Off to Chicago

But I did get some crafty time in a couple of weeks ago. It was short and sweet so I didn't bother trying to come up with my own stuff.

I copied. Yeah, I did it. I don't care. I have a stack of photos that need to go in books and with everything going on, I just don't have the time to sit back and think through a layout.

But I'm planning on some time in August when I get back.

The CA Snowman is based on a sketch from the site. Lady Grace gave us this one and thats my take on it. The rest are copies from other places like Studio Calico.

I leave for Chicago early tomorrow morning. The laptop, Flip camera, DSLR, iPhone and iPod are all charged for the trip. So is Mr. Nook. have I mentioned that I'm reading again. I used to go through books like they were magazines. And then I started this business and have a kid. My reading just went out the window. But I have a renewed passion for it.

No piles of books everywhere. No expensive trips to Barnes & Noble. No ripped covers because some little person got their grubby mitts on my book.

I got the basic WiFi model. With a cute cover.

Loving this song. Not sure where I heard it but I used Shazam on my iPhone to tag it and then buy it.

Happy Birthday Mr. Man!

3 Years ago, I wandered into the hospital to have my scheduled c-section. I was nervous, scared, excited. HE was finally going to get here.

HE being the name of the alien I'd wandered about for 9 long months.

We didn't have a name. I had a list prepared because I knew once I saw him he would look like one of those names.

He ended up looking like a Nicholas.

I broke out in hives from the c-section and spent 4 agonizing days in the hospital doing my best to get outta there! Too bad insurance COVERED 4 full days. 5 even if I wanted to stay.

I was eager to get home to MY bed, MY house and MY stuff.

So we brought him home to meet Rascal. He cried and Rascal barked.

And that was the start of 3 crazy years! My life will never be the same. I don't get to eat a hot meal most nights because I'm usually taking care of his plate (you know, the one stuck to the wall where he threw it) or cleaning spots off my already stained clothes (because the last round of chee-tos cheese didn't come off in the wash) or wiping finger prints off some surface in the house.

Now, we're potty training so its diapers all over the place and fights over big boy underwear.

He's so independent. Sometimes I think he's a 30 year old in a 3 year olds body.

He is tall.

He is athletic.

He makes me laugh.

He makes me cry.

He makes me want to drink on a regular basis.

He can be sweet one moment and a total devil the next. (The worst part is, he knows it.)

He is a ladies man!

June Crop

My usual monthly crop was cancelled in June. That would make more than 2 months since I'd actually sat down and made something. I couldn't live with myself so I planned a day with my friend Lisa.

I packed up everything I have (scary right?) and drove out to her house for 2 days of uninterupted scrap time. I got some layouts and cards done. A lot of cards actually. I tried to use up every inch of that Echo Park paper. I came close!

You can see all of the details of the layouts in my July Gallery.

NHL Draft 2026

So, in June, we went to the NHL Draft.

Both fun and boring. Fun because you got to see what was going on. Who was talking to who, deals being made etc. I have some pictures somewhere that I need to find and post.

We knew it was going to be long and boring so we didn't take Nick.

He responded with this......

Yeah, he's ready to play. He ran around with his helmet on. I almost signed him up for the Junior Kings but he needs to wait about 5 more years.

I did sign him up for the USA Hockey program. They can find a program for him around here. Unfortunately, they are all associated with the Ducks. So I might find myself driving up to LA to get the Kings program. As a parent, I cannot enroll my son in a Ducks program. I just can't. I want a strong hockey player not a brute or crybaby.

Hate birthdays

I do. After 21 I just kind of felt like that was the last milestone. 25 hit me hard because I was a quarter of a century old. Wow!

I got lower insurance rates at 25.

Then 30 hit.

This year I turned 33. Two more years to 35. 35. Thats almost 40. I'm not ready to embrace that yet.

But I finally embraced celebrating my birthday. Nick helped decorate my cake this year. This is my favorite cake. Chocolate cinnamon with homemade frosting. I could just eat a bowl of this stuff and skip the cake.

So Nick wanted to help decorate. Can you see the evidence of cake testing on his face?

There's the frosting blob that covers up the finger hole where he licked the frosting.

And the snail. He's obsessed with snails. He walks around saying that snails 'love him'. I have no idea where he got it so don't ask. And every cake needs a snail right?

I think he was going for a flower on this one. MIght have had some help.

Getting crafty with the Slice

I saw this at the Winter CHA show in Anaheim. Making Memories released fusible web making it possible to cut fabric with the Slice.

I have some friends expecting so I thought I'd come up with some cute onesies for them.

Dino

Moon (I need to get some yellow fabric and cut a star)

BOSS - every baby needs one of these

I'm working on some other designs. I've ordered the fusible web in bulk and I've been at the fabric stores shopping...

I find time to craft

Even if it is at the last minute. I wrapped some handmade fathers day presents the night before. My new favorite wrapping paper is Kraft paper. It goes with everything!

I got my roll at the Container Store. I think I paid $4 for this huge roll. I'll be wrapping presents in it for a while. And did you see the woodgrain one? Must. Get.

I had to dress up the kraft paper though. I love using it on my layouts because the neutral color brings out the colors of the patterned paper and embellishments.

I used Graphic 45's Perfect Gentleman line to wrap these gifts.

And some October Afternoon for these.

Forgive the ugly background. I was up late doing this so I just snapped pictures of them before going to bed. No fancy stuff here!

Tech Baby

I'm getting him started early.....

No more techie girl.....

I've hung up my techie girl hate (for now). Its back to filling orders, taking orders from a three year old and trying to enjoy a little summer with the family.

Its been a busy three months. Crazy in fact. I've tried to find times to get together with friends to scrap and fly kites with Nick.

Here's a quick recap.

We:

Went to see the Kings battle the Cansucks in the first round of the playoffs. My Kings weren't able to pull it off. But I saw playoff hockey for the first time in a long time. Lets hope this is a regular thing.

Went to Bodhi's first Birthday

Sawyers Birthday and Bens Birthday

Planted a garden

Flew a kite

Ate popsicles

Cleaned the backyard for summer (disclaimer: he LOVES to clean. I can't stop him so please don't call CPS on me.)

Played in the sandbox

Raised butterflies

Blew Bubbles

Tortured Rascal

Ate Yogurt

Blew more bubbles

And the summer is just getting started. I've got a hundred pictures just perfect for my summer mini. I'll need to narrow that down this week.