Remember those goals?

So yesterday, I posted my big picture goals. Today, I took the first step. I'm taking a class on accomplishing "Dreams." And I decided that I can start small.

The first goal I'd like to accomplish is to Master My Camera. I want to know everything about it. How to use what settings when so that when I go out and take pics, I KNOW what I'm doing.

I'm taking a photography class through HP (for free!) and that will help with the big things, but I'm starting even SMALLER today. One by one, setting by setting, I WILL learn my camera!! I'll post pics of my studies and stuff too! Please feel free to join in if this is something you'd like to do!!



Starting today, we will study  "Aperture Priority AE." Whatever that means! Tell me if you do! Any links to helpful tuts? I will start with the manual and the book I need to get back to Vanessa C! :D

Oops, sorry!

I know I promised you a pic of hubby in his apron, but he got sick. And the Vadar is in Xander's room. I'm not feeling good enough to go get it yet.

A few items of business: I start my ADHD meds again tomorrow, so I should be back on track soon.

I also have a few things that I'd like to do, but want to share with you because, as evidence by the name of my blog and those who know me, I don't like to do things alone.

First, I'm going to take some photography classes. Free ones, through HP's website. Then maybe a few through iTunes U. I can't justify the cost of the ones through the school district.

Second, I'm going to learn how to use all these actions I've downloaded. I want to learn PSE through and through, up and down, top to bottom, but I can't afford the actual classes.

Third, my 2011 Crafty Goal is to report weekly on a finished project (or progress on a big long term one). I'd like to learn how to use Mr. Linky to see yours as well. It could be a new recipe, a project started years ago, a little project, something with your kids, whatever. I want to see!!

Fourth, I'm going to participate in Creative Therapy. Not as  desinger, and most likely not every time, but still. I'd like to participate. I also am going to be doing some creative reading, which may sound silly, but I'm scared to death of it. I used to be able to draw, but in college I took a drawing class- now I can't draw.

What are your goals?

Merry Christmas!!

So, I'm dying to know! What did you make for Christmas? What went over the best? I want links to pictures. I can finally post mine, hooray!!
Want to see pics of some of my homemade holiday? Here ya go!!

This year was pretty much a Star Wars Christmas. For hubby, I found some Star Wars Pancake Molds from Williams Sonoma. We got the ones shaped like Yoda, Darth, and a Storm Trooper. Our family eats pancakes for dinner pretty much every Tuesday night. But I could leave well enough alone, so I had to do an apron for him. My mom sewed the apron, but I drew the picture. In case you're wondering, it's supposed to be Yoda. In case you want the graphic, I'll put it here on the blog. Didn't my mom do awesome? I really wanted the Darth Vadar spatula, too, but couldn't afford it. You'll get pics of him wearing the apron and using the molds tomorrow.

 

Next up, we have Jedi Bryan. Xander has a build a bear. Named Bryan. I decided Bryan and Xander needed matching Jedi Robes. I got Bryan's done, but not Xander's. Sad, huh?

Juliana got a build a bear monkey for Christmas and with it, a Princess Leia outfit.

 This is the headband the Monkey is wearing. It's supposed to be for Juliana. I'll take a pic of her wearing it manana.

I also made some costumes, but the pics are better on.
Oh yeah, then there was my BIG project. I saw this post on Filth Wizardry a few months ago and KNEW I wanted to make it. So I did. It took forever. But I love it!!!

Darth and R2D2 are missing because I needed a friend to do the clay part for me. Pics of them to come later because the Darth Vadar helmet is INCREDIBLE!!!!
Here is another pic next to a regular sized lotion bottle, just so you can see how tiny these things are.

Crazy, huh?!?!

Anyway- now I wanna see what YOU made!!!!

We have a winner!!!

Thanks everyone for helping me reach 50 "likes" on Facebook!! I'm thinking of having another drawing once I hit 100!!!!

As for now, the winner is Vanessa Christensen!!!

Whoo Are You- Christmas 2 Edition

Go to Night Owl Crafting to get the questions and link up. Then answer the questions on your blog. Then comment on other people's

1. What is your favorite part of the holiday season?
a. spending time with the family
b. giving and receiving gifts
c. sleeping
d. eating and drinking

(this pic always makes me laugh. Cousins. Hanging out.... sorta)

2. What is your least favorite part of the holiday season?

a. spending time with the family
b. giving and receiving gifts
c. sleeping
d. eating and drinking- I don't drink alcohol at all, so I don't even do it, and I can NEVER eat healthy during the holidays.

