Friday, December 19, 2008

Just Had to Share!!

I just totally love this!! Had to share it so you all could laugh with me during this very stressful holiday season!! Happy Holidays!!, Tracy

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Studio Pics & Scrappy Holiday Stuff

I hope this post finds everyone doing awesome this Holiday Season!!! I am recovering from a night of scrappin' at Archiver's on Friday with all my Scrappy Girls!! I had fun getting to see, chat and scrap with Cricket, Amy, Michelle and Jeanie!! Love you Girls!! Plus we made a new friend at our table,which also happens to be a Michelle, who is new to the area!! What a nice addition she was to our group and she fit in with us perfectly!! I, needless to say, did not get anything done!! Lol!! Why? I don't really know except everything was working against me even the dang automatic doors!! Lol!! Those that were there, especially Amy, know the challenges I faced and that I did not face them very well!! Lol!! But at least I finally got a plan for what I want to do with my Christmas cards this year by the time the crop was over at 11pm! Here is a pic of my proto-type which I still need to fine tune (which may mean the finished product may look entirely different!! lol!): I used the cute little penguin from the Hero Arts Clear Design set "Jolly Christmas"! At first I did not buy this set because I just didn't like the frog on it but needless to say I watched Amy play with her set and just had to have them!! Amy always does that to me!! Lol!! I will post pics of the finished design once I get them all the way I want the cards to look so stay posted!! Now onto my scrap space/studio pics. First off, I have been organizing and rearranging this studio for so long it seemed like I would never be happy with it. Then all of a sudden the day before Thanksgiving I had a brainstorm about my space and decided to put it into action imediately! My hubby was not too thrilled about it but hey he did put his all into helping me anyway!! Lol!! I had this really huge computer desk that just took up so much space and it really only held the computer and printer! Big huge waste of space in this tiny space that I have so I told hubby I wanted it out of here!! He just looked at me with this "aaaaa you said what?!" look on his face and I said "yes, you heard me and I am not going to change my mind"!! So the poor man proceeded to help me haul everything out of my room so that he could tear apart the computer desk. It took him most of the day but once the job was done of tearing that huge desk down and hauling it all to the basement I was in 7th heaven! I had such a huge empty canvas to put my room back together the way I wanted and would be the most productive for me!! I was sooo excited that you wouldn't believe it!! Here are the photos for your viewing pleasure and please keep in mind that the pics are taken while I was working on it so not everything was all put away but pretty darn close: I still need to label all of my canvas bins and other storage stuff with what is in them and then I will be finished!! Finally!! Hope you enjoy the pics! Thanks for stoppin' by!, Tracy

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Where does the time go?

At this time of the year it sure seems to just zip on by!!! I have been busy making home-made gifts this year and hopefully I will actually get some Christmas cards done in time for mailing! If you actually get one this year you will know that I got some finished!! Ha!! I have been burning the midnight oil trying to get my "Stories in Hand" project put together. This was and is such a cool class from Jessica Sprague.com and let me tell you it sure is a romp down memory lane!! So if you missed out on this class you really missed out! I also went and go my hair highlighted and low lighted in 3 different colors and I must say that I am totally happy with the finished product for the first time in a long time! Totally stepped outside the box for me with the color and had fun! The bottom layers of my hair are all a deep Merlot in color which is kinda fun. I finally sat down today and finished a layout that I had started at the Heart and Soul weekend crop which was a while ago. I know, I know, I am still the slowest scrapper in the WORLD!! Lol!! Anyway here it is: Not the best picture of the layout but someday this girly is going to take a class for her fancy camera and then watch out!! LOL!! The photos will be so WOW that I won't know what to do with myself!! HA!!! I have also been working on my studio again and have totally moved stuff around and actually got rid of my huge computer desk! Yes, I had the hubby chop it into small pieces and haul it out of here! I just couldn't take the lack of space anymore!! Those of you that have been in my space will see that in the picture of my scrap table that I have my computer on it! I am so far totally loving it!! Especially while I am working on my "Stories in Hand" class! Makes it so easy to do!! Once I have the room finished, which could be awhile with Christmas and all, I will post some finished photos. I have a long haul ahead of me so hopefully I will get the room finally where I will be happy in it! Oh the struggles of organization in this wonderful world of scrapbooking!! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Black Friday!! Tracy

