Im alive

I know, you might not know it - and at times I didnt even know it, but I am. alive and pretty much over my illness. I even did some scrapping today

the letters are from yourmemoriesbydesign.ca

the trees are maya road chipboard that I painted and crackled.

and the Bad Girls Top Designer sign-ups are open

I just signed up for the second annual Bad Girls Top Designer contest.



you should check it out - and no I dont get ANYTHING from telling you this - but it was really fun last year, each weekly challenge includes a class from one of the design team members. last year the classes were based around aspects of art like balance and texture and stuff like that. The design team members are fabulously talented and really did their homework, so I enjoyed reading the classes and really trying to apply the principles to my work. of course last year I think I only made it 3 weeks, but I am going to try for 4 this year!

Scrapbook Dreamer Dream you're a scrap star

Since I am still sick, I am just going to copy this message that was posted by the Dream Weaver - I am so excited for this contest so you have to come check it out - oh and I made all the blinkies (my first ever):

Welcome to Scrapbook Dreamers 'Dream You're a ScrapStar' Contest!

I have covered each Design Team member with Dream dust which has allowed me to invade their dreams to find out what they truly dream about....and I have found out some fabulous and useful bits of scrappy goodness! Boy do they dream about scrapbooking! So I thought "what would I do with all this awesome info?" Why I thought I would host a contest!

Do you dream about being a scrap star? If you do, this contest is for you....Here is all the info!1) Each Monday (by 5 pm) starting September 15th I will post 5 items that two of the design team have dreamt about (10 total) and a mystery item (theme, technique etc) that have really been on their minds. You MUST create a layout using 5 of these items AND the mystery item and post it in the 'Dream You're a Scrap Star' folder in the gallery before that Saturday at noon.

2) the design team will then vote and the winners will go onto the next round. The advancing members will be posted on Monday along with the next sets of 'dream items'

3) all layouts must be NEW and created for this contest and must not be posted in any other galleries until the contest is over. Please include a list of materials used when uploading into the gallery

4) This is a 5-week Contest/Challenge & requires your commitment to complete each challenge. If you do not or cannot complete a challenge, you will be disqualified.

5) All questions or concerns should be submitted to me via PMWant to know what you could win?After looking into MANY scrappers dreams...you all dream of organization, and a great place to put all your awesome goodies...and what a better place than...Crop in Styles Studio Collection Rolling Craft Tote in Midnight And August Blue with an MSRP of $129.99The runner up will also receive a prize package of at least $30! So are you ready? Can you Dream it?

My entry

Ok, so as much as I am beating myself up about this now, I am still pretty fond of it, so here it is:

the first assignment was to make a page using the Together and Artsylicious product that was included. This is the page I made. I had a really tough time with the title, and I have definitely decided that I dont like what I did with the brown paper there, but I just couldnt find something better.

And the other thing was wide open - item or page using the chatterbox product. They sent me a whole bunch of the really cool gems and buttons and stuff, so I looked at them and thought they reminded me of jewels so I wanted to make a princess jewelry box - complete with a ballerina. I had a terrible time finding a cheap jewelry box with a ballerina in it, but I did.

And now I wonder if the doll is too cheesy and maybe THAT is what made me not win - lol - gosh I overthink everything. Anyway, I still love it

So now I know I am sounding really sad and like I am really beatin myself up. but suprisingly I am not, I am still thrilled to have made the short list and the girls that won are just fabulous! those pages were totally drool worthy! So, really, I am ok. I am happy with what I did. (I can't help but crtique it after all we are all our own worst critic) but I am happy with it. I LOVE that box!

no Chatterbox for me

for anyone wondering - I just heard that all the winners have been notified and I wasn't so, I guess I didnt make it. I am not nearly as upset as I thought I would be, considering how excited I was. Anyway, so that is the update.

Here is a mini album that I made using my 2scrappychix august kit. the papers are mollie and mac. I added prima flowers, paper trunk stamps and heidi swapp chipboard

I kept it simple because it is for Ellie. She loves to look at pictures of herself and talk about how she met the princesses.

Disney Day One

Sunday, our first day in Disney world, we got up early, had food in our room, and caught the first boat to Magic Kingdom. Of course the first boat got us there just in time for the opening show, which basically put us behind like a thousand people. But it was ok because we didnt want to go on any of the big rides - just dumbo and the carousel and stuff. Ellie was enthralled by the opening show - which featured mickey and minnie and a bunch of other characters, singing and dancing up on the train station. She had been watching the disney world tv channel with all the old classic Disney cartoons, so she knew who they all were. I have TONS of pics - of course.