(this was a RAK I received. SO much fun and can I TELL you how yummy that hot chocolate was? That, amongst other things, caused the scale to rebel!)

3. Do you bake goodies during the holidays? If so do you eat them, give them away or both? Occasionally. This year I made cake balls. Only a dozen or so made it out of my house. I'd rather make things.

(one of the two kinds or ornaments I made this year)

4. Are you already for Christmas? Close!! A few minor things and then I'm done!

(Ok, so really this was our tree 2 years ago, but I like that it looks finished.)

5. What activities do you do on Christmas day? Open presents first thing, then enjoy gifts while eating breakfast. Traditionally, my mom always made this egg/sausage thing. It's yummy, but I get distracted and forget about it. Last year we had cereal. This year, there will be poptarts in everybody's stocking. Then at lunch time we have another family party. Then come home and veg.

 (look how LITTLE my kids were 2 years ago!!!)

 (My daddy, my niece, niece in law, and half of my brother's face)

 (Two of my nephews and their, dad, my Brother in Law)

 (My nephew and my Bean)

(Me and the hubs. Isn't he awesome?)

WAHOO!!!

We finally have 50 likes on Facebook!!! 66 in fact!!!! I will be putting EVERYbody's name into a drawing when I get back from Salt Lake today. If you have commented on any of my question posts here on the blog, you also get a second entry, so take a look and make some comments. It's all for a MYSTERY handmade prize!!!! And since it's Christmastime, it's probably gonna be more than one thing all together!!!


So to recap- You get an entry for "liking" me on facebook.
You get a second entry for any comment left on a question asking blog post.
You get a third if you leave a really creative, fun comment here.
You get TWO extra comments if you have ever used any part of ANY of my digiscrap kits and put a pic on your blog then link to this post.

My House Smells Like Christmas

Because my kids and hubby (with my suggestion/supervision) just cut out a whole batch of Cinnamon Salt Dough. To which I added a couple drops of Gold Canyon Pomegranite Oil. Now they are in the oven. They smell so good! I can't wait for tomorrow when we get to ooh and ahh over how awesome they are as we put strings on.  How cute is this?

Keeping my Kids Busy

ONE WEEK TILL CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

Which also means, one week to keep my kids busy and happy! So.... Mommy's makin plans!!

Saturday, Dec 18: Salt Dough Ornaments
Sunday, Dec 19: Paint the Sal Dough Ornaments
Monday, Dec 20:  Christmas Cards for their Friends or Grandma And Grandpa
Tuesday, Dec 21:Gingerbread Houses from a box- two are pre-built, one needs building. Xander will LOVE building it! 
Wednesday, Dec 22: Printable Play Food from Tricia-Rennea. Breakfast! Pizza! Barbecue! Print 'em and hand each kid a pair of scissors. YAY!!!!
Thursday, Dec 23 is not planned yet. I need ideas!! 

Something new is coming

After Christmas I'll post pics of all the stuff I made for hubby and kids! What did you make?

How Hard.....

Would it be and how long would it take to make a Jedi Robe, Princess Leia dress, and Leia ears? Christmas is getting SUPER close and I'm feeling that these MUST make an appearance. Juliana's getting a dress up box anyway and now loves Princess Leia. Xander is already getting a Storm Trooper helmet. It would only be right to have something Jedi also. I wish lightsabers weren't so expensive!

Lost Subway Art

Ok, fine. I'll admit it. I'M HOOKED!!!!! I have refused ALL year to get hooked on the Subway Art. Flat out refused. And now I know why. Because I've started. And now I can't stop!!! Here's one for you Losties out there or to print out and frame for your Lostie friends for Christmas. Click so it's big. Then right click, save as.

Printable Christmas Subway Art

Using that fantastic kit called Tricia's Christmas.

Right click, save as, then print!

Stuff to do before Christmas

Teacher Gifts for 3 teachers
Finish the Star Wars Peg Dolls  and Tie Fighters for Xander. The painting is mostly done on the dolls, but all the details need to be done and the Tie Figters I haven't even started. Plus I need to cut the one peg that doubles as Yoda and R2D2.
Start neighbor gifts over from Scratch. I had HALF of them done (well, just about done) and they got crushed.
Get things ready for my mom to finish my sewing (Juliana's mermaid tail)
I'm putting together a special something for 2 of my friends.
I still haven't finished shopping for family gifts.
Finish a BUNCH of hats.

