WOW! Has it been two weeks?

Hi everyone!  I am finally back!  I didn't intentionally mean to take a break from Bloggin'...it just happened that way!  I have been really busy with a lot of different things.  From sick kids all the way to spending a lot of time in my little scrapping room creating some cool stuff.  I have missed y'all...but let me say that I am so touched by the sweet emails and comments I have received checking up on me.  Y'all are the best!!!

I have so much I want to share with you and if I tried to do it all right now in one post...well, you would probably fall asleep at your computer...so, I have decided to split it up into several posts.  I have added a bunch of new pictures to the blog sidebars and I am going to show you a few in this post too.  So, be sure to check out some of the new pictures!!!

I have MIA for so long that I have kept a list of topics I want to cover when I return to BLOGGIN'!  That is sad, I know...but true!  I am a list maker!  I carry a little notebook around in my purse constantly and have several different list going at all times.  Usually, I have a To Do list, a grocery list, a Projects I Am Working On list, a Scrapping - Want to get list....let's see....maybe that is it.  But I love to make lists...it helps to keep me organized and I just feel better when I have a list to look at!  :)  How about you?  Are you a list maker...do you feel lost without your list? This little beauty is my new notebook, that I just started writing in today, because my other was full, and here is how it looks already...

Now, if I can just mark some things off the lists...I will be doing good!  :)

Well, I mentioned that I have been spending a lot of time working on projects...which means I spent the majority of my time here...

Yep, this is my glorified closet...as I like to call it!  It serves the purpose though and it is majorly overcrowded...but I still manage to get projects done in there.   I think I told you all that I had done a major cleanout and purge on supplies and I am still finding things that I have no use for any longer...so I guess you could stay that I am still cleaning out...however, I do think that I have it pretty well organized and like I want it to stay...at least for now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, since I have spent so much time in this room lately...let me share some of my projects that I have completed.  I'll admit, that I haven't done near as many layouts as I could be doing...instead I have been altering things and making....

Here is an Art Journal that I made for myself...to help me record sketches, ideas, etc...to aid in my creative process.  This was very simple to make and cost next to nothing.  I altered the front and  back and then put three different tabs on the inside pages...Ideas, Quotes and sayings, and sketches.  I left plenty of room for adjustment if want to add some different tabs in it as I fill it up and go along.  Next, since I was on the cleaning out and organizing trip...I made this to help with my over abundance of crafting magazines...I went through all my out of date magazines and decide to make a way to save what I liked from the magazine and donate the rest to Mallory's class....or some teacher at her school that would like to have these to use for class projects....this is what I came up with...

I bought this three ring binder at a local store a while back.  I actually bought 4 of them....and I have been working on the other three for another purpose...and I will share them with you soon...

Anyway, I went through my stash of supplies and this is what I had when I finished. (ignore my reflection against the plastic covering)  I used MM rub-ons, paper flowers, American Crafts tags, and various ribbons.  BTW, let me just say that I have never used my Cropadile on anything very thick...I punch holes right thought this binder with no problem whatsoever!  It ROCKS!!!

Here are a few more pix of the binder...I made tabbed inserts for the inside...and at this time I have only gone through two old magazines...but I have a pile to go through and now, I have a place to put all the things I want to keep from the magazines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am excited about this system and about cleaning out my magazine basket and only keeping special editions and current copies of magazines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wanna know why we made these cards?  Yep, that is right!  My baby girl, Kennedy, has officially turned the BIG 4!!!  Her birthday is today!  Four years ago at this time, I was in amazement and awe...that God had blessed my life with another beautiful baby girl!  I am so thankful for the blessing of my children!  Kennedy is a precious gift from God and I can't even imagine how dull our lives would be without her presence!  I love you sweetie Peanut Kennedy!  Hope you had the best birthday ever!!!  Here is what she woke up this morning and found...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, Mama let her eat a choc. iced cupcake for breakfast....after all, it is her birthday!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, I feel better now that I have accomplished typing this post...but I still have so much more to share!!!  It is getting late and I am getting sleepy....so I will close this post in just a minute and post again tomorrow.  Oh and BTW, Tunes on Tuesday will be back I think....that is if you like it...I have wondered if it is just a silly thing to post or if it is at enjoyable at all  for y'all???  Just not sure right now...so let me know what you think???

