Been a while . . .

And it's still hot! Tomorrow, tomorrow we get the new air conditioning and heating unit. :) Hanging in there until then.

Something cool though is Cocoa Daisy's June kit Cubicle. A seriously fun kit! I went crazy, had to have all the add-ons which I've never, ever done before. Actually I didn't get them all, but close. I would absolutely recommend picking up some corkboard to use with the kit, it's just kind of a fun look and you can stamp on it, mist it, punch it, use it as a background, etc. I'm really into it at the moment. :)

This page has hidden journaling under the pull tab and a huge pocket for me to put some memorabilia. I've even saved clothing tags from J's baby clothes and I needed some place to store them.
Little dude is all about that bike. Its a kettler car. I so love that Girls Paperie banner paper, and I'm not a super duper banner person. But I thought it went well with the theme of racing.
A father's day layout with dh and J. My whole world begins and ends with these two. :)
I think this is my favorite page, it was the most fun. I do judge them by how fun they are to create. It might be a great page, pretty and all that, but if it was hard for me to make it, I won't like it. This one was fun. I love, love those Pink paislee alphas. You get the black/white in the main kit and one of the add-ons (that I didn't get) has the white/cream ones. Very hoard-worthy. I had some from little davis long ago and used them all. Definitely loving these. The background is the Basic Grey basics edge stickers, I used the whole sheet as is. Everything on this one is from the main kit.

I just loved those pink paislee journaling pads, what a cool idea! I want to use them all, might be a new goal. :) Not sure which add-on this is in. I kind of mixed everything up at this point.

A last minute edition to my gallery, I'm missing the beach (which is home to me) so badly. I hope we visit again soon.

Lastly, this is the 7 Gypsies journal that comes in the main kit. Some Studio Calico rub-ons complete the look. I'm using it in my purse to hold small pieces of paper--receipts, phone numbers, important information (I guess it's important if it's in my purse, maybe not?), business cards, etc. I just felt like the number rub-ons gave it that functionality. If you decide to do one, don't punch the corner rounder on these edges, too big. Adhere the paper and then exacto knife it to fit. Trust me. :)

Dh spent today remembering the men from his military unit who were killed/injured. So thankful for dh, for his life, for his service. He is called to a higher purpose and through that so am I. This military life isn't easy, it's one day at a time, one obstacle and triumph at a time. But it's made me the person I am today, and us the couple we are today. And I'm grateful, thankful and always hopeful. Happy memorial day, until tomorrow.

Big girls don't cry . . .

We cuss. Like sailors. :)

Let me explain. No, it's been a while. Let me sum up. The air conditioning guy came out last week, told me the repair would be hundreds of dollars and even then there were no guarantees as the system is original to the house-20 years old. So, after much teeth gnashing and nail biting and extensive conversation with dh, we agreed to replace the entire thing--heating and cooling units. Because everything is so high efficiency now a days, you can't just replace one on an old system like this. :( :(

I was conflicted about this decision. Very conflicted. Spending a couple hundred vs thousands still seemed like a good deal to me! The repair guy did fix the existing unit (basically for free since we are getting new unit), but here's kicker number 2: They can't put in the new unit until after memorial day weekend. But things seemed like they were once again rolling along.

Until Sunday night. I was downstairs folding clothes, staring off into space when it hit me that something was very wrong. In our unfinished (concrete floors) basement, there was a small flood spanning the entire room. The furnace part of this heating/cooling unit was spuing water all over the floor. This, this is when I started cussing. :( :(

I'd been really good up until this point too. I don't need my little mockingbird (aka my 3 yr old) throwing the f-bomb back at me, so I've been nearly a saint for the past 2 years. But I just could not hold it in any longer and fly the words did. And what is particularly upsetting to me is that I was cussing in the face of a sign from above. If that wasn't a sign from heaven to replace the piece of crap (aka heating/cooling unit), I don't know what was. Hope St. Peter had his ears covered, my grandmother is going to beat me with a stick when I get there for this one. And she should. :)

Since now I'm on the $h@! list, would it now be inappropriate to pray for low temperatures and overcast/rainy days until next Tuesday? Not seeing as how I have all that much choice. . .

How about them sneaks? (and a nice change of subject):

I can say without reservation, you will love this new June kit from Cocoa Daisy called Cubicle. It goes on sale June 1, earlier for subscribers. Happy Tuesday, until tomorrow.

