The world according to Susan

Let's Capture These Memories - Sketch 119

2012-02-10T15:02:00.000-08:00

Sketch 119 is up at Let's Capture These Memories and here is my take on it! These pictures were taken of Amara's 1st day of kindergarten.

Segway Tour

2012-02-01T19:35:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, Arianna, Kari and I took a Segway tour around Newport Beach. I used this old Basic Grey kit of the month to showcase these photos.

Watch Out World

2012-01-26T23:04:00.000-08:00

Anthony's on wheels! Now this picture takes me back, oh quite a few years!! I did this layout using the sketch for Let's Capture These Sketches - Sketch 117. Come play along!!

Let's Capture These Sketches - Sketch 115

2012-01-15T19:35:00.000-08:00

Sketch 115 is up at Let's Capture These Sketches and here is my take on the sketch

Gino got this big idea that Koby would like to try the slip-n-slide. Koby flew like the wind down the slide.

For this layout I used Bo Bunny Double Dot Designs, Pink Pailsee Hometown Summer, Cindy Loo Cricut cartridge, Straight from the Heart Cricut cartridge, Heart & Wing die by Quickutz and assorted ribbons.

Now it is your turn, lets see what you can do with this sketch. (Don't forget to link on the site as there will be prizes!)

Happy New Year to All

2012-01-02T21:10:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year to you all. New Years Eve was spent at Disneyland - 17.5 hours to be exact! And can you believe that I don't have a picture of the group of us? Oh well, there is always next year.

New Year's morning Arianna and I got up to make Ice Box Pie and German Chocolate cake with this new beauty! I received a hot red Kitchen Aid Mixer for Christmas from my parents and this was her ingarail run! The Ice Box Pie turned out great (or course) but the German Chocolate cake had to be re-done and we made German Chocolate cup cakes! They were fantastic!

Sketch 113 at Let's Capture These Sketches

2011-12-19T18:05:00.000-08:00

This is my take on this weeks sketch over at Let's Capture These Sketches. The setting is Arianna's 6th birthday and a special moment between Arianna and her Uncle Gino.

And this is Sketch 113. Let's see what you can design with it!

Let's Capture These Sketches - Sketch 112

2011-12-04T14:54:00.000-08:00

This week's sketch at Let's Capture These Sketches is sketch 112 and this is what I did with it. Isn't Arianna just the cutest witch? I used an assortment from my stash and a La La Land digital stamp. I am in love these days with coloring these images using my small collection of Copic and Pro Markers.

Here is a copy of the sketch, let's see what you will do with it!

Let's Capture These Sketches

2011-12-01T20:51:00.000-08:00

DO you love creating Sketches?!?!
Let’s Capture These Sketches is looking for sketch designers!

If you love creating sketches, then this team is for you!!!
In your application please include:

Name, address, and e-mail address
Link to your blog and online gallery
A List of Current Design Teams
Please send us 3 of your favorite sketches that display your style (black and white only please)
Tell us why you would love to be a part of this fun and creative team!

The LCTS sketch team will be required to:
Provide 2-3 sketches per month, done well in advance
Post our blinkie in your signatures, on your blogs and Facebook.
Post our sketch on your blog and Facebook.

Open to all Countries!!

If you would like to be a part of a growing and talented sketch blog please send
your applications to Tanya at rntmunn@gmail.com with Sketch Designers in the
subject line.

Deadline to submit applications is Dec 18
New team announced Dec 22
Term January 15 - May 15

Let's Capture These Sketches - Sketch 109

2011-11-20T21:24:00.000-08:00

So this layout came together using some photos from our last vacation and using sketch 109 at Let's Capture These Sketches.

Fall Memories Together

2011-11-13T19:36:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken on a trip down to San Diego to visit Gino and Brie. We ended up at the pumpkin patch and Patrick snapped this photo. Love it! The sketch was inspired by sketch #182 at Creative Scrappers. Kari lent me a few (or all) of her Cricut cartridges and I used the Sophie cartridge for the background and pumpkins.

Rylee in Action

2011-11-13T12:14:00.000-08:00

Grandpa Pat and I attended one of Rylee's soccer games last month. I am telling you, those girls run and run during the games. It is a great way to burn off energy! I used Scenic Route Papers, the Twinkle Toes and Wild Card Cricut cartridges and La La Land's Soccer Marci stamp. I used sketch #181 at Creative Scrappers for my inspiration!

Those {stunning} Eyes

2011-10-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh - does my grandson have the most amazing eyes or what! This picture was taken at the pumpkin patch this year! I used the Fancy Pants Beach Babe line of paper, cut files from JilldZines and the image is the just released Luka with Pumpkin stamp. I colored him in using my new Copic and ProMarker pens.The layout was based on sketch #107 at Let's Capture These Sketches. Play along with us. I would love to see what you create using this sketch!

Every Puppy Should Have A Boy

2011-10-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

So this week at Let's Capture These sketches they have up Sketch 105. This is my take on the sketch!
Precious pictures of a very young Anthony and a very young Butter.
Let's see what you can do with this sketch and post your layouts here!

Staring Down the Goat

2011-10-12T10:53:00.001-07:00

This picture was taken at Disneyland on Big Thunder Mountain. Legand has it if you keep your eye on the goat as you go around the bend, you will feel something funny in your stomach. Try it next time and let me know what you think.

So this week over at Let's Capture These Sketches is Sketch 103. I used this sketch to base this layout on. Join us and let's see what you can do with this layout.

Indian Jones Ride

2011-09-14T07:18:00.000-07:00

I snapped these pictures in the line for Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland of Uncle Gino and Arianna. They were perfect for the layout that Jessica designed for us at the Scrappin Escapes retreat I attended back in July.

Let's Capture These Sketches - Sketch 99

2011-09-12T06:47:00.000-07:00

I love this layout I did featureing myself and my grandson Dane! It is just so tender, don't you think? I used sketch 99 from Let's Capture These Sketetches.

Play along and link your sketch for a chance to win a great prize!

Let's Capture These Sketches

2011-08-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

Time to play along again with Sketch 95 at Let's C apture These Sketches!

Here is my take on the sketch. The picture was taken at Disney's California Adventure. Silly Amara didn't want her picture taken.

Let's see what you create using the sketch and link it up to the sketch blog for a chance to win a monthly prize!

Kids say the cutest things

2011-08-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

So Tuesday I was taking my Amara to pre-school (she starts kindergarten next month!) and she is being her usually chatterbox self. Out of no where she starts to giggle! I say to her, "why are you giggling?" She says, your car farted!!! LOL (my breaks are a bit squeaky and I guess I pressed on the breaks and she heard it)

Out of the mouth of babes!!!

