Pictures from the Concert

Rose, me, Pam & Tracy
on the Riverfront

Getting a shot with Kenny!

A rooftop view of the Detroit River and Canada from the Flip Flop Summer Hotel party!


Tracy on air talking to Erica Lynn the DJ hosting the party for 106.7



I think Pam was trying to call Kenny to see if she could get us backstage..LOL!!






When Kenny sings "Back Where I Come From" it gives me chills to see pictures of my hometown -- the Big D!!




I just love the fact that every time Kenny comes to town, Uncle Kracker comes down to sing their "When the Sun Goes Down" song together!! WOO HOO! Uncle Kracker is a distant neighbor to my brother in Harrison Township -- must sneak on his property to see if I can meet him...lol

This is how STINKIN' CLOSE I got to this man!! I snuck down to the main floor and when Kenny came walking by the right side of the stage I was able to get this cool shot of him!

My Beloved Kenny!!

That's who I went to see last night. Oh, what fun!! I'm in the process of downloading my pictures from yesterday. My sister, SIL, Tracy, and I went to the Flip Flop Summer Hotel party that was sponsored by a local radio station. It was a BLAST!!

On a more somber note, I'm listening to a song by Kenny right now. It's called "A Lot of Things Different". This is one song that can bring tears to my eyes!! Take a look at the video. It sure speaks the truth. There are a lot of things I wish I had done differently!

Another day...

another scrappy find!! Yeah!! I went to a store in Livonia for the first time today. I heard about it back in April, but with gas prices as high as they are I really have to be heading in the direction of a store that far. Well, my car just took the turns all by itself today and it ended up in the parking lot. What could I do but enter...LOL

It was a great little store with lots and lots of good finds -- I finally got that awesome Making Memories Tropical paper that Ms. Shanna made me obsess over ever since I saw her remarkable mini album she made and sold on Ebay. So now I can say I own that paper...didn't say I was going to use it but I own it *grin* Then I realized this store had an Accut system -- that's because there was a sign in the window. I had never seen one before and had no clue what the thing looked like. I now know it looks like a giant Revolution and works the same way. Well, I bought some of the clear acetate sheets they had and cut out a cute little flower four times and used the rest of the sheets and a card die to cut out six of those all for future mini albums. I'm loving the clear acrylic look!

Okay, off to peruse the veggie world for inspiration. Peace out!

Only 26 Days!!

Until I get to see my favorite people -- my OKIE girls!!! Yes, yes, yes! We will be heading to the Tulsa CKC convention and I just can't wait. I'm getting so geeked thinking about it. I must start putting together my scrappy stuff to bring. Oh, yes, and I must put on the list to buy a duffle bad to fill with goodies to bring back...LOL Last time I could barely fit all my new finds into the luggage I brought. Well, I'm not having that happen this time...no way!!

Blog Challenge #3

This challenge's question is - What would you do if you didn't scrap?

Honestly, I'd probably just eat...lol

No, really I don't know at all. I'd spend more time at the mall and shopping stores that's for sure which I think might be a little more costly than scrapping but not much :D I might push myself to finally take that sewing class I've always wanted so as to learn how to sew. I still might do that some day, but right now too much of my time is consumed with my favorite hobby.

Trying to be...

a better blogger and I'm some success! My challenge over at BPM for the month of July is to use at least five tags on a layout. I had noticed how many tag sheets I had floating around and I just had to use some of these up. I finally used more of the Basic Grey Fusion that I've hoarded for years it seems. I've used it a few times, but dang when you own the whole line it takes forever to put a dent in it ;)

Here's a looksie and if you feel like taking part, come right on over and join in the fun. Paula gives out some great prizes if you happen to be the chosen winner :D

OOOHHH MYYYY GOOOODNESSSSS!!!

Last night at Creative Scrap Shack the winner of the Big Kahuna contest we've been playing in for the past seven weeks was announced. Guess who won? Take a wild guess! Go on...LOL

You got it, BABY! It was ME!!!

I was on the phone with my bestest gal pal Cheri from Oklahoma and I think I punctured her eardrum...LOL Sorry Cheri! I seriously couldn't believe it was my name. There were so many talented ladies entered in the contest I had just subsided the thought of winning and was having fun creating. Hey, maybe that's the key to any contest huh?

I have to thank Cheri from the bottom of my heart because if it wasn't for her not-so-gentle push (just kiddin' girlie :D) I would have never entered. I also have to thank the GREAT people over at CSS -- Carmen the owner and all her wonderfully talented DT gals for hosting such an AWESOME contest!! I'm giving you all a big WOO HOO!!

