CKC 2012

Saturday we went to CKC in Lancaster. This year's event was very laid back and not as exciting as events in the past. I don't know if it was because of the change in venue or the fact that there seemed to be less vendors but the vibe was definitely different. Lancaster is a quaint town that is further away from Philly and New Jersey and I am sure this change affected the overall attendance. I didn't do my usual damage although there were a few temptations like SEI had a grab bag worth over $100 for $20 and a couple of vendors were selling some very nice Memory Box Dies. As I shopped, I kept in mind - "What is it that you really need or are really going to use" and just walked away with this small purchase. Jada got a tie die kit from the SEI vendor and then we had burgers at an Irish Pub. It was a nice outing overall but a little disappointing.

Oh well at least I did finalize a couple of more layouts this weekend.

It Aint Over!

Well the weekend is coming to a close and I haven't finished everything that I wanted but I did get SOMETHING done which was good. I do have a report from CKC but that is for another post.

This weekend I participated in my bestie Mika's sketch challenge. I always find the sketches she picks challenging but I have to admit that I usually love the end results. I used MME lime twist for a fun birthday layout of my nephew. Now I am about to cook dinner and wash clothes. I wonder if I can get at least oooooooooooone more layout in, the party aint over just yet, lol.

So much going on!!!

Well it has been a while! let's see, when we last left off my baby graduated high school and is on her way to college. She is such a bright young lady with a beautiful smile and a big heart. It was so funny, she kept expecting me to cry (okay yes I am a big cry baby) but I didn't. Okay well truth be told I did have one major melt down at work thinking about her leaving but I quickly recovered. I am the only woman in my department, I can't let them see that side of me, lol.

She didn't want to have a big graduation party, instead we had a small barbeque with family and friends. Good food and good conversation and lots of stories about her over the years growing up. Here are two of my sisters and my niece (who is like an honorary little sister) posing for facebook pictures at the end of the night, lol.

And then the big day came. - the day to drop her off. Since she is super organized and hates to be late (I don't know where she got that from - not me, lol). She had everything packed and ready to go! The reality of dropping my baby off to navigate this world without me started to set in but I kept my composure until.........................................

...................this one started crying. Oh my goodness talk about sister separation anxiety!!! She was so broken down. She cried on the way to the college until she fell asleep, almost an entire hour of the the two hour ride. I couldn't help but shed a few tears too. Once we returned home she had a couple of more sad moments but she is getting use to being "the only child" now and enjoying the perks. She and I have more one on one time and even get pedicures together on an almost regular basis.

Oh and I can't forget about the hubby. I think he is eating his worries away because he cooked dinner almost every night this week. One night I came in and he was chopping vegetables (one of his favorite things to do for some reason) to make shrimp creole. I had to devein the shrimp and clean them which was an big task since we purchased the wild caught instead of the farm raised but I have to tell you the end result was capital D delicious!

And just last weekend we had our big annual block party! There weasn't a rib bone left in the house! We served water ice and rented a cotton candy machine for the kids. It was a big hit. Sorry I don't have any pictures, I was on work detail the entire time.

So alas, there has been very little crafting going on. I do have a couple of completed pages that I hope to post soon and I did a diaper cake for my co-worker who is expecting his second child (a girl) any day now.
So tomorrow my daughter and I are going to CKC Lancaster to do a little retail therapy and for lunch. But tonight I hope to get into the scrap room for a few hours. My mojo is here and my glue glun misses me, lol. Have a great weekend everyone, Happy Crafting!

Talking Scrap Trash

One of my favorite things to do to motivate my scrapping mojo is to talk trash to Mika, lol. She and I challenge each other and talk a lot about how much "we are going to get done", it is our fun little, very non-serious rivalry like two guys on the basketball court. Trust me most of the time she beats me but we can't let her know that, lol! So on my Independence "day off" I got a couple projects done (one is actually an older one that I am just posting here).



Here is my card submission for Mika's sketch challenge. I used a card embellishment kit from Michaels (thanks to my enabler friend Tiffany, lol). I am also submitting this for the July card challenge on scrapbook.com



This is my "I" layout for scrapping the alphabet. I used a line called Inque Boutique (that is no longer in business). I used some muddles on the word "art" for a sandy look. Those are actual shells from our beach visit and I misted the background for effect.



Here is my "J" layout using Jillbean Soup Pasta Fagioli. My daughter and her girlfriend were at the mall taking some fun candid shots.

And finally my "K" layout using KI Memories. Remember when colorblocking was all the rage? I tried to mix the old with the new with a banner and some twine to update this collection from my stash.

Cards for the Troops

Happy fourth of July! I found this on the ScrapReview's blog and I am so happy to participate and hope that you will join me. Make sure you go to the WRMemory Keepers website to get all of the details, as there are specific (but manageable) requirements for each submission.


We R Memory Keepers is trying to collect 50,000 cards, so we need lots and lots of help. Cards can be submitted up until Tuesday July 24, 2012 at midnight.

We will pick cards to receive prizes each week on the We R Memory Keepers Facebook page. We R Memory Keepers will pick the top 50 cards (at the end of the contest) to be voted on by our Facebook fans. Our Facebook will vote for each round until the final winner is chosen.Top 25 cards will receive a Power PunchTop 10 cards will receive a Lucky 8 PunchTop 5 cards will receive a Love 2 Craft collectionTop Card – We R Memory Keepers Product - up to $1,000 in product (prize value for top card will depend on the number of cards collected)
Here is a link to the We R Memory Keepers website to learn more: http://www.weronthenet.com/Operation_Write_Home

Birthday Blogging!

Have you heard? My sister-from-another-mother is having a birthday blog giveaway this entire month. Her actual birthday is July 23 and not to give away any secrets but the blog candy prizes are extra nice, so stay tuned! This week she is giving away a card kit featuring the BRAND SPANKING NEW American Crafts Collection Shoreline.

Winning is soooooooo easy! Your name will be entered if you -

• comment on any of her posts during week



• post her giveaway on your blog and let her know by posting a comment with a link to your post on her blog



• and to make it even sweeter by participating in the weekly challenge your name will be entered twice, increasing your chances of winning.

So what are you waiting for, it is time to parrrrrrrrrrrrtay!!! Head on over to Mika's (JojoRenee's blog) for the fun!