a few of my favorite things, or a walk down memory lane pt1

 Last month there was a thread on 2 peas about our favorite papers of all time...well here are a few of mine... Most are retired, so this is like a trip down memory lane...

I took pics of either projects using the papers, or what I have left of them.  Some, I found both.
I cannot figure out why this pic is sideways, in my file it is the correct way...hmmmmm.

But favorite Christmas is BG Dasher and Fruitcake...I made these ornaments using cd covers, the pp and....beads.

This is the fave Halloween, gotta admit, Halloween is not a 'big holiday for our family...so keeping it 'cute' with Doodlebug











This is my fave Valentines, SEI Lovebirds.   Used it for a friend's wedding pages, many year ago.

This is my fave boys.  It is 'technically' a birthday paper, but I love the colors for boy pages.  It is from CTMH Celebrations.   I put a swath of the green on top..that is easily my favorite shade of green. also CTMH

this pic is a bit blurry, but this is my fave Girls  BG Two Scoops.  I think just about every bit of this is gone.

Fave wedding, though not technically a wedding paper is this Stampin Up Europa.  Love the subtle designs and colors and slight 'French' feel.

Favorite Travel is this Imagenisce Scooter's Travel.   So cute!  Wish my pic had a better pic of Scooter.

I feel like a techno failure this morning, woke up to find my phone DEAD on Arrival.  It lost its charge yesterday, I recharged to 100%... it was working at 9pm when I went to sleep...then this morning when I woke at 5:23 (insted of 5:10 when the alarm was supposed to go off)  ...it was D O A again!!  what????

Also tried to log in to my Google account, instead I get this page explaining the account...wha??? I just want to sign in...so I may not be able to comment on blogs later.  siiiiiigh

And I bought myself a fitbit..but cannot connect to my phone.  soooooo, feeling a bit like a techno failure.   deep breaths, step away...do some low tech stuff...like read a couple of chapters from my book.   and file some stuff for work...and get back to it later....there we go.  

Oh, do you remember the first day one of the gals had on her blog about doing a Haiku challenge, I was inspired to write one...

Ode to Earl Grey

My morning Earl Grey

First sip refreshes me

Hot, sweet, just add milk

(yes, I am a dork...but a proud and loving it dork!!)

I am a shop a holic...yup, when does the freeze start?

 The 2 Peas Refugees site is a lot of fun, can get some wonderful ideas about scrapbooking....and other things.  This month we are doing a blogging challenge...blogging challenge...the link will take you to a list of those participating.    We have another thread that takes you to those who have blogged that day....challenge blog reading list.   It has been fun, but I should be doing my spreadsheets...awe, a few more minutes won't hurt.


I've been shopping,  well, the truth is I am always shopping.  I have carts continually building on a couple of sites.  This is the Scrapbook.com purchase...Now that I do the mix of classic scrapbooking and pocket pages I cannot get enough of cards like the Simple Stories below...and I am starting to buy more 6x6 pages...the smaller print really coordinates in those pockets.

And always, PAPER!!!   always a stack of paper...

Peachy Cheap had more pocket cards...

And this was from a thread at the 2 Peas Refugees site...Happy Camper.  The thread was actually about your new favorites...
 from Peachy Cheap.  NOW, of course I am on the hunt for 12x12's. 

I am awaiting a package from Amazon and already have another cart building at Scrapbook.com...hello, those 12x12's. 

So, when does the spending freeze start...uh huh.

So excited, I have 2 crops coming up.  April 29-May 1 is our crop camp.  We have a group of about 12 crafters (one is a sewer) who meet every year at the Silver Ridge house at Silver Spur near Sonora.  Which means Sunday afternoon I can meet my bff (since high school) for lunch as she lives out there.

   Then May 14, my young adults Sunday School class and I are going to crop at my home.  (there are 4 regulars...and a 5th who comes occasionally) (which works for me, I like a smaller class, we can really discuss things and get to know one another) (which is why I like a smaller church)

One of my 'kids' is an aspiring chef.  So we decided to have a homemade mac&cheese potluck...but He gets a 'chopped' style basket.  I am thinking Spam, Nopales (cactus) and some odd spice.