So they opened the gates and we slowly all funneled through the tunnel onto mainstreet. We made our way straight for Dumbo, because it is a notoriously slow loading ride and one that all the kids love and ellie had been wanting it for a while. So, Seth and ellie rode, then Ellie and I rode. Then we made our way to Pooh ride, which ellie did NOT like - the blacklight enhanced dream sequence part featuring the heffalumps was totally scary to her. After that we went on the carousel which she loved and had to hug and kiss like EVERY horse. Then we headed to Peter Pans flight. She almost refused to get on because it was too similar to Pooh. I talked her into it by telling her it wouldnt be scary, and guess what? I lied. It also had lots of dark spots and black light stuff. So after that we went on Dumbo again to make her feel better.

Then it was 10am and time for ToonTown to open so we headed over to meet Mickey. We stood in line for about 45 mins, but then we got to meet Mickey AND Minnie in a small room with just us! Elliie was scared at first but they took a decent amount of time and were super nice and eventually she gave them both hugs and kisses!

When we left there, we headed to the main tent to see the princesses. There was like no one in line so we ended up with all three princesses to ourselves! they were really great and ellie was totally in love! we got tons of pics!

Then we went to use our fastpasses (that I had picked up while seth got in line for Dumbo at opening) on Buzz Lightyear. Again - scary to ellie, but not as bad as the others. I think she just didnt like the blacklight feeling, but this one wasnt dark. it was like being in a video game.

Then on to Montsters Inc Comedy floor, which we all really enjoyed. then we headed home via the boat for lunch and a nap. It took me FOREVER to get her to sleep but she really needed it.

When she woke up there was a gift from Princess Aurora waiting for her. She was thrilled! we went swimming, and then headed over to the Animal Kingdom lodge for dinner at Jiko. Jiko was awesome - great food, great service, great wine - the waitress was a certified sommelier and did some wine pairings for me. Ellie was really well behaved. After that we walked around the hotel, looked at the animals and the store, then headed back to our hotel. I went to sleep while ellie and seth watched the light parade on the water. then they went to sleep too.

It was a great first day!

news at 2 scrappy chix

Lots of exciting news at 2scrappy chix! The new kit is here & it is fabulous! The Lords & Ladies kit features papers from Mollie and Mac that debuted at Summer Cha. Also tonight at 8pm est you can come over to http://www.2scrappychixdesigns.com/ for a guest chat with the owners of Mollie and Mac and learn all about them and their products, plus there will be games and prizes! Be sure to check it out!

Here is a simple page that I made last night with the new kit. I didnt have a lot of time but I couldnt wait to scrap these photos from our trip!

What a Magical Vacation

or... We are HOME!!
or... I MUST be crazy
or... I must really like this kid
or... Hurry up and Wait!
or... So this is what hot really is...

Yeah, so we are home, finally! We had a great time but it was really exhausting and I think all of us are really in desperate need of some 'me' time and continuous air conditioning, and lots of sleep, and downtime, oh and a couple of us are going through total internet withdrawal! Can you believe that disney doesnt have free wi-fi in their deluxw hotels?! I sure couldn't!

Anyway, I will post more later. But a quick run-down is that we spent a lot of time in the magic kingdom, ellie loves princesses. Some fabulous cast members spent some time introducing her to Minnie and mickey, so while she is still afraid of almost all of the characters in big constumes, Minnie and Mickey were her buds! We DID finally find the Beast and she gave him a hug because 'he's Belle's friend'

We saw LOTS of princesses, rode Dumbo FOUR times, the carousel three times, its a small world, peter pan and pooh (which totally scared her) - the biggest hit with all of us were the shows - Beauty and the Beast in Hollywood studios, Nemo and the Lion King in Animal Kingdom, Mickey's Philaharmonic, and country bear jamboree in magic kingdom, turtle talk with crush in epcot. The parade was scary at first, but we ended up seeing it twice and ellie really loved it!

