I've been a busy bee!

Scrapping that is! Five layouts within less than a week's time. I have been having so much fun with the Creative Heart Studio's February kit -- can't show those yet, but I will soon.

Here's a few I did. I remember buying this Scenic Route paper last year -- I never wanted to cut into it, but alas with the CHA around the corner it was time...lol I just loved this picture of my niece -- she's just the sweetest!



And I did this one for my dear friend Cheri's challenge at J4K. She heads up the word association challenge. Obviously the word for this challenge was "Christmas". I also used a sketch by the amazingly talented Erica

What a great day!!

I got to sleep in because of my great hubby, so that just starts the day off especially right...lol Then I got an email from Traci at Creative Hearts Studio to remind me to go check on their blog. I had signed up for February's guest designer spot drawing and I GOT IT!!! How lucky am I that my name got drawn...did I say how excited I was :^) It will be so fun to play with February's kit which will be featuring 3 Bugs Smitten and lots of cool embellies. Go check it out!

Cards

I just love making cards. I wish I had more people to send them to. I would make them all the time. Maybe I should sell them...lol

I used up my BPM scraps of the MM Kraft and MME Magnolia. I hope these cards made it to their destination by yesterday.

Back Porch Memories DT layouts & stuff

I posted my layouts today at BPM, so I figured I'd put them here, too. Working with these kits, both the Medley & the Solo, for the month was awesome!!! There were so many cool papers and embellies. Gosh, honestly, if I wasn't on the design team this would definitely be a kit club I would subscribe to ;^)
This is Travis 11 years ago!!!

This is my hubby, Dave, who makes theee best mashed potatoes, so I've gone and dubbed him the MASTER...lol

Here is a journal I made to help me get geared up to start getting fit. I've done a lot better this week, but I thought with a journal to track my food intake and exercise I'd be more accountable. Kind of like a Weight Watcher's journal without the going to WW...lol

Yesterday

we celebrated Travis' 13th birthday being that he won't be here with us on his actual birthday which is tomorrow. Boy, where has the time gone. I met this little boy when he was just turning three and now he's going to be a teenager! I don't think he's the type of kid who will ever give any of us a hard time, but then again those hormones are going to start raging....lol

I made him a cake and let me tell you that was the best darn cake I've ever made if I say so myself. I used a box cake but kicked it up a notch and then made my own chocolate frosting....mmmmmm it was so delicioso! I had to send most of it away because I could do some damage to myself with that thing...lol






Travis is a boy that loves to shop -- getting all trendy now and has to wear the latest and greatest. He really wanted a brown vest that was all sold out at Gap, so I overheard him and ran out to get one at the last minute, of course, at Old Navy. He was so geeked! I was even more geeked because Old Navy had an awesome sale going on :^)

Finished up

two more layouts. One is actually Erica's last challenge at J4K. I had to do it to honor her. She's an incredible scrapper who is so inspiring. I'll miss seeing her challenges, but she promises to gie us some on her blog every now and again...right Erica ;^)


This bowling one is actually a layout that I planned on scrapping in August at my J4K retreat and never got around to it until now. Better late than never, huh...lol

Now I must get to scrapping my Back Porch Memories DT kit!!!

Happy New Year!!

You know I seriously can't believe it's been 7 years since the whole Y2K scare! Our parents weren't kidding when they said the older you get the faster time flies.

We celebrated here with my brother, Bobby; his wife, Rose and my niece Makayla. It was fun! We had so many appetizer/snacky foods and they all were delicious. I could go for some more boneless Buffalo wings that's if my tummy wasn't so upset. I had too many cocktails. I think this is the first time I drank on New Year's in I don't know how long. I just can't handle it like I used to and I dread feeling like this the next day. All I can manage to eat right about now is chicken noodle soup...mmmm I'll feel better soon hopefully.

We played a game that I love called Catch Phrase. We got womped the first game and I don't remember what happened on the next game. The guys got crabby because they said we were being too technical. Um, yeah, well you have to say the phrase exact or you don't get the point!!! Does Pat Sajack say to his contestants, sure that's close enough...lol

When I get my head to stop aching I'll upload some of the fun pictures from last night. Right now I think I'll just go crawl back into bed!

Another one...

done!! Once again I dug deep into my pile of stash and came up with a mix of papers from both AAM and SEI. I'm liking how these papers went pretty well together. I've got to keep doing this and maybe in about 6 months or so, if I don't buy another sheet of paper(yeah, right!!) I can dwindle this pile down to a reasonable size and feel less guilty. That's what I'm trying hard to do for the new year -- buy less and use more!! You're going to do the same, right Cheri????? LOL

This is a layout of my two nieces who showed up to Collin's birthday partying wearing the exact same outfit and it wasn't planned. Had they been a little older this might have been a fashion disaster as they are both very aware of their clothing style...their mother's are training them right! ha ha ha :^)

Finally scrapped!