May 14 was chosen because most of the men are leaving for a Fisherman's Retreat...so we girls are going to get together.  The young chef cannot go, so he is being 'roped' into this instead.  He says he is artistic...so who knows, he will probably be a better scrapbooker than us...and be able to show me a few things...

speaking of which, also on the 2 Peas site was a link to this video.  so Fun!!!Scrapbooking by RomainB

a li'l scrapookin thoughts...kiwi lane, anyone?

Did get to spend some time in my scraproom...but it was more of an organizing (and unpacking) than actual crafting.  I came across this layout from the last crop at Scrapbook Expo.  I was really struggling with it at the Expo.  I was inspired by a layout in the Kiwi Lane booth...if you are familiar with Kiwi Lane, they sell templates (the wavy layers) that you layer to create pages.  Most of my scrapbook group use Kiwi Lane, one of the gals pretty much exclusively...at the booth they gave us an 'inventory' sheet and she found she did not have like 4 of the sets. I use it much more sparingly, just an ocassional page...  I have about 60%...but last year I worked their booth, and as a thank you rec'd product.  Their idea books are fun also.

Anyways, I really struggled with  the layout as below...it just did not look right....

Then I brought it home and realized, the picture is too small...I think it works better with the larger picture and needs white, to offset all that color.   This is not the final, it is not glued down.  It is the 'working' model on my desk right now.....

I use jewelry storage for the templates,  hanging for the 12" borders.

And a revolving holder for the smaller accents and such...It works for me. when I go to crops, I put them in a plastic shoe box...the friend I mentioned uses a pocketed binder and has hers at hand. And seems to have a great organization, because if any of us need one...she has it. and she can find it.

My addiction started  3 or 4 crops ago..I was putting together a page and just felt a wavy line would help offset things.  A gal at the table offered me her Kiwi Lane..and it became a 'thing'.   I do have  a cricut...but sometimes for a single item, it is easier to pull out a stencil, trace, cut  and use. 

Ya'll should look it up and see their "layer' system.  How to think out the layout before you start cutting...  here is another layout from my dgd's book...I incorported a border on the pocket page,
(I know I need to do something with that blank spot....any ideas?  thinking maybe the word, "HELPER" or even "MENU"...just not sure)

to lead to the regular page... I realize the pp's used are a little too subtle...

So, I included this page...with the bright colors (DCWV Fiesta) so you can really see the play of the layers.   I did this entire album using Kiwi Lane and that stack.  It was my mom's last visit to CA and the family photo session we had....as you can see in the final photo, my mom is a 'pistol"

So if you are ever at one of the Northern CA Expos, and see the table with a bunch of Kiwi Lane addicts...that could be us.   I'd say stop by, but this year I am only going (went)  to Pleasanton.  Skipping Santa Clara or Sac...maybe stop by to shop Santa Clara...but not going for cropping.  (sad)

Oh, and I am not a Kiwi Lane rep...  just an afficianado. (insert winking smiley face)     !!!

joining a blog challenge

from the 2 Peas refugees board...the goal is 21 blog entries this month...and visiting other blogs

2 Peas Refugees Blog Challenge


The last week of March was rough...is this the month that is a roaring lion in the verse??

Last Friday, my son and dil awoke to discover their car was stolen.  Everything, car seats (they had 3)...diaper bag and dil's wallet that was in diaper bag, garage door opener...all gone.  So they had to frantically come up with solutions.     And son is scheduled to leave on a business trip on Weds...so they had to deal with that also...and 3 kids.   Car has since been found...a town @40 minutes away...stripped.  Insurance is deciding if it is to be fixed or replaced.

