numero dos

A dotted alphabet brush set. Download it here. I'll post my layout using it in the morning!

OK, ETA my layout - can't wait to see what you guys do with these!



I've been busy but I'll catch up with comments in the morning :)

OK, first download

A simple little photo overlay. It's set up for a 5" x 7" photo (as shown in the first example) Just drag and drop on your photo (I set it in "overlay" mode in the picture shown)


Another use? Print it right onto your background! On this layout I enlarged it a little before printing. The photo frame is from my 2Peas freebie kit "Vibe". Lil Davis chipboard letters, Creative Imaginations sticker and rub-ons from Doodlebug and MME. Please don't think I'm gross - this picture was just way too funny not to scrap :p To be fair to Jake though, it was taken 3 months ago and I don't see him picking his nose anymore :p (much, lol)

The journaling is much easier to read in real life but it says:
    Jake, my wish for you:
    that you STOP that disgusting habit.
    Zack, my wish for you:
    that Jake keeps his hands to himself :p



You can download the frame here. Good luck! Remember, go ahead and ask questions and link me up when you post your layouts!

do you digi?

So, I have a lot of friends who say they'd like to try digital scrapbooking but don't know how/are afraid to try/love their paper too much. Don't get me wrong, I too LOVE paper and embellishments and just "stuff" in general. I'll never give it up. Digi is just a whole 'nother way to record your memories and preserve your photographs. It can be quicker, it can be more cost effective, you can achieve a look that is impossible with traditional paper products.

Here's the thing though, you can use digital technology and products in your paper layouts (you knew this, right?) It's absolutely my favorite way to scrapbook. I guess technically, I've always done this as my computer has been an integral part of my scrapping since day one. There are INFINITE ways to accomplish this.

So, my challenge to you (yes *YOU*, the paper scrappers) is to work some digi into your paper layouts this week. Every day this week (starting later this evening,) I'll post a download suitable for easy incorporation into your next layout. Post your a link to your layouts in the comments section and Sunday, I will draw a name from the participants and send you a nice 2Peas gift certificate. And you don't have to use the stuff I post here either - feel free to use any digital stuff you can get yours hands on - the products at 2Peas are a great place to start - lots of freebies available as well as a ton of affordable digital kits.

If you have any questions, post those here as well - I'll do my best to answer them (even though I am NOT the best for answering technical program questions.) If I can't answer it, try the 2Peas Digi Board as there is BOUND to be an answer there for you.

Ready? Set? Go!

heard around our house yesterday...

"Go JACOB, it's *my* birthday, shake my booty, cause it's *my* birthday!"



I've trained this kid well :)

I'm a baaaaaaad mommy.

last Friday, and I didn't post :(

7:36 am

and already I've heard Jake taunting Z with "in your face! in your face! BEAT THAT!"

thanks Hot Wheels commercial.

and have your kid say *this* to you and keep a straight face:

J: "knock, knock"
M: "who's there?"
J: "F"
M: "ummmm, errrrr"
(say it in your head if you have to ;-)

ok, to be fair, he followed that joke up with "A" as the answer to "who's there"...



Oh, and check it...only 7 days between posts :)

You guys...

I TOTALLY had this looooong post typed out - kid you not. And Blogger freaking ate it. I know there is no reason for you to believe me since I treat this blog like a red-headed step-child but it IS.THE.TRUTH.

So, I'll start over...it's not gonna be as long this time though, dammit.

You remember my last post - the one about the Dairy Queen coupons? Of course you do - you had to look at it for 3 weeks :p What a bummer that turned out to be. The coupons were for the ghetto DQ that doesn't even have a drive through...grrrrr. And to add insult to injury, they sent ANOTHER set of coupons for the same (*&%&$*# store like a week later! By the way - do you guys say "cooopons" or "qpons" because one of those pronunciations is like nails on a chalkboard - I'm not saying which one though :p

You guys could *feel* my excitement in that last post, right? Quite a blow the whole discovery was...

In other news, we went to Tar-jay today (all my Canadian readers...don't get too jealous :p) You know it's bad when both your 2 and 4 year olds know Target as their second home - Zack will actually pump his wee fist in the air as he chants "tar-GET, tar-GET, tar-GET" I AM a good mom. Anywho...we forgo the popcorn (Target popcorn is the best) but I did pick up some SWEET manpris. I actually got them *in* the men's department and they may very well be my favorite capris ever. I'm sitting here typing and they still have the tags on them - they are THAT comfortable. They would look completely ridiculous on a man but I may never take them off.

