meagan's message to you...(and our winner)

Last night I was working and Meagan was behind me playing with my scraps. She showed me what she had created and asked me to take a picture and put it on my blog. So, from
both of us, "Happy New Year!"

Meagan also chose a name for our little give-away. Suzi!!

...shoot me an e-mail with your mailing address and I'll send a package to you as soon as the post offices decide to open again! :o)

happy 2007!!!

eye spy...

okay, so this may not be entertaining to you...but I'm posting it anyway. I was working on editing some family photos for a project I'm working on. I walked out of the room to help Seth put in a video and when I came back this is what I saw on my monitor. I know, it's nothing really...but it struck me. Look at all of these eyes. These are the eyes of my family members - my husband, my kids, my parents, my brothers and sister, my nieces and nephews, the eyes of those who I love most. I look at these eyes and feel love and peace. I feel happiness. I hope they know. That's what I spy.

...i'm still in the giving mood...

How about a give-away to start off the New Year?? I have an extra copy of the Special Issue by Paper Crafts magazine Paper Crafts Gourmet that I'd love to share.
(oh, and see that happy little sunshine card on the cover?? Guess who made it?!?)
I have some other fun goodies to throw in as well. If you're interested, just leave a comment and we'll draw a name on New Year's Eve!

homemade Christmas gifts...

I love creating (and receiving) Christmas gifts that are handmade. Last year I made a majority of the gifts we gave...but I don't think they went over so well. So this year I limited my handmade gifts to calendars (and saved myself a ton of time and stress).

Every year I make a calendar for my Grandma and for my parents. (Except for one year...and I sure heard about it! LOL) I've been trying to vary the styles and sizes, just for fun. This year's calendar was pretty simple...but I think it's my favorite so far. I used a template from MS Word to create the calendar, resized it and changed the font, added the birthdays and holidays, printed it on white cardstock, added the patterened paper, photos, embellishments and a favorite quote, and had them bound! I found some fun ribbons for hanging them and they are done! I also created a fun little perpetual date calendar for my aunt...kind of a handy little book to keep on hand, I think! I found this idea on Two Peas.

My calendars went together so easily this year that I decided to create one for us too!

Here's a peek at the inside of our calendar:

we've been busy...

...building gingerbread houses














...digging out of the snow (DEEP snow!)




















...decorating TWO Christmas trees



















...making LOTS of neighbor treats














... finishing up our Christmas cards (which I'm sending off tomorrow...just in the nick of time!)

I LOVE this time of year!!! :o)

an emotional appeal contest...

well, I didn't win...bummer - that new lens would have been great! BUT...my photo is included in the Tamron gallery of their favorite entries! You can see it HERE -- my mom and dad are so cute, huh?!? It's cool to have my photo included among their favorites...they had over 1300 entries!

Dear Santa...

So I was reading through some of the e-mails that came through to me while we were out of town, and found this one from my sister. I'm not sure how she got hold of the letter I sent to Santa this year...but since she did, I thought I'd share it with you all here as well. ;)

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, and sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in thegrocery store.I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month ofmy last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog. If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup avegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back.Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always,
MOM

Can't have a post without a cute picture of the kiddos. This is us TRYING to take a picture for our cards this year, lol.

Edited to Add: Since someone just asked me about this post, I thought I should clarify - it's a joke. I didn't REALLY write the letter ...but it sure sounds like I could have, lol! ;o)

finally...i'm here...

Oh my goodness, it's been SO long since I've posted anything here - the last few weeks have been a bit over-the-top crazy here. Between sickies, traveling, computer/internet issues, and general life I haven't had a chance to do a lot of things I've wanted to do. Anyway, I'm back now. We had a great trip down south (I didn't mention it before because I didn't want to announce an empty house to the general public, lol). We stayed in my parent's condo and the kids were able to swim and play outside...a nice change going from single digit temps to mid 60's in one day! Then we had Brad's family Christmas party last Saturday. Unfortunately, several family members weren't able to attend this year because of illnesses and they were missed. We were also able to attend a "live nativity" at Tuacahn, which was really neat! We did have a lot of fun, but it's always nice to be home...if only we could have brought home some of that nice warm sunshine!! We made a quick stop to see dear old Santa Claus:



















Oh, did you notice Seth is missing from the picture? He was so scared of the man in red...he clung to Brad and didn't want to go anywhere near Santa. Santa was so cute though, he got up off his big comfy chair and walked over to give Seth a little gift:











So..I'm failing miserably with my December Journal. I was so sick for the first several days of the month, then we were out of town and I forgot it...so I think I'm going to jot down some notes in my regular journal and tuck this special one away for next year (I'll just have to change the stickers to say 2007). I'm kind of bummed about that, but it'll be fun to do next year.

