New projects

I have a few things that I'm working on right now. A couple of basic layouts, finishing up my minis from Christines classes and some mini's of my own.

You at 16 Months Mini album using the October Afternoon Hometown and the Cosmo Cricket album. I have the pictures printed, just need to get them in the book and the journaling done. I inserted extra pages using the diecuts from this line. Because they weren't long enough, I had to extend them using scalloped strips. And because there is only one file folder, I used it to create another one.

Future Rock Star

I read on someones blog about doing a monochromatic layout. I've had these rubons in my stash for a while because of the cool guitar. They're more girly rubons but I cut the wings off. American Crafts Thickers, Jenni Bowlin mini diecut paper, Glitz Designs Rubons and a Calendar tag from Elle's Studio.

Its a Boy - October Afternoon Weathervane (Sweater Weather), Bazzill cardstock, Crate Paper Glitter Diecut, Basic Grey Chipboard stickers and Making Memories felt letters.

Used the Martha Stewart border punch to create the scallops. I almost hate to use the OA papers.

And two snack staples in my room with me:

My huge water bottle. I got this in the hospital after my C-section to keep me hydrated. I try to drink 2-3 of these a day.

And the new holiday Hershey Kisses (Mint Truffle, Cherry Cordial and Candy Cane)

Just a few things

I've been working on. I have so many projects to get photos of and post in the gallery.

These are a few cards I made using scraps of the October Afternoon Hometown line. I made a mini book last week (pictures to follow shortly) and had a bunch of scraps left over. I'm not a big scrap person and have a hard time keeping pieces of paper- especially if I think I'll never use it again. So I tried something new - I didn't throw it away. I didn't put it in my scrap paper file. I kept it out and made a few cards.

I even made a card using some Prima Clear Paintables.....

Too funny

My son. He's too funny. While he can be a major PITA sometimes, he has one hell of a personality.

We found a 4 pack of these Nerf like balls at Target this weekend. Football, baseball, soccer and basketball. So we took him to the park and let him run around. I think we were more tired than he was afterwards. This was all in a vain attempt to wear him out enough to take a nap. Naps are forced in this house.

But I got a few good pictures of him and he's learning about sports.

And of course, with the cooler weather, I rearranged his closet (one of my favorite things to do) and put all of his winter clothes within reach. Just a few summer things left. He dug this fleece hat and gloves set out of a drawer so I put it on him. He hates hats. I'm surprised I got him to keep it on long enough for me to find a camera and get a picture. Nevermind the messy room in the background - the kids a pig!

And we took him to the new Bobs Big Boy. I know in the Midwest, its Frischs' Big Boy. My husbands family lives in Ohio so I was really excited to eat there the last time we visited. All of our BBB's closed but they are slowly reopening. Another childhood favorite thats reopening - Farrells. Yeah!

Next post will contain some cards I made.

I voted

Did you?

Took this with my Blackberry as I walked out of the polling place. Forgot to mail my absentee ballot so I dropped it off today. Nick got a sticker but he took it off and tried to eat it.

So, my duty is done. We'll see what the outcome is.

Woke up to this weather.

Love it!

Prissy puggy doesn't though. It was all I could do to get him to potty outside this morning. Heaven forbid we get the paws wet! Nick was laughing at him as he pranced around, afraid of the wet grass.

By lunch time, the sky was blue with big puffy clouds. So the cool weather didn't last long.

Layouts

{Edit: Blogger and Photobucket aren't getting along tonight. All of my pictures are loading in HUGE even though I resized them. So I uploaded from the PC instead of PB. Of course, Blogger doesn't like that I rotated the images and resaved them. Its uploading them sideways. I give up!}

Just a few layouts to upload to the Gallery:

Toddler Rules:

I got the idea for this layout from a shirt my mother bought Nick in NY. It had a list of 'rules' that fit his personality. He wants anything and everything people have and will stop at nothing to get it from you. You can't leave anything laying around because he will take it and assume its his. TV remotes, lotion bottles, glasses, cups, silverware, FOOD! So this was perfect and the picture is one of my favorites.

Everyday Fun

From the first trip to the park.

Happy Holidays cards:

Happy Hallo-WEENIE!

Got a few pages done before Halloween. I'll post those tomorrow.

Halloween Update:

We finished the last minute decorations right before the first TOT'ers rang the doorbell. We estimated about 300-350 kids would be by the house this year. Same as in past years. We usually have to stock up on candy - as in 15 bags or more. Enough for 1-2 pieces per kid.

We didn't have enough. We actually ran out early. Good thing my parents had some backup candy with them! The first year we were in this house, we never expected to get as many kids as we did. My husband actually ran to the store to get more candy because we were getting low. We didn't want to be the people who locked their doors at 6:30.

So the next year, we planned accordingly and tripled the candy we purchased. Each year we seem to buy a little more. A neighbor and co-worker of my husband said he had 600 things to pass out. 300 bags of animal cookies for the little kids and 300 bags of Cheetos for the bigger kids.

He said by 8:00 he was cleaned out. 1 bag per kid. Thats over 600 kids in the neighborhood. We ran out of our backup candy too and had to close up. Looks like we need to buy even more candy next year!

Of course, the best part of Halloween is the clearance sales. Getting things 50% or more off for next year. And the candy. 50-75% off in some stores. Its a good time to stock up. If you've never purchased from the store, you haven't had the experience of getting something sweet in your box. Well, I have a great selection right now. :)

And the little one? He did just fine. Nothing scared him. He was funny. Checking everything out. Could care less about candy. He was so interested in the decorations. We hit about 8 houses and thats all. Just to give him a taste. Like I said, he was more interested in the 8 million kids running around jacked up on sugar and the flashing lights, recordings that screamed and all of the other 'spooky' stuff going on around him. Mr. Inquisitive.

And like the bad parent I am, I gave my kid candy. I let him have a Tootsie Pop. Lots of teeth brushing over the next 24 hours to make sure that sugar didn't rot his teeth. He was more interested in sucking on the pop then wrapping his hand around it just to see if it was sticky. Mr. Inquisitive I tell ya!

We got lots of compliments on the house. We had motion sensored strobe lights this year. The kids seemed to like the effect when they walked up to the house. But the hit of the show, was Rascal. Yes, I torture him. See the first picture. My little 'Hot Dog'. You know, if he didn't look so demonic here, I think I might have found a new Rascals Corner picture. But those eyes might freak someone out. Of course, he wanted nothing to do with documenting the outfit so this was the best I could get. The kids loved seeing Rascal when we'd answer the door. He got lots of love on Friday night.

Tonight, I'm working on more pages, enjoying the cool weather and my fall candle. Found some candle stash in a cabinet a few weeks ago and I've been burning them all over the house. The temps actually dropped to the 60's this weekend - a little rain even. Don't worry, they'll be back over 80 in a few days. It never lasts long.......