Wordless Wednesday- Hanging with Grandma

Spring Fling layouts

The March/April "Spring Fling" kit at Inspired to Scrap is such a great value. For $24 you get a box filled to the brim with paper, flowers and embellies. Stacey really gives you wonderful kit at a great value! I've made 3 layouts and 1 mini-album and still have loads left to play with.

Here are 2 layouts.

I loved this snapsnot I took of Ellie last summer at the pool. I had the photo printed as a 8 x 12 at scrapbookpictures.com I did some machine stitching around the edges as well. Everything is from the kit except the pink alphas. The kraft tag is from the Jan/Feb kit. The pink Jillibean Soup alpha is from my stash.

Everything is from the kit except the brown alphas. Did some stripping (hee hee). One of my favorite ways to both stretch a kit and use scraps. This is another favorite photo. I love Bennet's crazy, fun hair. And I love the profile perspective of the photo. This is the face I see when she's laughing at Nick.

Stay tuned for more kit goodies.

The Things She Says

Oh that Bennet- she just makes me laugh!

Over dinner last week-

Bennet- You know the worst part about school today was that Liam changed his mind.

Me- What did he change his mind about?

Bennet- Well, we're not best friends anymore and I guess he doesn't want to marry me either.

Me- I guess you'll just be regular friends then.

Nick- Yeah, there are other fish in the sea B.

Bennet-Dad, you're right! There are other fish in the sea. And sting rays and octopuses too. I saw a video today at school about the sea.

Hanging out-

Bennet- What's an idiot?

Random-

Bennet- Don't worry Mom. Someday when I'm a Mom I'll have the same problem.

Running up the stairs-

Bennet- Ok Mom- I have good news and bad news.

Me- (thinking to myself- we never say this so where does she hear it?) Ok- I'll take the bad news first.

Bennet- Oh ok. Well, you see Scout has 2 big hole in her Dora PJ dress.

Me- Well I guess I'll have to mend them for her. What's the good news.

Bennet- (pause pause). Well, I don't really have any good news.

Let your life lightly DANCE on the edge of time - Hen Party Friday

It's that time again. My turn to host the Hen Party Friday challenge at ScrapChicks.

This week it's all about the alphabets.
My name is Kari Ann and I have an obsession with alphabets. (Hi Kari Ann!) In all seriousness I could use a 12-step program to help with my addiction to alphabets. Although they say that admitting it is the first step right?

I love them all. Thickers, minialphas, chipboard, rubs ons (ok- these are the red-headed stepchild in my alpha world) and corrugated cardboard.

My challenge to you this week is to grab your alphas and create a layout with at least 3 different alphas on it. This can be in the title or journaling- it's up to you. Now go get creative!!!

Here is my layout. The photo is of Scout on her 3rd birthday last September. She still loves that tutu. I loved the photo so I had it printed as a 8 x 12 size at scrapbookpictures.com. And in a rare moment I did not add journaling. I thought the photo spoke for itself.

TITLE: Let your life lightly DANCE on the edge of time

Product: American Craft rub ons, October Afternoon alphabets, Echo Park paper, Doodlebug Designs paper.

Spring Chicken CyberCrop & Creative Escape Crop

Mark your calendars!

I'll be participating in this cybercrop while at a real crop. For you local scrapper/crafters, consider joining me at the first 12hour crop with Creative Escape.  Come for the day or for a couple of hours. Follow the link to sign up!

When: Saturday, April 9, 2011

Time: 10am - 10pm
Location: Fairfield Inn, Weston, WI (near St. Clare’s Hospital)
Cost: $10
Who: All creative artists (scrapbookers, card designers, sewers, etc.)

Your crop fee includes:
•6 foot table space with a comfy chair
•reserved seating
•12 hours of creative time without distractions
•chance to win door prizes at 8pm, must be present to win

Snacks/Meals:
•community snack table will be available, everyone is asked to contribute
•bottled water will be provided
•dinner on own, we’ll order pizza delivery at 5pm for those interested, cost to be determined at event

So patiently waiting. . .

I made this layout as a sample for the last sketch class at Inspired to Scrap. A completely non-Halloween looking Halloween layout. Plus- this paper is at least 2 years old. LOVE using up my stash. I stitched the yellow circle with my sewing machine. It didn't photograph very well.

I'm pretty sure Scout had more fun handing out the candy at Grandma & Grandpa Sweeney's than she did going door-to-door.