We also bought a new vacuum. This is the chunk of the last post that I'm not retyping because 1) it was suuuuuper long (but oh-so-witty) and 2) I don't want to get all pissed again like the first time I typed it. Suffice it to say, Zack was responsible for ruining the last vacuum. His weapon of choice was a coffee can of nasty old bacon and hamburger grease. The incident also involved three rolls of paper towel, a half a bottle of dish soap and an hour of my time.

Hmmmmm, oh yeah. Today is the 15th of the month. That means a new garden at 2Peas. I don't have anything in the Garden but I do have a new kit up. Check it out - you know you wanna. Also, I'm hosting a chat on the digi board tonight with Des (she rock.) We'll have goodies too. So if you read this post in the next 30 minutes, pop on over!



I'll have a BIG kit as well as one or two smaller kits up on September first so start saving those pennies...manpris don't grow on trees you know.

Hope none of you were hoping for a philosophical post this time around. Or maybe there are no readers left since I neglected so long. I could be typing to myself. So, say hi if you read :)

Also, I just spell checked this post and was amused to see that Blogger's spell check program doesn't recognize "Blogger" or "blog" as words yet...hmmmmm.

Dudes, I got the COOLEST news...

A whole ton of Dairy Queen coupons in the mail today (we loves our DQ in this house)

probably not what you were expecting, eh :p

 

Totally PSYCHED to head out to Chicago bright and early tomorrow morning! Kind of a last minute decision but I'm SO thrilled to be able to go. I get to ride out with the super fabulous Ashley and room with the gorgeous and talented Joanna, Shannon, Jennifer and Kelly (hopefully, Kel??).

Looking forward to seeing the new goodies but more importantly...looking forward to hanging out with old friends and meeting some new ones! If you're gonna be there - make sure to track me down!

I'll be sure to share pictures when I get back - good weekend to all :) 

styling by Jake...

 

(he will of course hate me for this when he is older - at least his face is hidden so he can deny it's actually him :p)

This is my boy who wants to be in his underwear only (or less) 24 hours a day - even in the winter. Today though, he wanted clothes. He picked tham out himself...right down to the accessories. Striped pajama pants. A sports themed pajama top. My black boots. A cowboy hat. He also wore one of Carlos' ties flung carelessly around his neck for a bit but this was the best photo I could manage.

Can't deny the boy has a style all his own :p 

Proof that he was at least wearing the shirt...

 

stream of conscious (the good and the bad)

um, guys?

Am I totally crazy or are these jelly shoes? I'm pretty sure they are...I could have sworn this was 2006. (and they're ugly, right? or am I just *completely* uncool and unhip? Jen - don't answer that :p)

Despite their obvious misdirection in the footwear department, Urban Outfitters has some pretty nifty stuff (and a very cool website). This shirt is pretty dang cute...I want it. Lots. And it's not *that* expensive but I could get 2 or 3 tops from Old Navy for the same price...I'm so thrifty.

tonight...

while putting Jake to bed he told me:

"two things, mommy"
(yes, he said two and held up two fingers)
"play cards"
"pick your nose"
and then, as an afterthought, the third finger goes up
"play videogames"

apparently a to-do list of some sort...thing is, he doesn't pick his nose - he'll *threaten* to with his fingers poised precariously just inside the cusp of his nostril. he'll ask me if he can EAT his boogers (he also likes to ask if he can eat the toilet :p)

gotta love boys.

this was all done after our nightly reading of "Hands are Not for Hitting" Jake LOVES the book and it makes for some pretty comical exchanges when Z gets slap happy (literally) a stall tactic without doubt - a funny one though. and I'm all about the funny :)

  

(oh yeah, you can get the brushes I used for the frame here...have fun :)

remember this layout?

 

It was done a looooooong time ago, lol.

Check him out now!