Thanks for sticking with me over the last couple of weeks.  I am glad to be back and look forward to sharing some more with you tomorrow!

Much more later...  :)

Stay tuned for the new season premiere of...?

Hey everyone!  I have not fallen off the face of the earth, nor moved to Siberia, not been on vacation, not being lazy (wink, wink), nor have I been living on a remote island somewhere.  There is no reason to call 911....so don't get any ideas Telah!  LOL

I will be back soon and have a written list in my little notebook about three pages long on topics that I want to tell you all about and of things I want to show you.  Problem is....I have been working so hard on crafty things, mothering my children, visiting doctors, tackling massive amounts of laundry, celebrating birthdays, ...oh, and did I mention that I have three young children???  LOL

Anyway, I have been reading or trying to keep up with all my buddies and their happenings.  Hopefully, by Monday I can be back and going full speed ahead in BLOG world.  Sure do miss you all...but thanks for sticking with me and all the sweet comments that y'all are always leaving for me!  You are the best!

More very soon...

Tunes on Tuesday...

***Please excuse the beginning part of this new video clip I put up for Valentine...it is crazy and I don't like it...but it is the best I could do to get a video clip for this week.   Sorry for the little bit at the first...but the actual video and song are great!  Thanks for stopping by!!!  :)

Valentine...by Martina McBride

If there were no words
No way to speak
I would still hear you
If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I'd still feel for you
And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine

All of my life
I have been waiting for
All you give to me
You've opened my eyes
And showed me how to love unselfishly
I've dreamed of this a thousand times before
But in my dreams I couldn't love you more
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time...

You're all I need, my love, my Valentine
And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
'Cause all I need is you, my Valentine
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine

Wanna know why I chose this song for this week's Tune on Tuesday?  Well, besides the obvious that it is the day before Valentine's Day...this is the song that Shane and I sang to each other during our wedding ceremony eight years ago~!  Yep, that's right....we were dumb enough to agree to stand up there and sing to each other!  Boy, we were both so nervous!!!!

Wow!  This was then...8 years ago...and this is now....boy, have we changed!

But we both love this song...and still everytime I hear it...I smile and feel so emotional.  I look back and am so glad that we did it.  This song is our song and it always will be!  And I am so glad, Shane, that you are my Valentine!  I love you babe!

More later...  :)

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Happy Monday!  Just wanted to give a quick post and share something with you all...my sweet little Mallory is famous!  She isn't giving autographs yet...but give her time!  LOL

Seriously though, last summer...at the request of my Pap...I took some pictures of him and Mallory out in his garden to show off his plants.  He subscribes to a magazine called Garden Solutions...and he wanted to send some pictures in with a little write up telling about the seeds and fertilizers he uses in his garden to get such good results.  So I snapped a bunch of pictures and printed them and sent them to him a few weeks later.  He wrote up a little article and sent the pictures off to Garden Solutions.  Lo and behold, he got a letter back a few months later stating that he was going to be published in the February 2007 issue.  So Cool!  Anyway, they sent my Pap a complimentary copy in addition to his regular subscription...and he sent that extra copy to me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got this in the mail last week....of course it was addressed to Molly Jewell  - a.k.a Mallory!   My grandparents have nicknames for everyone...I won't tell you mine...but I have grown up hearing it so much... that if I were in the middle of the mall and heard it ...I would turn to look!  :)  Well anyway, they for some strange reason came up with Molly for my sweet Mallory, they call Kennedy...Peanut....and they call Parker - P.J.....Go figure! 

