Brought To You By The Letter {J}

Do you know what the BEST thing is about having a Blog?

2012-02-18T14:09:00.000-08:00

Well? Do you?

I'll tell you what it is!

The best thing about having a Blog is that you can Blog about anything you want! ANYTHING!

And that is what I have chosen to do today.

A long time ago in 1982 I graduated from High School. Yes...1982. That would make me what? 24? Just go with it!

Anyway....fast forward to 2012. That's what 30 years? Yep. 30 years. Guess how many reunions i have been to. I'll tell you. The answer is 0.

Yes. Zero. Big Fat Zero. Nilch. Nada.

Why? well I can be honest and tell you that every year that a Reunion is planned I have something else going on. Yes...I do! Like MANY people I have to make arrangements to go to a Reunion. I have to get it on the Calendar, I have to make flight reservations, I have to make sure I have a place to stay, I have to make sure that my plans do not interfere with anything anyone else in my family has on the Calendar. And yes, there are a lot of other people that go to Reunions that have to do the exact same thing. I just can't jump in the car on any given weekend, drive down the road, and go to a Reunion. It takes planning. And lots of other people are in the same boat as me.

So....just go with this.

Imagine my excitement when I found out that My 30th High School Reunion was going to be on June 23, 2012. Yes, I was excited...I just MIGHT be able to make it to this one. I check my husbands calendar and he had no plans. I checked my daughter's calendar and she had no plans, and I checked my "hotel" in Florida to see if there were any openings (the hotel in question is also known as the parents house). Everything was looking in the right direction for me to go to my Reunion. I got a thumbs up from everyone. And I began to make plans! I put it on my Calendar. I told my daughter that she was going to go see her Grandparents, I was looking at flight reservations and I even put a Countdown Widget on my cell phone that reminded me of how many days were left until the Reunion.

My Countdown Widget started at 147 days.

Right now my Widget says 126 Days and it's about to be removed. Why? Well, because I might not be going to my 30th High School Reunion afterall.

Right now on Facebook there is a Poll about moving the Reunion from June 23 to "sometime" in October. And to me that sucks. (remember, it's my blog and I can say whatever i want). Many people have come to give there opinions on whether to move it or to keep it the same. It seem that there are more people who would agree to moving it rather than keep it where it is, and of those people I don't think many are from out of town. They are the ones who can just jump in there car and drive down the road.

Now yes, I understand that the people who live in the Town that I am going to have to make plans too...but you know this is MY opinion here and it's my opinion that they do not have to make as many plans as those of us that live out of state.

I make one trip home per year. One. My daughter sees her grandparents one time a year one. If I attended the reunion in October I wouldn't be able to visit in June, and my daughter wouldn't be able to see her grandparents for another year.

One reason for changing the Reunion date is that it's Homecoming Weekend at my High School. Do I care about this? Nope. I haven't been there in 30 years. What I do care about is seeing my daughter perform at HER High School Football Game.

Well...I really could go on and on and on about this (and I could, since it is MY blog) but I have some other things to do like cancel all my plans, get other things on the calendar and take that widget off of my cell phone.

Maybe I'll be able to go to my 50th Reunion. I don't know what it would really matter...since I haven't been able to go to any of them yet. And then I am reminded does THAT even matter?

I remember a very wise person saying to me once..."Is there anyone there you REALLY need to see?"....well I guess I can answer that. But, I won't.

2012.

2012-01-23T15:06:00.000-08:00

January has been quite a Monumental Time at the Cornelius house. And February proves to be the same...

I'm saying that with a little laugh.

Once upon a time, I had a little girl. She was as cute as could be. I knew she would grow up and she has...SHE'S DRIVING!!! And next month she will be 17!!!

I made a layout of her and thought I'd share...

Said Teenager informed me last night that in one month she will be able to go and see Rated "R" movies by herself or with her friends...which made us both laugh!

We both remembered that she watched "Romey and Michelle" when she was five years old...yeah, didn't pay attention to THAT movie's rating!

She hasn't asked me for anything for her birthday other than redo her room...oh, and to have her cartilage pierced. Ummmm....NO! lol

But in all seriousness, Yes. I will do her room, since she is going to stay there until she turns 30.

Off to make some cards or a layout...thinking about opening an Etsy Store.

Have a GREAT one!

Jill

Layouts to Share! (finally)

2011-11-21T19:20:00.000-08:00

well it's time to finally share some things that I have been working on! Here are some of my latest layouts....

I'm sitting in my scrapbook room right now and it's raining outside! Finally for that too! I LOVE rainy days...I like the idea of having to stay inside because it's cold and too wet to go out and do anything. Over the summer rain has been sort of non-existant here in North Texas so I think that everyone is welcoming it! Who knows...if it rains tomorrow maybe I'll be able to stay inside and play a little bit more with my pretty papers that I have been waiting to use...

Have a GREAT day!

Happy November!

2011-11-08T12:51:00.000-08:00

Yes. November.

I know, I know it's been a long, Long, LONG time since I've last updated my blog.

Not sure why?

Maybe it's because I don't have any Design Team commitments anymore?

Maybe it's because I've been out doing other things?

Maybe it's because I don't think I have anything to share other than life's everyday happenings?

I'm not sure why. But I'm back!

I've decided (yet again) that even though I don't have any responsibilities for any Design Teams (which is a FIRST for me!) I still can post. I can post about things that are important to me!

So....
It might be about one of my cats. I have three!
It might be about my weekly Weight Watcher visit. It's happening tomorrow!
It might be about the High School Football Playoffs. We play on Saturday! GO ALLEN EAGLES!!!
or it just might be about something silly, like my never ending task of trying to overcome the clutter in my so called Craft Room.
Or it could be something about something totally random like why do I have a Cat Shaped Photo Frame with the picture that came in it still there? I've had the Frame for over 8 years and have never changed the photo! lol

Not sure what's it's going to be about, so I guess I'll just have to take it day by day!

In other words...it's going to be a surprise! to both of us!

Jill

You know how it is when something breaks...

2011-06-22T12:04:00.000-07:00

Right?

Well something broke.

Wasn't a big deal, just a pipe. I'll add photos later.

But you know how it is when something breaks right? Something ELSE breaks right after that! Like a dishwasher? lol

Yeah, I'll add photos of that later too.

Lots of stuff going on lately, well especially since the last time i posted anything on my blog.

I went to GASC.

Had a great time visiting with friends, and then i came home.

Dh told me he found water in the garage, but thought it might have been from his car? Nope.

It was the pipe.

I'll post about it later, but we did discover that we had "heated" floors.

Lot's of stuff on my mind lately.

Mainly how people treat others.

What I don't understand is that why when you go to a crop people treat you badly, and tease you, and make fun of you. And yet, they don't know you.

Yep has happened to me not once, but twice at the same store. It's causing me to rethink of where I shop, where I crop and where I will meet my friends.

These people don't know anything about me. They don't know anything that I've accomplished. But yet, it's not nice. And I don't like it. Not one bit.

So...it's time to change.

Change is good right?

Jill

Cricut Contest!

2011-05-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

Cricut is having a contest on Facebook so I thought I'd enter...why not right?

I had to upload a project that I made with my Cricut and I have this Halloween Treat Bag that I thought I'd enter. But there's a problem...always a problem with me right?

Well, the problem is that the Contest page only allows you to upload ONE photo of your project. And well, my project is MORE than one photo. So the solution to my problem? Upload the additional photos here and put it in my description that there are more photos of my project on my blog.

One "problem" solved.

Now the next is to figure out what photo to upload to Cricut's Contest Page.

Here are the photos of my Project!

Voting begins next week on Facebook, and yes, I'll be shouting that out to everyone when the times comes!

Oh, the PRIZE! I didn't tell you what the PRIZE is! It's the NEW E2! Which I don't have, and would ABSOLUTELY LOVE!!!

DFW Scrapbookers! Garage Sale this Weekend!

2011-04-28T11:41:00.000-07:00

Okay, did I scream that loud enough? lol

Just wanted to give every a heads up that there is going to be a Scrapbook Garage Sale THIS Saturday (April 30, 2011) at Personal Scrapbook in Allen.

The Sale will be from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Here's the address:

Personal Scrapbook
204 North Greenville
Suite 250
Allen, Texas 75002

Hope to see you there!

Jill

It's proving to be a VERY interesting day!

2011-04-27T14:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, so some of you might not have agreed with what I just did, and I can live with that.

Yes. I applied for a Design Team Position with "A Company"
No. I never told anyone what "Company" it was with.
No. I did NOT make the Design Team.
Yes. I was offered a Guest Designer Postion for a Month Coming up "After September"

So flash forward to today. I get a phone call.

Yep..asked if I was interested in a "Guest Designer Spot" for later in the year. WOW...didn't know what to say about that one. I mean, I'm NOT good enough for the Design Team, but I'm good enough for a "Guest Designer Spot"? So what do you think I said?

And I repeat...I never said who this "Company" was.

{Jill}

I've been trying....

2011-04-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

Yes. I have.

Ever since Rusty Pickle closed thier doors I have been trying out and submitting for other Design Teams. I've submitted for these calla and each outcome is the same.

The answer is: No.

So I guess I don't have what it takes, which is fine.

I guess my work doesn't meet with the eyes of approval of those who make up the Design Teams, which is fine. I guess I'm just an ordinary scrapbooker...which is weird for me because I have won SO many contests in the past, not going to name them but I have. And yes that does sound conceited but, well...it's the truth!

Yesterday was sort of the last straw. I submitted for one last call, and got the answer of "No" again.

So I have decided:

1. I will not be submitting for any more Design Teams.

2. If a company wants me to Design for them than they can contact me...I've had enough of the games. I remember the "old" days when Companies hunted you down, not the other way around.

3. I can go back to being me! I can scrapbook what I WANT to scrapbook with the products that I WANT to use!

4. No more deadlines to be met! If i want to go spend time with friends and have lunch I will. No more having to stay home so that I can meet a deadline. I get to enjoy myself.

and the most IMPORTANT!

5. I get to make Scrapbooking Fun again!

So I can now proclaim that I am on the most Fabulous of ALL Design Teams! A Design Team of ONE! And that's me!

Jill

Thinking...

2011-04-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

So I've been thinking lately. A lot! lol. Not about stuff like re-decorating my house, or how much gas is, or how to cut my grocery bill in half (even though those are SOME things that I do think about!).

I was thinking about what projects and layout i have done in the past that I really, Really, REALLY liked. So what do you do when you think about things like that? Well I'll tell you what I did and what I'm going to do.

What I did was go to Two Peas In a Bucket and I looked through my entire gallery. There are LOTS of projects and layouts in there that I "like", but there are also some that I REALLY "LIKE".

What am I going to do? Simple. Share them again! I know, I know, it's Easter Weekend and there's SO much other stuff that could be doing, but the house is quiet, Simon and Sarah are gone and all the kitties are sleeping. So I'm going to share!

This is a wall hanging that I made. The photo? Well that's my little girl who is now 16. The hands? that's me. Why is it special to me? It reminds me that once she was SO so tiny...if you saw her now you'd say wow! Well she is 16, but she's also just over six foot tall.

Yes, this photo was staged. I had my cat in on it too! Well it wasn't so hard, after all Joey loved me very much and I asked him if he would sit in the chair for a few minutes so that I could do a "kitty photo shoot". Actually he really couldn't say anything about it because I was going to do it anyway! lol. Why do I love this layout? Joey passed away on my Birthday in 2009. Every picture of him is precious to me! When Joey first came to live with me when he was a kitten he did not like me one bit! But after Skippy, his brother passed away in 2003, I think that Joey knew I needed a friend and that was him! I could go on and on about Joey cat, but I'll say that for another blog post.

These photos were taken of Sarah on THE day that she learned to ride her "Little Mermaid" bike without traning wheels. Her face says it all...she was "Determined". Which is why I LOVE this layout! Don't ask about what happened to the training wheels...I will never live that one down, and my daughter doesn't let me forget what happened either. Maybe I should share that in a later blog post too!

The photos in this layout just sort of happened, which is why I love this project so much! Sarah and I went to the Lake with a neighbor and her son. While the kids were playing in the water, this DragonFly just came over and sat on Sarah's hand, it would sit on her toe, her knee. Whatever was out of the water, the DragonFly went there. It would fly around for a little bit, and then come back to Sarah. And only Sarah.

Every scrapbooker at one point in there scrapbooking decides to do a "Home Sweet Home" sign. And yes, I have done one too. Okay, I've done like five of them, but I think this is my favorite! One color that I do not like at all is Blue. Yes, Blue. I don't like it. But I have to tell you this, my car is blue, my bike is blue, my bathroom used to be blue, and I like to scrapbook with blue. But I don't like blue. So why did I make a "Home Sweet Home" sign with Blue? Beats me, but I love the way it turned out with the black and the cream, and the little birds and jewels and the ribbon. Maybe I should re-think this whole blue thing?

This past year when I went to Creative Escape I took part in a Circle Journal. I wanted to make mine special to me and about something that I really wanted to Journal about and take pictures of things that were special to me. And this is what came out of that thought. The album title was called "Well, Isn't that Special" "5 Random Things". Each person that received my JournaL had to go through there house and find FIVE random things that they had and tell me why they were special to them. The album came back to me when we went to CE in August and let me tell you, everyone loved the subject! And something else came out of this also. It showed me that I really need to make myself a personal album of all the things that I have, not just five, and journal about why they are special and important to me!

These photos are special to me AND to sarah! You see, Sarah LOVES otters. She thinks they are cute and entertaining. One day when Sarah and I went to the zoo she found this little seat that was perfect for her to sit and watch the otters. I think we stayed there in that one exhibit for well over an hour, just watching and wondering. Wondering what the otters were going to do next!

Pooh Bridge was called Pooh Bridge my husband. The jouranl for this layout is hidden under the second photo. It tell the story of going to the Bridge out in the woods and having leaf races with sticks. Okay, so dh is from England, and this was exciting to him (at the time). Me? I just thought it was a pretty place!

You ever have those days where all of a sudden your husband decides to act like a kid? And says, "Hey let's go to the water park?" Well, this was that day! And this is how I documented it! Dh works really hard, and to have him take a day off from work during the summer is really special! And to watch he and dd goof off in the water was really special to me! There are photos on all sides of the cube, showing them in all there goofiness, and having "Fun in the Sun".

So there you have it, just a few of the projects that I have made in the last few years that are truly special to me! Sometimes it's nice to go back and see what you've done, to reminisce and to see a technique (or two) that you used to do and then say to yourself, hey, I wanna do that again!

Now, since the house is still quiet I think I'm going to go and scrapbook a page or two!

Have a Great Weekend!

Jill

April Showers?

2011-04-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

Bring lots of stuff going on in the Cornelius House. Haven't been on much do to some stuff going on here...mainly....

Painting.

Painting.

MORE Painting.

Luckily I am NOT doing it!~ lol

Been busy getting stuff ready in the house to have the painters come in. Now that it's over I'm busy getting stuff cleaned up! It's a little bit of a mess but nothing I can't handle! Just glad the painting is done. I have a bathroom now that is one color!

Next project? Tiling in the kitchen. But that's not going to happen until the store gets more tile in stock.

would LOVE to post more, but I have to clean!

Anyone want to clean for me???

Please Vote For Me!

2011-03-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, so yes I have decided to use my blog to reach out to everyone!

The Brave Girls Club is having a contest to win Registration to one of their WONDERFUL, AMAZING, LIFE-CHANGING Online Workshops! Soul Restoration 2. I really, Really, REALLY would LOVE to win registration so that I could participate in this class but I need YOUR help!

