Happy Birthday Sam!

I just had to add another post to say Happy Birthday to another wonderful niece, Samantha! She is getting to be so old now, she's making me feel old! She's 12 years old today!Happy Birthday to a beautiful and very athletic and smart young lady!Love,
Aunt Tammy

Cards and layouts from last night's party

What a fun time we had at Lori's party last night. She had a bunch of people there and we made cards and layouts. It was almost more of a workshop, but either way, it was fun! I sure hope she was happy with the turn-out as she's getting over $100 in FREE products plus 2 1/2 price items out of the catalog! WOW! If you want to host a party of your own and earn the FREE stuff, just let me know and we will set it up!

Here is what we created last night.

This layout I have used before at another party, but I'm not sure that I have showed it to you or not so here it is-it used our Stardust paper pack.I got the inspiration for this card from Lisa S. She is another CTMH consultant that I get a lot of inspiration from.This is another card that I know I have showed you as it was just a few days ago, but in case you missed it, here it is again. As long as it was all different people at this party, I figured, why not use it again. It used our Magic Moments paper pack and the cupcake sprinkles stamp set.The inspiration for this card came from our consultant boards. There are a lot of great ideas being shared all the time there-I love it! Thanks ladies! This is another take on the Tickled Pink stamp set that is only available through the month of May. This card I actually created on my own! See I can do it LOL! Between our idea books and our How-to books, it's really easy. This one is using our Aspen paper (and you thought it was just for snow photos :) The maroon and gold will work well for our high school graduations in a few short weeks.OK, it's off to a dr. appointment this morning for me, then back home to create!

Happy Scrappin'

Our Prom beauty

Here is a photo of our Prom beauty and her boyfriend from Saturday night. They had a wonderful evening. I think Skyler was a little nervous, but once they got there, he was just fine. They looked great together!I think we all survived the Post Prom lock-in at the school. I left home at about 9:45 Saturday night to head up to the dance to see the grand march and coronation and then headed right up to the school to get ready for the kids to arrive. We finally walked out the door at about 7:15 Sunday morning. We finished the clean up that morning as soon as the kids left at 5:30. We were all tired, but didn't want to have to come back in to do the clean up. My eyes weren't so tired, but my feet and back were sure exhausted! It was well worth it, though! We all had a fun time! Rhonda even ended the night (or was that morning) by winning one of the big prizes-an iPod. Since she already has one and dear old Mom doesn't, she may let me buy it from her. Isn't that sweet? LOL

Yesterday, after I got home, I laid down in bed but had a hard time falling asleep. I finally did and slept for about 4 hours is all. Then I got up and pretty much just stayed on the couch watching movies all day. I was tired, but not sleepy tired. It felt good just to put my feet up, though.

Today I have to finish preparing for a party tonight at Lori's house. Tomorrow I can show you what we are going to create.

Happy Scrappin'

Girl's Day Out-Recipe Album

What a fun day we had yesterday with our Girl's Day Out. The girls from work came over to my place yesterday. We created a fun recipe album using our flip album, had lots of wonderful food, and did a lot of girl talk. I had so much fun and can't wait to do it again! Thanks girls for coming to my house to play!

Here are a few pictures of us putting the album together and of the finished product.Then we enjoyed some food. I think most of us brought the recipes that we shared for in the album so we could sample the recipes, too. How great was that! My friend Lynn taught me that it's "all about the food!"

As the girls were leaving, they stopped up at the cemetary with me to see Tony's headstone. They just placed that this week. We had his picture put on it and they also etched his tractor onto it. They did a beautiful job. It's been a tough week, all those emotions coming to the surface again. There have been a lot of tears again, but that's ok-it's all a part of the healing process. We will forever miss our son, but will also forever have our wonderful memories!

After that, since it was such a gorgeous day outside (finally! and now today it is only about 44 degrees again) I took a little ride on my motorcycle to deliver some products to some ladies. What a nice ride.

Then it was off to Rhonda's softball game. While at the game, it got cold and windy! It blew in a little storm, nothing major though, we actually needed the little bit of rain that we did get. After the game it was off to the school to decorate for our Post Prom lock-in tonight. I was at the school until about 11:15 last night. It looks great!

Today is a busy day with all the Prom preparations for Rhonda-picking up the flowers, getting hair and make-up done, pictures, out to eat, etc. It is like choreographing a play or something.

If I am still functioning tomorrow I will share some beautiful photos of them all gussied up. We will be at the lock-in until 5:30 am but then will clean up afterwards, too. It's going to be a very lonnnnggggg day/night! It will be well worth it, though, to provide a fun and safe environment for the kids.

