Gettin' Dirty...

Since Mia is gone for a few days, Jeremy and I suckered Auntie Shawnie into watching Sophie for us yesterday afternoon while we took the 4-wheelers out. WHAT FUN!!! I wish we had more trails near us - it took about an hour to get to the trails - but I guess you gotta take what you can get. Because it's been so dry around here, there wasn't a lot of mud or water to play in but we did get dusty. :) I even did one "climb"! I was pretty proud! I'm not really brave on my 4-wheeler, I like to just tour on the trails and play in some mud and water... I'm not a "climber". I like level terrain with a few smallish "climbs". LOL!

Of course, there is always a price to pay when having fun... my allergies kicked into high gear once we were done. All that dust and pollen in the air took hold and I was MISERABLE. I was out cold by 8pm last night. Good thing Sophie went down (and stayed down!) relatively easy last night so I could get some much needed shut-eye. Dealing with allergies and running on approximately 4 hours of sleep doesn't do a body much good.

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #15

Well, I tried! I was going to play along this month in Dawn McVey's color challenge but due to my HORRIBLE internet connection (hopefully that will be taken care of soon!) that didn't work out like I planned.

This is the color combo she came up with this month (that Dawn... She's a genious!):

Here's my take!

~~~SUPPLIES~~~

Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, PTI Spring Moss, PTI In Bloom in Melon Berry

Stamps: PTI Butterfly Kisses, PTI 2008 Holiday Tag Collection

Ink: PTI Vintage Cream, PTI Tea Dye Due, Versamark Dazzle

Other: PTI Vintage Cream Grosgrain Ribbon, PTI Hibiscus Burst Bitty Dot Ribbon, PTI Rustic Cream Twine, Lace, Pink Rhinestones, PTI Hibiscus Burst Buttons, pop dots

**PTI - Papertrey Ink***

Sad Mommy...

Well, she's off. Mia, that is. She went on a mini-vacation with Grandma and Grandpa Sonday until Tuesday. I know she'll be fine as there will be a lot of other family members there as well but I'm a mom... I still worry. She was BEYOND excited though so that's good. I had to work this morning so I said my goodbye's early. Jeremy took her over to their house to get her and her stuff loaded and she couldn't wait to just get in the truck and go.

I got up this morning and came downstairs and made her 3 little love notes for Grandma to read to her... one for every morning. Here they are. I hope she likes them!

More cards....

***EDITED TO INCLUDE SUPPLY LISTS!!!!!***

This is the invite for Sophie's 1st Birthday party in Wisconsin. Aren't they the CUTEST?!?!? I just absolutely LOVE how they turned out! The template came from here.


~~~Supplies~~~
Paper: Misc Pink paper, PTI Kraft, PTI White
Stamps: Swiss Dot background
Ink: Brown, White
Other: Lace, ribbon, pop dots, Marvey Scalloped Circle Punch (can't remember what size now), PTI Sweet Blush Button, PTI Rustic Cream Twine

This past June, our beloved day care provider decided to call it quits. This is just a Thank You card I made for her for everything she has done for us and the WONDERFUL care she provided for our daughters for the past 3 years.

~~~SUPPLIES~~~
Paper: PTI Kraft, PTI Vintage Cream, K&Co Bailey
Stamps: PTI Butterfly Kisses
Ink: CTMH Cranberry, Misc for distressing
Other: PTI Button, ribbon, PTI Rustic Cream Twine (LOVE THIS STUFF!!!), Stickles, CTMH Edge Distresser tool, Marvey Scalloped Circle Punches

Get Well card for my mom's friend that had surgery recently.



~~~SUPPLIES~~~
Paper: PTI Smokey Shadow, PTI Sweet Blush
Stamp: PTI Paper Tray
Ink: CTMH Topiary
Other: White ribbon, PTI New Leaf Ribbon, PTI Sweet Blush Button, PTI Rustic Cream Twine, brads, rhinestone

Birthday card for a friend


~~~SUPPLIES~~~
Paper: PTI Soft Stone, PTI Spring Rain, PTI Ripe Avocado
Stamps: Misc
Ink: CTMH Bubblegum
Other: PTI Hibiscus Burst Ribbon, PTI Hibiscus Burst Button, Prima flowers, Marvey Scalloped Circle Punches

Wedding card... Totally CASE'd from here