One more layout from My Urban Escapes weekend

2011-08-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

This is Miss Rylee at her Kindergarten grandparents day celebration! I was honored to be invited!

Too Darn Cute

2011-08-07T21:37:00.001-07:00

I have the sweetest granddaughter on the face of the earth. Jillian and the kids came over on Saturday. The kids were coloring and drawing and Arianna asked to use some of my stamps. Later when I went to bed I found this drawing under my pillow with a really nice note on the back. I love you Arianna!!

Urban Escapes Scrapbook Retreat

2011-08-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

So this past weekend was the Urban Escapes Scrapbook Retreat in Las Vegas. The event was held at the M Resort. There was non-stop scrapbooking, contests, prizes, classes, chatting and girl fun from Friday morning at 9:00 until Sunday night @ 7:00! Kari had lots of fun designed into the weekend. She had even designed a special layout just for the girls in attendance. Kari and I actually left for the event on Thursday afternoon. Along the 3 hour drive out, we stopped at the Barstow outlet mall for a potty break and of course a little shopping. I purchased a new outfit for work. On the road we went and our next stop was Stateline. Again - purely for a potty break and to grab something for dinner! Well since we just happened to be at the outlets we went inside to potty and had to walk through the Williams Sanoma store. Oh the things they had there turned our heads. We both walked out with some new kitchen towels. Onward to the hotel and the set-up began!!

I was really there to help Kari with the retreat, but I was able to get a few layouts completed. This first layout titled Making Snowman Cookies was a Basic Grey kit that I added some snowmen cut with the Cricut.

This next layout is actually for an upcoming sketch (consider this your sneak peak).

Back in March Patrick, Scotty and I attended the stage performance of Wicked. What a great show that was!

And finally this two page spread of when Ching, Christina, Kari and I went to the Hollywood Bowl to hear Sarah McLachian. What an adventure that was!

As most of the ladies had left the event by 6:00pm on Sunday night, Kari and I left for our drive home at 6:30. Little did we know it would take us 7.5 hours to get home. I rolled into the drive at 2:00am! That was a looong drive.

If you ever get the opportunity to attend one of Kari's crops, I highly recommend it! She puts on a great event.

Let's Capture These Sketches

2011-08-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

Check out the latests sketch at Let's Capture These Sketches. This is sketch #93

And here is my take on it. I didn't end up going with the circles, instead I opted for rectangles and I am really pleased with the way it came out.

Christmas in July

2011-07-25T09:21:00.000-07:00

Head on over to Let's Capture Our Memories for their Christmas in July sale. You will save 40% in the store and there will be games, challenges and prizes in the forum. I hope to see you there!!

Let's Capture These Sketches - Sketch #91

2011-07-17T10:12:00.000-07:00

Check out this weeks sketch from Let's Capture These Sketches - Sketch 91.

. . . and here is my take on the sketch. Take Time to enjoy the flowers! These pictures are from 2007. The girls were soo small then. the patterned papers are Jill DZines from the Pink Lemonade kit and the cute little girl is the Marci digi stamp from LaLa Land stamps. Let's see what you create with this sketch!

Let's Capture These Sketches - Sketch 89

2011-07-05T09:43:00.001-07:00

Be sure to check out Let's Capture These Sketches this week for Sketch #89.

This is my take on the sketch. Let me know what you do with the sketch!

Lisa Kaus Summer Workshop

2011-06-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I attended one of Lisa Kaus's Summer Workshop hosted by Kim of Artistic Bliss. This was my practice piece where we practiced with the paints. And this is my painting. The words read, "Release the Music of your Soul. I traced the outline of the bird from Lisa, but made the birdcage around it. We used Golden Fluid Acrylic paints and water color crayons. I love how this piece came out. I hope to find the time to make more.
This piece was from our Grid Workshop completed on Saturday
There are a lot of layers and dimension.
The dangling charm was from a charm swap I was involved in a while back.
I tried to make this piece all abut the ladies.
I can also see myself making another one of these pieces.

Everyone Loves Slip-n-slide

2011-06-24T23:05:00.000-07:00

Even Koby!

Let's Capture These Sketches #87

2011-06-19T19:46:00.000-07:00

We are live with the new sketch. Come play along with us.
This layout features me and my husband on one of our favorite ways to vacation, on a cruise.

Using the sketch from Let's Capture These Sketches, Sketch 87 as my base for inspiration, I reached way back in my stash and used some of my old favorites.
The base of the layout is Glance from Basic Grey’s Scarlet’s Letter paper line. The die cut elements were cut on the Cricut, utilizing a chandelier from the Home Décor cartridge and a chandelier image cut with the Sure Cuts a Lot (SCAL) program, each cut from Bazzil cardstock. The title is a mix of alphabets from Sonnets by Sharon Soneff, 7Gypsies Ink Alpha and Making Memories Ultra Small letters. The layout was finished off with various flowers and bling, some by Prima.

So let's see what you will do with the sketch.

No Smiling on the Tea Cups

2011-06-15T23:30:00.001-07:00

This layout was designed by Suzy Plantamura and was a handout at one of the many events I have attended at The Scrapbook Oasis. I completed the layout and it has sat in my closet for a while Yesterday I found the perfect pictures and sub-titile! Snapshot Of A Crazy Fun Uncle - No Smiling on the Tea Cups! Gino follows this set of on-line video blog and onne day Shay Carl recorded a video about no smiling on the tea cups. This is Gino recreating the video!!

Exciting News!

2011-06-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

I have been asked to join the Design Team at Lets Capture Our Memories! (Note the new blinkie on the right side!!) The have a great shop and great sketches on a weekly basis. Come on by and check us out!!

Crop in Chino

2011-06-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

So Kari invited me to attend the Chino crop on Saturday. She said there would be a few ladies there that we knew so I took her up on the offer. I was able to complete two layouts!

This laout is basked on Sketch 236 at www.pencillines.com. These pictures were taken on Mother's Day 2008 of Mandre and his wee lil son. Touching is what it is. It is hard to believe that lil Mandre is so big now. The paper line I used is Bo Bunny's Back to Basic's line.

This layout was looslely based on the May 28th sktech at Sassy lil sketches. I useed various scraps from Sasafras and Prima. The Celebrate is from Heidi Swap/Tattered Angels Mist*a*bles flocked & resist title line that I was given while attenting Colorful Connections last month. I just went through my junk bin and pulled things out and just kept puting different things on the layout. Kari chimmed in with various yes that looks great or no, not so much. I love how it came out.

Sweet Girl

2011-06-04T07:14:00.000-07:00

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I took this picture of Arianna the day after she had donated her hair to Locks of Love. What a sweet thing for her to do! For this layout I used Sketch 155 at Creative Scrappers. I am a huge My Mind's Eye paper fan and for this layout I used scraps from their Bloom and Grow line. There is also the last of my Webster's ribbon. I love that ribbon!!

