NOTE: this is an ALL family post, so if that isn’t your thing, you may want to skip it. I am really happy with the way things went so I’m sharing it!

Well I DID it! I was able to accomplish my goal of getting our family (Christmas) photos done BEFORE Halloween!!! Last time we had our photos done I did this, and SWORE I would always go before Halloween. The problem is the time creeps up on you, and this was already a busy week. BUT I made it a priority, and we got it done! Gotta love the TO DO list

Also if you kids are a wee bit older, you can ask for a later evening time to ensure you are in and out. Most younger kids are in bed! If you go during the day it can be busy with babies and toddlers, so keep that in mond. I’m by no means a photographer, and don’t know if this is all exzsctly true, but it is my personl expierienc as a parent, from getting my children’s photos over the last DECADE!

 Going before Halloween is so much less busy, there are good deals, and you get your stuff MUCH quicker!! People aren’t thinking CHRISTMAS yet!

The DOWNSIDE to going BEFORE Halloween is you can’t get any Christmas backgrounds, so if that is your THING then you will want to wait! I didn’t want a Christmas themed bkgd since these are going on my walls, so I just dressed us in cheery holidayish colors!

Photo Tips:Now they tell you keep clothing SOLID, darker colors are best, and LONG sleeves, so it doesn’t distract from your face!

SO for the first time we gave Target a try! I have to say I was impressed!

We had a coupon and paid no sitting fee, only $3.99 a sheet and got a FREE 8 X 10 !

Funny thing happened: When I was picking out photos I kept saying “I’ll take that in 81/2 X 11″-and the woman was like “You mean 8 X 10? ” I’d say “Yeah that is what I meant!”, then I’d do it again. I had to apologize and tell her I kept thinking about cardstock sizes and that is ALWAYS the measurement that pops into my head! LOL!

 With the coupons we saved $150!! We ended up buying like $130 worth of photos! LOL! So we saved more than we spent, and given the fact we haven’t had photos done in like 2 years that isn’t bad at all! All I know is if Jay doesn’t have a heart attack, its a good deal!

The camera was a Nikon like mine! I kept telling Jay I NEED that lens she had for Christmas! LOL!

Another PLUS: For ONLY $4.99 you can buy the online service that allows you to legally share your photos online, email them to family/friends, post them as your screensaver…..all sorts of stuff, which is nice!

Now I am going to share ALL my photos here (legally!) I have to admit it was REALLY weird seeing myself with DARK SHORT hair! It looked really nice when we left the house, but it was raining (GRR!) and they had NO mirror! Oh well. The kids looked good, so that is all that matters.

Since the kids are all older it went really well. OH! That and we did promise them each a box of candy if they cooperated! I’ll be honest, with three kids I am NOT above bribery!! A mom has to do, what a mom has to do! Plus we don’t celebrate Halloween, so they won’t be getting loads of candy this weekend.

So without further delay here we go!

 Family Photo 1

Jay & Noah have the SAME sweater on! Amber and Alexa are dressed the same too. I always like to make them match!

Me, Im just in a black shirt. Trying to blend!

Family Photo 2

Family Photo 3

OK so I think this was the one we got for our Christmas cards and Im totally kickin myself! I loved the one just above this! GRR! It was HARD to see on their screen and they couldn’t put them side by side. Once I got home and could access them online I saw I liked the one above this! Oh well.

I’m going to call anyway this morning and see if we can change it. EEK!

Family Photo 4

I liked this one, but wasn’t a fan of us on our knees. We look strange! Maybe if we CROP it!

This was very funny……

I thought this one was SOOOOO cute! The kids got a kick out of it too.

The woman said it should be our Christmas card, but I want people to SEE the kids faces, and NOT gross them out too! LOL!

Jay & I

Who is that with my husband! LOL!

It isn’t often we have a photo of Jay and I

Now we have our trio

Then this is where they try to make you go for broke……..

This would be $30!! Thankfully I wasn’t a fan of the framed images, and heck, I am creative, I can make my own collage!

Here is Alexa

I LOVED this photo of her. I was really proud of her that she smiled and kept her chin up! We ONLY got this one close up because the second after this shot was taken, a tear streamed down her face! She is VERY shy and having a stranger in her face made her scared and SAD! Poor girl! So we let her off the hook. 

Now we get back to the UP-SELL. The woman saw how much I loved this photo…..

Talk about pulling on mom’s heart strings! I felt bad saying NO! But it gave me a FAB idea for making my own

 I love this photo of her because it is a genuine Alexa smile She is doing so well, I couldn’t feel more blessed.

Now we have Noah

How did he get so OLD? He will be 7 on November 13th! He is a whole head taller than Alexa (who is 10) I can totally see him as a TEEN here! He is in the CHEESY smile phase, but she did a good job getting him to really laugh.

