Violethare...family and creative visions

My Belated Weekend Update

2011-04-19T12:55:00.000-04:00

It was a good weekend---
Friday was the last day of school before spring break -- Jaden had an diorama due at school on habitat -- he choose to make one of the ocean, here is what his finished project looked like.

It was crazy hair day at Gavin's school and this is how he want to school -- he had just recently cut his hair, so there was not alot we could do to his actual hair, so we grabbed a fun extension pony tail that his sister has bought and managed to keep it on his hair with barrettes and bobby pins, I also spiked it with get and sprayed it with multi glitter hairspray.

We played a great game of pictionary for the Wii as a family on Friday night, boy do we get some funny drawings with that game. Saturday me and Alexa went to an all-day scrapbooking crop-- it was alot of fun, but what a bad weather day --- lots of rain -- driving home there was so much water on the road and it looked like there were waterfalls coming down the side of the mountain thru Harpers Ferry. Alexa worked on her Christmas 2010 Album and I am working on scrapping our 2008 Ireland vacation. --so far I am only mid way thru day 3 of a 12 day trip. Sunday was a trip to the library and get some laundry done day. Hope everyone had a great weekend:)

Giving it a try

2011-04-15T09:28:00.001-04:00

So I have done a few reviews and giveaways on my own before, as well as for some communities that
I belong too such as BzzzAgent, and One2One Network, after doing a lot of reading I have decided to
join another network -- the Business2Blogger Network, I am hoping that this will help me to offer you
more reviews of products that I find interesting or useful and that you might too. If you don't know about
B2B you can find out more information here on their website or check out their blog, there is great information on social media you will find useful even if you don't become a member, but I think it is definitely worth a try. The main goal of B2B is to help business with tailoring campaigns to bloggers of any size to help with product reviews., it can be a product you are launching, an established product, a book. Businesses can tailor their campaign by geography, blog theme, diff ranking systems, and other categories. Since it is not just ranking based this helps the new and or smaller market blogger get their name out into the world as well. It is bloggers and businesses helping each other.

Lets Plant A???

2011-04-12T23:50:00.001-04:00

Let's plant a what you say.... -- yesterday my 3rd grader came home from school with this....

Yes, every 3rd grader came home with a tree to plant -- not sure if all teachers gave out the same kind of tree or not, at my other son's school their 3rd graders got them today, but he is only in 1st grade. My 3rd grader was really not sure why he had gotten the tree, but boy was he excited about it. I think it is a combination of Arbor Day-Md celebrates the 1st Wed in April, National is the last Wed in April I believe and Earth day is coming up too. I had him re-water the roots and wrap it in the plastic bag so they would stay damp, as I did not think we could plant it then--heck I am not even sure it will grow in our yard. At bedtime he cried and was very upset for over 1/2 hour that we would not plant the tree in the dark. We promised him that when Daddy got home from work today that we would plant the tree in our backyard, so in the cold and damp -- (yes our weather that had been springlike is now back to gloomy and grey), we went outside and .....

Gavin waiting to Daddy to make the hole bigger

Digging the hole.

Helping hands putting the tree into the hole together.

Covering the roots back up and making sure it

could stand on its own.

Gavin with his planted tree:)

Now we just have to wait and see if it actually survives. We told him that it may not, and that we were not even sure if this was suited to our soil and area, but that we would give it a try. We have a snowball bush that has survived over many years, and some flowers out front but I would not say that we have green thumbs in our immediate family. If it actually starts to take root and grow I will post updated pictures.

ZZZZzzzzz....

2011-04-11T05:47:00.003-04:00

Is what I really should and want to be doing right now -- considering it is 5:45 am and I have not been
to sleep yet -- insomnia is getting really tiring----lol. I can usually grab a nap after the kids get on the
bus, but I really would like to sleep at nighttime again -- last night was OK, went to bed at 12:30 -- one night last week I even made it at 10:30, but no matter how well I sleep the night before each evening is always hit and miss. I have tried about all the sleeping medicine my one Dr can think of and none of them make me feel sleepy -- now my M.I.L takes one pill and you can tell w/in 1/2 hour that she needs to go to bed. I am just craving one good night of sleep. What are you craving?? or dreaming about since you are probably asleep??

Household Maintenance Made FUN

2011-04-09T15:57:00.001-04:00

How can that be you ask..........maintaining a household can be FUN, with housework, repairs, cooking etc......Do you want to learn how to make all of these things more enjoyable. Then you should check out a book I have been hearing about: Home Ec 101 -skills for everyday living by Heather Solos

Here is a sneak peek at what I learned from Chapter 20 --Meal Planning, not just for Control Freaks. As a mom to 3 with a busy husband, this is something we have gotten out of the habit of, actually sitting down with a planned meal to eat. This chapter was written in a lighthearted, funny and open way that would make it easy for anyone to follow, the author even shares mistakes she has made in the past, which makes it even easier to relate too. There are tips, tricks and even recipes. I really enjoyed her suggestion to ease into meal planning unlike some others I have seen that want you to jump in with 30 meals, with no processed food help right away. If this rest of the book is as user friendly as this chapter every home should have a copy. You can find this book at Barnes and Nobles and Amazon

As a member of the One2One network I did receive a sample Chapter of this book to download and review, the review is strictly my expressed opinion only.

It's Party Time

2011-04-08T23:59:00.000-04:00

Yes, I've been a bad blogger lately and have not gotten anything posted. I really want to get into the habit of posting regularly and what better way to do that than get motivated by making new blog friends at the best party of the year.

