Scrappin' Jewels

Welcome, Little One!

2011-09-18T17:07:00.000-04:00

I am still finding this so hard to believe but I am a Great Great Auntie!! My Great Niece Navarina gave birth to a beautiful lil' baby girl named Keylee 2 months ago and I finally have a pic for you of the new arrival! Isn't she absolutely gorgeous!!

Momma and baby are absolutely smitten with each other! She is one happy little girl and has a super good mommy! I am so proud of you Navarina!! Love you both tons and tons!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time,
Tracy

Hurricane Irene!!

2011-09-06T22:58:00.001-04:00

Needless to say we made it through Irene with absolutely no damage to our home and only 1 week of no power!! YAY!! I have to tell you, it had me pretty scared and worried! My thoughts and my prayers go out to those that were so badly affected by Irene and still are going through alot because of her! We were extremely lucky and I am so thankful for that!!

I also in this post wanted to let you all know that I have taken on a little venture with Amuse stamps. Those of you who know me, know I LOVE my Amuse stamps and when we got transferred out to the east coast I was seriously having some really bad withdrawals just thinking about not being able to go to Craft Fancy in Illinois to get my fix!! It was so bad that my best buddy Kim said to me "Tracy, it will be ok!! If I have to go to the store on a weekly basis with you on the phone with me and buy them and ship them to you I will!!" Needless to say Kim stuck by her word and many boxes full to the brim where shipped from her to me in the first 6 months of us being out here on Long Island!! Love you dearly Kim, I do, and not just cause you helped to feed my addiction!! Lol!! Then a shocking (to me!) announcement came out of Amuse headquarters out in Seattle, WA that Amuse would no longer be a wholesale company distributing to stores around the U.S.!!!??!! What the HECK!!!? I was traumatized beyond belief!! NO!! I cried and threw temper tantrums!! I am just not happy not happy at all about this news let me tell you!! Then a little later I got an email from Amuse stating that I was such an excellent customer that they would like to offer me this awesome ground floor opportunity....to be a consultant and sell Amuse products!? HUH!! What the HECK! I am the type of person that absolutely avoids and dreads running into the home sales people types!! I know right!! I do not want to have to clean my house and then worry about snacks, drinks, and furry babies behaving let alone do I have enough friends to hoodwink into coming over to my house so this lady can sell them stuff! LOL!! I know I know I am a bad person!! Lol!! But it is the wave of the future everyone is constantly saying!! Yeah I know and I get it but it is just not for me!! Well......let's just say Tracy has had a huge change of heart because she NEEDS her AMUSE products and she needs them now!! I have not gone over to the dark side per say but I have gone over to the other side! Don't worry you will not be getting pushy phone calls from me trying to convince you that you need to book a party from me or anything like that, BUT...I am here for you if you should so wish to do that! Lol!! My hopes and dreams for this is to do a workshop out of my home every couple of months to teach others to stamp along with a multitude of techniques.....oh yeah, and supply you with all of your AMUSE NEEDS!! I know that there are many of you out there just like me that had a huge addiction to their Amuse stamps and loved all the itsy bittyness of them wondering what the heck you were gonna do now that you can't get them anymore in stores....so if you need to feed the addiction I have a badge for them on my side bar which will take you to my store where you can place an order or browse the catalog or even learn some new techniques!! What more could you ask for huh!? Lol!! Oh yeah, they also have brought some awesome new additions to the Amuse family that I am just dying to get all of.....CUTTING DIES!!! OH YEAH!! I am so happy about this that I can hardly contain myself!! I ordered my first couple of sets last week and am just waiting for them to show up and then I will either take some pics of them for you or even....wait for it.....wait for it.....do a VIDEO!! I know, I know, I have not done a video in so long that it is way over due and maybe I can show you some cool stuff to do with those uber awesome new dies!! They have super cute little cloud dies and a 2 piece snow globe die for the holidays that is to die (pun totally intended) for!! I want to also start sharing some pics of my creations I make or made in the past with my Amuse goodies. I just finished a cute little card to welcome my great great niece Keylee into the world!! That was a teaser for all my friends wondering how I managed to get a great great niece? Hmmm.....something for you all to ponder! Lol!!

Until next time,
Tracy

Customer Loyalty?

2011-08-18T16:42:00.001-04:00

I just read an article on Scrapbook Update today written by May Flaum entitled "Inspiring Customer Loyalty". I have to say this was the best article I have read regarding this topic!! High praise to May for telling it like it is! Here is a link to the article: Scrapbook Update "Inspiring Customer Loyalty"
I hope and pray that all the manufacturer's out there and the scrapbook celebs with their names on product listen up and take this to heart!! I have worked in the retail world for 20+ years and let me tell you this article is spot on! It is definitely time for a change since complacency has replaced customer service! Tell me what you think. Do you agree or disagree? I am dying to hear!

Until next time!,
Tracy

Time.....

2011-08-14T03:01:00.002-04:00

If I could save time in a bottle.....would I use it wisely?! Time has flown by in such huge chunks from me that I can not even begin to tell you where it went! You know the saying "time flies when your having fun!", well in this case that just isn't so!! I have lost a whole year and I truly don't know where it went. Let me explain to the best of my rambling ability how this happened...

Last summer on August 6th, 2010 our whole world changed in the blink of an eye! I will try to make this story short as possible because I know it could be a long one since I lived it. On August 6th I ended up rushing my husband to the emergency room at 7am in the morning! He was having abdominal pain of which I have never in our 28 years of life together seen him in such pain! He is the typical type of man that my father was in which if you should accidentally break a hand saw blade while sawing and it goes through your hand it is nothing to get excited about, just pull it out and wrap a rag around it and move on!! Tell your wife it is nothing and you just want to know if she can help you pull it out and put a bandage on it! Lol!! That was my Dad and that is my husband!!   So for him to be in so much pain that he was doubled over, unable to stand up straight, vomiting and I might add actually willing to go to the emergency room....scared me to death!! After a full day and night in the emergency room with them trying to stabilize him and diagnose he was finally placed in ICU with an enlarged spleen. He was in ICU with severe pain on huge amounts of meds while the doctors tried to figure out what to do. They did not want to just remove the spleen because that has all sorts of complications in itself let alone all the problems that would follow by him not having a spleen. They explained to me that yes you can live without a spleen but it is a major surgery and the spleen does do a major role in the filtering of the blood (infection, etc.). They don't like to remove the spleen unless there is absolutely no other option. All I could think was "I just can't lose him, please God!". The real fear set in when they asked me if I had the power to make medical decisions for him?! "No" I responded! They immediately said I would need them and a social worker would be in to see me asap to get that done. He was so out of it that they feared not being able to perform life saving surgery was needed he would not be able to consent. Needless to say the paperwork got done asap! After 3 days of ICU he was starting to come around and was able to eat so they decided he was out of the woods and could be moved to a regular room on the surgical floor. Once that move took place he started to recover his strength and the pain started to go away. The spleen was still enlarged but the pain was finally all gone 2 days later. The hospital decided their was nothing more they could do for him except send him home and tell us to see his regular doctor soon. Flash forward to today....he has gone through so much testing it is unbelievable an the spleen is still the size it was back in August 2010. They have ruled out everything possible that could be causing the enlargement of the spleen. He is unable to do some of the things he loves like playing basketball, football, racquet ball, etc., so no contact sports of any kind. He needs to avoid any blows to the abdomen of any kind. He just had an MRI to rule out Cirrhosis of the liver or any cancers in the abdomen. The MRI results came back excellent meaning that they could not find anything wrong that he is extremely healthy with the exception of the enlarged spleen which they have now diagnosed as portal hypertension. Next they will be looking at his heart to rule out any problems with the blood flow through there that might cause portal hypertension of the spleen. They have ruled out all blood diseases that could cause this as well. So basically we are in a holding pattern waiting and wondering what they heck happened. The doctors and all the specialists are stumped. He just woke up one morning in pain a little over a year ago and his whole life changed! He is also fighting to keep his job due to this. The Coast Guard wants to make sure he can still run his station completely and do his job all the way.   The stress has been unbelievable, but we are so blessed! He is alive and for now he is able to all the things that his job requires! He loves what he does and excels at it so the thought of him losing that is just devastating to him! I pray every day that he can continue to do what he loves and that the doctors will figure out what is causing this and fix it.

