Happy last day of 2007!!!!!

Today dawned clear and sunny and beautiful! Much welcomed relief from the dreary weather we have had here in Northern California!

Christmas here was wonderful! We celebrated up a storm....I actually really got into it at last. I was not feeling the Magic....still missing my Gran and letting the stress of life get to me. But Bran came home from his jobs and started to decorate for me! What a shocker! I don't think he has ever done that IN the house. So I finally got my groove back YAY!

The boys loved all their gifts from us and all the family...they got transformers, dragons, playdough, a game table, clothes, pirate ships, books, art suplies...man they are spoiled little turkies, lol. But...the thing they played with the most...was this bouncy foam like stuff from their sister! Totally cracks me up.

I got some nice bath gel and lotion from the boys and an EHD from dh.

My family loveeeeeeeeeeeeed all the stuff I made them. The calendars were a total hit as were the books! My aunt didn't really react much to the paper bag album...makes me wish I kept it for myself :( I don't expect them to do a huge ole happy dance..but she didn't even really look at it. oh well.

Which brings me to Shutterfly. There has been a lot of talk in the digi world regarding shutterfly and a lot of it hasn't been the best. But I personally love shutterfly. It has given me a chance to see my work in print. They have great prices, incredibly fast shipping, great customer service (I have had to contact them for mistakes they made and they are very apologetic and get me a fix and compensation quickly).

I would like to talk about some of the shutterfly goodies. (pictures to follow once I find my card reader :(( )

First....the printing of 12x12 and 8x8 layouts. Man....heaven is all I can say! I was so tickled to get it! It was so much better than seeing it in the books I have come to love! The colors were on the money and the textures showed up quite nicely! I framed one of the boys for their room and they are beyond tickled!!

I then tried out the calendars and they were so easy and fun to make. I loved the option to put on your own birtdays etc. No excuses for forgetting now :). Perfect cropping and colors again! I def recommend!!

Now come my trial of the photo cards. Easy to make, great colors and you can customize to your heart's content! I was one of the ones who got my order messed up on this...I received someone elses cards!!!! They told me that she actually got hers, but they printed them out again and sent them to me too. They had to resend them...and since it was late Thursday...they wouldn't go out till Friday...and they use UPS, so overnight meant that they didn't arrive until Monday. I was disappointed with that...but the actual cards were gorgeous!

Now...since I am a big user of Shutterfly...let me share some tips with you. If you are not familiar with their specs and site...it can be a bit confusing!

All I will be sharing with you now is geared toward the digital scrapbooker.


1.) the digital Scrapbooking solution area of the site. It is where I start off when creating something. If you click each one it will take you to a page where you can download the specs and templates for that product

2. Make sure you turn off Vivid Pics to ensure you get the right colors. To do this:
Select your album
select all
click enhance/fix pictures
then effects
check box on left that says "Don't apply automatic corrections to picture"
click link above this box that says "Apply this effect to other pictures"
select all
click Next
you should now see it say applying to all pictures

3. turn off the easy crop/zoom feature too. (you want it to say custom crop and free)

click pictures
select all
click enhance/fix pictures
then crop
you will see some circles starting with easy crop. look farther down and click custom
now click free

4. turn off your borders

click pictures
click all
click enhance/fix
click borders
no border
to the left of your preview you will see the option to apply this border to all pics

If you do all these tips and use their templates...you will be good to go and very happy. One thing I am careful about too....I like to place a lot of detail on my edges. I make sure when I place them in books to try to not put too much by the spine. If I have all layouts that are very detailed...I make it a bit smaller and allow for a tiny border...just to be safe.

I have also heard of people having their special deals disappear before the expiration date. I was assured that all you have to do is call them and they will fix it up for you. And if you received compensation for a mix up...like a percentage off or free shipping...and it expires before you use it. Just call them and they will put it back for you.

All in all...I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee me some shutterfly! So does my hubby...he just asked me to make each of his three daughters their own books from birth till now. He ASKED me,lol. Never thought I would see the day. Made me so happy! So...lots of scanning and creating to do!

