Tomorrow is the big day!

My baby turning 7 tomorrow. Where oh where has time gone? Seems like only yesterday she was my 6lb15oz niblet. Now she is 40 lbs of uncontrolled craziness LOL. So tomorrow I am sure I will have a long sappy post about my Zoe girl!

Now scrappy goodness! Have you seen THIS!!!!!! Heather Bailey is another genius! And these papers sooo need to be MINE! Mine I say!

And as if that isn't enough! Karen Russell is killing me as well!!! I am thinking I need to be doing some birthday shopping for myself in a few weeks!

And look how well they coordinate with each other :) Throw in a lil Hambly goodness and well I would be a happy happy girl.

With this note I shall leave you to have a moment with beautiful product. Have a fantastic day!

Monday, Monday....

Man is it Monday already? What the heck happened to the weekend? Yesterday we spent Father's Day going to the movies. We saw the new Indiana Jones and I loved it. I have a soft spot in my heart for Indy. A man after my own heart. Our whole fam has been watching all of the Indy movies for the past month in anticipation of seeing the Crystal Skull. I would have to say that out of all of them I like Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade the best. As a kid, I wanted to be an Egyptologist so these movies always captured my attention.





Now this must be some kind of record week for me because I saw not one but TWO movies this weekend. On Friday I went with some girlfriends to go see Sex and the City too! Now this was a show that I watched religiously on HBO. I cried when it was over. This movie totally brought closure to me. UNLIKE The Sopranos LOL! I loved every bit of this movie and I just may have to go back and see it again. I laughed, I cried, I loved! And now I sound like Roger and Ebert LOL. You can tell me to shut up anytime now. But if you haven't seen this movie yet, grab a girlfriend, go out for cosmos and see this movie but make sure you have 3 hours because it is about that long!







I haven't gotten anything scrappy done this weekend. I can see where it is going to be hard to get anything crafty done with summer going on. So I have no scrappy lil goodies to post but I did buy a few things this weekend. I received a gift certificate to Michael's and it was burning a hole in my pocket so I bought surprise surprise some more of the Amy Butler K&Co. die cuts and the fabric word strips. I can't stay away from Amy Butler. The woman is a creative genius! I am going to be making a little notebook to keep track of my fave things of the week and I am thinking some of these goodies will make their way onto my notebook.

And speaking of creative geniuses......one of my fave girls finally jumped on the blog bandwagon. I am so happy to say that Cari Fennell has joined the land of blogging. She is so wonderfully talented and creative. I would love to trade scrappy shoes with her if only for one day. So check her on out. Me and My Mary Janes!

Well enjoy your Monday all!

Five Faves on Friday the 13th!!

Ohhhhh Friday the 13th LOL. Wonder if any good scary movies are going to be on tonite?

Well I would say this week was a great week. The sun has been shining, Zoe and I have been getting along pretty well with her being home all day and we have had lots of fun just playing around and being goofy.

During the week I keep actively looking and thinking of things to post for my Friday fave list and I think I am just going to have to create a little post it note holder or a notebook or something in which to jot down the things that I want to highlight during the week. Because inevitably, I end up forgetting and then really racking my brain to come up with something during post time.

I have had several people post that they too are starting a Five Faves Friday on their blogs as well. So come on all you peeps, hop on the Five Fave band wagon and post along with us. Maybe if we get enough people we can have a huge Five Fave blog party!

So I will shut up now and just get on with it.

#1. SUMMER VACATION! It just doesn't get any better than that! It is so fantastic to not have anywhere to be for the next few days. We even slept in a bit today, shhhhh!

#2. Cloud Watching- Zoe and I spent Wednesday soaking in the sun (even though there was a bit of a chill in the wind, hence the sweater in the picture) staring up at the sky and watching the clouds. They were huge billowy clouds and you could see them spread out and get larger right over the top of our heads. They looked like we could just reach up and touch them.

#3. My new Fossil purse! I have been wanting new Fossil purse for forever now and I happened across one at Ross of all places. We had gone there the other day to pick up a new shirt for John and I happened to go wander over to the purses and found this cutie purse for $26.99!

