CrapperDapples

CPS #183

2010-09-10T14:44:00.000-07:00

Today I got an awesome surprise scrappy box from an unknown Tally sister! It was filled with awesomeness!! With the goodies in that box, I made thise simple pocket card for CPS sketch #183!

Holy Moly! Long Time, No Blog!!

2010-08-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

But I'm here with a rather longish update! So, get a Coke or your beverage of choice and get comfy! lol

First off, IMAGINISCE had a ton of giveaways on their blog during CHA week. (Actually, when aren't they giving stuff away?) This was the post....

GIVEAWAY!!
We'll be announcing winners of our week long CHA giveaways...so keep coming back each day to enter a different giveaway. Today, we'd like to give a big THANK YOU to our class sponsors. So many companies were generous in providing us product so we wanted to list them here. We'll send you a sample box of all the product they donated to us too!! Just make an effort to jump over to their Facebook pages and tell them "thanks for supporting Imaginisce CHA classes!!" Here's a list of links. You can enter to win for each Facebook page you comment on...we'll even throw in an i-rock tool and i-top tool to make it worth your time!!

Big thanks goes out to the following companies:
Provo Craft - Cricut Paper Trimmer
Tombow - Adhesive
Therm-o-Web - Foam Squares
Ranger - Glossy Accents

I did it, and I won!!! :0) I got a big old box filled with a Cricut paper trimmer, 2 Tombo liquid glues, 2 Tombo adhesive runners, 2 packages of Therm-o-web 3D foam squares, 2 bottles on glossy accents, and 4 Color Box cat's eyes....and...the whole bunch of the Birthday Bash collection from Imaginisce!!! Exciting, right?!

Here's something I made with my goodies...

If you want to see all the pictures...and maybe leave me some love...you can go HERE!!

So, over at TALLYSCRAPPER we are having So You Think You Can Scrap challenges. The challenge this time was hosted by yours truly!! :0) This is my layout for my own challenge...

Speaking of Tally, I'm still getting a lot of use out of July's awesome kit!! Laurajean is hosting a card challenge right now where you have to use your scraps and follow a few more guidlines. This is my card!

I also have a blog post up of a tutorial on how to make a pocket card. This is the card I made...again using the Tallyscrapper July Kit!

I guess that's all for now! Later!! :0)

CPS #177 and more!!

2010-07-28T16:07:00.000-07:00

CPS has sketch 177 up!! Here's my take on the sketch, again using Tallyscrapper's July Kit!! :0)

Also, my girl Cristal (aka Pinky) is at CHA right now....and she is giving away some AWESOME stuff on her blog all this week!! This girl is the bomb!! So, get over there and leave a comment!!

CPS Card Sketch 176 &Tallyscrapper July Kit

2010-07-21T08:35:00.000-07:00

CPS has another card sketch up! And I figured what a better way to kill two birds with one stone. (Lawd, that sounds awful!) So, I used Tallyscrapper's July Kit, "Watson" and the sketch to create this.....

If you wanna give the sketch a go, just click here! And if you want Tally's July kit, just click here!

Oh yeah...better pictures of the Tag Mini Album from yesterday!!

July Kit from Tallyscrapper!!!

2010-07-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

I got it today!! I was so excited, I actually stopped the mailman in another part of the neighborhood! lol This is the kit "Watson":

After A LOT of running around today, I sat down (okay, I stood at the counter...I'm a standing scrapper!) and started playing. I only got 3 things done, but they are pretty darn cute things....if I may say so myself! :0)

Two cards....

...and a mini album!

This is only one side...it was still wet. So, I'll upload another picture later of the other side. I even cut the tags from the box the kit came in! Oh yeah!! lol

I know this post is short and sweet, but I'm exhausted! I have some kind of virus and I'm supposed to be resting. I've been on my feet and going since 8:30 this morning. It is now almost 8pm and I am just now sitting down!
Catch ya'll later! **muah**

So Not a Card Maker....

2010-07-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

...but that doesn't stop me from tryin'!! lol Practice makes perfect....right?! :0)

Anywho....I came upon CPS-Card Sketches somehow. (It was through Tally, but my brain isn't giving me any more info...) And seeing as how I can use any help I can get with bettering my card making skills, I figured this would be a great place to add to my faves! Once a week they give you a sketch and a chance to win a prize!! And throughout the week,they post inspiration using said sketch! Right up Nicole's aisle!! lol So, these are the cards I made using this week's sketch, #174.

I know they aren't the bomb-diggity of all cards, but I don't think they're that bad.

Hey, hey, hey!!

2010-07-06T06:14:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday! I'd lie and say I've been busy since Thursday and that's why I haven't blogged. But the truth is that I had a pretty "boring" weekend. So, there wasn't much to blog about.
Let's see....Saturday we went to a friend's for her 2 year olds birthday. The kiddos had a great time. Sunday night we went to see fireworks. Ummm, yeah, that's about as exciting as my weekend got.
I did do some creating, though! I made the following layout for Susan's "When You Wish Upon a Star" challenge over at Tally.

Then, I made this layout for Sarah's "Color Inspiration" challenge.

Now, I do realize that it is rather plain. However, I'm not happy with any of the alphas I have to add a title...and I just dunno what else to add to "spruce it up".

In other news, Imaginisce just won't stop with the "Birthday Bash" giveaways!! They are having another one on their blog today....and for the rest of the week!! What are you waitin' for?! Get over there and check it out!!

Box Of Goodies!

