Quick update...

Has it really been two weeks since I checked in with you all? Wow...time flies. I was gently reminded by my lovely friend Shirley (Hi there Shirley!) that I was lagging. So I will do a quick check in and bring you all up to date. Sadly there has not been a lot of scrappy time around here, but I do have a few projects to share. Mostly I have been spending my time running crazy with these kidlets! We have been working hard at getting my oldest son back on his game with school - we had a rough few weeks but I am so happy to say that finals are over and he lived through his first quarter of 8th grade and actually pulled up his grades to A's and B's!!! Way to go Christian!...and he reported this morning that he plans to keep it on track and shoot for all A's next quarter - I am so glad to have my son back!!
My nine year old has his 4th grade Mission project due this week and we have been working on that - I love doing crafty projects with the kids, and we were encouraged to work on it together, so we are having a great time! But wow is it a time consuming project!
Lauren is getting so excited for Halloween! I can't wait to take pictures of her adorable costume! Grandma made it, and she is going to be a butterfly - it is simply stunning! She is so anxious to be able to wear it! And I am really looking forward to being able to scrap it!

Now on to the scrappy stuff... I did complete some items for the Tour De France Contest over at MonAme Memories. Last week's challenge was to complete a project for Breast Cancer awareness. We were asked to alter a Bra in any way that we chose -- and then of course in order to be coordinated and have a little fun, we were to make matching panties. Of course, like many of you my life has been touched by Breast Cancer, and I wanted to make something really special for this contest. And since we are talking about Breast Cancer awareness before I share my project I want to remind you to get your yearly mammogram - don't wait! I would also like to encourage you to click HERE to go to the Breast Cancer site, and please click to donate a FREE mammogram! It only takes a moment, it is free, and it may save someone's life!

Here is my project:


I decorated the bra and boy shorts in fall colors with silk flowers, rhinestones and ribbon. I added an adorable little owl pin and the tag reads: I'm here to support you. I have no idea what to do with this little ensemble now that it is done! But may someone living with Breast Cancer or a Breast Cancer survivor will see my project and know that I made it to support them...and maybe they will smile.

For this week's project, we were asked to create a mini album using the theme "Thankfulness" as our inspiration. Now I have to tell you, as busy as this week has been, trying to get a mini album done was REALLY a challenge for me. But I was determined to do this! And I am so glad that I did. We have faced some difficult times recently, and it has been really hard for me not to be focused on the negative. Really hard. So taking the time this week to focus on the things that I am thankful for was really a blessing for me. I do have so much to be thankful for, and no matter what challenges life throws at me, I KNOW that I am truly blessed. I do plan to add a few more pages to this mini - since I have much more that I am thankful for, but here is what I got done for the contest:



I used primarily Making Memories papers, chipboard, journaling notebook and stickers for this album along with some miscellaneous ribbon, buttons and lace, felt alphabet by American Crafts and some prima flowers. I wish the photos were a little better - but I always do! I am so pleased with how this album turned out - it makes me smile!

Well, that's it for now - I gotta go get back to work on my (I mean Ethan's) Mission project. Have a WONDERFUL week, and I hope to have something fun to share soon!