Another RAOK (Random Act of Kindness) aka Blog Candy

I loooove giving away stuff so leave a comment here for a chance to win some cool scrappy goodies. I'll leave this open til Friday the 5th.

Included in this blog candy giveaway are a cute 4x4 black velvet album from ATB, 2 boyish AC ribbon spools, a K&Co 6x6 album kit with paper and embellies, 2 sets of clear stamp sets (borders and journaling boxes), a Cloud 9 acrylic frame, some Amy Butler paper tags made by ME, some great hatpins and a few other random things. Everything is brand new, still in packaging (except the handmade tags, of course).

And can anyone tell me, where do I get a FREE (or super cheap) cool banner for the top of my blog? I've seen some really cute ones and I'd love one :) You don't need to tell me in order to be eligible for the blog candy.. Just tell me if you have some info that could help me. Thanks!

More pictures...

Kissing his cousin Gracie (9). He loves her to death. I think he senses her gentle spirit cause she's the only one in my family is he totally comfortable with.

This is what Caleb had to think about Thanksgiving... (he looks SO much like me as a kid here, it's scary).

This is what kept him from crying more than he did. Signing Time on Poppy's huge TV.

More Signing Time. He loves it so much that Poppy gave us money to buy him some Signing Time dvd's for his Christmas present.

Trying to "help" with the Christmas Tree lights.

More "helping", LOL.

Wish this would have turned out. I love this picture.

August Rush

Have you seen the movie August Rush?
It ROCKS!
Doug and I watched it tonight.. FABULOUS!! If you love music and feel good movies, please please rent it. It's awesome and you won't be disappointed!!

Here's some info on it.

More C'mas cards and pics of Caleb

Tree Time!!

Hi Everyone!! I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving!
Ours was eventful, as usual whenever we go to my parents house. Caleb dislikes them both.. Especially my Mom. He was not a happy camper. He did really like my SIL Cherith and my niece Gracie but shyed away from everyone else. Fun fun!
It took him about two hours before he would get down and walk around. I don't know what it is but he just does not like their house, It's kind of freaky! I wonder if there really is such a thing as kids sensing bad spirits and things? I mean, I just don't understand it. He loved Doug's Mom and sister. He had no issues at all staying alone with them. I just don't understand it and am really hoping it's just a phase.
Anyway... We won't be going back there for Christmas. I think this year we will just stay home, just the three of us :)
My sausage/cream cheese/spinach Croissants were a hit at dinner.. I took those and pecan pie. Everything was really good, I impressed myself, tee hee :)

This afternoon we started the chore of putting up our Christmas Tree. So far not much is done but that's because I keep taking breaks, LOL. I'm such a lazy butt, tee hee. Anyway, Caleb is thrilled with the lights and I've gotten some good video of him playing with them.
Also, I've made ten more Christmas cards today and expect to make another ten this weekend. YAY me!!! ;)

OH! My friend got me this from Michael's.. It's the limited edition Martha Stewart snowflake punch. I love it and highly recommend it. I must admit, her punches are really sturdy and seem stronger than other punches I've tried.

I want to get these, too. These would look so great on cards!! Man, now that I look, Martha has some really great punches and they are cheaper than the Fiskars punches, I think. Nice!

Well, I am off to eat Chinese and finish the tree. What a great night! :)

So Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone, I hope each and every one of you have a blessed day with your family and friends. I am thankful for so much this year. A loving husband and son, two best friends that love me for ME, the bestest internet friends a girl could have and the ability to express creativity through photos and scrapbooking. And most of all, I'm thankful to Jesus, my Lord and Savior. I'm not perfect (so far from it) but forgiven and loved. Here are a few videos taken this morning of my wonderful little guy. Enjoy and, have a great day!

HUGE sale going on - 40% off

over at AC Bailey.

My friend Jenn is a consultant. Please help her out and go buy some stuff. 40% off ROCKS!!! And, they have the new October Afternoon stuff!!

Tuesday night ramblings...

Today has been interesting.. Caleb busted his lower lip climbing around.. It was a nightmare for awhile. I don't know if he was bilking it or truly in pain but he cried for at least 20 minutes. Poor kid :( I felt so bad like I always do that I cried with him. It's hard to see your child in pain. Poor lil' guy.

