Just wanted to share a few sneak peak layouts I did for the Scrap for A Cure Kit Club Design Team. I had so much fun creating with their March Kit!
Grab one up before it sells out!

I painted my scrapbook room! I can't wait to share it with everyone! The color is Jamaican Sea a beautiful turquoise color. I have been wanting to do this for over a year and its finally done! My room is almost complete. I need another few days of fixing it up and decorating, but I think its going to be perfect!

I can't wait to do more layouts and work more at home, which I hope to be doing really soon. I got the book "We Dare You", its by Kristina Contes. Although I might not agree with the way she handled the HOF and she has a reputation out there, I am really inspired by the book. Its going to be a way to get me to scrap about myself, and talk about things that normally wouldn't be talked about. I am excited to get started!

Last night we celebrated my fabulous MIL's 65th birthday and I got both the boys all spiffed up and took a bunch of pics before we left.. priceless.. can't wait to get them on paper!

Well its been a week since I was at CHA and wow what an experience. I was so glad to be there and help Sheri pick out all the products for the store. I didn't get to hang out with my friends at Scrap for A Cure and I was bummed about that.. time went by so fast while we were there. Plus your completely exhausted!
I am in full revamp mode of my scrapbook supplies and room(s). I am in a differnt dilema because I scrap alot on the go, so my supplies are all packed in bags, carryalls, etc.. so my room upstairs is completely un-utilized and I have a corner of the garage that is full of stuff too.. the My Daughters Wish Rummage sale is helping me get started.. I think I have over 150 things I have priced so far.. for really really cheap so if your looking for a fantastic deal, come to the store on Saturday Feb 23 at 9am, there is sure to be some bargains to be had!
While at CHA, both Sheri and I bought these fantastic desks..

Scrapbox

here is a picture of it. I am totally excited to get it.. I am making room already. We'll have one at the store as well, so you can get one too!

CHA was absolutely FABULOUS! I couldn't have wished for a better time. The people we met, the products we bought, the friendships I made.. just incredible. I can't even put into words everything.. it would take a week!

From hanging with the wizard.. Mr. Hambly himself.. (I love him!) To hugging Elsie and giving her the frame I made, to meeting for the first time Melody of Chatterbox, Jon the Warehouse Guy, talking with Teresa Collins about her new line.. Kezia the owner of Tinkering Ink.. just a nice down to earth person and beautiful! The countless others.. whew.. what an experience!

I am so glad to have shared it with Sheri, she was so fun, and we kept on track and bought EVERYTHING! We made a ton of orders and had a blast! Here are the pics for now.. more stories later.. I need more sleep!

OOO I only have a minute before I leave for the airport, but I wanted to share what I am bringing for a few manufacturers that I am meeting.. wish me luck!

Well today is the day! I can't believe its here! I am leaving for CHA and so excited! I have been frantically working on business cards and portfolios to give to people. I can't wait to be a part of it all! I'll take lots of pics, and maybe even give a little post while I am there! Stay tuned!

Wow only 3 days until I leave for CHA.. I am now officially getting excited! I have been checking out all the sneak peaks from manufacturers and I really love some of them. I think I am just ready to get away as well. I am a wife, mother, maid, taxi, scrapbook teacher and sales associate, and dog walker.. I know many of you know my life.. cause you live it too! Its hard to keep it all in balance. I had planned on taking more time for me this year, and this will be my first task. Its going to be a ton of hard work but ulitimately its going to be so rewarding! I want to see MDW succeed in this hard business and picking the right product is the first step. With so much out there its hard to forcast what is going to do well in our market. I hope Sheri and I can make the right decisions and make everyone happy. Its going to be kinda hard too.. because right now I am trying to figure out where I want to go in this business. I say that I want to teach, but do I really want to get in with a manufacturer and teach everywhere? Do I just want to be on my own and teach everywhere? How do you do that? Am I qualified? Can my home and family survive or let me do this? Its hard to decide. Right now, I love love love being at the store, teaching and being a big part of it. Should I just stay put and try to do more through the store? Such huge questions for little ol me. Sheri asked me what I'd like to do and the only word I can think of is "teach".. I think going to CHA will give me more insight. Do I want to become part of the "bigger" world. Am I ready for the competition and the rejection? There are so many designers out there that are better than me.. but I do think I bring something different to the table, but is it enough? Anyways enough babbling.. here are some pics of some new 7Gypsies stuff I can't wait to play with. Mini Transperancies for the ATC holder.. DROOL! Also, mini Monogram Transperancies for the ATC holder, and finally the ATC holder punch.. WOW! I know Sheri will get it all, but I can't wait to play!