WHEN did he get so big?? (And thanks for all the photography pointers! Don't know that I did anything different this time but I do dig these shots :D) 

help from the photographers, please

OK, so I know I'm not a great photographer. I'm ok, but I'd like to be better. I positively LOVE these shots of Z. My outdoor shots always make me happier than the indoor shots. I know it has everything to do with the lighting but I know that my indoor shots CAN be better, sharper, and well-exposed with some basic adjustments to my camera. So, please tell me (sloooowly) what I can do to get better, sharper, well-exposed shots INSIDE (and I have pretty decent light in my house too so I know it can be done!) 

busy, busy

updating ...I wanted a new look - something cleaner. So, I've been working on it for the past week or so and I'm really happy with how it came out. I've also added a couple of options and hope to get more up in the next few days! I now have some card templates (mainly for photographers who need some variety to offer their clients) as well as a storyboard template available for free download. So, if you get a chance, check it out and let me know what you think!

OK, off to meet the fabulous Ashley for lunch :) Have a great day!

without further ado

the new 'do

 

disclaimer #1 - weird crop but it's all I could do with an arm extended :p

disclaimer #2 - please excuse the bags and wrinkles...I am 30 afterall 

my hair smells good...

'cuz I went to the salon tonight and got it cut ;)

Summer CHA...

next month - I know it's short notice but I'm thinking about going. SO, all my blogging buddies, anyone going that might need a roomie still?

One more...

(taken at the same time as the last post)

 

and YES, he's still up to something :p 

trust me...

he's up to something...

  

my kids are rock stars...

 

that's all :-) 

hope Maureen wasn't holding her breath...

so it's been a few days since I blogged...I'm not very good at this so I may just give it up.

Couldn't resist sharing this pic of Jake though after his haircut Saturday. Z has the same cut and they both look pretty darn cute but holy cow - Jake looks like he's six! Where did my baby go?



In other stunning news, potty training has officially been completed. He resisited for a long, LONG (longlonglonglonglonglong) time but he's finally among the land of the toilet users. He occasionally has an accident at night but we're sticking to the underwear 24/7 and he's doing as AWESOME job. Mkaes for some happy parents!

Hope you all had an awesome weekend! No promises about the next blog entry this time :p

a teaser...

Thanks for the birthday wishes for C...he got a kick out of them! We camped this weekend in honor of his big day - a little sneaker from the shots I got. SUCH a good weekend - I'll share more this week :) (And yup, that's ZACK flying a kite...the boys got skillz!)

Happy Birthday, Carlos!!

Today is my darling husband's birthday. And I am a lousy wife. I've known about his birthday all year long (HA!) but time slipped away from me way too fast and I didn't get a good surprise together like I normally try to. SO, please indulge me...let me ramble about my C, and wish him a happy -- birthday ;)

• he is HOT
• he is an awesome, AWESOME dad (Jake thought it was the coolest to run into our room this morning and wish him a Happy Birthday...three times no less...each time telling me to stay out because "I can HANdle it!")
• he takes great (I mean GREAT) care of me. Especially when I was pregnant. And he teaches our boys to do the same thing.
• he is HOT
• he is a hard worker. He can learn how to do anything in no time at all and isn't satisfied with being anything less than the best.
• he is handy and can build me cool stuff :)
• he loves the same music as me and has expanded my tastes considerably
• he is teaching our kids how to golf and nothing is cuter than seeing them shake their butts when they tee up :p
• he is hot
• he loves ME...and for a long time, I wasn't sure if there was anyone out there that *would* ever love me.

SO, Happy Birthday, Carlos - I love you!

(the digital elements in the photo are by Gina Cabrera at DDE!)

OK, totally goofy pictures yesterday...

Cute ones today. My boys LOVE their bath (well, except for when I dump water over their heads :p) They will play in their until the water is cold and their fingers are prunes (I get a lot of good readin done in the bathroom while they play, lol)

How I Spent My Sunday Night...

aka a total waste of time as I could have been working on assignments, laundry, reading a book, etc...

I need a change, my hair is boring. I get some highlights or layers (or go RED) from time to time but I bore quickly. I want to go short. So, I played around a little bit in PSE (a very little bit...obviously done rather quickly :p) last night and came up with these freaky little collages. Clockwise from top left, Meg Ryan, Cameron Diaz, Reese Witherspoon and Sharon Stone. Meg and Sharon are out but I thought I would share them anyway for your amusement (what is it about Meg's style that makes me look like I have fisheyes?!?



So, if you have hair like this - tell me, is it a TOTAL pain to maintain and style? Because I don't do that, lol.

OK, here are the funny ones - C wanted in on the act too so I give you C as Steven Cojacaru (have you ever seen him on the Today show? I think he's hilarious but Carlos thinks he's annoying :p) and as John Travolta back in the day.



