Sunday Catch-Up

It's Sunday. I played hookie from church and stayed home. I am in perfectly good health. I just felt the call of the wild I suppose.

Did some online shopping with a $25 gift certificate I had to Scrap Orchard. I brought in the Sunday paper and pulled out he coupons and sale ads. I proceeded to clip, snip & browse thru the ads for the next 1/2 hour. Then I had to pick up all the left over ads I threw on the floor as I was done with them and pitch them. Would make so much more sense to bring the little trash can over to ME while I do the snipping. Next, I filed my coupons in my coupon organizer.

I called mom to see what she thought about us going up to Kohl's to just browse. She was all over that idea :) Yeah, and my "just browsing" idea cost me $56 but left with a new pair of black shoes that I have been seriously needing for months now. I found a this reed diffuser and just about

did a happy dance in the store when I saw the Eucalyptus & Mint scent. That was my absolute favorite scent in the same reed diffuser from Party Lite except this little baby only cost me $12.49 (on sale)! Then I found a cute little outfit for Caiden for his birthday next week. I love the Jumping Beans line at Kohl's. You can mix & match tops/bottoms and they were on sale for 2/$12 today. Sweet! Mom wanted to look at PJ's. I had already looked at them but as I was helping her find some I came across an adorable, crisp, white, cotton, eyelet 3/4 length night gown with wide spaghetti straps & a big ruffle at the bottom. I just had to have it. It looks so comfy. That was the extent of my "browsing spree". Lord, I will be in big trouble when our Kohl's opens up later this fall.

From there we went to Best Buy where I bought this..........

A new 22" LCD TV for my bedroom. I went in planning to buy the advertised 19" on sale for $159 but the salesman told me about an unadvertised special on the 22" for just $171. I am so happy. I have not had a TV in my bedroom for months since my little rinky-dinky 13" TV/VCR combo died. My poor couch has suffered the brunt of this problem, too, as I fall asleep every night as I watch a brainless TV show! Next stop was Value City Furniture where I dropped mom off to look for some new wall decor and I waited in the car. I had planned to go to Archiver's, however, I had spent more than enough $$ for one day.........shoot, one MONTH is more like it. Home was the final destination (after I ran thru McDonalds to grab a large iced tea, unsweetened). I hooked up my TV and all works perfectly. Except for the fact I need to call AT&T to get my Uverse remote synced to the TV so I don't have to use 2 remotes! Now I can lie in my bed and fall asleep watching this hunka hunka burnin' love......

Mr. Timothy Olyphant in Justified

Here are a few layouts I have done recently but don't think I have blogged yet. This first one uses a template from Brandy Designs from the Fingerprints 4 set and the kit is from Lyndsay Riches Designs called Playful. This is Mr. Trev having a blast on his slide!!!



This one uses a template from Fizzy Pop Designs....a bundle pack of templates I bought from her. I needed to do a layout using this kit, Dino Safari, from Brandy Designs. It is due to release next week. I remembered these photos I had of Trevor out in their yard, exploring. I thought they worked well with the kit.



And this one.....a new favorite of mine.......is using a template from DeCrow Designs, Blueprint No.9 and a kit from Wild Dandelion Designs called Day by Day. This Caiden and I absolutely love how he is standing at this fence with his little foot propped up and his chin resting on his hands. He is gazing at some cows in the pasture and he looks like he would be thinking "someday I am gonna rope me a cow....someday!!"


I have some more layouts but cannot post them just yet since they won't release for a little while.

In other exciting scrapbooking news........I was asked by the owners of Scrap Orchard to come on board and work for them in the capacity of Facebook Updater/Poster. I replied telling Kami I would try it on a 1 month trial basis to see if #1 I could handle it and #2 They were happy with my efforts. It's been a few weeks and I received an email from her yesterday with a gift certificate for my first months work. She sent it to me early so I could take advantage of the 45% off sale they are having this weekend. How very sweet of her to think of me like that. She said they were very happy with my posts. So, looks like I will stick with it. I will be paid in gift certificates to the store where I get to buy all my favorite scrapbooking kits & goodies! Yay!

It has been a lovely Sunday. Sad to see the weekend end especially considering the 8:15 a.m. appointment I have with a certain irs lady tomorrow. I pray the information I gathered for her will be just what she needs to close this case on our business so I can finally breathe again.

Have a great week! I will be back sometime to post more layouts :)

xoxoxo
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Yummy Recipe & Some Layouts

I was searching online for cholesterol friendly recipes since my dr. said mine is a bit elevated. I ended up at the website for the cholesterol lowering drug, Crestor. They have some yummy recipes in the Tools & Resources section. Here is one I tried tonight. OMGosh, it was so good.

