Can post now! A fun gift to make and give.

I had a blast making a hybrid craft for my parents and MIL. I fought and fought doing it..glue all over, and my patience level to wait as usual got me in trouble.
First I found a template for an Altoid's tin template. I made each "page" for the template and then put them together to fit on a regular sheet of paper so I could print at home.Once these were printed out I cut them out (not the curved area) then folded in half to complete the curved cuts. I learned this little trick to keep them a bit more even.Before I began, I went through all the pics of the year and made a plan. I knew I wanted to include each child and my hubby and myself. There were a few special days and shots I included. I got an affixative spray to keep the pictures. I learned alot...and had a blast...I hope you enjoy the pages!

Is tomorrow Christmas Eve Day or Just Christmas EVE?

Family Feud...this is the disagreement:
Eric and I say that tomorrow is Christmas Eve Day and the Eve is the evening. Tony says we are delirious and insane...and off the wall and a few other slams on our brain waves. ha ha..so what do you think?
Now that the cards are all in everyone's hot little hands, I can post it on the blog!Merry Christmas from me!

Artsy Fartsy Me!

The Caravan hasn't actually started yet, but my brain was whirling yesterday. That in the fact my hubby just started mid shift and we are sludging thru mud trying to figure out our schedule! When I get overwhelmed, I can eat or scrap! Scrapping keeps me in the size I am.
I had this page opened all day. Making sure I saved it numereous times. This is a different way of scrapping, it is more me and not to highlight a kit or element. I actually did not even keep record of what I used on purpose.
Here is the journaling if you are unable to read:
journaling:
I lay in bed with thoughts of why I couldn't do this.
All of that is now null and void.
Paying $30 gives me the oomph to start and complete this.
Establishing ground rules:
1. Have fun! 2. Be me!
3. Learn new things.
4. Panic is not an option, breath!
5. Make time and do it!
6. Print the pages.
7. Break rules
I was happy in the results, and now waiting for the 1st of the year to start will be hard! I am ready to begin this challenge for myself.

I am pushing myself~and kinda freaked!

Birthday money sits in my wallet...usually til I flitter it away here and there with reckless abandon. I have watched and watched Tangie Baxter's Art Journal Caravan ad with desire. I am not an artist. I am a creative team member who uses other peoples ideas and rearranges them. But I want to do this. It seems selfish and self centered. I'm a mom, those are not words used as a mom. I lay in bed last night with visions of pages and words that I want to put on paper, but not a lined sheet, but nudged with little doodles and elements.
I bought it this morning. I spent money...
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo the FCC and all the other acronyms that follow the blogs of the world. I am a part of the Art Jounal Caravan, I paid money for it...and all opinions are mine and I will share with ya'll the experience.
I even get a nifty keen-O blinkie to go with it! Yes, I will still talk with the little people. If you promise not to laugh at my life.

Boredom? uhmmmm,,,,don't think so?

My dear (not even thinking about her elk shooting son) friend Christine of the Pressed Petals Designs has come up with an awesome and original kit. The kit is called I'm Bored. I laughed right out loud when I heard the name. The elements are fun and bright, and the alpha is just one of my all time favorites. Very funky!I sat down Monday evening after the kids were in bed and started going thru my pics for some attitude shots...I seriously couldn't find any. What was I gonna do? I thought I could just be artsy and cut pieces of my Mr. E's face and make an attitude layout. But, my son is not like that...he really is active and keeps himself occupied and loves to work and be busy. I left the program up and went to bed.
At 2:30am, Lady FluffyPants our cat wanted to explore outside, but was inside. This means a yeowl and meow that can awaken the dead. I popped up out of bed and let her out and saw the glow of the puter screen. I bet I can do that layout.....I did it, took 3 hours, but it captures my kids perfectly...they just have these ideas and thoughts that make me laugh and wonder.
But the funky and fun alpha? I hadn't used it...and I love it lots. I pulled it up later in the day...I had a thought in my head about clipping pics to the alphas and going with the whole geometric thingee. I just had to find the right pics.
Oh yeah! We had gone a few weeks earlier to a 1849 Christmas festival. Rich with California history, and real gold panning for REAL gold flakes. It was beyond fun and since we are right there (finishing the Oregon trail) in homeschool it was perfect timing!


This is a fun kit, and I love being able to make things with designs that Christine comes up with. Her mind is so creative and full of ideas! It also makes me feel like we are next door neighbors all over again. That is a good place!OOooops! Hey pop over to Pressed Petal's Blog and pick up this Add-On! It is just a taste of the kit! Buy the kit!! It's at Scrap Matters!

A layout! wow!

We spent some time with my parents at Bodega before Thanksgiving. There place is a few minutes from this beautiful look out of the Pacific. I think it is called Bodega Head? I wasn't sure, and needed a title..hahaI was trying to do simple...sometimes, I just pile and pile things on a layout!
I have other ones, but they are Christmas gifts, and since my mom (hi mom) reads this, I am not posting til she has in her hot little hands!
I have one that "may" be published...I didn't already post it, so I can't leave a "removed for publication" space holder.
Then Pressed Petals has a new one coming out, and I was up at 2:30 in the morning working on it, cause I just woke up with an idea. I think I sent her my psd? I'm not good without sleep!

Happy Birthday to Me!!

I am already smiling! I turn 46 today!!