December Sponsor - Pageframes!!!

Well, let me tell you, that when I first pulled these little gems out of the box I had no clue what to do with them. I was definitely scared. It's not like messing up a LO that you can pretty much fix. If I messed with these, I may not get a second chance. But once I warmed up to the task they were actually a ton of fun to work with. I loved using the Stickles on them. I'll also want to purchase more colors of Staz-On Ink pads. So easy and no mess. I even went out and bought some of Ranger's alcohol inks. I'd never used them before and was definitely a little tentative about trying them, but I'll definitely be adding them to my list of scrap items to accumulate. Here's what I created for the 5th. Stay tuned, I'll be adding more around the 20th. Thanks Tara and Pageframes for an awesome product! Check out what the rest of the DT has done, there are some beautiful pieces/LOs.

http://scrapbookplayground.com/pp331/showgallery.php?cat=945

Yummy Luxe, Limited Kits

In case you haven't seen this I just had to share. I can't wait to see what these kits look like. Here's a link:

http://blog.luxedesigns.com/livingtheluxelife/2007/11/an-announcement.html#comments


Just in time for the holiday season, we're introducing LUXE, limited. We will be celebrating by launching a twelve day holiday promotion with limited edition kits created exclusively for you by the Luxe Girls & Guys! Visit our blog every day from Dec 3 -14 to see our one of a kind kits, perfect for gift giving, getting or using to create a wonderful gift. Some will include instructions, products from other manufacturers, some will even have product exclusives created just for LUXE, limited!
It's been a frenzy of activity & fun throwing these together. There will only be a limited number of each and when they're gone...they're gone. They will only be available until Dec 21 (so we can have the time to ship them to you for Christmas).
Tell your husband to put Luxe on your list this year. Shop for your scrappin' friends. Write Santa. Help us spread the word about LUXE, limited. Link this post on your blog or post it on a message board, then leave us a comment about where you shared our news and you will be entered to win a FREE LUXE, limited kit!!!!!! {it doesn't get much better than that}

Daisy D's - November Sponsor

Scrapbook Playground's November sponsor is Daisy D's. I just adore the yummy colors in the My Favorite Picture kit. I love the wonderful teal and olive green colors together. I still have plenty of leftovers and I'm trying to finish up another LO, but here are the items I put together.

I just love the heart journaling box stickers. Very cool colors and lots of swirls. Perfect for my girlie girl!

I also had a pack of badge holders that I bought last year at GASC and decided to make a mini album. I think it turned out super and it holds 9 of my favorite photos. I added a touch of Basic Grey, Heidi Swapp, Prima, and Pebbles, Inc. It's great because it's small enough for my purse and the pages are protected by the badge holders.

Murder and Mayhem at SBPG

Remember Clue? I used to love playing that game as a kid. Well, now's your chance to have fun playing again. Scrapbook Playground is hosting a month long Croptoberfest. There's plenty of challenges, games, and murder! Yes, murder! And it's up to you to find the clues and decide who did it, where they did it, and with what. And there will be two grand prizes - one for the first one to solve the whodunit mystery and one with the most points accumulated during the month. So take time and pop in and join us for a fun-filled, month long Croptoberfest!

BTW, that's me Mrs. Rose - and I didn't do it! Honest!

BackPorch Memories Guest DT

If you'd like to try and be a Guest Design Team Member for BackPorch Memories then come and check out this thread: http://backporchmemories.com/mboard/viewtopic.php?t=3120 The ladies are really friendly. October is my time for GDT and I just got my package today. Can't wait to play with all the goodies - Fancy Pants, 7Gypsies, Dream Street, BG's Periphery and this adorable stamp set from BPM.

Paper Trunk

Our sponsor at Playground this week was Paper Trunk. I had the Gigi line and absolutely adored it. I ended up making 3 LOs and one altered item, but still have plenty left over - time to make some cards! Here's one of the LOs and the altered clock. Here's the link the the DT's gallery to check out everyone's creations: http://scrapbookplayground.com/pp331/showgallery.php?cat=937

On another note, I was chosen to be the Guest Design Team Member at Backporch Memories for October! Yippee! I just love Becky Fleck's Page Maps and had just completed this one for our Cherry Arte sponsor.

And last, but certainly not least, Scrapbook Playground will be hosting a month long crop - Croptoberfest. There will be challenges, games, and a little murder. Yep, murder! The DT members are changing their identities and becoming members of the CLUE gang. So come join us and try to figure out whodunit!!

