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.

the orange guppy rides again...

The Orange Guppy is the name of our boat. I don't have a good picture of it as it really that photogenic! It is a 1978 Birchcraft in a beautiful burnt orange complete with stylish pin striping (actually just a few run-ins with the dock). It isn't pretty but it runs and we just got back from Sand Hollow where we enjoyed 3 very hot days boating and playing in the sand.

We met some new friends, Cindy and Dave Allred, and hit it off with them. They brought 4 wheelers since there are some great sand dunes right off the lake. We could beach the boat and literally walk 20 feet to the 4 wheelers and head off to the dunes. It was my first time on 4 wheelers although I have driven motorcycles, scooters, and snowmobiles before - not a big stretch. I also have to drive my own, I hate trying to hang on when someone else is at the helm. It was fun! Such a feeling driving through that soft sand and a huge contrast to the cool water I had just come from. I was moving along great, driving with a couple of our friends; Anthony and Jake, and I CRASHED!! I came up over a dune (I had checked it out before) and instead of a rolling hill or a slight drop off, it was hollowed out. I basically did a nose dive. Mid air, I think I realized that it wasn't going to happen and I rolled off to one side. I did a flip and landed on my lower back - I was most worried about the vehicle rolling on me so I tried to get away from it. Anthony saw everything and came running over to make sure I was okay. I later had to ask him what happened, it was just a fluke thing, he did say it was impressive. Well, at least I did it with style!

This next picture is for my Atlanta CKU Albums group. I wanted to share a few examples of what we will be doing - been reading a lot of posts on the lack of examples so; here ya go! I will post more later - can't seem to get more photos to upload.

can you see the love...

This fine piece of concrete, shells, and colored glass - was a beautiful Mother's Day present from my oldest girls. A stepping stone that they made - from scratch, and meticulously placed the shells and glass in ornate designs. Can you see the love? They spelled love in shells - this also, I feel, pertains to the love it took for them to create it!

This plant with some darling little blossoms (if I do say so myself) is what my MIL got. This was such a breeze and turned out so cute too.

These are also the Mother's Day cards we gave using Simple Sweet Juicy. I love Mother's Day - not just because I am a mother, but because it causes me to reflect on my own upbringing and what I want to teach my own kids. Sometimes we can feel a little guilt from what we THINK we should be like, but I think we tend to put too much pressure on ourselves. When it comes down to it, all our kids really want is to know we love them and a little of our time. Thanks to my mom, for being my friend but for also being my mom.

basic grey

Just had this layout selected to appear on the Basic Grey gallery! Have you seen that place? So inspiring - I love seeing other ideas of how to use the same paper I have in my personal stash. The variety of looks is inspiring and so fun.

happiest place...

We're back from the happiest place on earth - DisneyWorld. It was a great time and the kids just loved it. I think their favorite part was the cruise at the end - they just didn't have enough time to utilize all of the great kid stuff to do there. Next time we'll have to do a longer cruise - but this was a great test.

Here we are with Minnie on the ship - Oaken is wearing a pirate bandana they gave us at dinner for the pirate night theme. It is kind of nice having the characters on the ship - your chance of meeting one is greater than at the parks it seems. Such a fun trip - I would highly recommend it.

This picture of Oaken holding the biggest cookie he has ever seen. I think he is excited!

I think he likes it!

last two...

and down to the wire! February page was created using the Sorbet line. A quick punch of some hearts out of different sides of the papers and some ribbon bows and here it is!

March's page is bright and cheerful, just like we start feeling around Spring time. I used the Picnic line for this and American Craft stickers for the title lettering. Some Prima flowers and yellow brads hold the trans-parency in place.

Well - there it is - the entire calendar.

a few more...

I have neglected my goal to post 12 calendar pages in 12 days. I have been getting a bunch of loose ends tied up before our vacation to DisneyWorld. We're taking all of the kids so basically I have to pack 9 days of stuff for 6 people! Been doin' the laundry like crazy. So - I thought I would post a few pages just to catch up.

November is using the Canyon line and this page is focused on family - one thing I am most thankful for. This page has a simple line of ribbon with smaller pieces tied along the way. The "f" for family was the only non-Simple Sweet embellish-ment and cut out of Basic Grey paper.

December has a non-Christmassy look and color scheme with the Fizz line. I love this line, the colors are so appealing to me and just scream snow and winter (I think it is the stitching - looks like little snowflakes!). I used this line with the December page because of a new tradition we have of going sledding on Christmas Eve Day as you can see in the picture.


I used the Making Memories foam stamps and white paint for the title and two snowflake All My Memories charms.

The last page I will post today is January and that is using Boardwalk. This is the month that Oaken was born and his calendar day. I love this picture of him - you just wonder what is going on in that head of his. He looks like he has a secret and maybe he will tell, but maybe not!

The whole photo mat of this page includes the embellish-ment and journaling. These Signature Accent stickers are a breeze to stick on and they add an easy, graphic look. The trasparency is stuck underneath the bottom two stickers.

Well - I have three more pages to post and the whole calendar is complete! I will do it before I leave - I will...I hope! ;)

chloe's month...

Although this page is not traditional Halloween colors, it is Chloe's page and the Boutique Simple Sweet line does suite her personality. Chloe is our Halloween child being born on Halloween. She came a day early despite the fact that the doctor assured me I would go over at least a week. We wanted her to be born on Halloween, such a fun holiday for a birthday. The first several years, I think she thought everyone dressed up in costumes just for her birthday!