Thursday, November 20, 2008

A Different Christmas Poem

I am starting to get into the Holiday spirit but I still can't help but think of my military friends overseas and their families who are left behind celebrating the holidays without their loved one. I remember all too well the day that the fateful phone call came and Terry was selected to go. We had one day to prepare and I think I spent most of that day crying. Thinking about all he was going to miss at home and all the changes that were going to go on while he was gone and how terribly I was going to miss him. Instead as all good military spouses know I sucked it up and told him that I would be okay and that he needed to do this for our country. The country he loves so very much and the very reason he joined the armed forces, to serve and protect! He has always been one to take care of others and look out for them! He would be going for 12 months which could be extended, of course, into more. That night the crying had finally stopped and we spent some last minute time together talking and laughing about things that we had been through in our 17 years as a military family together and about what the future held. Needless to say no sleep was to be had that night with our emotions running high and the stress of the situation at hand. Around 5:30am I got myself showered and dressed to take my hubby to the Station for the last time. He would be getting picked up under high security and flown to his destination in the Middle East at 7am. We drove in silence to the Station trying to prepare for our goodbyes which for us is "till I see you again". I kissed him and held him tight and then let him go.....one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life!! I drove home in tears, having to pull over a few times because I couldn't see. I told myself that I needed to be a big girl and suck it up but dang it, it hurt! I thought of all the thousands of military spouses and family that had and were going through this very same thing! I sent a prayer out to comfort them and help them to not feel so alone because at that moment I felt completely and utterly alone. Even though I knew I was far from being alone! I made it home finally and as I was shutting the garage door down I could hear the phone ringing! Who could it be? I rushed inside to grab it quick and who was on the other end but Terry!! At first all I could think was "Baby, please don't make this any harder"! He sounded really shook up and proceeded to tell me that a young man without a family, who had all the qualifications that Terry had, had actually requested to go in Terry's place!!!! OMG!!! What the heck!!! I was totally blown away!! This young man was someone we had never even met in our military career and he wanted to go in place of my husband and the powers that be had decided that he could go instead!!! Talk about an emotional roller coaster!! Too many of my fellow spouses have not had such luck as we did that day and I think about them every day and the sacrifice they make on a daily basis!! I want to thank that young man from the bottom of my heart and let him know that a day doesn't go by that I don't remember him and prayer for him! To all the men and women of our armed forces who give up literally everything to protect and serve a country they love I thank you!! I know first hand that it takes a really special individual to do what they do!!! So, without further ado this poem is for you!!! "A Different Christmas Poem" The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child. “What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts. To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said, "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night. "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', And now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile." Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. "I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home.. I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall." "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son." Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us." PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One Al Taqqadum, Iraq Happy Holidays, Tracy

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

A Weekend Away is...........

Priceless in my book!!! The weekend crop in Lake Geneva at The Cove was awesome!! We had so much fun and got to totally space out without any responsibilities and just scrapbook!! I can't wait to do it again!! I got to hang with my awesome Girls and just chill!! Here is a pic of us on our first night away at the resteraunt in the hotel. From left to right: Me, Carla, Amy, Cathy, Cricket, Pat (sitting). I went with the thought in mind that if I finished one layout I would be happy (remember I am the slowest scrapper alive! Lol!!) and by golly that is what I accomplished!! Lol!! I have another one almost finished just need to attach the journaling strips and can call it done. I worked with my latest kit from "Create My Keepsake" which is their November kit. Totally love this kit so of course I got all the add-ons and let me tell you I will be using this kit for awhile because it is totally loaded with goodies!! Here is the layout I finished of my great niece Navarina in her kindergarten pic from 1997! Hopefully in the next couple of days I will have the other layout finished and can then post it. This weekend, on Saturday the 15th, I have an all day crop for SIS at Craft Fancy in Illinois which will be a blast!! I get to see my Girls again and chill with some good food and lots of chatting!! I hope to accomplish a project that I got in my last Scarlet Lime Kit that involves a frame!! That should be a challenge and if I get it done there will be a post with pics! Projects always seem to take me forever and ever. I am bound and determined this one will only take a day dang it!! Lol!! We will see!! And on top of it Craft Fancy is an awesome store with lots of goodies to buy so hopefully I don't shop the whole time! Well that is enough for tonight. Thanks for stoppin' by, Tracy

