Day 31 ~ Aim, Shoot, Score!

WRMK pp, arrow and photo corners, Prism cardstock (white), green and melon Thickers (title) and Reminisce rub ons.

Day 30 {Girl Power - Summer layout}

Prism cardstock, Cricut George and Mickey Font (title and ball), KI Memories Love Elsie pp, the "sports" section paper was in my scraps stash, think it's KI Memories too, but not for sure...Reminisce rub on (on photo).

Day 29 {Happy Halloween} ribbon challenge

Heidi Grace pp and die cuts, "Tricks Treats Costumes" ribbon from Michael's

We interrupt Day 29 to bring you......

Well, yesterday was my dad's 60th birthday - Happy Birthday to the most amazing man! I love you!

We also had a "date night" (which is a rareity around here) last night and hubby took me here...I'm sure y'all will forgive me for puttin' on my boots and rockin' the house in Peoria with my peeps above! Yahoo - the absolute BEST concert I have ever been too, I don't think we sat down for any of Toby Keith and not much of Jason Aldean. They even taped segments for Aldean's "She's Country" video at this concert!

My day 29 and 30 will be posted later in the day after I get some more zzzz's after the girls get on the bus.

Day 28/31 ~ Are you as creative as a Kindergartner?

Sassafras pp, MME rub ons, Title=puffy Thickers, Making Memories rub ons, American Crafts remarks, Prima flowers and button, staples

Day 27/31 - Music Fest (Button Challenge)

Cosmo Cricket pp and die cut, Heidi Grace sticker, buttons, Doodlebug ric rac ribbon, white Thickers and gel pen

Day 26/31 ~My Funny Valentines

All Twitterpated Digi Kit (2 Peas) by Cheri Mask.

Day 25/31 - Jazz In the Park

Heidi Grace pp and stickers, Prism Cardstock

Day 24/31 ~Brave Volunteer Firefighter

Cosmo Cricket pp and rub ons, staples, black signo pen and red gel pen and American Crafts remarks stickers.

Day 23/31 ~Get Well Card

A get well card made with Heidi Swapp pp, Bazzil cardstock, Karen Foster stickers and a black signo pen.

Day 22/31 - Celebrating Five {Birthday Challenge}

Prism cardstock, Best Creation Inc pp and transparencies/overlays, Sassafrass pp, Prima flowers, Doodlebug green brad, Scrappy Cat acrylic stamps (title) and Close to My Heart acrylic star stamp (above candles), CTMH inks.

Day 21/31 - Lil Redneck Acrylic Stamp Challenge/Button Challenge

Sorry about the bad pics...I'm not sure what's up with my camera but I just ordered a new Canon Rebel, so the last couple posts of this challenge will be way better, lol! Okay, this is Bazzil bling cardstock, Moxxie pp, CTMH acrylic stamps (boots and saying). Title made using Opposites Attract Cricut cartridge. Buttons (scraplifted the idea from Megan) are unknown, probably Autumn Leaves but I mix 'em all together so it really could be anybody. Brown Distress Stickles on the arrow, pink Stickles on the boots.

Journaling, since I know it's hard to see: "These $2.93 boots have been your fashion staple spring, summer, fall...you wear 'em with skirts & dresses, shorts & bikinis - even your teacher has commented on your obvious love for these boots! Now worn and faded instead of shiny and pink - I still call you my 'lil redneck when you put them on and I absolutely LOVE it! Walk proud!

Day 20/31 ~ Sisters {eyelet challenge}

"Sisters" layout using Bazzil Cardstock, Fancy Pants die cuts and pp, WRMK eyelets. Acrylic stamps by Autumn leaves (techincally a two-fer challenge, but I'll do another stamp one b/c they're too fun!!) And the big "S" is home decor from Making Memories.

A Recipe for Fun

Soap Crayons

1 cup. grated ivory soap

1¼ cup warm water

Food coloring

Cookie cutters, soap molds, etc

Mix the ingredients together and mix till it starts to get a little hard. Spoon the mix into molds or cookie cutters. Put in the freezer to help them get hard. You need to let these dry a day or two after popping them out of the mold.