TITLE: So patiently waiting for trick-or-treaters at the candy bowl

Journaling: You love giving as much as you love getting. Halloween 2010.

Inspired to Scrap Spring Fling Kit

Inspired to Scrap Spring Fling Kit

I can't wait to get my hands on this kit. The March kit is so much fun and is extremely versatile…go grab one before they are gone. **There are also a very limited number of paper add-on’s available.** Visit the store for all of the purchasing options (Including a Kit and Class special!!). The kit is only $24 plus shipping!

It’s finally here and ready to ship! Our March kit is so much fun and is extremely versatile…go grab one before they are gone. **There are also a very limited number of paper add-on’s available.** Visit the store for all of the purchasing options (Including a Kit and Class special!!).


Kit Contents:

4 -12×12 Echo Park papers
2 -12×12 Lily Bee papers
2 -12×12 Kraft papers by Jillibean Soup
2 -12×12 Jillibean Soup papers
1-12×12 Jillibean Soup coordinating stickers
1 package Jillibean Soup Burlap Alphas
2- 12×12 Pink Paislee “Daily Junque” papers
1 Pink Paisley “Daily Junque” printed tissue
Variety of Pink Paislee “Daily Junque” Mini Notes & Labels
Approx. 6 yards EACH of Caribbean and Cappuccino baker’s twine from The Twinery

1 Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type letter sheet

Variety of coordinating flowers from Petaloo

Right Now- 3.18.11

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW  the sun is shining! Yeah Spring!
I AM THINKING  about a friend and her family as they grieve the loss of her father to cancer this week.
WE ARE LEARNING that according to Bennet's 4K teacher she is a "kind, thoughtful and happy girl" Her parent/teacher conference went great. We're very proud of her!
I AM THANKFUL FOR the fact that this week is over. It's been busier than usual. I feel like I've been on autopilot.
FROM THE KITCHEN we have too many sweets. Girl Scout Cookies, M&M Cookies and cupcakes.
I AM WEARING An orange sweater, jean skirt and Han Solo boots
I AM GOING to be an aunt again in less than 2 months. I am so excited!! I need a baby fix.
I AM READING  Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
I AM CREATING Not a darn thing. I haven't scrapped at all this week. (Very rare for me!) I've just been beat!
I AM HOPING that warmer temps will stick around. I can almost see grass.
I AM HEARING old school funk music. Perfect for Friday afternoon!
AROUND THE HOUSE  Ellie is walking and therefore getting into new places
ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS is the sound of Nick laughing. I was sitting upstairs reading the other night and I could hear him laughing downstairs. It just makes me smile.
A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEKEND visitation tonight, Ellie's 1 yr photos tomorrow, sleepover at our house with 10 yr old twins, laundry (So Bennet can stop wearing Scout's underwear), housework . . .

Happy 1/2 Birthday and Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Unofficial Birthday Nick!

Nick's birthday is July 16th (Mark your calendars now!) But when he was little he never got to bring treats to school due to his summer birthday. So, his very clever mom had him pick a day. Being a Sweeney he chose St. Patrick's Day. Every year we make cupcakes to celebrate. They are Nick's favorite- Duncan Hines Yellow.

Here are the posts from 2007,  2008, 2009, and 2010 Look at how much the girls have grown!! Last year I was wearing Ellie in the wrap and this year she's walking!

This year we made the cupcakes on St. Patty's Day eve. And since Nick was teaching in Stevens Point and I was attempted to get dinner made at the same time there are fewer photos.

I printed the cupcake toppers here. The Giving Madame . We brought these to Scout's class at the YWCA Wausau yesterday for snack time.

 

Scout had a big St. Patrick's Day party in her class yesterday. Since it's in my job description to take photos I can walk upstairs to participate with her guilt free.  

We ended the night with a dinner out at Applebee's. It was a nice, relaxing meal until Scout coughed so hard that her supper ended up on the floor. We traded a second round of drinks for an early bedtime. She's fine today.

Wordless Wednesday- Typical B

Handprint Leprechauns

I like being a working mom but one of the things I miss is time to make crafts with the girls. Last night I put dinner in the oven and took advantage of the 40 minute cook time with a fun little St. Patrick's Day project that I found here. Handprint Leprechauns!!

Ellie is like her Dad and does NOT like getting messy or sticky. This was the face she gave me when I forcefully painted her hand.

The finished Leprechaun family. Bennet is on the left, Ellie and Mom in the middle and Scout on the right. On a side note- check out how Bennet is writing her name in balloon letters. A girl after my own heart!  