Memorial Day 2011

2011-05-30T08:27:00.000-07:00

On this Memorial Day, let us remember all those who serve and who gave all to keep our country safe and free! Thank you father for all your years of service in the U.S. Marine corps. Thank you son for your continued service in the U.S. Marine Corps.

2011-05-05T09:12:00.001-07:00

This Saturday, May 7, 2011, we will be hosting a California reception. Come out and congratulate the new couple and meet the bride's parents!! The reception will be real informal at the house. Drop me a line for the street address if you can make it. (The bride has requested egg rolls so there will be a rolling party beforehand!!) Gino has put the times at 3:00pm-6:00pm but don't feel like you need to rush off.

ETA - A few of you have asked where the couple is registered. They are registered at
Crate & Barrel
Macy's
Gift Registry 360
and
Bed Bath & Beyond

How Great thou Art

2011-04-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this video of Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill preforming at Girls Night Out? You have to take a minute (or five) to watch this.

I know I have sung this song many a times, but it never sounded this sweet.

Wigs for Kids

2011-04-22T17:54:00.000-07:00

Arianna has been growing her hair forever. She wanted to donate it to Wigs for Kids.
Today was the day that she went in for the haircut. You had to give at least 12 inches of hair.
Way to go Arianna! We are sooo very proud of you for doing this!

Congratulations Gino and Brie!

2011-04-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

I know these pictures are late in coming. I only took a relative few pictures. Brie's photographer encouraged me to sit back, enjoy the event and allow him to do all the work. I cant wait to see all the fab shots I am sure he got!! This is a great shot I got for my mom of the flowering Dogwood, which is the state flower of Virgina.

Gino and Brie had their own wine done up and the presented these bottles to many of the guests.

Rehersal - but that is not the bride standing there with the groom.

This is the bride and her mom. I was told that the bride does not rehearse!

However groomsmen and ring bearers rehearse as witnessed here with Anthony and lil Mandre!

Friday night was special as I had all my kids (well almost all my kids and grandkids) and grandkids in one room.

Look at those little monkeys jumping around!

Saturday and getting ready for the big event!

Just double checking to make sure everything is on schedule.

Look at lil Mandre. Dad seems so busy getting him ready!

Gino and his Grandpa

Anthony and his grandparents.

The Boys

Here I am with Anthony holding the sand. Instead of a Unity Candle, Gino and Brie had a sand ceremony. They had white sand that the minister poured in to represent their spirtual base, then Brie had blue sand and Gino had California sand and they alternated pouring the sand in. It was quite pretty.

The flower girls.

Amara and Arianna's dresses had been made from Brie's mom's wedding dress.

I am glad I took the time to get these few shots. As you can see, the photographer is behind the girls and missed these.

The first look at the bride! (I think I am getting teary again!) I love the look on Amy's face (the maid of honor).

Swoord ceremony - I got a few of these out of order.

There was lots of kissing!

Sargent and Mrs. Justiniani

Mr. and Mrs. Justiniani

The exchanging of the rings

Ring bearers - one of them maybe a little bored?
Going outside for pictures! Notice how bright and sunny it is. You would not have guessed only 2 hours before we had gail force winds! Noah the photographer said it would be lovely for the wedding and he was right!

Entrance as Mr. & Mrs. (and more kissing)
1st Dance
The cake
And cutting the cake.

More details to come as there was just soo much that happened.

Quilting

2011-03-07T09:24:00.001-08:00

I have not been sewing as much lately and discovered that I am more than a few months behind on my Block of the Month Christmas Quilt I started.

So I got two blocks done yesterday! That means I have a total of 4 blocks completed! The blocks come monthly. I still have 5 pattern packs to work through to catch up. Oh, and this month's should be arriving any day now.

My goal is to get this finished by Christmas - Christmas this year!!

More new layouts!

2011-02-28T10:47:00.000-08:00

Friday Kari and I took the day to go to the Scrapbook Expo and attend the all day crop. It was a fun day looking at all the scrapbook products. I kept checking out the Copic's displays and watching the various product demenstrations. I am still on the fence about picking up a set. I am still mulling it over in my head. We met a couple of really nice ladies that we wish we had been sitting with for the crop. Unless you researve the entire table, it is always a crap shoot who you will be sitting with. I was able to get 3 layouts done.

This first layout features pictures from when Anthony was baptized last year. I used My Little Yellow Bicycle papers from the Twig line. In case you have trouble reading the title, it says, "U(you) R(are) A New Man in Christ".

This is the layout from list year's New Year's Eve celebration at Disneyland! (Do you see a theme running from the previous layout to this layout? I picked up a neat banner stamp set and I just had to use it!)

This last layout was last month's Basic Gray page kit. I used pictures from Christmas last year at Bob and Chrystal's house. I added hidden picture that you pull up when viewing the page.

And here is side 2.

And the pull up from page 2!
I know, 15 hours at the crop and I only finished 3 pages? But there was shopping and looking and visiting to do as well!!

Enjoy the Ride

2011-02-24T20:54:00.000-08:00

This was my submission for the February Round Robin Challenge at Colorful Creations. Pictures of my my son on New Years Day. I used Graphic 45 papers from the A Proper Gentleman Collection, Prima bing and the Graphically Speaking Cricut cartridge.

New Layouts!

2011-02-22T09:50:00.001-08:00

Saturday I spent the day with Ching out at a crop in Chino. I got the following 3 layouts done.
This 1st layout was for the Trains & Tiaras challenge at Colorful Creations. I love this picture of Grandpa Pat and Amara. They just seem so relazed getting ready to ride the Tower or Terror at California Adventure! For this challenge you had to use a female picture, the word Grandma or Grandpa, some form of matting and at least 2 patterned papers. I actually used 4 pattern papers (two are in the rolled flowers at the bottom of the page!). I also used the sketch from Pagemaps as my base.

This 2nd layout features Arianna at her 1st day of 4th grade. This layout features a pull out tag that reveals more details of that day. Another layout for a challenge at Colorful Creations. This time the challenge was to use polka dot pattern paper (or ribbon), striped patterned paper (or ribbon)and four specific colors. Done, done and done! I was also able to use the sketch from Pencil Lines.

This final layout was I kit that I had purchased on line. This is Jillian when she was about 4 years old. My how the time flies!

Pictures of LB

2011-02-18T09:28:00.001-08:00

New pictures of the LB. It is hard to believe that Sarge has been a part of our lives for a year now.

I bet he is thinking here, get a little closer - I want to eat your camera!"I feel bad that I don't feel bad about all the stuff I like to chew up!"

