Fun day with Friends

I've had a photo shoot I was supposed to do a long time ago. For various reasons, it didn't ever happen. We tried to do it real fast last week, and well, I was not giving those pictures to the person who requested them. So we tried again today with MUCH more success. But we let all the kids play today, and my kids were so happy to share their toys and horses.


It's so wonderful to spend time with other young moms and just be. No pressure to keep the kids quiet, to clean the house, but just to chat and make sure they're not using the baseball bat on each others heads (no that didn't happen - it's not coincidence that we don't have such things in our home...LOL!)

Operation Turquoise

I've made it my goal to use more of the colors I'm scared to use. I love seeing them in other peoples work, but have a hard time pulling the trigger myself.

I cannot claim this idea as my own. I was inspired by Betsy, one of my favorite bloggers at http://scrapbookgirl.typepad.com/paper_scissors_and_superh/

What's this face about? She moved brothers toys, then brother got in trouble for not cleaning them up. Yeah, she was trying to play innocent, but SO not passing!

And this face?

Why donuts of course!

When Scrapbooking & Jewelry Collide

Remember last week when I gave you a preview of a clay ball in Cody's hand? Well, here's the end result of the project. It's a little more eclectic and bold than my style, but I think it'll be fun to wear!

- Overall, it was a relatively easy project. I made the circle pendant (recipe will follow) with a biscuit cutter (using a straw to cut the hole for the bail), let it air dry for several days, painted the edge with acrylic ink, backed the back with cardstock, painted that, punched it with the crop a dile.

- Then did a digital print/flourish design for the pictures.

- Next, I used Aleene's glue to glue that down, and sprayed two coats of Deft aerosol lacquer, then applied stickles around the outside. Then I applied the grommet using my crop a dile.

- Lastly, I beaded the necklace and the bail and viola! A wildly beautiful piece of jewelry that I'm not sure what I'll wear it with!

Clay Recipe (thanks Heather - I've had it all these years!!)

1 cup cornstarch

1 1/2 cups water

2 cups baking soda

pinch of salt

Mix all together and stir over medium heat until thick. (can take a while - it stays really thin and then instantly thickens). Place on waxed paper or cutting board and cool. Then knead until smooth. This will make a lot, you can refrigerate in a sealed plastic bag. Shape ornaments and let dry. (we used this initially as Christmas ornament clay).

Yes, I'll Admit It

I have blog ADD. I like to change the background quite regularly. Sorry!!! Thanks for putting up with me though......LOL !~

gotta keep the momentum going....

I've been on such a role posting everyday. Nothing special today, just a couple pictures of the kids I took at pre-school.

..............in my own happy world...............

It's the little things. I used some of my super yummy to make a custom camera strap. *love it*




A little while ago Robert came inside and said I had to bring out the camera. I always know that means a good photo op is there somewhere. So out I went. And how cute is this! (Yeah, you're probably sick of the go-kart by now -- we have no life!)

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"Kaleidoscope of Colors"
Supplies: Paper studio, Crate Paper, Creative Memories (sticker)


"Family"
Supplies: My Minds Eye, Making Memories (transparencies), Fiskars Upper Crest punch

"My Wish" (Journaling is Rascal Flatts song)

Supplies: Coredinations, K& Company, Prima & Paper Studio (flowers) Kaiser Craft (bling), Fiskars Upper Crest punch

"Fun in the Country"

Supplies: Crate Paper, My Minds Eye, Kaiser Craft (brads)

"Happy"

Supplies: Creative Imaginations, cardstock, Stickles, Creative Memories (sticker & flower punch)

"Full of Joy"

Supplies: My Minds Eye, Me & My Big Ideas (flower bling)

It's the little things....

ahhh....we just got back from a day of shopping in the *big city*. Yes, I know most of you would think that I am bonkers to call Wenatchee (the greater area is 50,000 people) a big city. But to us, that is what it is. And I love it that way.

I'm so excited too. I've been needing a new purse for a while. I had a nice leather one, that didn't last long. So I've been using a big bag with no pockets, but then I can't ever find my phone or keys, and well, with little ones that doesn't work. My mission today was to find a new bag, and I did!! For the last few years, I've wanted a Fossill bag. The only problem, is, well I'm cheap! But today I found a bag for a steal (although, it was still more than my self-imposed bag purchase price limit), but I splurged. Just this once. Everyone probably thinks I'm weird, because I always carry the bag around the store like I already own it before I purchase it. Have to be sure it's comfortable too....and well....obviously it passed the test! Yippee!!



Before that we went to the fabric store and I found some yummy fabrics so I have a long project list to work on now! Oh, but I love fabric! (I *think* even more than paper :shock: I know.....). Now if only I could figure out how to make stuff well with it...........oh, Mom?????



