Making a Comeback....

I have to say--I'm slowly , but surely getting back into blogging.  I would really love to get regular again.  Now, more than ever, I need my blog as an outlet.

Along with blogging, being an outlet for me--so is creating...

About four or so years ago creating was HUGE for me.  I scrapbooked, made card, created mini albums, and basically made anything I could think of.  I'm sure there are a lot of things that made me lose the want and need to get my creativity out.

Looking back on when I quit and potential reasons why--things seem like they are truly excuses and it upsets me now that I let people and situations get the best of me and steal something from me that I truly loved.

I've gained a lot of friends through scrapbooking...but with that, I have had some sadness too.

I've actually been lucky enough to work in TWO scrapbooking stores.  One was a local store here in town that brought some awesome people into my life.  I ended up working there to support my addiction.  I met one of my closest friends there.  Unfortunately, my little home away from home was in the same building that was part of a fire a few years back.  The store and a lot of its supplies were ruined by that fire.  My friend ended up leaving and going back home to Wyoming.  She did come up a few times and had some retreats, But all the work that goes into a retreat and the fact that attendance and sales just weren't there proved to be the end of that journey for me.

Although I was saddened by that, I found another friend on Facebook that ran a scrapbook store out of her home.  At first, we had a great friendship and was able to work together and spend time going to dinners, having some girls' nights, playing games, and laughing our butts off.  We actually got our families together.  But-when you have two very strong minded people, who speak their minds, butt heads--it's gonna be catastrophic for a friendship.  The relationship ended with bitterness and no way to mend.

These two things were a major factor in me losing my passion for creating.  There was also really no place to meet friends and craft together anymore.  All of us that were friends either lost touch or got too busy with life to make the time to get together and create together.

I understand getting busy will throw a wrench into your creative mojo, but between finding work and meeting people who didn't share my same passion--I began moving further from it.

Fast forward to the recent couple of years and I just couldn't bring myself to go down to my craft area and create.  Papers, ribbon, adhesive, etc.--all started collecting dust....Apparently my creative self was beginning to get dusty too.

I did have a couple of instances that I would make a birthday card or alter something.  I altered a clipboard that I used for work when I was a cake decorator for Sam's Club....unfortunately, it's still there. :(

But it wasn't until a couple of months ago that I started finding myself getting comfortable in my space again. I actually have a plan to implement until I have my mojo for creating back again.

I am actually VERY behind on my scrapbooking.  So, I'll take a group of pictures and make some layouts.  Once those are done, I move onto making cards.  I'll work on cards for 2 to 3 days and move into crafting with other elements-whether it's making a sign, wreath, etc.

Well, for this time around with scrapbooking, I pulled out some of Jon's Halloween  pictures from 2001! WHAT THE HECK?!?!?!  I was able to make a few groupings to total 4 pages!

All of these layouts were created with the My Mind's Eye Boo to You! and Spider's Web collection. I also used my Cricut---which I have also missed! The cartridge I used was October 31st.

They are a little more simple than I am used to, but it's a start!

Oh, the memories! Remembering Jon that young (He was 2 years old!) feels like it was yesterday.  He's now 15 and growing up way too fast!  I miss these times though.  Who doesn't miss their kids as little ones though?

Well that's it until the next time....which I hope is soon!

Thanks for stopping by and reading! :)

Summer Pics, Blessings, and a Layout! :) (sorry about the novel)

This little girl.....makes my whole family wonder: "HE made another one?"

