Treat Bags and Boxes Part III

Today I have two more cute Halloween themed treat boxes for you.  I'm having so much fun creating these...I'm going to have to find some new friends so I have enough people to hand these out to when this is all done.  LOL!

My first box is actually one I created last year and it's one of my all time favorite hybrid projects. 

My not so scary Dracula fang teeth box, uses a simple coffin box template I found HERE.  I printed the box template and constructed the box out of SU Basic Black cardstock.   I then worked from the template to create the box cover in Photoshop Elements.  I cut out the bat and bent its wings a little before adhereing to the box front.  I then created a slim card to slide in side -he,he...love the saying!  I filled the box with some Carmel Apple Candy Corn that looked like bloody fang teeth (well at least a little).  What a cute little box to give to someone with a little sense of humor!

My second project for today using a cutting file for a box...the only thing is I didn't use my Cricut!  That's right.  A lot of the cutting files you can purchase for electronic cutting machines also .PSD files that can be used in Photoshop Elements (or other photoeditting software).

 I used The Cutting Files' Gift Basket template/cutting file to create this cute little party cup.    The digital kit I used is called Scary Confectionary by Julie Billingsley and Traci Reed available at the Sweet Shoppe.  I love the fun colors in this kit!!! 

To create the little treat basket I just opened the cutting file in Elements and then used it as a clipping mask to create the final project.  I made sure I used large shadows to keep the elements/decorations looking realistic.  I then printed out on to presentation paper and score, folded and assembled my box.  I chose to fill my little treat box with the yummy Ghost Marshmallows (which look oh so cute floating in hot cocoa!).  I think these are perfect little cups to put on a table for a party!

I'm working on part IV of this series, so check back with me closer to the weekend for the next installment.  Until then...happy hybrid crafting!!!

Treat Bags and Boxes Part II

Today I have a quick and easy trio of treats that are pefect for slipping in a little fun sized candy bar or a small bag of mixed treats.  These cute little pumpkins are basically made out of a modified matchbook template that stands up to allow your treats to be tucked inside.  These little pumpkin treats are economical to make too - you can get three to a print sheet so there is not alot of paper used to make these babies!

I used Penny Springmann's I Want Candy digital kit to create these projects.  It was the perfect kit because she includes lots of cute pumpkin eyes, notes and mouthes to decorate the pumpkin face. 

Here's how to make these cute little treat boxes:

1.  Use THIS TEMPLATE to create three strips of orange paper to be your base of your pumpkin.

2.  In the section marked face, create the face of your pumpkin.

3.  Lighten the scoring lines to blend a bit with your paper and delete the text layer. 

4.  Print your pumpkins, trim, score and fold.

5.  I added some felt ribbon for the stem and then some green with white polka dots ribbon tied in a simple bow for the leaves.  You could even skip this step if you wanted. 

You're done - really it's that easy!

Wouldn't these be super cute to hand out to class full of kids or even at work.  You can adjust the width of the bottom fold (where the candy sits) to accomdate a larger or small sized treat.  If you are traveling with these I do suggest you adhere your treat to the bottom of the box so that you don't have candy flying everywhere (not that happened to me or anything.  LOL!)

If you'd like to see some more cute ideas for packaging....check this out! 

Treat Bags & Boxes- Part 1

I honestly believe that the most simple way to brighten a person's day is by giving them a little note or gift.  Over the next week or so I'm going to share some of my ideas for treat bags and boxes.  For me little tiny boxes and bags are my favorite hybrid projects.  I am a person that likes to "collect" packaging and then upcycle them into little gifts and projects. 

Today I used Lliella Design's adorable Boo kit to create two different treat boxes using recycled acrylic boxes.  The first box started life as packaging for a 4-pack of tape that my daughter got on clearance at Michael's. 

I added a paper band, flanked by some punched edge strips of orange paper.  I topped that with a pumpkin that I raised with a pop-dot.  The top of the box had a little fap that was used to hang the tape from a display hook.  I simple covered that with a larger piece of white cardstock and then a simple wrap around that says sweet treats.  I filled the back of the box withe some white tissue and then put the Tootsie Rolls in the front so I didn't have to use so many to fill the box. 

