Just look

... at this breathtakingly yummy creative space!!! Heather Bailey's
studio is fabulous. I am giddy just looking at it.





And isn't this fabric just delish!!! You can find it & more wonderful patterns here
Isn't it just wonderfully fun to be able to browse online. total bliss.

Letters & Numbers....

... Are one of my favorite passions. Especially vintage ones. I was so excited to find Timeless Treasures. Letters & numbers from Vintage signery are their specialty. Such fun photos of alphabetica & numerica. Yummy! Thier stuff has been used to decorate rooms for PB Teen. Tara Whitney even purchased some letters from them.

Wish I was close enough to visit them. I would be in typography heaven!

I am RED!!!

Color Code is a really cool website that has a personality profile.
Before doing the quiz, I thought 'wouldn't it be cool if my color is red?' After all, that's MY color. It's the color I feel comfortable around. The color I relate to. The color I am drawn to.
And guess what. Apparently there's a reason for that. Red is my personality color. There is nothing on the site to signify what answers will relate to which color.
The description of Reds was so accurate is was uncanny.
Congratulations. You are RED.

REDS are motivated by POWER. They seek productivity and need to look good to others. Simply stated, REDS want their own way. They like to be in the driver's seat and willingly pay the price to be in a leadership role. REDS value whatever gets them ahead in life, whether it be in their careers, school endeavors, or personal life. What REDS value, they get done. They are often workaholics. They will, however, resist doing anything that doesn't interest them.
REDS like to be right. They value approval from others for their intelligence and practical approach to life, and want to be respected for it. REDS are confident, proactive, and visionary; but can also be arrogant, selfish, and insensitive. When others interact with you, as a RED you respond to them best if they are precise, factual, direct, AND show no fear!

Funky Art Stamps...

...by Tiphoni These are so fun!!!

This girl's got a way-cool imagination...

Collaging-Kristen
Playing on Flickr tonight & found some of her work. She even gives an awesome tutorial that rocks!

OK, this stuff is too cute...

... this stuff would make work FUN!!! See Jane Work
These are fun!!! Bob's Your Uncle

This is a fun site...

...to visit. Story A Day Very amusing!

Blog hopping today...

...and I found This Blog through a link from Ali's Blog. Another great one is A Bird In The Hand Fabulous creativity there!
Great quotes on Ali's blog today, too!
I especially love this on...
Anna Quindlen : ...but the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three on them sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4, and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in a hurry to get on to the next things: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.
Wow. If that doesn't get you right in the heart, there is seriously something wrong.

Make It Mondays...

...with Lisa Vollrath is online! I'm a little late on finding it, but it's fab! You gotta check it out. This week is making throw away collage. So fun!

Neat new blog...

...Craft Critique. Looking for a review on a new product? Want opinions about that new thing-a-majiggy you've been wanting to buy? That's what this blog is all about.

And they are doing a Feedback giveaway right now. Head on over & check it out!

So stinkin' cute...

...I got more than a few good chuckles at the antics over at Dog Blog TV. Thhose little Yorkies are always up to something, I tell ya! And the cartoonish voice-over is freakin' hilarious!! You gotta go take a look-see. Go on. You deserve a laugh today!

Eleven...

...today, Madi is 11. No longer a child & not yet a teen. Caught in those ever awkward days of being a pre-teen. Trying to find out who you are. Trying to be older, yet still wanting to be little just a while longer.

I pray that she will continue to be the sweet, loving little girl that enjoys a good snuggle as often as she can get it. Who still talks to Mom about everything. Who only changes by growing stronger and more confident in herself rather than becoming independent too quickly.

It's hard seeing your baby get older. But I look forward to seeing her mature and grow into a fine young lady. I want her to know that she will always be as precious to me as she is now. And that I am proud of her.

Confessions of a Scrapbook Widower...

...Hilarious! My husband can relate to this!
This guy is so funny!

An adventure...

...the Artist's Way. Some of us gals from Two Peas have joined together & are working through Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.
One of the girls set up a Support Blog to discuss our journey. Kewl Beans.

This is Week One.

I had a bit of a lte start, but I am catching up. Still need to do my artist's date this week. Not easy living in Podunk in winter. I'll probably just lock myself in my room & watch an old movie on TV. Still sound like fun, though.

Very powerful stuff.

I am having a HARD time waking up half an hour early to do the morning pages. I am totally NOT a morning person. In NO WAY, Shape or form. But I am doing it anyway. My brain is mush at that hour, but , at least I am doing it. That is waht is important. Perhaps soon it will start to have an effect.

Sometimes....

...you have one of those days when you are just irritable. You try not to be. But it's there under the surface. And then the littlest things set you on nerve.
...and you just feel crabby about everything. Until your teenage daughter tells you outloud that she loves you. In front of her friends at school. Actually, she yells it. And then all the little things that got under my skin today just seem so insignificant.

Everything that matters is summed up in those 3 little words.

