Trying

This is a test, only a test, just to see if there is anybody still out there. I think about my blog alot, I just can't seem to think of anything worth while to write. I have been very busy the last few months. I got a new job (which I LOVE), I went to China for 2 weeks and I am training for a sprint triathlon. My job is at the hospital in the Lactation Boutique. I get to see all the new babies and my hours are only 9:45 to 2:45 4 days a week. I finally admitted that I hate to clean my house and do not want to spend my free day cleaning, so I hired a cleaner. Man, what a wonderful feeling to come home to a spotless house. I have been making cards mostly but I am so ready to scrapbook again. I have been working on a project for the Sassy Scrapper and I have also been hired privately to scrapbook for someone. I love scrapbooking for someone else, to me it is way easier because I am not emotionally attached to any of the photos. I don't feel that I have to scrapbook every picture and I don't have to journal. I have also redone my craft room. I have added a slate wall, another table and a cardstock case. I love it and will post some pictures soon. Well, here's to hoping I can keep up in the blog world!!

Ok I know I am the worst blogger!!

I really love reading other people's blogs, I just can't seem to put anything on mine. I guess sometimes I think no one checks it and no one cares what I am doing. But on the occasion I get a comment it makes me feel good and then I want to blog again. This last month has been pretty busy. I am way behind on all things Christmas. We went to Chicago for Thanksgiving to spend it with Drew's mom. She is going through chemo right now and really doesn't have anyone to check on her or stay with her. We really had a great time. My birthday was a couple of days ago. I didn't do anything special except go to breakfast with my good friend Shannon. Another one of my best girlfriend's birthday was this month too and I made her this cute card!! I love the way it turned out. I used a couple of stamps that I do not know the company of, but the circle background stamp of from a local artist Courtney Baker. She makes the cutest stamps sets and they are priced great. The Sassy Scrapper carries some of them, but she also has a store on the web - www.practicingcreativitydesigns.com.
Like I said, I love to read other people's blogs. I have been following this one blog because the girl is so funny. To make a long story short, she had a hard time getting pregnant, finally got pregnant but was extremely sick, she had the baby way early and she only weighed 1 lb and 8 oz. She shares alot on her blog, and I love how open and honest she is with her good feelings and bad feelings. I comment on the blog often just because I want her to know how much I am touched by her story even though we have never met. The blog is www.kaylaaimee.typepad.com.

Pretty Little Card

Here is a card I did for my cousin's daughter's wedding. I love how dainty it looks. The background of the card I used a swirl stamp with Versamark and then sprinkled the Stampin Up Glassy Glaze Enamel, which turned out amazing. When I put it back into the bottle some other left over embossing powder got in the bottle with the Glaze and now it is contaminated (little specks of color mixed in with the clear). Does anyone out there know what I can do to get the glaze back to clear?

More Halloween

I love this picture. It was taken using the timer on my camera. The shirt Drew has on I bought him a few years ago and he loves wearing it, it says I Love Witches. I made my shirt this year to go with his. I used my Silhouette and cut out a flying witch out of fuzzy black iron on material. You can't see it to well but it turned out great!

I love Halloween

I love dressing up for Halloween, especially when it is an adult only party!! This year Drew and I went as An Officer and a Gentleman. I loved that everyone told me I was hot but Drew was not. What do you think?!

A Few Cards

Here are a few cards I have made in the last few weeks. My husband works for Caterpillar and wanted a get well card to send to a co-worker. I loved the way the card turned out.
I also made a couple of sympathy cards, using the positive and negative of silhouette cut.

I can't believe I did it!!

DIV OVRL SEX ****6.3 MILE***** ***FINISH****
PLACE PLC PLC NAME AGE RANK TIME PACE TIME PACE
27 661 200 Lee Diamond 40 27 57:58 9:12 2:03:19 9:25

Well the time came to compete in the Murfreesboro Middle Half Marathon and I hoped I was ready. I wasn't as nervous as I was for Sherry's Run. I guess it was because I really didn't have any expectations. My goal was to run it in about 2 hours and have enough left in me at the end to sprint. My time ended up being 2 hours 3 min and 19 seconds. I came in 27th in my age group. I felt really good the whole time and was able to sprint the last part. I felt really good about my accomplishment, because I have never in my wildest dreams thought I could run a few miles, much less 13.2 miles. Now everyone says I have to do a full marathon, but I really do not have any desire to do that. Just thinking of running for at least 4 hours straight does not sound like fun to me. What I would like to do is the sprint triathlons. They are usually a 300 yard swim, 11 mile bike ride and 3.2 run. The last 2 I can do with no problem, it's just the swimming I am concerned with. So I am going to start trying to teach myself to swim. I have until May to get ready. I can do it!!!

I'm Back!!! For now...