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Enabling or not?!

Today I thought I would tell you about my favorite kit club of all time and the awesome FREE Christmas Workshop they are doing!!! Of course it is none other then "Bad Girls Kits" and their rawking owner Wendy Rago!!! Photobucket This is going to be one awesome workshop extravaganza let me tell you!! Only Wendy and her Bad Girl Designers know how to work it like no other when it comes to classes!! They will be featuring "22 Classees", yes you heard me right "22 classes"!! And they are FREE, yes I said FREE!! They will start on the 14th of November which is this coming Friday and will go until November 23rd!!!!! This will all take place on their awesome, hoppin' message board!! So sign up and learn from the best Bad Girls around for FREE!!! You just can't beat that!! Thanks for stoppin' by, Tracy

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Sad News.....

about a sweet little soul that had to move on. Kloe was my Aunt Bonnie's little white Coco Daisy puppy and when my Aunt Bonnie passed away 2 years ago Kloe came to live with my sister Bobbie. Kloe was no spring chick when my sister took over her care but she still had alot of spring in her step for a "little Ole' Lady" as I always called her! Whenever my sister traveled out of town Kloe would come and visit with me!! I loved having her little gentle soul in my home and in my heart! Having her with me was like having a piece of my Aunt Bonnie still here with us! On Sunday I got the phone call that Kloe was not doing well at all and had been put to sleep so that she wouldn't suffer! That was a hard phone call to get. My sister was sobbing and I tried everything I could to be strong for her and not cry too but nothing worked! I know that my Aunt Bonnie met her at the gates of Heaven with her arms opened wide with love!! So here Kloe girl this is for you!! I love you Kloe and miss you sweet baby!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

I'm a Bella!

I was cruising the blogs and Amy had this cool quiz for all the Twilight fans out there and I just had to take it!! I'm a Bella! I found out through TwilightersAnonymous.com. Which Twilight Female Are You? Take the quiz and find out!
Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!
I am a closet Vamp fanatic and totally ate up the "Twilight" series so of course I am waiting anxiously for the movie to come out!!! And since I have admitted to this I also must tell you another surprising thing........I totally loved Jacob in the books way more then Edward which totally blows me away being a Vamp lover and all!! I was totally hoping for Jacob to win fair Bella's heart!!! Am I the only convert out there loving the tall, dark, handsome, stong, furry wolf? I am totally going through some serious "Twilight" withdrawals!! She must write more soon or I don't know what I am going to do!!! Lol!! Ok, enough of my fantasy world!! Lol!! Back to reality! I am in a slump lately, a creative slump if I must say so!!! I am just not very crafty or artsy lately and I don't know why! I am having another case of "the muse has left the building"!! Lol!! Inspiration just does not work for me when I have to make things if that makes sense?! Right now I am working on Christmas presents for the names I drew for Christmas this year for the family. I sit and over analyze everything when it comes to making gifts because I feel I have to worry as to whether the person I am making it for will like it or not and then will they appreciate all my stressing and work? I just keep praying that I will someday just be able to make gifts and not worry about the whole thing!! Am I the only one? Why is this so stinkin' hard?! So anyway that is why I am posting about everything but scrappin'! Lol!! Another reason that I am surfing the net so late at night. I am trying to get inspired!! We will see if this works! It better because I need to get my hiney in gear real fast because I have a weekend away scrap retreat I am going to this weekend and I want to feel the juices a flowin'!! If you know what I mean and then maybe I will have some stuff to share with you all! Thanks for stoppin' by!, Tracy

Saturday, November 1, 2008

I'm a Katherine Hepburn!?!