My next project is a recycled party favor box.

 I used the same Boo kit but this time chose a black damask paper and a cute little owl.  I created a rounded text box in Elements and then stroked the outside with a hot pink.  I used Darcy's Coffeeshopped Buzzed font in different colors to type "Save the Hooters".   Inside are "red" Starburst as a little "pink" reminder that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and it's time to "check your hooters"! 

Check back in with me tomorrow for some other kinds of little treat bags and boxes sure to put a smile on your face (and someone elses).

What's New?

I've been a busy little beaver lately!  Lots of layouts, lots of projects and some good news.  I was super excited to be selected to be a Hybrid Babe at The Sweet Shoppe.  This is a dream gig and I'm still in shock that I was selected due to the talent there.  My head has been spinning all week with project ideas and trying to figure out how I'm going to juggle all my other creative teams and SSD.

I've also been busy creating layouts and projects here are some newer projects I've worked on -

Beach Fun featuring Down By the Seashore by Jennifer Fox at The Digichick

This is a pic of Katie enjoying Ft. Myers beach just a few minutes after we arrived.  Jason's mom decided to treat the girls to a night at the beach to start off their vacation with his family.  The girls didn't know where we were going to meet grandma so they were super surprised and excited to find out they were going to get to stay at the beach for a night. 

Gorgeous View featuring Summer Days by Zoe Pearn at The Sweet Shoppe

This is an older picture of Katie from when we camped at Ft. DeSoto last fall.

Let's Fish featuring Beach Bound by Eva Kipler at The Sweet Shoppe

Another picture from our Ft. DeSoto camping trip last Fall.  Hannah really enjoyed fishing by herself for the first time.  She caught a cute little fish thanks to a kind stranger that baited her hook with some squid while Daddy was out paddling in the kayak.  (Mom prefers not to touch any kind of bait other than bread balls. he,he)

I Love You More Hybrid Wall Hanging featuring I Love You More by Traci Reed at Sweet Shoppe

Full instructions and up close photos are availalbe on Traci's Hawt Mama Blog - check it out!

A little sneak peek of Chelle's Creations new Element Pack coming tomorrow -

hint: check out those cute stars!

Game Time featuring Batter Up!, Doodley Do Frames (coming 8/13) and Doodley Do Shapes (coming 8/13) all at Scrap Matters

The Girls featuring Old Summer by Madame Wing at The Digichick (8/12) and a cluster template by Susan Robinson from her August Grab Bag at The Digichick

Come back by tomorrow - I'll have some sneak peeks for you and a super cute birthday party idea and invite.  My little Hannah is turing 8!  Wah!!!!

Happy Birthday Chelle of Chelle's Creations!!!

Today is the fabulous Chelle's birthday and to celebrate her CT is throwing a birthday blog hop just for you loyal fans.  Aren't you lucky?

I decided to whip up some cute little bag toppers using Chelle's Celebrate bold and Celebrate brite kits.  The "To: From" layer and the "Thanks for coming" layer are seperate so you can take them out or change them to fit your needs.  The are sized to fit over the standard sized snack or sandwich zip top bag.

You can download this freebie HERE.

Looking for some more birthday freebies - then hop on along to these other great blogs to see what other goodies you can find.  All of today's freebies use the same kits so they coordinate for the perfect birthday bash!
Chelle's Blog (Stacey's freebie)

Janine

Carol

Fran

Karen

Kate & Megan

Kayla

Tanya

Emma

Heather

Tracy

And don't forget...

10 for Tuesday

I've got an 8 am meeting at work this morning so this is going to be quick.

