hey there, stranger

This poor guy (blog) has been neglected for quite some time. Truth is, to whom ever even still reads this, I have been in a 'funk' lately. Things have been quite stressful around here and working on creative projects has taken back seat. And, that seat is wayyy in the back. I have to thank the Lord everyday for the patience and grace that gets me through the weeks. All of this stress has effected me physically as well. I had to take some time off Friday to get some lab work done. Nothing serious. (Mom, if you are reading this, it's nothing you don't already know about) To sit and create takes a bit of peace. I need my time, my space, my music, and a clear head. With all of these absent results in a neglected blog. I was in fact more than happy to whip up these with Leah's beautiful November kit. All things considered it was SO easy to finish these. I did all of these in ONE night. She always chooses just the perfect pieces. Thanks for looking.

perfectly prima!

The Paper Niche, the most adorable, scrap-trendy, crafty cove of a store has this awesome kit for sale! Just lovely. I whipped up these babies is just hours.

so sad

... no time to create

... no time for scrapping

... no time for manis or peds

... no time for trying on many shoes

... no more sleeping in

... no more clutter-free living room

... no more me-time

... no more blogging

... no more hours on the computer

But I LOVE the reason why....

September Kit

Pick up yours today at the Paper Niche,
along with so many goodies, I can't even explain! This adorable everything paper store is jam packed with loads of delicious embellies and gorgeous papers!

Pick up some inspiration here and here and here.
As always, my sister, Carola has beautiful photographs and scrapbook pages to oh and ahh over.

Here's my take on the Sept. Kit. I was SOOOO easy to work with and SOOOO fun!
I added some masking tape for my matting and some hints of white paint using the top of the glue stick as a stamp.

I used the left over piece of the bar code strip to add a small piece of text.

Here's the final piece! I love the two opposites here - hard and soft baby. And it was only a matter of minutes between the photos. He is TOO much!... to love!

Quite simply sprayed one house with glimmer mist to accent it among the others.

For the flowers, I took the white cray paper and bunched them up and sprayed them with the glimmer mist. Then, I molded them into the flowers and set to dry. Meanwhile I sprayed another color of glimmer mist and moved the page around to create the bleeding effect. Journaling reads: Home is never too far...

I went crazy with the distressing on this one. A tip for my sister, use baby wipes along the edges, then distress. Awesome!

There she is with my sweetheart of a nephew.

Thanks for looking and I appreciate all your lovely comments!

New Addition

Congratulations to Neil and Jen - new mommy and daddy!

Baby Aiden Lee

September 16, 2009 8lbs. 12oz.

So busy...

Gone are the lazy days of summer!

It's back to school!

I have been SO busy getting ready for school.

FAB August Kit

Please excuse my terrible layout photos! BUT... the kit is awesome!

some layouts and a great weekend

What a blessing it has been to spend so much time with family this summer. Friday the whole family packed up for a day at Hollywood beach. Seth was the perfect little water baby, although the salty waves weren't exactly his favorite part. Here is a photo of him months ago at the Loew's.
Some layouts from Paper Niche and you can get this adorable stuff here....awesome line from My Little Yellow Bicycle.

Forgive the terrible photos, I left my camera at my sis's house and didn't leave until 11:30! So tired, could think about anything but getting under covers and forgetting about this movie I watched at their house. I had my hand over my eyes for the whole last hour.

Inspired (finally)

Hubby, my lovely hubby cleaned up the crib! Floors swept, bathroom clean, and clothes folded! This left me with only one thing to do - CRAFT my heart out. Only one problem - scrapper's block! There I sat, baby sleeping, house perfect, peace and quiet and I could not get inspired by anything! I had all that I needed including an awesome kit, and a good two hours. I spread out the papers, I admired the embellishments, and I just sat there. Suddenly, it occured to me that I have not scrapbooked with my favorite background music in a LOOONG time. I geared up the Music Player and doubled clicked - Barbra Streisand. My favorite song began, "What are you doing the rest of your life". As her marvelous voice penetrated my ears, I started pulling papers, tearing, cutting, pasting, inking, and distressing away. Before long, I had finished five layouts! Yes, FIVE! During my son's afternoon nap I completed an altered item and card. I think I could have finished the kit to the very last strip of paper - but decided to quit while I was ahead. Take a peek!

What's (Cherry) Poppin'

This kit was just adorable. There were so many wonderful double-sided papers, I didn't know which to choose. The Cosmo Cricut stickers were just so charming and the ribbons so fun! My layouts do not include the add-on kit, but hers does and so does hers. Their creations are just awesome!

My morning workout

should have been this....

instead, it was this...

Full layout photos coming soon!!!

It's been absolutely wonderful spending the summer with my baby boy. He is just pure joy! I can't get enough. It is truly a blessing. I have also been able to spend a lot of time with my parents, too. Yes, another blessing. Additionally, I have signed on for another season designing for the Paper Niche. Here's some goodies I have been working on. The first layout was just for fun. The following are sneaks for the new JULY kit. So fun!

Roller Babies

Little Man

9 months milestones checklist:

* = demonstrated

- = not yet reached

* Creep, crawl and otherwise get around the room

* Pull up in the bed or on furniture and begin "cruising" around the room (sooo doing this!)

* Responds to his or her own name (seth, seth gabriel, papo)

* Understands a few words such as "no-no" and "bye-bye." (not so much the bye bye)

* Begins developing certain concepts - for example, your child will retrieve a toy after he or she watched you put it under a blanket. (throwing such toys all around the room)

* May say "dada" or "mama" but not specifically. (the best!)

* Sits well independently. (at 7 months)

* Bangs two toys together. (throwing such toys around the room)

* the use of fingers and thumb to poke, pry, probe and pick up smaller and smaller objects (poke at the hole he has made in the play pen, pry open everything, picking up small objects at 7 mo)

* Sleeps through the night except for an occasional night wakening

- The 9-month-old has now learned to be "cool" or even a little afraid of certain strangers - even family members he or she does not see very often. (more like, don't bother me and pull at my hands or touch my face)

* The baby of this age also begins to take a dim view of being examined by their doctor. (as soon as the stethoscope appears, the tears stream)

* Often has one or both bottom front teeth. (sporting 5 teeth! three on the bottom, two on top and a one more on the way!)