what can I say...

...when this is your view after waking up in Japan? Wow, what a way to welcome the day and the adventure of a new country.

...when I have the nicest, most helpful, awsome translator? My new friend Noriko was the biggest help and such a delight to get to know better. All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you, Noriko for taking care of me and helping my class run so smooth.

when the magic of this place makes you do something you normally wouldn't? Sushi - yes - I tried, I ate, I liked! The next table over has Ali, Paolo, Tracy, and Miki, encouraging all of us at our table - Lance, Clark, Katie, Scott, and me.

...such an inspiring and incredible trip I will never forget. Beautiful people with so much humility, respect, and creative ability - my life is changed.

japan...

I am lucky. Basically, that is what it is...luck! Everything I have been able to do in the scrapbooking industry has started from my being in the right place at the right time. I have had the great pleasure (and a little stress) of teaching at CKU's in years past and most recently at CKU-A's - the album version. Such a life changing event - I learned so much about myself and had to stretch myself, learn new skills, but all for a passion that so many of us share...scrapbooking. Preserving those memories that makes us who we are and celebrating life.

This journey is now going on a little trip. Actually, not so little - more like 13 hours or so. I have the honor of teaching on behalf of the fabulous company I design for; All My Memories, in Japan at the Japanese version of CKU - such an awsome opportunity. I have always expected that some time in my life I might visit Japan, but never thought it would happen now. I never thought I would teach another culture a bit of what I love. Just awsome.

silver & gold...

Question: What are the two colors of the medals that Isabel earned from her fabulous Oktoberfest skating competition? Answer: Silver - for the Freestyle level D routine, and Gold - for the Artistic level C & D program.
What an amazing day! It is difficult to describe the proud, excited, happy feelings a mom has when her child works hard, has fun, and skates to the best of her ability. It is such a sight to see Isabel go into her "zone" - she is eight and she seriously goes into a zone - where she blocks everything out and just concentrates. Her coaches are beside themselves watching this girl do something that many much older than her can't do. Where did she learn it? Not from me.

I have been to several competitions for Isabel now, and I think what makes me the most proud is how much fun she is having. Yes, she gets nervous, and she does that zone thing, but she has fun. I must admit, earning the medals makes it that much more fun!

Good job Isabel - you simply amaze me.

brace yourself...

Chloe got braces yesterday. I swear after they were on, she looked two years older. She was a little nervous, about the pain, about what friends and classmates would say, and about the general procedure - but she made it. By the time she got home from school, her mouth was killing her and she didn't sleep too good last night. Evidenced by the bags under her eyes. She turns 12 in a little over a month. Where did the time go?

I teach my Bibbity Bobbity Boo class today at Scrapbook USA. If you get a chance, swing on by. There are many wonderful classes still available.

first day of preschool...

Big day at the Whittaker home today - first day of preschool for Oaken. He was so excited, which says a lot since new things sometimes make him a little nervous. I love having a little preschool just a few houses away - so convenient, we just walk to it every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. As for the rest of the kidlets, we are back on track - YAH! Good stuff.

typical breakfast fare...

Every morning I wake up to a little two year old's voice saying, "Eggos mom. I'ant (combine 'I' & 'want') Eeeegooooos". It's my alarm. Cute little Jilly's voice waking me up to an Eggo request. These are new. French vanilla - they smell like cake when you bake them and taste pretty darn good too.

Also, been a little board with the hair-do lately. I have actually had that style for quite a long time - so it was time for a change. I used to wear my hair short all the time and now that I have dropped a few lbs., my face has thinned a bit and I feel comfortable enough to sport the new short do. I forgot how easy and fast short hair was. You use less shampoo and conditioner and drying time is nearly non-existant. I like.

Been wearing the glasses a lot lately too. Every day to be exact. My awsome husband entered me into a contest to win lasik free and they called. No, didn't win but wouldn't you know it, I'm elegible for a discount! Does anyone win? So, I couldn't wear the contacts for two weeks to see if I can even do the surgery and I found out yesterday that I can. But will I? I don't know yet.

Scrapfest...

Scrap: anything to do with scrapping or scrapbooking, preserving memories, etc. Fest: a festival - fun play, many exciting things to learn, an all around good time. What could be more fun than combining these two for a whirlwind of creativity! And, I will be there. September 8th & 9th - teaching, talking, laughing, and being inspired by others. Too much fun!

upcoming class...