I have not really been able to do what I love as much because the stress has made my blood pressure go all out of whack along with a problem of not being able to sleep. Creativity and mojo have definitely taken a back burner in my life. I desperately need to get back to some sense of normalcy and start to get us back on track so that our life can become less stressed. I know that what caused it to spin out of control will still be there but I truly believe that how we respond to stresses is more than half the problem. I need to start getting myself back on track so that I can create which in turn de-stresses me and helps me to be happy, lowers my blood pressure, helps me sleep at night, and point blank makes life better! In turn hubby will start to feel less stress because everything at home is good again!!   (Note to self: DO IT NOW!)

I guess just getting this all down in writing is what I needed to do and I knew I could not do that until I was ready to. I guess you could say I was ready!   Now you know what has been going on in our lives for the last year. I want to thank family and friends who have been here whether it was in person (meals, holding my hand, visiting Terry, fixing things when Terry couldn't etc.) or in thought (cards, emails, phone calls, etc.) from the bottom of my heart for being there for us through all of this! I truly believe that without you all we never would have made it thru this as unscathed as we have!    Thank you can not even begin to express how much it all means to us!!

So if I could save time in a bottle would I use it wisely? I guess the answer to that is still under much debate and still weighs on my mind heavily. I just know that the passing of time does make us older and (hopefully) wiser from all the experiences we go through while said time is passing. Hmm...on that note I will leave you
until next time,
Tracy

Up Coming "Scrappin' on the Edge Classes"

2011-03-21T22:47:00.000-04:00

I will be teaching 2 classes this week. The first one is a mini-album class of a mini that I did for the store using the Mamarazzi line of papers from BoBunny along with their shaped album from the same line.

This class will be held on Wednesday the 23rd starting at 2:30pm - 8:30pm at Not Just Scrap in Centereach, NY. If you are interested in taking this class call Diana at the store (631-580-1118) to reserve your spot. We are filling up fast so if interested don't wait.

This next class is part of my "Scrappin' on the Edge" series of classes that I have reserechted from the dust from way back when I used to teach in Illinois. This class is titled "Near The Sea" and will hold 12 photos of your beach memories or any photos that have to do with the water. This class is very technique heavy. Don't be afraid to take the class if you have missed out on the first 2 in the series, you will be able to pick it all up with ease! I am a very simple and straight to the point teacher that will ensure you success in making a gorgeous piece of art that will look like it took you days to do! This class is scheduled for this coming Sunday the 27th at 12:30pm - 5:00pm. If you are interested, call Diana at Not Just Scrap in Centereach, NY and sign up fast as we only have a few seats left! Again the number for the store is 631-580-1118.

Hope to see you there!!
Happily Scrappin',
Tracy

Good Morning Bloggers!

2011-01-28T09:06:00.000-05:00

Boy oh boy, do we still have a ton of snow here on Long Island!! But, regardless of all that snow it is a gorgeous morning out there! Today I thought I would share with you some more of the layouts I have done in the last year for "Not Just Scrap" to catch you up with what I have been up to. This first layout is one I did of my girlfriend's son's wedding using Glimmer Mists, Prima trims, Prima bling, and Bazzill's Glazed Cardstock. Love that cardstock!! The journaling for this layout is on the tag that is hidden behind the photo that you can just see poking out.

This next layout is of my God-Daughter's feet on the day of her baptism. I used a very simple design for this one with white space which for me is very unusual!! Lol!! But, for some reason those little toes just needed simplicity! I used Bazzill Kraft along with some of the gorgeous papers from the MME Lush line! Embellishment wise I used one of the crocheted embellies that Diana sells at her store that her Aunt makes along with some bling (of course), QuickKutz 12" Border Die in Damask (love love this die!!) and some yummy trim!! You know me I gotta have some bling, flowers, and trim on every layout!!

This last layout for today is one that I did of my God-Son's first day of life on this earth! I used some more of that awesome Bazzill Glazed Cardstock, Glimmer Mist, Prima Bling, Prima Flowers, Prima Butterfly, Rain Drops, Ranger Paint Dabber, Tiny Type from Cosmo Cricket, American Craft Thickers,Technique Tuesdays Technique Tiles, and some yummy trim!

Ok, that is enough for today!! My furry baby Gizmo is wanting some mommy time before I start working on my Class for February. He knows that if he doesn't get mommy's attention now it will be awhile before he gets it again when mommy is working!! He is just so stinkin' smart that one!! Hope your day is awesome!!

Enjoy!,
Tracy

Loooongg time no POST!!

2011-01-27T19:16:00.001-05:00

Wow!! Where does the time go!!? Seriously!! I have been on LI now for 2 years in June 2011 and I just can not believe it!! So much has happened and so many things have changed that there is no way I can even begin to update you!! So, from this point forward will be what is happened recently and that will be that! Lol!! I will start by sharing some of the things that I have been creating lately for "Not Just Scrap". I have also started teaching again which surprisingly feels good to be doing again!! I guess I truly missed that part of myself more then I realized! Teaching my love of this craft/art has always been a big part of who I am which many of my long time friends know about me. As they say "it feels good to be back in the saddle again!". Here is a mini I did for the store using the BoBunny "Mamarazzi" line of papers and mini album.

This was a really fun line to work with!! If you have any questions on techniques used or product, etc., please don't hesitate to ask.

On a side note what is up with Blogger and not posting your pics in the order that we put them!! UGH!! Fustrating!!

Enjoy!!
Tracy

Some Excitement!!

2010-03-14T23:54:00.008-04:00

The store, "Not Just Scrap", that I design for was asked to sponsor a really awesome exhibit at the Northport Historical Society Museum!! Diana called awhile back and asked if it would be okay to use my layout of Terry's Mom and Dad with the Prima stuff for the exhibit!! Needless to say I was on cloud 9 and said yes!! I am so happy for Diana that her store was asked to sponsor this awesome exhibit!! I mean, seriously, how cool is that!!?!! I hope to get the chance to go and see it sometime this summer! If you live on Long Island and are a scrapbooker you should definitely check it out! What an awesome opportunity to see how others throughout history have documented their memories!! The exhibit will run from now till the end of August. Here is the flyer: To see a layout of mine on exhibit is just mind blowing to me and such an honor too! Thank you Diana!! As always thank you for stopping by my little home on the web!! Tracy

Something I Feel Strongly About!

2010-03-06T16:31:00.009-05:00

Hi everyone!! Today I am stopping in to bring some awareness to a person and cause that I truly believe in and feel very strongly about! It is Bernie Berlin and the unbelievable awesome work that this girl and her "A Place To Bark" do! If you know me you know how much I love all the wonderful furry, scaly, slippery, soft, cuddly, etc. creatures that exist on our planet and how they all deserve the right to a life of quality where they can exist in a safe and loving planet earth! Well, Bernie is a person with very similar beliefs and dreams!! Love that about her so much!! She has been able to make a dream of hers (& one that I share and have always wanted to be able to do) come true for her doing what she loves and also what needs to be done! So, please take a moment and check out her site at www.aplacetobark.com and her blog http://aplacetobark.blogspot.com and help her out in anyway that you can even if it is just spreading the word about her work! I have also included a badge on the right side of this page to help spread the word. Okay, I am down off my soapbox for now and thought I would finally share the finished layout that I have done for "Not Just Scrap". Here it is: Ok I am sitting her looking at this photo of this layout and am not too happy with it so I will try to take another pic soon and post it because this one does not do it justice! Sorry!! Thanks for stopping by and sharing a moment with me in my world!! {{{{HUGS}}}} Tracy

I am a Great Auntie again!!!

2010-01-14T12:04:00.006-05:00

I am just so stinkin' excited!!! My Niece Shelbie and her hubby Chad welcomed a bran new baby girl into the world last night!! She was born at 10:43pm weighing 7lbs 2.5oz and is 19.5" long!! They have named her Tava Louise!! She is just gorgeous and I am not just saying that cause I'm the Auntie!! Lol!! Here is a quick pic of her that Chad took with his cell phone last night so that I could see her so sorry it is dark and blurry a little but you can still see her gorgeousness!! Hubby and I are also her God-Parents!! Welcome to the great big wonderful world my sweet little angel!! I can't wait to hold you in my arms!! Congrats little Domenic, you are now a big brother!! And you will be an awesome big brother my little man!! Love you!! Thanks for stoppin' by!!, Tracy

First post of 2010!!