Basic Grey's Page of the Month Club

2011-02-17T09:57:00.000-08:00

Meet your scrapbook goals with Basic Grey's Page of the Month Club

Urban Anthology is pleased to announce its participation in the Basic Grey Page of the Month program! If you love Basic Grey papers and embellishments as much as I do you will love this monthly kit! For $20 plus shipping or $250 paid in full ($53 discount) you will receive a kit filled with one of Basic Grey's brand new collection!

Here is what you will receive:

An Exclusive Kit (Contains at least 6-8 patterned papers, 2-3 packages of embellishments, alphabet)

Color Instructions showing you how to make the monthly two page layout

Additional sketches for other alternatives to the main project

**Urban Anthology Exclusive: 2-3 Additional sheets of coordinating card stock, trim, and other embellishments**

Additional instructions and ideas on the Urban Anthology Blog to create an additional 2 page pages and a greeting card.And Exclusive Discounts on scrapbook products.

Here is how it works:

Sign-up by visiting this link.

You will receive an invoice on/near March 1st, 2011 which will enroll you into an auto subscription plan. The day you make your payment will be the day the amount is deducted every month. OR An invoice for Payment in Full, depending on the choice you pick.

You will receive two months worth of kits at a time (shipping schedule is below)

Check out March and April's Layouts!
All the fine print:

Your are enrolled for one year, 12 continuous months.

Shipping is $10.50 per shipment anywhere in the USA. Sorry no international shipments at this time.

You will be billed $25.25 each month, on or near the 1st of the month, as outlined above, this includes the $20 kit fee, and $5.25 for shipping. Except the first payment, will be for 2 months plus shipping ($50.50), the remaining payments will be for one month each.4. You will be sent two months worth of kits at one time, thus receiving 6 shipments.

Shipping Schedule:

*March & April: Hello Luscious & Life of the Party kits ship: mid March

*May & June: Sweet Threads and Lauderdale kits ship: mid May

*July & August: Q2 releases kits ship: mid July

*September & October: CHA-S releases kits ship: mid September

*November & December: CHA-S releases kits ship: mid November

*January & February: Q4 releases kits ship: mid January

Please email kari@urban-anthology.com with any questions.

Love My Girlfriends

2011-02-16T09:06:00.000-08:00

This layout features two really good girlfriends of mine when we attended a tea in Little Tokyo. Here we are toasting one another! I used papers from My Mind's Eye Lost and Found line, and assorted flowers. I used the sketch from the My Mind's Eye blog as my base and it also matched a challenge at Colorful Creations!

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T18:58:00.000-08:00

From my grandbabies and myself ~ Happy Valentine's Day!

Those Eyes

2011-02-14T08:59:00.000-08:00

This is Gino when he was almost 2. He still has those amazing eyes. I used Basic Grey papers from the Oliva line and Prima bling for this layout. The inspiration came from two places ~ Colorful Creations had a Trains & Tiaras Challenge to use a close up photo and I also used the sketch at Sketch Inspiration as my base and took off from there.

Jumping in the Elevator

2011-02-10T10:15:00.000-08:00

So the other day Jillian brought the kids by work. Amara loves to jump in the elevator. I guess it is something their daddy taught them! It was just too funny (and a little scary)!

Cruise Divas

2011-02-08T10:08:00.001-08:00

These are a few of the ladies that I cruise with almost every year. This year (2009) we took this picture. I used the sketch at Sketch Inspirations for my inspiration!

Sweet Jillian Ann

2011-02-08T09:46:00.001-08:00

I have been scanning in some of my old negatives and I came across this picture of Jillian when she was about 3 or 4. It was perfect for this layout I purchased from Tammyi and for the Random Wedensday Challenge at Colorful Creations.

Recently I had sent some of the negatives out to a service and it was mondo expensive. Scaning on the flat bed scanner is really time consuming. Anyone know of an easier way?

The Best of Times

2011-02-01T11:05:00.001-08:00

I created this layout using a sketch at Your Scrapbook Stash for inspiration and the white out theme from a challenge at Candy Shoppe Designs. The challenge was to make an all white layout. You were allowed to throw in a splash of color. I made good use of my border punches, Bazzil paper and Art Warehouse stamps. The circles are stamped with white embossing powder and then misted with Glimmer Mist. The white shows through as the embossing powder acts as a resist and the Glimmer Mist only adheres to the card stock!

Uraban Escapes Scrapbook Weekend

2011-01-28T10:33:00.001-08:00

This past weekend I attended the Urban Escapes Weekend retreat in Las Vegas. What a great weekend it was. The event was held at the Tuscan Suites which is just off the strip. The rooms were huge! I did a little gambling. Friday I put $20 in a video poker machine and walked away with $60! Sunday I put in $20 in a video poker machine, and then put in another $20 and walked away with $0. So as far as gambling, I guess I broke even! But in terms of layouts, I hit the jackpot! This lovely layout features my beautiful granddaughter the day she graduated kindergarten. The layout was a make-n-take from last year's Reflections Event I attended last year with a little tweak here and there to make it my own.

This layout features Arianna's first time riding the Maliboomer at Disney's California Adventure. I used the sketch at Sketch Inspiration.

This layout is of my girlfriend and I. Colleen and I have been friends for many, many years. As the saying goes, of all the people in the world, Colleen would know where the bodies are buried!! LOL. I used the sketch from this month's Page Maps challenge for this layout.

Christmas at Disney's California Adventure, we were fortunate to have Gino home this year for Christmas!

This layout again features as its base, a layout from the Reflections Event I attended last year. But my layout looks completly different than the instructors. Via la difference!!
This is a picture I took from the parking lot at the hotel. The backside of Las Vegas!! Vegas really isn't my town, but I do so love the lights!

Gymnastics

2011-01-28T09:09:00.000-08:00

Last night Patrick and I went to watch Arianna at her gymnastics class. How exciting it was to see these young people putting their heart into exercise!

Way to go Arianna! We are proud of you!!

Just Playing

2011-01-17T21:05:00.000-08:00

So I was playing around with my camera this weekend and caught some cute shots of the boys!
They had just gotten done eating a bone. How cute are they! The pictures remind me of the "Dogz" with the really big heads!!

Oh the weather outside is frightful . . .

2011-01-12T07:09:00.000-08:00

I love this picture of Jillian! We were at Disneyland on the tram going back to the parking garage and I took a picture of Jillian sitting in front of me. She tried to hide from my camera and this is the shot I got! I created this layout using this month's sketch inspiration from My Mind's Eye. I used papers from their Lost & Found line, including Madison Ave Cherish and Sisters. I also used various bits of lace, ribbon, and flowers from my stash. I had the Large Photo Challenge at Colorful Creations in mind, so a two for one layout challenge completed!!