I teach the 5 inch acrylic class Thursday night, come join me for some fun with acrylic!

I can't believe how time flies these days.. I had been without a computer for a few weeks, so I didn't post too much, but its back and I am such a happy girl! I can finally look for all the sneak peaks for CHA. I am so excited to be going. I am so excited to see some of the new things in person. I think we are going to have such a fab time! I might even bring one of my owl frames to give to Elsie.. but I don't want her to think I am some crazy stalker fan like Mallory or anything. (loves ya Mally Mal!)
So, Maya Road had this call for things to put on display at CHA. The only thing I had new, that was done, was the frame of the chipboard family I made of us. (See previous posts) I only used the keychain for the frame, so I didn't expect to get picked but I thought they might get a kick out of it. Lo and behold I got a rak from them. I am waiting impatiently for the mailman to bring me my goodies.. I'll share once I get them!

Last night I went ROCKCLIMBING! Touchstone Gym in Concord. Yes, you read that right.. I went to this indoor climbing gym with Sheri, and it was sooo much fun.. I did feel like the old fat mom around all these beautiful young men.. (I kept thinking, wow Bianca needs to come here!) but it was really inspiring and challenging. I was so tired and sore after just one climb.. I know I am outta shape, but didn't expect to be so winded. I am actually thinking of joining this crazy gym.. maybe I'd even use it more than the untouched 24 hour Fitness membership I have.. lol!
So, thanks Sheri for opening my world to a bit of yours.. I had a great time.
I have another announcement, but can't leak it out till I've made a few phone calls.. so check back tomorrow or later tonight for the announcement.. its so exciting and big for me.. (no its not a "yes" to the contest I entered.. ) but its super exciting and I can't wait to share.. (and you all better come see me!)

By the way, my favorite sneak peaks for CHA are from Cosmo Cricket.. if you haven't checked out their blog lately.. please do.. the 'warehouse' guy is hilarioius and the new products rock my socks off.. think STYX and Mr. Roboto.. coolio!

A funny thing happened at the store today.. The phone rang and Sheri answered it.. she was acting soo cool and collected laughing and kinda flirting on the phone.. I couldnt ask cause I was helping someone at the register.. but I heard her say "your products".. hmm.. who the heck is she talking too???

TIM FREAKING HOLTZ called her today! I want to spill but you'll have to check the MDW Blog today for the big news.. she got off the phone and we were like giddy school girls.. jumping up and down and screaming.. it was so funny.. I just love him.. (I think he loves MDW too.. )

Just sharing a fun pic of my baby!

Rockin the Acrylic!

So, here is my newest creation - "You are my SuperStar!". This is a 5 inch circle acrylic album. I'll be teaching this book at My Daughters Wish two times, first on Thursday February 7th at 6:30pm, and also on Saturday April 26th at 10:30am. We'll play with all kinds of fun embellies.. and this is chock full of bright fun colors, perfect for a boy or girl!

What a fun afternoon I had today. I was invited to a "private" class at my friend Lisa Supers house today. It was taught by Connie Govea Stuart who is to me the "queen" of collage and I admire her art so much. Its not something I've done a lot of but I love to look at the pages of Somerset and dream of all those beautiful things that I wish I could have or make, but alas I have a toddler in the house and its hard enough to keep him away from the paper punches and rubons.. let alone beautiful antique papers and ephemera. Anyways.. I made this FANTASTIC necklace today! ME! A collage artist.. wow.. it was so neat to work with things I hadn't had the pleasure of working with.. all these fun beautiful antique paper piecings.. and beads.. baubles and hanging out with a wonderful group of ladies..

So, thanks so much Connie for really an eye opening class for me that is waking up another part of the artist in me, and thanks so much to LISA for inviting me to spend the day with them. I hope we can make this a monthly or quarterly event, cause man I am IN! Here is a pic of all of our necklaces, and a close up of mine.

