Creative Chaos

Mario is my hero!!

So yesterday afternoon we went to lunch at the Catholic church...at the request of my grama.  I have to admit...it was a nice meal of turkey and the trimmings...plus homemade apple pie..yummy!!  After that I wanted to get the boys' 'school' pictures taken as well as a photo for our Christmas card which I'm DETERMINED to actually make this year.  *snort*  Do NOT hold your breath on that one!!  :)  They turned out pretty cute though....I must admit!!  So then after that...we headed to my folks' because Shawn had to grab his deer he had shot...so he can get it cut up.  Anyway....my dad and I got to diggin' in my brother's crap (you should SEE how this kid moves...he literally throws things in a box...it's disgusting...like a bowl with ketchup still on it...dirty socks and a cd..all in one box!!).  Anyway...it was like treasure hunting.  And then I saw them....three Nintendos.  Just regular ol' Nintendos...the very first one.  Well since I knew one of them was mine...I grabbed one!!  It had super mario 3 in it!!

Last night...that is what I did for like 2 hours!!  The graphics are laughable...but how fun was it!!  :)  It was a blast!!  I was playing like crazy...and just happy about it!!  My boys were loving just watching me play....and I let them play...sheesh...I wasn't THAT greedy!!  :)  tee hee  They kept dying....which didn't surprise me...games are SO different these days!!  It was just so fun.  I actually can't wait to get home so I can play some more!!  UHOH!!  :)

Oh and mom had gotten a Wii fit.  So we were doing this fitness test and it says my Wii age is 51!!  HOLY CRAP.  Can you say wow??!!  I was amazed.  My balance sucks.  Although I was the only one in our family (except my scrawny kids of course) who's person didn't swell because they were overweight!!  My BMI wasn't overweight.  Although it said my goal weight should be 129.  I have gained some weight...so I do need to get back on the weight loss thing.  Just been stress eating like mad...why do I have to eat when I'm sad or stressed?  Just sucks!!  Tangent...sorry!!

Well I have a full week of cleaning....I can't believe how busy I am!!  I'm already booked for this entire week and scheduling into next week!  That's awesome huh?  But the Boys & Girls Club is really cutting into my cleaning time....I'm going to have to cut back on that or something.  :(  Today we are making a Tic Tac To Turkey!! 

Okay..have a stellar Monday all...will hopefully get on track soon and be posting more!!  :)

Freaky Friday and SALE!!

Today is the Freaky Friday Challenge kickoff over at ACBailey!!  And this week was my turn to come up with a challenge!!  I hope you all play along!!  Here is the challenge:  Dig deep through that stash of photos you have...dust them off and get them scrapped.  What pictures you might ask??  Well some of YOU when you dressed up for Halloween!!  It could be you as a child or even a few years ago as an adult!!  Here is my layout...Madonna and Cindi Lauper were all the rage!!  I wore my mom's shirt with a silk scarf tied around as a belt.  My first experience with makeup.  :)  I thought I was pretty dang cool!! 

There is also some fun challenges with prizes going on over at the fourms...so if you are bored this weekend and wanna scrap...come on over and play!!  OH yes..and a HUGE SALE!  40% off of everything in the While Supplies Last Section!! 

So I smell today.  ICK.  I had gotten a new scent of lotion at Bath & Body.  It's called Butterfly Kisses.  ICK.  I smell like an old lady.  Nothing against old ladies...I just don't wanna smell like one yet.  I can hardly stand the smell of myself.  ICK ICK ICK.

Well...I'm off to clean...have a cleaning today and then off to the school for Auston's Halloween party!!  Should be a good time!! 
 

what a week....

Seriously it's been nuts.  I still have no internet at home..which royally sucks.  So every morning this week I've gone down to the coffee shop after dropping the rats off at school....because it is  my week at ACBailey to do the postings. 

I REALLY miss my scanner.  :(  I have been taking photos of my layouts and I just don't like how they come out.  But...alas...I can't find the stupid software for my scanner to install on my new laptop.  I swear I run into one thing after another.  Maybe I should just go back to bed.

HEY..that's a great idea...I think I'll do that.  I have a horrid head thing going on here...started with a sore throat last week and now it's full blown sinus/head crap.  I'm SUCH a whiner when I'm sick.  Can't ya tell??  So yes...I think I will just go back to bed for a bit.  And this post has nothing in it...I'm just rambling.  *sigh*

Here is a layout for So Sketchy.  LOVED this sketch...super fun huh??

