It's All Good

december 14th - Oh my!

I was up at 3:00 am on Tuesday trying to get some of my Christmas presents made.  One of Mom's is done, and my little nephew's school book is off to a great start.  I couldn't decide whether to do all the pages at once, or as my SIL gives them to me each year.  For the sake of time and not stressing myself out, I'm opting for the later.

My dad and I went present shopping today.  I was late to meet him after my doctor's appointment to check out my very large and very nasty "hemotoma" from my fall on Tuesday.  Anyway, he bought great gifts.  He's not a give you gifts throughout the year kind of guy and well is a little tight with the wallet, but my brothers are going to be very impressed this year.  Jeno and I are going to get a joint gift, it's the new version of the Tom Tom.  This will spare us so many fights when it comes to navigating maps looking for tag sales.  That alone is a gift in itself!  The girls will get fun girly presents and Val got just what she wanted too. 

I'm coming to you direct from our new fancy FAST notebook computer.  It was sooooooooooooo time for a new one.  This is so fast it's a little intimadating.  And it's making me go get my nails cut tomorrow.  There not used to this kind of keyboard. LOL!  Since this was really Jeno's present, he's so super happy.  He deserves it!

I'm off to scrap in peace and turn on Delilah  - it's my Friday night ritual.  I should wrap presents but I really want to finish a little mini book I am so loving making.

Peace -  Chris

Lucky me!

I'm a design team member - Oh Yeah!!

I can finally say that I'm on the Creative Cafe and Art Warehouse design teams!

I got an email a week ago from Danelle Johnson herself.  For those of you who don't scrap (my family!), she is a scrapbook product designer for Creative Imaginations with her own lines of products Art Warehouse and Creative Cafe.   I thought someone was pulling my leg, but nope it was her indeed. 

I am so lucky to have been chosen to be on this fabulous design team!

here is the link for the design team - scroll to the bottom.  that's where I'll be!  http://www.danelle-johnson.com/DesignTeam.html

I'm off to scrap before the day totally gets away from me!

Chris

{ creative stuff }

I am completely busting at the seems as I have been asked to be on a design team but I can't say too much just yet.  I can say that it is the opportunity of a lifetime.  I happen to love this company and the products and was completely floored that they wanted my work.  Pinch me!!

Until I can shout from the rooftops, I'll share what I have been working  on.

The first layout, { I heart your ART }  I made this from Brenna's first art she ever made at Stepping Stones last January.  I used mostly my Cocoa Daisy kit goodies for this one.

{ Never you mind } ... I just loved this picture of Brenna watching the boys, but staying by herself.  My girl is Miss Independent.  Thank God!

I got my inspiration from one of my favorite scrapbookers, Ali Edwards (http://www.aliedwards.typepad.com/) for this one. Her new book LIFE ARTIST became my instant favorite.  She is so inspiring.    I also love that Brenna is on her Christmas '06 layout. 

I'm off to scrap, Peace.  Chris 

Thanksgiving recap

Where has the time gone??  To think that turkey day was over two weeks ago is just nuts!

I took a ton of awesome pictures too.  Everything was perfect.  The weather was gorgeous, the food was delicious, and I managed not to burn anything!  This year I even made all the pies from scratch!  For this occasion I broke my diet too.  I figured I owed it to myself since I am down three pant sizes!! Yahoo! 

We spent our Thanksgiving with our good friends Karen and Marvin who live across from us.  These two are the best and I am so very grateful for their friendship.  They are the kind of people that you could call at midnight and ask them to stay with your kid and the other drive you to the hospital when you have ill family.  They both totally came through for me last June when my dad was rushed to the ER with pnemonia and liogioneers disease.  Marvin drove me up to St. Vincent's in their little Audi convertable going like 100 mph while Karen jumped in bed with Bren Bren.  Love you guys!!

My dad, brother Jon and Karen's mom also joined us for dinner. 