2010-07-01T12:32:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Cristal (aka Pinky) sent me a message this weekend asking for my addy. She said she couldn't let a friend use glue sticks when she works for an adhesive company. So, she was going to send me some Helmar glue. Silly girl sent me the postal confirmation information and it said it was for a flat rate box. Uhhh, glue in a flat rate box?! I knew she was up to something!! Yesterday I found out what an awesome something she was up to!! She sent me a whole box of scrappy goodness...along with some Helmar 450 and Liquid Scrap Dots!! Whoop-whoop!! Let me tell you, I haven't had a box of scrappy stuff sent to me for a VERY long time. It (on top of making the DT at Tally for a second time) totally made my day! Cristal's kindness brings me to my next topic of blogging today...

Imaginisce has their July sketch up (by Tammy Wark). You could win $75 worth of product if you create a card or layout based on that sketch by July 8th and post it to their blog! The full details are here! Well, it just so happens that Cristal was their guest blogger yesterday....and....she sent me some Imaginisce papers, ribbons, and chipboard stickers in that box!! :0) So, this is my take on the sketch...

The picture is a bit off in color...and the card is a bit plain...but I think it's pretty darned cute! lol I might brainstorm later and see what else I can come up with before I submit this.
I created another card using that paper for a friend's son's birthday on Saturday.

Almost a Year...

2010-06-30T05:35:00.000-07:00

...since I last made a blog post! SOOOOO much has happened in that year!! So much, in fact, that I'd have to write a novel to tell ya'll about it. I'll condense it...in no particular order...

I just made the DT over at Tally Scrapper!! Can I get a whoop-whoop?! The "contest" started on the 15th....I decided to try out on the 27th! I managed to get my 3 layouts started, finished, and posted all by the 28th....voting ended at midnight last night! Wanna talk about being lucky and loved!! I was very shocked this morning...and very happy!! I can not wait to get back into scrapping and working for Tally again!! :0)

Let's see what else...all of my young people had a birthday recently. I now have a 14, 12, 9, and 6 year old!! My oldest starts highschool this year....and my "baby" is now a 1st grader! I really wish I knew where time went!--My husband and I legally separated and will be divorced soon. That seems to upset a lot of people for a variety of reasons, but I am feeling much better about life....and will be relieved when it's all said and done!!--I've been working on (here and there) losing weight. Last year at this time I was swaying between 195 and 205. I am very proud to say that I have been pretty steadily at 165 for a few months now...sometimes down to 160. My goal is to reach about 150 and stay there! That should put me at an 8 or 10...perfect size for me!--I did a photo shoot recently that had a Mad Hatter theme. It was a blast!!! MMPhotography did the shoot...and Maureen was fab to work with! These are a few of my faves...

I guess that's pretty much it for right now. While you're here, check out a few of the places I've been stalking...urm, I mean following...

Your Life Spelled Out
Dirty Scraps
Much Ado About Nothing

Thanks for checkin' in!! See ya'll real soon!!

SEI Giveaway!!

2009-07-03T12:41:00.001-07:00

SEI is celebrating their 100th post by giving one lucky person this amazing prize!! :0)
Check it out here for your chance to win!!

July is Upon Us!!

2009-07-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

Geez Louise is time flying by! July already!!

In 5 days I leave for Atlanta so I can fly out Wednesday to Texas!! Texas Tally Rally time baby!! I'm very excited...at the same time very nervous! I don't have anything ready yet! Egads!

In other scrappy news, Paper Popsicles has their July sketch challenge, and the first week's theme challenge, up! This is the sketch....

The theme challenge this week is to make a card using orange and yellow. This is the card I made....

(Yes, it opens!)

Amy Duff also has another card sketch challenge up on the blog!

I'm going to get motivated and work on both sketch challenges right away!! :0) Hope you join in on the fun, too!

It's Blog Candy Time!!

2009-06-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

Head on over to Paper Popsicles blog to win this wonderful lot of scrappy goodness!!

You have until midnight July 19th to enter!

Their blog candy is the best!!

While you're over there, check out the store! :0)

Egads!!!

2009-06-26T05:14:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been so long since I updated this thing! (Actually, I can. But doesn't it sound better to say I can't?! lol)

Anywho, my hubster's 2 weeks R&R has come and gone already...so quickly. We didn't do anything spectacular while he was home. There are no pictures to share...no interesting stories. We just spent a lot of time hanging out around the house, and he worked on the landscaping and such in the backyard. The young people loved spending time with him outside! Sadly, he won't be back for a long while...like spring of next year. :0( Blah! It makes it better and a bit easier because we have every day phone and internet access. So, we can all see each other pretty much when we want.

On to some scrappy news....Christine is selling Tally Scrapper. But it's for very good reason. She is moving forward with another dream and will be working at the police department as a public safety officer! I love her and am proud of her! I am also so very thankful for being a part of her Tally dream and for being part of such a wonderful group of women (and a few guys)!! Thank you, Christine!! (Oh, and no worries...someone is taking over. So, Tally won't be gone...just changed.)

Well, as you know, I've been in a horrible creative dry spell. Guess what?? I think I am slowly starting to come out of it! :0) (That or I'm finding I have smaller boundaries and limits...which is fine too.) Whatever the deal, I've been scrapping!! Whoop-whoop!! I've gotten most of my inspiration from Paper Popsicles. :0) The ladies over there offer a sketch challenge and a 4 week theme challenge every month. There is also a card sketch challenge every week on the blog! Oh...and don't forget the swaps that are going on! Head on over and check it out! If you can't find even a little insiration there, it's time to see a creative therapist! lol
Without further ado, the few things I've been working on.....

For part of the theme challenge.

For one of the card sketches.

For the June Sketch Challenge.

For the blog card sketch challenge for this week.

For the recent card swap.

This is the 6x6 cover I did for my Texas Tally Rally album.

I have some more to say, but everyone is up and running for the day. I'll catch-up again later!! Ciao!

Finally??

