I’m now bionic…

Yes that is correct… I am bionic.  Well, sort of anyway, I got BOTH of my knees replaced this summer.  It has been a long haul with school aged kids and all, but we are nearly through with this journey.  Who would have thought at 39 years old, I would have been the proud owner of both a walker and a toilet riser! LOL.  Click on image to see credits…mostly JWD I believe.

Granny Chic

Because of the time laid up, I decided to simplify a bit and hold fewer creative team positions at least for awhile.  Since my last post (I’m ashamed to say it was March) I was asked by Krista Sahlin (Sahlin Studio) to be on her team.  I could not have been happier since I had interviewed her as a featured member in the Sunday Spotlight when I was on the ScrapMatters CT way back when.  I was always attracted to her amazing LOs and then cheered her along in the ScrapMatters’ Design Star Contest.  Well, her name is also Krista, like mine…LOL.  She won a spot as a design apprentice in the contest…and the rest is history!

Here are a couple of LOs with her designs – Images are linked and in my credits there are links to the products. The first uses “Play” (a collab with DeCrow Designs) and the second is featuring her new template set “Tuck and Wave Templates Vol. 1″ as well as various other kits of hers…including a collab with Britt-ish Designs called “Land of Fantasy”

On that note, I’m off to bed.

Oh one more thing…don’t forget to sign up for the ScrapMatters’ newsletter…our 1st anniversary edition is coming off the press very soon!  You don’t want to miss it!

Drive by

My goodness! I can’t believe how long it has been…I stink at blogging.  Just wanted to post about Zakirah’s CT call… I am on her team and the designs are beautiful!!  Go apply if you are looking for a great position!

You can check out her designs at Scrap Orchard in her boutique.

Have a great weekend!

“Abundantly Blessed” Blog Train

Welcome to your next stop on the “Abundantly Blessed” Blog Train!  If you happened upon this unknowingly, This is a train from some of Andilynn Designs CT – Andi’s Artists.  We used her new kit “Abundantly Blessed” to make everything from place cards to quickpages to help you celebrate Thanksgiving in style!  Here is the kit – image is linked to the product at ScrapMatters.

Here is my contribution – Candy Wrappers to customize your hard candy rolls (sized for Life Savers) or mini chocolate bars (sized for Hershey’s miniatures).  Just print these off – you can make a page to print by placing these into a new layout sized to you printable space for your printer.  Cut them out, wrap them around the candy, and secure with tape.

Get it here

Here is your next stop: 
Shari & Heidi [QP's] http://sharingcreations.wordpress.com/

If you missed the beginning…
Andrea [Thanksgiving banner] http://andilynn.wordpress.com/
Melanie [place cards] http://melanie3boys.blogspot.com/

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Don’t forget to take some pictures too:)

New LO’s and News

Have you seen the exciting challenges going on over at ScrapMatters? They have super challenges with a great incentive program – you can earn full kits!  Here are a couple I’ve done recently. The first was for the Tuesday Template Challenge 11-11 and uses Erica Zane’s new kit…WOW what a kit! Click images for links to credits and products.

This next one is for the Roadmap to Scrap Challenge and uses a boatload of Britt-ish Designs products…let’s just say it is eclectic:)

On to the news…Zakirah (Matahati Designs) just asked me to be permanent on her CT!  She has some great kits coming soon, so I could not be more pleased!

Here are a couple more I did for her with my Guest spot this month

Tune in tomorrow for a fun blog train by the Andilynn Designs CT – Andi’s Artists…goodies you won’t want to miss!

Yippie – It’s my time to Guest CT for Matahati Designs

I’ve been waiting for November for several months…Whoo Hoo it is here:)  I have a Guest CT spot this month with Zakirah of Matahati Designs.  I had the honor of working with her designs while she was at ScrapMatters just starting out as a new designer when I was on their store CT.  Well, she is now exclusively at Scrap Orchard and has continued to blossom her talents into a design star. 

