Today we went to Elitch's for a little while. Since we have season passes, we don't feel the need to stay forever and get our money's worth, which is nice! It was not warm enough for the water park, so we just did the rides. The kids tried a new ride, the big swings, which they really liked. I tried to get them on it last year, but they didn't want to, even though it's a mellow ride. Owen keeps saying he wants to try and wooden roller coaster, but I'm not sure he's ready for that yet! Luckily I like all rides, so I will go with him if he does really want to go. I went on a big ride while Scot took the kids on the swings again. It was fun, but I didn't feel great afterwards. I am so mad that I can't seem to handle that kind of stuff anymore. It must be an age thing, but that doesn't make me feel better about it...

I also did a night owl speed scrap last night. It was at a perfect time for me, after the kids were in bed and so there were no distractions.

I joined a contest at Stuff to Scrap called This Scrapper's Got Talent. I don't know how long I will last before elimination, but it's always fun to try these little contests. Our topic for week 1 was to scrap about ourselves using only 1-2 photos, using the words I am somewhere, and not having any complete sentences in our journalling. It is not my favorite topic and I have already done a couple "me" layouts for some kit releases, but I had a new photo to work with from New York, so I decided to focus on the one part of me that never seems to change!



I also had my first foray into hybrid scrapping, which means combining digital with paper. I used a template to make this bag digitally, printed it out on photo paper, and assembled it. You could also print out the template onto patterned cardstock and do it that way, but it was fun to put different papers on the sides of the bag.

Sugar Pie Scraps has a sale going on this weekend only! Here store is here.

Roof is done, and most of the gutters. They are coming back tomorrow to finish up. In the meantime, I have managed to get some layouts done after getting back from New York.

I finally scrapped our stop at Real Goods a couple years ago on the way to Monterey, using Sonny by Brittbree:


These are recent photos of our harbor cruise in NY, using Adventure by Julie. Itis.


This is from one of the displays at the Biosphere, using Wish I Was Here by Geek Chic:


These are old pool pics from a trip to Pittsburgh, using Bubble Bath Buddies by Flower Scraps:

It looks like our new roof will be going on tomorrow or Friday, and then the gutters. I am glad it all worked out and went pretty smoothly with the insurance and everything. I had to spend some time at the bank trying to deposit the check since it was written to us and the mortgage company, but that is finally done. I took the day off from work to watch field day at school, but after lunch I was pretty tired of walking back and forth between the kindergarten and 2nd grade events, so I took off to take care of the bank thing instead. Things are winding down for school so soon we will be able to relax into our summer routine. Owen is signed up for a one week art class that will deal with mythology, and Declan is signed up for the baseball class he wanted. Now Owen says he wants to try basketball, so I'll see if there's a class available for beginner level. He really doesn't do great with competitive situations, but if he wants to try it, I will sign him up and see how it goes! Hopefully the library will have a fun summer reading program, and we also have our Elitch passes, so I think we will have plenty to keep us busy.

I ended up downloading some free photo actions a couple days ago, and I can see why people are so addicted to them. They are so fun! On this layout of Declan, I used an action that turns the photo black and white, except for any blue. Then you can pick what shade of blue you want.



I even used an action on this photo which basically just brightens it up a little. This all happens with the press of a button. Too cool!



Owen is really wanted in iPOD touch for himself. After researching it, I'm afraid I will want one, too, but I guess I can always play with his while he's at school. lol

You can find her store here!

On a personal note, someone is coming to look at the roof tomorrow to see if we can turn in a claim for hail damage from that freaky storm we got last summer. I also have small group practice for the jazz pieces we are performing for the upcoming orchestra concerts in June. I need to run through those pieces in the morning!

Happily, my mom is arriving Saturday, and then we are heading out to New York on Wednesday. I can't wait! I have been really lucky with lots of fun trips this year so far.

Since the soccer tournament was cancelled, we are going to sign up for the Run With Rocky school fundraiser. We also have student-led conferences, book fair, field day, and a bunch of field trips coming up. I have a feeling May will go by in a blur!

Despite all the craziness of iNSD, I did manage to make a couple layouts. I have a ton of new kits to work with. I bought some during the sales, but I also won a lot with all the contests going on.



Sugar Pie Scraps put our a kit called Nana and Me. I was excited since you don't see much Nana word art in kits!



These are some older photos from the Arvada Kite Festival. I used Where the Wind Blows by Geek Chic and Graham Like the Cracker.



This was done using Serendipity by Julie. It is. and a template by Scraps of Candy.



I had fun with this one, using Ocean Breeze by Southern Creek Designs. This was for a speed scrap that was at 10 p.m. my time. Finally a time where I could participate without distractions!



This was using the kit All About Me by Pixiemama Designs. I don't really scrap myself very much, so it was a challenge!

Laurie Scraps is having a 40% off sale at her store and at Digital Scrap Cafe!



She has some cool kits and templates. Her CT call is tempting!