"I Know, Right"

2011-01-10T09:27:00.000-08:00

Arianna current favorite saying is, "I know, right". I thought it would be cute to capture these little things they say and start to make scrapbook pages that incorporate them. The layout was based on sketch 202 from Sketch Inspiration and the layout was for a challenge at Stash to Treasure. And I was able to add it to the Misty Challenge at Colorful Creations! Nothing like multi-tasking! The flowers on the page are rolled flowers made with a Jill-D-Zines digital file and cut on my Cricut. The banner at the top is sprayed with some Glimmer Mist. It has a nice sparkly, sheen to it. Since I scanned the layout, you don't really see the dimension or the sparkle. The ribbon on the page was stitched on my Baby Lock sewing machine. I had planned to get some sewing done this weekend and I did get almost half of a butterfly quilt cut out, but this is a much sewing as I got done. I should use the decorative stitches more often.

Basic Grey Kit

2011-01-06T10:32:00.000-08:00

This is the Basic Grey layout from November. I just figured out which pictures I wanted to use.

These are the pictures from when Gino asked Bree to marry him. He proposed at Disneyland by the Wishing Well.

December Basic Grey Class

2010-12-30T13:12:00.000-08:00

These are the layouts from the December Basic Grey class at the Scrapbook Oasis. Altantis is a great resort and if you ever get a chance to go to the island of Nasau, check it out. Next time we go, I am definatiely going to take advantage of the water parks!

Rebecca designed the next two layouts using the leftovers from the kits and here they are with my touches!

Don't look now but here is my Pat horseing around with the seal.

And finally pictures of my Anthony at Disney's California Advenure.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T22:45:00.001-08:00

Christmas Eve has tradtionally been spent with Patrick's family. This year we spent the afternoon with Bob and Chrystal, Patrick's dad and step-mom. What a lovely day we had!

Happy Birthday Anthony

2010-12-16T05:28:00.000-08:00

Today my baby turns 21! Where have the years gone? Here Anthony is as a wee tot still sleeping in a crib!

Where is Anthony? Oh there he is, in the middle of the all those balls.

Anthony said a poem about a hot dog in one of his elementary school assemblies.
Here is a young Anthony and a young Butter playing on the dirt mounds. This was when we were having the brick wall installed at the house.

Any clue where Anthony was this day? Disneyland - at the deadliest ride in the wilderness!

I love this picture of my Anthony. It was taken in San Francisco. Doesn't he look like a model here! He is soo handsome!

Happy Birthday Anthony!!

Introducing Kobe!

2010-12-14T18:26:00.001-08:00

Kobe is a miniature pincher and belongs to Bree and Gino. We are babysitting until they get their place.
I have nicknamed him Barkus Lalotus. As you can guess, he is quite the barker!

His mommy purchased this outfit to go riding in the Camero. Umm . . . I don't think he is too pleased with the outfit. Could it be that it doesn't fit too well?
Here Barkus Lalotus, err I mean Kobe is next to the LB, err I mean Sarge. You can see how petite Koby is next to Sarge.

Jillian Ann

2010-12-04T22:37:00.000-08:00

Today is my baby girl's birthday (12/5) Happy Birthday Jillian Ann. You are a delight to my heart and loved by all that know you. Your thoughtfulness shines brighter than the sun in the sky.

Dear Ms. McFarlane

2010-12-03T17:21:00.000-08:00

It is not every day that a mother gets a letter from the Marine Corps. I received an envelope today from the base in San Diego where my son is station. I opened it not knowing what to expect. I had never received a letter before. It was the Marine Corps bragging on my boy!
He was awarded (for the 2nd time no less) the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal! Congratulations son, we are proud of you!

Latest Quilt Creation

2010-12-03T10:40:00.000-08:00

Here is Mr. Turtle. I don't really want to give him a true name as he won't be staying long. He is a gift for a girlfriend of mine. I think I can spill the beans here as I don't think the receipent reads my blog. Kari commissioned me to make her grandmother a turtle quilt. I hope she loves it!

I've Found the Golden Ticket ! !

2010-11-27T12:40:00.001-08:00

. . . or the next bet thing ~ the SECRET bathroom at Disneyland!!!! SHHH, I not telling!!

BOLO ALERT

2010-11-27T07:43:00.001-08:00

Be On the Look Out For (BOLO)I have been to 5 JoAnn's Fabric stores looking for this fabric. It is a flannel I purchased a while back. Now that I have a project in mind, I am cought short. Has anyone seen this flannel fabric recently?

Holiday Cards

2010-11-24T14:26:00.001-08:00

It’s the most wonderful time of the year (ding – dong, ding-dong, with the kids jingle belling and . . . .)

Actually it is time to start thinking about what you are going to do for your holiday cards. In the past few years, I have received a few photo cards. You know me and photos, I love each and everyone one of them.

If you didn’t know already, Shuterfly has a great holiday card selection. I pulled these images down from the Shutterfly sit for you to see a few.

They have folded greeting cards with the photos and wishes inside. They are available in a 5x7 size which leaves plenty of room to write your Christmas message.

They also have flat photo cards as well. You just submit your photo, choose your style and away you go! The flat photo cards are available in 4x8 size and the 5x7 size and are printed on high-quality matte or glossy photo paper. This is an affordable and stylish way to provide Christmas wishes to everyone on your list.

Check them out today!

Halloween Disneyland

2010-11-21T09:05:00.001-08:00

Here is the 2nd layout from the Basic Grey class yesterday that Rebecca yesterday. She tought us the the 6 petal rose technique. The rose got a little squished in the scan when made the layout look a little wonkee. Again, a few little changes to make it my own. I used the Jill D Zines Fancy Cuts for the Halloween title block cut on my Cricut! Volia - another layout I am really pleased with!

Sweet Pumpkin Face

2010-11-20T23:22:00.000-08:00

Today I attended the monthly Basic Grey class at the Scrapbook Oasis. Rebecca makes us two layouts in accompany the Basic Grey layout. This month we are working with the Pyrus paper collection. I took this layout and added a bit of my own touch. Kari and Ching were there with me today and they said the layout would look really cute with some stiching. Well since I had green thread in my machine, I put some sewing on there. Love it! I lifted this sweet picture of my daughter and grandson off of Facebook. It was from a day at the pumpkin patch. What a sweet and touching moment between mother and son!!

Another Vintage Groove Necklace

2010-11-18T09:59:00.001-08:00

I pulled this off of the Making Memories Jewerly Facebook page. This necklace is a perfect combination of what's classic and contemporary. What do you think? If you are looking for the Vintage Groove collection, they have it at the Michael's in Orange, CA.

