Hello world, how are you?

Been creating with the Cocoa Daisy December kit, Winter Magpie. One of the most brilliantly designed kits ever, just so perfect for any holiday or winter. Perfect amount of texture, a beautiful backdrop to all my photos. I was so inspired, I finished my pages in one evening. You don't want to miss this one, and right now, if you sign up for a six month membership you can get it free. (That's crazy.)



On a more serious note, I'm sorry I've been quiet. And I know that I have. I haven't been feeling very well, not the typical cold or flu stuff either. I'm undergoing a medical procedure next week, I'll update when I know the results. If you have any prayers to spare, I could use one (or two.) Thank you for reading, I'm always so pleasantly surprised by how loyal this blog's followers are. Some of you have been here a long time, and I love it when you check in. Happy TGIF, until tomorrow.

More pages

Some scrappage from the Cocoa Daisy crop last weekend. The folder holds lots of misc. photos that I printed and decided not to use on pages, or not to use right now. I sealed 3 sides with adhesive and left the top open.


My dh is home from deployment. So grateful and thankful he is safe and that I don't have to be a single mom anymore. Life is good for us right now. I've knocked out so many things on my to-do list while he was gone that I'm giddy--I cleaned out the garage, I got my old fillings replaced at the dentist (all white now, love this!), winterized my car, have done so much home maintenance over the past 4 months it's unbelievable, just have to get the gutters cleaned before it snows. Very excited to be semi-caught up with everything, and looking forward to not gardening this winter. I love it, but I'm ready for a break. Hopefully will continue the scrapping kick I've been on lately, 7 layouts with the Cocoa Daisy Nov kit! You will love that one. Although, I was blown away when Cocoa Daisy Dec. showed up, it's so gorgeous I don't even know what words would do it justice. I'm a little intimidated to use it, it's pretty perfect as is. :)

Happy Thursday to you! Until tomorrow.

Weekend Drive-by

It's been a rather disappointing day. We saw the ENT & audiologist and J's hearing is normal, no fluid in his ear (unlike what we were told was the case at the pediatrician's office). And while I am thrilled that my baby doesn't need surgery or tubes, it did seem like a dream come true that we could snap our fingers and be over the speech difficulties that he has had now for the past 2 years. So, on we go with speech therapy. And it's a good thing, I know this. All I need to do is love and support him and in his own time he will overcome it. Probably just in time to be a sassy teenager. Hmm. :)

Just in case you wondered what I was up to this weekend. You can come too! Lots of prizes and fun. As long as you like to scrap you are invited. :) I'll have some new layouts to post after the weekend. I'm finally going to clean out the garage too, but this is more fun.
(Click on it to make it bigger if you need to.) Happy weekend to you! Until tomorrow.

Cocoa Daisy November Poker Face

The summer is gone I can't believe, it went so fast.

Why do only the cold and lonely times, seem to last?

- Patty Smyth, There are no mistakes in love

Goodbye October, and honestly, good riddance. I lost my grandmother, J has been sick again, I was so busy raking the leaves that I didn't even have time to indulge in a PTSD moment this year. I am sad that fall seemed to blow right by though, like it never happened. May as well have just gone from blistering hot weather to frigged cold. Did I mention my car battery died last week (due to the extreme shift in temperature?) Yep, goodbye Oct., see you around.

Haven't been online much, been taking a digital sabbatical and enjoying my life. Being outdoors, I love being outside with J. Trying to do things slower, one at a time, focus on what I'm doing. I've given up multi-tasking and happier for it. I tried getting up early in the morning, just for the peace and quiet, seems my body prefers it's peace and quiet under the covers. (Enjoys it so much that getting up 20 mins earlier is all I can manage right now, but it's a start.) Been eating healthier, until the car battery incident when I consumed a handful of skittles upon arriving home. I don't twitter or facebook, and I try to only check message boards once every day or two. However, this came back to haunt me when I missed the reveal at Cocoa Daisy this month. Had layouts ready to go and everything, but forgot to check the day before. I found out the evening of but didn't have my projects photographed. Oops. I keep forgetting the 28th is carved in stone over there now. Here are my pages for the month of November, the kit is called Poker face:

You have to see this shaped stamp exclusive to the kit, very cool. We are going to see a surgeon about getting tubes in J's ears, hoping this will also help his speech. Thank you for your kind words and thoughts below. Happy Monday to you! Until tomorrow.

