life with the Tucker and Wolek clan

Leaving for CHA... be back soon :):):):):):):):)

2012-01-28T03:00:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone :):):):):)

Just wanted to stop in real quick and let everyone know that I will be leaving for CHA tomorrow morning with my friend Krista!! I will be gone for most of the week ... I will try my best to post some pics of all the new goodies coming out! :):):):):):)

Mostly I will be walking the floor :) But I will be checking in with Nikki Sivils and gang at lunchtime everyday to give Nikki, Dan and the DT lead Katrina Hunt a nice lunch break :):):):):):):):):):)

If you are attending... come see me at booth 3047! :):):):):):):):):):)

And also make sure to head over to Nikki Sivils blog and grab one of her blog badge's for your blog!!! When Nikki, Katrina and I get back from CHA we will be looking for YOU and we will be selecting people that have her blog badge's to win a NEW collection of their choice!!!!! Tell Nikki I sent you over to get a badge... *wink* :):):):):):):):)

And I wanted to share some photos real quick! :):):):):):):)

In honor of Aleida Franklin... I am sharing my monthly photo of me and my babies (If you are new to my blog - please see my right side bar about my commitment to honoring Aleida's legacy) ....

And while we were at taking a photo of me and the kids... I decided that we need to start taking photos of Brian and the kids together too :):):):):):)

Brookie and Mr. Dandy :):):):):):)

And the other day, Brian and I went out to lunch...and I ordered the pancakes thinking they were gonna be 'normal' sized... WOW!! Was I wrong... they WERE HUGE!!! :):):):):):):) I didn't finish them all.... I brought home enough for Brookie and Adam to share it for dinner! lol :):):):):):):):)

I will be back with all of you soon :):):):):):):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

Birthday gift set... and some info for my friends :):):):):):):)

2012-01-26T22:19:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone :):):):):):)

Wanted to share a little gift and card set I made with goodies from Kanban Crafts!!!! :):):):):):):):)

My Mom gave me a candle holder that she didn't want anymore and I thought I would alter it for a birthday gift! :):):):):):) Here is what I started with .......

And here's what I made :):):):)

And just in case any of you didn't get the email... I thought I would share this :)

Official Announcement: Picnik is closing

Since joining Google in 2010, we have been creating editing magic in Google products while continuing to keep Picnik awesome. But now we get to focus on even awesomer things. Picnik will be closing on April 19, 2012.

Your photos liberated
Amazing photos are created in Picnik, so we have launched a new feature, Picnik Takeout, that easily downloads your photos to your desktop in convenient zip files. You may also elect to copy your photos to Google+ where you can store and share your creations. You may request your photos at any time and use this handy tool as many times as you like until our closing date of April 19, 2012. Learn more.

Premium Refunds
To our primo Picnik Premium members, we'll begin processing a full refund of your current membership fee within a week of this announcement. By "in full" we mean the whole darn thing. Yep, this means even if you are on your very last day of an annual membership, we will refund you the entire $24.95. Just because we want to say thanks.

Now the Good News - Free Premium for ALL!
To express our gratitude for your support over the past 5 years, Picnik Premium is free for everyone! Use Picnik in all of its premium glory, for free, from now until our actual closing day. Touch-up, Textures, Advanced, and more are all free for you to use!

We have been incredibly proud of building a product that is used and beloved by so many of you. We continue to be amazed and humbled by the photos you create and we are immensely grateful for all of your support, creativity, and passion.

We are excited by the photo-editing fun we have already brought to Google products, like Google+, where you can find many of your favorite Picnik effects in Creative Kit. We encourage you to visit Google+ and give it a whirl.

Please visit the Help Hub for more information on our wind down, and check the Picnik blog for updated information on our April closure.

It's been awesome,
Team Picnik

Also... while I was looking at some sites while I was working on fixing my blog... I thought I would share this that I found... I haven't used this site in a long time... But I know that some bloggy friends do - so I wanted to share so you can retrieve your photos before they shut down :):):) If you can't see what it says... it says that SLIDE.COM is shutting down on March 6th, 2012 ....

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

Yes, you have seen this quote from me before :):):):):)

2012-01-25T02:00:00.001-05:00

Hi all :):):):)

Thanks for all the love on my last post about using up my scrappy stash... I was so happy to see everyone's sweet sweet sweet comments :):):):):):):):):)

And now I have a little story :) I originally had picked out and misted all of the below alphas and I was going to use them on THIS canvas - and they didn't work on the other canvas.... so I decided to make a SECOND canvas with the same quote :):):):):):) This time I am using it for LESSology's latest challenge where we want to see your flower blooms....Fabric blooms? Paper flowers? Delight us with your spectacular floral creations!!!!! :):):):):):):):) I used KANBAN papers on this canvas :):):):):):):):)

And here is our sponsor info for this challenge :)

Vintage Street Market

Website - http://www.vintagestreetmarket.com/

Blog - http://blog.vintagestreetmarket.com/

Prize: Prize Pack of Vintage Street Market Goodies

Formed by two families, Vintage Street Market celebrates memories, and the textures, sentiments and simplicity from times past. It is our intention to not only offer exceptional products and superior customer service, but to also create a community where nostalgia can be shared, creativity explored, and memories preserved.

Vintage Street Market, Inc. is a company founded and created by friends and families. Michelle Jackson and Allison Rittner have been in the craft goods and scrapbooking industry for many years, each with their own diverse background and business experience. They have combined their individual skills along with their similar tastes and styles to create products with a vintage flair. Great effort has been made to design, develop and distribute a quality product while practicing excellent customer service and respect for their customers.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

A promise to myself :):):):):):)

2012-01-24T06:00:00.005-05:00

Hi everyone :):):):):):)

After I cleaned my scrappy closet out earlier this month... I made a promise to myself to use more of my scrappy stash this year :):):) Well... Saturday, I went to my friend Krista's for her monthly crop... and I only had one DT assignment to work on... so after I knocked that out... I chose a zippered bag that has been sitting around in my scrap rolling tote for the past couple of years that gets strongly ignored :):):):):):) I was determined for the rest of the night to work out of that bag, and that bag only :):):):):):):)

Here are the front and back views of the "stash" bag I decided to work with ....