Very interesting stuff I tell you!! I was over looking at my friend Carla's blog and saw this test and thought "hmmm....wonder what I am?" so off I went and took it and these are the results! I so wanted to be Doris Day!!! Dang it all!! I have loved Doris Day and idolized her since I was just a little girl! Oh well, it just wasn't to be!!

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Katharine!

You are a Katharine -- "I am happy and open to new things"

Katharines are energetic, lively, and optimistic. They want to contribute to the world.

How to Get Along with Me
  • * Give me companionship, affection, and freedom.
  • * Engage with me in stimulating conversation and laughter.
  • * Appreciate my grand visions and listen to my stories.
  • * Don't try to change my style. Accept me the way I am.
  • * Be responsible for youself. I dislike clingy or needy people.
  • * Don't tell me what to do.

What I Like About Being a Katharine
  • * being optimistic and not letting life's troubles get me down
  • * being spontaneous and free-spirited
  • * being outspoken and outrageous. It's part of the fun.
  • * being generous and trying to make the world a better place
  • * having the guts to take risks and to try exciting adventures
  • * having such varied interests and abilities

What's Hard About Being a Katharine
  • * not having enough time to do all the things I want
  • * not completing things I start
  • * not being able to profit from the benefits that come from specializing; not making a commitment to a career
  • * having a tendency to be ungrounded; getting lost in plans or fantasies
  • * feeling confined when I'm in a one-to-one relationship

Katharines as Children Often
  • * are action oriented and adventuresome
  • * drum up excitement
  • * prefer being with other children to being alone
  • * finesse their way around adults
  • * dream of the freedom they'll have when they grow up

Katharines as Parents
  • * are often enthusiastic and generous
  • * want their children to be exposed to many adventures in life
  • * may be too busy with their own activities to be attentive

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Check it out!! Thanks for stopping by!!, Tracy

Friday, October 24, 2008

Fancy Pants "About A Boy"!!!

Hello!! It sure has been awhile so I thought today I would sit down here at the puter and blog a little just because I feel like it! Lol!! I am finally starting to feel better and had scrapped a little so thought I would post a pic of the most recent layout that I finished. I did this layout of my Hubby and that special smile that he always flashes me with when I tell him to smile for the camera! Love that man!!!! I used Fancy Pants "About A Boy" line of papers along with some Inque Botique Chipboard Circles, 7Gypsies journal card and of course some Prima "Say it in Studs" (I think that is what they are called, but don't quote me on it!! Lol!!) and also some of those awesome Rain Drops but in Circle shapes!! Totally had fun working with this layout and of course it doesn't hurt that this is my favorite photo of the hubby!! Not much else to share today so I will work on some more stuff to share at another date. Thanks for stoppin' bye, Tracy

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Sicky!!!!