So I am Calling ALL of my FRIENDS! Because,I need your help! If you wouldn't mind could you please send an email to kallie@bravegirlsclub.com with my name (Jill Cornelius) in the subject line. Your email will count as a vote for me and I really can use ALL the votes I can possibly get! Thanks everyone! Voting ends tomorrow!

So please! please! please! send a vote in for me!

Thanks!

And if you would like to read about my experience with Soul Restoration 1 I posted about it yesterday!

Thank you for reading this, thank you for your vote, and thanks for being a friend!

Jill

A Little Bit of "Soul Restoration"

2011-03-28T11:13:00.000-07:00

I only told a few people that I was taking this class.

Why? Well, how do you tell someone that you're going to take a Class called "Soul Restoration." I'd be faced with all of these questions and I didn't know how I would answer them.

Their Question: So what's the class about?
My Answer: I don't know.

Their Question: If you don't know what it's about then why are you taking it?
My Answer: I don't know. Maybe I'm taking it so that I won't feel like I'm left out of something.

Their Question: Why do you think you need to take a class that "everyone" else is taking?
My Answer: Because maybe I will learn something.

Their Question: Do you think that you will be able to take an online class? Haven't you taken others that weren't good, or that you didn't like? Are you SURE that you want to do this again?
My Answer: Yes. I'm sure. I think I need to do it for me.

And the last answer was all it took.

I needed this class for me. I needed to restore myself and I was hoping that this class would help me do that.

Okay, so the title also intrigued me too!

I wondered what would be taught, what would/could Melody show us and teach us that we didn't already know? And the answer is A LOT!

Soul Restoration taught me SO so much about myself. It taught me to understand why I did certain things, and why I had certain beliefs. It taught me to overcome my fears, to go face to face with everything. To bring "scary" things out into the open and learn how to over come the "scariness". And to learn why they were scary in the first place.

Soul Restoration allowed me to go back through my life and see how far I have come. What I have accomplished,my journey (the good AND the bad) what I have done,my struggles, my celebrations, EVERYTHING! And I discovered that I have done a lot!

Soul Restoration taught me forgiveness. Yes...forgiveness. I have forgiven people that have hurt me in the past because that is the past. There is NOTHING You can do about the past! That's why it's called the PAST (lol). I'm looking towards the future now and how I can improve that future.

You know it's sort of funny, well to me at least. Every week I would look forward to the lesson that was going to be presented to us. I thought, "what are we going to do this week!" It was exciting! And I listened to EVERY word in the videos, sometimes three or four times! Over and over and OVER! Why? Because what we were taught was true.!

Yes, it was all true!

So now the question is Why Should YOU take this class? And my answer is....

Everyone can use a little Soul Restoration.

Good Morning and Happy March! (okay, so I'm a few days late!)

2011-03-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd pop on this morning and and try and update my blog a little bit! It seems that there is always something in my life that is being neglected and well lately it's my blog, my scrapbook room, my stuff! lol. But I'm going to fix all that stuff real soon!

A LOT has happened since I last posted. That was February! February is a VERY special month to me mainly because that is when my "little" girl was born! Sarah celebrated her 16th Birthday on February 7th. She had over a few (ten or twelve) friends, we went to dinner at Hibachi Rock, and then just came home and had a little bit of cake and ice cream.

So what am I NOT telling you?

Well really nothing, but you know how it is when you get teenagers together? You NEVER know what they are going to do! All of them were in my kitchen talking on one cell phone to one person. It was funny to see. They were entertaining themselves. And they had fun! And yes, Simon was very entertained by all of this!

Here's her Cake:

Isn't it PRETTY! She originally wanted me to make her a Birthday Cake mainly because I've NEVER made her one. But then we saw a similar cake to this one and I said that if she wanted that one for her 16th Birthday then that is what we will get. And it was BEAUTIFUL (and yummy too!).

Makes me sort of want to take up Cake Decorating!

Then if a 16th Birthday wasn't enough we had another BIG even with Sarah (No Dad, she didn't get a car, or her Driver's License!). Sarah got a JOB! Okay, it's part-time because that is all the high school students are allowed, part-time. But that's okay with her. And I told her that as long as she keeps up her grades then she can work. It's been okay so far with one exception. Having to have her at work at 7:00 a.m. on a Sunday Morning. I was so NOT happy about that one. But you know...I'll just have to adjust my sleep! lol

Up until the last time I posted until now it's been mainly taking Sarah to work, picking up Sarah from work, Weight Watcher Wednesday, making dinners, stuff like that. And now it's Spring Break...which means everyone gets a break except for me! UNTIL TODAY!

Today I am going to the Cricut Stampede in Frisco. The main reason I signed up for the event is because one of my MOST favorite Designers is coming! Teresa Collins! I can't wait to see her! As some of you remmeber I did go out for her Design Team and was a finalist. I didn't make it, but that doesn't amke a difference with Teresa! She is one of the most down to earth people that you could meet! REALLY she is!

Here's a photo of me and Teresa from last year!

SO Excited to see her!

I'll be doing a review of the event when I get back!

Have a GREAT Weekend! I know I will!

Jill

Here in Texas we do things a "little" bit different!

2011-02-05T12:37:00.000-08:00

This is my neighborhood.

Snow covered.

Icey.

Quiet. (except for the hum of the vacuum cleaner)

As everyone in the Country knows...well, since Super Bowl is "near" here this week, Dallas got snow.

It started on Monday, January 31st. I brought my daughter and her friend to school just like always...it was going to be a BEAUTIFUL day, because well, it was a MONDAY! I knew the weather was going to go downhill fast, and was heading to the store for groceries to keep us fed for the next week. I didn't think the bad weather would actually hit us until Wednesday....I was so, SO wrong!

During the late hours of Monday Night and early hours of Tuesday Morning the ice came...and it hit us. I didn't think it was that bad, honestly. But there I sat on Tuesday morning waiting to see what the news was with school. I sat and sat and sat. And then I saw, Allen ISD is closed. Okay, I'll go back to bed, and that's what I did.

We watched the weather all day on Tuesday thining it couldn't get any worse. But you guessed it, it did. The roads were all iced over and nothing was moving...well, 18-wheelers were, but everything at my house? We were at a standstill. Noone in, Noone out. Fine, that's just one day right? I continued to watch the News to see what was happening...also checking into Facebook. And that is when I saw it. Allen ISD is closed. That meant two Snowdays in a Row (okay, Ice Days). We have NEVER, since Sarah has been in school (10th Grader here now) have had TWO Snow (Ice) Days in a ROW!

Wednesday Morning...guess what we woke up to. SNOW. Just a dusting. That's what they said we could expect. Yeah, dusting. I posted some pictures of the "dusting" that we got. Yeah...dusting.

To make a REALLY long story short...School has been closed since Monday. Every day at around 5:15 i'd get a phone call from the school or email, saying that school would be canceled the following day. We are up to FOUR right now. Wonder what's going to happen next week!

ALMOST forgot!

Here in Texas the teenagers are pretty resourceful! Or could it be the parents are, and had to figure a way out to entertain their teenage sons! I went out to take some photos of my snow covered yard the other day and saw some kids being taken for rides on a big raft and being pulled by an SUV. Then I saw the neighbor kids taking rides on another neighbors ATV.

Here are some pics!

I saw the Raft go down the street and secretly hoped it would be back quickly! I REALLY wanted to go for a ride! And I'd do it too!...But alas....they didn't come back. Wonder if I can talk Simon into go to the store for a raft and some rope...those would be some AWESOME pictures!

Does It Snow in Texas???

2011-02-05T12:19:00.000-08:00

Okay, so every now in then I look at the box to the left to see who visits me, where they are from, and what they are searching for. One of the Topics I see most is, "Does it Snow in Texas?"

The Answer: Yes.

Proof is in the photos....

Isn't he a cute kitty!

2011-01-28T18:17:00.000-08:00

Okay so I LOVE cats! Always have, always will!

I LOVE to scrapbook my cats. Always have, always will!

So yesterday I was surfing arounda and found this cat-> -> -> -> ->
and I KNEW I had to have him come visit my blog for a little bit! Turn up your volume, he purrs! Move the mouse around, he follows it. Put the mouse above his head he reaches for it. Put the mouse on his tail, and it flops up and down.

Okay, so at least I thought it was CUTE!

Have a GREAT DAY!!!

Jill

Happy Wednesday!

2011-01-26T11:32:00.000-08:00

Those that are close to me know that Wedneday is my MOST FAVORITE day of the week! Yes, it ranks up there above Friday! What's so special about Wednesday? It's Weight Watcher Wednesday of course!

Weight Watcher Wednesday comes every week! It's the day that I get to drive to my Local (ok, not local for me) WW Meeting. You might be thinking what's so great about going to Weight Watchers. You're going to get weighed? Your going to a meeting? You're going to see if what you did (or didn't) do showed up on the scale? Yes, Yes, and Yes.

Weight Watcher Wednesday is MORE than that to me! Yes, I go get weighed and I see the results of my efforts for the week. Yes, I go to my meeting, and I learn something new (almost) every week. And after reading that you might still think what is SO great about going to your Weight Watcher meeting?

It's simple. It's the friends that I have made while I have been going. Sure, I drive to my meeting alone. And sometimes I walk through that door alone, but I don't attend my meeting alone. I meet a LOT of friends there that are going through the same thing I am. They are battling the same issues, and we sort of help each other through it.

My WW friends are VERY, very Special to me!

There are about eight of us...I say eight because sometimes that number changes! But we meet at the meeting. Okay, sometimes we meet in the parking lot BEFORE the meeting. Then we walk into the meeting, grab our seat (yes, we all sit together!) and we weigh in. We are a very entertaining bunch, and well to be honest, I don't think our Meeting would be the same if we weren't there! You NEVER know what one of us is going to say, or do!

After our meeting if it's nice outside we go for a walk. Now if it's cold? Forget it! We don't do cold. Or REALLY hot for that matter! After our walk we go to lunch and we recharge for the week.

It's NOT just a "Weight Watcher Meeting", what we have is a "Weight Watcher Day"! We ALL look forward to seeing each other every week! we check up on each other, text each other, we support each other! We are friends that were brought together through Weight Watchers.

So you see Weight Watchers works in MORE than one way! Weight Watcher's brought me to a great bunch of friends!

Have a GREAT day!

Jill

Starting Over.

2011-01-22T12:05:00.000-08:00

That's what it feels like. Starting over. Yes, it's a New Year. Well okay, not really because we are like 22 days into it and I'm just getting things really back to normal here (whatever "normal" is!).

December came and went FAST! And it was a busy time, for everyone! But you know I honestly don't know what I did during that month, other than get ready for Christmas. So HAPPY that's it's January. Back to "Normal".

The decorations were put up in the attic early this year. If it was up to me and my daughter they would still be out. And yes, I would still turn on my christmas lights. My neighbors might not be happy, but I would! I remember one year that I left my Christmas Tree up through February. I even turned the lights on. One of my neighbors asked me then when I was going to take it down. Because you know, Christmas was over. I told her soon....(maybe?). That neighbor moved away...wonder why? I really don't think me keeping my Christmas Tree had anything to do with!

I've also decided to change a few things. No more DARK Background. No more BRIGHT Background. No more BUSY Background. Just plain old me. For awhile at least until I find something that I really, REALLY like! To those of you that know me....well I know that's not normal either! lol

Normal.

Nah...why be Normal!

I'm just going to have fun being ME!

Have a GREAT DAY!

Jill

You know how it is when you submit...

2010-11-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

a Design Team Application right?

You second guess yourself. You wonder if you are good enough. You wonder if your projects are good enough. You wonder if they like your style. You just wonder.

Well, that is how I am right now.

Wondering.

I decided to throw myself into the circle of people submitting for the Teresa Collins Design Team. I haven't been on a team since Rusty Pickle last year, so I thought it was about time for me to get back into it.

And here I sit wondering.

So...I thought you know I have these three projects that I made for this call. Why not post them here on my blog. These projects were done really, really quickly because yours truly didn't read everything word for word. Yeah...I sort of skim over things, especially important details! LOL. One of those things I skimmed over was the part where you were to send in three projects. Well, I thought they were ANY three projects, so I was good right? Nope. Three projects that used products from Teresa Collins. Okay, so I have layouts and things with her products, but nothing totally or even close to 100%. So what's a girl to do other than start from scratch and make some things.

I decided to do one layout, well...okay so I started a card at the same time, but I like the way that my layout turned out so that's the one I submitted. It was an easy layout, and I LOVE it. I Love this photo of my daughter. It's like she's saying "Here's a flower mommy. For you!" I LOVE the colors of the paper and think that they all compliment the photo I used. But that's my opinion! (lol)

My next project is a Acrylic Shakerbox Frame from Darcie's. When I saw this at the store last week I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it! I wanted to use the Mr. and Mrs. Line to make a Shakerbox with a photo of my husband and me on our wedding day (our anniversary is next week!). So that's what I did. I made the flowers and used a combination of Teresa Collins Bling and Bazzill Bling Buttons to embellish it and added a crown to match the paper. Since it is a shaker box it has some Vintage Glass Glitter (Tuxedo) which is REALLY Pretty! I could sit and just shake the box and it just looks pretty!

My final project that I made is a Canvas. For this project i turned the canvas over and used the back side of it. First I painted the entire Canvas with black paint, and then the wooden edge that the canvase is streched on was glittered. I LOVE glitter! I made the flowers for this project also, added the bling buttons to them, added a BUNCH of rhinestones (cause I LOVE rhinestones). The letter "f" is also glittered. The entire project has been placed on chipboard in varying heights so each piece pops up at different degrees. I couldn't decide what paper to use so I decided to combine "everything".

So there you have it.

I entered.

What can they say? No...well at least I tried!

Thanks for looking!

Posting a Project!

2010-11-11T12:41:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I thought that i would make a canvas for a little retreat that I was going on and this is what I came up with.

The picture isn't that great (I'll try and get a better one) because it's sort of cloudy out. But, I wanted to get it up here to share!

Have a great day!

Jill

What am I Thankful for Today?

2010-11-10T19:41:00.000-08:00

Weight Watcher Wednesday!!!

Well that's what today is known as around here! Every Wednesday I go to my Weight Watcher Meeting, some days I have a GREAT weigh in, and some days I don't. Today was one of those days that I was very, VERY happy! 1.6 pounds down. Yeah!!!

I love my meetings. I feel lost if I don't go to them. It's like an addiction, okay, NOT an addiction. But if I don't go to my Wednesday Meeting I just feel a little "off" for the week.

It's NOT only my meetings though, it's the friends I have made through the meeting. I LOVE the ladies that I go to the meeting with (okay, we meet there). But you know, they are like "family" to me...my Weight Watcher Family.

Every Wednesday we go to our meeting, sit in the back row together, "participate" in the meeting (that means "talk"). After the meeting we sometimes go walk a few times (or once) around the lake, or we go to Michael's and then we go to lunch at Jason's Deli (Salad, of course!). We talk, we laugh, and we offer support to each other.

And that is what I am Thankful for today! My Weight Watcher Wednesday Friends! (well, they're my friends EVERY day, but that's when we go to our meetings).

Have a GREAT day!

JILL

Thankful...

2010-11-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

What am I THANKFUL for today?

I am THANKFUL that I have a loving husband who supports me in everything I do (okay, maybe NOT everything, but a lot of stuff!)

I am THANKFUL that I have a beautiful daughter who loves me.

I am THANKFUL that I have SO many supportive friends.

I am THANKFUL that I have a house to live in, a car to drive, and clothes to wear (smaller clothes too!)

I am THANKFUL that I have a wonderful hobby that I can use to tell my families story.

Happy November!

2010-11-01T19:37:00.001-07:00

Yes, I do mean HAPPY NOVEMBER! November is a Happy Month for me because it's filled with wonderful things like scrapbooking, football playoffs, scrapbooking, Weight Watcher Wednesday's, scrapbooking, Thanksgiving....did I mention scrapbooking?

