Gettin' Busy Y'all

 My long weekend was too short, but then again I don't ever remember a time when I said, "whew that was just enough time off of work, I can't wait to go back!", lol.  I didn't do everything that I had hoped but I did get a couple of layouts done. First up is my take on Brenda's monthly sketch challenge on her blog.

This is a photo of my daughter and her boyfriend that I have been wanting to scrap for a while. I decided to do an 8x11 layout (thanks to my bestie Mika). I used Simple Stories Snap from my Scrap-room kit. The colors are so much fun!

Next is a sketch from the my scraps and more sketch blog. They have some really great sketches that spark my creativity.

This is a layout of my four nieces, two generations.  I love these girls!

Finally, I tried the first sketch of the month over at Paper Secrets. Unfortunately I did not finish it on time to enter the challenge but I love the way it turned out.

This is a layout of my oldest daughter on her 16th birthday. I made the tickets myself using my Papertrey Ink die and stamp set. The papers and embellies are from the Prima Doodle Deux collection.

Bieber Fever

My six year old baby niece decided that she wanted a Justin Bieber party for her birthday (which was later changed to a skating party, Batman party, or a sleepover/makeup party - I mean she is six so it is hard to make up her mind, lol). With both of my girls being almost grown I was very happy to help out. I made "microphone" cupcakes, that I put in a pink "boombox" display box made pretty pink and purple cupcakes, and made some fun party bags that included blow-up microphones, colorful hair extensions, and rock star makeup. She had a good time. 

Reveal Day, Including the Winners

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Sketch~n~Scrap blog hop! I am especially appreciative of the warm and touching comments on my layout about my Aunt. I could just hear her reaction in her Southern accent and it literally brought tears to my eyes. Then on top of everything I didn't make becoming a follower a requirement yet so many of you became a follower anyway and I was so excited that I have included another surprise prize for all of my (new and previous) followers that left a comment featuring the Good Life.

But wait before I announce the winners I want to remind you that there is a new sketch up on the Sketch~n~Scrap blog. Here is my take on the sketch. You have until the end of the month to upload your take on the sketch to be entered into the monthly giveaway

AND NOW THE WINNERS ARE.............

The winner of the Valentine's Day prize, selected by random integer is -

Scrap Steph said...


A great layout to honor a special person; what a motivation for me to get busy scrapin.

And the winner of the additional prize for my followers is =

Toneisha B. said...

I love your layout! You can feel the love and warmth it it! Gorgeous colors you chose as well!

Ladies please send me your snail mail address via email at tmikmik@yahoo.com and I will send your prizes postal right away. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Happy Valentine's Day Blogland!

I am soo very excited, I can just feel the love in the air! Today is the last day for the blog hop and I will be announcing my winner first thing tomorrow morning, I promise not to have you wait too long. I am so appreciative of all of the wonderful and heartfelt comments left that I will also have a special surprise so make sure yo ustop by tomorrow. We will also be revealing a new sketch tomorrow and I know you don't want to miss that. So I hope everyone is having a great day,m the weather is beautiful here in Sunny Philly and if you love the one you want, then love the one you are with :) Before I leave I saw a post about your celebrating your wedding song for Valentine's Day and here is ours - "Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This"
Lyrics :

[Rachelle Ferrell]

Oh Lord, what do I do to deserve you?

Heaven knows, I'm not like you

I'm not perfect

When he sees, will he leave?

Or will he stay anyway (Anyway)

[Will Downing]

Oh Lord, what can do to deserve her?

Heaven knows, Lord knows I'm only human

Can this be, someone truly for me?

Or is it a cruel fantasy?

(Chorus)

Nothing has ever felt, like this

Nothing has ever meant the whoooooole world to me

Nothing has ever been this good

Nothing has ever been this right

Nothing so sweet, In my life...