I suck...and other tales...

yeah yeah...not sure what is wrong with me...why I've become such a bad blogger lately.  I used to be so good...what the heck??  Maybe it's the weather...or the lack of home internet.  Or the moving and being used to NOT being on the internet.  *sigh*  Whatever it is....I'm sorry.  I totally suck.

AND...I even had some great news to share!!  I had an email from Memory Makers Magazine (online) that said I was the featured layout for the week there!!  Woohoo..how exciting for me!!  Here is the Link.  It's my Clownin' Around layout that I did for an ACBailey Freaky Friday Challenge!

So speaking of ACBailey...there is LOTS going on over there!!  Between an upcoming Blog Hop (which I have never participated in...this will be the first!) and the Friday Nite Lites (weekend online crop)...it seems there is never ending inspiration!!  Come check out the forums too...it's a really fun message board..if you don't have an online home already!!  And if you sign up for the forums...and have at least 10 posts by Sunday...I'll send you a little goodie from the shop.  And i PROMISE it won't be TOO tardy!!  :) Make sure to post here to let me know you joined up!!

Okay...I gotta jet...have to get my craft ready for the kids at the Boys & Girls Club.  I've been SO super busy.  Did I mention that I put an ad in the Super Shopper to organize and clean?  I've been a busy girl with that already!!  Yay!!  Is it weird that I LIKE to organize and clean??  :)

knock knock knock

anybody out there??  Just checkin'.  :)  It's been crazy hectic around here.  We DID get our keys on Monday and the go ahead to move in.  YAY!!  I must have totally thought I was superwoman though the way I was thinking I would be at the Boys and Girls Club on Tuesday and back online by Wednesday.  *snort*  Who was I fooling??  Only myself apparently!!  I cannot believe how much time and energy it takes to move and unpack and put away.  I am totally exhausted!!

Wanted to share a few layouts from Audrea Crane...my October Guest Designer.  She totally rocked her products and I am LOVING what she did!!  Thanks so much Audrea for sharing your creativity with us this month!! 

 

 

 

And before I leave...I want to tell you to be on the watch for a fantastic new etsy shop.  :)  My BFF Missy finally got hers up and running..not sure if she's loaded anything but it's there.  So make sure to check it out!!  :)  Her shop is HERE!

Okay..hopefully my internet will be up and running shortly...I'm at my folks' place as my computer is still here!!  :)  Geez....superwoman I am so not!!  :)

Friday Free for All & Free Shipping!!

Okay..so here I am..for a REALLY quick moment.  We JUST got back from the HostFest in Minot, North Dakota (A HUGE Scandinavian Celebration)  It was a fun day spent with my grampa and mom.  My grama LOVED going (in fact...her calendar from 2006 was still hanging on the wall with the week of HostFest highlighted).  Since she's been gone for a little over a year...and my grampa isn't going to last much longer...I thought it would be a good thing for us to do before I don't have the chance.  I was joking with grampa and telling him that I found out where we got our noses...well the trolls of course.  :)  *giggle*  Anyway...it was really weird because I probably saw a half dozen women who resembled my grama.  It made me sad...I really miss her.  But it was fun...and my poor grampa has to go again tomorrow as my two aunts and their kids are at the farm today.  Oh and holy wind!!  Krimanetly...the wind was blowing to beat the band (16mph in fact!!) and the rain was coming down all night.  What a crappy day to drive!

Although that WON'T stop me tomorrow morning as I head to Glacier for the retreat!  YAY!!  I am so freakin' excited and so freakin' ready to go.  Wish it was NOW!!  lol 

Free Shipping Day at AC Bailey Designs!

Free with all orders over $35... just enter coupon code FREE at checkout.

 Lots of new stuff this month! Happy shopping :)

And a special THANK YOU! to all those who have been playing on the forum with us...

We LOVE having someone to talk to here on the forum besides each other! So as a participating forum member, we want to THANK YOU with a special discount! For anyone who orders anytime this month,

we will give you 5% off your order total!!

Take advantage of it tomorrow and you'll get FREE Shipping too!!

 

Couple of rules for you, though...
*you must be an active forum member with at least 5 posts to qualify
*you must enter coupon code ACBFM to receive your discount, no adjustments later ladies

*you must put your forum name in the comments section

**don't forget to put MY name (Jenn Stevens) in the consultant box!!

Happy Shopping!