My latest kick

2010-11-18T09:44:00.000-08:00

Mangos and raspberries! Love them! I am trying to eat healthier these days and you just can't go wrong with fresh fruit!

Urban Escapes Retreat in Las Vegas

2010-11-12T08:33:00.000-08:00

My good freind Kari is hosting a retreat in Las Vegas January 21-23, 2010 and I am going!! Won't you join us too?

Happy Birthday . . . and Thank You for your Service

2010-11-10T12:39:00.000-08:00

Vintage Groove Earrings

2010-11-08T11:48:00.001-08:00

Use a necklace strand to create a pair of earrings. Add a sample charm for a stunning look. The Michaels in Orange carries the Vintage Groove line.

Scrapin Escapes Weekend

2010-11-08T10:02:00.000-08:00

This past weekend Kari and I headed out to San Diego for a Scrapin Escapes weekend at the Kona Kia Resort. We had a good time. There were other ladies that we knew and it was great to catch up with them as well as meet some new ladies! These are the layouts I completed (well except for one that I still need to get some information for the journaling - I will upload that one as soon as I get the info I need).
Little Miss Rylee's 1st day of Kindergarten! (The rosette on this page were made using the new Tim Holtz Sizzix die seen here - the lady next to me had it and I borrowed hers.)

This is an old Candice Carpenter Halloween kit that I finally finished. The picture was taken last month at Disneyland.

This layout was from the Basic Grey class kit a few months ago. I wasn't quite sure I liked the layout until I found the perfect pictures ~ Amara's 1st birthday party.

These pictures are from my 5k run back in September. And that cute running girl on the lower left hand corner is from Close to my Heart stamps. I saw the set of girl stamps and wanted it. And when the lady said I could have the set for 1/2 off to add to my collection, I snapped it right up! And I decided not to be a collector any longer so I found a way to use it right away. I think it adds a great little element to the layout! This layout also used my other large purchase of the weekend. There is on the left hand side a little pull out tab. When you pull out the tab, you can see the course map that we ran. That stamp set had a couple other elements and cost me a whopping $1.00. If these stamps can be made so in-expensive, why do the rest of them have to cost so much??

These pictures were taken last year at Benihana's for Arianna's 9th birthday! Again I used that tab stamp to make another pull out picture. This pull out is where Arianna got to see her present. Patrick and I bought her a bike!

Amara is taking tennis lessons on Wednesday and Arianna took these photos! I think they both did a great job!

Our newest Annual Passport Holder!

2010-11-03T07:57:00.001-07:00

Guess who once again joined the ranks of the Disneyland Annual Passport holders?
Yep - our Prince charming! See you around the parks son!

happy Halloween!

2010-11-02T07:30:00.001-07:00

Jillian brought the kids over on Halloween so that we could see them in their coustums and do some Treak or Treating! Nothing spookey here!
In case you missed it in the picture above, Sarge and Bailey got dressed up too! Michelle and Anthony bought Sarge and Bailey costumes.
Bailey is so good. That Sarge ran all over the yard.

We didnt' get to see Rylee and Dane on Halloween, but Darleen sent me pictures! Nothing spooky here either!

By Popular Demand, The McRib is Back!

2010-10-30T08:21:00.000-07:00

In 1982, the McDonald’s Corp. unveiled a new sandwich oddly titled “The McRib.”

What’s odd is that the McRib is not made of ribs, but composed of boneless meat molded to resemble ribs.

“The McRib is made with a tender, boneless pork patty, covered in a hickory barbecue sauce,” says Julie Pottebaum, a McDonald’s Corp. representative.

Pottebaum also says the sandwich has 490 calories, 25 fat grams, 44 carbohydrate grams and 24 protein grams.

And it is back just down the street from my house. Now to find the time to get one!!

I am now the proud owner . . .

2010-10-28T21:16:00.001-07:00

. . . of the Mickey Mouse Halloween popcorn bucket! They are extremely rare and elusive. I had been to Disneyland twice to pick one up and tonight he came home to stay!! Thank you my friend for picking him up for me!!!

Love Story ~ Anthony & Michelle

2010-10-27T15:56:00.001-07:00

With this being the year of Use it Up ~ Part Duex, I came across this layout from years past in one of the many classes I took and went in search of pictures to use! I found these two of Michelle and Anthony. Too darn cute!

Butterfly quilt

2010-10-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

Here she is and she has already flown away! My latest quilt was a butterfly. Someone had seen my quilts and asked me to make a butterfly. I used lots of butterfly flannel and I love how she came out!

October Basic Grey class

2010-10-27T07:29:00.001-07:00

Every month Kari and I attend the Basic Grey Monthly kit class at the Scrapbook Oasis. Basic Grey provides a kit spotlighting one of their paper lines. Here is the double page layout using the Oliver line and a few of my grandkids playing with cookie dough that resembled play dough!

Rebecca always adds two additional layouts to the class.

This is the first of Rebecca's layout designs ~ with a bit of alteration from me. These were fun pictures I took of Anthony at the Orange County Fair a few years ago.
This was Rebecca's second layout. The pictures were taken at California Adventure back in 2005. The scan cut off a bit of the right side of the layout along with the "e" in Adventure!

It was really hard for me to finish these layouts for some reason. I don't think this line was speaking to me.

More Making Memories Vintage Groove Loveliness

2010-10-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

Remember me mentioning that Making Memories now has a jewelry line called Vintage Groove. Not all Michael's carry this line yet, but the Michael's in Orange, CA (1802 E Katella Ave, Orange, CA 92867) does. The Vintage Groove line is located at the beginning of the 2nd isle. This is a necklace that one of the designers made where they combined strands by weaving them and mix up the color by adding antique gold and silver. I will have to give this technique a try.

Guess what Sarge is going to be for Halloween?

2010-10-22T17:52:00.000-07:00

Neutered! Yep, it was way past time. Now he can get his own doggie license as well. Sarge is doing well although Patrick is still a little shaky.

Field Trip to the Bowers Museum

2010-10-22T06:36:00.002-07:00

I was fortunate to be able to attend Arianna's field trip to the Bowers Museum yesterday.

What fun we had.
This is her class. They are a bit rowdy! I have to had it to these teachers. They do a fantastic job with corralling all their energy.
The kids are learning about American Indians in school right now so that is what the docents concentrated on showing them.
After the museum, we went to the park for a sack lunch! Thank you Arianna for allowing me to accompany your class.

Vintage Groove Jewelry Line available at Michaels

2010-10-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

As I have mentioned to many of you, Making Memories now has a jewelry line called Vintage Groove. Not all Michael's carry this line yet, but the Michael's in Orange, CA (1802 E Katella Ave, Orange, CA 92867) does. Kari, Ching and I took a field trip there on Saturday. The Vintage Groove line is located at the beginning of the 2nd isle. This is what Kari whipped up in less than an hour!!

