Cool Weather, Sunshine & Rain

Ahhh, the beauty of living in Arizona. It is currently a warm 97 degrees, sunny & raining!! I looked for a rainbow, but haven’t seen one yet. The youngest 2 girls are outside playing in the rain, one of the joys I never really got to do as a kid growing up in New England. The cool weather is a nice relief. It’s been an average of 110 lately. It looks like fall may finally be arriving!! Yeah!!
I haven’t been doing much scrapping lately. I’ve been on the computer so much lately, both at work & home; my right hand is beginning to cramp. I guess maybe it could be carpal {sp?} tunnel, the muscle in my middle finger from the knuckle to my wrist starts to really hurt & cramp now. The downfall of enjoying technology ;(
I did get a scrapbook page done, although it took me the entire week to complete!! Every time I’ve sat down to scrap some pics, I just stare at the screen & nothing. No ideas, no inspiration, no mojo. So I decided to pop on over to We Digi Dare Ya & last week they had a great dare. To find an artist, style, technique, or topic that you have wanted to try but haven’t yet and try to SCRAP LIKE THAT! And to use products from at least one designer you’ve never tried before. Bingo! I’ve always wanted to scrap just one picture with lots of “do dads” around it. Kinda like they were just thrown there, and I had just done some shopping at Funky Playground & Lily Pad, so I had some new “do dads” to play with. I didn’t get the LO done in time to get the fab freebie, but hey, a LO got completed!! LOL

Here’s my newest LO of Riley ~

Credits ~ background paper – Funky Playground Sept. Goodie Box; frame, proverb heart – Jess Bolton; paper flower – Ann deJong; tatty bow – Syrin; stitched flowers – Traci Murphy; blanket stitch – Kate Hadfield; knotted ribbon, graphic rub-on – Little Dreamer Designs; hook & eye, string – Linda Gil Billdal; stitches cluster – Natali; bow in eyelets – Alma Townsend; tag & pin – Miss Mint

The "Good Ol' Days"

Boy, are there days when I wish the girls were still toddlers. Life was so much easier then!! No constant bickering & picking, no dramas over hair & wardrobe, {OK, a little from Savannah, but she’s ALWAYS been a Drama Queen!! LOL}, and the most running around we did was to the grocery store, Target, Grandma’s & the park. Now, I’m at work by 7:45am and on my way home about 4:30 or 5:00pm, but first I run over to the elementary school to pick up Darien from after school activities, then to the middle school to get Riley from volleyball, then home to whip up a nutritious & yummy dinner, and back out again to take Savannah to either tumbling or cheer practice. Getting computer time has also become harder now that the kids need it for school. When I do get my turn, I’m too tired to think!! I have just enough energy to read my emails!! They’re not too happy with me taking over the computer for the entire weekend, but it is what it is.
I’m glad my girls {especially Savannah, who’s now 14} are getting into sports; it keeps them out of trouble, but sheesh! I’ve lost all my “Me Time”!! I don’t even have it in the morning like I used to because the girls are getting up at 5:30am, just after I do! Sleep-overs with friends have become a welcomed relief!
But enough griping, since it’s a long weekend {thank goodness, I REALLY needed it!!} I was able to finish up 2, yes 2, projects I’ve been working on. Many of the kids have either started back to school, or will be soon, so I have goodies perfect for such an occasion. Another 2 8X8 Kwick Stick Mini Albums!! The first one was made with my Magic Marker paper pack, plus elements from both freebies & various element packs. {Download below} And because this is Labor Day weekend when most designers have sales, and I haven’t had time to set one up, there is another Kwick Stik Mini Album in my store!! Made with Study Hall Paper Pack, this too is great for back to school pictures. {Click image to be taken to FernLilis} So, enjoy, have a wonderful weekend, I’m off for a BBQ with my Mom & 2 sisters.

grab magic marker kwick stik mini album here

{Thank you for your interest in my freebie, but this download is no longer available.}

It's Been Quite Awhile....

Hello Blog readers!! I hope you haven't forgotten me!! With my new promotion at work, school starting, & carting Savannah here & there for cheer, I'm exhausted each night. And today, a Saturday, my day off, I have to got into work for a bit. Not that I really mind all that much, it's for the benefit of the company & I live just 5 mins away. Just a few minutes this morning, back home, then back to work again late this afternoon. Anyway, I've had a goodie for you all that's been sitting on my hard drive, waiting for when I had time to get it uploaded to my shop. Yeah!! That day has come!! I had such a huge response to the 8X8 kwick stik mini album made with my Pleasant Dreams paper pack, I decided to make another!! This one is with my Estate Sale paper pack and has a more masculine look. Take a look ~

So zip on over to FernLili's & pick it up. And while you're there, browse the shop, you never know what might catch your fancy!! {;) hint, hint!}

What Could be Better Than an 8X8 Mini Album???

