Creative News!

I'm so pleased and excited to let y'all know I made a design team!! This place is my go-to place when mo and jo are down and out... ya know why? Sketches galore! You know me and sketches, I flock to them! Anyhoo, link to the fun, friendly sketch place I love:

Creative Scrappers blog turned forum plus gallery... sketch fun!

Gonna put the sketch blogs on hold for a while, just so I can devote my sketchy time to Creative-Scrappers, and I'm so excited to do so!

you missed it?

That's okay, so did I! "That" would be the Sketchfest at Creative-Scrappers this week! I finished one for day 1 and two for the last day... But if you're a creator-from-sketch, go check out the site, it's chock-filled with sketches. I've said it before, but it's the place I go when blocked for a sure-fire way to find an open creative door! The three you see are the three pages I did this week with Sketchfest sketches. Enjoy!

Life, not scrapbooking

That's what it's been for a few weeks!! Although I'm always thinking in terms of oh, say the Facebook Scrapbooking app (lol!) I haven't gotten to actually do much scrapping. That's okay. Lots and lots and lots of lovely life things happening, so the sport of scrapping is in the back seat. Not in the trunk, just in the back seat.

What things, you ask? Well, for one, I've been invited to sing with our church's Worship team. This totally brightened my day and warmed my heart. I've practiced with them for two weeks and am hoping I'm ready in His eyes to sing. With it being Christmas and all, no better time to start. This time last year I knowingly and willingly accepted Jesus into my heart and what better birthday present for both of us to sing for Him?

I was also just asked - I mean, 45 minutes ago - to be part of the Christmas Eve service, to read a letter as part of the message that day. Scary, haven't done that in a while, but fun, too.

Got a back-to-work countdown for dh. 16 days is is go-back date. It's also the day he runs out of sick time. Please pray that he's ready and is protected.

Let's see, for scrapping, my articles are in - early for the first time on ScrapStreet EVER. Showroom/sponsor stuff done and in. Got some Christmas stuff in my cam waiting for me.

Oh, and duh! Time to reveal the guest designer for Creative-Scrappers! This is a very fun and exciting place... for the sketch-lover! See me! BTW, this is one of TTT's December kits :) but it's sold out. :(

Off we go - we have a Christmas tree to decorate, cookies to be made, pictures to take. Shopping is offically done! (thanks to dh being home, it was easy to budget, start early and finish this year!) Christmas card to make, Secret Santa stuff to wrap up. 338 photos on the cam. It's a good day. Thank God for it.

CMK - what a wonderful world!

See, I won a drawing for something called "Friday Formulas" at CreateMyKeepsake. This is one of my oldest forum memberships and even though I take breaks, I can't help myself but to keep going back. And I have! Every Friday they put up a Formula - a CMK sketch and y'all just know I can't resist a good sketch - it's my place to be Friday nights.

Well, Lisa just sent my prize and it's an adorable kit from Sonburn Designs - perfect for some bright happy McKenna photos.

Big thanks to CMK and Lisa!

a few of my fav of the designs included:

and all on nice, thick, great quality papers, with matching cardstock on the back of each - did I mention there are two of each piece for me to play with?! xoxo

*happy grin!*

Leafy Love

eta: This weekend only! There is an adorable digital kit that is FREE in honor of ScrapStreet's elephant crop going on right now. Stop on by, read up, say hello!
http://scrapstreet.blogspot.com/2008/11/crop-weekend.html

Despite a day of rain, Matthew's stomach flu and Doug's injured leg, we finally did get our leaves pictures! I only took 83 photos (aren't you proud? lol) and they aren't that great, to be honest. I caught a couple... and yes, we blew the leaves, didn't even touch a rake yesterday!

The last two are funny: look at Matt's jump in the right side of the second-to-last and the last photo is McKenna "helping" Daddy - looks like she's ready to attack!

in case you didn't see them...

in a gallery near you. I'm tickled to have been chosen as Back Porch Memories' Guest Designer for November - and now I can reveal what I've done with their amazing November kit! I was absolutely scared to death to use this WRMK (in fact, I even turned it down as a kit choice with TTT), but as it turned out, I adored this kit!! It was fun to use such cute stuff!

