A Stickery Challenge from Shimelle

I have really been looking forward to the weekend crop with Shimelle! But, my life had other plans. I had to work all day yesterday, and deal with a really cranky property tech, more or less making me sound like either a liar or just dumb to her superiors, which made me really upset. When I pointed out that I had proof that things were as I said, she quit making my day miserable. But, that wasn't until much of the day was done.

This morning I had quite a bit of work to do, but I woke up early and got it started. I was happily finished a few hours ago! There's still laundry and some (well, a lot of) cleaning to do, but I had to start a page! I couldn't take it any longer! I started working on Shimelle's A Stickery Challenge, and though my page is really simple, it took me a couple of hours! My husband recently asked me to move all my scrapping stuff to the basement (as it was taking over our office), so I had to run up and down the stairs getting things I need. Now everything is back up here again, and all over the place! sigh... But! But! But! I did get this page finished!

The challenge was to combine stickers from at least 2 different lines. So, though I don't have a lot of stickers on here, they do come from October Afternoon's Rocket Age line and Echo Park's Country Drive line (both are really great!!) Here are a couple of detail photos:





I hate the lighting of these, but it's way too overcast outside right now, and I just can't get it right. Plus, after working on this page for so long, I had to just give up my expectations of perfection and get it done. So, I figured that applied to the photos as well...

I hope to be back with more later. I know tomorrow I will have to work very much of the day, so I am going to get as much done as I can today. And I'm happy I can!

Webster's Pages Groupon Deal!

Wow! Check out this great deal from Webster's Pages that you can get today only through Groupon! $100 worth of awesome Wester's Pages goodies for only $25! You have to pay shipping too, but still, that is one heck of a deal!!

From the groupon website:

The human memory begins to record events around age 3, a phenomenon discovered in 1898 by a man who has since been forgotten. Keep beloved memories intact with today’s Groupon: for $25, you get The Best of Scrapbooking & Papercrafting, Volume 01, a collection of designer paper and scrapbooking materials from Webster’s Pages (a $100 value).

Spearheaded by the brother-sister team of Tim Myers and Brandin O’Neill, Webster’s Pages supports crafty endeavors with a dazzling assortment of cardstock, designer paper, and scrapbook embellishment. More than 50 12”x12” and 6”x6” sheets, ornamented with subtle thematic designs, fan out into a fancy, colorful array that’s sure to attract even the shyest scissors and glue sticks. Family photos in need of explanation can appeal to more than 360 cardstock alphabet sticker letters and 15 feet of boutique-style ribbon and trim. A slew of vintage-inspired buttons, paired with fabric and netting flowers, adds dimension and texture to 2-D folios, gracing pages that would otherwise be condemned to living in parakeet cages or storing unhappy words.

Remember, this only good through today, so get it quick!

Daily Truth

Wow! I have a bit of a break in work! I got everything done already that I could for now, so I'm just waiting for my guys to come home with the rest of the photos I have to get uploaded before the end of the month. It'll be a late night, but I'm so thankful I'm getting a break!

Have you heard of Daily Truths from the Brave Girls Club? It's a daily email I get that, that I love! It's often just what I need to hear. My very favorite one came last month, when I really needed it. It read:

Dear grateful girl,
It might seem like so much is going wrong around you, it might even be true... but there are always many many more good things to see, and wonderful things to be grateful for.

If we can get our thought to sway away from feeling lack of any kind... whether it's financial or emotional or physical, and instead focus on every little simple and beautiful and lovely thing around us... our lives can be full and abundant and joyful.

When we have difficulties finding the beauty we are looking for or wanting to focus on, we always have the ability and the choice to go out and create it.

Between the beauty and truth that is already out there to find, and what we can create... we can each find joy and strength at any time. Isn't that wonderful? Life is so good!

Have a wonderful weekend!
Xoxo

Isn't that beautiful?

If you would like to receive such emails every day, join the mailing list here.

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During this break today, the girls asked if I would craft with them. They painted, while I scrapped, and Jake napped. I made this layout for the Studio Calico Sunday Sketch.

Some details:

Week in the Life Day 6

Wow! I can't believe this is the last day of Week in the Life. I've got a really busy day of work, as is usual for the end of the month, but I'm going to make it!! Here are some of my favorite photos from yesterday.

Elizabeth snuggled up in my chair reading first thing in the morning. Her favorite thing to do.



Jake and Lily were up on our bed watching a Kipper video they got from the library.


My quick breakfast so I could keep working.