2009-06-05T08:41:00.000-07:00

The cause of all this awfulness that I've been dealing with medically. Hashimoto's Disease. I have every symptom...and my bloodwork came back positive. Only problem is that my bloodwork is so confusing. (I won't worry you all yet.) I got a referall to the endocrinologist. So....hopefully I'll be feeling better soon and start losing this weight!

Hubsters comes home this afternoon for his 2 weeks R&R!! So, I'll be MIA for a little while. :0)

Guess what?!

2009-05-28T16:58:00.000-07:00

I've been "scrapping" some more!! I can hardly believe it! It's not much, but I made an ATC for a challenge at Tally Scrapper. We were to use paint somewhere on it and to do some cut work. Here it is....

Also, as some of you will remember, I was trying to put a mini album together in an old sewing kit. Well, I totally farked the kit itself! (No. It was not fixable.) So, I just cut and scored a 3/4 inch piece of Sass Lass to use as the "spine". Here it all is....

I started working on not 1, but 2 layouts. However, I don't have pictures printed. So, right now they are ideas in progress. I am hoping to get them finished before the hubsters comes home...'cause I won't have the time to do them then! :0) By the way....8 days and a few hours left!

So....

2009-05-26T04:07:00.000-07:00

....I have been scrapping a little. I felt like scrapping, which has been a rarity. So, I stood at my counter and went to work....and I enjoyed it!
This is a layout I did just because.

This is the front of my art journal page I am doing. It's explained best by Rachel (TallyHo) over at TallyScrapper. So, head over there to check it out.

These are cards I did for two blog challenges. One on the Paper Popsicles blog. It is being hosted by Amy Duff! The other is on the Mosh Posh blog. It is being hosted by Estee Stone!

All that medical stuff...just ignore that. I had more bloodwork done today. It's a longer story than the last one. I'm alive. That counts for someting, right?? lol

Do you ever feel....

2009-05-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

....like a worm on a hook floating around in the ocean?? Every once in awhile, a fish nibbles at you, but they end up swimming off. And you just wish the fish who wanted to eat you would come along already?

Like a migrating bird who has built it's nest in a branch, only to find the next year that the tree was cut down? And you just want to find that perfect branch again?

Mosh Posh Blog Party!!!

2009-05-18T03:55:00.000-07:00

Mosh Posh is having a blog party to celebrate their 4th Anniversary....and YOU could win one of the awesome prizes! Just head on over to the blog and check out the details! The party is pumpin' from today until the 29th!! You don't want to miss this peeps!
While you're there, please leave a comment saying that I (createdmonster) sent you. It helps me in my chances to win a prize, too! :0)

Beach Time/Scrapping Time

2009-05-17T09:12:00.001-07:00

So I finished my second bunch of journaling tags for the swap Tricia is hosting at Paper Popsicles. Here they are...

I got the idea for the flowers from NikkiZ over at TallyScrapper.
Here is the link.

Bruce (my "little" brother) and I took Caleb, Joshua, and Ava to the beach yesterday. We were there for about an hour....and I forgot to sunscreen the young people and myself. Needless to say, we are sunburned. JR has the worst...mine is runner-up. Other than that, we had a fabulous time!

Joshua's Pre-K Graduation

2009-05-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

Joshua Robert graduated from Trinity Preschool on Wednesday. My baby is growing up so fast...faster than I want. I just want him to stay little and cuddly and lovey. We registered him for Kindergarten Tuesday morning. I think I may cry just typing this...lol. I didn't get many pictures because the place was a madhouse and I had 5 young people and my brother with me. Without further adieu....

I got a few other photos of the actual ceremony. But they didn't come out too well and have other young people in them.

Also, I've been doing some "scrapping"! :0) I am participating in a tag/journaling spot swap over at Paper Popsicles being hosted by the wonderful Tricia! So, I've been working on those. Here is a photo of the fugly ones I did. No worries, I'm working on new ones that are much better looking!!

BIG NEWS!!! The May Kit, Like a Box of Crayons, is up at Tally!!! For $22.99 you get all this...

Get one before they're gone...which is going to be pretty quick!!

Ohhhh, and I found this really cool new scrappy place!! Mosh Posh!! I stumbled across the site on the Scrapbook calls site.....and I'm glad I did!

Well, I suppose that is all for now! Thanks for reading! :0)

Happy Mother's Day!!

2009-05-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

To all the mothers, grandmothers, god mothers, step-mothers, guardians, aunties, and mothers-to-be.....

I scrapped a little!! No photo...as I don't have any I think fit the LO. But, I think it looks pretty good for my first after a few month slump! :0)

For Mother's Day, I got tulips from the hubsters....flowers and my fave perfume from the young people...and a waffle maker from my brother! :0) I'll have to take some pictures and post them later.

Have a great day!

*Update* Here are some photos of my flowers...

(BTW, I didn't edit these photos except for resizing....used my Sony Cybershot.)

Oh, and today we celebrated birthdays. Taylor turned 11 on the 6th and Traven is turning 13 tomorrow! They picked cheesecake! Traven refused to take a good photo!

Just Not Feelin' It!

2009-04-28T08:46:00.000-07:00

The creative side of me has been MIA the last few months. I'm sure someone has noticed....

Just a Quicky

2009-04-22T18:40:00.000-07:00

On the way home from picking up JR at pre-school today, I pointed out that he got grass stains on the knees of his jeans. *driving* JR says, "I don't have grass stains, mommy. See? I have Cool Breeze!" I respond,"You rolled up your pants to get a cool breeze?"
"Noooo...I have cool breeze." (with a "duh" look)
"What??"
"You know...those rolled up pants...cool breeze!"
Bless his heart...he meant Capris!!

Another one...

We were driving into the park/playground the other day. Taylor gasps and says, "That's not very nice!" (She was clearly distraught.)
"What's not nice?", I asked.
"That sign."
Here is the sign...

Bless her heart!

Ok...one more...as my young people have been on a roll that past few days.

There is a Dunkin Donuts commercial. It says to go to www.dunkindonuts.com for a free sample. My oldest says, "What? Can the printer make coffee beans now or something?"

Okkie-dokkie...that's all the funnies for now. I do have a few pictures I want to share, but not enough time right now. I'll leave you with one of my faves recently. I took this with my cheapy point-and-shoot...no altering at all...what you see is how I got it!

I won something!!

2009-04-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

I came across THIS post on www.qwowi.com I commented for my chance to win. Well, I noticed that many people kept commenting over and over again. So I went out on a limb and made this comment...."Please don’t use this as an entry, as I entered once. However, is it considered kosher to comment over and over again? I have always had the understanding that you comment once and hope for the best. Have I been wrong?" The author, Jill, commented back and thanked me for the post! :0) And....I won!!! What will I recieve? Some new Glitz!!! (Although I'm not sure exactly what stuff...but when it arrives, I'll be sure to post photos!!) Yay!!....my balls-to-the-wall attitude is appreciated sometimes!! lol

And while we are on the winning streak...The Easter Bunny over at Paper Popsicles decided I needed something for Easter!! When it arrives, I'll share a picture! (It's a suprise!) Also, Paper Popsicles is giving away some awesome stuff on their blog! Check it out!

I've got more to share, but the borrowed baby isn't real happy right now. (Yes, for those keeping track, that is a complaint!) Catch you later! :0)

Update Time!!

2009-04-14T06:37:00.001-07:00

First off, my baby celebrated his 5th birthday on April 5th! We kept it a small family deal, and took him to Chuck E. Cheese and the playground the next day. The monkey cake was made by a lady here in the 'ville! It looked much better before we lost one of his ears! lol

I guess I should say that I dropped out of the DT challenge at TallyScrapper. I just have way too much stuff going on in my life right now. And I don't want to short change Christine, the Tally staff, or the other scrappers. So, hopefully next time I'll be able to give it a go! :0) (Wish I could get a Calendar girl spot!) Here are the LO's I did...

Also going on at Tally....April's kit is released tomorrow!!! (The link is just to the preview...the kit will be listed in the shop under TallyScrapper Monthly Kit.) While you're there, check out the clearance section!! You won't believe your eyes!!! And you pay a flat rate shipping for anything and everything you buy and ship in one order!

In other scrappy news, I did apply for the Guest DT over at Paper Popsicles!!! It's a one month deal, which really works for me right now! Fingers crossed that I'm picked! I am participating in their monthly theme events and monthly sketch challenge. Here are my submissions for those...

Well, I guess that's all for now! I really need to start making the time to update this regularly. Maybe more people will read and comment....

My One Year Anniversary at TallyScrapper!!

2009-03-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

Today I have been at Tally for a whole year!!! Wow! In this year, I have made some incredible online friends and have grown so much creatively. Tally was my first ever DT, and I made it my first time trying!! Tally is the reason I started a blog. Tally is my escape from the everyday life. Laura Jean got me hooked on scrapping right after my hubsters left the last time...which was right before I joined Tally. (Oddly enough, he is gone again.) Here is my first LO ever...don't laugh!!

Next "announcement"...
Tally is looking for 6 new DT members! Get over there and give it a whirl!!
You can check that out HERE! I wasn't going to try out this time. But after some gentle arm twisting, I have decided to give it a go. Wish me luck!! :0)

Yet another Tally announcement...the March kit is available now! Go HERE quick!!! Tally kits sell faster than wildfire!

Ohhhh, to the 3 winners of the RAKS...I AM sending those out tomorrow! They have been in the back of my van since the 25th! I am so sorry, but anyone who knows me knows I am a little forgetful sometimes! And, I will be sending out a box to Heidi tomorrow, too!

Anywho, tomorrow starts a new week! Hope you all have a great one!!

"Winners!"

2009-02-25T15:14:00.000-08:00

Since it is Caleb's birthday, I let him pick the winners! He chose Christine (scrappygal), Adrienne, and Marlene! E-mail me your snail mail addresses, and I'll get your RAKs on the way!! Congrats ladies!

Thank you everyone for posting! I REALLY enjoyed reading your posts! :0)

Ooops!

2009-02-22T10:12:00.001-08:00

Looks like I've forgotten all about my little bloggity-blog! Well, there has been a ton of stuff going on...though I am at a loss to what the stuff has actually been! lol

At any rate, I've been going through my scrappy stuff. I have decided I just don't need some of it...and it's time to pass it on! So, post a comment on my blog telling me what's going on in your life right now. I will put all the people who post between today and February 25th (Caleb's 8th Birthday) into a random drawing to "win" one of 3 RAKs!! I will announce those lucky people here on the 26th!

:0)

CLEARANCE SALE

2009-02-06T06:46:00.000-08:00

There is a big clearance section at Tally Scrapper. Today, Christine added some new clearance items!! Lot's of Glitz and Jenni Bowlin! If you haven't yet, check it out now! Christine only charges the priority flat rate shipping for orders, and you can jam lots of goodness into those boxes! (Believe me! I fit all of the stuff from a few posts down into a box and still could have fit more!!) Things are going very fast. So get over there now!!

I've been tagged!!

2009-01-28T17:46:00.000-08:00

Christine tagged me!! So, I'm supposed to look in my 6th picture folder and pick the 6th picture. Then post it. So, I plugged in my external, and here's the picture...