#3. My Boys on TBS. I LOOVE this show. Jim Gaffigan cracks me up (HOT POCKETS!!!!). It reminds me of a tomboyish Sex and the City. Which by the way I am going to go see with my friend Judi tonight. Super excited. Anyways. My Boys is funny and dorky and cute. It's on Thursdays on TBS.

#4. History Channel. I don't know when I turned into such a nerd, maybe I have been a huge one my whole life and just never knew it LOL. But I am watching entirely too much History Channel lately! John and I have the DVR set up to tape about 3 different programs on here. Our faves: Ice Road Truckers and Ax Men.

Ice Road Truckers is incredibly intense. I can't believe people DRIVE ON THE ARCTIC OCEAN for a living. My stomach is in knots the entire time we watch this.

Ax Men is so fun to watch because it is filmed here in Oregon. Now being a native Oregonian, we all either have an immediate family member or friend who is in the logging or wood products business. My Mom worked in the mill for over 20 years herself. But I have never been able to see the logging side of the business up close. So it has been a huge eye opener at how scary that job really is. The first season of Ax Men is over now but if you get a chance to watch it and you haven't yet. Check it out!

#5. Scrappy Fave of the week- Well I haven't done a whole lot of scrapping this week at all, but product wise I think these little beauties need to be mine! These Am Crafts glitter thickers are ADORABLE!!! They are having a giveaway on their blog so head on over and leave a comment for a chance to win. I know I for sure did!

So there you have it once again, a few of my favorite things for this week. If you join the Five Fave Things bandwagon let me know so I can come check out yours!

Have a Happy Friday and a great weekend!

FINALLY!

School's Out For Summer!!! Yes!

Well I say that now of course but guaranteed in about two weeks I will be saying to myself "Is it time for school to start yet?". And yes I did take this sweet picture of Alice Cooper all by my wee self. He came to our fair a couple of years ago and John and I were in the 3rd row. I was really skeptical about how the concert was going to go but it was a BLAST! I got some amazing pictures with my cheapie camera. Sometimes I forget how good my lil Kodak really is. But anyways, I am rambling and digressing!

So school is out. The kids had an amazing day yesterday and I am still in recovery. Being the horrid mother that I am, I did not get ONE SINGLE PICTURE of my child on her last day of school! Can you believe that? I was so busy helping out that I didn't get the opportunity to even snag a dang picture. But I have all those memories stored right up in my ol noggin.

Zoe says her favorite part of yesterday was: winning the obstacle course (a big bouncy castle dealie) two times in a row. The blow up obstacle course was HUGE and the slide was even bigger. I did not know they even made blow up slides this huge. But of course, no pictures to show you all. Major kudos to all the people who put forth their time and effort to organize such a great event for our school.

On the scrap side of things. I was able to get a layout done using the sketch that I posted a few days ago. Audrey did an amazing job with this sketch and I had a lot of fun scrapping with it. Here is my layout. It is a pretty literal interpretation. I had a really hard time getting a decent picture of this sucker but if you look really close you should be able to tell that it is on Bazzill scallop shaped cardstock. I am addicted to that cardstock right now. I handstitched the lines hence the lovely crookedness of it all. I used Webster's Pages Feather Your Nest line on this layout. I can't get enough of it. It really is beautiful and easy to work with! I added my new fave embelly for the past week or so in the form of Prima fancies (glittery flowers!) So grab up any Webster's products you have and play along too!

This next layout is one that I made using my friend Marcie's wedding picture. I owe her a whole album and am so excited to get a chance to work with her amazing pictures! This was just a warm up layout to get the creative juices flowing. She looked so beautiful and elegant that day! Once again, there is the scallop edged Bazzill cardstock (told you I love it!) and another one of my faves, Collage Press papers! They are trying to get their new website up and running but I am really excited to see what they are going to release at CHA in a couple of weeks. Also there are some beautiful little pearl embellies alongside the picture that you can hardly see in this pic, but they really went well with the whole wedding theme. So Ree, if you are out there, I hope you like this first layout girl!

Well the shower and the dishes are calling my name right now. Along with Zoe screeching to get on the stupid computer. It has begun already LOL!

