My Little Scraps

IT'S HERE!!!!!

2006-02-02T14:04:00.000-08:00

Okay we've all been waiting for it! My NEW SITE is UP!!!!

Come on OVER to MY new Blog at www.mylittlescraps.com and see what I've been working on!

Just for you, if you COME there will be a freebie :). These are my "Be You
Dotties" and even if you were at the chat where I hastily handed these out you want to re-load them, because it was missing some pieces!

I also have the SCOOP on the sweet shop and my new layouts there, BUT you have to GO!!!!

So UPDATE YOUR BOOK MARKS RIGHT NOW! and Come start visiting me at my NEW HOME! MyLittleScraps.com!!!

My Joy List

2006-01-29T23:56:00.000-08:00

Well there is a highly secretive group of digiscrappers that have formed what is called "The Eggers". Basically they present challenges that encourage digiscrappers to honor themselves and build up their fellow scrappers. I love what they are all about and I think that the timing couldn't be better since for me 2006 is all about remembering to love myself (even when I feel like a dead weight like I do right about now) - When I read thier latest challenge: To create a "Joy List" it sounded like just what the doctor ordered for my little worn down soul.

As I thought about it, I thought the best way to really enjoy creating my joy list would be to CREATE it, so out came the cardstock and the papercutter, and embellishments gallore. It felt liberating really to put so much time and so many little cherished dodads that involved NO pictures, no journaling or important events, and instead just simple tribute to the simple things that make me smile. I so wish all of you could see it in person, there are very few words, and SO many great little details. It is rich (and a bit bulky, so the scan is sort of blurry). I just felt like a kid just pouring hours in to filling each little square with something that made me smile.... i could fill hundreds of squares with things that bring me smiles... but I love it just how it is, perfectly filled with my joys.

Make me Laugh

2006-01-29T12:42:00.000-08:00

Credits: Jessica Bolton at Eclectic Scraps. Notbook paper, phot anchors, staples, and Brad are all Dani Mogstad, Paper Clip from Manda Bean.

Okay so I confess, I did a page about Gareth watching TV. But the guy just LOVES to watch funny shows, and I love to see him laugh his little heart out.

How did I miss this one!

2006-01-29T12:37:00.000-08:00

I have no idea how this one didn't end up on my blog, but I'm sure you will all love it!

Credits: Everything by Jen Wilson

A glimpse at what wrestle time looks like with 3 little guys and one big guy! The boys REALLY had to twist daddy's arm to get him to wrestle, but clearly they all had fun :)

I will survive

2006-01-29T12:26:00.000-08:00

Driven by 1 part desire to use my new stamps, and 4 parts the need to for some self affirmation. I just threw this page together with a picture I have from a while ago from a "sad" page that I was planning and wussed out on.

Credits: Jen Wilson "Highland Mountain" paper pack. My own "Inspire Stapms." Font: Type Wrong for "I Will" and my own handwriting for the rest. Serious Virtual Photographer filtering on the photo (ofcourse!).

I know my problems totally pale in comparison to the people that have real life threatening illnesses real struggles for survival - but still, those brave inspiring people (like our dear Erin) inspire and remind me, that I'm going to get through this.

Inspire

2006-01-25T19:19:00.000-08:00

I have a DEAR DEAR e-friend that I met at my wonderful digi-scrap home Scrap Kitchen and who I am fortunate enough to work with on Dani's Design Team. She is someone that is SO WONDERFUL, SO fun and so amazing. Everyday she makes me smile, and if you haven't experienced her kindness and humor over in the kitchen, you have NO idea what you are missing.

Well this amazing gal inspires me in more ways than one, and yesterday she shared the MOST AMAZING news with us at the kitchen. And after crying my eyes out with joy, the only thing i could think to do is make so "Stapms" to celebrate.

Dearest Erin - This one is for you!

Click here to download these Special edition "Stapms" by Shawna: INSPIRE

Erin, I know I'm not the only one celebrating your victory! WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Secret

2006-01-23T16:06:00.000-08:00

Credits: Eternal Hope Mega Kit by Dani Mogstad, Anita Stergiou, Theresa Hernandez, and Kim Hill (All the proceeds from this kit go to a wonderful cause, to support a foundation called Alex's Lemonade Stand (www.alexslemonade.org), to help fight Childhood Cancer.) Also, Teresa Hernandez Eternal Hope Word Art and Overlay/Brushes add ons, Dani Mogstad's Little Flowers. Font: Copperplate Gothic (used as a template for cutting out text). Handwriting is tablet work by me.

"Owen and I play this game, 'Hey Owen, I have a secret for you,' then I wisper in his ear, 'I love you.' Owen smiles and looks at me sweetly, then he wispers back, ' I love you too.'

Okay, I know this page is really pretty sweetsy and girly for a boy, but, in all fairness, I made if for me more so than for him. This is a little ritual Owen and I have had special just between the two of us since really before he could even talk really (at which point he would just wisper gibberish back with me). One of those things that I want to cherish and remember forever - although, i'm hoping that when he turns 18 we'll still be telling eachother this particular secret.
Owen is such a stong personality, an individual in every way - yet still we share such precious moments together that just move me to the bone. What a gift he is to me.

Love

2006-01-22T22:25:00.000-08:00

Credits: This paper, alpha, ribbon and frame are from Jessica Bolton at www.eclecticscraps.com Flower stamp is from Theresa Hernandez (eternal hope add on). Staple is Manda Bean and Stitching is Dani Mogstad.

Well look at these two! Irresistable, really don't you think? :) I love these guys. They certainly know how to make me smile.

A page about my sweet boys, and how lucky they are to have eachother to love.

Still feeling pretty sick, so not a whole lot to share. I'm getting VERY anxious for Sweet Shoppe to open! I've put together so many pages with the fabulous treats I've gotten there and I really can't wait to share! February 1st! Don't miss the big opening!

Discover

2006-01-20T14:37:00.000-08:00

Embarrassingly enough, we just took down our Christmas tree last night. We left it up for G's parents, and then I really haven't been feeling well, so getting it down just wasn't happening (the fact that it happened last night was even a feat). Well as I lined up the ornaments on the couch to box them back up, Reece realized how many neat things we had had hanging up there and was obsessed with investigating it all. I'm glad he waited until now to become obsessed or we would have been introuble (just with last night I had to perform a glue gun operation on a teddy bear, a picture of daddy as a little guy and another doodad due to Reece's "interest" in the ornaments.
I do love the picture I came away from it all with. And I had some new goodies from eclectic scrap (that is having a MEGA sale, GO CHECK IT OUT!!! You will NOT be disappointed!) So I piddled away at this pretty page in memory of my sweet little "conquistador."

Credits: Julie Howard (www.eclecticscraps.com) "Ordinary People." Michelle Coleman Acrylic Stamp, Jessica Bolton Messy Frame. Fonts: Incognitype, HammerKeys, and VNI-Thufap2.

Great Kit for a Great Cause!

2006-01-18T14:13:00.000-08:00

Okay GO GET THIS KIT! Dani Mogstad worked together with some other really talented designers: Anita Stergiou, Theresa Hernandez, and Kim Hill, to create this MASSIVE kit to help bring hope to children suffering from cancer. Alex’s Lemonade Stand is an organization set up to help fight childhood cancers, and all the proceeds from this beautiful kit are set aside for this organization. As an added incentive, if you buy this kit at Design by Dani THIS WEEK (1-17 through 1-22) she will send you a a $5.00 Gift Card to spend at her store, so take advantage this offer while you can!!!

Get it now and suppor this cause, honoring the memory of these beautiful children!

Thought I would share for you too, the page I put together with this great kit
Credits: Eternal Hope Mega Kit for Sale at Design By Dani all Proceeds go to Alex's Lemonade Stand to help fight Childhood cancer.
There is this really great Van Morrison song, that says "I'm in Heaven when you smile" it is such a fun cute song, and this picture just kept bringing that song to my mind. How fortunate I feel to be scrapping this page of my happy healthy little boy... My thoughts, my heart, my prayers go out to the parents that have to face the heartache of a sick child. God bless them.

I'm Scrappin'' Girls!

2006-01-18T13:45:00.000-08:00
For some of my Design Team work, I had some kits to work with that were really soft and some were definitively girly. Well rather than dress the boys in frilly pink (which George made me promise NEVER to do when I accepted my design team positions) I asked some of my e-friends to help a scrapper out and send me some pretty frilly pictures, since God has decided NOT to help me out with this particular issue. Well!!! Look at how sweet my friends have been to me!