Hello.. well I am sneaking on my hubbys laptop and downloaded a few more pics of my frames. They have been so much fun. I am hoping to get them on my ETSY store to see if anyone wants any. I am getting super excited about all the things going on at My Daughters Wish. I have so many classes to prepare for and we are having an open house in a few weeks where all of us design team members will be doing make and take ATC cards. I am going to scan mine today and see if I can post it soon. Its super cute, with of course, Hambly, Hambly and more Hambly.. I think its going to be such a fun night. MDW is also having the Rock and Rummage Sale, which will be where you can sell off all your old stash and donate a bunch to local charities.. who wouldn't want to do that. I can think of a bunch of boxes I have been saving for such an event! Well off to check my little Tony.. watching Dora... a few minutes for me..

Oh My GOSH! I have been playing with these fantastic frames from IKEA and making my own art to hang on the walls.. aren't they fun????

I have a ton more to share, but alas.. I am still without a full computer. So, quick post, fun pic.. and a promise of more to share..

I entered a BIG contest today and no matter what happens, at least I did it! I am super proud of what I created and will share later.. love yaas

We have been having bad weather in our area for about a week now.. On Friday of last week, we had the worst storm we've had in two years. It was a great day at our house. The lights flickered on and off a couple of times. Tony wanted to use his umbrella and boots, so being the mom that I am... I put all our gear on and we played outside in the rain. It was so much fun, spashing in the puddles. People would drive by and look at us and smile. These are the things I'll always remember. Doing things out of the ordinary that bring that huge smile to my sons face. Then later in the day, I took both the dogs out for a long walk in the rain. Wow that was a blast. We went on the trails, got all muddy and wet but wow its was so refreshing! Now for the bad news...

Our computer wouldn't turn on after the power outages.. even though it was on a surge protector. So, no computer at home, no pictures to upload.. I do backup pics, but I know that I don't have them all.. we'll see.. I have hope that it can be fixed.

On the work front, I am super busy. We just set up all our classes for the next 3 months.. I have so many I can't even count! I am also going to CHA so I am really excited about it.

Below is a listing of the classes I'll be teaching over the next 3 months at My Daughters Wish. Come take one, we'll have so much fun together!

Jan 26th - Love Letters
Jan 31st - Whoo Loves you Card Class
Feb 2nd - Love Notes in a Box - Super cute new Tinkering Ink!
Feb 7th - 6 inch Circle Acrylic Album - Come play!
Feb 28th - Hambly Card Class
Mar 8th - Easter House - Doodlebug House super cute and fun to make!
Apr 5th - 7 Days of Me - This is going to be a great class all about you - Homework involved.
Apr 26th - 6 inch Circle Acrylic Class

I want to add a fun "Tweeen" class to in April.. I love teaching kids.. so we'll see if I can get that one in the books in April.

I hope you see one that you might want to take with me!

Happy New YEAR! I hope all of you had an enjoyable evening and day to today.. I was fighting to stay awake till midnight.. but I made it. Aaron, Tony and I had a fantastic steak dinner, with all the fixins.. and Aaron and I shared a bottle of wine and rang in the new year together which is the most important thing. To be with those you love.

I am hoping to change the blog a little bit this month and add some fun inspiring things.. I really want to focus on documenting more about me.. looking inside my soul and finding out why oh why was I put on this earth. I have a lot of ideas, but nothing is in clear focus. I hope to change that this year. So my resolution is to focus on ME.. as selfish as that sounds.. I need to do it. I even bought a meditation book today. I am going to walk more in the early morning with no music.. I am going to try to clear my head of all the 'stuff' in there and try to put things in more perspective.

I have a lot of scrapping ideas.. I can't wait for one of my classes later this quarter.. if you would like to take a look at yourself, you'll also love this class. I have all the supplies.. but now I have to turn the camera on myself.. thats going to take a few days guts to do it!

For now, enjoy these layouts from the January Kit from Scrap For A Cure.. it has a whole package of GRUNGEBOARD! Can you say FANTASTIC!!

Wow, I finished 4 of the 5 cards I am making for the "Whoo's Crazy For Owls?" card class in January, and I am so excited! They turned out better than expected. Each one has a different type of owl, and has a cute saying on them. Here is a picture of them. Its at MDW on January 31st, come join us in making these fun cards!

