I hope we have fun on this upcoming vacation, because it sure is a lot of work to get ready for it! I have notified the teachers and turned in the required form, gotten my work shift covered, planned Owen's birthday party, and now we have to get some projects done before we leave. The third grade is having a holiday craft fair, so each of them has to make 18 crafts to sell. The money will go to charity. I think it's a fun idea, and luckily we will have this week/weekend to get them done so we won't have to rush to do it when we get back. I have started on a packing list and I don't think I have to get much more besides sun screen and bug spray. I want to bring my e-Reader, but I need to see if I can find a cord that plugs into the wall to recharge it. We aren't planning on bringing computers, so I need to find another way to charge it, along with Owen's iPod. Not an emergency on either count, but it would be nice to get the cords for future trips, also.

For the first time since September, we actually had nothing going on today. Baseball and soccer are done! Scot and I decided to go see a movie, like we used to do back before sports started. Sadly, even the afternoon matinee shows are now getting pricey, but it's still something we like to do. We saw Red, which was entertaining. I also want to see The Social Network, but I think at this point I'll just wait for video. It's not one that really needs to be seen on the big screen. I'm sure we'll go see Harry Potter on the big screen, though, although not right when it opens since it will probably be crowded.

For some reason, Declan has suddenly realized that he can read chapter books to himself, too, so he's had his nose buried in a book for the last couple days. He is reading some Magic Tree House books and I got him some of those Black Lagoon chapter books. Owen already devoured the newest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book in one night. He was so proud of himself for sleeping in until 9:15 this morning, since he stayed up until 10:30 reading last night!

Scrapbooking Day

Today is National Scrapbooking Day, which is being celebrated all over digiland. However, I was not home most of the day so a majority of the festivities passed me by. There are a lot of sales, games and contests in all the forums, so it can be really fun, if you are around! lol I did enter a few contests here and there, but didn't have a chance to do any Bingo games or any of that.


I had orchestra rehearsal this morning, and then Declan had his last soccer game and a party afterwards. The kids had a lot of fun at the house of one of his teammates that was hosting the party. They had a zipline in their backyard, plus a basketball hoop, so they were kept very busy. Oh, and Declan had a little field trip for Tiger Scouts in the morning, so we had a pretty busy day. It should all be slowing down soon! We have no more sports practices during the week now, so what will we do with all that free time? I can't wait to find out!


Here are some recent layouts:

Using Take a Chance by Spinky Dink Scraps:


Using Silver Peony by Sherwood Studio:

Using Straight From the Heart by the PDW Designers:

Sherwood Studio

I am so excited to see the Sherwood Studio store at The Digichick. This is the designer formally desigining under the name Julie. It is. Julie is a local designer, and I even got to meet her once for some scrapping time. I use her kits a lot for my camping photos, but they work well for any layout since she has a lot of variety.

Here is a layout I did recently using Licorice Parfait:



And another using Colorado Cliffs:

Well, it seems October is going by fast, I guess because we are fairly busy lately! Today Owen had a 9:00 a.m. soccer game in Longmont, and then Declan had a morning game, also. We came home for a quick lunch before heading out to Declan's roller skating party. I think it went well overall, although some of the kids had never skated before and some took it more than others! After the party, we came home again for a brief time. Declan was able to play with some of of his new toys, but then we had to head out to the Rapids game. I enjoy watching soccer, so I liked it, but it was pretty loud the kids were up later than they probably should have been considering we had an early start to the day! Tomorrow are the last baseball games. I think Declan is sad about that, but Owen is ready to be done with it since he struck out again last week. We may do Declan's family birthday tomorrow night since Monday we have soccer practice and one of those high school trick-or-treat things to go to. He picked Qdoba for his birthday dinner, and I just need to make him a cake. I also need to figure out something to give him for his birthday!

It seems like there are a lot of changes lately for my digital scrapping teams. One of my favorite designers is changing stores and her name, from Julie. It is. to Sherwood Studios. I can't wait for her new store at the DigiChick to open! A couple other designers are taking a break and I resigned from a couple teams, so I am cutting back a little. I still have plenty of great kits to work with, though! Here are some recent layouts:
Using Moonlit Beach by Starving Artist Designs:

Using Country Hayride by Spinky Dink Scraps:

Using Harbistoz by Jen Maddocks Designs (another local designer!)

Using Noteworthy by Digital Designs by Athena:

Welcome to my stop on the Blogtrain! You can get my part by clicking on the paper bag image below! Create a layout with the items in the trick or treat bags and post it in the PDW gallery you will be entered in a drawing for a $15.00 Gift Certificate to the store! Winners will be announced Halloween Night.




1. PDW Blog
2. PDW facebook page
3. Southern Creek Designs blog
4. Donna
5. Lori
6. Susie
7. Jemy <----You are Here
8. Katers
9.Lynn
10. Marla
11. Kimeric
12. Becki
13. Vicki
14. Sondra
15. ScrapDZines

Battle of the Creative Teams

I am participating in the Battle of the Creative Teams Contest for Pixiemama Designs.

If you are inclined to vote for our team, here is the link.
Thank you!

There are five of us on the team, and we each had to do a layout using whatever Pixiemama kit we wanted following a specific recipe. Here's mine: