Stamp n' Stuff Saturday

Still doing laundry and still playing. I figure I can slip into my office between loads and create for a little while. It helps that my office is right next to the laundry room.

The kids are busy finishing up their Saturday chores. I'm a mean mom. I make my kids do chores.

On Saturday they are each assigned a bathroom to clean: sink, tub, toilets, floor, etc. (I help the 6 year old with his bathroom.) Kate has the kitchen (mopping, sweeping, clean up). Jim has the rugs and trash cans. They are also responsible to keep their own rooms clean. I think it's a good thing that kids learn how to do tasks around the house. Obviously someday they will have their own home to care for and it's a good time to learn now--to make mistakes and ask questions while I'm around to help. They are good kids and with just a little complaining typically get their chores done within a few hours. I'm very proud of them for that!

Still playing with my new stamp sets. Here is the paper pieced/stamped camera from Imaginisce. I used black stamping ink and the camera image to stamp a background on the blue paper. Then I stamped the camera on several pieces of pattern paper and reassembled it. I also stamped the heart on the camera image on red cardstock three times so that I could use it above the sentiment. Here's the card:



Supplies:
* Cardstock by Bazzill, Roberts Crafts
* Pattern paper by Prima, Stampin' Up
* Camera stamp by Imaginisce
* Black stamping ink
* Gray Marker by Stampin' Up
* Ribbon by Pebbles, Inc.
* Essential Messages stamp by Hero Arts
* Apron Lace Border punch by Fiskars

And here is a card with the Owl stamp from the Hampton Arts set I purchased yesterday. I hand cut the branch. For the leaves, I drew them with black ink on the green pattern paper and then cut them out so they would match my little paper pieced owl.



Supplies:
* Cardstock by Baazill, Provo Craft, Prism
* Pattern paper by Stampin' Up
* Whoo Says Stamp set by Hampton Arts
* Raindrop Background stamp by Hero Arts
* Little heart stamp from the "Many Hearts" stamp set by Hero Arts
* Scallop Sentiment Border punch by Fiskars
* Craft twine
* Black stamping ink
* Photo corner by Canson

And then I wanted to show you something cool that you can do by combining the Silhouette Die Cut Machine with stamps. So much fun!

This project uses a a library pocket as the background. Then I added layers of additional die cuts, stamping, and embellishment to create the final project.



Supplies:
* Cardstock by Bazzill, Prism
* Pattern paper by Stampin' Up
* Corner Rounder Punch by Fiskars
* Black stamping ink
* Brown stamping ink
* Yellow stamping ink by Stampin' Up
* Essential Messages stamp set by Hero Arts
* Raindrop Background stamp by Hero Arts
* Friend stamp by Hero Arts
* library_pocket_2249
* zipper_cutout_C00205_2038


* fancy_label_C00011_24282


And now that I've played a bit this morning, I must finish that laundry and finish up my own chores. :) Have a great weekend!
Every Once In a While I Cry

I am NOT a cryer. I think somewhere in my 20's my tear ducts dried up because I really HATE to cry. Oh, I confess to crying at good movies and I DEFINITELY cry when I miss my son. But I have a five minute limit, and if I go past that point then I feel . . . well, I'm not sure how I feel, but I just don't like crying.

But yesterday my tear ducts magically opened up, and I couldn't control what was going to get them going. First it was Gilmore Girls. Weird! I know! When Gilmore Girls first came out, I was a faithful follower; but then it seemed to get off track and I didn't agree with the storylines, and I lost track of the show. But lately it's been on at 6 p.m. my time and I've been sucked back in. I didn't realize, however, that I was watching the very last season and before I knew it I was hooked. Well I missed the last episode during these re-runs so I tracked it down online and watched it.

And I cried. I really cried.

It made me sad to say good-bye to the characters (how ridiculous am I?).

It made me sad to think my baby girl, who is actually 13 is going to be leaving ME someday, and I cried some more.

And then I thought about how I had to say good-bye to my oldest boy and how it ripped a piece of my soul out to do it. And I cried some more.

Then when I tried to explain to my husband just how good that last episode was I cried SOME MORE (much to his and my chagrin).

What is wrong with me? Besides the obvious, which isn't happening. I was a mess.

I even cried at Book Club. Good grief. And no. We weren't reading some sappy Nicholas Sparks book. We read Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. Nothing to cry about in that book. But rather it was more about my sweet daughter.