Getting an 8X8 Mini Album FREE!!! This 6-page album is made with my Pleasant Dreams paper pack & various elements, as well as a few past freebies. Perfect for a new baby's brag book. Grab it over on my site.....

Where Oh Where Have I Been??

Gosh, it feels like it's been an eternity since I've sat down to Blog!! I got a raise & promotion at work, and now work 7 AM to 4 PM. And because I'm now salary, I'm sometimes there until 5!! And to top it off it has been 110 or hotter & so humid!! Humidity levels have been around 13%, which for some is no big deal, but for us Arizonians, that's bordering on unbearable!! LOL It just leaves you drained with so little energy to do much but sit in front of a fan.

I've been working on something new for the store, & just added it today. A mix of 19 xtras that are great additions to all your layouts, and it's only $2.oo!! {Click on image to be taken directly to the store. Hint, hint!}

The 2 younger girls are going to spend a couple weeks in San Diego with their Grandmother, leaving this Wed. with my SIL {Savannah will stay just through the weekend, then come back with SIL} so I'm looking forward to some quiet time. I hate to say it, but they have been driving me mad all summer! Hubby works nights, and sleeps all day, so it's like the girls are home alone. Nothing gets done, if they eat, they eat everything in the house, they watch Disney Channel half the day, and I've had to lock my computer so they didn't spend the other half of the day on that. And, my gosh, the messes they make!! They're little slobs!! They're cooped up all day, so when I get home {exhausted after a long & busy day} all I get is the whining & complaining. They definitely need a change of scenery, & I need a break!!!

Whew!! That's enough bitching for the night!! LOL I'm off to watch 'Hell's Kitchen", but you know I won't jet without leaving you a little goodie. Here is a little sample of my new Xtras Mix ~

get them here

{Thank you for your interest in my freebie, but this download is no longer available.}

A Quickie

Must dash off to work but before I do, I want to leave you all the last freebie for the month. A set of Bread Tag Labels. Bread tags have been a hot item lately, and these come with 5 labels, one blank and 3 different colored X stitches to attach them to your LO. And before I take off, a reminder that my 55% sale ends midnight Saturday, and all the Blog freebies will be gone the, too. Enjoy & have a great day!get them here
{Thank you for your interest in my freebie, but this download is no longer available.}

Pictures

Not much to talk about today except this picture of a dead bug my sister found in her back yard ~

That's her roommate's foot, and she wears like a size 8!!! EEEWWWW GROSS!!!! She {the roommate} even picked it up!! {Even more grosser!!!} My sister searched the Internet to find out what kind of bug it is; here is what she found out ~

Giant Root Borer (not species specific) Date: 2001 June 09 (seen at various times into July) Place: Guadalupe Mountains National Park Pine Springs Visitor Center (after dark)
This adult beetle is seen on the wooden boardwalk leading to the Center. All four wings can be seen - the hardened front wings and the more membranous hind wings. This is a large beetle - 1 to 3 inches long, and appears to be a clumsy flier.

Now on to the cuter things in life ~ Cali! Who can resist a cute kitten sleeping & playing?? Take a look ~ I used my frame clusters 2 ~

Oh, and I have another goodie for you!! They're what I call ripped paper tags. Little pieces of torn craft paper & notebook paper, great for jotting down things like dates in your layouts ~

get them here

{Thank you for your interest in my freebie, but this download is no longer available.}

Finally, TWO Layouts!!!

I know, how shocking. I haven't been very inspired lately, but browsed a few galleries for ideas & the juices began to flow. Here is one of Riley from many years ago!! I made the dress a couple of years before this picture was taken for Savannah, & all 3 girls wore it!

credits ~ Polaroid frame, papers {Fudge paper pack} & tag - mine; bling flower, fuzzy scalloped border, bling stick pin, stitches, paper fold template & envelope holders - Pink Poodle Studios; glitter flower - Carrie Stephens; corner border made with Pink Poodle Studios bling

Journaling ~

Princess Riley

She wears only the finest gowns made by the best seamstress in the land {Mom}, and a jeweled crown from the finest jeweler {Wal-Mart}!

I have so many pictures of Savannah {ALL of which she's taken!!! LOL} and wanted to do a multi photo LO with some. Bent frame clusters are all the rage now so I gave them a try. Check it out ~

credits ~ papers {Sunday paper pack}, tag & frames - mine; embroidery stitches & bow - Lisa Whitney, paper tear - Steph; word labels - Carrie Stephens

And I had so much fun trying my hand at the bent frame clusters, I made a couple as freebies!!! Both are 300 dpi & in png format, so all you need to do is plop them on a page & slip your pics under them!

get them here

{Thank you for your interest in my freebie, but this download is no longer available.}

Just a reminder ~ this is the final week of my store wide sale - once it's over, the rock bottom prices will be gone, and so will the freebies, so hurry on over to the store.