It feels like it's been forever even though I think it's only been about 10 days. I feel like when I go that long I don't know where to start when I begin a layout. Well, this time I used that big old book of mine for inspiration and came up with this layout. It's one of my husband that I had pulled the picture and papers for a long time ago and they were just sitting on my scrap counter. I'm so happy to have finally used that KI paper that I bought ions ago. Who says you never go back to that old paper...lol

The title is the nickname that they gave Dave at work. It's actually from a song by Notorious B.I.G for all you rap fans...lol The lyrics go -- I love it when they call me big papa... I can hear the song now. It's a good one. Maybe I can squeeze in another one tomorrow to help me get back into the scrappy mode before my Back Porch Memories January design team kit arrives. It's going to be a good one!!

Merry Christmas!!

A day late, I know, but we were quite busy the last couple days. Christmas Eve was here at the house with my family. We had THE BEST time!! Everyone got along with no nit-picking, well just a little, but nothing that bothered anyone. My brothers have a way of picking with you that can get on your nerves. The food here was awesome with a few libations...lol Just two on my part for the whole eight hours because I know very well not to overdue it. The kids were GREAT!! I finally got the whole basement cleaned up since the last big party so all the kids played down there and you didn't hear a peep out of them. Usually they're fighting, running through the house, screaming, and then ultimately Dave ends up having a stress-induced attack...lol We both agreed that this year's party was the best!

Collin & Kaylynn

Pam & my sister-in-law Rose

Do you think my sister, Pam, liked the boots I got her...lol

Tagged!

by Leah from Willow Traders -- sorry it took me so long to post this...lol Crazy busy!

A - Available/Single? Married
B- Best Friend? Pam
C - Cake or Pie? Both –yum!!
D - Drink Of Choice? Coffee in the morning and Pepsi in the evening with water in between
E - Essential Item You Use Everyday? Makeup..lol
F - Favorite Color? I have so many I can’t name one, but I’ll name a couple – green, purple, red….
G - Gummy Bears Or Worms? Worms – I like slurping them…lol
H - Home or Homesick? Home
I - Indulgence? Hot fudge ice cream cake from Big Boys
J - January Or February? February because it’s one month closer to spring
K - Kids & Their Names? Marisa 7yrs. and Collin 4 yrs. and my step-son Travis who will be turning the big 1-3 next month!!
L - Life Is Incomplete Without? My hubby and kids! (ditto)
M - Marriage date? 8/15/1998
N - Number Of Siblings? 3 (2 brothers and a sister all younger)
O - Oranges Or Apples? Apples
P - Phobias/Fears? Bugs of any kind!
Q - Favorite Quote: To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world. ~~ Anonymous
S - Season? Fall and Summer
T - Tag 3 or 4 people? Erica, Kathy Carr, Julie, Erin, and Shanna
U - Unknown Fact About Me? I snore – that’s what I’ve been told anyway. I’ve never heard myself so I don’t know whether to believe hubby or not…lol
V - Vegetable you don’t like? There’s a lot of them, but I’ll go with okra
W - Worst Habit? Nit-picking at my husband and kids
X - X-rays You’ve Had? Oh, I’ve had tons – dental, cat scans,
Y - Your Favorite Food? Now this could be quite a list but I’ll go with chicken fettuccine alfredo
Z - Zodiac Sign? Cancer

Funny stuff!!

I was reading Shanna's blog and she posted this video...hilarious!! Bud Light

Oh, I've been...

a really bad blogger this time around...lol Sorry! It's been almost two months...eek! Well, I won't update you with all my boring life details, so how about some new layouts and stuff that I've created using the fabulous Back Porch Memories kits -- gosh, I love 'em!! I'm like a kid at a candy store when that package arrives! So this month I started doing the double page layouts with instructions. What a stretch for me! I never, make the never ever, do double-page layouts. It was fun, though, I have to admit. I've got lots of leftovers and and need to get back to the lab to finish creating...dry humor I know.
December's layouts and project:






Here's one I did really quick using up some scraps from my BPM kit in September I believe. I have just discovered heat embossing, and boy was it fun using the clear embossing powder to make the stamps pop.