The Final Countdown!

dooo doo do.. do do do do00... It's the final countdown! (just try to get that song out of your head now LOL)

Well this is the final stretch. The last 2 days of school. I think everyone is MORE than ready for it to be over with. Zoe was having a hard time getting motivated to head on out the door today, but I reassured her that today would be an easy, breezy kind of day. I also let her head on out the door with a cute purse that Diane Di Tullio and her little cutie Lauren made for Zoe a few months back. So that helped out a wee bit.

Our last soccer game was this past Saturday and the kids did an amazing job. It was by far their best game of the season and we ended up tying with the other team. Both teams were very small with only 4 kids each, so all the players on both of the teams had to play the full game. But every kid out there on the field gave it their all. It was so much fun to watch.

Afterwards, John and I treated the kids and their fams to a huge bowling party. I swear that the kids had more fun bowling together than they did the entire season playing soccer together. Everyone had a blast and I sucked it up, as per usual, at bowling. I can't stress enough how bad of a bowler I am. Let's see I think I had 64 my first game and 93 the second. PATHETIC.

John had a trophy made up for each of the kids and Zoe received the Super Keeper Award for being the best lil' goalie out there. I am still stunned by how awesome she is in the goal. We are still discussing whether or not she will play soccer again next year.

In scrappy news:

Audrey posted a great sketch challenge at the inspireME site.

Here is Audrey's sketch and what she says about the challenge!

Hey everybody! Are you all ready for another challenge? Woot!!!I don't know about you all, but I am a big fan of sketches. I love the creative process of looking at a "blueprint" and watching it evolve into a finished product. So this month, I challenge you to use my sketch to create a page featuring Webster's Pages products.The sketch and my page using the sketch are already posted into the Monthly Challenge June Sketch gallery accessed through Photos, All Albums.Upload your photo to our gallery and link your page to this post. Winner will receive a collection of Webster's Pages papers of the winner's choice.Deadline is 12 pm EST on June 30th.Can't wait to see what you all come up with!


Here is Audrey's take on her sketch. Super cute huh! I love the stitching!





We would love it if you would play along and make sure to post your layout in the gallery at the inspireME site and link up your layout to the thread http://websterspages.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=2089723%3ATopic%3A2466.

Also, Bad Girls has some fun things up their sleeve as well. If you don't currently receive the Bad Girls newsletter, you should sign on up for one at the home page! Wendy announced that Bad Girls will be adding custom acrylic STAMPS designed by one of my fave girls Cari Fennell. I have already seen a peek of the stamp for July and it is beautiful! Also, I have a wee little article up in the newsletter as well, so I KNOW you aren't going to want to miss out on that now are you. The title: Getting Down and Dirty with Paint!

And two of my DT's are both celebrating their first birthdays in July! Bad Girls and Paper Trunk are both turning 1! And both sites are planning some awesome things for next month, so check make sure to come and check out the blog for more details to be announced soon.

I however will not be turning 1 in July but 30. Yes 30. I have mentioned it several times before LOL and now I can feel the weight of 30 on my chest and I am ready to get it over and done with!

I have one last thing to share really quick like and it is this fabulous looking Crockpot Chicken and Dumpling recipe that I think I shall have to make for dinner tonite. I got this in my allrecipes.com newsletter today. Which if you don't get this newsletter you had better go sign up for it as well :) http://www.allrecipes.com/

Here is the recipe if you would like to try it as well :) It was submitted by Janiece Mason.

INGREDIENTS
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons butter
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1 onion, finely diced
2 (10 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces

DIRECTIONS
Place the chicken, butter, soup, and onion in a slow cooker, and fill with enough water to cover.
Cover, and cook for 5 to 6 hours on High. About 30 minutes before serving, place the torn biscuit dough in the slow cooker. Cook until the dough is no longer raw in the center.

I think I will make a few revisions and add some more veggies and a bit less onion and a few spices in there I am sure but all in all it looks and sounds like a quick and tasty meal for the fam!

Have a great Monday all! and stop by and say HI. I know you are out there :)

Five Faves Friday!!