And I thought I would post the Friday Free For All early (ha!..now there's a new one!!) since I won't be here tomorrow!!  Just know that I won't be back until Monday to tell the winner!!  Let's see...just comment and tell me...ummmm....what your favorite color is.  :)  Don't forget to check back next week to see if you have won!!  Up for grabs are some blank calendar cards!!

Oh and remember me telling you I had a gazillion layouts from Janelle??  Or was I just thinking that??  lol  I have SEVEN that she created for me for September...is that chic an over achiever or what??  I just love her stuff.  BUT..I'm not posting them all...so to see more make sure you head to the gallery!!  (and yes..some more of the new school ticket strips which aren't in the shop yet!!  tee hee)

 

Okay..so really...now I'm gonna be gone.  :)  Have a super weekend ya'll and I'll be thinking of ya when I'm at the retreat...scrappin' the weekend away!!  :)

so you thought you would be rid of me for a week...eh??

yeah well..don't feel like the lone ranger...I didn't expect to be writing either!!  But...still nothing on the apartment.  UGH...talk about pure frustration!!  I'm hoping something will happen this week so that when I get home next Sunday I can start moving in the next day.  Wouldn't that be nice?  Of course...just goes to prove the amount of luck I have...ummm...NONE??  :) 

But..some exciting news!!  I was asked to join the Design Team at ACBailey!  Wooohooo!!  So now I'm not just a consultant...but I'm on the DT as well.  I'm super excited.  And can't wait to get started....and that means that now you all WILL have to play along with the challenges...cuz...well...cuz you just must.  :)  

And...I have a couple So Sketchy layouts to share with you...have I mentioned lately that I LOVE Ally's sketches?  Seriously...they just really are the greatest thing..since...toaster struddles.  :)  And on this layout (below) I used some of the new SK8R BOY jotters and ticket strips (which I cut).

And...this is my little brother.  :)  He was SO stinkin' cute.  :)

And...here are a couple layouts from the ever so talented Mimi.  Just so you know...those tickets she used on the First Day of School layout are from my NEW school jotter set....I will post them SOON..I promise!!

And check out the colored scallop label..that's a newbie in the shop...LOVE how it looks on Mimi's page too!!  Hmmm..I better dig some out and take with me to my retreat.  Which..speaking of...I'm REALLY excited for...have I mentioned that??  *giggle*

So I'm not going to say you won't hear from me the rest of the week...I heard that we might not leave until after noon tomorrow...so I MIGHT be back.  :)  I have a gazillion layouts from Janelle to post anyway!!  :)  Have a super night!!

whew...what a day!!

So unfortunately...I am writing today.  I am bummed because that means that...A) I'm not moving into our place.  B) I'm not moving into our place.  And C) I'm not moving into our place.  :(  Big bummer.  But I never received a call from them yesterday to come get the key and I'm certain that they don't work on the weekend...so I guess I'll wait until Monday to see what they say.  However...I'm not sure I want to move in next week...I'll be gone from Tuesday to Sunday...and Shawn will be alone with the boys...with a house that is a wreck?  Well that just wouldn't be good.

Let's see...a quick recap of my busy day yesterday.  First I went and took some pictures of miss Dixie and Miss Addie.  Do you remember them...from the newborn photo shoot I did awhile ago??  (actually about 3 months ago??).  It was fun and I was SO freakin' excited because I actually got ONE real smile out of Dixie.  Yay!!  So here are a few of my favorite shots....and I want to do the mom and Addie feet every 3 months..thought that would be fun to see?  :)  Little miss Addie is SUCH a cutie...I'm not much on wanting to snuggle with other people's babies but she really makes me want to snuggle up with her!!  I think it's that red hair!!  :)  Both girls looked so super cute in their matching outfits that their mama made for them!! 

After that I ran to the Boys & Girls Club to print out photos of everyone in their bandanas.  Tonight is the benefit concert and the director thought it would be fun to display those photos of the kids.  Here is the one of my boys.  :)

Then after that I rushed home to get ready as we were going out to view the elk.  During the rut the elk come to this place called Slippery Ann...they cross the river and come into this field.  It was pretty awesome to see...although there weren't that many elk out..and we didn't get to see any big bulls.  But still really cool to listen to them bugle and the cows call back.  I guess on Tuesday there were about 300 elk in the meadow!!  Now that would be a sight to see!!  Oh and I should mention that sometime in this little journey my darling Auston pushed something on my camera...so I could no longer see a clear picture through my view finder.  I have NO CLUE what he did.  Talk about frustrating!!  My dad doesn't call him fingers for nothing!!  In the bottom picture...do you see the other bulls in the bushes back there?  They would hide behind those bushes and bugle..it was nuts.  It was also crazy how CLOSE we were to them...and they didn't care!  Obviously they were fully aware that this was a no hunting zone!!  There were probably 50 cars parked alongside the road watching.  Oh..and my best friend from high school, Myla and her family were there too..so I was able to visit with her for a bit..which was nice!

