FAMILY pictures

Here's some pictures that we took Saturday after the wedding. So, scrapbookers, what color/pattern paper would you use for these pictures?

The best thing about a blog ...........

is pictures! Or at least thats one of the best things.

It's funny, cause you either get blogs or you don't. I went to lunch recently with some friends, pretty wide range of ages. From 23ish to 39ish. I was the only one who had a blog. The oldest in the group didn't get it and thought they'd never, ever have one or see why anyone would. One was starting or had just started one (he's a techie kind of guy - waving at him if he's reading) and the other two were just like whatever. I really enjoy reading blogs and thats how this one started. I thought, hey they can do, what can't I do it. Maybe one day when I'm a famous scrapbooker, people will flock to my site like the do Alli's or Heidi's. Just think if Becky H or Lisa B had one! WOW! Not many of my friends know I have one. I try not to advertise it to the general public. Most don't get scrapbooking and most would laugh at my posts. Plus, what if I talk about them?!?!?! He-he-he!

So, one to the pictures. I thought I'd show a few from a couple of Saturdays ago when we were swimming at Nana's! Steve had gotten in with the girls and was playing shark and such. He decied they should try and catch a "splat" ball while they jump in the water. The other little girl is my friends daughter. She's 6. Em is 9. Check out those boo-boos on Em - from a scooter wreck at daycare one day!

Cheer Camp has started

Em is in Cheer Camp for the next three days at Goodpasture. It's a fund raiser for the Varsity team. I was worried about Em because she wouldn't know anyone, but a friend of hers is there also. And we know one of the varsity girls, so I introduced them. She wanted me to stay, but I couldn't cause I'm at work. Thursday there is a "pep" rally. I'll go to that and watch! She seems to really love Cheerleading and pays attention pretty good. She's cheer this year at our park for the Jr Pro Vikings team, but next year she could cheer for the school. I'm torn on this. That means she won't finish her "cheer" career for the Vikings, which saddens me, but cheering at the school will give her a head start for trying out for middle school.

I took pictures at a wedding this weekend. I thought maybe they'd have a "real" photographer, but they didn't. So it was basically me and some point and shoot cameras. Most of my pictures turned out pretty good (some of the staged couple shots are good enough to frame in my opinon) but the inside cermony shots were terrible. The church was kinda dark, so I really needed a tripod, but didn't bring it. I know better next time.

DH was coorporative enough that we went to Nana's afterwards to get some family shots outside while we were dressed nicely. Once I get them resized, I'll post a couple.

Gotta run and do some work. Here's two OLD layouts! But I love them because I love paper piecing. Both the giraffe and the monkey are from coloring books .......

Here's another older layout

I really need to bring some of the newer layouts to the office so I can upload them to the blog. I do have a lot of them on ScrapJazz.com. ChristyScraps is my id on there, if you're interested.

Here's one:




This one is using all Reminders of Faith product, except the rubons, letter stickers, photo croners and the button. I love this picture of DD. She was 6 months old and a dream! This was not long after she started sitting up, so they made for a great pictures. I have this particular one hanging in my bedroom. Sometimes its the last thing I see at night before going to bed. The right side was made mostly for journaling, which I did on a transparency.


Thanks for looking!

More later .................

Wow, it's been a while!

Since I updated. Sorry! Nothing great or exciting happening! Work, work and a little play. Oh yea, was sick this past weekend, stomach bug.... nothing like it! I still don't feel 100%, but I think I'm on the mend. Nobody else in the family has gotten it, so maybe it will stay that way.

I've been on AMY HOWE's blog this morning (http://www.amyhowe.typepad.com/) I love her work! She seriously rocks. I love her layouts, can spot them anywhere and I wish she lived closer so she could take some of those awesome pictures of Em. Anyways, I sent her an email, I know pretty lame, but I wanted to pick her brain! Lets hope she responds! I'll let you know if she does.

