Sh....don't tell DH....a couple of you asked in comments how I get so much done with three little boys....I neglect my housework and dinner preparation in favor of diligent scrapping anytime the 2 littlest boys nap at the same time. And I've been quite fortunate in that regard so far (don't worry, I have my fingers crossed in hopes I haven't just jinxed myself.)
Now remember, DON'T TELL MY DH!!!!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Catch-up
Here's all the Jen Wilson challenges I haven't posted over the last few weeks...whew! Now if I can just post them weekly as I finish them...
The challenge was to scrapbook a quote/scripture/etc that has real meaning at this time in your life, plus use something you'd never used before, and something you couldn't scrap without.
The thing(s) I couldn't scrap without: JWD solids paper (any of her lines) and Candara font
The thing(s) I had never used before: JWD Lotta Heart brushes, Doreen Stolz lace and Vickie's Pink Mocha alpha
Quote: "Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart" -William Wordsworth (journaling says that's why I scrapbook)
JWD Academy: Elementary solids and Laundry Line solids
JWD Lotta Heart Brushes
JWD A Little Love
JWD Being
Doreen Stolz Spring Romantic lace
A Work in Progress- Pink Mocha alphabet
Altas Greeting and Candara fonts
Our challenge was to scrap a less-than perfect photo. This one comes out ok on web, I think, but the original was noticeably blurry and really bugged me, but I love their expressions and what they are doing.
My photo was pretty blurry, so I "hid" that fact by using a chipboard style on the photo to make it look more like a coaster. The style includes a pattern overlay that made it less obvious that pretty much nothing was very focused in the photo.
JWD Laundry Line Zachery papers
JWD Grunge Edges overlay
JWD Grunge Detail Starter
JWD Project 52 Dated Stamp Circles
JWD Cowabunga journaling block
JWD Hand Stitched Starter
JWD Jenerally Speaking "live out loud"
Melissa Renfro Cardboard
Ariadna Wiczling Warped action
Erica Hite Frayed brush
Jan Hicks Coin Folder chipboard style
AL Highlight and Bloktype fonts
Challenge to scrapbook a "bucket list" of the things you want to do before you die. This one is much brighter IRL, despite my resaving it in the sRGB color space that is supposed to be for web viewing. Oh well.
I used a lot of blending modes and had fun with this one...journaling and all!:)
JWD Academy Biology paper and Offset Tinted Stamp Block
JWD Breaking Free Camping Out paper
JWD Jenerally Speaking Live Out Loud
JWD Beginnings Paper Date Starters
JWD Twenty-Nine and Co. Time Flies
Brandy Hackman Retro Family Love (metal corner)
Brandy Hackman Persian Breeze (hinge)
Fonts: Gentle Redhead, CK_Ali's Handwriting, Candara
Journaling: So before I myself kick the proverbial bucket, here’s my list: Oh, and please by all means assume that money and obligations are not an issue!
1. Learn Spanish fluently, and since this is a dream world I’ve entered, I’d also like to learn Italian and French fluently as well.
2. Travel with my family! Florence, everywhere else in Italy, Paris, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Egypt, Israel...
3. Ski at least once per year on a real mountain
4. To be able to make friends and connections wherever I go
5. Learn all the ins and outs of my CraftRobo to use it to its full potential
6. Have time to read ALL the books on my to-read list (you’d need 5 liftetimes for that!)
7. Help President Obama ensure that ALL Americans have health insurance! (And that implies that it’s going to happen in the next four years)