Scraproom Overhaul part 3!

Onto the table we go!!! Scary, isn't it? I don't even know what's ON this table... let alone how long that deco scissor drawer's been open, lol!

By the way, I found out my camera was on the sport feature, that's why my photos have been coming out so wacky...

By the end of the day, I had the tabletop completely cleaned off and ready to use... and I did! That small stackable drawer unit:
used to have:

• punches
• deco scissors
• scrapbooking markers - the really old kind

now it has!

• rubons
• scrapbooking markers - the new kind
• Sharpies

There is a large 3-drawer in white (not pictured) that once had:

• handmade theme swaps (not kidding!!!)
• baggies in the middle
• random handbags in the bottom.

Now it has!

• alphas in the top,
• chipboard in the 2nd and
• wooden alterables in the bottom.

Will show ya that pic later.

See? I scrapped in my own scraproom!

Scraproom Overhaul begins...

That last post was getting a little long. So here is what I've accomplished in the last 24 hours.

Ahhh... success!! Well, at least success under the table, not on top, yet! This is pre-vacuuming, but I'm so proud! OOhh... See that brown cardboard box? That's my secret santa box for my ScrapStreet secret sister! No peeking!

Oops... guess I left a little mess of a pile on my computer desk... I'm on it!

Scraproom Overhaul!!

It's time!! (Ugh, yeah, again...) I've had it with my scraproom and scrapcrap!! Time to clean, purge, reorganize and start anew.


I've contacted my local scrapbooking Yahoo group and I found a Kindergarten teacher and a girl scout troop that will accept donations from me! It's actually motivating me more knowing this stuff will go to a good cause. Look: before pictures! These start from the left side of the room and circle around to the right... YIKES!

My bookshelves... kinda where all the house stuff lands.

I once was pretty organized... see all those little shoebox totes? All labeled and organized. I wish I hadn't gone with plastic, but since it's already bought, I'll probably continue with these totes...

See the gray tub in this picture? Yesterday and today, this is what I tackled first - go look at the photo in my next post to see what I got out of it!
Those Priority boxes are themed and the crate all the way in the back right corner under the table is scraps indexed by color. Hear me rolling my eyes? Seriously... why keep THAT many scraps? Recycle, here I come!

Oh, Dear. This is the wall that scares me... Again with the frightening plastic, but there is a nice 40-tier tower tucked in there somewhere.This is just junk! I see a box that was packed when we thought we were moving... a year ago! And oh, how my letters are screaming for some organization!! Not the letters nicely filed in tackle boxes, the sets that are in my kids' primary-colored stacking baskets... cripes!Ok, so this shelf doesn't look TOO bad. From back here. That's gymnastics references to the left. OOPS... maybe I lied about not looking too bad. Next to the pile on the left is another horizontal pile... you caught me. Finished layouts from at least 2 years ago that need homes. *blush*
Then I see some cardstock in Verticals... Smurfs in the hanging basket. :D Oops - blurry! This is "dh's" desk... Top shelf full of albums. Most unfinished - I see a POLICE album still in the box, never touched. I see a pregancy album for Matthew. The dark blue, I think, is the police album I DID start for dh. The white might be my scrapbook for our trip to London. In 1991. Spiral? Who knows...
Oh! below that shelf... the purple is pregnancy with McKenna, one of Matthew's 2nd year (I think) album and ... gosh, what IS that beige colored one? This is the cubby and cabinet below those shelves. The white is my unfinished wedding scrapbook. The photo album is college-aged pics, from 11 years ago-ish. Oh! There is one shelf for dh's police reference books and under that... ?

To the right of that desk, shelves and cubbies, a file cabinet. This is the junk on top of it.

Old albums that really need to be scrapped Creative Memories-style... One day, in my spare time.

thanks.