Just from these two little glances I have shown here... you can tell this bag is pretty full and has a variety of manufacturers in here :):):):):):):)

I was able to make FIVE layouts and THREE cards from this stash alone and I think the zippered bag is pretty empty now... lol... I have two full sheets of paper in there and some random scraps left ...and that's it :):):):):):):):)

Here is what I made :):):):):):):)

A sympathy card for a friend who's dog recently died :(

And two everyday cards :):):)

A layout about my doggy Mr. Dandy and the little statue I bought to go by our front door -- I bought the statue cause he looks just like my fur baby (aka the TWINS title!) :):):):):):)

A layout I titled "Blurry Cuteness" as the pic is one that I took of Brookie with my cell phone :):):):):)

This one is of Brookie and her Pre-School classmates :):):):):):):)

This one was a lot of fun!! I used a Die Cut American Crafts paper on top of another American Crafts papers :):):):):)

This one is one I threw together of me and the family in our Christmas photo :):):):):):)

*phew* just used a lot of stash on these... some American Crafts, Basic Grey, October Afternoon, Cosmo Cricket, Maya Road, Webster's, Glitz, Jillibean Soup, Pink Paislee and We r memory keepers! A lot of it I got from BlueMoonScrapbooking.com :):):):):):) It feels GREAT to use a lot of my stash too!!!! :):):):):):):):):):):) And the rosette on "Blurry Cuteness" is from Diana's ETSY shop:):):):):):):):)

And speaking of purging :):):):):) This past weekend, me and Brian got up early and cleaned out our closet and Adam's closet :):):):):) Welllllllllllllllll... this is what we emptied out and took to Goodwill after we were done :):):):):):):):):)

Yep!! That's SEVEN full garbage bags, one box, 2 posters and a little shelf that Brookie had in her room when she was a baby that all went to Goodwill!!! :):):):):)

And I still had 3 BIG ziploc bags of scrappy goodies that I had from when I cleaned out my scrap closet that I was going to donate to Brookie's Children's Hospital when we go there again in April... but then a friend of mine asked me if I had any scrappy stuff to donate to the Hospice she volunteers at..... So I told her sure :):):):):) From what she tells me, the Hospice employees make cards for their patients to help cheer them up, and worst case scenario make sympathy cards when needed..... she also asked me for any old jeans :) I told her she was in luck as I had just cleaned out my closet ... so I was able to donate 4 pairs of old denim jeans to Hospice also... from what my friend tells me, the volunteers at Hospice make portable oxygen tanks holders out of the denim :):):):):):):):)

So if you are ever looking into a place to donate your old jeans or your old scrappy supplies that you aren't using... look into donating them to your local Hospice... or a children's hospital for the scrappy supplies.... the children's hospitals ALWAYS have craft rooms for the kids that are there long term and they can ALWAYS use scrappy supplies..... I know me (insert evil smirk...lol)...and I know that when we head to Brookie's hospital again in April... I will have more of my scrappy stuff to donate to them :):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Also... my bloggy friend Jolanda is having a BIRTHDAY giveaway!! Go CHECK her OUT! :):):):):) She is SIMPLY AMAZING! :):):):):):):):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

A perfect start :):):):)

2012-01-23T04:00:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone :)

Thanks so much for all the bloggy love on my last post... good to be back and running the right way!! :):):):):):):):):):)

I wanted to share a layout I made with the AMAZING January kit from Artful Delight :):):)

Brian and I went to Ihop for my birthday breakfast :):):):) I had the YUMMY Pumpkin Pancakes :):):):)

And this weekend... Miss Brookie and I went to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D :):):):):):):):)

Miss Brookie rocking her 3D glasses :):) And her Icee too! lol :):):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

Back to normal?? :):):):):)

2012-01-21T00:30:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone :):):):):)

I*think* I have everything back in order on here :):):):)

Thanks for all the love and support :):):):):):)

I have tried to keep up with everyone... but after 3 days of trying to fix this bloggy of mine... I truly was bout ready to throw in the towel and give up my blog :(

I wanted to share a mini album I made for my friend Hannah and her daughter Aerin :):):) It's from when we all went to the zoo together last month! :):):) I made this using Bo Bunny's Zoology collection that I got from BlueMoonScrapbooking.com :):):):):):)

I ADORE Bo Bunny's Zoology mini...every other page has a CUTE zoo critter on it! LOVE IT :):):)

And I was also featured on the 7gypsies blog today with the Canvas I made with their "Off the Wall" collection!! I was sooooooooooo excited!!! Thanks to Toni for letting me know! :):):):):):):):):)

And before I head out... wanted to share some Brookie photos (And Mr. Dandy too!) :):):):):):)

I was trying to be incognito... but she obviously caught me... lol :)

She is so gentle with Mr. Dandy :)

And Jinny sent us some HOMEMADE APPLE BUTTER!!!! We love love love Apple Butter in the house!!! YUM!! And she sent TWO GORGEOUS cards for me and Brookie! Thanks Jinny! :):):):):):):):)

And Nikki Sivils revealed her new blog badges that show her new AWESOME collections!!! I am IN LOVE with this release from her! :):):):):):):):)

I can't wait to play with her newest collections :):):):):):):)

Again... thank you for all your support! :):):):):) Love u all :):):):):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

In case you haven't heard.......

2012-01-18T23:30:00.001-05:00

Hi all.....

I got two emails and a facebook message tonight telling me that when they visited my blog, they got a message that someone on my blog roll (which WAS located on my right side bar) had malware on their blog and it was causing a pop up warning them NOT to visit my blog because of this.....

So... it's NOT my blog.....

It's someone on my blog roll.....

I have contacted this person and they are trying to fix it on their end......

I have been trying for 5 hours to remove this person's blog from my blog roll to make this go away......

I can't remove it because I am getting a "JavaScript:Void0" error.....

I have googled this error message from here to the end of time trying to figure out what to do .....

I have tried to install and uninstall and re-install JAVA on my computer for the past 5 hours to just get this one blog off my blog roll......

I have done about 20 restarts on my computer......

I have tried Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and my ever dreaded Internet Explorer trying to get around this JavaScript:Void0 error......

The REAL kicker is ...... this computer is BRAND new... I have owned it for all of 4 days.......

I can not bring it back to the factory settings as I paid A LOT of $$$$$ to have the store add all the bells and whistles on this computer and I don't want to erase it all.......

I can see BLOGGERS I follow (not typepad and wordpress) on my blog's dashboard.....

******Edited to add------(I have had peeps comment about Google Reader...I do use that... but I can't figure out how to add typepad/wordpress blogs to it???)********

I FINALLY removed the ENTIRE gadget off my side bar......

What does that mean??????????

That now when I open my blog... my beloved blogs I visit daily are not there anymore ......

I can't visit my friends until I figure out this JavaScript:Void0 error......

I am frustrated.....

I am wishing at this point that I was a computer geek.....

So my friends......

I will be sparse in visiting you till I can figure this all out.....

Which totally breaks my heart......

The end :(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(

Happy birthday, happy mail, happy hair, happy outfits, happy days... just HAPPY :):):):):):)

2012-01-17T21:56:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone! :):):)

Well, so far this month has been just as crazy as December! What happened to that promise that it was gonna slow down after the holidays?? lol... ohhhhhhh that's right... I never got that promise from anyone! LOL :):):):)

Wanted to share some recent photos of Brookie and gang and also some cards that I made :):)

Last week, Brookie had a Winter Gala program at pre-school :):):)

(She dared me to take this one... totally thinking I wouldn't! lol!) :)

And now, back to normal :)

Performing in the gala :)

Brookie and her other classmates :):):):) She is a lot taller than the rest of them! lol :):):):)

Let's see -- oh yes, we went to a birthday party for one of Brookie's little pre-school friends this past weekend :):):):)

Her little friend blowing out her candles! :)

Brookie and Daddy :)

Ohhhhhh and I made the birthday card for the above said Birthday friend ... and decided to make a second "i {heart} you" card also while I was creating! (And PS...these are both made up of scrappy stash as part of my ongoing challenge this year to myself to use it up!!) :):):):):):):)

(sorry for the shadows...had to photo these before we headed to the party..and all I had was direct sunlight!)