My parents know exactly what I am talking about! The mouth (shape and what comes out of it at times!! EEK!), curly hair (although it is blond), smiley eyes.....from the bed head when she gets up in the morning to the fact she doesn't like bedtime....SHE IS ME! Sometimes I am not sure how I feel about this. I thought  Jon was like me with his personality, but hands down....Sasha is the reincarnation of me. :) AND....I love it.
I tell myself this all the time....believe me, being a mom to ME is NOT fun (sorry Mom). When we were trying potty training a few weeks ago. We had this conversation:
Sasha: "Mama? Can I ride a HOR-SEE?" 
Me: "Uh, Sash, I am sorry, but only big girls can ride a horse. And you don't use the potty yet. You don't even try."
You could tell this really burned her britches! And she was not about to let that go...NO WAY...and to be frank...at 4...I wouldn't have either. :) So....
Sasha: "Well, I AM NOT using the potty! Sorry, YOU LOSE!"
Me: *****speechless*****
In fact, I called my mom who told my dad and he started to chuckle at the WHOLE thing! Really? Does no one support me in raising this little girl who has more attitude at 4 than most teens? LOL! :)
Nope....I - AM - TRULY - ON - MY - OWN! But, it's ok.....I have a secret weapon:

That would be my best friend! :) That little girl actually listens to him. She cares what he thinks....and when I am at my wits end with both kids...although Jon (my son) will tell you he does NOTHING to upset his sister! LOL! Which is NOT true! He thinks it's funny to upset her! ANYWAYS...when I am at my wits end....he swoops in like superman and takes over. He will get home from work and actually ASK: "What can I do?"
Before you think he is perfect....he is not without some imperfections....which some of my closest friends and his mom know! ;) BUT.....I think the way he is...totally scratches away whatever may annoy me! :) Besides...Like I said: He deals with literally TWO OF ME! And can still be a dad and a role model for this young man:

Which by the way.....WON'T let me take any pics of just him! 

Now, I can't do a post without a layout or something creative. So, here you go, but I had to write the whole thing because this layout made me think of so much! :) I am truly blessed. :)

What the journaling says: Your daddy and I talk all the time about if you really realize just how funny and beautiful you are! You are so carefree and your spirit is amazing! The light you always have in your eyes makes everyday BRIGHTER!

What I used: Bo Bunny (Patterned Paper), My Mind's Eye (matting paper all chipboard stickers except for the butterfly), ribbon and lace (stash), Heidi Swapp (chipboard butterfly). Photo Editing: PSE 7

Thanks for stopping! :)

My Challenge at The Colorful Creations Blog...JOIN US!!

Hey all! :) I was asked by Brenda (aka. Paper Diva) at Colorful Creations to do their Blog Challenge #7 in January. I thought it would be fun and I had never done it before, so I figured,  "WHY THE HECK NOT?!" LOL! Well, Brenda said I could go to the blog and check out the past blog challenges and I did. The last one happened to be a sketch so I figured, "Hey, I have never done a sketch (either worked with one or designed one) and that may be kinda fun." I also thought that since I have been stepping out of my comfort zone lately that maybe I should  try it. So I did! :) You can got to The Colorful Creations Blog HERE and see my sketches. BUT....here are my projects. :) I did a card and a layout sketch.

Layout

Card



What I used on my Beauty Layout: Bazzil CS (12x12 teal, black used for matting) , American Crafts (Thickers Alpha Stickers), Bo Bunny (Patterned Paper), Queen and Co (Felt border), Petaloo (flowers), My Mind's Eye (Chipboard Journaling Tag, Today's The Day,  Believe in Yourself), Jenni Bowlin Studios (butterflies), Making Memories (metal "perfect" tag).

What I used on my card: Recollections CS (Kraft), Graphic 45 (Patterned paper), My Mind's Eye (how many? how much? chipboard embellie), Tim Holtz Idea-o-logy (clock face and spinners), Michael's (ribbon).

Thanks for stopping and drop by the Colorful Creations Blog and join us in this challenge! :) 

Creative Therapy Catalyst #95

Hey everyone! I am so happy that I got to take part in Creative Therapy's Challenge! :) I have wanted to take part in these for so long now. I found them through one of their artist scrapbookers, Dedra Long, who is one of the most gifted scrapbookers on the planet! Her work has been published and is beyond gorgeous....I would LOVE to see her work in person someday. A girl can only dream! ;)

Anyway-the catalyst for this week was: "What is something you struggle with?" At first, I was thinking, THIS IS A HARD THING TO DEAL WITH FOR THE FIRST CATALYST I AM DOING!!!!!! Then I thought and focused and came up with a layout idea that I thought I may like and then I went with it.