2010-01-07T23:52:00.020-05:00

Wow, it is a New Year and so far so good I must say!! I am so glad to see 2009 in the rear-view mirror!! It was such a rough year for so many including me! So good-bye 2009 and welcome 2010!!! I am just sitting here reminiscing about all the huge life changing moments of last year and how they have affected me and those I love. I thought I would finally start sharing more photos so today the photos are some of those I took last year during some of those moments!! This first set of photos is at my hubby's Change of Command which took place just before the big move east when things really started to change and fast. This first pic is of my man during the ceremony when Captain Bruce Jones (Terry's boss) is giving his speech and mentioned that we had just gone through the horrific loss of Terry's Mom. It just broke my heart to see the pain in his eyes that day! He was stronger that day then I have ever seen him be! During Terry's ceremony when it was his turn to give his speech and say his goodbyes to his station and talk about his time there he made a very special presentation to his Dad! If you are from Wisconsin or a Packer Fan then you know how special this presentation was for Terry and his Dad! Terry wanted to let his Dad know how much he loved him and how much he thanked him for being the best Dad ever! Another tearful moment was had by me of course but I was still able to snap the pic! Just after the ceremony I wanted a pic of Terry, Dad, & Peter (Terry's brother) before they had to head out for home since it was the last time we would get to see them for awhile. We had an extra special little guest at the Change of Command that was the best little guy ever (he didn't fuss or cry the whole time!!) our God-Son Domenic!! They also drove the 2 1/2 hours down so they could be there for Terry's special day!! It meant the world to us!! Alot of very special people came to be with us including Terry's older brother Kevin and his wife Sue, their daughter Kayla, my sister Bobbie, my niece Shelbie (Dom's Mommy), my Mom, my BFF Amy, our Aunt Margaret and Uncle Lee, tons of friends from the Auxillary, Ta-may and Gui (our landlords), and the list goes on and on! All of their support was so greatly appreciated and felt that day!! Without all of you in our lives I don't think we could have made it through! Hmmm....I guess my explanation for these 2 photos is I just couldn't help myself! Lol!! He just looked so handsome!! Swoon!! And then of course there was cake and I just had to take a picture of that being the snap happy scrapbooker that I am!! Lol!! This next pic is of our little baby boy Gizmo on the day that we loaded up the truck and emptied out the house for the move!! Needless to say he was not a happy camper!! He just sat in my studio looking through the loft railing at everybody hauling all our stuff away!! Even though he is a good little Coastie and handles the moving so well this last time he really had a hard time with it!! Poor little guy!! Looking at this photo reminded me of how hard he took it!! Now this next photo you will have to excuse the blurriness since it is a photo taken with the computer while skyping with my buddy Kim!! As soon as I could get my internet hooked up and the computer up and running I was on it getting re-connected with my best buddy Kim!! This pic was taken the 4rth day that we were in our new home on Long Island in my basement studio with tons of boxes and unpacking to do all around me but I had to skype dang-it!! Priorities!! Gizmo and I needed the contact so bad!! Thank you Kim for being there for us!! I can't even begin to tell you how much our skyping time with Kim made all the difference in the world!!! Love you Girl!! You helped to bring a little piece of home out to me through the awesome power of the internet and gave so freely of your precious time when I was so down and lost!! Thank you!! Here is a card that I finished during one of our scrappy skype therapy sessions!! Okay, enough of the last years photos for now! Lol!! I will keep throwing in some as the mood hits me!! Now on to a sneak peek of a layout I am working on when time permits for "Not Just Scrap". The title is going to be "A Mother's Love"..... I still have a ways to go before it will be finished, but, as soon as it is I will post pics of it. Oh, and notice that grey thing that the layout is on top of?! I couldn't help myself and just had to get it!! It is a F.R.E.D.!! If you have never heard of it you can check it out here http://www.myscrappingbuddy.com/ !! Love this thing so much that I got 2!! I can not believe how much it is helping me out with my neck and back pain that I had been suffering from for the last couple of years when I scrapbook and create!! Love it!! Here is a pic of mine without the layout on it.... Wowzers!! I have definitely "chewed your ear off" long enough for today! LOL!! So on that note I will say bye for now and thanks for stopping by my little corner of the world!! Tracy

WARNING!! Long Post Alert!!

2009-11-21T22:48:00.009-05:00

I am posting today to finish up where I left off on the last post even though I am sicky again and this time really sicky!! YUCK!! I am tired of every bug in town thinking it has to come visit again and again! Tired and achy is how we roll around here evidently! Ok, enough of that because I am sure you all out there are fighting the battle of the bug in one form or another as we speak. I digress so easily it seems. Any way here is where I left off. The pic of the so called box (train case or Travis Case) is by B.E./Creative Imaginations. I altered it with a little victorian flare of my own for my new DT position with an amazing store here on Long Island called "Not Just Scrap"! The owner of the store is Diana and she is an amazing artist and super nice gal with a huge heart! I have posted a link on my right side bar to her blog for the store and I believe from there you can get to her main site as well. I believe she is moving towards getting her site up and running for internet sales in the future. She has been in business here on LI for 5 years and has done an amazing job of making her store feel like home! When you walk in you immediately feel that peaceful "I'm home" feeling along with a great big "Hi! How are ya?" from Diana in the most amazing NY accent in the world! Little chuckle here because they think I have a "cute" accent from the midwest! Lol!! I will take cute yes I will! I seriously love New Yorkers and their accent the most though because it is so full of meaning when they speak, straight from their hearts is what I like to say it sounds like. So, there you have it, my little bit of happiness in an otherwise scrapless world around me!! I am so fortunate to have found Diana and her store! Here are some more pics of the box/case, a layout, and a mini-peak: The layout is a Prima one and I got my inspiration from one that the amazing and uber talented Cari Fennell did as a dt layout for Prima! Diana wanted something very similar to help customers see how to cluster Prima flowers together with some bling. Here is the gorgeous layout by Cari that Diana wanted me to go from : See! I told you her work is gorgeous!! And if you haven't visited her blog yet you definitely need to check her out!! Here is her blog address: www.meandmymaryjanes.blogspot.com . So please check her out because you will definitely be inspired!! Oh, and don't forget to show her some love!! Ok, now that I am done with all the pics I will fill you in on what has happened in life since I left Wisconsin. My niece Shelbie got married right before we left for New York so we were able to be there and we are so proud of her. I love her like she were my own child!! We had a huge garage sale and sold most of our earthly belongings so that we wouldn't have to pack too much stuff (side note: still had way to much stuff!!) since this was the first time in 23 years we decided to do the move ourselves!! Never again I tell ya never again and if I should happen to mention that we are please shoot me on the spot!! Lol!! I drove the car to Long Island and Terry drove the moving truck! Talk about stressfull!! Aghhh!! So glad that part is over!! Then we had Terry's change of command out here and he took over running his new station down on Jones Beach! Gorgeous area!! We settled into our new home with out any living room furniture until a about a month ago! Didn't think that would be such a big deal but let me tell you it was!! Definitely delayed the getting settled feeling for awhile! I tried to get settled into my new studio which is down in the finished basement here. Not so easily said and done I tell you!! I have way too much stuff! Let me repeat that WAY TOO MUCH!! Not enough room!! Still, on this very day, I am unpacking and trying to get it finished when time permits!! UGH!! Not happening as fast as I need it to! Then on a very sad note we lost Terry's Mom...that was one of the hardest most difficult things ever! Love you Mom and miss you tons!! It cames as a super hard hit for us and I am so proud of Terry. He stayed with her until the end! Dad and Peter are by themselves now and I must say they are doing really well considering how hard this has been on them and the whole family. Terry has been making trips back and forth to help out and support them as much as he can. Next on the list of goings on is that my Mom came to live with us full time back in July and this is where things got even harder! She was diagnosed back last year, after having 2 heart attacks, with Dimentia. The hardest part is that since she has gotten here my Mom as I knew her is almost completely gone due to this horrible disease! She peaks out at me once in a very great while and on those days the suns shines so brightly with her smile! This is why I have lost all of my bearings in life and have gone through such a dark time. It is so very hard to see a loved one go through what she is having to go through. It is not fair for the person who has this in any way shape or form and I know unfortunately that thousands and thousands of people are going through this as we speak! Why don't we have a cure or a way to stop this from happening yet with all the advances in medicine that we have? It is not an easy thing to be the caregiver of a loved one who has this as I know all too well but to be the person with it is just horrible. My life and every thought (sleeping and awake) is for her and her safety and wellbeing. So, my friends this is the number one reason of them all that I am so far behind on keeping in touch and life in general! I just thank you all so much for your support and prayers that keep coming our way! She has been fighting off this yucky bug that has been going around for awhile now and is starting to show signs of improvement which is a blessing for her and me. She is starting to get better sleep at night and not coughing the night away. If any of you know about Dimentia or Alzheimers you know that the patient can also suffer from what they call Sun-Downers which put to put it easily means that once the sun starts to set in the sky that is the time that a person suffering from dimentia has the worst time of all. Mom unfortunately has this so the nights are awful for her and needless to say we don't get much sleep. For Mom that is the time when her mind struggles with why can't I remember and worries if everyone and everything is taken care of. She will wonder the house at night endlessly searching through cupboards and closest for something that she can't remember what it is. It just breaks my heart to see her have to go through this and of course with the coughing the doctor said she has got a double whamy of bad at night right now. Not much sleeping going on at the Lathrop household! So, please forgive me if I haven't responded to your posts or emails right away or even after awhile, I am trying my dangedest to get this so called life in shape and functioning as best as I can with a little help from my friends. I may just burst into song now that I started it cause you all know we can't get by without a little help from our friends!! Lol!! We see the Dr. again on Monday so wish us some luck! Lord knows we need it! This is another reason Dianna at "Not Just Scrap" is such a God send!! She has the patience of a saint when it comes to my DT work! Thank you for that Diana! Cause you all know that when Tracy hasn't gotten crafty in awhile she isn't a happy camper and needs her fix of studio time which right now isn't a whole lot! As always, my dear readers, thank you for stopping by and putting up with my long tirades!! Lol!!, Tracy