It still hurts

I lost my Grandma Betty, 2 weeks ago now. It's still hard to look at these photos. I've learned that early morning phone calls are never a good thing. I had the pleasure of my grandma's presence in my life for 34 years, and that's a blessing. She was so young when she had my mother, and I know most people don't get to enjoy a grandparent for that long. But it makes it infinitely harder to let them go. My grandma always made me laugh. Even as a child in a room full of adults I gravitated toward her like the sun. She was the only person who was at least as likely as I was to get into trouble. :)
This is one of only 2 photos I took at her funeral/wake. I just had to find a way to understand how final this was, as the entire out of state trip made with a dog and a child in 2 days was just surreal. I'll be honest, I love this picture, it's peaceful and beautiful and I needed that. I hope it doesn't seem strange that I took it, I don't think it's morbid at all. My mother needed my sister and I with her and I know now that it was important that I went.
As always, my grandma didn't look like herself at the wake. At all. I hate that. So I took this photo of her picture in the doorway. No matter what, I'll always remember my grandma golden tanned from the golf course, a martini in one hand and a cigarette in the other, with a little smirk cursing under her breath (that would make sailors blush). I love you grandma, and I'll miss you until we met again.
Until tomorrow. It's a Monday. :P

Updating

Been out of town for a funeral, an unexpected death in the family. I'll be back soon, to share details. I have to unpack as I have to go to work tomorrow. Not such a happy day. Until tomorrow.

Cocoa Daisy Oct. Happy Days

Brrr. It's cold here! What happened to Fall? Just like that gone? Seems wrong. Seems like even the weather is just a touch dramatic and neurotic lately. I'm just saying. :)

My baby is potty trained, I can't believe it. I have so much to say about that, but not much time tonight. Here are my pages for the Cocoa Daisy Oct. gallery:

This one's title should have been "an unlikely fall tradition", but that wouldn't fit on the tag. It's ok, that's what we are making when visit this pumpkin patch/shop. And it is tradition now, we are going next weekend. Made entirely of the main kit: Happy days.

This page is kind of a place-holder for me. I take photos of J every year in his Halloween costume, and then I edit the snot out of them in photoshop using a photo extraction technique (if there is interest, leave me a comment, otherwise I won't bore all the non-techies). So, I am up to 3 photos (seen) below. My goal is to have the most amazing Halloween mini album ever, someday. I love how the photo technique is really dramatic, it works for Halloween anyway, it's over the top. But, and this is a big but, I'm not ready to make the album yet. I need more photos, another couple of years. So I made this page to remember and record the details, so when the time comes, I won't forget them. I have my work cut out for me this year, J wants to be Buzz lightyear. That costume is white, it will be my biggest challenge yet. :) Mostly the patterned paper add-on here with a ticket and alphas from the main.
This one is about my dh, and it is made with the main kit except for the JBS butterfly. That stamp, sticker, tag, paper and cardstock are all from the main kit.
Lastly, I misted! What I loved about misting-the randomness of it. What I did not love about misting, the randomness of it! I sprayed it 3 times, big juicy lovely drops of dark calico that looked like ink came out, but when I sprayed for real, a fine mist. It's ok, it was still fun. :) And I'd do it again. I still don't understand what I did wrong, but I guess the learning curve is high. :)
Gotta go, I'll try to post again. Happy Monday to you! Until tomorrow.

Sneakage

It's been a long day, always. I can barely keep my eyes open. Just loaded my Cocoa Daisy gallery for Oct., thought I'd share some sneakage here:

Very excited to work with this kit some more. Presently working on an assignment for a magazine, and listening to the first real rain we have had in over 2 months. Welcome fall. Hope you are enjoying it! Happy Monday to you! Until tomorrow. (And why yes, that is some mist you see in the first photo--SC Dark Calico. ;) )

Dear Paper RE: Uncertainty

If I was paper, I'd probably dump me. I feel as though paper is this close ( ) to breaking up with me, and I can't say that I don't deserve it. But if you only knew paper, if you really knew how very much I love and think about you, then you wouldn't go. :)

I haven't been in much of a blogging mood (um, clearly.) The truth, is that I realize that I can't do things the same way as I always have before. Since I've been blogging for 3 years, I suspect I need to accept that things will evolve. They have to, it's the nature of it. And yet I'm reluctant to change. There, I said it. I want to blog with a project/page or card. And I'm reluctant to do so without one. And yet, I know deep down that if this is the case, I will blog one time a month after the Cocoa Daisy reveal and that's all. And that's not what I want to do.

I suspect part of my frustration may be mojo-vacation. And one part is just general fatigue with life/working/taking care of a toddler in general. And since this is my new-fangled math, one part could be just being overwhelmed (another part, really? What does that add up to anyway?). See, no one is harder on me, than me. And I want to put up something that I love each and every time I blog, but so many days I just want to post short stories, or things that I like and find interesting. Nothing involved, not a masterpiece by any means, just something. And I think I could do that, if only I could check my perfectionistic tendencies at the door.