I more than met my five minute crying limit yesterday. So does that mean I'm good for a month now? ;)

Today was a MUCH better day. I did a little (and I do really mean little) scrapbook shopping. I endulged myself in a few new stamps. Some from Imaginisce and a set from Hampton Arts. Oh the cuteness!!

Here's the one from Hampton Arts that I snagged:



And then this little scooter from Imaginisce just begged me to take him home. I obliged. You can find it here at 2Peas.

And this camera was lonely as well and so it came home to keep the owls and scooter company. You can find it here at 2Peas as well. Maybe the owls will take a road trip on the scooter and take fabulous photos of their trip. Hee, hee.


So after playing for a bit, I came up with this card:


Supplies:
* Bots pattern paper by Pebbles, Inc.
* Signs of Spring pattern paper by Prima
* other pattern paper by Stampin' Up
* Whoo Says stamp set by Hampton Arts
* Scooter stamp by Imaginisce
* Essential Messages by Hero Arts
* Versamark Ink pad
* Black Ink pad
* Gray Marker by Stampin' Up
* Photo corner by Canson

So I went from sappy sad to healed and happy. Nothing like a little retail therapy to make a girl feel better (even if it is with a coupon).
Silly Me!!

So this lovely hd video camera makes its way to my house, and I'm thinking I'll just do some quick filming and upload to YouTube. No biggie.

Oh silly, naive little me!!

You try filming from your perspective. Where to put the camera? Do you film your face? Um no!! So then it's your hands you'll be focusing on. So now which way to turn the camera--obviously down, but now try to aim the camera at your hands. You either have to wear the camera like a coal miner's hat or else do everything upside down so it looks upside right in the camera. (I settled for a rigging of my own.)

Now to talk or not to talk. Suddenly the woman who has plenty to say is bashful. BASHFUL and no one is even watching her yet. Good grief! So I mumble through the filming, pretending like I know what I'm doing. My hands seem quite confident and move through the project rather well. It's training my hands and my mouth to work together that's the struggle. Ah well, we'll add in narration to the film.

Ok. Film done.

We're ready to MAKE A MOVIE!! Open up Moviemaker. What?!! It doesn't accept MP4 files? Are you kidding me? It won't communicate with my shiny new ORANGE camera?!! Nooooooo!

I run breathlessly into my husband's office (he works from home). "I NEED HELP!" I cry desparately.

He tries a few things. I stomp off pretending that I have better things to do like laundry.

"Well, I think we're going to have to try another program like Adobe Premier. I've downloaded the trial version for you," he calmly replies after a few hours of his lunch break and evening time.

Whatever. It's not like I had ever used Moviemaker before. Wandering in the dark on one planet versus another doesn't phase me (or so I wanted to believe).

Well, Adobe Premier Elements is NOT for dummies. You actually have to know some things about sound mixing and clips and all things movie-ish. Seriously? I can't just tell it what I want and it waves it magical programmed wand and creates an Emmy winning movie? Drat!

First version.
Second version.
Third version.
Fourth version. (Oh, and did you know that when you use a trial version, get everything all done and upload it to YouTube is has a lovely watermark running RIGHT THROUGH THE CENTER of EVERY shot?!! Nope. Not kidding.)
Purchase full program.
Fifth version.

Did I really volunteer to do this? What did I think was going to happen? An Oscar would arrive at my doorstep? Who's great idea was this anyway? And where do those fabulous videographers in the scrapbook world get off making it look so easy?

Ok, I think I've got the hang of it.

What? No sound. Now what?

Ok. That's working. Now to click the button to quickly and easily load it into YouTube.

Rendering. What is that?

It's going to take me how long? Well, I suppose I could go back to pretending to do laundry for an hour or TWO!!

Ah. It's done. Now to check it out at YouTube.

YouTube has to process it? Seriously?!!

It's a conspiracy. I know it. Another 30 minutes? Well, I guess there's always more laundry.

I won't even confess how many hours (and days) it took me to make a 10 minute video. I'll just pretend that like my 13 year old daughter, I popped off a fabulous movie within a few hours.

Yeah. I WISH!

(As for the movie, it won't even be available from http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/ until March 20th. And no--the wait won't be worth it. I'm just sayin'.)
Calling It a Sick Day!