Cob Webs!!!!

2009-11-16T16:01:00.004-05:00

Wow, there sure are alot of cob webs on this blog!! I am here for the first time since the move which happened 5 months ago now trying to get things up and running again! I am just amazed at how much time has gone by since the last time I posted!! Well, we are here on Long Island and finally all unpacked and starting to make our new home a place where we can feel at home. That is the part that is taking me the longest (feeling at home here). I miss everyone back in the midwest so much that I have gone through a very dark period in my life with this move. I wish I could say that after 23 years in this military life with my hubby that moving was a piece of cake and that we could do it without any saddness but that just is not the case! I know alot of people tend to think that the life of a military spouse is always full of new exciting adventures and making new friends, etc.. But, I am here to tell you that it is not all that all the time! Lol!! I don't know if it is my age or this specific time in my life or all the wonderful people that have come in to my life during our last port of call that has made this the hardest one ever for me or what. Maybe I am on an extremely long pms haul or some sort of mental break down or ughh....... something just isn't the same this time!! I sat down today and looked at the calendar on my desk just stunned! So much time has passed and I have nothing to show for it, no great accomplishments, nothing...nada...zilch. Life has swallowed me whole! So, needless to say today is the "wake up and smell the roses (or coffee! lol!)" day for me!! Today is the day that I am grabbing life by the horns again, putting on my high heels, filling my tool belt with the neccesities and taking a ride back on the journey bus to MY LIFE! (I can almost just barely hear the crowd cheering "you can do it"!) I am no longer in stand still mode I am now in "full speed ahead baby" mode!! So, if you are one of my many awesome friends who has emailed me and not heard back from me I am here to officially tell you that I do not have any excuses to give you, but, I can tell you that soon my friend, real soon, I will be in touch some way some how!! I am not dead I just fell off the earth for a couple of spins and now I am back!! So, on that note, since I have already bored you to death with my troubles such as they may be, I will now leave you with a pic of a little something that I made for a little something I am doing....is that vague enough for ya! Lol!! Next post will have more pics and some deets on what I am talking about! As always...Thanks for stoppin' in! You truly mean the world to me!!, Tracy

Long Time No Bloggy!!

2009-04-24T22:58:00.005-04:00

The stress of the big move has defintely gotten me finally and I swore it wouldn't but unfortunately I have to be honest!! UGHHHHHH!! or maybe it's AAAGGGGHHHHHH!! I have been working on some crafty things inbetween packing (oh yeah I didn't tell you that hubby decided we were going to pack ourselves!!) keeping the house somewhat organized and clean along with all the other day to day things! I managed to finish the layout I was working on of my inlaws, Mom and Dad Lathrop, so without further ado here it is!! Also finished my niece's 90 some wedding invitations and the hubby's 120 change of command invitations! Can't find the pic of my niece's wedding invitations but once I do (who knows when that will be! Lol!!) I will post it! I have been taking some time to smell the roses persay or I would not be able to stay sane at this time!! Tomorrow I am meeting my awesome good friend Kim at Hannah's with Mom and we are going to spend the day scrapping or crafting or whatever we wind up doing!! Lol!! Another much needed rose smelling trip I say!! Then on Monday I am going to my favorite store in the whole wide world Craft Fancy in Arlington Heights IL!! Awesome store and of course my awesome friend Simone owns it along with Carol and they are awesome so if you get the time check them out because they are definitely well worth the trip! So anyway, on Monday I am taking the Amuse card class taught by the wonderfully talented Simone!! Another fun day I think!! Mom is going to and loves to make cards especially when they are taught by one of her favorite people..... Simone!! Lol!! Mom just loves her!! Ok, now I think I better get my hinder in bed for some much needed rest if you know what I mean!! Lol!! Thanks for stoppin' by!!, Tracy

First Time Using My Webcam!

2009-03-27T17:14:00.002-04:00

Just a little scarry don't ya think!! Yes, Kim I did finally figure it out and now I know how and we can SKYPE!! Yay!! Lol!!

Mom is on Hannah's DT Blog

2009-03-12T22:58:00.004-04:00

My sweet Mom was the Queen of the Crop at Friday nights crop last weekend!! And they took her pic wearing her favorite color in the whole world....Purple!! Here is the pic that is over on the blog: Such a pretty picture of her!! Thanks Jill and Hannah's for making Mom feel like a Queen even if it was only for one night! Lol!! She definitely loved it!! Thanks for stoppin' by, Tracy

SIStv Crop was a Blast!!!

2009-03-10T23:23:00.004-04:00

This last Saturday was the last SIS crop I will probably get to attend here before the move and let me tell you....we had a blast!! It was held at Craft Fancy as always (love that place!!) and almost all of the local Sis girls were there!! I did not get much done as usual because I was too busy enjoying the company and eating Cricket's awesome brownies!! The Girl can bake I tell you!! I did finish the layout I started to work on at the crop of my DH and his calf Petunia or Daisy not sure which! Lol!! I used February's kit from Kenner Road and had a fun time working with the vintage goodness that come in KL's kits!! She totally knows how to rock the vintage!! Ok, here it is: And then I have to tell you about these awesome little stamps that Craft Fancy sells! Amuse is the name of the company and if you haven't checked these cuties out you definitely need to!! I finally broke down and allowed myself to buy 3 of them and have 2 more on order!!! I have been fighting it for so long for the simple fact that I have too many stamps but let me tell you this Girl can not have too many Amuse stamps!! No siree she can't!! I have a feeling this is my new addiction!! Shhhh!! Don't tell the hubby!! LOL!! I will take pics of the cuties stamps I got and post them tomorrow along with pics of my nieces wedding invites I did. Thanks for stoppin' by!! Tracy

Where does the time go??

2009-02-28T15:11:00.003-05:00

Seriously, where the heck does it go? Must be with Alice in Wonderland!! Lol!! I am so wrapped up in getting ready to move that I am lucky my brain is even working at all and then again maybe it isn't! I finally finished my niece Shelbie's wedding invitations and will post a picture sometime this evening of them. Right now I am in the process of taking all of my kits that I have gotten from all the different kit clubs that I have belonged to in the past apart and seperating the stuff by manufacturer!! Big Big job!! Let me tell you!! Lol!! If you had any idea of how many kits I had you would sit down and cry with me!! I literally never need to shop again for anything remotely related to scrappin'!! But, I still have the need, what the heck!! I am going to have to learn to just buy a little here and a little there and use up what I have or I pity my nieces when their Aunt Tracy passes away!! I will be talked about like the crazy cat lady!! Lol!! Oh well, life is short and I gotta do what I gotta do right?! Anyway, maybe down the road once we are settled in New York sometime in July I will start doing some blog candy giveaways from my overly abundant stash!! That could be fun right? That is if I can part with any of my pretties!! Lol!! We will see! Thanks for stoppin' by!, Tracy

Sunday!!