[Rachelle Ferrell]&[Will Downing]

RF->I know, you treasure me

WD->And I, I know, that I'm the only man you see

RF-> It's a living love with you

WD-> I love my life with you

Both-> We'll share a life together

I love you right now and foreverrrrr OH

(Chorus)

Nothing has ever felt,quite like this Oh No

Nothing has ever meant the whoooooole world to me

Nothing has ever been this good

Nothing has ever been this right

Nothing so sweet, In my life...

[The Break Down]

[Rachelle Ferrell]&[Will Downing]

RF->Nothing, has ever been this good before

WD->And nothing has ever felt this right before my love

Both->Ain't nothing, ain't nothing ever been so sweet

WD-> Oh I need you

RF-> I need you boy

WD-> And I want you too

RF-> Baby hey ey ey

Both-> Nothing, nothing this good

RF->Hey I love you boy

WD->I love you too

Love and Blog Hop!

Welcome to the first Sketch~n~Scrap Blog Hop "Love grows where the heart is...", including a bonus sketch! Become a follower of the Sketch~n~Scrap blog for a chance to win (or if you are already a follower, leave a comment on the main blog letting us know). And for a twist - there is a special phrase for you to decipher along the way so make sure to collect the bolded words on each person's blog (hint - visit everyone in the order they are listed). Once you have completed the phrase EMAIL it to sketchnscrap@gmail.com, for another chance at the grand prize! Don't delay, the blog hop ends on February 14th and winners will be announced on February 15th.

If you have come here from Crystal's blog, then you are on the right path, If you have lost your place you can go back to the main blog here. So without further ado here is my take on the sketch.

This is a layout of my Aunt that passed away August 2012. I would say she was like a mother figure for me but she was sooo much more than that, she was my friend. I could talk to her about anything and I mean ANYthing and she always offered sage advice. In her prime she was fun to hang out with and was a big flirt. So with the theme of "Love grows where the heart is...", my heart can't grow any larger than for the love that I have for my Aunt Bert. I use to stress when using a sketch to get my layout to look exactly like the sketch but now I can look at a sketch purely for inspiration and get my layouts done even quicker.

Webster's Pages Girl Land papers and embellies, Silhouette cuts

As a special treat I am offering a little blog candy of my own.

Basic Grey True Love 6x6 paper pad, K&Co pebbles, 12 yd baker's twine, studio g stamps, wooden thank you stamp, pink bling, mini photo frame, and a box of sweetheart converstation candy

Just leave a comment here for a chance to win (you don't have to become a follower of mine but I would love it if you do and if not now maybe you will in the future).

Next along the hop is Amy with a layout and inspiration I am sure you will love. Thank you for joining us!

Delay of Craft Penalty Call

This is the only thing that I got done this weekend, uggh! This week will be better right?



Bo Bunny Crush Pattern Paper
Maya Road Eye Chart stamp
Karen Foster Push Pin sticker
Studio G glasses stamp
Misc Ribbon and bling



Alas, the end of the work week..........

And I should be looking forward to the weekend right? But for some reason I am in a kind of blah mood but just in time I have been blessed with a couple of pick-me-ups!

First, this morning I had enough time to stop for some of this -

Now to be honest I am not much of a coffee drinker. I use it primarily to jolt my system back to life maybe once or twice a month. For some reason I haven't had a truly restful sleep in the past two days so this was very necessary today, lol.

Then I found out that I am the January winner on Rochelle's blog! How cool is that?!!?!

I entered more challenges and contests this month than I can remember and it is a double reward, because I am getting more craft work done and getting some pretty cool supplies too!

And on top of all of that today is reveal day on the Sketch~n~Scrap blog!

My layout features some self-portraits (a rare thing for me) that I took last year on my 41st birthday. Even though I didn't do much that day I was so happy and at peace with my life. In that moment, everything was perfect.  I would sure love to see your take on one or both of the sketches this month (here is the February 1st sketch) -

 you can win a cool prize and who doesn't like being a winner!

So I am off to check out all of the new February challenges and to line up my work for the weekend. Happy Superbowl weekend - go Eagles! (oh yeah they barely made it through regular season, sorry just wishful thinking). Go Ravens!