Credits: Dani Mogstad Blushing Bride paper pack, and White Wedding embellishments at www.DesignByDani.com.
This paper pack is called "Bliss" and when I saw this adorable picture of my friend Marci's Daughter I knew that there was no better title for this page! Everytime I put together a page with this paper pack it basically creates itself! I love the soft feel, and it really makes photos shine.
Credits: Dani Mogstad Blushing Bride paper pack, and White Wedding embellishments at www.DesignByDani.com. Nancie Rowe Janitz Schmootzie Frames, at www.ScrapBookBytes.com.
Yes you guessed it, this cutie patotie's name is Caroline.... I absolutely couldn't resist the title :). Hopefully my friend Jen doesn't mind the cliche.
Credits: Dani Mogstad Blushing Bride paper pack, White Wedding embellishments and little flowers at www.DesignByDani.com. Michelle Coleman Acrylic brush, and Nancie Rowe Janitz Schmootzie Frames, both at www.ScrapBookBytes.com.
Well this is such a GREAT girlie picture don't you think!!! This is my friend Mandi's little princess, and I just love these pictures! This is in an essence what I think I miss out on having no little ladies in my life... Now I am SO happy as a girlie momma to three boys - BUT there is pretty much no dancing around in flowery little dresses at my house! :)

There are more pictures too!!! Now I'm anxious for more girl kits to play with!!!

MY {SWEET} NEWS!!!

2006-01-15T23:04:00.000-08:00
Okay so here is what has been keeping me busy!!! On Monday I got some FABULOUS news, I was added to a REALLY exciting creative team called the SUGAR BABES .
8 really great designers previously designing for The Digi Chick: Robin Carlton, Christy Lyle, Andrea Victoria, MandaBean, Sara Carling, Mindy Terasawa, Paula Duncan & Sandra Boddington are joing together to Start one FABULOUS new site called SWEET SHOPPE DESIGNS I'm really exciting about the look and the feel of this great new site, and SO thrilled with all of the great kits I've been able to work with... BUT you have to hold your horses, nothing debuts until Feb 1st so sit tight!

Here are two pages I CAN to share though that I put together with Kits from the Sweet Shoppe Designs Designers.

Credits: Andy 2.0 by Robin Carlton, brush by Michelle Coleman Font: LB Plain Stamp
Isn't this picture priceless! Reecey and Pappy cuddling up! I just love it.

Credits: Sweet Ashlyn by Mindy Terasawa, Shmootzy Alpha by Nancie Rowe Janitz Font: LB Ratty Ribbon
This is Dani's sweet little daughter. Isn't she a litte beauty! I just love this sweet little pouty face!

There's more! I can't wait to show all of you The Sweet Shoppe! I've also been plugging away at my new blog. I promise it is getting there! Turns out I'm not exactly an HTML wiz! But I'll have it done soon I promise!

OKAY never fear! I AM HERE!

2006-01-15T21:54:00.000-08:00
I am SO sorry it's been so very quiet around here!!! Life has been busy! This past week and a half we had G's Parents and Sister here visiting. It was so nice to have them around, and it really did give me a nice break from the day in day out of cleaning, feeding and monotoring the little buggers! And I'll tell you one thing the kids had a blast with their own little cheering section to oooh and ahhh over everything they do.

You should see them now that Mee-Maw, Pappy, and Aunt Becky are gone. They spent pretty much all of Saturday wandering around the house aimlessly, and Reecey just keeps going through his little gammit of "talents", he looks at me charmingly every few minutes and says in his best cute voice "UH OH" then he gives a classic little fake cough that him and Pappy perfected during the visit, then it is a few tongue clicks, some blown kisses, and then we start the whole routine over. These kids definately appreciated the full time attention.
Here are a few pics from the 580 pictures that Aunt Becky took while they were here.
MeeMaw playing playdough with the guys. Owen made sure that the playdough was always flowing. It was like HEAVEN for the boys to have people to play playdough with all the live long day!

Aunt Becky and Reecey, these two really bonded! And let me tell you Becky is like a DREAM with kids, you should have seen her - I swear, she is like Mary Poppins, when she is around the boys they clean up thier toys, they cooperate, they listen to no.... I swear she probably secretly has an umbrella that she flys around with. :) I loved having her here, and I wish I could move her in so the kids would be on Becky behavior all the time. Unfortunatly, G and I just couldn't make her an competitve enough offer ;)
Pappy and Owen. They became best buddies during this visit. Owen followed Pappy around and spent every second he could cuddled up in his arms. Here is one of MANY Pictures of them hanging out.

We enjoyed having our PA family out here so much! We are missing them already (Owen made sure to let me know this morning, and last night and Gareth told me the day before)! We love you guys!

It's a GOOD day

2006-01-09T13:55:00.000-08:00
I'm feeling happy today :)

Look Who's Walking Now!!!

2006-01-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

Credits: this is a freebie from Shabby Princess called "Sweet Fall." The Brush strokes are Michelle Coleman and the Grungy frames are Nacie Rowe Janitz. Fonts: Happy Daze, and Problem Secretary.
Well he's FINALLY DOING IT!!! Mr. Reece has decided to start walking around, and you should see him, just in a few days he has gone from walking slowly from one piece of furniture to the next to practically racing from one end of the house to the other! Of course, like with everything this little man does, he is getting into trouble along the way, and still looking oh so cute doing it!

I'm sure this is the begining of the end of any semblance of peace and quiet around here, so wish me luck everyone! Trouble is on the move.

Heart Pancakes

2006-01-08T13:18:00.000-08:00

Credits: Dani Mogstad's "Candy Hearts," File Tab is in the "Feels Like Home" kit by Robin Carlton. I used a grungy overlay by Nancie Rowe Janitz recolored to white.
Here are the older two on Valentines Day eating some pretty heart pancakes I made them. My two little valentines LOVED their pancakes.

Love You My Boy

2006-01-06T09:55:00.000-08:00

Credits: This is Dani Mogstad's "Vintage Valentine" kit at DesignByDani. Overlay by Nancie Rowe Janitz (freebie at ScrapbookBytes, recolored). Font is mystral.
Owen and I last year. I just love this guy! Thank goodness for Virtual Photographer though, because I was in my jammies and looking pretty gross in this picture before I worked some photoshop magic on it!

Christmas Photo

2006-01-05T17:09:00.000-08:00
This is an actual paper page that I made yesterday. It was so fun to use my goodies that sit around my desk and stare at me looking fabulous. :)

Me

2006-01-05T10:50:00.000-08:00

Credits: Robin Carlton's "It Girl" available at TheDigiChick. Nancie Rowe Janitz alpha and frame stamps. Font is Clunk. (and my very own "me" doodle ofcourse!)

Journaling around the edges says:
I am determined: To be proud of my accomplishments, to celebrate who I am. To learn and grow and change not out of guilt or shame but out of pride in all I am and in all that I can be. I am determined to look myself in the mirror honestly and to love what I see because I am simply me, and no one else can be... me.
A spur of the moment AAM (all about me) page when I saw a quote on Thersas blog. I've really been determined lately to love who I am, and I when I saw this quote it all just came together.

Yummy Pudding

2006-01-04T22:53:00.000-08:00

Credits: I got this paper a while ago from Miranda Reinhardt it is called "Little Prince." Ribbon is from Angie Briggs. Notebook Paper is by Dani Mogstad at DesignByDani, and Paper Clip alpha is From Robin Carlton at TheDigiChick. "Pudding" is Chery font, and everything else is scribled by yours truly.
I've been digging through folders of photos on my computer from last year, and I ran into this set... This is a little boy BEGGING to be scrapped if you ask me. I did a lot of my own Doodling (more like scribling) with my beloved tablet (aka, my new BEST friend!). My little Owen, just so wonderfully himself.

Change is in the wind...

2006-01-04T10:21:00.000-08:00
Well, I know it seems like I've been neglecting my sweet little bloggy, but really I've been spending MUCH more time than you would know on it... Recently G bought me the domain name www.MyLittleScraps.com, and we are working on setting up a new site with so many exciting things.... You'll just have to wait and see! Soon I am hoping to be moved over completely and I know everyone will love it there.

