Best wedding dance ever

My crazy friend THEA just told me about this link. It was too funny to NOT put on my blog! happy watching!!

http://www.whoisthemonkey.com/videos/47/best-first-dance-at-a-wedding-ever

Weight loss journey

As most of you know, I've been back on the weightloss wagon, and trying to get into shape. I am happy to say that I've successfully lost 36 lbs since May! If I hadn't screwed up on a few vacations, it would have been more like 50+, but I had to relose some weight I gained too. Here is a pic of me and my great friends lil Thea, and Edie. I have lost 10 more pounds since this pic, so my chins are finally disappearing! WAHOOOO!!!!!

Contest Contest Contest!!!!

I had a totally different contest in mind, but I had requests to do a contest for best handmade Christmas cards made THIS year. I'll be doing the judging this time, since I had hardly any votes last time. Email me pictures of the best card/cards you made this year. I will accept up to 3 different cards per person, and will post all cards on my blog for everyone to see! Winner receives a scrapbooking page kit valued at OVER $20.00! These cards are due in my inbox by December 15th, so get crackin! =)

Thanksgiving picture

Here is a picture of our family on Thanksging Day. Most likely it'll be in our Christmas cards, cause it's one of the only ones that we have our whole family together!

Happy Turkey Day!!!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I've been really busy lately so I havn't posted much, but I'll post more asap! I have some pictures from today that I'll try to post tomorrow when I get a chance. Our home pc got a million virus's on it, so we're gonna get up at 5am to buy a new one tomorrow. FUN FUN!


Today marks the 8 year anniversary of the day that Jason proposed to me at Goat Rock beach in Northern California.
So here's the story. When Jordyn was less than a year old, we went back to goat rock on Thanksgiving day to show the kids where Jason proposed to me. As we were getting ready to leave, I looked down, and this piece of petrified wood was literally AT my feet! It's in the shape of a heart! (as if you couldn't see that)

This piece of coral was also found at the beach a year later, shaped like a HEART!

A couple of weeks ago, Jason took Jacob back to northern California for a 9ers game. They went back to Goat rock and did a romantic picture portfolio reenactment of the day he proposed to me. They brought me back ANOTHER rock that they found at the beach..shaped like a HEART!

Isn't that so cool? I have them all together next to the framed poem that he wrote for me on our engagement day.

The Rainbow Connection

Ok, so my sister sent me this last night. It was an email for my husband, because I made the mistake of telling her once that his favorite childhood song was "The Rainbow Connection." Once I viewed it this morning, I couldn't resist putting it on my blog. This one's for you, Jason! hehe

Check out this video: SNL - Kermit the Frog & Justin Timberlake



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More cruise pics

Ok, here are some more pics that we took on the cruise. The kids took pics from THEIR point of view from some throw away cameras, so I can't wait to see how those turned out. I'm sure there will be tons of Jordyn sticking her tongue out and making faces, and pictures of phones and shoelaces, and walls. exciting!
For those of you that HAVN'T cruised, there's nothing like it. ONce you go seaward, you never go back..or something like that =)
Best fresh pineapple ever...hmmnn...need to take another cruise soon!

Pictures!

Here is a picture that I had taken of the kids. It wasn't the best one in the bunch, but it was the FREE one, if you know what I mean. I couldn't afford to buy the expensive package, but at least I got one pic, right?

This other picture is from our cruise. Jadyn stayed home with grandma and grandpa Brush, so we're gonna have to have her face airbrushed into our first formal family pose...haha

MIA

Sorry I've been MIA lately. Just got back from a weekend cruise with the kids to Ensenada, and have been busy as heck working since. I'm a bit disappointed in the fact that I only got two votes on the winner of the contest, but I guess I can't expect much, being a scrapbooking NOBODY that wants to get noticed, right? Anyways....Looks like Thea won the contest! YAY THEA!!! Ok ladies, if you want to win the next contest, you need to tell your friends to come on to my website and VOTE! Thea, I'll bring your gift with me to Texas in December, if that's ok with you!

I'll announce my next contest tomorrow.