Well, I think the little man will be going back to school today. He's been on the antibiotics now for 48 hours so hopefully his hacking won't spread as many germs once he wakes up. He definitely a little less listless and no fever for the past 48 hours. I hope his little headache goes away. I will be requesting that he stays in for recess as it's supposed to SNOW again today. Yeah, winter had us all fooled there for a while with 50 degree weather. It's back to boots, coats, and gloves for a bit yet.

We spent a lot of the sick fest in pjs on the couch watching TV (well, at least he did). I, on the other hand, TRIED to complete some work and do some laundry. I'm hoping to recover the house today--as it looks like a tornado hit. It's so hard to clean around sickness. I don't know why, but it is for me.

A few times when he was up for something a little more energetic, he'd retreat to his room. He wasn't always thrilled with this, but I was trying to get him to do something else. This was his response:


Note the "I'm not really all that into this, Mom," look. And I can tell because I'm the Mom that his little eyes are red around the rims and are a little glazed over. I REALLY hope he's on the mend. Now when one of the kids gets sick it freaks me out a little bit. We've been through too much not to worry every time. And Jimmy has had the worst health this year--lots of colds, viruses and illness. I need to bulk him up on vitamins and healthy foods to get his resistance built up a little better.

Today a new "Work It Out Wednesday" is available on the Scrapbook Trends Blog. I'll show you how to use a glue pad to create this card below:


You can find the step-out photos and directions here.

Note: The dresses below were found at http://www.macys.com/. Hope that helps those searching for a new dress. J. Crew and Ann Taylor also had some lovely options.
Getting Fit!!

Don't you think this is a constant battle for everyone? It certainly is for me. But I have my brother's wedding coming up in May plus my Anniversary in the same month, and since I'm such a lover of finish lines I thought I use those two dates to motivate me to get fit.

I created a digital album to record some of my progress, and I thought I'd share some of the pages here. Her is the cover:



Here is an interior page with my goals (I am being quite daring in putting my weight out there for the world to see, but perhaps it will make me more accountable to myself):

I plan on tracking my exercise plan, my dietary issues, etc. on daily pages.

My goal? Lose 30 pounds and fit into one of these fabulous dresses (or something similar for the wedding):

This purple one is gorgeous:

And black may not be entirely appropriate for an outdoor spring wedding; but if I can find something like these in different colors, then I will be a happy girl:




And then I'd love to get some shoes like these:



I think that's a worthy goal, right?!! :) (Oh and if you have a dress store recommendation, please let me know. I can't think of the last time I actually purchased a semi-formal dress--probably high school.)
Stamp Challenge and Upcoming Scrapbook Trend Calls

I'm hosting a little (and very easy) stamp challenge over at 2Peas on the Stamping Board for Winterfest (a fun stamping event held every year). Here is a link to my 2Peas blog which gives the details of the challenge. Basically you need to use a doll image on your project and include stamping. The doll can be stamped like my example below or you can use a doll die cut and stamp on that. Either way, when you load the image into the 2Peas Gallery be sure to mark the "WF10 You're a Doll" challenge to be included in the drawing to win this stamp set:



And here is another take on this challenge:


Supplies:
* Cardstock: Bazzill, Provo Craft
* Pattern paper: Stampin' Up, Studio Calico
* Stamps: Hero Arts
* Friend stamp: Hero Arts
* Stamping ink: Inque Boutique, Stampin' Up
* Pearl stickers: Basic Grey
* Scallop Sentiment border punch: Fiskars
* Colored pencils: Prismacolor
* Photo corners: Canson

I really hope you'll play along. :)

On another note, there are some upcoming calls at Scrapbook Trends Magazine, which you can check out here. I want to twist your arm a little bit and encourage you to submit for my personal call "Stories to Tell." Here are the details about my call:

Stories To Tell: Stamps - Stamp your journaling or title and show us the results. We know you have tons of stamps in your stash - now's the time to show them off! These are due March 5th.

Also due on March 5th is the "Holiday Book Call." You can find that here.

And then my September "Stories to Tell" call is this:

Stories To Tell: Hidden Journaling - We'd like to see how you incorporate longer journaling. Do you store it in a pocket, place it on a disk, or mount it behind your page? Please photograph both the layout and where the hidden journaling is placed. Due April 5th.

So think about submitting will you? We're always looking for great projects and new faces! I'd love to see yours in print!

2Peas "A Mini Album a Month" February
"Digital Baby" class

So the website is up and running again so I've posted my class with a downloadable pdf and photos here. The message board post on the Education Forum is here (where you can post any questions/comments).
A Little News and a Big Class!!

