Shop Hop 2007

What a fun experience I had visting 12 of the 29 stores with my Daughters, Danielle and Jessica.  We bonded like CRAZY, reignited our passion for scrapbooking supplies, and enjoyed a Girly Girl type of experience together.  We did this in two days.--8 stores on the first day, and the last 4 on the second.  We all had to admit that the best part of this whole experience was meeting new people that shared our passion and exploring new scrapbook
stores.  I had an idea of how this was all going to play out, but truly had no idea of how fun it was going to be.  I would recommend the next Shop Hop event to anyone.  

We're Back........

Okay, here is the girls' surprise.  I got us all tickets to go see Wicked.  I was their Hero.  They were so surprised and thrilled.  This was their FIRST Musical/Play.  The plan is to do this on a regular basis.  This Musical was just AWESOME.  The stage settings were incredible, and the singing was unbelievable.  We all agreed this was a fantastic twist on the Wizard of Oz and wondered why the original didn't take this spin.  We had a fantastic time.  We then went to Disneyland/California Adventure for a couple of days and pampered ourselves with rides, food and goodies.  It was great to get away.  I even snuck in an additional two days by going up to Big Bear and scrapbooking with a group of ladies at the Apples Bed and Breakfast.  This has got to be the BEST Bed and Breakfast around.  Everything is decorated adorably (I'm sure I didn't see it all...there was so much) and the FOOD, OMG I can't say enough about the food.  It was so relaxing to just scrapbook and not lift a finger to do anything else.  This is a MUST try for all of you.  Well, back to the routine.  It is good to be Home.  

COUNTDOWN TO VACATION...

The girls' and my vacation starts this afternoon. We all can't wait. It is our last HURRAH before school starts next week. I have a surprise planned for them Wednesday evening...they are going to be blown away. I love keeping a secret. The anticipation is so well worth it. Unfortunately Dad is staying home. The 2nd leg of our tour is Disneyland, and he is not a true Disneyland Fan like we are. It is good though, he'll keep our dogs company. We are wrapping up the 'getting ready-last minute details' for school and then off we go.

Happiness Is A Choice

I was reading some of Michael Josephson's stuff online yesterday and something really hit me. Not like I don't already know it, but it is a good reminder for me. It is so easy to get caught up in the cycle of wanting more these days. Here is the thought provoking quote from Abraham Lincoln. He understood that happiness was essentially a way of looking at one’s life.

"A person is generally about as happy as he’s willing to be."

So, we’re more likely to experience happiness if we realize it’s not just getting what we want. It’s learning to want what we get!

Buy Sept.'s Creating Keepsakes Mag and SAVE

You MUST purchase the September Issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. It has a 10% off coupon to use when you purchase any of the new Daisy D's collection, and I can guarantee you will (their new COLORS are AWESOME) so why not SAVE money doing so.

I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream

What better way to commemorate Summer than to indulge in an Ice Cream Cone and to also make an Ice Cream Cone Card with Tres Jolie paper!

Princesses Can't Get Enough Pink!

I submitted this for a CTMH 'Best of Bling' Card Swap. It is so Girly!

Have A Kiss, Celebrate An Anniversary and Scrapbook

To ALL my Chocolate Lover Friends, per WebMD this month, eating 30 Calories per day of Dark Chocolate may lower high blood pressure. Also, there is more to celebrate, it is the 100th Anniversary of the Hershey Kiss, so, have a KISS, celebrate its anniversary and Scrapbook...it will make you healthier and happier!

Wrap A Gift Card...

Scrappin' Good Times has just the thing! I picked up one of their CD Tins, decorated it, and inserted one of their Gift Card Inserts. Check them out. It makes a reasonable, handmade Gift Card packaging idea. And, what better than to add a Gift Card to your favorite Scrapbooking Store!