~~~SUPPLIES~~~
Paper: Shimmery Blue, PTI White, white tissue paper
Stamps: PTI Piece of Cake, PTI Butterfly Kisses
Ink: Versamark Dazzle, CTMH Dutch Blue
Other: Cuttlebug and Divine Swirls Embossing Folder, CM Cutting System

Misc card I made over a year ago and just found in with some paper.

~~~SUPPLIES~~~

Paper: PTI Kraft

Stamps: Rusty Pickle, misc

Ink: Versamark

Other: Deja Views Die cuts and stickers (I think!)

Misc Thank You's that I made to have on hand. These were originally supposed to be the thank you's sent for Mia's 3rd Birthday but never did get mailed. :( SORRY!!! Mia picked out the pretty shimmery lavender (although it's hard to tell from the aweful photo) paper and the pretty pink dragonfly ribbon.

~~~SUPPLIES~~~

Paper: PTI White, shimmery lavender

Stamps: PTI Teacher's Apple

Ink: SU! (I don't know what color it was...)

Other: Dragonfly punch, Stickles, Marvey Oval Scalloped Punch, ribbon, Cuttlebug and Thanks embossing folder

Miscellaneous "Teacher" cards I made for an upcoming craft show.

~~~SUPPLIES~~~

Paper: PTI Kraft, PTI Pure Poppy

Stamps: PTI Teachers Apple, flourish (Autumn Leaves maybe???)

Ink: CTMH Archival Black, PTI Pure Poppy, CTMH Topiary

Other: Ribbon, Cuttlebug and Houndstooth embossing folder

Just some misc cards I made one night

~~~SUPPLIES~~~

Paper: PTI White, PTI Lavender Moon

Stamps: PTI Butterfly Kisses

Ink: SU! (not sure of the color) and PTI Sunflower (Palette Ink)

Other: PTI Lemon Tart ribbon, PTI Lemon Tart Button, PTI Rustic Jute Twine, Cuttlebug and Swiss Dot embossing folder

Thank you's for Sophie's 1st Birthday... I DID get these out at least!!!

~~~SUPPLIES~~~

Paper: PTI Kraft

Stamps: PTI Teacher's Apple, misc (cupcake)

Ink: Brown

Other: Pink Souffle Pen, White gel pen, Stickles

Just felt like playing with the owlies!

~~~SUPPLIES~~~

Paper: PTI Dark Chocolate, PTI Spring Moss, PTI In Bloom in Orange Zest

Stamps: PTI Wise Owl

Ink: Brown, Orange

Other: Pink ricrac, Pink brads, lace, Cutterbee Piercing Bugs

OK... I lied...

Since I found some pictures I had forgotton about, this is just going to be a little bit of everything post...

Horse cart races we watched at the Nicollet County Fair

Getting ready for the garage sale last June. I had overflow into the kitchen. LOTS of stuff... didn't sell very much though. Sold A LOT more this past Friday. Different location = BIGGER sales...

Swap Cards for last month: All White and Owls

I don't remember all of the supplies I used but I'll do my best to "remember" at the end of this post.

Miscellaneous cards I made to have on hand. I found a layout that I liked and just went with it. I had just received PTI's In Bloom patterned paper in the mail and couldn't wait to play! I used one of every color that I had cardstock to match! HEE! It was SOOOOO fun!!

My aunt and uncles' dog, Darby, passed away so I thought this would be a good one for them. I added a print out of "Rainbow Bridge" to the inside front cover.

***** Supply list will be added later.....

Better Pictures and Other "stuff"...

Here's some better pictures of the card I did last week. I finally found my camera cord so I could get those pictures off instead of just the ones from my phone.

Mia got in to get her bangs trimmed today. We took some tomatoes fresh from our garden to Susie. I wanted to give them to her in something besides just a boring old sack so I recycled a paper sack. It had a sticker on it of the store that it came from so I quickly searched my "already made but didn't like so didn't use" stash and found the perfect cut and distressed patterned paper and an already stamped and trimmed house. I could find the exact sentiment that I wanted so I just went with a "generic" Just for you from PTI's 2008 Holiday Tags set. I added a little lace to the bottom and attached the house with pop dots. Tied a few scrap pieces of ribbon around one of the handles and voila! DONE!

I also just made my Frankie "boo buckets" but I don't want to post them just yet. I will say though, they are some of the CUTEST little guys EVAH!!!!

