Its been a crazy week!

Thanksgiving, birthdays, playoffs, auction, and my foot.

Ive had lots and lots to do... which means no time for scrapping. Hopefully I'll be able to get something done tonight after the auction.

Somehow I have messed up my foot. I have no idea how... all I know is my 3 biggest toes on my right foot hurt SO BAD I cant walk on them. So Im hobbling all over the place today. Barefooted I can walk on the side of my foot... but shoes hurt! I wish it would go away. Im going to have to work with it like this if it doesnt... and we are in the middle of football playoffs (and my city hosts alot of these games) and I work in a busy sports bar.

Thanksgiving was great. As always I had to go 4 places, but at least I had a good time each place and there was ZERO drama... which is rare! We even got out the Nintendo power pad and had an olympic bout which I lost.

We are.....

PENN STATE

It was a grand day for football. Penn State beats Michigan State (and it was a great game) and then the Buckeyes get Michigan! I didnt get to watch as much of that game as I was running from one end of the bar mixing shots, pouring beers and breaking up fights. It was a big one too... and it wasnt even with a M fan! Stupid meatheads, I had to grab one of my regulars around the waist and drag him out. Turning off the football game made them start behaving. It was an exhausting day.

It was really fun being in that atmosphere with everyone so excited. It made me wish I was Penn State they were rooting for... so I could be part of it. Dont get me wrong, I love OSU... I just have the real great LOVE for my alma mater. The exciting screaming jumping up and down swearing at the tv screen LOVE.

WE ARE..... PENN STATE!!


I wanna be in THAT crowd.

Score!

I just scored a September Poppy Ink kit!!

*happy dance*

Thanksgiving

This little folder holds lots of secrets. It folds down to hidden journaling. Id show you, but then Id have to kill you. I used the October Poppy Ink kit. I want a sub so bad, but now they are always sold out :(

Its almost Thanksgiving. I cant believe Matt and I have been together for 5 years. Our first date was the day after Thanksgiving 2001. We talked on the phone for hours on Thanksgiving evening... late after I got home from my aunties.

Thanksgiving always stresses me out. We get up too early and drive around all day. I feel like I spend most of the time in the car. We usually have to go 4-5 places. Sometimes I wish I could stay at home, cook, watch football and nap all day like other people. I am just sick of being tired and driving every Thanksgiving...but I know if I dont go everywhere, I'll miss everyone I wont see.

Its Almost Auction time!

Im on the board of a non-profit that helps children with cancer. Every year we hold an auction to raise money to help the kids! This year my mom is running the auction. Im so excited about the things she was able to get!

An elmo TMX
Firestone golf packages
celebrity & sports autographed memoribilia
vacation pkg

as well as many cool gift baskets and gift certificates. Im so excited about the things we can do for the kids in the next year with this money. We are already busy working on the stockings for every child in the cancer/hemo ward. Fingers crossed it goes well this year.

On the Bus (Aruba)

Ahhhh Aruba. I miss it. It truely was beautiful. I can still remember what it feels like on this bus. Hot, dusty, wickedly cool Latin music playing loudly as we drove thru the Aruba that tourists dont usually see. It isnt the lush paradise the beach side was, nor was it the bustling fun of the city. It was hilly, but almost desert like, with large cacti and wind bent trees.
The bus was painted bright bold colors and had no windows. We flew around corners with great speed, while I tried to put sunscreen on my new husband. I was very nervous about the ATV tour we were rushing to start.

Birthday fun

I took this picture after Id drank a half bottle of wine and several frozen cocktails at dinner. Dontcha just love the red eyes and nose.

Since Matt just got a job, I knew he didnt have a ton of money. I told him I didnt want a big present for my birthday. He took me out to dinner. Nowhere fancy... just Outback Steakhouse. We had steaks and fun drinks. Afterwards he took me to the old theater in town. His organization runs the theater so somehow he got the keys. We go in and there is a big bouquet of pink and green flowers and a bottle of wine. We got to climb up in the balcony and watch movies in there on the gigantic screen. We watched breakfast at tiffany's and moulin rouge.

It was an awesome birthday present.

So its been awhile

Hey! Remember me?

I believe its time to start a bloggin again! Lots have things have happened. Matt started his new job last Monday (hence why I have more time to blog). Im right at the end of my busy time at work too so it was a very good thing. Now Im not worried about Christmas.

I turned 28 last Wednesday. Im not quite sure how I feel being this close to 30. I think I may start telling everyone Im 24. Might as well lose the years while I still can. Although that would make my husband 11 years older... as if he wasnt already robbing the cradle. Im lucky I have pretty good skin. I guess that is what happens when you start using wrinkle cream when you turn 21.