Scrapbooking! Yes, that is the plan for this week. And I start tomorrow morning! I'm heading to Anthologies (http://www.Anthologiesbyme.com) for a little bit of shopping before I create something special for my house! I have had this project on my mind for a few weeks now and I REALLY want to get it completed, so I have set aside tomorrow to begin it. I can't wait! If it turns out like I want it to it's going to be BEAUTIFUL!

Can't wait to share it with everyone!

Happy Saturday!

2010-10-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, so yeah...I know I was going to post pictures of Sarah's Mum and stuff but the day has sort of gotten away from me.

It all started out fine. I woke up at 7:15, fed the cats, ate breakfast and made my grocery list. But I didn't leave the house until after 11:00 which is NOT what I wanted to do. I wanted to be out by 9:00. You see, I have something VERY important to do tonight! I'm going scrapbooking! And I CANNOT WAIT! only a few more hours, or minutes depending on when I want to leave.

I was trying to figure out what I wanted to work on and since I usually don't get very much done at crop I thought that i would organize my photos and work on cutting out some Cricut Images. I can use up a LOT of time doing that! So I'm HAPPY!

I've started to pack my car and only have a few more things to load. Okay...three. My Rolly Tote, my Toolbox and another bag that has my photos in it.

I think I'm just happy because I'm starting to get organized. And being organized can make a LOT of people happy!

So Tomorrow I will post pictures of Sarah's Mum. You should have SEEN some them they were HUGE! Some even had lights on them. And yes, even though they were huge all of them were beautiful!

Have a GREAT NIGHT!

Jill

These are a few of my favorite....

2010-10-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

Scrapbook Pages!

I was going through my computer files and came across some of my favorite Scrapbook Pages.

I'm leaving in about an hour and a half for the Homecoming Football Game (Volunteering) so tomorrow I'm going to be posting pictures of my daughter with her mum!

It's going to be a fun night!

Have a Great Night!

Jill

And the Countdown Begins!

2010-10-07T19:34:00.001-07:00

I just finished watching "Grey's Anatomy" and said I better come and do my blog post for the night. But before I came here to do that I always look over my email to see what's gong on...if anything. I opened up my email and began to browse at them and then I came to the email that said:

50 Day Countdown to Black Friday!!!

I have 50 Days!

Okay, so I'm not a Big Black Friday shopper anymore. Sarah is now 15 1/2 and I don't need to stand in line at Toy's R Us anymore. What she wants is at Sephora, or Buckle, or Victoria's Secret. And Simon, well he and I discuss what he wants anyway and what he wants you can get whenever you go to the Mall. Let's see...who is the most important person to shop for on Black Friday?

ME.

Yes, me.

But forget about Black Friday. The store that I want to go to is open on Thanksgiving Day. I've gone every year for the last three years and I've been the first one in line too. What store could have things that I want? Micheal's of course!

I go to Michael's at least three time a week. I have coupons in hand and I have my credit card. But I don't usually buy a thing. Usually I just go and look around, see if there is anything new...okay I go to get out of the house! BUT! On Thanksgiving Day they have SUPER SPECIALS! What are they? I can't tell you because if I did you might want to buy them and not leave any for me! (lol) Okay, Okay. Cricut Cartridges and Storage. Now I'm not sure that these are even going to be on special, but they have the past three years and if they are that is what I am going to buy.

It's 50 Days from Today!

amd tomorrow it's 49. It's going to be here before you know it!

Have a Great Day!

Jill

It only took a few hours....

2010-10-06T18:16:00.000-07:00

Let's start off with a photo for some entertainment!

Okay so I'm a scrapbooker and I should be use to this. I just spent about four hours uploading, editing and ordering photos.

This year for my albums I'm doing something different. Well not totally different. I use to do this a long time ago when I first started to scrapbook. What is it? Going Chronological. Yikes...sounds scary. After years of jumping around in my books and just letting my choices wander I've decided to go back to Chronological Scrapbooking.

Oh it get's worse....

I can't go back and work on previous years until I am all caught up with the present year.

So I guess I should admit the truth here...I am seven years behind. Yes...seven. How can anyoen who scrapbooks as much as I do be seven years behind you may wonder. It's easy...it's called Design Teams. I put so much work and emphasis on Design Team Work and getting published and entering contests that I sort of neglected my scrapbooking. I've been digging myself into a hole and I finally decided one day to try and get myself out. So that brings me to today....

While I was at Creative Escape one of the teachers, Maggie Holmes, told us to go home and do something that we have been putting off. I didn't have to think very long...I KNEW what I had been putting off. My pictures. They are a mess, and I admit that. So today I decided that I was going to start to do something about it.

I have gone through all of my 2010 Photos to date (all 1,091 of them to date) copied them off of Picasa, safely stored them in "several" places and ordered 360 photos that had not been printed off yet. And this weekend I am going to start to get my scrapbooking life in order.

I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Now about that photo that's above...yes that's my Scrapbook Room. and I will admit that's it's that messy on purpose! A few years ago a local radio station was having a contest for the Messiest Room and i decided to enter. So...I trashed my scrapbook room! Trust me! It's REALLY NOT like that!

Oh, and I didn't win...yes, there was a room that was messier than mine! Can you BELIEVE that!

Have a great night!

Jill

List of Blogs!

2010-10-05T18:38:00.000-07:00

Finally found a few minutes tonight to copy the blog list for those that are participating in the "31 Days of October Blog Challenge". Here they are!

Karen: http://www.thelopezlife.typepad.com

Tricia: http://momentstosharewithme.blogspot.com/

Sherri: Blog: http://myordinarylifemorrisway.blogspot.com/

Christina: http://www.christinachrushch.typepad.com/

Jodi: http://scrapsofpaperinthedesert.blogspot.com/

Janice: http://janice-lifeandtimesofme.blogspot.com/

Alecia: http://scrapmepink.blogspot.com/

Have a Great Night!

Jill

And Now a Word from Our Sponsor....

2010-10-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's not our sponsor it's my husband! (well, it's close to a sponsor right?). If you have a few minutes to answer a few questions for my hubby it would be greatly appreciated! And if enough of y'all do it maybe he'll let me go on the next Tim Holtz Cruise which is next September!

Thanks!!!

Just click and follow the link or copy and paste!

http://www.anncornelius.com/survey.html

Just Another Manic Monday.....

2010-10-04T18:48:00.000-07:00

No, not really. Actually today has been pretty calm "so far". Who am I kidding! It's 8:49 p.m. and I'm going to bed soon, so yeah it's been a pretty MELLOW Day!

I usually get up at 5:00 a.m. to get Sarah up for school, but somehow today my alarm went off and I shut it off and woke up at 5:36 a.m. Jumped out of bed, woke Sarah up, made her her breakfast and the went and laid on the couch until she left for school. Simon asked me if I wanted some coffee and I said, "No, not now...maybe in a few minutes". Good thing cause it wasn't made yet.

The rest of my day included a three hour nap, going to Subway for the Sub of the Day Special (Five Points on Weight Watchers can't beat that!), pickin up Sarah and her friend from school, buying cat food, going to Market Street, cooking dinner, dropping Sarah off at Band Practice, going home to see Simon for five minutes, going to Walmart, going back to pick Sarah and her friend up from Band Practice and coming home. And here I am...in my jammies and getting ready to go to bed, but only after I surf the web and play a few games on facebook.

But before I go I thought I'd post some more photos from yesterday's visit to The State Fair of Texas.

This is Sarah and Simon enjoying their Corny Dog...

Sarah sitting in the Driver's Seat of the Car that she "THINKS" she's getting for her 16th Birthday...see I said she "THINKS!"

I had to take a Picture of Sarah after she got out of the "Fried Cookie Dough" line. She was SO upset and sad because they had ran out right before she go to the counter.

But then there was happiness again because she found "Fried Cheesecake". I should have taken a picture of her when her dad starting eating the Cheesecake with her. She thought it was only hers....oh well, not in this house.

Until Tomorrow's Adventure...that is if I feel like an adventure. Sometimes I just want to stay at home!

Jill

State Fair of Texas!

2010-10-03T19:09:00.000-07:00

It happens every year. I know it's going to happy. I don't really enjoy going, but I know everyone else wants to go. It was time for the Cornelius Family to go to the State Fair of Texas. We just decided yesterday that we were going to go today. Well the truth is, it was either go today or wait until next week and I made the "executive" decision to go today. (that way it would be over with! lol)

Whenever we go the the State Fair we each one of us gets to choose one thing that we REALLY want to do. Simon usually wants to go to the Vita-Mix booth. Sarah usually want to play games. And me? well I just really want to stay home, but since that wasn't going to happen I chose to have a Corny Dog this time.

First stop: Vita-Mix. Yes, every year we go to this booth. Every year we hear thier sales pitch. Every year we take down recipes so that we can use our machine at home more. So that's what we did. Usually Simon brings some paper and a pen to write down the recipes. This year before we left the house I told sarah, "daddy forgot the paper and pen, that means we don't have to write down the recipes". I thought i was in for the clear! But, was I? No. You see...I forgot that he had his phone. And he not only typed them into his phone but he ALSO sent them to me so that I would have them. Note for next year: Leave the phones at home.

Second stop: Sarah's stop. Okay so usually she wants to play games or ride some rides or something that you know teenagers want to do. Well I once again forgot that there is something that Sarah REALLY likes to do. What's that you may ask? Shop. Yes, she wanted to shop at the State Fair. So she did. I followed her around to make sure that she had enough money and to make sure that I knew what she was buying. I don't like surprises when she comes back from shopping, know what I mean?

MY TURN! Corn Dogs. After everyone else was done making there chosen stops I got to have mine! CORNY DOGS for EVERYONE! Plus I had all the coupons for the Corn Dogs so that I had to go with me if they wanted one. Note for next year: make sure that I keep ALL the coupons again!

So everyone got to do what they wanted to at the State Fair. Simon and Sarah also went to see the Car Show, I sat outside and read a book, we walked around a lot! Sarah had Corn Nuggest, Simon had a Gyro and I had my Corn Dog.

There was just one thing that we didn't do at the Fair. We DIDN'T ride a single ride. Looks like I might be heading back someday so that i can ride some rides! Oh well...there's alwasy next year!

Jill

These are a few of my favorite things!

2010-10-01T22:49:00.001-07:00

(Just noticed that the date still says Friday, October 1. But here in Texas it's October 2)

No this isn't Julie Andrews singing in the "Sound of Music". It's me, and it's October 2nd...or what I will call Day Two of the 31 Days of October Blog Challenge. But I have to be honest here! It's just past midnight. Okay it's 12:51 a.m. on Saturday Morning so it's either Friday Night or Saturday Morning...depending on how you look at it!

Today I thought I'd post a list of my FAVORITE things! (not too many I promise because I want to go to bed!)

So here goes:

Favorite Pizza: Mushroom. yes, Mushroom. But we NEVER order what I want. You know how it goes don't you? You go to a restaurant with your family and everyone else gets what THEY want! I rarely get the kind of pizza that I like and if I did it would be Mushroom! YUMMMMM!!!

Favorite Soda: Diet Dr. Pepper. I live in Texas afterall! And no. I've never been to the Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco...but I want too!

Favorite Candy Number #1: Reese's Peanut Buter Cups. And I pop the whole thing in my mouth!

Favorite Candy Number #2: Cherry Lifesavers. And I have a HUGE Stash of them. I have to hide them on my daughter though.

Favorite Hobby: Ummmmm...do you know me? Scrapbooking!

Favorite Color: Pink of Course! But I was told the other day that you can't wear pink unless you are under the age of 18. I have to argue with this though.

Favorite TV Show: Okay, I have several. I like Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Biggest Loser and yes, I have been know to watch Hell's Kitchen. I LOVE Chef Ramsey.

Favorite Movie/Book: Twilight of course! Team Edward. And yes, I go to the movie on Opening Night. I'm one of those Twilight Mom's who get there three hours before the movie starts to get my seat. And I've gone by myself to two of the three movies.

I think that's all for now. Like I said (or maybe didn't say?), I just got home from a Football Game and it's now 1:00 a.m. It's time to go to bed and get some rest before tomorrow's activity. Marching Competition Number One! Should be a fun day spent with the Color Guard!

Have a great day (or night?)

Jill

YES!!! It's October!

2010-10-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

So HAPPY that's it's October! Yes, REALLY happy!

Why?

Well, lot's of stuff goes on in September and it's not a very happy month for me so I'm glad that it's gone!

What's so great about October? Hmmm...lots of stuff! The weather is Changing! Which means i can open my windows (just a little bit!). Halloween is coming and I LOVE HALLOWEEN! It's just that it's Fall! And it's one of my favorite times of the year!

SO GOODBYE September and HELLO October!

Another GREAT thing about October is that I've joined a Blog Challenge! Yes, me. The one who does't Blog for a long time and then comes back for only a bit, and then leaves again. I decided to join the Blog Challenge from Scrapbook Doodle (Scrapbookdoodle.com). A lot of the ladies there are going ot be participating so tomorrow (this afternoon? or tonite?) I'll get links of those participating and post them here.

I thought that by participating in this Challenge it would get me back to doing things that I love to do. Like Scrapbooking? YES! I'm not quite sure what each day is going to bring but at least I will be making an effort to add a little bit more creativity to my day! It might be a picture, or a project, or quote, a recipe or even a link to something that I saw that I liked. But I'm going to be post EVERY day!

So what's today going to bring?

Hmmm...How about a Quote!

Here goes!!!

"Never Walk Away From an Unexpected Adventure"

I overhead this quote from a show that was on TV a few years ago. The Show was called "October Road" (Title of that show fits this month don't you think?). Anyway, the Mother of the lead actor told him this when he was young and it sort of stuck with him. And when I heard this quote I found my little notebook and immediately wrote it down. I have it on my Facebook Page I have it on a little Curio Box that I made in a Tim Holtz Class and I have it here. Maybe I should do another project with the Quote and hang it in my scrapbook room. But the thing is, I really do LOVE this quote. It's one that I think about a lot, and it's the one quote that I thought of when I went to the Grand Canyon all by myself and walked on the Skywalk. We all should NEVER walk away from Unexpected Adventures!

And that is what October is Going to be to me. An Unexpected Adventure! I think it's going to be a fun one!

September 21, 2010..yeah it's tomorrow.

2010-09-20T15:05:00.000-07:00

And it's my birthday. Supposed to be happy yeah, but it's sort of a sad day too. Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of Joey Cat going to Kitty Heaven. But it's also my birthday and there are CERTAIN people in my house (Simon) who want to do something for my birthday. SO, what are we gonig to do? We are going to Choctaw.

What is Choctaw? Choctaw is the name of the Casino in Durant, Oklahoma. Yes, I'm going to the Casino for my Birthday. So there we are doing something.

Then the next question I'm always asked year after year after year. What do you want for your birthday? Background story here, Simon and I met in 1991 so we have been together for TWENTY years...you would think he would know what I want or simply know what I LIKE? No. SO i gave him a list...a new lense for my camera, a Cricut imagine, Money, a Wolverine Negative/Slide Scanner, stuff like that. But he still asks me what I want...so we have come to the conclusion of what I need...Clothes. Yes, clothes. None of mine fit me, and I was told that I look FRUMPY! lol (thanks Margo for telling me the truth! and NO I'm not mad about you telling me the truth because it's the truth! and Simon agreed with you! lol).

So I'm going to the Casino to Gamble then I'm going to go Clothes Shopping.