I just put Sophie down for the night and Mia is in the next room just giggling away at "Bambi". Time for me to sign off and get back to making a few more Frankie's for the upcoming craft show! CAN'T WAIT!!!

Tootles!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Supplies* (Gift Bag)

~ Paper: K&Co Bailey

~ Stamps: PTI 2008 Holiday Tag Collection; Martha Stewart Gingerbread
~ Ink: Brown
~ Other: Lace, PTI Vintage Cream Grosgrain and Ocean Tides Twill Ribbon

Glad that's over...

Last weekend, that is. Whew.... I'm STILL tired! Garage sale Friday night, work Saturday morning and early afternoon, family get together Saturday afternoon/early evening, work Saturday night/early Sunday morning.... I didn't do much of anything all day on Sunday and didn't get anything accomplished after work yesterday either. I am feeling much better today though and actually feel like I could get SOMETHING accomplished when I get home tonight.

Looks like the rain has stopped for the day so I'll probably put on my waders and get into the garden for some tomatoes and zucchini. I'm kind of afraid though... I KNOW I have a TON of zucchini's out there... just will have to wade thru all of the vines to get to them. Ugh... NOT looking forward to that part. My zucchini's and pumpkins are OUT.OF.CONTROL this year. GREAT crop, just not enough time to maintain it properly!

Honestly, that's about all I have to report today... pretty boring. I think the girls and I will head to the mall tomorrow. Mia needs a new pair of tennis shoes before she heads out on a mini-vacation with Grandma and Grandpa Sonday this weekend for a few days.

Tootles!

Wicked Weather and Rocktar's

We had a little excitement in our neck of the woods last night... some tornadic activity! We didn't get anything at our house but near us there was some rotation in the clouds so we were on the lookout.

I could see that it was very dark out in the west and a little north of us but right over our house it was sunny. There were tornado warnings in other counties but it didn't sound like it was going to be near us so I decided I would brave the muddy garden (it rained a lot earlier in the day yesterday) because I knew there were a few things that had to get out before they became over-ripe. I was halfway thru my inspection of my tomatoe plants when the siren went off. I finished picking my tomatoes and got them into the house but I still wanted to partially clean the kohlrabi before bringing in all the mud and dirt from those so there I am, tornado sirens blaring, hacking away at the probably 10 kohlrabi I had JUST plucked from the garden, just so I didn't bring dirt into the house. What was I thinking??? Jeremy was inside with the girls and watching the "play by play" of the storm on our local TV station down in the basement.

When I finally got that done, I went inside, checked a few things, and picked up the playroom, then Jeremy and I went back outside on our deck and visited with the neighbors while watching the storm roll thru to the west and north of us. Pretty amazing... great lightning show.

Once the storm kind of dissapated and wasn't going to pose as a threat anymore, the "regular programming" came back on which was "America's Got Talent". Since I was busy picking up in the basement, I didn't really pay much attention to what was on and figured it was OK for Mia to watch that for a bit. She likes those shows because they will have dancing in them. Anywho... Daughtry eventually came on and Mia just about climbed right out of her skin.

Mia: "Mommy! Mommy! I want one of those!!!"
Me: "One of what, Mia?"
Mia: "One of those!"
Me: "One of what?!"
Mia "One of those!!! One of those rocktar's!"
Me: "A guitar?"
Mia: "Yeah! A tar! I want a pink one!"
Me: "Why? So you can be Hannah Montana?"
Mia: (said VERY seriously) "Yes."
*break*
Mia: (during the interview with Daughtry when he was done performing) "Mommy! I want that!"
Me: "What?"
Mia: "THAT!!!"
Me: "What?!"
Mia: "THAT!!!!!!!"
Me: "A strap?"
Mia: "YEAH!!! A strap!!! For my rocktar! Then I can sing "Lime in the Coconut"!!!"
*this is where I lost it*

So, in my house, I have a Hannah Montana wanna-be that wants a pink rocktar with a strap who will sing "Lime in the Coconut".

I love my life.

Bittersweet...

Although I'm terribly saddened by Brett Favre POSSIBLY signing with the Vi-Queens today (how could a man of such greatness stoop so low?!?!? BLECH!!!) I will, however, get to at least WATCH him play again. Because I live in this God forsaken land called Minnesota, I rarely got to watch the Packers play (and it was an even rarer occassion to catch a Jets game) because the Vi-Queens always trumped the Packers on our local stations. Bah... Should have stayed with DirecTV and the Sunday NFL Ticket...