Altered houses

It's been a long time since I made anything altered. I think it's the fear of change, and not being able to steal sketch ideas like I do so well. The first altered item I ever made was an altered lunchpail. It acctually turned out really cute, and maybe I'll post a picture of it someday. I've made some altered clipboards as gifts, and those turned out really cute, but I've never altered a house.

I bought this chipboard house from the Crafty Secrets booth at the expo. (craftysecrets.com) They also had alterable chipboard dresses and overalls that were REALLY cute, as well as tons of new acrylic stamps to drool over. These alterable chipboard houses are very cheap (only 5.99) and include all the pieces to construct the house, and more! The finished house is about 6 inches high and 3 inches wide, and opens up for all kinds of possibilities on the inside!

I've seen these houses used for decoration in a room (i.e. Christmas village), to host mini albums, or to put pictures inside for show. The great thing about these cute little houses is that it took me less than 2 hours to finish it!

The paper I used was a paper pad from Maricella K's Lucy's Linens line. I adhered everything with mod podge, and was ecstatic that it all stuck down and STAYED down!
I used catseye brown chalk ink (can't live without it), and some ribbon from Joann's. The rubons and 3-d stickers were also from Maricella K.

I used the chipboard house as my template to trace my paper pieces, and used an exacto knife as well as scissors to cut them out. After inking the edges of the paper and adhering it to the chipboard house, I used a Making Memories sanding tool to distress all of the edges.

I havn't decorated the inside of the house yet, because I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it now that I've finished it. Could be a gift...could be a prize...we'll see!

Here are some pics!

Contest Closed

Ok ladies, I'm officially closing my contest. Thanks to the 3 ladies who entered! Now for the fun part. I'm re-posting the entries on here, for everyone to see. I'm not going to be the judge on this one, YOU GUYS are! Leave a message in the comments box and let me know who your choice is for the winner! I'll leave the voting until Thursday, when I announce the winner. The next contest will start Friday morning =)

This first entry is coming all the way from the Phillipines!
Timi O. Mercado sent me her layout this morning, and here's what she used!-
(materials used and journaling):

Title: 5 Reasons to Celebrate ME
Materials used: Patterned papers: Rouge de Garance, Chatter Box and Urban Lily (Linen); Cardstock: DCWV; DCWV alphabet stickers, brads, buttons, glitter glue (blue), metal photo corners, DMC embroidery floss, Fancy Pants stamps, Uni-ball Signo pen (white)

Journaling reads:
1. I am PASSIONATE. I put my whole heart and mind into anything that suits my fancy.
2. I am CREATIVE and it shoes in my craft, whatelse but SCRAPBOOKING!
3. I am SIMPLE, with simple wants and needs, putting importance to life simple's pleasures.
4. I am a LEADER. And I do it well.
5. I am EASY TO GET ALONG WITH. I easily fit in a group. I don't have enemies.


This next layout entry is from my Friend Corinna-Scrapbooker for hire!
Corinna creates most of her layouts in 8 1/2 x 11, and you'll always find ribbon and great journalling on each page.
here is a list of supplies used along with her journalling
7 Gypsies "note to self" tag.
Straight pin.
Urban Lily #5.
Paper Studio patterned paper
Unknown ribbon (from a friend in California :) )
Bazzill pink cardstock.
Staples.
Colorbok "rouge" fluid chalk
Bazzill flower brads
Dollar Tree jewels
Making Memories "Franklin" font foam stamp for bracket
Making Memories "strawberries and cream" sherbet acrylic paint.
Sarasa gel pen for journaling.
Paper Bliss Straight Up clear letter tiles
Provo Craft Alphaletterz "madeline pink"

Journaling:
On the tag: There are lots of things I don't like but my friend Jill
challenged me to think of 5 things I DO like about myself, so here they are.
10/29/07

** I tell people when I love them.

** I'm a life artist.

** I'm a good friend.

** I'm a great mom.

** I have nice handwriting.


Here's Thea's layout!