Pesto Chicken With Penne Pasta

	Nonstick vegetable cooking spray 1/4 tsp olive oil 1/4 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1" pieces 1 sliced green onion, including green tops 1/4 (13 3/4 oz) can water-packed artichoke hearts, drained, sliced	1 tbsp basil pesto 1 tbsp low-fat sour cream 2 oz whole-wheat penne pasta, cooked according to package directions without salt or fat 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese 3 vine-ripened tomatoes, halved
	Nutrient content per serving:
	Total calories: 496 Protein: 39 g Carbohydrates: 49 g Fat: 16 g Calories from fat: 29%	Cholesterol: 76 mg Sodium: 437 mg Fiber: 8 g Saturated fat: 4 g
	Instructions: In a skillet sprayed with nonstick vegetable cooking spray, over medium-high heat, add olive oil. When hot, add chicken pieces and cook 4 to 5 minutes, or until done. Transfer chicken pieces to a plate and set aside. Add green onion to the skillet and cook 1 to 2 minutes. Add artichoke hearts, basil pesto, and low-fat sour cream. Stir well and add back chicken pieces. Add cooked penne pasta and mix well. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Makes 1 serving.

I rejoined Weight Watchers Online and have been preparing to start the weight loss journey again. I am going to the store later this week to stock up on all my fave healthy foods. I {heart} salads with lots of fresh veggies and some turkey or chicken breast thrown in for protein. I bought a new salad spinner from Bed Bath & Beyond. I have lots of containers for freezing & storing foods/meals. It is my plan to spend this Sunday afternoon cooking for the upcoming week. As for exercise....I have not made up my mind what I am going to do. I am very very nervous about joining the gym again with my knee problem. I am giving thought to searching Craigslist for a used Elliptical for at home. However, going this route will require me to remove my couch from the living room, which I "think" I am okay with as I still have my recliner. I don't want the elliptical in the basement because, well, my basement is scary. Between the spiders, the crickets on steroids that can jump 50ft in one leap, and just plain creepiness....well, let's just say it isn't a place I want to exercise in. No, I would rather be able to watch TV while I sweat.

This upcoming weekend is National Scrapbooking Weekend which means TONS and I mean TONS of fun things happening in digi-world. I recently decided to take the rest of April off from my creative team responsibilities, however, I was doing so well on my weight loss preparations that I decided to go ahead and scrap anyway. Here are a few things I have done that I don't think I have blogged about.

Using an upcoming kit from Lyndsay Riches called Berry Delight

Memaw is getting sweet kisses from Trevor & Caiden.

Ahhh, the tulips in my front yard. Only a few bloomed but the ones that did were gorgeous!

I used several items from various TaylorMade Designs kits & the SMILE border was from DeCrow Designs called "A Word In Edgewise"

Created for a Scrap Orchard Challenge where we had to use just ONE word on our page, either Fresh or Grow/Growing

The kit, So Delightful by LCC Amy Stoffel & the photos are courtesy of Wikipedia

An upcoming kit by Amy Stoffel called Sweet Tart & also using one of Amy's templates for the design.

I am working on a layout of Caiden riding the same tricycle but these photos went really well with this kit!

Using another upcoming kit by Amy Stoffel called To The Moon as well as some new templates by Scrapping With Liz called, Background Templates

Same kit as above, from Amy Stoffel

I have had these photos of Trevor for quite awhile now so I was excited to finally get to use them.

Brandy Designs needed a layout using her kit, Ki Ki. I remembered these photos of Trevor from Sept 2009!!!!

Again, Brandy needed a layout done with one of her kits and this is one using her kit, Gone Fishin'.

These are some photos from mine & Dad's trip to (well, you can see where). Perfect for this kit of Brandy's.

And, that about catches you up. Thanks for stopping by. Let me know if you try the recipe I posted....would love to know if you love it as much as I do. God bless :)

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Hump Day Post

I really don't like that I am not blogging as much as I used to :( Thought I would jump on and say hello to my many...okay, 3 followers, LMBO!

There has been lots going on at work and in my life personally recently. Work has finally picked up again so that is a definite praise. I would really like to take a Fri/Mon combo off just have some time away but not sure that is happening anytime soon.

