:


Now, if you want this yummy kit, it's super easy. Just head on over to Scrap Attack Scrapbooking (www.scrapattackscrapbooking) and grab yourself one. While you're there, you can also check out the super fun add ons that they have put together to go with the kit!

Finally, if you do grab one of these kits, I'd love to see how you use it. Just post a comment with a link to your gallery :)

Happy Wednesday, All!

Lauri has released a sneak peak of the August Mini Kit over at SAS...and, to sweeten the deal even more, they are having a special promotion for anyone that pre-orders this kit:

We are very excited about our August 1st {SAS}sy Kit! It is based around a brand new manufacturer and was soooo extremely easy to work with - you are going to love it! We've got a great special for those that Pre-Order it and reserve theirs now.

All Pre-Orders placed by midnight PST on July 28, 2009, we'll award you 150 Customer Rewards Points that can be redeemed on your next visit! That's an extra $5 off your next order!

The full debut of this kit will happen on August 1st and all Pre-Orders of this kit will ship on the debut date. *Please put "Pre-Order 150 Bonus Points" in comments to receive these points.

Well, it's been a little bit since I've updated. What can I say? My life is boring...lol.

We did have a wonderful time on Saturday night. We have a friend who is from Spain. He is part of our soccer family, so to speak. Right now, he has a couple of friends visiting from Spain, and on Saturday they invited a bunch of us over for an authentic Paella dinner. It was amazing to watch them get the fire going and then cook this rice dish over the open fire. Plus...it was delicious! I mean, out of this world good (and it had seafood in it, which I don't eat)!

Luis's house provided the paella and bread while the rest of us brought other items. I did my "famous" fruit and dip plus a mixed green salad. Lori made a chocolate pie and homemade sangria (which was AWESOME...and I don't like wine) and Kathy brought an ice cream cake.
Here are some pictures I got before it got too dark:

Here they are (with some help from Kal) starting the fire:

Here they have started the actual cooking:I got this shot of everyone right before digging into the paella:
And finally...the most amazing paella...EVER!
Okay...off to do some more cleaning. Maybe I'll have some scrapping layouts to share later this afternoon.

Happy Tuesday!

Some Scrappiness to Share!

Well, I've been super busy with the middle school yearbook (completing it) and soccer registrations. However, I have managed to fit in some scrapping along the way. Here are just a few of the layouts that I've completed in July. I joined the Get Scrapping challenge over at {SAS} and hope to get 10 layouts completed each month, between now and December (fingers crossed on that one...lol)
So, here are some of my July creations:


All of these layouts were completed for a challenge over at {SAS}. I have to admit...their challenges are awesome, and have really helped me get my scrap on!
Okay...off to finish another layout.
Have a blessed Sunday, Everyone :)

Love a Good Mystery?

Lauri at {SAS} loves being able to offer customers some amazing deals & they love creating {Mystery Boxes} just for you! Each box is packed with fantastic scrapbook supplies for rock bottom prices! The {Mystery Boxes} are available NOW and are only available while supplies last.

This time {SAS}sy is offering 2 different {Mystery Boxes.} Since we all enjoy the "good stuff," they decided they would fill a USPS Flat Rate Box FULL of fantastic embellishments from some of their favorite manufacturers & also a dedicated Thickers Mystery Box.

Box #1 is the {Embellishments Mystery Box} and they are packed with buttons, brads, chipboard, ribbons, flowers, rub-ons and so much more! If you love Scenic Route, Maya Road, Prima, KI Memories, Love Elsie and Bazzill - just to name a few - you have got to pick up one of these boxes!

Best of all? They are loaded with over $190 in product for only $49.99!! And they will ship these FREE* of charge within the US!

Box #2 is for all those American Crafts THICKERS fanatics out there! This box is filled with at least 9 random packs of Thickers for only $25 - and they will also ship these to you for FREE* within the US!

Every Mystery Box is different and you will never receive 2 of the same items in any box! These usually go fast so if you are interested in one, don't delay. SHOP NOW!

Please note: If you are ordering other items with the Mystery Boxes you may receive your order in separate boxes. No additional discounts or promotions are valid on these since they are already greatly discounted. *(International orders will receive a discount off their shipping.)

Pre-Order Primas...and a Deal to Go With Them!

Lauri (at SAS) recently added a ‘whole lotta’ Prima Marketing {Pre-Order} products to the store, if you are interested in reserving yours now. Lauri will ship {Pre-Orders} first, in the order of receipt. Plus you still get your everyday 10% off!

These products are brand new and are being released at the Summer CHA Show this year. Products are expected to start shipping around August, 1st. (The papers are not listed but Lauri also have those on order too.)