Today's 10 for Tuesday is...
THINGS THAT MAKE ME GIDDY

1.  Back to school shopping
2.  Hybrid Mini Scrapbook albums that have a clean design
3.  When my kids sing the quacamole song and shake their hips
4.  The thought of buying my laptop bag from a place call Big Bad Bags (Can I get one that is pink and black with a skull on one side and then orange with a pretty flower on the other - I need something to help me define my two sideness)
5.  Quilting fabric with neat designs
6. Craft fairs/farmers markets
7. Pedastal cake stands (preferably in white)
8.  Homegoods (period - the whole store)
9.  The sound of Hannah and Katie laughing
10.  When my husband gives me a compliment

Okay - so here's hoping early morning meeting plus mid-afternoon meeting (no lunch) means getting to come home early today.  Keeping my fingers crossed - this house needs some cleanin'

Monday...Rainy Monday

Well I had good intentions of walking this morning, but the rain is back. Figures... the pool is finally blue again.  I think that rain and the pool supply store might have a conspiracy going on...can't prove it yet but I'm working on it.  LOL!

Since I couldn't walk this morning (well I could have if I cleaned out hubby's office enough to put down the treadmill - but really that's just too much to think about first thing in the morning) I got caught up on my blog posting in the digiworld.  You can check out posts about some awesome Paper Bag Hybrid Projects on Traci Reed's Hawt Mamas Blog or you can check out the July Customer Spotlight over on Zoe Pearn's Blog.

Yesterday we took the girls to Ft. Myers Beach to meet Jason's mom and grandmother for the great kid handoff.  It's time for the girls to spend two weeks with Jason's family in Miami.  Now, we've had lots of complaining the last few days about this trip.  It's not that the girls don't want to go...it's just they don't want to be away from Mom and Day and Katie's first cell phone is being delivered tomorrow so she's really bummed she has to wait to get back to use it.  Keeping that in mind, I thought for sure that the drive down to Ft. Myers was going to be somber and there were going to be tears.  I was so wrong!

First of all Jason did a great job with keeping the girls guessing on where we were meeting his mom.  They knew we were driving to Ft. Myers and it had something to with the beach (because it's hard to hide sand toys in an SUV).  They kept guessing Daytona (which is pretty far from Ft. Myers).  So when the girls weren't trying to get Jason to give them more hints, we played "The Car Game".  The Car Game is when someone picks a number and then the referee (Me) picks what we are looking for - so 4 yellow cars, 2 motorcycles, etc.  For some reason yesterday everyone was giddy and super chatty and we played the Car Game for over an hour and it was FUN!  Hearing the girls giggle and try to distract each other so they could find the type of vehicle they were looking for was hilarious.  My girls are certainly inventive!  Jason got in on the game so then it became goofier - there is nothing better than a car full of giggly and happy family.  Sigh - good times!

When we finally got off the highway and started our journey towards the beach the girls were "eye spying" 7/11's.  Since the date was  7/11, 7/11 the store was supposed to be giving away free Slurpees.  You would think there were giving away a million bucks with how excited my kids were.  We finally found a 7/11 and Jason agreed to stop and fill up the tank so the girls and I jumped out for a potty break and searched for a free Slurpee.  Now Katie thought that there was no way it could be true...but sure enough we found the 7.11 oz (insert eye roll here) cups and each made our own drink and headed back on the road.  I couldn't resist snapping a few pics as I knew this would make a great layout.

The picture of the Slurpee on the dashboard is my favorite. The whole time I was taking it Jason was making sarcastic remarks about putting a Slurpee on the dashboard was a goofy idea.  Well, it's a darn good pic and it's fun and that's what makes me happy - so there!

To finish my story - when we finally got over the bridge and on to Ft. Myers beach the girls were super excited.  As they exited the car they were saying thank you over and over...I breathed a sigh of relief.  They were going to be fine going with Jason's mom...no tears or anything.  When we left they had just finished eatting ice cream and the girls were playing shuffle board as their break from the surf and the pool.  Life is Good!

I am...

- trying to become a blogger
- someone who loves to make lists
- a mother, a wife, a daughter, an employee,a sister, and a friend (pretty much in that order)
- seeking something to add to my life to feel more fulfilled (and I don't mean a new husband or another child! ha!)
- a woman trying to get healthy and fit (not thinner and more beautiful)
- working on learning how to use all my camera's functionality

I am...a work in progress!

