Cards, Cards, Cards

I actually made some cards today!! I have a love and hate relationship when it comes to making cards. In the past, I only made cards. In fact, I started making cards before I even started scrapbooking!! I got into stamping, then became a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator (not anymore though), and made oodles of cards and did Stamp Camps and all that stuff. After awhile, I started making scrapbook page projects for my Stamp Camps, and fell in love with scrapbooking!! Figures, for I love photos and looking at photos - even ones that aren't mine. Anyhow, long story short, if I have TIME to be creative, scrapbooking usually takes first priority - cards and other projects are further down on my list.

Back to the cards I made today - just using up some bits and pieces of an older Label Tulip kit I have been coveting. Love my Label Tulip Kits!! Thinking of joining their club again. I have another kit sub. that is about ready to run out, then will probably be back to Label Tulip. Just trying to save money and use up some of the things I have on hand, so trying to stick to one kit sub at a time thing, but it is sooo hard. I LOVE getting those boxes in the mail. Just opening them up and touching all the goodies inside brings me such joy!!

Got Sketch 102

My bff Tracy and I joined Got Sketch 102. Last night we went to crop at Hannah's and I actually completed the first Sketch!! I had soooo much fun using a sketch to scrap!! Took so much pressure off of me to create that I was actually able to chat and scrap at the same time!! Whew!! That is quite an accomplishment for me!! Also, did a new header for my blog. Like it??!! I love the Vintage Moon Paper line from October Afternoon. So stinking cute!! And the colors are some of my favs. Anyhow, that's it for now. Nothing too exciting going on around here. We had three soccer games today, did some cleaning and brushed the dogs - lots of hair coming out of my labbies right now!! Toodles...

WOO HOO!! Scrappin' All Day

Oh, I cannot wait til tomorrow. My BFF Tracy, and I, as well as Cricket, and maybe some other GF's are scrappin' ALL DAY (10am to midnight!!) at a new store called Craft Fancy . I am all packed and seriously, somewhat organized this time. I ALWAYS bring tooooo much to a crop. I think I am going to get sooo much done, but then end up visiting and shopping too much as usual!! Oh well, that is half the fun of going to a crop. Plus, I always worry about getting bored working on the same project, so think I need to bring more just in case. And let's not forget that reasoning I have about, "if I bring A LOT OF STUFF, I won't shop as much"!!! HA - like that ever works!! When will I learn. Well it's a good work out for my muscles at least - hauling all that stuff in!!

Have actually been getting a little scrapping done here and there lately and a little purging, as well. I have way too much to ever use. Maybe I need to start doing a few RAK's here. There's a thought!! Anyhow, here is a layout I did using part of my June Scarlet Lime project kit (I rarely do the actual projects - I just like the stuff I get!!). I scraplifted this layout from Valerie Salmon, one of my favorite paper artists!! Thinking about doing her Got Sketch 102 - anyone have any thoughts on this??? Also, another one I did trying to use up some Fancy Pants products I collect!! Oh I DO LOVE FANCY PANTS!! I almost break into a sweat when I use up a piece of Fancy Pants paper and don't have any to replace it!! I know - it's a sickness!!

Scrubbin' Blahs

Yesterday I spent the day scrubbin' four bathrooms - ewe!! - among various other parts of my house. I cleaned all day, sat at swimming lessons with the kids for two and a half hours and then soccer practice for an hour and a half. I was up til 11pm last night scrubbin' my kitchen floors for goodness sake!! BUT...the payoff comes TODAY!! Well tonight actually - still have to sit through those swimming lessons today!! LOL!! Tonight my BFF Sista Friend, Tracy, and I are heading to Archivers for some scrappin' fun!! Can't wait!! All packed and ready to go. Just to get together and get away is the most fun!!

Well off to check on the photos I am bringing for tonight's crop!! Have a GREAT weekend!!

Sending Warm Fuzzies and Hugs to...

Valerie Salmon. She is one of my very favorite scrapbook artists. Soooo talented. I recently read her blog and learned of the loss of her beloved pet dog, Frosty. I have not been able to stop thinking about it. Maybe because my dog, Lafferty, is getting up there in years now, and because recently he has been undergoing tests to monitor his liver enzymes, which have been elevated. Whatever the reason may be, it has prompted me to blog, which for those of you who know me, is MAJOR!! LOL!!

Anyhow, fortunately, Lafferty's last blood test showed his liver enzymes are going down, which is good. It could be partly because of his inflammatory bowel disease too - the reason for which he was released from Guide Dogs. He seems to be acting perfectly normal - his usual VERY mellow, happy go lucky self. All the more reason for me to get him enrolled in the READ program at the library. Now that he is a certified therapy dog, this is my next step. Hopefully, once the kids are back in school, we will have more time to do volunteer work as a therapy dog team. It has always been my wish to share Lafferty with others and "show him off" a little too. LOL!! He eats up all the attention. He really does like to be a part of everyone's everything!!

Here is a LO I did about me and Lafferty once we passed our therapy dog team test. To read more about therapy dogs and other therapy animals go here.

Happy Mother's Day

Just checking in the share my plans with you all and shout out a Happy Mother's Day to all my friends! Got to scrap Sat. night with my BFF Tracy, which as always, is my favorite thing to do with one of my favorite people!! Will be thinking about Tracy and her Mom on Mother's Day as she heads up north to visit her new nephew Domenic (yes - this is how they spelled it!!) and maybe wave HI!! to her Momma!! Poor Momma Jackie has just been placed in a nursing home, and wouldn't you know it, they are on "LOCK DOWN" because of a flu outbreak, so no-one can come or go for Mother's Day!! How horrible is that??!! Fortunately Tracy's Mom, Jackie, does not have the flu and we pray she does not get it. I will be thinking about her and praying for her. We missed having Momma Jackie there with us scrapping and telling us to get our behinds in gear when it was time to pack up and go home!! She always keeps us on our toes!!

My family will be taking me to see a movie, of their choice of course, but that is OK with me. We are going to see Iron Man. After the movie, we are heading to Bob Chins Crab House, a favorite of the whole family!! YUM, YUM, in my TUM!! Then it's home so my oldest can go to ice skating practice. Big ice show is next weekend. Both girls are performing. Of course pictures will be coming!! They look sooo cute in their costumes!!

Oh sooooo long...

since I posted - ya ya ya - I KNOW!!~! Been busy, busy, busy!! AND in Hawaii for a time!! More about Hawaii later - yes it was heavenly.

Here are some layouts I made using the Sharon Ann Delightful Collection from Little Yellow Bicycle. Such pretty Spring-Like colors, you are sure to want to pick up a few, if not all the papers and embellies in this collection. I used several of the patterned papers, as well as, the cardstock stickers and embossed self-adhesive stickers - which have metallic look to them (I actually painted mine, then sanded them lightly to let the metal-look show through). Oh and did you see all the new Bling from Glitz??!!! The "Smile" title is from Glitz Designs and also comes in clear rhinestone, besides the pink I used. You will find both of these layouts and the complete supply lists on display at Hannah's. Thanks for looking!!