8. Hike in picturesque locations: Yosemite, Grand Canyon, New England in the autumn…
9. Own a truly professional camera and know exactly what makes it tick and how to take a great image
10. Have my very own “Mrs. Gruen” a la Nancy Drew (nanny, cook, and live-in housekeeper all rolled into one person!)
11. Have a PA job that I love…and have PA finally stand for “physician associate”, not assistant
12. Live in a completely green house and be able to eat mostly local foods
13. Have all my heritage memories scrapbooked
Collection Challenge (scrapbook someone's collection of something)
JWD: Being, Delighted, Fancy Free, Rekindle, Academy: Art, Beginnings 05, Laundry Line: Emily, Project 52: Dated Stamp Circles, Stamped Art School Alpha
Brandy Hackman: Sassy's Pumpkin and Hopsack (frame)
AL Charisma font
This challenge was to scrapbook the story behind a name (didn't have to be a person, but I decided not to think too hard since William needed a page about his name, lol)
Journaling:
It was difficult enough for us to come up with one boy name, let a- lone three. I don’t know what made Daddy wait this time, but my line of thinking was that if we waited until you were almost born, there would be less time to argue and agonize. So on the way to the hospital I said I wondered what we’d name you and Daddy said, “How about William Aidan?” I thought, “hm, I like it!” But I still told him what I had been thinking: Andrew Ryan or Andrew Jeffrey (in keeping with our meaningful family middle name thing we had going on with Christopher and Michael). Andrew reminded Daddy too much of someone, but he was ready to compromise with William Andrew. I just didn’t think it had quite the right sound, so William Aidan you are! We didn’t decide for sure until you were 24 hours old, so you were Mr. No-Name/New Baby for awhile. Daddy wanted you to be a “W” name because M is 10 letters past C in the alphabet, and W is 10 letters past M. I think this appeals to his orderly engineering mind:)
JWD Nostalgia 1, Laundry Line: William, His Tuesday Attire, Sugared Tissue Paper Alpha
Thao Cosgrove Endearing (circular elements)
Paula Wright word stickers
Syndee Nuckles Monday and ruler elements
Katie Pertiet date line
Dominican and AFL font nonmetric (journaling)
The challenge was to scrapbook a quote/scripture/etc that has real meaning at this time in your life, plus use something you'd never used before, and something you couldn't scrap without.
The thing(s) I couldn't scrap without: JWD solids paper (any of her lines) and Candara font
The thing(s) I had never used before: JWD Lotta Heart brushes, Doreen Stolz lace and Vickie's Pink Mocha alpha
Quote: "Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart" -William Wordsworth (journaling says that's why I scrapbook)
JWD Academy: Elementary solids and Laundry Line solids
JWD Lotta Heart Brushes
JWD A Little Love
JWD Being
Doreen Stolz Spring Romantic lace
A Work in Progress- Pink Mocha alphabet
Altas Greeting and Candara fonts
Our challenge was to scrap a less-than perfect photo. This one comes out ok on web, I think, but the original was noticeably blurry and really bugged me, but I love their expressions and what they are doing.
My photo was pretty blurry, so I "hid" that fact by using a chipboard style on the photo to make it look more like a coaster. The style includes a pattern overlay that made it less obvious that pretty much nothing was very focused in the photo.
JWD Laundry Line Zachery papers
JWD Grunge Edges overlay
JWD Grunge Detail Starter
JWD Project 52 Dated Stamp Circles
JWD Cowabunga journaling block
JWD Hand Stitched Starter
JWD Jenerally Speaking "live out loud"
Melissa Renfro Cardboard
Ariadna Wiczling Warped action
Erica Hite Frayed brush
Jan Hicks Coin Folder chipboard style
AL Highlight and Bloktype fonts
Challenge to scrapbook a "bucket list" of the things you want to do before you die. This one is much brighter IRL, despite my resaving it in the sRGB color space that is supposed to be for web viewing. Oh well.
I used a lot of blending modes and had fun with this one...journaling and all!:)
JWD Academy Biology paper and Offset Tinted Stamp Block
JWD Breaking Free Camping Out paper
JWD Jenerally Speaking Live Out Loud
JWD Beginnings Paper Date Starters
JWD Twenty-Nine and Co. Time Flies
Brandy Hackman Retro Family Love (metal corner)
Brandy Hackman Persian Breeze (hinge)
Fonts: Gentle Redhead, CK_Ali's Handwriting, Candara
Journaling: So before I myself kick the proverbial bucket, here’s my list: Oh, and please by all means assume that money and obligations are not an issue!
1. Learn Spanish fluently, and since this is a dream world I’ve entered, I’d also like to learn Italian and French fluently as well.
2. Travel with my family! Florence, everywhere else in Italy, Paris, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Egypt, Israel...
