Dizzy Little Monster

I love Evan's little hat that I found him at a garage sale.  It has matching little green furry monster mittens to match too!  Well if you are anything like me and LOVE rubber stamps and everything that goes along w/ them, sometimes you have to be thrifty in other areas.  I garage sale when I can especially for Evan's clothes.  There are so many sales w/ kid's clothes w/ prices just a fraction of buying new.  I never knew I was so politically correct--I'm recycling and having fun doing it!  HOW GREEN!

If you like to save cents and want to scrapbook about it,  type alt+0162 to create the cent symbol. 

***Notice Evan's jeans and shirt also garage sale goodies! :)

Ribbon Share Update:

I have (1) Scallop Dot Ribbon Share left and the ends of the 1/8" taffeta ribbon -- it's a little more than 2 yards on some rolls a little less on others, but comes up to the same amount of ribbon.  If you are interested in either on of these ribbon shares, shoot me an email.  :)

Happy Stampin' 

Baby Announcements

Did you know that My Digital Studio is for more than scrapbooking?

Today, I wanted to show off another use for MDS.... announcements!

Whether you are having a baby or grandbaby or know someone who's expecting, what a beautiful way to welcome a new little one.

Working on a New Look

***CAUTION BLOG UNDER CONSTRUCTION***

In a couple of weeks, Heather Wright-Porto (http://www.blogsbyheather.com/) is going to add my new blog header that I designed w/ MDS.   I don't have the software or the know how to add it myself so I thought it was best left to the professionals. 

 I have been working on some other goodies for my blog. 

Here's a few of the things I have designed for my blog. 

 Please, be kind!  This is my first try at any of this.

 

Time to Feed My Pig....

Terry cleaned his change holder (ashtray) out  last night and brought in all his change.  Evan absolutely loves to feed his pig.  I know a great present for Evan--a roll of pennies. 

I updated my MDS and was so excited to find the new In-Colors!  I used the Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade on this page.  I love these new colors.  Aren't they bright and cheery?!  

Did you notice the tail on my page title?  It's a little square.  Shhhh!  Don't tell.  :)

Red, White and Blue

This is going to be a crazy week!  Monday morning is here and I am off and running.  I will apologize now if I'm a little quieter than normal, but I'm working on setting up a garage sale, Riley's softball practices and games and Evan has an appointment to find out if Wisconsin Early Autism Program will accept him as a new patient.  Vacation??? 

Here's a quick MDS page I did for the Late Night Stampers challenge this week.  I couldn't think of a great title for the page.  Looking at it now, it's kinda dorky!  LOL  Oh well...nauti--nautical.  It's punny, right?!  :)



Look Whoooos 2...

Little Owl has flown from yesterday's card to today's scrapbook page.  I have to admit--I'm quite fond of this little punch.  I thought he would be just the embellishment to perch on Evan's scrapbook page.    

This was a scrapbook sketch challenge from Sudsol.  I absolutely loved the sketch with all the circles! 



Whooos Playing....

Whooos playing with MDS instead of cleaning her house today.  Hmmmmm...LOL!  Okay, I spent a little of my day playing, but it was so much fun. 

I made a birthday card using the owl punch download.  It's so easy to get his eyes on straight when using MDS.  I think rather than stamping him in the future, I will print him already assembled off of MDS.  Just another reason to buy My Digital Studio.

Here's my card:

Oh and here's a tip: To make a perfectly pointy birthday hat in My Digital Studio, the arrow punch works great.  ;)

Graduation Season

I can honestly say that I have never been invited to so many graduations.  They invites just keep coming.  We are receiving invites for July parties!  I thought graduation parties where right around Memorial Day not after the 4th of July! It's crazy, but I'm thankful that I have MDS! Just a few clicks of the mouse and you can change an Argyle orange card to a Milton red card.  LOL

Just a Little...

Just a little hot!  Oh my gosh, Wisconsin forgot all about spring this year and went straight to summer. It's been humid and low to mid 90s.   I thought after the long drawn out winter and no spring that it may never be warm again.  I was wrong.  It's back to sweating, shorts, bugs and ballgames. Riley Kate is playing softball two evenings a week and I'm loving being outside, but need to adjust my personal thermostat.  I'm running a bit warm.  And I must be VERY SWEET--the bugs love me.