Well, yesterday turned out to be a pretty good day. My hands, mouth and head must have listened to our little conversation during my walk yesterday morning. Since yesterday was so successful I decided to walk again this morning. I brought along my camera hoping to capture some the of the beauty I witnessed yesterday. I left 10 minutes earlier and the light was awful, and the sunrise not nearly as beautiful as yesterday. Tomorrow I'm going to back to leaving around 6:20 to see if there is a difference in light.

I did capture an image I'd like to share with you. I've been following the Poppy Talk's Summer Colour Week project where pictures featuring the color of the day are highlighted and then everyone is invited to submit their own photos to share. Today's colors are red and white.  I found a great sign to photograph on my walk which I hope to share here tomorrow.  I've got some lunches to pack and a shower to take before I leave for work.  Bleh!

Before I forget...Today is release day at The Digichick. If you are a digital scrapbook addict, I mean fan...you should check this site out. I really love the diversity of kits they offer and the forum is really friendly. I have been honored to be on the site CT for over 2 years now and I have to say that every week I'm blown away at the kits and the layouts I find there.

Here's what I made this week with Dani's Vacation Bible School Kit. This kit has lots of great bright colored papers and elements.  If you are into Sunday School or VBS there is some really cute word art included in the kit!

I also got to work with Girl Friday's lovely Minty Popsicle kit (oh how I love her tone on tone papers!)

New releases are 20% off today and tomorrow so go check it out and while you are there pop in the forum and say hello!

Wednesday? I thought it was Thursday.

I started my day with a conversation with Jason that went a little like this.
Me - It's Wednesday isn't it?
Jason - Yes (in a are you going mad tone)
Me - Damn! I thought it was Thursday...I'm really hating work right now.
Jason - I think it feels like Sunday. I'm so tired.

Yeah, life has been feeling that way of late. I think our little trip to Savannah in a few weeks is going to be a good thing for us both!

After that non-inspiring conversation I pulled myself out of bed, looked at the clock and decided to actually go for a walk. I think I'm going for a walk every morning when I wake up...but today I actually did it. I have some online digiscrap friends that are working on Couch to 5K (which I'm trying to get my 11 yo daughter to try)...here I am working on bed to 1 mile walk. LOL!

My mind was all over the place this morning during my walk but I managed to focus long enough to come up with a list of 5 things that made me smile today -
1. The sound of water rushing through the storm drains - this means no drought this summer and everything is so green and beautiful because of it.

2. A gorgeous pink and purple sunrise peaking through the roof tops of my neighbors' houses. (Is this out here every morning? Maybe I should walk more often?)

3. The lake behind my subdivision looked like a vacation get away with white ibis feeding in my neighbor's law and white egret flying by. The gorgeous sunrise was reflecting in the still water - it was so pretty and peaceful!

4. The partial rainbow peaking through the clouds as I walked to the West.

5. Little birds jumping from limb to limb having a cute little conversation with each other. Tweet, tweet.

I've gained 4 pounds in the last week so I'm really glad I got up out of bed today. Something has got to give! I tried having a conversation with body while I walked. It went a little like this -
Hands - I know you have the need to stay busy and that along with the rest of my body you are not totally in to work right now, however, it's time for you to find something else to do other than giving food to mouth. Please take up knitting or even finger tapping and stay away from food.

Mouth - Just because hands gives you something to eat does not mean you actually need to eat it. The hands don't ever get fat so they don't care about the rest of the body. You are supposed to be the goal keeper - so help out the team and stop chewing already.

Head - I know you have this issue that you feel the need to make me dizzy if we don't eat constantly. Stop. It. Now. I promise we aren't going to starve and that eatting little bits of heathier food will make the whole body feel better. I'll get you some head massages courtesy of thighs and butt if you'd knock of the dizziness and let us all go longer without eatting.

We'll see where this goes - I have been eating much healthier this week. Unfortunately I'm just adding the healthy foods to my normal consumption instead of swapping out...but I'm working on it. One moment. One day at a time.

Note to self: Refer to things that make me smile list above when you are hating life at 2:30 today. The inspiration and drive to work has to come back...maybe it's just on vacation right now.

