Friday, June 29, 2007

As promised....

I'm back today with some new product previews!

I like to create things that give people a little time, take some stress out of their day....help them to get 'er done....

This huge collection has 20 templates!!! They are a perfect start to any layout and take some of the brain work out of layout design! Make them your own with your favorite papers and embellishments - get straight to the fun part!!!! Remember, they can be rotated and flipped - so the possibilities are endless! Create an album in a snap!
.
....and....


The Big Pic is my next 2pager set! I have to admit, I'm addicted to these! Event layouts were so overwhelming to me, there are so many pictures that all tell the story....and where to put them! ack! But, with these templates, I just choose my favorites and plug them in! Plus, this set includes fun photo curls!!! This set does include some extra page design (unlike my previous set) however you can easily turn off these layers and just use the photo arrangement!
.
Ashley did the layout in my preview. Didn't it turn out cute!! All the stuff in both preview layouts can be found over at pdp - just go to the template description for credits.
.
Plus, to make the deal a little sweeter - pdp is having a store wide template SALE!!!! You can get these brand new sets for 25% off!!!! Stock up now for all your summer layouts!!!
.
AND don't miss the HUGE retirement sale! Over 200 products at 60% off for only 2 weeks...then they're GONE!

.
Abigale and I are actually going to stay HOME today! Whew, it sad, but I'm looking forward to just relaxing and maybe getting some laundry done! It looks like more rain is coming in, so maybe it will soothe Abigale for a nice long nap this afternoon....I think we BOTH need that!!
Have a fun day!





Thursday, June 28, 2007

Another busy week!

I've been teasing my friend Ashley, "Don't you know, I don't stay home during the summer!!" As much as I joke, it's really true. I feel like Abigale and I are out doing something EVERY DAY!!! It's all fun stuff, meeting friends for lunch, trips to the pool, library story time, Little Gym, picnics and walks over to the park. Something about summer springs me into action and I feel like we should be enjoying every minute. Don't cha know - the less you sleep, the longer summer lasts!!!

One thing I love about story time is not only does Abigale have a great time and an opportunity to see some kids - but it puts me at the library once a week. So, my library books are actually being returned on time! I am a little worried that the library will not be able to run without my financial support! Ok, I'm not that bad, it's just I'm notorious for returning things one to two days late!

Another thing I love about the library is FREE DVD rentals! It's hard to get a new release, but perfect stuff for Abigale. This week her request was a "Tiger" movie. We were able to find a "Between the Lions" DVD and she was willing to settle. Generally, the way it's been working is she tells me what she's interested in (last week it was trains) and we find a DVD and a few books. We were in a hurry, so I didn't grab a tiger book, but we have some here. I'm curious to see what next week's pick is! :)

Now since I've been so busy, that means my house work has been totally neglected...so one more thing before I force myself off the computer...



A HUGE retirement sale is running over at Polkadotpotato! Lots of stuff at 60% off!! Some items are as low as 40 cents!!!!

Check it out, because when it's gone, it's GONE!
Be sure to check back tomorrow, I'll have some new products up and another announcement you won't want to miss!!!

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Rain Rain Go Away!!!

The amount of rain we have had lately is just out of control! I drove home in some flash flood type conditions and it was not pretty! Although it's keeping the heat down, it's getting a bit old!

Yesterday I took advantage of the rainy day and did a little scrapping! I've actually had time to do a few pages lately, but I only have 2 posted, so I'll just share those for now!

This first layout is from a recent zoo trip! We go to the zoo more often than most people...so I think I'm running out of ways to scrap it! :) I used one of my Crafty Corners templates, they were available for the Potato Bar, but will soon be available as a set over at PDP if you missed them.



Click here for credits or comments

I decided I wanted to scrap the Ta Da story while it was still fresh in my mind. If you missed it, please read the previous blog post!! I used a new kit by Sarah Jones and Miss Honey Bunny - Twinkle and Sparkle.



Click here for credits or comments

I am fast at work on a few new templates for Polkadotpotato - so look for them on Friday!!!

And on a side note - I don't know what is up with my child. This morning I found her slathering lotion all over herself AND THE FLOOR!!! Except this time it wasn't the 99cent variety, it was Happy perfume lotion! I don't know what I'm going to do with this girl!

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Ta-da!

I assure you - you'll understand my title eventually!

It's been a crazy week around our household! Abigale's schedule has been a little off and she's been pushing the limits and a little cranky while doing it. Otherwise it's been a good week. Here's a little run down..

