Happy National Scrapbooking Day

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

If you have come across this blog by accident, WELCOME! 

If you intended to be here by joining in the 3 Scrappy Boys Blog Hop

then, you are in the right place!

My challenge to the blog hoppers is to create any size layout, card, ATC, or take a photo with the following KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVAL color theme.  

Yes, be inspired by the theme of the Kentucky Derby or the colors of the artistic poster theme.  Heck, create a hat/bonnet out of your scrappy supplies. 

If you would, go to 3 Scrappy Boys and post us your inspired creation or post a comment here and link us to your creation so we too can be inspired.  

I cannot wait to see what you will design.

If you are HOPPING.....click on the link below to continue.

Heather-Owner of 3 Scrappy Boys

Creative Pampering!

Yes, that is exactly what it was on Saturday.  A day of scrapbooking, messages, gifts every hour, decadent cakes, eclair's, chocolates, and girl time.  It was in essence, a day of pampering!  I enjoyed it greatly and it ended all too soon.  I feel I accomplished a great deal.  I scrapped with my Studio Calico kits and shopped as well.  So without further ado...

 Ever set your tripod up and and move toward it?  It is lots of fun..

 Brianna loves to ride her bike.

 Try explaining these "VOGUE" moves to your 8 year old daughter and then carry that a bit further and go into a Madonna mini-biography.  Oh yeah, we lived it!

 I camped as well.  But I was so proud of Brianna helping her dad set up camp. 

I arrived a day later.

I simply love the artsy feel of the A & W can.  Too bad I do not like the flavor.

Thanks for taking a gander!

Signs of Spring and the Natives are Restless!

Warmer weather is what we want.  Warmer weather is what we got.  I recently had a car wreck and my mobility has not been what it was over a week ago.  My working out is sidelined along with other favorite Springtime fun.  But it does not mean I cannot take photos of others having fun.

Such a sweet smile.  Freckles, too!

I drink Diet Dr. Pepper.  This is Bri's Favorite.  I just think it is a pretty cool can design.  Love the colors.

Show OFF!  I am thinking it is not "RAIN DROPS KEEP FALLING," either.  But, pretty close.

He has his MAN CARD BACK and I sport my Studio Calico Softball shirt.

I love this color.

Well, I plan on scrapping all day tomorrow. 

Oh yes, I am back on the 3 Scrappy Boys Design Team. 

 I think it will be lots of fun, too!

Statements of This and That

I am getting ready to go create for a bit.  My club does not open until 1:00 PM.  Yes, I would say we are in a community that still tries to preserve a bit of the "Old Sunday" ways.  Everything just gets back to normal after the morning church hours.  Because, Lord forbid "the women" cook on Sunday.  It is just better to go to a restaurant and have it prepared for you from someone that should be home with their family.  That always struck me as backwards thinking.

Here are a few more photos of randomness.  It is just weird for me to post something without a photo.  Know what I mean?

 The above picture?  What can I say...37 days of the white stuff since November 2010 to February 2011.  Yes, I am ready for some warmth.  It is nippy today.  They are calling for some sleet.  What the FLIPPITY DOO DAH?

 The above Sterling Rose Bouquet is my Valentine's Day surprise that was sent to my workplace from my darling husband.  It was the second bouquet.  I had to get it a day later as the bouquet below is what they sent to me on V-Day.  He saw it and said, "THAT IS NOT WHAT I ORDERED!"  Who knew?

 Yes, I would say there is a HUGE DIFFERENCE!  BTW, the top bouquet lasted 3 weeks and the this bouquet with the pink flowers...never bloomed.  The heads of the roses just fell off.

Well, I am off to create.  I need to go play with some paper and glue.

Have a great SUNDAY.  Stay warm.

Living Simple

I admire the once active "Shaker Community" and how they lived.  There are only 3 Shakers that are still living today as our guide explained to us before we embarked on a self tour of the Shaker Community right outside Bowling Green.  I loved that their decor was simple and everything had a purpose and was used.  While I enjoy the clean lines and open space with gracious amounts of light, it just was not a "homey" feel.  But on the other hand, times have changed.  We as a society used to work hard everyday in the warmer months preparing and preserving for the Winter months to come.  This was no exception for the Shakers.  I will share some of the photos I took.  It was really interesting. 