I've been a lazy scrapbooker, but with just case. I'm been battling some serious headache almost daily and haven't really felt like concentrating on anything to intently at night. I think its either my sinuses or my eyes. I can't figure out which since both hurt around the same area. I've had two migrane type headaches in the past few weeks - in the bed sick headache and then almost everyday just a bad, bad headache. I can function with them, so I don't complain to the family too much, but I do seem to get motion sick with them more frequently than usual, so I think thats odd. I probably need to go to the doctor, but it'll cost money (copay and such). I did call and he called me in an antibotic and a steriod pack for my sinuses, but I don't think they helped and when I got sick Saturday night I stopped taking everything. The antibotic upset my stomach (usually do when I take a strong antibotic). I've talked with a friend of mine who says sinus headaches and migrane are very similar, so I can't tell what I'm really having. I do know that I've switched saline solution and so far today, my eyes aren't bothering me too bad. We'll see!

Oh yea, I wanted to comment on Days of Our Lives! Can you belive that Patch and Kayla are back! OMG! I've heard many people say that this story line is one of the best in a while. We'll see!

I thought I'd post a layout. Make the blog more exciting. Here's an old one:



This is of my best friends daughter and mine eating pudding. I think the picture was taken in 2002. I probably made the layout last year. It's for Em's special 11 x8.5 book. Mostly all single picture layouts of special days or some of my favorite pictures of her.

More later!

The Wednesday update

Nothing new going on. I finished a the final album for a client who had requested 4 albums. Mini albums, but still it was a lot of work. Now, I've got to work on my class for http://ajourneyoffaith.com. I'm teaching a paper bag scripture class and haven't really designed it yet, other than an idea I have. I really need to get working on that so I can get my sponsors lined up. I hope I can get the ideas out of my head and on the paper!

Tonight is a pretty lazy night. I plan on working on another mini album I've got started. I'll probably sell it at the Livery Stables. Very simple, heavy clipboard front (covered) with thinner chipboard insides. All hole punched and held together with ribbon. Very inexpensive to make (so far - its don't deocrated yet!). My plan would be to sell it pretty resonable. We'll see how it goes.

More later!

Great weekend!

I've tried for several days to get this post out, hopefully it'll make it today!

Weekend recap:

Had a GREAT time scrapbooking Friday night at the crop at Scrappuccino's! I love cropping at a store, so many options. My friend Cheryl had a blast too. I forsee us doing it again!!! Next one, July 7!

I can't decide if I want to continue buying QK or save up for a Cricut? I love my QK, but know that I'd love the Cricut just as much! Decisions, decisions!

Nothing profound to say today. I'm working on a baby album for a client. Hoping to pretty much finish it tonight. We watched 40 Year Old Virgin last night. So stinkin' funny! I laughed my fat butt off!!!!! Seriously it was great. I got it from Netflix and so it was Unrated, which meant we had to watch it when DD was gone. She went to sleep at 5:30 last night and slept all the way to this morning. I think its one of the few I'd actually buy! Watch it!

Guess I need to run. I've been in staff all morning, so I'm a little behind on all my normal stuff!

More later...............

Oh yea, tonight is going to be nice!!!!!

First, my good buddy, Cheryl and I are going to Scrappuccino's to the monthly crop. I haven't been since December! WOW! They think I've forgotten about them. But really it's just been life getting in the way. I actually tried to pre-plan some pages last night of DD. I'm trying to finish up her "everyday" album for 2001. Can you believe, I'm 5 years behind!!! I really need to try and only do the everyday important pictures and get moving. I think with these pictures, I'll start that process. I'm going to choose the best 4 or 5 and do a 2 page spread with them. Oh yea, I do have one heritage layout I want to work on too. It's of my mom when she was about 2 years old. It's a scan of a picture that hung in my grandfathers bedroom for as long as I could remember. Now it hangs in my mom's hallway (the hallway of fame!). I also have one of her when she was about 6 mos old that hung in his room too. I might buy some paper to go with it tonight, although I recently got the Urban Coulture paper in my SO kit, and that might work really well..... My goal tonight is to buy as few things as possible. And I also tried to skim down what I'm taking to the crop. I always come in with a million things. Of course, I've out grown my Generations tote and really need something bigger, but I can't find exactly what I want. So tonight I have my generations tote, a bag with ideas and my letter binder, and a rubbermaid tote with all my emblishements I might need thrown in it. I also have my ribbon tote, but I usually leave it in the car and only get it out if I need it.