I have the awsome opportunity to teach a class at Scrapbook USA in Salt Lake City. September 22 and 23rd are the dates of this fun event and if you have never been - come check it out (and bring lots of money!). All My Memories is sponsoring again and I can personally guarantee that all of the AMM classes will be fabulous! As always they are very organized, pre-packaged, and full of fun.

My class, named Bibbity, Bobbity, Boo to You is a 4x4 Halloween (could you tell by the name?) mini album and will be Friday and Saturday at 2:30 - 4:00 pm. We will make 13 darling little 4x4 pages using the new Occasion-alls Halloween line and rub-ons and use ribbon to embellish the album too. Here is the link: SBUSA and just scroll down to the 2:30 times.

Here are a few picks from the album, you can see a little bit more detail in these - just cute!

This will be such a fun time - come and join me! Hope to see you there.

extra kits, anyone?

As promised, the Life Lessons extra album kits are now available on the All My Memories website!

They are being sold for only $49.99 - that is a STEAL!! You get the 20 pages (already cut and individually packaged for you) and the 8x8 black album plus instructions. There are a limited quantity, so if you want one, go there now! Oh, here is a link to the page: Life Lessons Album Kit

check it out...

Since I have yet to have an official request for a layout for Creating Keepsakes magazine, I will take this as a definate plus! This is my CKU-A album track; Life Lessons (from the September issue of CK magazine) and three of my favorite pages showcasing some fun techniques from that track. I am honored to be in this particular feature since CKU-A's are my new favorite thing! I love teaching them and preparing for them and everything about them is a positive experience for me and hopefully those taking the class as well.

Four whole pages; that aint half bad! A big congrats (in my opinion, this is a big thing) to the Junkitz girls; Stacey, Janna, & Teresa, for having their awsome album featured as well and to Tim Holtz too, who is so talented and fun to be around! They have the best ideas - so inspiring.

And, for those of you who are wondering about the extra album kits, I believe they will go on sale on our website (link to the right) sometime this coming week. I will post an official update when it goes live.

CKU-A Atlanta ROCKED!!!

My class - and although they are few in number, they were the hardest working and most creative, most supportive, sweetest, and funnest class! Thank you guys for making this such a fun time. Most everyone finished their album (huge accomplishment) and the creativeness (yes, I know it probably isn't a word!) was so inspiring to me and each other. Thank You! It just rocked!



One of the funnest parts of the CKU experience is giving stuff away and All My Memories sets it up right. These two lucky ladies won AMM totes stuffed full of all kinds of product.
Any kind of a trip without The Cheesecake Factory isn't really complete. And not having one in my town makes it more of a necessity too!

Can I just say that Janna, Stacey and Teresa from Junkitz are some of the most fun and genuine gals! Thanks guys, for so much fun and letting me tag along.
After everything is said and done, and the end of CKU-A has come and gone, what fun it is to hang out with good food, new friends, and just laugh. Such an awsome experience - thank you to all! And yes, if you look really close, you can see my head peaking around there right in the middle!

Atlanta, here I come...

I leave to teach the final CKU-A of the year in Atlanta in the morning. I'm so glad I have the opportunity to teach this class again. It was such a fun project to create and even more fun to teach. I look forward to seeing old friends again, and seeing some newer ones too.

CKU's are an adventure. They are a time to learn new things with others who have the same interests. They are a time to teach each other, share, and be taught. They are a time to celebrate each others' accomplishments and be inspired. I always take home more from these events than I bring.

Ready or not Atlanta, here I come.

float...

Tomorrow is a big holiday here in Utah - Pioneer Day. We have a huge parade - actually the 3rd largest in the country, and this is the float I was lucky enough to help my stake build. The title is "Capturing Generations from Quill to Computer" and shows the progression of family history over the years.

The back of the float (in this picture) shows a laptop computer with a picture of a family by the temple. There is also a little "go cart" computer mouse with a darling little girl driving that will be towed behind. The sides of the float have the old fashioned typewriters accented with some pencils and the front of the float has a giant parchment scroll. These pictures show the float before the little mice (actually they are huge - the scale on a float is awsome) are dancing on the typewriter keys and parchment scroll.