Yes, it's that time once again for me to rattle on and on about my Five Fave things of the week that noone cares about LOL. But someday I am thinking it will make for a great layout. Just a little reference pointage. So without further adieu and assuming I can come up with five things LOL.





1. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup- good for the body and soul. I had it not only once but twice this week. When I was first feeling sick but could still smell and taste, I whipped up a batch myself and I have to say I did pretty dang good for my first attempt at it. My second time was delivered to me via Pammy Mac a few days ago. And I have to say that hers was better than mine ;). The chicken was fantastic in it and magically made me feel much better the next day.



2. Last Comic Standing-I love this show. Always good for a laugh and a scare at the same time.



3. Craftstylish- Both the magazine and the website. Pam dropped me off one of their magazines along with the soup and I have been visiting their website for the past 2 months or so, and well I have to say I am hooked. Crafts of all kinds on there and a great place to get alot of inspiration.

4. Musicplaylist.Net- This site is what is streaming in the awesome music that you are hearing now. I am totally addicted to this site. For a person who adored making mix tapes in high school, this is utter heaven for me. I have spent hours this week browsing around and listening to all kinds of songs and have relived my childhood a million times over. LOVE IT. You need to try it!



5. And my Scrappy Fave of the week- It is going to be a digi for ya ;)


I made a really cute gift for the secretary at the school using this kit from Weeds&Wildflowers at PrimaHybrid and combined it with some beautiful Prima Caliope paper and well forgot to take a picture so you will just have to pretend with me. The sign turned out beautiful and I thought she was going to cry. It was fun to do something hybrid this week. It had been a while.





In other news, our soccer season ends tomorrow. I am hoping our team has a good last game because the practices this week weren't so promising LOL. We are throwing a bowling party afterwards which all the kids seem excited about. So hopefully that will be bribe enough to keep their attention during the game.


And school is ALMOST OUT! A blessing and a curse at the same time ;). I always struggle during the summer trying to find things to fill up our time and that don't only involve Zoe and I doing things together. She tends to get super clingy when we spend days on end together so this summer I am trying to fill our schedule up with some activities that will give her some freedom to do some stuff with out me ie swimming lessons, art classes, heck maybe even going to vacation Bible school this year. Something, ANYTHING that gets her out there socializing with someone other than me.

Well everyone, enjoy your weekend. I have a couple of canvases I have to make for a friend today, so off and away I go. Stop by and share your favorite thing this week! I would love to hear it.

Wanna Chance to Win Wednesday!

Have I got a fun little something for you to win!

Wendy at Bad Girls Kits has come up with a fantastic challenge and the Prize is even better!

How does a FREE 3 month subscription to Bad Girls Kits sound to you???

So, what do YOU have to do to be in the running for this FAB PRIZE???

Wendy Says:

Create a LO with your JUNE kit, "Malibu Pop Shop" that will be coming to you very soon, using the WONDERFUL sketch below created by Anna Bowkis and interpreted by Ania. Upload it to the appropriate labeled gallery with Sketch Challenge in your title. You will have until June 30th to upload. We will be judging the LO's on the first and we will announce our winner then. You will be judged on creativity, interpretation of sketch, photography, and attention to detail. Everyone is able to particiapate...US and International. If the winner is International they will be responsible for their shipping charges, as will the US winner also. You may also use June Add Ons with your sketch. Have fun and I can't wait to see what you come up with!

If you aren't currently a subsciber to the kits check them out here: http://www.badgirlskits.com/kits.html

And for a little jumpstart to give you some ideas, Bad Girl Ania created this fabulous layout. I love her style!

I also have to give a little shout out to Brandi for getting one of my fave layouts that she has made thus far picked up for the Showcase section in the Oct Scrapbook Trends. I can't wait to see it in print. And between Leslie, Brandi and I, someone had to represent LOL! So happy for ya B!

I am still sick and feeling like crap, so I haven't been creative this week at all but hopefully I will have some Trunky goodness to share with you later this week. We have been brewing up some fun things this past month, so be on the look out!

Have a great Wednesday and if you stop by today, SAY HI! I have got nothing else to do today but wallow in my own hackish, stuffy headed misery LOL