Well I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays! I must say that this one of the most memorable, fun, less stressed Christmas I have had in years. We just had a fanatastic couple of days, filled with family, love, tears, and just plain fun. We ate till we popped, drank a lot of wine and really had so much fun with all the kids running around the house. We have a bunch that are just getting to the "fun" age of Christmas. Tony was so spoiled with presents but I don't care, it was priceless to see him excited and squealing with happiness. I did make my sister cry with her present.. I didn't even make it to her opening it when I started to cry. It was a memoriam album for her dog Jiggs. He was put down earlier this year and I made an album for her. It was so priceless to see her reaction. That is why we do this art, to make people think, remember and express feelings... its always good to make em cry too.. hehehehehehehe!

I am giving you a sneak peak at my DT layout for the January kit for Scrap for a Cure.. can you say GRUNGEBOARD????? Fantastic!

Enjoy! Stay tuned.. tons more coming up for me.. some changes too.. in 2008!

First I wanted to do a SHOUT OUT - Happy Birthday LAURA! She is on her way to LA to see the play "Wicked" a gift from her great hubby.. I love ya girl!

I have been busy moving my mom from Alameda to Pleasant Hill these past 2 weeks. Whew.. its hard to move someone after 22 years.. I am soo happy and excited to have her even closer to me and the family.

I did take some pics of two Christmas projects I did earier this month, the MERRY sign made with leftovers from the Scrap For A Cure October set, and Elsie Christmas paper (my favorite ever!), then I found this fantastic Making Memories Advent Calendar and finished this as well.

I have added two classes I'll be teaching in January at My Daughters Wish. One is a revamp of the Carol Wingert Remember When class taught at Wishfest, and the second is a fun card class with my favorite OWLS! Pictures soon!

I hope to scrap this weekend with my girlfriends.. I haven't done it in weeks, and I need to finish my Christmas cards.. only 12 more day left and soo much to do!

So, this past week, Christmas has BLOWN up in our house! I need to take some pics of the mantle, dinning room, living room.. I swear.. every room downstairs is full.. I kept pulling boxes upon boxes down in the garage.. I never need to buy a string of lights again in my life.. I won't need to buy ANY gift wrap for 20 years.. I am one that buys things the day after Christmas, then forgets about it.. geesh, I pulled down two brand new 4 roll sets of gift wrap (the ones that come with the bows and ribbon).. but then at Target this past week, I saw some perfect GW in my colors, turquoise, pink and green and of course bought it.. with the coordinating bows.. I didn't realize I had done this last year.. don't we all do this?

We also got our tree today. What an exciting time. We borrowed the pickup truck and we needed it plus the car to get everyone to the tree lot.. I love to make it a big deal..especially with Tony. I drove the pickup with Bianca and Tony sitting next to me. It was so nice to have them right up next to me.. I thought about how extremely blessed I am in this life to have two beautiful children who just make this world sing for me. The little laughs, the cute looks they give each other and me. Its incredible that they are mine and I am so lucky to have them. I never in a million years when I was young thought that children would be my proudest achievement in life. But I can say that with such honor now. I never would have thought that being a stay at home mom to them, keeping a house, starting traditions was going to be the life for me. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. With Tony being at an age of wonder and innocence.. it really brings the holidays into perspective, Enjoy them!

This is a wooden block I had, but used the Scrap For A Cure December Kit which had my FAVORITE paper in it! Elsie Holiday paper.. can't get any better than that! LOVE IT!

Hello Friends! Wow its been a hard long week for me! I have been totally SICK! I have the completely RAW throat, then last night I had a fever and the chills the whole nine yards. I slept for about 12 hours.. I am feeling a little bit better, but still no energy. I haven't been online for a few days.. I have a bunch of designer deadlines tomorrow, but thankfully I had already done most of my projects before I got sick! Here is a super cute one, CHRISTMAS TREE! Its done with papers from the Creative Hearts Studio December Kit. It has this super cute paper from Websters Pages in it. Kinda retro antiquey christmas. Perfect for this tree! More to come later!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying a day of family, food and reflection on the blessings we all have. I am so thankful for my husband, my children, my family, my home and my friends. I am blessed with a very close family, wonderful healthy children, and the best friends a girl could wish for. Thank you to everyone in my life for being a friend, sister, mother, husband and my children. Every day I am blessed with love and happiness because of you.