I know I didn't say much except behind some closed doors, but Doug had knee surgery on Wednesday. After waiting around all day the simple arthrscopy stayed simple. Thank God. It appears that we have some answers after he rehabbed and p.t.'d after weeks and one pain just wasn't going away. The surgery was justified after all - doc saw torn cartilidge and repaired right then. He said other than a bruised ACL, Doug's knee is "beautiful", including the miniscus tear, which is now healed. Long day. Boring day. Simple day. Doug's feeling it today, I have him on round-the-clock meds, which he hates, but it's just imperative. Should be off crutches and mobile by Saturday.

Matthew's going to Georgia with my parents this weekend, so say prayers, k? It's the first time I've let him go longer than a sleepover, and certainly the first time on a plane without me. I know he travels well and he is just over the moon about seeing his cousin, his "favorite person in the whole wide world." What a guy!

We also have our first competition of the season on Saturday, something I feel completely unprepared for, but it's happening anyway. I'm guessing it'll be a rough meet, but one that will jump start us and give us feedback for the rest of the season.

That's it. Quick recap. Hoping no more major disasters before the New Year. I really need a New Year. =)

lk

did ya hear?

There's a new card in town!
http://minicards.blogspot.com/

October begins...

...with Doug in p.t. and possibly just 6 weeks to go.

Matthew finally adjusting in school. He and his teacher have a behavior calendar and he's been in the "green" for two weeks now. We practiced a fire drill (as per his homework and to relieve some of his fire fears); he was scared but brave.

McKenna still not sleeping through the night but the 4th molar is in. Walking, running and climbing as usual.

I'm still running around like a chicken but it's getting easier. I have my weekend choreographing I've been doing and that's a nice active outing. I've also walked every nice day after I drop Matthew at the bus.

Only gotten a little scrapping done, with TTT's October Fancy Pants kit, but I have 2 kits from ScrapStreet ready to go, too. Just lookin' for the time. :)

My parents are home from Nicaragua, safe and sound. They had a very tiring but endlessly joyful medical and missions trip. My aunt could again, however, use some prayers.

Off to apple & pumpkin picking today with my mom, hopefully avoiding the rain!

Vintage Moon is kicking my ass!

Seriously! I can't put it down = good. But I can't pick anything else up = bad! I can't seem to get excited about anything else I have ready to scrap with, I only have eyes for Vintage Moon. *sigh* Tried to pick up pink and purple, my fav girlie colors for a girlie layout and... nada! The only problem with Vintage Moon? I've run out of it. :( Here's what I did for TTT and for me:

healing is the process

Yes, we're home and healing in all ways. Simplifying life, I guess you could say. I've been so busy taking care of the rest of the family, I've forgotten to take time out for myself... to take time out for Jesus. I did that today, spent most of service in tears and made a new friend who began a friendship by offering a tissue. Love that. Listen to CENTER in my playlist. HE was talking to me today. I'm blessed in so many ways.



If ya have a spare moment, say a prayer for my parents who are down on a medical missions trip in Nicaragua. All I know right now is that they've arrived safely and have begun the first of 9 18-hour days. They'll be sharing the Message tonight with some who have never even seen a church. How amazing that they may know Jesus by nightfall.



After putting the Bible down, I find myself in scrap therapy. Have done a few sketches lately and have been asked to be a feature sketch artist, which is really fun. I'll share more on that when I can. Here's one of the latest, a Pink Sketch. It just makes me happy.

Toby, 3

I can't thank you, my online friends and family, enough for your love and support. However, all the hopes and prayers in the world couldn't have kept Toby with us. His anemia level had dropped another 2 points and if he was a walking amazement at the levels 10 and 8, he was a walking miracle at 6. All this was highly indicative of a bone marrow defiency, most likey cancer. He just wouldn't give up - couldn't, I guess. Such a stubborn, strong-willed pup, living on meds and for us, I guess.