Tie One On for Father's Day

Not sure what to give your Dad or your honey for Father's Day? My favorite gift to give is a gift card (especially to my step-dad!). For the man that has everything - here's some money to go buy something fun to tinker with - really, is there a better gift? I don't think so.

Finding a unique way to give a gift card can be a daunting task. I like to be creative and find something different so the reaction is - oh, a card...great I bet there is a gift card in there...how thoughtful. Bleh! Inspired by some bags I saw at Twig and Thistle, I create these tie bags using my digital scrapbooking/digital hybrid supplies. I just know these are going to be a hit!



Supplies -
He's The Man digital kit by Traci Reed and Dani Mogstand at Sweet Shoppe
Fancy Bag template by Kelleigh Ratzlaff at The Digichick
Ruler, scoring tool
Scissors
Double stick tape
Gift Card

1. I opened the Fancy Bag template in my photo editting software. To make the collar looking flap I modified the wavy flap edge by creating a basic rectangle to go over the flap. I merged the rectangle to the base template layer to make a new template.

2. I placed the tie element from He's The Man on to the bag to size. Once I had the tie sized correctly I rotated it and placed it in the open spot above my bag template so it could print on the same sheet of paper with my bag.
Here's a little peek of what my revised template looked like:


3. I used my newly revised bag template created in Step 1 as a clipping mask. I used the papers from He's The Man for the base of the bag and chose patterns and colors that would compliment the ties I chose.

4. I printed my project on to white color laser paper (my printer still won't take a sheet of cardstock -phooey!). I cut using scissors and then scored with a ruler and scoring tool.

5. To make the collar out of the flap, I eyeballed what I thought was half way across the flap and cut up with my scissors about 3/4 the way to the fold. I then made an angle cut from the left edge of the flap up to straight up the middle cut and then repeated on the right.

6. I quickly assembled the box using double stick tape. Inserted my gift card and then attached my tie.

Seriously - it took about 10 minutes to make all together and it's a totally adorable and unexpected little something for Father's Day.

Wishing my life away

I've found myself wishing the days away this week. You see, it's almost spring break! We are taking the girls on a 7 day cruise and I'm so freakin' excited. I'm not sure if it's the whole being away from work thing, or the no housework or cooking for a week thing...but I really can't wait. It's like being a kid a Christmas time all over again. Makes concentrating at work really hard.

I've been spending my time at Cruise Critic reading the boards for ideas and getting to know some of our fellow passengers. If you are planning on going on a cruise, Cruise Critic is an awesome site to visit before you book and then while you are waiting to cruise - careful, it's addicting!

In between now and our vacation departure it's field trip season. Katie has 3 field trips in the next week and a half. Each one requires her to be at school early or for me to drive her, plus world drum practice every Monday. She's getting to the age where I'm becoming a professional driver for her. (Well, minus the sparkling clean car and drinks and snacks - he,he). I can't believe she is in 5th grade - graduating from Elementary school. Where do the years go? (apparently with me wishing my life away to get to my next cruise)

So in between doing piles of laundry, driving kids, going to work, making dinner, yadda, yadda, yadda - I got some scrapping done this week. Here are a couple of layouts done with some new releases at the Digichick (coming tomorrow, April 1st).

Pool Fun - featuring Seasons of Change by Karen Lewis and an awesome new template pack by Nikki Epperson


Birthday Girl - featuring Cuppycakes by Jennifer Fox and that adorable alpha is by Sarah J - who I am so glad is back at The Digichick!


Stay tuned folks! If you haven't voted on your favorite Hybrid Project for Kelleigh Ratzlaff's Blog Hop then see the post below - hop along to all the blogs and vote for your favorite project. You could win $10 to Kelleigh's store.

I've got a few new Traci Reed hybrid projects coming up next week for you. Off to search for some inspiration. Have a great day!

Blog Hop Monday!

It's super, hybrid blog hop day! So if you are in the mood for a ton of great hybrid ideas using Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs' fabulous templates you are in for a great day. Grab a cup of coffee and come hop along! Did I mention there's a prize? Make sure you hop to Kelleigh's blog and comment on which of the projects you liked the best (vote for me!). You can win a gift card to Kelleigh's store at the Digichick and I could win too!

