Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

I did this mini book (which I can also print!) for a quick review of Amber’s Birth through 3. Its a quick book, only 4 pages, and took-get this 10 minutes! YEAH! I know its not stamping, so I apologize, but are there any other scrapbook challenged mom’s out there?

Im SO challenged that many of you may know my PSF’s (Pretend Stamping Friends) on SCS got together and made Alexa an entire Disney Scrapbook to document her wonderful Make A Wish trip of Disney so we could document the event. Especially after seeing the pages-each one was publication worthy, not only did I realize WHY I dont scrap (alot of work) I was too intimidated to even begin! LOL! Plus its hard to get Jason to print the photos. Weekends are spent doing stuff with the kids and going food shopping and house project, after house project.

I dont need him to do this for me.

I must also say that I feel like Im learning so much more in the computer world.

I am quite computer challenged. Starting a blog was a HUGE accomplishment. Now I learned to attach the photos in my sidebar, most WITHOUT the HTML code! YEAH! And a few other things like that!

Seriously Im lucky I can email

So Im proud of my simple smilebox creations. It does inspire me a tiny bit-after doing this one, to scrap an event. But not enough that Im off and runnin! Im off to stamp some CARDS!

Thanks for looking

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

I hope you take the time to click and play this-its really cool.

I swear I get sucked into more crazy things on SCS than you could imagine-unless YOU do too! I made this in a matter of a few minutes!  I loved doing this as oppose to scrapping! I decided to keep it and paid $1.99 for it, so I could print it and post it on my blog to share with you. I can then do whatever I want with it. Like send it to the family I dont really get to see.

I was on SCS and saw the Smilebox ad. Clicked and away I went. Im wicked computer challenged but it was SO easy! If “I” can do it, anyone can.

I think its a cool thing. I took some of my favorite photos from this year (except our first family photo, I liked seeing the growth) and added it to here. Now I just wanna go make a ton of them! Its a great source to document stuff for people who dont have alot of time but want to perserve memories.

Let me know what you think! Makes me all weepy.

My life has really gotten to be amazing! I made this as a reminder of how beautiful my family is. From one year to the next they change and grow so much. I feel so blessed to even have children. God has really shown me how precious time and family is.

If you make one Id LOVE to see it! This was such a cool thing for me to do since I am NOT (nor will I ever be) a scrapbooker. I just love cards-cant get into the other stuff. And ya know what? THATS OK!

Im sure I will be doing alot of these. Think of the easy Christmas books you can make! They have all sorts of stuff.

Enjoy the day! Now if only I could get this into a banner ad-that would be real cool!

 This is Amber. I love this photo. It was taken the other day while she was “deep in thought”. What does a soon-to-be 3 year old think of? So serious.

I cannot believe she will be THREE. Time flies so quickly.

When I envision Angels this is the face I see. I really think she looks like one.

Blue eyes, long eyelashes, and curly blonde hair.  

My BABY. Growing up. I know this is the face I will see even at 20. Where does the time go?

Just wanted to share these 2 photos. I LOVE them. I may even get inspired to make a altered frame for them.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! HERE!

Gina K. has put together a FABULOUS team of designers for her next BIG Release of Stamps for a Cause! They are being revealed August 8th!

I am one of the fortunate designers asked to jump aboard! I am not only excited, but deeply appreciative that Gina is taking a stand and doing this type of work to benefit others. What is better than taking something you LOVE and using it to making a difference?

 I am very excited to be asked help be a part of those who will support this AMAZING cause!

Thank YOU Gina for letting me take part in this special event, and your amazing spirit and will toward helping others.

Gina ROCKS!!! I can say no more. I dont want to give anything away. But stay tuned!

Wait till you see the set-its really special!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY DANCE!

Now you know “some” of what I’ve been working on (wink).

Hi everyone in stamp land! Just wanted you all to know I have had some internet problems. Our computer, cable box and xbox were struck by Lightning! Even though we had surge protectors they were done in!

Finally got my internet fixed (been out since Monday 2pm) so I have over 400 emails to answer! And Ill will check in to post my organization stuff and more eye candy! Sorry!!!

And thanks for checking in.

 Happy Friday!

This is strictly eye candy to draw you into my post!

This card uses the New! Level 2 Hostess set Garden Silhouettes.  Hope you like it.

Im very excited today. My room will DEFINITELY be done today!

PLUS, have you seen this? I was announced as a Featured Reporter for the Craft Critique!! How cool is that?! I am very excited to join their amazing team of writers. To me that opportunity brings me a step closer to my ultimate dream from making stamping my “career” LOL! Sounds funny doesn’t it? But what is better than having a JOB you LOVE?