Monday - Robbie and I rented a movie Eragon (I say skip it, but Robbie really liked it) about half way through the movie we hear a guuuuuuuuuush. Yup, that would be Abigale's BRAND NEW container of "No More Tangles" spray being poured allllll over her Little Tykes car. (Which was in our living room only able to more a few feet in any direction to begin with!) So, there has been tangled hair and tears during every brushing this week.

Tuesday - We have an appointment to go to and Abigale is happily "playing" in the living room, so I sneak off to my room to get ready. It was nice, I had uninterrupted time to get dressed, fix my hair - even touch it up a bit with the curling iron, put on a little makeup.....I really never have time to get that far without Abigale at least streaking across the room - so at this point I know something MUST be up. I walk into the living room and Abigale is proudly smiling at her car and then to me, stretches out her hands, and says Ta-Da!!! Yup, that would be her car covered in FOOT LOTION! Every little bit, she took care to even get into the nooks and little details - all covered. Not to mention there were globs all over her little body! It was a laugh or cry moment....so I grabbed the camera. What else was I to do, she was so very proud of herself and even eager to pose for the photos. I did discuss with her that foot cream is not for the car, although now it is shiny and as soft as a baby's butt. ;) I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't happen again. So - with only about 10 min to spare, I wiped her and the car down, get her dressed, and surprisingly we were out the door and on time!




Robbie took us out to dinner that night at one of our favorite Mexican food restaurants. Abigale was really well behaved and we even went over to Half-Price books to browse. She got a collection of "The Little Train Who Could" stories, and I got a Christian Fiction book themed around Pirates on the clearance section. I'm almost half way through the book and I can see why it made it's way to the clearance shelf - so a little disappointed, but at least it was a different read.

Wednesday - Library story time - the theme was animals, colors, and mosaics. Abigale made a cute little project where she filled in a drawing with color squares that were cut from paint samples. She asked me to draw her a train and did really well filling the squares in on her own! I should take a picture of her artwork.... While at the library, her request was for a Thomas book and a Thomas movie. (Imagine that, are you seeing a theme here???) Thank goodness we were able to find both!

She was really restless for the rest of Wednesday, it was a long day. We did go to the park for a while before sunset and I even got some great pictures, but otherwise it was a loooooooong day!

Thursday - Little Gym - Abigale is now in the last parent/child class so although I'm still in the room - she's expected to do it on her own. The parents sit against the "Big Yellow Wall" and the children stay with the teacher. When needed we join in and help keep them into the sequence they're learning, but otherwise our job is to sit back and allow our children to become more independent. At times I'm a little sad to do this, I want to hold on to her for a bit longer - but I'm also so proud when I see her following the directions and trying things on her own. I saw her do a bear crawl and a sideways walk down a pair of rails, something she's never done on her own before!!

After the Little Gym, we went to a pool with a friend from the class. It was such a fun place with lots of splash area for the little ones. The water was maybe ankle or a tad higher on me. Abigale had a fun time, plus they had a "choo" train!



Friday we went to Concert in the Park with the Thompsons. So fun! We packed a picnic dinner, brought blankets and lawn chairs, and had a good time! Although we ended up near the back, we were right at the isle break - so it was like the front row of that section. This worked out really well for the girls, more room to move (and dance). It was a pops concert with science fiction/fantasy movies and a big emphasis on Star Wars after the intermission. Lots of John William's music. Really entertaining, I think everyone enjoyed it! A laser show took place during the Star Wars music and the show ended in Fireworks. Abigale enjoyed the fireworks until they scared Ashley, then Ashley started screaming, which scared Abigale and she started crying. So, needless to say, the fireworks didn't go over so well.

The Potato Bar just wrapped up. It was a great few weeks, so many fun things on it! If you missed any of my templates...several will be repackaged into sets soon, so look for them in the store in the next few weeks. :)

Abigale is just waking up, so I guess I should close this up!

Have a great day!

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Yay Potato Bar!!!!

So our trip to the Apple store was relatively uneventful. One sales person talked to us and made me feel like I was an idiot for having ever used a PC. I mean, seriously, we were in the Mac store because we were interested....not because we needed some kind of Mac conversion. Anyway, he did answer some questions - but he was a little too....I don't know...aggressive for me. Plus, in the middle of this, Abigale decides she's going to give directions as to where she wants her stroller pushed AND any time I was directly talking to the sales guy, she would pipe in, "that's MY mama!" Not in a way that was upsetting, just wanted to remind him..over...and over...and over again.

So, needless to say, we did not leave with a Mac, which wasn't going to happen anyway... but I think Robbie was a little crushed. (Sorry Robbie!)

oh and Laura, I don't mean to say that Cici's is low quality (cough) but this other place taste a little more from scratch..... ;) :)

Ok, and now before I head off to bed...because it is 1:40 after all...my snazzy Potato Bar preview!



