Its been too long since I blogged! Sorry about that!!

I've been busy busy busy......not so much scrappin......busy with work!
I've decided to leave my job at the Hospital. Its was a grueling decision that literally sucked the life out of me!
I honestly didn't want to leave and call me crazy, but I still wonder if I made the right choice.
I love working with high risk pregnancies and I love the girls I work with on the night
shift, but an opportunity arose to work as a nurse for a plastic surgeon.....so I took it!!
Yes, the 'perks' are great, but most importantly
I'm hoping this will give me a chance at some normal hours and a better family life....and more scrappin/cricut time. My kids are at an age where they need Mom home at night and I need to keep close tabs on them too. Its really hard to do that when you're tired all the time.

I guess in this economy, I'm blessed to have a choice of places to work. I'm looking forward to learning so many new things. This really is the beginning of a whole new chapter in my life!

I've posted some halloween pics over on facebook......be sure to check those out!

BOLO Alert!!

Be On The Look OUT!! CX's Big Birthday Bash is just around the corner........like this Friday!!
They always have great sales and rumor has it this year will be no different.

A little birdie told me Cricut Carts will start at $21.oo. That's right Twenty-one......just like the legal drinking age! (Friday - Monday only)

All paper packs 40%off!!
Whoa! I'm putting some goodies in my shoppin cart now!! Hope you get some too!

Hurry on over to CreativeXpress.com

Another Year!!

Thank you CreativeXpress.com (i.e. Provo Craft) for giving me the opportunity
to design with the Cricut and Cuttlebug one more year!!!

That's right folks, I made the Design Team again for the 2009-2010 year. I can't believe I have this fabulous job!! Its the coolest thing ever!! I'm tellin ya this past year has been FAB~U~Lous!! I've loved every assingment!! There's not another team I'd rather be on!!

.....If only my other job was this much fun!...(you know, the one where I get to stay up all night and wear a tricked out name tag and lovely figure flattering scrubs...not even playin' with new born babies is as cool as the Design Team, lol!!)

Another look into the Gypsy

Creative Xpress Blog Take a "backstage" look into the Keynote address
from Provo Craft President, Jim Thorton at the CHA.

Back to School!

And they're off!!! 179 mornings left



This house is too quiet! Erie!! The dog and I are ready for the kids to come home. ((Take that back.......the dog's gone back to sleep and looks very content in his bed)) So, its just me and for the first time since school got out for the summer, I'm sitting hear listening to the refrigerator run. Wow, its quiet!!

Happily Ever After Cricut Cartridge

My assignment this month from CreativeXpress.com was to play with the Hap. Ever After

Cricut Cartridge. he he.....tough assignment! lol!

I'm thrill to have the opportunity to show off a little of what this cart can do!!

I mean, ......Who doesn't love a Disney Princess? Okay...so there are a few

witches and ugly step mothers out there that tried to do them some serious harm, but I know I love them all.

There's so much more to this cart besides the 4 princesses. The cart has

an amazing selection of fun stuff to cut out. Directions for making these will be posted on the CreativeXpress blog. I'm not sure when, so keep checking it. Also, be sure to hop on over to the CreativeXpress store and check out their great sales!

Back to School!

Its back to school time.
Tonight was open house and we met the kids' teachers!
I pray we have a better year this year than last year!!!

Mark and I are not ready for school to start......I've really
enjoyed this summer and time with the kids. I don't
want our lazy fun summer days to end! Even the dog misses the
kids when they are gone all day!

I still have to take DD shopping for school clothes.....ugh! We have such
different taste.....and I've learned to never say the word
"Cute" around her. Its an automatic "NO!" if I say it!
Anybody want to take her shopping? Anybody?

Finally........it's here!!

No More Lugging the lap top around........I can't wait to get a Gypsy that will fit in my pocket!!
Sweet!!

Gypsy <~ Read all about it here

Provo Craft

Provo Craft
4 new carts!!!