We bought my mother a "Husband in a Box" for her birthday last year as a joke. She left it here when she left. So, JR decided to use it as a punching bag. He had so much fun "dropping the elbow" and wrestling with it. LOL

So, I guess I am supposed to tag 6 people....hmmm...now that I'm writing this, it seems pretty freaky that we are doing 6-6-6!! And, honestly, I don't know what 6 people to tag. For now I'm not going to tag anyone. I might come back to do so...

Oh Hot Damn!! And Some Snow!!

2009-01-22T05:55:00.000-08:00

So, I've been holding a lot of my scrappy buys and love in "jail" over at Tally. I finally had the money to free them and have them sent to me. Well, I got my Tally box (despite the bad weather) on Tuesday. Here are some pictures...try not to get too jealous! :0)

The 3 groups at the top of the first picture are all kits from Tally. The middle HoHoHo 2 Kit is sold out, but the other 2 are still available. Autumnal Inspiration (picture 2) and Playmate (picture 4). They are awesome!!

In other news, I am working on 8 Valentine's cards for a swap and a challenge (that I have use blue, "Today" and ribbon for) over at Paper Popsicles. I'll post pictures when I'm finished with them.

Speaking of challenges, there's a new one on The Paper Crate blog!! Check it out!

We got snow here in the Jacksonhell!! Snow in hell?? lol School was cancelled on Monday night for Tuesday. So, of course, the young people woke-up wanting to know where the snow was...well, it came later that day. Of course, they wanted to play in it! (We aren't prepared for snow here at my house. So, please excuse their outfits! lol) School was cancelled yesterday, too...but by then, the snow was melting and replacing itself with patches of ice. Here are a few pictures of the snow that shut down 3 entire Marine Corps Bases/Airstations and the town....

Guess What I Bought Today???

2009-01-15T18:07:00.000-08:00

This kit from Tally!!! Naner-naner-naner!! There are still some left if you're jealous and want to get one of your own!! I was going to upload the picture, but I think Christine's video does it much more justice!!

And, HELLO?!, it's only $20.99!!! (Thank the Lord for having money to buy it this time!)

Hmmmm, I went to my second physical therapy session today. Let me just say "ouch!".

Today was a rough one for me. I cried this morning when I woke-up to a quiet house. I cried when Matt called. I cried when the young people left for school. I cried all kinds. When I think about Matthew, and how long he's going to be away from our family, I get a huge lump in my throat...a knot in my stomach...I feel like I can't breathe...yep, the anxiety attacks are back in full swing. Hell, I'm crying as I write this. (Don't worry. I'm not crying in front of the half-pints.) One day at a time.....

Hellllooooo!! :0)

2009-01-12T05:02:00.000-08:00

I figured I needed to get an update posted before everyone began to think I was stuck in the dumps! I'm doing MUCH better. In fact, I'm doing really well. I've been making a few life changes and working on some small scrappy things. Trying to keep busy.

Here are the few things I've done that are scrap related recently....

This is my take on our Art Journal prompt for this month over at Tally. "Action"

Rachel will be giving everyone prompts twice a month for the next year....based on the alphabet. She's got a blog that explains it all. If you wanna play along, click here!

Next in line is the cover for my Tally Month in Review Challenge. This is being hosted by Shirley. "The idea is to take photos throughout the month and at the end of the month scrap a layout(s) that documents the events, thoughts, and/or feelings from that month."

Here are a few more things I've done...

I am still the Guest DT over at The Paper Crate! If you haven't checked it out yet, you should. It isn't a very big blog yet, but it sure is a great one! There is new inspiration up if you wanna give it a go!

I "tried out" for the Guest DT spot over at Paper Popsicles for March and April. That place has become another scrappy home for me. I don't say that lightly. Tally has set bar as far as online scrapping communities goes. I have checked out tons of other sites, and there are only two others that have kept my interest....Paper Popsicles is one of them!! I really hope I make the Guest DT spot there, but if I don't, I'll try again.

Well, peeps, I hope everyone is having a great year so far! Take care and much love until my next bloggity blog update!

Until We Meet Again

2009-01-06T07:31:00.000-08:00

Matthew left yesterday for a 12 to 18 month deployment. We had to be at HQ at 9:30, but he didn't get on the bus until 11:30. We stayed with him until a few minutes before he left. I wanted to get out of there before the rest of the crowd...and I didn't want to have a major melt-down in front of hundreds of strangers. I did pretty well until he put on his sunglasses. He was crying. Joshua didn't really understand, but he kept kissing Matt's face and patting his cheek. Yep, it got me! The young people did better than me! Although, last night I had three criers at bed time. Which, of course, got me going for a bit. I talked to him for a few minutes when he got to Cherry Point. He texted me as they were taking off. He was about an hour away until 6:36 last night, and we couldn't be with him. I understand why, but it still sucks. I am waiting for his call or something to let me know they made it to Kuwait. Here are a few pictures. Joshua did not want to be in any of them!

New Year

2009-01-02T09:15:00.000-08:00

There is a new DT over at TallyScrapper! I think these ladies are totally gonna rock the casbah! lol Their first Cyber Crop is going to be the weekend of January 8th. You should come by and have some fun!!

I haven't been doing much scrapping lately. But, I got some mojo back last night to make a party hat for Pink Paislee's party hat challenge. Here it is...

Hope everyone had a nice holiday!

Wanted: Zoloft and Peach Bellinis

2008-12-29T11:43:00.000-08:00

Or anything else that will take the edge off!! This is a self pity-party. So, you have been warned.

As probably everyone knows by now, Matthew is leaving for 12 to 18 months. Well, we got the call yesterday that he leaves Monday at 11:30. I bawled like a sissy girl most of the day. I'm not sure why this build up to deployment has been so rough on me. We never get along. We haven't really spent any time by ourselves. It's just been a really depressing few months for me....and he hasn't even left yet. No, this isn't our first deployment. Nor is it our first deployment for this long. But, it's sucking the life out of me. I am hoping that once a month or so passes, I'll find my strength again....that's how it usually happens. Right now, though, I'm content with being a slug! Well, maybe not content. I want to be strong for the kiddos. I know they are all hurting in their own ways, too. Grrr....my head is just spinning!!! I'm not in a good place right now. Thus the reason I've been MIA in so many parts of my life.