Don't forget, the Potato Bar is only running for THREE days! :) There over 200 things to browse through, so grab a snack! :)

Enjoy!

Monday, June 18, 2007

Weekend Wrap Up

What a busy weekend!!!! We hosted church on Sunday, Father's Day, so Saturday was spent cleaning, designing, and trying to deal with a head ache! (yes another one!) Church was great on Sunday and we had lunch with our church family at a local pizza place that is similar to a Cici's but much better quality for the same low price! It was nice spending time with them - conversation is always so easy and we always have a good time.

Robbie loved his Father's Day present. He is now the proud owner of a pair of tan crocs! After months of him teasing about (and secretly jealous of...) my crocs, we got a pair for him. :) Abigale was so funny, she put the present in her little shopping cart and wheeled it around calling him saying, "Daddy, come on, I've got a present for you!!!!". What a mess! ;) :) I'll have to update with some pictures later!

Sunday evening we visited with our good friends the Thompsons. Robbie and Kevin picked out Chicken Express for dinner - Daddy's choice. :) Crystal and I scrapped *ok I didn't scrap...I was frantically finishing up stuff for the Potato Bar* while the guys messed around with the computers ALL NIGHT . We tried to wait out the rain, but eventually we just had to make a run for it - the roads were so flooded, I've never seen them so bad! It looks like we're in for another day of rain today too!

Ok, so I gave you the message that the Potato Bar is coming, well now Ashley has a little sneak peak slide show on her blog. There are almost *200* items for the special!!! I have a few things I'm finishing up on - but I should have at least 10 new items!

Today is Robbie's day off...and his heart's desire is to go to the Apple store... I think I may be in trouble!

Have a great Monday! :)

Friday, June 15, 2007

...and my other new product!

Sorry, it was extremely too late for me to pop back in with my other preview! But, I have it now PLUS both new products are on sale over at Polkadotpotato TODAY!!!

Introducing...Board Shorts!



8 fun 12x12 templates ready to scrap your vacation or any event! I couldn't wait to scrap with them, so here is a little page I finished up last night from our cruise in May!



I also used my Funky Fourth Kit and the new Summer Travel Rub Ons!

Also, while I'm on PDP news - Ashley extended the print special - so you can still get a FREE 6x6 with every 12x12 for a few more days!!!

Plus.....just a heads up, the Potato Bar is coming!!!! Tuesday through Thursday of next week you'll find some fantastic 99 cent buys!!! Remember, this isn't a clearance area for what's in the store right now - it's special limited time only buys - so if you miss it, it may be gone forever!

Whew, that was a lot of scrapping news!

I have a rainy day here with some house cleaning ahead of me! Rainy days tend to make Abigale a little hyper...so I'm hoping for some cooperation (and a little scrapping time this afternoon wouldn't hurt either!!!)

Have a great day!!!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Sneak Peek #1

Coming tomorrow to pdp....this fun rub on set! :)



It's a HUGE set - 48 pieces with dates from '01 to '12 and arrows in day 1 to 14, plus lots of other fun stuff! PLUS it'll be on sale tomorrow! Can't beat that! :)

I think the fun thing is that even though it has a "summer" travel theme - there are lots of run ons that could be used all year around!

Ok, back to work for me! :)

Insert clever title here....

Is it Thursday already?? Seems like the week has flown by!

Abigale is happily cleaning up her toys in the living room, singing the clean up song, and doing all of this without any suggestion from me. I don't think it will last long...or even last long enough to clean the room...but at least it looks like something I'm doing is sticking - and that my friends is what I call progress! :)

I have a couple of new releases in the works for tomorrow at pdp - I'll come back with a little preview when I get the actual previews done - that's on the list for tonight!

I'm so excitied about the new season of "So You Think You Can Dance!" I love watching people trying new things - maybe I'm just a little envious because I *wish* I could dance! The results show is tonight - it's too early for me to pick favorites - so I'm just curious to see how Week 1 pans out!

I have a bit of a headache today (again - seems like I've had one everyday for two weeks) so I'm hoping to take some meds and have a stress free night!!! Until later!

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Tuesday Thoughts...

We got in from Houston yesterday evening to a messy cluttered house. I hate coming home to a dirty house, makes me feel overwhelmed! I always *plan* to do a quick clean of the kitchen and living room before we head out...but it never fails, I become overwhelmed by packing or finishing up some last minute project...and the house cleaning is forgotten. I've been working on it this morning though, and I've at least made a little progress!

