today is the day we clean our dry erase calendar

it doesn't seem like such a big deal

but this month i am excited about this event!

we will be focusing

a lot more on simplifying our lives

and focusing on things that are personally fulfilling.

i really believe that this will give us more free time to

do more of the things we enjoy.

And to live healthier, happier lives!

April 1 is going to be a clean slate!

(love those beautiful brown eyes!)

(this would be the "get that camera away from me, mom!" look)

(a true sign of great weather!)


xoxo,
jessica

have you heard what tomorrow is?

i am so excited!!!

be sure to visit the gcd studios blog for some fabulous giveaways!!

i have a child who likes to eat day and night

this particular child is very lean and healthy

but i worry that eating an entire bag of chips ahoy could

lead her into some serious poor food choices.

so today i remembered back to when

ashley wren introduced me to bento.

i though, well, this could be a great way to

get my kids to LOVE eating healthy food. especially if they

are helping me with all the fun.

and it will possibly encourage me to enjoy being in the kitchen

a little more.

so here are a few pics of our

first bento experience- (we did after-school snack)

and no. this is not actually a bento box, but

we worked with what i could find at walmart for now.

and so what! it's so cute and colorful!

i would actually like boxes with more room at some point.


Jaden's (the dino box) had lucky charms and bananas

& monet (heart box) had carrots, ranch dip, green grapes,

and a chocolate chip high fiber granola bar.

i will give some of the fun recipes and have them

try some new foods, but for now,

i've decided to keep it to foods i know they enjoy!

i have to admit that i was a but concerned with the time

involved but actually it wasn't so bad

and i got to spend some great quality time with the kids in

the kitchen. it really only took about 10 minutes

and they didn't let me do very much!

if you haven't ever seen this flickr group- you must!!!

i know, i know, i am too old to play with my food.

but honestly, it is almost as good as scrappin!


xoxo,
jessica

lately, i've been browsing through

some papercrafting and scrapbooking

magazines i've saved.

i still have many from 2006 and some from 2007.

as i browse i see how much

the papercrafting/scrapbooking industry

has evolved in such a short time.



as i reflect on how much my own creative style has changed,

i can see how the techniques i have experimented with

and adopted as a part of my own personal scrapbooking style,

has become somewhat

tedious and time consuming and maybe to a beginner

scrapbooker, too complicated.

~*~

what types of techniques have you

been wanting to try but haven't had

the time or motivation to just go for it?


Is there some techniques that at some point

you used all the time but have since moved beyond

and discovered new ideas that you rely on?

~*~

this layout features crocheted flowers.

never before had i crocheted flowers

but i really wanted to give this a try.

i have very basic crocheting skills, taught to me

by my grandmother over 15 years ago.

i have only made a few blankets with granny squares,

so other than that i have not had any experience with

following crocheting patterns.

Basically, what i am saying is if you try it,

you will likely get it and become addicted!



i loved the way crocheted flowers add a touch

of color and texture, can be used

to layer other elements, and have such versatility.


you really can come up with your own patterns

once you have the beginning basics down!

and if you goof, you can always

pull out your stitches and try again!


that is how i executed this idea.

i started with googling "crocheted flowers".

after spending a short time

studying the basic terms and stitches

i grabbed my hook

and some embroidery floss

(you can absolutely use yarn as well)

and began to practice. most crocheting websites

provide you with very basic patterns.

here is one to get you started:

3 in1 flower

Also, crochet pattern central is an excellent

place to begin your search for the perfect flowers

to add to your projects!

before you know it, you will want to see

how far you can take this basic crocheted flower

idea, even farther!!


have an awesome weekend!!!

xoxo,
jessica

maybe it was the newest sis tv webisode

or possibly just that tomorrow is the first

day of spring...

i've been spending my morning

sorting through clothes.

i'm using aby garvey's simplify 101 suggestions for purging

three question's to ask myself...

do you use it, do you need it, do you love it?

i'm beginning to swap winter clothes for summer

tossing my sons 5 & 6 sized clothes to make room for 7 & 8's

he's growing SO much!

last week i went through all my scrap supplies

and now have a pile to give away about a foot high

next i will move on to my daughters closet

and then my own. i have tons of button up tops that i

have been holding onto, just in case i find a job

i might need a dress shirt for

you know, to hold me over until i can buy a new work wardrobe.

but the reality is, i have not found employment

and truthfully, i don't know that i'd wear those tops.