Stamping and designing is definitely what I LOVE to do. I love the work I am doing on my design teams. Its truly rewarding, in its own way. My past job as a nurse was rewarding, and I never thought I’d find anything else that could fulfill that feeling, and while this is different its still rewarding to make something and see the joy it brings to people.

My OTHER job and FIRST priority is MOM. I love that too. No matter how crazy my house gets, having three children, there is a moment EVERYDAY that makes it all WORTH it. You know the ones- where one of your kids says the most heart touching thing in the world that you just melt!

FUNNY STORY

So like most women I complain about my weight. Its up and down 10lbs all the time. Drives me nuts. I do excellent on my diet/exercise, then blow it! Having that 3rd one put my body into a tail spin.

 I also try to watch what I say because I have seen that girls as young as 7 can start with body issues and eatting disorders! We got enough going on here I dont want my girls going that route cause of my own body image issues.

ANYWAY…….

My SIL is getting married Saturday. I have nothing to wear. So I trek all 3 kids to the mall to find a dress (suicide mission right?). I was desperate. Anyway, walk into this store, and Noah says “Mommy this dress is really pretty, I think I like it” So I grab it and get a girl to get me in the dressing room to try it on. Of course there is a teen in the handicap room! UGH!

So she gets kicked out, and I run in to try it on. So me & 3 kids in the dressing room. FIRST outfit.

I whip on  the dress when Noah says “Aw, see mommy you look so pretty in that . I told you I thought I liked it. And you’re not even fat.”

Isn’t that HILARIOUS? So cute yet OH My GOSH! UM thanks Honey. But c’mon he;s only 4! He’ll make a great husband…………someday. And yes I got that dress. I dont care if the kid is only 4. Hes says I dont look fat (kids being the most honest creatures) Ill take it!

OK back to stamp talk. I finally put in my SU order! I got it down from $500 to $223! Go ME! A Miracle. I got mostly punches, paper, ribbon and Garden Whimsy, Sassy Stems, Baroque bkgd-thats it! Plus the essentials-stack n store organize, color caddy extender. glue dots, dimensionals-yadayadayada. I’ll get more but my ideal was do I need it ALL RIGHT NOW? No!

More news- I just ordered sets C & D of theCopic Markers! I was putting in an order at All That Scraps, and couldn’t help but add on the other 2 sets! I got my first two sets A & B from Kim, and was going to order more “someday”, but since I was already ordering the NEW! Scalloped punches figured, what the heck.  Plus I did cut back on my SU order.

I did so good purging I DESERVED it right?! LOL!

Which reminds me see post below this if you are looking for something (wink).

OK deep breath. I hope to have photos BY Monday! Thanks for sharing my excitment. I think we can all relate to our very own craft space. I also want to say Its not the most gorgeous space you ever seen uploaded. So dont get expectations over the moon! LOL! Its just larger, nicely organized and its MINE! So to me its the BEST. I love my Sky Blu color too!

I think Im going to JoAnns today to get an OTT light. Anyone own one of these?

Let me know! Hugs-

Check out my banner! My favorite set Jolie Fleurs is now my Blog Banner!

As if getting anew stamp room wasn’t fab-u-lous enough for one week!

It was designed base on this post-there is a card I designed with that set, and of course with colors that compliment the base of my blog.

I LOVE that paisley as a butterfly. It was quite a EUREKA moment!

Anyway, I hope you like my banner! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!

And a HUGE thanks to Meridith for dealing with my crazy request! I am so blessed!

Thanks again.

Back to organizing my room

NOTE TO SELF: Do not buy anymore alterable items or 12×12 cardstock.

The Excitement is building here at my house (for me anyway!).

My stamp room is “almost” done!!! Floor is going down as I type. The cabinets are together, I did that part myself (real fun let me tell ya) and will be hung after the floor is in. Jason still had my lighting to put in, and the cable/electrical outlets. He has to put the sheet rock on the far-wall, finish and paint it, and the trim for the new window. Sounds like alot but most of that he will do once the major stuff in done so I can start moving and organizing! Im am so excited. Many have probably seen my current corner of the world here on my blog. While its tiny it was ALL MINE. Very “organized” while it looked “cluttered”. I will post new photos and a comparison in the next few days! I also took some pre=new room photos Ill share as well. So PRAY Jason works fast today! LOL! I’d like to be in for the 4th of July.

So in the mean time here is a cute little card I did using , which you can also see here.

I like to call it my Monster in Love.

See he is holding a little heart. The layers started as one. Meaning the did the orchid and gable green layers. Rounded the corners, stamped the row of hearts in black, then cut the layers! I mounted then on opposite ends of the card. Pretty funky huh? I really liked this card. And my layout rocked! LOL!

Its one of those when you make a mistake, have one idea, that suddenly turns totally different, but was better than the original KWIM?