I wish I was half as worried about the size of my ass as I am about the lines around my eyes. Maybe then I could lose the 25lbs I want to lose.

Anyways... just saying hi! I have LOTS of layouts to post! So check back to see!

Boxed In

Ahh the box house. It was basically a big cardboard box my brother and I used to play in. It had windows and a door and we got to decorate it to our liking. If you look closely at the photo you can see my name scratched in with the "drawings"

Matthew and I are 13 months apart and have always been thick as thieves.

I used orange stickles to create the glittery look. This layout was made using the August Scraptivity kit. This is not my normal "style" but I like it. :)

More $$ for supplies

Just thought Id share a way a earn a little bit more $$ for supplies. I just got a check for $36.

Survey Savvy

This site rocks. I take quick surveys and earn money each time I do. All you do is request your check. Its a free membership and they are taking new applicants.

My other favorite is Pinecone Research. If you can get in there jump on it! They rarely have open calls because they pay so well that most members dont drop them.

Im back! :)

We had a great time! The wedding was so fun and my cousin was so beautiful! She looks so so happy. Im so glad I got to go. We spent alot of time at the beach. It was so fun staying with all my family. Most of them I rarely get to see.
We left the house Sunday at 10. We then went exploring. We stopped at the Wright Brothers monument to show my brother and sister. Then we went shopping a bit. I made Matt stop at Ikea on the way back. We ended up driving my cousin Meredith back to DC. We stayed with her that night and went out as a group... to a big dinner and then pie at a little bar/bookstore.

Monday we got up and explored the museums in DC. I love that city. Everytime I visit I have the urge to move there. We then went to my cousins restraunt in Georgetown for a fabulous dinner... then shopping! I spent a little at H&M.

We left the city late and drove halfway home. We stayed at a hotel for the night. We needed some "us" time. We'd been around other people for the past week. It was nice.

I had a great weekend! Tommorrow I'll be back with pictures :)

I cant wait for the beach

Tomorrow night my husband and I are driving to North Carolina. My cousin is getting married in the Outer Banks this weekend. We hope to be there by Thursday morning so we have a chance to play a bit.

I love the beach... especially the Outer Banks. I cant wait to bury my toes in the sand. She is getting married on the beach... how romantic and beautiful is that. Alot of my family will be down there, so Im sure we'll have a blast.

Hell Im excited about the pictures I can take... and the scrapping I can do with those pictures. Im such a dork.

Im so not looking forward to that 12 hour drive though! Ick! Hopefully I can sleep most of it.

Happy birthday Tyler

My little nephew Tyler (the cutes boy ever) turned 1 July 13th. Here's the little layout I did of his pics.



I really hated this doodlebug paper when I first bought it. I bought a big box of "kits" on Willow Traders a few months ago. I really wanted the BG urban couture. I almost gave this paper away. Then it sat there for a bit. For some reason though it popped into my head when I saw these pics. I cant believe how much I like this layout.

Its wasnt my style... yet I made it me. Very cool.

Closing up shop

My husband closed his business today. Im so sad for him. He's beat, stressed and exhausted. Im getting worried. He's still there cleaning things up. He's burning the candle at both ends.

Im also trying not to freak at the idea that my husband no longer has a job. I am now the only $$ we have. Thank the Lord above that it is my busy season. Had I changed jobs already (to the 9-5 non weird hour job that I dream of), we would be screwed.

I know M wont be out of work long, he's brilliant. That along with the fact that I know he'd do anything to make sure we had the $$ for things. Hopefully he can get more freelance work in the mean time.

Here it goes. Life... and Ive only been married for 4 months.

Stirrings in Tiger Town

Football here is serious busniess! The high school program around here is usually nationally ranked... so most of the town ends up at the high school football game. Its crazy and super fun.

The first game of the season is tonight. I have tonight off (which is so rare) so I can actually go with my husband to the game! Probably the only game I'll be able to make all year. Usually I work my butt off football games... especially if they win.

I got a diva gift today from the lovely Alice!! Thie gorgeous set of Anna Griffin stamps!! Thanks so much Alice!

This is my first layout I made almost entirely out of my Club Stamp July kit. I added a bit of doodlebug (posies and rickrack) The pictures are from the Natural bridge in Aruba. Its just gorgeous there!

Scrappin til the sun comes up

The sun is starting to peak its way above the clouds, and Im still up scrapping. Its past my bedtime (which is 4am) Im tired as can be, but Im fighting the urge to start another layout (knowing I'll be up another hour if I do.)

