Hi all,
I have had my 3 year old niece this past week and what can I say but she is a ball full of energy! I just wish I could bottle it up!! I always have a good time when she is here. I just know that I am going to miss her soooooo much when they move away!
School is going well for the boys.  Joe's senior portraits came in today and I have to say that they really aren't as bad as I thought. They turned out nice! I just can't believe that my baby boy is graduating this year. Where does the time go. Tonight is Matt's first school dance. He is looking forward to it and I am hoping that I can get some photo's of him.
What can I say but enjoy the little moments in life and don't get hung up on trying to make big moments. It the little ones that we remember the most!

9~11

There isn't much that I can say that can convey what I am feeling.

On September 11th 2001, I watched as the twin towers of the World Trade Center were hit by airplanes and crumbled to the ground. I sat there in the kitchen staring and crying. My heart sinking with every thought that I had of those who were stuck inside the building and couldn't get out. I cried for the 1st responders who risked their lives to save whom ever may be still alive and those who never made it back home to their families. I cried for the families of the victims and I prayed that they find peace and strength, knowing that  they will be fighting for the rest of their lives for answers and longing to hold their loved ones that will no longer be coming home. I held my baby boy in my arms sobbing like a child and fighting the urge to run to my other sons school to get him out and hold him tight, never wanting to let go! I have cried for the bravery of those of United Flight 93. I am astound at how they were able to push their fear aside and take action to insure that more people would not get hurt. They may not have been able to push that fear completely aside. To hear all the testimonies of family who have recorded messages from passengers of that flight tares at my heart strings to no end!

For the 2,973 people who perished September 11, 2001 after hijacked planes crashed in New York City in Arlington, Virginia and in Pennsylvania. The victims were mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers of many faiths and races who came from more than 80 nations.

All who were killed died working and living the American dream.
I will never forget!!!! I honor and hold with much respect for our men and women who are over seas fighting to keep freedom alive and the ones that are disabled and those will never make it home!

What's been happenin'

I know that it's been a little while since my last post.
First let me say that Irene has come and gone with no real damage to our home. There were however a few tornado warning/watches so we took the mattress into the basement and slept down there to be safe. The boys viewed it as an adventure. The youngest was nervous and scared but that was mostly due to the news broadcasts. Once the TV was off he did a lot better. Unfortunately there were areas that didn't make out as well and my heart and prayers went out to them.

Organization: Well that has been a slow go. While most of my stuff is pretty organized I still want more. lol
I have scanned all my stamps (except the ones that I just got) along with art work that co insides with the stamps sets from the Idea Books for inspiration. My next step is to print the out and have them in a binder for easy access. They will be stored in theme/number order as well as the reference book. I have a lot of images to print and I know that I will go through some major ink to get it all done.
I also did move my stamps up a drawer level from where they were. It makes more sense since I am constantly going through them and I don't have to bend over to see them.

School: Matthew's first day of school was cancelled due to Hurricane Irene which he was very happy for.
This is Joe's Senior year of High School. They already did the senior portraits during the summer. I am not to thrilled with them but at least he did it. This boy really hates his picture taken. It;s like pulling teeth to get him to let me take one.

Allergies have been my worst enemy as of late. I have been taking some meds but they make me drowsy if I am not kept busy or moving constantly. So needles to say my crafting hasn't been up to par in my book. I have had a friend who is pretty new to scrapbooking come over and showing her how to do a layout that is in the Idea Book. She is enjoying learning the different techniques.
Other than that there really isn't much going on here. I hope that you all are in good health and enjoying life! Don't let it pass you by!!