Pretty Excited!!!

HEE!!! That last post WORKED!!!!!! WAHOO!!!!!!!!!




*** sorry.... just had celebrate a little. :D

New Card

Sorry for the HORRIBLE picture but I'm just getting started with this whole blogging and posting my "work" thing and I don't have a light tent or anything that would even remotely resemble one so, take what you can get I guess! LOL!!! Plus, I took this with my phone and emailed it to myself so I could get it posted. I don't have my camera cord with me today so again, take it or leave it! LOL!!!

I got the layout idea from a GORGEOUS card that Dawn McVey (if you haven't ever visited her blog, RUN, don't walk to her blog right now and check it out... she is a source of FABULOUS inspiration!!!) posted on Sunday. The only "neutral" or "cream" thread I had is SUPER heavy (I didn't realize that when I bought it) so the stitching is pretty out of whack but all in all, I was pretty pleased with the end result. Thanks for looking!!!

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

*Supplies* (All are Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted)

~ Paper: Kraft, 2008 Bitty Box Basics in Ocean Tides, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise and Dark Chocolate and Dark Chocolate and Vintage Cream cardstock

~ Stamps: Teachers Apple

~ Ink: Pure Poppy, Vintage Touch Tea Dye Duo, Garden Green (CTMH), Brown

~ Other: Clear Rhinestone, Thread, ACTUAL vintage buttons from my stash, Fiskars scalloped scissors (cloud)

Monday's are the PITS!!!

I hate Mondays... they come to quick and then when they get here, they are here for what feels like FOR-E-VER!!!!!

Had a great day Saturday weeding in my gardens but then my allergies got the best of me so it was into the house I went for the rest of the night (boo hoo!!!) Picked cabbage, onion, broccoli, cucumbers, tomatoes and kohlrabi and had THE BEST cucumber and tomato sandwich for lunch on Saturday. YUMMMMMY!!! Just a hint of mayo and ranch dressing..... ugh... BLISS!!! Mia must have really liked the tomatoes too because she ate one whole tomato all by herself plus the couple of slices left over from my sandwich.

On Sunday morning I was feeling much better so I cleaned all of the produce. I made cole slaw out of most of the head of cabbage and the other part I chopped up and threw into the crock pot with a pork roast, a packet of dry onion soup and a can of cream of mushroom soup. SOOOOOO GOOD!!!!! I will definitely be doing that again!!! I also made a salted peanut cake. Another YUMMMMMM!!!!!! Then in the afternoon, I just did some laundry and was lazy and watched TV for most of the afternoon. Played with the girls too, of course. Jeremy worked until noon then came home just long enough to eat the frozen pizza I threw in the oven for him and then went to his parents' house to help his dad work on his truck for the rest of the afternoon. Went for a short walk with Mia and Skylar (on their bikes) to the gas station to get milk and some frosting for the cake and that was about it for the weekend! Nothing grandios but busy and great just the same.

Tootles!

GREAT day planned today!!!

Just a quick fly-by post...

The day started out pretty good; pretty normal.

I'm having lunch with a dear friend, Jenny, today at Big Dog..... mmmmmm.... SEAFOOD PASTA!!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!! Then, after work its off to Barnes and Noble for some coffee and good conversation with Brookie!

This weekend I have more dates with the laundry pile and some SERIOUS quality time with my craft area.... I've got an order for 5 journals, a wedding card AND a birthday card!!! Plus, I just found out earlier this week that there is a craft show coming up mid-September that I want to get some product done up for... BUSY BUSY BUSY!!!! Add in to that a mix of time with the girls and hubby... WHEW!!!!

With that said, gotta fly!!! Work (yuk) is calling my name... (oh joy... NOT!!!)

ANOTHER week gone???

Honestly, I don't think I know whether I'm coming or going anymore these days!

Had a GREAT day with the girls yesterday. The Nicollet County Fair started yesterday so I thought we'd take a stroll over there just to check everything out. Although we had fun, I was sad for Mia (and Sophie too). None of the animals were there yet. :( Mia was SOOOOO excited to see horses and cows and pigs and sheep and......... but we only saw horses and they were the ones in the horse cart races. I guess the technical term is harness racing??? I don't know... We watched a few races but I could tell the girls were getting bored so we left and came back home. Not a wasted day, just disappointing. I think I'll try to head back over there this weekend sometime so she can see the animals.