her journalling reads....
October 31, 2007

This page is so totally NOT what I had in mind for my “self-esteem building” page. I guess my muses were invading today. It IS Halloween so I shouldn’t be surprised. I have been trying to straighten up/organize my scrap room for 6 years. Yes, I said 6 years and I’ve finally realized, through reading countless articles and books, and talking to friends and my 16 year old daughter who does happen to speak wisdom on random occasions that I don’t like to scrap in solitude. I need wide open spaces. In the ACTION. Gotta see what’s goin’ on. Then it came to me that in only 1 & ½ years, Brittany will be off to college like her brother Erik and the whole house will be empty. SO, I’ve decided to go ahead, turn the scrap room into a Studio. Really make it a place I can be crafty. I am at the top of the stairs so not really out of things since I’ll be the only thing in the house, except for Rocky, the beast. If I want to scrap in the kitchen I can take what I need BUT if everything in the scrap room is where it should be and easy to find it should be easy to put away. Keep your fingers crossed.
So, what does this have to do with Jill’s challenge you ask?
Well, I like that I can think things out. It may take awhile but I eventually get to where I need to be. I’m a good listener because I realize that God gave me 2 ears and 1 mouth so I can hear twice as much as I speak. I’m supportive of the underdog because I’ve “been there done that” and am not going to let others take advantage. I’m pretty confident though sometimes I’m shaken in my shoes. I act as if….. Having 2 alcoholic parents taught me a lot. I kinda like me. I realize there are things I can’t change, gave up the high heels years ago, but I figure I’m a work in progress and I’m progressing nicely!!!

Life is Short

I got an email today with this message posted in it. I liked what it said, so I thought I'd share it on my blog. Have a great day!

What a difference a sad event in someone's life can sometimes make.

GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently died...)



Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.


George Carlin

Scrapbooking expo

Ok, so it's been 6 days since the scrapbooking expo, and I'm FINALLY finding the TIME to post the pictures of all the AWESOME Things I bought there. You will see from my pictures what some of my favorite brands are...and let it be known, that one of the prizes for my next contest is IN one of these pictures, and it's valued at over 20 dollars retail! wooo hooo

This first picture is kinda hard to see, but it's of the technique tuesday chipboard that I LOVE LOVE LOVE! I've seen sooo many amazing layouts done with this stuff, that I just had to buy some of it for myself! I also bought the complete idea book that goes with the stamps and the chipboard. It was only 8 bucks and has some of the coolest layouts EVER in it! I'll be posting some layouts that I make from this stuff soon!

The next picture is of some TLC page kits. Although I wasn't too excited at how FEW papers are in these kits, i still bought 3 of them, because #1, the circles are totally my style, #2, the paper is very much like crate paper in these kits, and I LOVE crate paper, and #3, the colors are soooo awesome IRL!

This next picture is of some of my favorite things that I bought at the expo. If you havn't bought PAPER LOFT paper, you havn't lived! I'm totally obsessed with this paper! The colors are amazing, and the page kits are STOCKED with tons of paper and matching monogram alphas. I do believe I have every kit they've ever made now, because of good prices at the expos. They also had some new mini file folder albums for 5 bucks, so I bought two of those as well. I know the pic I took of these is horrible, so I'll scan the proof sheet the kits come with soon so you can REALLY see this awesome paper!

I know this next picture turned out horrible (quality wise) but that's just cause I'm too lazy to take another picture, and if you REALLY want to see it you can go to their website. These new prima clear acrylic stamps are the BOMB! They sold out at every booth that sold them at the expo (so of course I had to be one of the buyers, right?)

I have a big obsession with paper..can you tell? This isn't my first expo where I've bought paper....stamps...paper...stamps..chipboard...paper....!!!
These next page kits are from sassafrass lass. The colors are very bright and the patterns are very bold and crazy, but I love em!

Scenic Route....YUM! What can anyone say BAD about Scenic Route? Nothing! I loved this page kit, but it didn't have enough paper in it, so of course I bought the matching cardstock and more sheets of the paper. Who knew that orange and blue looked so damn awesome together??

The next two pics are from Daisy D's kits. I LOVE Daisy D's! The 8x8 paper stack has pre-scalloped christmas paper, that I think I'll use to make an adorable mini album this holiday! I also bought their new roll on rubon stitches (awesome) and some more page kits with rubons in them. the prices were great!


