Sneak Peek

Thought I'd share a couple sneaks with you today...

Here is a sneak of this month's Card Kit.  Felt the urge to include flowers since Spring is upon us!  I'm really happy with how they turned out...

And the main kit?  It will include the entire Collection Kit from Echo Park's newest line--Note to Self, along with a bunch of really awesome die cuts and embellishments that are perfect for straight up layouts, or for those of you who are partaking in Project Life.  Can't wait to show you more!

Stay tuned...

iPhone App of the Week--PaperKarma

PaperKarma is one of my newest apps, and I'm in LOVE with it.  If you want to get rid of any unwanted junkmail, simply photograph it with your iPhone, and they'll take care of the rest!  You'll no longer be bothered, and we'll save trees. THAT is cool.  And, the app is free. 

Enjoy your day!

Project Life Weeks 8

PL Week 8--F & A Page Protectors

This week was filled with lots of activity in our lives, and so there are plenty of photos to show for it.  Basketball for our oldest son, my mom's 70th b-day, a fundraiser, school projects, craftiness, and Mardi Gras.  As with many of the other weeks, I used a lot of die cuts (cut from the Cameo) and a few MS Label stickers found from Staples.  If you look closely, you'll also find elements from the PL mini kit that sold out quickly last month, too.  Be on the lookout for more of those tidbits in this month's selection!

Enjoy your day!

Hang Out with Nerds.

It is no stretch of the imagination, but I was pretty much a nerd in high school. I hung out with a bunch of fun and quirky people like myself. Man, we had a great time. The summer after high school, before everyone headed out to college, and eventually on with their lives, we spent nearly every night together, in some combination.

That's me, second from the left.
Three of us were in band.  One the band president.  The other the VP.  Two in flag corps.  One on the dance team.  Five in National Honor Society.  Each one of us, aware of how special our friendships were then, knowing that our lives were before us, changing constantly.  Passion, ambition, and humor were the common threads between us.  We vowed to stay in touch.

I graduated high school in 1985.  I was the only one who stayed locally for college.  I spent nearly every weekend visiting these people at their schools, and having the time of our lives.  We kept in touch.  Every one of us.  Even before Facebook.

Six years ago at our 20 year class reunion, we all agreed to go together, without spouses.  It was something.  If you've never gone to a high school reunion, you SHOULD.  I was blown away for so many different reasons.  I was the only one there who was pregnant.  The "cool" people peaked in the late 80's, tops.  I have no memory for names.  And all the "nerds" looked better than ever.  That experience was life-affirming.  The kind you almost can't explain.

Cut to the present day.
 
Two of us are teachers.  One works for World Bank, and lives in both NYC and Morocco.  One is an engineer for a big oil company.  One is a lighting editor for Pixar in Oakland (and we love to look for his name in the credits at the movies).  And one is the Editor in Chief of Working Mother Magazine.

All of us, from a little town in Ohio.

When I was at the doctor's office last week with my mom, I grabbed a copy of the magazine and opened the cover to my friend's picture, and read aloud, "Letter from the Editor" to her.  Then I showed her who wrote it, knowing she'd recognize who it was.  So proud of her.

She echoed my sentiments to my children on the way home.  "Hang out with nerds, kids."  It wasn't the first time they heard it.  Jenny visits every August (her family still lives here), so I bring it up when we depart company annually, too.  In a world where there is so much bullying and competition to be the best at everything, I want my kids to know that beauty fades, but dumb is forever.  Seek people who have admirable qualities and a sense of humor--and have FUN.  It worked for me.

Love you guys.  Nerds and all. 

Inspired by...

Wouldn't it be FUN to receive this box of SPRING in your mail?  What a great idea!  You can check it all out here, along with a free printable to use.  I'm totally doing this.

Totally looking into some of these, in preparation for Easter this year. 

How cute are these treats for St. Patty's day?  I can't pass up chocolate with salt.  Easy enough to do with the kids, too.  Love that!

And last but certainly not least, a whole set of free printables for your St. Patty's Day party. 

Enjoy your day!!

Scrapbooking the hard stuff...

Eleven years ago, I lost my closest friend to pancreatic cancer.  And I miss her every.  single.  day.

We didn't start out as friends.  We were co-workers that were assigned to work with a person with highly aggressive behaviors (I taught special education, and Barb was assigned to work one-on-one with this person in my classroom.)  We didn't like each other much at all at first.  Slowly, over time and with honesty, we became friends.  For 4 years, we worked in the same classroom, and grew to  be the best of friends.

When I finally got pregnant the first time (after trying a long while), she was the first person I told after my husband.  She was so sick at the time, I didn't want to wait to tell her the news.  She was happy for me, but got really sad because she said she'd never live to see me give birth or become a mama. So the above photo of her attending our daughter Jami's first birthday party was a BIG deal for both of us. Great day.

We loved going to concerts.  We rushed the stage when we saw WAR in a local theatre here in town, and danced until we couldn't any longer.  We got ourselves backstage to see Dave Koz (above photo).  So many good memories...

