Blog Challenge: Fun Fact Friday!

"Tell us something fun, something embarrassing, something strange, or something you don't think anyone will expect out of you."

- My birthday is the same as my birth weight. I was 9 lb 5 oz when I was born, and my birthday is 9-5. My sister's is kinda the same way- she was 11 lb 2 oz, and her birthday is 11-21.

-I play the Flute. Not regularly anymore, but I did all through school. I was in Marching Band in high school, and yes, we had band camp over the summer. You can just imagine the jokes at my expense when American Pie came out (which was a year after I graduated)!

-Before I moved to Naples, I did Civil War reenactment. Yep, the whole kit-n-kaboodle: hoop skirt, corset, several layers of clothing, stockings, garters, gloves, hat. It was so much fun, and I really miss doing it. I strongly suggest anyone who wants to stop eating to wear a corset for a couple days. Two bites and you're full! (My dad and sister are in the picture, second and third from the left. This photo is in the brochure for Fort Clinch State Park.)

-I live inside a State Park, for free. Chad works for the Florida Park Service, and all Managers and Assistant Managers are provided with housing inside the park they work at (we still have to pay electric and phone, though!). At the last park (when he was Asst. Manager) we lived almost right on the beach. Now we live further out- right on the edge of the Everglades. It's so cool....always lots of photo opportunities!

-I have a photo of myself, when I was about 3, standing in front of the Challenger space shuttle (the one that exploded in the early 80's).

-I met Bill Clinton. My grandparents live in North Little Rock, AR, and my Grandma took me to the Capitol Building when they were having a children's day. Governor Clinton was shaking hands with all the kids. I just think it's cool that he later became a President.

-Donny Osmond came to my church when I was 9. I'm LDS, and I guess he was in town for a concert or something, and we were the closest location to where he was staying. He was so nice, and gave out autographs after Sacrement and everything.

-I put ketchup on my Mac and Cheese. Yum!

-I think peas are the most disgusting vegetable placed on this planet. Kinda funny, considering I AM a pea!

-When I eat, I only eat one thing at a time. For instance, I'll eat all my chips, then all my sandwich, then all my fruit. I don't mix it up. Don't know why, I've just done that for as long as I can remember.

-I played with Barbie dolls until I graduated High School. Okay, this comes from having a sister 8 years younger than me, and she always wanted me to play with her, and being the most EXCELLENT sister that I am, I did. I can do some MEAN Barbie hair-do's! This'll SO come in handy if I have a daughter one day.

-I think 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' is the best movie ever made. Seriously. Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time.

Okay, that's all I can think of off the top of my head. Too bad I'm on my work computer, or I'd have photos of this stuff. I guess I can always post those later! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Updated profile photo.

It's not too often that I get a photo of myself that I really like. I took this one a little while back, but then couldn't find it on my computer! Well, I just happened to come across it today. It looks a little goofy in my sidebar above my profile, so I wanted to show the full version here. Man, do I have alot of hair!

I'm really going nuts from not having any new layouts or projects to post. I went to the Goodwill over the weekend and picked up lots of cool stuff to alter, but I haven't finished anything yet. I don't really have much time during the week, and we have company right now, too, so I don't want to be rude and close myself in my scrap room for hours at a time! Plus I've been so involved with getting used to the new computer and figuring out the camera. I'm sure I'll be shooting away over the weekend, as I haven't had a chance to really go out and take photos lately.

Look what I got...

My lovely Nikon D200! It just arrived yesterday. This is one awesome camera. This thing screams...it is sooo fast, no delay at all! (I'm sure the high-speed memory card helps, too!) It's SO nice to be shooting with an SLR again! I have a Nikon N80 for film, but as far as digital, I have my personal point-and-shoot, and a Nikon Coolpix hybrid at work. It even SOUNDS like a film camera! The photos look so much better right out of the camera- the white balance is perfect without messing around with it manually, and the flash doesn't leave this huge hot spot right in the middle of the photo. And can you say TEN megapixels?! Yeah, I'm going to be wallpapering our house with gigantic poster-size enlargements. Hehe.