For a limited time, all Prima {Pre-Orders} over $30 (excluding shipping) will receive a $10 Gift Certificate to the {SAS}sy Store! We will be awarding these GC’s on all qualifying orders placed by midnight PST on July 18th, 2009!

Now...how's that for a great deal?

Check out this wonderful July Mini Kit from Scrap Attack Scrapbooking!

Now, how would you like the chance to get on for FREE? That's right, just check out the SAS blog for all the details!
Good Luck!

SUMMER TRADITIONS CHALLENGE....ONLY AT NOEL MIGNON!!!

Are you up for a challenge? If so, check out the current one over at Noel Mignon. Here are all the details (Noel has these posted over on her challenge blog, along with some additional RAWKIN' examples!):

Let's turn seasonal and scrap something that you find yourself, your family, your kids doing every summer. It can be making home made ice cream, taking a trip to a family cabin, hitting the beach...etc. Whatever you find you love to do during the summer months. We're calling it the "Summer Tradition" challenge.
This is running from today through July 17th! Be sure to add up your link so that Noel can add it to the slide show.

Here is Noel's Example:

Up for some fun? Why not join the Firecracker Festival Shop Hop?

For those of you that have never done a shop hop they are very fun and so simple! There are approximately 30 stores that have graciously donated Gift Certificates to their stores.

From July 1st - July 31st, your goal is to visit each participating stores and find the hidden firecracker. Once you find the hidden image, you'll register your email to let them know you found it and move on to the next store! It's very simple and it's totally FREE!

And for those {SAS}sy Shop Hoppers, they've hidden a special promotion with their firecracker!

For additional information, check out the {SAS} home page!

It's Done!!!
I have to renew my teaching license this year, and I FINALLY got my paperwork signed and mailed in to the Ohio Department of Education!!!
Okay, it's been a ton of hassle since Notre Dame College STILL hasn't sent me my transcripts (GRRRRRR!!!) At least, I got the paperwork all signed thanks to an awesome LPDC president! Now...to get those stupid transcripts so I can get my $$$ back! If I don't get them this week, I will have to wait a whole year to get any reimbursement (anther huge GRRRRRRR!!!)

On to some scrapping news...I've been thinking about DT's a lot lately. I mean, I REALLY wanted to try for a spot over at {SAS}...and I'm so bummed out that I didn't. However, my head...my head KNOWS that I just won't be able to handle it once school starts and the last thing I want to do is flake out on someone (I've had it happen too many times over at FH2S and it just stinks) However...my heart...my heart is saying something else. Right now, I'm on vacation and I can stay up late scrapping and spend my days scrapping. But...that won't be the case once school starts. Then I'll be overwhelmed trying to figure out what the heck I'm going to be doing each day for 100 minutes with each group of 8th graders while driving the kids back and forth to soccer practices and cub/boy scout meetings. So, I know that I made the correct decision...and I can try the next round. Now, if I could just get my heart to understand....

More scrapping news...I'm getting a TON of scrapping done! I just wish that I could be a faster scrapper. I mean really...there's no reason a single layout should take me all day...especially if it's not that complex (rolling eyes here). However, I'm moving through the challenges over at {SAS} and hopefully will earn a few more charms this week (yep...I've become just a tad obsessed with those babies)

Okay, enough rambling for tonight. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to share some more layouts...especially ones that I created special for my grandpa right after my grandma died (he took the album and I just got it back to update and organize for him)
Have a blessed evening!

Well, it's already Friday and I haven't posted since Monday. It's not that it's been a super busy week...unless you count baseball all but one night and soccer registrations two nights...plus a whirlwind of scrapping! Ahh...I just love the lazy days of summer when I can stay up late and scrap...and then get up the next day and scrap some more!

So, let me share some of my latest creations. All of them were created for specific challenges over at {SAS}:


This last layout was completed for the {SAS} Guest DT spot. We had to create something with movement and it was the perfect chance to play with this CC spinner. Just a fun (but serious) layout for Kaleb. He gets so upset sometimes when he doesn't get the answer that he wants:

Okay, I guess I need to start on some laundry (trying to do a little each day so that it doesn't get overwhelming) and some scrapping.

Have a wonderful Friday!

Good Monday Morning! Yep, it's the start of another work week (or in my case...just a week) I love summer vacation!
Today, I plan on doing nothing but scrapping. Since Thursday I have pretty much spent my time either cooking or cleaning and while my house looks wonderful (and organized) and the food for the cookout on Saturday and Mom's on Sunday was awesome...I'm ready of life to get back to normal. So, last night a made a list of challenges from {SAS} that I want to work on, and hopefully can get a couple of them finished today.

Okay, before I go, I wanted to share some pictures of the guys golfing yesterday.

