Thursday, March 26, 2009

The tale of the semi-absentee blogger...

Sorry. I haven't been very regular lately. We're adjusting to yet another change in schedules and duties at home... Mike is now working 11am-9pm M-F which means I'm dealing with the home "stuff" after work. Dad made dinner last night, and is planning to tonight so that helps 'cause to be honest I have NEVER been a homebody - dishes, cleaning, cooking - NOT my fortes. Now that's not to say I can't handle them, and in some cases handle them well - I just HATE them with a passion! LOL If I have a choice between spending an hour on my pc/laptop creating or an hour cleaning the house the creating will normally win.

I have managed to get 11 - 45 gal trash bags of clothing out of the house and donated to the local mission in the last month. I have another 1/2 a bag currently sorted and am hoping to get at least 5 done more this weekend. I'm kind of on a purging binge. Hello, my name is Cate, and I'm a packrat. Yes, truly. My grandparents kept many things, my parents kept many more things, and I have a difficult time getting rid of stuff myself. I look at those homes in magazines, and laugh - nice, but no kids there! There are things I keep in the hopes that I will one day fit into them again because I loved the way they looked when I could wear them... There are things I keep because the kid(s) looked so darn cute and I hate the thought of never seeing them in it again... There are things I keep because it is perfectly usable so why should I throw it out?... There are things I keep because I know they are worth money if I could find the right place to try to sell them... And, that's not including the collections... movies, books by certain authors, my seriously diminished salt & pepper collection (most of it was stolen), my paper scrapping supplies (which I use about 3 times a year), etc... Do you get the picture??

I also need to sort through the kids books and toys - again... Please tell me other people have the seemingly never ending cycle of purge and get more in that department. We gave their Little People sets to their Aunt Cindy for when she has kid(s), and donated their mega blocks to Micaila's classroom because they decided they were too old for mega blocks and wanted Legos. I think we have enough stuffed animals to populate an entire zoo. But, in that area I hate to think of giving up any of their Care Bears or Popples - yes, I said Popples. Grampy got a bunch for Micaila's 1st birthday or 2nd Xmas off eBay 'cause at the time she was enthralled with them, and we're talking original 1980's not newer ones.

Anyway, between the change in schedule, the purging, the end-of-the-month CT and designer duties, and the fact that my co-worker is ooto for this week and next I'm a little tired, and haven't really had the energy to try to post before leaving home in the morning. I'm so tired I completely forgot my sister's anniversary last week...

I did manage to remember my baby brother's birthday yesterday, and have Micaila call before she left for school which completely made his day 'cause she actually TALKED to him! LOL She normally gets on the phone, and then refuses to say more than a word or two. He'd gotten some bs news from his boos a few days earlier, and was understandably upset so I'm glad something brightened his day. He works in an office much like mine - boss, receptionist, and him - that's it. He's been salaried both times he's worked for this guy, and STILL puts in 60-80 hrs most weeks. He was just informed that very shortly he will be on wages AND cut to no more than 30 hrs per week. His roommate (and our cousin) Tam was let go a few weeks ago so things are getting pretty tight. They're looking at moving out west - UT, AZ, or TX maybe...

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On to scrapping items... I have 5 LOs to share. I also created 2 more QPs for Connie, and finished my part of the collab for WenchdGrafix since my last post so it's not like I'm not doing anything - just nothing I feel like blogging about without other context! LOL

Title: Bowl Like There's No Tomorrow

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Credits:
Paper and elements from the Extraordinary Day Kit by JanaM Designs available at The DigiChick.
Photos by me & Micaila.
Fonts: Typewriter from hell; Note This
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Title: What a pretty Spring blossom

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Credits:
Papers and elements from the Hippity Hoppity Kit by Connie Prince; DigiDiva Designs.
Photo mask from Photo Masks 1 by Connie Prince; DigiDiva Designs.
Photo by my sil, Marcy.
Fonts: Hypewriter
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Title: as tall as a...
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Credits:
Papers and elements from the Jungle Fever Collab by JanaM Designs and Dawn Inskip available at The DigiChick.
Photos by my dad.
Fonts: Heavy Heap
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Title: Peacocks at Hogle Zoo
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Credits:
Papers and elements from the Jungle Fever Collab by JanaM Designs and Dawn Inskip available at The DigiChick.
Photos by my dad.
Fonts: Good Foot
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Title: Evening Magic
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Credits:
Papers, mask, and elements from the Extraordinary Day Kit by JanaM Designs available at The DigiChick.
Template #57 by me.
Photo by me.
Fonts: Pea Jamie*B*
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That's a lot of Jana's stuff - like I said wrapping up CT work. I've been lucky enough to Guest for her for two months. :) Today just happens to be her birthday as well, and if you like her stuff don't miss stopping by her store at TDC 'cause she's got a little something for you! :D

Gotta' run 'cause I'm at work which is why it's been 2 hrs since I started this post... Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)

Friday, March 20, 2009

:D

I've got good news... and VERY good news!