My project features Kelleigh's Toolbox Template (The Digichick) turned into a makeup box party favor. I mixed it up a bit and made it all girly!


I used Traci Reed's and Meghan Mullen's Girl's Day Out (Sweet Shoppe) kit to decorate the box. To make this easier on me - I opened Kelleigh's template in Photoshop Elements and colored the box black. To figure out how big to make each of the paper pieces I used the shape tool to make a template for each section by making the box just smaller than the actual box. I then moved all the pieces to a printing sheet. I printed on glossy presentation paper and trimmed. I pasted the decorative pieces on to the box before assembly (makes things much easier!!! I added a simple ribbon handle, a button and some little bows on the side to make this extra girly. What little girl wouldn't love this as a birthday favor??

For the invite I used my Cricut to cut the 4" scalloped paper for the background. Everything else was done in Elements.

Here's a few close up shots for you.




For more awesome hybrid ideas hop along and check out a few more cool projects on the blogs below.
Kelleigh
Tracy
Sally
Laura
Julie
Christy
Dana
LuAnn
Jacinda
Viva
Dalis
Holly
Sharyn
Karen Lewis
Linda
Alice
Meg
Sunghee
Carolina
Debbie
Kim

Have fun hopping! Oh yeah and as a bonus for my readers today....come check out my post on Eva Kipler's Blog for a step by step on how to make this adorable Chick Candy Dispenser using another of Kelleigh's rocking templates!

Hybrid Stuff!!!!

Welcome Blog Hoppers and anyone else that happens to stumble on in for some hybrid inspiration today! I have a few projects finished that I've been working on that I'd love to share with you.

Refreshing Soul Birthday Bag


Supplies:
Refreshing the Soul Digital Kit by Karen Lewis at the Digichick
Digital Template - Treat Bag: Pointy by Kelleigh Ratzlaff at the Digichick
DCWV Cardstock (Yellow), Buttons and Lime green paper flower

Basic Directions:
Using the Pointy Treat Bag digital template - create your basic bag using your photo editting software and Refreshing the Soul digital kit. (Brown background paper and the Happy Birthday decoration are all digital) Print on to presentation paper, cut out. Using the cut out bag as a template trace the pointy flap on to yellow cardstock. Cut out using scissors and apply to the folded over flap. Cut 3/4" strip of paper for handle. Attach handle with glue and then adhere buttons over the handle. Attach flower and button on front pointy flap for decoration.

Here's a closer look at the side and the flap


Penquin Scalloped Bag


Supplies:
Winter Kiss Digital Kit by Traci Reed and Scrapkitchen Designs at the Sweet Shoppe
Digital Template - Treat Bag: Scalloped by Kelleigh Ratzlaff at the Digichick
Glitter
Season of Joy Cricut Cartridge and Cricut
Purple and Blue paper

Basic Directions:
Same as the bag above, use the digital template and digital kit to design your bag. Print and cut out bag, score on lines as instructed in the template. Use the Cricut and cut out two different shaped snowflakes (1 1/4" and 1 3/4"). Use a glue pen to apply glue to penguin's hall brim and ball - sprinkle with navy glitter. Use glue pen to apply glue to the round ends of the smaller snowflake and apply purple glitter. When dry, glue snowflakes together and attach a complementary button to the assembled snowflakes. Assemble box. Instead of folding flaps over, bend flaps up so they meet, gently bending in the sides of the box - use glue to adhere top together and then attach assembled snowflake.

Here is a closer look at some of the details:





Looking for some more hybrid projects? Check out these fabulous blogs today - you never know what you might find!!!
Kelleigh
Sunghee
Laura
Christy

365 - Week 2

I'm home from work today recoverying from some outpatient surgery yesterday. I'm feeling way better than I had expected (Yipee!). Seemed like a good time to update some pictures before I start working on some new hybrid projects.

This week's day markers are from Traci Reed and Meghan Mullen's 27365 Kit available at the Sweet Shoppe. Not only are their date markers, but there are some kick butt frames and templates included.