Until then here are a few little goodies to keep you going:
Credits: This is a kit from Modscraps called "Mod Christmas," The little flowers and rickrack are from none other than Miss Dani Mogstad at DesignByDani, Brushes and Alpha stamp from Nancie Rowe Janitz. Font is Mistral (and some of my very own tablet work again).
I love this picture of my parents with my boys on christmas eve. They are so happy and they all just love eachother so much.

Everything is from Jen Wilson's "Funny Little One" Fonts are faded Movie Star and High Strung.
This page is about Owen and Reece being so close in age. I saw these pictures recently and it just hit me how much of a baby Owen still was when I brought Reecey home. I love these pics, you can see little Owen's excitement, and I like to think you can see how much I treasure both of them. People often ask me if I think Owen gets lost in the middle, not the first born, not the baby... But Owen is just OWEN, magnificently himself in everyway.... I love him just as dearly (if not more) than if he were my only Child.... anyways that doesn't really have anything to do with this page other that to say I treasure both of these guys tremendously.

My Great 2005

2006-01-04T09:39:00.000-08:00
I've been so touched reading everyone's amazing accomplishments for 2005, thank you for taking the time to share and to appreciate yourself.
A few people have asked me where my list is, I did put a bit in there, but you are right, I should share the full list too :).

I am really proud of myself for growing in my "art" and really making a hobby of my beloved scrapbooking. Not only did I start paper Scrapping and really grow in that area, I started digi scrapping too, and was accepted on two design teams.
I am proud that I have survived turning 25, and I think in many ways made peace with the "life track" I'm on. And made peace with not always feeling how I think I "should".
I've made it through depression. I think what I am most proud of myself is that I've really learned to "Just let myself be" I am learning to stop beating myself up for everything I'm not. Maybe, just maybe, I'm starting to like who it is that I am.
This year, I've also had so many great friendship blossom and that in it self was worth a million years.
2005 was a really great year for me. I'm so excited about what is coming in 06.

Celebrate YOU

2005-12-31T11:29:00.000-08:00
This was my "Presidents Corner" for the newsletter we do for MOMS Club each month.... I'm so convicted that I'm not going to do new years resolutions anymore, but as I am starting to see everyones posts and goals and the new year is right at our door step I thought I'd fight the peer pressure and tell everyone why I'm saying "NO" to resolutions.

As I sit here, ten past 11, the night before the newsletter needs to be done… typing my oh so late Presidents Corner (Isn’t this how it always is!) … It is clear what needs to be on the top of my resolutions list:
1) STOP PROCRASTINATING SHAWNA!

You know though… in a way it is sort of sad. A full year of our lives go by, and we celebrate by thinking “Now this is what I should have done this year that I’ll do next year” we get out our pens and our paper (if you are me, it is that pretty journal that I haven’t opened since last New Years Day) and then we list it out. Here is what I should be doing: I should be thinner, nicer, neater, I should do things on time, I should take more time for me, I should organize all those pictures. It’s a noble cause, but it’s kind of sad because in a way we are saying “This is everything that is wrong with me, this is all the ways I screwed up in 2005.”

Instead, wouldn’t it be nice to treat yourself, to open that crunchy new journal up and say, “You did such a good job in 2005.” Imagine if a year from now when you open that book again you were to see a list of the wonderful things you did the year before, if you were to chronicle all the bad habits you DID break, all the great lessons you learned. All the reasons why you are just pretty much great last year! I know all of you, and your lists could really rock!

Now, I’ve never done this, but I’m pretty much tired of telling myself I’m not going to procrastinate anymore at the beginning of each year (well… actually usually I don’t get around to journaling it till about January 3rd)... So this year it stops and I say “Wow Shawna, this year you were amazing! You started scrapbooking and really rocked it. You started a great website that your family loves going to to keep up with the going ons of the boys. You faced depression and you made it through. You lost quite a bit of your Reece weight…. My word what an awesome person!” Now ofcourse, if I wanted to, I could add that I need to be better at sending Birthday and Thankyou cards, or that I should be keeping up with the laundry rather than being eaten alive by it… Then ofcourse there is the fact that eventually I’ll probably get impeached if I don’t start doing these things on time… but now that I compare the two lists I really don’t think I can ever go back to the “resolutions”…. Instead I’ll be tooting my little horn and hoping for another great year.

SO! Do it! Don’t be surprised if in January I start asking everyone how wonderful you were in 2005, because I know you all were. I want you to say “YAY ME!” and I’ll be bugging you about it so don’t try to squirrel out of it!

Enjoy yourselves everyone! Enjoy the rest of your Holidays! Remember that you all deserve a pat on the back for everything you did in the year 2005.

Here’s to doing all the great things you do for another year! Happy New Year Everyone!!
~Shawna

So here is the deal! everyone hit the little "comment" link on the bottom of this post and TELL ME WHY you were wonderful in 2005, let's bring in the new year celebrating ourselves and all the great things we've done. Let me hear you people!

CHEESE!

2005-12-30T12:23:00.000-08:00

Credits: Dani Mogstad "Dirty Boys," Acrylic Paint Stroke Michelle Coleman. Fonts: SA inkspot, Trash hand.
This year during the barrage of pictures, little Reece learned to say "Cheese!" for the Camera. I love the little expression he is making here while he tries his best to say cheese like a big boy.

Coming to Design By Dani!

2005-12-30T10:52:00.000-08:00
Dani has been BUSY, she swore she was going to take December as a break from designing, but halfway into the month and she just couldn't keep herself away! Now, as one of her lucky design team members I certainly can't complain because now I have some AWESOME goodies to play with (BEFORE every one else does NA-NA NA-NA NA-NA!) & they are all just so wonderful that it was easy to put together some pages just to make you all drool over the upcoming releases. After you see these pages and click on this links you are sure to be lining up at Dani's doorstep on Jan 1st when it is all released!

These are two that I made with the upcoming paper and embellishment packs called "Heart Breaker". I love this fun and artsy feeling "boy" kit for valentines day. This is one I'll be using over and over again.
Credits: Everything Dani Mogstad's Paper, Elements and Stamped Alpha "HeartBreaker," Christmas Stamp "Santa Baby", "2005" doodle by me. Font SA Inkspot.

The boys before Christmas, just being their own crazy selves!!! This is the picture I ended up having to put into ornaments we made because they were just not about to pose picture perfect for their poor momma.

Everything Dani Mogstad's "HeartBreaker" Added doodles by me.
I really do think Reecey just looks like such a little "Heart Breaker" here. What a cutie! AND I played with my tablet with this one quite a bit, only used the "pen" creating this whole layout (I need practice!) plus it was SO fun "drawing" my schwoopies right on to the page.

This is from Dani's upcoming paper and embellishment packs called "Candy Hearts" I think I did a good job of adapting it for a little man. This kit feels so "chalky" and realistic that you might find your self dusting the sugar off your hands when you are done. I just love the heart alpha that is included.

Credits: Dani Mogstad's "Candy Hearts". Stapms "School Girl Crush" Freebie by me, from the Design by Dani newsletter. Fonts: Problem Secretary, CAC Pinafore.

This is Reece at about 3 months. I CAN'T BELIEVE how much he has grown when you look at the heart breaker in the page above him. One thing remains the same though, both of those little men look completely kissable. Reece always has been just so easy to love.

This next Kit is the "White Wedding" set. She has two kits, a blue one called "Bliss" and a pink one called "Blushhing Bride " then there is an embellishment kit is called "White Wedding" and it correlates with both the pink and the blue kits. This also features some really great "Little Flowers" that Dani will be releasing on Jan 1st. as well.

Credits: Dani Mogstads "Bliss" paper kit and "White Wedding" Embellishments and Stamped Alpha, Photo Anchor in the "Heartbreaker" embellishment kit, Little Flowers also by Dani. "those" is a stamped alpha and grungy overlay by Nancy Rowe Janitz.

This page has been brewing around in my head since I saw Dani's preview for the "Bliss" paper. I adore my boys' big blue eyes, and I am hoping to create a similar page for the other two as well. I am so thrilled with this page, and espcially of this picture I managed to snap of Gareth's big baby blues.

This kit is called "Vintage Valentine" both the paper and the embellishment kits are so rich and warm, perfectly antique and soft. Plus the embellishment kit has a ton of REALLY fun antique goodies to add to the page.

Credits: Everything from Dani Mogstad's Vintage Valentine paper and embellishment kits. Fonts Problem Secretary and Scriptina.
This is a dear little friend of the family and just treasure. I was able to get some really fun pictures of her at Christmas this year and I just knew that this kit was the one when I saw her in the pretty black velvet Christmas dress.

