SCRAPBOOKING

Well, last night I worked more on my sister's scrapbooks. I am doing scrapbooks for her of her foster kids. Of course, that means I have stuff everywhere too! When I scrap - I tend to get even more things out than when I stamp cards. I've got to have all my patterned papers, ribbons, accessories, pictures, different layout ideas, etc right in front me. :)

Madison starts soccer practice tonight. This is her 4th season playing and she loves it. This Fall season we put her in the All-Girls league. She previously played co-ed, but in the Spring she had a tough go of it. The boys were a bit rougher and she didn't like that. So, we're hoping she'll enjoy this season just as much.

Mackenzie had her 2 yr check-up yesterday. She is doing well. We were concerned because her speech isn't where we think it should be. So, they are having me take her to a hearing specialist to have that checked first. We are also supposed to have what is called Early Intervention come and watch her play/interact to see where we might be able to help her along. She loves to play and is a bright child, but I feel so bad when she tries so hard to tell me something and I have no clue what it is she is saying. I keep telling myself that is the 'middle child' syndrome. :) Madison used to carry her everywhere, so she was late to start walking. So, I just think she doesn't say much because she has her big 'sissy' to interpret for her. We'll see - we're hoping for the best, but I'd rather know now and do what is necessary than to find out later. She's still just a little peanut - only 22 lbs. Her brother who is 5 months is almost 15 lbs already! :)

Lots to do today - I am picking up pictures that I took from our trip to the park this past weekend. I'm really hoping they turned out!! I can't wait to scrapbook those pages.

Ok - off to work on the scrapbooks that I need to get finished.

BACK TO STAMPING!!

YEAH! I am back to stamping! Tonight was the first stamp club meeting for this catalog. I had a packed house and we had a great time. We went longer than normal, but I was just so excited to have everyone here and stamping!!! :)

We did 3 cards, which I'll attach here.

Not much else - I spent all day getting ready for tonight. Now I need to get to bed for work in the morning. Still need to clean up too. :)

What a Fun Day!!

My day started out with taking the kids to the park. We picked up some lunch and ate it at the park. They had fun running around and playing. Of course, Mackenzie had to follow her 'sissy' everywhere she went. If she couldn't see her - you would hear 'SISSY! SISSY!'. They didn't want to leave, but the humidity was getting to me and Trenton, so we packed it up and ran a couple errands. Even though it was very humid - it was so much fun watching the girls play and laugh. I took pictures of course, but not sure if they will turn out. I always use my digital, but my DH took it with him, so I used my regular camera. We'll see...

This is my first card using my new Whipper Snapper Design stamp by Anna Wight. I LOVE these stamps! I can't wait to stamp more - what FUN!

The supplies for the card are as follows (SU! unless otherwise noted):
Stamps - SU! Paisley, Whipper Snapper Designs Black-eyed Susan in Vase, TAC friend
CS - Whisper White, Watercolor Paper, Buckaroo Blue (SU! In Color), Summer Sun, and Basic Black
Ink - StazOn Black, Buckaroo Blue, Summer Sun, Mellow Moss
Other - Aqua Painter, Hodgepodge Hardware, Stampin' Dimensionals

So Much to Do!

Ever had one of those days where you had so much to do, but just can't get any of it done. Well, that seems to be me lately. I still have TONS to get done and just can't seem to get myself to finish it all! I had a couple hours today when the kids were napping where I could have worked on some projects. Did I? No. I was just unmotivated - not to mention hot! The humidity today I think really stifled my desire to do anything. I have some plans for tomorrow, but I am really going to try to be focused and at the very least - get one thing on my list accomplished.

This is another project for LIWP that I finished recently. I am really pleased with how it turned out - I wasn't sure at first, but then things started to just 'flow'.

First Day of School

Well - today was Madison's first day of school (1st Grade). I walked her into her class (and of course took pictures!). She was a bit nervous. We met her at the bus stop and she came running up to us. She had a huge smile on her face and overall had a good day! So glad to hear that - I'm always worried about what type of day she is going to have (I know - like I need another thing to worry about). The day was definitely quiet here. Both the younger kids took a morning nap, so I was able to join them. :) Always a plus!! Then our neighbors brought dinner over and we ate outside. The girls (Madison and Jamie) played while we got to relax - it was very nice.