Do you ever feel like you have so many things running in your head...that you just know you're going to forget one, or even have problems knowing where to begin? It's been like that for me lately - I've had lots of inspiration in product design, layouts, projects - but limited time to actually get any of it started.

Then, at the same time, I've been thinking about all those layouts I have 3 months to work on....then I start thinking about all the kits I've bought, unzipped, and stored on my hard drive.... and my head starts spinning!

OK, so all that being said, I've put myself on a spending freeze (although I really am very careful with how much I spend...it's hard drive space that's the problem) and I am setting some goals.... I'd like to use at least 2 kits a week that are setting on my laptop hard drive...and then move them off to an external to free up space. Hopefully that will kill 2 birds with one stone! Knock down my to scrap list and free up some space!

At least I'm pretty caught up on printing!!!! OH - in case you haven't seen, www.polkadotpotato.com is running a printing special! Each 12x12 comes with a FREE 6x6! This is a great deal, perfect if you print 6x6 brag books to give as gifts or take to work...or even for the kids!

I'm determined to keep on track with this messy house...so I'm kicking myself off this blog and back to the laundry!!!!

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Busy Weekend!

So I made it through Friday, dispite my very energetic toddler!

She's such a hoot, definately developing a mind of her own and the need to make her OWN decisions. Perfect example - here is our conversation while trying to pin her down to fix her hair:

Me: Hey you, we need to fix your hair!
A: While running away, "No, it's fine!"
Me: How about a pony tail?
A: NO!
Me: How about pig tails?
A: NO!!!
Me: Okay, you MUST get your hair out of you eyes, what do you want?
A: After some thought..."Cow Tail!"

So I agreed to do a cow tail, which ended up being hair clipped back, and she sat happily letting me do it...crazy I tell you! :)

Friday afternoon I went by Ashley's home (of www.polkadotpotato.com) and picked up some prints. They are GREAT!!! Feels good to have some of my most recent pages printed, some of them aren't even in my gallery!

However, it also hit me that Abigale will the THREE in THREE short months! Her birthday is always my deadline for having the majority of her book done. I'll always be working out of order, here and there, but I like to have it printed and on display for her birthday party, so that people can look at how she's grown and the quirky little things she's done throughout the year. So, I better get busy!!!!!

Abigale also had a great time playing with Ashley's girls and gave Ashley and I a chance to chit chat!

Then, we picked up Robbie at the dart station and headed to Laura's. The guys had a daddy daughter night so that Laura and I could meet up with some friends from high school. It's amazing how fast the past 11 years have flown by!!!! It was so nice to have some girl time, catching up and laughing together. I was truly blessed to have a great group of girls to grow up with! Hopefully now that we're through college and all the normal adjusting to adulthood we'll be able to get together more often like this!

So Laura has already joked that I haven't talked about what happened on the WAY to the restaurant.... There is something aout being in the car with Laura - it has ALWAYS been this way, regardless of who drives.....we just can't go anywhere without at least 2 u-turns! We have gotten lost more times than I can even count! We had quite a bit of a turn around trying to get the the restaurant on Friday - it wasn't visable from the street...and the map was directing us to the middle of the highway (we assumed that wasn't right!). So, I'm not sure what the solution is...duct tape over our mouths? But I will say, we always end up at our destination....just not always on time!

And as if I wasn't busy enough on Friday...Ashley and I met up in Arlington for the Great American Scrapbooking Convention. We just browsed through the exhibits and brainstormed a few cute ideas for upcoming Spud Club projects!

Okay, that pretty much wraps it up for now!

Friday, June 08, 2007

Is there an off button...

for this toddler?

She is seriously bouncing off the walls (and ME!)...it's going to be a long day!

Just thought I would share a layout I scrapped yesterday. I haven't posted it in any of my galleries yet, so I'll update with proper credit later!



Click here for layout credits or to leave a gallery comment! :)

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Okay, okay, I get it!

I'm back, after a small (ok huge) break from dear old blog! :)

Robbie has been after me to start posting again, I think he enjoys reading it at work... almost as if he's spying on what Abigale and I are doing while he's out of the house! :)

At any rate, I guess it's time to do some updating. I changed the template a bit, so I lost my festive fall header...but it really is time for something new anyway!

I make no promises to how often I'll update, but it is nice to have a little record of our daily happenings...the things that don't always make it to the scrapbook until the memory is a little more faint!

It's time to get dinner on the table, I made a roast Robbie wanted so badly that he called his mother and asked her to email the directions. (We *did* have the recipe, but somehow it disappeared...I have a bad feeling it ended up in a pile of junk mail and was thrown out on accident! :( ) I plan to put this copy in a safe spot...and enjoy a big plate for dinner!

Until later!

me :)