Day 8 - Well, no one is perfect. I didn't take a picture on day 8, quite frankly I forgot. I did go to an old fashioned crop at a local scrapbook shop with my good friend Kirsten. We had fun chatting and I finished all the basic layouts in my mini sisters book. Now I need to journal and embellish but I'm leaving that for this coming Friday. :)

Day 9 - The cold snap continues!
The high was 39 degrees in Tampa for the day. It was the first day Hannah took her new ADD medicine and she did awesome on it. Only one little dizzy spell and she wasn't very hungry - but no other side effects. We took Katie out to visit the IB Middle School to see if she was interested in trying something different next year. I forgot to take my camera, bleh. It's a really neat program and Katie has signed up for the lottery. We're crossing our fingers and hoping for some good luck that she will get chosen to attend. After a yummy lunch we dropped Katie off at her girlfriend's house and Jason, Hannah and I went to Wal-Mart to do some shopping. Jason bought a bread machine (saved me from having to buy it for him for Valentine's Day). Our day rounded out with some homemade chili, Jason and Hannah making bread, and watching the movie Up while snuggled up under one big blanket.


Day 10 - Money, money, money!
Holy Guacamole Batman - Hannah is rich! It seems the ADD medicine has a side effect of liking to organize things (I'm so hoping this side effect stays and I can get Hannah to organize my cupboards in the kitchen - does that make me a bad mom?) So Hannah and I spent the morning in her room cleaning and low and behold I found $50+ in Hannah's closet. So for the next hour or so Hannah counted down to the penny and realized she finally had over $100 in cash. She had been trying for months to get to this goal all because Katie got a $100 bill for her birthday. So, one very excited girl brought all her money to the bank of dad and asked for a $100 bill. Thankfully Jason happen to have the $100 bill Katie got for her birthday in his wallet (it was on it's way to the bank). So here's Hannah with her first ever $100 bill in hand. Now it's time for it to go to the bank where she can't lose it!


Day 11 - Make a Wish!
While helping Hannah study for her spelling test she asked me why we never break the wishbone when we have chicken or turkey. (wishbone is one of her words this week) With a little twinkle in his eye, Jason sauntered over to the sink and grabbed the wishbone from the Christmas turkey breast he smoked. The wishbone has been sitting there drying for weeks but with all the comotion of after Christmas we had forgotten to have the kids break it. So Katie took one end, Hannah took the other and Hannah won - but she forgot to wish before it broke so she was upset. There always has to be some kind of drama! I wonder what she wished for.



Well, I'm off to do some hybrid creating before I have to shower and pick the kids up from early release day. I'll be back tomorrow (I hope) with some projects for you all - finally!

OMG - I lasted a week *Thud*

Three more days of taking pictures - it must be a record!!! he,he

Day 5 - Panini's!

I bought Jason and Katie a panini maker for Christmas. I wasn't sure how much they would use it but I really shouldn't have worried. We've used it pretty much every other day since it was opened. It's fun, fast and easy to make a sandwich and we are enjoying trying new fillings. This morning I made Katie two little ham and provolone sandwiches for her lunch with the little pieces of left over bread. I was really tempted to eat one of these for breakfast, but I held off in the name of my child needed a full stomach after lunch.

Day 6 - A New Haircut
After growing her hair out for quite some time. Katie decided it was time for a change with her hair - eeek! The last time she got her hair cut she complained for weeks it was too short. I was really nervous she wasn't going to like the cut she chose, but....she loves it and so do I.


So what do you think of the new Katie? Jason immediately said she looked older and he wasn't letting her out of the house. The days of boys calling is just around the corner - sigh! Where does the time go?

Day 7 - Brrr!
The cold snap in Florida continues. This morning we woke to a heavy layer of frost on the grass (well not in our yard because we don't really have any grass) and the cars. We had to scrape the frosty ice of the windshield of the car so I could see enough to drive. Of course every parent decided it would be a good day to drive their kid to school, with it being in the 30's I guess I can see why. In any event, we are looking at least another week of cold weather and hopefully our herbs and flowering plants will make it through. Thank goodness for heated seats in the car (well at least for the driver.)


