Hi all

Sorry its been a great while since I have posted much less created anything. I decided to get my health on track so I have been exercising, eating better and walking daily. The last time I created something was for mothers day. I printed some pictures I took of the kids and painted frames and gave them to my aunt and mother. I have not used my camera since May. Oh how I miss creating but I will get back into it soon. I've missed all my friends, how have you been?

As far as progress goes, I started out @ 186 in March of this year. As of today I am 171. I wont say that it is easy because its not. There are times when I just want to pig out but I know I cant. There are times when I just don't want to exercise but I know if I do I will be closer to my goal. My children love exercising too. Well I hope you all are enjoying summer. Talk to you soon.

Don't give up on me baby....I'm still here

Greeting everyone hope your mothers day went well. I have been enjoying the sun, fresh air and warm weather. I have put creating on hold a bit but I will soon be back. I do have some layouts to upload but my internet has been severly slow over the past few weeks so I have not been on as much as home. I can get on @ work but too many roadblocks....

Well just popped in to say hello and have a blessed day.

It's Been A While...

Hello, I know it's been a few weeks since I have posted but I have not been too far. Since the weather has been nice we have been doing more activities outdoors and I have taken LOTS of pictures of the kids. Yay! not more winter pictures. Anywhoo, the weather here has been sooo gorgeous but we got a reality check yesterday because its back down to 45-50's. We are in Wisconsin so we should not have expected those warm 80's to last for long.

I am keeping up with my exercising, watching my food intake and added walking to the mix. I must add that it is great, I do have not reached the point where I dread it yet but I actually look forward to being active and getting outside now. Also I can snap so pictures along the way!

Since I am @ work and not on my home laptop I cannot upload pictures or projects. I have one layout on my home desk thats waiting for a title and journalling. My goal for 4/13 was 30 layouts, however I fell way short of my goal I think I completed 12. I was down in the dumps about not getting the promotion so I was not very productive in creating. Hopefully I will get back to the challenges over @ Scrapbook.com.

Well until later, have a blessed day and happy crafting.

Serious Retail Therapy

First off, before I bought anything for myself, I got the kids a few outfits. They grow soooo fast is scary. Gabby will be 5 in June and Fay will be 10 next January. My how time has flown by. Secondly I am still upset about not getting the job :( but I will get over it soon. Thirdly I do sympathize with the other workers that were also passed over, because they may also be hurting. Fourthly I still have a job which is a blessing in itself.

I decided to take a day off to sulk and shop. Tomorrow I am getting my hair done so that may lift my spirits. Since I have been exercising the sweat has my hair looking crazy. I did not know this would happen but I am on the way to a healthier me. I had a relapse and got a Whopper Jr meal from Burger King. I am sure I will have to work my butt off later today. I found myself doing leg lifts while shopping and in the checkout line. I'm sure ppl thought I was crazy! Can you imagine how crazy it is to walk and squeeze your butt muscles together LOL, I know too much information but @least you guys know that I am human!

So here's the lot of what I picked up today:

I've got some Echo Park, Pebbles, Basic Grey Mint Julep in here. I'll always love pink but I have started leaning towards blues, aquas, turquoise and yellows. So cute right?

The American Crafts Items on the left were from Target along with the clipboard. The butterflies, doilies and brads are from Michaels. I love magazines so the Embellish book is right up my ally. The ribbon is American Crafts from TJ Maxx. I got the Spellbinders from Joann's, but I may take the Lattice template back, not really feeling it now! The punches are from Michaels, by the way, check them out they have a new line of EK Success Punches!

My Pretties

I used this weeks Sunday Sketch by Studio Calico. The heart paper is DCWV, the butterfly sticker is CP On Trend. The dot paper and banner is Simple Stories Vintage Bliss. The buttons are Basic Grey Nook and Pantry

So defeated and crushed!!!!