This is what I came up with:

The title is: There's always gonna be an uphill battle.

I then remembered there was a song that had those words...I just couldn't remember what it was called....Then it hit me...."The Climb" by Miley Cyrus. So then I looked for lyrics on the web. I started reading and realized I was right, that line was in the song. I then decided to read the song and started to cry...the words explained everything! I loved it!

Here are those words:

The Climb (written by J. Alexander and J. Mabe)

I can almost see it

That dream I'm Dreaming

But there's a voice inside my head saying

"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking

Every move I make feels

Lost with no direction

My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying

Gotta keep my head held up high

There's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Alway gonna be an uphill battle

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side

It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing

The chances I'm taking

Sometimes might knock me down

But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it

But these are the moments that

I'm gonna remember the most, yeah

Just gotta keep going

And I, got to be strong

Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna want to make it move

Always gonna be an uphill battle

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side

It's the climb, yeah

There's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Always gonna be an uphill battle

Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side

It's the climb, yeah

Keep on moving, keep climbing

Keep the faith, baby

It's all about, it's all about the climb

Keep the faith, keep your faith whoa.

Now for the completely personal part. I had to write these struggles on my layout. I was wondering.....Am I ready to do this? I think sometimes we think that if we don't say or write our insecurities, worries....our not so "shiny" aspects of life that they don't exist. That is so not the truth. I thought that way and I couldn't have been more wrong.

So here is my journaling: Insecurities- my weight- ( I joke about it, but it kills me when I look in the mirror) my skin- (I have always had BAD SKIN, but was hoping once I was in my 30's- it would be nice and clear). how I kiss (told you this was deeply personal)- (This isn't my hubby's fault, but I worry constantly about this.) I'm very critical about my cooking- (Even though everyone tells me how good it is, I always feel it could be better.)

Worries - financial- ( This has been a struggle for me for a while. I am one of those "I need it now!" types. Health- (I have fibromyalgia, but I refuse to let it control me.) my kids- (I worry about how I am as a mom.) my hubby- (I worry if I make him happy-ALL THE TIME!)

Addiction- -Sometimes I feel like a cigarette--I have been able to say, "NO!" for a few years now. Shopping- this is actually an addiction.

Depression - After being diagnosed with it 2 years ago-it is still a struggle.

-I am always wanting to be successful at my art.

- I want people to enjoy me and my work.

What I used: I bought pretty much everything , except the Jolee's paper roses from Mountains of Memories and More...not only is Jeanie my friend, but she is an awesome person and her store is great! :)

Both the blue patterned paper and the cream part I wrote on are from My Mind's Eye, Bella Bella Collection. For the title, I used a chalk template from (Ben Franklin) by TheCraftersworkshop.com. I used chalks from Pebbles Inc. to chalk the templates (also the edges of the lyrics). The butterfly is Glimmer Glass from Tattered Angels. The larger flowers are from Jenni Bowlin (I got them from my friend, Jayne's webstore and the smaller ones are from Making Memories Vintage Findings Collection (Michael's), Bazzil cardstock for matting.

I really hope you all enjoyed this! : )I did! :) Thanks! :)

Blowin' Things Up!

I am so happy that I decided to do LOAD again this time! :) I may not have been able to keep up with the voraciousness that I had in May, but I am inspired and that makes it all worth it. :) On day 11 in May, I had over 15 layouts done...right now on LOAD Day 11..I have 4! ;)

A little back story to this layout of mine. :) On July 4th of this year, we finally decided to let Jon light off his OWN fireworks. If ANY of you truely know me then you know that this was one of the hardest things for me to do. Jon is my oldest, but it is still so hard for me to let go of him and let him grow the way he needs to. But, with a little of Garth's coaxing, I was ok with it. :)

One of the things that Jon HAD to do is blow up some of his "guys", you know...action figures. He had spent weeks picking out what he thought was the PERFECT combo of guys to BLOW UP.