Tomorrow night I'm off to a crop...yeah, I know...how old school. LOL! Hopefully I'll have some new hybrid creations to show off over the weekend. With the high only being projected at 39 for Saturday I don't think I'll be leaving the house. Watch out kids - I'll be after your Snuggies!

Picture Pages, Picture Pages....

time to get your picture pages, time to get your crayons and your pencils. he,he Do you remember that song? You're old! ha! So am I. Wa!

Well Happy New Year! I told myself and several of my digiscrapping friends that this year I wasn't even going to attempt Project 365. I lied. I realized last night that I had taken a picture a day for 4 days in a row without even trying to I mine as well just see if I could keep it going awhile longer. My original goal was to take a picture a week and scrap about that one picture and everything that happened that week. For me that goal in and of itself is huge. So...instead of making a promise or resolution I'm just going to go with the flow and see where this whole Project 365 and Project 52 take me (hopefully not over Insanity Falls, I'm already on a boat headed that way with work and motherhood).

On the to the show....

This week's date markers are from a kit called Spring Anticipation by Karla Dudley coming the Digichick on Thursday, January 7th. She's also releasing 3 new Digital Element kits that are perfect little add ons for any page - check them out. I really like Karla's style (and no, she didn't pay me to say that - but I did get her stuff for free cause I'm on the Digichick CT.)

So what have we been up to...let's take a look and see.
January 1st - New Year's Day
Let's not talk about my sister's dog that stayed over night or my neighbors blaring salsa music - okay? Let's talk about a day in our PJ's, eatting yummy food, playing games and with Christmas toys, visiting with good friends and eating more yummy hubby smoked food (needed a little variety). The Gators won Tim Tebow's last game - it was a great day! My highlight of the day was Hannah taking her new Rescue Pet Swim To Me Puppy for a swim in the pool. Yeah, it was cold here by Florida standards, but that's okay - the puppy is plastic he won't catch a cold.

As you can see yo the left, Hannah was wearing her new favorite boots from Aunt Michelle, her Christmas PJ bottoms from mom and her Philly T-shirt inside out (no idea why). She is trying to fish her swimming puppy out of the pool without falling in. All while Olivia is watching from the swing on the patio. After the puppy was rescued from the chilly water Hannah wrapped him in a towel like any good mom would and snuggled him up. Thanks for the swimming puppy Grandma Sue - she loves it!
January 2nd - The coldest visit to Disney evah!
We met my parents at Hollywood Studios for a day of Disney fun. Hannah was chosen to announce the Voyage of the Little Mermaid before the show - she was nervous and a litte shy, but did a great job. Katie rode the Tower of Terror for the first time and loved it. In the evening my brother and his wife joined us so we could all go see the Osbourne Lights. It's always so nice to have the kids together and to spend some time with my sister-in-law. The picture of the day is of my girls and my two nephews. These cousins really don't get enough time together, but we were happy to enjoy the short visit we had on Saturday!


Janaury 3 - Another cold day at Disney

After a warm, hearty breakfast, we ventured out to Animal Kingdom with my parents. Katie was super excited to ride Exbidition Everest and even got Papa Ken to ride. :) We alternated between trying to stay warm inside by drinking hot chocolate and walking between rides. The picture of the day is of Katie and Hannah in front of a giant snowman in Dinosaur Land. We only made it until 3pm and then we had to head back home because it was so cold (even though we were thoroughly bundled - thanks mom!)



January 4 - Getting back to normal
The girls went back to school. Jason worked from home and I headed to work loathing the fact Jason was working from home (all snuggly and warm). I went and got my haircut after work (yes - I just updated my avatar last week with a new pic and now I look totally different). I came home to find Jason at the kitchen table trying to help both girls with their homework. No dishes done, no dinner cooking...grrr. So while I whipped up some dinner Hannah headed to the couch to do her reading for the night. So instead of a picture of my new hair cut you get a picture of Hannah and Cali snuggled on the couch just as it should be. Life is good!