Here is his close up

Love the toothless smile!

Last but not least, Amber

I think she could have just posed and posed forever. The woman suggested I bring her back for her own photo day! LOL!

You can tell she doesn’t feel good in this one. What a cute lil face.

Then her close up….

She actually does this head tilt thing on her own alot when she wants something, so I thought it was really cute.

I really loved ALL the close up photos she did.

I’m not doing School photos since they come out TERRIBLE, cost $15 for ONE sheet, and don’t make your child look good at all. Last year Noah had a FAB smile but they layered him on a NEON blue bkgd! I paid for GRAY she claimed that was the correct color from what I ordered. Apparently SOMEONE is color blind, and I know it isn’t ME! That one just went into the drawer!

SO once these come in I will be changing our frames.

Thanks for letting me ramble on Its not often we get group photos done. I should TRY to go more often. These years REALLY fly by so quickly. Before I know it I will be asking for photos of my grandkids!

Tomorrow I’ll have some eyecandy for you.

Thanks for stopping by.

But it was time for a BIG change!!!!  This is me today. I took this just this morning.

Although this was NOT really what I had in mind

Prepare yourself for a story people!

I’m dying to hear what my mom thinks too! I know Im going to hear that I look JUST like her!

I don’t think ANYONE who knows me would recognize me!!! In fact taking the kids to school I got the TRIPLE take! Even the girl at Dunkin Donuts was in shock!

I have ALWAYS been Blond! Until I turned 13! My hair got darker, and I was so upset. My mom let me dye it from then on, so I have never really had dark hair.  Well, until now.

I’m not sure WHAT my issue has been lately, but I have been saying I need a change! I’ve still kept up with exercising and take care of myself, and I love getting new clothes, but that hasn’t been enough. I don’t want to look back on photos and see I look the SAME decade after decade!! The dreaded HAIR RUT!

 One day I just chopped off 8 inches of my hair. No reason. Just CHOP! I haven’t had short hair since I was 10! Its generally at LEAST a bit past mid back, or longer.

I have had a hard time with my naturally curly hair since my surgery. Its been half straight, half curly and just plain difficult! So I cut it, and have been straightening it these days. OK that is a bit different. Still not anything NEW.

 Well, I decided to TRY dying it myself Saturday. No big deal. Been there done that a million times. Something different happened THIS time.

I let it set for 20 minutes. Washed it out. I then took the towel off my head while Jay was in the kitchen cooking, and the LOOK on my husbands face was SCARY!!!!!!! You know men never notice ANYTHING. Well not usually. THIS he noticed. I looked at him puzzled, and said “What is the matter?” He said “Oh my word! Lauren have you SEEN your hair?” So I quickly RAN to the mirror. There I saw it! My hair was BLUE, WHITE and GRAY, you may even say some green!!!!!!!!! HOLY SMOKES!! (OK those weren’t my exact words, but lets just say it was a disaster!) I have NO idea what happened with the dye I used, but apparently my hair was NOT happy with it.

Jay kept saying OH! NO! That is REALLY bad Lauren. What are you going to do? You can’t leave the house! At least no without a HAT! Amber said “Mommy what did you do to your hair, its like a clown!” and she went on to giggle.

OH! CRAP!

I was FREAKIN out. There are no words to say how panicked I was. It was too late to go the a hairdresser. So I waited till Sunday morning and went to the ONLY place open, it was at the mall. I called ahead, and told them my “problem”. She said they could definitely fix it for me. So I put my Hoodie on, and off I went. THANKFULLY the hairstylist is RIGHT near the mall entrance door! So I think I went in virtually unnoticed. HOODIE ON!

 I walked in, where there was about 12 people in there. I took the hoodie off and gave her my name. Then everyone just STOPPED. They all looked at me in horror! Now THAT had me even more panicked! I said “Please tell me you have seen something like this before!” The girl at the counter said “Something like that, but not that bad. Oh boy! This is going to be a while” By now I’m about to CRY. Especially when MY hairdresser comes to me and her hair is an inch long and FLUORESCENT GREEN. I said “OK I don’t mean to be rude, or judgemental, but would you understand if I was about to freak, that the girl with the green hair was going to help me fix mine?” She laughed and said, Honestly I’m their best colorist, and I will get you all fixed up. Promise.

So trusting her with my hair, I got in the chair. I mean honestly could it get ANY worse? She said my hair had like 8 colors in it.

I guess the dye damaged my hair in the process (it was ONLY on 20 minutes!!) and they wanted to cut it up to my CHIN. Uh! NO!!! That can’t happen. So we cut it to just below my shoulders and did some layering. I have to say I LOVE the cut! It feels FABULOUS and is SO much easier to work with. I can curl the layers under and it just bounces. Feels good.