In other news...I'm excited to be starting on this year's homemade calendars that I always make for my Grandma and my parents...I'll share those later. (after Christmas because we wouldn't want to spoil any surprises! lol) I'm also working on a few other handmade gifts...so much to do and so little time - why does this always happen?

I made my first (of many) batch of fudge last night. Don't even get me startedon how ironic it was that I was making fudge (and tasting plenty) while I watched the finale of The Biggest Loser. I haven't watched the show at all...I just can't get in to the whole reality show scene, but I do love watching the finales of the shows - they recap everything during the last show anyway, right?!? All of the contestants were so inspiring (even though one, in particular, I found quite annoying). Oh, and did I mention the fudge??? Yum! Brad took about half the batch to work today with him, so I think I'll be making another batch tonight so we can get it wrapped up and ready to take to neighbors soon. :O)

three years and seventeen minutes ago...

...our little miracle was born. December 3rd, 2003 at 12:03 am this little guy took his first breath. He'd already been through so much - and taught me so much - before he cried his first cry. I can't believe it's been three years, it truly seems like it barely happened.

I was up wrapping his birthday presents when I realized what time it was, so I had to grab my camera and snap a quick photo...he fell asleep in our bed watching tv with Josh.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Seth.

it's december...

It's snowing outside and everything is being covered (again) with a beautiful white layer of winter. The kids are off to school (have I mentioned how much I LOVE living where the kids now ride the bus to school? No more bundling up babies to drive kids to school on freezing cold winter mornings!). Brad is off to work, but I'm hoping for a short day due to the weather (no, it's not likely, but I can hope!). Seth is sitting next to me making his wish list (again) out of the Thomas the Tank Engine toy catalog. Zach is in his high-chair munching on graham crackers. I can't think of a better way to start out the first day of this magical month of December. I love when I feel excited and happy for no particular reason, don't you?!? I've been waiting for today to share a fun project with you, so without further rambling/commentary...

This is one of those projects that once I get the idea, I can’t wait to get it all created and finished up – that is why I didn’t go to bed last Saturday night! I got started on this project, and I just didn’t want to stop until it was done. Every year I get so wrapped up in the “stuff” of the holidays that I don’t take as much time as I should to just enjoy the process…soak in what’s going on around me…and take note of all the beautiful and wonderful things that are happening. I vowed that this year would be different, and because of this project I know it will!
Here’s the idea: I created a 9x9” page for each day of December. I left a space for a photo and lots of room for journaling. Of course, I added lots of fun embellishments too! Now, at the end of each day, I’m going to print out a photo and write down whatever I want to record about the day…what we did, where we went, thoughts, reminiscings, etc. At the end of the month I will have a very comprehensive journal (complete with photos), recording a snippet of my life…December 2006. (and YES, it really was worth losing a night of sleep over.) Here's the cover and the first blank page -- I can't wait until tonight when I will fill in the journaling and add a photo!

P.S. Several months ago I mentioned a project I was working on for Making Memories -- well, they've just released their own complete version HERE. Several of the designs are mine, and then they started doing them completely digital (you can probably tell the difference). This would be a really fun way to share your photos with friends and relatives. And, it's FREE, so that's makes it even better!! Check it out!!

May your december 1st be full of happiness, joy, and magic -- the beginning to a wonderful holiday season!

cards from scraps...

Last week I made some Christmas cards using only white cardstock and left-overs from some layouts I created for a product showcase at Gone Scrappin'. For some reason the link on the GS site isn't working for my cards, so I thought I'd share them here.



These are super-simple and they were so quick -- no measuring or worrying about making everything even and perfect. I LOVE sitting down immediately after creating a page or project and using up my scraps to make cards or tags!

layouts in ck...

I got my January 2007 CK yesterday (and enjoyed it while I was sitting in the dentist chair...but that's another story)...so I thought I'd share a couple of layouts I had in it.