Then they started getting sick.  I think it was the Tues before, oldest dgd had a fever and headache, but was better within 24 hours.  By Thursday it was 2nd dgd (2 years old)...by Saturday it was dil.  Then by Monday...Roseola for both 2nd dgd and dgs (4 months old)...So dil is doing it ALL without son, with sick kids and their high school exchange student is visiting for the week.  She is not allowing me to come over because I babysit my other grandson, and she does not want me exposing him.

So far, no signs of roseola over here. (fingers crossed)

but don't think it is over...

Tues afternoon, Fil was rushed to the emergency room!  Mil found him unresponsive and foaming at the mouth.   Long story short, he is still in the hospital...for lung infection, dehydration and a heart murmer. Originally should have been out today, Friday, but is looking like he is going to be longer...  He is 82 years old, very weak  and down to half a lung,(emphysema (lifelong smoker)  he is also on oxygen and on a scooter.  MIL is not in the best of health either and does not drive.

So, DH has been driving MIL to hospital all week and not going to work.  Okay for him, except it is a family business and his Brother, my Son in Law and Son are all at the same tradeshow in Kentucky...till Saturday (son comes home) ...and Sunday (others come home)  So, it has ALL fallen on dh as far as taking care of MIL ,,, and their business partner Art to run the business.

And also, DH is sick.  It hit him Tues night.  It is the cold I had earlier this month...the one dubbed "the Zombie Plague".

yeah, the family has been 'rocking'  and 'reeling' this past week.

But April is here and it is only gonna get better, right?

I tried  singing this morning,  cuz you know, something about it being over when the fat lady sings.... this song came on KLOVE this morning and it is so meaningful...it became worship.

How He Loves

(ignore the video...it is kind of odd...but the words...oh myyyyyyy)


  I am going to find time to hang out in my craft room and blog about it, right?

I did make a big Amazon purchase this week, filled with some organizing aids.  I really want to tackle the growing project life cards.

good, busy, crazy baby birthday weekend

All about the family ...wouldn't want it any other way.

this is from March 13....siiiiigh...

Friday - was the Fish Fry at dgd's school...well, they ran out of fish.  Luckily dh knows the guys who were back there frying the fish and they let him know there was not enough to serve the entire line...so we left early.  Ddil and dgd were there, further up in the line, but she says they were out by the time she got to the door.  Oh well, it is a fundraiser, so it is a donation to the school. We prebought our tickets.   We went with another couple to the local 'fancy' restarant and had yummy $12-15 burgers.  They were worth it.  And a great visit with great friends.


Saturday - Celebrated dgs, Jase,'s  1st Birthday.   Lots of fun, dsil and dd cooked a terrific dinner, followed by cakes and cupcakes...and they kept it just family.  So the only other kids were cousins. But we had a house full as Dsil (for me that is son in law)'s sister, bro in law and mom came from Texas and Oklahoma.   Little guy is ONE!!! hard to believe.  He LOVED his first cake...well, especially the frosting.  The party had a 'batman' theme, so the cake had a bottom layer of black frosting decor and top of blue  ... I guess he had colorful diapers the next day!!!

We also did a gender reveal cake for Jase's baby.......brother!!!

So, now I have 2 granddaughters, ages 7 (next month) and 2...and 3 grandsons, ages 1, 4 months and due in July.  Holidays are going to be the bomb diggity!!! ha1!  We are positive, Kyleigh the 2 year old girl, will be able to hold her own with the 3 little boys ...  In fact, we picture her as the Angelica of Rugrats...as she is no shrinking violet.

Sunday - Started my new Sunday School class for the Young Adults...18+,  We are going to be going through Blackaby's Experiencing God...this was an intro class, so we altered composition books, I gave a couple of announcements then gave my testimony...since the first lesson is on a Relationship with Jesus.  (hope I did not scare them away)...