Happy Scrappin'

Moon Doggie

Here is a layout I did using the new Moon Doggie papers from the new Idea Book that is due to be released on May 1st. A little sneak peak for you. This paper is so fun. It is a tropical paper pack that will go sweet with those Hawaiian photos I have. It is also versatile enough to be used with many other photos.I just happen to have an opportunity to use this this weekend. The parents of the Junior class host a Post Prom lock-in at the school after the dance is done to provide a fun and safe place for them to be. This year it is Hawaiian themed. We keep the kids there until 5:30 am and keep them busy with all sorts of fun and games and prizes. We have a lot of surprises in store for them so hopefully they'll have a good time. My own daughter doesn't even know all that we have up our sleeves :) Hopefully I will have time to take a few photos that night. I know I will be exhausted by the time we get home on Sunday morning, but it will be well worth the effort.

I have another recipe album I have been designing for the girls on Friday. Once again, the girls from work have a mandatory day off, so we are all going to get together again, this time at my house. We are going to make a recipe album. They've been sending me their recipes the last couple of weeks. It should be fun. I'll wait till after Friday to post that so they are surprised.

Happy Scrappin'

A couple of cards

Here is the card we made at the party I did on Saturday. What a cute birthday card it is.Then I needed to make some Thinking of You cards for a swap. Work smarter, not harder, right?? I used the same pattern for this card, just changed up the paper, stamps, colors...it looks totally different doesn't it? That is one of the really neat things about these card patterns from Close To My Heart. You can use the same patterns over and over and they look different. Change them up to fit your needs (or to fit what you have on hand :)I can't say that I like the rain we got yesterday-and today looks like a rainy gloomy day, too-but, we need the rain so bad that it's ok. We have had so many fires around here lately. The fire trucks went out yesterday a couple of times, too, even in the rain. The fire station is just down the road from us, so we get to see the trucks go by at least half of the time that they go out. It's kind of fun, but scary at the same time because I know that someone may be at risk for losing something.

**Update**The rain has turned to snow now and they are saying there is a chance of accumulations. Yuck!

Well, I have another day of creating ahead of me today. I should be able to show you some pictures tomorrow of some artwork using a paper pack out of the brand new catalog that comes out on May 1st!

Happy Scrappin'

Another busy day

Last night was so much fun. I got a call from my cousin, Cheri, her daughter was in need of a nice dress. Rachel is in 8th grade this year and has a fancy something going on this weekend. The other girls that are going are high school girls and they decided they were going to wear their Prom dresses. Well, that kind of left Rachel out. Cheri called up to see if she could try on Rhonda's dresses. But of course! They came over and visited for the evening. What fun we had. I should have taken pictures, but I didn't (I know, what was I thinking??)

All 3 dresses Rachel tried on fit her great. She picked one out and is going to use that for the banquet. I think she had fun trying them on, as a couple of them she tried on twice (a girl just has to be sure, you know :) We had a fun visit. They only live about 15-20 miles away from us, but we never seem to see each other. We are all so busy these days :(

Today I am heading to another Norwex party and I am actually going to book one for myself. That is how impressed I am with these cloths (see this previous post if you don't know what I am talking about). Then it is off to do a party of my own for Julie. Another busy day, but I wouldn't have it any other way :)

Happy Scrappin'

Happy Anniversary

I have to tell you, posting today has been quite an ordeal. I had so much trouble with connecting my camera to the computer and downloading pictures. My computer did an automatic update during the night and this morning it has been nothing but trouble. Anyway...to finish my posting-I need to wish a very Happy 10th Anniversary to my Mom and Norm (this is a picture of them along with Mom's Mom). I can't believe it has been 10 years already since you got married. Even though Norm will never replace my Dad, he is a very sweet guy. Mom is very happy and that is the most important thing. Norm is a great addition to the family and we all love him. He is in Montana working right now and Mom was just on vacation to see him out there. She just stopped in here yesterday on her way home. She had a great time and was talking about the vacation scrapbook she is going to have to put together now. Here is a sneak peak of a new paper pack that I think she will be using (it is called Back Country and is one of my new favorites).