I started to stamp last night, but haven't gotten back to it yet. I stamped some Whipper Snapper images (Anna's) and watercolored some. I really LOVE her new stamps - they are beautiful!! Now I can't wait to finish watercoloring and then making an actual project with them!! :)

Well - tomorrow is a work day, so I need to go. This will be the first day with getting Madison ready for school, the other kids up and ready for Grandma, and me off to work. Hmm - I didn't do well today with getting out the door and I didn't have to worry about work. Let's hope tomorrow is better and a bit more timely on my part!

I can't believe it - my baby girl turned 2 today! While she isn't my 'baby' anymore, I still call her my baby girl (which drives my parents crazy - they say it will confuse her). She is just the cutest little girl (if I do say so myself). :) It seems like yesterday when we brought her home from the hospital. Also - I sit here tonight thinking how my oldest will start 1st grade tomorrow. That really doesn't seem real - I look at her and think how 'old' she looks when she is still my little girl as well. Can you tell I am going through my Mommy emotions tonight? :)

I received my Whipper Snapper (http://www.whippersnapperdesigns.com/) stamps today. I got 3 of Anna Wight (SweetMissDaisy on SCS) stamps. She is a new designer for them - I've always loved her work and her unique style. So, when I heard she had stamps coming out...I knew I had to have them. Luckily, I got a coupon for entering a contest of theirs to use! :)

Well - I better head to bed. Madison asked me if I would walk her into her classroom tomorrow. :) Of course, I said yes - considering last year she didn't want me to!

Owww! I received my SU! order tonight and decided to cut out my new stamps (6 in total). I didn't even realize though until the last set that I had a HUGE blister on my finger from the scissors!!! The price to pay for rubbah!! ha!!

I had some quiet time today (which is rare with my kids) and was able to sit down and stamp. I actually created 3 cards. I was so excited. One was for my designs for LIWP, one I did for a friend who could use a little pick-me-up, and the other was for a swap I joined. The card pictured here is the one for the swap. I am really excited on how this turned out. I used the Sketch Challenge from last week on SCS (SC85) to design this card. Sure made it a lot easier to get them done. It was fun using the new brads SU! has as well.

Tonight was meet the teacher night for Madison's school. She is really excited to start (Wednesday). Her teacher seems to be nice and she likes him, so far so good. I can't believe summer is over - I've been so busy that it flew right by.

Well - it's late and I need to get to bed - working tomorrow and the morning comes much too early for me!! HA!!

I have been cutting out rubbah all night. I had purchased some TAC (The Angel Company -http://chris.ismyangel.net/Pages/HomePage ) stamps a bit ago and never got around to cutting them. I got them right before my basement got flooded where all my stamp supplies are!! Luckily we got it all cleaned up, however, in the process....all my things were piled everywhere to get them out of harm's way. So, these sets have been in the box they came in for a few weeks and I decided tonight to cut them out. It is taking me longer because I am then putting them into CD cases for easier storage (TAC sells stamps for acrylic mounting). I decided to take a break, well actually needed to check another blog for information on how to store clear stamps (like the ones Inky Antics - www.inkyantics.com) sells. However, that person's blog isn't coming up for me right now.

I was hoping to get some stamping in tonight, but it doesn't look like that will happen. I have a box of Stampin' Up! (SU!) things coming tomorrow - my goodies that I earned for FREE for my sales!! Woohoo!! Nothing like getting FREE rubbah!!! That is another reason why I wanted to get my TAC sets cut out. I know I have quite a few more sets to be cutting and mounting tomorrow.

I also need to plan for my Stamp Club that is on the 28th. I have new catalog items to play with, so that will be fun!! I also need to stamp some more ideas for Lasting Impressions with Pananche (LIWP - www.lasimppan.com). I am on the Creative Crew for them. They sell unmounted rubber stamps that I receive to make samples for their website and displays at conventions. So, needless to say, my plate is full.

