I am such a BAD blogger! Life has been so super busy for us, and with Jon working six days a week I'm often the one doing all the running for the three kids. So, life has been a lot of soccer, camps and baseball!
Now that I'm on summer vacation, I've had more time to scrap, but find that I'm often pulled away from my desk. There's all that running around to do (practices and games) and of course, our new pool to enjoy!
I have been doing some scrapping...trying to work on challenges at From Here 2 Scrapternity and Scrap Attack Scrapping and my weekly sketches for Nuts About Sketches....and hope to share some of my newest creations with everyone really soon.
But for now...I'm off to yet another baseball game for Mr. Kaleb Michael. So, stay cool...enjoy the long lazy days of summer....and have a blessed (rest of the) week!

Wow...where has the time gone? I have been so overwhelmed with life and work, and have found that time for my blog and scrapping is hard to find :(
Zack joined a select travel soccer team this spring (the Pride SC out of Canal Winchester) and while it's been the most amazing experience, it's also been a lot of time and effort for dh and I. However, Zack is having the time of his life and we are so blessed that we can give him this time with the Pride!In other news, the school year is quickly coming to an end and I have only three more weeks before summer vacation. The students are finished up on the 26 and then I have two more days...can't wait!
Now, I know that scrapping has been on the short end of the priority list right now, but I do still have my sketches from Nuts About Sketches to work on and post each week. It's been a long time since I've shared, so I'm going to do that now. Remember, Shawn has new AWESOME sketches each week and you can see them (plus what each DT member has done with the sketch) over at Nuts About Sketches.

Week 100 Sketch:
My layout:

Week 101 Sketch:

My Week 101 Layout:


Week 102 Sketch:
My Week 102 Layout (I rotated the sketch):


Week 103 Sketch:

My Week 103 Layout:

Happy Monday, All!
It's the start of another work week...the start of another grading period...and only 12 more weeks of school until Summer Vacation!!!

Okay, now that I have that out of my system, I wanted to share the newest sketch from Nuts About Sketches. I loved the sketch for this week (Week 99) because it allowed me to use so many pictures (something I REALLY need to do more often).


I had so much working with this week's sketch, and decided to use some fun pictures of my father-in-law from this past Christmas. We bought him a Gilly suit, and of course had to have some fun with it. So, the kids and I created our own suit (using a l/s tshirt and felt) and had him open that before the real suit. Once he opened the real suit, he had to put it on, and before long was sporting Taylor's brand new Hannah Montana wig WITH the suit. We laughed soooo hard and him, and it was such a joy to see (especially since he had a stroke in November).

Okay, here is my take on the sketch. For some reason this title got stuck in my head and so I went with it:


Well, I sure hope everyone has a wonderful day. I'm off to get the kids ready for soccer.

Hello Monday...Hello March!
Wow, I can't believe that we are already into March. It just seems like this year is flying by for me!

Well, today was the day...the day that my very first layout was posted over at Nuts About Sketches! I had so much playing with this sketch, and loved seeing what the other ladies on the team created (it's always fun to see how others interpret the same sketch).

Here is the Awesome Sketch that Shawn provided for this week:



And here is my take on the sketch. We took the kids to Build-A-Bear on the 12th of February and it was so much fun!

Okay, time to head back to work! Oh, before I forget, don't forget to stop by Nuts About Sketches and visit the new message board (once you are at the blog, check for the message board link on the left)! Have an AWESOME Monday, all!!

I'm so excited to share some good news! I finally did it and tried out for a design team...and I was picked to be on the next Sketch Team over at Nuts About Sketches! I'd been working with Shawn's sketch for a while and love the fact that they are easy to use and help me to scrap more events (something I've never been good at doing up until now).

So, every Monday (starting March 1) you can see the newest sketch over at Nuts About Sketches and you can visit the message board and say "Hi!".

Scrap for a Cure ~ Kit Giveaway

I have recently been introduced to these wonderful kits by a current SFAC DT member, Pam. I've been amazed at all the wonderful items she receives in her kits each month and have considered ordering some of my own.
Now I (and you) have a chance to try their wonderful kits for free! Yep....free! Diana is giving away a free kit on her blog and it's super easy to qualify for the drawing. You can check out all of the giveaway information here: {Live the Moment...}

Also, you can go to the Scrap for a Cure Website to see more of their wonderful kits:
Scrap for a Cure

One last thing...if you enjoy FaceBook...you can check out Scrap for a Cure over there and become a member of their group.

Thanks so much, Diana for this awesome opportunity and good luck to everyone who gives the giveaway a try!

I'm sure many of you have already heard of this idea, but I am super excited to give this challenge a whirl!

The Project 12 challenge is simple. The idea is to create a layout on a monthly basis which recaps what you’ve been doing. Whether you took 31 photos, no photos, or 100 photos, simply choose your favorites that best described what you were doing that month, and create a layout. Now that is something I can do! I love the 365 idea...but just couldn't keep up with it.

I was introduced to the idea over at the Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog and knew right away that I wanted to do this. To make things even easier, each month Becky Flack will be posting a sketch to use with this challenge. Man...does it get any better then that?

Over at Scrapternity we've embraced the Project 12 idea and have dedicated a whole forum to this project. If you visit us over there, don't forget to check it out.

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!