So busy around here...so much going on...sick Josh...busy baby...birthday #3 coming for Seth...shopping to do...decorating goes on...busy, busy, busy...but fun!!! Hope you're all having a good day!

how we spent Thanksgiving eve...

...making these: My mom asked Meagan to make place cards for Thanksgiving Dinner tomorrow. Of course, Meagan was excited to do it (I think she's done it for 3 or 4 (?) years now). I found this kit online a few days ago. So, we invested in this scalloped circle punch, got creative with a big mitten punch, a square punch, and a carrot punch and created our little turkeys! I did most of the punching and Meagan (along with a little help from Josh) assembled the turkeys and attached them to the white cards. I think they turned out cute, and the kids had a lot of fun putting them together. :)

an even BETTER discount...

Hi all, I've been getting lots of e-mails and questions about the Scrap Box since I posted it on Two Peas last weekend. Originally, the discount was $50 (I thought) for anyone who mentioned they saw the Scrap Box here on my blog. Well, I just spoke to them and (as many of you who have ordered today already know) they have
increased the discount to $100!!!
{All you have to do is mention my name and you automatically get the discount}

That's double what I thought it was! Enjoy your discount -- and please, let me know if you decide to order one so we can share organizing ideas!!! :o) Happy Turkey-Day EVE!

busy...

...I've been finishing up some big projects, and I'm almost done!! I'm so excited to have the next five days off with no "work" to keep me occupied - just five fun days with the family! :o) I'm also excited that Gone Scrappin' will have some fun new projects up on their site soon. Here's a sneak-peek of one of my layouts. :o)















and now I'm off to make a yummy chocolate chip cookie pie!!! mmmmm....

okay, so NOW, it's looking a little bit like...

Christmas! We went shopping today (not for these holiday-related items)

and came home with a load of stuff to deck the house!

We've never put lights on our house before (the old house was just too tall and the roof was scary steep...plus we didn't ever think about it BEFORE there was snow everywhere), so it was really fun to buy lights for the new house. I wanted to get clear/white, but I was out-voted and we got the multi-colored lights. Fun for the kids. :o) Brad decided to splurge and buy some of these fun yard/blow-up/light-up things. (If you know Brad, you'll know how shocked I was when he actually suggested we buy these!) Anyway, as soon as we got home, Brad climbed up on the roof and started putting everything together. It looks great...and in only a few more days we'll be turning them on "for real" (gotta wait until Thanksgiving is over).
P.S. Don't let the shorts fool you -- it has been unseasonably warm...but not that warm...he's just silly!!

it's beginning to look a lot like...

...THANKSGIVING!!

The kids and I got out all of the Fall/Thanksgiving decorations last week and I decided today that I wanted to take some pictures of what our home looks like all decked out for Turkey Day.

 

organizing my scrapbox...

I said I would share a little more about my ScrapBox...so here are a few pictures and ideas (which, for the most part, could easily be implemented otherwise...no ScrapBox needed).

First, a quick picture of my Box -- opened up with the table down













--and opened up with the table up. The legs just fold down like a card table - quick and easy. I don't use this as my main scrapping table (though you defninitely could), but I like having a second table to spread things out on while I'm working.













The very outside fold-out of each door is covered in fabric and all of the little zip-up packet/envelope thingies have velcro on the back. I decided to use the packets on the right side of my cabinet to hold product. When I get NEW product, or have a certain item I want to use, I will put it in these clear packets so I don't forget about it. (All of the packets and baskets/bins come WITH the ScrapBox).



















These file boxes come with lids to protect whatever is inside...but I opted to use mine for patterned paper and letter stickers. I have an addiction {love} for letter stickers and have tons of them. I am loving having them all together and visible here.













This is my favorite tip: A basket for each family member. This is where I'll place items that will be added to future scrapbook pages -- things like favorite art projects, cards, report cards, etc. until they find a home in the scrapbook, they will live in these baskets. The kids love looking at the little tags I made (using the Making Memories tag Maker...another FAVORITE thing)...and they've pulled out their baskets just to look at the contents several times already.




















I have some more ideas to share...I'll do that later. :o)

better late than never...

...at least that's what I've been told.