Here is a close up of the bird portion.

Interesting October Fact

2010-10-18T11:09:00.000-07:00

An interesting fact about October 2010: This October has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays, all in 1 month. This happens once in 823 years.
And what would a blog post be without a picture? I was playing around with the Pottery Barn Kids Costume application on my iPhone. This is how happy my Anthony would be wearing a pumpking costume!!

Decorating for the Holiday Season

2010-10-17T20:23:00.000-07:00

The girls met me at the pumpkin patch last week for our annual trip. What fun we had. There were pony rides, time in the bounce house, a haunted house and an animal feeding pin. And then all the running around looking for the prefect pumpkin.

What better way to decorate the living room than with beautiful fall pictures.

Rylee - Strike a Pose

2010-10-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

What a fun day we had at the Cheesecake Factory. I started taking snapshots of Rylee and what a fun layout I created! I used Sketch 57 from Inspired Blueprints.

Mirmar Airshow

2010-10-04T07:13:00.000-07:00

Saturday we attended the Miramar Air Show. We left the house just before 8:00am to pick up Arianna, made a quick stop at McDonald's for a fast breakfast - then we were off!!
We had our own tour guide around the various static displays.
Gino was able to tell us about various thing on the airplanes. This is the F18, which is the new plane he will be working with there at Miramar.
Arianna was amazed at how big the C5 was. She said this was the biggest plane she has ever seen. We were able to walk right through the plane!
Just the guys chilling in front of one of the planes that Gino will be working on.
This is Miss Arianna inside one of the helicopters.
Of course the main draw of the day was a performance by the Blue Angels! A performance that never fails to be spectacular! It amazes me how closely they fly to one another. At times, they are flying 18 inches from one another while in formation.
There are actually two planes here. One is right side up, the other inverted!
Four planes here, 2 right side up, 2 inverted.
Can you see the water vapor on the wings of this plane? He was flying extremely fast here.
The precision at which these planes fly is truly amazing.
Just when you think, oh my gosh, they are going to crash - nope they just pass by one another!!
We then stayed for the twilight show and one of the performers was Shockley’s “ShockWave” Jet Truck with 3 jet engines attached to the back end. The jet truck had preformed earlier in the day, but the performance at night was stunning and exciting!! The F18 also came and did quite a few passes in full afterburner! That was another sight to behold (but alas - no pictures of that)!!
Then Robosaurus came and removed a car that was illegally parked on the flight line!
You can see the car here in his "hands".
The highlight of the evening (after the fireworks that rival Disneyland's) was the wall of fire. You can even see Robosaurus silhouetted here!

Guess Who Tried to Surprise Us?

2010-09-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

Gino arrived home yesterday!! Just yesterday morning I was telling Patrick that he needed to get Gino's car home (it has been sitting at his work since the minor repair work). Since the car hadn't been started in two weeks, the battery needed to be charged. Patrick said that Gino had mentioned he thought he would be home mid-October. I told him that I had a feeling and that Gino would be home in the next few days and that he was planning on surprising us. SURPRISE or not so much!!!

It is good to have you home son and working so close! Disneyland ~ here we come!

Vacation Day 2

2010-09-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

This is the view from our hotel room at 6:30 in the morning - on the 48th floor! Nice view huh! The hotel we stayed at included a free breakfast so we started our day there and then we were off and running for our daily activities. 1st up was the Super City Tour. It was a 2-hour tour and a great way to experience the city. A part of the tour we were taken through a neighborhood where you could see the effects left on the community by Katrina. We saw many homes that were in the process of being rebuilt and also vacant lots where houses have not been rebuilt. We saw many lovely homes in the garden district.

The tour bus made a stop at a cemetery. The cemeteries there in New Orleans are all above ground and they build small crypts to hold the bodies. For the most part they only hold two bodies. Interestingly enough, when you need to bury someone else in the crypt, the old body is taken out, the remains put in a bag and placed below the space for the casket and the new casket is put in. The names of those inside go on the front of the crypt. When you run out of space on the front of the crypt, the older names from the front are moved to the side of the crypt and the new names start once again on the front.

New Orleans is truly a lovely city to visit (well except for the heat and humidity). Patrick and I stopped into the Hard Rock for a drink and to enjoy the air conditioning before our next adventure began.

We then boarded another tour bus for the drive (1.25 hours) out to Oak Alley Plantation. I snapped this shot from the bus. I thought it was an interesting blend of the old and the new.

Oak Alley is an old plantation where the walk from the Mighty Mississippi is showcased by 28 (14 on each side) giant oak trees. The grounds are magnificent. We heard about the history and pageantry of the times during our tour of the plantation house. I am glad we made the drive out. It made me happy to hear that Patrick also enjoyed the plantation. I will post more pictures in a separate entry because Oak Alley gets a post all to itself!

We arrived back at the hotel in time to join the group for snacks in the Club Level Lounge on the 42nd floor. There we all relaxed and chatted before our next big adventure - the walk down Bourbon Street. Oh, my is all I can say. There is craziness at every turn. There are more gentlemen’s clubs and the like than you can shake a stick at! Second only to the bars! We saw many a (manly ladies) stumbling down the street. One such woman had her 3 friends trying to carry her away – she was that drunk. And they way she was being carried, we could tell that she was not wearing any panties!! (Oh my) We stopped to watch this performance for a few minutes. At some point her friends left her as she was making a spectacle of herself. They didn’t really go far. Scotty was watching from up the street and the friends stopped about where they were. After a few moments, they handed their purses to Scotty and asked him to hold them as they attempted to retrieve their friend once again. (Now you tell me, especially when in a strange city, would you hand your purse to a person you don’t know). They were finally able to get their friend off the street – and into another bar!! WTH?

As a group, we walked down the street, looking for a place to eat. We tried to get into Pat O’Brians, but since there were 12 of us, it would have taken an hour at least to get a table. We settled on a restaurant that was fairly empty and could sit us immediately. Umm, usually a sign and not a good one. Let’s just say that it wasn’t the best experience. Why is it that when you have a large group, the service severely declines. Go figure. After dinner the majority of the group was going to walk back to the hotel. WE decided to venture around the French Quarter some more. The night before I had seen a shop with some vintage glass bottles with cute toppers on them. I have a habit of seeing something I like, not buying it, and then wishing later that I had. So I searched for the store, found it and bought the bottle.

We passed a few bars playing live music and stayed listening at one for a set. Then the show started. The floor show included a song(?)/dance(?) featuring an older lady who had been a cabaret star many, many years ago. We stayed for two songs and decided we had enjoyed the show long enough. We ended our evening back at the hotel in the main lounge enjoying the company of the group.