And let's see... Brookie got a new outfit she wanted to show off and she got some happy mail too! :):):)

A Get Well card from Brenda :):):)

And happy mail from Amy! :):):):)

And I got some yummy happy mail from Connie :):):)

And let's see... everyone got haircuts yesterday :):):):) I was with Brookie at her salon while the boys were down the way getting theirs done :):):):)

Brookie and Daddy having fun :):):)

And one last thing before I go :) My local friend Julie has a daughter that has a traveling journal that I blogged about HERE... well some of my sweet international friends were nice enough to email Julie about the journal and it has been shipped to the first person.... Julie has asked me to remind the person that has it to please send her daughter a postcard from their country :):):):) If you have the journal, please email Julie at jewlz@cox.net for all the details :):):) Thanks :):):):):):):):):):):)

Ok....so I have one more thing... lol... bloggy friend Rachael is having a birthday giveaway! It is AMAZING... go check it out! :):):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up :):):):):)

2012-01-16T00:00:00.005-05:00

Hi all :):):):)

I wanted to share a 12x12 canvas that I made for the latest City Crafter's Challenge :):):):):) This time they wanted to see a black silhouette used on your project :):):):) I had the entire "Off the Wall" collection from 7gypsies that I got from BlueMoonScrapbooking.com and there is plenty of black silhouette pieces in that line that I fussy cut to add to my canvas :):):):):):):):):)

I also wanted to share a layout I made with the January kit from Artful Delight! :):):) Just IN LOVE with this month's kit! :):):):):):)

This is Brookie with her BFF Aerin when they went to the zoo last month together! :):):):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

My True Love :):):):):)

2012-01-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone :):):)

Today is our latest alphabet challenge over at Scrapbooker's Anonymous! :):):):) This time it's the letter "F" :):):):) I used some older Fancy Pants, a Polaroid frame from EAD Designs and I made a paper FLOWER :):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

I found them Amy!!! Oh yes, I did :):):):):):):)

2012-01-13T06:49:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone :):):):):):)

A couple of weeks ago, Amy T. posted a card using some OLD Amy Butler stickers... I left her a comment telling her I had those stickers too! :) Well she challenged me to use them up!! Ohhhhhhhh yeah... I love me a challenge :):):) So after cleaning up my scrap closet, I FOUND them... and have used them on a card :):):):):)

The background paper is Bo Bunny's Sweet Tooth that I got at BlueMoonScrapbooking.com :)

While I was at it... I thought I would use up some more old stash on another card :):):):) The papers are Crate's Paper Heart collection that I got from BlueMoonScrapbooking.com .... but that little COFFEE tag is from SIStv, for those that used to follow me on there :):):):):) I have been hoarding that tag for about 5 years now! :):):):):):):)

I also want to thank everyone for their support and kind comments on my post from yesterday :) I appreciate it :):):):):):):) I am sad to see Sketchy Thursdays go ... and I am forever grateful to have another term with Nikki Sivils :):):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

I have some bad news :( and some good news :) ....

2012-01-12T08:30:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone :)

Today our latest sketch is live on Sketchy Thursdays and I wanted to share my take on it :)

Today is also our last Sketchy Thursdays ... you can read the announcement on the ST blog... it wasn't an easy decision for Diana, Heidi or myself, but it was something that we decided together ... I am sad to see ST end... but for now, its the best thing for us :( That's the bad news.....

I used lots of goodies on here that I got from BlueMoonScrapbooking.com :)

And here is our sketch this week :)

And today I also have a simple shadowbox frame that I made for Brian's friends that recently got married! :):):):) This will be on the BlueMoon Blog at 8AM MST today! :):):):):):)
I wanted to keep this pretty simple so that they could add photos or memorabilia from their wedding to it :):):):):):):):):)

And now for the good news :):):):):) Nikki Sivils announced her 2012 DT yesterday... and I am happy to announce that I am staying on for another term :):):):) I absolutely ADORE Nikki and so happy that she has kept me on :):):):):):):):):) I have been Nikki's blog coordinator for the past 2 years, and happy that I am keeping this position :):):):):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

My OLW for 2012 ....and some important blogger help for my friends... :):):):)

2012-01-11T05:00:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone :)

On Monday, our latest challenge went live over on LESSology :):):):) This time we want to see an inspirational board :):):):):) New Year, New inspiration :):):):):):)

I decided to take a different approach to my inspiration board :) I have chosen "HOPE" as my OLW (One Little Word) for 2012, and so I decided to take a wood clipboard that I had and alter it to include one of my all time fave quotes (from the movie Hope Floats) and have this be my inspirational board for 2012 :)

Here is the quote that I used: "Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome. That's what mama always says. She says that beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will..."

Used Lily Bee papers and alphas on my clipboard :):):):)

And our sponsor is AWESOME for our challenge this time :):):):):):)

(click on the above image and it will take you to their site) :):):)

Prize: 2 Spools of Baker's Twine of your choice. There are 13 colors to choose from.

Wowwwwwwwwwwww! I wish I was able to get that prize!! :):):):):):):):)

Can't wait to see what you all make :):):):):):)

And now for the blogger help (sorry to my WordPress and TypePad friends....I am not verse in those...so this is for Google Bloggers only) :):):):):):):)

A few months ago I went to refresh my Blog and it was GONE... like telling me it not longer existed ... it took me an hour to figure out (digging through the blogger help section... which isn't always user friendly or very helpful...lol) that all Google wanted was my phone number to re-activate my account... WHY do they need this??? From the steps that I am going to share with you... it looks like they want your CELL number as a 'security' measure if they ever need to text you a password.... doesn't make sense to me... but sadly, I don't make Google's policies... I am just trying to help you all save your blogs :):):):):):):):) So after giving my number to them... POOF! My blog was back... just like that... very odd... but as they say, "Big brother is always watching" ... lol! :):):):)

So before it happens to you, I wanted to show you a step by step on how to give Google your phone number to (hopefully!) avoid this issue :):):):):) If you are worried about your phone number being out there in the world wide web... just know that it's actually harder to locate/trace cell phone numbers... etc etc etc...

First go to Blogger.com ... in the top right corner you will see "My Account" ... click on that :) (PS... to see any of my images bigger, click on them)

Next you should be on the "Account Overview" page... over to the right I want you to click on "Change Recovery Options"

Next you will see a section called "SMS" ... this is where you will enter your phone number --- in my example the part that your number goes looks white... that is because my phone number was on my example and I erased it (love you all.... but don't want to share my cell number on my blog...lol!)