Now, I'm sure I'll start submitting for Exhibitions again, and I have a list of people wanting me to do portraits (that was my specialty when I was doing film/darkroom). Also, I am shooting a wedding for the daughter of some friends of ours. I'm pretty nervous about this one, because IT'S THEIR WEDDING for crying out loud. I've already given them the whole 'remember that I'm not a professional wedding photographer, and if the pictures look like crap, you can't get mad' speech. Plus I'm doing it for free. I know they'll be great....just need to have confidence!

I'm sure I'll also be more inspired to scrap, now. My photography was what got me into scrapbooking in the first place! Chad is off today, and he gets to play with the camera ALL DAY. *im my best Napoleon Dynamite voice* Lucky!

My new purse(s)!

Aren't they adorable?! For those of you who don't know, I am a daisy FANATIC. I just LOVE them! So, these fit me prefectly! I came across this awesome site in my search, Etsy.com. It's kinda like an ebay for handmade items, but there's no auctions- everything is just for sale, then you pay through paypal, and the seller send the items directly to you. I got these from a girl in the UK. Her shop is Sugarcane.etsy.com. The coin purse fist caught my eye because of the fabric, but then I saw the tote! It's complete with a vintage butterfly pin. I went ahead and got the purse, too, in case I don't want to carry the tote somewhere, like if we're going to dinner or something. The coin purse was $7.50, the tote was $25.00, and the purse was $20.00. Altogether with shipping it was only $61.00. I've easily spent more than that in one sitting on SB supplies. And the best part is they're one-of-a-kind, and made from vintage fabric, so no one else will have these! So cool. Can you tell I'm excited about my find?

One of my favorite websites.

Fred Flare. I think I found it through Lucky magazine several years ago. Their stuff is just so funky and bright. Just my style. And they have great prices on 90% of their items. I really want to get a cute purse/ tote from here. I want something a little big, because I like to tote alot of stuff around with me everywhere. All that fits in my current purse is normal purse stuff. Even though it's a Coach bag, it's seen better days, and I'm pretty much over the expensive purse kick. I'd rather have something unique. But anyways....I want something I can fit (along with my 'purse' stuff) my point and shoot digi camera, a small journal for quick sketches or ideas, and a small tape measure. I just NEED this stuff with me at all times. I find myself needing it when I'm out, and I end up having to jot stuff on the back of receipts, which end up getting thrown away. I just know when I get one, Chad'll say it's too big and looks like a Grandma purse. I guess then I'll tell him, "Well, it was either this big one for $28, or that 'normal size' Coach/Dooney/Kate Spade purse for $280." Hehehe, I think he'll start liking my 'granny purse' really quick.

*heavenly music* It's ARRIVED!

My brand spanking new 20" iMac with Core Duo. I know it's not the greatest photo, but isn't it the most BEAUTIFUL computer you've ever seen?! That's the whole thing right there...a 1 1/2" thick monitor, keyboard, and tablet (which I added). No CPU, no tons of cords tangled all over the place. I'm still drooling over it. I've wanted this thing for SOOO LONG! Now I can actually get some stuff done at home and not have to wait to come to work to upload all my photos. I got some other goodies with it, too- a 6x8 Wacom tablet, and Photoshop Elements 4. I can't wait to go out and take some photos and give it a try. I've been using the PC version of PSE 2 for the past year or so. The good thing is, the tablet came with PSE 3 for PC, so I'll put that on my work computer. So cool.

On a seperate note, I want to thank Bonnie Rose for all her kind, wonderful words about me. It's nice to know there are still good people in this world.

What I made this weekend....

So, this is the stuff I made this weekend. The first layout is about when I take photos of Chad. He always gives me this pitiful, half-smile (if that!), so I tell him "Smile with your Teeth!". Then I get a big, fake toothy grin. He's so cute.

The next one proves that inspiration can come from anywhere. I was flipping through a Victoria's Secret catalog that came in the mail, and there was this really cute swirly, flowery pattern on a pair of panties, and I thought, "That would make a cute scrapbook page!" So this is what I came up with. I used ALL SCRAPS on this page. The lyrics are from the 'Sisters' song off the old Bing Crosby movie 'White Christmas'. We watched that growing up, and I've been wanting to use it on a page.