Mallory was so excited when she got this last week!!!!  I had to carry it in my purse of course and she would come get it and run around showing everyone.  She showed everyone at school, church, and just about anywhere we went.  Below, I cropped in on the actual part of the page they are featured on....my favorite part is where they cropped in and got the picture of just Pap's and Mallory's hands....that will make a great scrapbook page!!!!!  :)

Also, here are some more cards I made last night....I think I am done with card making for a little while. 

These last three are gatefold cards...which, in case you haven't noticed....I REALLY like this style...I didn't put magnets on these....but they still turned out pretty good.  After I finished these, I got all my cards addressed and mailed out ...I am so excited to send these to those I love!  :)

I still have a few Valentine "projects" that I am working on and still have to help Mallory finish her valentine cards for school...I am starting to feel a little crunched for time...but hopefully, Mallory and I can work tonight and get a lot done.  :

 

 This afternoon, I have three different challenges that I want to work on....PencilLines, Scrapjacked, and HMITM Challenge...

Me, Leah, and Telah have been trying to do these challenges and get involved with them....and let me just say that Leah and Telah have been rocking on getting layouts done.  They are my heros! I think they have submitted to each of these challenges...I got one in for Scrapjacked last week...so I have a lot to work on!   LOL ...but I AM going to get caught up!!!  :)  I love the challenges and it helps me to stay motivated and stretch my creativity.  If you haven't tried a challenge layout before...go to one of these sites and try one.  There are so fun! 

Hope everyone has a good day!  More later...

Little things mean so much...

I truly mean that!  Lately, it has been little things that just make me happy...that doesn't mean they are insignificant....it just means.  that to most people the things I am referring to...well, they just wouldn't be a big deal...but to me they are awesome!  I know, I know, you are thinking what is this crazy woman talking about?   So let me enlighten you with some random thoughts:

• Parker is crawling like mad!  He is a moving machine now...and he is loving EVERY bit of it.... unfortunately, his sisters are already complaining about him getting in their stuff!  Hee Hee! 
• My little Mallory  and Kennedy are so creative...and I am so proud of each of them and their giving attitudes...made Valentine cards this afternoon

and did an awesome job!

• Sweet emails from some of my dearest friends...saying that they are praying for Parker and all his ENT issues
• Chocolate chip cookies that I just finished baking...for now particular reason except that I know how much my clan loves them!!!!
• My scrapbook room and a new surge of creativity....these things make me so happy!  I have done a lot of card making over the last week....and a few layouts (I am going to put up the pictures in the photo albums in the right column for your viewing pleasure...LOL)  I will add a few here in the post too!

  On this card I just utilized a sticker sheet I had full of words related to love and Valentine's Day and then a rub-on over the top (the white heart and the little I love you in the bottom corner)

 

 

 

This card was really simple to make... it is just a 3-D sticker and some ribbon on a DCWV pre-cut card...very easy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This card has turned out to be my favorite so far...it was pretty easy to make too...

I used Basic Grey paper and monogram letters, some new Prima's that I got the other day at my LSS,  MM crystal brad, a new set of love stamps for the letter O, and last the card is a gatefold card....so I used one of those BG magnets to secure the gatefold....and it rocked!  This is the first time I have used those magnets and I love them!  They are so cool!

• Old black and white pictures of my Dad and grandparents...so cool!!!  I have been scanning a lot tonight and hope to share some with you soon!
• Random Acts of Kindness...I have never won one....or even participated to my knowledge....but this week I did some major cleaning and purging in my scrapbook room....and let me just say that I cleaned out so much stuff that I could do a RAK everyday of the week for the next year...LOL....so stay tuned because I am going to start doing one a week for while....I figure it like this....if I have brand new scrapping stuff that I bought with good intentions...and have let it set long enough to collect a layer of dust...then it is time to give it away to a good home!!!  So why not share with others???
• Scrapping websites that I have been visiting!  There are so many cool ones out there on the WWW and I have found several that I find myself returning daily....especially 2 Peas....I have known about it for awhile....but just recently have started posting pictures and getting involved and I LOVE it!  So many talented people out in this big ole' world!!!