No Title

I just got home from a very boring day at work. It was so slow, I was sending signals to the phone to ring ~ It didn't work!! ;)

Anyway, I meant to list credits for the frames I used for Cali's pictures. So here they are ~ Cali 1 ~ frame by Pink Poodle Studios {re-colored}, ribbons mine; Cali 2 ~ frame & cardboard shapes by Pink Poodle Studios {re-colored}, Cali 3 ~ frame & glitter flowers by Carrie Stephens; Cali 4 ~ Shabby Princess {Songbird's Folk Art Charity Kit}

Hey! Do you remember in grade school making pictures with construction paper cut-out shapes? Remember when you first started paper scrapping & used the same techniques on your pages? What?? You didn't use construction paper cut-outs in your scrap booking?? Well I did, before decided I was not very good with paper scrapping and hit my niche with digi! Just in case you occasionally want to go "back to your roots", I've made a set of summer cutouts for today's freebie ~

get them here

{Thank you for your interest in my freebie, but this download is no longer available.}

Lazy, Do Nothing, Hang Around Weekend

I've had absolutely no energy this weekend. Yesterday afternoon, and again this afternoon, I took a 2-3 hour nap!!! I got up this morning at 6:00 AM and did some laundry, then Darien & I hung out at the pool for 2 hours. I fiddled on the computer a bit ~ I really need to get files organized & burned onto CDs, but the kids wanted to play on the computer, so I put it off. {As I knock on wood the computer does't crash!!!} I'm going to let Savannah chat with her friends, but before I go, here is another goodie for you ~ 8 pieces of torn cardboard with some colored, some left natural ~

get them here

{Thank you for your interest in my freebie, but this download is no longer available.}

Here Kitty, Kitty

Kitty {who is slowly being called Cali; as in California} has made herself right at home. She uses her litter box all the time now, so we don't have to keep her in the bathroom all night, and has quickly learned what happens when we go into the kitchen!!! I've had to warn the girls against giving her too much "people" food, because she was getting diarrhea {sp}. She loves to take her cat naps on my desk by the printer, or on occasion my keyboard!! She also loves to play with my pen when I use my tablet, which makes it a bit difficult at times to design!! LOL Savannah dropped a glue stick on the floor 2 days ago, and Cali Kitty loves playing with it so much, we've left it! And now for the Awwww factor, here are some pics the girls took ~

Can you believe those blue eyes??? This photo has not been re-touched ~ I hope they stay.

She loves looking in the mirror & trying to play with the kitten she sees there....

Yes, she's asleep in Savannah's hands!!! LOL

Now, because you've been s kind as to read this far, & ohhed & ahhhed over our kitty, I have a little goodie for you. A collection of 10 bitty bows with jump rings to hang itty bitty what-nots from. Like the tiny tag and 2 metal charms that are included!!

Get them here

{Thank you for your interest in my freebie, but this download is no longer available.}

Sale & Freebie!!!

And I will be adding 2 new paper packs to the store {which will be included in the sale} ~ Fudge & Sunday ~ in the hottest new color combos ~

But I'm not done yet!! To make your weekend even a bit sweeter, here is a free sample paper pack "Sunday Fudge" with bonus messy ribbon & bow ~

grab them here

{Thank you for your interest in my freebie, but this download is no longer available.}

Kitty

That's what we've been calling Kit-Ten the past few days. I'm sure eventually she'll get a "real" name. Then again, she may remain Kitty. LOL She's adjusting very well, but still just a bit skittish. I figure in another week she'll be feeling completely comfortable in her new surroundings. I took these pics of her & Riley last night while we watched 'Next Best Thing' ~

Sean gave her a bath {brave man!!! LOL} so she's all soft & fluffy. And oh so adorable!! Off to watch a bit of TV, then settling down with a trashy Nora Roberts novel before bed. Will have a goodie for you tomorrow. Until then....

A New Family Member

I'm sneaking over here again while at work since it's sloooow & the boss is away!!!
Last night my darling husband brought home a new family member ~ a tiny kitten!! He plays disc golf at a local park & apparently this little gal was either abandoned by her mom or got separated. I'm not sure exactly how old she is, but my guess is around 8 weeks. Naturally we had no kitten food, so I had to improvise ~ we had some small dog biscuits {for when our lab "visits"} so I put one in the blender with a bit of water to make some "wet" food for her. She ate it and drank some water ~ a good sign. But being so young, and I'm sure never around humans, she's skittish. The poor baby tries to hide in a corner calling for her Mama. I'm sure she'll learn that she will get plenty of love and attention in our house!! My 3 girls are major animal lovers & were so delighted Dad brought her home. Because she is not potty trained, we fixed up a bed for her in the tub in the second bath. I felt kinda bad she was in the bathroom alone all night, but I did not want to wake up to any little "accidents" on the carpet!! So far she's being called "Kitten" ~ I know how original, but Savannah picked the name & insists that we call her that, but with emphesis on the "T" ~ KiT-Ten. I'm sure there will be pictures to follow ~ after we get her used to us & give her a bath. She's yellow & white, but the white looks more grey right now!!
Wow! What a lot of yapping I've done today!! LOL
Oh, got some scrapping news ~ I have 2 new paper packs I'll be adding to the store; and be on the look-out for a free sample pack of them on my Blog in the next few days. Also, be on the look-out for a big announcement coming soon!
Must get back to looking like I'm working!! LOL Until next time.....