Then the youth had a fundaising 'youth auction' ... to raise funds for camp, the bidding was for 8 hours...We 'bought' a couple of girls, one to help with the dusting at my house (I have a ton of knicknacks) and we are going to share her with our oldest congregant...to help her out. This girl also sings and plays violin, so I might ask her to give us an hour or so at the women's ministry tea next month. The other gal, we 'bought' is for our dil, to give her 8 hours of babysitting, so dil can get some stuff done.  OR she can give the gal some projects, but it was to help dil..3 young kids, and a husband who works police hours...can get a li'l crazy.  And the young man...I have a storage unit that needs to be emptied.. a car that needs to be detailed...have no fear, he will not be bored.  The average price was $100...I was so surprised!  BUT the kids raised $1500 for camp.

In the evening, everyone (except dsil's bro in law and sis) came over for taco dinner.  We were also joined by some very close friends.  All and all, crazy but fun weekend.

Expo, Expo, Expo report...mostly shopping and a class

Terrific Expo weekend, I arrived @4pm for the Friday Crop...had to work first, and of course it was raining fairly hard when I go there.  Lucky for me, I covered everything with heavy duty garbage bags the night before.  Not so lucky for the floors.  I pooled water...at the sign in area and in the crop, next to my desk, next to the door.  siiiiiigh.  A mop and a few towels.  but still felt pretty bad.

On Friday night we had 3 tables of gals.  I got a spot at the electricity table ... as I brought my cricut.

But here are a few pics...These are my 'freebies'.  the kits I got with my crop purchase...I am and a Snap album and cards (the red ones)...the middle set of Snap were given to my by Yvonne. she got it Thurs night and is not a pocket page scrapper, so she gave them to me.  YAY, it is a wonderful set, and I used it...will show you later   

One of the most popular booths, at least at our set of tables...and I saw quite a few croppers get these...Echo Park...the had a great deal 3 packs for $15, 4 for $20.  I got 4.  Though I think one is officially a Bella Blvd.  

Here are 'accessories" I also got at that booth.  I made at least 2 stops thru the weekend.

the 'other stuff' I got ... Stamps of Life die (already had the stamp), chalk writers and tags...and Bo Bunny stamp set for Bible journaling and Batman diecuts.  These aren't all the purchases...of course, just the ones I rounded up for pics.

There were a couple of booths with loose paper.  One was 2 for .50...so got a few.

Most were from the booth I had to 'ground' myself from, Scrap That.  I actually bought 5 packages of the chalkboard tags...and the pens...and an envelope to hold my scraps...After the 3rd visit, yup, had to ground myself.  

Kiwi Lane. has changed to a catalog/party ...like CTMH and Stampin' Up.  So instead of buying direct, they now have reps.  Dionne wanted a particular set, to get it she had to book a 'party'...so she let me know, I went to the booth...and spent more than I should have.  Even with the show specials.  But our group loves Kiwi Lane...I even helped in their booth a couple of years ago. They also give you a cool list so you can 'inventory' your sets.  I have about 25 to go before having all of them, I think Dionne has all but 5...yup, but you should see her pages, they are spectacular.  

This is not an Expo purchase, but a Scrapbook.com purchase that arrived Friday while I was at work.  It is Basic Gray's Saturday morning.  Though I was not thrilled with the warehouse box, after the box, I did want this collection... also are some Basic Gray pocket page papers.  Don't remember the collection.

So, those are most of the purchases this weekend....my new 'baby' is the final pic.   The crop was terrific.  For Saturday we had 4 tables 'reserved'...but 2 of the gals did not come, one had a Migraine and sold their tickets...and another sold hers Fri night and did not return...so Saturday we had 13 between all our tables.  The crop WAS sold out and none of our people had trouble selling their tickets.  But it was not full.  I am wondering if some people did not come because of the rain.

Saturday morning I took a class...Nicole Peterson's Echo Park class.  These are the 3 layouts that the class covers.   Now, I don't normally take layout classes...but made an exception for Echo Park.  And I did enjoy Nicole, but it was rushed.  We worked on 2 of the layouts, but did not finish either.  I had a problem...my fiskars ( the Teresa Collins white and gold one) that I have not had that long...the swing arm would not open!  so when Nicole said we need an 11" cut, I had to measure 1" reversed to have 11" left...yeah the 7.5 piece was not a fun one to figure out.  