So today my class at 2Peas for February goes live. The website (as of 5:30 a.m. this morning) isn't allowing me to post it yet, but as soon as I can get on I will be posting the class and will update this post. I will also pick a winner for the January class. This class was fun to do but I won't say more until the 2Peas students see it first.

On another note, are you signed up for the Scrapbook Trends newsletters? We have revamped them so that with each newsletter you get a project or layout or idea; alongwith, content to inspire you. This week it was my turn to add an idea so I created a layout with a focus on amping up your journaling. I added a stamped image and an embossed sentiment to my journaling block.

Here is the layout that came with this week's newsletter:



You can sign up for the newsletter on the home page here.

And for something fun, you can visit our Scrapbook Trends blog each Friday for a great giveaway. This week we are featuring the Joyride and Material Girl lines from Cosmo Cricket. Be sure to leave a comment in order to be entered into a random drawing to win some Cosmo Cricket!!

(On the homefront, the boy has what appears to be a sinus infection. I guess that explains his "really bad" headache. We cozied up and did the tv/book thing all day. In fact I'm already on Book 3 of the Dragon Slippers series--easy read, but a perfect distraction. I think we'll just stay in today and tomorrow and get him all better for school on Monday. I don't like it when the kids miss school.)

If you want to receive facebook updates on my blog, the just "friend" me. I'm adding my scrapbook friends to a special list so you get the changes I make here.)
Reading Today . . .

Well, after that long-ish post about my love of reading, I picked this one off my dd's bookshelf last night. The little boy is quite sick, I'm thinking bronchitis and we're waiting until this afternoon for a doctor's appointment to confirm. Meanwhile, I'm reading; and he's watching Cartoon Network and the Disney Channel all day. It's days like this that I am actually grateful for the TV. :)

On Being a Bookworm

I always have been. Catch me with a book in my hands and you probably won't be able to get my attention. I love getting lost in a whole other world. When I was younger, we would head to the local library and I would come home with 6-8 books. And then I would sit down and read and read and read and within a week's time I would have read all of those wonderfully brilliant books and be craving more. I am sure my mother timed our library outings on days when chores were few because I am no good to anyone once I start a book that I love.

My Mom instilled a love of reading when I was just young enough to understand. Here are some of the books that I remember reading together as a child:

"Under the Lilacs" by Louisa May Alcott
"The Bobbsey Twins" by Laura Lee Hope

Then she turned me on to the classics, and I devoured:

"Little Women"
"Anne of Green Gables"
"The Silver Chalice"

I read plays:

"Frogs"
"Prometheus Bound"
"Death of a Salesman"

I tried foreign classics:

"David Copperfield"
"The Brothers Karamazov"
"Crime & Punishment"

And most of these were while I was in grade school or Junior High. I couldn't read these fast enough.

These days I'm reading more Young Adult fiction. It's hard to find a clean but satisfying read in adult books any more. They are tainted with profanity, promiscuity, and less than moral characters. (If you have some good reads to share, I'd love to hear them.) I have a whole bunch of books I love (or didn't) listed on my Goodreads site. You can see my reviews there as well.

But I'm really getting excited for these books coming out soon:








My poor wishlist at Amazon is getting quite overloaded with all these goodies. What are you reading these days?
Hero Arts

Since it was dark and gloomy all day yesterday and we didn't have any hot plans (since the hubby was working), I played around with some lovely Hero Arts stamps that were generously donated to me (and some that I purchased). I am really impressed with Hero Arts. Their images are creative, exciting, and relevant to current trends. And frankly, you know how I love to stamp!!

This first card features a very pretty pink owl on a branch in front of a yellow woodgrain moon. To create this card, I punched a circle from the green pattern paper. Then I stamped over the circle area with green stamping ink and a floral image. To create the moon, I used the Woodgrain stamp and yellow embossing powder. I placed the "moon" behind the open circle. I handcut the branch and mounted it on the card. I paper pieced the owl, but I turned his eyes so they were open and happy-looking rather than closed (I thought that fit my "hello" card better). The colors were inspired by a Stampin' Up pad I received during their Sale-a-bration event. It's a little 6X6" pad full of beautiful colors and patterns, which I've used several times in these three cards.




