Halooooo!

Yep, I am still alive. I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted. Every day I have it on the list of things to do, and every day gets away from me and I don't get to it! It has been a couple of busy weeks, so I have lots of catching up to do!

My husband took the kids camping during spring break -- they had an awesome time! I did not have any vacation time available, so I stayed home...and completely enjoyed 5 days of quiet time, a clean house, a chance to eat, sleep and scrap when I wanted...it was just delightful! My friend Nicole came to have dinner and scrap with me one night, which is a rare and wonderful treat!! And I went on a shopping trip with my mom, and then out for the BEST dinner I have had in ages...mmmmmmm, we went to Bandera for grilled artichoke and Prime Rib, followed by a delightful Creme Brulee. Which means that NOW, I am back on my diet. Bleh.

We had a great Easter...very laid back and fun. The kids enjoyed playing out at my Mom's and seeing their cousins, aunts and uncles. I actually got a few decent photos of egg dying and the hunt...This is the first Easter EVER that I have had anything scrap worthy, so I am looking forward to doing something fun with them.

I start back to work full time soon, so I am trying hard to pack in as much of my other duties as possible before then...which means things are BUSY! But I am so delighted that my work is giving me the opportunity to work more... it really is time, and hopefully it will help!!

I have not updated regarding the "contest" yet -- I had so much fun doing that, and really look forward to other opportunities to learn and grow! One of my competitors, Leah, ended up the grand prize winner, but I am so thrilled to have been in a "runner up" position. Since I never imagined I would make it anywhere near the final three, I certainly can't be disappointed...I feel so honored and proud to have achieved "finalist" status! I got a fabulous prize package from Coordinates Collections...I can't wait to use it! I received several scrap kits from Cloud 9 designs, one from Scrapworks, some Thickers, a book, some MM foam stamps and chipboard...and more! What a wonderful treat! Definitely worth it, so look out next year!

I have completed a few layouts since I last shared with you.

This layout was created for Design Team at Scrappin' with Grace, using the Cosmo Cricket "Cogsmo" line. I really enjoyed working with the Cosmo Cricket Blackboard. These photos are of my middle son, Ethan, back in Kindergarten, with his best buddy. All products are Cosmo Cricket except Dymo label tape.



The next layout is my beautiful daughter, Lauren. I love that she is still willing to "cheese" for me, and I always get a ton of photos of her when I pull out the camera. I decided to do a 2 page layout for this one, as I just could not leave out any of the pics! I used the March kit from Create my Keepsake for this one. Patterned paper and die cuts are Pink Paislee (love this stuff!) Cardstock is Bazzill, Die Cut Cardstock is KI memories, Pop Culture. Felt Flowers are American Crafts and Stampin' Up!, Chipboard alpha is American Crafts, and letter stickers are Doodlebug Designs, flowers are Prima, Crown is grungeboard.


And finally this one is of my oldest, Christian. He will be 13 next month, and the signs of things to come are all there...ALMOST a teen, I can hardly wait! I used the February kit from Create My Keepsake for this one. Patterned papers, alphabet stickers and journaling strip are Collage Press, Felt is Queen and Co, Rub ons are Daisy D's and Heidi Swapp, Ribbon unknown, Chipboard alpha and embellishment are Scenic Route.

The Final entries

With voting complete for the Scrapping with the Stars contest at Coordinates Collections, I am able to share these with you now. These are the last two layouts completed for the final round. This first layout was to be done in the style of Kimberly Madrid, designer for CC.


Cardstock is SU, Patterned papers are My Mind's Eye, Lace is Joann's, Chipboard flourish is Rusty Pickle, Chipboard alpha is Lisa Bearnson, Flowers are Prima, Bird Charm is Blue Moon Beads, letter stickers are Basic Grey.

