Sneak Peek & To Do List

You can see the rest of the project over at the Creative Charms blog. :-)

My To Do List:

• Take the car in for repairs after a tree branch fell on it
• Study for my two tests this week, and three next week
• Write a speech that's due Friday
• Go to the grocery store
• Pay Daycare
• Pay Lawn care
• Make an appointment for the groomers
• Get caught up on my design team & publication projects
• Make appointment for the carpets to be cleaned
• Go to tax office for the -umpteenth time (someone used my SSN to file their taxes)
• Buy a booster seat for Ethan, because he's outgrowing his car seat
• Download, edit, & file the backlogged photos on my camera
• Post Ethan's 9 month entry
• Clean out Ethan's clothes that don't fit
• Get immunizations for nursing school
• Get a physical for nursing school
• Go to the pharmacy
• Buy nursing school books
• Buy nursing school uniforms
• Sew patches on uniforms
• Apply for financial aide
• Apply for vocational rehab
• Mail Vince's care packages
• Update Project Life pictures & journaling
• Go through mountain of mail that's been collecting
• Buy baby food, diapers, & wipes
• Buy dog food
• Finish Firefighter continuing education hours
• Submit renewal for Fire Fighter certification
• Fold the three piles of laundry on my bed
• Wash two piles of laundry on the floor
• List the rest of my old scrapbook tools and supplies on eBay
• Load pictures on to digital photo frame for Vince
• Ship Etsy orders
• Make final dental appointment
• Final-out from Army finance office
• Buy a wedding gift
• Get wedding clothes for Ethan & me
• Order graduation cap & gown
• Make graduation announcements
• Make Ethan's birthday invites
• Make a wedding card for Chelsea (cousin) & Parker
• Make birthday cards for Dad, Vince, Ethan, Ella (my sister), Aunt Lisa, Chelsea, Debbie (BFF), & Amber (neighbor)
• Change phone/TV/Internet plan (too expensive)
• Take my phone in for repairs
• Order a background check for nursing school
• Get the oil changed in both cars
• Pay school tuition owed
• Apply for delayed payment option for school until the G.I. Bill comes in

Hmmm... I have a slight feeling that I'm forgetting something...



#1 Dad Card

Some snapshots of my favorite fathers...

Me & My Dad

My Dad, Ethan, & Vince

Vince & Ethan

Ethan & My Dad

My Grandpa & Me

Happy Father's Day!!!

A Black Eye & Sunshine

Ah! I have been so jacked-up for the past week. I started my final summer semester of courses that will round out my pre-requisites for the nursing program that I was accepted into which starts in August. The classes I'm taking now are Developmental Psychology, Speech, & Microbiology with Lab.  Well, I must be allergic to something in the lab, because I ended up with a half-swollen face, a black eye, and four trips to doctors' offices. It's been a nightmare, and I really look like I walked right out of one. My face is scary, but at least I can see enough to get around now. I had to solicite car rides a few times. I'm just so ready to have my face and full eyesight back. I'm also behind now on some of my design team work. I was able to crank out this little ditty for Creative Charms though. Head on over there to check out the full card, & let me know what you think! :-)

Project Life Update IV

I started taking Microbiology & Lab, Public Speaking, & Developmental Psychology this summer semester.

I have a pile of things that Vince has requested. I'm still trying to find the time to get a box, write the customs forms, pack it up, and take it to the post office. I can't even get to class on time right now. Heehee

I don't think I need to elaborate much on how expensive I think gas is.

I have an addiction to all things Post-it.

I'm pretty sure these are the same sneakers that I wore in Afghanistan, and after saying that I'm pretty sure it's time for new ones.

Ethan never plays with his mat or bouncy seat anymore. He's too busy trying to walk and make long distance calls on my cell phone. It makes me miss the baby Ethan.

Mom came to visit.

Amish farm flowers are still alive.

Maybe I don't need new sneakers.

I need to do laundry big time. You can't see the pile on the bed or the full basket in Ethan's room either.

My scrapbook room is all over the place. I'm surprised I get anything done in here.

Eight of us went to the Melting Pot to celebrate birthdays, holidays, graduations, engagements, and on and on...

Ethan had some more shots at the doctor's office, but he's always a champ. He really just wants to tear up the bed paper.

And here's Ethan sitting on my lap on my birthday a few weeks ago. He was way squirmy and totally interested in my hair, so getting a good shot wasn't happening. This was the only one in focus. 

I know lots of you are Project Lifers too. I'd love for you to share your links here with us. We're not even halfway through the year, so we need more photo inspiration! :-) I don't know about you, but I'm starting to drag a little bit.



Farewell

Tomorrow I get my clearing papers and start my 10 (working) days of clearing the Army before setting off on using up those 50+ days of terminal leave that I have saved up from the past eight years of service. Oh, man does this make me feel so weird. I don't see where I shared this layout with you, so I am here now. I made this featuring my coworkers. I'm not really much of a scrapbooker (or Blogger guru if you noticed the blooper), so don't be too hard on me! :-)

You Are More

Blogoversary!

Four Years Today!!!

GCD Studios

Here's another GCD Studios creation that's quick and easy & uses up scraps.

It can also be completed in no time flat, so why not make a bundle of ready to send cards or a pile of cute invitations?!

Instructions:

1. Trim patterned paper to 3.75"x5".
2. Add scrap strips of ribbon and patterned paper & secure to back of patterned paper.
3. Secure to center of A2 (4.25"x5.5") cardstock base.
4. Add stitched border.
5. Add homemade embellishment using punched & die cut flowers from various scrap papers and fabrics secured with a brad.
6. Finish with a sentiment or alphabet stickers.

GCD Studios

Are you ready for a GCD Studios card tutorial?!

Here's the card we'll be making:

TIDY TIP: I always trim my base layer of patterned paper to 1/4" smaller than the cardstock base. This creates the matted/layered look, and it also allowes me to fully asemble the card and add stitching, brads, wrap around ribbon ends, etc before actually attaching it to the cardstock. We work really hard on making beautiful cards. They're meant to be opened, so don't leave a mess inside! :-)

Instructions:

1. Start with an A2 (4.25"x5.5") cardstock base. (This is also a great place to add an unexpected color without being overpowering.)
2. Trim Lovely Garden patterned paper to 4"x5.25", and stitch a decorative border around the upper two-thirds. (Yet another fun place to add a pop of color!)
3. Add a 1.5"x4" strip of Lovely Green patterned paper along the bottom edge.
4. Using the other side of Lovely Garden, add a 1.5"x4" strip of patterned paper after adding a punched border.
5. Take a 5" strip of 1" wide ribbon & 5" strip of paper ribbon and secure over the seams of the patterned paper layers.
6. Create an additional loop of ribbon, cinch in the middle with baker's twine, and secure to card front.
7. Use a die cut machine or punches to create floral voids to taste.
8. Secure your cardfront to the cardstock base.
9. Add a sentiment and Glitter Candy Dots.

It's Almost Summer...

...so I think I can still post one more spring card.

CARDS Magazine - May 2011

 The May issue of CARDS magazine had to be one of my favorites from this past year. Every card in there was so cute. I think I bookmarked every page! Anyway, here are a few of my cards that graced the pages this past month. Enjoy!