Click on "EDIT" then give them your number and hit save :)

And seriously... after just doing that one little step -- your blog should be safe :):):):) I can't make any promises of course ;) cause Google might change their minds and throw another problem in the mix in the future... I just know that after it happened to me and I gave them my number, my blog was back :):):):)

I have given this advice to other bloggers that also lost their blogs... and as soon as they gave their number...their blogs were back also :):):):)

I know a lot of people are leery about giving out their phone number... but just know that Google isn't making this public, it's in your account settings under "Security" :):):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

Christmas and Valentine's...all in one post! Hey, the retail stores can do it, why can't I?? LOL :):):):)

2012-01-10T06:23:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone :):):):):)

I wanted to scrap Brookie's Santa picture, but never got around to it in December, so I decided to do it now :):):):):)

I used Nikki Sivils Gingerbread Land on my layout! :) I always love love love Nikki's Christmas lines! :):):):)

And I also wanted to share today that through Leintje I found a woman named Winter that is hosting a Valentine's Card Drive benefiting Children's Hospitals!!! :):):):):):) I just LOVED this idea and got right on it! I made 32 cards for the kids on Sunday Morning...and they went out in the mailbox on Monday! :):):):) And Winter is having prize drawings for people that contribute too! I didn't really need that is an incentive...I just wanted the kids to have Valentine's Cards... but that is still really sweet of Winter to offer to people as an incentive for participating :):):):):):):):):):):)

If you would like to participate in this AMAZING cause... go see Winter's blog post all about it :):):):):):):):):):)

And keeping with my mantra this year of using up A LOT of my scrappy stash when I cleaned out my scrappy closet space ;) I used ALL stash for these cards!! I used Nikki Sivils Sugar Cookie line and SEI's papers for all of these! :):):):):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

You have my heart :):):)

2012-01-09T06:00:00.010-05:00

Hi everyone :):):)

Thanks for all the love on my re-do of my scrap space... that really means a lot to me :):):):):):):)

This month Artful Delight is sponsoring Sketch Inspiration with one of Artful Delight's January kits!!! :):):) And they shared this month's sketch with us to play along with :):):)

And here is my take on the sketch using January's AMAZING Artful Delight kit! :):):):):)

And here is Sketch Inspiration's sketch this month :):):):)

Don't forget to stop by the other Artful Delight's DT members and see what they created :):):):):)

Debbie - Love Lifes Little Pleasures
Abby - Midwest Memories
June - Simply Elegant Paper Crafts
Kelly - Scrappin' Sisters

Leeanne - Artful Delight --- Leeanne is offering a giveaway too during this sponsorship... make sure to check it out :):):):):)

And here is the kit that the winner on Sketch Inspiration will be winning! :):):) I love this kit...and I know you will too!! So go play along with Sketch Inspiration! :):):):):)

And I also wanted to share a banner I made for the latest Bo Bunny Layout Challenge... ok, I know, I know... it's called the LAYOUT challenge... but I was inspired to make a banner for the latest challenge :) Hopefully the Bo Bunny DT will forgive me (*wink*) :) I used the "Welcome Home" collection that I got from BlueMoonScrapbooking.com :):):):):):) For the home shaped chipboard base, I used Nikki Sivils chipboard :):):):):):):):)

From the image provided for the challenge, I was inspired by the banner on the wall, the colors, the vintage feel to the room and the chandelier hanging from the ceiling :):):)

And here is the image that was provided for inspiration for their challenge :):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

New Year ...New space :):):):):):)

2012-01-08T00:54:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone :):):)

Late last year June redid her scrappy space and that gave me the kick in the butt to get mine cleaned up :):):)

For those that remember, we moved at the end of last April, and I went from having a scrap ROOM to a scrap CLOSET! lol :) Which is just fine by me, as I never created in my scrap room before we moved, it was at the back of the house and it kept me away from my family :) So I used to drag stuff out to the living room in our old house and scrapped in there, so that I could be close to the family while I scrapped :):):) So, losing my scrap room wasn't that much of an issue... it was more the SPACE I lost from the BIG scrap room that I had, to the LARGE walk-in closet I downsized too... :):):):):)

I am also one that hates to have boxes sitting around FOREVER when I move... I need to unpack quick and basically put things where they fit :) So when we moved, I unpacked within a week... and the problem with that is..... I unpacked scrappy stuff and it got placed in the LAUNDRY ROOM, and NON scrappy stuff got put in my scrappy closet ... NOT good :):):):):):):)

So when I saw June's progress of her scrappy space... that got me going :):):):):):) And I am *almost* embarrassed to show you the "before" pics... but it is what it is :):):):)

Now ... My scrappy closet MOSTLY worked for me... I knew where all my DT papers were, where all my DT embellishments were... but the problem is.. I had to always MOVE stuff in my scrap closet to get anything that was past the DT stuff... which is NOT good when you have wanted to use your stash forever and a day ;)

So here we go........ (if you want to see any of the collages closer, just click on them to make them bigger)

Here is the BEFORE :)

I would say that probably about 70% of my scrap closet was scrappy stuff... but I also housed extra boxes, gift bags, the kids art/school papers in here... and I had extra stuff in the laundry room that should have been in here instead... so first thing I did was REMOVE all non-scrappy stuff and put it in the laundry room...and brought all the scrappy stuff into my "staging" area for this project, so that when I was ready, I could include them in here :):):):):):)

Next, I decided to sort ALL of my papers by manufacturer (KRISTA...where are you???? I need you to be proud of me on this one! ...no worries...she will get this statement! lol!) :):):):)

Here is my papers as I was sorting them by manufacturer... they were pretty much covering most of my living room floor and dining room table too :):):):):):):):)

So after they were all sorted by manufacturer (again KRISTA... get in here... she will be so proud of me! lol!).... I bagged each set of papers by manufacturer and put them in my paper tray (that Toni gave me) and also a new rolling cart that Brian got me...
And and and and and ... I alphabetized my rolling cart so I know which drawer the papers are in!! (GO ME!!!)....and for my paper trays, I labeled the front so I know what's in each tray :):):):):):):)

And hehehehehehe... it might be too small to see in the collage... but I have TWO drawers labeled "CRATE".... hmmmm I might be slightly obsessed with Crate Paper, you think?!?!?! lol :):):):):):)

And here is the FINAL RESULT :):):):):):)

And some close ups :):):):):)

Pictures are stored in containers on the top shelf of the closet, my paper trays are side by side with another 12x12 tote bag, and my sewing machine, a couple of years ago I bought a Stickles storage container, and I finally have them all housed in it :):):):)

Here is an idea that I am really proud of... the shelves that are in my closet are wire and have racks on them.... I bought metal rings and binder clips and hung them on the racks... then I hung my embellishments from the binder clips :):):):) This way I can see what embellishments I have and they are easy to get too! :):):):):) I am determined to use A LOT of my stash this year!!! One of my biggest problems about embellishments is if they are in a box or "out of sight" I won't use them cause they are "out of sight"... well not anymore :):):):) I have them all hung up IN MY SIGHT and they WILL be used this year! :):):):):):):):):):)

The white bins on the left house items I want to alter this year, the middle is once again a shot of where my papers are housed, and on the right is a close up of my sewing machine :):):):):):)

And this last one is a BEFORE and AFTER comparison :):):):):) In the AFTER you can see I can now WALK into my scrap closet!! WOOT WOOT! :):):):) I couldn't do that before! I am SO EXCITED!!! Thanks to June for the inspo! :):):):):):):):):):)

And one more thing before I head out today..... I wanted to share an AMAZING giveaway that my scrappy buddy DORIS is HAVING!!!! WOOT WOOT!!! She is giving away a $25.00 gift certificate :):):):):):):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

Christmas Thank You cards :):):):)

2012-01-07T01:55:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone :)

Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers for Brookie! :):):) She is feeling soooooooo much better! :):):):):) YAY! I cannot thank you all enough for everything :):):):):):) Thank you for your sweet comments, your messages and comments on Facebook and the emails you have sent checking in on her... I don't have enough words to express my gratitude to all of you! :):):):):):):):)

I don't know about you, but every year I have Christmas thank you cards to send out to friends and family that sent us Christmas gifts :) Well, ,most years I buy a package of generic thank you cards from the store. But this year I decided to make my thank you cards and I thought Nikki Sivils Gingerbread Land were absolutely perfect for this task :)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

Let's go on an adventure ..and an update on Brookie :):):)

2012-01-05T06:41:00.000-05:00

Hi all .....

Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes for Brookie from my last post...

Here is an update on Brookie- one of her meds didn't agree with her tummy (it made her sick) ...so back to the doctors and this time they gave her a shot of another antibiotic to see if she had the same reaction - and she didn't ....so we got a prescription for the new one.. here's hoping this one works...

here is what Brookie has going on right now... a breathing treatment every 4 hours ... :(

And here is her medicines right now :( I hope they are gonna do the trick......

You are all amazing friends.. I cannot thank you enough for everything you do for me and my family! :):):):)

Today the latest sketch over at Sketchy Thursdays and I wanted to share my take on it :)

This is Brookie and her BFF Aerin at the zoo last month :)

I used some YUMMY Pink Paislee, October Afternoon and Amy Tangerine on here that I got from BlueMoonScrapbooking.com :):):):)

And here is our sketch this week :)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

Prayers please :(

2012-01-03T23:37:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone.....

*sigh* I know we are lucky in many aspects of our lives... trust me, I know that ... but I really could use some prayers for Brookie today...

She has had a bad cough since Saturday night... off and on fever since Sunday... and we finally got an appointment for her at her doctor;s office today.... and she has pneumonia :(

My baby has been through so much ... and this is just killing me and Brian....

here she is just a few days ago when she woke up to tell me that she pulled out her second loose tooth, all on her own....

Thanks everyone... I truly appreciate it....

~~Julie

Seriously....why didn't I think of this before??? :):):):)

2012-01-03T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hi all :)

So most of you saw my *NOT so carefree and fancy free* December Daily post... it stressed me out...etc etc etc... sooooo then I got me a Tim Holtz printer's tray from BlueMoonScrapbooking.com and it hit me............. Why not turn that into my December Daily?!?!?!?!?

....seriously, why didn't I think of that before?!?!?!?!?! I LOVE to alter things and I did this in one night... not 25 days! LOL! :):):):):):):):):):) (PS...thanks Krista for helping me with my papers! *wink*)

So here is my altered printer's tray with my December photos :):):):)

Everything on here is from BlueMoonScrapbooking.com :):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

Don't forget... I love you :):):)

2012-01-02T07:00:00.002-05:00

Hi all :):):)

I hope you all had a wonderful New Years! :):):):):)

Thanks for all the love on my published layout!! Your kind words made my day! :):):):):):):)

I wanted to share my take on our monthly sketch on Artful Delight :):):):) Absolutely LOVEEEEEEEEEEE this month's kit!! :):):):):):):)

And here is our sketch this month :):):):)

I also wanted to share my layout for our latest challenge over at Scrapbooker's Anonymous! :):):) This month we want to see you use some Masks with Mists or Paints :):):):):) Such a FUN challenge! :):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

Published :):):):):)

2012-01-01T12:46:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! :):):):):):):):):):):)

A couple of months ago I saw that Scrap Street Magazine was having a call for layouts that was using products of companies that were no longer in business! :):):):) Well... I don't know about you... but I have quite a few of those laying around! lol ;)

So today the latest issue of Scrap Street Magazine is live and my layout is in it! :):):):):):):)

Here is my layout :)

For those that knew back in the good ole SIS days... YES.. that is KL's papers :):):):):) Those are still to this day my fave papers! :):):):):)

Brookie is sick today... so we are just staying home and chilling out....

Hope everyone has a fabulous 2012 :):):):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

A year in Review ... goodbye 2011 :):):)

2011-12-31T10:12:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone :):):):)

Before I start today... I want to thank EVERYONE for their kind words and support on my December Daily post from yesterday :):):) I truly truly truly believed I was alone in thinking that it was a stressful process and I thank you all for the virtual hugs as I know now I am not alone in that thought process :):):):)

Today is the last day of 2011... and I wanted to share some of my highlights and faves from this year :):):):) Let me tell you... this is NOT an easy thing to do...lol... I made over 400 layouts this year, over 200 cards and I think probably close to 50 altered projects!! So I am gonna narrow it down one a month! LOL! :):):)

In January 2011 we decided to move, started looking for a new (downsized) place and packing! I also thought with our decision to move, that my OLW (One Little Word) for 2011 would be FAITH :) I have held on tight to that word all year and my FAVE layout from January 2011 actually uses my word FAITH in the quote I chose for the title :):):)

(The quote is, "Faith is taking the first step - even when you don't see the whole staircase" ~~ Martin Luther King Jr.)

In February 2011, we had our first test of that FAITH that I chose as my word. I was working at a craft show with my friend Krista, and I had pains in my side - went to the Emergency Room and found out my Gall Bladder was bad... and needed to be removed. My FAVE layout of this month doesn't have anything to do with my upcoming surgery, just documenting my month ;)

My FAVE layout for February 2011 was actually quite simple.. since it was Graphic 45 papers, I really only added like 4 things to it... but seriously, this layout got some of the best comments out in internet land when I posted it :):):):):)

In March 2011, we actually had some major events happen! Brookie and I BOTH had our surgeries on the same day, Me for my Gall Bladder, Brookie for her laser surgery for her Port Wine Stains. That was March 9th, 2011. So, Brian literally dropped me off at my hospital, and then took Brookie's to hers right down the street :):):) Also, Brian and I celebrated (Not really...I was still in bad shape from my surgery...lol!) our 3rd wedding anniversary on March 14th :):):)

Here is my FAVE layout for March 2011 :)

In April 2011, we MOVED! It was a downsize, but it actually has been the best thing for our family! Even though I say we downsized, our new home (square footage wise) is actually BIGGER than our old home... it just has one less bedroom (from 4 bedrooms to 3)...but it is a lot BETTER on our wallet than our old home...which is a bonus too! :):):) So...I used to have a craft room... now I have a craft closet... which is all good in my book! :):):):):):)

Here is my FAVE layout for April 2011...does document our moving and again uses my OLW FAITH :)

In May 2011, we un-packed and settled into our new home... Adam graduated Junior High School and Brookie graduated from pre-school (which she will have to do again this year... she's a Fall baby... so she doesn't start Kindergarten till 2012...weird, I know!) :):):) My FAVE layout for May 2011, actually I think might be one of my all time faves ever :):):)

In June 2011, I got 6 inches of my hair cut off :) And Brookie came down with a severe case of Impetigo ... not a good month for her :(

My FAVE layout for June 2011 shares my haircut :)

In July 2011, we celebrated the 4th of July at home together and Brookie had surgery #15 :)

For July 2011, I don't have a FAVE layout to share --- rather this seemed to be the month that I really rocked out the altered projects...so I am going to cheat a little and share 4 of my FAVE altered projects from this year... that I made all in July 2011 :):):):):):):)

This is a chair that belonged to my Father when he was 3 or 4 years old and I altered it into this :)

And I altered three sets of Shadowbow/Books :) One with a Wizard of Oz theme, one with a Harry Potter theme and one with a Christmas theme :):):):)

In August 2011, Adam started High School... and I am still in denial ;) And my BFF came to visit :):):)

My FAVE layout from August 2011 was one I did of the family going out to a movie... it doesn't happen very often because of the costs of movies/snacks etc... so it's a BIG deal when we do :):):):):)

In September 2011, Our country honored the 10th anniversary of 09.11...a very somber day, I listened to the broadcast from Ground Zero in NYC and cried as each name was read... the family and I also went to "The Healing Fields" in Tempe, Arizona where every victim of 09.11 has a flag in their honor... very moving and as I looked at HOW MANY flags that were there... it truly hits you on how huge this really was.....