3. Ski at least once per year on a real mountain
4. To be able to make friends and connections wherever I go
5. Learn all the ins and outs of my CraftRobo to use it to its full potential
6. Have time to read ALL the books on my to-read list (you’d need 5 liftetimes for that!)
7. Help President Obama ensure that ALL Americans have health insurance! (And that implies that it’s going to happen in the next four years)
8. Hike in picturesque locations: Yosemite, Grand Canyon, New England in the autumn…
9. Own a truly professional camera and know exactly what makes it tick and how to take a great image
10. Have my very own “Mrs. Gruen” a la Nancy Drew (nanny, cook, and live-in housekeeper all rolled into one person!)
11. Have a PA job that I love…and have PA finally stand for “physician associate”, not assistant
12. Live in a completely green house and be able to eat mostly local foods
13. Have all my heritage memories scrapbooked
Collection Challenge (scrapbook someone's collection of something)
JWD: Being, Delighted, Fancy Free, Rekindle, Academy: Art, Beginnings 05, Laundry Line: Emily, Project 52: Dated Stamp Circles, Stamped Art School Alpha
Brandy Hackman: Sassy's Pumpkin and Hopsack (frame)
AL Charisma font
This challenge was to scrapbook the story behind a name (didn't have to be a person, but I decided not to think too hard since William needed a page about his name, lol)
Journaling:
It was difficult enough for us to come up with one boy name, let a- lone three. I don’t know what made Daddy wait this time, but my line of thinking was that if we waited until you were almost born, there would be less time to argue and agonize. So on the way to the hospital I said I wondered what we’d name you and Daddy said, “How about William Aidan?” I thought, “hm, I like it!” But I still told him what I had been thinking: Andrew Ryan or Andrew Jeffrey (in keeping with our meaningful family middle name thing we had going on with Christopher and Michael). Andrew reminded Daddy too much of someone, but he was ready to compromise with William Andrew. I just didn’t think it had quite the right sound, so William Aidan you are! We didn’t decide for sure until you were 24 hours old, so you were Mr. No-Name/New Baby for awhile. Daddy wanted you to be a “W” name because M is 10 letters past C in the alphabet, and W is 10 letters past M. I think this appeals to his orderly engineering mind:)
JWD Nostalgia 1, Laundry Line: William, His Tuesday Attire, Sugared Tissue Paper Alpha
Thao Cosgrove Endearing (circular elements)
Paula Wright word stickers
Syndee Nuckles Monday and ruler elements
Katie Pertiet date line
Dominican and AFL font nonmetric (journaling)
Saturday, March 28, 2009
A Good Activity for a Rainy Day
Christopher's friend Kiki gave him this Dinosaur kit for his birthday. We were all excited to check it out, so a few weekends ago on a nice rainy day, we settled in at the kitchen table for a super fun, messy, time:) Oh, and if you can't tell already, I want one for MY birthday (May 29)!
Spring Crop
Nope, I didn't attend a fancy crop without you, lol. Just little 'ol me holed up in my ugly basement scrappin' area when I'm lucky enough to have two little boys asleep at the same time in the afternoons while the big boy is at school and the biggest boy is at work;)
Easter last year: The boys had a lot of fun coloring eggs. I was pleasantly surprised at how the brown eggs took the dye...definitely going to do that again this year!! The slightly shiny wadded up green fiber on the left looked just like Easter grass to me when I saw it in my fiber drawer (the fad may have been and gone but _I_ still like it!), so I just left it all wadded up like it was in the plastic bag I stored it in, lol. The next page is the right side of the 2-page spread.
This one is based on a Pencillines sketch (got the sketch all printed out nice and neat at the Night OWLS Retreat...thanks girlfriends!!!!). Michael riding in the truck cart at Hy-Vee with the Arthur (from PBS) stuffed animal he checked out at Bookmobile. Not sure if you can read the journaling, but he became so attached to Arthur that I had to scour the internet to find a similar one. He was never as enamored with his own as he was with the library's, but didn't seem too upset thank goodness. Basic Grey Fruitcake paper, WRM Keepers eyelets and snaps, and EKS title sticker block.