they are definitely not up with the times.

i don't love them. i don't use them. and i don't need them.

it is a short school week, so we have an extra day at home to

get lots accomplished.

let's hope that everyone else is as motivated as me!

have a great thursday!!!

xoxo,
jessica

happy st. patty's day!!!

did you remember to wear green?

we took a few pictures today. the weather was

gorgeous and the sun was high, so i thought

what better time to take some new photos!




jaden was hammin' it up for me.

the other day i was trying to take a nice photo of him

and he kept giving me a cheese face.

you know, when they get all awkward in front

of the camera?

i think he was making up for that today!

the girls are pretty easy. someday

i should pull them one by one and

go crazy with the camera. (monet & her friends)

i am sure that they would love it!

they even dressed up in green for the occasion :)

i am so excited that tomorrow's forecast is looking

even better than today's!

we walked home from school and spent most of the after noon

outside playing.

i even had my first dd iced coffee this afternoon.

ahhh! good times!

xoxo,
jessica

happy mail- on it's way!!

i did a little shopping over the weekend

just happened to put a little extra away to do some fun shopping

which i haven't done in a very long time.

first i went to elle's studio.

they are giving a little treat away in each order-

i wonder what it could be!

~*~

i picked out the 2009 calendar mini- brights

{which i plan to fill through the months}

chic note tags- brights

{fun yummy colors}

saltwater taffy journaling tags- set of 8

{more yummy colors}

and i am super excited about...

cut outs: my dear

{aren't they too cute for words?}

Then I headed over to the elle's studio etsy shop

where i found this stamp,

which comes as 5 separate pieces

and i feel so lucky because it was the last one!!

~*~

I also took a peek at the speckled egg

because their store is filled with some super cute vintage items.

i fell in love with their glass & plastic embellishments,

especially the plastic cuteness!

vintage plastic frame setting, one in each color

plastic owl beads in vintage white and vintage aqua

vintage lacy plastic beads in pink,

vintage tiny leaves,

for making more of those gorgeous crocheted necklaces!

i am so excited to be the recipient of some

pretty little packages in the mail!


I made a card for my sister,

who's baby girl is due any day now!

Spring is a very special time of year

when the animals come out of their long winters sleep.

the young ones might frolic in the meadows.

i wonder if they dream of the sweet air that comes every spring,

if they see the glorious colors of Gods canvas,

if they awaken from their slumber and it is all there,

real and alive.



i used lots of little dimensional stickers,

felt and buttons, rhinestones

and glitter rub ons to create the feel

of a blooming meadow, drawing attention to the

envelope containing the photos and journaling.


The journaling and photos are tucked into the envelope


Journaling reads:

Only as high as i reach can i grow,
only as far as i seek can i go.
only as deep as i look can i see,
only as much as i dream can i be.
~Karen Ravn~




Techniques used: stamping, heat embossing, and hand sewing the title



To create the deer accent

I played with stamping and heat embossing. I used the fluid chalk

on an acrylic stamp and impressed it

onto the white cardstock.

Next, I used an xacto knoife and

carefully cut out the deer from the image.

Then I went over the image with the stamp using versamark.

I sprinkled generously with clear embossing powder

and heated until it melted with a heat gun.

Last I cut the image using scalloped scissors and

attached a piece of a vintage music sheet with glue.

Last, I adhered using double sided foam tape.



To create the hand-stitched title I used

my computer monitor like a light box.

Open up a word program and type your word.

Resize as desired. Hold your layout up onto the monitor

and with pencil, lightly trace the letters.

This will help you to achieve evenly spaced and neat lettering.

Then I pierced holes over the lines I traced in even intervals,

being careful not to pierce the paper too closely

so that the paper doesn't tear.