2009-02-15T14:55:00.003-05:00

Today is my 23rd wedding anniversary!! How fast time flies!! I mean literally!! Lol!! I am just amazed that we still got it for each other as much as we do! I always thought when I was a teenager about how do people stay with each other for so long (at that time long to me was more then a year! LMAO!!)! I guess you could say now I know! Anyway, we are going out for a nice dinner later in the evening and just have some us time together. But, right now I am heading off to my LSS Hannah's and getting me some more paint, Claudine's to be exact!! Thank you Nan for turning me onto it!! I am hooked, line and sinker!! I love the richness of the colors and of course the semi-glass of them as well! Awesome paints and let me tell you they go a long way so one jar is gonna last you forever!! Very economical in my book!! I have been making some pretties using this paint and I will post some pics as soon as I get them finished so that you can all see! Have a great Sunday my friend, Tracy

Check Out This Blog!

2009-02-11T17:58:00.004-05:00

I came across this blog of Wendy's about a year ago when I joined a Pazzles Inspiration group on Yahoo. She is a very talented lady and I enjoy checking out her work on a regular basis!! Right now she is doing her first Blog Giveaway so you will definitely have to go over there and check it out!! She is doing a giveaway for a Score-Pal!! Very awesome!! Here is the link: http://www.papertherapy-wendy.blogspot.com/ Thanks for stopping by, Tracy

Shakin' off the CobWebs!!!!

2009-02-10T03:01:00.002-05:00

Wowzer!! It sure has been awhile since I have done some house keeping on my blog and because I don't like excuses I am not going to give you any!! So there! Lol!! Hmmm.....let's see, what have I been doing since my last post? I have been working on a new venture in my life and will hopefully be able to post some info about it soon but right now it is still in the works and very time consuming. Might not be so exciting for you but for me it is!! Oh yeah, I also got a gentle nudge from my buddy Amy to join Facebook and I gave in without a fight and signed up! I am just amazed at how many of my peeps were already over there!! I thought no way does a 40 somthing ol'lady need a Facebook account but I guess as always I was wrong!! There is just way too much stuff over there and the way you can keep up to date with everyone on a daily basis is just mind blowing to me!! So if you can't find me you now know where to look!! Lol!! It is seriously addicting!! Then of course there is my favorite thing to do of all time and that is just surf the net and check out all my friends blogs! I must tell you that today I was doing just that and landed on Vicki's blog and followed a link to a link to a link and laughed my you know what off at this video that I stumbled upon!! OMG!! I just couldn't stop laughing!! Thank you Vicki for putting the link to the Evolution of the Wedding Dance on your blog because it sure made my day!! I will now share with you all the video that I stumbled upon while checking out the link from Vicki's!! Totally hilarious and such a trip down memory lane!! Hope you enjoyed it!!, Tracy

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-03T16:04:00.013-05:00

Long time no see!! So today is the day I decided it was time to play catch up on everything I have been putting off including my poor neglected blog!! Lol! I still need to find my new header for it and get that changed, but all in good time right!?! First off I wanted to tell all my awesome friends and scrappin' buddies that I had the best time last night getting to see all of you after a long time of no see!! I miss you guys all the time so when we can all get together and scrap it sure does mean the world to me!! Love you all!! By the way, as usual, I did not get anything done!! I know, big shocker!! NOT!! Lol!!! I have not posted any scrappy stuff lately and I thought that since I made my Christmas gifts this year I would show you the one I made for my precious Mom. I made her a calendar for this new year and thought that I would not only guide her through the new year but would also take her on a walk down memory lane! I trip through her past per say. I bought the Basic Grey 2009 Calendar kit even though there has been many not so good reviews of it and found out to my great happiness that I was extremely glad I bought it! I never just do the kit as is anyway so if you take it that way when buying kits you can totally enjoy it and make it your own! A lot of people were disappointed by the contents of the kit and the quality. I am pretty satisfied with the way it turned out. I just wish there had been more rub-ons for the special days but I made do with my own handwriting. So without further ado here it is: As you can see from the picks I totally blinged it up baby!! You know me and my bling....there is never enough!! Lol!! I am very proud to say that Mom loves it and has it hanging on her wall as we speak! Ok, I think I have updated enough for today and will leave some stuff for next time so that I have something to post! Lol!! As always, Thank you so much for stopping by, Tracy

Just Had to Share!!

2008-12-19T22:15:00.004-05:00

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

Studio Pics & Scrappy Holiday Stuff

2008-12-07T03:36:00.008-05:00

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

Where does the time go?

2008-11-30T16:18:00.006-05:00

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

A Different Christmas Poem

2008-11-20T14:44:00.003-05:00

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

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

2008-11-12T21:45:00.004-05:00

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

Enabling or not?!

2008-11-11T15:40:00.003-05:00

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!!! 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

Sad News.....

2008-11-05T00:42:00.005-05:00

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!

I'm a Bella!

2008-11-04T00:25:00.003-05:00

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!!
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

I'm a Katherine Hepburn!?!

2008-11-01T14:16:00.005-04:00

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

Fancy Pants "About A Boy"!!!

2008-10-24T15:26:00.006-04:00

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

Sicky!!!!

2008-10-14T16:52:00.003-04:00

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

Don't Vote?!

2008-10-06T20:02:00.004-04:00

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

Food for Thought.......

2008-10-02T22:16:00.004-04:00

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

OMG!! New Kit Club!!

2008-09-28T17:38:00.006-04:00

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

Got Sketch 102

2008-09-25T19:03:00.004-04:00

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!!

2008-09-25T15:37:00.005-04:00

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

Not Much Going On.....

2008-09-23T00:17:00.004-04:00

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

Have you joined.......

2008-09-13T19:39:00.004-04:00

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

Where has the summer gone?

2008-08-27T01:35:00.003-04:00

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

Saturday was AWESOME!!

2008-08-26T20:30:00.003-04:00

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

Great Nephews and Nieces......

2008-08-15T13:45:00.006-04:00

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

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

2008-07-30T17:31:00.018-04:00

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

My Mind's Eye, Prima, & Rose Moka!!!

2008-07-28T20:09:00.025-04:00

Here are some more of what will be trickling into the stores in the next 3 to 4 months!!! First let's start off with some My Mind's Eye!!!......

Now let's move onto Prima and see the last of the peeks that I have from them along with samples from their DT The Flower Girls......

Now let's move on to a company that is very new to me and I think has some awesome potential. Rosa Moka!!!.....

Hmmmm....Lots of yummy goodies and I am going to be one broke happy scrappy chic, let me tell you!! Lol!!
TFL!!,
Tracy

Font Works, Kaiser Crafts, Creative Cafe,......

2008-07-26T03:19:00.033-04:00

And the list goes on and on of all the new goodies that will be hitting store shelves during the next 3 or 4 months!!! I still had tons of sneek peeks that I just didn't get posted for you all to look at so I thought what the heck I will just finish posting them even though CHA has come and gone! So here to start things off is Font Works.....

Next is some Maya Road goodness along with samples of what their DT did with some of the new stuff which is absolutely stunning if you ask me!!!.....

Now let's move onto Kaiser Crafts and check out what they have coming out!.......

Totally loving the bling baby!! Lol!! Ok, now let's move on to some Creative Cafe goodies.........

YUMMY!!! Especially the felt puffy butterflies!!! Love em! That is enough for now so stay tuned because I still have a few more manufacturers to share down the road....
TFL!!,
Tracy

It is a sad day..........