29-1055cricutcricut cartridge, designer’s calendarcartridge
29-1071cricutcricut cartridge, superman activitycartridge
29-1072cricutcricut cartridge, batman activitycartridge
29-1074cricutcricut cartridge, elmo's partycartridge

Back to the Gypsy

This little hand held black device is what the Buzzzz is all about in Cricut land!
And Its worth Chirping about again!
Sounds like its a portable Design Studio.......I'm thinkin' something along the lines of
Design Studio blended with my kids hand held computer game, Nintendo DS. Hopefully, this means the laptop can stay at home and I don't have to bring it to the crop.
You can feed the carts you own into the device.....(Gypsy will have a Thanksgiving feast with all 50 something carts I own now) The Gypsy "ingests" (i.e. clones) the carts, but does not remove anything from the cart (wheww). You'll still be able to
use the carts with your Cricut, but you won't be able to use them in any other Gypsy. Ratherwords, no sharing carts.
Now the bad news......this baby is going to set you back $299.00 bucks........that's the rumored suggested MSRP.

I can't wait to get my hands
on one to see how it works!!!!! (Hint, Hint ;) Provo Craft!!)
((Gulp))

Sweet Revenge!

Love this video! That'll teach United to mess with a guy and his guitar!, lol!

Got A Gypsie Soul?? Provo Craft Does!!

Operation: Rogue Gypsies - About

What in the world is Provo Craft up to???
They have something new for the Cricut call the Gypsie!
Here's all I know.......

Features:
Size – 8” x 3” x 1.5”
Weight – 11 ounces
Screen Size - 4.7”, 16:9, 480 x 272
Stylus Length – 3.75”
Storage – ~4000 Cartridges, 10000+ Designs
Battery Life – 4 hrs cont. 18 hrs int.
Compatible with all Cricut Machines and Cartridges
Weld, size, slant, rotate, stretch, preview
2 Full content cartridges preloaded
Benefits:
No computer required
All CDS functionality on-the-go with no PC
Interfaces with CDS when connected to a PC
Stores All Content
Stores All Overlays
Stores All Manuals
Stores CDS Projects

T-shirts!

Looking for the perfect Summer Boredom Buster???

Then you have to try this with your kidos!

It was a rainy day in Georgia.....so I had to do something to keep them from picking on each

other!! (Oh man, can they pick a fight with each other at this age......ughhhh!!)

We had so much fun making these and their was peace, love and harmony at our house (for a little while anyway)!!

The hardest part was deciding what image they wanted on the shirts.......or maybe

the hardest part was not having enough T-shirts on hand!

Chandler loved the Paper Pups "Huntin Dog"...perfect for him!

and Lauren fell in love with Indie Arts Cart (Can you say Indie Arts Cart 10 times real fast? he he he!)

I cut the images out of vinyl scraps and then removed the "negative" image from the sticky mat with transfer tape. I then removed the backing from the vinyl and adhered it to the T shirt.

I handed the kids fabric markers and let them "do their thing"!!

When they were done coloring, I peeled off the Cricut Vinyl stencil to reveal an awesome T-shirt design.

They loved it......and now, according to them, I'm the coolest mom ~ ever! (till the dishwasher needs to be unloaded...ha ha)

Sneaky Peeky!

Love this sneak peek by Kaiser!
Go check it out!!

http://www.kaisercraft.net/sneakpeek/

So who's going to the Super Craft Show in Orlando next month?
I wanna go.....I think its time to take off and have some more fun!

Back from Vacation!

All good things must come to an end.....so back to real world, **sigh**.........
I had an amazing 2 week vacation at the beach. I've been looking forward to
this vacation since I booked it a year ago!!

We spent our crazy, lazy summer days combing the beaches for sea turtle nests and fossil shark teeth (Found over 150!!),
fishing for sharks and crabbing for blue crabs off the piers, hiking through the maritime forest (amazing), riding bikes along the beach and watching the dolphins play in the water at sunset. Evenings were spent playing football games at the park, flashlight tag with the raccoons (sneaky little boogers) campfires and of course....smore overload!! We had short (15-30 minute) thunderstorms everyday, but that's to be expected......just a minor inconvenience.

We also took advantage of the "you pick" farms on St. Helena island. We enjoyed some of the juiciest blueberries I've ever had! Yummmy!
Hunting Island is an amazing place!! This was our 4th year camping on the island. I could live there all summer long. I really didn't want to come home.....and I can't wait to go back again next year!

Tada!!!!

HEY!! Guess What....I did something!! Finally...
Now, I'm off to the beach to be the Queen of Corona and party with Captain Morgan.