BUT STILL THERE'S MORE! What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Uggghhh...the questions never stop do they! lol....Well a salad will do just fine for me because tomorrow is Tuesday and I don't eat anything heavy on Tuesday because on Wednesday i have to go to Weight Watchers. Now Wednesday? That's another story all together! lol...Give me Subway and I'll be happy, but no...we are going to go to Terra (Meditteranean)(YUM!)

So that's my Birthday, a day that is supposed to be mine but one that I shared with someone special last year...Joey Cat. You have to understand that Joey Cat and I were together for longer that I have been with my husband! And yes, I still miss my Joey Cat. Always will. So, if you see me this week or talk to me this week and I seem a little sad it's because I'm missing my Joey Cat...I really did love him....and yeah...he loved me.

Jill

Scrapbook Items For Sale

2010-08-10T20:11:00.000-07:00

I've been trying for about an hour to post pictures of some things that I'd like to sell over at Two Peas, but I can't figure out how to link them. So I thought I'd come here....

Should be easier right?

All sales are final, Paypal only, Shipping is not included in the price. But when I do ship it will be exact (and I will use the cheapest way possible. (If you would like to make me an offer on something, that is welcome too!)

Paypal only please. Shipping not included in price. but will be exact shipping (or priority whichever is cheaper) I have feedback on Ebay, user I.D. is CatscrazyCropper

Ten Second Studio Molds
Blue Mold Number BM04 8.00
Green Mold Big Daddy 2 (Diamonds) $10.00
Green Mold Bid Daddy 4 (Dots) $10.00

Lovestruck 2010 Cricut Cartridge $20.00

Rusty Pickle Rubons .50 each
Happy Birthday I have 7
Thank You I have 1

Five Pocket Goodie Holder from PineCone Press $3.00

Fancy Pants Summer Soiree 5x8 Notebook Journal $5.00 (PENDING)

Junkitz Junk Bag $8.00

Creative Imagination Heart Brads $2.00
SEI Play Day Fuzzies $.50

Technique Tuesday Warefarer Lowercase Letters Large $8.00

Rusty Pickle Pirate Princess Acrylic Stamps $7.00

Making Memories Merry Christmas Stamps (not in package, but never used) $3.00 (*PENDING)

Christmas Joy Just Rite Stamps $12.00 (one stamp was used)

Something Sweet Set from Just Rite Stamps $14.00

Stampin' Up Stamps Sketch An Event $7.00

Stampin' Up Two Step Stamping Fresh Flowers $7.00

Stampin' Up Bold and Bright $5.00

Stampin' Up In The Sky $5.00

Stampin' UP Smorgasborders $5.00

WOW!

2010-08-10T20:09:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I knew it had been a long time since I've been on my blog, but i didn't realize it's been since APRIL!!!

Is there something NEW at my house?

2010-04-30T12:30:00.000-07:00

Every once in awhile (okay, every few months) when I don't keep in touch with my parents I get these emails saying "Are you alive", "Is everything okay"...well, not exactly those words. But, they send me messages or my dad calls me to see what's going on in "JillWorld". So I thought I would come and post here what has been going on...

First. I am not designing for Rusty Pickle anymore. Rusty Pickle is closing and that means no design work for me. Which really, is okay! This means that I have more "me time" which means that I can do whatever i want...or more importantly whatever Simon and Sarah want? (lol) I can go to the Music Festival, go hang out with my friends more, go the the gym? (nah)...and not have this feeling that I have to get home to work on a project or to meet a deadline. Which is good! And good for my blood pressure too! (lol)

Second. Nothing is really new...well, something is NEW but I'll get to that in a bit...lol. Sarah is doing in well in school and is trying out for the Color Guard (Flags). She also has her learners permit which scares me. She asked me why I hold on while she drives and I had to tell her that I do it when her dad drives me around too. She did run over the curb in front of the house, and when she did it I said "What are you doing?" she replied "I don't know".

Third. Simon is fine. That's it. LOL...really, he's fine. But if he doesn't finish painting my bathroom I may have to return him to his mother. (okay laugh at that okay).

Now...my news. Are you ready? Are you seriously ready for this?

We have TWO additions to our family...yes...two. There names are Dewey and Bear and they are brothers and they are SO SO CUTE!!! Here are some pictures:

Dewey and Bear

Dewey (aka Sarah's Kitty)

Bear (my new baby and Snoopy's Little Brother)

New Projects!

2010-04-17T19:55:00.001-07:00

Just thought I'd pop on tonight and post some new projects that I have made!

Thanks for looking!

Come Celebrate A Very Special Birthday!

2010-04-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, I love my cat...

2010-03-12T17:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, some people might find it unusual that I LOVE my cat SO Much! But it's true! Snoopy and I spend LOTS of quality time together. On a side note, that time is of course when my daughter is at school and my husband is at the office. It's just me and him at home and it's nice and quiet!

Here's a page of my cute little kitty!

Isn't he the cutest! Like all cats he does have his moments...and lately it's been at 3:00 a.m. when he starts to play with his toy mice on top of me! The other night he was playing with his little toy mouse, i woke up, reached down and grabbed it and threw it into the hallway. He jumped down off the bed, ran after the mouse, came back up to where I was, laid down and went back to sleep. Glad he could go back to sleep so easily! I on the other hand laid there for about 45 minutes waiting to fall back asleep.

But he is cute isn't he?

Have a GREAT day!

Jill

DFW Scrappers! Scrappers Market This Weekend!

2010-03-02T14:54:00.000-08:00

Scrappers Market!

Garage Sale for Scrappers, Stampers and Crafters

Come and join us for some great bargain shopping! Lots of scrapbooking supplies, tools, Stamping Up and MORE!

This is a Cash Only Sale.

When: Saturday, March 6, 2010
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location: First United Methodist Church
7659 Preston Road
Frisco, Texas

Does it Snow in Texas?

2010-03-01T11:16:00.000-08:00

That's a question that a lot of my friends ask me. And my answer to them surprises them too. YES! It snows in Texas. Now, it doesn't snow like it does up North but when it does we ALL go out and play! Here are pictures to prove it...

Yes...she's texting and holding a snowball at the same time. Very talented! She actually threw that snowball at me before she put her phone away.

Simon and Sarah thowing snowballs at me...do you see a theme here?

Sarah protecting me from becoming the victim of another snowball...

Sarah crushing the snow over Simon. I guess he deserved it!

I guess she thought that I deserved getting crushed by a snowball too. It was all fun though!
Simon building a snowman. Simon and "Bob"...yes, we name our snowmen here in Texas!

My mini-man that I made for my mailbox. Yeah...i used scrapbooking supplies!

I'm HERE! I'm HERE! I'm HERE!

2010-01-31T18:52:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to pop on and post some projects that I've completed...

Happy New Year...yeah a "little" late!

2010-01-24T15:02:00.000-08:00

Yeah...I know...here it is January 24th and I'm just now posting on my blog. I've thought about coming here to post since November but I've been keeping myself busy with some things that I have wanted to take care of...mainly me!

Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's have all passed. I didn't make any resolutions this year. Mainly because I know what I need to get done, and well, putting them in writing isn't going to make me want to do them any faster than if they were just in my mind. So why should I make myself frustrated with not completing a list that I know in my mind already! lol

Happy New Year!

Jill

Circle Journal Time!

2009-11-06T21:59:00.001-08:00

While I was at Creative Escape this year I decided that I wanted to participate in a Circle Journal.(Actually, I had some friends joining one and we thought it would be fun to do together!) They're supposed to be fun right? That's what I thought until it came down to finding the time to make it! But I found the time and completed it and it's on it's way to Michelle in Arizona! Michelle will be very happy when it finally arrives there.

I thought that I would post some photos of my journal so that the others in my group would be able to get a sneak peek of what's coming there way. Or in other words, to get prepared.

A circle journal is a journal that you create about a topic that you want it to be about. The journal travels around a circle of friends, and each friend adds there own entry into the journal, following your topic of course. For my topic I chose, "Well, isn't that Special...5 Random Things". What's that supposed to mean? Well, what I wrote in my journal is that everyone has some random things that are around there house...or even on display. And I'd like them to share what they are, and why they are special. Now for my entry, I got a little carried away with the number of things and well, I went over the five items. But that's okay! It's my journal. And since It's my journal I also created some "Rules and Regulations" or Guidelines for them to follow. I can't wait to see everyones entry. When will I get my journal back? Next August when I go back to Creative Escape!

End of October....

2009-10-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

And I'm tired, but I wanted to post some projects that I did for this month. Have a Happy Halloween!

Happy October!

2009-10-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

October! It's starting to feel a little cooler here in Texas! Yeah!!! I LOVE it went it gets cooler...mind you I still walk around in my shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops!

I am basically about two months behind in things. And yes, I realize that. I have a LOT of projects that I have to get going, get caught up on and finish. Of those I have a circle journal to start (i.e., create), projects from Creative Escape to finish (Quote Swap Book, 7Gypsies Project, Heather Bailey Project, Carol Wingert Project) and a bunch of other stuff to get done which also includes Christmas Shopping.

In August I went to Creative Escape in Phoenix and before I got there I participated in a "Quote Swap". When I first heard of this swap I KNEW what quotes I was going to use! Isn't it funny how you can decide what you are going to do before you officially join a swap? Here are some photos of my pile of quote cards as well as the a photo of each of hte complete cards.

This photo is of all of my quote cards that I made. I thought it looked neat so I had to take a picture of it!

Yeah...everyone knows how much I love my pets! And this is one of my most favorite quotes, so it was a given that I would do this one.

This quote cards was fun to make. I LOVED this saying when I heard it on "October Road" (you rember that show don't you?). The lead actors mom told him this saying when he was growing up, and when I heard it, it sort of stuck in my head. So now, don't laugh, but you know everything is an adventure! And without hearing this quote I probably would have chickened out of going to the Grand Canyon by myself last year...I even went on the skywalk ALL BY MYSELF! Now that was an adventure!

What else have I been doing? Well Rusty Pickle projects of course! Here are my latest ones!

This photo was taken last year at her Choir concert. They were allowed to wear a nice dress to the concert and well, she wanted to get this dress and she wore it with blue Van sneakers...she looked really cute and a lot of the other girls there said they wished they had thought of wearing sneakers! For this page I used the "Girlfriends", Rockin' America, and Brass Knuckles line along with some chipboard, ink and glimmer mist.

This is a photo of my daughter that I took at Christmas while we were at the Gaylord here in Texas. There was this big glitter star and I thought it would make a great page! I used the Brass Knuckles line along with some rubons, glimmer mist and ink.

Okay, I think that Panama Jack has become one of my most FAVORITE lines from Rusty Pickle. I have been using it for everything! Everything in this layout is from this one particular line!

And I have one more project that I made using this line! I love to make album covers! And if I'm making a special album for myself the first thing I create is the cover because the decides how I am going to make (design) the rest of the album. Here is an album cover that I made for some of my cruise photos.

And finally, i really don't want to end on a sad note, but I wanted to say Thank You to my friends who thought of me last week (or two weeks ago really). The house is quiet without Joey cat, Snoopy is a little lonely without his friend, and his family really misses him, but we are okay. And we all realize that Joey is okay too...he was a very speical kitty cat, and well, he really is going to be missed. And it really was sad that it happened on my birthday, but you know sometimes you just can't help when things happen and this was one of those times. I've started to print out all of my photos of Joey, and i'm putting them into a special book that is just for him....

I think that's it for now....

Jill

Yes, Today is my Birthday....

2009-09-21T19:20:00.000-07:00

And i should be celebrating. But as I have told my husband, this year my birthday has been canceled. How am I supposed to celebrate my birthday when today would be the last day that I got to see my Joey cat.

Yes....Joey is gone.

Last week I had to go out of town. Simon and I knew that Joey hadn't been feeling well, but I had to leave him in charge of things. When I was out of town Simon brought Joey to the veterinarian and they took some x-rays and found some things that were not normal. I'm not going to go into it...but it was bad.

When I left on Wednesday I was in the garage saying goodbye to Simon. I knew that Joey wasn't well, and I just had a bad feeling...I should have stayed home with him. But...I had made a commitment and well when I say I am going to do something I do it. The last thing I said to Simon when I left home was...."Keep Joey alive until I get back."

I was gone from Wednesday through Sunday...when I returned Sunday I thought that everything was fine. But then Simon and Sarah walked into the TV room, shut off the TV and sat down. Simon said "we need to talk about Joey". And that was when I was told that we had to put him to sleep...there was no hope for him and he was in a great deal of pain. Simon told me that the Emergency Animal Clinic was open until 8:00 the next morning and we could go at any time....but I didn't want to do it. I knew we had to, but I didn't want to.

I sat on the couch and cried (okay, so I'm still crying). And I told Simon that there was one thing I had to do. I need a paw print of Joey to keep. You see, Joey was "Special"...he was a Hemingway Cat and he had seven toes on his front paws. I told Simon that it was important to me to have this and that I needed it. He asked me where to go to get the things to do the print and I told him exactly what store to go to and where it was. You see...I knew that I had wanted this for awhile.

My husband, my daughter and myself sat at the kitchen table last night doing paw prints and presses of my cat's right paw. It's sitting here next to me at my computer. I wanted it so that I could look over it to see and so that I could remember the times that I had with Joey....

Later last night Simon came to me and said that he really didn't want to go to the Emergency Animal Center...he wanted to wait until today to take him to our regular veterinarian because they knew him, and would take care of him. I told Simon that that was what I wanted to. I wanted him to be with friends. And I knew that that was where we had to go.

This morning we woke up and talked to Joey, we pet him and told him how much we loved him. Then at 9:45 we all got into my car and drove to the vet's office. We were immediately brought into the patients room and the assistant came in. She asked us the questions of if we wanted his remains and the answer was of course yes. I have to have Joey back with me.

Then the doctor came in, explained to us what was going to happen and they gave Joey the injection. I pet Joey all the time, gave him a kiss on top of his and told him that I loved him. And then he was gone.

And that is how I spent my birthday.

I will always remember you my little furbaby....

Joey Cat dob: 9/18/91 dod: 9/21/09

Jill

Where did it go?

2009-06-30T16:20:00.001-07:00

So I had this really, really long post about what's been going on here and I guess right in the middle of it when I lost internet connection is vanished!

So, I'll recreate it later! But, for right now I just wanted to post some photos of some projects that I did for Rusty Pickle!

So at our house we have one English Dude and one (okay two) American Chicks....so we really don't decorate for fourth of July or well, Thanksgiving either. But since Rusty Pickle came out with the New Rockin' America Line I decided to make a USA Banner!

On June 9th we went to see an Elvis Impersonator and these are some of the photos that I took. We're going to go back, hopefully in July so I need to remember to bring my good camera.

My daughter and I love animals. Especially baby animals! So whenever we see baby animals (okay, anything really cute) we take a picture! I used the Rusty Pickle Candyland Line for this layout.

I'll rewrite that previous post later....

{Jill}

It's Going to Be a Busy Week!

2009-06-01T07:03:00.001-07:00

LOTS of stuff going on this week!

Today and Tomorrow I have to clean and get my house in order. I have a houseguest coming to visit for two week. Yep...it's Mother in Law time. Simon and I have LOTS of stuff planned and Sarah is going to even cook dinner for her Granny this Friday Night. Why you may ask is Sarah cooking on Friday? Well, Simon won't be home and well I won't either.

Wednesday I leave for GASC (Great American Scrapbook ConventionO in Arlington! I can't wait! This will be my 12th year attending this convention! I haven't missed a year yet!!! Then on Saturday is Sarah's dance recital. She's been dancing for 11 years and will receive her 11 year trophy on Thursday Night. Yes, she started to dance when she was 2 1/2. But she likes it so why should she have to stop! So next week I should have LOTS of photos from the Convention and the Dance Recital to share.

Just thought I'd post a few New Projects that I had been working on....

