Austin's Scrapbbok Is Complete (from last year!)

Click on picture to enlarge detail. Yes- I actually used bird seed in the letters.My 3 Sons!

I do each of the boys' scrapbooks by the year. I start them on their birthday and they go up to their next birthday. Here a a few of the last pages from Austin's. His birthday is in May, so I have from May til now to catch up on. No pressure!

On A Roll!

ChristmasEarly Spring on the farm
Easter
Click on pictures to enlarge all layouts

It's been a LONG time since I've posted twice in one day, let alone having 4 layouts to show you. I'm working on a 5th, but I'll save that for tomorrow. No stamping or scrapping time tomorrow because we are going to Cabela's for the day.

All Star

Click to enlarge
Another layout complete! I really like how this one turned out. I used the retired, I Love Soccer, set and the current, Sporting, set. I was able to use several punches on this one. And I love how the chipboard star highlights Austin's face. Back to work now. I'm on a roll!

Christmas Layout

Click to enlarge for detail
I hope you are not totally sick of looking at Christmas stuff yet, because I have Austin's Christmas layout to share with you. I finished this last night, but it was from Christmas...last year. A little behind, but hey...3 kids are my excuse. What's yours?

Happy Winter

Finally, back into a somewhat normal routine. This has been the first time I've been able to stamp in several days. I was able to play with my new C.C. Designs set from All That Scraps. I think this little puppy is so cute. Of course I had to put flock on him so he is fuzzy. The sketch is for Julee's Mojo Monday #27 sketch. Be sure to check back later. I will be changing my blog banner to something a little more wintery and a little less Christmasy. But I hope you all had a wonderful one!

And Finally...

Here is November and December. Merry Christmas to all!! We are enjoying our family time together, even though it is FREEZING!!!! Stay warm!!

And More...

Here is August, September, and October. Hope you are all having a great holiday weekend!

More Calendar Pages

Here are May, June, and July. I forgot to take a picture of April. It's already wrapped though, so I'll have to add that one after she opens it.

My Mother-In-Law's Christmas Gift

Click on images to view details2008 is a leap year
Easter is in March, but I didn't realize it until after I made the April page Eastery. Oh well!

Every year for Christmas I scrap my m-i-l a 12x12 calendar so she can hang pictures of her 7 grandsons in her office at work. I kept it pretty simple this year, because I was running out of time, but it's done and wrapped! Here are the first three months. I will share the rest with you over the next few days.

Envelope Card

The work week is almost over and I could not be happier. That means Christmas is right around the corner! Last night I whipped up a card in a style that I've never done before. I used all SU! products on this one. I found a template to make a square envelope (not sure where I found it), but instead of adhering it to make an actual envelope, I made a belly band instead. That way when you remove the band your message can be seen right inside the envelope. I'll be making more of these because I really like this style!

Stamps: True Friend

Ink: Coordinating SU! markers

Paper:Outlaw d.p., Creamy Carmel, Really Rus, Very Vanillat

Accessories: brads, corner rounder punch, scallop punch, circle punches, dimensionals

Ahoy, Matey

While cleaning last night I came across this card that I've never posted, and since I'll be busy today doing other things, today is a good day to share it with you. I started with a CD sleeve/envelope. I decorated an insert that would fit inside the sleeve, then sealed it. I then attached it to Wild Wasabi and Pumpkin Pie, which became my card base. I used the Ahoy, Matey set. For the "water" inside the card I used my devine swirls Cuttlebug embossing folder to sort of look like waves. I think it's a cute kids' birthday card, don't you?

Happy Me Tea Tin

I am excited to tell you that I got my new SU! catalog in the mail yesterday. I can't wait to put in my first order, but I have to use up some of my old stuff first. I got my supply of tins from Specialty Bottle the other day, so I decided to alter this tea tin with the Happy Me Simply Scrappin' Kit. The butterfly stamp is from High Hopes, I believe. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but she has glitter all over her wings. Happy Tuesday!

Easter

Click on the image to enlarge
Did everyone have a wonderful, snowy, weekend like we did?! The boys have been outside as soon as they woke up for the past two days and this morning school was cancelled so they are back at it. I went out yesterday for a few minutes to take pictures of them, which put me in a scrapping mood. I got this layout of Cameron from Easter finished last night. All products are SU! except for the chipboad letters, which are by Scenic Route. I'm feeling pretty motivated today, so let's see what else I can finish!