In the end, he blew an arm off of one and burned another, but he got what he wanted out of it and loved the experience of it all. :)

The Layout

The little bit of journaling I did was on this star I cut from some MME paper.

I cut the "cool" from a DCWV "Boys" Transparancy booklet. I thought it was PERFECT!

Thanks for looking! :)

BIA's Summertime Challenge!!!

WOW! I have been out of the blogging scene for quite some time this month, huh? I have been doing a lot of projects and hopefully a couple of them will pan out for me. :) We will see though! :) Now let's get to the fun!!!!!

The Zutter Zisters had another fun challenge on the BIA Blogsite. I have been really loving challenges lately. When I see one..I have to do it! :) Well, the challenge was to make a Summertime project using your Bind-It-All. I himmed and hawed for a while and then realized what would be one of the funnest projects out there and really needed at this time of year. :) My project was a Floen Family Summer Envie Book! I was thinking that it would be nice to keep certain things within reach, so I could just grab it when I needed it. :)

So here it is:

What I used: BIA 5/8" o-wire and BIA tool

Cricut Accent Essentials Cartridge

BoBunny Dotted Cardstock, flowers, cardstock stickers, cutouts, and brads.

My Mind's Eye "Breaking Free" Just Chillin' Accessories

American Crafts Plastic Flowers

Bling is from Michaels

Square Bling is from Glitz

DCWV Patterned Paper

Metal Flowers are from Colorbok

CTMH Waxy Flax

Beads are from Walmart

Bazzil Bling Brads

Polymark Puff Paint

I hope you like it and thanks for looking! :)

Simply Priceless (March 2008)

Are you all scratching your head about the dates here? LOL! I am that far behind in my scrapping. I am one of those scrapper's (I use this description a lot, don't I?), that has to "feel" a pic before scrapping it. :) I can NEVER just take any old pic and scrap it. :) So that is why my scrapbooks are all over the place as far as the dates go. I still have pages I have to do with Jon's pics....YES I AM THAT FAR BEHIND!!!

This layout is of Sasha and her Godfather-to-be (yes, another thing we are behind on!), Justin. Justin is also Jon's godfather too. He is a very special guy in our lives and I so enjoy having him in our lives. :)

What I used: I used the 12x12 paper that comes in the American Crafts page protectors that are included in the 12x12 American Crafts D-ring binder, Stampin'Up (striped and flowers), I did cut the flowered background diecut BIG flower with the Cricut with the Accent Essentials cart, CTMH (bubblegum, for sponging the edges of the papers), Heidi Swapp (XXL Brads), Bazzill Bling Brads (pink), My Mind's Eye (Quote chipboard block, chipboard tag, and Simply Priceless)

Daddy's Girl (March 2008)

Hey everyone! I am a little behind in posting my layouts that I have been working on. I do have a few of them. I have two already edited (although not too well) and ready to go, so here we go! :)

I just love these pictures that I took in March of 2008. I love watching Garth cuddle with both of my kids. He LOVES being a father and he is a wonderful dad! :) He has a special bond with both kids, but you know about being a Daddy's Girl and BELIEVE ME, Sasha is NO exception to that rule! :) The sun rises and sets on her DADDY! :)

So, here it is:What I used: Bo Bunny Paper (both pink with brown polka dots and the hearts in circles paper), Sandylion Stamps (bunny), CTMH (matting paper), Flair Designs (cardstock stickers, Daddy's Girl), My Mind's Eye (description chipboard tag/journaling box), ribbon (Michael's $$ bin),Ranger Archival ink, popdots

Fun Ideas using Miss Lauren M's sketches and templates!!!

Hey all!! I have been creating up a storm here! Those of you who live here in Great Falls, may think I may have created the storm that came through yesterday...WHAT WAS THAT?! Aren't we in SPRING? Well if you don't feel like we are in SPRING..then you will love my ideas that I used using Lauren Meader's (http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/page/2/)Saturday Sketches and her "Bun in the Oven" template from Papertrey Ink's Timeless Templates (http://www.papertreyink.com/timeless_templates.html). So..what am I waiting for!!!!