Yes, that is what I am right now!! Sicky beyond belief!! Lol!! So bad that I have no voice to talk with my peeps on the phone even! It sucks!! I am hoping that I will get my voice back soon because if you know me you know I like to talk!! Lol!! Okay, enough about that! I thought since I can't talk on the phone I would update all my friends here on my blog with what has been going on around here in the Lathrop household. First off, we are a military family and most of you already know that (but for those of you who don't there it is!) and you also know that I have been a little anxious? about finding out where we are going to get transferred to. Well, we finally found out just the other day and I have been trying my best to accept the destination!! We are getting transferred to Long Island, New York!!! AHHHHHHH!!! It is just so stinkin' far away from family again that I am reeling!! Man oh man, I know God must have a plan for us and it is not for me to wonder what or why but dang!!! We will be tranferring there in the spring of 2009 so I will have just under 7 months to get ready for this transition!! Time is just flying bye so fast that it will be here before I know it! I am sure it will all work out just fine and we will adjust fine and love our new location. I usually get like this when I find out where we are going and then when the time comes I always wonder what I was soo worried about! Lol!! I am sure there are tons of new scrapbook stores out there for me to check out!! I can always find the positive that way right?!! Secondly, as of today Terry (the hubby) has been down in Houston, Texas helping out with all of the recovery effort that is going on down there in the Galveston area. He left for Texas back on the 9th so he totally missed out on getting this nasty cold/flu that I have which he is thankful I am sure!! Lol! Last but not least, I have been blessed with getting to have my Mom with me for the rest of this month!! I will take her whenever I can get her!! Lol!! She showed up with this cold and is the one who started it all!! Lol!! She is almost completely healthy already which is a sign of the strong immune system that she has!! She has always bounced back fast! She is so full of energy today that I keep telling her to slow down she is making me dizzy!! Lol!! She says to tell you all HI!! I promise that as soon as I feel better there will be more scrappy posts with some layouts to show!! Thanks for stopping bye, Tracy

Monday, October 6, 2008

Don't Vote?!

I just thought I would share this awesome video with all of you!! This says it all so make sure you watch it all the way to the end so that you can fully understand what it is all about!! I have never been a very political person and still don't consider myself to be now but I am smart enough to know that if there ever was a time that your vote was needed that time is now!! So please register to vote!! Thanks for stopping by, Tracy

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Food for Thought.......

I thought I would share this very thought provoking video from utube that I wandered across during a time of searching for the answer as to why....why "what" I am not too sure...... But, I do know that I am still standing here 19 years later and that must mean something..... I completely agree that "To age.....is a privilege!"! Thanks for stopping by, Tracy

Sunday, September 28, 2008

OMG!! New Kit Club!!

I just have to tell you all about this awesome new kit club that I have stumbled upon recently and joined the second they went live!!!! Ok, first off if you know me well you know that this Girl has a vintage twist in her soul!! Lol!! Well, this club speaks to that vintage soul of mine like no other!!! Kenner Road!!! I will put a link to them over on my side bar today so that you can check them out if so inclined. This weekend was the Scrap Pink event at Hannah's and let me tell you this 1st kit of happiness from Kenner totally kept me occupied and happy like no other!!!!! I finished 2 layouts, which for me is a freakin' miracle in itself!!! With out further ado here our my layouts from my 1st kit from Kenner Road!!!! Of course I had to add some stuff from my overly abundant stash to help me eliminate stuff overload, but, 99% used is the kit!! This is one kit that I will definitely be using up completely and that is a rarity for me. Hope you enjoy. Thanks for stoppin' by, Tracy

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Got Sketch 102

Here is my version of the class's 1st sketch as promised: This layout is all about my baby Sabrina and her very sassy attitude! Gotta love that about her because it so makes her who she is!! I am still far behind in the classes but there are no time constraints in this class so I am a happy camper about that!! Lol!! Especially since I am the slowest scrapper on the face of the earth! And tomorrow night I will be working on another sketch from the classes while I am at the Scrap Pink Crop at Hannah's! I am looking forward to a great weekend of scrappin' my little heart out! Hope you all have a great weekend!! Thanks for stoppin' by, Tracy

Enabling Alert!!