Here is tonights creation:
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All of my best pictures were taken by friends and family. This was taken by one of our groomsmen.(who is currently in Iraq) He rocks so much... he took alot of great pictures for me!

My mom also got lots of killer pics. My photographer was very sucky. :( I could have done a better job than he did... but oh well. It happens.

Diva gift #2

I got my second diva gift this evening from my girl Amy. Lots of fabulous ribbons and fabrics! A big bag of sequins and other shiny things I love so much. I also recieved a cute flower stamp, a baggie of cool shapes and quotes, a pretty flower and a pack of dragonfly charms. This stuff so rocks! Thanks Amy!!

I cheated and got someone to take my shift today.. so Ive been home scrapping and playing around all day. Its been so great to just do nothing but what I want to do. I made Matt cookies, did laundry, played online, scrapped and made a few RAK packages. I love to surprise friends with goodies!

Artist Trading Cards

I need to find more places to trade ATCs. Sometimes (like tonight) I just get in the mood to make them. I also love looking at my small (but growing) collection.

These are my Alice in Wonderland ATCs. They are a 3 card set using Alice stamps and quotes from the book by Lewis Carrol. The stamps were purchased on ebay from a fabulous seller Tuscan Rose She sells lots of fab collage supplies and artsy stamps. I just love her stuff!

If anyone knows of a good ATC trade site... please tell me in the comments below. You can even do it anonymous :)

My Sassy Sisters

My baby sisters :) Age 15 and 18.

Im so diggin the We R Memory keepers papers so I played with them again.

Craziness

Its be a rough day! Work is nuts at the moment and I had to train 2 people tonight. They seem to know what they are doing... hopefully they will stay! Im exhausted! I dont know how much longer I can handle the 6 days a week at a bar. *ugh* It makes me feel all bitchy and depressed when I come home. (on a side note it makes me never want to go to a bar to drink)


Here is a happy us layout I did the other day. I love this picture! It was taken at my grandpas's 70th birthday party in January of 2005. I loved my curly hair (which you cant see in the black and white pic) I dont know why I love it so... it isnt the best picture of my husband.

I miss my husband. Weve been working like crazy lately... and opposite shifts. He's been staying up to see me and then suffering for it the next day. In know it will be over soon, but I want just one day where neither of us has to do anything. *sigh*

I think this is the reason I keep doing "us" layouts.

Its so my month!!

I am the *diva* of the month over at Torn Paper. Today I got my first divalicious package from my girl Joan!! I love it all... drool over my goodies!




Yes, its good to be the diva! It so made up for the fact that the UPS guy came while I was at a meeting. Damnit!! There are things for my Classy Coordinates Summer Sister in there! I wanted to mail her package as soon as possible!




Speaking of: This is my last CC Summer sister gift... lots of luscious ribbons!

Go Naked

I challenged myself this month to write "more meaningful" or real journaling. For some reason I freely write my feelings down if I think nobody will see them. I tend to clam up and get insecure if anyone (even my husband) looks at them. I dont know why I am so insecure sometimes. This I spelled out clear as day for everyone to see.

Anyway.. this layout was tons of fun! I distressed and painted the Scenic Route Chipboard. I love using up my old acrylic paint!

Scraplyric Challenge #5

This layout was made for the challenge at the Scrapylyric blog.

The song is "Best of What's Around" - Dave Matthews Band

This is my first scraplyric layout and it was alot of fun! I used this pic of Matt and I we took at Cedar Point last october.

Whoo hoo

Matt and I go to this party Hall of Fame weekend every year. There is always a 50/50 drawing to help pay for the party. This year WE WON! It was $550!

So we went out for this amazing dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse. I drank 2 orange creamsicle martinis. So fabulous!

M gave me $200 to spend! I probably will put some towards M's medical bills. Im definately spending some on scrapbook supplies. I already blew $50 on stamps and artsy stuff at Club Scrap. Im also lusting after Poppy Ink subscriptions. Im definatly getting TAC stamps.

Yay! Im so excited!

2 cards with my Audrey stamps

I cant believe I didnt blog for a week! For my *few* everyday peekers.. Im sorry. There alot going on here at the moment with my husbands job. I have been working more hours than normal. Its been crazy crazy! I havent had much scrap time.... probably wont for a bit. It's almost football season and I work in a bar in a football crazy town!... oh but I will be blogging!

Here are my "Audrey" cards.

I just love love love Audrey Hepburn! Ive always been a fan. When I saw these 2 breakfest at Tiffany's stamps I had to have them. They were purchased seperately at 2 different places. :)
These are birthday cards for my aunties.

