Friday favorites

I decided to do the popular thing (LOL) today and do Friday favorites. So, here we go!

To start with, a few scrapbook items. The new Thickers, in the "Rainboots" font... need them!

The new Fancy Pants Mixed-media album:

Cute purse from Payless Shoe Source:

Love this dress, simple and elegant:

And I can't forget the red shoes!

Have a great weekend!!

~Alyssa~

Food for thought...

Today I thought I would just share a few tidbits to ponder as you go through your day. First, a quote from Dr. Suess.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

I enjoy that quote, because it makes you think about what it really means, and then when you "get it" (although I have known a few who never did!) it makes so much sense and is a valuable reminder. I don't know about you, but I can always use a reminder that the only people whose opinions I really need to worry about are those people who love me for who I am, and the ones I love. They are the ones that really matter. No more saying I am worried what "THEY" will think. Who are "THEY" anyway?

Ok, so one more thing to mention... 3 MORE DAYS till the new Scrap N' Art release! And the PageMaps reveal!! I am getting very excited...

Have a wonderful Thursday!

~Alyssa~

The sleepover update

Well, the sleepover was fun... while it lasted! Elizabeth went home around 10:30 because she was getting homesick. But before that happened, they had a great time.

Here they are eating Chicken strips, green beans, and pasta salad.


After a bubble bath, getting warm in front of the corn stove:

After brushing their teeth, they got snuggled up on the couch to watch VeggieTales.

When I put them in bed at 9:15, they read books together for 45 minutes.

At 10:00 we turned out the light (with the closet light and the nightlight still on, of course), and they were both getting tired. Then one of them started crying, and they were making each other more and more upset. Tired girls can be pretty emotional. :) So Elizabeth called her mom, who decided to come and get her. 5 minutes after hearing that her mom was on the way, Elizabeth was asleep, and Milena was only a minute or two behind.

On our next sleepover, we will aim for all night! :))

So there you have the update!

~Alyssa~

Today...

Here is a look at today in our household:

• Milena is wearing panties ALL DAY with no accidents!
• I am finished with 8 loads of laundry!
• I have had only 30 minutes to scrapbook and I got nothing at all done.
• Milena has a friend over for a sleepover (We'll see how that goes!)
• Don got a Facebook page! I started it for him while he was at work...
• I worked out
• I still have to clean the bathroom
• Elijah and I have been having an all day battle of the wills (which is why the bathroom isn't yet clean!
• I am planning to chat on Skype with Heidi tonight, I am looking forward to it.

So that is a snapshot of today. My life isn't very exciting lately, and I haven't felt like I have much to blog about. That will change next week, however, when March 1st comes and lots of my scrapbook work is available for sharing!

Check back tomorrow for an update on the sleepover, and hopefully I will have a project or two to share!

Todays encouraging word in my email from K-Love.com today is:

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
~ Ephesians 2:10, NLT

I thought that was an interesting verse to ponder today. If you have thoughts about this verse, please leave a comment and share!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Alyssa~

Sunday photos

For today, I thought I would share a few photos that have been taken recently around our house. I don't have any new scrapbook pages to show, since I have been working on the layouts and projects for the May/June Scrap N' Art. Only a few days till the March 1st release of the next issue! (Make sure you check out the layout on the cover!)

Also March first, my first feature on PageMaps in revealed! I was asked to design for one of the sketches, and I can't wait to be able to show it off. I guess March 1st is going to be a big day around here!

Now bring on the photos!

Milena learning to ride her new bike, intently concentrating:

Tuesday Again

I am enjoying a quiet day at home with the kids, but of course it is always busy with two little ones! :) Here is what is going on today.

• I am scrapping for the May/June issue of Scrap N' Art. This issue will be a stamping issue, full of crazy beautiful ideas for using some of the newest, most fabulous stamps from MANY of the top stamp companies. If you haven't subscribed already (it's free!), go to www.scrapnart.com and subscribe today. The March/April issue is nearly complete and will be released on March 1st, so don't miss it!
• I am excited about the Girls Day Out crop that I am hosting with Lydia Wiley and Kim Seldomridge. It is March 7th, and I just received the prizes from our sponsor, Scrap N' Art, and they are AWESOME! If you are anywhere close enough to come to Williamsport, IN to come, email me IMMEDIATELY to reserve your spot. :)
• More cleaning and cooking, of course, as always, and potty training, too. Milena is making progress. I predict we will be in big girl panties next week. Yipee!