The daily preserving area in the main house.

Community meal time preparation area.  Located in the main house.

The Bakery.  On one wall was a huge Pie Safe. 

Breads, puddings, and desserts were made here daily.

Entrance into one of the Worship Rooms.

I was surprised to learn that Shakers were ahead of their time.  Technology as far as living was incorporated into their way of life.  The amount of people that the Kentucky Shakers took care of during the War between the States, was incredible.  It nearly depleted all of their supplies.  This particular community of Shakers dispersed around 1922.

This to be continued...

Bits and Pieces but not the entire story.

In December, I made the incredible decision to quit smoking.  I had smoked for 18 years.  I know, I know, what the flippity doo da was I thinking?  Anyway, I quit with the assistance of taking Chantix for one month.  I did try and quit during the time of great food and drink; However, it was the best time.  Simply because all of my family was here for Christmas and well...I want to live longer, healthier, and I wanted to start putting me and my needs at the top of the chain.  So, I did.  When I went to my doctor in January I had only gained 5 pounds.  I thought, "wow" not so bad.  But 3 weeks ago I decided to join a fitness center because I felt I was gaining more weight.  I did not know how much...I just simply felt it.  Ummmmmmmm, 30 extra/more pounds!  So, now I have a personal trainer, a house cleaner twice a month, and I am losing inches and pounds.  I have had two sessions with trainer (roughly one week) and I have lost 11 inches and 5.7 pounds.  This is great because I am living life, working, and doing what I love with creating art.  So, there is no-one cooking my meals and portioning them.  I am doing this on my own with a trainer for 30 minutes a week to help with workout routines for the following week.  THE HARD WORK is up to me.  I feel pretty good.  I will share about this journey as I feel comfortable.  But right now, I am super proud of myself.

So, there you have it.  Stay tuned, I am on a roll!

Share, Say, Catch Up...at a glance!

I have so much to share.  Lots of changes since the beginning of December 2010 for me.  Scratch that, really since August when I started working again full time.  Over the next week, I plan on catching up to the best of my ability and share what has been happening in glimpses.  I love Blogger's little "post options" that enable me to make several posts and they be published on different days.  So without further ado.  I will begin.

In February I went scrapping and since I have not shared any of my creative works in quite awhile, I will share some of the layouts I created that day.  There was left over snow on the ground but it did not stop about 70 of us die hard scrappers.  We were ready to get out and about.  The snow has been something this Winter for sure.  More on that in another post.  For now, I will share some of my works that include my own designs and a great love for Studio Calico Kits.  I enjoy picking up my kits and it allows me to check in on the Foster's and chat a bit with Lori.  As always, I gander in the "behind the scenes, too."  But you could not choke the "in the know" that I get to see once a month.  It is a bit of scrappy heaven for me.

So, you see?  I am still creating.  I am still painting and making cards.  It is just that my schedule has changed and so have some of my priorities and I am working on me.  More on that another time!  I promise to be more diligent in posting and everything is finally falling into place and this year is already promising to be great!

OH MY GOSH!

Well, clearly... I have not been to my blog in quite some time.  We have been IN THE SNOW pretty much since November 2010.  However, the weather is warming up and I have scrappy fever.  I went to a CROP for a CURE this past Saturday and played with some of my Studio Calico kits and of course...socialized with a few ladies.  I had a friend from work attend with me. 

Well, I do promise to get some NEW stuff posted this weekend and play catch up.  I am busy at work and thought I would pop on here before my lunch hour is over.  Okay, back to your blog hopping! 

CHEERS!!

WORK IN PROGRESS....

On my lunch hour and thought I would check in to my blog.  WHEW! 

So, please excuse the mess!

Only a few hours left...

I am going to join my family and make a new memory.  

The last memory of 2010.  Maybe tomorrow I will find time to share.

   Happy New Year everyone.  I wish you great love in 2011!

Yes, there is a SANTA!

Christmas! Oh what a CHRISTMAS!  Christmas cookies are baking right now as we are still, "Christmas-ing."  Christmas Evening we went to church and when we came out...2" of the white stuff on the ground and it took us 45 minutes to go 5 miles.  Brianna was convinced that Santa would be going faster from house to house because of the snow and landing would be easier, so we headed home to continue our traditions of the evening and woke up to a delightful CHRISTMAS DAY!