The colors came from my Vera Bradley bag! LOL! I like the monster being blue cause he POPS. Anyway, I hope this tides you over till I have more to report!!!

Im crawling out of my skin waiting today. I went to Target ans got some more “organizational” stuff which was ON SALE! $135 later………………….lets just say I better not NEED anything else.

Im peeved it cuts into my stamping money but then have to think-isn’t it better to have a room that is organized than yet another stamp set or package of purty paper with matching ribbon? Like I said Im still trying to convince myself!

Enjoy your day.

Here I am! I feel so pretty in this. I like myself in black and white better. I wanted to make JUST the shirt pink but Im computer challenged! LOL!

Note my super cute shirt? Now I really feel like a designer! Its official. When I shop online- while wearing this shirt its because I NEED these items for WORK! This will have to serve its purpose when Mr Brown comes and my hubby is tapping his foot wandering what delicious goodies his wife has purchased.

It will be a tangible reminder ;D Or at least I hope it will.

Quick post today!  I have had some computer issues (EEK!) that I am trying to work out, and taking the kids to the beach, and stuff like that. Mom’s gotta make summer memorable. Plus they are much happier if we spend the first part of the day doing “something”.

A bad- yet awesome note-I cannot stamp till most likely the weekend! GASP! My craft room is in shambles as I prepare a NEW 3 times larger stamp area!!! GO LAUREN! GO LAUREN!

I cannot wait! Anyone who has viewed my corner of the universe will understand how great this is. Note if you dont like tiny spaces crammed full of stuff dont go view my room photos! Im painting my area the oh so calming Stampin Up NEW! color Soft Sky! Now that will be gorgeous!

 Good news I do have some projects I can share that I havent uploaded yet! Yeah!

So please stayed tuned. I have an ATC set to upload with ( in my opinion ) an amazing idea.

And I will post Thursday a HOT card using Hit the Beach. I really love it. Hope you will too!

 Here is MY reason!

My reason to fight, have faith, and hope. My reason to help make a difference, no matter how small.

This child/person could be ANYONE. It could suddenly be YOUR child, husband, best friend, mother, father, or other family member. This is Cancer. It doesnt discriminate. It doesnt care how old or young.

This is Alexa. She is my 7 year old daughter. If you read this blog you know already that Alexa was diagnoised with Leukemia February 2006. A day I will NEVER forget.

Today I am volunteering my time to do a project, with anyone who is there to particiapte in THE RELAY FOR LIFE. This is a benefit that raises money for Cancer Research. A cause that directly affects my family.

Alexa has about 1 year and 8 months left of treatment to keep her Cancer in remission.

Treatments range 2 1/2 to 3 years long.

My point of this photo is- THIS is someone who this research is currently helping. Just 10 years ago Alexa would have gotten NO chance to beat this. Now there is hope, now there is a possibility of a cure. Now my daughter is winning the long battle. While that could change we pray for the best. We believe in the best. Her prognosis is very good. 96% chance she will be CURED! 10 years ago we would have been handed a death sentence. Today there is HOPE.

Some people with different types of Cancer still do not have a chance. So we keep fighting! We keep pushing for a CURE, for ALL Cancer!

Alexa since birth has been my reason for alot of things in my life. I just wanted to share this photo of her. It was taken Wednesday during our trip to the park. Given all she has gone through she is still so wonderful, full of life and HAPPY! Look at that face? So oblivious to it all. As she slides down the slide, I internally freak out that she will pick up some awful germ that she may not have the immunity to fight. But I struggle with letting her have a qualtiy of life, and childhood. I take the small risk for this smile.

Reminds me of this poem

What Cancer Cannot do

Cancer is so limited

It cannot cripple love

It cannot shatter hope

It cannot corrode faith

It cannot destroy peace

It cannot kill friendship

It cannot supress memories

It cannot silence courage

It cannot invade the soul

It cannot steal eternal life

It cannot conquer the spirit.

I know I probally go on and on about Alexa and what this has taught me but its hard not to. I truly believe God has done so much through Alexa to get to me. To touch my life. To make me strong, and work hard to make a difference.

So tomorrow I hope my particiapation in our town’s Relay For LIFE will put a smile on ONE persons face. I hope that I will live to see Cancer become 100% curable. I hope a small gesture can make a small difference.

Small note:

Missy B Designs created a stamp set for my daughter Alexa (scroll down to see the set/description on her website) to raise money for Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Research. That is a small way YOU can help. ALL procedes go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma society! We all love stamps right? Well her set is adorable. Check it out.

You can read Alexa’s Story here, and how her stamp set came to be, and a community now known as the PSF’s came together to get me through a difficult time.

People are AMAZING! Thanks for reading.

If you read this to the end, let me know who YOU will give an extra hug or kiss to. Or someone you know who is like Alexa.

All the best!