Oh, yeah, and before the rest of the adventures of the day, we had a little incident at Macy's. We promised the kids they could ride the escalator. Great on the way up. Then it was time to go down. Cody was terrified to step on it. He tried a few times and fell backwards onto the floor. A guy was waiting, so we let him go. Then to try again. This time, I went first. Yeah, all you mom's out there - DON'T DO THIS.........He still wouldn't/couldn't step on it and freaked out as I went down a step. I realized he wasn't coming, so I tried to run back up while carrying Aly and about 15 pounds of paper (from the fabric/craft store). Then I lost my balance and fell, so I was stuck going down. He's standing at the top screaming. Fortunately a few sweet older women came and held him. I ran down and back up the opposite one to get back to him. As I'm dying trying to catch my breath, I realized that, no, my step areobics aren't helping me get that into shape. Anyway, finally got back to him, poor sweetheart is now traumatized. Oops. Then we took the elevator down.

The whole way home Aly was saying "Cody no do escabader. Aly do escabader." To which I said, "No, Momma did escalador." It's official. We're an elevator family!


Aly talked Daddy into doing 2 playgrounds today. Lucky kid.......

Cody's on this "no picture of me" kick. Oh well, I take them anyway.


I think I have the sweetest husband. He has a great fear of my camera. He's never been one to take pictures unless there's a threat of death involved. Today we were at the playground and I was playing with the kids on the tire swing. I had left my camera on the bench next to him, under my purse (since it was raining). Well, I look over, and he had picked it up and took some pictures for me! Yea.....I love you.....It made me so happy and I felt so special, because I knew it was a sacrifice for him.

Well, that's all for now. I'm wiped!

Fashion by Aly

Yeah, last night Aly came running out of the playroom sporting this grand hat. Yeah, it's a dust mask. And yup, it's a bad picture. She's hard to snap when she's running.


The kids and I started a special project today. Quote of the day by Cody (after learning how to make a dough ball): "this is a fine looking ball." Here's a sneak peak with more to come:



Now for some Scrapbook pages!

Supplies: Cosmo Cricket, Making Memories (alpha stickers).

Journaling: Get happy Dream Come True. "When I found out the Childrens Museum had a functioning replica crane I just knew I had to take you there. You had so much fun operating it. Good thing the place wasn't busy because you wouldn't let any other kids have a turn. Definitely a dream come true."

Supplies: My Mind Eye (die cut & patterened paper, bling), cardstock, Prima, Fiskars border punch

Supplies: Imaginisce (paper), Bazzill Bling (paper), cardstock, K&Company (rubon)

Supplies: Heidi Swapp (paper), My Minds Eye (die cut), cardstock, K & Company (chipboard sticker)

She's got Daddy

Well, after to go kart adventures last night, Aly talked Daddy into buying her a go kart too. So to Walmart we went and purchased an Aly sized vehicle. It's actually more like an ATV, but to her, it's a go kart. And she is happy as can be. She's been on it all day, if she's not driving, she's watching tv or reading a book on it (we let her have it inside to learn how to drive it and because it was so windy outside today).

....Good Jolly Jumping Jelly Beans....

We had a very special package delivered to the Sherman house tonight. The man in brown brought Cody a brand new electric go cart. Daddy promised his boy a while ago that they'd build one together. As that took longer than planned (and got more expensive than originally thought), the idea was scrapped and the intent to buy one formed. After searching for a while, we found this great electric one. Perfect for a 4 year old little boy!

Yeah, I think they've got their dad wrapped around their little fingers.






Brother teaching Aly how to drive it. Aly only drove it about 30 seconds until she was banned from driving because she ran Cody over.

As the saying goes, "stop and smell the roses." My interpretation of that is to "stop and take a picture of the bloom." That's what I do to enjoy and appreciate the beauty all around us.

Fast & Simple

Robert's working on site today, so the kids and I are taking advantage of that to do some scrapbooking during the day! Woo Hoo! Just whipped out 5 pages in about an hour, maybe a little more. Here they are.



Supplies: Cosmo Cricket, Thickers, Making Memories stickers

Supplies: Cosmo Cricket (everything except cardstock). The cool thing is the word strips were the strip of paper with the upc on it, I just cut it up and thought it would make a cool embellishment.

Supplies: Making Memories (paper), Heidi Swapp (letters), cardstock, Fiskars Uppercrest punch

Supplies: K&Company, My Minds Eye & Chatterbox (ribbon), Prima bling, Making Memories (letters)

Supplies: Heidi Swapp, Making Memories (stickers & die cut paper)

The kids had to help me take the pictures! And point out which one they liked best.