American Idol Sadness....

2009-05-27T10:09:00.001-07:00

Yes, It has taken me a week to sort of get over my Idol Sadness. For the record I voted for Adam. Every Week I voted for Adam. The most votes I ever did on a Tuesday night was 141 votes...all for Adam.

On the final Tuesday I voted for Adam.

Wednesday I was SO excited because I knew that Adam would win!

Wednesday night the winner was announced and it wasn't Adam.

Friends have told me why Adam didn't win....I guess I was among the minority in my small group. The friends said that "America" wanted somepme who was Clean Cut...well that's not Adam. But, Adam has style and talent and that is what I was looking at!

I REALLY want to go see the American Iodl tour when it comes to Dallas in July (the 23rd)...but I'll be in Florida then. Didn't think about that when I was making my travel plan. I DID think of driving down to Tampa to see him on the 28th...but that's the day before I come back home. All I can do is hope that Adam will be back in Dallas (or close to it!) sometime in the near future.

Adam will be my American Idol! Okay dd's too! Okay, so my husband voted for him too....ALL of us! And when Adam goes on tour I will be there. Now I am off to Cafe' Press to purchase my Adam Lambert T-Shirt, and yes...I have also already joined Officialadam.com...Adam's Official Website.

{Jill}

Sometimes you just need to laugh....

2009-05-25T14:29:00.001-07:00

Rusty Pickle Design Team Contest Update...

2009-05-19T08:24:00.001-07:00

I thought I would post a reminder about the "Rusty Pickle Amazing Race"

From the RPDT Blog...

We have made just one change in the way we would like you to submit your entries. We have had a lot of questions regarding combining 6 images into one for the mini-album, so we decided to make things easier on everyone! The following should be submitted:

1 image of your 2-page layout

1 image of your altered project

6 different images of your mini album

Each image should not exceed 500K. All 8 images should all be included in ONE email with your name in the subject line.

Submit your entries to amazingrace@rustypickle.com.

The deadline for entry remains the same - Sunday May 31st at 12 noon Mountain Standard time.

Just a reminder - the mini album must be 8x8 or smaller and contain at least 6 finished pages. Projects must contain 100% Rusty Pickle product to qualify. (You may use paint, ink, thread, pens, cardstock, etc. Just make sure if RP makes a version of something, you use that. For example, Rusty Pickle makes bling, so use that instead of another manufacturer's. Rusty Pickle does not manufacture paint, glimmer mist, ink, thread, pens, etc. so you are okay to use those items on your projects.)

Hope that clears up some confusion! Please let us know if you have any further questions. We can't wait to see your entries!

First things First.....

2009-05-19T08:21:00.000-07:00
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

It's my dad's Birthday...well it was yesterday! (May 18th). And yes, I sent him a card, not handmade though!

Hope you had a great day Georgie!!!

{Jill}

Three New Projects....

2009-05-16T21:37:00.000-07:00
Yes, it's been awhile! Lots of stuff going on... (some scrapbook related and lots that's not scrapbooking related) Here are a few projects that I have completed in the past month.

The first photo is of a card that I made. This was fun! Everything is ink and pop-dotted. The Inside of the card reads "We're so Happy to Have to You Home! To be honest, the card looks a LOT better in person! I don't have anyone to send the card to, so I think I'm just going to put it on display in my room. Sometimes it's just fun to make things!

This is a wall hanging that I made. The paper inside of the box has little houses that are pop-dotted. I decided at the last minute to pop dot the ones on the outside. There is a sheet of acrylic that is in between the base and right behind the frame that is holding the "Home Sweet Home". The mini-clothespins were sprayed with glimmer mist and then had Stickles put on them.

This is a layout that I created especially for CKC Houston. I decided to enter a few contest while I was attending and this layout was for the "Inspiration" Layout Contest. Guess what...it won first place! I also made a card for the Papercrafts Birthday Card Contest but I didn't take a photo of it...too bad...they have it. And well...it won Second Place in the contest. I really wish I had taken a photo of that card....and to make matters worse I don't have any of the paper that I used to make another one...gotta find that paper!
Have a great weekend!

{Jill}

Rusty Pickle Design Team Call!!!

2009-04-05T18:07:00.000-07:00
Good news!

Rusty Pickle is looking to expand our elite design team!

Ten finalists will be chosen to run an "amazing race" where their talent (and ability to function on minimal sleep ;)) will be put to the test. Of these ten finalists, five will be chosen to join the Rusty Pickle team.

The deadline for entry is Sunday May 31st at 12 noon Mountain Standard time. Please submit the following 3 projects for consideration: (1) 2-page 12x12 layout, an altered project and a mini album 8x8 or smaller with at least 6 pages. Projects must contain 100% Rusty Pickle product to qualify. Email all entries to: amazingrace@rustypickle.com.

Please limit one email per contestant with 1 project image of the layout, 1 project image of the altered project and one compilation image (six images) of the album (this compilation can be done using photo-editing software). The images are to be no more than 700 x 700 pixels. In the subject line put only your name. The ten finalists will be announced Friday, June 5th at 12 noon.
Thank you and good luck!

*Clarification on the 100% Rusty Pickle Product requirement* You can use paint, ink, thread, pens, cardstock, etc. Just make sure if RP makes a version of something, you use that. For example, Rusty Pickle makes bling, so use that instead of another manufacturer's. Rusty Pickle does not manufacture paint, glimmer mist, ink, thread, pens, etc. so you are okay to use those items on your projects.

Welcome to April!

2009-04-03T12:33:00.000-07:00
Yeah...I thought I missed March! lol

Winter I think is finally leaving Texas! Well at least for today. It looks like it's pretty nice outside. But, I'm inside trying to get over this bug that i have! I just really want to go sit in front of my TV with my blankie and watch a good chick flick! Come to think of it! I think I'll do that after I go get Sarah from School.

Whenever I come to my blog I always go and look to see where people visit me are from. I think it's sort of cool to see that I have people come here from a BUNCH of different places! One of those places is Tallahassee, Florida. That's where my parents live and I know my mom (and dad) come here to see if I post anything interesting. Hi mom (dad)! I see you visited me a few days ago! lol!

So for the sake of my parents I'm going to answer a few questions:
1. I'm fine. .
2. Sarah is fine.
3. Simon is fine.
4. Both cats and the hamster are fine. (noone is sleeping)
5. Everything is fine.

Now my mom can say she's heard from me!

It's sort of funny when I talk to my mom. We can go a LONG time without talking to each other, yet when we do talk we can continue a converation that took place months ago! This is something that my dear husband can't understand! I mean, when I talk to my husband about something a month ago, he should be able to remember that conversation next month right? lol
Well truth be told he doesn't. Take for example this morning, he wanted to have a "talk" about something that is going to be happening in June...and he asked me to "refresh" his memory because he knew that he wouldn't get it right. At least he realizes these things.

So now that my Mom and Dad know that everything here is "fine" I'll entertain them with some of my scrapbooking!

Have a Great Day Everyoon!

Jill

Some layouts to share....

2009-02-26T19:41:00.001-08:00
I was uploading some layouts to my gallery at 2 Peas in a Bucket (twopeasinabucket.com) and I thought that I would post them on my blog too! So, here they are!

Not much going on around here...just trying to keep busy! I've been working on some projects to put over into my Etsy store so that I can earn some extra money...it's either Etsy or Ebay...I'm leaning towards Etsy right now though.

So far I've made two little album and three layouts. For some reason I keep telling myself that I should put them into my Etsy store until I have at least ten projects done...Ten for some reason just seemed to be a nice round number...could be 15...but it's ten.
I bought myself a new scrapbook table from Ikea and I have to say I LOVE IT!!! I should have bought it much sooner...I have like twice the amount of space on the desktop so that I can fit a my Cricut, My MM Mat, and a whole bunch of other things that I think are necessary to have around me when I scrapbook. Snoopy the cat for some reason thinks that I bought the table for him. Every once and awhile he makes his way onto the table and says "here I am".
Speaking of cats, Joey Cat is meowing and wants some food so I better go take care of him and I think I'm just going to call it an early night!
Have a great one! (Oh, and Hi Mom!)

Jill

Okay, I thought it was funny...

2009-01-30T12:59:00.001-08:00
So yesterday I was scrapbooking with a friend of mine and I came across this photo of a Bull that I drove by on my way up the Grand Canyon (or was is the way down?) Anyway, I thought it would be cute if I scrapbooked it so I was just playing around with paper and stuff and I just started to giggle to myself . This is what I came up with!

Guess I better explain the photo.

When I went to the Grand Canyon in September I saw all of these animals just roaming around. And well, this one looked at me (was I going to be dinner???) I know it's hard to see in the photo but right next to the O in the NO is a bull. He was just chillin' out, eating stuff and I drove by. What he didn't know was that just around the next bend was a tour van that had a flat tire. All of the tourists were outside taking pictures of the plants and stuff. Wonder what they would have done if Mr. Bull was up visiting them.
Have a great night!
Jill

New Rusty Pickle! CHA Winter 2009 Releases!!!

2009-01-24T20:51:00.000-08:00
New Rusty Pickle Coming Soon!

Rusty Pickle has just introduced some new additions to it's product line! My Favorites are the Panama Jack Line and new additions to the Lucky Line (Well, okay...I actualy LOVE them all!

Funny Bunny

New Additions to the Lucky Line

Panama Jack

Rockin' America

Time Captured

Mood Swings Cardstock

Rockin' Angel

{JILL}

Where have I been?

2009-01-16T11:41:00.001-08:00
Just a breakdown of where I've been lately...
July: Visiting Disney World and visiting my Parents in North Florida.
August: Spending lazy days at Hawaiian Falls with my Daughter.
September: Exploring the Grand Canyon and Attending Creative Escape in Phoenix.
October: Halloween of Course!
November: Rusty Pickle Chef Retreat in Utah!
December: Entertaining my Brother in Law who was visiting us from Hungary. He was here visitng us for three weeks.
January: on the Floor of the Garage.
Today: Getting ready to update my "Real Life" Resume'.

Guess I better explain what I mean by on the floor of the Garage huh. So it was a beautiful sunny Tuesday afternoon, (January 6th). And well, I got this wild hair to clean up the Christmas Decorations that were in the garage. Simon had arranged the boxes so that it was sort of hard to get around my car and get in the house. So, i said to myself "self, lets tidy this place up a bit". And I started. I was moving boxes from to there and from there to here and it was looking better. Then i picked up this one box, i began to lose my grip on the box and then my body twisted, the box fell I tried to catch it, i twisted some more and then i landed BOOM on the right side of my body and my head hit the garage floor.

Luckily I had my cell phone in my pocket and the garage door was open. So I laid there for a bit and said to my self that maybe I should call someone. I was also hoping that someone might drive by and see me laying there. Noone drove by. So i thought maybe I should call someone...but i decided that I would just lay there for a bit and I did. After a little while I decided that he garage floor was cold and I carefully got myself up and into the house. I had about an hour before I had to pick up my daughter from school so I sat on the couch and watched tv quietly.

I did try to call my husband, but he wasn't answering his phone. So I just sat. At 3:00 i left the house and got my daughter from school. And then Simon called asking what I wanted. I told him what happened and asked him where he was and why he didn't answer his phone. I forgot, he had a dentist appointment.

I was dizzy for about a week....but I was fine.

Oh and that last thing on my list...yep you read that right. I have to go back out into the real world. Should be fun!

{Jill }

This is where I was last night....

2008-11-21T17:43:00.000-08:00

So yesterday was my 15th wedding anniversary and yeah you would think that I would have stayed home with my husband. But did I? Nope. Well, actually during the day we were both home, then we went out to dinner to Brio, this new italian restaurant here in Allen. After dinner we went home and I checked my messages on line and then said goodbye to my husband and daughter....I had plans!

Very sad.

2008-09-14T14:34:00.000-07:00

I'm sad. You would be too.
I could write today about the wonderful time I had in Phoenix at Creative Escape. I could write about the adventure I had driving up to see the Grand Canyon. I could write about lots of things. But today, today it's all about Charlie.

Charlie is my little girl kittycat. She's sixteen years old. And tomorrow I have to do the most awful thing to her that I could every think of doing. Charlie's "batteries are running low". That's how Simon puts it. But the truth is, is that Charlie is dying.

A few months ago the veterinarian found a mass in her stomach. They didn't know what it was, so they took x-rays and did some tests. They decided that it was a mass that couldn't be treated, it was terminal. We knew this, but thought we had more time.

About three weeks ago Charlie began to go down hill. She wouldn't eat her dried cat food so I had to feed her wet cat food by spoon. I mixed it with water and fed her bit by bit until she stopped wanting some. When I went to Creative Escape I told my husband that he needed to do this while I was gone.

When I came home from Creative Escape Charlie looked as if she took a turn for the worse. This past Thursday we called the Doctor and told them was had been going on. On Friday afternoon I brough Charlie to the veterinarian. I wrapped her in a towel and held her with one arm while I drove out the driveway. As we were pulling out she was so sweet, she looked up to me as if she was saying "I Love You", and I in return gave her a little kiss on the top of her head.

I brought her to the vet and waited for our appointment. They had to "fit" us in. Charlie and I finally saw the Doctor and he only had to take one look at Charlie and feel her stomach and he knew what was happening. She was dying. He gave me two options. One was sort of a Hospice care of cats where I would give her pain medication and steroids. The other, well we all know what that one is....

Charlie is home with me right now. We have pain medication that we have to give to her every twelve hours. We wanted to bring her home so that everyone would have one last weekend to spend with her, to love her and to let her know how much we love her.

And then on monday, I am on the one who has to say goodbye. I will be the one who will be with her when she is with the doctors. I will be the one familiar face that will be with her when she says goodbye. I'm the one who has decided that I don't want my kitty to be with strangers when she passes. And yes, I know it's my choice, but she shouldn't have to be all alone. I want her to know that I really did love her. After all the years of companionship that she has given to me, this is the one thing that I can do for her.

She will be missed.

Jill

A Promise Kept....

2008-08-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

I promised to take my daughter to feed the giraffe's. But I didn't know where. I though that there were only two zoos in the DFW Area, but I was wrong! There are more, they just aren't as big. (which could be a good thing!)

When I went scrapbooking a few weeks ago I was told of this smallish type of zoo in Gainesville, Texas that has Giraffe Feedings. So I told Sarah and she asked when we were going to go. So I promised her that before she went back to school I would take her to feed the giraffes. Here's proof that I kept my promise!

Have a GREAT day!

{Jill}

Rusty Pickle Project

2008-08-20T13:14:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share a Rusty Pickle Project that I made for CHA. As soon as I saw this paper I knew what kind of photographs I wanted to use with it, Waterpark Photos! Yes, I had it ALL planned out! Good thing dh went to the waterpark with us...usually he's at work but I convinced him to take a day off to go and have some fun!

Some Projects that I've been working on...

2008-08-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

These are just a few of the projects that I worked on in the last month...yes, there are more, but I can't share those with you now because I entered them in a contest and well you know how that goes... What contest? Well Memory Makers Master's of course! Yes, I entered again and I'm keeping my finger and toes crossed!

Have a great day!

{Jill}

Where have the days gone?

2008-08-12T12:23:00.000-07:00
Yeah...I know....long time no post? So where have my days gone?

I never know what summer is going to bring around, so I try and just go with the flow! But seriously...where have I been? Not under a rock I can say that much.

This is exactly where I have been...

The first week of June I alway hit The Great American Scrapbook Convention in Arlington, Texas. I leave my house early on Wednesday Morning and I don't come home until it's over. Only this year I had to come home early so I could make it to my daughter's dance recital. She told me I didn't have to come to it! Can you believe that! Not come to her dance recital? I haven't missed one for the last ten years, and I wasn't going to miss this one either!