Many many prayer requests being lifted up this last week. Bill Satterthwaite (father of my bff's DD) recovering from colon surgery & now battling a severe blood infection. Shawn Smith & his family in the loss of Shawn's father. However, his dad came to know Jesus during his battle with cancer so we also rejoice in knowing he is fully healed & walking in heaven right now. My mom continues to have complications from her knee replacement surgery. Swelling in her legs (lymphodema) and more recently battling a terrible headache. A friend of mine is moving this weekend and we have yet to find just 2 strong guys to help with the heavy/bulky items. One of my digi-world friends, Trina, lost her grandmother to a stroke this week and is having a very hard time with the loss. Just so many needs.

I, myself, have some good news. My blood work came back normal with the exception of some elevated cholesterol. So, I have reset my eye appt and go in Friday to get my new glasses. Can't wait to no longer have blurry vision in my right eye!

I am beginning a new journey starting in May.....more on that later though. Yes, I am keeping you in limbo so deal!

Leaving you with some recent layouts or at least layouts done since my last post:

Done for a challenge about reflections using She's A Hoot by Wild Dandelion Designs

Caiden looking so happy as he runs around on Easter day!

Using a collab kit from Amanda Heimann Designs & SuzyQ Scraps called Going Green

Same kit....the boys on Easter Sunday while hunting eggs!

Gorgeous kit Amy Stoffel is coming out with on 4/23 called So Delightful

Same kit....another RAK layout for Ramona (her girls are so easy to scrap!)

Another upcoming release from Amy Stoffel & Krystal Hartley called Artesia & yep, another RAK for Ramona...this kit was made for these photos!!!

Kit called Out Of This World by Brandy Designs @ Polka Dot Plum

Same kit...Trevor and his classic Trevor face!

And so, now I can relax for a few days since I finally blogged! Hope the rest of your week is filled with abundant blessings!!

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Dabbling in Hybrid-land

Okay, so many of you who know me or follow my blog may remember that last fall I packed up nearly all of my traditional scrapbooking supplies. I was going to sell them on Craigslist because I never used them anymore. Well, I was disappointed no one was interested in my ginormous stash of goodies. And so, they remained packed in boxes in the basement.

At Christmastime I was asked to make a Blessing Jar for the daughter of my Sunday school teachers, Mya. That was probably one of the first times I did anything hybrid.
What IS hybrid, you ask? here is a simple definition I found online:

hybrid scrapbooking--combining traditional and digital elements on a scrapbooking page.

For this blessing jar (didn't take a photo, sorry) I dug into my DIGITAL stash and created a 6"x10" page using some colorful digital paper & various elements such as a rainbow, sun, flowers & word art. I printed out the finished digital page and wrapped it around & glued it to the jar. However, to make it truly hybrid, before I wrapped & glued, I used my handy-dandy Crop-A-Dile to punch about 6 holes at the ends of the 6"x10" paper. Since the ends of the paper did not meet up once wrapped I threaded different colors & types of ribbon thru the holes and tied them. I then add ribbon to the lid of the jar, too. It turned out amazingly cute!! Perfect for Mya....Miss Girly-girl.

I put my supplies back up fully not intending to use them again. Until recently that is. One of the new CT's I am on is for Amanda Heimann Designs at Scrap Orchard. Someone on the team did a tutorial for a simple hybrid project: A Layered Flower. I thought I would help her out by making one so she had an example to show others when she posted it on the blog. It was super easy and I love how mine turned out. As you can see, I added it to a card I made. The card was for my SIL's birthday.

Okay, so yes, I liked making the easy little flower but man, did I make a MESS in my scrapping room just to make that one little bitty flower!!! Ugh....don't miss the mess! However, I did think it was very neat to not only use my digital kits in more ways than just digital but also continue to use up my enormous stash of traditional supplies.

Fast forward 1 week to today. Day before Easter. Scrap Orchard is having a 2nd birthday bash sale where the entire store is 35% off. So, I went looking through the market and Scrapping With Liz, as always, had some new templates I just HAD to have! And then I saw it....a Hybrid Easter Basket Template. I clicked on it and looked at an example posted with the kit and it was so cute. I knew I must buy it and try my hand at another project....a more intense project this time.

Geesh, was it ever more intense. I won't say "hard" intense....time consuming is more the word. I started out by designing the little boxes using the template. I knew I was doing something wrong....missing a step or two but could not figure it out. I then went down to my printer and proceeded to print out the completed templates. Next came the cutting, trimming, scoring, gluing and assembling. I thought I had a mess with the little flower project. I had a MESS going on with this one!! I fumbled around but eventually got them both put together & looking cute. Again, I wondered what I had misunderstood to make mine not look quite "finished". So, I headed to the forums at Scrap Orchard where I posted photos of my finished boxes along with my need to have a good, visual tutorial on doing hybrid. Within moments some of the ladies were commenting on my project and giving me some guidance. Soon I realized my mistake. Like anything, it is a learning process.