2008-07-25T18:10:00.003-04:00

Today in my mail came some very sad news.......one of my furry babies on this earth has passed! Let me explain a little to those of you who don't understand the whole furry babies thing. To me each and every animal that comes into my life and that I have been blessed enough to raise and love are my furry babies and Roscoe happened to be one of my very special ones!! He came into our lives 11 years ago when we were stationed in St. Joseph Michigan and my hubby was the second in command of the unit there. The station had a crew that was longing for a puppy mascot to call their own at the unit and was lucky enough to be blessed with a chocolate lab puppy with the biggest paws I had ever seen that summer of 1997! He was so gorgeous and the crew went to task coming up with a name for this gorgeous baby boy! They voted on a name and the winner was Rescue Roscoe!! He was so young at only 5 weeks. He didn't have a clue about life as a station mascot let alone life as a dog! I was the Ombudsman at the time and was known as Mom to all of the crew so it was no shock to find out I was the new Mom of a baby chocolate lab!! Lol!! I spent alot of time down at the station helping them to care for and raise this precosious little fellow. He was loved so much by the crew and spoiled rotten. They bought him many toys that he had no clue what to do with. I explained to the crew that sweet little Roscoe was taken from his family way too soon for him to have learned what being a doggy is all about and that he would need lots of time spent with him learning what doggies do! I took our furry baby Taboo down to see Roscoe alot and I also spent alot of time rolling around on the floor with the little fur ball teaching him puppy play! It is definitely a fond memory and one I will never forget! Everytime we went to visit my family in Michigan we always stopped by and saw my baby and he always remembered his "Mom"! He gave so much unconditional love and always made everyone feel loved that came into his AOR (military code for Area Of Responsibility)!! He was one very special dog!! Here is the newspaper article that a good friend of mine was kind enough to send me because she knew how much I loved Roscoe: Rest in Peace my Baby and know that Mommy loves you!!

The Scrapbook Lounge!!

2008-07-24T19:54:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to throw out there in case anyone has forgotten to keep checking down at the bottom of the blog for the Craft TV Weekly player of the Scrapbook Lounge! It is so cool to be able to watch different techniques and tools being taught in the simplest of manners so that even a beginner can do it! These video have the coolest teachers in the scrapbook and stamping industry teaching these techniques like Tricia Morris from Club Scrap & Judi Watanabe from Judikins!! Love watching these two work!! Right now on the player is Judi and she is using a clear album and transfer technique! So cool and simple if you want to try it out! I will definitely be trying this out and of course blinging it up with lots of goodies because I just can't do simple! Lol!! Enjoy!!, Tracy

Where does the time go????

2008-07-23T18:39:00.004-04:00

I just don't have a clue where it goes!! I mean really!! When I was younger it always seemed like a year took forever literally!! Now, I notice that the older I get the faster time flies! This is when I need more time!! What is this just a cruel joke played on us by Father Time or what!!? Am I the only one? Oh well such is life huh!? Lol!!! The crop at Archiver's on Saturday was alot of fun and I actually accomplished some stuff but as usual not a lot! I am such a slow scrapper and that is never going to change!! I enjoy the process way to much to want to speed up so there! Lol!! That is my story and I am stickin' to it! Here is the one layout that I got done and the small tag book.
I am still not feeling that the layout is finished but I have been told to embrace the white space more and let me tell you it is killing me! Lol!! Ok, on to the tag book, this was the Summer Breeze project kit for July from Scarlet Lime designed by Christy Tomlinson. It turned out so cute! I did it of my little Gizmo also. I have not scrapped enough of my furry babies so that it was about time! Pun intended! Lol!! And now here is a layout a did probably about 1 month ago of my Mom and sisters way before I was ever thought of.... I tend to want to work with the older photos more then I want to with the newer ones which is really bad I know but I just love the older photos so much. I need to force myself to work back and forth between old and new to mix it up some and force myself out of the box. I have been in such a scrapbook slump that it is not even funny! I just don't have the same joy in it right now that I have always had. I just don't understand why I am feeling this way, maybe because I haven't had all the crops to go to like I used to or what? I feel so out of the loop! I sure hope this feeling doesn't last too long because I NEED to creat in order to stay happy and grounded IYKWIM!
TFL!,
Tracy

What The Heck Happened!!??

2008-07-18T15:49:00.020-04:00

I guess you could say I fell off the world for 2 days?! Maybe I did because I sure don't know what the heck happened to my last 2 posts?! Oh well I am here to fix it and that is all there is to it! LOL!! I do have tons more peeks for you to enjoy and I am going to be gone all day tomorrow because I will be cropping my little heart out at Archiver's so be prepared for a really long post today to make up for it! Lol!! Ok first sneek peek will be from Pink Paislee with 2 new paper lines:
Now let's move on to some Glitz Designs and see what pretty pretties they have got coming out.......

Ok, next we are moving on to Tinkering Ink and their sneeky peeks.........

Now let's move on to Daisy Bucket for their sneek peeks.........

Wow!! I must say I am totally head over heels in love with Daisy Bucket's new lines!!!! I can't wait to actually see them in person!
Whew, that is enough for today!! I will be posting some more peeks on Sunday after I have rested from my long day on Saturday!!
Thanks for stopping by!!,
Tracy

More PRIMA!!!

2008-07-15T22:03:00.017-04:00

Surprise!! I got home early tonight and decided to get some more peeks up and I of course wanted to do my absolutely favorite manufacturer again because the new stuff just keeps on a coming!! The pics are a little (ok, alot) out of order and I can't wrap my mind around fixing it tonight so needless to say you will have to enjoy them a little mixed up! Lol!! And of course there are some awesome examples using some of the new stuff by Prima DT members which totally rock!! So without further ado..........

WOWZER!! That was alot huh?! I wanted to make up for not posting any yesterday!! So I hope you enjoy them!!
TFL!!,
Tracy

No Peeks Today.....

2008-07-14T22:35:00.002-04:00

'cause I am not at home where I can access my files so I am so sorry!! I am up with my family in Neenah helping out for a day or two and then I will be back home! I will definitely make up for the missing day(s) when I get back home. My Mom says to say "HI" from her to all my scrappin' buddies!! She misses you all very much and wishes she was doing well enough to hang out with us and scrap. Never fear, she will be back before we know it because she is a strong and stubborn woman!! Hmmm......I always wondered where I got my stubborness from?! Yeah, right!! Lol!! Thanks for stoppin' by!, Tracy

Creative Imaginations "Narratives"!!!

2008-07-13T18:11:00.003-04:00

I have always loved the naratives line and their gorgeous decorative edges!! Now they even have some really gorgeous Acrylic Stamps to go with!!! Without further ado here is the Naratives line of goodies.......

I definitely love the clear stamps!!
TFL!!,
Tracy

Scenic Route!!!

2008-07-12T03:25:00.011-04:00

I have been just dying over the new Sonoma line by Scenic Route and couldn't wait to share a peek of it!! This line just makes me drool!!

And of course I want it all!!!! Lol!! Gorgeous stuff!! I have so much Scenic Route paper in my stash that you would think I don't need anymore but I definitely beg to differ!! Lol!!
TFL!,
Tracy

PINK Paislee!!!!!

2008-07-11T14:43:00.005-04:00

I am shaking things up a little today with peeks from Pink Paislee!!! I absolutely adore this company and love, love, love their stuff!! So without further ado.......

I WANT and NEED it all!! Lol!! And of course I am a glitter addict so I am totally loving the Straws!! How cool is that?! Now I need to get ready to go to the crop at Hannah's so that I can actually maybe scrap something and maybe I will even then be able to post a pic of it! Do miracles ever end?!! It could happen I tell you!! Lol!!
TFL!,
Tracy

Prima and Maya Road!!!

2008-07-10T15:55:00.005-04:00

Ok, I am going to put two set of peeks in this post so hopefully Blogger will let me load all these scrumptious yummies!! Lol!! Let's start off with Prima.......

Ok, wow, that was my favorite peek from Prima so far!! LOVE the flowers!!! Now onto Maya Roads peeks which I might add has some pretties of the flower variety!! Yum!!

WOWZER!!!! Did you by chance catch the pic of the bracelet? That is not a new release but it is some major eye candy from Maya Road using my favorite product that they make!! The Maya Road DT does gorgeous stuff don't they!! Ok, that seems like enough peekies for today! Lol!! I am in major "need" overload over here!!

On another note, tomorrow, I am going to my favorite place in the whole world to scrap till I drop (hasn't happened yet!!)!! Hannah's!!!! They are having their Friday night crop from 6pm till midnight!!! I can't wait!! Hope to see you there if you are in the area!!
TFL!!,
Tracy

PRIMA!!!!!!!

2008-07-09T16:52:00.007-04:00

I bet where ever you live in the World you heard that scream!!! Lol!! If you know me well then you know that I am a Prima FANATIC!!! No ifs, ands, or buts here!! I love everything Prima puts out even if at first I am a little like HUH, eventually I have to have it all!! Crazy I know but hey that is how I ROLL!! So without further ado here is some of the yummies coming our way from PRIMA this CHA!!!!!