I just thought I should warn you about this post being about a recent purchase that I had made that is totally scrapbook related! Lol!! I have been printing my photos from home for along time now and just wasn't real happy with the quality of the prints. My biggest pet peeve about them was that if I touched them no matter how long they had been dry after printing they would smudge or leave marks! Not a happy camper can you tell!! Well, I have been looking at the Epson Picture Mate since I first saw them in use back when Scrapbooks Etc. had their online Scrapbook Show that I watched religiously (sad note; they no longer do the show! :(). Anyways, that is where my love and want for this machine first started to bloom and on top of it the machine itself is not that espensive especially with the awesome quality you get!! So I finally broke down and got it!! Yes, I did!! And I absolutely love this little bugger and I do mean LOVE!! The quality is even better then professional lab quality!! I thought at first yeah right, but yes it is!! I recently reprinted a photo that had gotten a smudge on it and let me tell you WOW!! The color is out of this world, so sharp and crisp and I can stick my fingers all over it and no smudges or marks!! Gotta love that!! Ok, I am done and will climb down off my soap box now!! Lol!! I promise to post a photo of my layout from Got Sketch 102 sometime in the next couple of days. Thanks for stopping by!!, Tracy

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Not Much Going On.....

here right now but, this coming weekend I will be Scrappin' Pink at my lss!! I can hardly wait!! It seems like forever since I have gotten out and scrapped! I will be at this event both days of the event and for signing up for both nights we get a goody bag!! Hmmmm.....I just had to sign up for both days especially since it is for such an awesome cause!! Cancer has hit my life personally in so many ways that if I can do anything to support a cure I am on it! And what a better way then doing what I love on top of it! Is anyone else going to be supporting the cause out there by joining a Scrap Pink event in their area or online? I would love to hear about it! I received an email today from my sister Kay with a new pic of my Great Nephew Domenic!! He is just so dang stinkin' cute that I just can't help but smile with joy when I see his little cherub face!! Here is the latest: Such a cutie!! I have been working on another layout from Got Sketch 102 and as soon as it is finished I will share it with you all. Thanks for stopping by, Tracy

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Have you joined.......

Got Sketch 102? If you haven't you are missing out!!! And I can tell you that it is still not too late to join, so, what are you waiting for?! Lol!! Just click on the blinkie for it in my side-bar to find out more. Ok, as you can already guess I joined the second I heard there was going to be a 102 because I had taken 101 and totally loved it. I unfortunately didn't have time to actually do any of the 101 sketches but this time around I am trying to correct that by getting my scrappy bum in gear. Here is my first layout that I have done for the class which actually is the pre-class challenge which means I am really behind but hey that is the cool thing about this class.....there are no deadlines!!! I also used one of my Scarlet Lime Kits for this layout as well with a little of my own stash thrown in. I did this layout of my hubby doing what he loves to do which is work out in the yard and the garden (which for us right now is not your typical garden because of renting)making it look absolutely gorgeous for me!! Love that man!! Enjoy, Tracy

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Where has the summer gone?

Seriously, where the heck has the summer gone?! It seems like we just got over one of the worst winters ever and summer had just started when I look at the calendar to see that it is already the end of August! I'm not trying to rush summer out the door any faster then it is already going but I could not wait to work with the new Vintage Moon line from Pink Paislee. It is definitely an indian summer or fallish line of papers and I do love the fall colors soo much that I just had to switch gears. And on top of it I have this gorgeous picture of Abigail, Zach, and Isabelle just calling to me to be scrapped! So that is just what I did at the SIS Crop on Saturday! Here it is: Love, love, love this line of papers!! So much so that if I could have bought more of it at the crop I would have in a heartbeat!!! I see that alot of the kit clubs out there are in love with it too and are featuring it in their kits for September! I am soo tempted to join another club just to get more of this yummy paper!!! I must maintain control and not give in to the urge!! Lol!! So if you see this line in the stores I highly recommend it!! TFL!, Tracy

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Saturday was AWESOME!!