Once I stitched through all of the pierce holes

I reinforced the back of the LO with tape.




happy creating!!

xoxo
jessica

~*~

today was the day my two guys have been waiting for...

the pack 101 pinewood derby

last night we put the finishing touches on

the car.




he didn't win, but he came in 2nd place for his den.

i have to say that we gave it

a good try for being first-timers!

some of these guys are pros!

we learned a lot, so next year

we can think more about how the car is designed

and how we balance the weight and

set the wheels.

from what i hear, that is the trick.


it was a good morning. all smiling faces.

even for all the boys whose cars didn't win

a prize. it was fun to see how creative some

of the scouts were.

i didn't take pics of all of the cars, but one

of the boys made an itouch. that was my favorite.

it was very cool. there was also a bakugan (sp?)

and a police car. and even a tech deck!

good times!

xoxo
jessica

~*~

i've never been one to submit my work

for magazines or design teams.

but i have to say that after 7 years of scrapping and

learning that scrapbooking is not just a hobby for me,

but a part of my life and who i am

has made me realize that i could take this

a little bit further. I can share my work, the

creations i love to make, with others who love

scrapping as much as i do.

this week i applied to the

gcd studios (a new manufacturer) design team,

if you haven't heard of them yet,

you can visit them at their new blog or

at the gcd studios website!

they have been holding giveaways and contests on the blog

if you want to try your chances at winning some of their

fabulous new designs (10 new lines).


i am so excited, my friends!

wish me luck!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


i also submitted my project

for the spring green style star contest

over at sistv.

the work that has been submitted is so full of

spring happiness! go take a look!!




~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~




i would love it if you could also wish

my little man, jaden some luck!

tomorrow

is his very first pinewood derby race!!!

i just put the finishing touches on his car

(i will share pics of that tomorrow)

flames and goblins

maybe we should call it the speed demon.

all the way....to the finish line!!!

have a fabulous weekend!

xoxo,
jessica

i love, love, love this little boy,

who happens to be my long time friend's son

i have been watching him for the

past two days, and so

i decided it was time to snap a few pics of him

and to my surprise, he is quite the little ham in

front of the camera!








in other news, i have been busy making a necklace

which my daughter has claimed as her own.

it fit around her neck, so

i suppose it was meant to be!



i was inspired by the

necklaces found here.

i just made mine a simpler version!





i am pretty sure that she is feeling like a total diva!

xoxo
jessica

new bits, old bits, and vintage bits.

all put together makes me so happy.

i love using up some old things i have had

for way too long

and finding new cute things like the

deer and mushroom from

kitschy digitals

and then putting them all together



the pj's, yep. i had to do a page about my best boy in his pj's.

he loves to hang out around the house in them.

and who could resist taking pictures of him

in all of his mario brothers

cuteness!


little miss multi talented

i live vicariously through her

all the things i didn't get to do as a kid

i want her to experience it all



not only is she willing to try new things

but she's so willing to learn and has so much fun doing it!



this page has a little story behind it

the kids both wanted an electric scooter

but neither of them had enough money to buy it.

we thought it would be a great thing

for them to really work for

but we figured up the numbers

and learned it would take months,

even a year or two for them to earn enough

to purchase their

own scooters with their own money.

birthdays came and they were each given amounts of money,

that not even i have ever been

given as birthday gifts {lucky kids}

we came up with the idea

that they could put their money together

to purchase the scooter but they would each hold

50/50 ownership of the electric scooter.

that meant, no arguing over who goes first...

not fighting about who's been on longer...

making sure it is charged for the next persons turn...

making sure to put it away because these babies

are a hot commodity around here.

so these 2 luckies have themselves a pretty cool ride

because they put their heads together

and came to a mutual agreement

and have shown great responsibility.

so all in all, a wish come true, for each of us!

i will have to make more layouts about this subject-

it's proven to be a real milestone!




i also made a thank you card

for my friend sheryl.

sheryl has shown such kindness,

i can't even begin

to thank her enough

lots of scrapping happened

this past weekend.

i was stuffed up and sneezing

and feeling

quite miserable.

i'm so happy i finally was able

to sit down to create!

have a great weekend!

i hope that the hopes of spring

brings you some sunshine!!

xoxo

jessica

quickly, just because i haven't updated in a bit

the love dares

kids reading in their beds

clothing articles from the 1800's
at the walter elwood museum

candy bar sales for 5th grade activities

getting back on track from winter break

crocheting a rainbow afghan for my girl

loving my friends who are so helpful and supportive

quiet evenings alone while kev is at work

lots of journaling

dodge ball tournament half time shows

looking at inspiring photography


the past week was full of good times.
just doing things that bring happiness.
i have put the paper aside.
im not sure why really,
maybe it's time to take it all down
and put it all back
in a new and inspiring way.

i was thinking of bringing an old table up and repainting it
to use as my work surface rather than
the one i am using.
i desperately want to invest in new shelves
but i know that will have to wait.
i am thinking maybe the modular cube shelves from target
since we don't have an ikea nearby.
i saw a new basket from target that i would love to pick up
to add to my table. just to serve as a place to store things
which i would like to be out where i can see what i have
and actually use those things i love.