First off there are yet more QPs available for you! I've created more for Connie, and you can grab the newest one here. And, be sure not to miss the ones posted for her birthday as they may disappear soon! They can be found here, here, and here. :) There will be a few more soon as well! Here's today's:
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Connie's got a HUGE template grab bag available right now for only $2.50!! Don't miss out. :)
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So, on to the other item...

I've been chosen as one of Wendyzine's newest template lifts!! My LO "My toes" was selected as one of her template "lifts", and I've been included in Lift It 7 - part of her Lift It Collection 2!!

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I'm honored, thrilled, happy, and all those other things!! Thank you, Wendy!!

Got to go finished getting ready for work, but I wanted to share quick! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Wanna quick sneak peek?

I can show you my part of the April 2009 collab for Digital Scrap Garden...

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There are two full templates in there in both PSD and PSP formats -
AND they're 8.5x11! I've had a few requests to make some so I thought I'd try my hand here. :)

Gotta' run! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Not much going on here. I can remember when I was little my parents used to bake these "lephrachaun" cakes using the doll skirt pans for bridesmaid cakes. They'd hide four of them in various places in the house for us to find.Iff I'd thought of it far enough in advance I'd have tried to do it this year for Micaila and Brenden, but I just remembered it 2 days ago, and it will take longer than that to find the pans at my parents' house...

I do have Micaila all decked out in green and snapped a few shots of my little green girl, but I don't have time right now to upload and post them so it'll have to wait. Gotta' be ready to run out the door in about 30 minutes.

Micaila's Science Fair is tonight so I'm thinking about leaving work a few minutes early to get home for it. Mike will have to meet us there as it starts at 6 and he doesn't get off work 'til then. Starting next Monday his hours have switched again, and he'll be working 11am-9pm for at least 3 weeks. That should be fun as the kids all ready fight about going to bed at 8 when both of us are here...

I have 4 LOs from the last two days. No where near as productive as I'd hoped, but I did finish up my part of the April collab for DSG. Now to get it uploaded...

Title: Love without boundaries
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Credits:
Reversed staple, tape, and tags from Some Basics Kit by JanaM Designs available at The DigiChick.
Papers and all other elements from the In My Pocket Kit by JanaM Designs available at The DigiChick.
Wordart from Our Story Wordart by Kelley Mickus.
Photo by my dad.
Fonts: DJB CT'S ROCK

LO completes Digi Dare #124.
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Title: Jaylin - laughter
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Credits:
Papers and elements from the No. 4 Kit by April Staker of DigiApe Designs.
Photos by my sil, Marcy.
Fonts: DJ Finch Ditto
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Title: Project365 - Week 10
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Credits:
Background, doodles rectangles, day arrows, file tabs, and smile stickers from the Life 365 Hodge Podge 5 by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds & Wildflowers.
Photos by me.
Fonts: FG Cheryl; FiveOhOne
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Title: Project365 - Week 11
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Credits:
Background from the Shabby Cottage Kit by Patricia Christensen of Weeds & Wildflowers.
Doodled border from the Life 365 Hodge Podge 5 by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds & Wildflowers.
Bracket and fun sticker from the Life 365 Hodge Podge 3 by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds & Wildflowers.
Just me sticker from the Life 365 Hodge Podge 4 by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds & Wildflowers.
Photos by me.
Fonts: VTKS Refused; FG Cheryl
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I've got to run! Still got to get dressed, eat breakfast, and take meds before getting the girl off to school and me to work! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Been kinda MIA...

I got my laptop last Friday, and have been busy (as usual) so that I've managed to skip blogging for a week now. I've gotten a mini-network set up at home so I can access my EHD from my laptop without being wired to it. I've gotten the basic programs installed, and am working on getting all my various bookmarks entered. :)

I have 4 LOs to share...

Title: Can't Touch This
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Credits:
Papers and elements from the Cosmoplitan Kit by Kristine of WenchdGrafix.
Photo by my sil, Marcy.
Fonts: Tall Paul
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Title: See the possibilities
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Credits:
Dateline and reversed staple from the My 365 Days Kit by JanaM Designs available at The DigiChick.
Paper and other elements from the Garden Friends Collab Kit by JanaM Designs & Gypsy Couture available at The DigiChick.
Photo by me.
Fonts: ReservoirGrunge; Segoe Script

LO completes the OLW Challenge #46 - See.
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Title: The Great Goofball
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Credits:
Papers and elements from the 4 The BoyZ Collection - Soda Pop! N' Bubbles Kit by Royanna Fritschmann; Studio Ra available at Divine Digital.
Photos by me.
Fonts: Spongy
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Title: at day's end...
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Credits:
Papers and elements from the Timeless Kit by Kiki Halbert Designs available at Scrapbook-Elements
Photo by me.
Fonts: Nueva Std
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I finished putting together the badge album for Jaylin, and have pics - which I haven't uploaded yet so I can't share them. Maybe by Saturday! LOL

I'll have an exciting CT announcement soon, and hopefully some more layouts. I've been really tired and my sinuses are still acting funky. I had my annual poke'n'prod session at the dr this morning. She agreed with my endochronologist about the meds so I'll be starting low dose meds for HBP and cholesterol as soon as I get the prescriptions filled. She also reccomended trying this pot thing that flushes your sinuses to get rid of whatever is lingering so I've got to pick one of those up and figure out how to use it...