Now...I haven't been able to create much in the goodie dept with Christmas and such. I do have two new products in the store.
Stitched basics. It includes one full stitch, one partial, one partial unraveling, one star and one flower in the following colors....white, cream, blue, orange, and pink. Then there are just the holes in a straight line, a star and a circle. And cause I love ya...I threw in a set of flowers and another set of stars...in lots of colors. Now $1.50



Then there is this set...made for some pages of my son on his motorbike.

MY Need 4 Speed element pack...only 1.50 and full of goodness.



and here is a little bonus for you all to play with.



click here to download. leave me a little hello. don't share or claim as your own. send them on by here if they want it!

here is a layout I made with the pack and freebie.

hi sweeties. hope you are all good. I am fat and happy still,lol

I made this yummy dinner...it was so easy and quick and no one would stop eating!!

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 pounds beef cube steak
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 tablespoon butter
minced garlic, pepper, salt, lipton onion soup mix
2 cubes beef bouillon, dissolved in 2 cup water
1 bag of frozen chopped potatoes
baby carrots (steamed till almost done)



DIRECTIONS
Cut cube steaks into pieces about 1/2 inch in size. put flour, pepper and salt in ziplock bag and shake. Add meat and shake shake shake. In a large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium high heat. Add garlic to oil in pan...wait a min. add meat and sprinkle with onion soup mix; saute till lightly browned. Add more butter if needed.
Stir in 1 1/2 c of the beef bouillon, potatoes,salt, and black pepper. Cover, turn heat down to simmer, and cook for 15 minutes. Add carrots and remainder of bullion. It will thicken as it cooks. Add more water if it gets too thick.

serve with salad.

this is also my most requested desert evaaaaaaaa!

INGREDIENTS
1 (15oz) can pumpkin puree
3 eggs
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
3tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 half package yellow and one half cocunut cake mix
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup melted butter

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, eggs, brown sugar, white sugar and milk. Stir in spices. Pour into pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over the pumpkin filling. Sprinkle walnuts over the cake mix. Drizzle melted butter over all.
Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool.

I made these layouts for a paper bag album I am making. I used Merry Memories kit and Christmas Cheer kit by Bren Boone at scrapbook graphics.










I used my templates available at Scrapdish

Here is a freebie template I made you. Was going to just give you the elements...but wanted to put them in a template for you at the last minute. Everything made by me.

Click here to download

and just for you sweeties....a 40% off coupon for my store TBBloggirls

hugs and happy scrapping.
xoxoxoxo
tracy

~*~*~*~*~*~Happy Turkey Day all! *~*~*~*~*~

I have been busy running around but still got these up for you!

Buy these great 6x6 Xmas album templates as a package or individual sets (commercial version abailable too) up at SCRAPDISH!!

click pics to see larger image




I also have set 10 done...8.5x11 and 12x12 versions both available as well as commercial versions.




And here is a coupon code for 38% off any order in my store. you can use until
the 25th of November!! TBGivingThanks


Check back often the next few weeks...lots of freebies coming...not just templates ;)

eat a lot, laugh a lot and take lots of pics.
xoxo
tracy

Happy Saturday ya'll. Hope it is a good one for you. It is cold and dreery here today. Brrrrrrr. Brandon is Scuba Diving today. I am hanging with the buds. Waffles graced the breakfast table. Lots of building with tinker toys etc took place after. Now the boys are coloring some velvet color posters I bought them...man they love those things. And I love the dollar tree. Every time I go there I stock up.

Speaking of fun finds...I went to our Big Lots the other day. They had some great scrapbooking goodies. I got some flowers and ribbon reallllly cheap. And these adorable accordian albums...the 6x6 were 3.00 and the 4x4 were 2.00. This person is selling them on Ebay for 7.50 plus 5.50 shipping. Talk about profit,lol. I also picked up some itty bitty albums for 1.00. looks kind of like a matchbook album but larger.