The process took 4 1/2 hours between “filling” , conditioning and redying like two or three times (I lost count).

The PROBLEM was they had to dye my hair as DARK as I would allow. They wanted to go alot darker, but I couldn’t do it. So now I have what I THINK you’d call chestnut kind of hair! I have to wait 4 weeks before we can highlight it. Its REALLY strange seeing myself in the mirror or anytime my hair falls within my view.

I wanted a change so I guess I got it! LOL! I am really happy with the cut for sure. The dark hair is going to take some time. I go back in 4 weeks, so I’ll keep you updated. I guess my advice would be DON’T dye your hair yourself!! Pay the $$ to have it done right the first time.

Could be worse. My hair could have broken off.

On a another note:

Alexa is doing very well. The Tamiflu and Zithromax have really helped. We definitely caught it just in time. I’m keeping her home this week, just to be safe for her, and for other people’s children.  She doesn’t have the best immune system so I don’t want to throw her back into the germ infested school before she recovers from what she already has.

I want to thank you ALL for the wonderful comments and prayers. They help us a lot.

I’ll have some eye candy tomorrow. I’ve just been OBVIOUSLY busy with my family and hair drama!

Thanks for stopping by

My son decided that they make excellent, decorative tape, for his art work, in his room!

This face looks sweet doesn’t it?

YEAH! Can you say OH! MY! WORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The SHOCK! The HORROR!

Did a tornado of stickers whip though Manchester St while I was asleep?!

Um, no-just Noah, being what he calls ”creative”.

I have a touch OCD, and it has gotten MUCH better over the years. BUT, my kids bedrooms drive me INSANE!! I spend so much time cleaning and decorating them, to have it all destroyed in an hour. I make them clean up every night before bed, but its never really what I’d call CLEAN. It totally stresses me out, and I KNOW there are MORE important things to life than stressing about the toy bomb that went off in their room’s daily. That being said, that is why I limit myself from looking at them!

So as I TRY to avoid going and checking too often, after ONE week, this is what I get.

Now-I didn’t edit ALL the photos but this goes around ALL 4 walls!!! Floor to ceiling.

YEAH!

When I saw it I didn’t even KNOW what to say!

Noah said “Doesn’t my room look awesome! I decorated it all by myself!”

I just stuttered a bit at first, then asked “WHY  did you do that to your walls?”

He said “Mom, its all my pictures I made, just like you put on the fridge, and all your cards and stuff in your stamp room, this is my room. Can’t I do what I want in my room?

(I didn’t say it out loud but I thought NO!)

I asked how long he planned on keeping it like that, and he said “forever”.

OH! NO!!!

My honest first thought, when I saw it was when police go into a serial killers homes, and there are TONS of newspaper clipping and stuff ALL over the walls-well this is the 6 year old version! LOL!!!

Is there such a thing as letting your children have TOO much creative liberty? I mean seriously , where do we draw the line between expressing yourself and um,……. that?

Then I felt awful for thinking such stuff. I wanted to take down every sticker and picture, and go back to the clean walls. He had a LITTLE point, but I think this was overkill!

Now me, being into papercrafts myself, I encourage my own children to be creative. I think that I need to set some boundaries though because Noah has decided to save MOST of every page he scribbles colors.

I bought a binder and told him he can put all his pictures in the binder, and that he can keep 6 pictures up at a time (one for each year of his life! LOL!).

OYE! I think I will be checking the room situation more often now!

Now that it is all said and done (as this happened back in May-I just forgot to share it) it is rather AMUSING, but at the time, not so much!

Now its your turn to share something SHOCKING you or your children did!

I have one more story-about myself.

When I was 6, my neighbor got a shiny new black sports car!

I don’t know WHAT possessed me, but I found a rusty nail on the ground. I then decided I would draw (OK Scratch into the paint) a HUGE whale, with water coming out its spout, with my NAME-Lauren, written on top of the spout!

I KNEW when I did it, that it was bad, and I had no idea WHY I did it. I also don’t know why I was so insane to scratch the PROOF I did it, by writing my name! I was a very sweet girl and my brother would have gotten blamed for SURE if I hadn’t “signed” my art work!

Needless to say it was going to cost my mom several hundred dollars (which we didn’t have ANY money) to have the woman’s car re-painted! The woman loved me and I cried a river over it. She felt bad, and decided to NOT make my mom pay for it. If I met her again today I would apologize profusely and thank her for doing that for my poor mom. She was so embarssed and upset I would do that. I can totally understand why.

I don’t think I ever did anything remotely close to that horrible again!

Now its your turn!