I managed to get a package out to my brother, Kolby afterwards so his bday gifts will actually be on time! LOL

Gotta' run 'cause I'm at work! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Stuff...

Not much to say so I'm just going to share some LOs...

Title: Moment 1,243,056
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Credits:
Paper and elements from the Rockin Chick Collab Kit by April Staker of DigiApe Designs and Armina.
Photo by my dad.
Fonts: bulkyRefuse Type; CK Boxed In
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Title: Winter bloom
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Credits:
Photo mask from the February Grab Bag by JanaM Designs available at The DigiChick. (used on photo & 1 paper)
Papers, alpha, and elements from the Garden Friends Collab Kit by JanaM Designs and Gypsy Couture available at The DigiChick.
Photo by me.
Fonts: Jane Austen
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Title: These are the Moments
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Credits:
Papers and elements from the Berry Rich Kit by Kristine of WenchdGrafix.
Photo by me.
Fonts: KeyboardDisplaySS; DJB CT'S ROCK
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Don't forget Julie's Retirement sale at SBE - going until the 25th...
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Connie's having a birthday on Sunday!!! To celebrate she has this HUGE birthday bundle on sale at GP! And, we'll be celebrating with her... be sure to hop by her blog over the next few days to grab some awesome freebies!!

You can snag this one today:
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I've also made 2 bragbook pages, and I know Connie has some other goodies as well! Here's a sneak peek at my other pages...
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Gotta' run to get ready for work! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)

Monday, March 2, 2009

Lots to share...

First, some LOs to share...

Title: Project365 - Week 8
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Credits:
Background, stitched border, doodled flowers, day tags, and acrylic heart from the Life 365 Hodge Podge 4 by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds & Wildflowers.
Birthday sticker, silly sticker, and doodled swirl from the Life 365 Hodge Podge 3 by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds & Wildflowers.
Title sticker from the Project 365 Set by Dawn Inskip.
Photos by me.
Fonts: FG Cheryl
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Title: Project365 - Week 9
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Credits:
Background from the Simple Man Add-on by Carjazi Scraps.
WA from the FC9 Freebie by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds & Wildflowers.
Being me sticker & acrylic heart sticker from the Life 365 Hodge Podge 4 by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds & Wildflowers.
Photos by me.
Fonts: FG Cheryl; Artistamp Medium
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Title: In Your Eyes
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Credits:
Paper and elements (including "I am beautiful" WA) from the I Love My Life Kit by Laura M Designs.
Script run on photo: Soft Sepia by Heather Manning Designs. (Then switched to grayscale.)
Photo by me.
Fonts: Artistamp Medium; Arrus Blk BT
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Title: Your Reading Medal
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Credits:
February sticker & Friday WA from the My 365 Kit by JanaM Designs available at The DigiChick.
Papers and other elements from the Something New Kit by JanaM Designs available at The DigiChick.
Photo by me.
Fonts: Vintage Typewriter

I didn't upload the photos, but here's one! LOL
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Title: Lost Tooth
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Credits:
Papers and elements from the March 365 Kit by Karla Marano of Karla's Kaleidoscope Designs.
Photo by me.
Fonts: Bryony

See what happened last night when everyone was going to bed (except me!)?? This is for a one-kit CT gig.
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Second, CT news...

Julie got the info on her retirement sale! All items are up to 50% off at Scrapbook-Elements until March 25th. Be sure to stop by and grab some kits before they're gone for good! You can visit Julie's store here.

Kristine also has some items getting ready to be retired. You can find her kit being retired here.

Kiki and Tracy both have AWESOME Grab Bags up at Plain Digital Wrapper! Find Kiki's here and Tracy's here.

Royanna's having a Buy the Store sale as she's retiring over 100 products in March. For $29 you can buy as much of her store as you can download in 14 days! It's still posted atm so be sure to hop over quick before it's gone! I can attest to how awesome this deal is 'cause I took advantage last fall before I got a spot on her CT, and got over $1000-worth of product! Almost all of my paper packs use one or more of her CU overlays too. :)

April managed to get a GREAT collab done with Armina who is the guest designer at Gotta Pixel this month. I'm playing today, and hope to have something to share tomorrow, but you can find it on sale here.

Connie's got 3 new products hitting the stores this week, but I can't share them yet! Keep your eyes open.

Jana's got a fun and beautiful collab with Gypsy Couture that will be available at The DigiChick starting Thursday. Maybe I can sneak you a peek if I get my LO done... will have to check. ;)

Dawne's started a second line of products - in cojunction with Karen Wallace. They've joined forces to create a new design team - Two Worlds Designs! They've all ready got two gorgeous kits in the store, and one is HUGE!!

Heather doesn't have any kits or sales for us, but that's because she's been busy with an even BIGGER deal... Christiano!
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He finally decided to make his appearance on Monday, February 23rd - which also happens to be his big brother, Jordan's birthday! Congrats guys, he's gorgeous!

Ok, I've got to go hop some blog trains, and get some LOs done! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

:)