I'm sure having fun :)!!!!

New Toy!!!

2005-12-29T21:24:00.000-08:00
George surprized me tonight when we came home with the very thing I've been dreaming of for months now! I got a WACOM Graphire 4! Now I can use my pen to "write" or draw on the computer! This is my first attempt at doodling... it is going to take me a bit to used to... but I see lots of fun in my future of "stapms"!

Stay tuned....

AHHHHHHHH!!! Hurry Hurry Hurry!!!!

2005-12-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

Okay digi-scrappin' people, if you miss out on these great kits, you will be KICKING yourself!!!! (and, I may be kicking you too). I must say some of my VERY FAVORITES are there. Berry Jam is like the cutest kit ever the word art in this paper pack is to die for. So Diva, come ON that pink and black is painfully pretty! Then there is fab fall, and I seriously can't tell you HOW OFTEN I pull out elements from that kit! AutumnSpice is so tasty and warm and full of that perfect crispy leaves feeling. And don't even get me started on the holiday kits, SERIOUSLY! GET THEM ALL :) If you don't and then you are looking for a perfect kit for this or that, don't come crying to me because I WARNED YOU PEOPLE!!!

GO SHOP NOW!

Jump

2005-12-26T17:57:00.000-08:00
So daddy and I were in the office when Owen comes RUNNING in to announce "I WON!!!"
When we asked what he won all we could get was a VERY enthusiastic story, with a lot of things we couldn't understand and only one thing we could "JUMP!"....
We decided this game might be one we wanted to investigate, and here is what we found:Apparently the game involves climbing up on the barstool and then JUMPING and high and far as you can to try to get past the bean bag (because jumping INTO the soft bean bag would just be too easy and FAR too sensical!).... These boys!!!
Well after I got my pictures we put a stop to the game... for now...
Who knows what these guys will come up with next.

Spy Guy

2005-12-25T23:16:00.000-08:00

Credits: PP by Robin Carlton "Little Dude", Fonts - OCR B MT & Note This

I made one change (idea courtesy of Dani - my digi maestro) and now I'm loving this Layout. Here is my spy guy on christmas day.

Naughty or Nice

2005-12-25T20:32:00.000-08:00
Credits: Patterned Paper, Ribbon and Elements - Dani Mogstad "Christmas Breeze Kit". Background has a grungy overlay by Nancy Rowe Janitz (recolored). Fonts - Artistamp Medium, Problem Secretary, Desyrel, and Handwriten Names are by me.

Any Picture I can get of all three boys together I am just DYING to scrap. So I was all over this one as soon as I got the chance! Here they are in their new jammies on Christmas Eve. I thought "Naughty or Nice" was a perfect description for this picuture because regardless of their million and a half moods (and goodness knows they all have them - as you can see here), they are as perfect as can be in my eyes!

It's Christmas Day!

2005-12-25T10:52:00.000-08:00
Okay well I'm all about instant gratification - SO here for your viewing pleasure is an instant peek into Christmas at our home.

It was a magical one, I mean with these little guys how could it not be?
They are all dressed up in their new jammies, every year I get them a new pair that they get to open on Christmas Eve. You've gotta love that this is the best combination of faces that I could get out of like a dozen pictures

Here are the little guys reading the Christmas story with Dad right before bed time:

Here is Santa's Handy work in all it's splendor:
I just love my new camera, this picture didn't even need any filters, I took it just like this.... I'm proud of my pretty shiny lights.

Here are each of the boys with their "Favorites":
Gareth with his Spy Gear. He was pretty consistent with Santa about the fact that he was in need of Some of this stuff.... Although Santa did miss out on getting the "Laser one." Still he's been spying around the house all morning.

As for Reece:
Here he is on his new bike, this is so that he can "ride" to the bus stop with his big brothers to drop off Gareth (handy handle in the back so mommy can help). He basically screams when we take him off of it... So I guess that means Santa did well.

Owen is so silly, out of EVERYTHING.... this little man is pretty certain that his "FAVORITE" is something he got from Aunt Liz last night.
This little one LOVES beads... "my NECKLACE!" is what we hear every other sentence around here. So while he rode his big wheel, built with magnetics, engaged in LightSaber Warfare, and created playdough masterpieces the beads stayed on - well that is, until he covered most of them in playdough and they had to take a little break to dry out so the playdough would come off.

All in all we are pretty happy campers around here!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Friends and Family I hope you are well, and if you are far away, know that we love you and that are hearts are right there with you on this special day.
All of our love to you! Reece, Shawna, Gareth, Daddy, and Owen.

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-24T08:29:00.000-08:00

Don't Be Scared

2005-12-20T23:47:00.000-08:00
As a scrapper, and a mommy, there are moments that happen that I think, "hey, that might make a cute scrapbook page," and then there are moments that I think "I am SO glad I scrapbook, because this is a moment I don't want to ever forget."

This moment, was definitely the latter.
Credits: ScrapArtist - Paper: Amy Tanabe "Navy Fall", Word Art Corner Stamp and Stitching: Angie Briggs "Chocolate Covered Elements", Michelle Coleman Acrylic Brushes. Woven Alpha by Dani Mogstad (DesignbyDani), File Tab by Robin Carlton ("Feels Like Home" TheDigiChick) Fonts: Feltpen and Enchanted prairie Dog.
"Tonight Owen decided he was scared of something in his room. Apparently there was a noise that was making him, "so scared". So big brother Gareth decided the best thing would be for him to sleep in Owen's bed with him. It took a little bit of convincing mommy, but I could tell Owen really was scared. So I said they could sleep together as long as they were quiet and really went to sleep. As Gareth climbed into Owen's bed, Owen said "I'm scared Brother" and Gareth looked at the little guy and very sincerely reassured him, "Don't be scared, I'll be right here next to you and I know real Karate." To my surprise they fell fast asleep, and both were sure to be safe and sound."

Thank you God, life is good...

Magic

2005-12-19T16:16:00.000-08:00

Last year you really wanted nothing to do with Santa. So it has been fun this year to see you so interested in everything about Santa. You look for him every time we go out and are quick to notice anyone in a Santa hat. Then you ask me “Is that Santa?” You’ve also gotten quite good at wishing people a “MERRY CHRISTMAS” in your best Santa voice with the perfect “jolly” inflection.
When we went to on our annual trip to Alpenrose Dairy to see Santa you could not wait to see him. You were very serious about writing a list and getting it ready for to give Santa. In fact, you were so immersed in your list writing that when we asked what you wanted on your list all you could thing of was that you wanted “A list for Santa.” When we got in to see him, you just hopped right up on the big guy’s lap and smiled big for the camera. After we were done taking pictures you and your brother talked with Santa a bit but you must have forgotten something, because as soon as you got down, you turned back to see him and very reverently told him what it was you wanted for Christmas.
Now I didn’t hear what you said, and I’m pretty sure Santa could make it out either, but you were so sweet and so sincere. It was a moment that just spelled Magic, you believe in Santa.

Dani Mogstads home for the holdidays at www.designbydani.com.

HO HO HO!!!

2005-12-19T13:47:00.000-08:00
Merry Christmas everyone! I thought that in honor of the holidays, I would share some more stamps I threw together for the holidays.
I am working on a "Believe in Santa" page and I wanted so fun hand written stamps to go along with it. Well while I was doodling and drawing i started to think about how I've been wanting a hand writen date so I can stamp on the month/year to my page with few worries... Then ofcourse I was FLOODED with millions of ideas and from this all grew a freebie to share.

Everyone help yourself to my "Believe in Magic" freebie. It includes some fun holiday words, a festive frame and stamp and every month and 2004-2006 handwritten.Hope you all enjoy it - it is very low key but i think you'll have fun with it!

SNOW!

2005-12-18T21:18:00.000-08:00
Here is one of MANY snow pictures! The boys and I all headed out in the dark to enjoy some of this fabulous (and FREEZING) white stuff!
You CAN'T BEAT this great picture that catches the snow floating in the air!

Stay Tuned for more Snow picutures to come!

Christmas time in Dairyville

2005-12-18T20:45:00.000-08:00
Well this year we followed our annual tradition of going to Alpenrose Dairy to see Santa and enjoy their adorable holiday set up. The only thing is this year it was FREEZING.... Usually I have all sorts of pictures of the kids drinking cocoa and walking around the adorable little "dairyville" but this year you will notice our pictures stayed indoors. Although usually this is usually one of our favorite holiday traditions, this year it was PRETTY DARN COLD! It was cold out and the wind was really blowing, so it was difficult to really enjoy the scene.