So instead of a layout for this month... instead I am going to share two FAVE photos from that day that we went to the healing fields......

In October 2011, Brookie turned six ... we shared in the 10th anniversary (and final year) of "Bowling 4 the Cure" and of course we did Halloween :):):)

Again.. instead of a layout for this month... I am going to share a FAVE altered project...which just happens to be the BIGGEST (size wise) project I have ever ever ever made :):):)

It's a wall hanging and I hand rolled all of the flowers on here out of paper :):):):)

In November 2011, Brookie had surgery #16 --- and my Aunt Mary came for a visit at Thanksgiving :):):)

My FAVE layout this month has to do with my fur baby Mr. Dandy (Who is doing MUCH better now... thank you all for your well wishes for him!) :):):):)

And now we are to this month, December 2011 :) This month I turned 40 and Brian and I went to Las Vegas for the Michael Jackson Cirque Du Soleil show..... I will say, that had to be the BEST trip I have ever taken...ever :):):):):):) Ohhhh and I got 8 inches of my hair cut off and went RED too :)

My FAVE layout this month has been --- One you all haven't seen yet ;) I haven't posted it yet... so I will share it now :):):)

A photo of me on my 40th birthday pre-hair cut :):):):):)

So that's it for the year... all my faves wrapped into one :):):):):):):) I hope you all have a VERY safe and Happy New Year! :):):):):):):):)

Thank you all that have supported me this year! You all are wonderful and amazing friends! :):):):):):):):):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

sigh I have decided.....

2011-12-30T06:28:00.001-05:00

....that a December Daily and Me just aren't meant to be friends :(

Now... don't take me wrong... I did it... really, I completed my December Daily :) ... but it actually was more stressful for me to try and remember to take a photo, what happened on what day, printing photos, finding journal tags that fit on my page and gave me enough room to write down what happened that day... then the actual month of December was... so I YES! I did it... but stressing about completing a mini album rather than enjoying everyday... is probably not something I want to do again :)

So with that said... here is my completed December Daily :) .... (Oh and PS... I am actually quite boring, as you will see on some of my days! lol!) :)

(Sorry for the shadows on some of the pages... I was trying to beat the sun setting when I took these! lol!)

The cover :)

12.01 Brookie in front of her Christmas tree and I packed for our Las Vegas trip :)

12.02 We arrived in Las Vegas and had dinner with our friends Mitch and Maggie :)

12.03 My 40th Birthday... Gondola ride at the Venetian, Pumpkin pancakes at IHop, The Bellagio's conservatory, Michael Jackson Cirque Du Soleil show and I won $500.00 at a penny slot machine! :):):)

12.04 Last day in Las Vegas - got to meet Kirsty and we FINALLY found the "Welcome To Las Vegas" sign :)

12.05 Back home - Daddy had an eye doctor appointment, Brookie got some new clothes at the mall and we all got new bed pillows... and Brookie got to play in the play area at the mall :)

12.06 Ugh... as I was taking a photo of this page... I realized I forgot a journal tag :( ... so this day was Brookie's follow up appointment at her surgeon's office ... and we got to see the tree that our friend Krista helped decorate for the Childrens Hospital :)

12.07 I made a card for some friends that got married ...and I had to go to Urgent Care for my annual Bronchitis that I get in the winter time :(

12.08 Me and my Mother-In-Law got to go to Patricia Cornwell's book signing! LOVE HER! :)

12.09 Brookie and I went to the zoo with Aerin and Hannah :)

12.10 We went to the cemetery to decorate the twin's graves for Christmas :)

12.11 We went to a classic car show at Adam's school :) And Brookie had a blue slushie :)

12.12 Boring! :) I blog hopped and we caught up on "Castle" with my fur baby by my side :)

12.13 Dandy wanted to watch TV this time ;) And I made quick and easy magnets for Nikki Sivils blog with tutorial :)

12.14 Brookie and I got happy mail :)

12.15 Brookie and I found out that a little 2 year old girl lost everything in a fire... so we went through her closet and collected older toys for her to donate to her :)

12.16 During the day Brookie had her Christmas party at daycare... and at night we went and helped my friend Tracy decorate her son's tree at the cemetery for Christmas :)

12.17 I got 8 inches of my hair cut off and went RED too! And we also went to cousin Nathan's 6th birthday party :)

12.18 Brookie and I made a cake, Brookie lost her first tooth and we went and visited Bern's house... probably for the last time :(

12.19 Brookie got $5.00 from the tooth fairy :)

12.20 I took my monthly photo with my kids in honor of Aledia and we went as a family to see "The Muppets" :)

12.21 Brookie made us a hand print Christmas tree for Christmas :)

12.22 BORING alert :) I printed and worked on my December Daily :)

12.23 No photos please ... lol... We cleaned the house preparing for Christmas :)

12.24 -- Haven't printed the photos for this yet :) We went to my in-laws for our traditional Perogi dinner :)

12.25 Merry Christmas and I suck... haven't printed photos for this one yet either... lol :) But it was Christmas day... so you all know what happened on that day! LOL! :)

So there you go ... probably my one and only December Daily... but at least I can say I DID IT :):):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

Christmas Past :):):)

2011-12-29T06:26:00.000-05:00

Hi all :):):)

Our latest sketch is live today on Sketchy Thursdays :) and I wanted to share the layout I made for this weeks sketch :):):):)

Everything on here is from BlueMoonScrapbooking.com :):):) This was Brookie in 2009 :) The first year she didn't freak out with Santa ... lol :):):)

And here is our sketch this week :):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

A winter Birthday :):):):):)

2011-12-28T07:30:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone :):):):)

I wanted to share a mini album I made about my birthday weekend in Las Vegas :):):):) I used some yummy Pink Paislee goodies that I got from BlueMoonScrapbooking.com :):):):)

I mixed several different Pink Paislee collections in here... that's one of the things I love about their collections... they are so versatile :):):):):):):):)

And close ups of some of the pages :):):):):):):)

And thank you all for your thoughts and well wishes for Mr. Dandy... we took him to the vet yesterday and she thinks it's his hips... so now he is on some medicines and he has a follow up on Saturday! :):) Thank you again... it is greatly appreciated :):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

Score! :):):):)

2011-12-26T06:40:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone :):):):)

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Christmas!! We did... it was wonderful... Christmas presents in the morning, followed by breakfast made by my Dad and then dinner at my parents followed by a Birthday cake for Jesus and Mark (a person close to our heart) :):):):) I will be sharing photos at the end of this post! :):):):):):)

I wanted to share a layout I made with the YUMMY December Artful Delight kit!! Love love love this kit :):):):)

This was Brookie on Halloween :):):) When I went to download all my pics from that night... I swear this pose looks like she is saying "SCORE!" lol :):):)