Those are just a few random things that have been making me happy!  In case you haven't noticed....I decided to take a little time off from blogging to refocus and to take some time to get more organized and productive on all the creative projects I have wanted to do....

So I have taken a little break and ready to come back full force!  I have lots to show you and tell you about...especially for V-Day this week!  So stay tuned...visit often....and you just never know what might be happening here this week and in the weeks to come! 

Five on Friday...

Five Things I Plan to do for Valentine's Day:

1. Give all my sweeties a handmade card and a little Valentine sweet treat.
2. Help with Mallory's ice cream sundae party at school.
3. Take care of my little man after he gets home from having a procedure done on Weds. morning....he will probably sleep a lot that day!  (yes, he is having to have some more things done up at the surgery center....I will fill you in on that a little later)
4. Making a dinner full of all the favorites of my husband and kids...it should be a unique combo of dishes...LOL
5. Sending out a digital Valentine scrapbook to all the family that lives out of state....so they can see my sweet little darlings....it is so cool and I am loving how easy it is to create.  I have been playing around with it for a few weeks....and just absolutely love it.  Visit the link above and you will see how cool it is!

Even though mine were late....AGAIN....these are my five...let me hear about your Five things for V-Day!!!!

Links to other Five On Friday participants:

 

 

Tunes on Tuesday...

No real significant, deep, emotional message this week in the Tune on Tuesday.  This is just a cute song with a funny video that my little sweetie Kennedy LOVES to listen to and sing a long with the music.  The other day she said, "Mama...play the sweet potato song!"  So I did....just a fun song.  Hope you enjoy. (However, I will say that this song seems to hold some serious truths to it....listen and read ladies and see what you think????  LOL)

Mr. Mom by Lonestar
Lost my job, came home mad
Got a hug and kiss and that's too bad
She said I can go to work until you find another job
I thought I like the sound of that
Watch TV and take long naps
Go from a hard working dad to being Mr. Mom
Well
Pampers melt in a Maytag dryer
Crayons go up one drawer higher
Rewind Barney for the fifteenth time
Breakfast six, naps at nine
There's bubble gum in the baby's hair
Sweet potatoes in my lazy chair
Been crazy all day long and it's only Monday
Mr. Mom
Football, soccer and ballet
Squeeze in Scouts and PTA
And there's that shopping list she left
That's seven pages long
How much smoke can one stove make
The kids won't eat my charcoal cake
It's more than any man can take
Being Mr. Mom
Well
Pampers melt in a Maytag dryer
Crayons go up one drawer higher
Rewind Barney for the sixteenth time
Breakfast six, naps at nine
There's bubble gum in the baby's hair
Sweet potatoes in my lazy chair
Been crazy all day long and it's only Monday
Mr.Mom
Before I fall in bed tonight
If the dog didn't eat the classifieds
I'm gonna look just one more time
'Cause
Pampers melt in a Maytag dryer
Crayons go up one drawer higher
Rewind Barney for the eighteenth time
Breakfast six, naps at nine
There's bubble gum in the baby's hair
Sweet potatoes in my lazy chair
Been crazy all day long
Oh been crazy all day long and it's only Monday
Mr.Mom
Balancin' checkbooks, juggling bills
Thought there was nothing to it
Baby, now I know how you feel
What I don't know is how you do it
Honey, you're my hero!

 

Have a good day!  More later...

Five on Friday

Ok,Ok...so I missed last weeks FIVE...let me catch up a little!

Happy Groundhog's Day! And here is a funny before moving on to my FIVE!

This morning Kennedy looked over at me and Parker, while we were sitting in the floor playing, and said..."Happy Warthog's Day Mama! Of course I just smiled and said the same thing back and then started laughing hysterically. Then she proceeded, obviously not understanding...with this question..."Can we go hunt warthogs today???" Just too cute!!!