My oldest daughter goes back to school on the 23rd as well. She will be starting the 1st grade and is so excited. She loves school right now and can't wait to see her friends. I know her sister will miss having her around all day to play with (and aggrevate). :)

Above is one of the cards I made for LIWP. Not what I was hoping for, but not too bad.

Today is such a beautiful day! Actually the last couple days have been so nice - no humidity, blue skies, soft breeze - just perfect.

I posted yesterday how I won Sarah's contest. Well, I made her a thank you card using the stamp she sent me. This is the card (stamps: SU! Seeing Spots, katie & co Flip Flop Border - all other supplies are SU!).

I also did some other stamping (finally) - it seems like forever that I just stamped to stamp. I am hoping to get some more stamping in later today/tonight.

I am taking some classes that I need to renew my Real Estate license. I only need a total of 15 hours (12 more to go) and then I'm good for another 2 years. :) This actually would normally be easy, however, right now it's not. My DH coaches high school football and practice starts this Monday. He will be gone all day and most of the evening for 6 days straight. Then school will be starting, so that means practice during the evening and games. Luckily I am blessed to have my parents living 3 houses away from us. My mom is going to help me with watching the kids, so I am able to work and take 2 classes during this time. Then she will be watching my 2 youngest children, when my oldest is in school during the day.

Well this has been mostly been random thoughts today. Off to get some things done. :)

Today I took my little guy for his 4 month check-up. He is such a happy baby - even after he got 4 shots he was smiling. As I sit here - I am watching him peacefully sleeping. LOVE HIM!!

I have tons of stamping to get done as well that I am WAY BEHIND on!! I really need to get off my laptop and meet my obligations!! Of course today I am fighting a headache and don't feel like doing much of anything. I have all these ideas floating in my head, but actually sitting down and putting ink to paper hasn't been happening lately.

I did get an absolutely AWESOME package in the mail today. I won a 'contest' on Sarah's blog (http://kindredspirits.typepad.com/kindred_spirits/) and got my prize today!! I had posted because I love reading her blog and to my surprise WON!!! Let me just say - she totally spoiled me today and I LOVE IT!!! I received the following - katie & co Flip Flop Border stamp, some Primas (love love love primas!!!), an awesome stamped card, the cutest stamped 'sketch' book, samples of the gingham ribbons (I love ribbons - my fav accessory), 6x6 designer papers (really really pretty ones), and my first a muse item - creative candy clear scallop square stickers (I've admired a muse items from Sarah's and others blogs/galleries, so these will definitely be put to use - TODAY)!!! OMWord - I can't begin to express my appreciation for these totally fabulous items!! Thank you so much Sarah for your generosity!!

I am going to go stamp some things and will post pictures later tonight of what I've done. Today is an absolutely beautiful day - hope everyone is enjoying it!!

Well - I've decided to take the plunge and start a blog. I am forever online and enjoy reading other people's blogs. Not sure I'll be able to post daily like most others that I've seen, but I'm going to do my best.

A bit about me - I classify myself as a SAHM. However, that is starting to not be true anymore. I work part-time in Real Estate and love it! I've had my license for 2 years, however, with the birth of my 2nd and 3rd children - wasn't able to find time for work. :) I'm glad though to be able to be home with my children, as well as, work some outside of the house.

For my fun 'jobs' - I am a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. I teach Stamping and Scrapbooking out of my home. This started out as a hobby 6 years ago! I have gained so many wonderful friendships through stamping that I'm not sure when I'll stop. I've entertained the idea a couple times, but know I'll miss it too much!! I am also a scrapbooker, however, I am WAY behind on my books! I have many goals and dreams for my scrapbooking - now to just find the time!! You can view my stampin' website here http://www.stampinwithkaren.stampinup.net.

My other fun 'job' is being a Consultant for Taste of Home Entertainment. It is a new company that recently started and I'm excited to get my start with the company. They sell wonderful Home Decor products at very reasonable prices! You can view my website here http://karenfoltz.tohe.com.

On top of the above - I am blessed to be a mother to 3 wonderful children (2 girls and 1 boy). They are truly my pride and joy and above all else - they are my LIFE! They make me who I am and I love being their mother!!