This fun little gift was made before I decided to try out for Lauren's Design Team....I had been wanting to use these fun summer colors! :) This was very simple and fun to do. :) Believe it or not. I was able to use one sheet of 12x12 cardstock for the card and box! :)

This is what I used: Bazzill 12x12 Cardstock (dotted swiss)
Best Occassions Mixed Media Pack (patterned paper)

Scraps for the punched out circles/polka dots

Heidi Swapp Bling Brads

White Tulle.

Ok...now on to where I decided to try for Miss Lauren's Design Team! :) I figured out what she was asking for on Tuesday of this week! AHHH...well you know me! :) I got my Thinking Cap on and started thinking of what to do to have her look at me other than screaming on my blog, "PICK ME!!! PICK ME!!!" So, this is what I came up with...I did one project with a card that is from her Saturday Sketches and her Bun in the Oven Template. I have put the sketch first and then the card! :) Lauren's Sketch

My card! :)

Look at the fun way to open the "oven"!

It fits a fun little candle in there! :)

My card interpretation with the Bun in the Oven Creation! :)

What I used: Bazzill 12x12 Metallic Paper

CTMH Serendipity Patterned Paper

Butterfly Wings CTMH Stamp Set

Black Staz-On Stamp Pad

American Crafts "Bling type" Cardstock (on card only)

Bling Stickers (Michael's)

Silk Flowers

Making Memories "S" clips

Circle Clips

***Last, but definately not least, is a card I did from this sketch! :)***

I loved this card! :) I used: Bazzill 12x12 Cardstock (sugar cookie)

My Mind's Eye Bloom and Grow (orange and teal patterned papers)

With Love (sentiment) and April Word Puzzle (square with flower) Stamp Sets from CTMH.

Orange Stamp Pad CTMH

Bling Stickers (Micheal's)

Wow! That was a long post! :) I hope you all enjoyed looking at my cards as much as I loved creating them! :)

Finally my House of 3 Project!!!! YAY!

Ok.....it has been a week around here! :) We have been spring cleaning, crafting, battling illnesses, etc., etc.! LOL! I was even sick if you will believe that! Of course, as Garth always says, "You are always sick for only a day!" I can't help it....good genetics (Thanks Dad!) and the fact that I may very well have a garlic garden in my system! LOL! Poor Sasha is still sick and just pitiful! :( Nobody does sick quite like her! She is our resident princess in our home and so sweet, but lately she has just been hurting so not herself. :( I am hoping she is good this week or I am homeward bound.

Anyways- I got my House of 3 book done and love it! :) I am thinking of doing some as gifts and actually just using the fork and spoon page that has yellow polka dots on it for a cookbook gift! This kit is so versatile and I love it! :) Thanks Heidi, Rhonna, and Janet for creating such a fun project that literally is worth every dime! :) In posts below this one I go through some of the products used, but not all of them.....I was just on automatic creative pilot! LOL! I used Grundgeboard, perfect pearls mist, Stampin' Up's embossing template, my BIA, Teresa Collin's chipboard charms, ribbons from Michael's, My Mind's Eye rub ons, Tattered Angels Glimmer Chips, and some word charms from Tim Holtz (the real name escapes me right now).

I am also getting ready for Lain Ehmann's LOAD (Layout a Day) for May. :) I will post more on that later....definitely something that is GREAT for inspiration for getting a jump on scrapping! :)

"Full of Beauty" Sasha and Cassie

My niece had come over when Sasha was about 5 1/2 months old without her two little ones and had some one on one time with her. :) These were pics I took of that time! :)

What I used: 12x12 DCWV-Garden Party, Stampin'Up paper (mats), My Mind's Eye-Diecuts (Full of Beauty and the clock face), American Crafts- Metal Photo Turns (on clock), Stickles, paper flowers (sticker bin), CTMH- ink for distressing- cocoa and dutch blue.