It's in the Cards

A couple of cards using two of my monthly Simon Says Kit Card Club kits, tfl!

So "Hoppy" to See you!

Have you heard? The Sketch~n~Scrap Challenge blog will be having its very first BLOG HOP and yours truly will be a stop along the HOP! This is my very first time being on this side of a hop, I am so excited that I can't belive that it is hoppening. Like I am just leaping for joy! So much so that I can't even stop my hop puns, so I am going to hop-a-long to another subject, but please make sure to come back on February 7th, I am going to have a giveaway that is sure to make you hoppy!

And wait..............there is still time to join us on Sketch~n~Scrap blog for this month's sketch challenges. Below you will find my take on the Jan 15th sketch. This is my niece and her now infamous "sassy" pose on her first day of kindergarten, using Echo Park's Everyday Ecclectic. She is such a ham. Hop on over (dang it, I did it again!!!!) to the Sketch~n~Scrap blog and check out both sketches for January while there is still time!

A Piece of love with Whimsie Doodle

This week's challenge over at Simon Says Challenge blog is Paper Piecing. For my card I used this adorable free image from Whimsie Doodles. Their images are fun to color. I pieced her dress, shoes and headband using Basic Grey's bittersweet collection from my stash. I hope today is a special day for everyone, ttfn!

When the Stars are Aligned

I can envision a layout in my head and get it glued down in record time. I don't usually attempt multi-level challenges but this month Brenda, Rochelle and their friends' challenges seemed doable to me and I created this layout of my oldest daughter. I grabbed this cute photo of her bundled up for the outdoors off of her instagram page and printed it at home. I am entering this layout into 4 challenges:

GCC (Brenda's) - Sketch Challenge - I used a Jan 13 pagemaps sketch, it is not an exact interpretation but I used the good parts to make it work

Scrapping Happy's (Kerys) - Winter Theme Challenge - I used Fancy Pants Happy Together. The blues have a nice crisp winter day feel

Kristi B's - Stash Challenge - I used Chevron paper, Chervon washi tape and there is glitter on the alphas and the star

Rochelle's - Song lyrics Challenge -This was a little harder but after reading all of the lyrics I found the perfect line for this photo "Your eyes are like starlight now"

There is still time for you to join in, even if you can't do them all maybe you can try to do at least one. It is a great way to stretch your supplies and get some scrapping done, oh yeah and the prizes are awesome!

 



Getting Un-Stuck with a Scraproom Kit

I am a member of the Scrap-room and I love their kits. I especially like getting 4 different collections each month to work with. Unfortunately the hoarder in me does not allow me to just dive right into the kit each month so this year I am making more of an effort to use my kits more. This is my first layout using hexagons and the MME follow your heart collection from the April kit - http://www.scrap-room.com/pkits.htm?mm=4&yy=2012. This is my oldest daughter when she was about 15 months old, right before she starting walking (she was my lazy baby, lol). I started  this layout without a photo in mind using the January 1st sketch at Stuck sketches http://stucksketches.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-1st-more-inspiration.html but once I started organizing the papers I just knew that I wanted to use a black and white photo. In the end I really love the way it came together.

Simon Says and Washi Tape

I know it has been a while but I have been creating, just trying to catch up on posting too. I was so excited to see this week's challenge on Simon Says Blog to use Washi Tape and I love Washi Tape! I have been trying not to go overboard building up my stash of washi tape and I have a few go to favorites like this black and grey chevron tape that I used around the border of this card.The pattern paper, bakers twine and card base are from my Simon Says November 2012 card kit. I embossed the piece of black card stock with a Sizzix embossing folder, used a Making Memories butterfly and the words happy birthday were stamped with a Papertrey Ink stamp. 

Layouts

Sorry just a quick post, my head is spinning between work, crafting, family and just life in general. I feel like I am already behind and it is only January 9th. I hope to gather my thoughts and be back in tip top shape very very soon. Have a great day everyone!**Edited - I almost forgot to add that I used this month's scrap-room sketch and my September Scrap room kit (Basic Grey Clippings) for this layout of my nephew. http://www.scrap-room.com/pkits.htm?mm=9&yy=2012 There is still time time to add your take on the sketch - check out the post here.