Find out more about it at 5 Minutes for Mom/Ultimate Blog Party

A little bit more about me, I am a married Mom of 3, who likes to share about her family with scrapbooking,
share my love of scrapbooking by showcasing designers that I like and whose CT teams I am on, share lil tidbits of daily life that may be funny or helpful or things I just need to talk about with others.-- it could be kids behavior, recipes, books, photos -- a mix-mash of ideas, but hopefully it will be fun. Hope you will enjoy what you find and stop back by:)

sick = yuck

2011-04-07T19:55:00.000-04:00

Can you just say we have had enough of the stomach virus around our house these past weeks -- first our oldest came home not feeling well --mild but lasted a week, then it hit one boy hard for 48 hrs, then the next boy for 48 hrs, and then Alexa has had it again--- 3 dr visits and today she is finally starting to feel better.

Are you Racing??

2011-04-02T16:14:00.002-04:00

In the ADSR6 at NDISB -- I am this is my first year and so far the first 2 challenges have been posted.
They were fun to complete and can't wait to see what is coming up next. I have already learned one new
digi scrapping technique. Here are my LO's

A Different Kind of Family

Dear Nana

So Many Things

2011-04-01T19:10:00.000-04:00

.........that I have not blogged about

* I am participating for the first time in ADSR6 this year -- so far the 1st 2 challenges have been posted -- when my layouts are finished I will post them here for you to see.
* BlueHeartScraps who I CT for is now a designer at Brownie Scraps!!!!!!!!!

Speaking of Brownie Scraps we are having a great SPRING BREAK BASH -- full of fun challenges and games -- you will earn raffle tickets to be entered into a super giveaway at the end of the month. I am hosting a treasure hunt this first week, hope you will come and play.

*All of the kids dance cabarets for the season are over, At their 1st competition Alexa's team jazz dance received a High Silver and their production number received Gold, their next competition is Mothers Day weekend and then they will be going to National in July in Ocean City, MD -- glad closer to home this year.

*My parents just got back from a cruise to Hawaii that left just after the Tsunami in Japan,(at first they did not even know if their ship would make it back from Hawaii to begin the cruise) so it was a different experience for them, hopefully we will get to see them this weekend and maybe I can get some pictures to share with everyone.

I'm sure there is ALOT more, will be sharing some of the favorite LO's I have made in a different post.

Guess Who

2011-02-01T16:55:00.001-05:00

Guess who is a guest designer at Brownie Scraps this month ---- BlueHeart Scraps ---go take a look at the kits she is offering ---

Are you Crafty???

2011-02-01T15:44:00.001-05:00

Then you have to check out CDAC-- they have great forums, digi stamp challenges, tutorials, and all kinds of other stuff. In February they are hosting a 5000 Member Celebration, with all kinds of great giveaways and 3 different ways to enter. Come take a peek and join in on all the fun!!
Here are some of the great store giveaways...........

and here are the other giveaway prizes........

Care to join me???

2011-01-15T23:10:00.000-05:00

I am hosting a Speed Scrap at Brownie Scraps tomorrow Sunday Jan 16th at 3pm EST --- Come join in on the FUN!!!

Project update

2011-01-15T23:04:00.000-05:00

well my 365 goals are probablly easier kept as project 52 instead, I can keep up with taking the pics but it is harder to actaully get them on the puter and then to scrap them. Here are my pics from week 1 finally:

Alexa got these for Christmas, but it took her awhile to actually sleep in them because she was afraid she would wake up and forget the monkeys were suppossed to be on her feet and they would scare her

I was up late on the computer and the boys came downstairs and fell back asleep on the love seat -- don't you still love to look at their lil faces while they are sleeping

just a sample of our weekly trip to the public library

luved this cute turtle image provided by Whimsey and Stars for a freebie challange at CDAC, most of my supplies are packed up right now, but still think I made a pretty cute card:)

It's a New Year

2011-01-02T21:48:00.000-05:00

Happy 2011 to everyone!!!
It is one of my goals this year to really keep this blog updated more, as a way to share with friends and just to have a record of the year to look back on later. I am also going to try and do Project 365 this year -- or at least weekly if not daily -- my kids may even join in -- got that idea from Heather at Not Everyone's Mama. Have a job interview tomorrow for an instructional asst position, have to get emissions tested on the van, and some appointments to make/reschedule.

Where does the time go??

2010-12-03T18:55:00.000-05:00

Sorry to have been MIA for so long, November was the craziest month around our house, sick kids, dental work, house issues and then our keyboard died ---- now Dec is here and I can't believe that the year is almost over. 3 more weeks to get ready for Santa to come -- the kids are so excited already, the only other thing they want almost as much as Christmas is SNOW. I would actually like to see a white Christmas that would be neat, but the blizzard of last year can stay away. I have some great pics to past later about a walk thru light festival we went to Thanksgiving weekend, and of course there are so many great holiday scrap kits out there and so many great ideas to share so be sure to keep checking in. Now that our new keyboard and mouse that arrived today have been installed staying in touch will be so much easier. Happy Holidays everyone!!!

Out and About

2010-10-18T16:13:00.000-04:00

   It's been a fun week around our house. On Friday night, the kids had a friend over and we got out the HALLOWEEN decorations and got the front yard almost finished. There may still be some minor things we may add. They had so much fun, even if they were being goofy and singing Christmas songs, since they said they did not know the words to any Halloween songs. We have since made a CD of songs with the general theme of monsters, vampires etc to play in the car. Some examples are Monster Mash, Purple People Eater, Thriller, This is Halloween (from The night before Christmas), some theme music to TV shows such as Twilight Zone, and movie scores such as The Shining. We could not resist also adding some regular songs that myself and my husband like -- i.e.-- It's a dead man's party, Bloodletting (Concrete Blond).
   Yesterday we went to the pumpkin festival a local pumpkin patch, we were there for 5 1/2 hours if you can believe it. There was so much to do:
   * face painting
   * small petting zoo
   * super slides
   * a hill shaped non enclosed inflatable bounce, they had a blast!
   * water pumped plastic duck races
   * haystacks to jump off of
   * pedal bike race course
   * a small train ride
   * a corn kernel "sandbox"
   * a egg hunt with orange and black eggs filled with small
   Halloween themed treats.
   * several small mazes for the little kids
   * pony rides
   * pig races -- The baby piglets were so cute racing around
   the tract, fast too. The pot-belly pigs were slower.
   * a seed spitting contest and a pie eating contest
   * an apple canon , trying to hit two different flag targets
   * a giant corn maze -- this year it was the logo of the
   Washington Redskins,the team name and the same of the farm
   spelled out. It took us 1 hour and 20 minutes to find our way
   thru, everyone we ran into on the path was having trouble.
   They also run the maze at night. I would not want to find my
   thru this one with a flashlight.
   * and of course a hayride to the PUMPKIN PATCH
I don't have the pictures uploaded to the computer yet, but will post some of the best ones which they are on.