Three days after I returned from GASC my dh left town for a week and a half so Sarah and I decided to spend the days away from the house. We tend to go to the movies a LOT during the summer. The movies and the Water Park. That's usually where you can find us!

Three days after DH returned home from his event Sarah and I packed our bags and headed to Florida for TWO WEEKS! Yes, TWO WEEKS! Sarah and I visited her grandparents (my mom and dad, otherwise known as Georgie and Rita). And we also went to Disney World for a few days. Sarah had a BLAST playing with my mom and dad's new dog...his name is Teddy and he is SUPER CUTE! I took some really, really good pictures of him and I can't wait to scrapbook and share them!

Sarah and I returned home to Texas on July 9, and continued on our summer trek. We went to WaterParks and Movies, and she went to friends houses, went to sleepovers and stuff like that.

The past week though has been a blur....one long, hot, hot, blur. Our air conditioner broke. Yep....over a hundred degrees outside and NO air conditioner. I was driving sarah home from dance class last monday and dh called me on my cell and said that I couldn't complain about what he was going to tell me because he was calling me before I got home. (like this means I can't complain??? well, shock of all shocks...I didn't). So I got home and found out that the house was already 90 degrees....ummmm...and that was at 8:00 p.m. at night. What could we do? Sarah and I decided to sleep in the tv room with the cats. We thought it would be cooler under the fan in the tv room (yeah...right).

On Tuesday Morning Simon (dh) started to call around to get quotes and have people come and look at our system. (Yeah...it's broken, what else do they need to know?) To make a LONG story short...(or shorter) the air conditioner unit outside had broken and it needed to be replaced, and the earliest it could be replaced was on Thursday.

Fine, I can deal with it...so Sarah and I decided that we were getting out of the house and going to Barnes and Nobles, the Library, the Mall...anywhere to get out of the house.

Tuesday passed, Wednesday passed and Thursday arrived! The air conditioner was fixed on this day! and it was cool and felt wonderful!!! Until Friday night. Friday night the coil up in the attic decided that it didn't want to work either. So what to do? Call the air conditioner guy back up and ask him to come out on Saturday....and he came. And he gave me the news. The "Coil" had to be replaced and this was happening until Monday Afternoon.)

Okay, are you counting the days here? AC Broke on Monday, No air on Tuesday or Wednesday, Fixed on Thursday, Broke on Friday, No air on Saturday or Sunday.

Well I made it through the weekend.

I sent dd over to the neighbors house to sleep in the AC...and I stayed at home with my cats, without the ac all by myself...(I should get major brownie points for this!)

Monday came...the air conditioning people came. The air is fixed. And I'm happy. You know, there is more to the story, but I would just go on and on and on....

But you have to know this! I didn't complain at all! (I know! can you believe this!)

Have a GREAT Day!!!

{Jill}

Finally....

2008-06-28T14:37:00.000-07:00
Yes, Finally.

Finally I am in Florida.
Finally I am going to Disney!

Just happy to be where I am!

I'm planning on taking LOTS of pictures this week when I go to Disney! So be on the lookout on Friday as I may post some of them.

Have you been to the Rusty Pickle Blog lately? If not, then you should go! GO NOW! Well, maybe wait just a bit, but then you really need to head over to the blog! (http://www.rustypickle.typepad.com) The Chefs this month created some really WONDERFUL things with the new Bottle Rockets line from Rusty Pickle! Okay, Okay, I guess I better admit that yes, I did make something too! I'm going to post it here on my blog when I get back from Disney. Ooohhh...just remembered! I get to take some Fireworks photos with the new camera that Simon bought me for my birthday! Okay, it might not be terribly exciting for you, but it is for me!

Other good news that has come my way is that I had four new projects picked up by Ready, Set, Create. I sent them in for publication consideration on Monday night and on Tuesday when I arrived at my mom and dad's house there were four different emails sayin yes, yes, yes, and yes. Made my day!

Gotta go and pack now, can't wait to share some photos when I get back!

Have a great, day, night and week!

{Jill}

Just a "little" project...

2008-05-22T14:48:00.000-07:00

I saw this little wooden bracelet in Micheals one day and thought that it would be fun to decorate it. A little bit of Paint, some Rusty Pickle Paper, some Copic Markers, Prima Flowers and some gems and this is how it turned out. I think it's really cute!

YEAH!!!!

2008-05-22T14:46:00.000-07:00
So you can probably tell why I am SO HAPPY!!!

David Cook won American Idol! Dd and I watched every episode and he was our favorite all along (well, besides Jason Castro, we like him not only for his singing but for his beautiful blue eyes!)

As soon as they announced who the winner was dd and I screamed and clapped and I think we scared the cat a little bit because he jumped and ran off of the couch.

{Jill}

American Idol Voting is Going On...

2008-05-20T19:33:00.000-07:00
Right now! Have you voted??? Guess what! I JUST DID! It took me forever to get though even that once, but I finally got through after an hour of dialing. And who do I want to win? David Cook. At first I wanted Jason Castro to win, but when he got voted off I switched to David Cook. But! I have been both a David Cook and Jason Catro Fan from the beginning! And this is the first year ever that I have watched every show!

I can't wait to find out who wins tomorrow night! Keeping my fingers crossed for David Cook! (and keeping my eyes open for a glimpse of Jason! Have you seen his eyes? They are beautiful!)

Till Tomorrow!

{Jill}

Rusty Pickle May Challenge on Two Peas In A Bucket

2008-05-14T09:48:00.001-07:00
I thought I would post my May Challenge that I have on 2peas over here!

The Challenge for May is called the "{I Love} Spring Chicken Chipboard Challenge" For this challenge you will have the entire month of May to cook up your most wonderful Spring Chicken Chipboard Recipe! The Spring Chicken Chipboard is one of my most favorite products from Rusty Pickle, and I'd like to see how you use this chipboard on a layout, altered project, home decor project or creation of your choice! .

The rules are simple!

1. You must use the Spring Chicken Chipboard from Rusty Pickle!

2. You must use at least 80% Rusty Pickle Products in your Spring Chicken Chipboard Creation.

3. You must post your Spring Chicken Chipboard Creation in the Gallery at Two Peas in a Bucket and it must have Rusty Pickle Spring Chicken Challenge in the title.

4. You must post a link to your Spring Chicken Chipboard Creation to my original post at Two Peas In A Bucket.

5. The challenge will begin on Thursday, May 1st. The final day to submit your creation to the challenge will be on Saturday, May 31st.

6. After all creations have been submitted the Rusty Pickle Chefs will vote on the winner of the "I LOVE Spring Chicken Chipboard Challenge"

Good Luck!!!

Acrylic Album Numero Uno!

2008-05-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

This is the very first Acrylic Album that I have ever done! You notice I said album.... Last year for Memory Makers Masters I made page for the contest. It was the page where you had to send in the original. I could have made another one to keep and told myself that I would, but well...you know how that goes!

So as I said this is my very first Acrylic Album! The album is from Rusty Pickle and all the paper, chipboard and trims are also from Rusty Pickle. I just added some brown ink, Prima flowers, Stickles and some gems!

The great thing about this album is that I can keep adding to it (well, when I get it back from RP that is...). I can just keep making pages showing the different places that I visit and add them in the back of the book.

For more pictures of the book look below....I can only add I think five pictures at a time here so I had to divide the book between two differeent posts.

Have a GREAT day!

{Jill}

And Even More Pictures....

2008-05-14T09:35:00.001-07:00

Warning....

2008-05-08T20:22:00.000-07:00
It's a seriously LONG post below!

{Jill}

GASP!!!!

2008-05-08T19:46:00.000-07:00
Yes, that is what just happened. I had this thought and i decided to update my blog! I knew it had been awhile since I had made a visit and well, I thought I better update and get things going again!

What has happened since February? Should I say nothing? Or Something? February seems like it was so long ago. In February I entered Hall of Fame. Yes, I was one of those that completed their ten layouts and sent them in. I was one of those that secretly hoped to receive a phone call for Creating Keepsakes telling me that I was one of the newest members of the elite called a Hall of Famer! Did I get a phone call? Nope. Am I upset? Nope. Am I going to enter again? Maybe! You just never know what they are looking for and that was what I kept telling myself. They just weren't looking for what I had sent them, so I'm over it.

In February we also celebrated my daughter's 13th Birthday! Yes, she is now 13 years old. And well, if tonight is any indication of what it's going to be like around my house then I think I'm going to lock myself in my room every once in awhile! (you hear that mom?) For Sarah's birthday this year she had a very special surprise. Her Uncle Charlie (real name Tim) flew over from Bratislava to visit her for her birthday. She was SO surprised! Before he arrived Sarah and her friends had a fun day at the Mall. They went to Club Libby Lu and made "Potions", then we went to Claires, The Candy Store to buy some BIG lollie pops and then they rode the Carousel. Did I mention all the girl's were 13? They all had a really fun time! After the expedition in the Mall was over we went to Dave & Buster's and had snacks and stuff, this is when Uncle Charlie arrived! After snack we went downstairs and we all played games and stuff for prize tickets. It was a really LONG day. But I think the part that was the most memorable was when Charlie made his special appearance! (We LOVE our Uncle Charlie!)

March was a slow month...Spring Break and not much else. Since Sarah and I are going to Florida this summer we decided to stay home and sleep during Spring Break! Something that she and I can agree on! Sleeping!

April was a busy month! Simon and I took turns going out of town in April. I was gone one week and three days after I came back he left for a week. Simon has his interests (Stocks) and I have mine (Scrapbooking) and well, when we find an event that we want to attend we just make a point to go. I know he wouldn't be interested in going to a Scrapbooking Event, and he knows that I wouldn't be interested in going to a Stock Event, not that he hasn't tried, he has!

Anyway, in April I went to Nashville to attend the Scrap Etc. 2008 Event. It was at the Gaylord Resort in Nashville and I had a wonderful time! I saw some old friends, and made some new! I attended some wonderful classes taught my the Scrap Etc. Teachers and attended more classes taught by Jennin Bowlin, Heidi Swapp, and Wilna Furstenburg. And let me say this, after attending Heidi's class I have come back a changed person. I think it was a combination of her class, the class lecture, and a little chat that I had with her after class that affirmed everything that I had been going through and what I was going through at the time.

Like I said, after I returned home, Simon left to attend one of his events. Sarah and I stayed home. I was going to scrapbook the entire time he was gone and Sarah was going to clean her room, and bead. Guess what we did? NOTHING! Well, she did do some beading and I did do some organizing in my scrapbook room but other than that? NADA, ZIP, ZILCH.

And that brings us up to the present. Have some projects that I have to start, have some projects I have to finish, have some projects that I want to do! So I better say goodbye for now and get busy! But, I think I'll wait until tomorrow cause right now I'm going to bed!

I have to tell you this though...I did make a promise to myself that I would update my blog more often. I mean, if you see someone at a Scrapbooking Event, someone that you don't really know and they ask you why you aren't updating your blog, or when are you going to update you blog...well, when this happens you know it's time to update your blog!

Have a GREAT night!

Until Tomorrow!

{Jill}

Happy February!

2008-02-12T17:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's February. Almost 3 months since I last posted. We had Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Birthday, etc....but I'm back!

First order of Business!

How would you like to win some Rusty Pickle Goodies from CHA? All you have to do is go to the Rusty Pickle Blog at http://rustypickle.typepad.com and leave a comment in the comment section. Every day this week someone will be winning a prize package from Rusty Pickle! So go enter your name!

Also, over at Lance's Blog, http://lanceanderson.typepad.com he is also have some giveaways! Go leave comments at both sites! You never know you could be a winner!

Okay, so where have I been?

Well, I knew that I would be busy over Christmas. I decided to make a lot of Christmas presents this year and with dh going overseas to visit his mum they had to be done early! So that took me away from the computer. Then, it was Christmas here and dh takes off two weeks at Christmas every year, so well that's where I was too!
Then there's New Years and well I spend that day scrapbooking with my friends. And then I decided to enter HOF. But at the same time I was preparing my entry for HOF I was also creating booth samples for CHA.

That's November, December and January. So now we are in February and that's Sarah's Birthday. She turned 13 this year and we had a party at the mall this year. (I'm going to dedicate a post about this tomorrow!).

But I can say that I have honestly been busy working on "things".

But I am back!

And I wanted to start posting projects on my blog again! Here is a project that I made for Rusty Pickle. I used the School Daze Collection and an Arrow Chipboard Album. I painted the chipboard and then used stickles on the chipboard to make them glittery! I absolutely LOVE to create album covers! I thinks that the covers of albums are the part of an album that I enjoy the most!

Well gotta go for now! My Brother-in-Law is visiting us for the week! He came all the way from Bratislava to surprise Sarah for her birthday!

Until tomorrow!

{Jill}

Seven Random Facts about Me....

2007-11-16T17:29:00.000-08:00
My Friend Ann Corbiere-Scott tagged me...and well usually I don't do very well with being tagged. I don't do them...but I figured that if I didn't do Ann's then she would let me know! (in a good way!) Plus, she said that she was going to keep her eyes open to see if I respond. So here are my "Seven Random Facts About Me".

1. I have curly hair. Yep...see the picture to the right...just down a bit...that's me. With Curly Hair. Now mind you on some days it's curls good and some days it's curls bad. So I guess you could say that the day I took this picture it was a semi-good curly day. Actually...it was my birthday and I decided that it was about time that I took a new picture of me! Did you notice the words? Time for me to take a picture of me? It seems that whenever I need a picture of me there is noone around, and when they are around they just don't do what I want them to do...so it's just easier to take a picture of me all by myself! Okay, I'm digressing.

2. I don't leave the house without having makeup on or having my hair done. Just don't do it. I don't even like going to the mail box without having done those two things.

3. I arrangment my jewelry at night on my dresser. I have to lay it out. Yes, I know it's crazy...you might call it O.C.D. but it has to be done. Also I straighten everything out on my bathroom counter too. So it's nice and neat the way I want it.

4. I wear my glasses to bed. Don't you? I mean that way if I have to get up on the middle of the night I'll be able to see! It can be a problem though...especially when I wake up in the morning and find that the frame has been bent every which way....this problem though will be remedied on January 9th. I'm having Lasik. (i think I have 55 days to go!)

5. I don't like my dh to go into my car. It's off limits to him. Also my scrapbook room is off limits. Let's put it this way...anything that is mine is off limits. Yeah...that's the ticket! lol But seriously...he would laugh if he saw some of the stuff in my car. On the door panel I have my scrapbook magazines, I have one glove in the glove box...cause I can't drive with two on...

6. I don't like dishes piled up on the kitchen counter. The sink is fine...but not hte counter. You see, the sink goes down and well, the counter is flat and if they are in the sink then there is a better change that I won't see them!

7. I love cats. If I could have a houseful of cats I would. But Simon said that three is enough. Which is really too bad because down at Petco there is this cat named "Henry" and he is the sweetest kitty cat! And yes, I go and visit him...often. Okay...I go to Petco several times a week to visit the cats. Now that's random isn't it!

Oh, and Ann... if you are reading this...Whenever we hear the name Cornelius we think of the Rooster that is on the box of the Kellogs Corn Flakes. Yep, you guessed it, his name is Cornelius.

Have a great day!

{Jill}

My Christmas "Wish" List

2007-11-08T09:46:00.000-08:00
I was visiting one of my favorite Scrapbooking Message Boards today (http://www.scrappertalk.com/) and there was a thread there about Christmas. The thread got me thinking. In it there was one comment that said "I know you don't shop at so and so store, but I do". Well that one sentence got me thinking! There are lots of stores that I don't shop at and there are lots of stores that I DO Shop at. And some of the stores that people do shop at FOR me are are not the same stores that i go to. So, what better place to list the stores that I do shop at!