Back to School - At Last

The kids were less than enthused about starting school this year. Not that they are ever jumping for joy over the prospect of a new school year, but this year was different. They were attending a new school in the public school system. They'd been going to a Catholic school previously, so this was a whole new ballgame for them. New friends, new everything. Nick has a friend in our development that used to go to his old school and is now at his new school. So he at least had a friend in the school even though they weren't in the same classroom. Poor Maria was really nervous. The best part of the day for her was the fact that she no longer had to wear a uniform and could wear "cool clothes." LOL

I loved the day on several levels. Aaaahhhhh, kids back in school, but really, the best part was sleeping in on that morning. The school day starts an hour later, plus they ride the bus and I no longer have to car pool. What's a mom to do with all that extra time? Hit the MBs of course!!

Nick was really not interested in getting his picture taken and most of the ones I took of him are either of his back or he has his eyes closed. At least Maria was willing. So this year I have a new 3rd grader and a new 5th grader. I hope and pray the school year goes well for them.

Unpubbed Blogspot

CoreyW. was tooting about her latest prize package! It was a kit from 2Scrappychicks and how awesome it was. Congrats again Corey! I think the photo on her LO is the cutest!

She also let us all in on a very cool blog.

http://unpubbed.blogspot.com/

Congrats to Elizabeth this week - I love her LO. Now, it's our job to "lift" it. So here is my take on Elizabeth's LO.

Here's the journaling if you can't read it: Everywhere we'd go people would ask if my mom was my sister. Used to bug me, but now I'm hoping i got those good genes passed on to me. She may not be mysister, but she's my Best Friend.

Katie's Challenge - 15 Things I Love Right Now

This is not going to be easy, but I'll give it a try.

1. Love My Life and my family!
2. Chris Daughtry - I was so mad when he was voted off of AI, but now I'm glad. LOVE his music.
3. Summertime!
4. Chai Tea Lattes from Starbucks
5. I'm addicted to the soap - The Bold and the Beautiful
6. Cute little purses and all kinds of sandals.
7. Science Fiction - my fav series is Stargate SG-1. I'm so sad it's finished.
8. My Nikon D70.
9. Scenic Route, Basic Grey, My Mind's Eye
10. Books by David Baldacci, James Patterson and Stephen King.
11. Playing Rummikub.
12. Chex Mix (Sweet & Salty). I'm not buying anymore. I swear!
13. Scrapbook Playground MB! Little Scrapbox MB!
14. My House.
15. CSI and CSI Miami.

I did it, and it was actually easy!

Prima Features

I can't keep up! Summer is always so busy for us and this year is no different. It's been an entire month since I posted and I feel like I'm barely squeezing this one in. We're taking two vacations this month. One to the shore that we've already been on and next week we head to Cancun, Mexico.

Our sponsor this month is Prima! I just adore their product - especially those wonderful flowers! So far, I've altered a lunch box for my July Journal. I'm trying to keep the pages along the same theme so I've been using my extra scraps for them. However, I am behind in getting the pages done, but I am keeping up with my journaling.

I finished my last two assignments for the 25th - a mini-book and a LO about me (which I think turned out really great).

Monday, June 11

Today was Maria's day. She had her final gymnastics class which meant achievement trophy time. They showed off all they had learned during the year. I was amazed at how much she had advanced. She was really excited because it was her first trophy.

They did all sorts of gymnastics. Handstands, bridges, wall sits. Their routines were cartwheels, round offs, skaters, forward rolls, and cheese splats (I think they liked this part the best). She definitely wants to do this again next year and is even considering getting back into dance. YAY!

Sunday, June 10

Today was a busy one. The boys went to church early this morning. Maria and I attended Mass yesterday - she had to altar serve. We had omelettes and bacon for breakfast - yummy! I checked out the message boards and finished my 2nd DT assignment for Little Scrapbox.
Nick's soccer banquet was today. He was really excited. His team was undefeated this year and he got this humongous trophy. It now sits on his shelf and barely clears the ceiling. His team was the only undefeated team at the school (1st and 2nd graders). I had to make a side dish for the event (mac 'n cheese). We also had to go early to help set up, but by the time we got there they were done. So the kids headed outside and played soccer together or hung out on the playground.