Blocks, cubes, whatever

Ever had writer's block? I do. I go through periods where I just have a hard time typing anything. When that happens I mainly turn into a lurker, where I don't have to think of something to say. I've had it for nearly 2 weeks now, hence the blog silence. But mostly I've been offline catching up on things exciting like laundry and grooming the dog. :) We went to the airshow last weekend at Andrews Airforce base. I was a little disappointed that Airforce One was not on display, and Tom Cruise (from top gun) as not there. Not even a cut-out! Otherwise it was a lot of fun, loud though. :)

I'm currently stuck here waiting for the air conditioning repair man to show up, or I doubt I'd be blogging today. I have been crafting though with this kit:

It's called Cubicle, Cocoa Daisy's June kit. And I love it. I drowned myself in add-ons this month, something I normally do not do since I know how I tend to develop ADD with too much scrapping stuff. :) I just loved every single thing, and I've never, ever ordered more than 1-2 add-ons ever from any kit club. This month I got 4. Sneaks coming soon. I also completed an assignment for the American crafts blog, but I'm not sure when it will be up though. Sometime towards the end of May I guess. And 15 CMEs got done already this month, phew.

It's so rainy here, is it dreary where you live too? Please come back sun, after the ac gets fixed of course. Happy Tuesday! Until tomorrow.

A HeArt for Linda; Ella winner

So many of my wonderful blog readers and friends have gotten the word about the fundraiser for Linda. I'm so touched that so many people want to help. And all I can think is, I can do more. I should do more. And I am. :)

Tricia has added this to the fundraiser sponsor giveaways. If you donate $10 (or more) to Linda, then you could be eligible to win this:

Um, no, you can't have mine. :)

But if your donation ticket wins my raffle, then I will make you your very own custom Altered Heart project. The winner can pick out the colors for the heart, and customize the message. The altered heart project will include a black frame similar to this with glass, as well as the completed piece of artwork sent to the winner. This project has been one of my most popular of my postings on 2 peas and the Cosmo cricket blog. I still get emails from people asking if they can buy one in an Etsy shop (no etsy, sorry). My sister is still badgering me to make her one. (Bec, I'm on that. thumbs up. :)) I think it would be a good gift for newly weds, any anniversary couple, in pink or blue (or green/yellow) for a baby; I even think it could be a birthday gift if the colors were done right. So, lots of options for the winner. :) I will also post the completed project here on my blog, so you can have a little preview before it gets to you.

I believe this is the right project for me to donate to the Linda fundraiser because if you read her blog, she has a lot of heart. She's pushing past the doubts and the pain to be there for her family and her adorable boys. And prosthetics are not easy. Having treated amputees returning from Iraq at Fort Campbell, I know it's not as simple as slap on the prosthetic and go. They rub, they cause ulcers and blisters and pain. There is phantom limb syndrome and people stare. Linda has a lot of heart. And if you donate so that she can move into a house that doesn't have steps, well you might have a little bit of an altered heart too. :) Compared to the other very generous and/or very talented sponsors --Cocoa Daisy, Studio Calico, Jenni Bowlin Studios, Scarlet Lime, and newly added Hero Arts, Maya Road, a layout by Mou Saha etc. my prize isn't much. But I think you will agree, it's all heart. :)

You can find out about donating and Linda's story here. And you can visit Linda's blog here.

The winner of the Ella ebook giveaway is:

Please email me (top left paragraph under photo) and I'll get this code for the ebook right to you. You are going to love it! Happy weekend and Mother's day to you! Until tomorrow.

So much for normal; Ella giveaway

What is normal anyway? I'm not sure exactly what I think it is at this point. I suppose house hunting for a year isn't normal. I suppose moving while my husband is still deployed, on my own with no help isn't normal. I suppose making sure the pantry is stocked while we ride out 3 blizzards this winter isn't normal. I don't think getting all the home improvement, house and yard in order in one month is quite normal. And I don't think having company for 2 weekends last month, going on vacation for 5 days, completing a guest design team position (7 layouts), American crafts blog hop (1 layout) and AC blog posting (2 layouts, 2 cards) and a Cocoa Daisy crop (4 layouts) all in the span of 30 days is normal either. Apparently though, this is indeed how I roll. :) Maybe I only have two speeds--busy and busier.

Thank you for the overwhelming response to Linda's fundraiser. Over $4000 has been raised so far, and any little bit helps them dig out from under a mountain of debt and worry. I'm seriously in awe of the generous spirit of the scrapbooking community, it's amazing to see. I wanted to note that the one of the photos (watermarked) in the post was taken by Caroline, and I don't know who took the other ones. They aren't my photos, just wanted to mention that.

This week I have been working on continuing medical education (CME) while awaiting my Cocoa Daisy June kit. Basically, I'm so excited I can hardly stand it (that was a hint). I've done 5 and I need to finish about 10 more CMEs this month, I got behind with the move and I can't quite dig out of that. Finding tons of inspiration in this to scrap last summers photos:

I wanted to post these so that I can oogle it here instead going all the way over to the JBS blog, ha! I always have so much red/blue in my summer photos, this is going to be perfect. :)

And last but not least, Ella publishing wants to give one of my readers a complementary copy of this book:

You might have seen this on some other blogs, I know I have. I am thrilled to be able to get a copy for myself and one for my readers today. At $5.99, I was considering purchasing it anyway. The authors are Becky Novaceck, Elisha Snow and Kelly Noel, all professional family photographers but also camera happy moms like ourselves! Here is a little about the book:

Organized into nine relevant sections (babies, toddlers, kids, teens, pets, adults, duos, trios, and larger groups), this eBook is packed with practical advice that will help you take your photographs to the next level. Several of the tips are geared toward those with some experience with semi-manual or manual modes on a DSLR camera. But even if you're a DSLR beginner (or you use a point-and-shoot), you'll learn how to improve your photographs dramatically.