WHEW!!! Okay, now that I have shown you the goodies I must say did you see the flowers sprinkled in there? That is what I LOVE about Prima!! I am a flower nut and can't live without my flowers so those made me a very happy Girl!!
TFL!,
Tracy

More Peeks!!!!!

2008-07-08T14:48:00.006-04:00

First off here is more from Maya Road!!! A Day To Remember Set of Printed Sheers!!! Here is a small sample of what Maya Road's DT did with these....... And when I thought that was it for the Sheers along comes this set!!! The "new" Maya Road Ticket Printed Sheers!! Drooling over here!!! And here is a sample of what the Maya Road DT did with these little babies!!
I am a huge Maya Road Sheers fan and these are definitely on my gotta have list!! Ok, I think this is enough for this post but stay tuned I have some more sneeks to show you of some of the other manufacturers out there so don't fret I will show you more!!
TFL,
Tracy

CHA!!!!!!!!

2008-07-07T15:51:00.004-04:00

If you are like me this is like a major holiday in my world!! I have been on the hunt for sneeky peekies of what is coming out new this summer and let me tell you, lots of cools stuff is coming our way into the stores!!! I can't wait!!!! So, I thought I would start showing you some of the sneeky peeks I come across right here on my blog.......so are you ready? Here is the first one!! MAYA ROAD!!! Love Maya Road!! This is their "new" Gear Chipboard Coaster Album!!!! Oh the possiblilities are just running rampant in my brain!!! Maybe doing these sneek peeks may just get my mojo back in GEAR!! Lol!! Pun intended for sure!! Ok, now for the second sneek from Maya Road...........the "new" Cupcake Chipboard Coaster Album!!!!! Amy is going to freak 'cause she loves her cupcakes!!! I am in Maya Road HEAVEN!!! I can't wait to see these cuties in real life IYKWIM!!! The Gear album is 6" in diameter and the cupcake is 6"x6", so plenty of play space!! Ok, now that I have wetted your appetite I will now have to keep posting some more peeks huh?! Lol!! I will surely do my best!!
TFL,
Tracy

HAPPY 4TH!!!

2008-07-04T08:19:00.003-04:00

I just wanted to pop in quick and wish you and yours a very Happy 4th of July!! Having a husband serving his country in the military I know all too well the sacrifices given on a daily basis for our Freedom! Today is a day that I reflect on how lucky we are here in America and how proud and thankful I am to all of my military boys and girls serving their country and to those who came before them!!! THANK YOU!!!

Happy Birthday to BadGirls!!!

2008-07-02T17:07:00.003-04:00

BadGirls is having their 1 year Birthday Celebration over on their message board and let me tell you, they know how to PARTY!!! So if you haven't heard of them or have never checked them out now is an awesome time to join in on the fun!! It is so much FUN to be BAD!!!
TFSB,
Tracy

TV Weekly!!

2008-06-25T22:14:00.003-04:00

I have added a new function to my blog for all of you crafters out there who love to watch and learn new techniques! If you scroll down to or near the bottom you will see the TV Weekly Player so that you can watch the latest shows right here on my blog! I must tell you that I have been a fan of TV Weekly since they first started their site a couple of years ago. I love the detailed step by step instructions for doing the different techniques and I love getting to see the artists at work! So check it out and let me know what you think! Each Friday there will be a new show to watch with a new technique so stay tuned! TFL!!, Tracy

Clearly Heavy Hambly OverLay!!!

2008-06-15T22:14:00.006-04:00

Don't get too excited because this is definitely not a new project but an old one I did awhile back before life got so crazy! So here is the clear acrylic album I did of my Great Niece Nav's 14th Birthday:

I used the Hambly Clearly Heavy Overlay and cut it into 4 equal sections using my trimmer. I then took and cut the one edge of each page with my scallop scissors into graduated sizes so that when I put the book together a little bit of the ruffle look would peek out from under the top page. I then took the awesome 12 inch border stamp from Paper Trunk and stamped the edges all the way around of each page using StazOn in Black. I then decorated the pages of my mini using the Cherry Arte "Girl Power" line of awesome papers along with some of the felt from Fancy Pants, embellisments from American Crafts, and the crocheted orange butterfly Maya Road!! I used the Zutter Bind-it-All to bind my pages and finished it off with a bow of some lucious lacy black trim!! Finished!! Nav loved it which makes this Great Aunt feel pretty darn good! So there you have it! I thought maybe since things have started to settle down here and I have actually gotten some MOJO back, I should start posting some creative stuff again!
Well, that is all for now! Lol!!
TFL!!
Hugs,
Tracy

Happiness Can Come in Bucketfulls!!!

2008-06-01T19:59:00.003-04:00

I don't know if it is just the weather or the fact that I have gotten to spend so much quality time with my Hubby lately or what it is but let me tell you I have not felt this happy in so long that I am enjoying it to the maximum!! And also some really good news on the Mom front came this last Tuesday just after I posted the MIA post that I am still reeling from it! Mom has come home to stay now for as long as her health stays so excellent!! Shocked are you? Well so am I!! This news came to me after such a long, long stint of her not doing good at all and my sisters and I crying and asking the Lord how much more does Mom need to go through before you decide enough is enough!! The day right after I posted, Mom was taking to her Doctor by both of my sisters to get some answers and to find out if she was really starting to get Alzheimer's and is she declining that badly that nothing can be done, etc.. Well the result of the doctor's appt. was such a good one that she is now home and doing really well at my sister Kay's house! I even have gotten to talk with her a few times on the phone since she has been home and she sounds so so good that I am feeling some peace finally! I just love her so much and couldn't stand the thought of losing her anytime soon whether it was mentally or not let alone how hard it must be to be in her shoes! So I can finally say there is awesome news on that front which I must say I owe to all of your thoughts and prayers! Thank you all so much!!! Ok, now onto another wonderful thing that happened that I am just enjoying so much right now!!! Hubby has been taking me out on the weekends for some alone time away from the house and all of the things that need doing, etc. and just doing some sight seeing or like today we went to the Kenosha Art Festival! It was awesome to get the chance to just walk around in the sun and look at all the pretty pretties that others have made with their own hands! Okay, okay if you know me well enough you also know that I can't resist me some pretty pretties so here is a picture of my score of the day: Isn't she a beauty!!!! And of course she is stylin' my favorite color combo of all time!! Orange and Lime Green!!!! She is a "MaxiPink Designs" Purse and the artist Pamela Siehr is a way cool Gal!! I am hoping Pamela will also make some rocking billfolds to match her beautiful purses someday!! Pamela is from Madison, Wisconsin and let me tell you she is one artist I will be following!! Just looking at my luscious purse makes me feel so happy and summery inside!! Oh and I forgot to mention the purchaser of this slice of happiness was the Hubby of course and he couldn't have gotten this girl a better gift!! Lol!! Okay, enough of my happy bubbliness for today! Lol!! I am gonna get back to work on my studio so that maybe someday I will have happy photos of that, that I can show you! One can only hope!!
Thanks for stoppin' by!!,
Tracy

MIA!