On this little frame, I kept it black as it was, but I oversanded the edges, and banged it up with my eyelet hammer. The white dots are rub-on stitches from DCWV. The heart is Heidi Swapp. I used photos from a contact sheet of some black and white shots I took of Chad a few years back. I like the look of these, how you can see the film and all...I have a bunch of these, so I'll have to use them more often.

The last one took like three seconds to make, but I thought it turned out cute, and I needed a cute bookmark! I also wanted an excuse to use that fab stamp from my Jenni Bowlin kit. Heart is Heidi Swapp.

Be sure to check my blog tomorrow to see my new toy. It's KINDA scrapbook related, but kinda not. I have been waiting over a year to get this......I'm so EXCITED to get home and try it out! This is HUGE for me.

One of our 'Little Friends' made another visit!

And of course I had to take a picture of it! This isn't the same one as last time, he (or she?!) was smaller, less agressive, and WAY less smelly. I took Pickle out last night, and when I walked by, I caught a little whiff of Eau de Critter. Sure enough, there it was curled up and sound asleep on the soft bed of dog food bags. I jiggled the can just to make sure it was alive, and it just stared at me and sniffed the air. It did get a little upset when I took a photo, though. When I was doing some cropping in Photoshop, I noticed it's ear is tagged. I'll have to tell Chad about that.

Chad DID get us a nice big, heavy trash can with a lid, but we still hadn't gotten rid of the lid-less cans yet because the dumpsters in the park were full. I think it's pretty cool to see these little guys, I just don't want one of the dogs chasing after one and getting bit (and I don't want one of them to hurt the opossum!). It amazes me how they can get into the can without knocking it over, and they don't make a mess (aside from tearing open the bags inside the can). I wonder if they could get out without me setting the can on its side?

Oh, and HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! *pinches everyone not wearing green*

Quick layout from last night.

It's funny, because even a QUICK layout takes me almost an hour! I'm so slow. I guess I'm just particular about things. But anyways- I took this photo of Pickle on Sunday, and it turned out so cute, I just had to scrap it! Everything on this layout (well, except the 'sweet boy' scrap I made) is from Jenni Bowlin's March Kit. This is the first time I've done a layout using nothing but items from a kit, but I was so inspired by her gallery this month. Her kits are just awesome. I can't say enough good things about them. And I just know I'm going to be using the HECK out of this scrolly-bracket stamp! I LOVE it!

Blog Challenge: Favorite Snacks

List 5-10 of your most FAVE SNACK FOODS, and share any stories/why you love 'em so much!

1. Ben and Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch Ice Cream. This is the best ice cream on the planet (and probably the most fattening, but let's not go there!).

2. Special K Red Berries Cereal. Dry. It just tastes so good and sugary. And awesome if you're on WW (2 points a cup!). I've even got the {very skinny} girl I work with hooked on it.

3. String Cheese. This is usually my 3:00 'I'm hungry again' snack at work, and also for the time between getting home and making dinner (so I don't eat while I cook!). It's quick and easy, and it's good for a salty craving. It's CHEESE...come on! Of COURSE it's good!

5. Turkey Pepperonies. Kinda the same thing as the string cheese. I often eat them together.

6. Cheez-its. Cheese AND carbs. 'Nuff said.

7. Bananas and Fat Free Cool Whip. This is a newer one for me. I've been on a huge 'I love everything banana and banana flavored' kick. And who doesn't love Cool Whip?! And the Fat Free is 0, yes, 0 points for 2 servings. It's a no guilt snack. And that makes it taste even better.

8. Sweet Tarts. I've always loved these things. I think I'm addicted. I'll eat them until my tongue hurts and I can't taste anything but sour.

9. Microwave Popcorn. Sometimes you just need popcorn. It's that craving that nothing else will fill. Weird isn't it? One whiff and I just can't turn it down.

10. Fresh Watermelon or Pineapple. Yeah, they're fruit, and that may be boring, but they're my favorite fruits! They taste so good you don't FEEL like you're eating healthy.

Good thing I just finished lunch, or this would have made me hungry!

Blog Challenge: What's the last thing you won?