I made four more of these as C'mas presents. I made some of these last year and they were a hit so I found more of the red glitter alphas from K&Co (at Big Lots!!!) and made some more to give away. I like them. Not really TRADITIONAL C'mas colors but, I like :)


And here's my little guy tonight (notice the lip). He just looks so grown up in the top picture. Not babyish like normal. Must be the growing hair (finally, LOL).


And here he is hugging the santa countdown sock(?) my biological dad brought him last Summer. He (my dad) works for the post office and a lady on his route made him this for Caleb.
Caleb seems to like it and has kissed it several times. AWEEEEEE :)
We (I) have started to put up some Christmas decor. YAY!!


Well, that's it for now. I'm off to watch tv with Dougie. Night!

WHOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Check this out!!

M2R PICK OF THE WEEK!!!! for THIS recent layout. WHOO HOO HOOOOO!!!!! I've always wanted POTW!! Thank you Robin and Valerie :)

Now I have another charm for my virtual charm bracelet :)
WHOO HOOOOOOOO!

FREE GLUE!!!

Someone on one of the boards I visit posted about free UHU glue here so I thought I'd check it out. I'm always wanting to try new adhesives to see if they work on ribbon.. that way I don't have to use my precious (read expensive) Glue Dots.

So I just got my sample.. which, is actually a FULL 3.2 oz bottle and, it ROCKS!!!! (and YES, it's acid free.. totally safe for scrapbooking).
I got the "Twist & Glue" which, has two applicators in one nozzle.. Pretty nifty!!
Thanks UHU, you ROCK!!!

YUMM-O!!!!!

Tried something a little different tonight for dinner.. RATTLE SNAKE EGGS!!! Yep! And they were darn good! Even Caleb LOVED them!

I found this recipe on Jinxi's Blog and couldn't wait to make them since Caleb LOVES sausage. So we had breakfast for dinner tonight :)
Now, I added finely chopped spinach leaves to mine just to get some veggies in and, you couldn't even taste it. They were SOOOOO yummy, you gotta make them!

Here's the recipe (minus the spinach)
Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents aka Rattlesnake Eggs

1 lb. sausage, browned & drained
1 (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
2 pkg. Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls
Brown and drain breakfast sausage .

Combine sausage & cream cheese.

Roll into logs about 2 inches long place on crescent triangle or spoon into crescent.

Roll up Crescents and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.

Bake 350 about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

And in other news....

COLTS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOO FREAKIN' HOO!!!!!!!!!!

Now, I know most of my scrapbooking friends could care less about football and think I'm nutso but, I've loved Peyton and Tony since the beginning and I follow them pretty religiously. I guess growing up in a house with two brothers and no sisters I was a tomboy.. That and, it's the only thing my biological Father talks about.. Ever. So in order to have conversations with him, I've had to follow sports. I don't mind it though. I mean, Tony Dungy is an awesome MAN as well as coach and Peyton, well, he just ROCKS. And Jeff Saturday.. And Marvin... tee hee
So if you follow my blog, you'll probably hear alot about the Colts, Purdue and U of F sports mixed in with the scrapbooking and family stuff. Just warning you now ;)

Have a great night, everyone.. I'm off to finish watch The Good Shepherd.

My new MUST HAVE item :)

I've got a few must haves on my C'mas list. None which I'll probably get unless I buy them myself and consider them Christmas b/c unless I give Doug SPECIFICS, it will be hard for him to find them and he's all about surprising me this year. *sigh*

On my list are the new Cricut blade that cuts chipboard, the Graphically Speaking cartridge and more 1" Bind-It-All wires. But THIS has made it to the top of my list.
Y'all know how much I love the color RED. How yummy is this!!!???
And it looks like there's an album kit using this same line and the BIA.. Hmmmm, I might want THAT, too. LMBO :)

Today is another lazy day. Other than laundry and bed making, nothing much going on.