The Journaling reads: Lauren, this is a game we play together often. I tell you I love you, and you respond "I love you more". If I love you to the moon, you love me to the moon and back...and to Texas, and Hawaii, and Japan, and Sri Lanka, and back. It can go on for hours, so I usually let you win. But here is the truth, and don't ever forget it. I love you more!

This next layout is based on the work of Cathy Zielske. Cathy writes and designs for Simple Scrapbook magazines, and her trademark is work in a clean and simple, graphic style - this one was really hard for me!

I used SU cardstock, Cosmo Cricket and Fancy Pants patterned papers, AC Thickers, and the circle embellishments were from a bulk bin, so the source is unknown. I struggled to get a clear photo of this one - sorry it is not more crisp, I tried a dozen times!

The journaling reads: I have often said that you, Ethan, are my "EASY" child. Your good nature and easy-going personality are such a blessing! I can always count on yu to get your homework done without a struggle, clean up your mess when asked, play nicely with your sister, be ready on time...whatever I ask, really. And you typically do it with a smile! Life can be so difficult. It is nice to have you in my life, and to know that you are just "EASY".

A Layout at last!

I have one to share! I finally completed this layout for the Design Team at Scrappin with Grace. Cosmo Cricket is our sponsor this month, which could not make me happier since I love all things Cosmo Cricket, and I especially love this COGSMO line that I got to work with. I have been trying for months to find the right papers to scrap these photos from Halloween, and the colors in this were just perfect! I have a few more projects in the works, just need to print some photos, and then find some time!


Here are closeups of each page...





All Patterned Paper is Cosmo Cricket COGSMO
Cardstock is Bazzill
Plastic letters are Heidi Swapp
Letter Stickers are Doodlebug Designs
Foam letters are AC Thickers
Chipboard Photo Corner is Bazzill
Buttons are Misc
Ink and pen are SU

I had a good time with this one, and am loving the vibrant colors!!

Hope you are having a great weekend!
Hugs, KP

Oh my heavens...

I tell ya, I can't believe how nervous I am about this crazy contest! I am honestly completely and totally fine with being one of the top 3, and given the competition, not winning is just fine, but even so, I am so totally perseverating on it. It is torture. Monday can't come soon enough. I have become a stalker - as if checking in will make me know the answer sooner. So now you all know what a total goofball I am. I have no life. No more contests for a while - I can't handle it! lol

Love you all - I need to stop stalking and get busy scrapping...hope to have new layouts to share tomorrow!

Gaining some perspective...

So, I just felt like sharing some thoughts today. I try not to delve into a lot of personal "real" life on my blog - keep it light and positive, that's what works for me. But today I am in a rambling about real life mood, so bear with me! Life has been truly challenging lately, and we are above average stressed. Mostly our challenge at this time is financial - we are blessed to live in California, which we love, but as I am sure you know, the housing market and economy are "pooh-pooh" of late. Since we refinanced when the market was high, and because my husband had been working as a home inspector and in school to be certified as a building inspector, this has hit us VERY hard, and it has left a lot of things up in the air and frankly scary. So this is life, and I know that I am by no means the only one experiencing it, but it is hard. I have tried so hard to stay positive, to keep my mind on the fun things, and I have been blessed with many happy distractions, but I do find myself taking far too much time in self pity and "poor me" moments.

HOWEVER, over the last few days, I have been really forced to gain perspective on what "real" problems are like. Yes, this sucks - but it is only money, only material possessions, and a house is only a house. period.
I spend a lot of my free time sharing with a large scrapbooking community, caring about others on message boards, blogs and the like, and my "cyber friends" keep me entertained, informed, and all around blessed. It is crazy, but these strangers are such an important part of my life, and they add so much to it! AND over the last few days, they have brought me to tears and called me to prayer more often than I would like to count. I have learned of deaths of children, read about children that have cancer, husbands with rare illnesses, parents in tragic accidents...it is overwhelming and heartbreaking, and real actual painful problems that make mine seem so small and insignificant.
I have spent today really counting (physically counting) my blessings. And through my tears and prayers for others, I have found so much to be thankful for. I am blessed. I am so sad and heartbroken for these women, and I want to be certain every day that while I am here, and while we are healthy, I don't waste time that will later be missed and regretted. So this is my reminder...my "note to self" if you will.
I have beautiful, healthy, amazing children. I have a hard working husband that is here every day and takes care of us. I get to talk to or see my wonderful mother every day. I have a job that makes me happy. I have friends that support me, and that I completely adore. I am blessed.