Elizabeth unplugging Jake's tractor. Once she had it ready for him, it was so funny, he took off out of the garage on that think like a bat out of... well, you get the idea. That boy only drives in 2nd gear now!

Kind of a big deal. I haven't had an adult drink since I got pregnant with Jake (well, besides the occasional sip of Dave's wine), but knowing how stressful this weekend would be for me, I asked him to pick up some wine coolers yesterday, so I could relax in the evening. I was kind of excited then I saw them in the fridge. They looked so yummy (but when I finally drank one at about 10 pm, I'll be honest, not as yummy as I thought it would be.)


William is a very creative soul, and recently he realized that when he comes across air fresheners like this, he can make faces in them with his pen. He loves to make little things to make me smile when I work through the pictures. He's so sweet!


Jake playing with one of his trucks, and the gravel. This was shortly before the sun went down, and what I've been reading is right -the lighting is fabulous then!

Lily had a friend over for a sleepover, and the kids had so much fun making a mud hole, and swinging over it. They were soaked.


And Jake wanted to swing.

Then the girls decided to run through the mud hole.


After they all dried off and got on their PJs, they watched Tom and Jerry on our bed, and ate popcorn. What a fun end to the day for them!

Week in the Life Day 5

Day 5 - we're nearing the end!



Thursday started out with quite a bit of arguing. Lily was really irritating Elizabeth with that silly popper toy.

Jake was pulling some really silly faces while eating his yogurt.

The scraps from lunch - I guess Jake didn't want his crusts.

We had to run some errands, and I surprised Elizabeth as she got into the van by taking her photo.

We were so excited when Elizabeth found a Mighty Machines movie in the Walmart checkout line. This is Jake's favorite show (well, that or Bob the Builder), so it's so exciting to be able to turn it on any time we need it!


After our errands, I promised the girls we'd go to the library - they LOVE going there. Look at that HUGE bag of books Elizabeth is carrying! We left with it even fuller!!

Everyone wants to help put the books in the drop.


Ahhh... my favorite shelf. I'm not really into fiction, though there are a few authors that I love to read. But, the new cookbooks... that or the craft area.


When we got home, Jake was so ready for a nap (this was a LATE one - like 5 pm!)


Dave was going to make supper, but he asked if I'd make a tuna macaroni salad. The kids loved it, but he wasn't too happy that I didn't put any celery in it.

Just looking at all these alphas from Sassafras makes me so happy! I have a mild obsession with them - there are more on their way to me. I love the open spot on the top - I recently thought of putting them all on a binder ring - love it!!

Jake woke up not very happy, and wanted to do nothing but watch dump trucks, so I searched youtube.

While Dave made supper, the kids played outside.

Dave grilling. When he realized I was snapping photos, he told me to put the camera in the house. I'm loving this, but my family is getting a little sick of it...

I made a page!

I did it! I actually spent some time to scrap a real page this week. Yep, I spread it out between 2 days, but I really wanted to enter the Sassafras challenge for this month, so I did get it done. The challenge was to mix some of their lines together. I lost track of what all I used, but I know I have some from Starters, Indie Girl and Count Me In. The only thing that's not from Sassafras is the little yellow alpha - those are from Authenique. I also used Elmer's adhesive and a Pilot Precise V5 pen.

Some detail photos.




I'll be back later with my Week in the Life photos from yesterday. Happy weekend, everyone!

Week in the Life Day 4

Day 4 already - more than halfway done! At least I'm earlier posting this today!

Lily and Jake shortly after waking up - playing with light sabers on the sofa.

Waiting for the pan to warm up to make Dave's eggs.

Dylan doing a little reading while he waits for Dave to be ready to leave for the day. On the sly is about the only way I can get photos of the boys.

Jake eating a bowl of cereal. He's not very good about using silverware.


Lily and Jake ready to leave to bring Elizabeth to a friend's house for swimming.

Later, we had to run to another town to pick up a part for Dave. I wanted a picture of Jake's cute Cars shoes.

Lily was playing with a camera and took a picture of her own feet.

At the grocery store - I let the kids have a rare treat - a frozen dinner.

Just documenting the price of a gallon of milk.


At the tractor part store, they offered the kids free popcorn. Jake announced very loudly after trying it that it was "lucky" - what he meant was YUCKY! Lily picked out the good pieces for him on the way home.

A self portrait.


Yay! The UPS man just dropped off a prize box from Studio Calico! Autumn Press, here I come!


Dave and the boys were home late for supper, as usual, so it was all in microwave dishes for them. Spaghetti and meatballs is a favorite around here.