This is my INSANE week. Not only do I have template stuff to do, but other design deadlines-END OF YEAR teacher stuff, and my kids have all sorts of field trips and after school social events. So I’m just plain ole busy.I got something very exciting in the mail yesterday!! Wait till you see.

You know how much I LOVE personalization and gifts like that right? Its seriously an addiction.

Well Upon GOGGLING such items, I found this UBER cool site called Bags of Love

After spending forever there I decided I HAD to have THIS make up bag

BIGGEST Dilemma: WHAT photo to use. I wanted all of my family on there so I used our Christmas photo. We don’t get many FAMILY photos. Let alone including our sweet dog Daisy

This is what it looked like-

I about bounced off the wall with excitement! I was just over the moon. It looks great, and the photo is a very soft, satinish kind of feel. LOVE IT.

I went with the tan since it would match like everything I buy.

Side 1

I now want MORE stuff I’m thinking tote bags for Alexa, Amber and Noah with their photos! I may even ask about scanning their art work onto a bag, and sending that in for them use in place of a photo :D Now that is cool!!

Other side

 I was on the hunt for a cool makeup bag that would match everything! Now I needed one that would carry me for some time, because every time I get a new handbag- I get a new wallet, check book cover, makeup bag etc. I end up spending a ton of money with each Vera Bradley purchase! LOL! Now I have one that makes me smile every-time I look at it.

Plus it fits everything perfectly.

Inside view

Sooooooo, on the 29th I ordered that makeup bag, and it arrived on my doorstep on the 3rd! HOLY SPEEDY!

Just HAD to share my fun find with ya!! I’m thinking they’d make great gifts too.

The photo looks really good on there too. Honestly I was a littler leery to order, thinking it may be crappy, maybe the photo wouldn’t be good, so I didn’t spend a fortune. Now I’m wishing I got more. The quality and feel was super. Well made, not CHINCY. Im quite happy it . Their delivery time was right on. Im especially surprised since they are coming from the UK!

I’m in love with Bags of Love! LOL!

Anywho…..now for some other eye-candy.

Stampavie had a Sketch Challenge that no only was I late for, but I obviously can’t follow other peoples sketches very well! I somehow veer off and just do my own thing in one way or another. OH! WELL! It was a start it this creation:

Guess What

Are you familiar with the book :Guess How Much I Love You? by Sam McBrateny?

Its Amber’s favorite, and I always get teary reading it. Its definitely a MUST HAVE book for the family.

Well its about a mommy bunny and her baby bunny, and as they walk through the forest they talk back and forth. The theme for each page is Guess how much I love you? Then they go through and say how much, each time one out does the other.

In the end he goes through and says I love you all the way to the moon and back, as the little one falls asleep in the mommy’s arms. Its so sweet.

Well, Amber says to me-about a literal 20 times a day -randomly

“Mommy Guess what?!”

me-What?

You wanna know how much I love you?

I say “How much? This much (and I make a tiny amount with my 2 fingers)?

She says “NO! I love you THIS much (and stretches her arms as long as they will reach) and to the moon an back! And when I get bigger, I’ll love you even bigger.”

Then she takes her hugely (yet little) stretched arms and wraps them around me with a big squeeze.

AWE! That melts my heart, and no matter what is going on, in that moment, I just stop and enjoy the squeeze at my legs. Its the best feeling in the world. I know this won’t last forever, so I am just cherishing it.

So I made her this card-so we will always remember this time (I HOPE!)

The bunny image is Rachelle Anne Miller Hoppy Spring

The “Guess What” rounded tab is from JustRite Stampers Demi Phrases set, put into a small 1 3/16 round stamper!! Yes, It will go in there! I was quite excited about that.

So that is that!

Thanks for stopping by.

Im going to bed. (I HOPE!)

I took the plunge and entered my daughter Amber into the Parents magazine photo contest! I was going to wait to get MORE photos, but feared I would get too busy and FORGET! LOL!!! Now THAT would STINK!!!

So after all the advce here is her entry!

http://www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/cover-kid-1/791800073/?photoId=791500178&firstPhoto=true

Let me know what you think. Im excited and hopeful, but don’t think it will REALLY happen. But you miss 100% of the chances you DONT take right?

Wish us luck!

Now Im in a panic that I chose the wrong photos and should have waited! Oh LORDY! Oh well!

Well today I turn 31!

I THINK I’m OK with that. My most upsetting birthday was 29! LOL! I knew it was the last of my 20’s!! I have to say SO MUCH has happened to me since hitting 30. All FABULOUS things, that I am so happy about and grateful for. Why I was so upset about leaving my 20’s I don’t know! (OK thats not entirely true! Who doesn’t want to be able to say they are 20-something?!)