And all of this has to be done with me down in bed until at least Monday.

Tough Day

I went to the doctor today. They did and ultrasound and found that my baby, 6 weeks and 2 days, had no heartbeat. Not sure how I feel about all this. Sad, yes. A little void, yeah. But mostly, I am SO grateful for my friends. In a matter of seconds I was surrounded by people who loved me. Kind words on Facebook, phone calls, texts, dinner offers.... I am amazed at the love my friends have shown. I hope I can be half the friend that you all have been. I go in tomorrow for the DNC, D&C, whatever it's called. I'm a little nervous about that, it'll make it real.

Blog Comments Hate Me

So apparently, my blog is not letting many people comment. This frustrates me. So I'm going to ask the questions here AND on the Facebook page Discussion section. Sorry for the frustration!!!

This week in crafty land....

Hey everyone, what are your crafty plans this week? Last week I worked on my afghan and also discovered Zofran. YAY! I am still feeling pretty pukey, but at least I can get a few things done here and there. This week my goal is to finish as much SEWING as possible. This means Juliana's mermaid tail, Vaughn's puppet theater, and if I come across the right fabric, a Jedi robe for Xander!

We only need 4 more likes on the facebook page to have the drawing!! Tell me what you're crafting this week (or better yet, link up!) and get a second entry into my drawing!

Sarah, Myn, and S&S Hairbows already have extra entries, don't you want yours?!?!

So close!

We're up to 43 likes on the Facebook page!!! 7 more and I'll do a drawing!!!





On other fronts, I think I"m going to be putting together my neighbor gifts today. The family is going to decorate the tree and watch a Christmas movie tonight, so I think it's appropriate. Depending on how long the tree takes, we'll either be watching Shrek the Halls or Elf. FUn, huh?

What "Putting-up-the-tree" Tradition do YOU have? Answer here and get a second entry into the drawing when we hit 50!

Facebook Fan and prize

"Like" Craft With Me on Facebook and be entered for a prize! Drawing will take place when we get 50 likes. The more likes, the more cool stuff I do on here. I live for validation, I mean feedback!! Comments, Likes, and the sort get me all excited to do more!!
Click HERE to be linked to our Facebook Page!!

LDS Blog Train- the Greatest Gift

Download Papers and Elements HERE

Download Alpha HERE

HOpefully my link is fixed!





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Whoo are you- Christmas Edition

Hurry up and go to Night Owl Crafting to get your questions, then visit everyone's links and leave a comment! Some of us depend on the comments to make our week go more smoothly. What?  That's just me? Oh well, then....

1. Do you like to listen to Christmas music?

Yes, though today listening to my kids sing "I'm gettin nothin for Christmas" makes me wonder if they have gotten any ideas....

2. Are you one of those people who get all their shopping done early,

or do you do most of it in December?

Little bit of both. I try to do most of it in October, but love getting the big stuff Black Friday.

3. Do you set a budget on how much you spend on each person?

Not a strict one.Santa averages $30 per kid.

4. Do you send out Christmas cards?
Digitally

5. Do you enjoy this holiday season or does it stress you out?
This year, both. I love Christmas, but I am SO sick with this pregnancy!

Crochet Away!!

Alright, folks! I'm DOING something today!! Granted it's not housework or getting Christmas stuff done, but it's SOMEthing!!! I'm going to put Biggest Loser on Hulu and work on my Flag Afghan today!!

Did any of you crochet any Christmas Gifts? I'd LOVE to see them!!! Please share links in the comments, I wanna see!

Bored and Unfocused

So I've been sitting here in bed since Friday and I am SOOOOO bored. Not that I don't have things I could do. Here are the things I SHOULD be doing:

1. Finishing my mom and dad's Christmas present (digital)
2. Working on my BIG project I was hoping to have done by the end of the year (hahahaha)
3. My 4th of July afghan
4. Disicrap Kits
5. Digiscrap Challenges

But none of that seems very compelling at the moment. Why can't I focus?!?!!?

Update

Ok, so here's how it stands. Most of you know that we recently found out that we're expecting our 4th child. We've been really excited about, but yesterday, when coming home from Black Friday, I noticed that I was bleeding. I freaked out. But I'm thinking now it must have just been me over-doing it. I stayed in bed all day yesterday and the bleeding stopped. Today, I'll be MOSTLY down, but I need to get up a bit to see how I'm doing- if that makes any sense at all. Thank you for your prayers, concern, comment, and phone call. I appreciate things like that more than you'll ever know!