This is right up my alley, I like to be able to read things and study them at my own pace, no pressure. I love learning more about photography and my local library knows me by name and what I like check out (photography books). They actually hold things for me that they think I might like. It's good to make friends with librarians. :)

So, please leave me a comment and tell me a little about you and photography. Do you aspire to be a professional photographer? Just an amateur/enthusiast like myself? Just always loved photos? I'd love to hear about it. I'll draw a winner over the weekend (Sat.) by random and then I'll email the winner the code and just like that you will be enjoying this ebook too. Happy Thursday to you! Until tomorrow.

Want to go to Greece for Free?

One day you’re on the top of the world; your life is going just as you had always hoped. You have a great family, a loving husband, an adorable son and now the second child you had always hoped for. On top of that, you are a seriously talented scrapbooker, take a mean photo and have an incredible knack for leaving your friends in hysterics.
That was Linda Burnasakorn’s life. Then one day she woke up with what she thought was the flu. In the blink of an eye she was in the ICU fighting for her life. Over the next several months she fought to overcome pneumonia, collapsed lungs, multiple infections, internal bleeding, organs on the verge of shutting down, blood clots and so much more.
Despite all the challenges and setbacks, Linda made it through!
But, as a consequence of her illness and extremely low blood pressure, her doctors needed to amputate both of Linda’s feet and all of her fingers. Linda has been such an inspiration to all who know her (and many that don’t) throughout her ordeal. Within weeks of losing her legs she was up and walking on her own, with the aid of prosthetics. Linda’s last hand surgery was in January and she is already out driving, cooking, doing laundry and even tying shoelaces!
Linda still has much more to overcome. There are the medical bills from 6 and a half months in intensive care and rehab. She will need additional prosthetic legs and insurance coverage is limited. And Linda and her family need to sell their current home. It is located on the second floor in a building without an elevator. A situation that isn’t conducive to Linda’s new circumstances.
And this is where we hope you come in! Linda’s story could be anyone’s story. There was no rhyme or reason to why this happened to her. I’m sure that every one of us would hope that if we were to find ourselves in a similar situation the scrapbook community would rally around us. We want to bring this community together to help support this incredibly brave, inspirational and phenomenal woman. And, in turn, to thank you for helping out we are offering some unbelievable prizes!

You could be the lucky winner of a Cocoa Daisy Destinations event in Greece with Ali Edwards, Karen Russell and Jenni Bowlin worth $3000! Or any of the generously donated prizes listed below!! To be entered to win all you need to do is make a donation through www.paypal.com to LindaB@cocoadaisy.com to be entered to win. One ticket is $10 and you’ll receive an extra ticket for every $50 donated (separate donations cannot be aggregated). The fundraiser runs from today, April 29th through May 22, 2010. Winners will be announced on May 26th. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to help a fellow scrapbooker in need and the chance to find yourself enjoying the beaches of Mykonos with some of your favorite scrapbook celebrities!
-A spot in Karen Russell’s online “The Photographer’s Workshop”
-A wall canvas designed by Ali Edwards
-$150 in Jenni Bowlin products and a 3 month subscription to Jenni’s Mercentile Scrapbook Kits.
-$250 of American Crafts Products
-4 Crops in a Box from Cosmo Cricket (each contains supplies for a party of 6)
-A project kit designed by Christine Drumheller
-An assortment of scrapbook storage totes from Cropper Hopper
-A Kenner Road kit and Embellishment Kit
-An autographed copy of Lisa Pace’s Delight in the Details
-One April and one May Scarlet Lime Kits to one winner
-Scarlet Lime Beadart $50 Gift Certificate
-A layout designed by Stephanie Howell
-3 Six-month subscription to Studio Calico and 3 $75 Anthology rub-on collections
YAY!!! Maya Road just offered two $100 Gift Certificates for the fundraiser as well!



If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at mailbox@cocoadaisy.com.
Thank you!!

Terms and Conditions are posted here.

I did not have the opportunity to be on the Cocoa Daisy Design team with Linda. But I have gone to her blog and read all about her struggles, and faith, and courage. And I encourage you to so as well. I will be contributing to this, I only wish I could do more. I am grateful to have my fingers so that I can take pictures, and scrapbook and type on the computer and do all the things that I do everyday. Can you imagine all that being taken away? Her story mobilizes my humanity. I hope you feel the same way. Life is too short not to help each other, this is what it's all about. I'm lucky, I get to make a difference in my patients' lives everyday. Today you can make a difference in someone's life. Happy Monday (and happy everyday, isn't it just a great day to be alive?) to you. Until tomorrow. :)