Supplies:
* Cardstock: Prism, Provo Craft
* Pattern Paper: Stampin' Up
* Stamp It: Critters Stamp by Hero Arts
* Essential Messages Stamp by Hero Arts
* Stencil Art Stamp by Hero Arts
Woodgrain stamp by Hero Arts
* Old Olive stamp  pad by Stampin' Up
* Black ink pad by Inque Boutique
* Yellow Embossing powder by American Crafts (here's a link to another company's yellow embossing powder)
* 1.75" Circle Punch by Fiskars
* Striped ribbon by Love Elsie for KI Memories

This next stamp uses the "Row of Houses" stamp by Hero Arts. To create the card I stamped the Raindrop Background stamp on the craft cardstock and the rubbed the edges with brown stamping ink. I machine stitched it to the white cardstock. The blue heart label is cut using my Silhouette Machine (I stretched the image to be longer), I used Versmark ink to emboss three of the houses with yellow, orange, and teal embossing powder because I liked the glossy finish better than the dryer inked image. I mounted three on a grass-like pattern pattern (pop dotting the middle house). I added a sentiment stamp and a felt flower from Making Memories to complete this card.




Supplies:
* Cardstock: Provo Craft, Bazzill
* Pattern Paper: Bella Blvd, Stampin' Up
* Gray Buttons: American Crafts
* Row of Houses Stamp by Hero Arts
* Yellow Embossing Powder by American Crafts
* Teal Embossing Powder by American Crafts
* Orange Embossing Powder by American Crafts
* Essential Messages stamp by Hero Arts
* Black stamping ink by Inque Boutique
* Sahara Sand stamping ink by Stampin' Up
* Felt flower by Making Memories
* Pinking scissors by Provo Craft
* Scallop Sentiment border punch by Fiskars
* Silhouette Machine by Quickutz
* Silhouette digital download shape: background_frame_nesting_artisan_set_C00427_19210 (I ungrouped and used just the outline of the light blue one pictured below)




This last card still uses the same color scheme (I told you that paper pad was inspiring). For this stamp I used the Houndstooth stamp and Clear Embossing Powder to create the background. I cut a piece of pink heart pattern paper to resemble a ribbon and stamped the sentiment on the strip. I wrapped tan twine around a label punch and then paper pieced the house and pop dotted it on the label. I stamped little butterflies on orange pattern paper and colored in the center pieces of the butterflies. Then I assembled the card.




Supplies:
* Cardstock: Provo Craft, Bazzill
* Pattern Paper: Bo Bunny, Stampin' Up
* Houndstooth stamp by Hero Arts
* Mi Casa stamp by Hero Arts
* Photo corner by Canson
* Earth Tones Stamp markers by American Crafts
* Label Punch by McGill
* Scallop Sentiment border punch by Fiskars
* Twine from my craft supply

 I'm working on a new "Work It Out Wednesday" for tomorrow's Scrapbook Trends Blog so be sure to check it out. (The photo at the top of this blog post is featured on the current ST Blog about "Stamp Storage.") You can find a Doodlebug Version for purchase here at 2Peas.

And my camera arrived in the mail yesterday--can't wait to try it! So I'll be learning how to film movies over the next couple of days to try and have one ready for my March "Mini Album a Month" class.
2Peas Classes

Want to go back to school for FREE?? 2Peas has wonderful classes to help you learn scrapbooking techniques you've always wanted to learn. You don't have to sign up for them. You can simply "follow" the class in which you're interested on the Education Forum. Here's some of the new classes:

Digital 101 with Erica Hernandez: In this class Erica is covering digital scrapbooking BASICS. You can see an outline of her class in the January tutorial here. She includes helpful videos to watch at your convenience.

A Year in Cards with Kristina Werner: Kristina is the Queen of Cards and will show you every month a fun and easy way to dress up your cards. You can find her January class here and her February class here. She also includes helpful videos!

Pattern Paper Every Which Way by Shannon Tidwell: Shannon rocks the paper in this year-long class on techniques for using your pattern paper. She is cleverly creative. You can find her January class here and her February class here.

Making the Most of Your Die Cutting Machine by Nichol Magourik: Nichol shows you how to use die cutting machines found in the 2Peas store. Helpful videos guide you through both a layout and a project. You can find her January class here and her February class here.

A Mini Album a Month by Me: Each month I will show you how to create a different album type and album theme. I'm hoping to add videos to upcoming classes once my video camera gets here. You can find my January class here. The February class will post on the 20th of this month.