I have some 'sayings' written down from the trip to use in my scrapbook pages. We took over 1000 photos and disney took almost 200 of us (not sure if we are buying them yet). One of the best quotes though was 'look Dad more water' - every time we saw water from the bus window, ellie had to point it out. And of course, it is florida in the middle of a swamp so there is water everywhere!

oh well, I think that is all for now, we just got in and I have some photos to look at. And I need to start planning my workout/diet that I am going back on tomorrow. I am going to do body for life again, but slightly modified, so I need to print out some tracking sheets.

oh and I have lots of scrappy goodness to play with - if I get enough sleep tonight maybe I can scrap tomorrow. I dont know thought becasue it is after 7 and ellie is sleeping and doesnt want to wake up so seth thinks maybe she WILL make it through the night - she is really tired. but ya know? I seriously doubt that she will be out all night so I could be in for a shorter than desired night. but on the other hand I dont really want to wake her up - she is NOT fun to be around when you have to wake her from a nap.

72 hours

I just have to share ....

less than 72 hours until we are stepping on a plane to go do

DISNEY WORLD!!

Scrapbook News and Review

I just started reading my first issue of Scrapbook News and Review and let me just say: Holy Cow! This thing is PACKED! I mean, there are so many articles I don't even know where to begin! Well written, with tons of inspiration - no wonder there are so many people on the team to create this monster! I mean seriously - ONE ISSUE is like an idea book in and of itself. Easily more info than any issue of any paper magazine I have ever received. Heck, there is probably more info in this ONE issue than in a whole YEAR of most scrapbook magazines.

Color me Shocked and Awed!

Oh and there is some preview content on the website along with some forums and things - so check it out!

been shopping

not a whole lot of scrapping that I can share here - most of it is for Chatterbox. Then there has been a lot of packing and preparing for Disney. But in the midst of that I DID do a bit of shopping - needed some things for my Chatterbox entry, and some things for Disney, and other places were just random.

wanna know what I got at the dollar store yesterday? - a sidewalk chalk holder that has Ariel on top. Wanna know why it is so cool? Bet you would be wrong if you guessed.

It is cool because I hate to hold chalk, it makes me cringe, and Ellie is always asking for me to draw stuff for her, so this way I wont have to touch the chalk to draw stuff for her!oh, and the chalk will be less likely to break. We have a whole bunch of tiny little pieces. I am cringing just thinking about it - seriously. I am a total freak!

Hmmm, what else - a couple things that I cant share - lol! Chatterbox again! I love to tease you.

I JUST went to ACMoore and got a ribbon threading punch, it is called 'bow tie ribbon' punch and has two 3/8 in slots, 5/8 in apart. I really kinda wanted one that would punch just ONE slot so that I could determine the spacing - oh well.

I also got some dimensional glaze because I have never tried it - it is drying on the packaging right now - lol! I had to try it out and I couldnt wait to get home.

and the other day at Goodwill I had a MAJOR score! I got TWO packages of ink jet printable transparencies (I think 50 sheets each but maybe just 25-the sticker was over the specs) unopened for only $1.95 each! if you have ever bought ink jet transparencies you know that is a GREAT find! I think DH bought me a pack of 50 that cost almost $50! So I figure that even if they are only 25 sheet packs, they are worth about $50 and I spent $4! That is a savings of $46!!

Hmmm, I might have to be RAKing some inkjet transparencies, because I use them, but I wouldnt want to keep all the goodwill to myself - lol! ahhh, I crack myself up.

oh and speaking of good will. Yesterday in the dollar store this woman needed .12, or she would have to break her $20. and she yelled across the store to someone she knew to ask for it. But the other woman didnt have it, and to be honest, I kinda thought she was talking to me. I think the other woman's name was Missy, or soemthing similar because I thought she said, "Miss do you have twelve cents". So I said, yeah I do. And she said, no she couldnt accept that and it was no big deal she would just break her $20 but thank you. And I said, are you sure? and she said, yeah it isnt a problem. then she proceeded to thank me FOUR TIMES. Even once in the parking lot - just for offering her .12 . She said, you knwo a lot of people wouldnt do that. I dunno, I guess she is right, but she didnt even take it, I felt kind of weird that she thanked me so profusely just for offering, but it is nice to brighten someones day

Chatterbox, Chatterbox and more Chatterbox

Well, I have to say that title is how I felt - in a really really good way - when the box arrived on my doorstep on Thursday. But I wrote the title in a very tired, frustrated, exhausted way. I am almost ashamed to admit how much time I spent on the projects for the DT callback. I mean, I am happy with them, I think. but I will be embarrassed about how much time I spent on them if I dont make the team. Of course, with all the incredibly talented ladies that are competing, I wont really be surprised if I dont make the team. but I had to put my best effort in right? I have one little finishing touch to put on. I hope to do that tommorrow. I have to pick something up on my lunch break.