So I did not get the job I applied for. However a few less qualified staff did that have not been here for even a year! Even the bosses son received a promotion! 5 of the people hired are related to upper staff! I feel like I wasted my time with the whole process. I know that I am qualified, I am not cocky about it, but I do an damn good job @ work. I volunteer to help when needed, even helping others get their work done.Thankful to have a job right now but I feel so crossed, defeated, disgusted and angry.

I don't want to do any work, I don't want to talk to ppl. I know that I am acting like a spoiled brat right now but I am truly hurt by this. This is not an easy job, daily I deal with people on public assistance. This is not some job that you can float on by and coast. We are dealing with people's livelyhood here; they depend on foodshare to keep food in the house, medical for health reasons, and child care to maintain employment.

I need to advance and grow, I feel like I am wasting my time here and I am stuck in this same position. Some words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated now. Have a blessed day.

Mid week check in

Hello hope your week is going well. I am stillll waiting to hear about the interview. See I manage a caseload for foodshare, medical, childcare and other income maintenance programs. The job can be highly stressful but I do what I have to do to maintain. But there's alot of speculation and rumors going on about who got offered the jobs....I want to advance and I feel like I am wasting my potential. Yes its more work and a few more bucks but I would be a lead worker and serve as a resource of information to my coworkers and I would still maintain a caseload and see my clients. I love seeing clients and connecting with them on some level but I feel like I deserve a promotion, not that I deserve the job. I'm sure there are others who feel that they deserve a promotion too. I guess I don't like the word deserve because I don't deserve anything. I work hard and make sure my work is done timely. I read the policy and I ask questions if I need assistance. I help others where needed, sometimes I go beyond. I do get bored @ the level I am on; I need some projects to keep me busy throughout the day and I feel like this job would give me that.

Well let me stop whining. I'm blessed to have a decent job but I need more! I know you guys have been there right? The kids had great reports during parent teacher conference. Farrah is a big talker but she gets her work done. Gabby, who is 4, is writing her name. Shes getting very good @ it. She's quiet and has made a few friends. For the most part she listens but sometimes she will get cranky during nap time. Not because she wants to sleep, but she doesn't want to lie down! She will pitch a huge fit and the teacher will try to calm her down or call me. But her teacher said she loves having her in the class and she's really sweet.

Well goodnight everyone. Be blessed.

My Punch Obsession

I love punches! I love hearts, circles, scallops, butterflies, borders, flowers..punches of all kinds! I decided to go to Joann's today in hopes to find some new punches and I'm glad I did! I found these lovely punches 40%  off. I love J's but I found they do jack up their prices and put them on sale. I can find a $15.99 punch @ Michaels and the same one will be $17.99 @ Joann's~ so not fair!

So yesterday I took the kids over a college friends house to celebrate her 3 year old daughters birthday.They had sooo much fun, played and ate alot of candy. I let Farrah spend the night and Gabby came home with me. Today I treated Gabby to Olive Garden. She ate the salad, breadsticks, more salad and grapes. I did order her an entree but she refuses to eat them so I will give to Farrah when she returns home. I ate too much, so I had to burn off some of those calories. I love Italian food! My favorite dish is chicken Alfredo with mushrooms added and stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer. I can't ever eat all my food there because I fill up on the salad and breadsticks!

So now I'm watching Serpico with Al Pacino. Yea it's old but I love old movies! Gabby has picture day tomorrow so I am also fixing her hair up pretty. However it probably wont last long because she is a rough sleeper and she sweats when she plays hard...Farrah should be coming home any moment now which means the quietness of my house will cease and the loudness and bickering of 2 young girls will fill the air....

 So here's what I picked up today @ Joann's:

I picked up the titles and element stickers, pretty cute and they were 40% off. The Cuttlebug folder is also new, I love hearts so this is perfect. I also picked up a Making Memories paint spreader. 

I am sooo glad I went because I would not have seen these cute new punches. Hexagons are in and these are perfect and better as they were on sale. 

