I'm back ....

WOW I've really been MIA lately. I struggled all last week with major migraines. Then my birthday on Friday was a busy day. Ollie had practice that night so we didn't get to go out to dinner or anything special. I have to say one of my hockey mom friends stopped by practice (her son isn't moving up to this level for another year so we don't get to play together for a while) and brought me a gift and card. I was really touched, she's become such a good friend and I appreciate her so much.

We spent the weekend helping the guy who gives Ollie his glice lessons (glice is synthetic ice) and is the head of our Kodiak hockey. Gary's shop was flooded last week in the Nor'Easter. We spent time there this weekend helping him get the shop back together. Everything had to come out so that the floors could be taken up. Even the glice had to come up because the wood underneath warped. New flooring went in, the glice was put back down and we got everything pretty much restocked in the store. It was a lot of work, but there were good families helping, good times and laughter had by all. It felt so good to help out and get Gary back up and running. He's done so much for these kids and I'm especially thankful for all he's done for Ollie.

Sooo that's were I was all weekend. Zipping up Shades of Summer Bright and Shades of Summer Light to submit to the stores. Hoping to have them at least at TSG by tomorrow so there's plenty of time on the sale left. The boys are taking me to dinner tonight for my birthday since we just haven't been able to go. Not sure where we're heading, but we'll enjoy it as a family no matter what. I love my boys!

It's my Birthday, a Sale and a Freebie ... OH MY!

It's my 38th Birthday! I'm having a 38% off all my products sale at The Scrapping Garden from today (April 20th) through May 3rd.

Be sure to stop by and pick up my kits while they are on sale. I am working hard to get more of my kits in the store by early next week so keep your eyes open! Those kits will also be on sale through May 3rd.

Just because it's my birthday I'm also putting a small freebie here that coordinates with my Dream Your Own Monogram for Spring kit. Don't forget to leave me comments if you download.

Have a wonderful weekend!

WONDERFUL news and a new kit!

*TOOT TOOT TOOT*


Woohooooo for Ollie! He made the team! He's now on the Kodiak Midget A team. How exciting is that? Always a relief to have tryouts over and especially with such good news. I can't even begin to tell you how proud we are of him. He's worked hard and earned this .... his work ethic is amazing to me and it's starting to pay off for him. Can you see me beaming!? He's officially no longer a Bantam in any capacity as he's already moved up to playing Midget/High School for the spring season. I can't believe he'll start high school in the fall! Where did my little boy go?


I finished the new monogram kit and it's already uploaded to TSG and should be in the other stores today. I'm very excited about this one. It's called "Dream Your Own Monogram for Spring". I think if people like it and it goes well then I'll do a summer, fall and winter one. Maybe also some for the holidays. I had a ball making it and a lot of fun playing with it too. I can see this being a staple for many layouts. Good stuff!

Ok, so better late than never. Finally got hubby's April wallpaper done. I used a picture I took of one of my irises last spring and I used the Dream Your Monogram for Spring which will be coming to my stores soon. It's a fun customize your own monogram kit with large 4" chipboard letters and fun elements to dress them up.

Spring ....

So spring is sure getting a slow start around here. It's still much colder than usual and the spring flowers are slow in coming up. I've got tulips, hyacinth and daffodils peeking out of the ground, but not close to blooming yet. My neighbor has a different type of daffodil and his are up and bloomed, I'm enjoying looking at his! Here is a picture I took last spring. I need to get the camera out and be ready to start snapping when mine finally come up.

Good news is the weather has kept the ice nice for tryouts this week. They decided to hold tryouts on our home ice and the rink obliged by staying open until after they were done. They usually shut down after the season ends in March because our rink is primarily outdoors. So the ice is nice and hard and tryouts are flying along. Tonight and tomorrow night ... and then we have an answer. Didn't anyone ever realize that it's a lot more pressure on us hockey moms than the players? He looked good though so probably no reason to worry.

The new girl at work has decided that this isn't the place for her and is leaving at the end of the week. Probably a good thing as I don't think she was a good fit here either. Bad news is the few things I had been able to turn over to her now come back to my desk. The worst is I have to answer the phone all the time again. Blah!

Hope everyone has a fantastic day!

Time flies ...

Time sure flies when company is around. I feel like I'm behind in everything, but it was really good to take some time and visit with family. My mom and nephew really needed that right now. Please everyone keep my nephews and niece in your prayers. There is so much turmoil in their lives right now and I'm afraid it's going to get so much worse before it gets better. I'm a praying for guidance that I know the right way to help them when I can. It's a tough situation.

While I'm asking for prayers, please keep my dear friend (I've adopted her as my sister!), DeDe, and her family in your prayers. They are really struggling with illness with the two kids this week. Her son has been in the hospital and her daughter has a double ear infection. I hope and pray they are feeling better soon! Her daughter, Beth, is the adorable little on in the Pajama Party layout that I did and posted on my blog last month.

Ollie has tryouts tonight, tomorrow night and Wednesday night for his Kodiak team. He moves up to Midget level for the fall. I'm sure he'll do well, but as usual I have "Mom nerves" for him!

My New Year's Jewels kit has been submitted to all three stores and should be up shortly. I debated on renaming the kit as I don't really want it boxed in as a New Year's kit only, however I did have the 2007 stamp and a couple of pieces that I didn't want to take out that really fit the title. It's such a versatile kit and could be used for so many special occassions. Here's a peak at the kit:

April ....

Sheesh where did time go? I can't believe I haven't posted since last week. I guess we are still celebrating Ollie's MVP award. Also we've been trying to really clean the house up. Two reasons, one it's a disaster from hockey season and two my mother and nephew are arriving this afternoon for a visit. I've lived in New Jersey for 11 years now but this is my Mom's first visit here. They will be here through Saturday afternoon. It's my nephew's first flight ever and we are taking both my mom and nephew to their very first hockey game ever tonight. NJ Devils vs. Ottawa Senators. Think they'll be surprised when they see us dressed up in our jerseys, all the pins on our jerseys and my blinking horns?????

I finished the Pajama Party Add-On Alpha and it's now in the stores! It's a perfect compliment to the Pajama Party kit, but would work with so many other layouts too. I'm thinking it would be perfect for baby and toddler pix... even Easter! Here's the preview (as always thank you to the wonderful Miss Vickie!!!!!!!!!!!!):

You can find it in my stores:

Digitals
DigiScrapShak
The Scrapping Garden


Also at Digitals I contributed a piece of the challenge kit this month. you can find my piece of the kit here.

If you collect my piece and also participate in the challenges going on at Digitals you can end up collecting a whole beautiful kit! Believe me, I've seen the other pieces and this kit is really pretty. Here's a look at my part. You'll notice this is where the inspiration for the colors came from for my jeweled paper freebie that was on the blog last week. You have all convinced me that I should make that a whole kit and I'm going to start adding pieces. I have to tell you that the jeweled paper was a "happy accident". Don't you just love those!
Hugs to all!