Erica's Blog Challenge

List 5 websites that I visit everyday (just 5??? LOL)

1. Just 4 Keeps
2. Willow Traders
3. Back Porch Memories
4. Keepsake Trends
5. Two Peas in a Bucket
6. Linne Cards

Boy oh boy

I've stunk at keeping up on this blog. There's so much that happened since I last posted. First off at the beginning of the month, I took a trip to Oklahoma to meet my online scrappy friends. It was such a blast and I wish it didn't have to end. The flights there and back weren't bad, but the experience I had dealing with Northwest Airlines left a little to be desired. I shopped and shopped and bought some great new stuff. I finally got to go to a Hobby Lobby while in Oklahoma and I was in HEAVEN!!!

I stayed with the coolest gal, Cheri. Man, was she quite the hostess!! Shanna Lamb from AZ stayed there, too. Jeez, that was just too much fun!

Came back home to a husband and kids that missed me so much! It's nice to be missed, but now were back to the same old you know what...LOL

The middle of the month brought about my 8 year anniversary. Dave and I didn't do anything to celebrate on that particular day, but just this past weekend, August 26th, we went to see Kenny Chesney. It was fun, but man it was expensive!! The tickets themselves ran $100 a piece and I couldn't believe that we had to pay $30 to park!!! I've never paid more than $15 to park at an event. I have to say that that was probably the last concert I'll be going to downtown for quite a while. I prefer to go out to the Palace -- which is just a tad bit cheaper. Actually, it's probably the last concert I'll go to in a while because I just haven't been impressed by these past two concerts I've attended. For all the money you pay, it just hasn't been worth it.

I've been a scrap-shopping fool lately!!! I've tried to calm down a bit -- yeah right!! When I went to the LSS last Friday, one I don't frequent much but has some great stuff, I picked up the new A2Z papers, some Prima flowers and Petaloo flowers, MME Wild Berry papers, alphabets to match and some other goodies. I didn't go too crazy. However, my online shopping was way more fun...LOL I just got two packages yesterday -- my kit from a new kit club I joined Scrap Hype and then I got another package containing new goodies from My Mind's Eye and Making Memories -- fun stuff!! Scrap Hype's owner included a bunch of extra papers for joining the club -- I couldn't believe all the great paper she put in there. I was in paper glory!! I also picked up a stamp set from a new company -- Wild Flower Stamps. Super fast shipping and great stamp selection. I was impressed that it was a great quality stamp set I received. I'm waiting on my new paper to get here from In A Blink of an Eye . I ordered the new UL papers, Rhonna Farrer papers, and MOD papers. I think I have enough paper to last a lifetime at this point. As my great step-son Travis put it when I said I better stop shopping, he said, "Well, as long as you start scrapping and using what you have, there's no need to stop"...love that kid!!

That's been about it. No real scrapping here lately. I'm trying to get out of a funk. My DT kit is on it's way from Back Porch Memories with lots of new cool papers -- BG Gypsy, Daisy D's Harvest and some others. If you haven't ever checked them out, you should.

Just for Fun

1. FIRST NAME? Tami
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I "think" I was named after Tammy Wynette. My dad loved her. My mom didn't like that name, so my real name is Tamara, but I've always been called Tami
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Two days ago -- dog is peeing all over and driving me crazy!
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Some times when I write nice and slow
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Either smoked turkey, roast beef, or corned beef fresh from the deli
6. KIDS? Marisa, Collin, and my step-son Travis
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Definitely!
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? No hand-written journal. The most I can keep up with is this blog.
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? I don't think I do, but my husband and sister will tell you different..LOL
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? YES! I wish I didn't though. I constantly get tonsillitis during the winter months
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? NEVER!!!!!!
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I love cereal so there's too many to list. But if I'm being really good I like Kashi or Raisin Bran
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Never. I'm trying to scuttle kids into the house without falling down the basement steps.
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I used to be really strong, but I'm weakening with age...ugh! I best do something about it soon!
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Again, too many to list...LOL Two of my most favorites would be chocolate chip mint and Moose Tracks....mmmmm
16. SHOE SIZE? 8 - 8 1/2
17. RED OR PINK? Pink
18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Lately it's the hair. Don't like my feet either in the summer -- flip flops and walking barefoot make the soles crack--yuck!
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My dad
20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No. I'm just doing this for Shanna...LOL
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Khaki colored shorts and no shoes
22. LAST THING YOU ATE? Entemann's cinnamon coffe cake
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The TV -- Collin is watching Scooby Doo
24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Green or purple
25. FAVORITE SMELL? Chocolate chip cookies, banana bread or apple pie cooking.
26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? I called Dave on his way home from work this morning to ask him to stop and buy me some coffee cream. He did-- my sweetie!
27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO. Their facial features
28. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Well, of course!! Can't wait to meet her in person this week!
29. FAVORITE DRINK? My first cup of coffee in the morning or iced tea -- sweetened
30. FAVORITE SPORT? Bowling...LOL
31. EYE COLOR? Hazel
32. HAT SIZE? Ummm....don't know that. I don't wear hats
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No. The doc says I need glasses for reading, but I think he's wrong....LOL
34. FAVORITE FOOD? Once again, too many to list!! But I do love pasta and cheese, so I guess anything Italian or Mexican.
35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? No more scary movies for me! I like the happy ending kind
36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIES? I took my kids to see Monster House -- didn't like it much.
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Pink tank top
38. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
39. HUGS OR KISSES? Both Please!
40. FAVORITE DESSERT? Hot fudge cake with chocolate chip mint ice cream
41. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? None at the present. I'll be reading one this week on my plane trip though -- have to figure out which one will distract me from my fear!
42. WHAT’S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? No mouse pad
43. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? The Contender with Dave
44. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Laughter and waves rolling in the beat at the lake -- no ocean around these parts!
45. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Ummmm...neither
46. THE FURTHEST YOU’VE BEEN FROM HOME? Either Florida or my up-coming trip to Oklahoma
47. WHAT’S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I can scrapbook...LOL I cook pretty darn good too when I want.
48. WORST FEAR? Besides spiders??? My husband, one of my children, or my sister dying before me
49. DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN? Conservative Democrat
50. What’s your favorite thing about Shanna’s blog and should I add/change anything? I love it all!! No changes accept to find more time to post...LOL Stop letting that new man distract you from our reading enjoyment...LOL