For the record, "War Inc." was so dumb in the first 10 minutes that I didn't bother watching the rest. I hate DUMB movies. I was expecting a good drama/action movie but it was nothing like that.
We now have *free* HBO so hopefully we'll get to see some great movies that way :)
Yes, FREE!! :)
I got a notice from Comcast that we could get their "Triple Play" for less than what we were already paying so I called and the cust svc rep I spoke with told me with the Triple Play we could have cable, internet AND phone with HBO and Showtime for $117. Well, we'd been paying $108 for JUST cable and internet so I was like "okay, sign us up!!".
So when they came to install the phone Wednesday the installer told me um, no, it doesn't come with HBO. I think she saw I was a little irritated so while she was on the phone with Comcast something happened and next thing we know, we have free HBO. YAY!!!
I've never had a "premium" channel before.. tee hee :) Thank you, Comcast!!

Oh yeah, I'm getting giddy over free stuff.. I'm a little TOO happy these days. Some of my friends are like what is going on with you, Jenny.. Why so happy?
I just feel like a burden has been lifted off me. I don't know WHY or even how to explain it. I just feel FREE finally. Weird, I know. But gotta love it .. There's nothing wrong with being happy :)

Have a great HAPPY day, everyone! ;)

Finally done with my C'mas cards. YAY!!!

Sixty cards DONE. Now I can focus on making presents. YAY!!!
Here are some of the matchbook style cards I made last night >




See the scalloped edges on the cards?
They're made by the Fiskars Threading Water punch which I think is THE best tool I've bought this past year. I've used it on most of my C'mas cards this year and love love LOVE it!!!


Now on to family time... Doug and I are getting ready to put Caleb in bed and watch another movie. Last night was "What Happens In Vegas" (cute) and tonight is "War Inc.".
Have a great Sunday, everyone!

Check this out :)

Check this out for some FABULOUS Blog Candy from UK Debbie's blog :)

Fla. teen commits suicide with live Web audience (AP) - Yahoo! Buzz

WOW! This is SO sad! And pretty SICK that people egged him on :(

Fla. teen commits suicide with live Web audience (AP) - Yahoo! Buzz

TGIF!!!

It's Friday night. WHOO HOO!!! Caleb went to bed great and was asleep within a few minutes and Doug is renting us two movies. I'm SO excited to get to watch movies with my honey :)

I just finished up a few more Christmas cards. I've got 28 cards done and I actually really like them. I'll post a few over the weekend. Right now I'm off to finish reading "Breaking Dawn".. It's due back at the library tomorrow.
Have a great night, everyone!

OMG.. I must must share this!!!

I am STILL laughing my butt off after reading this!! (Thanks Colleen!!)

Somewhat embarrassing to admit, I'm not getting an annual bonus and Christmas is tight this year. I will be making bedroom slippers for you all as gifts. Please let me know your sizes. You'll most likely agree that it's a splendid idea, and should you wish to do the same, I've included the instructions below.
How to make bedroom slippers out of maxi pads:
You need four maxi pads to make a pair. Two of them get laid out flat, for the foot part. The other two wrap around the toe area to form the top. Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part. Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers (this is most aesthetically appealing), etc.
These slippers are: * Soft and Hygienic *
Non-slip grip strips on the soles *
Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh *
No more bending over to mop up spills *
Disposable and biodegradable *
Environmentally safe *
Three convenient sizes: (1.) Regular, (2.) Light and (3.) Get out the Sand Bags.
I've attached a photo of the first pair I made so that you can see the nifty slippers for yourself....

Awaiting your response. It's crucial that I get the right size for each one of you.

Forgot to post this card...

I did 12 of these last week and finished up with 3 more tonight. I think they're cute :)

Thanks to Jessie for the card workshop on M2R .. Love this matchbook card idea!

Here is her workshop tutorial.

ETA: Thanks to my buddy TRACY for the Santa stamp. She got me that for SS a few months ago. Love it!!

Bloggy Award

I've been given a Dandelion Wishes Bloggy Award by NJ but I'm not really sure how it works so I'm making up my own rules (when have I NOT, lol?).

I'm passing on my bloggy award to Melissa B because she has been making some really gorgeous ornaments and cards lately (as well as the awesome advent calendar!!), Jenn (just cause I love her) and Michelle (cause she's a Christian sister and we see eye to eye on alot of things).

Enjoy girls! :)

POTD 11/18/08

Two Picks of the Day!! WHOO HOO!!!

M2R:
http://moments-2-remember.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?p=48940#48940

Creative Scrappers:
http://www.creative-scrappers.com/forum/index.php?topic=2293.0

Thanks so much!