Afterwards we headed home for a quick change of clothes and went out to dinner for some great seafood. It was a surprise birthday party for my friend Jen. It was great, she had no idea at all. Her son plays soccer with ours, so we had to keep it a secret from the kids - I just knew they'd blab it to her boys and then she'd find out.

It's Official

Yesterday was the last day of school. I'm not sure who was more excited - me or the kids. Now no more having to get up early (their school day starts at 8:00), I can sleep in. Well, usually. This morning Nick decided to wake me up at 5:10 to let me know he lost his tooth. He was so excited I didn't want to give him a hard time for waking me up so early. Maria and Tom are still sleeping - wish I was. But this gives me a little time to catch up on my blog.

I've done some serious scrapping lately. Still trying to keep up with my June 30 Day challenge from Kristi. I'm a little behind and have 4 pages to do. I'll knock them out today. My DT assignment at Scrapbox is complete and I'll upload it on Sunday. Black & White photo - wedding theme. I really love the way it turned out.

Finished my lift of our Playpal at Playground which won't be posted until the 25th, but at least it's done. Here's another lift I did at Scrapbox. It's for my good friend Kelly (H20SkiGal). Her work is fabulous. I loved her LO so much that I practically copied the whole LO. Only a few minor changes. Thanks Kelly for some great inspiration. Visit her gallery: http://www.littlescrapbox.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=62&sl=h

Last Week of School

Spent yesterday just goofing off and doing some light cleaning. We attended our school's 8th grade graduation ceremony. One of my good friend's daughter was graduating. It was great because she got some awards she didn't know about (Presidential Award, a Citizenship Award from the Knights of Columbus). The look on her face was priceless.

Today the kids start their last week of school. It should be a fun week with field day and at least one field trip for Maria. I'm trying to get caught up on my June 30-day mini-album challenge. The first two pages are done and today I'll work on yesterday's page. I still need to do a cover, but haven't been able to come up with a unique enough title! Anyone have any suggestions???

I have plenty of errands to run, so I'd better get started. I need to go pick up some negatives I had turned into digital CDs. I have two DT assignments due this month at Little Scrapbox using wedding photos in black and white. Needless to say after 11 years, my wedding album is complete. The good part is I ran across some other negatives of the kids when they were little and now I'll be able to manipulate them on the computer.

My DT assignment at Playground is Sugarloaf stamps. Anxiously awaiting my package, which will also include Prima stuff for next month. Yahoo! I *heart* Prima!

Happy Scrapper

I actually got a LO done today. Amazing! I used Karen Foster's Pirate Line and a Sketch from PencilLines from Nicole White. Thanks Nicole for the inspiration.

He really didn't want to pose, but I begged and he caved. I'll take Nick over Johnny Depp any day. LOL

Gone Hiking

The household was up early this morning. The boys (Tom and Nick) are off on a hiking expedition. I gave them the back-up digital camera. Hope they get some good shots.

So, today is a girls day. Maria was up really early, before 6. How come I can't get them up that early on a school day??? I think she was just as excited about getting her day started as the guys were. However, getting up early caught up with her. She's now back in bed soundly asleep. We'll do a little shopping, probably have lunch out and then spend the afternoon scrapping. I'm hoping to get quite a few projects done.

Showdown at the Playground

The Showdown at the Playground! Scrapbook Playground is having a HUGE contest! We will be taking submissions from now until June 15th. To enter, submit your best layout. The Playground Bullies (AKA as The Design Team) will pick their favorite 25 pages, and those lucky people will enter into the 8 week contest. We are looking pages that are strong in photography, creativity, and overall design. Originality and creativity in all areas is very important. Layout entries will be judged on all of the above. Queen of the playground is one who displays unique and inventive layouts that are clean, inspiring and creative. Does this sound like you? Come join the Showdown at the Playground, and you can become Queen!

Check out the rules in the Field Day Forum!

That Magical Day

Yup, it's today. There's something about June 1st that just screams vacation to me. Even though the family has traditionally stated that Memorial Day Weekend is the beginning of summer. That first day in June says, stop what you're doing and relax.

The kids are in countdown mode. And now I've joined them. Not counting today, 5 more days of school left. They'll chant it in the car all the way to school. LOL The best part, today is only a half day.

Maria is not thrilled about school today. She has 3 tests to take. She had 2 yesterday. I tried to explain that it will soon be over, but it was no consolation.