Will I become what they call a Hybrid Artist?? I don't know. I have learned to never say never about much of anything anymore. I never thought I would ever be hooked on digital scrapbooking. Then, I never thought I would ever use my traditional stuff again. I never thought I would be single at age 39.....oh sorry, that is a whole other post in itself :) To say I will never get hooked on hybrid would be silly due to my track record of saying never. I will just say that I do enjoy it.....I just wish I could do it without the MESS!
And no post is complete without some photos of my projects....enjoy :)

This is the card I made using the layered flower hybrid project....

Credits: Spring Fling by Amanda Heimann Designs @ Scrap Orchard

The finished Easter baskets for the boys.....now to get them filled with goodies!

Credits:
Hybrid Easter Basket Squared Template by Pixel Geek Designs @ Scrap Orchard
Papers/Elements from the kit "Hoppity-Dee" by Jady Day Studio @ Scrap Orchard

Wow...I went MIA for awhile

OMGoodness I knew I had not blogged for some time but did not realize it was nearly a month. All I can say is....

March came in like a LION for me!! Here is why....

1. I think I told ya about joining the ADSR5 (Amazing Digital Scrapbooking Race, Season 5) back in February. Well, that was a commitment of 2 layouts per week for 6 weeks.

2. Back in February I also told you about applying to be on a CT for Amy Stoffel and the exciting news of being accepted. That began new responsibilities immediately. Amy is super efficient and keeps her team up-to-date with what she has coming out in the way of kits. She also has something new every week. I don't have to work with EVERY kit but thus far, I have wanted to....she's that good!

3. I also hopped on board for another contest over at Scrap Orchard called March Madness. It has been amazing. We have one layout to do a week and everyone is anonymous. There are no eliminations but we ARE judged and earn points if we win our bouts. The top 3 winners will get to be a Honey Bee for 3 months at SO. This is the brass ring for which I climb the digi-scrappping ladder!!! So far I am not close to being in the lead but the challenges have really made me step up my creative game and for that I love it. So, there were a few weeks in March that I was having to scrap 3+ layouts a week!!!

I have been a busy little scrapper this month to say the least. And, I know I am nuts, but I applied for 2 other teams at Scrap Orchard. One is just a 1-month guest spot but the other is for a full time spot. What can I say? If I can't be a Honey Bee then I will work my way up the ranks through the different designers' teams!

Okay, here is a taste of what I have been doing this month with my scrapping.

This was for a challenge where we had to scrap about a Pet Peeve....

I chose "negative people" and tried to scrap a "happy" page.

For this challenge we were to scrap about GLEE!!!

Flowers bring me GLEE so I created somewhat of a fantasy style layout. This layout took me 6+ hours to complete, just sayin'!!!

This was for my CT with Amy Stoffel using Little Charmer

This is a photo of Caiden & Trevor playing together.

Shhh, this is an upcoming kit not yet released....isn't it gorgeous. I don't scrap in purples much so it was fun :)

This is mom & I on our trip to Marion, KY in 2009 (I think)

Another one using an upcoming kit & template set!!

These photos are also from that same trip to Marion, KY. The owner of the cottage had horses on the property and this is Buttercup!

Another CT layout for Amy Stoffel. Again, using Little Charmer.

Trevor, on his rocky horse that Grandpa made him for Christmas. He LOVES it!!!

Using an older kit of Amy's called I Am Amazing!

These are some photos of Trev looking oh so cool in mommy or daddy's sunglasses!

Using a mixture of kits from different designers. I think this was one of my ADSR5 layouts.

Photos are from my trip to the Butterfly House in 2009. Going there again this weekend, can't wait!!!

For this challenge we were to scrap about a song. A song that, if a movie was to be made about our life, this would be the song playing during the credits at the end of the movie!

A random layout using Little Charmer again along with one of Scrapping With Liz's awesome templates!!

Obviously, this is an All About Caiden layout!!!

I forgot to mention that in March I was also a guest for Amanda Heimann Designs.

This layout was one of the ADSR5 challenges and I used Amanda's kit called "Lucky"

Don't you just LOVE this kit from Amy???

And here is a layout I created with it!

Yep, that is me on the far left back in 1988!!!!

Another kit from Amy not yet released!

Trevor being oh-so-silly with the seat from his potty chair! The boy is ATE UP!!!

A kit from Amy called Make A Wish

Trevor's 1st birthday party!

Same kit....only from Caiden's 1st birthday party!

