Girlfriends Accordian Album

I did manage to do something scrappy this weekend. I started this album at a crop on Friday night, and finished it up today. This is a project for a class I'll be teaching in Huntsville, AL. I still need to print some girlfriend photos for it, but here is a peek at the outside!

And I've been tagged by Linda, so I'll be back soon.

Paper Crafts Idol

Paper Crafts is having a card creating contest on their website. My friend, Valerie Salmon (Valerie S), is one of the top 20! Voting just opened for the second round. So, take a look at the beautiful "Thank You" cards, and cast your vote!
http://www.papercraftsmag.com/gallery/content.ihtml?idx=196

blog neglect

It seems quiet around here, huh? I've been in a reflective mood this week - thinking about Jennifer and Joey - thinking about life and how I live it and how I should be living it.
I attended a local crop last night. I found out that a local girlfriend had begun scrapbooking, so I invited her, and she came along :) My sister was there, along with other scrappy friends, and we had a very nice evening. For 2 hours I tried to just put a page together....I pushed things around (my husband thinks that is a funny way of putting it), to no avail. Finally, I pulled out a class I needed to design for fall, and got moving on something! I'm working on 6 new classes, plus 2 that I've taught once before, for Simply Southern Scrapbook Convention to be held in October in Huntsville, AL. Registration opens early, so I must have the designs finalized by mid-May.
And I've also been in an "Amy Butler" state of mind, lol. K&Co asked me to design 3 double page spreads for a class in the fall, so that kept me busy this week. It also gave me a good taste of Amy's designs, and I'll admit....that quilting bug that has been biting me took a good NIBBLE. I ordered a couple of her new patterns, and some fabric, to do some sewing this summer. Olivia and Michaela both want purses and Amy's darling ditty bags. I want to make myself a skirt (I've NEVER sewed anything for myself), a purse, and a quilt/throw for my newly painted living room.
What about you? Any other hobbies besides scrapbooking? Are you a quilter, and have some tips or ideas for me?

on my heart

My friend, Jennifer, is on my heart and mind today. Her 13 year old son is battling terminal cancer, and he was airlifted to the hospital last night. They know it is just a matter of time now, and I know they would appreciate all prayers on his behalf.

Tania Willis has organized a benefit for Joey, Jen, and their family. You can read more here:
http://www.benefitforjen.blogspot.com/

If you are willing to donate services, artwork, or have a manufacturer, etc that is willing to donate, please email Tania at benefitforjen@yahoo.com.

Thank you for remembering Joey in your prayers.

home again, home again

And what a lovely trip I had :) Not only did I meet some new friends, but I also reconnected with some old ones. Scrapbook Mania owners, India and Nonna, have a lovely store, and they know how to feed their people :D Thank you both for a great time! My students were awesome, and we had a lot of fun throughout the 4 classes and lunch. They made my job easy, and reminded me how much I love teaching. They also helped jump my van off, when I came out to a dead battery at 6pm on Saturday night, lol. I hope some of you will email me some photos from the day. I never take my camera, as I have so many boxes, kits, and tools to keep up with, I'm afraid I would drop it or lose it. But, I would love to have copies *hint, hint* :D

last update on Birmingham

I'll be heading out on Friday morning, and after talking with India at Scrapbook Mania this morning, I wanted to let you know there are only 2 spots left in each class (or less). If you are thinking about signing up, do it fast! Or if you are interested in a kit from the class (contains color copy and full instructions), call now to reserve it. I know India will gladly ship to you, if you want. See some of you real soon!

fun with sketches

Valerie Salmon challenged me to use her latest sketch, and you can see the sketch and the results at www.gotsketch.blogspot.com. Now I want to know where my layout from Valerie is :D (and yes, that is another round title - I told you I was having too much fun with circles!)

Scrapping machine

I feel like one anyway. I scrapped 3 layouts in one day! Love those kinds of days :D Here's another peek at a layout with a round title and some 7 Gypsies papers that I'm loving. Can you tell I'm having fun going in circles? ;) And that image behind the chipboard "O" is a rubon from Urban Lily. Check them out and tell me they are not TOTAL YUM?!

Prize Winner!!!

First off, you see my bowl of names :)

Then the GOOD part - the prizes!

1 mini book kit by K&Co

1 set of clear stamps by Autumn Leaves

1 set of white alphabet rubons by American Crafts

1 set of red alphabet rubons by Mustard Moon

1 set of brown alphabet rubons by DCWV

1 set of white frame rubons by BasicGrey

And the winner in black and white - LISA RISSER, come on down! Email me your address at momtwoangels@yahoo.com so I can get your prize out to ya!