 

CHA Groupie!!!

I just can't resist oohing and aaahing over some of the upcoming releases. I would love to attend CHA at least once just to be up close and personal with all of the new releases. So far this year here are some of my faves -

2013 - OLW

Have you picked your word for 2013 yet? Mine is DISCIPLINE, I plan on being a much better me in 2013! Happy New Years to everyone!!!

Revealing Post!

I am all in the mustard and can't ketch-up, lol, so I apologize for posting this late! Don't forget that Sketch~n~Scrap is having two giveaways this month and there is still time for you to join in the fun. Just link up your projects using the sketches for a chance to win. More details can be found on the blog.

Here are my takes on the December 15th sketch and the bonus sketch. Good Luck and Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!!

When Reggie met Tamika

Today is my third wedding anniversary (12-12-12) and we have been together for a total of eleven years. As a part of our celebration I wanted to share my "How we met" story.
 After separating from my daughter's father, I took some time to myself. Yes I dated but nothing serious - I had to recover from what was the greatest heart break of my life at the time. After four years I was ready to get back into a real relationship. I had a couple of prospects but none that really floated my boat. At the time
I worked as the Office Manager for a non-profit agency called New Directions and my job included shopping for the residents. One day upon returning to the office from shopping I saw a very handsome young man filling out new hire paper work. I asked my Administrative Assistants about him. they didn't know much except that he was applying for a Supervisors position. I went to the Manager conducting the interviews (Mr. Willie) and asked him about the young man. he said, "Who Reg?" (I finally had a name!) "Yes, I am about to hire him, he is a good guy.....ooh so you are interested in him!" I said, "Yes, he is going to be my husband". He and I both laughed but my mind was already made up. I went to my desk hoping for a window of opportunity to introduce myself.
Next thing I know there was a ruckus and my "Reg" was walking out of the door. One of our Manager's (Erin) accused him of hitting on her and my Director escorted him out of the office. My heart dropped, was my Mr. Right actually Mr. Wrong? I went to Mr. Willie to find out what actually happened. Reg was making small talk with Erin while waiting for Mr. Willie. Reg asked her if she was married, she responded yes and she took that as a come on. My Director handed me Reg's paperwork that he left behind and asked me to handle it. I put all of his information in an envelope and included a handwritten note that said, "You hit on the wrong person, there is someone here already interested in you. Call me" and included my telephone number. Bold move right! Well HE CALLED! Now what? I was so nervous now that he called my bluff that I did not return his call for THREE DAYS!! Day four I finally took a deep breath and returned his call. The first thing he did was to explain what happened. He described how he was so excited about getting the job that he got too comfortable and that no he was not hitting on her, he was trying to make small talk and yes he noticed me too as soon as I walked in. We made plans to go out that weekend and the rest as they say is history. When he tells the story he sums it up by simply stating, "Sometimes you have to put yourself in a position to receive your blessings. I went to New Directions for a job and instead I found my wife, best job interview of my life".

B-ballin' - Photo Heavy

During the holidays my husband, nephew and I stopped at the Baketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield Mass, on the way home. If you are a fan it is a great experience. There are three levels and it shaped like, well you guessed it..................a basketball, lol. Here are some fun photos from our trip.

Outside View of the Building

Who can jump that high for the dunk?

The logo on the floor at center court.

A picture of my husband taking pictures from center court, lol



One of the first women's basketball uniforms. Can you believe they made us wear that to run up and down a court! Thank you suffragettes, we have come a long way baby!!!!

 

Have to represent for the home team!





One of my fondest childhood memories is seeing the Globe Trotters with my Mother, fantastic show!







Had to represent Beantown for Mika!



Then knock him out!



And take the ball from him!



The bathroom dryers were too cute!

 

Don't you think my nephew looks like Kobe, lol?



One of Shaq's shoes. what is that they say about the size of a man's feet? Wow, I am just saying....................