Ready, Set, Create!!!

The August/September issue of Ready, Set, Create is available now! If you're not a subscriber and you want to purchase this issue, you can do so by clicking ->here<-


Here are some of my projects featured in this issue:

go check out Mistletoe!

http://blog.makingmemories.com/


this is one of my favorite new releases - isn't it scrumptious????

I didn't think this day would ever come.

but it did. after a lot of hard work...and a few set backs....it's here.


I have lost 20 pounds!!!!


wow, that is so cool to say! and I have to say I am SO proud of myself, too.

I slowed myself down when my mom was here by not working out (okay, I did twice in 2 weeks, lol) but I still was very careful at what I ate and made sure to keep measuring and weighing.

then this last week has been pretty stressful around here. Stress for me means comfort food. Avoiding comfort food this time has added MORE stress and now my forehead looks like a connect the dot from all the darn zits that have moved in. but hey, I think I'd rather have those for a few days then an extra 10 pounds from eating 3 mini loaves of zucchini bread (I've made over a dozen with the zucchini from our garden for Darren and the kids).

so I've proven I can handle tough situations - and for that I'm proud too.


thank you for following me in my journey - and thank you all who have been so supportive and encouraging - I love you all!

now for the last 30 pounds......

thankful 4U

this card appeared on the UYS blog yesterday - I made it for my mom right after she flew back home.

{Making Memories Paper, Clip and Tiny Alphas; Label Tulip Coffee stain stamp; Kim Hughes for Cornish Heritage Farms Sentiment (Let's Get Stuffed Collection); Kaiser Pearls; Papier Valise Pins; brown satin ribbon}

Scrappy Jo crop projects

last night was another fun crop over at Scrappy Jo's. I created these 2 projects for a couple of the challenges!

using a manila file folder! can you believe it? I think this is such a fun idea and can see so many different ways to make this work for anyone and any theme!



ETA: file folder tutorial can be found BY CLICKING HERE!!!

this is a layout I did - don't you just want to be there? I do!

okay, so it's hard to see the picture in the layout - how's this? Broken Bow, OK - the view from where we camp taken early in the morning....

we're ready to go back :)

Photos from the last 2 weeks.

in random order - here are photos....

*Braden acquired a new weedy-weedeater. He loves the noisy thing.



*Gramma bought the kids a pool.....they love it!


*We went on the titanic. 3 of us survived.


*Gramma enjoyed all the hugs and kisses my kids could give - and they give a LOT!



*Kiddos learned how to "xbox". I'm so thrilled. lol





*my mom and I got our noses pierced. no, it didn't hurt. Yes, I like it. (hard to see - the diamond is small - will work on a better photo)




*We got an Ollie. Mom was going to give Hailee one of her dog's puppies but Tizzy won't get pregnant - so she bought Hailee a pug instead! yay! I love this ankle biter!


*swim lessons! the kids did great, even if Hailee wouldn't float (which means she didn't "pass" her class) Braden is going to be a great swimmer - he learned a lot during the 2 weeks!







we also did a lot of shopping and just hanging out - it was fun and we all were sad when mom left. But I'm sure Joe is happy to have her back!

so sad....

took my mom to the airport today :( the kids and I are bummed - but all good things must come to an end they say.

I'm going to go do some housework and other things around here that I've neglected - I'll be back with photos showing what we've done the last 2 weeks!

I interrupt my break to bring you good news...

This is Oliver. Ollie.

He is 6 weeks old. Cutest pug baby EVER! My mom bought him for Hailee but he's definitely the family pup. Braden adores him and tries to make him dance. Hailee cuddles and smothers him and we hope he lives til the end of the week. The poor thing follows me and I just know I'll step on him. Darren is already trying to rough house with him! lol




Then there's Sammy. Poor Sammy's world turned upside down yesterday! lol Actually, he thinks Ollie is a new kind of squeaky toy - LOL. Sammy is getting used to the pup but we're not getting used to all the drool - not sure why, but when Sammy is around other dogs he turns on the drool faucet and it's just gross. ew. hopefully that'll ease up.....soon.




More pictures to come - off to swim lessons.

time-out

I'm going on break :)


my mom is here until the 21st so I will most likely not be posting much.


be back later with a photo-overload!! (I hear the excitement in your sighs......lol)

clips.

today's challenge at UYS is to use clips of some sort. I used different colored paper clips on this card.

I made it for my brother, Neil, who received an AWESOME report card - COLLEGE report card! can you say just a tad under 4.0????

congrats again, baby brother!

{Sassafras & Scenic Route paper, Stampin' up punch, All Night Media stamps, paper clips}

Happy 4th of July fellow Americans!!

I made this card for the Guest Creative Team challenge at Scrappy Jo's and thought it would be nice to post it here and wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!!!!

{GCD Studios Rockets Red Glare, CTMH I am Brave stamps, My Little Shoebox stickers, Heidi Swapp acrylic heart, Tim's Tiny Attacher, Sakura Stardust pen}