Sept Endings Oct Beginning

2010-10-02T12:05:00.001-04:00

September has come to a close, the kids have made it thru the first month of school. Poor Gavin has lost so many teeth that it is hard for him to eat -- 3 on the top with another one ready to fall out and he just lost one on the bottom. All the kids audtioned for different levels of the competition teams at their new dance studio, the boys for mini-company, they did not make it, I did not think they were ready. It was more to do for the experience so they would know what to expect in the future. Alexa audtioned for the Repertory Company and the Danztastic Jr team, she did not make Rep Company but did make the Danztastic Jr team, at first she was disappointed because most of her friends from class are in the Rep company, but after the first class, she was feeling better about the team because she know more people than she thought she would.

The air is getting cooler and crisper, football season has started, the leave are changing colors.
Everyone is getting excited about Halloween approaching, the kids love to pick out costumes, and help decorate the yard

Here are some pics from previous years

The boys are in their 50's outfits from a dance recital and Alexa is a zombie ballerina

One of the many pumpkin carvings we have done.

The boys went as a mummy and a ninja.

Alexa was a school girl witch, she got tired of her hat.

Scrappin' News!!!!!!

2010-09-15T00:24:00.000-04:00

First off, let me share that I have been asked to join Azur's CT team and accepted, she has great designs, bold colors, whimsical feel, great for fantasy and scene LO's or more traditional LO's. Azur sells at Scrapbird and Coolscrapsdigital, and she is having a SALE!!!!

Just in time for the haunting season, Halloween is just around the corner..her latest kit is BOO.

Then I opened up my email to the title "Do you know what this picture means" and it means that
Digitreats is back. Read all about it on her blog post linked above.:) Stop by and tell her Welcome Back!!!!!

Can you say Woo-Hoo

2010-09-13T02:20:00.000-04:00

First of all, its beause the Redskins hung on (by the skin of their teeth) to beat the Dallas Cowboys, what a great way to start the season:)!!!!!!

And I made it to the second round of layout contest at The Studio and Brownie Scraps, if you want to see me move to Round 3, please go to the links and vote for me:)
My layout for the Studio

My layout for Brownie Scraps

It's Birthday Time at The Studio!!!!!

2010-09-04T23:36:00.001-04:00

Yep, it's Birthday time at The Studio--they are having their 4th annual Birthday Bash and they are throwing a GREAT party. All kinds of special challenges, a next designer contest and a layout challenge contest for spots on their store CT. If you participate in the challenges there are also some great giveaways to be gathered, come play some games and participate in a progressive scrap.

I am participating in the Layout Challenge and for week 1 we got to use the kit Autumn's Kiss by Mitsybelle
Isn't is a gorgeous kit.

Please help decide who makes it thru to the next round, you must be a member of the studio to submit a vote -- Voting begins after midnight tonight Sat 9/4 and ends Tues 9/7 at midnight. Vote here

Here is the layout that I made with the kit, Autumn's Splendor's

And here is a preview of all the layouts in the challenge

September Blog Train

2010-09-01T08:32:00.001-04:00

............ is here:) With a beautiful color swatch and fun theme, the next blog train has rolled into town.
The theme is Fall Carnival and the color theme is
Click here to go to the main blogtrain site.
I have made a page with part of the blog train kit by Design by Anita, her portion of the kit is

Click here to just grab Anita's portion. My layout is called Round and Round

Back to School

2010-08-31T17:40:00.000-04:00

I know, I still need to post vacation pics and that will get done,but wanted to share about Back to School 2010. I really can't believe it is that time of year already -- now if the weather could just catch up and change to cooler fall temperatures. We are really tired of high 90's, some 100's and lots of humidity.
This year our Ms. Purple is in 7th grade, still in honors classes -- can't believe that next year she will be a teenager. Gavin is in 3rd grade and still missing his top two teeth. This year he is also in an accelerated math class. Our youngest is at different school this year since he was accepted into the Gifted and Talented program. He has to ride the middle school bus with his sister and then take another bus to his school -- its so early for a 1st grader. The first week went well for everyone, only one tantrum about homework. Jaden doesn't have homework until next week, although he did have to put together an "All about Me" box -- what was in it?? He put a Thomas train, a photo book I made him with a Thomas theme to the backgrounds, a webkinz animal, a baseball, crayons, and a calculator. There may have been a few more items but can't remember them off the top of my head -- I know he wanted to print out a picture of Mario.
I always take there pictures on the first day and the last day of school to compare. Here are the first day pics.

Let's hope the rest of the school year goes as smoothly:)

Back from Vacation

2010-08-10T16:42:00.000-04:00

We are back from our vacation in Ocean City and I hope I have lots of good pics to scrap with, then we spent the weekend in Roanoke with my in-laws, the kids are staying there another week and we will meet them halfway to pick them up on Sunday. Will post pics soon.