Stop and Smell the Roses

This is the first weekend of Summer that I haven't had something scheduled. Now, this is Summer to me. I can take a moment to sit back and just wonder what do I want to do first. Relaxed priorities are nice. Let's see...hang with the girls, scrapbook, visit with my folks, scrapbook, sit back and catch up on life with my hubby, scrapbook, drop in on a friend, scrapbook, play with the dogs, scrapbook, take a nap, and then start the whole process over again. There is a recurring theme here. I feel so refreshed after this type of weekend. This is what LIFE IS ALL ABOUT!

Exclusive Quickutz Revolution Die

Make sure you don't let this one pass you by. Quickutz and Scrappin' Good Times (SGT) have got together and look what they've created--SGT's very own EXCLUSIVE Revolution Die. Contact SGT to order yours today: http://www.scrappingoodtimes.com/

Thanks Joy. I love the design.

Our 4th of July

ur 4th was enjoyable. We all talked about our Freedom and how life would be if we didn't have it. We are very thankful for what we have and for what our Servicemen are doing for us to protect it all. The Girls played in the pool; I got some loads of laundry and cleaning done; hubby got some time to relax, and we finished it off with dinner and fireworks at my parents' house. The girls did the whole dinner with my Dad and surprised us with homemade decorated brownies. Way too cute. Check them out.

Quickutz (QK) New Product Line

Wow, the new QK Line has so many possibilities. I love hearts, so it seemed befitting to do my first layout with the Nesting Heart Die Set and top it off with my favorite new Alpha Set--Magnolia. How Sweet It Is.

Pictures of My Other Loves...

A Countdown to Excitement...How Sweet It Is

I am so excited. On Tuesday, July 3 at 5pm my favorite scrapbook store--Scrappin' Good Times will be rolling out the new product line from Quickutz. I guarantee this is a 'MUST BE AT EVENT' and will definitely kick off your 4th of July Fireworks. Come check it out (Event details are listed at the www.scrappingoodtimes.com website). SEE YOU THERE...

My K-FROG Layout

Trish at Scrappin' Good Times asked the Employee/Design Team to submit an 8x8 layout that represents the K-FROG 95.1 FM Radio Station and scrapbooking. Our local scrapbook stores are now advertising on K-FROG. The station will use our layouts, enhance them with digital pictures of their listeners, and post to their website. Mine made it up to the website! See below. I had to share.

Fathers' Day Thoughts

It is early in the morning and all is quiet. I can hear the train in the background. It is so peaceful. Fathers' Day was quiet. We woke up early to finish our cards and make breakfast for Ron. We were at his beckon call! He got inspired and cleaned out the garage. He worked too hard on his day. It looks awesome. Spent some time with Mom and Dad until my Aunt and Uncle came over. Fathers' Day this year seemed very special. I know these days are numbered, so it is important to me to make the most of our time together. My Father is so wonderful. His strong Godly beliefs are so impressionable. He is a quiet man, yet when he speaks you know it is important. His love for his family runs very deep. He is always there when I need him and rarely complains. He works very hard taking care of my Mom. If I could be half the parent he is, I would be so thankful. I have so much to learn from him still. I'll keep watching and absorbing!

SGT Staff Appreciation Dinner

OMG! This Dinner was such a fun surprise. I had a wonderful time. The food was so delicious. I just wanted to thank everyone who contributed to this AWESOME event once again. I definitely appreciated it.

BLOG Innovations...

Danielle has taken my Blog to new levels. We now have slideshows of my layouts and cards for all to view. Who knows what's next?

My First Personal Blog...Amazing!

Okay, my blog is up and running. It wasn't as hard as I thought. Of course, I couldn't have done it without the assistance of my teenage daughter. All of this electronic stuff is second nature to her. I am so excited about blog sharing with others. I have all kinds of ideas running through my mind that I want to include in my blog. Check back often to see how far I've progressed with this new skill. Thanks SGT for helping me to think 'Outside of the Box'. I never would have done this without your gentle persuasion!