If you participate in any of the classes, you will be entered in to have your name drawn for a fabulous prize from 2Peas.

And in the future watch for additional classes which will also teach you fabulous techniques.
Because Everyone Else is ASLEEP . . .

I decided to play along with this weeks 2Peas "Weekly Challenge." Nichol Magourik is hosting it this week and has provided a lovely sketch which you can find here. I often use a sketch as a starting point to create my layouts, but they rarely ever look exactly like the sketch. It's the little rule breaking I do around here.

I played with lots of Michelle Underwood Digital Kits. I love that her kits come with buttons, sequins, paint splatters, flowers, pattern papers, stitching, etc. It's such a great complete package, and the colors and patterns just make me drool!!

I also like the challenge of trying to do some digi work every now and then. I feel like I'm learning a lot more and feeling a bit more comfortable, but I have a LOT still to learn.

Here's the layout (shield your eyes for some seriously "out there" colors--that I'm loving this morning). You can see it here at 2Peas:



Supplies:
* Adobe Photoshop CS4
* The 365 "May" Kit (for the little letters in my title) by Crystal Wilkerson
* Have a Little Faith kit (for the flowers) by Michelle Underwood
* Shiny Happy Life kit (for the journaling label) by Michelle Underwood
* Fall for Me kit (for pretty much everything else) by Michelle Underwood
* Hippity Hop Hop kit (for the "SPRING" title) by Michelle Underwood
* Element-ary Stitches No. 1 (for the straight stitching) by Carina Gardener

Well, off to start that promised and oh so exciting laundry. I think at 8 a.m. it will be ok to run the washing machine without feeling guilty for waking people up. ;) Have a great weekend!
Dumb Headache!!

I'm starting to recover from this exhausting cold, and I've been feeling pretty well; but today I've been slammed by a headache that will NOT go away. I feel like my head's in a vice grip and someone keeps turning the handle. It also reminds me of a "crying" headache--but no crying here. ARG!! I just want to feel better. (How's that for impatient?)

So I've thought a lot about this school thing. I'm debating between going and talking to the principal (since his teacher is not the one that issued the tickets and she is quite fabulous) or writing a letter or just doing something else with him on that special day. Decisive aren't I? ;) Really I'm not sure what to do. Confused and still thinking about it. I've been reading your comments, and I'm so grateful to hear that I'm not alone and that you feel the same way I do. I really needed to hear that. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and advice with me. I think women really know how to help other women--and you're all quite amazing so thank you!!

I didn't do any work today. Remember I'm supposed to be taking the week off (although Monday and Tuesday I was sick, Wednesday I finished up a Karen Foster project, and yesterday I finished up a Scrapbook Trends article). But I did want to share a few cards that did NOT get picked up for publication. See! Even I get rejected. Hee, hee. I will say that one did get picked up and I quite love it so I'm happy (these were for the ST Stamping Idea Book call).

This first card uses some very fabulous Hero Arts stamps that were generously donated to me. Can I say how much I heart this building stamp? Sigh. Love it so much. Reminds me of the Fraiser TV title. Wouldn't it look cute with little hearts coming out or a balloon or etc.? My mind is reeling with ideas!

Supplies:
* Swiss Dots Embossing Folder by Provo Craft
* Gem stickers by Me and My Big Ideas
* Twine from my craft supply
* Pattern paper from Crate Paper
* Cityscape wood mounted stamp from Hero Arts
* Essential Messages clear stamp from Hero Arts
* Stamping Ink: Stampin' Up and Inque Boutique
* Scallop Sentiments border by Fiskars (this one is sold out but the link will show you other fabulous border punches you CAN purchase)

This one is the cute little girl stamp that I've played with before. I forgot how much I enjoy coloring.



Supplies:
* Swiss Dots cardstock by Bazzill
* Jumbo scallop scissors by Fiskars
* Orange flower by Prima
* Pearl sticker by Basic Grey
* Ribbon by American Crafts
* Pencils by Prismacolor
* You're the Best clear stamp by Hero Arts
* Orange pattern paper by Anna Griffin
* Yellow dot pattern paper by Pebbles, Inc.