And that isn't even all of my layouts from this month! I will have to take time and post all my ADSR layouts in one post sometime. But, for now, I think this catches you up on where I have been.

xoxoxo
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News

I am not so much addicted to Facebook, Twitter, Farmtown, etc. However, I am 100% hooked on Scrap Orchard!! This has been my digi-scrapping home for about 9 months now. This is hands-down one of the classiest, funniest, warmest sites I have been a part of to date. And, I have been a part of several now. We make each other laugh. We pray for each other. Oh, and there is a smidge (hahaha) of teasing that takes place, too. All in love :)

There have been a few CT (creative team) calls opened up since I arrived and I have submitted my application for most of them. To my disappointment I was not granted a spot with any of them. So, when a recent CT call appeared in the forum thread I, being persistent, applied. Also being pessimistic, I prepared myself for the rejection. The call was not due to be over until 2/25 so imagine my surprise (and fear) when I received an email 2 days BEFORE the call was to end. Yikes! That cannot be good. I did NOT want to open it as I was sure it was a dear, sweet let-down email. I even began running the let-down sentences in my head as I opened it. Here is what I read with my eyes:

Dear Helen,

Thank You so much for taking the time to express your interest in my designs, your support means the world to me. I know it's nerve wracking to put yourself out there like that! I very much enjoyed looking through your gallery and reading your application, and I am thrilled to offer you a spot on my creative team.

However.....this is what I read with my Minds-Eye:

Dear Helen,

Thank you so much for taking the time to express your interest in my designs, your support meansthe world to me. I know it's nerve wracking to put yourself out there like that! I very much enjoyed looking through your gallery and reading your application, however, at this time I am not able to offer you a spot on my creative team.

I seriously had to re-read it twice to make sure I had read it correctly. Holy Schmoly Batman, I made it! I made it on to the fab-u-lous team of LCC Amy Stoffel at Scrap Orchard!!! Let the happy dancin' begin! My day.....scratch that.....my WEEK.....no good either....my YEAR was made through 2 sentences. Without further ado, here is my first work as a CT for LCC Amy Stoffel.

The Kit: It's All About Me

And the layout I created with it!

The Kit: This Is Why I Scrap

And the layout I created with it:

The Kit: I'm Just Sayin'

And the layout I created with it!

Can you see now why I am so stinkin' excited?? Amy is a rockin' designer and I am honored to have been chosen to help show off this amazing kits!!! There you have it....my news!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend :)

xoxoxo

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ADSR5 & The Orchard Angels!!!

I think I mentioned a few weeks ago about the Amazing Digital Scrapbooking Race starting on February 7th. I partnered up with a digi-world friend, Trina, for this race. Trina, her husband and daughter, Miss K., live in Canada and we met in the Scrap Orchard forums several months ago. It has been fun getting to know her through the WWW.

We have both completed Challenge #1 and I have it posted on our ADSR5 blog. Check it out by clicking HERE.

I have to work on challenge #2 this evening. I am doing a page on "5 Things I Love About DigiScrapping". I need to get some photos taken; pick out my template & get to scrapping! I have plenty of time to get it done but I know how life can throw curve balls so I prefer to stay on top of things if possible. Hmmmmm, if I coudl only adopt that way of thinking when it comes to cleaning my house. LOL.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great hump-day!

xoxoxoxo
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Good Morning Saturday....

Up early today because me and a friend are volunteering at an event being hosted by Joy FM radio station. It is taking place outdoors and it snowed last night. I am prepared with waterproof boots, thermal undies, gloves, hat & scarf! Bring it on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Just jumped on to post a few recent layouts. Don't have much time as I need to get in the shower and finish getting ready. Here we go....

REMAIN

I did this one for a challenge/dare over at The Digi Dares. It is another page depicting my 2010 word of the year.

5 W's

This was for a Scrap Orchard challenge where we were challenged to create a layout about the who, what, when, where, why of our scrapbooking addictions. I enjoyed this non-photo layout alot!

Rock Star

My SIL captured a great photo of Caiden wearing his daddy's hat and sunglasses. So, of course, I had to scrap it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Moment

My brother loved this photo of our dad with Trevor sitting on his lap. This layout was also for a Scrap Orchard challenge where we were told to scrap using B&W photo(s). Okay, so not much of a challenge for me, hahahaha. I LOVE scrapping with black & white photos as it allows me to use ANY color schemed kit I want without fear of clashing!

That is all for now. It is 7:23.....must get clothes into the dryer and me into the shower. No rest for me today..............atleast not until well into the afternoon!!!

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