Oh, and Taylor, I love you, too!

Such Fun colors & Designs

Found print & pattern quite by accident while blog surfing today. Whimsical, colorful & just plain fun! Gotta love it!

Where have I been?

Loooong time - no bloggie!!!

I guess one could say I have been on hiatus. A small reprieve from netdom.


Here's what i have been up to (in no particular order)...

• Enjoying my new job at the school. Love the teachers I work with. super ladies!

• Joined a Stampin' Up stamp group - consisting of some of the wonderfully cool gals from the school. Love hanging out with them & creating fun little cards. (Although this newfound hobby is quite expensive!!!) But totally worth it. Making LOTS of cards. No pressure, just fun.

•Being a mom of a teenager. So far, not as bad as they say. Taylor is becoming quite a wonderful young lady. Our relationship is growing stronger. I think she actually like spending (al little) time with dear ol' mom.

• Being a mom of a preteen. Now, this is a bit tougher. I am not used to my little Madi being tempermental & moody.

• Watching Grey's Anatomy. LOVE this show!
And Heroes. super cool new show!
And Daybreak. Taye Diggs is fab! And this show is totally addictive. seriously.

That's about it. Nothing too exciting. Just taking time to regroup. Time for me. Totally needed.

I must have this...

Seriously

OK, Seriously...

... I am inspired just looking at this girl's scrap space. Seriously. I don't even have to see her work to be inspired. Although that really gets me going. Extreme talent. If you don't believe me, just check out her blog!

Pure Bliss....

... a Priority Mail envelope filled with stamps from Ma Vinci's Reliquary. YUM!!!

Ma Vinci is having a HUGE sale. I found it the other night & went wild!!! (Well, for me anyway. I spent $60!!!)

I've never owned any of her stamps before. I've just drooled over them. And wished I could own some. Now I do. I'm calling it an early Christmas gift. From me to me. Delicious rubbery goodness. Yeah.

If you want some, HURRY!!! The 50% Off Anniversary sale ends today!

As for me... I'm off to play...

Quotes...

...that speak to me today.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
~Marianne Williamson



Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'
~Mary Anne Radmacher-Hershey



The following quote was found on Kelly Angard's Crafty Girl Blog (So happy to see her back among us again!!)

"all my strength
blown away with a weakening force.
all that i fear i am
is nothing
compared to what i fear
i am not."

© 2006 kelly angard

Neat Stuff....

I have stumbled across quite a few really great sites today.
Why We Journal is a great site for inspiration in creating visual journals.

Women's Creativity gives insight into how a woman's creativity is generated.

Lots of Pictures ofArt Journal
PagesAnd Even More Art Journal Pages

Ever notice...

...how just being around certain people makes you want to be a better person? My friend, Kim does that for me. She doesn't even have to say anything or do anything in particular. It's just something about the way she is that offers hope. She is real. She is transparent. She admits when she makes mistakes. She tries to live better. She makes me want to live better. I'm so thankful that God allowed our paths to cross. I'm glad He chose her to be my friend.
Thanks, Kim... for just being you...

Catching up...

... long time no bloggie!!!

So here's what I've been up to in no particular order....


... Taylor's birthday.
I managed to get a few little gifties to her throughout the day.

A little card with a dove necklace in it first thing in the morning when she came down to breakfast. She must have liked it because she actually had it on when I came downstairs. (She is SUCH a morning person & ALWAYS wakes up before I do.)

I snuck another little note & a mood ring (she loves mood rings) into her lunchbox for her to find at lunchtime at school.

Then, I had a balloon bouquet delivered as soon as we got home from school. Not allowed to have them delivered to school anymore :(

Made her signature requested birthday dinner. Of all things, she chooses hamburger helper cheeseburger flavor. I can cook. Really. I hardly ever make hamburger helper. So I don't know why this is her favorite meal. Seriously. But she loves it.

Then, we went to the Dairy Queen for Ice Cream Cupcakes. Taylor LOVES Dairy Queen cakes.

I think she had a pretty good day. Not as special as I had hoped I could make it, but still good.

We took her and a friend shopping in Fairview Heights on Sunday. Had an awesome time. We got a good laugh because it's the first time we've gone there that I haven't stopped by the scrapbook stores. (That was soooo hard for me!!!) But this trip was all about Taylor. We shopped at TJ MAXX, Old Time Pottery, and of course, the mall!!! Found some cool clothes & room accessories for Taylor & Madi even got a couple of things. We ate at St. Louis Bread Company - Taylor's choice!

Her party wasn't until September 1. We rented the public pool. It was soooo cold!!!! Temperatures around here have been hovering around 78 during the day and high 50's low 60s at night. Totally out of character for Southern Illinois this time of year. We are usually burning up right now. go figure. BUT, the girls had an absolute blast anyway!!!! They played chicken & some kind of game with a ball & giggled a lot!!! And of all things, we had a Dairy Queen Cake. I would have preferred some chili & hot chocolate, myself. LOL! But, in the end, Taylor said her party was awesome!!! I am so glad they had a good time. They didn't let the cold bother them & made the best of it. Yay!!!