Birthday Boy

2010-07-28T02:09:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I am really behind, since his birthday was the 15th, but better late than never. On their birthday

the kids always get to pick where they want to go out to dinner, for the third year in a row Gavin had picked
Edo, a Japanese habatch restaurant, they love to watch the food being cooked and on you birthday they either bring a dragon mask to your table and let you try it on, or they take a photo and print it and sign it and you also get a pair of fancy chopsticks in their own drawsting bag. This year we got the dragon.
Here are some pictures of our fun evening out.

They love to watch the big flame at the beginning when he first lights the table, but their favorite part is the onion volcano, and for the first time this year the kids actually tried to catch a piece of food in their mouths when he flips it to you, sorry there are not pics of that but it was fun!!

And here is a picture of the birthday boy -- after hearing the drums and the staff bringing in a special dessert and singing "Happy Birthday" he got to finally try on the dragon mask!!!

After that was all done and the food was cleared away he finally got to open some presents -- they included a bucket of sidewalk chalk, a catch ball game for outside and at the beach, a dinosaur activity book, and some other scratch off coloring design books.

That is all for now, will be back before we leave for the beach with some reviews and other updates.

Booland Designs is BACK

2010-07-12T15:23:00.000-04:00

............ and remember I told you I had joined her team as a blossom,-- well here is her newest release

April Blooms--it can be found at The Digital Scrapbooking Studio or The Studio for short, kit name is linked. You can also find clusters, styles, and others items for this kit there.

Here are 2 of the layouts that I have made from this kit

and

Bad month for me

2010-07-12T15:03:00.000-04:00

Sorry there have been now new posting in such a long time, was sick for most of the month of July and also trying to run around for end of year meeting for school and dance, recital, dance nationals and find the kids a new studio. Am starting to feel better and all of the others is behind me now, so hopefully more blog posts will be showing up soon.

Just Pinch Me.....

2010-06-10T01:10:00.000-04:00

I know, I know it's been quite awhile since I have posted, tryng to get better....but then I think did anything really interesting happen today? Sometimes yes, sometimes no but have been so busy finishing up with the end of the kids school year and getting ready for dance recital that haven't set down at the computer much except to catch up on some emails and blogs that I follow. I have some great pics from field day of the boys and will try to get some posted by the weekend. I would love to share dance pics but am more leery of those, since used to put them on my Flickr account but had too may people look without any comments for me to think it was a good thing, so now those are set to Family only.

I do have some GREAT news to share with my scrapping friends.............. I am now a BOO's BLOSSOM for Booland Designs, she has been one of my favorite designers since I started in digiland and I am so happy to join her team, should have stuff to show ya starting in July:)

Do you ever just want to run away???

2010-05-18T18:05:00.000-04:00

I love being a Mom but sometimes all the Why's and How does it work? and the many other questions and pleading that bombard me during the day just makes me want to run away to a beachhut or mountain cabin somewhere and have peace and quiet for a day or two. Of course, that is not possible, so what do you do to recharge and energize yourself the face the next part of the day or tomorrow when all you energy has run out. I find sometimes it can be as simple as a great big hug, time out for a bubble bath--sometimes they will leave you alone in the bathroom. Other times my wonderful husband will take care of them all so I can go to a scrapbook crop or something to inspire my creativity without six little hands asking to join in. It is in these times that I can reflect on all the joy and happiness that these 3 not so little anymore children at almost 12, almost 8 and 6 1/2 have brought into my life and how empty it would seem if I was really to run away to that beach house or mountain cabin and I am ready to face the next day. What do you do to recharge??????

What do you think life is too short for???

2010-05-11T18:44:00.000-04:00

This is a question posted at Twitter Moms, you can blog your answer for a chance to win a copy of Lisa Quinn's .."Life is Too Short to Fold Fitted Sheets: Your Ultimate Guide To Domestic Liberation".

Here is what I think Life is Too Short for......
* a perfect house, I can live with a few dust bunnies and clean clothes in the basket for some extra play time with my family
* healthy all the time, --yes eating your veggies is the best for you body, but we all need to relax and allow ouselves to have cupcakes with frosting for breakfast or a banana split for dinner, indulge you whims every once in awhile -- you will be happier and probably eat healthier in the long run for allowing yourself a little treat
*living by a spreadsheet -- yes schedules help us stay organized and on track,to keep an eye on what needs to get done, but is your life really going to crumble if you don't get x,y,z crossed off the list by 3pm because instead you stopped and blew bubbles on a sunny day, built a lego tower, or just talked about what pictures you saw in the clouds? Enjoy these small moments because they go by way too fast and soon it is --homework and dance class and off with their friends instead of play time with Mom and Dad.

The most important thing is to just be present on your own life and that of your family -- really participate instead of just showing up. Let me know what you think life is too short for by leaving a comment and see what others say by going to the original post.

Dance -- what he did for love.

2010-05-06T12:01:00.000-04:00

I really am not sure where to begin, it is like saying goodbye to a family member. As you know my daughter (and the boys) dance. We have been at the same studio since we started 6 years ago, and now that studio is closing. It has been a hard decesion for them and for all of us, but was somewhat expected. The studio was founded by Tom Waters and they are celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and we are choosing to celebrate that instead of focusing on the closing but it is sad that it is coming to an an end. Tom had a hand in teaching alot of people who now own or teach in most studios around the county. To view a trailer for a little insight into what Tom has meant to dance and the people who know him click the documentary link.
Tom Waters Documentary Friday, July 16, 7-10pm. Footlights will sponsor "Will Dance 4 Tom Waters".The evening will be a celebration of Tom's life and legacy of dance that he has helped form in Frederick County. Come out to support the Alzheimer's Assoc. and the Thomas F. Waters Scholarship Fund. Join us for food and drink, a silent auction, ...the documentary and special performances. Tickets are $25 and available at the Weinberg box office.