Second good part of the night, DD is spending the night with Nana & Grandaddy and DH is working nights, so I'll have the bed to myself tonight. YEA, freedoom to sleep in the middle. Of course, since he's working nights, I'll probalby not sleep good, but just to spread out will be nice!

Third, working on my own pictures tonight will be fun. I've been surfing the net looking at different layouts and I'm very inspired to do some fun, amazing work tonight. When I get them finished, I'll post!

More later!

Our class project at CKC Nashville

This was the page we made in the Li'L Davis "Tinseltown" class at the Creating Keepsakes Convention. I really enjoyed the class. Using some of the new products, kinda stepping out of my "box" to create a large 12x12 layout using a small 4x6 picture (not something I would do on a regular basis - lots of waste if you ask me). But I really liked the products. I've found them at Rocky Mountain Hobbies, but thats about it so far.I hope one our great local stores will carry them. I heard that several people were disappointed in the class, but I guess I didn't have real high expections of it once I learned Jenni Bowlin wasn't going to be there. I figured I could always take a more intimate class with her at ScrapIt!. Michelle Hill was good, but needed a wireless microphone. Hope you like the page, I sure do!

Gotta brag a little .............

DH is a hunter. He hunts deer, turkey, whatever. I try to be supportive and I think for the most part, I am. This spring he got a really nice turkey. Guess you saw the picture huh? I just submitted it for him on the Primos hunting site. This turkey wasn't huge.... on 21lbs, but it had 5 beards. Not unheard of, but very uncommon. We only saw 2, but the other 3 were discovered when he took it to get mounted. Just wanted to brag a little on my sweet, hunting hubby!!!

Have a great weekend! I hope to scrap a little and maybe visit Memories In Bloom today (shhhh, don't tell, but I'm going to leave work a little early!)

Phew ......... 8 little girls can wear a person out!

The birthday party was a success, I guess. Girls are so funny. I wasn't prepared for all the "girl drama" as I called it. I saw more tears and heard more "she hurt my feelings" in 2 days than I've heard ever. It was crazy. I finally told them, get along and took my DD to the bathroom and told her, "it's your job to make sure everyone is happy, regardless if you are or not"! UGH, I don't remember being like that, but mom assures me my friends and I were exactly like that. Em got a basketball goal and basket balls for her "main" present from us, along with clothes, a bratz and a memory board (no I didn't make it!). She got a nice stereo system from Nana & Grandaddy. Its in the floor in the bonus room till I get a table to put down there. She also got a kite and chocolate fountain from Nana & Grandaddy. She got a Bratz BobIt from a friend as well as money, a fold up moon chair, another bratz and a puppci puppy. She had a great birthday - she should have we celebrated for 3 days!!!!

I've bought scrapbooking supplies lately, but not really scrapbooked. I'm making Em's thank you cards, so that's my main project right now. I've also got an 8x8 accordian book to do for a client. I plan on going to a crop next Friday and only working on my stuff. I hope I can get everything preplanned so I don't have to take EVERYTHING I own! I wend to ScrapIt yesterday and couldn't resist some of the cute prima bottle of flowers, the heart shaped bottle. Picked up two bottles, but I'm splitting them with Cheryl!

I'm not doing WW this session, at $100 a pop, thats hard. Plus with DD going to private school this fall, everything I can save is good, including scrapbooking stuff. Although I do want to make a trip to MIB this weekend. Wonder if I can talk Mom into going and making some purchases?

Speaking of mom, she's retiring........ her last work day is June 1. I'm going to miss seeing her at work everyday, but she's going to work some contract stuff, so I'll still see her occasionally. Plus, I'll see her every sunny weekend this summer at the pool!!! But it will be hard not to have her here when I need to hear that friendly mommy voice! Oh yea, dad is also retiring June 1. They're going to kill each other!!!!


More later!
Christy

The birthday sleepover is right around the corner!