Since I am a scrapbooker, a gift card to a scrapbook store would be a wonderful idea! However, all the stores in my area are closing...well the scrapbook stores. BUT! we still have Hobby Lobby and Michael's. So if someone wanted to purchase a gift card for me for scrapbooking supplies it would be wonderful to have one to Hobby Lobby or Michael's. Hobby Lobby is less than a mile from my house and I am there a LOT! (okay, maybe i shouldn't say a lot...but at least 3 or more times a week I can be found wondering the aisles). Michaels is about six miles away, but I like to go there to see what they have on sale. They also carry this ribbon that I like to use on just about every project.

Clothing stores. Okay, so since I am a scrapbooker I (personally, just me!) don't like to spend a lot on my clothes. I am perfectly comfortable in sweats, tshirts, jeans, sweaters and stuff like that. I like to look neat, but if I paint or spill mod podge on me I don't want to ruin what I have on. So I shop at Target mostly. Once in awhile I will venture to Dillards or somewhere like that if I have to have something really nice, but most days you will find me in comfy clothes that I can replace easily. I know, if I wore an apron that would protect my clothes wouldn't it!.

What else would I like for Christmas:

Hmmmm....I just got a new camera for my Birthday! It's a NIKON D40X...I'd love a new lense for my camera! So I'm hoping that dh will get that for me!

Ohh..but you know what! I would also love a tv/dvd/combo for my scrapbook room! that way I could watch movies while i worked! So the best place to buy one of those is at Target or Best Buy!

See, there's lots of things that I could put on my list! But mostly gift cards would be great! Especially if they are all to the same place! That way I can combine them and put them towards one big item! Like a tv for my room....or a lense for my camera, or even a cartridge for my Cricut Machine.

Just some shopping advice from someone who is going to have a Wonderful Christmas! (because I usually shop for myself! lol)

Have a great day!

{Jill}

Posting Some Projects!

2007-11-07T16:21:00.000-08:00
This month's Rusty Pickle Challenge is up on the RP Blog! Go to http://www.rustypickle.typepad.com/ and take a look! Also all the chefs gave the challenge a try too! Including me! I LOVED how my layout for the challenge turned out!

You know what the nicest thing about having a blog is? It's your own personal gallery! You can post whatever you want in it! So that's what I'm going to do today! Here are a few project that I did lately! I would love to post this one project that I just finished today but I have submittal plans for that one!

This is the second Family Chipboard sign that I made for the Armstrong Family Fundraiser (the first was made with the Cap'n Jack Line. This sign was made using the new French Market line from Rusty Pickle. I LOVE how it turned out! And now I want to make one myself! This sign was made using only FIVE sheets of Rusty Pickle Paper.

Yes, my cat is a party animal isn't he! This is my sixteen year old cat Joey. Yes, he has a party hat on, and yes we had a party, but it wasn't for him...it was for my other cat Snoopy. The hat belongs to one of my daughter's bears from Build-A-Bear...luckily it fits my kitty cats too! I put this hat on Joey when he was sitting up, but then he just sort of laid down and I snapped this really cute picture of him!

Thanks for looking!
{Jill}

Time to Post a Project!

2007-10-18T14:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything project related so I thought I would do that today! This is the Chipboard Sign that I made for the Armstrong Family Fundraiser. I LOVE the colors that I used on it...why? Well, because they match my house! I want to make another one of these for me, but first I have to finish the Chipboard Sign that I am making for the second fundraiser. Don't know about the fundraiser? See the post below and just follow the links!

All the paper is from the Rusty Pickle "Cap'n Jack" Line and the Chipboard letters are also from Rusty Pickle! The Rusty Pickle Trims are from the Pashmina Collection and the Pickle Party Collection. I just love this sign and can't wait to make one for me!

Have a great day!

{Jill}

The Armstrong Family Fundraiser

2007-10-05T20:48:00.000-07:00
First off I have something to say. Please, please do me one favor. Please go to the Rusty Pickle Blog (http://www.rustypickle.typepad.com) and follow the link to the Armstrong Family Fundraiser Blog (http://www.armstrongfamilyfundraiser.blogspot.com/) . Rusty Pickle is doing a wonderful thing by helping this family out! I so wish that I could attend this event, but I can't since it's being held in Arizona and Utah. I live in Texas, and well it's a little bit too far for me to attend. But those of you that live in Arizona and Utah can attend!

Tracy Armstrong was shot 4 times at point blank range by a guest at his Panquitch Lake Resort. This father of nine is now paralysed from the arms down and is not able to work. Additionally his wife is staying at a hotel in Provo to be near her husband and having to deal with child care and the loss of the family bread winner. In additional to the loss of income they are dealing with insurance deductables, increased living expenses, and upgrading their home and resort for Tracy.

Another way that you can help out the Armstrong Family is by purchasing Raffle Tickets. The prize is $500.00 worth of yummy Rusty Pickle Products! You can enter your name in the drawing 1 time for $5 or 5 times for $20 (or 25 times for $100!). ALL FUNDS WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THE FAMILY! To purchase Raffle Tickets please go to this link: http://legacyscrapbooking.com/catalog.php?category=298

Go Now to the Rusty Pickle Blog!!!!

2007-09-28T18:39:00.000-07:00
You have to pop on over to the NEW Rusty Pickle Blog! (http://www.rustypickle.typepad.com) Go over and leave a comment in the comment section and you could be the daily winner of some Rusty Pickle Goodies!

And She's BACK!!!!

2007-09-28T17:57:00.000-07:00
Okay, so in the last two weeks I really have gotten a LOT done! I've cleaned and mowed and organized....it's not all done or caught up but I've at least started which makes me feel MUCH BETTER! I hate to be disorganized and have a mess (okay, mom don't laugh at that!)

Now to catch everyone else up on what's been going on during the month of September.

The first weekend of September I attended Creative Escape in Phoenix Arizona. Creative Escape is put on by Heidi Swapp and Bazzill Basics Paper. And let me just say that I loved each and every one of my classes. I loved Heidi's class where we made a canvas (okay, I haven't finished it) I loved Rhonna's class where we created a 21-Challenge Journal (okay, I haven't finished that either). I loved Leslie's Card Class (Yes, I finished those in class) and I liked Heidi Lynn's Calendar Class (I finished those layouts too!). I truly had a wonderful time and I already have my reservation for my room next year! And next year I'm doing it right and treating myself to a much needed personal vacation, including a trip to the spa, and maybe a trip or two to the casino!

I returned home from Creative Escape on the 9th of September and was able to "visit" with Simon and Sarah for a few days. And then I was off again! This time I went to Utah for the Annual Rusty Pickle Chef Retreat!

I flew into Salt Lake City on the 13th and stayed until the 16th. I was SO excited to go! I'd never been to Utah before! The first thing that we were going to do was go to the Rusty PIckel Warehouse so that we could go shopping before we headed to the cabin! And that was TOTALLY fun!!! It was so much fun watching what everyone was buying, and then you would stand there and think for a bit and got and get a little bit more before it was your turned to pay. The Chef retreat was awesome and I had a truly wonderful time! (Thank you Tasha and Lance and Patricia and Emily and everyone!!!). We stayed in a cabin that was on this mountain and the funny thing about it was that there was NO cell phone reception which meant that noone could get in touch with me! So when one of the other chef's decided that she was going to go to town on Friday i jumped at the chance to go just so that I could call Simon and inform him of the bad news....the conversation went something like this...

Me: "Hi Sweetness"
Simon: "Hi Sweets"

Me: "Umm..i have something to tell you"
Simon: "Yes?"

Me: "Umm...you're not going to be able to talk to me until Sunday when I go back to the airport because there isn't any cell phone reception at the cabin".
Simon: "Are you really up in the mountain"

Me: "Yes, and noone can call anyone, so everyone is calling their husband to let them know that they can't call them".
Simon: "Okay, so I guess I'll talk to you when you go to the airport"

That was basically the conversation. Mind you, I didn't included the entire conversation, but that was basically it. And when I hung up the phone, i sort of giggled, because well Simon can usually get in touch with me wherever I go. But, this time he just couldn't do it. Little did we know, but there was a phone in the cabin and well...it worked.

At the retreat we had SO much fun! But I think I stayed up a little bit too late one night....I think it was 4:30 a.m. when I went to bed? Yep...it was 4:30. You see I was working on some stuff and well, I just didn't want to stop. If i could have stayed up later I probably would have, but you know I guess I was really tired.

I returned home on the 16th. Totally tired. And what did I do? I went to bed. On Monday I brougth Sarah to school and came back home. And what did I do? I went to bed. I don't think that I felt right again until about Wednesday. But by Friday I was back to my old self! Which I had to do! Why? Well, because Friday, September 21 was my 43rd birthday....eeek.....yes...43.

Usually in my house my birthdays are not the greatest. Usually dh goes out on that day and buys me a card. I know because i find the reciept that shows the exact time that he purchased the card. But this year, I think it was in April. I put on the calendary "Jill's Birthday, You Better Plan Something Good!". And i circled it. Well, guess what! I was in complete shock, because, yes, he planned something good. Well, not exactly he planned, but he bought me a REALLY REALLY NICE present! or should I say presents? Simon and Sarah walked into the bedroom on Friday and they had my presents in their hands. I had the cards to open...one from Sarah, one from the cats, and one from Simon. Then I had two bags. In one bag there was a Dremel! I've been wanting a Dremel for a very long time! BUT, in the other bag there was an envelope. I looked at it....and then opened it. Dh had ordered me my camera that I had been waiting for for a very, very, long time! I am now the proud owner of a D40X!!! Now I just have to figure out how to use it!

I think that the camera was also a part of a Thank You Gift from Simon. He knows that for the past month and a half I have been helping him, and doing everything around the house. Remember, he broke his hip? He's doing better, and he's walking. But he still has a ways to go. But I think the camera was his way of saying, "Thanks Sweets, I love you".

But I never told you what I did on my birthday did I? I went to get a pedicure, had lunch, went to a movie, went shopping, and then had dinner with my husband and daughter at Buca De Beppo. We sat at the "kitchen table" so that we could see everything that goes on in the kitchen. Sarah made the reservation for us, but I secretly think that she wanted to be able to sit in the kitchen, because it's a special table.

But my birthday really wasn't over on Friday! On Saturday I had plans to go and scrapbook with my friend Bernie (http://scrapbdazzled.blogspot.com/). We had made plans to visit a scrapbook store that was about an hour from my house. I had never been to this store, so I was really looking forward to it. I called Bernie to let her know when I was leaving my house and started my trek to the store. I also told Bernie that if I got lost I was going to call her....yes, I got lost...not once...but twice! But I did finally arrive at the store...and I was hungry for lunch! Bernie and I went and had lunch at McAllister's Deli and then went to Recollections to have a look around. I like to go to the different Scrapbook Stores (okay, so Recollections isn't new to me...but it was in a different town) to see what they have that's different than everywhere else. After Recollections we returned to where we were cropping and started to work. I had a lot of stuff to catch up on...and I'm almost done....

Bernie and I had a great night! And she truly is a GREAT friend! You know what she brought me...BIRTHDAY CAKE and ICE CREAM! I hadn't had a birthday cake yet, and this truly touched me! (Thank You Bernie!) She also gave me this goodie back of treats...like Smarties, and Tootsie Rolls and Lollipops (Sarah is enjoying that!)

So all in all my September has been pretty good! MUCH better than it usually is! And i have my husband, and daughter, and Rusty Pickle, all the Rusty Pickle Chefs and Bernie to thank! Thank you all!

And with that I am going to leave, so that i can go and pack my stuff up so that i can meet Bernie again tomorrow!

Have a great night everyone!

{Jill}

Just in case you're wondering what's going on and where I am...

2007-09-12T14:04:00.000-07:00
I am going to be out of town. I'm going to be taking a break when I get back. I will be back to blogging later....after I take a much needed nap.

I need to reorganize
I need to clean
I need to mow the lawn
I need to get rid of the weeds that have grown in my flowerbeds
I need to finish my bathroom that I have been working on for two years.
I have a lot of stuff to get done
and I need to get it done because I hate making to do lists and never getting them done.

So I am taking a break.

So, if you don't see me online anywhere I will be outside in the sunshine getting my house back in order. For the past three months I've been at home, not really getting much done. Then Simon broke his hip and things went a little haywire...well that's what happens when you are in charge of everything. So, I'm going away this weekend. I'm going to have a good time (better than last weekend (she says crossing fingers)) and I'm going to laugh and spend time with my friends. Because I deserve it.

Have a great month.

Yes, it's been a month....

2007-09-11T14:11:00.000-07:00
and i've been busy. Doing what? Taking care of my husband of course...remember, he broke his hip?

Not much really going on other than that...next week is that thing that comes around every year...yes, it's birthday time again (Sepember 21...). And well, I know how it's going to end up. DH is busy with meetings all day...until about 9:00 p.m. And well, DD she is in a play at school and they have practice until 6:45. So what am I gonna do...not quite sure yet, since I"ll be by myself all day. It's sort of sad, you know? Celebrating by yourself. But that's what happens most of the time. Anyway...not to sound like a "sad person" but I think I"m going to take a bit of a break until it's all over. Then I'll come back....otherwise you will have to sit here and read sad post after sad post...so I'm not going to do it! Nope! I"m going to go and do something to keep busy until it's over....

Be back later....

Jill

But everything is fine!

2007-08-11T21:15:00.000-07:00
Fine is a word that my husband hates to hear from me. He asks me, "Are you okay". I'm fine. "Is there something bothering you?" Nope, I'm fine. "I'm going to go to a class this weekend" I answer fine. See everything is fine with me!

However, last Saturday everything was not fine.

Simon decided around 9:00 a.m. that he was going to go on a bike ride. That was fine with me (see there's that word again!) But really it was fine. Sarah and I had plans to go out for a few hours. We were going to the Mall and the Scrapbook Store to do some shopping. Simon headed out for his bike ride and I headed into my bedroom to change clothes. Everything was fine. I got dressed, did my hair and makeup, and took my time doing it. I was going to have a WONDERFUL day and I was really looking forward to it! I was even going out scrapbooking that night, so I have a very special day planned!

As Sarah and I were leaving the house I began to wonder where in the world Simon was. It was after ten and he is usually only gone from the house on his ride for about 30-40 minutes. I know the trail that he takes (sometimes I go with him). And I knew he should have been back before we left. We pulled the car out of the garage and I said to Sarah that I was wondering where her dad was. She too was concerned. So, instead of turning right to go to the Scrapbook Store and the Mall we decided to turn left to see if we could find Simon.

We didn't have to go very far. As we were driving just around the corner from our house I found Simon. He was sitting on a bench on this strip of grass, his bike was parked in front of him. He looked as though he was just sitting there thinking about something. I drove up, pulled over and put my window down. And I said to him, "Hi hon, are you okay?" And the answer was, "I've taken a fall and I think I hurt myself". I asked if he wanted a ride home, and he said yes. But we still had the bike. I didn't know what to do about the bike because with three of us it wasn't going to fit in the car. Sarah "volunteered" to walk the bike back home. (that is SO not her usual thing!". I had to figure out how to get Simon into the car because he couldn't walk on his leg. I asked him if he thought he broke his leg, and he said no. But still he couldn't walk on the right leg. I had to figure out how to get him in the car and finally I decided that I was going to drive my car up to him! So I get in the car, go up over the curbs and drive right up to his bench. I get him on the car, mind you he can't walk on his leg, and he is leaning on me all sweaty (YUCK!!! But you know, if I let him do this I must love him!). I got him in the car and then returned to the driver seat. I WAS going to back out the way I got up there, but then I decided that I was just going to do a circle and get down that way.