I truly hope that this finds you healthy and happy, and counting blessings of your own.
KP

OH. MY. GOSH.

I am SOOOO excited to share with you that I made it in to the FINAL THREE in the Scrapping with the Stars contest at Coordinates Collections. I am truly so thrilled, honored and proud of myself for making it this far! The other participants in this contest have been SO amazing, I really feel so blessed to be among them. Considering that up until just a few months ago I was afraid to even enter a contest, to be competing and making it this far has been such an awesome experience. I have really been challenged to try new things, and have grown so much as a result. And I LOVE the work that I can now call mine that has come out of this!

Here are the layouts that I completed in the last round. The first is in the style of Jenn Dubbs - Design Team member at Coordinates Collections.

I used My Mind's Eye and My Little Shoebox patterned papers, Lisa Bearnson chipboard, My Mind's Eye journaling card and transparancy, Stampin' Up! Ink, and a lot of exacto work!

The next is a layout in the style of Tim Holtz. This one was really challenging for me. I adore Tim Holtz, and think he is a genius, but his style is very different from my own. That said, I am really happy with how this turned out, as hard as it was.

I used PP by K & Co, Bazzill CS, Grungeboard and cutout alpha letters byTim Holtz, letter brads are Rusty Pickle, small round letters are K & Co, Leather frame is Making Memories, Tags are Avery, Stamps are Stampin' Up!, inks are Ranger and Stampin' Up!. The keyhole and photo corner embellishments were from a bulk bin, so source is unknown.
The journaling along the edge reads: Fishing, Hiking, Climbing, finding rocks and pinecones...my boys LOVE to explore.

I can't believe I did it...and now I have to do ONE MORE round - voting for the next round will be from March 13 - 17, so be sure to check it out during that time, and wish me luck!!

In other news...
Today was Ethan's 9th birthday. I can't believe he is possibly that old... what does that say? I know, I am REALLY getting up there lol. We were invited to dinner with my LOVELY friend Charissa, who had coupons for some ROCKIN' burgers at Chili's. I ate so much I am going to explode. And since tomorrow is the birthday party, tomorrow is a wash for the diet as well! Ethan loved getting to go out, and getting some POKEMON cards, since that is the current obsession! I am so glad he had a nice evening, I sure do adore that sweet little boy!

Lauren and I spent most of the day at the dentist - we went twice because they had not reserved enough time to do the work they decided to do to fix her front teeth. Sadly the tooth next to the one that broke had started to turn dark. Since she is probably 2 years from losing the teeth naturally, I really wanted to try to improve them cosmetically. They did some bonding work on both teeth, and although they are "better" they are still not "good". But unfortunately each time we go it seems to get more challenging, so I think I just need to live with it. No one but me even really notices (and I can always photoshop the smile in her pictures for the next 2 years - so it will be like it never really happened lol). I wish I new a great cosmetic dentist who would work on kids! But her smile is still gorgeous, just not the SAME gorgeous it used to be.

Christian is still fighting with being sick - we thought he was better, but he had a little rebound last week, and had to miss more school. It is KILLING us, since he really is not getting time to recover fully with all of the extra school work to make up he is up so late every night, dragging, and I am not sure he will EVER get on top of it! It is so frustrating to watch, as I know he is really trying but just can't catch a break! I can't wait for spring break so he can hopefully just rest and really get well!

I better be done for tonight - I need to wrap things up and watch American Idol before bed. Hope your night is fabulous!