Blogger challnege and anATC

Friday challenge:
What were you like in high school? How have you changed? How are you still the same?
I guess Im pretty much the same. Probably 25-30lbs heavier, not quite as silly/crazy. I think I restrain my "silliness" too much in order to be a "grown up". Im more worried about what others think and less ME. I definately have more style. (I graduated almost 10 years ago.. ouch!!) I wish I allowed myself to have more fun like I did then.

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This is an Artist Trading Card I made last week. As my husband says... that's one of those creepy little girl collages. hahahaha! He is right... they do look sorta creepy.

This is actually my first collage ATC attempt. I was a decoupager LONG before I started scrapping, so its not uncommon to me to collage. I just dont have any of the things anymore.

This is just a basic one... I was trying to see what I could do. Its okay. I cant wait to work more with this medium!

Joshua & Jessica 1993

I have had this picture in a frame for years!! It was always a favorite of mine. I finally took it our to replace it with a new one (these babies are 15 now) and I just had to scrap it!!

Being that Im 12 years older... I sooo remember them like this! They are still just as cute now too.... but mini adults with attitudes and craziness. They both still run up and give me big hugs when I get to see them (which isnt enough) just like they did at this age.

Altered Ribbon Storage

I woke up yesterday and just felt like altering something. This is the first altered can Ive ever made. I used an empty LaChoy chinese noodles canister. This can serves as storage for all my mini ribbon spools. I had like 30-40 mini spools with 1-2 yards on them. I unspooled them and left them loose in the can. There are slits in the top... the ribbons easily pull out when I need them.

Even better... my can matched this gorgeous desk/storage set that I got at Target. I have big cd boxes, magazine holder, files, pencil cups, and catch all baskets all in these colors. Yummy!!

My Wedding Cake

I won a prize!! Im so excited! My layout for the Scrap UR wedding challenge(#7) was chosen as the favorite of the week! (it's down below ... it's called Forever)

*happy dance* Im very excited!!

Here is a catch up for the wedding challenges... it's #3


I am totally in love with the BG Urban Couture!! This is my first layout with the line and Im already in love. I painted the crap out of the BG undressed chipboard monogram! It was so fun to alter the letter. Its actually really sparkly! I also played a bit with my stamps! Im trying to do that more and more. Im a rubber fiend!!

My 25th Birthday (2003)

This layout was inspired by this layout by Elsie Fannigan. (I just love her stuff) I loved the bright buttons and big flowers against the black background.

Im a Penn State alumni. I love football! Matt surprised me by getting tickets for the Penn State vs Ohio state(my 2nd fave) game being played on my birthday. I hadnt been back to school since I left. I was super excited to go and show Matt everything. It was 65 degrees just for me... in November for the game. It was a GREAT game!!

Artist Trading Cards i *heart* fairs!

I was bored the other day and figured Id make a few atc's (okay so it was anyone excuse to play with my country fair stamps)

They are on glossy card... I sprayed the background with 2 colors of alcohol ink. After that dried I stamped the fair with a heavy pigment ink. It took for-eva to dry... but it gave it a very old/negative effect.

Kinda cool.

I made 3.... 2 are for trade. 1 is already spoken for. If you want to trade for the other... leave a comment under the post!

Forever

I did this for the scrap your wedding challenge #7 at 2 peas. (happiness / blissful moment)

This is my first attempt at stitching on a layout. I used my handy*stitch.

This is Matt and I leaving the church... just before I had 10lbs of rice thrown into my dress (I was shaking that crap out all night) You shoulda seen the bathroom floor at the reception site! I wish we woulda had a camera in there!!

~*Love Doodles*~

I was bored today so I just started drawing on this piece of old red cardstock.

This was the result. I think my flowers are too uneven... and I wish I would have used a darker black for the first photo mat... but I guess I cant change that now.

I love this picture though... It shows how silly Matt and I can be. It was Valentine's Day... I had just made a gourmet dinner and we were drinking our favorite Uncle Primo's wine.

Hello from Sunny....

*Saturday 2 peas challege*
Music Im diggin lately: Moulin Rouge and Chicago soundtracks. I love to sing up while scrapping.My favorites being "Your Song" and "Funny Honey" at the moment. I rock my mp3 player.

My busy busy page.. I know but I love LOVE this paper. I bought it even though Ive grounded myself from paper at the moment.

This picture was taken Thanksgiving morning. Its my mom's half of my family. (my parents are divorced)

My brother won a t-shirt contest.. the shirt Says Hello from Sunny ...... Ohio. We all put on our tees and ran outside to take this pic to put in my mom's Christmas cards. It was freezing!!