9

Farrah and Gabby enjoying a piece of birthday cake. Farrah turned 9 on 1/31/13. I used some old Pink Paislee Daily Junque, Ek Success Banner punch and scraps of Maggie Holmes, Dear Lizzy and DCWV Summer Stack

Well it's about time that I wrap this up, just wanted to pop in to show the goodies I purchased today. Have a blessed week.

Sore, but not enough to hinder my scrapping!

So my healthier lifestyle started on Monday and I am still sore today! I did however get some exercise in tonight when I got home from work. I figured I would give myself a day or so to recoup. I am still on pins and needles waiting to hear back from my interview. I keep going over and over in my head; did I answer the question right, what exactly did I say??? Mother tells me to cool down and leave it up to God and that I did fine. Its hard though. I do want the position, I think it would be great for me. I'm rather bored and I need a challenge!

I was able to complete a layout tonight about Farrah and how she partially shaved her eyebrow...I knew something was wrong with her face but I could not place it...This was created for April Pagemaps #4 over @ www.scrapbook.com.  The crocheted flowers are from Michaels $1 bin. The stickers, chipboard and buttons are Basic Grey. The butterflies are Heidi Swapp color magic but I misted with Studio Calico mist in First Kiss. The background paper is Lily Bee Swoon. the dot paper and journal spot is Sn@p by Simple Stories. I misted the Heidi Swapp banner with Tropicana Teal Colorshine. I also misted the Heidi Swapp butterflies with Mr. Huey's mist in First Kiss. I made the circles using the new Martha Steward scalloped Circle punch.

What is wrong with this picture?

Sisters

Created for April One Picture Challenge. Farrah and her sister Zaria last Easter

Feeling The Burn...

I have to do it, I have to get healthy and if that means popping in an exercise DVD and sweating it out in my livingroom then I have to get my butt off the couch and do it! I've picked up too many pounds over the last few years and I am getting older. I am told that its harder to get it off as you age. So I popped in a Denise Austin vid and started on my way. My body is going to be sore in the morning. My kids joined in on the fun but they are itty bitty things, they moved in ways I could not. They upstaged me!!!

I worked my arms, back, butt and thighs. My mother suggested I get some Epsom Salt to ease my muscles. Well I am going to need something if I plan on getting out of the bed tomorrow ;). I was able to finish these 2 layouts today though. The first one I started over the weekend and completed today. The 2nd one started before my workout and finished after.

Family Time

Created for April 2 picture challenge @ www.scrapbook.com

This is Farrah, her sister Zaria and Gabby. Also her cousins Munchie & Choony. Not sure where my friend got those nicknames from LOL. This was taken last years Easter. They had so much fun together. I used the "cross filter" to edit my pictures in Picasa. My base ppr is Heidi Swapp Serendipity.The large folder is Basic Gray Hey You. The little bits are Cosmo Cricket Upcycle. The border @ the bottom is Half The Edge by Bazzill. I used scraps of Sassafrass and Dear Lizzy for the border @ the top

Big Girl

This is Gabby's 2nd trip to the dentist. She was much more @ ease and even smiled for the camera. However she still cried during the exam but we did not have to put her in the papoose this time. Created for April multi picture challenge

Well I am going to lay it down right now, I'll check with you guys and let you know how my body is fairing tomorrow.

Hello Sunday

It's a Sunday night and I am watching the country music awards, I don't normally watch these things but there's usually not much on Sunday nights that I like to watch so I settled on this. What I can say is that these singers are rockin' some seriously good music!

I said that I would blog more but last week was busy. I had an interview for a lead position where I work. If I get it, I would still be a case manager, but I would advise the lower staff on case processing and work closer with the supervisor on other projects. Yay, pray for me. They have about 5 positions open so hopefully 1 of them is mine.

The kids were off the whole week for spring break and I managed to get a few layouts done. Its back to school tomorrow and for me back to work. This weekend went too fast. However I am so glad the weather is getting better so that I can get out and take some pictures of the kids. We had so much snow in a short period of time that there are still snow banks out here. Yup but they are melting so that's good. Tired of snow pictures! Hope you enjoy, any questions please ask.