PS - I picked up some heart ice cube trays at Walmart...these will be great for Valentine Goodie Bags!!

2009 Presidential Inauguration

Yes we can......and today, we begin the journey of a lifetime.

Day 19/31 ~ Owl Always Love You

Owl Always Love You digi kit by Holly Jones (downloaded from 2 Peas). This is my sister and my adorable nephew Patrick at his Valentine's Day party last year at school. Our children attend the same school so it's really awesome that we can be there with each other to watch their activities and grow up....and take and share photos. Hope you like it Jen!! And Mr. P!!

Day 18/31 - Precious Sisters

Totally taking the simple route lately...Prism Cardstock, Sandylion High School Musical pp, Close to My Heart acrylic stamps, Creative Cafe ticket.

Day 17/31 - Fairytales Do Come True

Disney World photos - Prism Cardstock, Daisy Bucket pp, Creative Imaginations rub on, Michaels $1 bling (hearts and rounds) and white gel pen.

Day 16/31 {I Wanna Be a Plowboy} **Christmas/Winter Challenge

Bazzill cardstock, Cosmo Cricket and Basic Grey pp, American Crafts black pen and Thickers stickers.

Day 15/31 ~ Treat Time 08 *Rub On Challenge

Problems with my internet connection again late last night, then worked all night and had to sleep today. Just got up so here's yesterday's challenge. Teresa Collins and WRMK pp, Cosmo Cricket Rub On, Mickey Font Cricut Cartridge (title)

~ My Creative Space

Photo Album Holder and Collector of all Hodge Podge Items - and a little of Avery's Moon Sand up front.


Bulletin Board and Chalkboard...I try and keep some insipiration here...like the felt bags for Valentine's Day currently.


Stackables which hold wooden stamps, chipboard albums and embellies, ribbons, extra pp and cardstock, tools and punches, my sewing machine, Cricut, my Coke (sanity), my lamp (the shade is currently under construction) and my green tote. The green tote is my absolute favorite thing - it holds all of my "new" items to play with.


Stickles ~ all kinds of colors and now just got in my Distress Stickles, yummay!


Books for inspiration - (included is a Lisa Bearnson signed "Our Family Scrapbooks" and Donna Downey signed Creative Albums, Photo Decor and one other book. Met and cropped with Donna at Reminisce in Iowa City!


Acrylic stamps - yes, I am addicted to them!


My favorite find - an old mail sorter table my cousin was going to burn and I saved it from incineration, took a lot of time stripping old paing and refinishing, but I love it!


This is where I create...it is the other end of the family room in our basement. Just outside of the girls' playroom and easily in view of the many Wii tournaments and movies we all watch together. A great space for me.

Day 14/31 ~ Unforgettable **Fave Manufacturer Challenge

I have to say that right now Little Yellow Bicycle is my favorite manufacturer! This layout is all LYB - transparencies, cardstock stickers, papers, die cuts. Yummalicious, I love their paper!!!

Day 13/31 - Smitten

Bazzill cardstock, Fancy pants dual-heart transparency, Target $1 section papers and stickers, Bazzill brads and Creative Cafe "remember" tag.

**Sorry ladies, our internet and phone were our for a day....Mediacom is not my favorite service at the moment.

A Little Love Note

I was trying to go to bed. But, I feel the need to share this awesomeness that is my oldest daughter, Hannah. Hannah was 7 years old when I was diagnosed with cancer. She was told the truth the entire way through it. We told them when the tumor was found, we sat down and explained to them what cancer was ~ a sick bug in mommy that the doctors hoped they got out, but no one is really sure. We told them Mommy is going to take medicine that is going to make her very tired and sick (chemo) and if there's any little pieces of that sick bug still in Mommy, the medicine will hopefully fix it. We never lied to them though - they knew that there was a possibility we might not find all the sick bugs and that Mommy might have to go live in Heaven. Heartbreaking for me to even talk about it even now - I still wonder how I sat down and explained that to them without totally falling apart. The one thing I knew was that if there was any chance that I was not going to make it ~ I wasn't going to be remembered as a liar by my daughters. I wanted them to know that mommy always told them the truth about what was happening. We do what we do as mothers because it's what we signed up for - the Mommy laws, right? Well, Gracie and Avery were only 5 and 2 years old, so they don't really remember much, Avery remembers nothing, thank goodness. But, Hannah remembers a lot. She remembers taking on a motherly role to her sisters and with some outside help from a psychologist she has gotten through dealing with those needs to take care of everyone but herself first. She is blossoming every day and has such a compassionate soul ~ she is the most loving, caring child.