Anyways we still did have some fun times.

Here is little reece standing outside looking cold (and just cute in his little fleece suit):
Here are the little guys on Santa's Lap - Reece was on there too for a second, but I couldn't snap a shot of it because he was REALLY ready to get AWAY from the strange man with the beard. I love the smiles I got from the boys for this obviously forced pose (they had already smiled for the main pic and I think they were done with the posing).Here is a GREAT pic of Owen and Santa sharing a special moment... I'm not quite sure what Owen was asking for (and Santa really couldn't decipher it either) but it really was so sweet to see our little man so sincere with the big guy - and what a really great Santa they had too!
Lastly, although Reecey really wasn't digging Mr. Claus in person, he was really excited about this Santa, I guess a "pretend" Santa seemed much more approachable to Reece.So all in all it was a fun time. An annual tradition upheld, one on one time with Mr. Claus, and the Santa Doll too. Ofcourse there was also Hot Chocolate, and pretty lights, but really it was quite hard to focus on any of that when we all thought we might die of cold.... Maybe next year we'll be back to the moderate temperatures that this little family was built for!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2005-12-18T20:28:00.000-08:00
HELLO my faithful Blog lovers! I'm so sorry I've been neglecting you all so. I have only three words for you people!!!!

BUSY...
BUSY...BUSY!!!!
If you've known me long you know how I can get if it is time for crafting.... Lets just say I've got more than a few projects on my desk as of late! I love the bustle of Chrismas... and I feel like such a little elf crafting away... But MAN it is busy around here!!!

2005-12-14T11:00:00.000-08:00

Oh Christmas Tree

2005-12-13T09:38:00.000-08:00
I promised this was coming - My little elves and I decorating the tree:

And here is the final result - I love our pretty tree!

The Haircut

2005-12-13T08:16:00.000-08:00
This weekend I took a big step as a Mommy and finally cut our little Reece's hair. I would tell you the whole story, but I just did this 2 page spread for a sketch challenge over at TDC and I think I'll just let the page tell the story for me over at .

Credits: "OMGosh" by Robin Carlton and Manda Bean and Undressed Chipboard Alpha/Messy Boys Photo Corners by Dani Mogstad

Journaling: As you've grown this past year, I've loved watching your blonde little locks grow. You are so sweet so blonde, and with your hair long, you still felt like a baby to me. It was a hard decision to finally give you that first trim, but I knew it was time since every one kept mentioning that you looked like a little girl. When I finally got up the guts to give you a trim I went for it right away before I lost my nerve. You were so good for your first haircut, sitting in the sink and playing with your toothbrush. When we were done, you were so proud, and so was I. You look so handsome with a big boy haircut! The best part is, you are still just as sweet.

He doesn't look nearly as much like a baby any more... it is strange! But I'm loving his new hair cut, and I'm pretty certain I'll get less compliments on my "two boys and baby girl" (poor Reece!). But still, this is the end of an era for me and my sweet little long haired Reece!

More "Stapms"'!

2005-12-08T16:34:00.000-08:00
Today I was SOOO flattered when I found this email from a gal that posts with me at The Kitchen in my inbox this afternoon:
Well GARSH! How cool of an idea is that! I'm all over it Jill!!!

With out further ado I would like you to meet "Shawna's Grateful Word Stapms"

This is hosted on You Send It so it will only be here as a freebie for 25 downloads so if you want it get it NOW before they run out :)

*edited to add - YO! You dowloading fools had better leave me some blog love in the form of a COMMENT ;)*

Christmas Hot Chocolate

2005-12-06T23:58:00.000-08:00
Just had to scrap this picture from the Tree Farm to remeber these boys' love for hot chocolate.

Everything is Dani Mogstad, (and my Wispy Stamps)

The Trip to the Tree Farm

2005-12-06T20:03:00.000-08:00
Since we've been married and moved to our first place in Vancouver, we've gone to the same Christmas Tree Farm every year. We love it there. It's a fun U-Cut place, that has a hay ride, animals, and lots of other fun stuff.

Once we get there, the hunt is on, we wander through the christmas tree forest till we find that perfect tree.
Here are all the boys infront of "the one"
(not the little one daddy is pointing at, The tree behind them is the one)

After we find our tree daddy chops it down. Then Daddy has to carry it alone (poor guy) while I hold Reece and try to get the other two little Ducklings to follow me. Daddy gets the tree shaken and bailed, and he ties the tree to the van, while the little guys and I go in and get some hot chocolate.

There is a big barn where the sell wreaths and stuff and have a pretty tree and warm hot chocolate. The boys were so sweet sitting all in a row by the tree while the waited for thier treat.

Then we go to look at the animals, meet up with daddy and we all go on the hay ride. The boys were so cute on the hay ride, and reece insisted on siting on his own, and NOT on mom or daddy's laps. I love this picture I got of him while we were waiting to go on our ride.
It was a fun day, and when we got home we decorated it with Christmas music on. Stay tuned for those pics!

Alike

2005-12-05T23:40:00.001-08:00
Today I was speeding around trying to get this and that done, when I looked at little reecey and his wavy little blonde hair and his eyes and big smile- and it hit me!

When Gareth was a baby I was so curious how much he looked like baby George had looked, so his mom so sweetly sent me several pictures of him as a baby so that I could have something to see. The boys all look like G, but when I look at them I don't usually see the similarity to baby George, more like the resemblance to grown up George, especially as they are getting older you just can't deny that Gareth is definitely looking like his dad.

But when I saw Reece tonight it hit me, and I stopped what I was doing and right away started digging through my photo box until I found these:

Look at this blonde hair:
Daddy

Reece

Now, Check out this one, they are both sitting in the same little position and smiling like they are the cutest ever:

Daddy

Reece
People are always asking me where Reece got his blonde little locks.... Well now we all can see :)

Uh Oh!!!

2005-12-05T00:38:00.000-08:00

When we went to get our christmas tree this year you were so excited about all trees everywhere. When we finally found the perfect tree you carefully watched daddy cut it down. when it fell to the ground you exclaimed “uh oh.” Then as we walked, you just kept pointing at the trees saying "Uh Oh!", "Uh Oh" , you were so cute, and so concerned that we had knocked that poor tree down
(Stay tuned for more pictures from our christmas tree trip later!)

The Little Brother

2005-12-03T14:23:00.000-08:00

"Reece, you poor sweet little man. Being the youngest of three boys is no easy task. Your big brother Gareth is always playing with you by carrying you around and putting you places. Then there is Owen who for some reason gets a kick out of making you messy. On this particular day he decided to slowly drip spoonfuls of his cereal milk over your head. By the time Gareth came and told me you had received several little milk showers, and were sitting there with this sad little expression. You are such a sport to put up with what you do, and even the nutty stuff you seem to enjoy because it means you get to be part of the big boys’ play. You are sure to have story after story by the time you are all grown up. It just so hard being the youngest brother."

My first Layout for my new Design Team!!! This kit is called "Lil Dude" and it is just too fun... perfect for brother LO's!

Having a Five Year Old

2005-12-01T23:42:00.000-08:00
Is priceless...

Ready or Not!

2005-12-01T23:36:00.000-08:00

The boys and I make a paper chain every year to count down the days in December until Christmas.

We now have 24 days people!

I love love love this month, but don't you suppose it's just a bit short?

I'm a CHICKLET!!!

2005-12-01T21:49:00.000-08:00
I am SO proud tonight! I have been accepted on a FABULOUS new design team! Robin Carlton who sells at DigiChick chose me and 4 other really talented designers to be part of her "Sweet n Sassy" Design Team!

Here is a layout I created tonight just to take this fabulous mood down in history:

You can get this FABULOUS FREEBIE at Robin's Blog. It is called "Sugar Cookie" and as you can see it is just beyond yummy!

YAY YAY YAY for me!!! I can't wait to get started!

My pretty pies!

2005-11-28T09:29:00.000-08:00

Hungry??? too bad, we finished them already! But I did want to show them off some because I am proud of these beauties!

For the apple pie, I thought I'd add some sweet Shawna Schwoopies, and on the pumpkin you can see I put a few little hearts.

Yay for my pretty Thanksgiving pies!

It's Begining to Look a Lot like Christmas!

2005-11-27T22:11:00.000-08:00

YAY!!! this year we put lights on our house for the first time! I'm so proud of us, and SO excited that the season has come!

