Friday Fill Ins

1. Give me McDonalds french fries and I'll show you happiness

2. Whenever I hear "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves I think of my sister Megan doing a somersault and whacking her head on the stone hearth.

3. I wish 2009 didn't start off as bad as it did. I have faith that March will turn things around.

4. Nick's makeshift stir fry was the last thing I ate that was utterly delicious.

5. To live in this world is lucky.

6. Other than this one, Stephanie's is the last blog I commented on.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chillin' like a villian, tomorrow my plans include the regular- laundry, grocery, movies, nap, scrap and Sunday, I want to sleep in!

Ode to Wednesdays

Wednesday's are an interesting day around our house. I'm usually on the road in Eau Claire for the day and it's the one day of the week that both girls are home with Nick. It's total chaos.

Back in December I came home one Wednesday to find Nick showing me this photo on the camera. It was as if he thought I didn't believe how crazy it got. Oh- I believe. I always believe.

I did this layout for the ScrapFreak Freaky Friday Storytelling Challenge - Little Moments

JOURNALING: This is a typical Wednesday at our house. It's the one day a week that both Bennet & Scout are home with Dad. By the time i get home the living room is cashed. Pillows thrown off the couch, toys tossed up and down the hallway, crushed snacks in the carpet & one Dad whose patiends is wearing thin. If we can survive can survive a Wednesday with two crazy kids we can survive anything. December 2008 Don't forget to sign up for your chance to participate in the Handmade Ambush. It's open through tonight.

No babies were harmed during this photograph

Yesterday Scout had a doozy of a blowout during naptime. Needless to say EVERYTHING needed to be washed. Stuffed animals and the bumper down to the sheets.

I went to get the blankets, sheets and friends out of the dryer and this is what I found. Little daredevil baby got her leg stuck in the groove and was going for a ride.

I must need a vacation because this totally made me laugh. So much so that I called Nick upstairs to see.

Handmade Ambush

I saw Handmade Ambush on the fabulous Emilie Ahren 's blog and wanted to give it a whirl. I just love the concept behind it.


The deal: I will draw 5 random people who comment on this post and they will receive something made by me. To you! It will be my choice and made especially for you. Leave your comment here before 11:59 pm EST Wednesday. Just so we’re on the same page, here are the rules.




The details: No guarantees you will feel absolute true love, but possibly happiness, fervor, or chocolate. What I create will be just for you. It will be done sometime this year. You have no clue what it will be… it may be a story. Maybe poetry. I may sew something. It will most likely be a wicked mix CD or a crazy vintage/retro photo frame. But I may bake something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you! That’s for sure. I reserve the right to do something extremely kooky.





The fine print (which is actually the same size, but whatever): If you are chosen, you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to 5 people who do the same on their blog. When you get your lovely homemade goods from me, post a picture on your blog so I know my love arrived without a hitch.



Before you type in your name I think that you should know a few things.


#1. Do I care if you actually follow the rules? No...but Karma will.


#2. Do I care if we know each other? No, but you will be subject to my taste!


#3. I love this idea. Thanks for keeping it moving forward Emilie!

Friday Fill Ins

1. It seems like Friday took forever to get here this week.


2. Turn off the light when you're done, please?

3. If I thought you would babysit my kids for a couple days I'd take off to NYC with Nick for an adult getaway!

4. An infectious laugh and good heart is what I think of most when I think of Nick.

5. A good nights sleep and coffee give me strength.


6. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to scrapping with Jess, Casie and Kim at my house, tomorrow my plans include a birthday party for my niece Meghan and Sunday, I want to watch the Oscars!

Professional Photographer

Considering how many photos I take on a daily basis it shouldn't come as a surprise that Bennet has picked up a love of photography (tongue in cheek). These are the photos she took the other night at dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings (Bennet calls it buffalos. It's very cute). Here are her photos.

Scout has a halo :)

Chocolate milk

Dad's favorite sweater

Not framed perfectly but she got my head.

This last one I took of Scout. She's watching The Backyardigans on the ipod Touch. Yes- we are THOSE parents that give their kids movies to watch while waiting for dinner. Nick and I were wondering what other people must think of us when they see that. My response was that we are actually doing them a favor. It's better to keep them occupied than to have them screaming, whining and being generally being unpleasant. Thoughts?