Friends

Sorry for the late post, but I had to rearrange my schedule for today. I was supposed to go with Cameron to school to make gingerbread houses, so I had no daycare kids this morning. We ended up having a 2 hour delay because of some light ice, which means no school for Cameron. He was bummed, and so was I. I look forward to spending time at the school. So we got groceries this morning instead of this evening. Fun, huh?! Then I had kids late, so finally, here I am. This card is a double challenge for Tuesday's color challenge and Wednesday's sketch challenge. The color combo is Rose Red, Certainly Celery, and Pumpkin Pie. I used the set Time Well Spent from the upcoming SU! catalog. Well, I'm off to get some last minute Christmas projects finished up.

Candy Countdown Container

Click to enlarge to view poem

I saw a version of this on another blog and I loved the idea. I had one more tin left from Specialty Bottle, so this is what I used it for. First I used my Marvy Giga nad Mega scallop circle punches for the lid. The stamps I used are from Punch Pals. The d.p. is by Sandy Lion. I added ribbon around the lid with a tag that has a poem on it. You can click on the photos to read the poem. I adhered a strip of the d.p. around the container as well and filled it with 8 candy kisses. This is for Austin's teacher. The idea is to give it to a teacher before the kids go on Winter Break. Each day they can take out a piece of candy to countdown the days left until break. Great idea, huh!?

Camo Bag Toppers

I have an early post for you today, since I have extra daycare kids, and don't know how much stamping I'll get to do. My boys and my nephews are all about the camo, so in an honest attempt to be "cool" in their eyes I bought them camo Hershey Kisses. Of all things! I had no idea they even exsisted, but I snatched them up as soon as I saw them. I made these bag toppers using a cow spots stamp and coloring each spot a different color. I used the Cuttlebug to cut out their names and on the backI added a tag that says "Merry Camo Kiss-Mas!" Hope they like them!

More Christmas Cards

Good Monday mornng everyone! How was your weekend? Ours was good. We weren't overbooked with things to do for once It was nice. Here is yet another set of Christmas cards. I keep running out. How does that happen. This one is really simple. I used Sage Shadow, Soft Sky, and Very Vanilla for my color combo. The set I used is Season Of Joy. I stamped the tree onto the Very Vanilla. Then I stamped it again, but cut it out. Then, using heat & stick powder covered the tree in Dazzling Diamonds glitter. I mounted the tree on top of the other with dimensionals. Well, I better get them addressed and into the mail.

Bag Toppers

In my surprise package that my friend, Dawn, sent a few weeks ago was an adorable Santa topper that she made with all punches. I cased the idea to make toppers for all of my daycare childrens' goodie bags. I hope they like them.

Christmas Tag

I have felt so guilty not being able to create and post for you as often as I would like. The Christmas season has consumed all of my free time, that, and a 2 year old that I can't let out of my sight long enough to go to the bathroom. I'm trying to paint my daycare room....by myself, and that's not going well. Not enough hours in the day. But I had 3 minutes to spare this morning, so I whipped up this little tag using some of my Figgy scraps. I will try to be back later with something a little more exciting.

Tagged!

I've been tagged by Kimberly. I am supposed to answer the Christmas related questions and tag a few more people. Here goes.


What is your most enduring Christmas memory?
For the last 25 years we have spent Christmas Day at my grandparent's house. We go over in the morning after we've unwrapped gifts at home. We eat a wonderful meal and open more gifts. If I close my eyes I can still hear the Christmas music that plays softly in the background as it always has.



Do you have a favorite piece of Christmas music?
I love all Christmas music. It makes me happy.





What makes your mouth water at Christmas time?
Grandma's glazed spiral ham, mashed potaoes, corn, rolls, salad. The works!!




Do you stick to the old family traditions?
I absolutely do. I am big on tradition, especially arounf the holidays. I want my boys to remember the things we sis when they were little boys and know that some of them are things that I did as a little girl.




How soon do you put up your Christmas tree and when do you take it down?
I usually put up my tree the day before Thanksgiving. Then I take it down the day after New Year's.