Em's b-day party is Friday night/Saturday. I have lots for the girls to do. 8 girls to be exact. At least we think everyone is coming. I haven't heard about 2 of them, but I assume they are coming. Its a luau party, very tropical. We're decorating flip-flops, having a chocolate "fountain" for fruits and fun stuff, decorating a 8x8 scrapbook page and a frame, (with tropical paper - the 8x8 page will stay for Em's book - a lime green book - and the frame will go with a picture of the girl and Em.) painting a sun catcher, limbo (to limbo music!) and if warm enough, playing in the sprinkler?(this is a huge maybe!). I know one little girl has to leave early Saturday morning - so I plan on doing the present thing Friday night, but doing cupcakes on Saturday at lunch - is that okay?

Maintained today in the weight loss area ........ I guess that's better than gaining!

More later!

Mother's Day Pictures

Mother's Day recap

I love getting gifts. I think TIME and GIFTS are my love language. At least with DH they are. I love getting gift from him, especially things I won't buy myself. So for Mother's Day, I asked for the New Rascal Flatts and new Kenny Chesney cd's. We had a conversation Saturday.

DH: I'm sorry I didn't get you anything for Mother's Day.
ME: Thats okay, I don't need anything.
DH: But you wanted those cd's.
ME: Oh well, that can wait. There's this strawberry pot I want too. Probably cheaper!
DH: Hmmmm!

I woke up to a piece of 12x12 pink Bazzill taped to the TV that was stamped, Happy Mother's Day. It was signed by DH for him and DD. There we little flowers stamped all over it in red. It was dated and indicated to turn it over. On the back it said "C.... I scrap too!". I was anixous to see what kind of mess he had made. BUT, DD was done in my scrap area (in the basement) when I got up making a card for me and I was forbid to come down. She finally yelled for me to come down and she wanted to use my MM acrylic paints on the card, what can she put the paint on. I use old CD (from the mail and cd's that DH doesn't want anymore) to hold paint. I got her one down and just instructed her to clean the stamps when she was finished - giving her the baby wipes and Stampin' Up scrubby thing. A little while later, she comes up and gives me a pretty purple Bazzill card with ribbons/fiber tied on it. Inside it had prima flowers and Queen & Co flower sequins ALL over the inside. She also stamped Happy Mother's Day with purple and green paint (our favorite colors). So sweet and thoughtful, but I'm trying to figure out how to get some of the sequins off and back in the container, she used ALMOST all my big flower sequins and we all know they aren't cheap!

So, for Mother's Day, we took my mom and dad to a neat little tea room in Pleasant View called Silver Spoons Tea Room. It was yummy. We took several pictures and then visited the Livery Stables (where I rent space for my scrapbook business adventure - not selling much btw!). Then off the Walmart. We never go as a family, I was actually pumped not to be doing this by myself! DH is gooding about keeping me on task. DD and I get side tracked to much. While I was paying for the grocerys and stuff, we went to the garden center and bought my Strawberry Pot! YEA! I forgot to take a picture, but as soon as I get my strawberries planted, I'll post one! Then I scrapbooked. What a nice day! - Especially after almost dieing with my allergies Saturday - what is blooming in Middle TN?

I've started a "commissioned" clipboard twice now and each time, messed them up. First time, I didn't get it smooth. The last time, DD had used my sponge and didn't clean it good. So when I sealed it with the modge podge, it had green specks of paint all over it (blue and brown paper). So I couldn't stand it and ripped it up! I ended up making me a clipboard to use ... using Artic Frog paper. It's really cute! I can't sale it either, its personalized!!!!

More later!

My stinkin' computer ...........

okay, so I can't really complain, because this is my work computer, but it is soooooo slow. I'm slated to get a new one in November though!!!! YEA!

We're going on a real vacation! We haven't planned on going on a vacation this year, just because of the remodeling we've been doing and plan on doing and with Emilee starting private school this year. But my parents are renting a condo in Destin for a week July 29-Aug 6. So we're going down for 4 or 5 days. YEA ME! I can't wait to just rest by the ocean, get a killer late season tan and maybe scrapbook!!! I need to search out a store ....... any ideas, let me know!

I've pretty much maintained my weight for another week. I weighed 2 ounces less, but to me that's the same.

Today is our screening at Goodpasture. I'm kinda nervous, but I'm sure everything will be good!

More later!!!

Weekend, school and field day!

