Old fashion fun

In a desperate attempt to get my kids off of their video games, computers, cell phones and other mind numbing devices, we have started looking for fun things we can do as a family. Jacob absolutely loved bowling. Catie didn't actually bowl, but she was there. What can I say, at 16 years old I was just happy that she was there and entertained by our great bowling skills, lol! We have also gone rollerskating, or uhm.....rollerblading. I just think that four wheels is the safer way to go. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Just my opinion.

Mood Art

click on picture to enlarge

Have you ever noticed that your artwork is a reflection of the mood you are in?? When I am completely happy and over the moon, I find myself using bright cheery colors and when it is cold and snowing outside, I head straight for the warmer colors. Well, this layout is a result of a mood I was in not to long ago. Sometimes I just put too much on my plate and I start to feel over whelmed. I started thinking that even though I am not perfect and by no means ever will be, life is good. My intentions are always in the right place. I have so much to be thankful for, take off your pity party hat!

A little while later I came across this layout by Jennifer McGuire. WOW, that is amazing! Even she has the same feelings of inadequacy every now and then. So I headed to my table for some self-therapy. That was exactly what I needed and this layout came together so easy. I don't keep a journal or a diary, but with this layout I discovered that scrapbooking is my way of "writing" my feelings down.

Sunflower Harvest

click on picture to enlarge

These are the sunflowers in the garden from last year. I took pictures of them and forgot all about them until I started planting this years garden. I found some seeds that I had saved from last years harvest and I thought it would be fun to do a layout and preserve those memories.

Jacob looks forward to planting season every year. We do a pretty good size garden with lots of different stuff. The one thing I hope my kids take away from me is that you can never take more from this earth than you give back. Nothing goes to waste! We try to use as much as possible, everything from the chicken manure, egg shells, veggie trimmings and the plants themselves go into the composter and in return it gives us black gold that goes right back into the garden.

My hope is that many years from now when my kids have kids and their kids have kids, they will enjoy looking at these memories that I have captured of our life. And it would be really cool if they could take something from it, like those sunflower seeds and plant them and grow their own memories.

On a roll

Wowzer, is this really my third post in less than a week??? I have been on a roll lately! I wouldn't say that my mojo is back, it's more like it comes and goes.

I had a completely different vision for this card when I started it. I just could not get it to turn out the way I saw it in my head, I guess that happens sometimes, lol. I spent way to much time fiddling with it and just decided it is what it is! My bff liked it none the less and I didn't mention the many hours it took me to get it done.

Cardstock; Crystal Blue, Chocolate, Creme Brulee, Caprice Paper pack

Misc. flowers, baubles, white ribbon from my stash that I dyed with Creme Brulee re-inker,

Fiskars corner rounder, machine sewing and chocolate ink pad

It's been a hoot!

I L-O-V-E owls and have been in heaven ever since they became popular again! This stamp set from Close To My Heart is one of my very favorite ones............aren't these little guys cute??? The card on the left is for a friend, I just felt like making her a card! It simply says "Just wanted to say Hello" on the inside. The Thank You card on the right is for Jacob's teacher and on the inside it says "It's been a Hoot".

Cardstock; Misc. solid color for base, Close To Cocoa, Colonial White and Bloom & Grow by My Minds Eye

Cocoa and Bamboo ink, CTMH buttons, ribbon from my stash, Fiskars border punch, the Coluzzle and Copic markers.

Father's Day Card

Here is the Father's Day card we did in the club this month. It was a huge hit and oh-so cute!!! I can't wait to give it to Eric since he already got his present a little early. I am making one for my dad too.......it's a nice change from the ordinary kinda card.

All supplies are Close To My Heart

Where does time go????

Yes, I know I have been a bad blogger lately!!! I don't have anything crafty to share because I haven't been to my scrapping corner in a looooong time. Part of the reason is that my mojo left and I can't find it! The other reason is that we have just been plain busy around here.

For anyone that doesn't know, I have been on a mission to lose weight. The pounds just kept sneaking up on me over the years and I couldn't take it anymore. I became VERY conscious of what I ate and I got active. I work out with a personal trainer once a week and make an effort to do something physical every day. My efforts have paid off because I have lost 50 pounds since January!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!!!I still can't wrap my mind around what 50 extra pounds felt like. I am very proud of myself to say the least!!!

Anyhow, I have some pictures to share of some of the things we have been up to in the last two weeks.

Pismo Beach

It was cold and windy, but we didn't care. Any day at Pismo is a good day!

Please excuse the bad hair and no makeup, lol.

Jacob and his sand castle.

Me on the beach

The new baby chicks!!! They are the cutest little things.

Jacob on Easter in the back yard.

Catie on Easter in the wild flowers.

Jacob's first time bowling. He did really good too!