My $400 watch! About a year ago, I saw the ad for these Elini Nazar watches in the Lucky magazine. I KNEW they would probably be expensive, but I went on the website to check them out anyways. Of course, they were more than I'd ever spend on a watch, but I saw that they were having a giveaway. You could sign up to win one of 11 watches. I figured what the heck, what can it hurt? I never win anything, anyways! I proceeded to forget about it, then a few weeks later I got a letter fom Elini. I opened it up to discover a letter with a huge CONGRATULATIONS across the top. I had won one of the watches! Of course, I was skeptical, and just knew there was a catch. I was supposed to call the office in Miami to let them know which design I wanted (I chose the four leaf clover, like above, but the strap is a natural leather color). I called, and the girl told me no catch! I would have my watch in the next couple days! Sure, enough, it came, and it was SO COOL! I wear it every day, and have gotten so many compliments on it. So flippin' awesome.

Fun site to kill boredom.

Elouai.com. I found it through a thread on the Pub on 2peas, and meant to blog about it last week. Everyone was making a doll of themselves, and this is what I came up with. I just wish I was that skinny! Otherwise, it's a pretty darn good representation. It's great for when you're bored- there are TONS of outfits, shoes, hair, etc. to choose from. But be careful, it's kind of addicting!

Weekend projects.

Didn't do as much as I would have liked this weekend, but that's fine. Most of Saturday was taken up by running around town and grocery shopping. I did manage to make this card for Chuck, a guy I work with, for his 40th birthday.

On Sunday, we had a little 'friend' in our garbage can outside. Well, he wasn't so little- a huge opossum had managed to wedge himself among the spaghetti sauce cans and empty cereal boxes without even knocking over the can. We eventually got him to come out. He sure was stinky! Think dirty horse poo. We really need lids for our cans.

Okay, after all THAT excitement, I did my lovely non-ode to tomatoes page. I STILL have ink on my fingers! I was in a real distressing mood after getting that book. I had alot of fun with this one. I made the background paper from kraft paper. I just distressed and inked it. And, in case you couldn't tell, I'm on a HUGE staple kick right now. I love staples. From my little pink stapler my mom bought me in the 3rd grade.

My Jenni kit should be coming today! So excited. I printed out alot of photos yesterday, so I'm ready for it!

I {heart} this book!

I went to Borders today, and I came across this book. I typically get all my inspriation type books from the Art section (I LOVE graphic design books!), but this one happened to be under paper crafts. It's just amazing. It shows you all these different techniques for altering photos, and there's alot or sandpaper and distressing involved! Perfect for me. I'm so inspired...I was having an artisic block this past week, so we'll see if I come up with something awesome.

Another of my favorite books is Creative Sparks. I've had this one for almost two years. It's a cool little book just meant to give you IDEAS for creating your own stuff. I did some of my best selling photos after getting this book. I just want to go nuts and buy lots of books right now, but all the ones I wanted were $40- $50. Yeah, it figures.

10 things GUARANTEED to put me in a good mood.

1. Chad. Just everything about him. Spending time with him, his hugs and kisses. And he always knows the right things to say.

2. Getting my Jenni Bowlin Kit (pic above) in the mail. Woohoo! It should be here Monday!

3. Getting any other scrapbooking supplies (or magazines for that matter)...whether shopping for them locally or ordering online!

4. Being caught up at work, at least for a little bit. I just feel 'lighter' at those times.

5. Loading photos on the computer after a photo shoot and seeing that one PERFECT, awesome photo, like this one.

6. Getting a call/email/letter from a juried show letting me know my artwork/photography has been accepted into their exhibition.

7. Finally finishing a huge job at work, and getting the final check- 'cause this means a commission on the next paycheck!

8. When I do a craft-type project or layout that turns out just as I imagined it- or better. I just can't help but smile when I look at them.

9. Knowing my Vacation is coming up (Key West, oh yeah!) Gotta get me more of those $9 handmade sandals!

10. Just being outside in my yard where it's nice and quiet (can't hear any cars or anything!), on a weekend, when the weather's nice with a slight breeze, sunny, and big puffy white clouds in the sky. It just FEELS happy outside.

Okay, there ARE more than 10 things that put me in a good mood, but the challenge called for 10! I would say this is a pretty good day-to-day type list, though.

Oh, yeah, and PS- I got an email from Heather at Poppy Ink this morning. She said she had almost 300 people submit for the DT positions. I feel much better now, knowing that! I knew there were alot, but I really had no idea there were THAT many!