I am enjoying being down in the basement where it's cool.  The stamping room is the nicest room in the house right now. :)  WELL--I think it's pretty great year round, but it is particularly pleasant especially with no a/c yet.

This week there is a ~CooL~ new sketch challenge over at Krista's Cards & Things.  I like this one.  It was just what I was needing to get more scrapbooking done.  I opted to do the 'things' this week rather than the cards.  LOL

I had this photo of Evan that was taken last month that I just had to do something with.  My girls laughed right out loud when they saw it.  He looks so mischievous and perhaps just a little naughty. He isn't of course.  He is just a perfect little angel.  *cough*  Yeah, right!!!

To prove his point, Evan just came up and hit something on the keyboard and the paragraph above disappeared so I got to retype it. *sigh*  2 year olds are such fun! ♥

  

 

Printed Pages

I used SU! professional printing service for the first time when I had 6 pages printed for Dani's graduation.  I have never been so happy with a service!  The pages were crystal clear and true to color.  I was literally bouncing when I pulled the pages out of the box from SU! with delight.  I framed the pages in 12 x 12 frames and frame stands (Hobby Lobby framing department) to display the pages around the room. They received a lot of attention. So if you have been holding off on getting your pages printed--DON'T.  I promise you won't be sorry.  They are gorgeous!

Scrapbook Contest

It is going to be extremely busy between now and Sunday morning preparing graduation food and having Dani's party on Saturday.  I haven't forgotten about the graduation card or the watercoloring tutorial. I promise that when I get a couple minutes I will work on getting them made and added to my blog. 

Createforless on Facebook is having a scrapbook contest.  I added 3 of my MDS layouts to the contest.  I am extremely happy that I have a few likes since I don't really consider myself a scrapbooker.

If you would like to go and vote for Evan's layouts, please do.  Here's the link to Createforless.  You have to 'LIKE' Create for Less before you can vote.

The Greatest Gift and A Child's Eyes are doing pretty well....

The Fundamental Gifts is....well....doing..  LOL

Love & Care

Good morning, posting quickly this morning before Evan's speech therapist arrives.  I love early morning appointments. *groan* Although today, I'm pretty excited.  Evan has refused to sign for milk, cup or thirsty. Pulling you by the finger to the kitchen and standing in front of the cupboard w/ the cups and screaming was his way to get a drink. Signing milk is a HUGE improvement.  As he gains signs, our life and his gets so much easier.  I know his therapist will be thrilled when I tell her.  I'm not holding my breath that Evan will show her.  He is 2--he does things in his time not ours!  LOL

 Krista's got a brand new challenge up over at Cards & Things.  If you love the purples this is the challenge for you.  Go over and play along!  :)

Here's my card for this week.  I used the new Level 2 hostess set, Love & Care,  from the Summer Mini.  I have a special recipient in mind for it.  A sweet lady from our church is turning 99 on June 2.  We are going to shower her with cards.  99  years of good health is something to celebrate!

How do you know when you officially live OFF the beaten path? When you need to use MDS to make signs directing your guests to your house.  What can I say, I live in southwestern WI where the cows outnumber the people.  :)

SERIOUSLY Ready to Graduate

My friend, Wendy took Dani's senior pictures.  Can you tell that Dani feels at ease w/ her?  Dani had a great time and honestly the SERIOUS pictures are not my favorite senior pictures.  These pictures where Dani is laughing and cutting up are what I love to see. 

We are counting down the days until graduation now.  May 28th....  I know that Dani is ready.  Her stress level is at an all time high and she has yet to start her salutatorian's speech.    EEEK!

This girl is SERIOUSLY ready to Graduate and leave independent PHYSICS behind!  :)

Digital Cupcake Card

Is it Tuesday yet?  Okay Tuesday has long past, but it has been wild and crazy around my house this week. I'm finally adding a card to play along w/ Krista's Cards & Things sketch this week.