Sweet Saturday

Yesterday was about as close to perfect as we've had around here this year. Everyone was healthy. The sun was shining and we filled those 24 hours to the brim without getting stressed. The highlights-

• Scrapbooking in the morning for me.
• Trip to the mall play area for the girls.
• Photo Booth photos at the mall. Low on ink but still priceless.
• Visit to the library. Books for the kids and a new one for me.
• GIRL SCOUT COOKIES
• Jammin' out to Sir Duke in the minivan with the girls. (Scout- "Mom, I like the trumpet best")
• Nick played zombie video games while everyone else napped.
• Shopping that resulted in clothes I actually like.
• Date night for Nick and I at the Wausau Country Club with my inlaws for the Taste & Travel event
• Lobster AND sushi (thank you Mom & Dad Sweeney)
• My signature drink- Vanilla Vodka and ginger ale. So delicious.
• In bed by 11 p.m.

As close to perfect as we can get.

This is How it's Done

I have had these pictures waiting to be scrapped for what seems like ages. They are of Bennet when we took advantage of Kids Bowl Free last summer. I emailed the big photo to the bowling alley and they are using it in their promotions. Pretty cool.

 As soon as I saw one of our sketches for the last Inspired to Scrap class - Inspired by Sketches (PDF of sketches still available for purchase) I knew these photos would be perfect!

TITLE: This is How it's Done

Journaling: You were a natural- racking up 2 strikes & 1 spare in your first game. Score 105.

You & Me- ScrapChicks Hen Party Friday

For most of us, we are the photographers. The people behind the camera. One of my standard scrapbook soapbox issues is including photos of yourself in your albums. It's so important that your family/loved ones see YOU.


This week's challenge may be hard for some and easy for others. Create a layout with a photo of you. Other people can be in the photos but I want to see those shining faces!!

Here is my sample layout.

TITLE: You & ME
Journaling: Sometimes I worry that you feel lost in the shuffle. Not the oldest or the youngest- the middle. I hope you never doubt that you hold a one-of-a-kind spot in our family and hearts. I love you so much Scoutie! 11/2010

Potty Play-by-Play

ScrapChicks is having a free sketch class right now. The class features 12 fun sketches inspired by 12 awesome layouts in the Scrap Chicks gallery. We browsed the gallery, found 12 layouts that caught my eye, and used them to inspire the sketches created for you.

This is a sample I created. I did some selective coloring on her "unnies"

TITLE: Potty Play-by-Play
I took the journaling from this blog post. (Date: 11/15/10)

Product: Scenic Route paper, Cosmo Cricket paper, October Afternoon paper, Cosmo Cricket chipboard, Bella Blvd. alpha

Wordless Wednesday- Cookie Chunka Munka

Are you Kidding Me?

Scout is really starting to come into her own. It seems like her vocabulary is multiplying on a weekly basis. So much for having a quiet child as it would appear that she has the "chatty gene" as well.

Other things she likes to say on a regular basis are:

• Oh come on.
• Do it by my own self
• For cryin' out loud (no idea where she picked that up. Ok- she picked it up from me)
• But Mom, I just love her! (when she's loving on Ellie)
• It's my favorite.

A stack of scraps, my circle punch and sewing machine made this layout come together in no time! 

I used this book cover as inspiration.

TITLE: "Are you kidding me"

Journaling: This is your current respone to nearly everything. January 2011 Scout- age 3

Some Kind of Wonderful

Sharing a layout that I created a sketch for the Inspired to Scrap Sketch class that just ended. Photos of Ellie from last September. It's crazy how much she's already changed. My friend Kim made the crocheted flower- isn't it the perfect accent to match the hat she's wearing in the photos?

TITLE: Some Kind of Wonderful

Journaling: Eleanor, you are such a happy girl and your face shows it. Vibrant, funny & cute. Add an adorable hat and it's too much.

True You- March Chicken Scratch Sketch

Each month I provide a sketch at Scrap Chicks as a launching point for your scrappy inspiration. While browsing the gallery I clicked on "Top Commented Images " under the What's Popular tab.

This layout by Marsha (mvance) was in the top 5. Since so many people commented on it I thought it would be a great layout to use for the March Chicken Scratch.

 Here is Marsha's Layout

And my take on it. There was a mix up when I ordered Bennet's professional photos last summer so the photographer sent me some extras. I'm so glad she did because I hadn't originally ordered this one and I love it!