Five Scrapbook Supplies that just can't live without:

1. Cricut: By far, the best investment that I have ever made for scrapping supplies. I love it and it is so versatile. Go check out the Cricut website if you get a chance...they have several new products that have just been released. Very cool!
2. Rub-On's: These have become one of my absolute favorite supplies. There are so easy to use and there is so much you can do with them. I am very addicted to rub-on's right now...no matter if it is letters, numbers, swirls, stitches....I don't care...just bring 'em on! Some of my faves are: Basic Grey, American Crafts, and 7 Gypsies. Got any others to recommend?
3. Clear acrylic stamps: Love, love, love these things...almost as much as rub-on's. Can use them on everything and I love to do that! Faves: Autumn Leaves, CTMH Solo's, Hero Arts,
4. Ribbon: Any kind, any pattern, any color...It seems like lately that I have been using a lot of ribbon and it is such an easy way to spice up a card or layout.
5. Last but not least... some adhesive - Right now I use Herma adhesive...which is ok...but from what I am hearing I just have to get me one of those honking tape runners that Leah, Jolene, Telah, and Amy have all talked about. So I guess that will be my next purchase...oh and by the way, I saw it tonight on Scrapbook.com. Looks like the are selling it now along with the refills. My faves for adhesive: definitely glue Dots, Xyron, and this vellum adhesive runner I found at Wal-Mart.

And now for this weeks FIVE!!!

Five Things that I have going on this weekend:

1. Working on scrapping and craft projects that I have been wanting to work on for awhile...
2. Pick out bedding and wall color for the girls room...the piece of furniture we ordered has been shipped so we need to get on the ball with this project...Here is the bedding I am considering for their bedroom. They both love it and I think it would be a nice transition for a little girls bedroom and something that they both can grow with. I found this at JcPenney's and I love it. It is very versatile and I was thinking that it would be easy to coordinate accessories... because I could just to solid colors with lamp shade, decorative pillows, blankets, etc. I have no idea though what color to paint the walls??? I am thinking that I don't need something too bold since the bedding is so busy??? What do y'all think?

3. Catch up my laundry piles...already made a pretty good dent in it this morning, but need to get it under control.

4. Making a big pot of chili, some baked spaghetti, and a few other things to freeze for the next couple of weeks meal prep...yummo...love that stuff when it is cold and snowing....like it was here this morning! The flakes were huge! I don't always cook ahead like this, but when I am in the mood and do it...I always find that it is so helpful to go to the freezer and have something to throw in the oven for supper on the nights I don't feel like cooking! Plus, my hubby likes my spicy chili and baked spaghetti...:) Thanks babe!!!

5. Try to start getting some birthday party ideas together...for a certain little girl's 4th birthday...she keeps asking me and now that she has realized it is Feb. I keep getting the question..."How many more days till my birthday?" Any ideas? Don't really want to do something huge, but want it to be fun...and right now I am fresh out of ideas! :)

Links to other Five On Friday participants:

Getting scrappy with it!!!

Here are a few more of the things I have been working on over the last few days...I also have been using Picasa and I finally got my scanner hooked up and so...I have updated my creations photo albums a little with better pictures and some new things....take a look and let me know what you think...

And let me just say a double yes on  Leah's assessment of Picasa.  I have had it for awhile and used it a lot to see if I like it or not.  I love it!  It is free and it has a lot to offer!  Take a peek if you are needing a photo editing software.  I still want to getPS Elementss at some point for some projects I want to try...but Picasa ROCKS!!!!

Some layouts that I have done for a sister's album I am doing for the girls...I still have some journaling to do on a couple.

Here is the cover page for the ABC Album I am doing for Kennedy...

Here are a couple of inexpensive magnetic frames that I made to put on my fridge...plus I am working on some more for Shane to be able to house some new photos at work.  There are a lot of fun and super easy to do....I am always looking for ways to display some more pictures without taking up a lot of shelf space.

And lastly here is a from Trash to Treasure project I finished up...this literally was sitting in my garage and I saw it and thought that would be perfect in my scraproom...I altered it some and cleaned it up and it is perfect for holding cards, envelopes, stickers...just anything.

I am off to work on some more projects...going to try and get my layout down and ready to submit to Pencil Lines this afternoon.  Have a great day! 

More later...