Now I am going to tag:
Amanda
Ashley
Jill
Michele
Faith

Happy Birthday To My Hubby And Merry Christmas

Today is Dustin's 27th birthday. We didn't do anything to celebrate because today was our Christmas with his family. I always look forward to those get togethers, but yet I'm so relieved when it's time to go home. It exhausts me! Santa stopped by for a little visit. I always get a kick out of what the kids might say. Austin is at that age where he has figured out the truth about Santa and thinks he's too cool to play along. We finally convinced him though. Cameron is at the perfect age because he really believes that Santa is watching and knows when he's been naughty or nice. He made it a point to tell Santa that he was so good today because he knew he would be coming, but had to show him the bite mark that Carter just gave him on his arm. I was unsure how Carter would act because he's a little leary of strangers. Appartantly he and Santa are pals though. He went right to his lap without hesitation and carried on quite the conversation with him. I love the magic that children bring to Christmas, so here are a few pictures of the boys with Santa. Oh- and happy birthday honey!

Canvas Advent Calendar

As promised, the project I've been waiting to show you...an advent calendar. I made this from a 16x20 canvas that I got from Big Lots for $5. The tins are sold in packs of 10 at Walmart and I needed 3 packages to make this project, so that's where it got a little pricey. It's $9.99 for each package of 10 so this isn't something I'll be mass producing. I put a little treat in each tin, so that way the boys can take turns each morning removing the lid and getting their goodies. Only 24 more days and counting!

I Did It!

Well, I don't have a picture to post yet of that project I promised. It is finished, but it got dark too quick, and I didn't get a good picture. First thing tomorrow morning......I promise. I just have to share with all of you that I made the design team for our local scrapbook store,
Scrap Happy. I got the official phone call today, from Rachel (who is so sweet, by the way!) I've added a link to my side bar if you'd like to visit their online store.

Doebel's Petting Zoo

This morning was very calm in our household compared to a normal day, so we actually got to have some fun. I only had one daycare child and Carter this morning, so we went went to Doebel's greenhouse to play with the animals in the petting zoo. Carter loves the animals. His Nana and Papa have a farm, so he's used to it. The calf was so friendly and so were the pigs. The piggies happened to come from my father-in-law's farm, but I didn't know that until after we were there. So here are a few pictures from our morning. I'll be back shortly with today's project.

Nobody Does It Butter

Here is the card for yesterday's sketch challenge...sort of. My dimensions on the panels are a bit off, but I wanted to use this fun cow stamp- so I made a few adjustments to the measurements. Last weekend I got an awesome RAK from my friend, Dawn. She sent me all kinds of goodies, and this stamp set from My Favorite Things was one of them. I used Chocolate Chip, Creamy Carmel, and Rose Red for my colors and put glitter in the centers of all of the flowers. Cute huh?!

Good Thing

Here is yesterday's colors challenge. We were to use Basic Grey, Bashful Blue, and Certainly Celery. I used the new set I just got called, Time Well Spent. It will be available in the 2008 Spring/ Summer Stampin' Up! Collection. I cut out the flower and butterfly and put them on dimensionals. Both have Dazzling Diamonds glitter on them. I hope to be back later with today's SCS sketch challenge.

Gift Bag Card

Welcome back to the work week! I had a great Thanksgiving, but I'm glad to back in the "routine" because too many late nights haven't done good things for my boys' attitudes. I've been gone most of the weekend, so I haven't got a chance to stamp until late last night. While I was checking out some of the blogs I regularly visit, I came across an adorable card with a bag on the front of it! I had to stop right there and give it a try. How cute is this? It would be darling with a gift card in it or another small gift. It's kind of hard to explain how to make this bag, but I'll give it a shot.

You start with a 6x6 sheet of cardstock or d.p. You score at 1/2, 1, 1 1/2, 4, 4 1/2, & 5. Turn it the opposite direction and score at 1/2 & 1 1/2. This will be the bottom. You will not have a back to your bag. You adhere on the 1/2" section to your card front. As you fold on the score lines you will see how it is supposed to go together (I hope). I had a little trouble figuring out the bottom, so I cut a chunk out of the bottom corners and it folded easier for me. I'd love to see what you come up with.