SO, we get Simon home. He can't walk on his leg. He doesn't want to go to the hospital because he wants to lay down on the couch. I put towels on the couch because he is all yucky from biking. And he lays there for about two hours. Finally I asked him how he was feeling and he said he was ready for a shower. So again I had to help him to the shower and into the shower too! When he was finished I said, "So are you ready to go to the hospital now?" And finally he said yes.

We got to the hospital around 3:00 p.m. Finally saw someone at around 5:00 p.m. He had xrays done and the doctore confirmed what I thought. His hip was broken. He was admitted to the hospital at 6:00 p.m. and was in his hospital room at 7:00 p.m. The doctor came to visit at around 7:30 and that is when we were told that Simon would be having surgery the following morning at 8:00 a.m. Simon was fine with everything. Until the doctor told him this...."No eating or drinking anything after midnight". Simon always has his snacks at night, and tonight, well tonight he couldn't do it. Sarah and I stayed at the hospital unitl about 11:30. Simon told us it was time to go home. And well, he was right...mainly because I had to walk the neighbors dog that I was watching.

Sarah and I returned home and took care of the dog, set the alarm clock for 4:00 a.m. and went to bed. It was a really fast night, and the alarm went off before you knew it! But I wanted to be at the hospital when he was taken to surgery.

Sarah and I arrived at the hospital at 7:00 and Simon was wide awake! The nurse came to get him at 7:30 a.m. and she was moving the hospital bed all by herself, so I asked her if she needed some help. So she was at the bottom of the bed, and I was at the top of the bed. The nurses at the nursing station laughed because I was pushing Simon to the operating room. He went into surgery at 8:00 a.m. and was out of surgery, into recovery, and back in his room by 12:00 p.m.

All in all everything is really going fine here. Simon came home from the hospital on Monday. But, he can't do anything. He can't bend, can't lift, can't carry anything. So, I do it all. Which really is fine!

The only thing that wasn't fine is that Sarah and I were supposed to go on Vacation on Tuesday. And well, we had to cancel. SO that wasn't fine (was it mom). But, we will be going on vacation at some point. I didn't have any choice really. I mean I couldn't just leave him at home knowing that he couldn't do anything, and well I don't think the neighbor's would come over and watch him like I watch thier pets! (lol)

But everything really is fine. We are just a little tired....that's all.

But everything is fine.

Have a great day!

{Jill}

This is ONE LONG summer....

2007-08-02T13:09:00.000-07:00
Yes, it is.

This has been ONE LONG summer. Why? Well, this year is the first year since Sarah has been in school where she has just about three months for summer vacation. She got out of school on May 25, and doesn't go back until August 27th. Three months and two days.

Now, I don't want you to think that I am complaining. I mean I love her to pieces and I knew that summer would be long, but what I didn't count on was having TWO extra people (besides me) home for summer vacation. I can handle one extra person to clean up after, but two? In case you haven't figured it out, the second person is my husband. He has "decided" to work a majority of his work week at home, with us, in the house.

Now I do love him too, but you know it would be nice if I could get some help around the house? You know to unload the dishwasher, sweep the kitchen floor or put a load of laundry in? Cleaning a mirror would be good too! But nope. Nothing happens unless I get really upset. So let's just say that the bathroom mirror hasn't been cleaned in a very, very, very, long time. (lol)

I know that school will come and both will either go back to school or to the office, and I can learn to "deal" with my loneliness...honestly, I can FIND things for me to do...I"ll be fine! Really! And I don't need anyone to give me suggestions on things that need to be done around the house...I can however give the others a nice LONG list of things that need to be done, that were promised to me for at least four or five years (one item on the list is 11 years old!). See, I'm a VERY patient person.

But sometimes even the most patient person just needs to vent. But since noone at home seems to listen to me, I have to come here and vent to myself! lol I tried to talk to Snoopy Cat about it, but he just looked at me as though he really didn't care what I had to say to him! (lol)

BUT! There is the light at the end of the tunnel! I do have some trip planned! And they are coming up really soon! One is to Tulsa in August! I can't wait for that one! The second is to Phoenix in September. I'm going to be going to Creative Escape again this year! And then there is the Rusty Pickle Chef Retreat in Utah. I've never been to Utah before so I'm SUPER excited about this one! I don't consider these just trip for me, but I look at them as time that my daughter and husband have to spend together and try and get things done without me. When I get home there is always a story, and it's always interesting!

Have a Great Day!!!

{Jill}

And Even More From Rusty Pickle!

2007-07-13T15:30:00.001-07:00

Pink Pirates!!!
School Daze
Mayflower

Rusty Pickle CHA SNEAK PEEK!!!!

2007-07-13T15:26:00.003-07:00

Here are some Sneak Peeks for you from Rusty Pickle!
Addams Family
Grandma Pickelicious
Grandpa Pickelicious
Mayflower
Cap'n Jack

I have a Secret "Blog" Reader! LOL

2007-07-13T15:16:00.000-07:00

Okay so I was talking on the phone today to my mom...she lives in Tallahassee (Florida). And well, I was asking her if she would come and pick me and Sarah up at the airport...we are going on a little visit, since Sarah hasn't seen "Georgia and Renata" for awhile. So as I was saying, I was talking to my mom and said, "You know what Jill"...what mom...and then she told me. She reads my blog! And do you know why she reads it? So that she knows that I am still around. I guess that I don't keep in touch that much, and that if I update my blog at least she knows that everything is okay! (or that at least I'm still around)

Guess I better post a picture too so that she will really know that I've been here!

Have a great day!

{Jill}

Yes, I am still here....{With Some WONDERFUL News!!!}

2007-07-11T14:29:00.000-07:00
Yes. I'm still here.

I have to pinch myself every now and then.

Why???

Well, remember the Rusty Pickle Design Team contest???

Well....i made it!!!

They announced the winners on Monday. We actually received emails that day...and I read mine carefully...just to make sure...and sure enough! I made it!

And not only that! But I have a new friend who made it too!!! Amanda Oates!!! She is this really GREAT scrapbooker and I couldn't be more happier for her! Well I'm happy for both of us!

So Monday (June 9th) we received our emails. And we made it, along with ten other ladies (who are just as excited as I am! But it didn't really hit me until about 45 minutes later. I just sat at my computer, and said to myself...I did it...I couldn't believe it. And I can't wait to get started!

My daughter came in the room after the announcement was made on the Rusty Pickle site and she said to me, "Mom, can we go to the Zoo now?" And I told her, "Yes, Sarah...we can go to the Zoo now". But since it rained on Monday and Tuesday, we didn't get to go until today...97 degrees out and we are at the Zoo. But I told her that I would take her, and I did...now at least I have a happy 12 year old. At least for a little while!

While we were at the Zoo we went by and saw the otters. The Otters are Sarah's favorite animal to watch because they come right up to the observation window and look at you! Just like you are the one they are supposed to be watching, and not the other way around! And I tried to get this picture of the five otters swimming under water towards us...i think I got it, but I'm going to check later...so if you see an otter picture here later on, you'll know what it's from.

I'm going to leave for now. I have some major cleaning up to do in my scrapbook room. Lots of stuff that needs to be put back where it belongs, zoo pictures to be uploaded, and I want to scrapbook something! (Plus it's getting ready to really storm outside!)

Have a GREAT DAY!!!

{JILL}

Am I in the right place???

2007-06-27T13:47:00.000-07:00
Yes... I think I am!

This is my Blog isn't it?

It's just that it's been SO LONG since I've been here I sort of forgot what it looked like! (lol)

Not really...

SO, where have I been? Yes. It has been a long time but I have been SUPER busy with some stuff. Right after the Gwen Stefani Concert in May I got this wild idea that I would try out for the Rusty Pickle Design Team...Well I really decided on May 19th that I would try out. So that's what I've been doing.

Rusty Pickle (http://www.Rustypickle.com) is this WONDERFUL Scrapbook Manufacturer! And I DO mean WONDERFUL!I am a fanatic about Rusty Pickle Products! Even more so now. So as I was saying on May 19th I decided to enter the Rusty Pickle Design Team Contest. Here is how it worked...In order to even be consided for the contest you had to design a mini album, a layout and an altered project. Remember, I said to even be considered. So everyone who wanted to enter the "Rusty Pickle Amazing Race" had to complete those three projects and send them in. Rusty Pickle was only going to pick 20 of all the entries that were submitted to them. And out of the 20 only 12 of the contestants will become Rusty Pickle Chefs.

Follow me???

So, I completed my three projects and I sent them in. Remember that I made my decision to enter on May 19? Well, I didn't start my projects for another two days. I worked and worked and worked, and finally I had my projects done and sent in by the deadline specified. Then all those who entered had to wait for the results to see who the twenty scrapbookers would be. Imagine my surprise when I received an email from Rusty Pickle letting me know that I would be a finalist!!! I screamed for joy! And my husband? Well, he was wondering why I was screaming! I had to explain it to him...he finally got it.

So now I am one of twenty contestants in the Rusty Pickle Amazing Race. Rusty Pickle was so generous to us! They sent us two boxes of Rusty Pickle Product...this product was to be used for our projects in the race. I was in New Braunfels, Texas (at Schlitterbahn) when my boxes arrived, but as soon as I returned home I opened them up and organized them in their own special container so that nothing would happen to them...and also so that I would know where everything was!

The Race has been going on for a week and two days now and so far we have completed five projects. We have three more to go! This afternoon we received out 6th clue on what I project should be, so I have to get back to work soon....

And I'd love to show you all my projects, but I asked and I can't post them anywhere except the websites that are hosting the Amazing Race. So if you are following along and know where to look you can see everyones projects.

5 projects down
1 project in the works
2 projects to go

And then we find out who makes it. I really would like to make it!

Have a great day!!!

{Jill}

Gwen Rocked!!!!!

2007-05-08T13:28:00.000-07:00
and that's that!

So much going on....

2007-05-01T19:18:00.000-07:00
Yes, it's hard to believe that there is so much going on!

This past week I was in Austin at the Scrapbook Exp working for Fiber Scraps! I had a GREAT Time meeting new friends, reconnecting with old friends and just showing everyone what they can do with the Fiber Scraps Walnut Ink Tintz. I love working the booth because, well, it's sort of like I get to play all day!!! Don't get me wrong, it's a LOT of work! Especially building the gridwall, setting up the booth and all. But it's also a LOT of fun because people from last year have come by just to say "hi" to me. Patricia would be so proud of me!

The first day of setting up is always the hardest, okay it runs a close second to the last day when we have to tear down. But after we were done setting up we went out to dinner to Threadgill's. Patricia and I went there last year so that she could try the Fried Green Tomatoes...she even let me try them! This year I ordered them for myself! And they were just as yummy!

The next night was Thursday and anyone who knows me knows what I do on Thursday nights. I watch my tv shows (Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy and October Road). So I had take out chinese food and watched tv all night long..finally took a shower around 10:00 right at the beginning of October Road.

Friday night I was able to go out for dinner with my friend Kara! I was glad that I go to see her again! She is just the bestest! We went to Pappadeaux which really is a treat for me since Simon (my dh) doesn't really like seafood. We split the Crawfish Appetizer and the Stuffed Shrimp. Kara kept saying that she was going to have desert, but when time came around did she have room? nope.

After dinner Kara and I went and visited a scrapbook store. It was nice to be able to get out and see something in Austin. We drove to the store and walked around and guess what I bought? nothing, which would really make my husband happy to hear! (lol) But he doesn't know about that new bag that I bought at the Expo either....

After we finished visiting the scrapbook store we went to Starbucks and I was able to get a Vente' White Mocha...at a price that was right! The coffees at the Expo were $4.75 apiece....and that was for a tall! This one was $4.25. Which was better!

I drove home from Austin on Sunday and was greeted by NOONE being home! So i unpacked, jumped in the shower and got on the computer to check out all the messages that were waiting for me...I'm still going through them. I'm afraid to do a massive delete because I might get rid of something that is important....like a gift certificate code (which I also deleted tonight by mistake...)

The week is almost halfway over and there is SO much going on! On Friday I'm going to an all day crop at Recollections, since I can't go scrapbook on Saturday...why can't you go on Saturday? Well....I'm going to go see Gwen Stefani!!!! I am SO excited about this! Dh and I are bringing Sarah to her first concert this weekend and she DOESN'T EVEN KNOW!!! For Easter this year Sarah got the "Sweet Escape" CD in her basket and she opened it up and found the concert dates that GS would be doing...and Dallas was listed as May 5. Of course we as scrapbookers know that May 5 is National Scrapbooking Day...so I told Sarah that we couldn't go to the concert because of that! But what she doesn't know is that SHE will be at THE concert! We aren't telling her until we arrive! I can't wait!!! I have to take a picture of this!!!

Then on Sunday I am taking two classes with Tim Holtz!!!! See I told you I was a busy girl this weekend!!! I'm just wondering, when I'm going to sleep?

And I do have other news too....I am now a PINK LADY over at Scraptalk.com. I was tearing down the booth at the Expo on Saturday and got the call! So I'm super excited about that!

I've also had a lot of other things on my mind lately, some have gotten me down, but thanks to the support of good friends everything is going to be A.O.K.

Tomorrow I'm going to post the frame that I made in a class a few weeks ago...it's has my wedding picture in it...Right now it's sitting on my desk and I can see my husband and myself smiling....and it's just making me smile.

Goodnight.

{Jill}

How many times can you hear the word "No"?

2007-04-17T06:53:00.000-07:00
How many times can you hear the word "No"?

How many times can you hear the word and still be okay?

The answer: 16

In the past year I have submitted to 16 Design Team Calls. All of them have one thing in common. The word "No".

The latest came today. I'm sad. Yes, I will admit it. I'm sad. I really wanted it. But life will go on. you know....it really will. But still there's that burning question of what didn't they like?
I thought outside of the box, I made things that I thought they would like....and I liked them too. But the answer was still no.

So what am I going to do about it? Give up? Not scrapbook anymore? Nope. I"m going to keep on keeping on and still do my hobby. I'd love to find a manufacturer that would really love my work, someone who would love whatever I made. So I guess I have to continue to search for that "perfect fit".

But for right now...I can be sad. Because. It's O.K.

{JILL}

Happy Tuesday!!!

2007-04-03T07:45:00.000-07:00
It's Tuesday! Do you know what that means??? Only two more day of having to get up early! This Friday there is NO school and we can sleep in!!! But I'm not going to, there is a place called "Michael's" and I have some 50% off coupons that I am going to go and use. Luckily dd will be with me so I can give her some money to go to one line while I am in another.

Okay, so how do I make a Blog Banner???

2007-04-02T09:26:00.000-07:00
If anyone out there can help me out it would be greatly appreciated! (cause I don't know how to do it! (lol)

{Jill}

My Flower Pot

2007-04-02T08:40:00.000-07:00

I've had this project in my head for awhile and well I finally decided to do it last week. It's what I call "My Flower Pot". It's the perfect garden! You don't need to water the flowers, put them in the sun and the flowers will never die!

Hope you enjoy looking at it! All the beads were designed and hand made by me! The beads were meant for another project, but they matched the colors that I wanted to use on the pot so well that I used them for this project. Hope the girls at Creative Escape understand! Yes, that is what the beads were for. I'm in a Charm Swap for Creative Escape and I had all of my charms finished, and well my mind wandered and I decided to use them on this....guess I better get started making the charms again....only 66 to make (so far!) It shouldn't take me too long!

I love the colors I used on the pot. They just look pretty to me! And if the sun shines on it, it has this little glow to it...And a plus is that my room is going to match my pot...once I get it painted. (July)

Hope everyone has a Happy Monday! Tomorrow I'm going to post another project that I made for my scrapbook room...and I think that this one is super pretty! (at least to me!!!)

{Jill}