Scrap Haps...

Since I'm not sure how much internet access I'll have during our little impromptu hiatus (if you don't know what I'm talking about, read the previous post), I figured I would post my latest scrap creations before we leave. A couple of the designers that I CT for are undergoing some transitions, so it's been a little slow with the new kit releases...however, between 4 CTs things are never very slow. So, enough of my ramblings (I'm sure you've had enough of that today), here is the latest in my world o'scrap (FYI -All of the kit names and previews are linked to their store site):

[Whooo Do You See?]

Using [Kinda Campy] by Leah Farquharson at Funky Playground Designs **New Release**

[Sailor's Lullaby]Using [Sweet Dreams] from Pixie Perfect Designs at Enchanted Studio Scraps **New Release**

[Rainbow After the Storm]

Using [xoxo] from Miss Tiina

[Whooo Loves You, Kiddo?]Using [Hooty Coo] and [Hoo-Rah] custom font from Miss Tiina

MISS TIINA RETIRING SALE FUNKY PLAYGROUND WEEKLY CHALLENGES
Font Challenge [Once Upon A Time]Using [Splendor Pop] by Miss Tiina and [Love Plus One] by Tracy Murphy

8.12.09 Scraplift Challenge

Created using [My Big Adventure] collab, available September 1, 2009 at misstiina.com

FYI - this kit is a charity collab and 100% of the proceeds are being donated to the Autism Society of America. Seriously, this kit is going to be HUGE - it has 11 alphas, 400+ elements, 150+ papers. An amazing group of designers all contributed to the kit (2 of whom I have the pleasure to CT for)...and all of this is going to be available for only $9.99...which is a PHENOMENAL price for such an awesome kit.

8.19.09 Scraplift Challenge

Created using [Cocktail Party] and [Green Peace] by Leah Farquharson

8.20.09 Product Challenge - Fantasy or Whimsical

Created using [Once Upon a Day Dream] by Miss Tiina and [My Big Adventure] charity collab, available September 1, 2009 at misstiina.com

As always, thanks for looking...and happy scrapping!! Until next time...

Weekly Ramblings...

The past week of no-school has been filled with afternoons out at the park, chalk-drawing on the patio, trips to the library, catching up on laundry and house-cleaning, lots of reading, and some occasional scrapping. The end of my classes signaled the start of Doug's....so the computer is now his in the evenings after he gets home from jiu jitsu. Although this has cut back a little on my scrap time, it's given me more time to read. In the past week I've read three of Nicholas Sparks' books - Night in Rodanthe, The Choice, and The Rescue. All of them were really good - each with a different storyline with the common underlying theme - true love outweighs everything else.

Reading the books made me realize just how much Doug's and my relationship has developed in the 5+ years we've been married. While I would say the overall development of our relationship has been good and positive, I have to admit we've lost a little of the romance. I joked with Doug that I'm living vicariously through the novels, but it made me think about the little things I used to do that I've slowly stopped over the years...leaving notes in his car, surprising him at work with a home-cooked lunch, opening his car door from the inside after he's opened mine, sneaking smooches at a red light...things that didn't seem like much at the time so I took them for granted. I understand that life gets hectic and chaotic and stressful at times, but that doesn't mean we have to lose the romance. I still get butterflies in my stomach when I look at Doug - but I rarely express how I feel. Without wanting to get too sappy or...whatever...I'm just putting it out there that I have realized I need to not get so caught up with all the "big things" in our marriage and be better at expressing how much I appreciate all the little things....the things that matter. We both keep saying that we need to get away...and we've actually managed to have 2 dates together in the past week (one night out, courtesy of Doug's sister Bethany [thanks again, Millie!] and the other night courtesy of the IKEA play center [the girls are finally tall enough and potty-trained]). Both of us had a lot of fun during our "dinners alone," but it further made me realize just how little time the two of us have taken for ourselves.

So, on that note...we've decided to head out to California for an impromptu vacay. We'll be taking the girls, so even though it won't be a break with just the two of us it will be a nice break from our normal, daily routine of school, work, jiu jitsu, and the Arizona heat. The trip is actually the result of Doug being told he would forfeit 40 hours of vacation time if he doesn't use it by the end of the month....seeing as how there are only a few days left, he decided there was no sense in letting it go to waste!! I'm really looking forward to this, even if spontaneity is not my usual style - but it does mean I should be off packing and not typing away on the computer. Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know what we'll be up to for the next couple of weeks...if you need to get in touch with us, we'll have our cells phones handy!!

Hope to return with lots of fun pictures and a nice, golden tan...

FINALLY...