In the mean time, here is a page that I made last weekend (no time for anything other than Chatterbox this weekend).

This page uses my 2 Scrappy Chix july kit and some YMBD white foam letters. I couldnt post it last weekend becasue I was waiting for the glitter to dry on the leaves.





and here is a movie of Ellie feeding the dolphins on vacation

my favorite song

so I posted a challenge today on Scrapbook Dreamer to blog about your favorite song. I posted that as the blog challenge for this week because I had been thinking about this song and how much I love it. I am not sure that you can call it my favorite song, because I love lots of different songs depending on my mood. But this song is pretty darn awesome in a timeless inspiring kinda way.

and if you find it as inspiring as I do, check out a challenge that I posted at Scrapwords regarding this song.


This was an article published in the Chicago tribune, but it was later made into a 'song' by Baz Lurhman. I love this song. I hadnt heard it in ages until my therapist started quoting it to me. So I had to go look it up. Now I try to listen to it a few times a week. It is amazing how much my views on the 'advice' in this song have changed since I first heard it back when it came out. Back then I WAS a youth, and now I totally get what she means in the first stanza about not appreciating your youth. funny. anyway, I find this powerful and deep, in a funny off-handed way. If you havent heard the song, you might want to look it up. I think it is more powerful in song form, with the music adding some pauses in just the right spots.
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and if you dont want to read the lyrics, here is the youtube link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI



Everybody's Free (to wear sunscreen)
Mary Schmich
Chicago Tribune

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of '97... wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be IT.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.

I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You are NOT as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't, maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't, maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.

Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance.

Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings; they are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you'll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

News from my world

I know, I know, I havent been posting much lately. I just havent really felt like chatting. I could say I have been busy - which I have. But I am always busy and I usually find time to post. Oh well, here I am. I am going to give you a brief run-down on what is new.

First, Ellie and Seth are in Savannah - have been for 5 days and I really miss them!
but as you saw in the photos yesterday, Ellie is learning to swim and having a great time. I think today they are going on a boat tour to see dolphins - ellie was soooo excited about that. Seth has been studying like CRAZY for his PCAT. he is signed up for the Aug test. He doesnt know if he is going to be ready but he is sure going to try. because it would be great to have that out of the way. Otherwise he will have to take it in Oct - and that will be in the middle of his 4 classes that he is taking this semester - Chem, Calc, Bio and Physics. So as you see, he will have his plate full without having to worry about that darn test.

On to me. I got my box from Chatterbox yesterday! woohoo! I can't wait to get started on my 'assignment'. The box was loaded up with goodies! I dont know if I am allowed to share what was in it, so I wont, but suffice it to say that I hope she used the flat rate shipping because that sucker was HEAVY! and I am one HAPPY girl!

I also have a new scrapbooking gig. I was offered and decided to accept a position on the staff at Scrapbook News and Review ezine. Scrapbook News and Review is an online subscription based magazine with a TON of fabulous content. I mean when I logged onto the staff planning board, I was OVERWHELMED by the amount of columns and stuff that are going into the next issue! You definitely want to check it out! and if you are interested - the calls for the next issue were posted in the forums today. So you might want to check that out too. Oh and one more thing - there is going to be something BIG happening at SNR in the next month - you will want to stay tuned. I havent quite figured it all out myself, but trust me, it will be AWESOME!

hmmm, what else. New stuff from Chatterbox and American Crafts will be arriving in the store at Scrapwords. You definitely want to check out what is going on over there in the next couple of days - some fun contests and a new theme "Does the past reflect the future?". We have some super fun things planned for the next few months so this month is going to be more 'deep and meaningful' . Time to really get down to the nitty gritty of our lives and our hopes and dreams, and well, I will let you ponder what it means "does the past reflect the future?". oh and if you stop over there, check out the tag thing that displays the theme on the homepage - I made that FROM SCRATCH. ok, maybe it isnt crazy fancy but I didnt use any digi kits or anything just photoshop and my own creativity. Hmmm, maybe I should have a contest for people to guess who the guy in the mirror is...