 I asked the kids how old they thought I was going to be-

Noah said “I think you look like you will be about 90!”  (oh my word!!!!!!!!!!!)

Alexa said “I think you look 26!” (OH! A girl after my heart!)

Amber says “Why do we need to know how old you are? I just know you are REALLY old. I don’t want to get as old as you. I want to stay this small forever!” (OH! I wish you could too :D)

I am enjoying the “30’s” more than the 20’s. I know WHO I am, what I want, where I am going and how to get there! (I think! LOL!)

I have everything in life one could hope for.

My first year in my 30’s was a great one!

I figured I would list the top 10 things that occurred in the last year: (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER EXCEPT #1)

1. Alexa became “officially” cancer free, 2 weeks after I turned 30, and is doing AMAZING! I don’t think I could ask for anything more from life, than happy and healthy children. The day we found out she had cancer, never did I think she would be here, looking and feeling so amazing. I am eternally grateful to God for all he has given my family, and of course by blessing me with my children. I am also thankful for all the progress Cancer research has made, because without funding and brilliant minds, my Alexa would not be here. Alexa continues to amaze me daily. Be it with her growth, health and progress, to being manipulative, and full of attitude! LOL! I HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR HER FUTURE.

2. I was able to fulfill my dream-starting the My Timeless Templates line with Papertrey Ink! That is something that was beyond my wildest dreams! I cannot even put into words how I feel about being given such an opportunity to work with such a company like Papertrey. Nichole is my stamping idol! I know I sound lame, but she truly is. She is also a truly amazing, and down to earth person, who I admire greatly (and Im still in shock she is YOUNGER than me!) Im also thankful for the love & support you all offer to me as I experience this new venture. Your excitement you share with me propels me further. THANK YOU!

3. I got skinny! (and healthier) I worked hard to lose the weight I have been yo-yoing with for the last 7 years! The weight I had been wanting to lose SO bad since having Noah. I would lose a little, then get too comfortable, and gain it back faster than it left :C. Its hard because I was always very thin. Then when big time of stress in my life hit, I got heavy due to stress eatting.

 I was doing good when Jay and I got married, but when Alexa got sick I hit a severe downward spiral. The ONLY thing I could control at that point in my life was what I ate, and I chose all the bad things. Finally my 30th birthday was a big wake-up call. In September I decided I would NOT have the weight on my by the time I turned 31! I lost 65lbs, and not only do I LOOK better, but I feel better.

I changed the way I look at and deal with food. I don’t use it to cheer me up when Im upset anymore, and if I do have a treat, its just that-a treat! Im not going to beat myself up over it for a couple days while I eat even more junk!!!

 I eat better, and workout almost everyday. I make better choices, each day. Its a continuous lifestyle change/effort. I’m so proud of myself and happy for the changes I have made. I look forward to each new day, full of energy! I also feel like I could actually be in the infomercials! LOL! I mean seriously, when you watch it, you think these people are so FULL OF IT! But its so true! What is hilarious, is yesterday they had the Mitch Gaylord infomercial on yesterday (only a NEW one I think), and I was just like YES! Its true! That program does work! LOL! I love you Mitch Gaylord! LOL!!! It was HIS infomercial that made me FINALLY say-”OK I’m committed-DONE!”. I ordered it right away. 

 The pants I am wearing on my birthday are a 6! I’m 5′10, so that is pretty good. My shirt was a small LOVE THAT FEELING! So if you think YOU can’t do it, its not true. You can.

4. I inspired people! What is better than that. This year I felt like I was able to inspire so many people! Inspiration in the form of sharing my weightloss-therefore encouraging so many of YOU, to get in a healthier lifestyle. I have inspired my family and friends (in real life! LOL!) too!

 I’ve also inspired people to make affordable gift items through my template line! Many people who are new to papercrafting or thought “I can only make cards”. Or, I can’t do that, its too hard. Then next thing you know they  are whipping out LOTS of gifts for everyone, in a fun, creative and affordable way! THAT ROCKS!!!

I have also inspired people by sharing so much of my daily life (OK so at least that is what people tell me! LOL!) here all the time. I’m an open book. Probably too much! LOL! But I think people like seeing I’m a REAL person, just like you, with daily hiccups in life. I am SAHM who goes crazy every now and then with my ventures at home, and balancing everything. Im not perfect! LOL! Which is definitely apparent if you come here But Im OK with that.

5. My gallbladder was taken out! I never had any medical issues in my life, but 2 months ago (not even) had my first surgery! This lead me to realize I could never get that Tummy Tuck I always wanted! Surgery is serious, scary and recovery is terrible when you cannot tolerate the simplest pain meds! It was a interesting experience, all in all. Guess if I ever do hit it big I know plastic surgery is NOT in my future :C

6. I got the camera I have wanted for a VERY long time I am excited to expand my photo knowledge through the next year, and have some goals for myself-like take a class or two, maybe enter a contest, get REGULAR photos of my kids, and make sure I continue to learn how to properly use the fabulous settings a professional grade camera offers (otherwise why spend the money for it! That would be LAME!) Still need to get signed up for some classes though.