I am also working on some altered goodies..but you have to wait to see, hehehehe.
Though I am having trouble with one. I want to sew some lunch bags...and my machine won't do it. I have seen others get it to work...but is no go for me. I have adjusted the tension, made the stitches bigger...just won't work. Any thoughts?

I worked even more at the school this week. copied my big ole hiney off. getting crafts ready for next weeks fun time. we have so many fun things...turkeys, hats, feathers oh my! I am done there for a bit, lol.

Is anyone looking for some Christmas Kits right now? Bren has some gorgeous ones out at Scrapbook Graphics...Check these out:





Kim Hill released an adorable hanukkah kit at ACOT and CG essentials. as well as some fab alphas and cool stitched sequin swirls. woot.



Rachel Young went crazy and has these gorgeous papers for only 1.00 today at FPD.


and Kathi (lauraskathi) is Givinggggg away this freakin awesome Michael kit for a dollar too! Today. Run to FPD and snag them both! (If you click here...you can see lots of their stuff plus the others for a dollar)


I am also in LOVE with everything Amy Wolff has been making at the Lily Pad.
she is rockin!






ok...that is enough enabling,lol.

I have had some ask me if my older templates will be available at scrapdish! the answer is of course my pretties. and all the square I have had will be made into rectangle. I also have a few brag book templates, card templates, a through-the-year celebration template set, a paper bag template set etc all coming out in the next month or so..perfect for presents. And hint hint...I will be having a SALE! We are swithching servers right now, so all will be better and faster! I will let you know when it happens.

A couple layouts I made recently.



Have another goodie for you...a square template. Here is the layout I made with it (I used the awesome 2nd bday kit from Elemental Scraps. man is that thing packed full of goodness!!!) the preview doesn't come close to showing you all inside.

Here is the preview.


click here to download.

with this one...not going to give you a list of do nots. instead take this as a challenge. I would love you to scrap some special memory with it. I scrapped the first thanksgiving we had with out my gran and with out uncle bob (they both passed away in October of last year). We all got together and had a nice dinner.

ok kids...going to go play a memory game with the boys...they are sitting here staring at me,lol!

hugs and love chicklets!

Hi cutie bugs! how is everyone and everything in scrapland??? I think someone is messing with me and changed the date of my last post! It has NOTTTTT been that long! No way. no wayyyyy. wowowowowo. I knew it was a while, but not that long.

All I can say is I have been dealing with life. Some good, some great and some bad. Been very busy with Chase's class. Working with Hayden. Worrying about my MIL.

I cannot POSSIBLY fill you in on all of it without going on and on all day and night, so will recap.

What I have learned since I have been gone.

1. The older I get, the less I like housework. Now...don't get me wrong...I never LOVED it. When I was single and had lots of time...I would be known to keep a really clean cute house. And actually spent time deep cleaning on a regular basis.
Now...yuck. So many other things I have to or would rather do. And now that I have 4 of us (sometimes 5 when my mom is here) to clean up after...it just plain STINKS! and having two little boys and one big boy...bathrooms are my all time WORST chore.
I am sick of laundry, laminate floors (which you constantly have to wash) and tile grout!

2. There are not enough hours in the day! Just not. By the time Chase gets home from school (we walk in the door about 3p) and he eats his snack and talks about his day with me...we have to do homework, cook dinner while they play (or go to sport practice or boyscouts), bath, talk/read bed. I MiSSSSSSSSSS my little guy! A lot! And there just isn't enough time for me to get everything done that I want to. I have this huge list of things I need to do, people I need to contact, etc. Siggghhhh. INstead of crossing things off with speed...I just keep adding more and more,lol.

3. Marriage is hard work. Especially when you are both tired, stressed, and dealing with the young ens. They take time and effort to make them good. You can easily fall into a rut. NOt take care of each other. Put it off.