What I'm saying in the most obnoxious love letter to paper ever written, is that while my love affair with paper rages on, life goes on too. And during this period of uncertainty, as I try to find my way forward with my paper crafting, I want to be free to experiment with my writing here. So, my posts may be a little unconventional, less structured, more rambling (more than this, seriously?) and in general, more me. I can no longer dissect my personality from my blogging, and nor do I even want to. It upsets me that my pages are more "me" then my posts are, and I think that's why I feel like I should put one in every blog post.

This is hard for me, I do quiet very well. Even in real life the people around me will notice periods of quiet and introspection broken up with short bursts of outgoingness and laughter. It's just the way I've always been. Sometimes I wish it was more consistent and more to one side or the other.

If you are still reading, I'm just so glad you are. :) My last project for the American crafts blog:

In short, I'll try to do better. But I can't do it the same. Happy Monday, until tomorrow.

Brighter Skies

Hi all. Thank you so much for your concern, I guess I've been quieter then even I thought. I don't mean to be, I'm just busy. Feeling really good about everything though, I feel like I've found a really good fit for me with the office I chose to work in. And J loves his school, and slowly but surely I'm fitting in some crafting on the weekend nights. Today I just feel really lucky and feel like I'm finding balance again. Until the next time the apple cart topples. :) I think that I thought that scrapping and working were mutually exclusive and I'm pleased to find that is not the case. Let's see what happens when we throw the holidays into the mix. :)

Here are some layouts made with Cocoa Daisy's Brighter skies. This first one was made for a sketch challenge we are having in Sept, that's why it looks like my style thrown in a blender. But I kind of like it.

And this one is to help me remember my son singing his ABC's and how amazing it is to watch a child learn. If you know me, you know how very much I love Jenni Bowlin and it physically hurt me for like 10 mins after I decided to do this with the alphas. But it's ok. :)
This one is about that gut-wrenching first day for mom, um, I mean J. :) I love those basic grey fabric buttons, I'd like one in every color/style please. :)
Lastly, I was going to make a card with this paper that said on the front It's not complicated and on the inside put, I love you. And then the more I thought about it, the more I knew that I was feeling this because sometimes J looks at me like he doesn't know what planet I'm communicating from. Why doesn't mum want me to jump on the couch? So, this was my way of feeling understood, even though I know it's futile as he is too young. But it will still be relevant when he puts his hands on his hips and gives me that look when he's a tween so I'm not worried about it. :)

And that's it. Hope you have a good Monday. Until tomorrow.

Sneaking around

Pages coming soon, I promise. :)
Happy weekend to you! Until tomorrow.

Updating

We've been trying to settle into a routine here, and with all the illness we have had with preschool, I'm afraid it's just not working. Been hanging on for dear life some days, just trying to remember to feed the dog and pack a lunch. Unable to stay up much past the time J goes to bed, and that's really putting a cramp in my scrapbooking and blogging here lately.

Some developments:

1. I decided to stay on with Cocoa Daisy for another term and I couldn't be more excited about that. These kits are the best at getting me out of a scrapbooking rut and I'm currently waiting on this one to arrive:


It's called Brighter skies, and it will be available for purchase midnight August 27th I believe. We are working on having a more defined reveal date so that everyone on the site knows what to expect. We also have some new Divas including Debee Campos, Lisa Saunders and one still yet to be revealed. I love that loyal members as well as bigger name talent all have equal opportunity to be guest designers and on the design team there.

2. It's Christmas in August here. I finally opened my new photo printer, as I finally ran out of ink for the old one. It came with new software that is really fun to play with. It makes me want to try my hand at digital, but I know I could never give up the smell of new paper.

3. Waiting for it to finally cool down here, end of summer long dog days are making me long for the pumpkin patch and the cool crisp air. I'm a fall girl, I love every single thing about it. Also waiting for temp to drop so I can spend some time in the garage, can't even think of organizing it in this heat. I keep asking J about what he wants to be for halloween, is that bad?

4. Loving my yard, with the little bit of rain we have had the grass is much greener. Not as good as it will be in the fall, but a vast improvement over the scorched look of summer.

5. Listening to: Sara Bareilles (any of her songs on vevo) and Jon Meyers "Half of my heart" (love, love that one!)

6. Reading about Primary Biliary Cirrhosis. It's a liver disease. It's part of my CME this month.

Happy Monday to you! Until tomorrow.

Guess this means summer's over

Some of my most recent American crafts blog offerings this summer included:

June Calendar page:

Sunkissed layout:

Beach mini album:

All made with American crafts Heatwave. Kelly Purkey said I would love that line, she was right. I had a great year with American crafts and I am grateful for the opportunity to design for them. I'll be back later on, I have to make lunch. Happy weekend to you! Until tomorrow.

And a little child shall lead them. . .