This page is one of the simplest ones (is that a word?) in the whole calendar. It goes together so easily and quickly - I love it! A few cut out flowers and some paint on the back of the transparency, and it is finished! The letters are stickers from American Crafts and a little sanding around the edges of the photo mat and picture makes a little contrast against the black background.

september...

Usually September is the last part of the year we can go boating and this time, we did a little fishing. Although we didn't catch anything but water plants and moss, it was still fun. I used the Toadstool line for this page. I cut some circle to mimic the design on the border paper, added a few ribbon charms and this page was finished! I just love how quickly these calendar pages went together!

the cool pool...

Every once in a while you take a picture that captures more than you ever thought one little picture could. Sometimes, it isn't the greatest picture, but it speaks to you. This picture I used for my August calendar page does just that. My three oldest; Chloe, Isabel, & Oaken are jumping into the pool. The looks on their faces are pure them and the action caught mid air turns an ordinary day at the pool into a memory frozen it time. I used Bermuda for this, so named for the stitching and colors; they reminded me of bermuda shorts. Such a summer time thing for me. The flowers were punched from various coordinating cardstock and layered on top of each other - one of my favorite looks. I look at this and can't wait to see what fun they will have this summer.

toybox in july...

Toybox - one of the brightest color families in the whole Simple Sweet line. I love this picture of Oaken, it just captures the hot summer feel - snackin' on a sno cone. I also like Toybox for this because of its patriotic feel.

I punched a bunch of stars from red Bazzill cardstock and red ginham paper (Simple Sweet Picnic). I selected matching buttons and brads and put the brad "legs" through the holes in the buttons to attach them to the page. I also used two Quickutz alphabets for the title. I also finger painted a border around the picture with white paint. This is one of my favorite techniques - I love the way the paint "breaks" on the picture paper giving it an instant distressed look.

june...

Been gone literally all day - running errands, going to various lessons, and of course, buying stuff (The Children's Place has an awsome sale going right now). Here is the June border calendar page made with Spa.

I love the cool, relaxing feel of the colors and it goes so well with this page. I punched some flowers and sponged ink around the edges. There are also sequins on the journaling block that I found at All My Memories Retail store, not sure the brand but a whole rainbow of colors in the package. Our first boating trip of the year usually happens in June so I used a picture from last year's trip. I'm so glad that Jill loves the water. We boat enough that it would be really hard if she didn't!

may page...

Day two in the calendar posting marathon! Here is May - and Jilly's birthday month. This is one of my favorites and the first color family I created for Simple Sweet - Juicy.

I used Quickutz for the title and found a darling little poem about sweet little girls that reads: Giggles and curls, ribbons and bows - she's so adorable from her head to her toes! The resin flowers are Spring Blooms herbanella trimmings from All My Memories. Don't you love how they pop off of the dark background of the picture?

borders...

I needed a calendar and I needed one fast. So I thought, what better way to use my Simple Sweet Border Papers. I can make it fast and easy. I love how it turned out so much, I want to share so...the next 12 posts will showcase one calendar page - 12 posts in 12 days. It will be so fun. So, since it is April, I will start with my April page done in Meadow:

These pages are unique to my kids and family, so the titles may not seem very seasonal, but anyone could easily change that. Isabel was born in April so her picture is the showcase. She also is very much into ice-skating so, this page is about her skating and being a champion. Here she is in her skating costume - just after she competed at the Utah Winter Games. I just love that she enjoys skating so much - she is really quite good at it too. I punched a few flowers from the other side of this border paper and the flower centers are punched from the 'b' side of the quad papers. The polka dot paper is another double sided paper from the Meadow line.

If you really want to see the entire calendar now, it is in the Simple Sweet Gallery on the All My Memories website. Just click on "Interactive galleries" and select Simple Sweet and you are there. I will post more detail about each page here and a little on how I made them so come back everyday!

more from Chicago...

I just had to include some more fun pictures from my trip to Chicago for CKU-Albums. I guess this is the celebrity post - my pictures with some awsome people I met and got to know a little better.


Ali and Kathy are two of the most genuine people I have met. They not only love scrapbooking, but love the process - learning by doing and teaching a lifestyle. Such fun, personable, and warm people.

My celeb on the sly shot of Tim Holtz - another fantastic person and so incredibly creative. Gracious enough to go along with this foolish picture!

These three fabulous cuties from Junkitz are so fun and sassy. What a joy to talk and kid around with them - they made the trip so fun! We flew on the same flight as Teresa and she shared her awsome album with us - so nice. Stacey is funny and genuine, what a great company she has. Janna I swear was a sister in a past life - love the bling on the flip flops and the cutest personality ever!

The teachers picture is amazing to me - I can't believe I am a part of it. The whole CKU-A experience was great and I learned so much from students and peers alike.

I'm back...

CKU-Albums in Chicago was the best experience. My class, I must say, was the best one there! We had a great time and they not only finished their albums, but many added pictures and journaling. They were the BEST class and so supportive for my first Albums track class!

Sometimes some light stretching was necessary, but nothing really too intense!

And always a HUGE thank you to Angela and Teresa for being such great helps. They lifted me up and made me feel at ease!

New friends all the way from Japan!

I love all of these pictures of my class...

And look at the darling mini tag book they gave me - everyone signed with the sweetest messages and thank you's. I will always treasure it.