i am thinking about doing an art journal
to go with the book i am reading,
the love dares.
there are many verses and other things in the book
that i have highlighted and
i would really like to focus and reflect on.

xoxo
jessica

i love this little man.

he is my #1 boy.

every day he brings smiles to my face.

he melts my heart.

he is who brings out the silly girl in me.

he makes me want to sing happy disney songs,

and he is always up for giving me

a foot massage or giant squishy hugs.

he promises to be my valentine forever

and he shares his candy with me.

this little man even gives me his cherry

when we go out for sundaes.

happy belated valentine's day

yesterday i asked at SIStv

how to use scrapblog.

there have been several times

i tried to figure it out and have

failed. given up. kaput.


melissa gave me the most

fabulous, simple instructions

and guess what!

i think i get it now!

so thank you, i am now officially

addicted to scrapblog.

this is the banner i made.

i don't know yet if it will be the {one}

but i thought i'd share it anyway.

xoxo
jessica

how would you like
a little peek at my {new} old blog!!!


i have been working hard to

get things just right!


do you like it so far?

All packed and moved...

I am HERE now!!!!

Can't wait to see you there!

shabby to fabby...

Homework, homework, and more homework. I feel like *I* am back in school again.I can't believ ehow much work Monet has been coming home with. I have come to the conclusion that (a) she needs to have extra help in reading or (b) she needs a tutor at home. This week has taught me that I am, without a doubt, going to have less time for extra-curricular activities and will have to come up with some new time management ideas. There is not enough time in the day to do evrything that needs to be done. I have even had difficulty finding time to walk the dog.

However, Two days ago I had time to jog with the dog, scrap, and take the kids to children's church. That day felt so rewarding. I really accomplished so much.
needless to say, that was the one day this week that Monet didn't have more than three things to do for homework!

Here is my Personal Challenge. The challenge was to scrap what you are feeling right now.


I didn't get to wear pink but I did wear a salmon colored pair of capris and a pink flower hair clip. I ended up stopping at the Dollar Tree where I found some fabulous things for Christmas decorating. I picked up eight frames in yellow, tan, antique white, and red. I plam to use these to frame gifts. I also found some miniature wreaths made of berries and little glass beads. I think I might actually use these to wrap aorund candles. Then I found some silver berries which I plan to add to a gorgeous garland that I made last year to hang in the dining room doorway. It feels weird shopping for Christmas already but it seems that the stores begin stocking the shelves earlier every year. I would hate to miss out on all the good stuff if I waited!

Here is my Favorite Moments Layout I did for Kerry Lynn's Challenges:

This photo is of my husband and I at Vacation Bible Camp this past August. He totally threw me for a loop when he decided that he wanted to come along with the kids and I. He even came back for the last day when we had a huge picnic and some really great water fun for the kids. This day was definitely a day that I will never forget!

I am waiting on an order from a fabulous online store called Speckled Egg. I cannot wait to have in my hands some wonderful German glitter alphabets, wings, crowns, trims amongst other lovely vintage goodies that I am stocking up on to begin make all of my Christmas treasures. This year will be full of giving handmade pretties for all of my friends and family.

Tomorrow night is my big night. It will be the first scrapbooking crop! I put together a fabulous door prize for 1 lucky scrapper, packed full of Imagination Project & 7 Gypsies goodness. I am going to make up some place settings that each person attending can write their name on the card and itthey will all go into a bowl for one name to be be drawn.
I also picked up a great value paper pack at Walmart to share with beginners who may not have supplies but would like to join in the fabulous fun! I can't believe how loaded some of these packs are! Hopefully there will be some left so I can play too!

We will order pizza and have snacks and drinks- lots of laughing and even an area separate from the crop room for some of the kids to hang out. Can you tell I'm super excited!

This weekend is looking to be a great one for me- Here's to hoping your is fabulous too!

TGIF!