Why am I telling you all this? My aunt has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Again, we had to explain cancer to them all over again. Today when Hannah came home from school she asked questions about Aunt Kathy. Today was her first day of chemo and her bone scan results were due in today. So, I called my mom to check on how things were going and it was a rough day, but everyone made it. That first day is one of the hardest. I told Hannah this and then sat down to watch the Bachelor. I worked on my layout below while watching TV - yes, multitasker :o). And after my shower, I walked into my bedroom and this was on my pillow. I brought it out to the kitchen to photo because I didn't want to wake everyone else up snapping photos in a dark bedroom. I love that she gets it. I love that she is happy. I love that we are free. Please, say a prayer today for all people fighting cancer, young and old, men and women.....may your wings be healed soon. Live Strong, my friends.

Day 12/31 - Christmas Challenge {Signs of Santa}

Don't look too closely, the photos are not aligned well, but I am running on about three hours of sleep right now and I am completely whipped. Ever thankful I do not have to travel in the blizzard conditions to and from work tonight, but I'm so in need for some sleep. I will fix it and come back and repost tomorrow sometime :o) I had to watch the Bachelor....completely smitten with this year's series. Isn't Jason just ttttoooooo cute?!?!

This is a digi kit called KTeague Berry Days, not sure where I downloaded it (I know, really with it aren't I today) but think it came from ScrapGirls.com. I will try and figure that out tomorrow too when I am rested. Nighty night!

~ Places I Visit on the Web

To answer a few questions as of late:

* The girls "Santa" bags were purchased at Bed, Bath & Beyond for $5.99/each and I had them embroidered on the back with their names in white glitter thread.

* I purchase my vinyl here, they have great service, great prices and the vinyl comes precut in 6x12 to fit your Cricut. WAY cheaper than Provo Crafts prices!! You can get matte in some of the colors which is what I used for Hannah's name on her wall.

* I also love these sites Peachy Cheap and Flowers to Flourishes. Great deals daily but I will forewarn you the good ones sell out fast! THIS would be one reason I love working midnights, I have gotten so many good deals at both of these sites!! Check them out.

Day 11/31 ~'Cause We All Just Wanna Be Big Rockstars (chipboard challenge)

I think this paper is KI Memories or American Crafts, but not sure as I grabbed it out of my scrap pile. And the chipboard piece was with others in a ziploc baggie and I had not labeled it. I know it was called "playlist" or something like that. It's a year or two old, but worked great with these photos from the Jonas Brothers in concert a year and a half ago.

~ Four Generations Day 10/31

Created with Rhonna Farrar New Years Digi Kit and Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0.

Day 9 ~ Vinyl Art

Hannah recently opted for a "tween" room, here is the wall art I made using vinyl and my Cricut....just need to add stems and leaves. Her bedding is below the wall photo.

Day 8/31 {Life Is So Sweet}

Playing around with ideas for Valentine's Day Cards for the girls' school parties. Thinking this might be Ave's (my Kindergartner). Fancy Pants "Crush" pp, Bazzill cardstock (pink), unknown button, Fancy Pants ribbon, Prima flowers, Doodlebug brads, "Life Is So Sweet" CTMH stamp, Cat's Eye pink chalk ink, clear Stickles, Michael's $1 spot "Happy Love Day" stamp and "XOXO" stamp.

For your listening pleasure....

I finally added a playlist...it was pure laziness on my part. I hope you enjoy it, I wanted something fun and upbeat. I loaded all the songs that are currently on my Ipod under "workout" playlist. You have to listen to fun 80's music when working out...keeps it real. Enjoy :o) Let me know if you think I'm missing a classic too.

Day 7/31 - Letter Sticker Challenge

Prism Cardstock, American Crafts Remarks letter Stickers (covered in blue Stickles), KI Memories snowflake stamp (outlined in blue Stickles) and a strip of Heidi Grace pp.