Lovey Dovey Layouts- Cosmo Cricket

Here are a couple more layouts I made using the Cosmo Cricket Chemistry line for Scrap4Life.

I know this is a really simple layout but I'm 100% ok with that. I wanted the focus to be on the photo. Doesn't the photo just make you go "aaahhhh!" I handstitched the 'Sunshine' and the little sun on the left. JOURNALING: This moment captures everything I feel in my heart. 08 I just loved this series of photos that I couldn't pick just one. I painted the scalloped chipboard and added stickles but the sparkles didn't scan very well.

JOURNALING: These photos will be timeless. When you are all grown up and don't need me everyday I will see these photos and remember my sweet girls laughing together and simply loving their sister. 1/09

Memory Makers Online

My 'I {heart} movies' layout as the featured page idea today. A small little toot but I'll take it! Toot toot!

http://www.memorymakersmagazine.com/page_ideas.aspx

It's a New Year

Last month I participated in the Guest Designer Challenge at ScrapFreak. The challenge was to create a layout using a quote about the New Year and include the actual quote (with the quotation marks) and the author of the quote as the title of your page.

Last year I started a 'year in review album' so this challenge was perfect for me. This is a 2 page 8 1/2 x 11 layout. I asked my family members a list of questions and the answers revolved around the past year. Ok- I answered for Scout :) Our favorite movie, song, memory, toy, etc.

I was lucky enough to win the challenge so I have the honor of serving as a Guest Designer this month. I have a pile of fun product to play with and I'm having a blast! ScrapFreak is a very active, friendly and funny scrapbooking forum. I suggest you check them out.

There is a new challenge running to Feb. so check it out!

Friday Fill Ins

1. Please don't tell Bennet that Nick, Scout and I go to The Mint for lunch without her.

2. Can you let me sleep past 7 in the morning? Just once?

3. The color Red makes me want to buy it!

4. I have a craving for french fries. I always have a craving for french fries.

5. If my life had a pause button, I'd pause it last night. It was so nice seeing old friends.

6.Eyes are the thing I notice second about people. Their smile is always first.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching the shows we DVR'd last night, tomorrow my plans include a nice dinner at home with Nick and the girls and Sunday, I want to do something outside (weather permitting)!

Valentine's Frame

Another project I made for Scrap4Life with the Cosmo Cricket Chemistry line. I made this floating frame as a Valentine's Day gift. It was so much fun!! I was inspired by a frame that Shannon at ScrapFreak made.

Kohl's sells frames with two pieces of glass for $10. Can't beat that!

Supplies:
Cosmo Cricket Chemistry patterned paper
Cosmo Cricket Chemistry stickers
Heidi Grace heart stick pins
American Crafts ribbon
Thread (I handstitched along the scallops. It's hard to see)

Making Me Smile

I have been kind of down in the dumps lately. Trying to shake this funk. Let me tell ya- Bennet the 3-year old jabber mouth is exactly what I need. Here are some of the things that she's said the last couple of days to make me smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the baby shower on Saturday she sneezed. She looked at me and said, "Mama- when I sneezed a little pee came out. A little pee came out Mama"

Somedays it is adundantly clear that she is my daughter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mama- I give you a hug and kiss and then you'll feel better" Proceed to hug and kiss. "See Mama- all better!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Whenever I leave the house for work or a day on the road Nick says "Drive safe. Stay away from the bad guys"

This was the conversation this morning as I was leaving for work:

Scene: Bennet’s eating cereal as she wishes her Mom well for the day. Scout is in the high chair smearing yogurt on her face with a spoon.
(I have interpreted Bennet’s “speak”)

Bennet: Stay away from the bad guys mom…

Me(K): You want me to stay away from the bad guys?

B: Yeah… No bad guys near the car.

K: Ok. I won’t let them near the car.

B: Yeah… *words words words* bad guys – stay away – no near the car. They come near the car, no, no, no.

K: Ok I will.

B: If bad guys near car you shoot em.

K: You want Dad to shoot the bad guys?

B: No. YOU shoot em.

*laughter*

K: Ok B, I will. Bye –

B: Those bad guys won’t survive.

Somedays it is adundantly clear that she is Nick's daughter too. He was so proud.

There is always a silver lining no matter how gray the cloud.