When we pulled up to Chipotle this weekend, I said, "J we're here." And from the back seat in a small voice I heard him say, "I peel (feel) like guacamole." And just like that it was Sunday morning with me saying "Amen brother, hallelujah! That's my boy." He gets me, he really does! :)

And you might be a redneck if your imaginary friend is named Taterhead. It's true, I couldn't make this stuff up. And I can barely keep a straight face while drying and tucking taterhead in bed tonight. They say that kids with imaginary friends are really smart. Do you think this still applies if they name the imaginary friend taterhead? :)

We've been really sick here, another round of antibiotics on me. And when I noticed that said sick child had his finger up his nose I told him politely not to do that, that that's why we are sick. This was met with a "Try it Ma." Um, no. What do you say to that?

And I'm proud to report that J is the new owner of the Chuggington interactive railway. I was so excited that he went #2 in the potty that I nearly wet my own pants. What a day! Happy Wednesday to you. Until tomorrow.

About Chuggington

My little guy has fallen off the wagon with potty training. I've tried for months with no success to bring him back to the table, er potty. This all came to a head last week where I insisted that he use the facilities before we headed out for school and he refused, loudly at the top of his lungs and ran away. That's when I knew that we were pretty polarized on the issue and it was going to take something big and magical to bring both parties back to the table. Enter interactive Chuggington:

The trains and everything talk. We have been excited about it for a long time. So I bought the set with the tracks, and 5 trains (6 if you include Wilson and Vee with the track set). I use this company in the UK--Toys Direct. They are awesome. The site converts pounds to dollars, and it shipped and was here in under 4 days. I'm just a satisfied customer is all and when you look at what they are charging on amazon for chuggington toys, the prices are totally ridiculous.

So, my whole counter top is full of talking Chuggington (like I need anymore lip from anyone when I make dinner, geez.) And we have a list going-12 potty trips gets him the first train. He still has about 6 to go, so he's doing well. He's motivated I'll give him that! Me, I'm just hoping it will buy about a week or two of time, something to get a routine down so that he can stick with it. Wish me luck, I'm going to need it. Happy Wednesday to you! Until tomorrow.

And it was a Monday

This past month has been so hard, since J started school we both have just been so very sick. I can count on my hand with fingers left over how many days I've felt well lately. I've got another upper respiratory infection, which I'm certain by the way I'm coughing now will linger with me a little while. The antibiotics are making me feel just as lousy as the cold. It's one of the worst things in the world--to be sick and try to take care of a small child, nothing compares to the feeling of complete and utter uselessness I feel trying to function this way.

These projects were featured on the AC blog during our swap with Pebbles back in May, I just forgot to post them here. They feel very spring/summery to me. Sometimes I have to remember that it is still summer, I'm so focused on everything I want to get done in the fall. Our winter here was so brutal last year that I'd really like to get both cars in the garage this winter. One, no problem at all, but two is going to take some thinking. :)

Happy Tuesday to you! Until tomorrow. I thank you for stopping by, I appreciate you being here. I'll be returning comments this afternoon from below.

Friday AC drive-by

So glad it's Friday! :)

This page was inspired by some cards I made for the AC blog that will be seen later this month (I know, that's not very helpful is it?). This is the American crafts I do line, and why I certainly understand why it is named that, this line is so much more than just wedding. I haven't done anything wedding related with it yet! I'm just really smitten with it right now.

All the patterned paper is American crafts I do, the thickers are Marquise pearl thickers in Black, but in real life they are a steel grey. Grey goes so well with this line. And a little Jenni bowlin stick pin. I just like them.

Well, I have a lot of patient charts to dictate, so off I go. Happy weekend to you! Until tomorrow.

Driving by

Here is a page I did from my stash of American crafts and Jenni bowlin:
I used American crafts Salutations thickers in chestnut, AC blue glitter brads and AC Marilyn Chestnut Minimarks plus Jenni bowlin playdate papers. Love these JBS papers. The stars are from an old SC kit, I think they are heidi swapp, not sure though. Our 4th was spent being sick, as has every moment since then. :( That's why J is so glassy eyed.

Happy Wednesday to you! Until tomorrow.

Me vs the to-do list

Having a hard time getting my act together to blog lately. It's a casualty of going back to work I suppose. I'm juggling, but clearly I'm not juggling fast enough or very well. 2 weeks is the longest break I've ever taken from blogging, and I kind of miss it.

I've been doing some things for the AC blog and I will have some layouts to share this week. I get that our relationship is built upon me showing the pages and you coming to see them and if you are here reading this, then I haven't been holding up my end of that bargain this month. But things will improve. I've just needed time to adjust to a new reality lately.

This is J with his pillow pet:
So cute! And a photo he took of me:
He loves to take photos with my camera. He's very careful and it cracks me up when he takes a photo like this one and looks at the play back screen and says "Oh love that one!" Wonder where he gets it from. :) Happy Monday to you! Until tomorrow.