Blog Tour & Giveaway: "The Girls from Ames" by Jeffrey Zaslow

2010-05-02T03:17:00.000-04:00

Blog Tour & Giveaway: "The Girls from Ames" by Jeffrey Zaslow--check out a great review and giveaway on the Luxury Reading Blog, I have always wanted to read this book since I first heard of it from a different source, but this review had just sparked my interest more. I love the reviews on this site, they always just seem to bring new twist or perspective that is just a little different and can usually draw me into a book I have just been on the fence about from other reviews.

Brotherly love

2010-04-30T03:10:00.000-04:00

It usually all starts over some kind of game, be it on the computer, playing the Wii or even just running around outside. Child #1 -- his talking is making me lose #2 -- but I wasn't even talking to him #1 but it is bothering me, can't concentrate, you made me miss and on and on..... #2 -- gets frustrated and hits #1, who responds by saying I am going to kill you--#2 -- Mom, he just said he was gonna kill me. Me to #1--that is not a nice thing to say to which they respond --- I wasn't really going to kill him, just want to hurt him some, again my reply is that is not something that is nice to say about your brother and if you two can't work this out you are going to lost the privledge of whichever form of play they were participating in. Which will stop the argument for all of 30 seconds and the cycle continues. Take the offending game away or turn it off and they are all I'm sorry and give hugs, grab a book and go off to have an imagenery adventure in their room. Sometimes I think they actually play and act better without all the gizmo's and gadgets we have around the house. What is it like at your house??

Mothers Day ideas and Treats

2010-04-28T17:41:00.000-04:00

Do you always wonder what to give for Mothers Day? Or are you looking for gifts to leave hints to your loved ones about. Look no further than 5 Minutes for Mom, besides all their usual fun posts, ideas, chats they have a wonderful Mothers Day Giveaway going on, stop by and check it out.

Book review and Giveaway

2010-04-28T17:09:00.001-04:00

Are you looking for a good book to read, I have one for you. I had seen this book reviewed on several YA book blogs that I belong to, I had even tried to win it a few time, but alas did not ---however after the author emailed me and we wrote each other back and forth a few times,she sent me a copy of the book. It truly lived up to my expectations and I enjoyed it so much, that with the authors permission I went out and bought a copy to giveaway to you. Are you ready to hear what the book is, the title is Willow by Julia Hoban and here is a brief overview of the book.

Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen-year- old Willows parents drank too much wine and asked her to drive them home. They never made itWillow lost control of the car and her parents died in the accident. Now she has left behind her old home, friends, and school, and blocks the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when Willow meets Guy, a boy as sensitive and complicated as she is, she begins an intense, life-changing relationship that turns her world upside down. Told in an arresting, fresh voice, Willow is an unforgettable novel about one girls struggle to cope with tragedy, and one boys refusal to give up on her.

Whether you are a grownup who likes YA fiction, or someone who falls into the YA category, or even if you may have never read YA before, don't let the age category this book has been marketed to keep you from wanting to delve into this book, it truly has something to offer every age reader. We can all relate to unexpected losses or tragedies in our lives and how people develop different ways of coping with the aftermath of such events, this book explores what has, for the most part been a "taboo" or definately misunderstood coping mechanism and brings it to the forefront. What would you do if confronted by the events that occur, or how do you cope with your emotions, these are all great discussions that can come from reading this book. I have one copy to giveaway to someone (US residents only please) and I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Please leave a comment below why you would like to win this book or what you are reading now for entry by Wed May 5th, midnight EST and I will let Random.org pick the winner.

Did you have fun???

2010-04-19T17:48:00.000-04:00

I know that I did, this was my first time at the Ultimate Blog Party hosted by 5 Minutes for Moms, so many great blogs to visist and new friends to make -- not nearly enough time to look thru them all.......I am still looking thru them. Three new blogs that I found that have now become some of my favorite places to visit are listed below.

            Allergy Kid Mom -- always looking for new information and parents or kids to share peanut allergy information with, and that is exactly what her blog does, some really great food product reviews.
            Milk and Honey Mommy -- What a wonderful blog, full of all kinds of things, family tidbits, beautiful photographs, yummy souding recipies, homeshool tips and ideas if that is for you and a great writing style.
           Thanks, Mail Carrier -- Had to check this one out at first just for the name, but stayed because it is well written with a great sense of humor, great giveways and review posting and just made me smile.

There are so many more new ones that I am now following and enjoying that I would not know about if it had not been for UBP 2010, -- I am still finding new ones thru the links and I can't wait for next year!!!!

Easter Fun and Surprises

2010-04-12T22:20:00.000-04:00

Everyone looked nice and clean but you have to check out the next picture............
This was the first time Alexa had let me fix her hair in a very long time, I think it turned out pretty good for the first try, got the design from the blog The Story of a Princess and her hair.

The next part of the day was our annual Easter Egg hunt, hidden by Grammy -- which for the first time in a long time was able to be held outside 'cause we had beautiful weather. All 30 eggs (plastic not real) were discovered, but the best part was when Alexa went for one near a pile of leaves next to the Gazebo, reached down for the egg and ................this leaf......or what we thought had been a leaf but as you can see turned out to be a really ugly tree frog jumped right at her, scarred her to death -- wish we had caught a pic of her reaction but we were just able to get some of the frog after the fact. Who knows what will happen next year?????

Getting ready for Easter Day

2010-04-12T22:09:00.002-04:00

Easter was a fun day -- the night before we dyed our eggs, I even got in on the fun, take a look below for pics of the kids, my eggs and what they left out for the Easter bunny, they were kinda disappointed Easter morning that the Easter bunny had eaten their eggs and not taken them home to show to his/her family....but he did leave them a nice Thank You note:)

these are my eggs aren't they pretty????

This is what the Easter Bunny got to eat, hard boiled and specially decorated eggs, carrots and orange juice-, does that sound YUMMY to you.