Dear Friends

Please keep me in your prayers. I'll update you when I know what's going on. Thank you.

Neighbor Gifts

Ok, all! I *think* I know what I'm doing for my neigbhor gifts. It's not going to cost me anything and it's CRAZY cute. I can't post it here, though, because it would spoil the surprise for some of the recepients!

So I want to know what awesome (and cheap) neighbor gift ideas YOU have seen!!!

Here are a few I'm diggin:
1. Handmade Ornaments
2. Homemade Candy (ESP truffles or caramel/chocolate dipped pretzels. OH YEAH!)
3. If you're a good cook, how about all your most requested recipes? Or a mix set of seasonings you use?
4. Flavored Salt- saw this once online somewhere and kinda fell in love with the idea
5. Mixes are alway fun! You know, hot chocolate in a jar, that type of mix.
6. Garland!!! Chains if you have little kids that want to help or cute felt ones. Think how cute a row of Holly leaves would be?!?!
7. A set of cloth napkins with rings. Think of the possibilities! You can get napkins from the dollar store or make your own. And the rings could be anything from sewn, to metal, to pipe cleaners!!
8. Personalized Note Cards and envelopes. This can be done digitally or in classic scrapbooking fashion. Tricia-Rennea has some stunning ways to get you started! Click her button on the left!!
9.Magnets. To be honest with you, I hope EVERY year for magnets!!!! There are so many ways to make 'em unique! Glass Marbles, Bottlecaps, clippies, sky's the limit!
10. Coasters!! I love them, but I'll never make them for myself!!!

So, what are YOU doing?

Whoo are you- Thanksgiving Edition

Hey all! You know the drill, but in case you're new, visit Night Owl Crafting and pick up the questions. Take said questions back to your blog, answer them, then link back up at N.O.C. THEN, check out the other links and comment on as many as you can.

1. Name 5 things you are grateful for!

1. A husband who works hard, drives in bad weather, and becomes almost a man slave while I feel pukey during pregnancy.

2. My kids and their willingness to help each other

3. the Gospel. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. How grateful I am to belong to a church that invites any and all to find answers for themselves, to build personal relationships with Heavenly Father, and to be the best person they can be.... I'll never be able to put into words.

4. The internet. To be able to find info in a jiffy means way more to me than you know, lol!!

5. Running water: toilets, showers, dishwashers.... need I say more?

2. What is you favorite dish at Thanksgiving dinner?

Um, ask me when I'm not feeling pukey at the thought of Thanksgiving dinner. LOL. Just kidding. Do love the rolls, though. Among everything else!

3. Do you have any family traditions for Thanksgiving?

Simply that we go around the table and way what we're grateful for. And apparently, the WAY you prepare the sweet potatoes is also a big deal. I'm not allowed to take sweet potatoes anymore since I don't prepare them the way my mom does.

4. Are you staying home or traveling for Thanksgiving?

We're having it at my house this year. Which I have mucho mixed emotions about. One the one hand YAY for not traveling. On the other. I will have the different smells in my house all day. A bit nervous about that....

5. What else do you do on Thanksgiving day besides eat?

Chill. Football is often on in the background, but nobody really cares. And there is always a nap. :D

Challenges and Facebook

Craft With Me finally has a Facebook page!! With it comes a contest! When I get 50 people who like my page? I'll give out a prize!!!

Now I want your opinion on what KIND of a prize it should be. Should it be a handmade item? A digital item? Or something entirely different? What do you think?


Also, I'm wanting to start doing Challenges!! I'm thinking one a month. I want to broaden my horizons and do lots of different crafty stuff. Crocheting, painting, sewing, etc. But this time around.... I really want to do it WITH people. It's no fun to do challenges by myself. Trust me, been there done that. So who's with me? Craft-a-longs? Eh?

Tricia's Christmas

I have not been THIS excited to present a kit in a LONG time!! I've called this kit Tricia's Christmas because the highlight is the amazing illustrations done by Tricia-Rennea. She and I have teamed up to bring you this fantastic Christmas Kit. I know, it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but they are perfect for Christmas Cards!!

Images are Linked to Download

Not pictured is a freebie. A Christmas Card Template. All you do is pop a 4x6 pic in the file and send it to be printed!

Enjoy, and remember to leave some love! The more comments, the more kits! :D

Night Owl Crafting- Whoo are you?