YIPPEE!!

My first DT kit arrived yesterday for Back Porch Memories and it's AWESOME!! The papers are just so lovely! I can't wait to start scrapping with them. If you haven't ever seen their kits, make sure to check them out.

In less than two weeks I'll be leaving for Edmond, Oklahoma to meet all my online friends at Just4Keeps. I'll be staying with my new bestest online friend Cheri. I can't wait to meet her. She's cracks me up with her humor and I'll tell ya she's just the sweetest person. Also, the famous Ms. Shanna Lamb from the Quickutz and Bo Bunny DT will be sharing the same household so maybe her creativity will seep into my suitcase so I can take some home with me...LOL The countdown is on!! I can't wait -- I just wish I didn't have to fly!

I've done a couple layouts for the Amy's clean & simple challenges at J4K. She can scrap some mean C&S layouts. Give her a few pieces of cardstock and some letters and you'd be amazed at what she comes up with. It's hard for me to be clean and simple. I like messy and over done...LOL

Where does the time go?

I've been so bad with this blogging thing now that summer's here and the kids have me hopping. Yesterday was my 37th birthday...ugh the number keeps getting bigger...lol I had a laid back day with no big plans. I took the kids to see Monster House. Okay, so I never saw the previews and I went based on Marisa's incessant begging. That was a pretty scary movie for the little ones. Travis handled it fine, of course, but Marisa held onto his arm and covered her eyes in it. Collin kept jumping on my lap and cramming his head into my chest. I thought we might have to leave, but we made it through. It was an "okay" movie by my standards. I still like Cars the best.

Dave took me out to the new Abuelo's mexican restaurant and then we went for a drive, looked at some used cars and then went for coffee. We were going to go to a movie, but it was impromptu and we missed all the start times. It was nice though just getting out alone. We've got to do more of that.

I was in the Last Scrapper Standing Constest at Just4Keeps and that took up most of my brain power. The contest was awesome and helped me produce some of the best layouts. That contest always helps to stretch you out of your comfort zone to create layouts or albums you wouldn't otherwise. I ended up making to the final round. I completed the second only mini album I ever attempted and love how it turned out. I didn't win, but the prize went to an awesome scrapper who's book deserved the ultimate prize...Erica! Through the whole challenge this super woman renovated her new home. She would get home in the wee hours and scrap for this challenge. Now that's some motivation because I know sleep would've won me over and I would've had to drop out. Congratulations to you again, Erica!!

Here are my layouts:

WK. 1 We had to use Henna inspiration on our layouts.


WK. 2 We had to use shapes


WK. 3 How you want to be remembered and use a quote on your layout


WK. 4 We had to use our five senses to remember where we were when an event occured


WK. 5 We had to use a Shel Silverstein poem or create one that was inspired by his type of poetry


WK. 6 The mini album!! We had to create one based on a life's journey about any adult, but we couldn't indicate by pictures or names that we were the scrapper. HARD!