7. I received a video camera and I actually learned to make. edit and post videos for my blog! WAHOO! This was a big goal for me and I am excited by all the future ideas and possibilities with that fun toy.Plus getting eqsier videos of the kids is great too.

8. My brother had a baby! Never did I think I would see the day. Better yet I was there in the delivery room to see her enter the world! A truly amazing gift for someone to give you!!! Such a miraculous, and personal thing. I was over the moon to be able to bet there. Of course Im totally in LOVE with my niece. I should get to see her today-so happy dance! I also have to say Valerie is doing a fabulous job being a mom. I am very proud of her. Prior to Gaggy her and my brother lived in Las Vegas. BIG PARTY SCENE-enough said! I worried they wouldn’t TAME their lifestyle to fit the new duties of parenting. Well they are doing a great job!!

9. I started an Etsy shop! That was a huge NEW YEAR goal and I’m so happy to finally do it (yes I will be updating with new stuff soon! I need to get deadlines done first) Im so happy that the items I spend so much time on get to go to good homes

10. Everyday! I am so thankful for everyday I have!  There is something amazing in each day if you take ONE SECOND to recognize what it is. I often remind myself of that at the end of the ay when the kids are screaming and fighting! LOL! They are HERE! ALIVE and well. Blessing my life in ways I can’t even put into words. They are healthy and I am thankful for all the crazy loud noises that fill my home. I know that ONE DAY, this house will be silent. My kids will be gone to live their own lives, and I will long for their little hands tugging at me for something, hugs around my waist, and little loud voices that fill this house. It is so sad to think they will grow up some day. I would FREEZE them right in this moment if I could.

I awoke today on my birthday to Amber shoving 20 little hand drawn pictures under my pillow to surprise me (then explaining what each drawing was), Alexa singing Happy Birthday (cha cha cha) dressed in some horrific get up she put together (telling me this was what she was wearing to our lunch-UM, NO!), and Noah saying “Can we eat your cake for breakfast? I’m starving! Its your birthday so you get to break the rules don’t you?” (so yes I gave him cake!)

Now that is a super birthday

YOU GOTTA READ THIS! 

FIRST-this is the THIRD post for today (yeah Im THAT BUSY and needing to share! LOL!) So don’t miss my VIDEO, or my Peek post!

Now I have to share some info that I am OVER the MOON about-literally!

Some of my blog readers alerted me that I WON 2 contests!!! WAHOO!!

Now the COOL thing is I never enter stamping contests or anything, but since I don’t have time to send in stuff for publication , I figured WHY NOT! So, I took some time to give it a try this time It paid off

This was for the Cards & Gifts Week Challenge:

Contest One- over on The PaperCrafts Connection Blog This one you have seen. it used the My Timeless Template—>Take Along Tote!

Then I was alerted to this one!

Contest Two-The Mothers Day Gift Challenge

This was one of my most favorite projects using The Perfect Match template

But for ME the coolest thing was seeing that TWO of the winners, in other categories, used the My Timeless Templates too!!!!!!!!!!!! Is that not awesome??

Dana (who was just picked for my Challenge Team!) used Lolli-Pop Along, and the Rounded Wrap up!for her entry! Her blog post here

Dana is also giving away a My Timeless Template-HERE!

 Then the other winner Julie used From the Desk of-for her entry! Here is her blog post! It came out SUPER cute!!

—————————————————————

THEN-I was sent a link to THIS POST! You must read it!

I cannot believe it!! Joan Bardee likes me!  OK maybe not me, but My Timeless Templates Joan is a amazing person. Someone whose opinion I always valued. She is very blunt, straight forward (and funny/talented) crafter! She tells it like it is. Now I don’t KNOW her personally, but feel like I do through her writing.

So when I was sent this link and saw she was HONESTLY reviewing my templates-I almost got sick! LOL! I thought OH! NO!! What if she hated them? But then I read some of the sweetest words a designer could read about the product they put their blood, sweat, and tears int0!

I got teary reading it (like I do with ALL the posts or comments I see people make about them) because to hear that people really like them is amazing. A true dream come true. I’m use to gushing over other peoples stamp images or products, so when someone gushes over something “I” did, its amazing. I’m just a SAHM-to three amazing kids, with a BIG DREAM, and am stuck living in a little town, where no one knows what stamping is! LOL! So to share it all here is just crazy!