No design team for me...

Well, I wasn't picked for the Poppy Ink design team. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a lil' bit disappointed, but it's okay. The ladies that were chosen are incredibly talented, and I'm so happy for them! Plus, I've only really been scrapping for 3 months (although I've been making cards and stuff for several years), and this was my first try for something. There are several other design team calls right now, so I think I may try another one.

The good thing, though, is in trying for these teams, I am cranking out some good stuff! (Well, at least I'M happy with it, anyways!). It's really helping me to settle into my style.

Blog challenge from the Pub.

I got this challenge from Sophia C. from the Pub on 2peas. I thought it would be pretty fun.

Share a "stuff" portrait... a photo of your "stuff" or something that's a part of your life. Write a bit about it.

One of the biggest parts of my life is my job. 8 1/2 hours a day. 5 days a week. I feel like I'm here more than I'm at home. So, this is my messy office. You can always tell how busy we are by how messy my office is (and it HAS been worse than this...this is nothing!). I'm usually a pretty tidy and organized person. This photo shows my daily work stuff, plus some of my personal things mixed in. That one file divider sitting on the desk with 7 files in it is ALL ONE JOB! I LOVE my computer that I have at work. *hugs computer* I have a 20" monitor, an awesome trackball mouse, an Epson 8 1/2 x 14 photo scanner, and a wide format Epson photo printer that prints on paper up to 14" wide. All the goodies that I won't have to save up to have at home! Thank goodness we are allowed to have personal stuff on them- I do all my digital photo work on this computer, plus download music, and print photos. Yeah, it's a pretty cool office.

The Pickle layout!

So, here it is! And, *GASP!* no safety pins or rhinestones!

I haven't decided yet if I like how the journaling looks. I didn't want it to stand out too much. I'll just leave it as is. My handwriting is growing on me a little. I've actually been JOURNALING on my layouts! I've been using my handwriting because I'm too lazy to go over and turn the computer on, plus I'm on one all day, and really don't want to deal with it when I get home! I like the 'messier' and imperfect look of my handwriting on the LO's, though. I wish it looked like Heidi Swapp's or Jenni Bowlin's, but then it wouldn't be mine! I just need to practice. I think I may make a doodling journal. Then I'll have to make a bag just for the all journals I carry around!

Tuesday Blog Challenge

On this one, we were given sentences, and we had to fill in the blanks.

1. I almost peed myself when I found out my artwork was accepted to my first juried exhibition.

2. Country music= reminds me of when I was younger, but not my style anymore (it sure is fun to sing along to those old George Strait songs!). I still love Juice Newton's 'Juice' album, though.

3. The smell of leather reminds me of my Daddy's workshop.

4. When I was little, my mom told me she loved me every day. And she still does (when I talk to her!)

5. The last time I screamed was because I was so MAD at a guy I work with, and I had to let out some anger. I did it in my truck when no one was around, though.

6. The one person I aspire to be most like is either one of my Grandparents. I know that's two, but my Grandma is such a strong person that sticks by what she believes in, and my Grandpa was just an amazing person that did so much in his life.

7. I ___________everyday. Hmmm: Eat? Brush my teeth? Shower? Just kidding- those are obvious! There's a couple things- hug and kiss my husband and tell him I love him, have to have some kind of creative outlet. Those are the best ones.

8. I scrapbook because I love to come up with different ways to showcase my photos. If they're going in an album, they might as well look awesome! Also, to tell the stories behind the photos.

9. People drive me crazy when they drive 10 mph (or more) UNDER the speed limit. I know it's a speed LIMIT, but there's so much traffic down here! Let's just keep it movin' folks.

10. A special gift that I remember receiving, that meant the world to me was my engagement ring. It meant that Chad had chosen me to spend his life with. And THAT means the world to ME.

Thanks for another great challenge, Bonnie!

Latest project and great photo!

Okay, so I started at Weight Watchers on this past Thursday. I figured if I'm going to have to carry a food journal with me everywhere, it might as well be pretty! I just covered a Moleskine 5 x 8 journal. These things are great- they come three in a pack, and have a little pocket in the back. I always have them on hand.

I caught this photo of Pickle on Saturday. I swear, if there's the tiniest patch of sunlight somewhere, he'll find it and lay in it! I'm in the process of making a layout with this photo. I should get it finished tonight.