3 Posts in One Day!!

Just had to say I'm watching my favorite little 15 month old guy today. Boy, have I forgotten how much work little people are. My house is no longer equipped for babies. Tyler is sooo good! Seriously, he doesn't fuss and is such a good natured baby. You know what I love the most - I get to have my baby fix and then he goes home...LOL Do I sound bad? Hope not. I love babies, and sometimes get that slight scratch of missing having one, but then I just go see my Tyler and he helps me get over that. I do love the stage my kiddos are in right now the best -- pretty much self sufficient and they still like to cuddle with me :D

Back Porch Memories

Man oh man, I love each and every kit Paula has picked, but these two were big favorites of mine. The colors were just so vibrant and juicy (if that's how you can describe paper -- juicy...lol) I had a blast creating with the Paper Salon -- even went and bought a few more pieces because I just had to know I still owned some...it's a sickness ;)

So here's a looksie at what I did with the Medley and Solo kits:


Side one of a double page layout

Side two of a the other double pager--I LOVE this Urban Lily!!

Then here's is the front cover for the acrylic mini album I made that is featured in this month's newletter. Make sure to check it out!

Oh So distracted!

I love my hubby being home taking time to relax and vacation, but it seriously throws me out of the loop! My routine has not been normal. The thing that's bad, too, is that I get used to him being home and not having to take the kids with me everywhere. Just about that time, he has to go back. Then I have to get used to a new routine which was the old routine...does that make sense?LOL Well, he goes back to work tonight and I'm already gonna miss him. I have to say this has been the best two weeks spent together as a family yet. Of course the kids still bickered A LOT, but overall it was so relaxing and just fun enjoying time together as a family.

Well enough with that...here's a little scrappy stuff. The Big Kahuna contest over at Creative Scrap Shack has come to an end. I'm gonna miss it because those types of contests fuel creativity!! It was lots of fun and all the ladies created some EYE POPPPIN', JAW DROPPIN' layouts!! Go check out the gallery if you don't believe me!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

I just love this holiday because of all the fireworks! On a deeper level, I love it because of the great (and sometimes not so great..won't go there) land we live in. It really is a wonderful country and I am full of American Pride! Hang that flag high today and be proud of this great free land of ours and for the men and women who fight to keep it that way.

Why do I scrap?

In the beginning I would have to say I solely scrapped to record memories for my children. I grew up with hardly any pictures and it really bums me out not to have anything to look back on to jog memories.

Now I scrap for both the treasure of recording special moments and memories for my whole family and because I just LOVE the creative outlet. No one but another obsessed scrapper would understand the chills and excitment I get from the creative process. It is so fun and just a bit obsessive...lol Some times I have to say the hunt for products has become more of the fascination, but I now am trying to curb that habit and start using all the wonderful products I've collected.

Another busy time

The kids ended school and we have been run, run, running! Last weekend Marisa went to Girl Scout camp with her troop. She was excited, but scared and ended crying right before she left. That's my little sensitive girl! I got what I thought was a good picture of all the gang together, too.














I've been busy and then not so busy scrapping. My scrappy GF's and I are in the Big Kahuna contest at Creative Scrap Shack. It's been so fun and totally inspiring. Here are the past four weeks' worth of layouts I've created.







































And now I've got to get to work on week 5 -- almost done! I have to get the stitching and journaling done.

Then I've got to get cracking on my Back Porch Memories monthly DT kits which arrived yesterday. Oh, they are HEAVENLY!! You can catch a July peek on the home page by clicking the SNEAK PEEK link. I think you'll love them! I know I do! Off to use this precious time alone to scrap. The kiddies are finishing up their last day at vacation bible school. It's been such a fun week for them, oh and for me too!...LOL

Today

a great woman left this world and I am so very sad. She was the sweetest thing, my husband's grandmother, Antonina(Toni), or as we all knew her Babcia. I just admired her for her old-world style and beliefs. She worked hard and led a good Christian life. She came here from Poland after being sent for by her beloved John right after WWII. They actually met during the war. I can't remember what it is she did, but she was in the service as was he. John, or Jaja as we knew him, died February 11, 2006 and her life wasn't the same without him this past year and a half. She missed him dearly and would often say it was her time. She wanted to go. Well, today God granted her wish and our beloved Babcia is now with the love of her life Jaja resting peacefully in Heaven. We will miss you, Babcia!!

I did it!!

I am so incredibly happy today because I took the big leap and purchased/ordered a Quickutz Silhouette from my local scrapbook store Paper Tales. Cass, the owner, can't even begin to imagine how happy of a gal she has made me!!!

So to fund this little purchase, I decided beforehand that I would sell off some of my QK alphabets on Ebay. If anybody looks at this blog and would like to take a peek at the auctions, here's the link -- Quickutz alphabet auction.

I can't wait for that baby to get here! There's so many possibilities. I'm off to the creating table. I must finish a layout for the Big Kahuna contest at Creative Scrap Shack -- Fun, fun, fun!!

