You Can't Make This Stuff Up

A little scrappy goodness before we get to the dirty details. This first one I did for the Gallery at Croppin Paradise. I totally made these soft colors on the Abbey Road by My Mind's Eye papers work for me. I really like how this turned out. Lots of fussy cutting and pop dots here...

These last ones I made for All about Scrapbooks. I used lots of American Crafts Letterbox and 1 sheet of AC's new Heatwave (the clouds) on these... another 2-pager and I remain too lazy to take a full picture...(blush)

It never fails. I mean NEVER. Donk leaves for an extended period of time and all he** breaks loose. I hate to jinx myself, but it never fails. Patrick left for this deployment on Monday. On said Monday, within hours I received word that we (read I) would need to find a new house and move two months before Patrick is due to return home from parts unknown. A short while later, the youngest one, we have deemed "Puppy" got his hand closed in a locked door. He screamed in unbearable agony as we scurried for that silly little "key" one uses to jimmy open locked bedroom doors.

That was day numero uno. It's a great start, no?!?? Someone, who shall remain nameless (but her 7th birthday is today) was crafting in the kids bathroom (don't ask) and left roughly 6,493 raspberry pink sequins on said bathroom floor. A certain momma was a tad ticked and left the silly little "key" on the counter after starting the bath water and picking up said sequins. Said mother (yep, I'm a bit overdoing the said, huh) shut the locked door (to keep curious toddlers from taking a little unsupervised swim) behind her. Yep, locked bathroom with tub filling. On the plus side, had I NOT done this, I would never have known I could take off a door knob before the bath water begins flooding our house.

Ok, the week is starting to look up now. Despite two sick kids, I find out I've gotten a reprieve on the solo move. Phew... On Thursday I had a run-in with the middle schooler who was a tenant in our rental home until all he** broke loose there. Unfortunately, he must have gotten the wrong side of the story. We'll just say THAT wasn't pretty.

Yesterday was Friday & things are looking up again. My folks, the Snowbirds are stopping by on their way back to sunny, warm NW Indiana. Always nice to share my brood with people who love them as much as Patrick & I do, so it HAS to be a good day!

I'll leave you with a few pictures from the most amazing birthday party I've ever seen...

A Dear Lizzy Giveaway

I know you want Dear Lizzy. Go HERE for a chance to win this collection or 4 other fantastic prizes. Can you believe how generous the crew at Croppin Paradise is?

I went to the Spa today!! Ask me about it when I'm not so pooped. It was to die for. g'night.

Pretty Things...

and this smile...

Be back soon with some scrappiness.

A New Year, New Notebooks

Being a busy girlie, I make lots of lists & write EVERYTHING down. So, I like pretty notebooks as some of you readers already know. Well, a new year has sprung, and that means new teams and new notebooks. These are my latest creations...

The Croppin Paradise has made it's mid February reveals. Here are my contributions...

I'm starting a new feature here. I think it's pretty self explanatory. Tell me what you think...

Today I Am:

I am thankful for Dum Dum "pops". They get me through my days with the Twinnies. I actually went into a store (non-grocery) with them in tow. They love their pops.

I am exhausted from our Clean Sweep in preparation for the cleaning lady starting today.

I am excited for the cleaning service that starts today. If you think I EVER have any time to deep clean our home, you are off your rocker. I keep up, that's it.

I am so grateful for little holidays to celebrate with the brood. The happiness a few new ZhuZhu pets and a garage/car and big boxes of Nerds for the Bigs can bring. Or an Elmo phono and a My Little Pony and introducing Pez to the twins is too much fun. Wowzers.

I am enjoying THREE bouquets of flowers in our home.

I am changing my jewelry over to my "deployment jewelry". My wings of gold, my E-2, and my peridot horseshoe necklaces. These go beautifully with my new diamond stud earrings from my sweetheart. See, he really DOES listen.

I am thankful for paper & glue.

I am happy I took the time to lay on my belly with my 5 year old and watch Disney Channel's Kick Buttowski.

I am beside myself that Patrick finished all of the laundry AND we got it all put away.

I am tickled pink that I am blessed to have girls that I can dress up to my heart's content.

I am thankful for the internet guy who got me back up & running. That was rough.

I am hopeful that the Twinnies case of the "MINE!!!!!!'s" will pass soon.

I am thankful for my down time at the end of the day spent with my P.J.

that's all for tonight. Good night.

Mean People Suck

Here's a sneakie for Croppin Paradise's February reveals...




This one I did for my challenge at Croppin Paradise for the Blog Hop Crop...

I did this one using the new K & Co. Handmade line. I did this for a challenge over at Simply Obsessed's SWAK Crop.

Can you spot the new Studio Calico here...

Oldie, but goodie Sass here...

So much to say, but no time to do it. Stay tuned. Donk leaves again next week, Julia's turning 7 and Daddy got her a pony, and he deploys in a few weeks. We'll catch up then.

And yes, I miss No Faces Friday, too. I'll really try to get one in soon.

Croppin Paradise Blog Hop Challenge # 4

Welcome Paradisers to my Party of Five. I'm so glad you decided to join us for our week long Conversation Hearts Blog Hop Crop. I'll be sharing today's Challenge #4. As you know, Croppin Paradise is sponsoring this blog hop. It's a daily tour of the team's blogs where you will receive a challenge to complete and hopefully a little inspiration to boot. Complete the challenge, upload your creation to our GALLERY (or other photo sharing site) and then link it to the corresponding Challenge #4 thread HERE in the CP forum. All entries need to be uploaded by 11:59 PM EST on February 20th to be eligible. Everyone who completes the challenge will be entered into a drawing to win a gift certificate to the Croppin Paradise Store. Good Luck!! Are you ready?



Let's Go... Your challenge is "Cutie Pie"...


C- cut-work
U- U in the title
T-tie something
I-ink something
E-envelope

P-picture (1)
I-use an embellie or tool with an I in it
E- embellie of your choice

How'd I do? C (cut-up the red BoBunny paper), U (check), Tie(see the u in title), Ink (the BoBunny papers), E (OLD envelope lower corner), Pix (check), I (used my I-Top to make a brad), E (Sass stickers)

Alrighty then. Off you go. Don't forget to check in tomorrow at Lisa's Blog for the next challenge!

A Blog Hop Crop and Ketchup

Hope you'll join us for a week long Blog Hop Crop at Croppin Paradise. The fun started a day early at the Croppin Paradise Blog with a fun little game and a giveaway or TWO. Please check it out. But before you go, here are some of my January projects for CP.

Thanks for stopping and all the kind words of Congrats on my new gig! Your comments mean the world to me!!!!!

Surprise!!

I am so beside myself with excitement. I've been asked to join the team over at Simply Obsessed. So be prepared for lots more craftiness. Can I get a Holla?!?

Today is Brought to You by the Letter S

Some simple stuff, stash, snow, and a secret...

artwork here by Julia (the butterfly)...

Check back tomorrow for the secret. Happy Thursday. Another snowstorm is headed our way. Help me! The kids JUST went back to school TODAY!!