The best part, 5 out of the 9 houses in our culdesac already have lights! What a little wonder land for us!!!

The BIG Project

2005-11-27T21:35:00.000-08:00
This weekend we finally finished a the big project we've been trying to finish since we moved in April. The playroom needed some shelves, so we planned and drew out shelves that were made up of 8 interlocking boards (and a case) that formed 25 cubes (sorry that is about as well as I can describe it). We've had them cut for a while, but today we finally finished painting them and assembled the whole huge set in the play room...

Here are the boys playing in the shelves that we were screwing together on the floor:
Here is G, securing these monsters to the wall...Look at this towering toy home!

And now, a play paradise! A place for everything, all at home in their shelves made especially by Mommy and Daddy...

Freebie!!!

2005-11-26T09:53:00.000-08:00
Okay Everyone Here is your freebie!
It includes samples of the Schwoopie and Wispy Stamp sets and some exclusive Chistmas word art too :). Everything is HAND DRAWN by me :) I hope you enjoy!

Thank you SO much to Design By Dani for hosting this for me!

They're coming!

2005-11-24T11:52:00.000-08:00
Well tomorrow is the big schwoopie day! :)

Click to see the final Schwoopies and Wisps coming tomorrow to Design By Dani. AND tomorrow there are BIG sales going on at the store, so you can get them and everything else at a great price!

Soon I will also be releasing my Freebie here on my blog with some exclusive word art, but you can get all the wisps and shwoops Friday at Design by Dani. Also If you register at the store you can sign up for the newsletter, where the wisp and schwoop Freebie will given away.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2005-11-23T23:02:00.000-08:00
Well what is more fitting for Thanksgiving than this, the perfect illustration of my blessings all over me.

I had to put this together tonight for Thanksgiving and just to soak in all my blessings for a while.

Tonight I say - Thank you for:

My husband, he is clearly handpicked by God for me. I am happy, well taken care of, I am cared for and loved and I know that is truly a gift. I spend every night with the person I love most in the universe, and wake up every morning to him right there. I am blessed.

Oh my dear boys... look at those guys. They make my life so rich, and they are my world. They keep me busy, they make me crazy.... I love them so much they make me cry I wouldn't have it any other way.

My mom and Dad. I was just thinking about her so much today. I am so fortunate to have two parents that clearly love me dearly, that shower my kids with love, that respect me and G as parents. I've been thinking about my mom... I mean wow - if things had gone just slightly different 2 years ago when she was in her accident, well.... I don't know that I even have the words, only to say: my mom makes my life better. I am thankful for her. Thankful for her courage, her persistence, her friendship and her love.

I am surrounded this year by family, by friendship, by support. I am SO grateful God is showering me with so much love. I am so grateful for all the growing friendships in my life.

Look at me. I am so well taken care of. My heart is full tonight. For that I am very Grateful.

Feeling Special

2005-11-23T15:16:00.000-08:00
On our Towel Trip, I saw this gorgeous towel, that is simply perfect for my red and black, coffee themed kitchen, I almost picked it up to buy it, but when I saw that for the price of just that one I could get a whole set with three potholders and two dishtowels - I just couldn't justify it in my mind. I pet this sweet pretty towel a few times and put it back.

Well my sweet friend Casey just couldn't let me do it. She actually went to Walmart and got me the pretty towel that I didn't let myself get. Yesterday at MOMS Club she gave it to me as a gift and a little card, that said "Because you deserve it".

I feel so special :) and you should see how special my kitchen feels with it hanging in there.

Thank you Casey - I really do feel special.

New Camera!

2005-11-23T14:59:00.000-08:00
With the holdiays coming up here, I told G that he needed to let me have my Chrismas present early! There are just too many good pictures to be taken to waste them on a bad camera.

YAY G! I'm SO HAPPY! :)
It is a Cannon Power Shot A80... it's been well loved, and well taken care of by it's previous owner, and because it is used we were actually able to afford the sort of camera that I wanted!

It is sad, but my old Kodac EasyShare makes this seem like the most advanced camera on the planet! I am really thrilled though because there are lots of settings and options which means I can start to learn a little bit more about exposure and lighting, and (halleluja!) i get to zoom now!

Here are my first few shots with my new baby:
Merry Christmas to me!!!

Coming Soon!!!

2005-11-21T18:57:00.000-08:00

UPDATED: Well the big news :)

We are going to release these on friday at design by dani with some other great things (think, big calandar kit, seasonal kits: massive amounts of really cool stuff in these kits people!!!)
I'll also be offering this freebie, with word art and mini schwoopies. Check back here, and also in the Design By Dani newsletter to get your freebie! :)

Look at me!!!

2005-11-21T09:49:00.000-08:00
Well I'm learning new fun things in PhotoShopElements. I've been playing around with my doodles and Schwoopies, and turning them into brushes and stamps....

So now, I'm Proud to present, TA-DA!:

I know it isn't the most amazing thing you've ever seen, but for me it is a big step! Maybe in a few more tries I'll have something share-worthy :).

What is Beauty?

2005-11-20T15:08:00.000-08:00
I worked on a big project Friday, and in the meantime made a WRECK of my desk. So today was clean up the desk day.

Every time I clean my desk, I get all warm inside because I just LOVE my scrap supplies so much. I love the paper, the brushes, the colorful paint. I love the stamps and the tags and the brads, the glue and the glue runner and the glue dots. I love the paper cutter the folder and the embellishments galore.

It just made me start to thing about beauty, and what beauty is. Growing up, I always LOVED a fresh pack of crayons, I watch Gareth get all excited about that untouched form of playdough that comes out of the container. When I was in highschool a brand new pack of lined paper seriously made me SO happy.

I love that raw potential for beauty. Just how am I going to combine it all? Where can I brush that plum paint, or stamp that letter "t".

So in celebration of my truly beautiful scrap supplies I got all artsy and took some pictures. Can you feel the beauty?

So, What is beauty to you?

Don't Throw pretzels As a Boomerang

2005-11-20T15:04:00.000-08:00
Gareth:
"Mom, Owen's using pretzels as a boomerang"

Me:
"Owen, Don't use pretzels as a boomerang"

All the boys:
Hysterical Laughing

Welcome to my life.

Towel Trip

2005-11-20T14:48:00.000-08:00
Well, I'm so excited! I've officially add 5 red towels, and 3 red pot holders to my kitchen...
Now everyone, remind me to THROW AWAY my five most disgusting kitchen towels from my drawer, goodness knows it will be VERY easy to find 5 yucky dish towels.

Last night was such a fun night, two of my MOMS Club friends took me with them to Walmart, to buy myself some dish towels.

I don't think Casey believed me when I said I hadn't bought myself any for so long because I just can't stay focused once I got into the store. Well, she has proof now, after re-reminding me just what we were doing there several times. It was a blast, AND I'm proud to say that I stayed the course and only came out of there with only the new dish towels I went in for (although we were all tempted by a few other things). Then, we went over to Sheri's and I drank WAY too much coffee while we all sat around and talked about OURSELVES and not our kids.

Before we knew it, it was 10:30 and we had spent the whole night just hanging out. It was a fun fun night.

I have to say, I am so happy. And my kitchen will be too I'm sure.

[little man] At Work

2005-11-18T16:23:00.000-08:00
I got to have my friend Casey over today and she was looking through my scrapbooks, which inspired me to do another paper page. As soon as she left I promptly got out my goodies and got to work. I've had these pictures of gareth helping grandpa and daddy with our remodel project. I love how LITTLE he looks - It's hard to believe that that was almost 3 years ago! Time sure flies!

Gareth was VERY excited when I showed him the finished page after school, and owen quickly said "Where's MY worker man page?"

2005-11-16T16:27:00.000-08:00

Life is Beautiful

2005-11-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

These moments... are there even words for what they mean to me? My Reecey is so sweet...

2005-11-15T20:49:00.000-08:00
This is an actual paper page that I did with my paper cutter and ink and pait and stamps and cute little paper clips. It was really fun fun to do, and ended up having the fun feeling I was looking for. I'm also loving that my figers are a bit stained, and my desk is all cluttered up with scrap stuff. Paper scrapping definately has it's great points.

