Swaps and Scrapping Goodness

So - since I can't seem to blog on a daily basis, I have to save everything up each week, photograph it all, and then post it here. But it does make you realize how much you've achieved in one week!
And this week just seemed meant for papercrafting - even if the weather was so beautiful outside. I just had to make more time to cram it in. But I am getting awesome pictures outside now with all the flowers and trees in bloom.
Here's a peek of a layout I did about my Mom - we took these pics on Mother's Day. Of course I have the best Mom and had to do a page about her!

And my sweet sister who is also my neighbor!

Here's part of what I got in a Secret Pal swap I'm doing with one of my kit clubs. Aren't these wonderful? She personalized each one with my kids' names and even made photo mats for their pictures! So adorable!

And speaking of swaps, I participated in this "Bird Tag" swap organized by Speckled Egg. Isn't this the most beautiful thing? Especially if you're into birds - like I am. The picture really doesn't do it justice and my tag was so blah compared to all the others - but now that I know I can bend the rules a bit, I'll do better tags in the future! (I didn't know I could put so much 'junk' on them! Lovin' the junk!)

Here's a layout of my daughter I did this week too - I love this photo of her and her new dollar store umbrella!

And last but not least, I thought I'd show you this really cute wire tree thing I got for five bucks at a consignment store. I have been hanging all my little taggy things on it and it they really look cute. Makes me want to always create more stuff!

Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day!

Tag - I'm it!

I've been procrastinating this week about blogging because I've been soooo busy! My life has changed dramatically since the weather warmed up. No longer am I allowed to sit for any amount of time - I must now be chasing kids and cats through the mud, pulling red wagons, going to baseball games and pushing swings. But I'm not complaining! :)

I've been doing a lot of creating lately - not all of it good - but still creating.


And then I received some wonderful things in the mail - here's a picture of one of them that I got from Mel at Little Melfie's Studio .

Look how wonderfully she wrapped it and even included a little tag too!

Oooh - I just love pretty mail! I also have to tell you Mel that I bought this not only because I love your style but also because when I was little - my Mother would ask me to fetch something and I never could remember! So it was almost as if you made it specially for me! A perfect Mother's Day gift to myself and I love it - especially the colors!

I've been tagged by Mel and Kelli. So here's my 7 unusual facts about myself.

1. Not a big secret - but I am a neatnick. I pick lint up off carpets and polish my sink. I make the beds every day even though no one ever sees them.
2. I ended up marrying the man I loved in college even though then we went our separate ways and had lives with other people. Somehow we came back to each other and are together today. I think it was meant to be.
3. I can't function each day unless I create something. Even if it's bad, I still have to do it - even for five minutes.
4. I have a magazine problem. I subscribe, I buy them at the grocery store, I buy them at scrap stores. I am running out of room to store them!
5. I had the most relaxing - awesome time today with my sister and parents. I feel totally comfortable with them there like no where else on earth. Thanks, Mom and Dad.
6. I don't know what I would do without my best friend. She's been gone for a week and I miss her!
7. I am going to quit my job tomorrow and no one knows yet but my family. Wow! :)

Thanks everyone - now let's see who else I can tag??

Deb
Maryfrances
Lisa
Julia