Always Skip To Your Own Beat

HEY LQQK.. A layout!!! (insert HUGE smiley here)

Bad lighting tonight.. Looks much cuter IRL. I really like this one. Pic is of Caleb skipping in the pumpkin patch last month. He was so happy to see me that he skipped across the patch to me with this sweet smile on his face. It was SO cute and I am SOOOO happy I got it on camera (several pics, actually). YAY!

The journaling spot is by my friend Jenn.. I got them in a kit she made but she might have them in her Etsy store. Check it out. The trees are by Julie.. from her ETSY SHOP. They use BG Ambrosia and Sass Lass paper. Photo is matted on cardboard from my 2Peas shipment today (LMBO!!),
BG Ambrosia and Adornit alphas & MAMBI bling leaves.
TFL!

I think I'm going to scrap today....

Yep, I have an idea brewing in my head .. Watch out!!! tee hee
I hope to be posting it tonight.. We'll see. Caleb woke up in a VERY bad mood. He is refusing to eat (except mush melon) and is throwing ALOT of STUPID fits this morning!! Ugh, the joys of having a two year old, I guess??...
So if he decides to behave today and take a nap for me, I'll work on the LO during his nap. YAY!

In other news, my 2Peas order came today. I spent a whopping $21 and got this 3 pack of MM containers that are normally $10 for $3.99!! I SOOO needed these for my ribbon and flowers.



I also got FIVE KI Sheer Delights. These things ROCK!!! And how freakin' cool .. They were only .99cents each (normally $2.50!). http://www.acherryontop.com/company/ki_memories/line/sheer_delights
If you've never seen/felt them, take my word for it and buy one or two (or FIVE, lol).. They ROCK!!
There is no way to show a good true picture of them.. You just have to see one. They are transparent and have a raised ink on them. Very cool. They are calling them "paper" but they are not paper at all. More soft plastic than paper.
I'm going to use some as my background page on LO's and one or two of them I'm going to cut up and make little books using my Bind It All :)

I also got the Mr. Campy paper pack I had wanted for months but refused to pay full price for. Love love LOVE it! And, instead of $16 it was $6.99!! WHOO HOO!!!


Lastly, I got these new fabric Prima's.
I needed some new flowers.. I had depleted mine a few months ago and after seeing Zoa use them on so many of her boy layouts, I decided to get some more and hey, they were on sale, too!! :)
These burgundy ones will be used on my Wedding LO's and the others on Summer LO's.

I'm also REALLY excited! My sister in law told me that my nieces (ages 5.5 and almost 9) want SCRAPBOOKING STUFF for Christmas!!! How cool is that! So, I will be on the hunt for some little girl scrap stuff for them :)

Okay, off to take care of Caleb. Tootleloo :)

Owlies and more!!

As some of you know, I LOOOOVE owlies but haven't yet figured out how to use them on my LO's of Caleb. They all seem pretty girlie (but I still hoard them like crazy, LOL).

Well, Kaiser Craft has come out with a more boyish owl line - WHAT A HOOT.

WHOO HOO!!!

Check it out!

Oh yeah, a few of you were wondering.. Caleb's night two in his big boy bed went extremely well. He loves his new bed :) YAY!!!


And... This weeks featured artist on JYAS is Sue Mylde. Her work ROCKS!! Go check it out!!
And, if you'd like your work published on JYAS, please email me directly or averagescrapbooker@gmail.com

"Big Boy Bed" Night One SUCCESS!!!!!!

Our little guy was climbing out of his crib from time to time so we went ahead and put his Cars bed together tonight and I must say, my child amazed me and did REALLY well!
No crying, none at all.
Well, after about 30 minutes I panicked a bit that he was being so quiet so I went in and checked on him only to find that he had pooped and that the batteries in his aquarium night light thingy were going dead so, we had to take care of that which, really woke him up and for the next two hours, he stayed up playing in his room in the dark.
We went in there several times to tell him it was night-night time and to get into bed, I really thought he was going to stay up all night. But then around 1am there was SILENCE.
We checked on him and to our amazement, he was in his bed asleep and oh so cute :)
I ran and got my camera as Doug told me he was going to bed and I was on my own if I woke him up.. tee hee.
But I took my chances and got these pics. After all, what kind of scrapper would I be if I didn't get pics of him on his first night sleeping in his big boy bed? LOL




Have a great night, everyone.