More Paper Crate Kit Work and a Pop-up Card

2008-12-18T07:15:00.000-08:00

So, I logged onto Tally one day and see this really cute bow that had been uploaded by Laurajean. She is going to do a tutorial, but I couldn't wait. So, I found some directions online. Here's my creation with Crate Paper out of the Paper Crate kit.

Also, on Tally right now, there is a pop-up card challenge. This is my creation.

Oh My Goodness!!!

2008-12-15T15:51:00.000-08:00

Look 3 posts down....yeah, down there...See that frickin' awesome kit?! Well, guess what?! I GOT ONE!!!! I GOT ONE!!! I'm still trying not to throw-up from the excitement. :0) Thank-you Christine!! Ahhhhh!!!

A Few of My Paper Crate Kit Creations

2008-12-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

This kit is so fun to work with!!

It's Here!!

2008-12-10T07:34:00.001-08:00

I got my kit from The Paper Crate today!! It's awesome! It is filled with all kinds of Crate Paper goodness! I already have a few ideas as to what I am going to create with it, just need to get the pictures.

Here it is...

If you like it as much as I do, head over to The Paper Crate!!

Check This Out!!

2008-12-09T05:55:00.000-08:00

Christmas is right around the corner. And, if I had money, I'd buy myself one of November's kits from TallyScrapper!! I'm assuming that a lot of other people are just as broke as I am this holiday season because there are still some of these kits available!! It's awesome...seriously! Look!!

So Santa, if you're reading my blog, please leave one of these under my tree! :0)

It has been announced!!

2008-12-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

I am officially the first Guest DT member ever at The Paper Crate!! I should be getting my kit within the next 2 days, and I can't wait to start creating with it. I have been saving pictures just to use with it! lol

I'm in There!!!

2008-12-07T09:18:00.000-08:00

In this issue of SNR!!! Click HERE to see it! I am so excited!! My first publication ever!

A Few Short Updates

2008-11-29T18:08:00.000-08:00

I guess I should add to my last post that I am the FIRST Guest DT over at The Paper Crate!! They haven't announced it yet, but I wasn't told that I couldn't blab about it. :0)

Next bit of good news, I had a LO accepted for publication over at SNR!!! Whoop-whoop! I had forgotten I had even submitted to them back in October. Not sure when it will be in there yet. They will be sending me another e-mail letting me know the details soon.

Now a bit of bad news....hubsters was told they will probably be extended when he gets deployed. So, now he will be gone for 16-18 months. :0( I'm still hoping for change....seeing as how it changes so much already. We start our pre-deployment classes Tuesday night. I've done them before, but it doesn't hurt to have a refresher course.

Guess What???

2008-11-24T13:12:00.000-08:00

I got a Guest DT spot at The Paper Crate!!! :0) I am all smiles over here. I can't wait to get the kit and start creating with it! You should stop over and check them out!

It snowed here!!

2008-11-18T10:41:00.000-08:00

It fell hard for a few minutes. Then it was gone!

The doctor says....

2008-11-18T03:08:00.000-08:00

....Bronchitis and, possibly, strep!! They did an EKG and chest x-rays....came out good. They gave me an inhaler, Mucinex, Ibuprophen, and some other med for a cough. No antibiotic?? At any rate, if I don't start feeling better in a couple of days, I need to go back. Fun times!!

The Word of the Day is....

2008-11-17T11:20:00.000-08:00

Sick.
Main Entry: sick
Pronunciation: \ˈsik\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English sek, sik, from Old English sēoc; akin to Old High German sioh sick
Date: before 12th century
1 a (1): affected with disease or ill health : ailing

That is me since before Halloween!! I woke up this morning feeling much better. As the day wears on, I find myself feeling worse. My fever is back...100.5. This horrible cough just won't quit. And I feel like a hurting mass of gelatin. I think I am going to drag myself to the ER tonight after hubsters and my brother get home. I can't keep feeling this way. I have too much to do.

Well, I'm off to pick up JR from school. I was feeling ok enough to take him, but I need to pick him up early....no way I can drive to Taylor and Caleb's school...run in and check hem out...drive to JR's school...and then drive home. So, I'll get him early and be home before the other 2 get home. (Traven will be here any minute...too bad he's not old enough to drive!)

Hope all is well with my online buddies! I'm not sure if I'll get to Survivor this time around. :0(

Week 7 Survivor at TallyScrapper

2008-11-11T10:03:00.000-08:00

There it is ladies and gentleman. :0)

Two in One day!!

2008-11-10T04:16:00.000-08:00

So, I have been taking a break from my favorite scrappy place, TallyScrapper. (I'm dealing with these mental demons and needed to cut back on some things.) However, I've still been doing the Survivor challenges. This is the one I did for last week's...

and the one from the week before...

I really enjoy doing these challenges. They make me think!! lol

Stolen

2008-11-10T03:58:00.000-08:00

The idea for this post! lol I was checking out Rachel's blog, and decided I would post a few of my fave blog things! :0) I haven't updated for a while, and this gave me a boost.

You Are the Sense of Sound

You love to talk, but you also love to listen.

You are simply a natural conversationalist.

You can have a deep conversation that lasts for hours and come out of it feeling energized.

You have a good ear for foreign languages and accents of all sorts.

You can imitate people quite well.

You also are a huge lover of music. You probably love music more than most people you know.