...I finished my bachelor's program with UOP. I am now an official college graduate. Never mind the fact that it took me 10 years to get my 4 year degree...or that I'm already looking into radiology programs equating another 2 years of school. I endured and have finally finished. Words cannot explain the satisfaction of knowing that I did it...I finally did it. Of course, I couldn't have done it without the help, patience, and understanding of Doug and the girls...and the support of my wonderful parents and siblings. Thank you to everyone for believing in me and encouraging me when I was beyond ready to throw in the towel.

So now, the big question is....just what am I going to do with my free time?!

Scrap Haps...

So, I haven't quite gotten back into the groove of things since we got back from our trip. The house is still a mess, we soooo need to go grocery shopping, I haven't made it to the gym as often as I would like, and I am struggling to stay focused during my last few days of class. That being said, I have also been terrible at blogging my scrap LO's for the past month. To the wonderful designers I am so privileged to CT for, please know that I'm sorry...I'll try to be much better about posting your amazing creations. And, since actions speak louder than words, I'll get to work right away at posting my most recent LO's.

[Brain Freeze] Mini Kit from Creations by Rachael

[Time to Celebrate] Mini Kit from Creations by Rachael

[No Girls Allowed] from Creations by Rachael

(Yes...those are pictures of Doug when he was a boy. What a cute kid, huh? And, he's only gotten more handsome with age...seriously)

[Summer Fun] Mini Kit from Designs by Leah

[Vintage Christmas] from Pixie Perfect Designs

Funky Playground Challenge LO's

Color Challenge Mondays

Scraplift Challenge Wednesdays

Product Challenge Thursdays

Template Challenge Fridays

Both Holly and Leah have kits in the works, so I am very much looking forward to those. I just downloaded a bunch of mini kits from Rachael and I hope to get some pages posted from those in the next day or two. BTW - Rachael is celebrating her 1 year design-iversary (wa-hoo!! congrats!! yippee!! that's wonderful!!) by offering a couple of specials in her shop at Pretty Scrappy.

And, although this last piece is not CT related, I received some sad scrapbooking news last week that I thought I would pass along. {We Are Storytellers}, an amazing shop with a group of extremely talented designers, announced that they will be closing their shop. Total bummer...seriously. The only good thing to this news is that everything in their shop is currently 50% off through 11:59 pm EST on August 16th. Plus, they are offering their latest collab kit free with a purchase of $10 or more.

Whew! That was a long post. Thanks for looking and sticking with me through all of that. Hope you enjoyed some of what you saw and got some inspiration for your scrapbooking! Until next time...

Pics and Stuff...

As promised, here are the photos from our trip up to Utah....they start out at the Pioneer Day parade in downtown SLC, followed by a few from the fireworks show that night. Then there are some pics from the Draper Temple, which is where my brother and new sister-in-law Karen got married. Ben looked so handsome, Karen looked gorgeous...and they were both so totally and completely happy. It was a very special day for everyone. The girls loved being at the "castle" and seeing all the princesses in their beautiful dresses (there were a few other weddings while we were there). There are a lot of pictures I wish I had gotten, but chasing after the girls seemed to take up most of my time.

There are also some pics from our [attempted] hike with my sister Cynthia and her family - I say [attempted] because the girls and I only made it up one set of switchbacks before we had to turn back around because both girls needed to go to the bathroom. We sat in the back of our car for a while waiting for AK's pants to dry (we didn't quite make it down in time and she refused to go in the woods), then we attempted the trail a second time...only to meet the rest of our group at about the same point as before on their way down. For our first attempt at hiking, it wasn't too bad...maybe we'll have better luck next time. We also went to the Hogle Zoo with my friend Heidi, Heidi's sister (Niki), and Niki's kids. Roo made instant friends with Taylor and the girls had a blast. Then, the next day the girls and I met my friend Mandy for lunch and an afternoon at Wheeler Farm - the girls loved every minute of it, especially getting to feed the ducks and petting the cow.

It was a really busy trip, but we had a blast and would do it all again in a heartbeat. I'll be back in Utah next month for Heidi's wedding, and it looks like the girls will be going with me as well, so I'm sure we'll have plenty more pics to share after that trip as well. Anyway, enough of my rambling...here is the slideshow of pics!

We're Back!!

Just wanted to let y'all know that we made it safely back from our trip to Utah. I'll try and post photos and such later today, but for now I'll just say that we had LOADS of fun and really enjoyed our time away. The girls had a blast being with their cousins and spending lots of time outdoors, but they missed their papa greatly and are very glad to be back home in AZ with him.

AND, on a totally unrelated matter, when I signed in today I notice that I've made 200 posts on my blog. I didn't do anything for my 100 post, which I think is major blog tradition, so I'll try and think of something creative for my 200th. First, however, I need to get unpacked, caught up with school, and somewhat settled after our long trip.