Here are some of my most favorite photos from Thanksgiving.  I have some layouts in the works too that I will post later.

Until then - Peace, Chris

   

Ornament Swap

I decided that since I didn't already have enough to do, I would sign up for an ornament swap on www.twopeasinabucket.com !  Last year I participated in the secret santa and made a fabulous friend in process.  I had Nikki and I can't tell you how much I appreciate her friendship!

So this year, I thought it would be fun to do the ornament swap.  I'm a pretty crafty person, but when it came time to get them done, I was stumped!  So, I went with stars.  I'm really happy with the results too!  What do you think? 

I made nine of these  and it took about six-seven hours!

1. cut out stars from boxes or cardboard (i use old usps boxes)

2. paint back side with red paint

3. find three to five sheets of coordinating card stock - I used Basic Grey, beautiful stuff!

4. cover front with permanent adhesive

5. layer patterned papers and trim

6. punch thread holed and thread

7. take punched 2x2 squares and stamp with greeting.  press each side into a glue pad and sprinkle red glitter.  (i used Martha Stewart's and it's fabulous)

8. add stickers (I love Making Memories wordfetti) and brad

9. stamp image over square

if anyone has any questions, just email me!  thanks for looking

2nd Haircut and my ornaments for the swap

So I finally took Bren for her second hair cut.  We had it cut back in May, but the girl was a total hack and ripped us off. Kids Cutz was such a dissapointment! 

I called my hairdresser Michelle and she was happy to cut it.  So I tried to build up the experience and Brenna was so good.  She wouldn't let the shampoo girls wash it but atleast it's cut for our holiday pictures!!

 

A TRIP TO THE BRONZ ZOO

last minute style!  LOL!

Paul called early Sunday morning to see if we wanted to do a family trip to the Zoo.  We get there- great crisp weather, fall foliage, animals outside and I had half a battery left!!!!  SO these are the few shots I got!

 

Halloween Pictures and what's new

What's up?

I'm finally getting around to posting my Halloween Pictures.  I took some before Brenna went to school and some during the little parade.  So cute.  We love the girls that run her school, and Brenna adores them too.  They did a great job orchastrating the parade and party.  I stopped by to get some pictures of them all dressed up.

Brenna was a little witch and she sounded so adorable when she told you what she was.  It was like like a little German accent "Vitch".  I realize that could have gone another direction but thankfully for our sakes it didn't!

After they stood through us taking pictures, they were holding the adults to the "YOU CAN HAVE CANDY WHEN YOU GO BACK INSIDE" promise.  Each of them waiting for their candy, it was hysterical cause they were all trying to be so good they were busting at the seems to get their share!  For the sake of the children's saftey and privacy, I can't show their pics.

But I can show you Brenna's! We gave her a Ballerina Barbie and Hello Kitty lip gloss instead of candy.  Uncle Jon stoppe by and gave her.......candy!  Next year I have vowed to give out toothpaste and toothbrushes. 

We eventually made to the In-laws for some trick or treating.  Brenna, Steffon, Mark and Rylee.  They have the perfect neighborhood and let me tell you.....my girl made out!  She probably collected about three lbs of the sugary stuff!  The bag was so heavy she couldn't even carrier it anymore.   Uncle Jon will be the lucky recipient if he ever comes over to pick it up!  Love the picture of Brenna and JOn.  so cute! 

 

Finally a little fall

Jeno and I took a little road trip up to Mahopac New York on Tuesday.  He is super when it comes to figuring out back roads.  We drove all the way from Norwalk to NY all back roads.  Lucky for me I had my camera and was able to snap up some early foliage pictures. 

We stopped at a cute antiques store on the way back.  I have been on a mission for some old items I can "scrap".  I purchased a newsprint tray or advertising tray and an old muffin tin.  the picture below is of the muffin tin madeover.  I think it came out so cute.   

it's just been too long

since I blogged last.  The summer just flew by and I can't believe fall is here.

Here are some pictures to sum up our summer.