Ok, a couple of these WERE done at a crop...this one is a photo I took at Christopher's preschool last year when the buds were first coming out on the shrubs and trees. To stave off questions, I haven't the slightest idea what kind of plant this was, lol. (Somebody already asked me that in person). I was just SICK of winter last year and wanted to document the signs of spring. I used some ANCIENT supplies on this page...Sharon Ann paper I've had for at least FIVE years and some cut-outs I've had almost that long, coupled with the leaf ribbon that's probably only a year or so old.
Easter last year: The boys had a lot of fun coloring eggs. I was pleasantly surprised at how the brown eggs took the dye...definitely going to do that again this year!! The slightly shiny wadded up green fiber on the left looked just like Easter grass to me when I saw it in my fiber drawer (the fad may have been and gone but _I_ still like it!), so I just left it all wadded up like it was in the plastic bag I stored it in, lol. The next page is the right side of the 2-page spread.
This one is based on a Pencillines sketch (got the sketch all printed out nice and neat at the Night OWLS Retreat...thanks girlfriends!!!!). Michael riding in the truck cart at Hy-Vee with the Arthur (from PBS) stuffed animal he checked out at Bookmobile. Not sure if you can read the journaling, but he became so attached to Arthur that I had to scour the internet to find a similar one. He was never as enamored with his own as he was with the library's, but didn't seem too upset thank goodness. Basic Grey Fruitcake paper, WRM Keepers eyelets and snaps, and EKS title sticker block.
Ok, a couple of these WERE done at a crop...this one is a photo I took at Christopher's preschool last year when the buds were first coming out on the shrubs and trees. To stave off questions, I haven't the slightest idea what kind of plant this was, lol. (Somebody already asked me that in person). I was just SICK of winter last year and wanted to document the signs of spring. I used some ANCIENT supplies on this page...Sharon Ann paper I've had for at least FIVE years and some cut-outs I've had almost that long, coupled with the leaf ribbon that's probably only a year or so old.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Back in the Groove
Well in the last month I have FINALLY been back in the groove of paper scrapping:) Unfortunately it's WAY more convenient to share the digi pages though, lol, so you still get to look at one of those for today (later). Eventually I'll get the paper pages photographed and edited to share.
This will be my first weekend back working at the Fast Track (I do one weekend per month) as a PA since William was born. Wish me luck! Not only do I have to add lactating to my already sometimes so busy I can hardly pee or eat schedule, but they have a brand new computer system I have to use. It is an awesome electronic medical record system, and I'm sure I'll love it, just could do without being piled with all the new stuff my first weekend back. Luckily the nurse/trainer for the system will physically be there and can "hold my hand" at least for the first few charts:) And worst case scenario we are still allowed to use the old system if necessary.
Here's a recent page...I actually power-planned this one before William was born and just plugged the photos in and did the journaling a few days ago.
Nitwit Collections: Winter Wishes and What's the Buzz
sketch from SBetc N/D 08 issue
Grace font
You certainly are a bundle of joy, and since we only have winter babies around here we know plenty about bundling you up. The first photo shows you just minutes after birth, then ready to leave the hospital, and arriving at home. The ladies auxiliary makes the hats for all the babies. Grandma Carol has always called the car seat covers “casserole covers.”I guess that makes you a delicious little casserole.
This will be my first weekend back working at the Fast Track (I do one weekend per month) as a PA since William was born. Wish me luck! Not only do I have to add lactating to my already sometimes so busy I can hardly pee or eat schedule, but they have a brand new computer system I have to use. It is an awesome electronic medical record system, and I'm sure I'll love it, just could do without being piled with all the new stuff my first weekend back. Luckily the nurse/trainer for the system will physically be there and can "hold my hand" at least for the first few charts:) And worst case scenario we are still allowed to use the old system if necessary.
Here's a recent page...I actually power-planned this one before William was born and just plugged the photos in and did the journaling a few days ago.
Nitwit Collections: Winter Wishes and What's the Buzz
sketch from SBetc N/D 08 issue
Grace font
You certainly are a bundle of joy, and since we only have winter babies around here we know plenty about bundling you up. The first photo shows you just minutes after birth, then ready to leave the hospital, and arriving at home. The ladies auxiliary makes the hats for all the babies. Grandma Carol has always called the car seat covers “casserole covers.”I guess that makes you a delicious little casserole.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
My Unexpected Wednesday Present
Check THIS out! I'm so excited b/c one TALENTED bunch of women hangs out at this site and it's really cool to be chosen for this week. And rumor has it that I get a prize too...*squeal!* Also, scroll CLEAR to the bottom of this message if you want updates on our lives over the last few days:)
The challenge was to create a layout based on things about your life now that you'll miss in years to come (like Trace Adkin's country song).