Relaxing, Swimming & Scrapping

That's basically what I've been doing for the past week. I have a TON of pictures {mostly ones of the girls when they were babies!!} I really need to get scrapped, so I've been trying to get that done. The girls are now out of school for the summer, so we've been hanging out at the pool most of the weekend, and there have been quite a few hours just laying on the couch watching movies! I did manage to pump out a new freebie for the store ~ some fun envelopes with 4 different types off fasteners. Here's a preview you can grab them here.

Ooppps!!!

It appears that ALL the "Buy Now" buttons in the store are not working . I am working feverishly this morning & again tonight after work to get them in working order. To account for them not working, I will extend the sale until Friday, June 1st. My apologies & please bear with me while I work on the problem.

Pit Stop

Just stopping in real quick while I have a moment to remind everyone of my Memorial Weekend Sale ~ everything {except sale rack items} are 30% off!! Sale ends Monday. We have a busy Saturday. This morning at 8:30 had an appointment to get my hair cut. That took until 10 ~ Evyn, my stylist takes her time getting the cut right & then styling the way I like. Then I grabbed a kid & ran to the grocery store for a few things. And even with just one kid, it always takes nearly an hour & I always stray from the grocery list!!! Now I have to make up a batch of deviled eggs to bring to my sister's for a BBQ and get the girls ready. All in the next 30 minutes before we have to leave. So I must get a move on....
Until next time....

MIA

I know, I know. Where have I been?? Out & about is where I've been! LOL This is the last week before the girls are on summer break, so last week was filled with, end of the year concerts, ceremonies, dances, etc... Savannah had an 8th Grade Promotion Dance, so I died her hair very blonde & dark brown underneath, & took her to the local beauty school {they really do a good job!!} for a hip new hair cut. She looks so cute ~ pics to follow in the next few days. After the dance she went bowling with a group of friends. I took some pics when I dropped her off & let her take the camera, hoping for some cool shots. {'Cause we all now she's the photographer in the family!!} She brought it back with ONE, yes ONE pic she took at the bowling alley!!! She said she forgot & one of her girlfriends took a bunch of pics, so I'm pushing her to get them from her. Will post those as soon as we have them.
As for designing schtuff ~ I worked all weekend on some new items for the store, as well as a new look for the shop. I was getting bored with it!! So be sure to check back ~ & who knows, I might throw in a sale just for fun!!!
Have a great day! Until next time....

Something New 4 U

Wow!! This Sunday is Mother's Day!!! And rather than waiting until then to share with you, I've uploaded a free Mini kit today, so you have time to use it for a LO, or card for your Mom. It's a versatile kit, so you'll also be able to use it throughout the year!! Check out Mama ~

get it here

{Thank you for your interest in my freebie, but this download is no longer available.}

Here's to all the Moms out there. The hardest workers on the planet!!

Happy NSD!!!

Hey Gals! I whole heartily intended to post this morning, but life interrupted. This morning, Savannah & I had the second, of what I’m sure will be many, cheer meetings. It was a 2 hour meeting, being that she’s a “Newbie” there were a few extra things the coach had to go over. The squad is immediately jumping into it all. Starting with a car wash fundraiser. They are meeting this coming Thursday to go around the neighborhood selling presale tickets for the car wash. And the actual car wash event is next Saturday. Talk about busy, busy, busy!!! After our 2+ hr. meeting, I had to put the house back into some kind of order. My SIL stopped by this afternoon & took the 2 younger girls for a sleep-over, so it’s a quiet night with just me & Savannah. She is watching repeats of ANTM {no surprise there!!!} and I’m sure studying it all for her aspiring career as photographer/photo shoot director/model!!
Anyway, on to why I stopped by ~ I know many designers & shops are having NSD sales, & since I just had a sale, I’ve decided to give away a kit!! A brand new kit just for my loyal fans & Blog readers!! Yeah you!!! So here is Summer Crush ~

Grab it here

{Thank you for your interest in my freebie, but this download is no longer available.}

I’ve also added a new freebie in the store ~ Stikaz. A collection of heart, flower & star stickers to fun & funk up your layouts!