SOCIAL MEDIA

Got Away...

6.30.2008
For the weekend. Just the three of us in Superior. Amazed at how much we got in and enjoyed in just the short few days that we were there. The night that we arrived it was raining and they were predicting storms all throughout the weekend so we were super bummed and were totally prepared for swimming at the pool in the hotel all weekend long but alas, we were blessed with beautiful skies in the a.m. and every day there after (we still got some time in at the pool though of course!).



Gitchie Goomie Beach (Lake Superior).















Amnicon Falls State Park...this is a place that we discovered last minute as we were leaving town and I am so glad that we did as it was probably my most favorite part of the trip.











See Zoey and Ethan waving? Loved seeing how curious Zoey was and how she wanted to know about everything. This girl can talk non-stop, all day and every day I swear!







And, all tuckered out...for a couple of minutes anyways!


Memory Book Class

6.25.2008


I enjoyed teaching my first Memory Book class last night at my local scrapbook store. The class ended up going about an hour over what we were scheduled for (kind of expected this) but everyone enjoyed themselves and walked out the door with a beautiful creation that they were proud of (and that I loved too!). It was really a neat thing to see everyone creating something based on an idea that was mine and then seeing how it was that they made it their own. I love that part of the creative process and how we all have our own vision and direction. This is probably my very favorite part.

I used a Cloud 9, Board Book in a Box and we altered the boxes and the books with some acrylic paint by Making Memories, some patterned papers by Basic Grey (Sugared) and CI's Narratives (Antique Cream Collection) and then embellished with some Bazzill florals and brads, CI Phrase Stickers, Heidi Grace Phrase Stamps and some crocheted lace. There was room in the book for six 4 x 6 photos and some space for writing your own journaling (on the green strips below photos).



Page 1 and 2.



Page 3 and 4.



Page 5 and 6.



Page 7 and 8.



Page 9 and 10.



Page 11 and 12.

Super Duper and More to Come...

6.22.2008

Zoesie had a great day, we all did actually. The morning of her birthday we spent at the library and hung out with 50+ kiddos and danced at the "Ants in Your Pants" dance. It was crazy, but in a really good way. There were about 5 of Zoey's really good buddies there and they all held hands and ran around together. At one point they were to do the dance of the Sugarplum Fairies and Zoey was in the center of the room with the instructor blooming like the flower that she is! She's going to love it when she gets to start her dance lessons in the Fall, she is so ready for something like that. Anyways, after the dance we all went to Hoggie Doggies (the most awesome of all drive-ins in the world, I swear!) and Zoey enjoyed some macaroni and cheese triangles and afterwards we shared a banana split. After our massive birthday lunch we headed out on our bikes (Zoey in the trailer, along with her beloved Veggies Junior and Peach) and rode to a park in town and spent the afternoon there. After dinner was cake and some presents. A nice day that was just us, all day, together, and having fun. Got to make a point to have more of those! Now, off to prepare for her party that's tomorrow already with all her buddies!

Because We Are.

6.18.2008

Thinking about her turning four tomorrow and all that we have been through together in just four short years. Amazed at how fast time has gone. And, remembering how some days seemed so very long and like they would never end. So proud that she is who she is. Taking care to remember all those little things that made up all the days that have lead us up to here. Like how she used to say "breafkest" instead of "breakfast." Thankful to God for entrusting me with her (for answering my prayers in those early days) and for placing her in my care. Taking stock of those times that have been just ours. Still loving those early morning moments that are just hers and mine, before everyone is fully awake and moving full-force ahead. Looking forward to what the future holds. For her. And, for us. Knowing that we're so very, very blessed.

Bugs, Birthdays and Two Kinds of Cake...


The summer reading program's theme here this summer is "Bugs." We were given all sorts of materials and were to make our own bug and this is what Zoey and I ended up with. She came up with all the ideas for where it was that she wanted everything to go and I pretty much just helped with a bit of the glueing. We're both pretty proud of how it turned out and are looking forward to seeing it on display at the public library. Among all the activities bug related is a bug dance party which is tomorrow and it's the "Ants in Your Pants Dance." We'll be hitting that up tomorrow for sure and you can't beat that it just so happens to be Zoey's birthday tomorrow too! What a way to start one's birthday but to get to dance at a bug dance party! As far as celebrating is concerned for the big day, we'll just be having a small little family birthday here at home later tomorrow and then early next week we'll be having Zoey's buddies over for a little party with games, some craft projects and a small lunch with of course some birthday cake and ice cream. I'm hoping to get everything for that wrapped up this week.
Regarding the second kind of cake...I'm thrilled to be the latest designer for Scrapcakes.com! I'll be creating with their July kit soon and will share those projects early next month. Be sure to check out their kits (current as well as previous) as they are jam packed with patterned papers (my number one weakness!) and Maria, the owner, really knows how to coordinate some fun stuff for creating a large variety of projects.

Happy Birthday Mom!

6.16.2008

Yesterday was also my mom's birthday...also known by Zoey as Grandma Sue Sue. We called and Zoey sang Happy Birthday (with me of course) and it was all good. It doesn't beat getting to spend time together and "goofing around" (this being a special reference to a grandma/grand-daughter only phrase) a bit around town but I think that we will get to do that in the very near future, if all goes well. These pictures were actually taken a while back but I love them and wanted to scrap them while I was thinking of my mom on her special day.
Hope you had a wonderful day Mom!

Happy Father's Day!

6.15.2008


It just so happens that Father's Day is an even more special time around here...it was this week, approximately four years ago that our little babe was born. I remember thinking to myself how fun it was going to be to wish Ethan a "Happy Father's Day" after Zoey was born. I remember both of us being so anxious, nervous and worried throughout the pregnancy. I remember how after she was born he (and I) were so proud and amazed. How he would tell everyone about his new baby girl. And now, some four years later and after many long nights and sometimes even longer days...he still does the same thing...shares all of her achievements and delights in all of her discoveries. Love that I get to be a parent with this man and that we've gotten to get the hang of the ropes of this crazy thing we call parenting together. Happy Father's Day Ethan!

Details!

6.12.2008

My necklaces are for sale and are being featured this month on the Details website! Check them (and other great stuff!) out by visiting Rita's business website here.

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

6.11.2008

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn' t feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'

Little eyes see a lot. Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend) influence the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today?
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Today...

6.05.2008

in order to talk on the phone I had to just smile and let this happen. Chocolate pudding all over her face. Her chest. Hands, arms, even managed to get on her legs and of course...socks? Smeared all over the table too. I remember reading somewhere that children that are allowed to make messes actually turn out to be more intelligent than those that are made to be kept prim and proper...hopefully that turns out to have at least the smallest of grains of truth attached to it. If so, we'll be just fine.

I've been super busy with creating things for this summer's CHA trade show for Creative Imaginations and am so excited to share my projects and will do so when I can. There is some pretty fabulous stuff being sent my way to play with. It's been a frenzy of paper and glue the past week or so but at the end of each day I still manage to think to myself how lucky it is that I get to be busy doing something that I absolutely love and I couldn't be happier. Creative Imaginations is an awesome company to work for! I've been blessed.

Scrapbooking.com!

6.02.2008

Check it out! My article along with instructions for two layouts and a card are in the June issue and is titled "Pretty in Pink." To view the June issue of Scrapbooking.com in it's entirety click here. If you would like the link just to my article and project instructions, click here. To sign up for their awesome and FREE newsletter that's chock full of great scrapbooking and papercrafting ideas, techniques and projects (including instructions) click here. Really enjoyed working with Jami the editor and hope to work with her again on something in the future.