This is my dh in his cart, and Zack with Crazy Papaw Willy. They stopped by the house after the first nine holes before heading off to the last nine (my parents live on the golf course...hole three is in front of their house and hole nine is to the side):


Here the guys are on hole nine. Jon was first, then Zack, then Crazy Papaw:


Finally, Grandpa. At 89 he can't go out and golf any more (something he's always loved to do) but that didn't stop him from taking a cart and going 18 rounds (around the course) with the guys:
Okay...time to head off to scrap. Have a wonderful Monday :)

Happy Father's Day, Everyone!
It's a beautiful sunny (HOT) day here, and we are planning on going to my mom's for some food, family, golf (golf for the guys) and fun! I can't wait...it's been a while since I've seen some of my family (plus...GREAT picture opts!)

Now, for all of you that stopped by during the {SAS} Blog Hop...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I have been totally overwhelmed and humbled with the response from everyone. This hop was a ton of fun, and I am so in the next time that Lauri decided to do one!

Speaking of {SAS}, I have decided that I just can't try for the DT right now. I would love to be a part of this awesome team, but on Friday I was so unsure so I sat down and talked to my husband and saw that it just wasn't the time for me. In August, I head back to school. This year, I'm teaching a whole new class...a 100 minute language arts block instead of my normal 50 minute English class. Right there, I need a lot of time to figure the class out...get everything organized...it will be like I'm a first year teacher, again :( Add to that the fact that soccer goes into full swing on August 1, and since I'm the secretary of the board and Jon coaches at least one team...and all three of the kids play...I lose even more time. So, right now is just not the right time. I would hate to make the team (long shot) and then fail to uphold my end of the committment. This was a really hard decision to make, but I know it's the right one. Plus...there will always be more calls, right?

Okay, off to fix some pototato salad for today, and maybe work on a layout or two. Before I go...I want to leave you with the four layouts that I completed for the call (the altered item is still not finished, but I will post it soon):

This is my dh and dd after dh took off her training wheels. This was such a sad moment for me, so this one is all about the journaling.


This next layout is another one of my heritage ones. This is my Great-Aunt Milly. I'm not sure the year, but I'm thinking they were taken some time in the 1940's.

This layout is one I did for my oldest, Zack. Just letting him know that I'm always here for him, even as he gets older.


This final layout...just lots of fun and lots of pink and glitter!


Okay...NOW I'm off to make that salad! Have a blessed Sunday, all :)

Happy Thursday, All and Welcome to the {SAS} Blog Hop!

If my blog is the first place you have come welcome! To make sure you don’t miss out on any of the great {SAS}sy blogs I suggest you start at the beginning of the {Blog Hop} by visiting at Scrap Attack Scrapbooking and then work your way around the rest of the blogs.

With that said, let's talk Thickers! Can I just say that I am totally and complete addicted to them! In fact...here's a look at what I currently own:

I know...sad, but I love them and use them ALL the time. They are perfect for titles and with all the great new styles (and old), how can a girl go wrong? Want to see some of the newest styles? Well just check out the store at Scrap Attack Scrapbooking...Lauri has is stocked with some of the latest and greatest styles (plus...wonderful customer service and super quick delivery...it's AWESOME!) Check out all that glitter...*swoon* Also, if that's not enough...Lauri is offering some great deals on sets of Thickers!

**Here's a sneak at a layout that I'm working on using the new glitter Thickers...straight from Lauri**

Okay, enough chit chat, I want to show you what I've done with these amazing goodiesThe quickest and easiest way...use one style for your title. With tons of different styles and colors you're bound to find one that will work for your layout.

Here are just a couple of mine:

The next way I like to use mine is to mix them up, either with other Thicker styles or with other types of alphas (this is wonderful when you don't have all the letters in a particular style). Here are a couple of my layouts where I did this:

The shape Thickers is something thing that I'm just getting involved with, but they can also add just the right touch to a layout (and again, they come in so many awesome colors and styles!)

Here are just a few of the ways that I've used mine:

Okay....I can admit it..I'm addicted to my Thickers! Now, before I send you on your way to the next blog...let me tempt you just a little bit more by showing you ALL the awesome Thickers that Lauri has to offer at the store: Thickers Accents, Thickers Chipboard, Thickers Fabric, Thickers Felt, Thickers Foam, Thickers Foil, Thickers Glitter, Thickers Puffy and Thickers Vinyl. Besides the great selection...check out the awesome prices!

Hopefully you're enjoying the Scrap Attack Scrapbooking {Blog Hop} today! There's definitely a lot of inspiration showing up on everyone’s blogs. You probably got to mine from Jen . Your next stop on the hop is Michelle. There are 16 total blogs so make sure you hit them all! Scrap Attack Scrapbooking will be donating prizes from all comments left on all 16 blogs so make sure and comment so you are eligible to win!

So...why not leave me a comment and let me know some of your favorite ways to use your Thickers!

Have a Wonderful Thursday!