And finally...the grand finale (some of you will get this more than others ;-) Scroll down for the ultimate hair makeover

















































Bwahahahaha!

OK, for real, gimme some hair advice.

happy sunday...

...from our happy house to yours (yup, that's what he called it...man, I love that kid :) He also *asked* for me to take his picture. And then proceeded to make that face - stinker.



Also, check this out. Very cool project that will benefit Women for Women International. A very worthy cause that I'm proud to play a small part in. And DUDE, check out that MEGA-talented list of people participating...a trip just to see my name amongst them all. I definitely have to get in on that action (and hopefully I don't win a layout scrapped by myself :p)

he's not eating dinner...

and he is STUBBORN.



OK, off to answer a few days worth of email so if I owe you one, it's coming!

Diwasawr...RAAAAAAHHR

Totally shocked when Jake drew this yesterday - how COOL is this drawing?!?

And this is a close runner up on the coolness meter. Such an honor.

April 5, 2006

a better shot of "the haircut"

And a new banner courtesy of Mr Jake (he has better drawings - clowns of all things - scary! but this one is of the four of us :D)

check me out...

This weekend, I:

Cleaned the house REALLY well (I am a crazy-sucky housekeeper...this is big for me...I vacuumed under the couch and between the cushions...I dusted (even MOVED stuff to dust underneath :p)

Made a yummy lasagna dinner [;-) Shelby]

Almost got all my laundry caught up

Started our taxes

Purged a TON of scrapbook supplies

Paid bills

Got a bunch of packages ready to mail

Scrapbooked a quick, simple page



And finally...cried for my lost baby



The concensus:



...It's growing on me (and sorry about the blurry pics - he will NOT sit still...and not because he doesn't want his picture taken - in fact, he DOES...he just wants to see it right away and runs for the camera viewfinder when the focus beeps rather than when the shutter clicks :p)

how cute is this kid?

My cutie pie nephew Tyler..."slamming" in our backyard yesterday...it was SIXTY AND SUNNY here, people!

This morning it's raining but I have to go to work anyway so I'm fine with it :D

Had an awesome dinner Saturday night at Mongolian thanks to Jeremy and Jenni...still full from that one I think :p

And did you SEE the Sopranos last night?!? I don't watch any show regularly but I've been waiting for the new season of the Sopranos to start for months. Totally didn't see that one coming! LOVE it!

Have a great week!

reasons 30 isn't so bad...

1) Amazing friends and family



2) Adorable kids that get smarter and funnier every day



3) Going out with J&J tomorrow night for Mongolian (jealous, Mel?)

4) My creative juices flowing again after MONTHS of not doing layouts.

5) Good things happening at


Thanks to you ALL for your support!

Love you guys - happy weekend!

ready for a deep one?

Originally, this post was just going to be a "tell me what's so GREAT about 30" kind of deal. That angle was bothering me though...it implies that I'm dreading thirty and need you all to cheer me up. That the age itself; the 3 decade duration - is troublesome to me. And that's not the case. I don't think thirty is "old." As a matter of fact, I'm much happier now than I've ever been before. I have my husband and sons and am close to my parents and siblings. I'm more content with my appearance than I've ever been (sure, they're are wrinkles and a few pounds to drop but I'm good with that!) I'm working (not my dream job but I'm grateful for it at this point!) and I'm enjoying a hobby that is *more* than a hobby. Life is good.

I've spent the past few days kind of short with my family, a little irrational, a lot emotional. It was pissing me off that making the transition from 29 to 30 was affecting me that way. Normally, I'm not short, irrational or overly-emotional...at least I don't think so...

Then, yesterday, I think I realized what's really bothering me. I wanted to make a statement for my 30th birthday. Not a big party or day out. I wanted to do something, for myself, that would really stand out as a milestone years from now. It isn't something anyone else could have done for me - it was all about me doing something, ANYTHING, to remember this time, this moment, this *only* day ever that I'll be this age - an age most people consider a milestone.

So, I'm a bit disappointed in myself. Disappointed that I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to pinpont the cause of my malaise, waiting for my epiphany, rather than doing something to correct it.

These words will go in my scrapbook. Or maybe a time capsule to be opened in *9* years...that will remind me what a loser I was this year (kidding!) and give me a year headstart on 40. Yeah, that will be the legacy of 30...a time capsule of sorts. Life at 30 to be compared to life at 40. What do you think?

(OK, so it wan't really that deep afterall...)