Check out my first LO for her (click image to go to my gallery credits)

I just love the gorgeous textures she does…

On another note…go sign up for the ScrapMatters Newsletter!!! YOU DO NOT want to miss the designer collab this month!!! Yeowza! The sign up box is on the left side in the shop under News.  You’ll be very sorry if you don’t sign up!

Finally, GO VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if you don’t vote for the right person LOL!

Owners:)

It’s official…we’re business owners! It is going well. The employees are fantastic and the previous owners are being so helpful in our training. Happy dance!!  B is on top of the world and bursting with energetic ideas to grow and promote.

I’m going in this morning, but coming home at lunch time.  I’m hoping to be able to participate in a SPEED SCRAP!  It has been too long:) Check it out!

Here are some recent LOs – Linked to the gallery for credits

This first one is for the template challenge on Andilynn Designs Blog

This next one is using some goodies I got at ScrapMatters – primarily from GG Digital Design, So Happy Together - love this kit!!

And the last one features a new kit by Chrissy W, Favorite Place Kit …yes a kit from the queen of templates!  How great is it too!?!  It’s also her template, LOL. 

See ya later…maybe at the Speed Scrap!

Caught in the Whirlwind

Life has been…busy beyond belief.  My husband and I are buying a business, which takes far more time than buying a house AND moving put together.  I’ve been working more because one of the doctors was on maternity leave…thank goodness she returned this last week part-time.  School starting is always a busy time.  I had the bright idea to change the incentive program for our Box Tops and Campbell’s Labels for Education drive to be classroom based rather than individual based…so the kids work toward common goals as classrooms with incentives like an extra recess.  I think in the long run it fits with the mission of the school better and helps the kids get more excited about it.  I was discouraged to hear some of the homeroom parents don’t even clip them from the products they buy…hello?  We’ve received $7970 since 2002 AND it does not cost the parents a thing unlike selling wrapping paper or cookie dough.  I just spent over $70 (between the two kids) on Sallie Foster stuff I did not *really* need. SO when someone said maybe we should skip Box Tops since it takes so much time for “only about $1000″ it ticked me off.  First off it is nearly $2000.  Second of all the $5000 raised by the Sallie Foster sale means parents and families spend $10,000 to achieve that.  Frankly I will not let my kids approach neighbors or extended family because they don’t really want it and/or their kids are selling it too!

I saw the coolest giveaway…thanks to Sara Ellis…smokin’ hot handbags are being given away here…go sign up now!  24 handbags in 24 hours… Handbag planet

On a scrapbooking note – go sign up for the ScrapMatters newsletter coming out!  Look for the box under the login where it says “News” you can also sign up when you create an account.  The premiere issue is soon in arriving and will not disappoint!  I’m an assistant editor, so I know what I’m taking about:)

…seriously folks, go sign up for the newsletter!

Here are some recent layouts – the new designers at ScrapMatters are just super! Images are linked to gallery so you can see credits.

Have a great week!

Lazy Sunday? Nope…

I’ve been super busy getting things ready to launch a new Box Tops for Education program at our elementary school.  I’m changing the incentives and structure, so it is a lot of work to get that all ready.

I did this week’s Tuesday Template at ScrapMatters - image linked to credits – I used one of the new Designer Apprentice kits – this is by Simply Sweet Designs…the kit was terrific to use!

I just got a newsletter from Danielle Young…wow her 2 new kits are amazing!  Go check them out … I think I need to go shopping! Summer Falling and Licorice Jelly Bean

There is another Speed Scrap at ScrapMatters on Tues!!

Have a great end of your weekend!

Just a quick FYI

There is a Speed Scrap tonight

I also wanted to show a LO I just did using one of the new Design Apprentice’s kits – Haynay Designs “Fancy Pants” at ScrapMatters – I love the papers and colors…great fun to work with this kit! Click on image for credits with links to product.

Later:)

BFF

This is my BFF Wendi and me, from my last trip out to California.  It was a short, but sweet visit.  I can’t believe we have been friends over 20 years. 

Image is linked to the credits – I did this LO with Chrissy W and Angie Kovacs new collab BFF 4 Life - WOW is all I can say:) Such a fun kit.