...Last Scrapper Standing. My Round 3 layout didn't move me to the next round. But, that was totally Ok with me. I never expected to move past the first round, let alone go to round 3. I accomplished what I had set out to do. To be motivated to get out of the serious slump I had been in. And in the process, my self-esteem was boosted by about a thousand notches. The girls at 2 Peas are amazing. They were so supportive of everyone. And the Dare girls...well for them to even take a second look at my work, let alone honor me with being in the final 89 entrants out of 400...WHOA! I am just overwhelmed. Thanks for the privilege.


...I entered some pages in the State Fair. Mainly so the girls could see thier faces on the wall when we og. They were always telling me I should have entered, so this year I did. I hear through the grapevine that I got some ribbons. But I've not been to the fair yet, so I don't know which pages or what ribbons. I am excited to be going tomorrow so I can find out!!!

...Still trying to house train Sophie. She is doing OK, I guess, but we're still having some accidents. Some days none at all & other days 8 or 9. And we are taking her out often. Ugh!!! She is only 13 weeks old, though, so I know it's gonna happen.
And YES. We are crate training. I'd hate to think how bad it would be if we weren't.

But, she is a wonderful, loveable puppy & I am so happy that we have her. She is a great addition to the family. I can't believe how fast she is growing, though! I can barely pick her up anymore!!!

Here's a pic from the day she came home with us...

and here's one of her just the other day...



...I am adapting to working full time again. My job itself is great. My time away from home, not so much. I just can't seem to get a handle on the preparing dinner plans in advance & keeping the housework caught up through the week things. Throw in soccer practice 2 nights a week (I am an assistant coach for the girls' team) and I am quite exhausted. But I am thankful for the job. It is not high stress & so far, the teachers & staff are quite pleasant to work with. Here's to more good days ahead!

Thirteen...

...today, Taylor became a a teenager. Amazing that time really does go as quickly as they say. One day, you have a brand new baby to cuddle & hold. A thumb-sucking little bundle of love. A few days later, you are watching them begin Kindergarten. Then Junior High. And then, they become a teenager. It just happens that fast. I have enjoyed watching her grow into a young lady and I am so proud of how responible she is becoming. I love that she is becoming her own person. I better enjoy each moment as it comes, because tomorrow, she'll be 16.....

LSS Round 3 Layout Posted

Dare # 3 Finished & Posted! Yay, me! I'll upload pics of these as soon as I get a chance, but for now, I'm linking to my gallery at 2 Peas.
Hip Chick

I just LOVE how this one came out. Gonna have to frame it, I think!

randomness...

... my new job at the school is going better than expected. i get to come home for lunch and let Sophie out.

... still wish i could be home scrapping, though. but that just doesn't pay well. (read not at all)

... trying to figure out what i'm gonna do to make Taylor's birthday special. It's this Wednesday. and she'll be 13!!! I have totally dropped the ball on this one. I had BIG plans & was not able to make any of it work out. so now I am scrambling to try to put something together. Turning 13 is a big deal & I feel like a total failure as a Mom right now for not having anything special going on. If just thinking about something & planning it out were enough, I'd be set. But, alas, no. One must actually take steps to DO something for it to be accomplished. I KNOW that. so why do I always end up in this spot? Rushing around like a big dope without a clue and no way or no time to do it. ugh. seriously.

Moving on.....

Yippee!!!! Going on to Round 3 of Last Scrapper Standing!!! (insert whooping & hollering & jumping & dancing here) OMGoodness!! I am totally freaking out here, people. seriously. I sincerely did not feel worthy this week. Nothing super special. Just me doing a page because it suited me. I loved it. My daughter loved it. That was all that mattered. I did not hold any hopes of being chosen to compete in the next round.

But , wow. The Dare girls must have thought it was good. I am still standing. Totally wow. Thank you girlies!! You have no idea how much my self esteem has been boosted. I am in debt to you. for real.

The next dare is circles. everything circles. hmmm... off to go jot down some ideas.
hugs!

Last Scrapper Standing Round 2

Finally completed my layout Wednesday afternoon. I didn't go with any of my "original" artsy ideas. I decided instead to work with Taylor's Spring Party photos. I am happy with how it turned out, although it is in no way efferlicious enough to grant me passage to round 3.
Essence of Beauty

But, hey! I only entered this contest to find a way out of the serious slump I was in. Mission Accomplished.

efferlicious!!!

i made it! woo-hoo! on to the next round of last scrapper standing! i am still numb. still can't believe it. there were nearly 400 entrants. i am in the final 185. wowzers.

i totally never ever expected to be chosen. this totally rocks. did a happy dance. hooped & hollered and screamed. then i called terry and did it all again. total happiness here. yeah.


and so...
the new dare is to do a layout using 13 photos. i can do that. right?