This is Owen in Dec of 2003. The journaling reads "I love these pictures of you as a baby just lovin' life. Owen, you have this special zest - this sort of energy that is contagious, & if you are smiling that little grin, no one in the room can resist. When I see that smile, that energy, that charisma - I just know you are going to change the world....
I love you my Happy Boy"

Toddler Tae-Bo

2005-11-15T18:30:00.000-08:00
Tonight Daddy and gareth were watching something in the livingroom that Owen wasn't really into, so I took him in to the romp-room to pick any movie he wanted to watch. He went through the videos and carefully picked "Tae-Bo".

I told him he didn't want to watch Tae-Bo, that's not a kid movie. He said "I like Tae-Bo, it's funny."
So we turned it on and Reece rushed in to be part of the action. Owen said "Reece, Let's Punch!"
Reece did a lot of dancing and a little bit of arm waving himself.

And, ofcourse they had to climb up onto the train table, because apparently that is the best place for tae-bo punching.

Here is my little toddler Tae-Bo class, complete with the diapers!

2005-11-13T20:30:00.000-08:00
YES! I am getting my work done... but I do have to take personal scrap breaks :) This picture is so great because Gareth ACTUALLY got this dirty just riding bikes outside with the neighbor boy.

When I was shopping at Scrapbook Elements this kit: True Grit really stood out to me... Ofcourse I had to get it, and isn't it a perfect match for this picture? It is by Jenna Robertson and it was a piece of cake to make this page.

2005-11-12T19:23:00.000-08:00
This is Owen at his last birthday... I had too much fun editing this photo! I could probably spend a full day just playing with selections and colors, smudges and blurs, in the end it is a perfect way to blurr out what isn't important and focus in on my little man.

This is my last LO of the day from Bree Clarkson's sale... Time to get some cabinet work done! I'm sure these are papers I'll be using again, they are just so difinatively boy!

Together

2005-11-12T16:14:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite pages I've done in a while because this picture just really captures something special about my boys that I want to remember forever.

Journaling Reads: I love watching you both in this stage in your life as you boys do every- thing together. you are 3 years apart and before we know it you will both have your own lives and your own friends... even now Gareth has moved on to kindergarten and Owen spends the afternoon waiting for “brother” to come home.. I treasure you both and the friend- ship you’ve formed. I think you both know what a treasure it is to have a brother.

This LO and the last are made from some of the new kits I got from Bree Clarkson sale. I'm loving working with my new stuff!!! Also if you go to ScrapMonkey you can find those typewriter keys and photocorners as a FREEBIE!!!

Happy Boy

2005-11-12T00:02:00.000-08:00

Tagged! Again!

2005-11-11T16:26:00.000-08:00
I got Tagged at ScrapKitchen by Erin (mountaineer)

2 names you go by:
Shawna
Mommy (sad, but I'm pretty nickname-free)

2 parts of your heritage:
Dutch
German

2 things that scare you:
Really intense people
Standing up to people

2 things you are wearing right now:
Jeans
T-Shirt

2 of your favorite bands or musical artists (at the moment)
Lisa Loeb
Cold Play

2 favorite songs (at the moment):
Fix you
Sandalwood

2 things you want in a relationship (other than real love):
Caring
Physical Closeness

2 truths:
I can't stand to be alone for more than a few hours
I'm fighting depression

2 physical things that appeal to you (in the opposite sex):
A sincere smile
Tallness

2 of your favorite hobbies:
Digital Scrapping
Paper Crafts

2 things you want really badly:
A new digital camera
inner strength

2 places you want to go on vacation:
Spain
England

2 things you want to do before you die:
Learn to play the guitar
Finish College

2 ways that you are stereotypically a dude/chick:
I giggle and squeal
I love to talk about people and feelings

2 things you are thinking about now:
What a goon I am
Cooking dinner

2 stores you shop at:
Albertsons
WinCo

2 people you would like to see take the quiz?
Katie
Casey

TAG!!!...YOU'RE IT! (I know, I'm such a tagger!!!)

Wish List

2005-11-11T14:53:00.000-08:00
So, I'm really thinking about all the digital kits I'm just dying to have.... and where a better place to talk about it than my blog sweet blog?

I love this kit from Scrap Kitchen the colors are so fun and I really just love these grometed ribbons!

The Green Holly Paper Pack from Jasbeanie is just so fun! I know I could do some cute things with this kit!

Jen Wilson is one of the most incredible digital designers I've seen! She has the most amazing line called her signature line. This one is signature No. 4 and she has great elements that go with these sets too!

Bree Clarkson is having a great sale right now at Scrapbook Elements that I am going to have to pick up some of her adorable kits. We are talking 1-2 dollars for these colorful fun kits!

Okay time for me to go shopping!

Forever Happy In Love

2005-11-10T10:26:00.000-08:00
This is George and I on our 5th anniversary in June. My parents and sister watched the kids and we stayed at this great hotel in downtown Portland, it was a perfect weekend.

All the elements are from Dani and I got the paper as a freebie at Something Blue Studios.

My first page about G and I (I love this guy!).

Thursday Thoughts...

2005-11-10T09:55:00.000-08:00
After a few weeks off, I'm finally getting around to writing some Thursday thoughts again.

I've had a really great week, I'm feeling so much better than I have for a while. I've had some really good times with friends and I'm starting to feel, well kind of strong inside. It is a good feeling.

I've been quite the working woman lately. I am spending my days trying to churn out Digital Layouts for Cascade Cabinets. It is a fun job and a great way to make money doing something I already love, but I am still getting my feet wet and I have a lot to learn about time management. It has been a great experience learning more about what it takes to pull a professional page together. At nights I've been spending my time at my friend Kyla's house. Her husband sells CUTCO and he had 1300 catalogues to send to customers. They hired me to help Kyla staple, stuff, seal and sort. After four nights of catalogue craziness I have earned enough for a new printer!

My poor boys miss the summer, they been increasingly monkey like lately. I think that being cooped up has not been great for them (or my poor house!) Perhaps after all the catalogue and cabinet craziness I'll brave a trip to and indoor play place of some sort so they can spread some of the mania around!

This is what I'm dealing with....

2005-11-07T10:32:00.000-08:00

Yes, my 14 month old, who CAN'T EVEN WALK, climbs on to the COUNTERS! He is a monkey I swear!

Love

2005-11-03T22:20:00.000-08:00

Reece and Gareth at Christmas time last year, are they the sweetest or what?

This is my first attempt at adding color into a black and white picture, I'm pretty proud.

This is all digital, using Dani Mogstads Home for the Holidays kit, it's just too cozy!

Higher and Higher

2005-11-03T09:12:00.000-08:00

Reece's new favorite pastime - Climbing!

Hot Dog!

2005-11-02T17:32:00.000-08:00
Gareth is a picky eater, usually we just don't cater to it. As a matter of fact there are many nights that he chooses to skip dinner altogether because he just doesn't like what we are having.

Well tonight we had very few options for dinner. George, Reece, Owen, and I all had leftovers but there was nothing Gareth would want. It's didn't really seem fair to let him go hungry on left-overs night. The pickings in the fridge and freezer were slim, but we could atleast find a hotdog and a bun. Unfortunately, as soon as the hotdog was heated and waiting in it's bun, we saw that we had no ketchup.

We asked Gareth what he wanted on his hot dog, "graham crackers," he was quick to answer.

"Ummm okay... would you like mustard? "

"No. I want ranch... and chocolate syrup."

This kid was serious, we tried to put the crackers on the side of the plate, but Gareth broke them up on top. As we cautiously added the ranch... and the chocolate, we reminded him, "Now you realize this is your dinner, are you sure?"

He smiled big. He was sure.
Gareth happily ate that entire graham cracker, ranch, and chocolate syrup hotdog. Picky eater huh?

2005-11-01T22:43:00.000-08:00
This is another digital page, I "scraplifted" this design from Keela, another one of Dani's fabulous Design Team members!

This is Dani Mogstad's "Santa Baby" Christmas kit. I love these colors for the holidays!

Last year the boys and I went to Alpenrose Dairy for their Christmastime in Dairyville with our friends Pam and her girls. It was such a fun time, and it is precious and few opportunities that I get to have a picture of my 3 boys and I together.

What are YOU doing tonight???

2005-11-01T14:36:00.000-08:00

This is where I'll be! If you are a digiscrapper DON't miss it!!!

Knock Knock...

2005-11-01T12:37:00.000-08:00
I could NOT resist scrapping this picture RIGHT NOW!!! Dani's, "Sweet Treats" paper and embellishments were just PERFECT for this digital page.