Let me say a HUGE thank you to each that played along with me :) I'm off to finish leaving comments on all the layouts. It is SO FUN to have you share with me for a change! Thanks, again!

I haven't forgotten!

I'm gathering up the prize package and will draw a name in a few minutes. In the meantime, here is a peek at a round title I've been working on - excited about my classes in Birmingham this weekend! This layout will be one of the never before seen samples I'll be showing in class. I want to give my students LOTS of ideas for "Titles in the Round" :)

better late than never

I believe traditions are important. Even silly ones, like dying eggs. The past 2 years, we've traveled at Easter, and it's hard for me to get everything together and dye the eggs early. So, we do it late :) And, it's just as much fun for the girls and I. So you can guess what I'll be doing this afternoon....yes, I'm hiding eggs 8 days after Easter! lol (Although we had a huge hunt on Easter, the girls want to hunt THESE eggs.)

this is blogging

I know I'm not a true blogger. I'm just not that interesting, and I still feel a bit weird about it all. So, I keep it light and post mostly scrapbooking biz. There ARE people who ARE true bloggers. The real thing. And you know who I'm talking about. Just this past week I found a new one for me. Just a link on a scrappy blog that I followed (Thank you, Steph!!). But, since then, I've laughed a lot, shared photos and humorous text with my husband, and laughed some more. You gotta check it out, if you don't already know about her - http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ . Truly a great read.

And, I'm giving my weekend scrappers a little while this morning to show me a layout using some of their favorite products, before I draw for the prize! More on that in a bit.

Friday already? and a PRIZE

Yep, it certainly is. I've been playing catch up all week, after our trip to Nashville last weekend. Taxes, scrappy assignments, laundry. We've been getting some rain, which we needed.

This recent layout has photos from last spring. Some of my favorite things on this layout - Michaela ;), lol, black with bright colors, CI scalloped paper, rubons, velvet rick rack, and PINK :D Do you create layouts with products you love? Have you piled up fun stuff, and grabbed photos that "feel" the same way? Show me! Because everyone that links me to a layout that they've created with things they love will be entered into a drawing for a box of scrapbooking goodies! I'm going to leave this open until Monday morning. That way, if you want to create something new, you have the weekend.

I hope to have some scrapping time myself. My friend, Valerie Salmon, has started a sketch blog (http://www.gotsketch.blogspot.com) and she has challenged me to create a layout using one of her sketches :) She doesn't know it, but I'm going to challenge her right back, lol - to create a new layout with products she loves (and I've seen all her stuff, so I'll know if she tries to cheat!) :D

I look forward to seeing YOUR recent creations! And I promise the prize box will be a good one.

Birmingham, here I come!

Just got off the phone with India (Scrapbook Mania), and I'm very excited that my trip to Birmingham on the 20th and 21st is almost here! If you are thinking about driving in from the surrounding area, I hope you'll just do it! I've been stacking up door prizes - how does brand new K&Company sound? And the classes are full of fun ideas, and beautiful product. I'm attaching a couple more photos from my classes, but if you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me at momtwoangels@yahoo.com. All the kits have color copies and full instructions, in case you don't finish your project in class, or if you are unable to attend after signing up. Several of these mini books would make great gifts for Mother's Day, birthday, but if you are like most, you'll want to keep them for yourself :D I'm bringing lots of samples for the "Titles in the Round" class, as well as including ideas on your color copies. Hope to see you there!

Happy Belated Easter!

Sorry for the delay in posting my holiday greetings. Hope you and your family and friends had a wonderful day! We thoroughly enjoyed our Easter. I have a little story for you - while out of town, having my van serviced, I happened on these little bears on clearance at the Hallmark store. $2.50 each, and I thought they were darling. I added them to the Easter goodies I had for the girls' baskets. Later in the afternoon yesterday, Olivia asked me "Mom, how did you know we would love these little bears? They are just perfect!" :D I told her it was my job as a mom ;) And who could resist this little guy anyway?!

On Thursday, Michaela's class had an egg hunt and party at the park. She and I put together these little goody bags for her classmates - I found the bags at Target. Aren't they sweet?

2 more for fun

In a posting mood today!

Spring is here

but very little rain. These are 2 layouts from last year, with photos from last spring. I went out and bought Easter candy today...getting ready for the big day :D