This is the first time I"ve participated in Whoo Are You Tuesdays since coming back to Blogger!! For those who met me here, this is how it works. First you head over to NIGHT OWL CRAFTING where you get 5 questions each week. You then copy the questions and answer them in your blog. Once you've answered them, you link up on N.O.C. I'll be getting a cute linky button thingamajig once Michelle helps me out in fixing my blog problems, lol.

Here are this week's questions!!

1. Do you ever burp out loud in private or public?
Yes! And I'm mighty proud of a decent burp, lol!!
2. How often do you get sick each year?
Go to the Dr sick? Once or twice. Colds and flue and crap that put me out, 3 or 4.
3. Would you rather paint a room in your house yourself, or have someone else do it for you? 
Well, I'd be all willing to paint, but I honestly suck at wall-painting. Truly and completely.
4. If you get 30 minutes to yourself, what do you do?
Depends on what time. Normally, I'd play, craft, or watch my choice of show. I have just discovered that I am expecting Baby #4, however, so now all I do is sleep!
5. Do you allow people to wear shoes in your house?
Of course! My house is a comfort zone! No stinginess or uptightness allowed! If you want to wear your shoes, feel free. If you don't want to, then by all means kick 'em off!

So, after reading a few of your other posts, I am a little bit embarrased. I think a lot of you would think I was crude and sloppy. Huh.... Anyway, now I will distract you with a cute picture of my kids. Ready? Go!

Thank you!!

Just wanted to thank Maurine Stettler or Let Me Scrapbook Designs for linking me up! As soon as I get stuff figured out, like where all my posts went, you'll be seeing her amazing work!

Eeee! I'm so excited!!

Ok, there are a few things I need to figure out how to do. Then, after that, I have some CRAZY fun things planned! I've teamed up with Tricia-Rennea, so you KNOW that what's coming up is going to be fantastically good!!!! Want a sneak peek?

So..... are you excited? The more comments I get, the faster it'll be ready!!!!

Welcome Gifts

Hey all!! Thanks for coming to see my new blog! I have some gifts for you, but I have a condition. I've recently discovered that I have a few complexes and I need some validation in the things I do. So I have here two kits for you. FULL kits! I'm pretty proud of them, and I was thinking about an entire collection inspired by My Little Pony, but I need to know what you're thinking.

So, enjoy the downloads, but please leave some love, then once you've opened the files, let me know what you like, what you don't like, etc. And remember, if you use any of my kits, you will MORE than make my day by letting me see what you use it for!!

The first kit is called "Dash of the Rainbow"  IMAGE is LINKED

and also this one, called "Pretty Sweet." Image is Linked

Let me know what you think!!

Back in the Groove

Ok, I need help!! I want to add some sidebar things, but I do not see ANYWHERE on any tab or link where I can put gadgets or widgets or anything that has to do with sidebars!! Help! Please?

Also, I'm putting a few freebies together to celebrate returning back to this blog! Please, follow me! And tell your friends. There will be some crazy awesome things happening here in the next little while!

What a fun giveaway!!

K, my cute friend Amy is having a fun givaway on her blog where you can get General Mills Cereal and FOUR Movie Cash Certificates. I really hope I win. You know how fun it would be to take the kids to a movie?!?!

Anyway, check it out:
TWO CUTE BLONDES

Cute New Page

Isn't this so cute?! I haven't digiscrapped in like, a month!! My niece, Annie is here and we were looking through some pics and I just HAD to do this page. Love Stuff To Scrap and their awesome challenges!!

FINALLY!

I know what I'm making Vaughn for Christmas!!! Each of my kids are getting a Santa gift and a handmade gift (or mostly handmade) from Mommy & Daddy. I mean, there are other gifts, too, like games 'n stuff, movies, etc for them together, but now I FINALLY know Vaughn's. I'm making him a puppet theater for the doorway and puppets. Check out these links:


http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/doorway-puppet-theater-0609
http://www.craftjr.com/recycled-crafts-giraffe-sock-puppet/
 http://littlepageturners.blogspot.com/2010/08/cleaning-with-kids-sock-puppet-dusters.html

SOOO hoping to do a bunch of sock puppets, wouldn't that be fun?!?!

http://zitzmanfam.blogspot.com/2010/09/old-macdonald-puppet-tutorial-and.html
http://www.makeandtakes.com/crafty-grover-hand-puppet

Fun, huh?!?!

Sara's Wedding