Is she hugging him or choking him?..ahhh, that's siblings for ya!!

Just a sweet little pull out card

Happy Birthday ((.......whatever)) I've stopped celebrating those things!

New Cuttlebug Folders are out!!

Just what I've been waiting for......New Cuttlebug embossing folders!
Got to have them! I love these little versatile boogers!! There are so many fun
ways to use them.
Run over to CreativeXpress and check them out.

Today, the little owl is my favorite....Tomorrow.....who knows what I'll pick! They are all fabulous!

CreativeXpress Design Team projects for March! My Assignment was to play with Bazzill Swiss Dots and to create 2 Summer invitations.

I designed this alligator using the cricut design studio (Carts: George, Wedding and Graph. Speaking). He's cut from one 12x12 sheet of Bazzill Swiss Dotts.

Pool Party anyone? This invitation was cut using the Cricut Wild Card. I designed the flamigo and sun glasses with the Design Studio. (George)

Who doesn't love movie night? This ticket stub invitation was fast and easy using the Cricut die cutter!

My Mind's Eye has done it again! They've stolen my heart with their new line of pattern paper. I love every single one! The colors are vibrant, fun and fabulous!

Have a great day!

Arhhhhh!! Hi Ho.....It's A Pirate's Life For ME!!

When they say "Everyone Loves a Parade!!"......they really mean that in Savannah on St. Patricks Day!! Holy Smokes....look at this Irish crowd!!

And there's nothing like having a sea of blue IRISH MEN to rescue you....just in case you need it. Some of these guys here are from Dublin
Mr. Irish Pirate, Huebert Keller and Son here.

Lame self portrait!! I think if we were marooned on an island, I would a good "Ginger" pirate., lol!

What ever floats your crazy little boat, Hue!




My Ship has come in!!!

And what would a parade be like without the Budweiser Dalmation and the Clydesdales! I bet he doesn't get to drink any of the good stuff!!!

Ahhhrrrrr!! Let's get this party started!!







HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lou Lou!!!!!

Ho Ho , Oh where's A Bottle of Rum........Its an Irish Pirates Life For Me!!!

(Now hurry up and take the picture, will ya!!! <--- Note the fake smile)

....well, at least it was one very special Birthday for this lil' Lassie.

whoooo hoooo for St. Patricks Day in Savannah! What a Partaayy........I mean Parade!

Almost 5 hours long! You know how much beer Irish People can drink in 5 hours!!

I'm tellin ya...There's nothing like it...(Well, maybe Marti Gras)

It was a thrill to be a Piratess in this huge event!!

CX Projects!

I'm working hard these days to keep the lines clean and simple and not throw every new gadget and bling on my pages......Trust me...Its not easy!! As you may have noticed, my "style" has matured a tad bit and I'm working towards a more "classic" look. When I look back on the pages I've created, I don't want to have that "......ewww, what was I thinking........Why did I ever think that was cool" moment. Thankfully, I've always pretty much done my "own thing" and I love all the pages I've created. I really want them to be book about "real life" rather than "real artsy creative style".

So each page is made with a K.I.S.S to myself......Keep It Simple Stupid!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Whooo hoooooooooo!! (TIC) I'm a year older!

I'm 39 years young today!

You know that saying about sliding into the grave with one Margarita in one hand and a box of chocolate in the other....I was just thinkin' I'd rather slide into the grave with an empty box of chocolate tossed carelessly over my shoulder, a bottle of red wine from Columbia Valley in my right hand and a bottle of Botox in the left......At the very least, I'd look good as I wipe the melted chocolate from my mouth with my sleeve; pull the cork out of the wine with my teeth; and slide into the grave with style all the while screaming "What a ride!!" LOL!!



.....And Speaking of Rides.....Guess what I want for my Birthday? He He........I was hopin' for a new car! A GMC Acadia

This is the fabulous work of Scrap Book Designer and Extraordinaire , Michelle Hubbartt !! Isn't she awesome! I've known Michelle, ((or Shellieh)) for several years. I first met her online when she was a designer for CreativeXpress and this past fall I finally got to meet her person. She is so delightful and talented!
This LO made me realize how much I love my CX friends and miss them dearly! (Maybe I should have asked for an airline ticket to Utah) I wish my time in Salt Lake City was longer and we could have visited more!! Thanks for making this great LO, Shell!!