So after we left Auston had to go potty...so we go down to the little rest area that is near the viewing area.  He gets out to go and we all notice that the back passenger tire is FLAT.  Lovely.  So dad and I unload the back of mom's truck (2009 Yukon XL).  We then had to read the freakin' manual to figure out where the jack was....underneath the cup holder...now isn't that a bizarre place for that stuff?  Anyway...it was pitch black.  Luckily some people were camping nearby and they came over...shined some headlights on us and held a flashlight while we got the tire changed.  Done.  Finally.  But it gets better...about 15 miles from home dad was like..listen to that...and I said..doesn't sound good.  We pull over and then really heard it.  Yup.....a blown tire.  The FRONT DRIVER tire.  Blown.  Seriously?  Does this really happen?  So I call my brother and have him bring the air tank to us.  Dad starts to take off the blown tire and puts the first flat on the front.  I'm holding Auston's gameboy up for light...not even kidding!!  So we finally get home...after 2 flat tires.  NUTS!!

So if you are bored this weekend...ACBailey is having an online crop!!  I have to go visit it and see what's all going on but I know there are prizes involved!!  So go check it out...ya never know...it just might push you to get some scrappin' done this weekend!!  Since I'm not moving I guess I could probably play along as well eh??  And here is the layout I did for the Freaky Friday Challenge this week.  Oh and I think I'm very clever...cuz check out the little monster from the October Afternoon Nite Lite paper...doesn't he look like a cucumber??  baahaahahahahaha  Well *I* thought so.  :)

Well I best go get busy...I am making a big ol' bowl of coleslaw for the benefit concert (free supper before the concert!)...I LOVE coleslaw..which is so odd because I used to detest it.  Does that mean I'm *gasp* getting old?  Pfffttt.  Whatever.  And hey..I just might see you later on tonight.  :)  While everyone else is sleeping and I'm scrappin'.  :)  (hubby is hunting again this weekend!).  Oh yeah...and the winner for the Friday Free For All is Sammye Jo...because well...I had to go with someone who said Def Lepard...as they were one of my favs too!!  Although I do love me some Poison.  :)

Sammye Jo said...

Just found your blog and I am hooked :) I'm going to have to go with the boys of Def Lep and some goold ole "Pour Some Sugar On Me" :)
Thanks for the chance!!!

Holy Rusted Metal Batman..it's FRIDAY!

and I'm actually posting the Friday Free For All!!  See...miracles DO happen.  :)  So up for grabs this week...how about some This-n-Thats??  Sure...why not?  So just leave a comment and...ummm..name your all time favorite rock band.  :)  Make sure to check back to see if you've won!!

This is gonna be kinda a short post...I am HECTIC.  Seriously crazy busy.  We are getting to move into our apartment this weekend...yay!!  But I'm going to be gone from Tuesday-Sunday...so I have SO much to do in the meantime.  ACK!  Seriously...I have to have things in order as Shawn will have the boys next week while I'm gone...and you know how that goes.  :)  But I'm excited...to have our own space will be nice...even if it's an apartment!!  :)  The boys are looking forward to it as well...Auston says, "I can't wait to separate from my brother."  *giggle*  And tonight we are heading out to view the elk....they come on the preserve and since it's the rut...the bulls just scream.  I can't wait to listen to them...of course I'll try to snap some pictures too!!

Want to share some awesome layouts from Missy. 

She rocks the 2 pagers doesn't she??  Okay all...I can't guarantee when I'll draw the winner...so just keep on checking back!!  Have a stellar weekend!!

 

 

is it Tuesday already??

Seriously...how the heck did I work full time and still manage to keep up with my house, the kids and their school...my exercise...and scrapbooking?  Good grief...I am unemployed and somehow I am unable to keep all these things in line!!  It's simply absurd!  I am totally ashamed of myself.  I mean really...now that I don't work you would think that the laundry would always be done...I would be ahead on all my deadlines and still have plenty of time left over.  Oooohhhh....nooooooo...that is so not how it is!!  My laundry is stacked up beyond belief...and I swear it's never going to end.  My scrap table is a disaster...I have 4 projects that need to be done...and soon!  I can't seem to finish this photography thing...I'm too much of a chickenshit.  I feel like I never have any time.  So odd.  Anyway...