4. I have a hard time saying no. I want to do it all. Be there for everyone. Make everyone happy. Be useful, liked and needed. But, once again...we fall back to number 2. I do NOT have enough hours. I must find a seminar that teaches me to say no and to limit myself to what I volunteer to do.

5. I need to take better care of myself. I StILL haven't gotten it together with the weightloss thing. I stopped Nutrisystem because I kept "cheating" and didn't want to waste the food, so it is still sitting there waiting for me to feel strong enough to do it. Man I am struggling there! How can a person who used to be so fit and work so hard at being healthy get to this point? I am 40+ overweight (would be "ok" if I lost 40). And I hate it. I miss feeling fit, energetic, good in my own skin. I am not sleeping good. I am embarrassed by how I look. You would think I would be quick to act on it. but noooooo. def psycholgical.

6. I will probably never stop my iron shots. they think I could need them the rest of my life. they still have no idea why my body can't make and/or absorb iron through my digestive system. I have gone through tons and tons of tests. bottom line...cannot find out why. iron shots weekly help. in 6 more months they think I can go to monthly shots. strange stuff. we also found out that Hayden has low iron. (my 3yr old)

7. When people say they miss chatting with me and I tell them I am usually up for the day at 3a pst...so between 3a and 7a. we can chat on computer....I usually get dead silence and quick change of subject. hahahah ;) hopefully this will change soon. I am one tired momma,lol.

soooo...that is a bit of stuff in my head.

I have been scrapping quite a bit. Not going to put all the new layouts up here...but if you want to take a peek...here is my gallery I did quick a lot of my CTs...but still had a lot of quest CT spots coming up so do that. I am working with my buddy Bren still and a couple others. I also quit selling at SDK. Not cause I was unhappy there. I love those girlies. I just didn't have 100 percent to give there. Couldn't play in the forums like I should, keep up with the monthly mega kit etc. Just wasn't pulling my weight.

But I had people still wanting to buy my templates. Missed having my scrapping money to buy great goodies...so I joined my old friends over at Scrapdish recently. I can handle their site a bit easier. No forums and just have to do 1/2 of the mega kit contributions so I can handle it better. BTW...they are having a store wide sale right now...very cool stuff over there. fun gals.

here is what is in the store now...more to come



so...I will leave it at this for now...I promise to stay on top of this now...I kept thinking...I want to blog...but didn't want to just say hi and leave and knew it would be hard to sum it all up...so I kept putting it off,l ol. Another look into my psyche...if it is too daunting...I just say...ehhhhh will do it later, lol.

tomorrow I will show off some pictures of the kiddos!

how bout a little treaty treat for ya?!?!

Here is the layout I made with it...using all Rachel young goodies from funky playground designs.



here is the template.

Sorry...no longer available.

leave me a virtual hug if you would. no sharing, selling, claiming, direct linking to download. No using it as kleenex. No crumpling it and throwing at kid to get their attention since you lost your voice. No giving it as a tip at The Burger Hut. No wrapping your burger in it at said Burger Hut. No using it as floor mats.

wanting to know how to make your pic pop out of the frame (also called Out of Bounds technique)? here are some links I looked at...hope they help!

swish-db (very cool)

dphotojournal's tutoril

biorusts

to find one for your program type Out of Bounds tutorial for (name of your program here)

want another freebie? go here and leave me a hug and download! xoxox

I also have some wants and haves.

I am looking for some turbo jam dvds. would like to buy or trade (templates or clothes or kids clothes or books etc).

I have dreamweaver mx 2004 edu version (never used-honest) and dreamweaver 4 for windows and macintosh book and Sams teach yourself dreamweaver that I will sell

I am also looking at starting a book swap. All my friends here read the exact ones I have since we are in a book club together, lol. if interested, sign in here and we will get together and work out details. I read murder/mystery, book club favorites (right now have several to get out) etc.

if intersted in any of the above things I just stated for want/have contact me at tmblankenship at gmail dot com.
xoxox
hugs and happy scrapping
good luck, hugs and happy scrapping.

first and foremost...big hugs to all who have left me wonderful comments...you make my day.