But I did win one of the doorprizes...and soooooo happy with it.  My kids go to Yosemite...and this is perfect!!  

What I did work on Friday evening.  An altered composition book for the Sunday School I am leading...starting next week.   and tags for the Women's tea next month.  On the notebook is one of the Snap cards Yvonne gave me, sorry my camera could not catch the phrase, is says, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine"    

And here is my new 'baby'...really glad I got it since I had trouble with the fiskars.  I got a bit of a deal, since I already have the big Cutterpillar Pro...first generation (I had to get the measurement sticker)...but OH MY!! such a wonderful cutter.  I will still ask dh to fix the fiskars.  always good to have extra.  riiiiiiiight?

okay, since this is so pic heavy will post later with some layout pics. As far as layouts, since I only had one day of cropping...I concentrated on Kyleigh's 2015 book.

interesting week so far....are we jinxed

What is the saying, something about things coming in 3's.

1)Last week I had the 'zombie plague' (what my son inlaw calls my sickness).  I sure was zombie like Thurs and Fri

2) Then Tues night I get a call from the kids at 10:20 pm (I go to bed around 8)...they are making an emergency room run for my daughter, who is 4 months pregnant, do I want to come over so they don't have to wake up grandson and take him?   (of course). 
so, E.R craziness follows,  I mean the first thing they did was make sure baby was okay (he is) then kids get put in the 'back of the line'...lets just say they left @3am...as at the rate people were being seen their doctor's office would be open for the morning before they go in.  So, they did got appt with dr.....after all the bad things were checked off...appendicitis, UTI, placenta detaching...kids were sent home.  Told it may be dehydration and muscle strain...but get rest. 

3) Weds morning, before dr appt, Son in law was shopping for supplies to make us breakfast, and hurt his neck.  He spent the day looking like Lurch (from Addam's family) ...had an appt this morning.

So, okay, we have had our 3...someone else's turn. Nah, don't want this for anyone.

Thurs morning, day before Crop!!

Today is also my dr appt, this afternoon.  I have new insurance and could not get in until today (called Fri while in the midst of my sickness).  Figured if I got any worse, could go to Urgent Care or E.R...and even if I am better, which I am, then could use the appt to re start my Simvastatin, an a couple of other prescriptions...and get a new doctor.   This dr is the only office in our town that accepts the new insurance.

Wish I could have kept my Kaiser (this may not make sense for nonCalifornians).. Kaiser is not perfect but so far for me it has been the best system.  And such availability, through Advise Nurses, to multiple locations and doctor choice.  But alas, I do not make enough hours to maintain my own healthcare plan, so had to go on dh's.

Have a list of things to prep for crop after work...including...wait for it...figuring out how to waterproof my stuff.   YES, it is supposed to rain this weekend.  siiiiiigh, rain and scrapbook stuff...not a great combo.

Dh did make me a cover for my wagon.  Will take a pic for the next post.



gotta figure out how to protect rolling cases.


Then, and this is  something good, Son in law and I are switching work locations on Friday. (we work for the same business, a family business that has some leeway)  I normally work from home, and babysit the kid...but on Friday, he will work from home, I will work from the plant in Livermore.   I have to complete the 2015 information for the CPA...what we call 'the Binders' so he can figure out our final reports and tax liabilities ...and then...I can go to Pleasanton...and arrive earlier (I hope) than I thought I would.  HAPPY DANCE.  So even though the week feels a bit jinxed, hopefully the weekend will be TERRIFIC!!!  siiiiiiiigh

Did sign up for a class, the Echo Park layout...Echo Park is my fave line...okay top 4 or 5...so I am excited.  Also interested in the Thinking Inking....maybe if I arrive early enough I can sign up for that also.

Okay, baby fell asleep, back to work!