It's Friday!!! A very busy/frustrating week just passed and I am so thankful that the weekend is here!
Every school-morning I have two extra kids to tote along- today was one of those days that I was thinking to myself that even though it can be difficult to get 4 kids off to school- I am glad that I do because it tests my patience...in a good way. I am not among the most patient people. But today I wasn't far behind them. This says a lot considering yesterday was a really difficult day as far as testing my patience goes.
We live in what used to be a quiet neighborhood. Just in the last year things have changed so much with two new amilies who moved in. One upstairs from me and one next door. I am right int he middle of it all. And it surely tests my patience on a daily basis. The people upstaris dont put their children to bed unti sometimes after midnight. They ride bikes, skateboard, and run laps through the house at all hours of the night with loud music. Some nights I can't even think straight. I forgot what peace and quiet is. THere are 3 adults and four children living in a two bedroom apartment.
The people next door let their kids do pretty much whatever they want. So these kids think it's okay to play with other kids toys without asking and are constantly coming up onto my porch and looking into my windows. Not only do I think this is plain rude, but it's very distracting when my kids are doing homework or reading their books.
I know that I am not the only person who has lived her for a long time who feels the changes and is feeling the way I do about these two families. But I feel like I have it rougher (not trying to pity myself) but I am right under and next to all of this. My personal space is disrespected on a daily basis and I have no right to quiet at night when we are trying to get to bed at a decent hour (8:30 for the kids).

I used to love living here and even seriosly considered buying this house. My husband and I talked about living here until our kids were out of school. It's sad to see our neighborhood change like this because there are people who do not understand that this is a residential area- people get up early to go to work or school and it's not a party/hangout spot. It's difficult when you try hard to take care of your home and have friendly relationships with your neighbors but you are constantly being disrespected. Not to mention, living with people who have completely different standards for living. I hate to say that people should conform but to a degree I think that it would be a nice idea as far as consideration goes. Some people need to know when to put their big girl panties on and act in a way that doesn't feel completely disrespectful to others. But then, some people don't care about anyone but themselves.

Yesterday Jaden had his first cleaning at the dentist! He is one little boy with a lot of questions. I thought that with all those questions he might find interest in being a Dental Hygenist himself! He was completely amazed at how everything worked! And took so much interest in how to take good care of his teeth! It's nice when other people tell them all about it because he doesn't seem to believe me when I tell him that fruit snacks will rot your teeth!

Monet has had so much homeowrk this week I am beginning to thin she may be able to skip right from 4th grade to high school! Last night she did homework from 3:30 until 9:30. Of course there was dinner and a snack, and a few thing shta tse helped me with around the house but my gish- math, reading, study for 20 spelling words, AND study those little correction doodles! I am flustered at how anyone could expect a 9 year old to have enough nergy to do all of that in one evening. It makes me sad becaue with so much homework she had no time to be a kid a tall yesterday. he did work all day at school and then all evening at home. Then she went to bed in tears, exhausted and overwhelmed. We didn't even get to study all of her words either. I just coudn't keep her up that long.
we talked thoughand I told herthat she really needed to work faster- we need to work on that. And during the week, she willhave to make more responsible choices with what she chooses to do- she will likely have to study spelling words. She won't have much time to play with her new doll house or to ride her bike. Cartoons will be long forgotten once the week starts again. I feel like that is a lot to expect from a child her age. But at the same time I understand that withal lof the standards our kids have to meet, they have to be pushed. It just breaks my heart to see her have to be pushed through things instead of learning about quality and pride in her work.

I started late with the challenges over at Poppy Ink but never-the-less, I did join in with Challenge #2! Let me tell you that Heather has put up some really great prizes! Oh, and challenges too! I had a good time creating this Layout yesterday for the 2nd challenge...


We had to draw or doodle, use 5 pieces of ribbon, and use staples

I traced some leaf templates and then cut & distressed them. Before I glued the leafs down I doodled around the edges. The ribbon I sewed around the photo matte, gathering it here and there with black thread. The matte is stapled onto the background paper.

I can't wait to see what the next challenge is- and Heather's Overembellishing & Layering class which will be held on Monday the 24th at 7 pm!


Breanne has made up a blog for all of the Personal Challenges to be posted at! Mine is up in the gallery- actually all three of them!
So if you're ready to dig deep and maybe peel back some layers of the onion, this is a great challenge blog for you!

I got my SoML kit in the mail! I really can't say enough about how much I love the kits that Sara puts together! I am in love with every bit and piece that Sara has put into this kit! I ordered the add-on as well and some extra HS and AC letter stickers, which are ON SALE!! There are 6 pages of sale items, so be sure to check out the goodies!

I am really looking forward to seeing who the Guest Designer will be for October over at SoML! I can only imagine she will be fabulous!