Isabel and I are working on the title banners that go along the entire sides of the float. The matching outfits were totally by chance, but they do make for a very nice picture! What an awsome helper Isabel was. She kept at this with me until it was finished - totally focused on the task at hand. She also helped me attached the fringy stuff to the bottom of the float. Chloe helped a lot too on some of the earlier projects. It would have been quite a bit harder and longer without their help!

I had to show this shot of the drivers seat of this float. My hubby, Scott, will be driving it and I took the picture so he could see the luxury he would be surrounded by while driving (is that a fire extinguisher?). Who said that float drivers didn't have a glamorous job?

And finally, Isabel and I at the convention center where the preview party will be - this shot just shows the scale of this float. I am so used to working with paper and pictures 12x12 inches and under. To actually participate in something this size was eye opening and so fun. Practially everything is glittered too and I'm such a sparkly and bling girl, it was right up my alley!

The Days of '47 Parade is televised around the entire country on July 24th. If you get the chance, watch for this float tomorrow - it's turn is about half way through - I think. It is the float from the Copper Hills Stake. I am so honored and proud to have had the chance to participate in something like this. Building a float just isn't something you come across everyday.

sendin' out...

a huge CONGRATULATIONS to my friend Janna Wilson! She (pictured here next to me in the black T-shirt) was just named one of the next years' designers for BHG Scrapbooks Etc. magazine - a huge honor. Not only is she incredibly talented, but it couldn't have happened to a sweeter or nicer person. Way to go Janna! Also congrats to the other new design team members - it will be a very inspiring year indeed.

couture anyone...

With all of the CHA sneak peeks, I just couldn't resist! Such a fun time and the buzz of new stuff to come is like this electrical current feeding from one scrapper to the next!

This is my all time favorite new line from All My Memories' Couture line: Genteel. I am lovin' the blues and greens in this 8x8 page:

Another little tidbit from the Courture Line as well; this one is Posh and I have more ideas in this line. It went so well with pictures from my SIL's wedding a few weeks ago I just kept these samples in that same theme. Beautiful purples, plums, and browns. This is a 12x12 and I used the new chipboard letters and glued pattern papers to them and trimmed them out. There are letters printed already in each of the lines that adhere nicely to the chipboard - a lot less work that way!


Have you ever used a picture for a card? This one uses Expressions rub-ons and a few elements with Posh here and there.
This last sample is an 8x8 using just the pattern papers. They are so vibrant and rich - just lovely.

tote-ally enabled...

While visiting the Costco site, I also noticed these little goodies - the Tote-ally cool totes from All My Memories. This is a killer deal with not only the tote for supplies and such, but the shoulder tote as well. It also comes with a nifty mesh bag that is so handy. These tote packages come in green (as shown), pink, or blue. Enjoy!

costco...

You gotta love Costco! Check it out...a whole batch of Simple Sweet stuff in Picnic, Toybox, and Juicy, and such a great deal - here is the link.
I just love these three color combos - you can do about anything with them!

mud slide...

Gives a new meaning to mud slide. This picture was taken Saturday at Pineview for a half boating day. The beach we were by had this mini "cliff" and a natural slide area where the kids dumped water down and proceeded to slide. It is hard to tell, but it is steep and they went fast! Oaken had to get in on the fun and slid twice - what a daredevil!

There were also had a bunch of squirrels at the top of this beach area and Isabel and her friend spent a good hour trying to catch one in these little buckets - I love this shot because you can see two of them fairly close by. The girls never did catch one (I wasn't really that sad about it - can you say rabies?) but they still had a good time.

I have been working on our Stake's float for the Days of 47 parade on the 24th of July and it is so cool. You never really think about creating on that scale. My first project was creating some seals that say our stakes name and location - they are about 3 1/2 feet in diameter. The letters are 4 inches tall and had to be painted and glittered on the sides and top. My next project is the banner along the entire length of the float that says the title - I don't even know how to go about measuring and drawing something that is going to be about 24 feet long. The letters are about 12" x 6" and they are already done - that makes it easier. I must take some good pics of my individual projects and the float as we assemble it.

a beautiful wedding...