Monday monday....sure feels good to me. Monday monday.....I am blessed and happpyyyy,lol. What is that age old addage...fake it till you make it? lol. just kidding. I am actually in good spirits. The weather is cooling down here, my momma came back up, my doctors are finally listening to me and I found $37 in my pants pocket...a pair I haven't worn for a while.

The bad news is my room...the craft room...the spare guest room....the one a while back I told you about...it had a life of its own. I would walk by it and it would give a throaty chuckle. In the middle of the afternoon..while everyone was napping...the door would slam shut on it's own. The one when I needed something out of it...I would tie the end of a rope around the door knob and the other around my waist--go in and quickly grab the item and pull myself back to the hall. I got lost in there once...bran had to throw in a life preserver to get me out. I vaguely remember a blue light with floor heighth clouds and eary music playing in the background and some shouting. I also told you all how proud I was that I had cleaned it spic-and-span and organized the H--E--double hockey sticks out of it. And...in my defense...it lasted a LONG time. And...the double closet where I installed shelving and tubs that house there own subsection ie ribbons, adhesives, feathers, beads, pipe cleaners etc....that is stillllll in FINE FORM. But....ahem...shuffle...mumble...talking low with hand in front of my mouth...the rest of hte room...not doing so well my chickadees. Over the last 3 weeks it has quickly become the "catch all room" again. A mom from school is coming over...shove it all in the craft room. MIL coming over....oh crap...Chase...Throw that in the craft room. Why the blankety blank to I have 14 million blankets in this house??? I will throw 20 of them in the craft room until I can part with them. (yes....we all have blanket issues in this house. None of us were breast fed enough obviously. We need comforting and we need it NOW. And we take it in the form of homemade crochet or knitted blankets softer than a newborns bottom. But I MUST draw the line. We have too many. And they are NOT all handmade! I find a supersoft blankey and I buy it. So...whose do we get rid of. Be REAL folks....NONE of mine are going. No way No how. So...I keep shuffling them in the craft room. I still was under the illusion that all was well in Tracy Land. The rest of my house might be under attack: living room is now laundry central. Living room is craft and Homework Bunker. Kitchen has almost everything on the counters...I am in the midst of getting rid of unused items....My room...well...blush...heheheh..ummmmm....does anyone else hold the illusion that I will EVER EVER EVER fit in a size 6 again. ummmm NO. so I have all my size 4, 6 and 8's sitting out all over the place (please note...while single and working...I was quite the shopper...malls and second hand stores...so I have literally 12 BOXES of clothes that I do NOT currently fit in. sighhh. And also keep in mind...months ago...I...ummmmm....got rid of a LOT. My name is Tracy and I have a problem I say as I lovingly caress a pair of 2 inch heels I used to adore and wear every other week. Can I just say...I am feeling a little in mourning for the rockin Hottie I used to be (snicker). Makeup, hair, fashion, diet, exercise...I did it allllll. Now....capri's, t's, ponie tail and lipgloss. sighhhhhh.

so...off on a tangent again. As soon as I get three weeks of iron shots back into me (yup...my levels are all the way at the bottom again..sighhh) I will tackle the Room and The Clothes again.

What are you reading now? What are you watching now? Do you watch things that you feel "ashamed of?" My aunt watches and tapes soaps regularly. I have a guilty pleasure of mystery/CSI/Cop show/movie/book obsession. I also enjoy a couple cheesey sitcoms...shhhhhhhh. Old Christine....hehehehe she cracks me up. I did not get into our book club selection this month....Dispatches from the Edge, by Anderson Cooper ...Between my MIL's cancer and my illness...and my disinterest...shhhhh....not gonna happen. I have very little pesos in my account. I am NOT going to buy this book. I will borrow it and read it,lol. I cannot get over how guilty I feel though. I need to figure out what book to choose next...I get to pick. Hard to pick ones that are available at the library, not too cheesey and that they haven't read, sigh.

speaking of books. I have been thinking about what to do with my used books. I might start an online book share. We join...list what we have...figure out a way to sign up and then just paypal each other the shipping and pass on the books. I have had to buy a lot of books, so this would be cool. Do you have a good idea on how to make this work? email me at tmblankenship at gmail dot com or post comment here. I have Memory keepers daughter, a thousand splendid suns, life is good, several james patterson (and TONS of mystery guys and gals) just waiting for me to either take them to the used book store or thrift store.