Hurricane Irene

So as you all know that Irene has been on the East Coast. The media has it hyped up and is scaring the young and elderly. I understand the need for Caution and preparedness, but if it were presented with more positivity than negativity I personally think that people would be more responsive. The media has desensitized the public with it's constant negativity.
So with that being said, We have all our important papers and medications ready along with tons of water to keep use going in case the water system is compromised along with none perishable foods if the electric goes out. I can't denie the dangers of a hurricane. They are fierce and extremely dangerous. I tell the kids that it'll be nothing by the time it reaches us so that they don't worry. My youngest wants to "hold out" in the basement because of all the windows in the house and is afraid that they will blow out. (Mind you we do live inland but the winds are still gonna be strong) By the time the eye of the storm is over us it will be around 2 am. I guess my biggest fear is flooding. What a mess that is to clean up. lol Plus all of my crafting stuff is in the basement. My main concern is keeping my youngest assured and calm and having the family safe. They are my everything! Family is the single most important thing to me in the whole world! With out them, I am empty!!
It's funny when my oldest tells me "it's fine" and "why are we getting this stuff together" Remember he is 17 and a worry wart so for him to be saying these things is pretty funny. I tell him that it is better to be prepared and have nothing major happen to not be prepared and have the worst happen. As my mom would say, " It's better to be safe than sorry!"

Playing with the Cricut Art Philosophy Cart

I just wanted to share with you all what I have come up with while playing with one of the images on the Art Philosophy Cartridge. I really love the look of the lace. I used the "square" lace that is on the "shape5/flower2" key with the shift key and the font layer key depressed.

 With the card below, I used that lace square (cut off the outer four corners and saved for the next card), Branch2, and the rosette from the banner6/heart3 key. All items were cut out from White Daisy Card stock and inked to my preference except the branch that was cu out off sweet leaf card stock and then inked. The small flowers were also cut from the same cartridge. The stamped image is the exclusive August Stamp of the Month "Wicked". I just love this sassy little witch! Additional products used is liquid glass and prisma glitter. (along with grey flannel and black inking) I also stamped the background with the Two-step Background stamp using Black and Pear.

With this card below, I used the outer corners from the lace square. When I cut them off they immediately reminded me of fish! So I NEEDED to make a fish card! I inked them using sunny yellow, honey and sorbet. Then I used liquid glass and prisma glitter.  For the air bubbles I used the cricut to cut out the circles. Then I used the water brush and my ink pads to give them some color. And yet again, I used the liquid glass and glitter. The "seaweed" was cut from the same cartridge using the "banner5/petal2" button along with the shift key and font layer key. The only think that is not CTMH are the googly eyes.

Rainny Day

It's a rainy day here and I am desperately wanting to lock my self up in my craft room. There are so many thing that I want to create and do. First I want to make some bags (kinda like the Vera Bradly Bags), I have plenty of patterns and fabrics to choose from. It's just a matter of getting the room cleaned up and fully ready for a crop that I am having at my house on the 20th. (not to mention all the other projects that I have started that needs to get finished. lol)
I still need to put all my goodies away from the weekend crop that was at the end of July. Summer really is busy for me. I guess I never really seen it as busy before. With school supply shopping and crops and family functions the time flies by with out even giving you time to breath sometimes.
With that being said I am going to set small goals to get me (and keep me) on track with time management as well as having an organized house. This has totally worked for me in the past. With organization I have found that I had much more time to play and create!!
I will keep you all posted on my progress as I move along and hope that you too will join me in my adventure of organization!

A super deal for August 15th to August 31st!

Wow, there are so many specials this month and I want you to get the most bang for your buck!!!
First let me tell you about the specials!

• By placing your order in August you can qualify for the Stamp of the Month WICKED! With the new SOTM (Stamp Of The Month) program, an order of $50 will qualify you to get it for just $5.00! And to celebrate the new changes to the SOTM program, the August campaign gives you the "A Typeface" stamp set FREE to anyone who purchases the SOTM!

• The NATIONAL STAMPING CAMPAIGN place an order of $75 you will get the "Pair-a-Phrase" double stamp set FREE. That's 2 D size stamp sets. The retail value on this double set alone is $35.90. What a HUGE savings!!

So lets take a look at what you get and what you pay!

A $75 order from August 15th- 31st gives you:

• Two D-size stamp sets in the "Pair-a-Phrase" campaign - Free (Retail $35.90)
• August SOTM "Wicked" - $5.00 (retail $17.95)
• Bonus Stamp set "A Typeface" with $5.00 SOTM purchase - FREE (retail $6.95)

That's Four stamp sets for just $5.00 (plus shipping/tax) instead of $60.80 retail. INCREDIBLE!!

This offer is not available through the MYCTMH website. So feel free to contact me to place your order!!