No Matter Which Way The Wind Blows....

I have been reminded.....again...that I've been neglecting my blog. I have to apologize for not posting as much. I have been working on a few projects that just are quite ready to share yet, but I did manage to squeeze in a few minutes for today's sketch challenge. We are an outdoorsy type of family, so when I saw this stamp from High Hopes, I had to have it. We love to camp and roast marshmallows, which is why I thought it was cute. I also love the sentiment "no matter which way the wind blows....we'll always be friends!" I put white flock on all of the white parts of the skunk. These little critters were fun to color. Watercoloring is my favorite technique. Well, if I don't get a chance to post again beforehand, have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

GO BUCKS!!!

The card I have to share with you today is using a set in the new Spring/Summer '08 Stampin' Up! collection available Januarty 1st. It is called Time Well Spent. Stampin' Up! demonstrators earned it for free as a thank you from the company. The sketch I used is from Julee's Mojo Monday #11. You can find it here. The paper I used is Basic Grey's Infuse collection. Well, I'm off to watch the OSU/Michigan game. GO BUCKEYES!!

East Harbor

Click to enlarge
Next week is Thanksgiving already, but my husband's family also celebrates Christmas the same weekend while everyone is home. I have so much to get done, at least I feel like I do. Today I probably won't get any stamping sone, so I'm going to leave you with a layout that I did earlier in the week. This was of our first camping trip this season with our new camper. Happy Friday!

Whee!

This card was for yesterday's sketch challenge. I used 2 more of my new stamps from

High Hopes. I love these moose stamps! So do my boys. I've been stamping images for them like crazy and they are coloring them as fast as I can get the next one stamped! I used Chocolate Chip, Bordering Blue, and Night of Navy. The B. Blue was put through the Cuttlebug with the snowflakes embossing folder. And there is LOTS of glitter on this card. What a busy day we have ahead of us today! I have my daycare recertification this afternoon. That's enough to stress me out for the whole day. Then we have soccer practice, 4-H, and I'm going to MOPS. All of these things take place at the same time. How are we going to make this happen? Oh- well. We'll figure it out. We always do! Have a great day!

JOY

Well, the boys have made a miraculous recovery. They are running around the house like nothing is wrong. They actually asked if they could go to school today. But they are keeping eachother occupied so I was able to comlete this project. Here is the JOY garland from the On Board Garland Greetings. Because I attached the photo corners and holly leaves and berries, I wan't able to make this into garland because I wasn't able to punch holes in each of the top corners to thread ribbon through. So I just used the Crop-A-Dile and punched one hole in the top eof each and tied on the Chocolate Chip Taffeta ribbon. I used the Figgy Christmas paper by Basic Grey. I love that paper! I'm not sure if I'm going to keep this for myself or use it for a gift. I really like how it turned out so I might have trouble giving it away. Hope everyone has a great day!

No Mojo, Therefore No Stamping!!

Sorry I haven't been around the past few days. I went on an overnight shopping trip with my mom and grandma his weekend. I came home to a full sink of dishes and pee on the bathroom floor, so needless to say I had some catching up to do around here. Then today I had a few minutes to myself, so I sat down to stamp and came up with NOTHING. I just couldn't get into it. Then when I finally got the kids down for a nap and the creative juices began to flow I got a call from the school nurse. I had to stop what I was doing, get the kids up from the nap that I fought so hard for them to take in the first place so I could run to school a pick up Austin. He and Cameron have been complaining about a sore throat for a couple of days and the school nurse seemed to think it was strep, so I took them straight to the doctor. Good thing I could get them in so quickly because the nurse there cionfirmed that it is strep! Oh- but the doctor wasn't in today so I wasn't able to get a perscription for them unitl tomorrow. WHAT!!!??? They left a message for the doctor and he must have has a little bit of compassion because he finally called in a script tonight. Thank goodness! So tomorrow they will be home from school and I hope they plan on laying around on the couch watching movies, because I WILL be stamping! Today was a beautiful day. It was in the 50's and sunny so before the strep throat incident I took Cameron and Carter to the park. They fed the ducks and played on the swings for a while. It was nice to get some fresh air. So here are a few pictures from our morning. Have a great night!