Come join the party

2010-04-12T12:01:00.000-04:00

This is my first year participating in the Blog Party and it is turning out to be alot of fun, great new people and places to read about and some great prizes that you can win too!!!! I started this blog primarily to share scrapbooking pages I have made with family and friends but am hoping to expand it more into sharing about daily life and the world around us thru our families eyes and more of the things we like to do, maybe even host some giveaways in the future. A little about me, I am married with 3 kids who keep us busy, mainly with dance related activities. Our daughter is on a competition team and the boys dance as well. Currently we are waiting to hear whether or not our youngest gets into the gifted and talented program for school next year, should find out sometime in
May. Waiting for spring to fully settle in and hopefully avoid the full out humidity of summer for awhile.

So many great prizes to choose from:
Of course my first choice would be the grand prize --Toshiba Satellite
My other top choices would be US17 --by Tasra // US18--goodie basket for Mom//US 78 9 piece Avon
//US 101 Human Touch Foot and Calf Massager //US7 tupperware prize pack
Other interesting prizes I would enjoy:
US4,6,10,20,28,31,32,35,53,55,61,66,73,74,80,87,88,97,107,110,112,113,114
USC 3,4,6,10,15,19,25,27,32,36,37,40,44,48
And I am sure there are some I even missed, any prize would be appreciated, no longer need baby/toddler prizes as my kids are 6,7 and 11 years of age.

Can you say..........CUTE

2010-04-12T11:24:00.003-04:00

Well I'm not talking about me, but I am talking about him... Travis Wall from SYTYCD is definately coming into his own as a teacher and choreographer. My daughter got to attend the NUVO convention this year and of course I went along, who could turn down a picture opportunity like this.

Dusty Rose kit LO

2010-02-23T17:34:00.012-05:00

Hey everyone ---

Did ya know I am now also CT'ing for Modern June -- this is her newest kit Dusty Rose
Check out this kit at DSA

and here is the first LO I have made with this kit -- a picture from the wonderful "Blizzard of 2010" we had here on the East Coast recently

Kids say the darndest things

2010-02-23T17:30:00.002-05:00

We were at my daughters dance studio the other day and were talking to one of the teacher about if her little girls were going to start dance, she said maybe next year. One of my dd friends said I have been dancing here since I was 2 1/2, the teacher replied she did not know you could start that young and the girl replied "yep, you just have to be potty broken" mixing up the terms for babies/ potty trained with animals / house broken. It made everyone laugh:)

smile.ly—Be Heard. Be Happy.

2010-01-01T03:55:00.000-05:00

smile.ly—Be Heard. Be Happy. -- check it out, a really cool site:)

Philips: Win a New TV

2009-12-31T21:41:00.000-05:00

Philips: Win a New TV

WIN,WIN,WIN

2009-12-28T13:42:00.001-05:00

Click here to curl up with a book and a nook contest............and don't forget to enter the book a day giveaway too!!!!!

A freebie for you

2009-11-27T17:57:00.007-05:00

Hey everyone, did you have a good Thanksgiving and survive if you went out and about on Black Friday?? We are stuck in the house due to I have a respitory infection, but got new meds today so hopefully I can take my dd out to see New Moon this weekend. Have you seen the simply gorgeous kit Midnight at the Oasis by BooLand Designs,
I was lucky enought to be able to guest CT for this kit and loved working with it, here are 2 layouts I made and they are very different in feel, a fantasy layout and a more relaxed natural feel.

This kit has beautiful rich colors and is very versatile. You may purchase this kit at SAS and as a special treat Boo has allowed me to make one of the layouts into a quick page for you.
Image is linked, to dowload please click on image, remember this is for personal use only, please do not give away the link, redirect your friends to my blog to download.

Have a great weekend!!!!!

No Tricks, but a FREEBIE treat for you

2009-10-30T23:46:00.006-04:00

Ahhhhh, yes Halloween is here and a few of us CT's for Veelana have a treat for you, some Halloween brag book pages made with her kit "A tale of Magic and Monsters" You can find the kit at SAS and at Scrapbird. Here is a preview of the kit

and here are some LO's I have made with the spooky cute kit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And now of course your Halloween TREAT from me............ 3 brag book pages,they are all in one download, click here and comments are appreaciated

For all your other treats please visit the following sites, also don't forget to stop by SAS and look thru to forum for a Halloween grab bag!!!!

http://kimberkattscraps.wordpress.com

http://ayu-dark-dream.net/AyusScrapping

Also make sure to visit the designers website to for other fun reading:)

http://veelana.blogspot.com

Have you seen............

2009-10-19T16:30:00.002-04:00

the work of the new designers who won the Next Sasy Lady contest during the birthday bash at SAS, then you should head on over and check them out and ............I am not on the CT for Veelena one of the new designers, you can also go visit her blog. For those of you that enjoyed the progressive scrap during the birthday bash, check on for Halloween, there may be another!!!!!

Check it out and WIN

2009-09-18T12:23:00.002-04:00

Wanna see a great new kit. then head on over to DID and check out Autumn Blessings by Tiger Lily Digi's.

Here are 2 layouts I have made with this kit so far:

Isn't it a GREAT KIT, head on over to DST for a chance to WIN it for yourself!!!!!!!!

Fall Freebie

2009-09-15T20:15:00.004-04:00

Yes, you read correctly I finally am back with a freebie for ya, but first have you heard the news

there is soooo much going on right now - - -

SAS is having a new designer contest and a birthday bash, there is still plently of time to join in on all the fun--follow the bingo and clue players, there is a scavenger hunt, a template exchange and more

DID is back in business and in full swing, Do you like Project Runway, then you have to check out Project Gallery, voting is underway for week1. Here is what I made with what we were given

Brownie Scraps is hosting a brownie addict club and a new format for a newsletter, bring a glass of milk and stop on by.