Here is my MDS card--I hadn't tried out my Create A Cupcake download yet.  No time like the present, right?!  :)

Let's Make It A Double

I have so many of Dani's photos, I decided to make the Photography layout into a 2 page spread.  I kept the pages very clean and simple (CAS).  I want everyone to focus on the photos and not embellishments and papers. 

I'm really excited about the pages, but definitely will need to make more pages showcases her pictures.  After searching on my computer for pictures, I cannot believe it still RUNS.  There are files upon files.  I'm so excited to have them.  It is like looking at the world through her eyes.

Photography

Dani loves to take pictures.  I think she has some real talent.  She uses a little Kodak Easy Share, but once in awhile her Aunt Julie will come visit and  let Dani take pictures around our farmette. She always comes back with some fantastic photos.  I have files and files of 'Dani Pictures'--it's hard to pick favorites.

I am using  12 x 12 layouts for Dani's graduation to display. I finally found 12 x 12 frames at Hobby Lobby ($9.99). If you ever want a 12 x 12 frame DO NOT go to the scrapbooking department. The framing department has them and they are half the price. I need to save money where I can so I can afford more STAMPS and MDS downloads! :)

A Boy & His Bear

Ni-Night Bear has successfully made it through the washing machine yet again. He lost his mouth and nose in a previous washing, but Evan doesn't seem to mind at all.  True friends can overlook those little things. 

I couldn't resist snapping a picture of Evan and Ni-Night Bear watching a  Signing Time DVD together yesterday. Evan looks pretty comfy with his sippy cup of almond milk and his best bear. They remind me of Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin.

A Boy & His Bear

Fundamental Job

Sunday was absolutely gorgeous here in Wisconsin.  I loved 80+ degrees for the first time this year.  I washed all the bedding and hung it out on the line.  I am one of those strange few that loves to hang out laundry.  How can you not?  It smells so good and it's a great excuse to go outside when you are cleaning.  :)

Last night, we had the windows in our bedroom cracked.  I don't think I have slept that well in months.  The frogs were singing, the wind was blowing---ahhhhh  there is nothing like Spring.

Yesterday afternoon was Riley Kate's Spring Concert. I love to go to hear her sing and play the trumpet.  She received her awards and certificates for Band and Choir along w/ Solo and Ensemble.  She was up on the stage grinning like crazy.  She received two certificates and 4 metals (2 silver and 2 gold).  I was so happy for her. She worked hard and it's nice to see her rewarded for the time she spent practicing.

I spent a little time playing along with Krista's Cards & Things Challenge.  This week is a color challenge.  I really like this color combination. They are three of my favorite SU! colors.

This week I decided to do something different for the challenge.  I wanted to share a My Digital Studio project.  I made this scrapbook page after seeing this quote in a forward I received from my Mother-in-Law.  It so described Evan.  He may not rule the entire universe YET, but he certainly has taken control of our household.  He is really perfecting being a 2 year old. This old mom is tired already and we aren't even halfway through 2!  LOL

Creative Parenting 101

Some days, mommies just have to be creative--especially if they want to get something done around the house. Today my goal was to clean up the laundry room. Evan definitely had other ideas.  While I'm in the laundry room, he was unpacking the folded clothes, on the counter in the kitchen helping himself to whatever he could find, reprogramming the televison.  You know--those things that toddlers do to help keep mommies busy. 

 I had just finished cleaning the laundry tub when I had a thought.  Evan needs a bath and I know he'll fit in here.  I gave him a couple clean containers and enough water to wash himself and half of the laundry room floor.  :)  He's clean.  The laundry room is clean. 

Just another day in the life of Creative Parenting 101.

Impatiently Waiting for Spring...

 

I really like this picture of Evan that I took of him looking out our kitchen window. 

There is only one thing I didn't like about the picture.  The dark colors he is wearing. When I envisioned a page using this picture, I saw a soft background.  With My Digital Studio, you have several different photo options.  A couple options that I like for my photos is black & white or sepia. 

I love how with a couple clicks of the mouse and My Digital Studio you can completely change the feeling of a picture. On this page, I turned Evan's picture back to black & white so that I could make a cute springtime page without the distraction of the dark colors of his clothing.

Same picture--completely different look.

I ♥ My Digital Studio.