I had a bit of a different take on this week's assignment...hope this is not too irreverent, lol. After my Friday 13th, it's a wonder I found ANYTHING to miss about my children. It was the beginning of spring break here and they were at each other's throats (sometimes literally)
Journaling: Things I Will Miss:
Baby kisses
Chubby cheeks
Cute baby clothes
“This little piggie…”
Cooing
The latest Lego creation
Themed birthday parties
Snuggling
Nursing
Babies
Artwork on the frig
giggling
hugs
holiday excitement
baby hands
baby feet
baby blues
“Oh I love my Mommy!”
Stuffed animals
Thomas the Tank Engine and elaborate track setup
Reading books together
Things I Will NOT:
Whining and crying
Temper tantrums
Sibling fights
The Legos all over the floor
Socks strewn all over the house (are they clean or not?!)
Poopy diapers
Potty-training
Guns
Taunting
Picky eaters
Burping and tooting (and incessantly talking about it)
McDonalds
“accidents” (including Poodini and Peedini)
yelling
JWD Academy: Tinted Stamp Block
JWD Project 52: Slightly Imperfect Photo Masks, Unchartable paper, Repeat After Me quote(s)
JWD Complete Boy 02 Accessories
Brandy Hackman Retro Family ribbon tie
Shabby Princess Round Labels: A Child's World (cuddle)
Nitwit Collections Little Men (frog) and What's the Buzz (bugs)
Heather Roselli Backyard Boy (caution sign)
Tracy Ann Baby Boy Kisses Charms
Fonts: Hootie! and Mechanical Fun
Ok, our last few days here: Friday 13th was crazy...Christopher had Thursday and Friday off since last week was parent-teacher conferences at his school. This week is spring break, so they get a LONG break. I'm sure that would be SUPER cool if we were bopping off to Disney/enter your favorite family vacation destination. However, with a 6 and 3 year old who are often at each other's throats (literally, as mentioned several times before), 7 days alone with them is enough to make me cringe. True to form, there were several fights and a couple messes that added to the chaos of me packing for the weekend.
We got through the day on Friday, whew. Saturday morning we all scurried around to get ready for our mini-adventure with my in-laws and sister-in-law and her family (kids ages just turned 2 and 4 months). Then we were off to the Wasserbahn in Little Amana. William was a sleepy and cooperative little traveler, and even stayed asleep for a good long while at the water park. Christopher and Michael had a wonderful fun time, and I did too, though I will admit I was spoiled this summer with the MUCH larger Waterpark of America.
Our favorite thing this weekend (Jeff's too) was the Millrace where supposed to get across the logs in the water. M looked like he was surfing b/c when they wobbled he waved his arms to get balance and was very good at it. C went across on hands and feet b/c weighed too much to walk like M.
M was SO VERY exhausted from no nap and all the physical exertion that couldn’t fall asleep or stay asleep in the night. Christopher couldn't sleep either b/c Michael kept thrashing around due to his exhaustion and they were trying to share a double bed. Mental note: NEVER try to stay at one of these places without adequate notice during spring break!! And NEVER try to stuff TWO small children in a DOUBLE bed, lol. At dinner he fell asleep repeatedly in his food and fussed when head jerked awake. Caught a second wind in mt mother-in-law’s lap. My 2year old niece and b-i-l had to just leave before food arrived b/c she was so tired. No nap for her either.
So despite the usual troubles with traveling with small children it was a fun mini-weekend. I think 1 night was plenty, lol. Oh, and 2 of Jeff's cousins and an aunt and uncle were there too, lol...small world. Apparently they come every year for a day or two for the uncle's birthday and we didn't even know they were going to be there! They had been there a couple days already by the time we got there and we saw them in the hall when arriving, but were never in the pool at the same time b/c they were already getting ready for the uncle's early birthday dinner. Then by the time they were back in the pool WE were eating dinner:)
The challenge was to create a layout based on things about your life now that you'll miss in years to come (like Trace Adkin's country song).
