ahhh...much better

So, I tried my hand at digital scrapbooking. I basically stink at it and was super unhappy with the outcome. I mean, the photos and the products are super cute but it just wasn't me. I just had to do a redo and I'm so glad I did. I used the same digital products but just printed them and cut them out for a hybrid layout. I think I'll wait a looong while before attempting the digital thing again!

BEFORE (digital layout)























AFTER (paper aka hybrid layout)

the outcome of recent crafty times

I had a recent bout of crafty-ness and wanted to share some of my most recent layouts. Hopefully I can continue this level of productivity. Don't worry, I will keep some of the photos up my sleeve to share during the slow season.

putting a dent in my stash

I've been desperately wanting to use up my stash of scrapping supplies (mostly so I don't feel bad when I have to buy the latest and greatest stuff) and I'm not alone my longing. Adrienne felt the same way and our newest challenge was born. We challenged each other to create a layout and card using only products we had in our stash. Not the most creative challenge, we know, but it got rid of some of those older products we've been holding on to. Now if I can find a way to use the other 500 items I've been hording, I can go buy all new stuff!

here's what i made






















materials: Decorative Edge Paper by Creative Imaginations (I've had this forever it seems), Patterned Paper and Stickers by American Crafts, Chipboard by Basic Grey (also had forever, bling by kaiser crafts





















materials: Decorative Edge Paper by Making Memories, Patterned Paper by American Crafts and K&Company, Stickers by American Crafts, Flower by Heidi Swapp, Brads are unknown but came in a kit a looooong time ago

Thank you Baby!

(well, first thank you James Taylor for the perfect words) You brighten up for me all of my days...

This baby girl is so funny, wild, crazy, loving and sweet. She fills each day with fun, laughter, sighs, spills, hugs, kisses, messes, frusteration and joy. I will gladly take the fleeting tough moments for the priceless precious moments that fill most of my day.

And...let's be honest, being able to dress her in outfits like these also makes life a little brighter!

Right Now

This is Ella right now...

loves farm animals

says "wtsda" for What's that? - points and says it to everything

has to have a binky in her mouth and hold a binky before she can go to sleep

has to have the music on before she can go to sleep

loves dogs and tries to feed them even if we are at a restaurant where there is no dog!

wants to go outside all the time

likes to be pulled around in a basket at nana & papa's

is a climber - stairs, into baskets, boxes, etc.

loves her family - especially her cousin charley

dances and sways from side to side whenever she hears music

plays on her princess ride-on toy

sits on her green chair in her room

loves to take things out and put them back in...especially daddy's socks

says "ba" when we ask her to say please...it's so funny

considers cheese, animal crackers and yogurt her favorite foods

is really into books

can't wait for bath time

goes straight to her toys as soon as we walk into grammy and grandpa's house

wants to sit in my lap and watch blues clues when she wakes up

knows when she is tired and points to her crib

is a daddy's girl big time

still doesn't like to be left in the nursery at church but is getting better

has 2 teeth and one more almost in

says "weeee" when she is in a swing or when we hold her hands and swing her

loves her "big girl" carseat

is a sweetheart and such a love (but can be stubborn and naughty sometimes!)

Always Believe In Impossible Things

I decided to finally post one of my layouts from this past year's Memory Maker's Masters Contest. I had to send the original layout in but I luckily made a copy. The layout had to incorporate the word "believe", so I centered it around one of my favorite quotes:

“There is no use trying, said Alice; one can't believe impossible things. I dare say you haven't had much practice, said the Queen. When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” -Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Brothers don't shake hands...

Brothers gotta hug! Ok...so I still love a good line from Tommy Boy every now and again! It just fit so well with this "Brothers" mini that I couldn't resist! I made this album for the little boys I babysit for. I used mostly My Mind's Eye products-the album is Maya Road.

A Couple of Cards

Just wanted to share a couple of cards I made recently. On the first (Friends Card) I used several elements from Rhonna Farrer's "A Camping We Will Go" digital kit and the second I made using a sketch at Caardvarks.

The Grass Is Always Greener...

This is what happens when I take my eyes off Miss Ella Rose for one second! Of course, I had to grab the camera! Why she has to have the Mac n'Cheese from the bowl, rather than her tray, I will never know! She is doing this a lot lately..if I give her a treat from my hand she throws it on the floor, but if I let her get it from the container herself she's all smiles. What a girl!

Happy {Belated} New Year!

I can't believe how fast 2008 flew by! I am excited for a wonderful, prosperous, unforgettable and happy 2009!

Closing the Books on 2008

I can't believe I let the Holiday Season go by without blogging! I just wanted to post a few of our year-end highlights before starting my 2009 Blogging.

1. My Fall Wreath, inspired by Handmade Holiday, as seen on Ali Edward's Blog.
















2. How cute is this outfit from Target?






















3. Adrienne came to visit from Atlanta, so she, Megan and I got to spend some quality time together. We had so much fun shopping at Windy City Scrapbooking and eating Tapas and Paellla at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba! I have to say that I love both of those places and want to go back soon! Of course, I have no pictures of our adventures because, for some reason, we hardly ever take them when we're together anymore. It makes no sense because we don't see each other very often. Maybe we're all photo-ed out from College?

We did start our December Daily Albums and I am particularly excited about these papers by Theresa Collins.

4. Aaron and I hosted Thanksgiving at our house for the first time. No, all of the dishes didn't match (we did use our Wedding China though!). Yes, we had to eat in the basement to fit everyone around a table (it IS a finished basement at least). But, it was still wonderful and we were very proud of ourselves! WE DID HAVE A TON OF HELP THOUGH, and everyone brought a dish (or more) to pass. I made the BEST stuffing ever! It doesn't look so hot (bottom left corner of photo), although when does stuffing really look that appetizing? I got the recipe from an episode of The Cooking Loft (I left out the turkey "parts" - that seemed so gross to me!).
















5. We had such a great time at Disney World and on our Carribbean Cruise in early December. We flew into Orlando, spent 3 full days at Disney and drove the 3ish hours to Ft. Lauderdale for our 6-night Cruise with Royal Carribbean. The Cruise stopped in Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico and Cozumel, Mexico.

Disney

Having fun at Epcot





















Hollywood Studios
















Safari at Animal Kingdom
















Meeting Minnie (Finally!)
















Ella napping in her stroller





















Cinderella's Castle lit up in Christmas lights and Fireworks

















Cruise

Ella looking out the Window at Breakfast (she did this everyday!)





















Belize City, Belize (this is all we got to see of Belize...)















Ella's first feel of sand/first time in the ocean (Costa Maya, Mexico)





















Wrapped up like a burrito in Daddy's shirt





















Playing with Daddy in the Salt Water Pool & with Mommy on the Hammock






















Our Cruise Ship, Independence of the Seas
















Our Christmas Card Photo















Bye, Bye Ocean!

6. We were fortunate to have visits from Sarah, Carl & Patrick, despite the icky weather! It was a shame to cancel our reservations at Tsukasa though!

7. Christmas was wonderful. Ella wasn't really all that excited about opening the gifts but she liked the bows and she loved all of the toys that made sounds and had lights! Everyone was so generous and we were so blessed. It was so awesome to experience our first Christmas with Ella Rose!

At Grammy & Grandpa's House (The Carsons) - Christmas Eve




















At Our House - Christmas Morning




















At Nana & Papa's House (The Kohlmeiers) - Christmas Afternoon

At Nana Rose & Papa Bob's House (Grandma & Grandpa Nelson) - December 27th