Today again I head to the Boys & Girls Club for my afternoon of volunteer work.  I'm kinda excited though as I have come up with a little fundraiser for them.  This month the theme is Woolies and Whinnies.  Basically...the old west...sheep and horses and cowboys.  The craft this week is going to be bandanas.  :)  Soooo...next week I'm going to set up a little place outside...hay bale...saddle...cowboy hats...and some other fun props.  I'm going to take individual pictures of each kid with their bandana.  I'm then going to print them in sepia.  I thought I would send home with each child a mini print of their picture and offer to have prints made up....the proceeds going to the Club!  I'm really excited and hoping that it will bring in a bit for the club and maybe even generate some interest for me??   Who knows.  Wish me luck!!

And other than that...really nothing new to share.  I'm bursting with excitement for the retreat...I cannot wait!!  I've printed out all Mathew's pictures up to the end of June....as that is my project for the weekend.  I have started to put together page kits...okay...I've done ONE..but hey..it's not as easy as I thought.  Only because I tend to change my mind..a lot.  :)  So trying to be ahead of myself..and that is not so easy.  And I have stuff for some new card class kits...and I need to upload my new school jotters which I really love.  And...and and.  :)

So here are a couple more projects from my guest designer Trace.  Love that card...I've been meaning to come up with some card sentiment tickets...just haven't gotten that far yet.  Gee...you would think I had PLENTY of time!  *smacks head*  And I have lots of things for the mail.  UGH. 

**note on the layout below..the only jotter that is mine is the WHO which is above the picture!!**

Oh..and Auston humored me last night by letting me take some photos.  I didn't opt to have their school pictures taken (it was like $50!!  Crazy!)...because well..if this is something I want to do I guess I better be an example eh??  :)  Here are a couple of my favorites. 

He really needs a haircut...so I think I'll try again once that happens.  :)  Silly boy is at that akward tooth phase...he doesn't know if he wants to smile and show his teeth.  :)  Poor thing!

Okay so I've been working on a brochure for taking pictures..prices etc.  And I have yet to come up with a name.  Can you all help me out some??  I LOVE the door that is behind Auston and thought maybe Shabby Door.  But then I'm not sure..is that silly? Some of the ones I've come up with:

Shabby Door Photography - Jennifer Ray Photography - Everyday Moments Photography

I'm so open to suggestions...so give them to me!!  :)  Who knew it would be so hard!!

Oh and the Friday Free For All winner is....Minderella.  Just email me your addy and I'll get those tickets out to you!! 

Friday Free For All...challenge and guest designer...

Whew!  Okay...so I'm STILL late but did you notice I'm not QUITE as late??  I mean...yesterday was Friday.  And it's only Saturday.  :)  See...I might just be able to get this thing back on track.  :)

So up for grabs is some new SK8R BOY ticket strips.  I thought it would be fun to take my old (old old) style of raffle tickets...and connect them into a strip.  I LOVE how versatile they are.  I've already cut them up...and used them all as a strip.  So just leave me a comment...tell me what you love about fall...and you'll be entered into a random drawing.  :)

And I have to introduce my guest designer for this month!  Trace Geworsky!  She does some amazing work and I just love her style!!  To see more of her work check out her blog HERE.

And...I had so much fun with this layout.  I LOVE this paper and have been itchin' to use it.  Well, some of the girls at AC Bailey have participated in a Summer Shades thing...not sure what else to call it!!  These traveling shades arrived at my post office box last week.  It was hilarious when I tried them on...Auston said...mom you look like a martian!  And Mathew insisted I looked like I had bug eyes.  :)  But it was fun...and I completed this layout for the Freaky Friday Challenge this week.  Go play along!!  If you do...I'll send you a little surprise goodie from the shop!!  You must post in the ACBailey gallery to be eligible!!  

Soooo...I'm so excited for the retreat.  :)  No..I  mean REALLY excited!!  It's going to be interesting though!!  There will be FOUR girls plus all our STUFF in my Durango...heading to Glacier Park!!  bahahahaahaha.  I told everyone to pack light..but seriously...when it comes to scrap stash how is that even possible??  :)

And I have a couple So Sketchy! layouts to share but my mom is on call this weekend and my time is almost up for the internet.  Have I mentioned lately how much I despise dial up??  *giggle*  Have a fantastic weekend!!

**oh and don't forget the September special in the shop...free shipping on purchases over $15!!**