We got him thru his 3rd birthday Saturday, which he enjoyed throroughly even tho it rained all day. He got a special treat of ice cream and Milkbones, and you'da thunk he'd struck gold. Eventually, he ditched the Milkbones and dove straight into the cup of ice cream.

Sunday was absolutely beautiful and sunny and peaceful and he spent most of the day outside, laying in one or two of his favorite sunny spots.

He had breakfast of bacon and dog bits and later passed peacefully at the vet.

Telling Matthew was not as hard as we had thought. He's still asking question after question and is sad every once in a while, but it passes quick as it comes.
It's quiet around here now, the healing process set to begin.

Thanks, again. I couldn't have, and will not, get through these times without friends like you.

LK

I sure could use some good news.

Updates:

Doug is the same. Mom & I have almost talked him into a 2nd opinion @ the hosp for special surgery in NY. We just don't really trust his (dad's) ortho and would like to hear about it from someone else. He'll have another MRI scheduled in a few weeks to determine if surgery is needed.

McKenna - all results from bloodwork came back perfect except for a "questionable" but "nothing to worry about" value under Lime. Anyone know anything about it? I'm going to call in to the doc to ask more ques. This "questionable" value was 41. That's all I know. Her ortho appt is Wednesday, both 2-year recheck of her hips from her baby dysplasia and for him to look over this injury, the two apparently unrelated. She's limping a lot less, mostly in pain only at night.

Toby, the dog - things don't look good. His hematocrit (sp) levels came back today very low, both indicative that he's not producing new red blood cells/platelets and that this is most likely bone marrow cancer. After his significant dive in health last weekend, he got better but has planed since. He's just so not himself. Doc is giving him till Tues., another 5 days on this course of meds and vitamins to see if his anemia #s come up. If they do, we'll keep going. If they don't, he recommends euthanizing. Nothing looks promising. His 3rd birthday is tomorrow, the 6th. He's on antibiotics (3 pills), prednizone (6 pills), iron supplement (3 tsp/day) and vitamins (3/day).

Life is going on, but I sure could use some good news.
Got this quote today via email:

September 05, 2008
Quote of the Day
"I have always believed that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value."
– Hermann Hesse

School, Kindergarten and Buses, oh my!

So we survived the 1st day of school & the 1st bus ride... but just barely.

The morning went great - breakfast, dress, even a little Wii before school. Doug's parents and my mom and neighbor came down to the buststop and we got cute ordinary pics and Matthew went on no problems, hesitations or anything! He loves his driver, Mr. Fisher. A friend who was dropping her kids off to school said she saw Matthew get off the bus and walk in all macho and with a huge smile to his new big school. What a relief!

Although 2 gf's and I have some reservations about this new K teacher, today (day 2) seemed to go better. Still comparing notes and stories and deciding where to take it.

While Doug, McKenna, nighbor and my dad waited yesterday after school, the bus home was a diff story... apparently they had a substitute bus driver for the way home and she had no idea where she was going! Not only was she 25 minutes late, but she tried to drop Matthew off in the next development over. He came off that bus sobbing! I felt so bad! Called school and bus garage and made sure it wouldn't happen again, and today was perfectly smooth. Met his afternoon bus driver and she is very nice. Just a very few minutes late and she was smiling and talking and called Matthew by name. Whew!

Oh, and I'm a soccer mom!! Matthew absolutely loved soccer last night. The first thing he asked me this morning was if he had soccer today! Although the league is still reorganzing - he's now on Team Venezuela and his first game is the 13th. Would you believe the phone just rang and it was his new coach?! Funny! Anyway, he's SO cute all dressed and was really diggin' the soccer stuff! What a man!

We have Toby's appointment in about 45 minutes. They'll redraw blood and we'll find out if this treatment is working. I'll keep y'all posted.

Did I mention that 1/2 of McKenna's bloodwork came back and all is perfect. That's not lime and things like that, but so far, so good. She's even been limping less, so I go back to state that I really think it's an injury - either knee or pulled muscle in calf or thigh... let's hope!