Here is my freebie for ya, some crinkled fall papers, check back over the weekend for some more goodies --

click here to download, comments are much appreciated

Wow it's been awhile // new contest

2009-08-07T17:34:00.003-04:00

WOW, look at the date of that last post, oh well what can I say......family life took over.
Just wanted to let everyone know SAS is getting ready to celebrate a birthday and is getting ready to start their annnual Next SAS-Y lady contest, read all about it on their forums.

Extreme Makeover wk 3 gearing up........

2009-05-20T16:34:00.003-04:00

Does everyone know about the Extreme Makeover contest going on over at SAS, check out the gallery to see all the entries for the new site design and for the new CT team. Next up is a contest for blinkies, you can still sign up thru 5/21 at midnight, go take a look!! While you are there, see what other fun challenges and games you can join in on if you are not already familiar with SAS

Just wanted to share........

2009-05-18T17:47:00.003-04:00

with you a new layout I have made with piggyscraps kit -- Rainbow, Moon, Stars --- if you like what you see check out SAS for the kit, she also have a freebie cluster frame available.

Do you MOO??

2009-05-18T17:44:00.003-04:00

If not why don't you browse their site and take a look, I don't use them much, but what I have gotten have been super impressed with the customer service and the quality. Use this code if you have never been there before and receive 20% off of 1 MOO product

Happy Birthday to DigiScrapStation

2009-05-16T15:17:00.002-04:00

Yep, thats right it is a birthday celebration all weekend until noon Tues CST. Tons of fun games, activities and layout challenges to try. Stop on in at DSS, say HI and JOIN in the PARTY for some great fun and prizes too.

Delicious Scraps have a new kit and 2 freebies for you

2009-04-27T23:18:00.008-04:00

Hey everyone, have you seen the new kit "Pretty" by Delicious Scraps, here is the preview

Here is a layout I have made with the kit called "Beautiful Girl"

I have turned this into a quick page for you - link expired please leave a comment if you do either here or on 4shared, they are appreaciated.

And here is another QP made with the same kit for you. Again please click link expired and please of you could leave a comment, I really enjoy reading them.

Look for more layouts and news to come.
Kel

Freebies at DID

2009-04-05T14:47:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone, did you know that DID is having an Easter Parade.... if you do not already get their newsletter or belong to the site hop on over and sign up. There are freebies to be had and maybe even some special treats when you use them in a layout. You may have missed the bginning but it's not too late. See ya there.

Kids say.........

2009-04-01T13:01:00.002-04:00

just the darndest things... they were all in bed listening to their MP3 players and my oldest comes downstairs and says "we have a problem", so its another delay tatic to stay up later, I ask what is wrong. She says "Jaden is crying, he is listening to the song girlfriend and says he isn't cute and will never have a girlfriend" I told her to go upstairs and him to come downstairs, tried to tell him that at 5 years old, girlfriends are a long ways away, (even thought he said he had 3 at school last year) that he is very cute and most girls and boys at this age think each other has cooties, he said but Gavin has a girlfriend, "who" I said -- Rebecca he said, this a a girl that has been in the same class with Gavin since Head Start and they barely talk to each other( they are in first grade)I just gave him another hug and told him that girlfriends could wait for a long time. He went upstairs and told his Dad that "mom still just doesn't understand"

Have your heard...........

2009-04-01T12:57:00.002-04:00

SAS has a new owner -- Toiny of PiggyScraps. Please stop by the site and say congratulations.

QP Freebie

2009-02-12T12:42:00.003-05:00

Well it week two of the quick page team challenge at Pretty Scrappy, below is what my quick page looks like, please swing by the gallery at Pretty Scrappy to grab it and others you may like. Also you can go back and vote for you favorite!!!!!

First Kit, grab it for FREE

2009-02-10T19:16:00.003-05:00

Well I am participating in the design challenge at Brownie Scraps and our first kits are done,

Here is a preview of what my kit looks like, I really am happy with the papers, the elements so-so in my opinion, but hopefully you remember what your first attemps where like.

Quick Page Freebie/Contest

2009-02-06T12:37:00.003-05:00

Hey all -- Do you like Quick Pages, then you should head on over to Pretty Scrappy -- they are having a quick page team contest -- you can grab the quick page I made as my entry and others that you like. While you are there please VOTE for my QP if you LIKE it!!!!!!! Here is what my entry looks like. There were two kits, the one I was assigned to use was Evoke by Just Passin' Thru.

LO to share......

2009-02-04T11:58:00.006-05:00

Well it has been one of those weeks, just feeling generally blah....and 2 of the kids have strep.......I am off to a paper crop with a girlfriend of mine on Sat to work on a special vacation album of my trip to Ireleand last summer.

You can catch some cute freebies at both Piggyscraps and DeliciousScraps blogs.

The new monthly collab kit is also out at Designs in Digital, it is very cute....."the birds and the bees "

Here is a LO that I made with DeliciousScraps kit "Iced Wine" a mini-kit for free at her store.

Thanks and Annoucing New Kits from Piggyscraps

2009-01-24T05:06:00.005-05:00

First I want to say a BIG "Thanks" to Piggyscraps for giving me my very first blog award

Now to pass it along to some gals who share so much and are always willing to answer questions you may have or just have a fun blog to read.

Digitreats

Vicky/A Work in Progess

Sara at Sweet Blossom Designs

Delicious Scraps

Life Muses by Ro

and speaking of Piggyscraps , do you know that she has two new kits out Happy Chocolate and not quite Vintage Blossoms. Below is a layout that I just finished with Happy Chocolate, it is such a fun little kit, great papers!!

I will be back later this weekend with more LO's to share and maybe some surprises:)

"Love is" QP freebie for ya

2009-01-23T02:06:00.001-05:00

Hey all, Delicious Scraps has a new kit called "Love is..." and I wanted to share with you the LO that I made, Anna really liked it so with her permission I have also turned it into a free Quick Page for you. Stop by her new store to pick up this kit and some other new items, for a short time everything is only $1. This is a great kit full of romantic elements, but it is not just for romance as you can see by my layout about love between brothers.