Mini Coaster Album

I had finished this little album up using Fancy Pants Key Lime collection -- just love that paper soooo much! I think I need more...lol Anywho, I made it for my niece as a little gift to give her after her recital. She loved it so much! It made me feel great knowing it's something she treasures.

My latest creations

Here's some of the stuff I've been working on for Back Porch Memories this past month. The paper in the kits was just scrummy!!

WOO HOO!!!

Yep, that's me screaming from the top of my lungs!!! I got the most awesome email yesterday, which by the way I almost deleted, saying that a layout I had submitted to Memory Makers magazine was accepted and will be published in their October 2007 issue. Oh my gosh!! That made my week! It's even helped to make me forget about the swollen glands and headache I have. Who cares that I might have a sinus/throat infection....I'm getting published!!!! LOL

We had sooooo...

much FUN!! I took the kids to Zehender's Water Park about an hour and a half away from here. I didn't think we were going to be able to go, so I had cancelled. I felt so badly when I saw my children's faces that I told them that we would drive up and back all in the same day. When Saturday came, I was just feeling too tired from a lack of sleep two nights in a row that I knew we were going to end up spending the night anyway. Well, I'm glad we did! I got a way better deal on the hotel than my original booking. I haven't had that much fun in I don't know how long. I just wish my honey could've been there with us. He had to stay home to work -- to pay for this one-day vacation....lol Here's some photos of our good time ------->

It's OFFICIAL!!!

I'm going back to Oklahoma to visit my "okie homegirls"...lol I just finished booking my flight to Tulsa for the annual CKC convention Aug. 23-25. I'm staying one extra day to hang out with the lovely Cheri and hopefully some others. We had such a good time the last time we were all together just laughing and laughing and yes more laughing! I am looking so forward to this trip!

My DNA

I found this cool thing on Tammy Kay's blog

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Family Fun!

We spent the weekend celebrating family events. On Saturday, it was my niece's dance recital. Her costumes were just adorable! I love going to these things. After the recital, we went to a local Mexican restaurant to celebrate Cinco de Mayo -- gotta love this "holiday". The margaritas were delicious...oh, and the enchiladas were, too *grin* My sister entered a raffle to help the local police department and the prize was a real sombrero. I just knew she would win!! Silly girl!


I gave my niece a little book that I made out of restaurant coasters for her recital present instead of flowers. It was a little book of her communion photos. She absolutely LOVED it! She melted my heart when she took the book and hugged it. Later on in the day, she told me it was her most favorite present ever! Sweet little girl! I'll show pics later, but for now I have to wait because it was part of my DT stuff.


Then on Sunday, we gathered at my brother's house to celebrate my favorite nephew's 1st birthday. I can't believe little Tyler is already ONE! Boy, I know I'm biased, but that child is just the cutest, sweetest, best behaved little boy. I'm glad I get a baby fix when I go to see him. Not that I want anymore, but I do love babies! Oh, and I'd love to share a photo, but guess what???? Yep, forgot my camera *bummed* I did take photos with my brother's camera -- about 200 of them....lol I love taking pictures! Hopefully, he will share some with me so I can post them and eventually scrap some.

Zoo

that's where we went the other day as a family. This is honestly the first time in ten years of being with Dave that he has gone to the zoo with me...lol I have taken the kids along with my sister and niece, but he has never come. He has attended the zoo at Halloween when they have the Boo Zoo, but that's it. So when he suggested going, I took him up on it. I actually bought a yearly pass so we can go many times throughout the summer. We only live about 15 minutes away and Collin just loves the animals! We had the best time and it was a beautiful day.

Actually...

I forgot to add something. My niece had her first communion last weekend. I can't believe it's been a week already!! She was just the cutest thing -- she looked like a mini bride. Here's some pictures of the event.

Oh boy!

It's been a while...lol Well, I won't bore any of you two readers with what's been going on in life because seriously there hasn't been much.

The kids are doing well and no one's been sick. I probably just jinxed myself. Dave is sick, but he can take care of himself...lol

I was on a scrapping role for a while, but I don't know what happened. Boy, did it feel good though. This week I've been working on a little card box for my sister's birthday which is Monday. I can't show it until a bit later, but promise I will be back to do so. Nothing else much accept for the fact I need to be scrapping for my DT -- Back Porch Memories
The paper and stamps this month -- OMGOSH!!! If you love Bo Bunny, A2Z and Fancy Pants, you'll be in heaven I tell ya!!!

Today I bought new photo printer and I hope I won't be sorry. I read good reviews and bad reviews, but I figured for the $55 I paid for it after the mail-in rebate, I couldn't beat the fact that I would be able to print photos at home larger than 4x6 or smaller for that fact. The next thing on my list to get is Adobe Photoshop. I must have this and want to learn all I can to enhance and add to my photos. I'm not going to even think about the digi world as of yet because that just seems too big a step...lol

I'm off to play with paper and promise to be back before the end of July (just kidding :)