Since I have quit the Sassy Scrapper I have been trying to get caught up on things, but we went camping for 4 days, I have been cleaning my Mom's house once a week, and my washer has been out for about a month (needless to say we are starting to look like an episode of hoarders around here). Thank goodness my new washer came yesterday and I have been able to scrapbook in my craft room for the past few days. My cousin is finally having a baby and the shower is tomorrow. The theme of the shower is Alice in Wonderland. They are having a girl, so I thought it would be cute to make her a mini album to put all the pictures from the shower in. I loved the way it turned out!!!

Concentrate

Have you ever not done something because you just can't decide what or how to do it? That is they way I have felt about my blog lately. I want to blog about my crafting but also about my personal experiences, so I can't decide which one to do. Which means I don't do either. But today I have decided to do both. Last month I ran in a 5k in honor of my dad and came in 2nd place in my age group. I was so happy and know my dad would be so proud. I ran 3.2 miles in 24:43, not bad for a 40 year old who has only been training a couple of months. My next big goal is to run in the Murfreesboro Half Marathon. At first I really wanted to be competitive but I have had alot of stress and a foot injury that has made me just except that my new goal is to finish the half marathon in about 2 hours. My crafting goal is to start scrapbooking my kids lives now before I forget too much, so I quit my job at the scrapbook store to have more time to do the things I want to do. I want to start making bags again and hope to set up an Etsy store. Here is one of the bags I have done lately that I donated to GPA for a silent auction.

Did you go to the fair?

Of course I didn't again. Every year I say I am going to go, but never seem to make it. Oh well, for all of you that did I created this awesome 2 page layout for your pictures. I am teaching the class at the Sassy Scrapper on Thursday Sept 23 at 6:00. The cost will be between $15 and $18. Come on in and sign up!!

Special Tribute

Here is a page I created for a kit for Sassy Scrapper. It is a limited edition kit offered at a special price. The kit comes with all the supplies to reproduce the page for $14.99. Mary is also helping me promote Sherry's Run with matching any donation that is made through the store. Click here to read all the specifics. Thanks in advance for helping me honor my Daddy in raising money for cancer.

Look what I did in 3 minutes.

I needed a birthday card but did not have much time. So I took some scraps laying around my craft space and came up this card. I love it!!

New Teacher Gifts

Yes, I am one of those parents who butter up the teacher hoping she will take leniency on my kids. I like to make a beginning of the year calender to set the year off right. As always I wait to the last minute and stay up to all hours of the night trying to get it done. This year's turned out really cute. I thought I was keeping it really simple but of course it still took me forever. I also make a card to go along with the present.

Cute little family

Here is a picture of us at the beach. We finally got to spend some time with Drew's daughter. Her name is Ashley and she is 18 years old. She lives in Minnesota and came down with Drew's mother to spend her vacation with us.

Having a Good Time

I love this picture of my mom and I. I asked her to go to Florida with us and she accepted. She says she is having a good time. We both have had a few weepy spells, missing daddy but I am so glad we have been able to spend some time together.

Fun with Just Rite Stampers

Here is a layout and a card that I am teaching at the Sassy Scrapper. I actually got the idea out of their catalog. I just changed it up a bit. I love the new clear blocks. It made lining the alphabet up so easy.

Fast Friends

Fred has been with us for 2 weeks and our resident hound has taken him in with open paws. There has not been any hostility from either of them. Scout lets Fred push his way around (he doesn't have much choice because Fred is about 10 pounds bigger). I love to take them on walks they do so good together, except for when they pee on each other's head. When we come in they both go straight for the watering bowl. Sometimes Scout waits his turn but most of the time they both stick there head in together. SOOO CUTE!!

Come on into the Sassy Scrapper for this class!!

I am teaching the Cricut class this month at the Sassy Scrapper. Here is the layout I created using the new October Afternoon paper line Thrift Store and Fly a Kite. I love the way it turned out!!

Does this angle make my nose look big?

This picture is sooo cute!! We were just sitting out in the driveway and I was taking pictures of Fred. He has the cutest face to go along with his cute personality:) Scout was out with us too, but he likes to sit in the car in between the seats where you can't see him, even if we are not going anywhere.

Everyone Needs a Little Love

We have decided to open our dog loving home to a greyhound in need. His name is Big Fred and he is 4 years old. He has a little bit of separation anxiety and barks and whines when left alone. He came from an apartment with no other dogs, so we are hoping our Scout will keep him company until he finds a permanent home (which may be ours). He is very curious and playful. He has already taken to the new squeak toy I bought him. Scout does not seem very excited, but he never really shows much excitement. We are quite a sight walking down the road. Scout is 75 pounds and Fred is 78 pounds. I thought Scout was big, but Fred actually makes him look small.