I have loads to share...but I have cookies in the oven.  Tomorrow is back to work!  But for now...

Merry Christmas from Bowling Green, Kentucky!

Thankful Time...Yes, indeed!

What a great Thanksgiving weekend we are all having.  Our home is decorated for Christmas.  Our bellies continuously full time and time again.  Today is a day of creating in my studio and the chores will simply have to wait.  We celebrated Thanksgiving with only a few of us but that did not stop the phone calls and texts from family and friends from all across the Southeast.  It began to snow here Thanksgiving night and we woke up to a 1/2" dusting of the white stuff and super cold temperatures.  Gloriously beautiful Friday!  We even went shopping for a few things and Santa's stocking is getting pretty full already.  I cannot wait until the week before Christmas.  All of our children will be here and two will be bringing "ladies" to our traditions and table this year.  It will be wonderful.  I just know it.

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

It is that Magical Time of the year, again.

My heart is full of joy.  This year, my present for Christmas is ALL of our family together at Christmas time since 2004!  This will be the first Christmas that Zachary has been with us since 2006.  Tours of Duty overseas and stationed all around the United States...he is trekking home for the holidays.  He arrives on the 20th and Stephen and Lil' Z will be here on Christmas Eve to stay the whole weekend of Christmas.  How exciting is this to me?  I am over the moon with JOY!

With this said, YES, I have already decorated the house as my time is limited on the weekends with many Seasonal happenings and shopping.  The hustle and bustle has already begun.  We have had a busy November.  We had to head South to Atlanta for a "Celebration of Life."  I lost a special sister-in-law to cancer early in the  month.  It has been hard on several members of our family.  But I know that time will heal the hurt and good memories will remain.

Celebrations of babies being born has been a great highlight.  Impending births as well keep me shopping for those special gifts to give as new mommy's and daddy's begin the path of ultimate joy and unconditional love.

So, yes.  This is a time of magic.  A time to celebrate and be thankful for all of those wonderful people in our lives.  I gather great solace and joy in knowing life is wonderful and every moment is a time to embrace and live fully.

I am still creating.  I just to do not upload most of my creations anymore.  They are becoming very personal and are gifts as well for many people in my life.  But I promise to share stories and my day to day scrapping as my time allows.  So, it is with this thought..."Take time to make the memories."  It is truly the greatest gift to give and share with others.  Your time.

What was I thinking?

For a few weeks now I have been thinking about giving up scrapbooking and simply concentrating on my mixed media art. What the FLIPPITY DOO DAH was I thinking? Yesterday, I drove about 40 miles north of Bowling Green and as I was driving and listening to music oh too loud; I had this charge that I had not felt in some time. No, it was not the Auburn University fans with their SUV's all loaded down with tail gating goodies and their loud ORANGE and BLUE that was a caravan on their way to the Kentucky game. It was not the fall colors that were vivid on the trees. It was not even the beautiful sunshine. Was it because I was not alone? Was it because I was not hurried out of state to take care of family business? Was it because I had not a care in the world? I think not...what I was so giddy about was playing with paper! Yes, scrapbooking. I was on a roll and nothing was going to stop me from one thing that gives me great pleasure. Loaded down with my own goodies I was headed north to SHOP and create and it is a wonderful feeling. So, what the FLIPPITY was I thinking when I thought I could give up something that makes me so happy? Clearly, I was having a "not so clear" moment in my life. But baby, I am sniffing glue again! Not literally, but you paper artists know what I mean.

So, without further ado I will share a few things I created in about 5 hours. In that time I shopped and had lunch with some wonderful ladies along with stimulating conversations as well. I love Halloween. It is the one time each year that is pure fun. For a few hours on one night we are NOT in the backyard summoning nature but we are having a grand time dressing as something we are not. It makes me feel like a kid again and well...it is all about the candy, right?

I have a lot more to update everyone on the happenings.  Just stay tuned.

  I promise not to be so long in between posts.

Stay tuned...

Having problems with BLOGGER not uploading my pics.  So....please be patient.  I AM BACK!