Happy Scrappin'

My new wall art

I finally got my new wall art finished. I am pleased with the way it turned out. I bought these frames at Bargain Bill's (our local liquidator). They had all these vegetables on them but the price was right and I really liked them. I knew I was going to alter them, so it really didn't matter.Now just look at the difference. Don't you just love them? I know I do. They spell out FAMILY-except, you have to pretend the "M" is there because I didn't have that letter. I will have to get it ordered.The first layout has photos of my husband and his family. The next one is photos of me and my family growing up. Then comes the two of us together. Then each of our kids and the family together. I printed all the pictures in sepia tones just so it all went together (both with each other and with the room). I just love sepia toned photos anyway :)Happy Scrappin'

Tickled Pink

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month in May, Close To My Heart is offering a fabulous special. Just wait until you get your hands on this great kit. I know I just received mine yesterday (as a consultant you can get it early) and I cannot wait to play with it!

Close To My Heart is starting the celebration a bit early this year. Starting TODAY you can get this wonderful kit! Tickled Pink is all about celebrating YOU! Included in the kit is everything you need to make a beautiful 2 page layout (including instructions) plus lots of extras to use for more layouts, cards, or whatever your heart desires.

Included are:
1-My Acrylix "I Am" D sized stamp set
2-12x12 floral B&T duos paper (1 with glitter)
2-12x12 stripe B&T duos paper (1 with glitter)
1-12x12 Blush textured cardstock
1-12x12Crystal Blue textured cardstock
5-12x12 White Daisy textured cardstock
1-Mini Medley White Daisy Accents Collection
1-Foam Texture Tool
1-Instruction booklet

Remember, when the paper is gone, you will have the stamp set to use for years to come.

This kit is for everyone. You can purchase it outright, earn it for FREE, earn a kit for FREE by hosting a qualifying gathering of your own, or if you have a desire to become a consultant, you get a FREE Tickled Pink scrapbooking kit in your new consultant kit.

Contact me for more information on how to get your kit.

Happy Scrappin'

Happy 10th Birthday, Kinzie!

Today is a special day, it is my niece Kinzie's 10th birthday. In honor of her special day, they don't have school today (Easter break you say...yeah, I think that was just a coincidence :) She is a very sweet girl with many talents. I hope you have a wonderful day, Kinzie.How was everyone's Easter? I know at our house we ate too much, but what else is new when the whole family gets together.

I have so many projects to get started on now, it's crazy. I can't wait to show you some of my work, but you are going to have to be patient.

Happy Scrappin'

Happy Easter

I hope the Easter Bunny was good to everyone! Rhonda is still searching for her basket, the bunny must be getting better at hiding it :)

This is what I made yesterday for my nieces for Easter. Just a little something for them...some bunny peeps/s'mores treats.OK, off to put the ham in the oven. I hope you all enjoy the day with family or friends,

Happy Scrappin'

My barn shelves

Since I have had a couple of people ask, I will tell you about my barn shelves. They are very special to me as my Dad built them for me many years ago. We do live on a farm and we used to milk cows, too, but they have been gone now for about 5 years. My Dad was a very talented woodworker. When we first got married (almost 24 years ago now), we could not afford a lot of anything. My Dad was kind enough to build these things for us. The barn and silo shelves on the wall as well as the big barn shelf that sits on the floor are very unique and one of a kind. My Dad passed away almost 12 years ago now so there is no way I could ever get rid of them. They are so precious to me. My daughter also had a doll cradle built by Grandpa that is very special. Oh, I think of the things I could have if he were still around.

OK, off to do a little creating I think. I am long overdue :)

Happy Scrappin'

My Dining Room Makeover

Well, my dining room is finished-or almost finished. I got my new valances put up yesterday morning (the UPS man dropped them off the day before as we were headed out the door, so it had to wait until yesterday). I only have one bare wall, but I have a plan for that. I am going to create something for that wall. I have lots of ideas spinning in my head, and if I wasn't having Easter dinner at my house, I would be downstairs working on it right now. I would love to have it done before everyone comes over, but I just don't think there will be time for that. It is a fairly big project I'm thinking about. You'll just have to wait and see.

So-here are some before and after pictures. Now remember, when this room was last done, those colors were really 'in style.' I have grown to dislike them and it was really time this was done. If I liked painting and such, it would have been done sooner! Also, when you look at the before pictures, I had already started to pull wallpaper and the border down and then remembered that maybe I should take a couple of pictures. The wallpaper border wasn't really hanging like that :)



























































As you can see, I like baskets. All of those you see I have made myself. It is another hobby of mine-although I have not made any now for a couple of years. I just have too many hobbies and not enough time!













OK, off to do a little more cleaning and maybe a little creating today...you just never know!






Happy Scrappin'