I am sad to say that I had to quit some teams...I just wasn't able to keep up with everything else going on. But my friend Bren Taylor Boone is coming back with power to knock your socks off...and she will be at Scrapbook graphics. Tune in on the 15th for more news...I will be involved with her.

I haven't gotten to scrap much...but here is what I have....



I got the pleasure of using fun overflow double page template by melanie colosimo at elemental scraps I neverrrr put this many pics on my layouts...but loveee the result. Thank you so much Melanie!

Speaking of templates...there is a deal going on right now for a free 8.5x11 shutterfly book (click here to see deal)and people are looking for templates. I have put some specials attached with my templates with attitude rectangle version sets right now. Check them out here.

and you all know me too well...here is a freebie for you...
click to download...leave me a heart drawn in the sand...or a hello.

square version click here

rectangle version click here

be courageous, be committed, be caring, be contemplative, be critism-free, be creative, be clever, be candid.

Don't be destructive, damning, dangerous, dreadful, dark, denying, degenerate, dismissive, derisive, or darn-right mean.

Share your heart, smile, save, surrender, sweep-someone-off-their-feet but don't steal, sensationalize, sell, swipe, swear, share what's not yours, or sweep truths under the rug.

love and be loved my friends.

hugs and happy scrapping.

hi all! happy Saturday!! are you like me and wondering where the week went? I sure feel it is only Wednesday. Geesh. I know Monday was an off day here but still!

So...I have a had a great couple days.

Thursday I worked in Chase's class...can I tell you...it is a night and day difference from last year. Last year was awful for me. I was so sad since I had these high expectations of what kindergarten would be...and it was NOTHING like that. I had issues with the teacher beyond belief. But I am sooooo happy with this year already. Chase's teacher is sweet, funny, CALM, supportive and CALM and organized and happy and CALM!!!! lol The kiddos are so cute and it was a totaly wonderful time!

Then I came home and hung out with my momma and then she helped me to some prep work for schooll

Yesterday mom and I (she is staying part of the week every week, remember) tackled the boy's room with Hayden's help. Got rid of the clothes that were too small, toys that were broken or obsolete and totally organized all the remaining. It was so nice to have help! I do this every other month and it was so much more efficient and pleasant having her there. I must give a shout out to my mom. I am THE luckiest girl in the world. My mom is always there for me....is always there for the boys...never lets me down and loves me to the moon and back. Thank you God for my mom. And for my aunt who is always there when she can be there.

Then we went to a play date at a new friend's house. I met this gal when she called my house to tell me when soccer practice was...she is the coaches wife. Never talked to her before. We talked for 1.5 HOURS that night...lol...she didn't call everyone that night needless to say heheheh. We just hit it off pretty well...and her son ended up in our class (I told her how much she should put Cal in there,lol). And a dear boy Chase had in class last year is in this year too, so they came over today too. And Hayden got to come as well as Davids little sister and dad. There house is BEAUTIFUL...110 years old victorian...kind of house I have always wanted.
The kids played great...we all talked for ever (my momma came too) and hte guys gossiped as much as us, heheh.

Now I am chillin' while momma cooks me some home made chicken fried rice! SPOILEDDDD! I promise to take realllly good care of her in her old age, hehehe.

Hey...did you know that I am spotlighted on the funky playground blog??? yup yup yup. I am a Hybrid Goddess there today...yayyyyayyyy me!