Do you have any wild plans for the weekend? Me? I'm going to clean and do laundry. Ooooh. Exciting! Oh and I'm going to try and see Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief, which I loved as a book!! And have lunch with family to celebrate my Dad's b-day. So I guess I really am going to have a great weekend.
Times Have Changed

I am a child of the 70's and 80's. Things were different back then--some good, some bad. I'm feeling nostalgic because Jimmy came home today with a school "ticket" for misconduct on the playground. It's his second ticket this year, which means he will miss the end of school Swimming Party. I think I'm more upset than he is, but I don't think he realizes exactly what that means. Jimmy is six years old and in first grade. He's mostly a very obedient child, but he does get easily distracted and often chats it up with his friends at school. We are making GREAT efforts to discuss better behavior, promote better behavior, and punish poor behavior. I am certainly not saying my child is perfect--duh! ;) He's also above grade in his reading, math and general academia and loves his teacher dearly. But he's a kid.

I am a "rule follower." I like rules so that I know where I stand. Jimmy follows the rules pretty much but sometimes tries his own thing. It both drives me crazy and yet makes me proud that he's independent.

I guess I'm just sad that "shouting in the school bathroom" and "wrestling on the playground" would exclude him from attending the biggest party of the year. I have not shared my feelings or reactions with Jimmy. I want him to respect authority, and I don't believe in undermining teacher's or administrative's rules. But I'm not sure the punishment fits the crime. Especially since he was asked to put his head on the desk and stay in from an additional activity right after. The second offense is definitely of concern to me as they were asked not to wrestle any more. I think the ticket was warranted.

But I'm just feeling such mixed emotions about this. Disappointed that he isn't following the rules. Understanding because he's in first grade, this is his first year at full day, and he's only six. Frustrated that the standard or ruler for bad behavior is somewhat ranging. I don't know.

I guess that's why I'm feeling nostalgic. I remember a few fights in my day on the playground and at school, and I was frightened seeing other people get hurt. I am THRILLED that they have a "zero tolerance" policy for any kind of physical behavior these days, but at the same time it's sad to me that these little boys that pile on top of each other and call it wrestling can no longer do it on the playground. I get it. I really do. But it's still sad.

Just talking I suppose. Like I said, Jimmy doesn't know how I feel and I will support their decisions but man, I'm so sad for him. :( Good parenting is really hard sometimes.

On a better note, I have one more Garden layout to share with you. This one celebrates all good things "February." I created the text box in PS with a pink background and then layered different fonts in different colors on top of each other. The photos are framed with digital frames. Kind of looks like a 2 pager but isn't. You can see a few more photos of my project here.


Supplies:
* Pearl stickers by Basic Grey
* Stencil Art clear stamp by Hero Arts
* Silver Embossing powder by American Crafts
* Sweet Love Clear Cut Frames by Little Yellow Bicycle
* Sweet Love Clear Stickers by Little Yellow Bicycle
* Sweet Love Fresh Verse Stickers by Little Yellow Bicycle
* Metal Adhesive Sheets by Quickutz
* Houndstooth wooden stamp by Hero Arts
* Authentic Origins Collection pattern paper by Basic Grey
* Stick pins by Maya Road
* Jenni Bowlin Calendar die cut
* Bo Bunny Pink Pattern paper
* Craft Twine

Today I'm volunteering at Jimmy's school. I always enjoy the kids. They are super sweet and so eager to hang out with me. I love that! Thanks for the vent session. I just need to get over it and move on.
Trying to Be On the Mend

But it's hard when I feel so junky every day--fever, headache, drippy nose, dry cough, and the inability to sleep. Just lay around feeling sorry for myself.

So today I'm going to try and get up and MAKE myself feel better. I've thrown in a load of laundry and cleaned a bathroom, I even tried to walk although I was tired and out of breath very quickly. I just want to feel better. Thank you for your wishes of "good health." I am NOT a good patient--poor family. :)

So did you see the changes to the Garden over at 2Peas? Our Garden projects can now be found in the GALLERY. Woohoo!! Which means you can comment and find us any time. :) Mel, posted about it here in one of her 2Peas blog posts. It explains how you can more easily find our projects now.

Because we don't have a set Garden release date any more, my layouts can pop up at any time. Yesterday this one went live. I used the Hero Arts doilie stamp and embossing powder on white cardstock, and I love the way it pops. I love stamps that can function as a neutral background stamp or as a dramatic feature on my projects. You can find more detailed photos of the project here, plus several other Hero Arts stamps that would also work in addition to the one I chose. I also used my trusty Silhouette to cut the title.