This is day two of Sea World.........I'll get day one up soon.

I have no idea what the name of these yellow flowering trees are.......Do you? I'd love to have some in my yard!!

We're finally here...yeah!!His feet rarely touched the ground.....bounce, bounce, bounce!!
They're ready to RUMMMMMBLLLLE!!

Y'all ready for this........!! awe

I love this roller coaster......its so smooooooooooth!

L has a way of taming even the most wild beasts!!! Isn't the polar bear sooo cute!!

I found this on Dee Gallimore-Perry's Blog!!

Bahahahahah.........too cute!!

Sea Island Retreat & Creative Xpress Design Team Assignments

Fresh new look for the blog! I'm trying to make up for the neglect. I'm so sorry to my friends for neglecting their blogs too.... I love to visit so many of you and I haven't had time to do my blog crawls.

On a brighter note, Spring will soon be here.....and you know what that means!! Summer is around the corner!! YES!!!!

Bring on the heat wave, baby! I'm ready for ya! Sun, Sand, Surf and lots of tropical smellin' sun screen!! I've got my beach vacation already planned....(Now, if I can only get the time off and Kenny Chesney to run off with me.......oh details, details)

This is BFF LaMuir and I having wayyy to much fun!

Speaking of the beach, I spent the weekend at Sea Island, Ga with some fabulous and talented ladies!(A HUGE thank you to Beth F. and LaMuire for organizing this retreat!!) My three most favorite things are my friends, scrapbooking and the beach. What a treat to have all three together!! It was so good to get together and have my creative energy renewed. These fabulous ladies were all amazing stampers.....And I do mean AMAZING. Each one of them brought a talent to the table and shared it. I learned and absorbed so much information and ideas........and you know what?? They may have worn off on me! I think I can add "Stamper" to my creative resume. (Gasp!! I know!! its Exciting news, isn't it! ...not so exciting if you're my bank account, but its cheaper than therapy, right........bahahahah...No way!!)

Cheers!! To all my stampin sistahs!! I love you guys!
BTW, This was our beach "cottage" bahahahah..... And if you're lookin' for a Stampin Up Rep, just let me know, I can hook you up with some GOOD ONES!!

And speaking of creative resumes, with the new month came all new assignments! Every designer on the team was given a "rule of design" assignment. I've never been one to study the color wheel. I've always just gone with my instincts but my assignment this month challenged me to use analogous colors.
So what in the world is analogous colors?? If you think of the Rainbow colors as ROYGBIV. Analogous colors are colors that are next to each other in the rainbow. For the first card and layout I chose Green, Blue, and Indigo. This is my favorite color combo because it reminds me of the beach and water!! (Is it summer yet?) For my second card I chose Orange, Yellow, and Green.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Heads Up, Buttercup!!!
Next months assignment is going to be gorgeous and elegant!! And I get to play with some new papers released at Winter CHA!!

Stay tuned......I'm workin' on it!

Disney Storage Box

December's Creative Xpress Design Team Assignment was to alter a We R Memory Keepers storage box into something a child would like to use. When the box arrived I knew immediately this would be the perfect box to store the kids' Mickey Mouse Ears hats. I used the design studio to create the film strip. You can download the .cut file here and make one just like this one!! You'll need the Disney Cart.

I should be the healthiest woman alive!!

GREAT NEWS ABOUT COFFEE!
Do you want to stay healthy? It’s human nature to want to
feel good, have lots of energy and avoid illness and pain.
There are many ways to boost our health profile, including
good lifestyle habits, diet and exercise. But there’s another,
surprising source of health benefits sitting right on your
table or desk – coffee. No kidding! And, here’s the
scientific skinny:
Type 2 diabetes
We’ve all seen the news that America is on the verge of a
diabetes epidemic. But scientific studies have found that
coffee lowers the risk of getting type 2 diabetes.1
Researchers say a special antioxidant in coffee helps the
way our bodies process sugar. It has nothing to do with
caffeine, so if you drink yours decaffeinated, you get the
same protection.1
Liver disease
Scientists say coffee protects our livers. Coffee drinkers
show much less liver damage, even if they’re at higher risk
due to cirrhosis, hepatitis or alcohol abuse, according to
research. Other studies have found that coffee reduces the
risk of liver cancer as well.
Breast cancer
Coffee may protect against certain types of breast cancer
in some women, say scientists. Additional studies are
underway to uncover more details on this good news.
Parkinson’s Disease
Research tells us that coffee may help prevent Parkinson’s
Disease. Other studies show that coffee helps protect the
brain in other ways too, such as preventing cognitive decline
in older men and reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Muscle pain from exercise
Several experiments have found that caffeine levels equal
to about 2 cups of coffee can reduce muscle pain during
and after exercise. In fact, one researcher says he makes it
a point to drink coffee before he goes running!
Energy
Many studies prove that coffee boosts energy and helps
people do what they do. It’s good whether they’re driving,
working, exercising, studying, or even doing a crossword
puzzle.8 In fact, evidence shows that coffee enhances
thinking performance, enabling test takers to score higher,
particularly when under stress.