I made them 4 you

Used 3/30/13 Studio Calico Sunday Sketch and created for April Girls Challenge over @ Scrapbook.com

I used Cordinations textured cardstock in Cancun. I made the banners from scraps of Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm. I made the tag banner using David Tutera tags, the flower and washi tape is Prima. The large paper strip is Sassafrass Sweetly Smitten. The flower diecut is American Crafts XOXO. The gold stickers are Glitz Designs and the small pennants were made with EK Success Pennant punch. The buttons are Basic Gray Nook & Pantry

Selfies

Used 3/30/13 Studio Calico Sunday Sketch and created for April Girls Challenge over @ Scrapbook.com

I'm always finding pictures of my kids that they've taken and they seem to do such a good job of it. I myself cannot take them this good. I used scraps of Amy Tan Sketchbook, Studio Calico Snippets, Pink Paislee, Dear Lizzy and Glitz Designs. The stickers are Thickers and the camera diecute is Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper. The wooden word is by Recollections from Michaels

Just Hanging Out

Farrah and her cousin Lei'shay @ Applebees one night

I used Maggie Holmes Click, Amy Tan Sketchbook, Echo Park Sweet Girl, Nook & Pantry buttons and brads, Thickers and Simple Stories stickers to create this. 

Life is Good

Gabby when she was a few months old. I used Simple Stories Vintage Bliss paper, DCWV Brights 12x12 stack, DCWV Spring Stack, Maggie Holmes Ephemera pack, Maya Road canvas butterflies, Echo Park The Good Life stamp set and Tattered Angels Chalkboard spray in Polka Dot Pink

A Trip To The Dentist

This was a few years ago, Gabby's first visit to the dentist. She HATED IT!!!! She had to be strapped into a "papoose" so she would not move while they cleaned her teeth and checked for cavities and such. Not a very good time for her @ all. Created for April Monthly Sketch Challenge. 

Soooo Far Behind...

I am soooo far behind in posting it doesn't make any sense. Well I have been crafting but lacking in the blogging area. It's been a very long work week. I have an interview coming up for an advanced lead position. I'm in good spirits and if the job is for me then it will be.

We had some very nice weather today, it was almost 60 and breezy. Yay spring, but it is short lived, colder and windy weather tomorrow :(... My mother bbq'd today and it was delicious. I just had to take a plate home. I let the kiddies go out and play @ the park, they had so much fun. They were pretending to be on a boat, running from sharks and swimming in the water. Kids have such a great imagination.

Here's a picture of the kiddies today :

 

I used the film grain filter on my camera, I think it's pretty cool

Here's a few layouts that I've worked on:

Chubby Cheeks

Gabby was between 1 and 3 months when I took this back in 7/08. She had to cutest cheeks and was such a sweet baby. The base ppr is Maggie Holmes. The other ppr is AC Color Crush. Got it from Target last week. 

Goofin Off

Completed for March Pagemaps Sketch over @ Scrapbook.com. The kids were having a good time @ Denny's acting silly. 

Hello Darlin

Farrah as a baby, not sure the exact date it was taken, but I'm going back down memory lane. I have a mixture of American Crafts, Sugar Chic and Echo Park going on here. Created from Studio Calico Sunday Sketch (3/23/13)

Waiting

I just realized I could have added a clock somewhere on this, I may add it later...
Created for March Pagemaps # 3 sketch. Farrah and I spent about 7 hrs waiting for my car to be serviced yesterday. We went to Mcdonalds for breakfast, spent some time in Michaels and went back to the auto place. She spent half the time listening to music and the other time complaining. 7 hrs later, I am broke but the car is running much better...