So, even though Halloween has been over for over a week, I just thought I'd share a quick cute picture of the kids in this year's Halloween costumes. :o)

Allow me to introduce my cute (but completely uncooperative) costumed crew:

Meagan, the pink-haired witch (who was most definitely sporting her little witch attitude)
Zachary, the cute little puppy (at least we think it's a puppy...whatever it was, it kept him warm - the tail in the back is the CUTEST)
Seth, aka Thomas the Tank engine (for the entire five minutes that he actually wore his costume)
and Joshua, our cute little 2nd year Skeleton (and the most cooperative kid in our crew)

And now...I'm ready to pull out my Thanksgiving decorations (while I listen to Christmas music, of course -- and like I tried to explain to my Grandma when she didn't seem pleased that I was already listening to my Holiday tunes --- there just isn't any THANKSGIVING music to listen to. It's not that I'm trying to skip over the Thanksgiving season, it's just that I want to listen to music that makes me happy...and that just happens to be Christmas music. I'm not trying to bypass the November Holiday!! I love Thanksgiving too. :o)

guess who was on tv today...

ME! I got to be on one of my favorite TV shows, Good Things Utah today with Glenn, the mastermind behind the Scrap Box!!! What a neat experience to be able to have - I loved seeing "behind the scenes" of a show I watch almost daily -- and then getting to chat with the ladies that host the show. They were so kind and genuine...loved the whole experience! Unfortunately, I had so many more ideas I wanted to share, but those five minutes just flew by...so maybe next time (if there is a next time) I can share more fun ideas. :o) I need to finish up some work today, but I'll share more pictures of my ideas for my ScrapBox on my blog. REMEMBER, if you want to buy one of these (and you know you do, because they are awesome) - when you call to place your order, just mention my name and they'll give you a discount...and who doesn't love a discount?!?

I just checked the GTU website and found that they have the video of our segment available for viewing...so if you missed it, and you are interested....dlick HERE! :)

how I spent my saturday...

...taking all (well, some) of THIS:

...putting it into THIS:

...and now it looks like THIS:

I am SO loving this cabinet!

ANd I did it all while listening to CHRISTMAS MUSIC! (Yay!!)

I'm getting ready for a little presentation on Monday,

but I'll share more pictures and some fun details later. ;o)

something else that makes me happy...

I love these fun and colorful ribbons, so I was excited to do the challenge for this week on the Making Memories Blog. You can see more images and read about it HERE. This was a fun project and it really does make me happy!

this makes me happy...

Christmas Music!!!

(click to listen yourself...you know you want to!)

don't forget...

...to vote for the MM Idol Contest today. Both of the final entries are absolutely incredible. My jaw seriously hit the floor when I saw what these talented ladies had created. Check it out and vote for your favorite!!

betcha thought I'd share more Halloween projects...

how about a layout using something different
(it's actually paper from the Valentine's Day line by MM,
but this isn't a Valentine's day layout)...

{not a lot to share today
- just trying to get over a killer headache -
hope you all had a nice weekend...it was beautiful here!}

 

more halloween talk...

For a really long time I've been thinking about creating a mini album featuring my kids in their Halloween costumes from year to year -- kind of "costumes at a glance" style. I think I may have found the album I want to use for it:

I know, it's another project with the Making Memories Halloween line. I can' t help it. I love it. :o) I just wish each album had more pages...maybe I'll have to just do a separate one for each child. Simple and cute...just the way I like it! :o)

Oh, and speaking of Halloween (go figure, lol), we took the kids to Lagoon last Saturday, during Frightmares! Actually, we were there during the day, so the scary people in costumes weren't out yet. Normally, I would not choose to go to Lagoon when it is COLD outside. However, we bought tickets early in the summer, then Seth got sick on the drive up to Lagoon, so we ended up not going in. (We did, however, pay to park in the parking lot, so Lagoon did get some of our cashola that day.) With moving and everything else going on this summer, we just didn't make it back up there. The tickets we bought from Costco were non-returnable/non-refundable, and we couldn't find anyone who wanted to buy them (even at a discount), so we knew we only had a few opportunities left to use them....or just eat the $120. Since I don't care for eating money, we headed up to Farmington last Saturday. I could not believe how crowded it was. Seriously, I stood in line with the kids for an hour just to ride one ride. Craziness. Oh well, we used our tickets, had a little fun, got see Lagoon in all of it's Halloween decorated glory, and left before we froze our noses off AND before the scary characters started roaming around.