I bought these bosskut dies to use for my christmas cards this year. There was a gingerbread one that was the BOMB, and they made an awesome sample one that I wanted to steal...by that time i was out of money, and when I went back to drool over it, someone had already bought the last one-boo hoo! I dont have a bosskut, but the dies work well in my sizzix =)

I'll be honest on this one. I have been to expos the past couple of year and have BYPASSED the dollarscrapbooking.com booth because it was so cheap that the crowds of people made me NOT wanna stand in a long line, and I didn't think they had anything worth the wait anyways. This year, I started bypassing it too, but I looked up and saw these 12x12 things, and asked the girl in line "what are those?" and she said "12x12 rubons from karen foster!" and i said "for a buck?" and she said "yep" and I said..."crap, gotta get in line for those!"
I'm a sucker for rubons, what can i say? If i can get a whole 12x12 sheet of rubons for a buck, I WILL wait in a long claustrophobic line with annoying ladies pushing strollers with crying babies!

These are some mini house kits from craftysecrets.com
they have the whole heartwarming vintage collection! I was shocked to see that they now carry some really cool clear acrylic stamps, and alterable chipboard kits. I bought these houses partly because I've always wanted to make these cute little things, but also because I'm so scrapper minded that I hardly ever make anything altered, and if I aim to be on a design team someday, they usually make you do some altered items, so I'd better try it out, right? I'm going to try to make one of these houses look amazing sometime soon, and I'll post it on here for your viewing pleasure! =)

this next picture has some items from two different companies. The BABY chipboard album is from Bo Bunny, and I bought it to make an album for my friend who's going to have a baby soon (not gonna say WHICH friend..hehe) The other chipboard album is from Prima! I loved this album because not only is the cover embossed, but the best thing about it is that it's not glued together. It acctually has holes to put clamps or ribbons through. The reason why this is so cool to me, is because I hate those albums that you buy that are so tightly bound that when you put THICK paper or embellishments in there, they dont close properly and are wide open. This album was also very well priced, and might become a christmas present when i finish altering it..woo hoo!

I recently bought a ton of the new basic grey packs from an online group, so I decided to buy the matching cardstock to go with it. Mello, Periphery, Infuse, etc...yum!

I bought this basic grey kit. It's all inclusive, and the paper's already cut for you in a cute little shape just like the album. When I saw the price, I put it back down...when the guy showed me the SAMPLE album and told me the paper was already cut to size, I pulled out my wallet. The pics dont even do this kit justice..can't wait to show you how AWESOME these are!!

I've been looking for a store that sells these thecraftersworkshop.com 12x12 templates FOREVER! When I saw a lady 20 feet away from me showing them to her friends at the expo, I screamed to her "where did you get those??" and she pointed the way to the booth...omg..these templates rock!

I dont know how many times I need to yell to the world how awesome Crate Paper is, but I think that the fact that I own it all now shows a bit about my taste in paper. Every time I make a page out of this paper, people always say "wow, that's so cool! How did you do the designs around the edges of the paper like that?" and of course I respond "it COMES that way!" and they say..."that's sooo awesome!"
Not only is it pretty on the eyes, but it's THICK, and sturdy, so you can use it as background paper as well. LOVE IT!


I bought these See D's stamps at the expo. I can't get enough of them! They're so cheap and so cute! I'm sure I'll be posting several layouts using these stamps in the near future! =)


I had to add these scenic route stickers. I use stickers like this all the time on my layouts. 7 Gypsies also has stickers with the monograms and words on them. Since they were buy one get one free...well....do I even need to finish the sentence? haha



so anyways, that's pretty much the extent of my expo purchases. I had a blast, I got to see Klo again, and watch her sell the incredible Pazzles machine, and learn more about how to use it, in the chance that I am a Pazzles OWNER someday, and now I'm broke with a smile on my face...life is good!

Trick or Treat!

Here are a few of my fave pics from Halloween. I stupidly FORGOT to charge my camera battery, so it ran out halfway through the night-a scrappers nightmare! haha