Today was field day. It was suppose to be Friday, but it was rained out. I'm sorta glad because I couldn't go Friday. Em did good and I think she own two 1st place and maybe one or two 2nd place ribbons. But the excitment was when we were getting ready to go back in the building because her class was finished, the school went into LOCKDOWN!!! Can you believe it? In Joelton! And to top it off, the principal said "This isn't a drill!" WHAT! They have lockdown drills?!?!?!?!? Now, I know the bank in Joelton was robbed a couple of years ago and the suspects fled through the woods behind the school, so they went on lockdown for like 1/2 a day. But they actually have lockdown drills!!! OH MY! But back to today. The kids were great. It wasn't as crazy as I figured it would be. The teacher had to get a student that had gone to get her jacket, so she asked us parents (3 of us) to take the kids to the room. Well you know, once your in ........ your in. I kept thinking, do I really want to do this? What if it lasts all day. But it didn't. Only about 15 min. I heard the deal was the prescription shope was robbed and they were holding hostages .... it is just across the street from the middle school, which is next door to the elementary school. I haven't heard anything confirming any of this yet.

Em goes Thursday for her screening at Goodpasture. Anyone have an insights on that, I'd be happy to hear your experiences.

This weekend Teresa B, Marva B and Mrs. Jean and I went to Kathy Sterry's scrapbook house. They stayed Fri and Sat night. I only stayed Friday night. The house is perfect for weekend get-a-ways. It's small, but nice and clean. 3 bedrooms, so I had a bedroom to myself. I slept on the bunkbed, which was a new experience for me. But the bed was very comfy and I was very tired! I got my consigned baby book finished. And almost got my cruise album finished. I actually got it finished Sunday night. They say they had loads of fun Sat night also. It's a great place to have a mini retreat. Since its in Joelton, you don't spend a ton of time driving, but since you're not at home, you feel like your away.

More later!

No weighing in today ............

I gotta make a run at lunch to Hobby Lobby. I need more "ruler" ribbon for the clipboard I'm working on. I also need to look at their paper to see if they have any other "teacher" paper. Might make a another teacher clipboard.

I sent off Em's Goodpasture application today. Cross your fingers that they have room for her this fall and that she tests well enough to be accepted. I've already come to terms that they might hold her back a year, which will be okay, IF she needs it. She's not the best student, but some of that might be enviroment and some of it might be parents. I was a terrible student, never wanted to do homework or study for test, so I'm afraid my study habits have worn off on her. This is the reason I'd be a terrible home school mom!!!

This weekend I'm going scrapbooking in the house that Kathy at Scrappuccino's owns. Me and some unamed friends (they might want anyone to know!!!) will spend Friday night and all day Saturday working!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT for some serious scrapping time!!! My plan is to bring the 8x8 book that I've got an order for and finish it .... hey its possible I got 6 pages down Sunday night in about 2 hours, I already have all the papers picked out, just gotta assemble them and put down embellishments. Then work and finish my cruise album. After I finish it I can start our Disney album!!! I'm so looking forward to that. My plan is to have Em help me write the journaling for it in her words! Too cute!!! She so loved this trip and talks about it at least once a week! I've made/covered the 12 x 12 album with Mickey fabric. Now, just to load up on page protector from Micheals!

More later!

Whew! Orders, orders, orders AND a DATE!

I've got orders!!!!!! A lady at work wants me to do: one 8x8 album for her mom (first grandbaby) and two paper bag albums for g-grandma and g-aunt all by Mother's Day. I'm not sure I can get them all done by Mom's Day, make no promises, but promising the 8x8 by Mom's Day. THEN she wants another 8x8 something toward the end of May. AND my mom showed off my clipboards and I have two orders for those, one by next Saturday. This is for a teacher and I already have the stuff, so I'm thinking it will be pretty easy. Actually with this one, the back with be more decorated than the front since the object is for her to use it when she starts teaching this coming fall. It's a graduation present. The other clipboard is for a senior that is graduating and going to college. The mom isn't sure if she wants to do it in the old high school colors or the new college colors, either way the theme is football. WOW! I gotta get busy! And this Saturday I'm spending the day taking classes at the CK convention.