I created a fun hybrid recipe book! and I used the FPD goodies. And I give instructions. And...I have a small template pak for this project free for the taking if you want. I am so stoked. I had this done an eon ago...and couldn't wait to share it with you all.

Today is Chase's first soccer game! woohooo. my aunt, mom, Hayden and I will be going to cheer him on! He has a chance to be a Rockstar this year!! He will be one of hte oldest...it is 6 and under (and he won't be 6 till November, so he is there with 4 year olds and 5 year olds...go Chaseeeee, lol). I felt bad at first...all his friends from school are in the 8-6 year olds and he was a tad bummed. But I was listening to one boy and he was telling Chase....we have to practice twice a week and some of hte kids are REALLY good...my coach yells at us, etc. So...now I am so happy we are on the younger team again, hehehe.

After that...Brandon's cousins want help moving...and of course he is working again, so....that leaves me. Not sure if we are going to make it or not. We will see.

I have been having some DOOZY dreams too. I seriously need to start writing these bad boys down again...they will make some good books or tv movies,lol. holy moly!

ok lovelies! go forth and have a splendid day. Grab those templates. Get some exercise! hugs
tracy

Hi all....me again. you remember me...that little chubby brunette who loves to scrap! I am still here. Just keepin up with life...won't go into it all...just will start over from today,lol. Trust me...nothing too exciting to share...lots of booboos, sickies, housework etc.

Chase is joining Boyscouts tonight...he is sssoooooo excited. Been waiting since last year when they so meanly passed out fliers to the kindy classes and I had to tell him you can't join till you are a fist grader. Talk about heartbroken,lol.

My MIL Gillian is doing ok. She got good news...it wasn't in her lymph nodes! Yayayayayya!

My Dad had a relapse but is still getting better.

Everyone is home from their travels...and not allowed to leave me ever again,lol. phew...I am tired.

I have got to scrap a bit...and make up a new set of templates for sale (the rectangle version coming later today I hope). Click image for larger view.


they are for sale here...$4 now (two days only)

here are some layouts I have done lately...full credits can be seen in my gallery at dst...click here

this one was for a style it studios blog challenge...love those challenges. used all their goodies
I scrapped a suprise bday brunch my girlfriends gave me using Misty Maier's (dragonfly desings) gorgeous creations. (and Rachel young's pin pokes) for this. You can find Misty's work at OAKs and PDW.
I loveee this layout (if I do say so,lol) and even made a template out of it in the new pack. I saw the sign for I love you in one of my mags and thought it would make a cool journaling block...so off I went to create it. I did it for one of Elemental Scraps Blog challenges (can you tell I am lovin challenges lately?)using lots of goodies by Sherri Tierney over there...love that dino paper! (Declan kit)

This is a pic of my mom and aunt. I thought Sammy Davis' gorgeous As time goes by kit from Scrappin digi kreations.
I turned it into a template and wanted to share it all with you...so it is today's freebie. as usual...no sharing, claiming, selling etc. Also...no using as a shoulder cover during your color touch up on your hair....no using as a background for a picture dartboard of your non-fave celebrity (hullo brit for me)....no dribble bib for watching your fave hunky star in a movie (wiggling eyebrows) and no jotting down excuses as to why you can't exercise today. just download and enjoy.

click here to download...leave me a hello

ok...off to pick up the little monkey at preschool.
hugs
tracy

oooopssss.lol. the link is fixed.

hi guys. so much going on here....once again finding myself saying..I can't believe I haven't blogged in so long!

click all pics to see bigger version




so...to fill ya'll in.

chase is loving first grade. I mean LOVING it! Hayden is missing him like crazy. Chase lost his first tooth tonight (been working on it since the next one is half in already ;) ). Bran had probs with his heart...went to hospital. he is out and said to be "ok" though still not feeling 100%. My MIL (his stepmom) got diagnosed w/ breast cancer last week and had surgery Tuesday. she is recovering. My dad is really sick...not sure what. he is on oxygen and major drugs at home. Other than that...money is tight and I am grumpy ;) My youngest SD turned 17. More neighbors are moving. my laptop's CD drive won't work anymore. My big computer hasn't had it's working in forever. so back up is not happening except to external hard drive...making me nervous. and today my big computer gave me some quick message upon start up...something about FAT and a dirty volume. greaaatttt. I ran all my spy ware and virus checkers (two of each) and it said all was ok...but??? been just a barrel of fun...but we are getting by with lots of hugs, smiles and chocolate. I am just smiling a LOT,l ol.