And after this.... one of these crazies did a snow angel :) It was a blast!

Aunti Sarah's Brag Book

I made this little mini book out of my scraps today. It's 2" x 2" of fun! Im going to keep it in my purse :)

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Since I dont have kids yet, I live vicariously thru these 5! Arent they little sweeties!!

Thursday Bloggers Challenge

what canceled or 'retired' TV show do you wish they would bring back?

I definately miss Sex & the City... I keep watching the reruns on TBS or HBO on demand. Im tempted to buy the dvds. I want NEW episodes!! *sob*

Id like to see some new Seinfeld too.

Iguana Beach

More Aruba pics from my honeymoon.

These pictures were taken in Aruba on the family side of Reniassance Island. It is completely gorgeous over there! The iguanas were so cool hangin around posing for me. I snapped lots of pictures with my camcorder. Boy are they ugly.... and sorta scary if they are moving fast.

I got this paper kit at the $Dollar Tree. I had stopped in to look for fun stuff for my nieces for easter and I found scrapbook stuff! This paper is was rad and the entire layout is so cheap (except for the MM rubons) I stop there all the time now! Last week I stopped in to find they had all sorts of amazing ribbon.. grosgrain, printed, looks like the real deal fancy girly ribbons!

I bought 25. 1 of each.

DT: Vacation Title page 2005

This is going to be the title page for my 2005 vacation scrapbook. It was an unexpected vacation that just kept getting better.

My mom couldnt use the timeshare they'd traded for in Williamsburg. They had to do something... I cant remember... but they gave Matt and I the suite for a week.

And from that room we traveled. We spent several days in Williamsburg then ventured out. We went to the pool, to Virigina Beach, to the museums in Norfolk.. we stopped random fun looking places all along the way. We even stayed an extra night on the beach in VA Beach. It was a rockin vacation!

Layout made for my LSS design team.

3 cards for my Design Team

Three mini cards I made with my leftovers from the layout I made for the design team. The polka dot card was scanned with a piece of black cardstock. I hope she likes them.

I have more scraps... Im thinking about making more cards.

Goofy Girlies

Matt took these pictures of my nieces goofing around in the parking lot when they came to visit at his business. They are just so darned cute!

They were getting ready to drive down to look at all the flood damage in fall 2004 (maybe early 2005)

I dont know why the scan looks like this but the background paper is white... not shaded. I chose this paper out of my stash I was going to give away... it was too busy.. but I cut out the flowers to use it.

effer DARE #34 the *S* list

This is my first ever Effer Dare!! Its #34 "The ____ list"

Im so glad Ive found all these challenges and dares! Its making scrapping alot of fun!

Ede Fashion Designer

I did this layout a few weeks ago. Part of my 30 layouts in 30 days thing (I ended up with 28)

I took this picture of my brother last year at the mall. He won a t-shirt design contest and they made his shirt! I couldnt resist when I saw the shirt while we were Christmas shopping. Picture is poor quality because it was taken inside with my camera phone.

The smaller picture is actually a scan of my t-shirt. I folded it and put it in the scanner.

~~Wet & Wild Waves~~

This layout is my first submission as a design team member for my LSS. She didnt say I couldnt post these here so Im hoping it's okay. If not I may be taking this down tomorrow :)

I keep worrying that its not good enough to be on the wall... and that it sucks. I need to stop that!

My freebies for the design team were lovely chatterbox papers and MM velvet summer words.

On a side note: I used the landscape 8.5 x 11 as per the Anything Goes Challenge #1

Little helpers challenge

Scrap your wedding challenge from here at 2 peas. Scrap your little helpers.

I was blessed to have my 4 lovely new nieces help me by either being flower girls or hostesses (guest book, rices, programs etc) They all were awesome!!

This is my gorgeous niece Michaela with as my mom says "her fairy princess hair."

I doodled the vine and then stamped the larger flowers on with acrylic paint. I then added the prima flowers and sequins.

That's alotta nuts!

There is this movie... Kung pow (or something like that). My husband LOVES this movie (its a very odd movie) It's a spoof of martial arts movies.. dubbed over in ridiculous voices. Somewhow this caught his attention...

"That's alotta nuts"

He used to say this all the time when we were first together... its gotten to be an inside joke between the 2 of us. Another thing we do that causes people to look at us like we are crazy.

When I found this picture of us holding nuts I couldnt resist.

This is a "use up" layout I do from time to time... trying to use old supplies.

I stamped the flowers with acrylic paint Ive had for years and a stamp from the $1 store.

Mixed rubons and stickers left from packs. Ribbon and paper scraps from my scrap bucket. :)