Which of the Five Senses Are You?

Your Personality Cluster is Extraverted Intuition

You are:

You are a true wordsmith and a master of words.

You are original, spontaneous, and a true inspiration.

Highly energetic, you are up for any challenge.

You are entertaining and engaging... both to friends and strangers

What's Your Personality Cluster?

There Are 2 Gaps in Your Knowledge

Where you have gaps in your knowledge:

Philosophy

History

Where you don't have gaps in your knowledge:

Religion

Economics

Literature

Science

Art

Do You Have Gaps in Your Knowledge?

You Are The Stuffing

You're complicated and complex, yet all your pieces fit together.

People miss you if you're gone - but they're not sure why.

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

All Kinds of News!!

2008-10-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

First, my baby rother is home from Iraq!! He got back on Saturday. I am so proud of him!

Next, the October kit is available on Tally today!!! It was designed by Staci Compher....an unbelievably talented woman!! Check it out and buy one fast....they'll be gone before you know it!!

I've managed to complete 2 more Survivor challenges over at Tally. (BTW, my girl got booted last week!!)

My first 2-pager ever!!

Some depressing news....my hubsters departing date has been moved up to the 30th of December!! Not sure how I'm feeling about this right now.

Well, that's all folks! :0)

Do You See What I See??

2008-10-07T07:28:00.000-07:00

I have not posted since the 26th of August!! Figured I'd better get on here and update some stuff....like my (if I may say so myself) totally frickin' awesome blog header that I made a Scrapblog!! Whoop-whoop! lol

Well, hmmmm, nothing much has changed since the 26th of August...same 'ole, same 'ole. Still haven't been in much of a creating mood, though I have managed to get a few things done....

This was for the first Survivor challenge over at my fave place, Tally Scrapper.
I've done a few more things, but I won't bore you with picture after picture. You can just check out my wonderfullness over at Tally!!

Not much else to say as of right now. So, with this very short update, I leave you to enjoy your day/night/morning!! :0) Have a good one!

A Little Catching Up

2008-08-26T17:53:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm...first day of school today for 3 of 4. They all seemed to like it! Poor Taylor got teases by her teacher for thinking she is mean! Traven has a nutty teacher. Caleb thinks the bus driver is "pretty horrible"! Other than that, no complaints. :0) I did get a picture of each as they were heading out the door, but they are on hubsters camera still. So, I'll post them later.

Found 4 kittens under my porch Friday evening. Managed to catch them all. Caught mama...what a bitch...yesterday evening. They are cute as hell, but we aren't fond of cats. I am trying to find someone/somewhere to take them where they won't be put down. No luck so far, and the mama is very wild!

Rant time. I am glad that a lot of people in my life feel that I am the best person to go to during one of life's crisis. I am glad that they think that I can help. However, I have more on my plate right now than I can choke down, and it's all starting to come back up!! I am only one person. I have things that I need/want to do for me and my young people and my house. Sometimes I just need to breathe. Everyone seems to need me right now....I have been playing therapist/doctor/go-between/shoulder-to-cry-on/bitch filer pretty much constantly. It is starting to not only make me mentally tired, but physically as well.

Scrapping?! What's that?? I think I have forgotten what most of my scrap stuff looks like. It sucks! I want to be creative. I want to be artsy. Just too much other stuff going on.

My baby starts pre-k next Tuesday! :0( As if it's not hard enough to deal with, he actually likes it and wants to go!!! WTH?! lol He's growing up so fast!

My hubsters has been home for almost a month now, and he soooo needs to leave again already!! lol He is driving me nuts!!

I guess that's all for now.

I want you to know...

2008-08-06T14:11:00.000-07:00

Well, I made it to round 2 of the Treasured Hunt over at Treasured Scrapbooking!! I am super happy about that, but sad that a dear friend didn't move on.
We are on our second challenge, and this is my entry...

The journaling says, "I want you to know that when you sing, it makes my heart smile!" Yeah, I know...the pictures suck!! I couldn't get a good picture to save my life! lol

I picked the hubsters up from the airport last night at 11:35pm. He's home for a while before he starts training and range qualifying to get ready for the big year! He's snoring on the sofa as we speak!! lol

As of right now, my hubsters leaving for a year isn't the only big change that will be happenening in my life in the next few months. My "baby" sister joined the Army and is giving me legal guardianship of my soon to be 1 year old niece. She leaves in January for bootcamp...who knows what will follow. Right now I could have her from 8 months to 2 years. So, I will be a single mother to 5 young people soon....ages 1,4,7,10,and 12. I think and hope that it will all turn out just fine!!

So, the SC Tally Rally is coming up in about 2 and 1/2 months!!! Can you say "excited"??!! My hubsters thinks I'm lacking in the brainage department....lol. He says, "I can understand following sports, but scrapbooking?!" He just doesn't get it!

Anywho, I'm out! Hope everyone is enjoying what's left of summer!! Ciao!!

30

2008-07-30T11:08:00.000-07:00

Ok, I think I just threw-up a litle! 30?! WTH? Where have the last 12 or so years gone? I have been dreading today since last year's birthday. People keep saying,
"30 is the new 20.", "Wait until you're 40.", and lots of other comments like these. Well, you know what? I'm 30, and I hate it!! I woke up miserable, and as the day goes on I feel worse. In fact, I'm trying not to cry right now! Urghhhh...maybe it's just a phase, and I'll get over it? Right now, I don't think so. Growing up sucks ass in so many ways...lol. Laura Jean did make me smile yesterday, though, with my awesome birthday presents.

Taylor made me a card. Traven brought me an ice cold Coke from Summer Leadership. My mother sent Matt and I a gift card for Outback. My baby brother called me from Iraq. I got lots of well wishes! I am very grateful! Really, I am. I'm just too miserable to show it much.