It was Aunt Ann's wedding yesterday afternoon at Rose Sach's Garden. Oaken had a very important job; the ring bearer. I explained to him how cool this was and how important his job was - he explained to me that he didn't want to do it. "I don't want to do anything" he said. So, enter the bribes - two cars from the Cars movie - he likes those! It was agreed, he would do it to get the cars. He was brilliant. He was awsome - he stood there still through the whole thing and presented the rings when the time was right. There was a small sneezing incident, but nothing go directly on the rings. Thanks to one of the best men, he was cleaned up in a jiffy! Now enter the time after the ceremony - the let your hair down and have a good time, time. Rose Sach's Garden is up the canyon and is a gorgeous, hidden away little place...with lot's of streams, rocks, mountain sides, and climbing opportunities. Here is where Oaken ended up! Yes, that is mud and dirt on his suit and he is sliding down the mountain side. Boys.

I couldn't post without a picture of my girls who were the flower girls at the wedding. They fell in love with these "grown-up" dresses and had to have them. They look so grown up, and they did a great job too.

a little disney magic...

I had the opportunity to create some sample boards for the retail store this past weekend. One board was EK Success Disney products - which I have never used before and they were so much fun! I have plenty of Disney pictures and now I have some ideas for some pages!

One of my newest favorite sizes is 8x8. This is especially great to use when you have one picture of something - you don't have to fill up so much space like a 12x12 page - and let's face it; smaller things are just cute!

a little help?...

Today at Target - we picked up a few balls. I love the facination with bouncy balls that my kids have...what is it that they love so much? The color? The shape? So, Jilly and Oaken are with me and we leave the store. I am carrying Jilly and they are both carrying their ball and I knew that Jill would drop hers. Sure enough, a few steps outside and down goes the ball. Picture me trying to carry her - crying (she is the one crying), plus my purse and bags, and run after a ball that is being pushed along by the wind. I didn't catch it - I was torn between putting Jill down at the busy store entrance and running after a $2.50 ball. Here is where it gets interesting. As I start running, still holding Jill, a young woman comes out of the store - she has one small bag. The ball goes right in front of her and all she does is smirk with this "whatever" look on her face with a little bit of a half laugh, and watches the ball go by. It was right there. I looked at her, kind of unbelieving that she didn't even try. To me, it is reflex to try and catch a rouge ball but instead she stopped and watched the whole thing happen, then went on her merry way. You would almost have to try NOT to catch it. Needless to say, I drove to the other end of Target and picked up the ball - happiness again.

It's the little things that matter most. It was obvious to me she wasn't in a big hurry. As I drove down to the other end, I saw her leaving - this is after I had strapped my kids in, plus myself. It wouldn't even had mattered if she had tried and failed - just the effort and being a nice person is what makes the difference. It reminds me of that commercial - not even sure what it's for - where someone is observing another human being nice to someone else, in small ways - and in turn they are influenced to help someone else out along their way. Nothing big, but helpful. Anyway - hear's to being nice and have a nice...no - have a wonderful day!

cut 'n color...

Went and got the new summer time hair-do today. Cut 'n color...check out the vogue pose. A little blonder, and a whole lot more sassy! Just being dorky.
That reminds me of a blonde joke I need to share:

A beautiful red-head went to the doctor saying that her body hurt wherever she touched it.

"Impossible" the doctor said, "show me". So she took her finger and pushed on her elbow and screamed, then she pushed on her knee and screamed even more. She pushed on her shoulder and screamed; likewise, she pushed on her ankle and screamed. Everywhere she touched made her scream.

The doctor said, "You're not a real red-head are you?"

"Well no," she said, "I'm actually a blonde."

"I thought so," said the doctor. "Your finger is broken."

For preparation for Father's Day and a totally entertaining look and how hard it is to be a dad, check out this link. We have this problem at our house too. It isn't pretty.

a challenge...

I have always been interested in trying the 3 product challenge that Amy Howe and Robyn Werlick post on 2Peas and this week I actually did one. Such a fun way to scrapbook! You are given 3 products that must be incorporated in your layout somehow. This weeks were: bookplate(s), stitiching, & a frame. Having some of the items decided for me already makes it easier in some ways to scrapbook and use some older stuff in my stash. I have had this huge stack of frames from a kit I bought from QVC and was able to use one. I might even do last weeks - just for the fun of it!

the pictures...

I was having problems last night trying to upload these pictures. The pink one is the baptism program cover - love that Rhonna! It was so fun to play with...I think I am going to make my Sister In Law's shower invitations digitally too. We are throwing her a bridal shower and I just might have to buy a few digital kits!