I've got a date tonight! I'm really excited! DH and I are actually dressing up (somewhat) and going to eat at PF Changs! Yea, outside of Joelton!!!! We rarely go somewhere to eat unless we are already out, but I've got two gift cards to eat the PF Changs and one of them expires soon. My boss gave me both of them for Adminstrative Assistant day, last year and this year! We'll pretty much eat free and I'll have some left for a couple of lunches!

More later!

Wednesday's Weight Loss post and more!

Just wanted to post that I haven't lost anything this week, but haven't gained either .... Maintained!!! Yeah! Now hear me, I don't have a ton to lose - like 10 more lbs - so all us women know that the last 10 is the worse! But I can lose 10 more lbs, it would bring my total to 25lbs and for me, that would be GREAT!!!

Now, on to more important things!

I've noticed on a couple of blogs ...... why I scrapbook posts. Well this got me thinking. Why do I scrapbook? Not, why are we suppose to scrapbook. Not, how are we suppose to scrapbook, but WHY DO I SCRAPBOOK?

For me, honestly, its a creative release. See, I grew up with my mom, who can tole paint like nobodys business. She also can make awesome flower arrangements. I didn't have a creative bone in my body till I stumbled upon scrapbooking. Here's the LONG story!

When my grandparents died in 1995, DD wasn't around yet. Not even a glimmer in her daddy's eyes. But as recipients of their house, I inherited all their stuff, including pictures. After we got all the clothes boxed and sent off, I had left blankets, furniture, knick-knacks and pictures. A large portion of their pictures were identifiable by my mom, thank goodness, but some weren't. So I started in on the genealogy kick! (See where I'm going?) After researching the family tree, spending a good bit of time at the state archives and sifting through the internet I had done about as much as I could do without trip out of the county. One one of the genealogy sites, I saw an ad for a scrapbook. Plain, 3 ring binder, 8.5 x 11 with page protectors. I think it came with some paper and stickers. I ordered it with the bright idea of putting those pictures on the pages. I didn't have a clue what to do or not to do. We'll I cut a picture, I put a few pictures down and I started research scrapbooking on the internet. By now it was around 1999 or 2000. DD had come along and was a baby. The more I learned about scrapbooking, the more hooked I became. So, I thought hey, I'll make my mom a Mother's Day present ... a scrapbook of her pictures of my DD. So I bought baby stuff, visited my first scrapbook store and started buy decorative scissors. It was soooooo fun. And the start of my addiction. I did take about 8 months off in 2002 (DH and I split up for a while) and then started back full force in 2003. BOY, just in that short time, things had changed a lot. So, you can see, I started off scrapbooking because I wanted to make a heritage album to keep all my heritage photos in. (I've done that, but a little more elaborate than just putting them on dark paper) I've documented by pregnancy, delivery and at least up through DD's 3 birthday (maybe in 4th). I use to scrap every picture, journal just enough to tell the story and use deco scissors. Now I don't scrap every picture, just the ones that tell the story or are special to me, I try to journal more and I only use deco scissors on paper (and not very often). I scrapbook because it's fun to me. I love to creative pictures, I love that DD likes to look through her album, I love making stuff for other people (thus the business) and I love having a hobby that I can do every season of the year. Most of friends don't get it, but they accept it. And most have benefited from it in some way or another (or will soon).

Wow, that was long. I applaud you if you stuck around to read all that. It's just alittle of what I share when I teach my "Scrapbooking your Faith" class. By the way, if you haven't already, please check out the retreat schedule here in Nashville in September:

http://www.remindersoffaith.com/web/pageid/34550/pages.asp


Also, please leave me a comment so I know that you're stopping by ...... if you have a blog that I don't visit, please let me know so I can check out.

See ya later!

What I've done this past week (weekend)

These are the three clipboards I've made over the past week to sale at the Livery Stables. I'm still trying to find the niche market at the store, and I really think this might be it. The first two boards I had up there sold within 4 days of the store opening, before the "grand" opening even! Sports is a huge part of the Pleasant View community, so I'm hoping the folks will like them. I plan on making about 3 more. Need to find some softball paper so I can make a softball board, so the girls won't feel slighted!!!

Post more later!