Blessing

This was created for Monthly Sketch challenge, taken around 9 2008, Gabby was just a few months old, she was so tired she didn't even wake up. I will make another layout with her and her grandfather. I didnt orginally plan to use this picture but the other picture I had was too large. So I will create something a little more soft that focuses more on her getting blessed. Pictured are myself, farrah, gabby's father and his older daughter Cherry

A few layouts and some goodies

Oh, Saturday, it went like a blur. I did some shopping and washing and then a lil more shopping. Now I'm @ home watching 48 hrs, I've been on my feet all day. The kids are gone so maybe I can create some layouts and watch movies tonight. Here are a few layouts that  I worked on this week. Thanks for looking.

Awesomeness:

Created for March 4 Category Challenge using the color gold. This was hard for me because when I think gold, I think pure gold. I know ther are other variations of gold out there. I think the yellow background looks golden enough. I misted with Heidi Swapp Color Shine in Gold. I didn't think I would like it but its cute.

Free As Can Be:

Created for March Scraplift The Person Before You. I lifted Jazzescrapper's Ultrasound layout.

Honey Bee:

Sorry the picture is so dark, it did not appear this dark during the editing process. Created for march Girls/Boys Challenge. Gabby playing @ the park, this kinda took it's own turn, I did not expect this to be the end result. The banner is BG Hey Girl along with the chipboard Honey Bee. I used mostly scraps to complete this.

Ray Of Sunshine:

Created for March 4 Categories Challenge using homemade flowers. I used 3 punches to make my flowers. The base ppr is Maggie Holmes and the other ppr is Basic Grey Hey Girl. This is Farrah as a 1 year old. 

Smilin N Droolin:

Correction: Photo dated 1/09, not 12/09.....I used Studio Calico Snippits Collection. Inspired by Paige Evens Smile and Grin layout on pg 95 of March Scrapbook Trends. I loved all the banners she created. I will enter this into March Oh Baby Challenge. She was about 7 months old in this picture. The butterflies are Recollections-how cute! 

Snow Queen:

Created for March Scraplift Your Favs challange. I lifted Michelle Hernandez Snow Queen layout. 

Find Joy Everyday: Created for March Monthly Sketch. This is wk 1. I used BG Hey Girl and Cosmo Cricket Upcylce ppr. I used Heidi Swapp Color Shine on one of her banners

Happy: Created for March 4 Category Challenge, the focus was to use "Luck" somewhere. I journaled "As luck would have it you guys got through breakfast w/o a fight and causing a disturbance. Even better Gabby ate all her food..." The base ppr is Bazzill Salmon. I used a new paper pad I got from Michaels, its DCWV Chicadee 6/12 paper. The "happy" title is Heidi Swapp and the butterflies are Martha Stewart

Enjoy Life: Created for March Girls/Boys Challenge. I used Amy Tan Yes Please Reflect for the base ppr. I used scraps of Teresa Collins and Bazzill cardstock for my banner. The stamp is Recollections. The large mat is from DCWV Sunday Afternoon. The bracket and flowers under my title were a gift from MarcilB. The letters are Thickers Hardcover. The butterfly is Martha Stewart. Photo taken last year.

 

My goodies!

These new Martha Stewart 3 n 1 punches were $24.99 @ Michaels but I was able to get the all using Joann's 50% off, but I had to go to diff stores LOL. I KNOW you guys have done it before! The tag punch was $8.99 from Joann's

Got the album $5.99, since I have been making 12/12 layouts like crazy each month it's really easy for me to fill up one quickly. The washi tape was buy one get 50% off, new colors. The pads were $5.99 @ Michaels, the album was $1.19 @ Joann's. 

Happy Saturday, More Crafting and Shopping

It's sunny and bright but there's still almost a foot of snow on the ground. At least its not freezing cold. Did some light shopping today. You gotta take advantage of Joann's 50% off all paper crafting items. I picked up some dies for my Spellbinders. I love labels and @ 50% off you cant beat that deal. I also got another ppr pad by DCWV, its double sided and they have all new colors.

