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

New Cards

So I just got some great new stamps and have been having a ball using them all week! They're from Just Johanna and they are so cute! There's lots of birds (which I love) as well as sentiments, frames and more. I can't wait to go back and get more! Check them out!

Ooh - and I forgot - I've also been tagged by Kelli. I haven't forgotten! I'll try to post my responses this week!

Rainy Days and Mondays

So I'm finally switched over to the new Blogger. (I think!)

School is cancelled again today - first it was a two-hour delay - now it's officially cancelled and my son is thrilled! We've had a nasty storm again here in New England. And I just saw a fire truck go by - that's never good. Hmm... Ahhh - now I see why - they've blocked off our road again because the brook has flooded and the water is coming close to the street. It's already flooded into three yards. Two years ago we lost one of our bridges and they always fear we'll lose them again. Gotta love New England!

But here's some things I've been working on lately - some fun 6x6 layouts - I love them because they're so quick and easy. Plus I get to utilize my new fun scrap supplies!

Now off to assess the flooding.

Weekend Fun!

This weekend was another busy one - but fun! Friday night I had my much anticipated "Chica" night where I get together with my favorite people and craft. We made some awesome spring banners -- I'll try to post pictures of that soon. Then on Saturday, I had my other favorite group of people over - my family. We celebrated my Dad's birthday. He turned 70 this year. We had lots of great food and cake, and lots of laughs.
Here's a pic of what I got done creatively this weekend. Hope you have a great day!

My Kind of Week

So - look at all the fun stuff we've been up to this week. Yesterday C. and I went on a girlie shopping adventure. Had to scope out these new shops that Carole told me about before all of us make the trek out! Look at these pictures of the wonderful Black Swan in Peterborough! The Black Swan . The colors took my breath away! This whole section was just Vera Bradley bags - it was so pretty. The rest was flowers, birds, candles - pure girlie pleasures!
Then it was on to Temple to Kindred Spirits. Kindred Spirits . My kind of stuff - primitivie country! Just loved it - and they were having a 20% off sale! Can't beat that! I got two little signs there.


Then - the day before that, C.'s grandmother came over to have a tea party with the kids! She brought hats and gifts for everyone, and even a cake. We had pink-iced cookies, red zinger tea, and a general all-around good time!

Laying it out

So, I've been a bit of a scrapaholic lately. I just can't seem to stop! But I have all this awesome new paper coming in lately and it's really inspired me to do more. The first layout is done with the new Scenic Route paper from the "Laurel" line. I love the bright colors and all the birds! I have always loved birds and I love the fact that these don't look so cartoony. Is that a word? I've done about five 12x12 layouts this week and about three small ones too. Somebody stop me! No - don't! :)

Hurry Up Spring!

So I made this little sign to hang on my fridge or somewhere at eye-level where I'll see it daily to give me strength. It's really a crock! Spring has most definitely not sprung here in New England! It's bitter cold outside and there's lots of snow on the ground. But I thought maybe if I displayed this spring would get the idea...

And this is a book I'm working on for an upcoming swap. I'm having fun using my KISS Scrap convention goodies and my trusty old BG paper. I just love the bright colors.
Okay - time for bed. I had guests for dinner tonight and I'm tired out. Hope you all have a nice night.

Productive Late Nite Wednesday

Everyone is asleep here except me - and I got a lot of scrapping done! I realized that I hadn't yet touched last month's kit from Self-Addressed so I set to work using it up! Scrapping is a lot easier when someone else has already coordinated things for you!
I haven't taken many good photos lately - so I used some I already had, which was nice. But it made me realize that I need to go on a serious photo shoot soon so I have more fodder for my pages!

What I've been working on lately

So - I've been a bad blogger lately - but I have a good excuse! I was so incredibly sick last week - and still am. God - I am sick of coughing! How much water can I drink??? But I am much better, thankfully, and on antibiotics so I can't infect anyone else - which is a blessing.



Here's some pics of a book I've been working on. It's not done yet but going to be filled with pics of my daughter and her friends - dressing up. It's something they do every day without fail and it amuses me. I have many pictures of them in funny shoes, tiaras and masks and they don't seem to mind me snapping away. So I probably have enough to fill two books. But first I have to finish this one. I've also done a few layouts, more cards and a tag book - but I thought these were more colorful. Tomorrow Lisa and I head up north to deliver more of our wares - I am excited to get it out of my dining room and see if it sells. Wish us luck! :)

Chica Night

Okay - I really should be in bed, but I had such a fun time tonight that I just had to share with my blogging friends! All of us chicas got together for a card-making session. I really couldn't believe all we produced! Here's mine and what all of us did is below.