We painted out bedroom this weekend, so I didn't do much on Saturday other than that. I HATED having to paint, but I'm SO glad we did. It looks so happy and bright! We had a gallon of the living room color left over, so we used that. It's a bluey-slightly teal color. All the trim and closet doors are white, and we painted the dressers white. It's so beachy feeling. Our bedroom is always the last room to get attention, and it was so BORING before. I love being in there now!

Monday Blog Challenge.

List the top 5 places/locations you would love TO LIVE in the world today, if you had the chance. Elaborate if you wanna... why these places??? Use as much detail as you would like.

(In no particular order... but #1 WOULD be my first choice!)

1. In Earnest Hemingway's house in Key West. I LOVE Key West, and that's darn near one of the coolest houses in town. I'd keep ALL the cats. And his writing studio would be my scrap room.

2. London. In one of those cool, modern flats. I've never been there, this is just totally based on TV!

3. Somewhere in the Mediterranean. In a house with huge windows and balconies overlooking that beautiful blue water.

4. Somewhere in the New England states, and have a beautiful colonial-style house with a white picket fence on a street flanked by big oak trees. Kinda like on 'Father of the Bride' (although I think that was California).

5. On an old plantation somewhere in the South, with a huge old house, lots of property, and big trees. Very 'Gone with the Wind'.

Thank you bonnierose for another great challenge!

Final layout for DT submission.

This is the last layout I needed to do for my Poppy Ink design team submission. That means I get to go to bed at a decent hour tonight! I emaild everything in a little bit ago. There was a post on the Pub on 2peas yesterday discussing who was trying out for it. I'm up against alot of very talented ladies, so we'll see what happens!

This is my very favorite photo of Marley. I had finally figured out how to get her to keep still and look at the camera- I waved a cookie over the lens and told her to say. It certainly got her attention! I just had to keep wiping the drool of her mouth. Too bad it doesn't work as well with Pickle. He'll sit for a second, then want to leap for the cookie. He's getting better at being obedient, so maybe I need to try again.

Card for Design Team submission.

This is the card I made last night to include in my design team submission. I just have to make one more awesome layout, and I'll be ready to get everything emailed tomorrow. Even if I don't get picked, getting ready for it has brought out some real creativity in me, and I am so thankful for that!

I got an email from my LSS yesterday, and found out she is closing in 2 weeks. I just started going there a couple months ago, and they had great crops! I knew she was thinking about selling the store, but I didn't know it would happen so fast. She said the store was doing wonderfully, but she's just so worn out and can't do it anymore. The GOOD thing is, she is selling EVERYTHING in the store for 50% off! I got tons of Basic Grey, Junkitz, sei, and Wild Asparagus Papers, plus paints, brads, metal letters, stickers, and some other stuff. And it all stuff I would buy ANYWAYS! I spent about $45, and walked out with a ton of stuff. The lady in front of me bought $200 worth of paper. At .30 to .50 a sheet, you can imagine the stack she had. And, each sheet had to be rung up seperately. Well, except the Bazzill. I'll be sad to see the shop go, but I got some great supplies for an awesome price.

My 2 latest layouts.

I have to say, I am just thrilled with the way these turned out. I think I am definitely getting better at layouts, and they're both 12x12! I was having such a hard time with that size at first. I just couldn't make the page work the way I wanted, and now I am totally embracing it! I really have 2Peas to thank for this 'groove I'm in. There is SO MUCH talent just running wild on that site. Thank you, fellow peas, for being a constant inspiration!

I've decided that I am going to try for a Design team, also. I think it would be just awesome, and what's the worst that can happen? I don't get accepted. No big deal, but I won't know unless I try! These two layouts are part of my submission, and so will the frame I did for Mike and Diane. I've gotta do one more layout and a card, and they HAVE to be flippin' sweet.

I subscribed to the Jenni Bowlin Kit this morning, so I won't have to worry about if they sell out anymore- well, at least for three months, anyways. I can't wait to get the March kit! I think I've used AT LEAST one thing from her February kit on ALL of my layouts and projects for the past two weeks. Except the Park Manager page. That page is just Chad pics and staples galore! Two of my favorite things!