I also wanted to share a little gift I made for my Goddaughter Amanda... I again used the December Artful Delight kit on this!! I took some vintage spools I had and decorated them to make a little hanging for her for Christmas :):):):):):):)

And now for the Christmas photos!! Boy did Santa spoil those kids! LOL!! :):):):):):)

Here is the tree and presents before everything got torn to bits... LOL! :):):):)

If you want to see any of these... you can click on them to make them larger :)

Here is Brookie's gifts :):):):):)

Adam's gifts :):):)

The Grandparents, my Brother and Brian with some of their gifts :):):):):)

And I have to share this one! Jennifer makes the MOST AMAZING signs (we now own THREE!!) and I had an idea one day and asked Jennifer if she could make a custom one for Brian (He is a HUGE bowler!)... and she DID!! She totally came through for me for Brian's gift!! She is AWESOME!! She has a variety of beautiful signs in her ETSY shop ... you should all check her out!! The quality of her work is AMAZING!! :):):):):):):):):):) Thanks Jennifer for helping make Brian's Christmas so special! :):):):):):):):):)

Brookie giving Adam a HUGE hug after opening her little dolly from him :):):):):):):)

And for those that saw my post on Christmas Eve --- our fur baby Mr. Dandy hurt his paw on Christmas Eve at the in-laws... and all night he was crying (and not just went he went to walk... he was just crying randomly) :(:(:( Well this morning, he wasn't feeling too much better...yelping a lot :( he wouldn't even eat his cookie doggy treat that was in his stocking .... (he only licked it...) :(

After we finally got him to eat a little -- he improved a little --- we are still watching him though... we are going to take him to the vet's today to check him out ... Thank you all for the well wishes for him :):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

Merry Christmas! :):):)

2011-12-25T01:17:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! :)

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!! :):):):):):)

For Christmas Eve we went to my in-laws with all the family...and we had dinner and small gifts and I wanted to share some photos! :):):):)

Before we headed to the in-laws -- we took pics in front of our tree :):):):)

Brookie placing gifts under the in-laws tree :):):):)

Daddy helping Nana Sue make Perogies... YUM!! :):):)

Brookie by Nana's little tree :):):)

Brookie with one of her gifts :):):):):)

Brookie made both Nana's and Papa's presents...and wrapped them herself :):):)

Adam and his presents :):):):)

On the way home, we stopped and looked at some lights :):):):)

When we got home Brookie put out the reindeer food that she made at school :):):):)

And the Santa key to make sure Santa could get in :):):):)

In sad news... while at the in-laws tonight, our doggy Mr. Dandy hurt his paw and he has been crying a lot since then :(:(:( We will be keeping an eye on him tonight and hopefully it will be better in the morning.....

Well... I just checked NORAD and they are telling me that Santa is in Wisconsin... so I better hurry and get to bed... I don't want him to catch me awake! :):):):):):):):):)

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Saying good-bye to a Christmas tradition.....

2011-12-21T19:11:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone -

If you have followed me for awhile, you might remember that EVERY year my family and I go visit Bern's house at Christmastime.... he has been handcrafting GORGEOUS wooden lighted displays for his ENTIRE house (front, inside and backyard) for OVER 50 YEARS.... and *sigh* this is his last year... I am in denial ... in fact I am still tearing up when I think about it.... I have been going to his house every year since I was about 10 .... pure magic Bern is... pure magic :)

He even sells his creations at the end of each season - and a couple of years ago when I heard the rumors that he might be closing up shop soon, I was bound and determined to BUY me a Bern creation!! (Since they are hand crafted and HUGE, they do cost quite a penny!) .... but I literally SAVED my loose change all year and by Thanksgiving that year, I was able to save enough money to buy one .... yep! I am a VERY proud owner of my very own BERN CREATION :):):):):):):)

Here I am with Bern (and hubby Brian too! lol) two years ago when I bought it (and yes! those are tears in my eyes! I was so happy to have it!)

I even have made layout's about his creations and mentioned him before --- Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, and Here :):):):) (I'm telling you... it's a family tradition to go there) :)

Sooooooooooo back to my blog post title... this is his last year decorating... I have all ready been twice since he started his display on Thanksgiving... and I am hoping to go one more time before January 1st ...

Here are some photos from his very last Christmas display......

*sigh*

Adam, Brian, Brookie, Papa Eli, Nana Ruth, Nana Sue and Papa Mike :)

Adam, Me, Brookie, Papa Eli, Nana Ruth, Nana Sue and Papa Mike :)

*sigh* this is really hard for me... he is just the sweetest and most talented man... I will miss going there every year.....

I also wanted to share a layout I made with some YUMMY Pink Paislee Mistables paper and their Nantucket line that I got from BlueMoonScrapbooking.com :):):) I loveeeeee their papers! :):):):)

Brian took me on a Gondola ride at the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas for my birthday :):):) The middle photo was our boat driver (not sure if that's the right term! LOL!) sang Happy Birthday to me on our ride :):):):):)

That little pink strip... that's from the Mistables package :):):):) Loved the shape, cut it out and used it :):):):):)

I hope you all have an amazing Christmas :):):):):):) Thanks for stopping by... I know we are all busy with the season, so I appreciate the visit from you :):):):):):):):):)

Almost Christmas :):):):):):):)

2011-12-20T08:06:00.000-05:00

Hi all :):):):):)

I know we are all really busy with the hustle and the bustle of the season right now, so for all that stop by and visit, I want you to know that it is appreciated :):):):):):)

So I am keeping up with my December Daily photos and have most of them printed out, and most likely will get them in my book this Friday as believe it or not... I have this FRIDAY FREE!!! No plans, no errands, stocking stuffers were bought yesterday... and that was the LAST thing on my list to get :):):):):):):)

So I wanted to share some photos from Sunday... seriously for some reason, this Sunday was just a busy busy busy day!! LOL! :):):):):):) (I have more photos to share from this day... but one set of photos carries an entire story... so those will come later) :):):):):):)

Brookie and I (mostly her!) made a spice cake for dessert :):):):):)

Then Brookie lost her first tooth (not in the cake, I promise! LOL!) YAY!!! :):):):):):):)

And Monday morning the tooth fairy had left her $5.00!! :):):):):):) (Forgive her glazed over look here... she had just woken up! LOL) :):):):)

And last week, Lily Bee was having a warehouse sale... $70 worth of goodies for $20!! I was sooooooooooo on that one!! I love Lily Bee!! So my package got here last night, and I still had a few more Christmas cards to make for my co-workers, so I whipped these Clean and Simple (CAS) cards up last night :):):) I used Lily Bee papers, rub ons and tags from 3indypapir.no :):):):):):):):)

I have got to say... Lily Bee's rub ons are some of the BEST in the industry... they are soooooooo easy to apply! :):):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by!! I appreciate it!! And I hope EVERYONE has a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! :):):):):):):):):):):)

Creative Process :):):):)

2011-12-19T06:23:00.000-05:00

Hi all :):):)

Thanks for all the love on my NEW hair :):):):):) You all know how to make a girl feel GOOD! :):):):):):):):):):)

Wanted to share another layout I made with the December kit from Artful Delight! I am IN LOVE with Leeanne's kits! :):):):):)