2008-05-27T17:44:00.002-04:00

I know it has been a really long time since I last posted so I will try to catch you up if it is even humanly possible. My hubby got injured about a month and 1/2 ago and with him being in the military he has to deal with the military docs which if you know someone in the military you know what I am talking about. To make a long story short he has no feeling in the fingers on his right hand and has gotten really klutzy because of this along with shooting and aching pains radiating from his elbow. The docs thought at first it was carpal tunnel and very slowly they ruled that out and now are thinking it is in his neck! On top of it all back when he was in Junior High School he fell on the ice and totally crushed his right elbow which is the offending limb today. So I think something is going on in that elbow but I am not a doctor so we will continue to play the appt. and test game till they land on the answer! He has had an MRI, cat scan, EMG, and now another MRI is scheduled for tomorrow so we will see. This is only part of why I have been MIA! Many of you already know from reading earlier posts that my Mom had had 2 heart attacks about 2 and 1/2 months ago. Well since then alot has happened and she has gone down hill progressively. About 1 month ago (maybe longer, I have so lost track of time) she fell at my sister Kay's house and broke her wrist. The break was bad enough that they had to put pins into the wrist to stabilize it. It seems like when she fell and broke her wrist that it was also the straw that broke the camels back. When they did the outpatient surgery of putting in the pins for the wrist she totally lost her faculties to the point that she got aggressive and violent with my sister Kay right after the surgery when all Kay was trying to do was get Mom settled and elevate the arm as instructed. But, needless to say Mom would have none of it! She hit my sister and clawed her and kicked her and said some very not so nice things which is totally not like my Mom. So that started the next string of events that began with her going into the hospital immediately that afternoon to find out what the heck was going on. She was in the hospital for about 3 days and was then placed in a nursing home for recuperation (? don't know if that is spelled right and I am just gonna leave it) and healing time for her. Needless to say my Mom is not who she used to be anymore on a regular basis. She has gotten to the point that she doesn't even remember who anyone is or for that matter where she is. She has been diagnosed with Dementia which is progressing extremely rapidly and now they are even thinking it maybe Altzeimers (I know this is spelled wrong but once again it is staying this way) so she has an appt. tomorrow with her internist and that is going to be addressed in the appt.. She was supposed to be going back to my sister Kay's this week but with things the way they are and that the staff at the home has definitely noticed more and more problems with Mom that will not be happening which is for the best in my book. I hate that she has to be where she is but it is definitely for her benefit because none of us could give her the medical care and constant monitoring that she needs right now because along with the mind going she is having way to many problems with her heart. She is definitely having what they call Sundowners problems so no sleeping at night and that is when she is definitely roaming and confused the most. This is such a hard thing for my sisters and I to accept right now but it is what it is and there is no denying it any longer. I think we all wanted to believe that it was just a temporary state of things and that she would bounce back to her normal self as she always has in the past but this time it is just not happening. So that is where things stand as of right now. I think for my sisters and I the hardest part is seeing this happen to Mom especially when this was always her biggest fear. My heart breaks for Mom and what this must be like for her. So if you could keep her in your prayers it would greatly be appreciated. So basically that is why I have been MIA and not feeling very crafty at all! I am trying right now to dig myself out of the deep feelings of depression and dig my studio out at the same time which is a chore in itself! Things have just been accumulating in the studio to the point of no return because of course my depression needed lots and lots of retail therapy which we all know doesn't really help much but it sure feels good at the time! So all those purchases have just been piling up literally on the floor and any available surface so that there is no longer an available surface! And ontop of all that I have actually been having the feelings of needing to create something, I don't know what but something and have no place to do the creating because of the mess! So right now I am digging out and hope to have that all accomplished by the end of the week and actually start creating before the weekend comes. Those are my goals and I sure hope I accomplish them because the state of my studio doesn't help the state of my mind at all! Lol!! Thank you all for being my friends and being there in good times and in bad! Tracy

Fun Weekend!!

2008-04-22T22:51:00.004-04:00

This last weekend was a fun one in the scrap area of my life! We won't talk about the other areas! Lol!! On Saturday I worked the Paper Party at Hannah's and got to enjoy seeing lots of my scrappy friends and teaching them some new techniques. Then I worked on a project that Dana had asked me to do for some ad she has coming up for the store. The project was one of the Maya Road Mementos Villas. I have been intrigued by these little houses but was hesitant to step off and get one because I was wondering what would I do with it. Well, let me tell you this little Villa has become my favorite thing I have ever altered and trust me I have altered way too many things to even count! Lol!!! I decided to use the Little Yellow Bicycle "Delightful" line of products to work with on this Villa along with some of the Hero Arts Spring and Summer Flowers. Let me tell you this, I have never been so inspired by a paper line in a long time! I mean it!! Maybe it was the whole needing of some bright cheeriness in my life to pick me up out of the pits that I had been in. Well, whatever it was it worked! Here is the finish project in all of it's bright sunny glory!!

Well, it is time to head back to the studio and my scrap table to see what other kinds of mischief I can get myself into! Lol!!
TFL!!
Tracy

Busy Week!!

2008-04-12T17:39:00.004-04:00

I have been busy this last week it seems non-stop! Taxes are due soon and I had to get those finished for my business or else and then my DT stuff for Hannah's needed to be finished! And on top of all that the weather sucks!!!! UGHHHHH!!! I am definitely an all seasons kind of gal but enough is enough! I want SPRING now!! Not 2 days of it but a whole season!! Am I asking for too much?! I don't think so!! Ok, I am done ranting now. Lol!! I just had to release some pent up agression and get it over with I guess. Lol! Okay, so I have one layout to show you today and a close up of the really cool flower that I did. I have been wanting to try my hand at these flowers forever and finally did it! I was doing my usual of checking blogs the other morning when I visited one of my absolute favorites and found the super easy instructions to make these awesome flowers. These flowers are so easy to make your own and instill a little of your style into! Did you think I wouldn't tell you who's blog is my favorite? :) Of course I wouldn't torture you that way now would I?! It is the super talented Vicki Chrisman!! I just love everything she touches and creates!! Her creations just blow me away!! Anyways, here is the layout I did for Hannah's: And here is a close-up of the flower:
I just wish the colors of the papers I used and all the little details would have popped more and been more true to the actual layout! I used the Ancestry line of products from K&Company and as usual did not use the type of photo expected to be used with this paper. Oh well I am just me and I guess this is how I see the world (totally opposite of the norm)!! Time now for me to get back to the drawing board and work some more. I will post more pics of the other projects that I have completed another day!
TFL!!
Happily Scrappin',
Tracy

Layouts......

2008-04-06T15:10:00.004-04:00

I finally finished some layouts that I had been working on. One was just for me and the other one for Hannah's. The one for Hannah's has the Kaiser Scrapbook Patterned Paper "Elegance" used on it along with the Kaiser Craft Wood Flourishes in "Butterflies" and "Borders". These were a ton of fun to work with! I used Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists on them, Diamond Glaze, Kaiser Scrapbook Elegance Brads, and Kaiser Bling! I used my Crop-a-dile to punch a hole in the butterfly to place my brad and it cut through like butta'!! Now, here is the one that was just for me. This one is of my Mom and Dad on their Honeymoon back in 1951! I used my Scarlet Lime Main Kit for last month on this one with some added stuff from my stash. I must say I am still loving Scarlet Lime in a huge way!!! I don't think I have ever used a kit so much as I have with Scarlet Lime!! I can't wait for my next one to come!! Oh, here is the layout that I promised....
The weather here in the Midwest is finally starting to show some signs of Spring!!! I have seen dozens of Robins in the last couple of weeks and the temps are finally about 38 degrees! My hubby worked out in the yard all day yesterday and I brushed the cat outside which was an all day task. After a long winter the hair had really built up on the poor baby. I brush it during the winter inside and it makes such a mess so she doesn't get brushed as thoroughly as she should. So in more ways then one I am very happy that winter has started to go away!! Lol!!
TFL!!
Happily Scrappin',
Tracy

Mom

2008-03-28T14:40:00.002-04:00

Everyone has been asking how Mom is doing so I figured I would do a special post and update everyone here. On Easter Sunday night she went back into the hospital having a hard time breathing and having pains again. This time showed no signs of a heart attack but showed signs of pulmonary edema (?not sure I spelt that right). So basically she is filling up with fluid from the heart not working like it should yet. And when she fills up with fluid it is happening suddenly not progressively so medication for keeping the water off would not do the job of keeping it off. While in the hospital she also went into what they call atrial fib which is where the heart rate sky rockets suddenly and can be very taxing on the heart. Again, I am not a doctor so I am just relaying what I understand so please forgive me if I am not using the right terminology, etc.. They have started her on alot of new medications and she was finally stabilized by this last Wednesday that they were able to let her go home which is where she desperately wanted to be. So as of now she is home and will be starting back to Cardiac Rehab this coming Monday. I keep praying that they have finally given her the right combo of meds so that she can live a quality of life now and not have to worry so much, as she is very much so a worrier, that this will happen again to her. She was very much upset that it could come on so sudden like this and that there was nothing she could do to keep it from happening so she has been worrying that it will happen any minute. I just want her to have some peace of mind and be able to enjoy this life while she still can if you know what I mean. We have a new baby coming into the family sometime in April and she so very much wants to be here for that and be around to show this baby how great her love is which to me is a very good reason to keep on keeping on and fighting the good fight! It definitely has given her a reason if one was needed. All of your thoughts and prayers have done the job and I don't know what I would have done without all of your prayers lifting her up into the healing hands of the Lord! I want to thank you all so much for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers because without you I don't think we would have been able to get this far! Love, Tracy