My only therapy is scrapping...late at night...here are some layouts. don't think I have shared these here...not going to go back and look though ;)






I also have been wanting to get these out to you guys....a goodie....I hope you like them. they are paper piercings. my friend oriana wanted me to make up some using the holes I did for my stitches. here ya go...I had them done like a month and a half ago...just sitting on my puter. I have some more sets I am making.
click here to download...leave me a hello...say a prayer for Gillian (my MIL) Pray that it isn't in the lymph nodes pleassseeee. also... No sharing, selling or claiming. Don't use as lap mat while driving and eating a big juicy burger and onion rings...yummmmmm....I am so hungry. Don't throw out the window in attempt to cover windshield of mad police officer you cut off to get to the drive through of fast food place to buy the items mentioned before. Don't use to write down the bail amount and mail to me after you get arrested and they eat your onion rings right in front of you. you should have just parked silly. (this came ot me after this seeing this crazy lady trying to eat while driving down the hiway. lordy. steering with her knee (not well mind you) and eating the biggest hamburger I have ever seen. window rolled down with music SOOOOO LOUUDDDDDDDDDD. child in seatbelt (small enough to need carseat or booster still) just hanging on for dear life in the back. sighhhh. some people.lol

and don't worry...I am hanging in there...staying pretty upbeat despite it all.

hugs bellas!

hi chickie poos! how are you all today? I am doing really good. Had an awesome morning with Chase. We looked for his new lunchbox and thermos....went all over town just hanging. Got some great time in together. He is sooooo excited about first grade he cannot even stannnnnnd it! I love him soooooooooooooooooo much I tell ya ;)

I am going to get my hair cut in a bit...neighbor/friend watching the boys. thank you thank you. I took them last time. they were good but getting antsy. I mean...come onnnn, lol. One hour (my gal is a thorough hair cutter,lol). All girls. No real toys. how good CAN they be for goodness sakes mom, lol. Then I will watch hers while she gets her hair cut. Did I whine yet that they are moving? Soon.
wahhhhhhhhhhhh. First my Missy and family left me....now them. hmmmm. I am starting to take it personal :)

I have biggggg tootage. I am on another FAB CT! Yay for me. shaking my booty, lol.
I got on ALL THREE of the fab girls at Style It Studio. I am so seriously scrap blessed. I get to play with all of you. I have my Girls at SDK that I lurvvveeee. I get to play with SaraAmarie. Misty Maier. Kim Jensen. Rachel Young and the rest of the funky bunch from time to time. Angela Sharrow. Eva Kipler. Jan Hosford. Sighhhhhh. Heaven.....pure Scrap Bliss.

Have you been to Style it Studio Yet? wow. seriously.









Here is the layout I did for their Me, Myself and I challenge...use their collab kit (you get it free with $10 purchase) and you can winnnnn! they have over $500 of Gift Vouchers to give away. wooottt! If you want to read the poem better...it is in my gallery


also. I want to know why you haven't signed up for my BINGO game? hmmmmm? why not? how easy peasy is this. you get a prize from me for just playing. you check off your words. you can win GCs. Get your hiney over there...pick your words...email them to me. RIGHT now. You will forget if you put it off. And they deadline to get them to me is fast approaching! hurrryyyyy! While you are there....look at the challenges (if you do two...you can get my last bingo prize...camping mini kit plus the prizes for playing) and grap the freebies that are up! (hint...there are some in each designers store too)

Be sure to come by tomorrow...will have a little sumethin for ya ;)
xoxo
Tracy