Supplies:
* Scattered Straw Distressing Powder
* Circle Lace Wood Stamp by Hero Arts
* Bits of Bella Flirty Paper by Bella Blvd
* High Maintenance Flirty Paper by Bella Blvd
* Sugar Rush Woolies by Basic Grey
* Sunflower Yellow Mist by Maya Road (sprayed behind the photo on the white cardstock)
* Paprika Dot by Bo Bunny
* Red Mini Brads by Doodlebug Designs
* Digital word brush by MaryAnn Wise

And today this layout about my Dad's cat, whose health is poor appeared in the gallery. You can see more photos and more options for supplies here at 2Peas.



Supplies:
 * Row of Houses Wood Mounted Stamp by Hero Arts
* Yellow Embossing Powder
* Blue Embossing Powder
* Stencil Art Clear Stamp by Hero Arts
* Essential Messages Clear Stamp by Hero Arts
* Friend Definition Cling Stamp by Hero Arts
* Couch Potato pattern paper by Bella Blvd
* October Afternoon Houndstooth pattern paper
* Scallop Sentiment border punch by Fiskars
* AL Libretto font by Autumn Leaves
* Pearl Stickers by Basic Grey
* Martha Stewart Border Punch (cut through circular holes to edge of paper to create torn paper look)

In addition to two of my Garden Projects being available, a new "Work It Out Wednesday" is available on the Scrapbook Trends blog today. Today's project focuses on creating tissue paper flowers. Tissue paper is so inexpensive and so easy to use. I love how easily it cut in my manual die cut machine--gorgeous!! You could also spray the flower with Mist for a whole new look or use multi-colored paper for added dimension. You can see the photos and supplies for this project here on the Scrapbook Trends blog.


Well, I'd better get back to the laundry. I figure I can do a little and then rest, do a little and then rest until the house is back and I'm back to normal. :)
So SICK!!

My kids shared this evil cold, and I feel horrid. :( I even dreamed last night that I had to have emergency surgery to have my nasal passages reopened. Nice that I have this week off.
Dreaming of a Relaxing Weekend!

Does anyone else has vivid dreams and nightmares? Lately I'm having such strange ones. Mine are typically pretty cool--I fly, have super powers, fall in love. I quite like them. But lately they are nightmarish--buildings blowing up, me being called up to fight in the Halo Wars. I can't figure out why I'm having trouble sleeping. Maybe a week off will be a good thing. :)

So besides laundry, super house cleaning, and sick kids I am still playing around with Little Yellow Bicycle goodies, and I thought I'd share.

The first one is a Valentine Box set. To create the bag, I layered a square scallop shape on the box and then "ungrouped" the image so the machine only cut the bag with the square opening. I then cut the scallop part of the box from white cardstock. I added a transparency square to both the bag and the box, and on the box transparency I added the "XO" rub-on for added interest. So much fun to use pattern paper with my Silhouette Machine. Way too much fun!! You can see more detailed photos of the project here. Here is the completed project:



Supplies:
* Silhouette Machine
* adorable_box_2_C00340_20509




* adorable_box_C00305_20509



* Frame_1026


* Pattern paper: "Sweet Love" by Little Yellow Bicycle
* Clear bird accent piece: "Sweet Love" by Little Yellow Bicycle
* Rub-on: "Sweet Love" by Little Yellow Bicycle
* Silver ribbon: Offray

And this is a layout using the "Generation Z" line from Little Yellow Bicycle. This is a confession about our lack of interest in the Super Bowl. I will watch football, and I can follow football; but I don't really care one way or another about the game. So I suppose "apathy" is a perfect title for this. You can see some more photos of the layout here at 2Peas. And here's the layout:


Supplies:
* Pattern paper: "Generation Z" from Little Yellow Bicycle
* Photo corners: Canson
* Epoxy stickers: "Generation Z" from Little Yellow Bicycle
* Stickers: "Generation Z" from Little Yellow Bicycle
* Alphabet stickers, journaling circle, and acetate frame: "Generation Z" from Little Yellow Bicycle
* Mini Brads from Karen Foster Design
* Embossing folder from Provo Craft
* Tan twine: Craft Supply
* Staples: office supply
* Gear stamp: Inque Boutique
* Brown stamping ink: Stampin' Up
* Fonts: 2Peas Tasklist and Century Gothic

Well, I've off to pick up wings and ribs for the game that I won't be watching tomorrow. Hope you have a lovely weekend. (I'll probably peek in a few times next week even though I really hope NOT to be working.)
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