I want to stop avoiding hard stuff when I scrapbook.  I want to somehow attempt to encapsulate my feelings about Barb, what she taught me, and share my memories of her.  A layout isn't going to do it.  Maybe a book.  Maybe a mini book. 

In all my scrapbooking, I've never done a tribute album.  This is officially on my to-do list.  I want to be sure my children know about her and our friendship.  She was such an important part of my life.

Anyone care to share your thoughts on scrapbooking hard stuff?  I'd love to hear them!

Enjoy your day!

iPhone App of the Week

My App of the week is called Night Sky.

My kids and I enjoy this app, because it will tell you what is up in the sky, where you are, at whatever time of day.  Stargazers, unite!!  And it's on sale, so pay the $.99 and hop on it!

Enjoy your day!

Fall Retreat at Bertram Inn 2012

Please join us for the 5th Annual Fall Retreat at the Bertram Inn...

Please join us for a weekend of scrapping fun at the 5th Annual Fall Retreat at the Bertram Inn in Aurora, Ohio with Work in Progress Kits November 9-11, 2012.  You’ll enjoy a whole weekend at a beautiful hotel eating the most delicious food. All you need to do is bring your scrap supplies, and the rest will be left up to us! Check in time is 3:00pm on Friday, November 9th. You will also be permitted to set up at your table in the ballroom at that time as well, where you’ll have an entire 6 foot table all to yourself. There will be a welcome reception served that evening, and the ballroom will be available day and night for however long you wish to stay. When you decide to retire to your room, you simply leave your table and return to it the next morning!

 On Saturday, you return to where your table for a full day of more fun! There will be a breakfast buffet served to us right outside our ballroom, a boxed lunch and later on we will also be served an early dinner. I elected to set it up this way so we all have room to enjoy a fondue bar on Saturday evening without feeling the least bit guilty!! You know we need that chocolate to keep the creativity flowing. And just like the previous night, you retire at your leisure and return to the same spot the next day. On Sunday, you’ll be served breakfast, and check-out time is noon. You are free to continue scrapping until 3:00pm in the ballroom. And believe me when I tell you--you won’t want to leave.

Now if that wasn’t enough--I will be offering a very limited amount of break-out classes on Saturday. Once registration is complete, I will reveal a list of classes and you can decide to partake in these or not--it is simply an option. Most of the break-out classes will be short and sweet, and project related (since Christmas will be on all of our minds by then for sure!). Pre-registration for classes won’t begin until July 1st, and since class size is limited, it will be on a first-come basis. More information will follow. I can’t say enough about the facilities at the Bertram Inn. The food there is what sold me on doing this entire event, and I hope you take a chance and decide to join me for a weekend you won’t soon forget! The hotels also offers a restaurant and a variety of other amenities, and if you’d like to see more of what is available, please visit the website at http://www.thebertraminn.com/.

Accommodations and Pricing: Prices listed are for the entire weekend package, including meals, a water station and scrapbook space with proper lighting. Availability is on a first come basis, and deposits are NOT refundable. The first deposit (half of the fee) along with the registration form is due by Monday, April 2, 2012, with the remainder due by Sunday, September 30, 2012. When registering, please list all roommates, as seating will be assigned. Pricing for 2 nights and above meals listed are: Single Occupancy:$445 per person Double Occupancy:$329 per person Triple Occupancy: 299 per person Quad Occupancy:$279 per person **Please note, deposits are not refundable, but they are transferrable. **For more information, or to reserve a spot for the weekend, please email Trish Turay at Turay413@gmail.com. Hope to see you there! ****************************************************** Name: ____________________________________________Address:________________________________________________________________________________________________Phone ________________________Email:_______________________________ Room Request: (circle one) Single Double Triple Quad Roommates:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Amount of Deposit:___________________________________

Thank you, Jen.

While visiting my friend Jen this week, I fell in love with her banner. Well, her entire mantlescape--but especially the banner. I wasn't going to decorate for St. Patty's Day until she inspired me. I had a change of heart.

SIMPLE.  And DARLING.  Oh--and really, really FAST to make this.  Took maybe 15 minutes, tops.  You can use pre-made shamrocks, or cut them with a die cut machine--whatever you have.

To give proper credit, Rebecca Cooper is the gal we should be thanking.  Creative genius, just like my friend, Jen.  Love her blog.  And her photography.  I get lost over there everytime I wander to her site...

You can check out Rebecca's tutorial here. 

Thanks for the creative boost, Jen.  And thanks for making cute things we can copy and lift, Rebecca.  Top of the morning to you!

Enjoy your weekend!!

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!!

March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's birthday.  If you have children, or are a teacher to children, you know this. 
 I wanted to share a few of my favorite edibles for the day, since many classrooms celebrate...

A nilla wafer in the middle of a bunch of melted green chocolate.  Clever, huh??

Marshmallows on a stick, and red edible markers.  LOVE!!

I'd use green chocolate here for Green Eggs and Ham, but you get the idea!!

And this one is simply over the TOP!!
You can find a ton more here, along with links to the above creations on my Pinterest Board, "Dr. Seuss Stuff I love."  Yes, I have a whole board dedicated to my love of Seuss.  :)

Enjoy your day!!