On another note: I swear I didn’t pay her! LOL! She put so much time and effort into her post for YOU to get a non-biased view from a customer / crafter.

Im just in shock. Thank you Joan for making my day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TRULY! How can I say thank you?! You have a girl almost speechless!

NOW last but not least-Nicholehas had a hard time accessing the gallery and whatnot-but I swear her announcement for the Templates is coming soon! You won’t want to miss it!

WHEW!!! Glad I go the extra shot of expresso in my iced coffee today! I needed it

WARNING: UH! OH! Watch out!-Lauren is on a LONG WINDED kick today! Sorry!! (I added this to the top to warn you when I reviewed my post, after I was done ranting! LOL!) Althought if you visit regulary this is of NO SHOCK value to you :D)

I wish I could say it was SUPER sunny and warm here today, but its a bit CHILLY.

But this should brighten your day-rain or shine

Pink Cat Studio release of Lily at the Beach!

Seriously cute!! Im super happy that Melissa has been adding sentiments to the sets as well. You can NEVER have too many sentiments! EVER!

Now for my card

Sending you some sunshine!

I took thos one quite literally.

Another thing I like to do, as much as making gift packaging is make shaped cards! I haven’t done one in a while, so thought this was the perfect time

Lily all wrapped up with the towel-needed to warm up! So I made a SUN.

 I just cut my card base in a half oval. Adhered a punch of square’s around the edge. I applies glue, and irridescent ice embossing powder-heat set, and VIOLA! A SUN! I then put another half oval over it to not only cover the squares, but make sure the front, and aback of card have a more finished look! You don’t want a MESSY side to your card!

I may do a video on it-if you need to see it, but its pretty straight forward!

I think this is super cute card!

Here is the close up of my Lily

She is just adorable!

Make sure you check out the PCS Blog…HERE and the Design Team peeks

I have been practicing with my new camera-and WOW! (NOT ON THIS PROJECT OBVIOUSLY!) Did I ever get some STUNNING photos of Amber! Wait till you see. I’m having fun with it. Thank GOD she loves posing for me. Her friend was over yesterday, and I was trying to get photos. Amber was having a ball and her friend was HILARIOUS! She said “I didn’t come here to get my photo taken, I came here to play! How many pictures do you need?!” Amber was saying “This is fun! You don’t want your picture taken? and her friend was like “NO! Lets just go play” Her friend was right! LOL! I shouldn’t have picked that time to play model! LOL! Oh well. There is always TODAY!

So, I was hyperventilating when I saw the guide was 125 pages long-with LOTS of info. I just decided that since I am a VERY visual person. I need to just “figure it out” pick it apart kind of thing.  Im not good at “directions”, and understanding all the blah blah blah, that I will just take my camera and practice. When I want to see HOW to do something, I look it up at that point. Its working OK.

I ALWAYS wanted to be a photographer, yet I don’t like taking photos of my cards! LOL! Maybe its the editing?? But I do love using this new camera, and maybe with better photos from the camera I will get more involved into it. That hardest part is realizing that I have to look IN the eye piece! Unlike digital cameras with the SCREEN. Too funny. I FEEL like a photographer.

I told Jason once I learn this I am going to enter some photo contests! LOL! I know, I know-I JUST got my camera! But its good to have GOALS!!

Jason often thinks Im a bit insane sometimes when I voice some of my “dreams”. Like when I began stamping. I told him-someday I’ll win a contest-and I did! Someday I’ll be published in that magazine-and I was! Numerous times (too busy to submit these days), or I want to be on a design team, and many, many other DREAMS. Now I think he realizes not to underestimate me, or think I’m CRAZY!! I’m a go getter! If I set myself out to do something it IS going to happen. I work hard towards achieving my goals and doing what I truly LOVE. I don’t sit there and think things will fall from the sky and into my lap. That isn’t how it works. The biggest thing is having faith and confidence. Always better your best. Be passionate about what you love. No matter what it is.

 (That includes all of you who are on the new healthy lifestyle and exercising and or losing weight! I will tell you once you get to where you want to be-if you decide to not let yourself OUTGROW those skinny jeans-maintaining is MUCH easier!! Nip it in the bud immediately and stay fit and healthy! Im so proud of all of you out there who have joined me on this journey! Keep at it! Its not “I know I can do it!” Its “I WILL do this!” OK!- Sorry I had to add that in there-its important! I know I am proud of the 65lbs I lost (and the 9 1/2 inches from my waist, and 9 inches from my hips!! I feel amazing. More energy too)

That being said I know photos are KEY to success in this craft! You can spend HOURS making the most stunning thing the world has ever seen-take a bad photo and it was pointless! I want to get involved with using more PROPS too. Im just SOOOOO lazy when it comes to that. If its not in my stamp room Im not hunting through my house for it! LOL!