Thanks for checking in!

~Alyssa~

Valentines Day!

Happy Velentines day, blog readers! Hope you are all having a wonderful, love filled day!

Just a quick post to let you know that i am still around and will be resuming more regular posts next week. Here is a quick peek at a new layout I made last week. :)

A few Monday Tidbits

Just a few little bits and pieces for you today. First, my friend and fellow Scrap N' Art Designer Heidi Kelley had this on her blog, and I want to pass it on to my readers:

An amazing scrapbook store a few minutes away from me has asked for our help girls. Please read below. I am hoping that I can get some of my scrappy friends, near and far, to donate supplies. If you would like to check out the site, it is www.ovidscrapbooking.com. All YOU need to do is gather the supplies you are no longer in need of, and ship them to me. I will take care of the rest.

If you are interested in helping, please send me an email at heidi.kelley@scrapnart.com and I will get you my address right away. Thanks for considering this ladies. I heart you all.

Footprints Girls Home in Need of Donations

A few years ago we began donating supplies to Footprints, a group home for girls who have been abused. The girls stay full time at the home to heal and recover. During their stay they they are required to work on a scrapbook daily as part of their healing process. They are allowed to scrapbook on their own and are also given projects to promote the healing process. We have recieved a call that their once overflowing room is now diminished. If you have any supplies that you would like to donate, new or used, please drop them off at the store. Thanks!!

I am sending a box to Heidi this week, please consider doing so also! This is a great cause to be supporting.

Also, if you are digi scrapper, and you haven't already, head over to http://www.scrapnart.com/ for a fabulous freebie vintage kit from Angel Pruitt. It is a fab kid full of goodies.

And one last tidbit for Monday:

Smiles,

~Alyssa~

The family update

Happy Wednesday! Since I do have a few blog readers that are now scrappers, I am back with a family update for you. I also have a new-ish layout to share, so hang with me to the end of the post!


Oh, and since I am not doing so well with these self-imposed deadlines, I have apologize again to Liz, since I did not answer your CHA question as promised. Liz asked if I was allowed to purchase items at CHA, and the answer is no. Retailers were making orders, but no money was allowed to change hands during the show. So we had to look without taking things home- talk about torture! :)

ALSO, I want to give a HUGE thank you to Nola Compton, Shannon Fritch, Mary Decker, and of course my awesome hubby Don for making this trip possible by caring for my home and children while I was away. You guys rock!


Don's job is going well. He is now in his permanent zone after rotating throught the entire campus for the last 9 months. I think he is enjoying being a little more stationary.


Nichole is not doing well at all, please continue to pray for her, that God will touch her heart and she will respond to him.


Milena is back full-swing into potty training. Yesterday she went all day with no accidents. I will be SO HAPPY when we conquer this once and for all! She is growing so fast, here are a few recent photos.




Elijah is 21 months (already?!) and growing fast also. He is talking up a storm and has entered the 2 year old testing the limits stage already. He has recently begun screaming at me when he is put in time out. (insert eye roll) We are working on that little temper already. Most of the time, though, he is sweet and loving, and thankfully not as clingy since I returned from CA.

And, as promised, a layout. This was a 20 minute layout I completed for a Pamela Young sketch. You can find the entire thread and the work the other Design Team ladies did by logging in to MySpace and finding the group "Scrapbook Challenges."

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

~Alyssa~

RAK Winner and more CHA photos

First, the winner of the RAK:

scrapbookmom79 said...
I just love the fancy pants pp it's all so super cute!!

Congrats, Larissa! Send me an email at upordown777@yahoo.com with your mailing info.

Now, on to the photos after a quick apology from being a day behind on everything this week! :)



Angel and Kae at the hotel breakfast:


Heidi and Vicki, also at breakfast:


Riding to the show in the limo provided by Candy (thanks, girl!)



Last but not least, a few palm trees!





Tomorrow I am planning a family update and hopefully a new layout or project to show.

Thansk for stopping by!

~Alyssa~

CHA Make N' Take Pics

As promised, here are the Make N' Take pics from CHA. Tomorrow is the prize drawing, so if you haven't commented in the RAK post, you have one more day! :)

This was from Plaid:


Hero Arts:


Tim Holtz:


7 Gypsies:


Last but not least, KaiserCraft:


All of these were tons of fun! I can't wait to see the new product in stores soon! :)