2009 Cricut Carts

Here's the new (Hum hum....rumored) releases for Cricut Cartridges at the Winter CHA.......I've got a few must haves on my list!

Don't Puke!!

Before you read any further, run to your medicine cabinet and take some anti emetic pills......you know, those last few phenergan pills you've been saving "just in case" you get nauseated again.

Why?.....did you take them yet? I'm warning you!!

Paris Hilton, the air head heiress has her own scrapbooking line...........I warned you!!

Apparently she will be at the Winter CHA.........Need I say more?? Barf!!

Ready, Set, SHOP!!

Stamps only $2.39.....I've got to get one of every set!!!

A very nice Mini album with 30 cardstock pages!....so cute!! $ 1.58 I think that's the best kept secret!!

Another stamp set that's a good deal!!

How about some cute stickers pefect for cards for only $ .79

One of my favorite papers to use in my Expression is the large 12x24 Cricut papers. Perfect for fun projects!! $11.84 Need another Cricut Cartridge? how about one for around $31.00.

Its time to spend that extra Christmas money!! The CreativeXpress store has 21% off everything in your cart. You can find some real bargains in the clearance section

I'm Waiting........

For the NEW Cricut Home Decor to come out..........this little solutions cart is packed with some fantastic goodies!! It has vinyl revolution written all over it!!
The wheels of creativity are turning and turning inside my head!! I've got to have it!! But in the mean time, let me catch you up on what's new in my life.........
I went back to work at the hospital. At first, I was part time night shift....Now, I'm full time night shift. I'm still working at the Surgeon's office at night too......As a matter of fact, I just got off work. Not much construction going on these days, so there's nothing for me to do to help DH run a construction company. I just get to watch that beautiful heavy equipment just sit and sit and sit some more....
I hope 2009 will be a great year.....or at least better than 2008!!


Anyhoodle, give me a shout out and let me know what's new with you in 2009!!

Wow....time flies when you're so busy busy busy!!

This is not my normal posting season, so things are just slow on the blog scene. Not to worry, I'll catch up.

Here's two layouts from my latest Design Team Assignments over at http://www.creativexpress.com/

If you haven't been over there recently, you're in for some BIG CHANGES!!

I mean BIG.......the forum is all new. It has a lot of great new features that make keeping up with your friends quick and easy. Its the ultimate scrapbooking hangout now!

The store is getting a major face lift too. Remember how slowwww it use to be. It was a joke trying to shop there........BUT not anymore. When the store reopens it will be lighting fast, better organized and easier to shop!! And if you don't like something, just let them know! I think they have the best Customer Service out there!! I'm not sure of the exact date they will reopen....should be around the first of the year. They have so much merchandise, I'm sure they are trying to do inventory and get the new store up all at once!! Save those Christmas $$ for the grand re-opening,......should be worth the wait.

Go Elf Yourself

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

DT FLashcards

Here's what you've been waiting for....October's DT assignment...Lots of details in these flashcards. I think I've mastered the Cricut Xpression after doing these shape flashcards. They were a lot of fun!
I've done some more cool stuff, I've now got to find the time to get the pics off the camera and posted here on my blog. This is always a super crazy time of year for me (and I'm sure everyone else too), so I'll be guilty of blog neglect for the month of December. January is usually a bit slower, so I'll be back in full swing with lots of goodies I've been hording to post. Deal? Okay, its a deal. See ya next year!
Merry Christmas everyone!!