This last Saturday was an all day crop for SIS at Craft Fancy in Arlington Heights Illinois. Craft Fancy is a brand new scrapbook store that opened up not too long ago and let me tell you they are a fully loaded store!! I totally am going back again sometime soon just to shop! They have lots of goodies!!! The crop was lots of fun and I took some pics before it started and we all got settled in because I knew once I got started scrappin' I would totally forget to take anymore! Oh yeah the camera was totall forgotten the rest of the night! LOL!!! Ok, here are the photos showing you the crop room and my good friend Cricket and my new friend Nan beginning to scrap and then a photo from the crop room looking out into the store. I actually managed to get some layouts done, oh ok only 2 but hey that is alot for me!! I will take photos of them sometime in the next couple of days and post them! I have a busy weekend ahead of me! I will be heading up to spend the weekend with my sister Kay to hang with her while she babysits the Dom!! Getting to have Dom there for the weekend is an added bonus to getting to spend some time with my Sis! I hope I can remember to pack my camera this time so that I can get some more pics of the cutie!! Ok, I need to get off this computer and get to work on my first challenge from GOT SKETCH 102!! You would not believe how many have already accomplished the first challenge!! They are super speedy and blowing my mind over there let me tell you! Thanks for stopping by, Tracy

Friday, August 15, 2008

Great Nephews and Nieces......

Make the world go around!!! I have been so blessed with a Great Niece and now a Great Nephew!! I haven't posted any pics of him till today because I hadn't had my act together in awhile and am just now getting it together!! Lol!! So, here is a pic of my new Great Nephew Domenic and his adoring Great Auntie Tracy...... Sorry I didn't take time to photo shop it so it is a little dark but still an awesome pic in my book!! The Mommy and Daddy, Shelbie and Chad, asked my hubby and I way before the baby was born if we would be his God-Parents and of course we ecstatically said YES!! He is just a little over 3 and 1/2 months right now and is the love of our lives!! The hubby adores this little guy as much if not more then I do which I didn't think was possible!! Lol!! Here is a pic of hubby and Dom back on Mother's Day when we got to see Dom for the very first time...... Isn't he just the cutest!! Now onto some scrappy stuff. I did a layout the last time I went to a crop and finally finished it up just a day ago which is sad I know!! I just have not really had any mojo at all! I finally decided to check out some of the sketches from Valerie Salmon's sketches (which I must say totally ROCK) to help me get back into scrapping. So here is the result of me using one of Valerie's sketches.... Plus I made myself use only the stuff that came in one of my kits from Bad Girls and that was it!! Totally hard for me to do so it is a good thing that Wendy really packs her kits full of goodies!! Lol!! This is a pic of my Great Niece Navarina who is also the greatest joy in my life! She has become such a gorgeous young lady and has matured so much!! I am so proud of her!!! Love you tons Nav!! Ok, that is all for today, I had better get my hinder in gear and get ready for cropping tomorrow night at Archiver's. I got to start packing my stuff now or trust me I will just throw stuff in at the last minute and it is not a pretty site!! LOL!! Thanks for stopping by! Tracy

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

College Press, Kim Hughes, & Cosmo Cricket!!!!

I know, I know, some of you are begging me to stop, but I have a least 12 more folders on my desk top of peeks that need to be seen before I delete them so warning if you can't take anymore DON'T LOOK!! LMAO!!! I am so full of it lately!! Lol!! So watch out!! Ok, first off is one of my absolute fave manufacturers in the industry and always will be no matter what, Collage Press!!!! So without further ado here is what I was able to grab from the net for peeks......














College Press is a very hard line to find and I am very excited when I see it trickle into a kit from one of my clubs because no local scrap stores carry it making it the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for me!! Ok, now let's cruise on over to some Kim Hughes and her very first line of papers being manufactured by Cornish Heritage Farms named Mocha Chica!! I totally love the little OWL!! He is so cute!!!!.....











And the colors of her line are fabulous!!! Love it!! Ok, now let's head on over to some Cosmo Cricket.........
















































Totally love Cosmo Cricket's funky vintage flair they have going!! I don't always think I am going to like the lines from them and then I see them in person and end up buying the whole line which is a rarity for me to do. I usually pick pieces from lines from different manufacturers so go figure!! Lol!! Anywho that is enough for today, I am off to cook some supper and maybe work in my studio tonight!! Wouldn't that be fun!!
TFL!!,
Tracy