A day of "I should..."

Happy Saturday, everyone!

I'm off work today (yay!) and I really should be getting lots of things done. But instead, this is what my day has been comprised of:

"I should" be in the pool getting my tan on, but the day looks like this:

(view of the lake over my fence)



"I should" be in my scraproom cleaning...or perhaps scrapbooking?? But it looks like this:

(courtesy of my daughter making covers for her school folders, and me throwing everything random in there)



"I should" be exercising because I'm finally back on my weight loss journey, but my elliptical sits like this:

(notice how sad it looks?!)



"I should" be cleaning...yet here I sit! And no, no pictures of what I should be cleaning. That would be horrendous and CPS might show up at my house after someone calls them...

Have a great day!! :)

A card with Copics

Sort of, lol.

I have several Copic markers. I love them, I think they are purty, and well...I'm a collector. It's what I do. So I thought, hey! Let's try those puppies out!!

The stamp is one that my BFF Sharla sent to me, and I finally busted him out. Isn't he cute?! He doesn't have much room for coloring, so I just used a few of my Copics. But I DID use them, so that counts...right?! I still need lots of practice but for now, it's one on the books.



Thanks for stopping by! :)

I always say, "I never win anything..."

...but today I DID!!

I've been trying to get myself into the digi stamping scene, and trying to use all of these wonderfully yummy Copics I have been buying...yet once again I lose my motivation. So, I'm trying to boost myself by looking at some really talented ladies do their thing with digital stamps!!

I don't have a lot of room for rubber stamps, so digi stamps appeal to me much more, plus I get the whole instant gratification thing when I want to buy one. ;)

So, in browsing around on the blog of one of my FAVORITE stampers/cardmakers...AMY, I see that there are some sneak peaks at the Some Odd Girl blog. So, I check them out and decide to post my comments. I'll be the first to admit...I'm usually too lazy to log in so that I can comment, which is something I need to work on because *I* enjoy comments, so I know everyone else does too. My apologies to my blogging friends...

But I digress...

I log back in to the SOG blog and see that I have won a digi stamp!!! I love it!! He's cute, he's adorable, and he's ROCKIN' KODY!!

So, go here:

and check them out. The stamps are awesome, and the designers are amazing!!

Back with a layout!

It's been ages since I did a blog entry. Since I started working I just can't see to get myself onto a schedule...even though I only work part time. I'm the worst procrastinator EVAH, but I'm finally jumping back in today!

I haven't had any scrapping mojo in a very long time. I've made some cards sporadically, but this time I tried my hand at working a sketch. I searched a bunch of sketch sites and finally found one I could use at Page Maps. They have maps for all kinds of layouts, plus some for cards too.

Well, here is my finished layout! I followed the page map and finally scrapped some older pics of the girls and I. I forgot to put the gem above the "i" in this photo but rest assured I went back and did it. ;)



Thanks for visiting and hanging in with me!

Some organizing projects I've done

A few weeks ago, before I landed my job in the flower shop, I started on an organizing bender in my house. My mom and I had decided to have a yard sale (since postponed) and I wanted to clean out each and every drawer and closet, room and garage, so that we can make it a good one.

I thoroughly enjoy organizing. It makes me feel good, it makes me happy to do, and it makes me enjoy my house just a little bit more. I love having a place for everything and everything in its place...although I haven't recovered from the little tornado called "The Superbowl" that blew through here last weekend.

Here are just a few before and afters I did.

Medicine cabinet before:


Medicine cabinet after:


Everyday dishes cabinets before:


Everyday dishes after:


Cookbooks/recipes cabinet before:


Cookbooks/recipe cabinet after:


Caffeine cupboard before:


Caffeine cupboard after:


Spices cabinet before:


Spices cabinet after:


Pantry before (don't mind the grossness):


Pantry after:


I love having a place or a basket for everything. I also love labeling things. I'd label my kids if they stood still long enough. Labels make me happy. Containers make me happy. Baskets make me happy. These pictures make me happy. :)

Thanks for indulging my inner Martha!

What's new with me?

I got a job!!

We have a flower shop here in town that hires work during busy holidays, for answering phones and helping out in the store. I happened to go in to find out if they were hiring seasonal workers at the time, and they hired me as a customer service person in the store!! I've been working almost daily for the past two weeks, and loving it!! Once the holiday season is over (Valentine's for now), I will go to a few days a week in the store, and more as they need me. Once Mother's Day starts in, I'm back to full time! I enjoy it very much, and love all of the people that work there!

It's been a challenge trying to figure out how to balance my household stuff and get myself back into the working world. I've been home for a very long time, and it's taking me a little bit to get into the swing of things. Thankfully I have very helpful children and they've helped pick up the slack. ;)

My bff Sharla has been getting into the scrapping challenges, and once I get myself on a groove, so will I!! Check out her blog and be sure to check back with me!! :)

So, yeah.

I have no reason for not blogging for so long, so I will not insult you with excuses, illnesses, family, yadda, yadda, yadda. But I'm here now!!

Shannon, one of my sickening talented friends, linked to a challenge on her Facebook page and I knew I had to participate! The Paper Variety is holding a challenge to create a layout, card, or craft piece based on this piece of inspiration:



When I saw the phrase, I instantly thought about my BFF. We live in different states but she is still as close to me and as dear to my heart as if we were next door neighbors. She's my sister from another mother, and sometimes we are so similar it's VERY scary.

So, here is my take on this phrase. As I was trying to complete this, knowing I wanted to use a photo of Sharla and I, I realized that we do not take as many pictures together as we should!! That will change in a few weeks!!!



Be sure to check out the challenge at The Paper Variety, and if you get a chance, hop on over to Shannon's blog and check out her beautiful work! I've had the honor of seeing it in person and it is fantastic!! Tell her I sent you!! :) Thanks for looking!