Happy 8th Bday!

Jewelry Tree

While browsing One Pretty Thing one day, I ran across a link to this jewelry tree from Centsational Girl. Ever since, I've been wanting to make one. Now that I have uber-pretty jewerly to PUT on it, I wanted it even more. Some sweet friends of mine let me trim some branches off their tree that worked perfectly.

Here is my finished product:

Still trying to decide if it's professional enough to take to shows or not. If not, I'll put it by my bed....

More Digital Pages

THe only paper I used on that was from Becky Young Designs- though I altered it a little to fit my needs

This was using Always Be Neighbors Designs (I heart USA)- I did alter it a TINY bit to get the yellow and slate colored ricrac

This used another one of Becky Young Designs- a kit called Celebrate- with a little of my own paper mixed in

This one, I used some brushes that were called Eternal by Coby- I made a kit to go with it, but haven't decided if I like it enough to offer it. What do you think?

Vaughns Birthday Page

I know his birthday was back in June, but I finally got around to scrapping his birthday. Pictures are courtesy of Abby Palmer. The kit I used (and altered) was MissMint Party Pants (available at www.Peppermintcreative.com . The brown paper is from http://LetMeScrapbook.blogspot.com
as part of a kit called MS Summer Camp

I'm very happy with it! Thanks to the designers who put hard work into making these beautiful kits!!

Quick!!!

Ok, so I have GOT to finish my Halloween Afghan ASAP!!!

The second I"m done with that afghan, I have to learn how to make Granny Squares. I have to, have to, have to!!!!

Why? you ask..... THIS is why

http://www.craftycrafty.tv/2008/02/geek_craft_giant_tetris_afghan.html

Scratching the itch

I've been wanting to digi-scrap for a while. It's definitely not something I'm NEW to, I used to do it all the time. As a matter of fact, I used to design some (to get those for free, visit www.imafishtank.blogspot.com - if it says it costs money and you want it, just let me know so I can send it to you). Anyway, I didn't want to start a three hour long project, but I just couldn't  stay away. Luckily, I had just downloaded a bunch of kits, namely from Two Peas In a Bucket. They have a designer named Rhonna Farrer who has some amazing stuff. My entire page here, is one piece of her paper! Isn't that lovely?

Here you go!

Planning a Book Nook

So, after the book share yesterday, I decided my kids need a cool place to read. We have this fairly large area between a couch and a wall that serves as dumping grounds for all things Halloween and for last minute hiding things when guests come over. What a waste!! So we decided to make it into a book nook- bringing all the kids soft chairs and a little rug, putting shelves similar to THESE (but mine will look a little fancier because I have some leftover crown molding that will be perfect!)

Now I have to decide what to do with the wall. DH is going to build a cardboard playhouse (think ginormous box big!) and I want to put those shelves up, but underneath- do I paint stuff on the wall? Muralesque like THIS or THIS or do I do something easy peasy that even I can't screw up like THIS?

Fluffy Head

So, I went to a "book share" tonight. You bring your favorite books (I took one I hadn't read before because I'm lame like that and didn't know any better). I did write down my favorite books and thought it would be so fun to share- until I realized that my books.... were  fluff. They're funny, light, easy to read. Sad that I had to institute a "Heavy Scale" because I'm lame and can't handle any big language or gut wrenching stuff. I did, however, come home with two books to read and a good-sized list. I even brought a book home for Roger.

The books I brought home (and can't wait to start):
James and the Giant Peach by Ronald Dahl (for Roger to read- INCREDIBLE illustrations)
Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli
The Dew Breaker by Edwidge Danticat

My list? So glad you asked! I don't have authors for all of them, though

Evermore
Mormonville (I've heard it is SO funny!!)
Farenheit 451- Ray Bradbury
1776
Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands- Dr. Laura
Anthem- Ayn Rand
The Bell Jar- Sylvia Plath
Memoirs of a Geisha
Secret Life of Bees
Hope for the Flowers- Trina Paulus (that's a kids book)

Anybody read any of those?

So spoiled!!!

That's what I have been this birthday!!

You saw the gorgeous cake that I got, plus my husband and my kids picked out the perfect gifts for me (Ped Egg, glittery pens, paintbrushes, tackle box for my jewelry). THEN to top it off, he took me on an awesome date- Red Robin (thank you, Birthday club!) and Harry Potter- which I LOOOOVED!

Then today I got two MORE birthday gifts!! Lori (aka Goody Goody Gumdrops) sent me two, count them TWO prints of her buffet paintings that are SO gorgeous and getting frames ASAP! They're beautiful, thank you Lori!!!

And, my sweet friend Tricia posted THIS blog post- Yup! Paisley notes! Especially for me!!!

Thank you all my friends!!! You've made me feel on top of the world!!

Tummy Ache

My tummy hurts today. Xander threw up on Saturday and Vaughn threw up today. I'm hoping it's nothing much, but if my stomach is goin to hurt, I'd rather just puke it up and feel better.  I've gotten a lot done so far- gobs of laundry, dishes, and half of my bedroom clean. I just wish I could trust my kids to behave downstairs w/out having the tv on all day. They need to go play with friends, but I feel stupid calling people and asking if my kids can play. I guess we'll figure something out.

Crafty news: I finished a few more sets of Story Blocks (need to make some more). I also made a bunch of plarn Saturday. This time I did it the easy way. I'm hoping to do some plarn crocheting today.