Bloglines is going away

2010-09-28T11:29:00.000-07:00

I am really sad. Bloglines, the way I keep up with all the blogs I love to read, is going away. October 1st will be its last day available. :( Tell me ladies, how do you keep track of all the blogs you follow. I need a new system fast!

I still going through my pictures to post of my vacation, they will appear soon! I leave you with this picture of Lambie looking out the window of our hotel room. You can see the muddy Mississippi in the background. There is also the voodoo doll I purchased in New Orleans!

Vacation Trip - Day 1

2010-09-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

Day 1 of our vacation started with a 4:14am wake up call. Our plan was to leave the house at 5:00, pick Scotty up and off to the airport. Michelle drove with us so that she could take the car back to the house. All went well until, at the airport, I remembered that I had left my camera (gasp) at home! I called Anthony to see if Michelle had arrived at home to see if she could come back really fast with it. He said he would call as soon as she arrived. Do you know how slow the clock ticks when you are anxiously awaiting something as important as a phone call. He calls and says they will bring it right down. The clock is ticking away as we still needed to make it through security. In the 20-30 minutes ALL that took (from the phone call to delivery) I was just a bit stressed (read quite a bit stressed). THEN, when we went through security, I got one agent and went to the left side line. Patrick got a different agent and went to the right side line. He got stuck behind an elderly gentleman and there was something on him that keep setting the alarms off. He was extremely confused and they wouldn’t let his family help much. They asked him to take his belt off. He had suspenders on and when he took those off, his pants just about fell down. Poor guy. This took a just a few minutes, but it seems to be forever when you are waiting on your husband (who is 3 people behind this whole mess) and the clock is still ticking. At this point I wasn’t worried about missing the flight, I just knew that my mom would be worried about us as they had already boarded the flight and didn’t know that we were ready to get on. We were one of the last people on the flight, which is ok with me. I hate sitting in those tiny seats while the plane boards.

We arrived at the hotel about 3:30ish and what a nice hotel it was. We were on the 48^th floor with a nice view. After a bit of relaxing, we met up with the rest of the group to decide where to venture off for dinner. We chose Mother’s. A local diner and the food did not disappoint. I had the fried fish of the day and it just happened to be catfish. It was really good, almost tasted like chicken. I am sure they used the same batter for the fish as they did the chicken. My meal came with two sides. I choose the red beans and rice and the steamed cabbage. Both great choices! Kim ordered the grilled catfish and it was really good to.

Our server was Effy and she took great care of us.

Part of the group took a Haunted Walk around the French Quarter. It wasn’t from the tour company that I wanted to use, but it was the one that had the hook up from the hotel lobby desk. Our tour was a bit of a disappointment, but we did walk around a bit of the French Quarter and hear some interesting stories.

Look what I found - a lawyer voodoo doll!! I bought a generic voodoo doll!!
I was playing with the setting on my camera and this shot was taken at 8:30 at night. It was really dark and this is the shot I got. I was quite please with the shot! Legend has it that am man who had lost his fortune and the family fortune as well hung himself over where this table now sits. The restaurant experienced hauntings until they set food on this table nightly!!
Same with this shot, really dark outside and leaving the shutter open for 6 seconds allowed enough light to enter to get this shot. Legend has it that in this courtyard, a man killed his lover by chocking her and throwing her from the balcony.
I just thought this was a great shot. You can actually see this courtyard from Bourbon Street down one of the alleyways.

Arianna is now in the 4th grade

2010-09-12T16:56:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it?
Here she is with her teacher, Miss Lorraine.

September Basic Grey class

2010-09-12T15:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday, Kari and I attended our monthly Basic Grey class. We were using the Olivia line. I wasn't recall keen on the layout from Basic Grey, but these are the layouts (with slight modifications) that Rebbecca shared with us. This is a picture of Jillian, Arianna and Amara from back in 2006.
This is a picture of Glee and my grandson Dane.

Dove Evolution

2010-09-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

With all the time they spent putting make-up and styling this women, they still spent additional time in post processing editing. People need to stop believing that what they see on covers of magazines is equivelant to real life. Ladies - we are beautiful - each in our own ways.

The Many Faces of Rylee

2010-09-06T12:08:00.003-07:00

Ryan, Darleen and the kids stopped by for a visit on Sunday and to take Patrick out to celebrate his birthday. We went to the Cheesecake Factory! I took a few pictures of Rylee and that girl should be a model!She is too cute! I am feeling the need to do another layout here. Now to plan it out and print some pictures!
And what did Dane think about all this? I am not sure, but I think he thinks we are kind of goofy!!
T

Who 'dat in the Hat?

2010-09-06T11:12:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken at Disney's California Adventure in one of the gift shops. Arianna thought this was a cool hat. Obviously Grandpa Pat did too and even posed for a picture. I couldn't believe he let me take a picture with this hat on!

Publish Post

Papers are Graphic 45 from the Hollowe'en in Wonderland Collection, Prima bling and Webster's ribbon. The journaling block is an .svg file that I cut on my Cricut from Jill D Zines at Scrapdish.

Happy Labor Day

2010-09-06T08:54:00.000-07:00

Disney's 5k Family Fun Run/Walk

2010-09-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

Today was the Disney 5k Family Fun Run/Walk. I had been excited to attend this annual event for the 1st time. I work up super early (3am - too much stuff on my mind) and wondered if I really wanted to go. I would end up running alone and I didn't want to run alone.
I didn't get much sleep but decided to go anyway. The event organizers suggested a minimum of a 16 minute mile to make it to the end of the course in a timely fashion. I didn't know if I could do that - but I wanted that medal!
This is everyone at the start of the race going under the start banner. There were 4,000 runners and I was ready to be one of them. The course started at the parking garage and wound through Disneyland and ended in California Adventure.
Throughout the park there were characters and Disney cast members there to cheer you on. It was great. I passed the 1-mile marker at 17 minutes. Seeing that I probably didn't pass the start line for a minute passed the official timer (due to all the people in front of me) I thought I was doing pretty good. I passed the 2-mile marker at 31.09. Still doing good with my running and walking!
Almost done. At mile marker 3 I was at 43 minutes 40 seconds. Rounding the bin, I crossed the finish line I am estimating at just over 44 minutes!! I think the official photographer got a picture of me crossing the finish line - at least I hope it was me he got. I will know in a few days.
I did it and I have the plastic to prove it (the medal was plastic)!! I am glad I started and finished when I did. I talked to a family that finished about 5 minutes after I did and they didn't get a medal - Disney ran out! They will receive their medal only through the mail. I hope to do it again next year. The balls of my feet are really sore tonight. I think I needed to stretch more before the race.