I did tell Mia that the next time we went to St Peter, we were going to go play on the AWESOME playground I stumbled upon and then go for ice cream after. She was all for that.

Last night Jeremy had a fireman's meeting so the girls and I headed back outside and I picked up the weeds I had pulled a few days ago and then weeded out my hosta bed. I've got a few more beds to weed out and then I should be good.... for about a week when I have to start all over again. *sigh* Weeding out the wildflower bed is a beast in and of itself. Since this is my first year of it, I'm not exactly sure which are weeds and which are flowers! I was going to pull these HUGE plants awhile ago because I thought they were weeds.... I'm now glad I didn't! They are just starting to bloom and although I have no idea what they are, they are GORGEOUS!!! My dahlia's are still coming up nicely... I can't WAIT until they bloom!!!!

Well, that's about all... kind of a boring week so far but it's been busy none-the-less. I have a hot date with some laundry tonight. FUN TIMES!!!!!

Adios!

Another WONDERFUL weekend!!!

Had a GREAT weekend scrapbooking with friends at Reflections Retreat. Had a SUPER SUPER SUPER fantastic time!!! Got lots of scrapping done, TONS of giggles and conversation and virtually NO sleep! I'm ready to do it all over again next weekend!!! Ok... so maybe I need SOME rest but really, I could do that so often it's not even funny...

I know not everyone will see this as this blog is, basically, just getting "started" but just wanted to say:

Heather: So glad you let me come along with you to share my things! LOL!!! I LOVE YOU DEARIE!!! *smooches* (and BIG hugs for Sunday :( )
Jen #1: I {heart} you! 'Nuf said...
Jen #2: Boy pages are BORING!!!! Ok... so they weren't that bad... my heart just wasn't into to doing that book this weekend but thank you for the encouragement to keep me going!
Gretchen: I don't even know where to start... I honestly think that it only took us about 2 seconds to get to Rochester... I don't remember ANY of the drive other than the GREAT chatting we got done! You are a complete DOLL and I'm so glad we had all of those, in my opinion, much needed conversations. Call ANYTIME!!! I'd love to do more with you and your family. ;)
Ashley: Was so nice to meet you! Have a WONDERFUL trip! Hopefully we'll scrap together again soon after your vacation so I can see some pictures!
Charlene: I'm glad you joined us! Hope you had a good time!
Melissa: Ahhh Melissa... It was a GREAT pleasure to meet you! Thank you for ALL of the laughs!!! See you around on scrapbook.com!
And to the 3 ladies in the back corner (I'm sorry... I can't remember all of your names!): You are true sweethearts! It was a PLEASURE meeting all of you! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your Cricut cartridges with us!

And last, but DEFINETLY, not least, Sara (and Dan too... hee :) ): Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for creating such an AMAZING place for us to come and visit. It really is a special place. You've taken great care in making it really feel like a "home away from home" and have thought of so many of the "little things". The make and take was great and such a wonderful bonus to the weekend! I hope to be able to come back (sooner than later)!!!

Oh, and a very SPECIAL thank you to my husband... Thank you for letting me get away on these little weekends to regroup myself. I really truely do appreciate everything that you do for me and the girls even though I'm not the best at expressing it. You have a lot of "freebie" weekends coming to you for all of the times you've allowed me to get away (yes, I'm keeping track ;). I LOVE YOU!!!

Family Shots

I wanted to get a picture of Sophie with everyone at the party so I can make an album of her first birthday. I have an album for Mia of all of her baby showers but being that Sophie is a 2nd child, it isn't customary to have a shower for the subsequent children around here and I wanted to do something for Sophie for later in life.

I have 2 of the luckiest little girls in the WORLD!!! Their families love them SOO much (and spoil them ROTTEN!!!)

Auntie Debbie (my sister) lovin' on Sophie...

Aunt Shirley and Uncle Brad (my brother) (Brett and Nichole's parents)...

My nephew Brett, niece Nichole and Sophie and Mia... (all the grandkids)


Great Aunt Jean and Great Uncle Arnie...

Grandma Karen and Grandpa Jerry (my mom and dad)...

Great Aunt Marianne and Great Uncle Bob...

Great Aunt Corrine and Great Uncle Jim...