This next picture is a layout I did of Isabel's dress. I wanted to remember this aspect of her baptism story so I quickly put this together last night. The pattern papers are My Minds Eye - I'm really lovin' their Kaleidoscope papers. Such fun, happy colors with just the right amount of distressing.

she did it...

Well, she did it! Isabel was baptised Saturday and it turned out to be a great day! I wasn't so sure starting out. I took my first DIGITAL step in designing her program with a free digital kit I downloaded from 2Peas In A Bucket. The kit was designed by Rhonna Farrer - such an incredibly talented person - I just love her style. The finished product wasn't too bad...if I do say so myself!

Thursday night, little Jilly got sick - throwing up and stuff. At first I thought it was just food poisoning since it came on so fast, but she did it some more at 2:00 in the morning. She was great when she woke up; back to her old self.

Friday night, we went to a movie (The Da Vinci Code) and Chloe babysat. With about 30 minutes left in the movie, she calls and informs me that Oaken just threw up all over the couch. Well, I left Scott and our friends (we drove!) and came home to help with the mess. Chloe did a great job of starting to clean it up...got Oaken in the bath. I ran back to the theater and picked everyone back up so - I still need to see the end of the movie! Later that night, Isabel gets sick! So, this is the second night I am up with sick kids and the day before the baptism.

Saturday morning - Chloe has to go downtown to a rehearsal for her Drama class at the Children's Theater. We are going to be right on time and low and behold, there is a marathon going. I cannot get to the street I need to. I drive around being blocked at every turn for a 1/2 hour! Getting very frustrated, need to get home to clean and plan, and I finally go way up and around and drop her off. Scott is home doing the back lawn for the BBQ later on and is feeling pretty bad - he is starting to get what the kids had. The baptism is going to be at 4:30 and we aren't doing very well.

Now it's an hour before the baptism and we are showering and dressing. I bought Isabel a darling dress 2 months before that has been hanging in the laundry room waiting for this glorious day. I take it down and off the hanger and give it to her. Scott comes to me and asks if she is supposed to wear this dress - Yes, that is what I bought it for! It still has the safety tag on it. Yes. The tamper proof or ink will get all over you and the garment tag is still on the dress. She has been waiting to wear this dress for 2 months. I have HAD it. I quickly get dressed and made-up and rush (not easily done in my new high heeled shoes that go with my dress) to Sears to get them to take off the tag that they should have removed originally. I make it back in just enough time for her to put on the dress and leave for the Stake Center.

Was it a test? Even if it wasn't, I was tested. It makes me wonder what she will do in her life. What role will she play in the future if she lives righteoussly and stays close to her Father in Heaven. What could it be to have Satan working so hard against us and trying to get us down. Self doubt and frustrating circumstances seem to be a fast downer for me. But, I was so proud. She was in the zone - she does that in times where concentration is key. She knew exactly what she was doing and why and it made everything else just go away!

plannin'...

Wow - I thought as the Spring progressed I would get less busy. Not so. This Saturday is a very important day. Isabel, my eight year old, is getting baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She has been ready for some time and anxious to do it. Her birthday was actually in April, but we had to put it off since we were in Florida last month - so she has been waiting. I am so proud that she wants to become a member and hope she whole-heartedly uses the guidelines and principles the Gospel provides. I know it has made a huge difference in my life and can't believe how truly blessed I am some days.



Just finished these 6x6 layouts for the retail store...they are of my brother and his cute little boy. He is such a good new daddy! I recently created a bunch of 8x8 samples using this same line - Toadstool, and love how user friendly it is. The colors are great for any time of year and for masculine or feminine projects. I would love to show them to you, but we have to wait...they are for an upcoming suprise which I hope happens. Cross your fingers!

two...

A quick post to wish my baby...(sniff, sniff) a happy birthday. Jill is two today!
Isn't she the cutest two year old ever? I also got a new camera last week and I am lovin' it - thanks Dad!

self portrait...

Okay, maybe a self portrait of a confused me - but it is me. I was inspired by Ali Edwards' challenge to take more personal pictures and scrap them. This one was actually an accident, but I will scrap it. It reminds me a lot of how I feel sometimes. It makes me laugh every time I see it!

Here are some more samples for my Atlanta CKU-A class. Notice on the "My Blessings" page that I have a seperate journaling page behind the yellow one shown...this is one of the solutions for larger journaling we will learn about.