I think we got an awful lot done and they are all so pretty! We also did a Valentine swap. All of us love getting gifts and seems like each month now we're exchanging things with each other! I love it! Here's what I got from my buddy Deb L I F E. Isn't she talented? She's now selling to boutiques and also gave me some of her awesome letters to alter for an upcoming swap. I love my stuff, Deb! Thank you! :)


Julia came again tonight too Julia and totally surprised us all with so many goodies! She spoils us. She invited us to do a card swap and here's the best part - offered me a spot on her DESIGN TEAM! I was so thrilled and excited! My first design team and for a company whose products I really enjoy using - Close to My Heart. Thank you Julia for this opportunity! I can't wait to use the products you gave me. All of us enjoy having you with us now as a Chica!

Thank you so much for hosting, Carole! I had a blast with everyone! (Lisa -- Carole's sister - are you reading this???) HA!

Spring Cards

So here's another bunch of cards that I made this week - my sister came over and we had a lot of fun using our new "Close To My Heart" purchases from our new friend Julia. What fun! The colors are so pretty and fresh - they just make me want to create! But with all the cards I really am getting behind on my other projects! Pretty soon I have to stop and do something different!

fun stuff

I am on such a card kick lately! I have this nice box and I love filling it up with handmade cards!

This is a box - like a footlocker - that my husband got at the dump (oops, I mean, "recycling center"!) and I painted over it with some really loud paint for the girls to use as a dress up box! Today I put it in the playroom with rave reviews! E said: "Oh! It's beautiful!" which was all the kudos I needed! Needless to say, there were some dancing princesses and power rangers who were very happy today!

Latest projects and models

Now that the holidays are over, I have more time to create other things and it's been fun! I've been working more and more on my art journal, recording thoughts, dreams and just whatever strikes my fancy. It's filling up quicker than I thought!

Here's some cards I made with my new SEI paper that I absolutely love!

And here's a picture of my best friend Deb with her beautiful quilt, still in progress!

And here's our newest little kittie - isn't she model material??? She's sitting next to some thank you cards but the recipients most likely have them by now so I can post the picture!
Have a creative week!

Card Crazy!

Here's my latest crop of cards that I made today (with my sister - what fun!) and another day as well. I got some new rubber stamps and I just cannot stop playing with them! They sure make it hard for crafters to not spend money when they keep coming out with cute new products! :)
As always - coming soon to a mailbox near you!

Early New Year's Resolutions

So, I started knocking off my 2007 Resolutions a bit early this year. My bestest friend Deb reminded me of a sale at a crafty shop we both love, and with $20 I got for Christmas, I bought myself a soldering gun and have already tried it out! I'll admit, my work is rather rough and ugly, but I really don't care! I love the fact that I tried it - soldering is something I've always wanted to try. (I don't care much for the smell of it though!)

Here's a necklace I did here. I was so proud of myself creating a loop for hanging! Then I used a chain that I got from my mother from this year's Yankee Swap. (I got some of her old jewelry!) So this piece represents a lot to me and I will wear it with pride! :)

Week before Christmas

Here's some pictures of my week. I finally feel more at ease, with all my gifts bought and wrapped - I feel like my kitty pictured here - finally able to take a small break. Unfortunately - I think I've caught the cold that everyone around me has and will spend Christmas as a sickie. My body always does that - waits until a major event is over to get sick. Oh well.

This is a picture of one of my final swap gifts from my SA Secret Pal - isn't it total cuteness? It's a "AMM Mini" - about 1/4 the size of my large one and I just love it. Thank you Niki!

Here's a picture of my three charges. We went to the park yesterday and came home to hot cocoa. Kids are so funny. It took them about a half hour to drink it - we talked about the fact that it was much too hot to drink for about 10 minutes (it wasn't!) and the size of the marshmellows, and on, and on!.....

I made this tonight for the tree. I made a more colorful version of it for friends. I end up taking lots of family photos for friends every year. They make great ornament gifts!

And here's a book I'm working on - but you can tell I'm sleepy - because I obviously forgot how to spell the word "thoughts!" Oh well.... time for bed!