Day 6/31 - Thanks (Christmas Thank You's)

Christmas Thank You Cards for the family.


Bazzill carstock, Little Yellow Bicycle papers, Cosmo Cricket ribbon, button and thread, Studio G "Thanks" stamp and black pigment ink.

Thankful, Grateful and Blessed

Words cannot even begin to describe my feelings right now. Friday we went back to Iowa City for a myriad of tests and God has truly blessed me. All of the tests came back clear and normal. This would officially make it 3 years and 2 months cancer free.

Initially when I was diagnosed, there was little anyone knew or could tell me about my prognosis and/or the life expectancy. Internet sites stated anywhere from 3 months to 10 years, tops. I was devastated then.

I then met Dr. Garneau and Dr. O'Donnell. Life changed. Dr. O'Donnell was and still is a calm, quiet intelligent urology oncologist. He specializes in cancer of the bladder. He had seen my type of cancer only a few times before me. But, he was certain he could be proactive (which meant additional surgeries) and cure me. Somehow, I knew God led me to him because my time on Earth was not complete. I had babies to raise and friends to grow old with and so many things left undone.

I went through the surgeries, chemotherapy that didn't guarantee me anything and all of the subsequent trials and tribulations that come with them. Financially, it all but ruined us.....the medical bills that were out of this world. Faithfully, it bonded me in a way that I have never, ever experienced. I know there is a God, I know that he watches over us and carries us places we cannot carry ourselves. He shows us defeat and helps us triumph. He takes everything away so that we learn to rebuild again.

Dr. O'Donnell now says I have a 99.8% chance of never, ever dealing with cancer again. It is "high five, kiss and hug" time. We made it. They saved me. I owe them more than gratitude. I owe them my life. They saved it.

I want to take this opportunity to let you all know that we are only led down paths that we are meant to travel. We are only as strong as the trials we face and conquer. We believe. We pray. We succeed. Thank you Dr. O'Donnell, Dr. Vaena and Dr. Garneau for believing and praying, for succeeding. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is where I was treated, and treated well. The workers, the interns, the residents, the specialists.....each and every one of them was truly caring and loving. They held my hands when i feared the worst, they made me laugh when I just wanted to cry, the chemo nurses told me it would all be worth it in the end. I am forever grateful to all of you and three little girls will grow up knowing that angels really do live among us. Thank you for healing my wings.

Day 5/31 - Santa Claus

Teresa Collins papers, Prism cardstock, Prima flowers, Michaels $1 spot rhinestone, American Crafts thickers

Peace and Quiet

The girls are all on the way to school. The bus picked them up about 20 minutes ago and I'm relishing in the peace and quiet. I love my girls more than anything but it was time to go back to school. They were getting on each other's nerves. The arguing over who gets which Barbie doll shoes was getting on mine, lol! Time to sit and think of all that I am thankful for. I am thankful for three beautiful amazing girls who teach me every day that it's all about living each day to the fullest. They teach me that even when you're mad, you can easily forgive. They have taught me that snuggles and a cup of hot cocoa can make anything better. They live each day without abandon and with so many emotions.....they make each and every day worthwhile. And even though I am relishing in this beautiful peace and quiet, by 3pm I will be anxiously awaiting their return.

I hope you have a wonderful 1st day back to school from Christmas break, girls. I'll be waiting here with snuggles and hot cocoa when you come home. :o)

Day 4/31 - We Love Finding a Tree

Fancy Pants papers, Prism cardstock, Fancy Pants die cuts, Stickles, Dymo labels, Daisy D's rub ons

Day 3/31 - {26} & Counting....Ugly Paper Challenge

American Crafts paper I never thought I'd use, but it worked with these photos. Not sure who the black felt embellishment is by, it came in a kit. American Crafts Thickers stickers.

Day 2/31 - Tree Farm

Didn't feel so hot today, but managed to get this done after a warm bath and lots of ibruprofen! Heidi Grace papers, Fancy Pants Ribbon, Little Yellow Bicycle overlay transparency, misc chipboard and letters painted over, then removed for title. Stamp is Stampin Up with stickles added.