And as promised, here is the QP, click here to download and please leave a comment, I enjoy reading what you have to say.

Kid's Create

2009-01-22T02:25:00.007-05:00

Well my kids have been bugging me about letting them help to create a layout about themselves so it has finally been done, I suggested some kit choices, they picked the ones they wanted to use and the elements and paper. I walked Alexa (10) thru completing hers herself, I started the boys and then let them place and size some of the elements since they are only 6 and 5.
Ready, here you go. Please leave them some luv so they will want to continue to be creative in their lives.

This is Alexa's she choose not to use a picture but just use her favorite color and one of her two favorite animals. The kit is Ellie's Elephants/by julie c at SAS.

This is my youngest's Jaden who is 5, and he definately fits the theme, kit is cheekycharliemonkey by julie c at SAS:

And this is what Gavin the middle one choose, kit is "It's a boy's world" by Sweet Blossom Designs

LO to share

2009-01-18T19:16:00.004-05:00

Remember when I won the Teen Crush kit from Sunshine Studios, here are two layouts I made with it.

This was taken at a Fall Festival when all the kids were actually getting along:)

I liked the shillouetted look of my son throwing leaves in the air. Alpha/arrow altered from kit.
Hope everyone had a great weekend. Will be back with more LO's soon.

YAY to me again:)

2009-01-17T00:00:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to share a bit of news, Anna has added me to her CT team at Delicious Scraps and I am working on some LO's to share with you before the weekend is over.

Kids do say the darndest things.

2009-01-16T23:46:00.003-05:00

Kids do say the darndest things don't they. Last night my husband asked out youngest what he learned in school (he is in pre-K due to a winter birthday)..also pictured in the mitten layout.. He said does everyone know how to read like you do? Jaden answered, "Well, they are all doing OK now but I AM the SMARTEST" so my husband then asked "why". Jaden then said -"today we were learning about the letter "O" and I was the only one who knew ALL the pictures and the only one who know what an ostrich was. then boys will be boys, Jaden and his brother were playing some kind of game where one of them was "hurt" and the other was taking them to the hospital, after my husband went upstairs for something Jaden decided he wanted to cuddle with Daddy. My husband said I thought you were playing with Gavin where Jaden promptly with a deadpan face looked at Gavin and said "you're dead, you died" Where do they get all this from?? Little ears can hear the quiestest things I think. What do you think, leave a comment sharing some of your funny moments with your kids.

Woohoo to me

2009-01-13T16:00:00.002-05:00

Just had to congratulate myself!! First I won the kit "Teen Crush" from Sunshine Studio's giveaway desk, then I came in 3rd place in the SDE contest at DesigninDigital and won a $10 gift certificate:) :) :)

2009-01-09T00:10:00.009-05:00

Piggyscraps has a new kit at SAS called "First Snow", this is an adorable kit with frosty themed papers and elements. There are snowflake journaling pads, ice blocks, word art, cuddly animals,
glittery snowflakes, and a alphabet and more in this kit.

Here are 2 layouts I have made with this kit so far.

A Freebie for Ya

2009-01-07T21:38:00.006-05:00

Just wanted to shared the quick page that I made using the Magenta Sky kit by Piggyscraps, if you like it you can see the whole kit at her stores at Stone Accent Studios or ScrappyThoughts.

Download here, comments appreaciated.

Thanks!!!!!

2009-01-04T20:17:00.002-05:00

Thanks to all the designers and members who participated in the New Years festivities at DigiShopTalk. I won a free kit and 2 $10 coupons, will be showing off LO's made with my new toys when I have a few minutes to myself.

Take a look

2009-01-04T20:08:00.002-05:00

Sunshine Studio's is releasing a brand new kit "Teen Crush", full of bright cheery colors and great elements, like the beaded hearts and acrylic flowers. Stop by the site and take a look:)

2009-01-02T21:58:00.005-05:00

Just thought I would share some of the light effect photos I made of our holiday lights, I got the idea from Ro at ScrapGirls.

This and that

2009-01-02T21:53:00.002-05:00

Well, the holidays are over and now that things have settled down maybe I can actually get the hand of this blog thing and post my fav sites and all those other cool things that you see when you look at others.......and have time to scrap............and houseclean...nah maybe we will skip that one..lol

BTW, there is a cool little clog train at ScrappyThoughts, see this blog post for details.

Happy Birthday to Me

2008-12-12T08:51:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was my birthday and thankfully it was rather uneventful compared to some years, the kids actually had on listening ears for most of the day and were nice to each other which sometimes is the best present with 3 of them around. I got a cute pair of earring from my husband along with a soccer ball charm for my charm bracelet. Tonight we are off to the second of 3 christmas dance nursing home performances that the kids are in with their dance studio and it is G's choice of dinner out -- Bob Evans. Last week J picked Pizza Hut and next week will be A's turn. Hopefully I will be back over the weekend with some LO's to share but also trying to finish up some last minute Christmas gift calendars.

CT Announcement

2008-12-08T23:39:00.003-05:00

Yeah, just wanted to let you know I am now a CT for a lovely lady "Piggyscraps" -- you can find her stores at Stone Accent Studios and at Scrappy Thoughts. Here is a LO I did with her kit "Denim and Steel"

lil' about me

2008-12-08T23:35:00.002-05:00

Well I am fairly new to all of this, and not sure whats kinds of tidbits will be popping up. Certainly scrapbooking LO's and probably some kids stories here and there........ not sure how active it will be until after the upcoming holidays but wanted to jump in and say "HI".

Just testing//thanks

2008-12-08T23:27:00.001-05:00

Just thought would see how this works. Thanks to Toiny/Piggyscraps for setting this up for me.