Variety:

Created from last wks Studio Calico Sunday Sketch. The kids acting silly before eating lunch @ Denny's last week. The base cardstock is DCWV Brights, the hearts are BG Hey Girl, the camera ppr is Maggie Holmes Dreamy, the wood word is Recollections. Created for Match one picture challenge. 

Sweet Dreams:

Inspired by Paige Evans Little Bean layout on pg 118 of Feb 2013 Scrapbook Trends. The base cardstock is DCWV and the ppr is BG Hey Girl, I used different scalloped punches to make my shapes and used BG Hey Girl die cuts in the center. Gabby tends to fall asleep gripping whatever was in the bed with her, toys, pens, pencils, brushes, whatever. I thought it was cute to document. Created for March 2 pic layout challenge.

You know I love ppr, couldn't resist this. 

Adding to my collection, don't go to Michaels, they are only 30% off but you can get @ Joann's 50% off!

I got this 50% off @ Michaels 2 weeks ago, it's still in the box, haven't mounted it yet...

Finally a real SNOW DAY!

Can winter be over so that I can take some pretty spring pictures?????  Well we stayed home today, reportedly 9 inches of snow, some got less, but it was enough to close a few school districts here in WI. I got the call @ 5:50 am this morning. I was happy because I really didn't want to go to work so I called a personal day, especially when I have to drive 11 miles to the inner city, I live almost in a rural area so our roads are not snow as quick as the city roads. 

Here are a few layouts that I created over the last few days:

She's Just A Girl

All scraps except for the base ppr with is American Crafts Blueberry. I used scraps of Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm, Maggie Holmes Crate Paper, Crate Paper Peppermint & Random. I also used BG Soleil and MME Honey. The title is Thickers, the small stickers are MME. 

 I Love Heart How U Kids Play 2gether

This was so much fun to create, I used Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm, CP and BG. I used Beaded Dots template and white paint. The white stickers are Glitz, the pink are Thickers, the 2 is BG Undressed. 

Oh The Joys of Childhood

Used Maggie Holmes Crate Paper, Sassafras Lass, Amy Tan Yes Please, Crate Paper Peppermint, Thickers Hardcover & Lax

I'm back with some new layouts and goodies...

I know you missed me right? I took an unexpected break from blogging, I have been joining more challenges over @ www.scrapbook.com and creating like crazy. Well I like to get down to the point, here's a few layouts I want to share...

Unbreakable Bond

I created this for Feb 4 Categories Challenge @ www.scrapbook.com. We were to use black & white and the color of our choice. I chose blue since I had altered my pictures and printed a few weeks ago, I didn't want this to clash. The blue paper is DCWV Linen Closet. The black border is Doodlebug Frills, the black stickers are Glitz Designs, the pattern paper is MME Honey. I used EK Pennant punch @ the top. I journeled about how much they love each other and sometimes can't stand to be away from eachother.

Snow Butts

I love this picture and it's quite funny. The kids were making snow angels and got snow on their butts, I didn't plan on titling it as such but once I really looked @ the picture I decided to play on it. The blue ppr is American Craft's Blueberry, the arrow, dot and chevron ppr & Thickers is Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm and the border is Heidi Swapp. 

Go 2gether

I took these pictures last Feb of the girls on the trail. I can picture Gabby telling Farrah to come on. I love the grainy black and white that my camera gives. The striped paper is MME and the die cuts are Maggie Holmes. I used a mixture of MLS, October Afternoon and Thickers to create my title. 

And for my goodies...

All these items were 50% off but BG Fact/Fiction is 70% off!

Basic Grey has 4 new lines @ Joann's Hey Girl, Hey Boy, Hello and Hey You. The 6x6 pads are now $6.99, they were $5.99. 

These stickers orginally are $1.99, 50% off all of them

I got the Girlhood pad for the kids, the My Girl pad was $19.99, but 50% off. I don't like that they raised the price from $14.99 to $19.99

The buttons are BG My girl, the vellum tape was $1.99 but got 50% off

Aren't these soooo cute?