Back in October... we took Brookie to Michaels to decorate a pumpkin during one of their in-store events :):):) She really loved making it :):):):)

And the other day our latest alphabet challenge over at Scrapbooker's Anonymous :):):):) This time it's the letter "E" :):):):):):) I used Echo Park on my layout :):):):):):):):)
This is Brookie and my BFF who was here in late August visiting us :):):):)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it! :):):)

The NEW Me :):):):)

2011-12-18T15:24:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone :):):):)

I first wanted to take a moment and thank you all that visited Brookie on her blog post she did the other night :):):):) I am gonna pretend I don't notice what TIME she did that post at *wink* :):):):):):)

But TODAY... I wanted to share with you the NEW ME :):):):):):):):):) Some of you saw this on my Facebook yesterday (thanks for all the 'likes'...wow! 95 of them!! And all the comments too!! You all know how to make a girl feel GORGEOUS!!) :):):):):):):):)

I have wanted to get my hair cut and hair colored for awhile now... but seriously because of the length of my hair and the time it takes to do it.. it costs a fortune to get it done.. .so I have been putting it off... but I decided yesterday.... no more excuses... and get it done! :):):):):):):):):)

Sooooooooooooo without further ado... here is the NEW ME :):):):):):):):):):)

(Sorry for the shadows... the sun/clouds were not playing nice this morning when Brian took these... lol!) :)

And here is what I looked like yesterday morning......

Yep!!! That is EIGHT INCHES GONE and a new color :):):):):):):):):) Sooooo what do you think?!?!??!! :):):):):):):):):):)

I love it... just have to get used to styling it again in the morning... lol :) I have had long straightened boring hair for what, like 2 years now??? LOL :):):):):):)

And Brookie and I went to my parents church this morning for a Christmas musical program....and here we are before heading off to church :):):):):)

And I can't leave you without some craftiness :):):):):):) I made some very Clean and Simple (CAS) cards for some of my co-workers :):):):):) I used some YUMMY Pink Paislee Snow Days and Girls Paperie by Margie that I got from BlueMoonScrapbooking.com :):):):):):):):):)

And some more cards for my co-workers using Nikki Sivils Gingerbread Land collection :):):):):):):)

I know we all are REALLY busy this month.. but I want to thank each and everyone of you that stop by... it is truly appreciated :):):):):):):):):):)

Hi everyone! It's me... Brookie! :)

2011-12-17T01:33:00.000-05:00

It's me Brookie...and I am SO EXCITED... you wanna know why??? SANTA is COMING next week!! EEK!! I love Santa and I have been really good this year, so I can't wait to see what he brings me and Abum :)

So, Mama has been doing this thing called December Daily (whatev that is...hehehe!) and so Mama's been taking photos everyday of stuff we have been doing! It's been a real fun month so far and I wanted to share some stuff we have been doing! :)

On Monday the 5th, Daddy had to get his eyes checked and total SCORE! his eye doctor was at the MALL....so we got me some new winter clothes and I got to go on the Merry-go-Round! It was a great day! :)

And I got to pick out this years family ornament :)

Then on Tuesday the 6th, we had to go see my surgeon for the blisters I got from my last surgery :) My doctor is Doctor Handsome and he says that I am probably going to have scars from my surgery, so I have to go see him again in February to see what he wants to do with my scars

And Mama's friend Krista is in roller derby and they decorated a tree in the hospital I go to, so me, Mama and Daddy found the tree! It was AWESOME! :)

And this is the ornament that Mama's friend Krista made! I love it!

On Wednesday the 7th, Mama got sick and had to go the doctor :( She is starting to get a little better now though! YAY! :)

On Thursday the 8th, I got to hang out with Papa while Mama and Nana Sue got to go meet one of Mama's favorite book writers Patricia Cornwell! Mama and Nana Sue had a really good time! But I got a secret... I had a BETTER time with my Papa :)

Here is Mama and Nana Sue at that place she got their book signed

And Mama tells me this is the girl who wrote it... that's pretty cool I guess :)

Ohhhhhhhhh ohhhhhhhhhhhh ohhhhhhhhhhh and then on Friday the 9th, Mama and I went to the zoo with my BFF Aerin and her Mum! It was so FUN! :)

Me and my BFF Aerin!

Aerin, her Mum and Me :)

Aerin and Me :)

Saturday the 10th, we went and decorated the twins graves at the cemetery for Christmas! I always love helping doing this :)

On Sunday the 11th, we went to a classic car show that was being done at Abum's school! :)

And Daddy bought me a blue slushie! YUM! :)

On Monday the 12th, yeah we didn't do anything - we just vegged out at home :)

On Tuesday the 13th, Mama made these magnets of ME :)

And Mr. Dandy wanted to watch TV...hehehehehehe :)

On Wednesday the 14th, me and Mama got happy mail! :)

I got happy mail from Mama's friend Connie and I got some get well cards from Mama's friend Kat and her friends! I was so EXCITED! My cards are so awesome! :)

And Mama got some pretty ornaments from Anne

And a pretty box and charms from Linda

On Thursday the 15th, we found out that a little 2 year old girl and her Mom lost everything in a fire... so Mama's friend was collecting toys for the little girl to help her have some things again - so Mama and Me and Daddy and Abum went through my old toys and collected some things to give to her! :)

And *phew* we are ALMOST caught up here... see I told you we were busy this month so far :)

On Friday the 16th, I had a Christmas party at Pre-school and then we went and helped Mama's friend Tracy decorate her son's grave at the cemetery for Christmas :)

There's my Mama in the red helping decorate Christopher's grave site :)

And ME :)

So gotta run now cuz it's like soooooooooo past my bedtime... but you all won't tell Mama I was up this late on the computer, right? Ohhhhh and don't tell Santa either... I DO NOT wanna end up on that naughty list!

Ok... BYE! :)

life with the Tucker and Wolek clan

Leaving for CHA... be back soon :):):):):):):):)

Birthday gift set... and some info for my friends :):):):):):):)

Yes, you have seen this quote from me before :):):):):)

A promise to myself :):):):):):)

A perfect start :):):):)

Back to normal?? :):):):):)

In case you haven't heard.......

Happy birthday, happy mail, happy hair, happy outfits, happy days... just HAPPY :):):):):):)

The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up :):):):):)

My True Love :):):):):)

I found them Amy!!! Oh yes, I did :):):):):):):)

I have some bad news :( and some good news :) ....

My OLW for 2012 ....and some important blogger help for my friends... :):):):)

Christmas and Valentine's...all in one post! Hey, the retail stores can do it, why can't I?? LOL :):):):)

You have my heart :):):)

New Year ...New space :):):):):):)

Christmas Thank You cards :):):):)

Let's go on an adventure ..and an update on Brookie :):):)

Prayers please :(

Seriously....why didn't I think of this before??? :):):):)

Don't forget... I love you :):):)

Published :):):):):)

A year in Review ... goodbye 2011 :):):)

*sigh* I have decided.....

Christmas Past :):):)

A winter Birthday :):):):):)

Score! :):):):)

Merry Christmas! :):):)

Saying good-bye to a Christmas tradition.....

Almost Christmas :):):):):):):)

Creative Process :):):):)

The NEW Me :):):):)

Hi everyone! It's me... Brookie! :)

sigh I have decided.....