I had a bit of a different take on this week's assignment...hope this is not too irreverent, lol. After my Friday 13th, it's a wonder I found ANYTHING to miss about my children. It was the beginning of spring break here and they were at each other's throats (sometimes literally)
Journaling: Things I Will Miss:
Baby kisses
Chubby cheeks
Cute baby clothes
“This little piggie…”
Cooing
The latest Lego creation
Themed birthday parties
Snuggling
Nursing
Babies
Artwork on the frig
giggling
hugs
holiday excitement
baby hands
baby feet
baby blues
“Oh I love my Mommy!”
Stuffed animals
Thomas the Tank Engine and elaborate track setup
Reading books together
Things I Will NOT:
Whining and crying
Temper tantrums
Sibling fights
The Legos all over the floor
Socks strewn all over the house (are they clean or not?!)
Poopy diapers
Potty-training
Guns
Taunting
Picky eaters
Burping and tooting (and incessantly talking about it)
McDonalds
“accidents” (including Poodini and Peedini)
yelling
JWD Academy: Tinted Stamp Block
JWD Project 52: Slightly Imperfect Photo Masks, Unchartable paper, Repeat After Me quote(s)
JWD Complete Boy 02 Accessories
Brandy Hackman Retro Family ribbon tie
Shabby Princess Round Labels: A Child's World (cuddle)
Nitwit Collections Little Men (frog) and What's the Buzz (bugs)
Heather Roselli Backyard Boy (caution sign)
Tracy Ann Baby Boy Kisses Charms
Fonts: Hootie! and Mechanical Fun
Ok, our last few days here: Friday 13th was crazy...Christopher had Thursday and Friday off since last week was parent-teacher conferences at his school. This week is spring break, so they get a LONG break. I'm sure that would be SUPER cool if we were bopping off to Disney/enter your favorite family vacation destination. However, with a 6 and 3 year old who are often at each other's throats (literally, as mentioned several times before), 7 days alone with them is enough to make me cringe. True to form, there were several fights and a couple messes that added to the chaos of me packing for the weekend.
We got through the day on Friday, whew. Saturday morning we all scurried around to get ready for our mini-adventure with my in-laws and sister-in-law and her family (kids ages just turned 2 and 4 months). Then we were off to the Wasserbahn in Little Amana. William was a sleepy and cooperative little traveler, and even stayed asleep for a good long while at the water park. Christopher and Michael had a wonderful fun time, and I did too, though I will admit I was spoiled this summer with the MUCH larger Waterpark of America.
Our favorite thing this weekend (Jeff's too) was the Millrace where supposed to get across the logs in the water. M looked like he was surfing b/c when they wobbled he waved his arms to get balance and was very good at it. C went across on hands and feet b/c weighed too much to walk like M.
M was SO VERY exhausted from no nap and all the physical exertion that couldn’t fall asleep or stay asleep in the night. Christopher couldn't sleep either b/c Michael kept thrashing around due to his exhaustion and they were trying to share a double bed. Mental note: NEVER try to stay at one of these places without adequate notice during spring break!! And NEVER try to stuff TWO small children in a DOUBLE bed, lol. At dinner he fell asleep repeatedly in his food and fussed when head jerked awake. Caught a second wind in mt mother-in-law’s lap. My 2year old niece and b-i-l had to just leave before food arrived b/c she was so tired. No nap for her either.
So despite the usual troubles with traveling with small children it was a fun mini-weekend. I think 1 night was plenty, lol. Oh, and 2 of Jeff's cousins and an aunt and uncle were there too, lol...small world. Apparently they come every year for a day or two for the uncle's birthday and we didn't even know they were going to be there! They had been there a couple days already by the time we got there and we saw them in the hall when arriving, but were never in the pool at the same time b/c they were already getting ready for the uncle's early birthday dinner. Then by the time they were back in the pool WE were eating dinner:)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The Periodic Table
Coolest periodic table I ever saw!! I think I'd rather be tested on this one than the traditional chemistry version too;)
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