 I am looking into photography classes-thanks for the links!! My problem is (after buying an expensive camera) the classes are expensive :C I would LOVE to take one. I did sign up for the email alert when Jessica Sprague has hers starting. I also found some at my Local camera shop! They have a cool website too with photo tutorials of the month! Its called Take Great Pictures. Also I was sent to another website Nikon D40 Blog. Between all that Im sure to get going in a good direction. I’ll be posting a PHOTOGRAPHY link on my sidebar soon for easy reference to places I will be checking out. If you want me to add something-shoot me a comment or email.

 At this point Jay is like-JUST FIGURE IT OUT! LOL! We have to pay for part of my surgery-which was 12,000!!! Obviously we aren’t paying THAT much but HOLY MOLY! For a less than ONE HOUR-laproscopic surgery, that I only stayed 6 hours MAX in the hospital for! WOW! Glad I didn’t stay over night. Plus we have to pay like $1,000 for my 911 ambulance ride! LOL! OOPS!

I will say when Alexa was a baby, and had her open heart surgery the SURGEON bill ALONE was 52,000! Granted he literally saved Alexa’s life, so how can you put a price on that? But seriously! Maybe I should have been a doctor rather than a nurse! LOL! We won’t get into her chemo stuff. You haven’t seen medical bills till you have a kid with Cancer. It no wonder people without insurance lose everything. So tough.

Anywho…………..

Right now Im finishing up some more samples with my Templates I just designed 7 more of the BEST templates EVER!! Im so  proud of myself! LOL! Wait till you finally see them I try to keep WAY ahead!

As for the Design Team-I will notify the people chosen via email Sunday night-announcement will be Monday OR Tuesday depending on the number of people to check out.

The TEAM starts the first weekend in May! You have all gotten me so excited to begin this new challenge here. I love mixing it up! Thanks for all your input and ideas! After the feedback Im really looking forward to lots of participation too

 SO you have till Saturday night-which means you can include the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop in your submission! This month is to use your  My Timeless Templates! YEAH!! I’m going to be GLUED to the computer that night. As you can imagine, Im totally excited to see what everyone does I LOVE when you share your stuff with me. Its a dream come true I think more and more people are catching on to how fun, easy and affordable they are too Even better.

OK I did NOT plan on being THAT long winded (as usual). That would have been one expensive long distance phone call! LOL!

OK as always-thank you for stopping by. You all brighten my day

Till tomorrow………………

I *almost* did an actual cartwheel today!

Mr Brown came with a MYSTERIOUS package, addressed to my husband-that required someone to sign for it!

I called him up to let him know he had a special delivery. He said I could open it-and it was MY CAMERA!!! I am so beyond happy to get that.

The Nikon D40 I have been wanting for like ever!

 My birthday is May 3rd-so he gave it to me early so I can find time (yeah OK-time! What is that?!) to work it before my birthday, and for my next template release! That way you all get the very best photos

I just had to share!

Now-if you have any tips for using it-I would LOVE YOU FOREVER! Im so technically challenged and the book is like 130 pages long!

HELLO! Blond here! Good luck to me

Amber is super cute and very photogenic. Parents magazine is having a modeling contest and Im totally entering her! So I want to get some good photos

This was Christmas

This was the other day -before Dance Recital photos. She looks SOOOOO cute in her costume.

I definitely need a close up-but wanted to share these ones for now.She has the prettiest eyes. I know Im biased But seriously?! I know I sound crazy!  Ill let you know how it goes. Im obviously NOT entering these ones, but am excited to see what I can get with my new camera!!!

Wish me luck!

Hi everyone-

Im short on time, but had to share this email I got!!!! Which for me *JUST* starting my Etsy Store is really exciting. Yes, I KNOW I need to add stuff. Trust me, the stuff I will be putting in there is worth the wait Lots of gift ideas, but FIRST deadlines to be meet!

Anyway-here is the email (my item is the first one second row-Little Bee card I made using Pink Cat Stamps)

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Hi Lauren 

i hope you’re having a great day! i just wanted to let you know that this great listing is featured on the FRONT PAGE for the next 24 hours of our website, http://www.myhandmaderegistry.com/ from one of our member???s HANDMADE WISH LIST!

ETSY STORQUE/BLOG featured us last friday in it’s spring series “HANDMADE WEDDINGS”!

http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/handmade-weddings-off-road-wedding-gift-guide-3496/

 each day we feature a handmade registry member???s WISH LIST and PROFILE on our FRONT PAGE

siempre - dorana

http://www.myhandmaderegistry.com/

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OK I have stuff to share, but work has to come first!! I was just excited about the mention so had to share.

ON now back to my template samples

Hugs to ya, be back later!