Another one bites the dust...

I just found out that my LSS is closing down soon. *so sad*

Scrapbook Corner was (is) an awesome store. I taught classes there several years ago and took several as well. When Doug and I were dating and first married, we lived just two miles from the store and I estimate I spent at least $200 there a month (that was when I was working FT and before Caleb, LOL).
I loved that place. It was my home away from home. I literally would spend hours in the store, going from one end of the store to the next, making sure not to miss anything new.
Once we moved back to Madison County and I had Caleb (and quit working), I was lucky to go there a handful of times a year because it was 25 miles away. But, it was still in my heart, I read the blog, bought a few things from them online a few times when they had their online store and, made every attempt to visit whenever I was in Noblesville visiting Sheila or something.I'm just SO sad and wondering why on earth this happened. This is the 3rd LSS on the northeast side of Indy to go out of business since 2004. My guess is that Archivers coming in put them out of business which, sucks. Because as much as I love Archivers, they really are more expensive on most items than Scrapbook Corner was.. Even more expensive than most online stores I buy from. Or maybe it's this sucky economy.. Who knows..
Anyway, I'm sad. I'll get over it. I wish Mandy and her crew all the best and know that I loved your store SO much. You did an awesome job with it.

Above left is a picture of me taken on my 30th Birthday at where else, Scrapbook Corner :)
And here is a picture of crazy Nioka and I inside the store:


Please do me a favor and buy from (and SUPPORT) your LSS as much as you can.

ELMO ELMO ELMO!!!!

I've been really sick this afternoon so unfortunately, I haven't gotten any of the scrapping done I was supposed to do. *sigh*
BUT, I am making a photo book on Snapfish.. a *FREE* photo book and because I only have until tomorrow to finish it, I am sitting here doing it while feeling REALLY bad.
If you want your own, go here . (and thanks SO much for telling me about it, Jenn!! You rock!!)

So the real reason for my post:
Caleb's First Steps quarterly (speech) eval was today and wouldn't you know it, he clammed up and got shy and wouldn't say much while they were here. He recited a few numbers and said like one or two words but, that was it. It was once again very frustrating because I always feel like if he doesn't talk for OTHER people, they are going to think he's Autistic or stupid or something.
And of course, as soon as they left, he talked up a storm and tonight, he finally started saying ELMO. And man, it's the cutest thing EVER! I SOOOOO wish we had a video camera to record it!!
He LOVES Elmo and has since he was really little and I've been waiting for the day when he said it. And it's as plain as day, too. And, over and over. ELMO ELMO ELMO!!!
LOL :) YAY Caleb!!

Okay, back to creating my photo book. It's of Caleb's 2nd Birthday and it's going to be super cute :)
Have a good night, everyone!

Another quickie...

Another drive by. Caleb has speech therapy and an eval from First Steps today.. In a few minutes.

Hope you all are having a great day!

Today's Peachy Cheap deal is Cosmo Cricket chipboard. I have this and LOVE it and have really used it alot. This is a GREAT deal, even with shipping added on.
Check it out!!

Just a quickie...

I'm on my way to a Drs. appt then a Birthday party for Sheila's little guy (Happy Birthday Jason, Jr!!)... But I wanted to tell y'all that 2Peas is having an AWESOME sale. Most stuff 40-50% off and alot is new.. Like MM Paperie and KI Sheers.
Check it out.

A Few More Christmas Cards :)

I did a few more Christmas cards last night using the November M2R kit (which is SOLD OUT, sorry).
Remember, I'm not a card maker.. Just a wanna be, tee hee.

This has a pink inside which matches the trees and can be seen through the holes in the scallops. And the tree "garland" and "bulbs" have Liquid Glass on them to make them POP (which is hard to see in the pic).


This is a lift from oceanlover on M2R.
The snowflake is chipboard that I added cardstock to and then Stickled and the white snowflakes and "Merry Christmas" are rubons from SEI and the M2R kit.
Here is oceanlover's card:
http://moments-2-remember.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-3773
Thanks for the inspiration, Mara!!


Well, it's a busy day for Caleb and I.
I have to go.
I hope everyone has a blessed Monday :)