Life

A good college friend of mine past away suddenly Saturday night. Jason Yarrington was one of those people that lived life on his terms with no apologies. He never felt the need to be anything other than himself. He was iconic. Everyone who had the honor of knowing him was friends with him. He was just one of a kind. Just thinking about him makes me smile. To say his passing will leave a hole is an understatement.

Proof of this is how quickly the news of his passing spread. I've been remembering all kinds of college memories. Road trips, weddings, nights at the bars, nights dancing on bars, house parties with $4 beers, headband/ankle club events in basements, APO National Conventions, political discussions, 101 Wash, cramming into the Pio, spuds at Mogies, hanging out in the cube, Happy Hour at Brother's, bumming smokes off of Jason.

My college years at UW-Eau Claire were simply AWESOME. It was due in big part to Alpha Phi Omega and the people I met. The people that became friends and remain friends today. It's such a cliche to say that death makes you reevaulate your life but it's true. Last weekend I had the chance to see some friends I hadn't seen for far too long. This, along with the loss of Jason, reminded me of how much I really missed them. It has been nearly 10 years since I graduated and left Eau Claire. My friends have gotten married, had kids, moved out of state, stayed in state, and lived their lives. But I am more grateful today than yesterday that I have such amazing people that I am lucky enough to call friends. It isn't everyday that a group of people can stay as connected as we have. We are blessed.

To all my friends: Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for the memories. I love you and miss you.

Tagged

I was tagged by my friend Amy to go to the 6th album in my photos and share the 6th photo with you.

I back up my photos religiously but my organization is pretty haphazard. By person, year, event and in multiple locations.

This was the 6th photo in the 6th folder in the 2006 folder for Bennet. This photo was taken nearly 3 years ago. Wow. I can see the girl she is now in her baby face.

Now I get to tag 6 people:

The first 6 people who view this- TAG- you're it!!

Friday Fill Ins

My answers are in BOLD.

1. I'd really like a time machine right now.

2. MotherPussbucket is the word you'd most often hear me say if I stubbed my toe.

3. Possession is a great Sarah McLachlan song.

4. Captain Morgan makes me happier than Captain Jack Sparrow.

5. Marshmallows and fire go together like my tushie and the couch.

6. And the beat goes on and on.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to seeing my parents and Megan , tomorrow my plans include throwing a rock star shower for Katie and Sunday, I want to be home from MN by 6 p.m.

Cosmo Cricket Chemistry

It was my turn to design for Scrap4Life this month. I had the opportunity to work with the new Cosmo Cricket Chemistry line. I'll be honest, I don't love ALL the papers but there are alot in the kit that I really like.

Head on over to the S4L Shoppe...Jodie still has some of those cute adorable cigar boxes by Cosmo Cricket! And best thing yet, they have been reduced30%!!!

In addition, Cosmo Cricket was featured in our S4L December Kit! If you haven't picked your December Kit, we still have several left!

And...Cosmo Cricket is sponsoring the February Contest!!! All entries are due February 28th!! Check out all the details here!

A layout focused on my dear friend Carla. Last year was challenging for her but I want her to know how much I believe in her and how much I just love her. On my cards. I used the cover/content sheet that comes with the Cosmo Cricket Craft kit and punched little hearts and squares out. Perfect size for cards without having to cut into a 12 x 12 piece of paper. I have rediscovered my punches lately and I'm having so much fun! I cut the letters using my Cricut and Sure-Cuts-Alot program.

Crop your little heart out

Friday night I had some 'me' time and went over to my friend Jess's house to scrap. As I was leaving Nick was jokingly shouting up the stairs, "You go crop. You crop your little heart out. And use patterned paper and glittery glue sticks. And oh- I know how you like your little embellishments. Don't come back here until. . . " I was out the door at that point. He makes me laugh. He once asked, "Why do they call it a crop? They should call it a Scrap" I agree but I don't think the industry will make the switch at this point.

I got a couple layouts done. This is a really simple one of Scout. I wanted to use the patterned paper b/c it matched her pj's perfectly so I just layered the backets. I used some blue thread and embellies to pull out Scout's eyes. I didn't have a 's' or 'e' so I used the negative sticker from the sheet.
A tremor in the Force :) Jess let me use some of her orange stickles for a little glittery punch but they didn't transfer in the scan very well. I actually used orange eyelets on this one. I'm livin' on the edge people.