Friday, April 28, 2006

Check this out...

For the last several months, I've been working on this on-going project for Making Memories. I've been designing layouts for a digital scrapbooking project. Of course, my job is only part of the BIG, HUGE picture, but it's been fun to be involved at this level. There's been a bit of a learning curve, but overall, I have loved this experience. I didn't really know exactly what the final product would be...until recently when I was given the link to the site where the kits were available...and then I was given permission to share it! SO, here it is: Smilebox.com . I played around with it a bit and I think it's really fun! Check it out....I'd love to hear what you think! :)

eta: There are designs from other companies/designers here too..not just Making Memories. :)

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Thinking...

I want to be better at this:

"Learning to live in the present moment is part of the path of joy."
- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Really, I am. I'm trying to enjoy each day for what it is and not wish it away. I don't want my life to be full of "what if's" and " if only's." I want each day to matter for what it is. I want to see the potential in each moment of each day. I want to teach my kids that today is the only today they have and it matters. I want to really LIVE in each moment of each day. I'm working on it. I'm trying. I am...today, right now, this moment!

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

How fun...

is this??

Maybe this is old news, but I found this free download the other day, and it's a lot of fun! :)

My "little" brother...

...making me grateful, once again, that I no longer use dial-up! Thanks, Tony! :o)

Monday, April 24, 2006

daily journal...


I posted a while back about creating a daily journal based on an idea in Stacy Julian's newest book. (I'm so grateful for her inspiration -- this book is definitely one of my all-time favorites...I think YOU need it too!!) On Saturday, I finally got the photos printed and inserted and I'm so excited about it. I shared the cover on my blog before and the title was "ME in MARCH," but after I got a few weeks into it, I realized it's totally not about just ME, but my family, so I redid the cover. I completely copied the quote Stacy used in her book - because it's too perfect not to use: "The ordinary acts we practice everyday at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." -- Thomas Moore. It's already fun (only a few weeks later) to look back and read some of the little things I jotted down...things that really aren't BIG things - but fun little tidbits. The photos don't necessarily reflect the journal entry, and aren't even all taken on the corresponding day - but they're all random photos taken in March. I saved receipts, appointment cards, and other little things to include on some of the days. I used fun papers, stickers, and cardstock colors. (Thanks again, Cynthea) The design and ideas truly are simple. I am so happy I did this - and I plan to make this a once-a-year tradition. I would definitely recommend this to anyone! It's not hard - just precut your journal entry cards at the first of the month and sit the album on your nightstand...then take a minute each night or morning and jot down random thoughts, events, happenings. Even if it seems silly to you, write it down anyway...how cool would it be to have something like this from your mom or grandma when she was your age?? Seriously. Do this. You'll be so glad! :)

And the winner is...

I'm sure all FOUR of you who posted have been on pins and needles, huh?!? LOL Sorry it took me so long to draw the winner - it was a crazy busy weekend. Anyway, Meagan drew and the winner is:

So, Holly...will you send me an e-mail with your current mailing address and I'll send off the book ASAP! :)

More later...

Friday, April 21, 2006

slacker...

I am such a blog slacker. I haven't updated yet, and I'm still not quite ready to do so. I'm sitting here waiting for the carpet cleaners to get here (you know, the ones who were supposed to be here an hour ago...grrr...if I didn't need the carpets cleaned NOW, I would just cancel...oh well...) Anyway, while I was sitting here waiting for the big YELLOW Stanley Steamer truck to come down my road, I saw my beloved BROWN truck instead. The UPS delivery man brought me a fun box containing returned projects from a book I was able to contribute to: "Birthday Creations" by Paper Crafts Magazine. I can't wait to sit down and check out all of the fun projects and creations and ideas in this book - it looks so fun and happy and cheerful at first glance! Besides the fun opportunity to contribute to these publications, there are extra perks - one of which is extra copies of the book. SO....I'd love to share one of my copies with one of you! Just leave a comment here and I'll have one of my kids draw a name tomorrow. :) Until then...

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Just a quick note....

Wanted to let you all know that I'm alive and kicking...just haven't taken the time to blog. We had spring break last week and our family headed SOUTH - more SUN and heat - it was so great! Then we came home to a busy and SNOWY Easter weekend. :o) (Talk about extremes in weather -- from 85 degree sunny swimming-pool weather to 30 degrees and snow - blah!)

Since we've gotten home we've been busy getting our house ready to put on the market - yay! And I've been busy with work - lots of fun assignments and projects...can't wait to share some of them!

I checked my tracker this morning and realized that there actually are some of you who have been checking in daily - so I wanted to leave a quick note to let you know what's happening! I'll try to post some pictures and maybe some projects later today or tomorrow. Thanks for your e-mails and for checking in!! :) Have a super day!

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Busy Saturday...

Am I the only person who "saves up" a bunch of things to do on Saturday...assuming I'll have more time on that day??? (Note to self: there are only so many hours in a day - whether it's Wednesday or Saturday...there are only 24 hours to be found - start using them more wisely!!) Anyway, I've done it again - here it is, Saturday, and there's a lot to do...several of projects for Making Memories to finish up before we head out for Spring Break sometime next week...and I got in the middle of a big organization/purge project on Thursday night and although I know I've made progress my whole studio area is a MESS and I have to work on that before I have a place to design...and Zach is being blessed in church tomorrow, so I have some things to get ready for that...and the house needs a good picking up and vacuuming...and to top it all off, my mother-in-law is coming for the weeekend and will be here sometime in the next few hours. Oh, and did I mention Brad is WORKING today, argh! So here I sit...thinking about all there is to do instead of DOING it!! Guess I better get up off my duff...but before I do, here's a layout from this week I thought I'd share. The pictures are older - I'm SO behind...Seth is only 9 months old here...where does the time go??!! Have a great weekend! :o)

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Something to think about...

I got this quote in an e-mail this morning...just thought I'd share:

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." — Scott Adams
I think it's easy for me to get caught up in trying to make every project perfect every time....it's nice to be reminded that it's ok to make mistakes, and sometimes what seems like a mistake might be some of the best work I've ever done -- funny how that works! :)
Have a great day -- do something creative, don't worry about making a mistake...I dare ya!

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Three months...


I know I've said it before (and not too long ago)...but geez, time is flying! I can't believe Zach is already 3 months old -- it's crazy to think about that! It seems like time has really starting flying since he joined our family - I mean, it's always gone fast, but it's on high-speed cruise control now. It makes me a little sad...good thing he's so cute and makes me so happy -- definitely outweighs the twinges of sadness about him growing and changing so quickly! :)