Anywho, as I have mentioned before, I am in the Treasured Hunt '08 over at Treasured Scrapbooking. So, our first challenge was to create a one page LO using felt, scallops, only 1 photo, and journaling that had to start with "Today I". We can't post our creations anywhere but there and our blog until the competition is over or until we get the boot. (whichever comes first) So, here's what I did....

Plain and simple. I took the picture of myself this morning. I hate it, but it's me. Hopefully it will be good enough to get me to the next round. :0)

Bad Moods and Scrap Mojo

2008-07-28T06:43:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you aren't loved or appreciated or noticed even though the evidence staring you in the face says the complete opposite?? That is how I have been feeling the past few weeks. I haven't the faintest idea as to why?

And, before I get into the good stuff...my oldest 2 became a big brother and sister again on the 25th. So, their sperm donor comes to pick them up so they can go see their new baby sister. You know they were there for 2 hours and were not allowed to hold the baby!?!? Why? Because their other sister, who is 5, didn't want them to, and she has final say!! WTH?! Also, they spent about 30 minutes in the hallway because their step-mom had to pee, and she didn't want them in the room when she got in and out of bed and while she was in the bathroom. Maybe I just have no shame left in my game, but I was a little pissed by the whole thing.

Ok, ok...done with the bitch fest...

As far as scrap mojo, I feel like I have ZERO!! However, I've been getting lots of points and wonderful comments at Tally (I'm in the top 5 scrappers so far this contest!)...I've got an altered item that is the top in that category...

my card just left the top 8...

I have been the LO of the Week over at Treasured Scrapbooking for 2 weeks now (yeah, yeah...she may be a little too busy to change it, but I'll take that...lol).

I made their '08 Hunt, as well. :0)

I have been working on some Fancy Pants LOs and stuff. Yes, I think I am going to enter their Creative Team contest! I know it's a shot in the dark, but I'm still excited....just because I feel I'm getting so much better at scrapping! :0)

What have I been up to?

2008-07-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm...not too much these days. Lots of cleaning, lots of being bored, lots of being lazy.
I have been watching the neighbors dogs while they're at Disney for a week. Let me tell you, if I had known that one of them was not yet house trained, I wouldn't have offered to keep them. I literally clean at least 5 puddles of puppy pee a day, and I let them out at least 5 times a day! I honestly think I'm getting an allergy to dog urine...lol...I gag everytime I have to clean the stuff up! (She's only 4 months old and is bigger than their adult dog)
My oldest 2 young people came home yesterday morning!! :0) The house has been loud and obnoxious since. As much as I dislike loud and obnoxious, I'm glad to have it back.
My hubsters will be home in about 2 weeks...only 2 weeks earlier than he was originally supposed to be home. The MC really sucks ass sometimes!! As of right now, he is still leaving in January for a year. Like I said, the MC really sucks ass sometimes. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for everything they provide for us and for what they do....but I need to be angry with someone/something, so they won that spot!
My baby brother is on his last 3 months of his journey to the sandbox. He has handled it much better than I honestly thought he would. He has grown up so much! I am so proud of him! :0)

Ok, ok...enough of the blah-blah-blah...
Here's what I've been creating...

You can see these and all of my other wonderful creations over at TallyScrapper. I love that "place"!! The ladies and gents are wonderful...the talent is amazing...the support is awesome...it is my home on the net!

I uploaded my first submission to the Prima Sketch contest!!! :0) I hope they like it as much as I do!!

Oh yeah, I can't forget the Jar of Whimsy and inchies!!

Blah!

2008-07-11T18:04:00.000-07:00

So, as some of you know, my hubsters (over there on the right) was supposed to leave around the beginning of January. Well, he was told not too long ago that he would NOT be going....then, tonight he calls and tells me that he was put back on the list and will be home by the end of this month from Cali. :-( I am hoping, that with the indecisivness (did I spell that right?) of the MC, that he'll get taken back off...and I can get back to happy...fat chance, but there is always hope.

In other, happier news, I got some more done with the Tally July kit!! :-)

Inchie ATCs!! Aren't they the cutest things ever...well besides my young people??
:0)

Urrghhh...fevers suck!

2008-07-08T15:11:00.001-07:00

So, one of my lovely friends/neighbors, decided to stop over for a visit the other day. I invited her and her young people inside. Well, her 2 (ages 2 and almost 1) and my youngest 2 (the older 2 are at the sperm donors) are running around, playing, having a nice visit...you know...touching everything, sticking stuff in their mouths...normal young people stuff for that age. Wellllll, she decides to tell me, like after 15 minutes or so, that her young people have been running fevers for the last 2 days or so...not little ones, either...like 104. What was I supposed to do then? Heck, we were already exposed. At any rate, I ended up having a very last minute 4th of Jult get-together...not planned at all. She brought the young people...still with fevers!! Ok, I like her, but WTH? The point of this long story...my youngest 2 have had fevers since the 5th! We have been cooped up in the house since Saturday, and it has had it's rough spots! lol

At any rate, with all of this time on my hands, I have managed to create a lot of stuff for Tally (you know, I'm a part of the cool crowd over there now...lol...made the DT for July-Sept...WHOOP-WHOOP to me!!) with the awesomely Leah-designed kit!! I've also created some things for the Glitz challenge, and some other stuff. I am actually just running out of scrap-mojo! :-) Well, thanks for reading!!

Okkie-dokkie!

2008-07-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

I guess this means I am trying out the blogging world! Not sure how it will go, but at least I can say I tried. :0)

Don't ask where I came up with the name. I'm not exactly sure. I always tell my hubsters that if we get a boat, we are naming it CrapperDapples...lol. Just a funny little made up word straight from the eclectic mind of me!