Trick or Treat

2005-10-31T22:03:00.000-08:00
Well this is the first year we've taken the boys OUT trick or treating. Our Nieghborhood was great for it, and Gareth was so excited he was ready to go when he got home from school!

Here are some classic "Trick or Treat" shots:

Our First House:
At this house gareth said "Oh look, we can't go here, there's 'construction' tape" :)

My little fisherman out gettin' himself some candy:

Daddy and Reece, who just tugged on his elephant ear the whole time (although when we took it off he wanted it on again so he could tug some more):

Gareth, oh, I mean Bob the Builder, who was impossible to get a picture of outside, he was too busy dragging us along from house to house... I could only get pictures of his back!

Here are me and my boys (all three this time!) snuggly and warm and with enough candy to last us a lifetime!

Digi Scrappers: Don't Miss It!!!

2005-10-31T14:43:00.000-08:00

Beach Weekend!

2005-10-31T10:53:00.000-08:00
This weekend my parents invited us to stay with them at Seaside. It is was a gorgeous place and a relaxing time! George and Reece were sick and had to stay home last minute, but the big guys and I were able to go, and we really had some fun times together.

Here are my favorite pictures from a fun, beautifully grey day on the Oregon Coast:

Owen Playing in the sand.

This is Owen and my Dad running from the waves... owen would see a wave break way out and the distance and just start RUNNING... He did NOT want to get wet!

My parents got a special Beach Wheel Chair for my mom, She was SO happy to be out on the beach running in the waves... here are my mom and dad running. I love this picture.

Here I got them to stand still for a picture!

Liz and I, we were not doing a whole lot of running... except for when we were trying to pull gareth AWAY from the breaking waves... that boy wanted to get IN the ocean!

Me and my Boys!

This Picture gets my Award for the very best picture of the weekend! The lighting, the depth, the colors, just perfect!
Gareth LOVED the ocean, everything about it, and he loved getting down and dirty in the sand. Here he is happy as can be to be playing in the sand.

I've been Tagged :)

2005-10-27T21:34:00.000-07:00
Casey "tagged me" on her blog to do this, so here you have it!

7 Things I wanna do before I die
1) See my sons get married
2) Hold my grandkids
3) Travel to every continent (besides antartica - no thank you!)
4) Change peoples lives
5) Get really active in a political cause
6) Go back to school
7) Celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary with George

7 Things I cannot do
1) Turn away from my faith (I just can't even imagine)
2) Illegal Drugs
3) Pump Iron (um, no thanks)
4) whistle
5) turn my feelings off
6) be the perfect homemaker
7) get back to my Prepregnancy weight

7 things that attract me to (the opposite sex)
1) kindness
2) smile
3) sense of humor
4) integrity
5) unintimidating
6) mellow
7) feeling well taken care of

7 things I say often
1) all the live long day
2) fun!
3) goodness gracious
4) take it down a notch
5) for goodness sake
6) it's your choice
7) Just a sec

7 Celebrity Crushes
1) James Spader
2) Scott Folley
ummmmm... lol, I'm picky (I'll just take G)

7 People I want to do this: (consider yourself tagged)
1) Mandi
2) Katie
3) Dani
4) George (you don't have to do this on your nerd blog, but you have to do it).
5) Melissa
6) Dj Short Change (when you start your blog about how great g-man is ;))
7) And everyone else who reads this and wants to! You're TAGGED (you can do it in my comments section if you don't have a blog)!

The Handsomest Little Man On the Face of The Earth

2005-10-27T21:07:00.000-07:00
Well, I think so atleast! Gareth just got his kindergarden pictures in, isn't he looking so handsome?

I was SO very pleased when these came home with them! He told me, "I tried to smile extra good for you mom!" He was so proud of himself, and how could he NOT be - look at this guy!

Halloween Party

2005-10-25T22:09:00.000-07:00
Today at MOMS Club we had a Halloween party, when we were looking through our old costumes the boys were so excited about the ones we already had that I couldn't see going out and getting new ones, considering the hassle and the money. And the fact that when we did look for new ones they weren't nearly as excited about it.

So here we have my three little characters:

Gareth as "Bob The Builder" happy little guy:

Owen as a Fisherman (although by this point he wasn't really into smiling for mommy):

And Reece the little elephant - he tugged at that hood every time I put it on, he was not into it!

We had a great time... well Reece not so much, he was tired and grumpy, but the big guys loved it! It is so fun to go and see SO many cute little kids all dressed up in once place. I have to say the little fairies and princesses tug at my heart strings - but my boys definitely were looking "princess worthy" all dressed up! And home we came with way absolutely no tricks and WAY too many treats.

Angel Grandma

2005-10-25T13:47:00.000-07:00
Last year, Living Way Fellowship, my parents Church, had an "Angel Breakfast" for Preschoolers at Christmas time. My mom Dressed up as an Angel and read a story to the kids. She looked so beautiful, I really treasure these pictures of the Gareth and Reece and thier "Angel Grandma". (She really is our Angel!)

All of these Elements are in the "Sugarplum Fairy" Kit made by Dani Mogstad for the Christmas Season. There are more great kits too!!! (you'll see) and all are availible on November 1st at the Design By Dani Store.

Sweet Sweet Baby

2005-10-22T15:52:00.000-07:00

A paper page I made!!! I really love these pictures of Reece from when he was SO tiny at not even two weeks. I love this guy.... AND he is still a sweet sweet little guy even as he grows.

Sleepy Head

2005-10-21T12:56:00.000-07:00
Well Reece and Owen were playing in the toy room when Owen came to talk to me. We talked for a while when I realized things were pretty quiet. So I asked Owen, "What's Reece doing?"

"He's sleeping."

I said, "No he's not, he's playing with you, he's not napping yet. What are you guys playing with?"

"Reece ARE NOT playing, he's sleeping" (Owen loves to use the word "are" although he isn't using it quite right, it's still pretty darn cute).

I knew Owen was wrong, he was just confused about what time it was, once he saw the crib was empty he'd realize, Reece was still up and playing. So I humored him, "Okay Owen, where is Reece sleeping?"

So he grabbed my hand and took me right past their room into to living room...

Sure enough there he was:
Reece was sleeping. On the living room floor. This is the second time Reecy has fallen asleep while he was still up. On Tuesday he started snoring in his high chair....

Apparently he doesn't do so well with out his morning nap.

Fresh Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

2005-10-19T13:56:00.000-07:00
For years every time we carved our pumkins, George would talk about how we needed to roast the seeds and have fresh roasted seeds to snack on. Well, we tried once or twice, one time we didn't do it soon enough and the seeds got old, one time the seeds in the pumpkin were not good, we stuck them in the oven and they were really just gross.

So this year we looked it up and found a real recipe (or like 100) to make sure we did it right.

So.... now I have to share, because honestly you haven't had pumpkin seeds until you've had them fresh out of the oven!

Directions:

Wash fresh pumpkins seeds and remove the icky pumpkin pulp.

Melt 1/2 stick of butter or margarine and soak clean seeds in the butter for about 10 mins.

Spread seeds on a baking pan in a single layer and salt to taste.

Cook at 300 degrees for about 30-40 mins, until golden brown.

Pretty simple really, don't you think we could have figured that out 5 years ago!!

JackOLanterns

2005-10-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

After our trip to the pumpkin patch the boys decided we needed to carve our pumpkins. George and the boys looked online to decided what each of the little guys wanted their jackolanterns to look like. Gareth decided right away that he wanted a "Scary Ghost" with a zig zag mouth. Owen decided that the best thing to do was a kitty cat.

We opened them up and scooped out all the goo (mommy was the best at this) then the boys told George where to draw all the parts of the faces and gareth even drew the zig zag mouth. Then George carved them open (he is quite the expert) and the boys painted them when they were threw.

All the while, mommy washed those pumpkin seeds and cooked them right up for a tasty treat!

"Monday House"

2005-10-17T10:01:00.000-07:00
Have you heard that phrase? A lot of times the weekend can be messy business, with everyone home, and running around, and with mommy not wanting to be cleaning all the time. I've heard the term "Monday House" to describe what it looks like Monday morning when you have to clean up after the chaos.

Well here at my house I always have a "Monday House," but my Monday house is different than what you think.... My house shines Monday mornings. Now, this is NOT because our weekends aren't chaotic, and it DEFINITELY isn't because I'm playing maid all weekend. No, I have a different Monday house because every Sunday night my sweet husband takes an hour to help me get the weekend cleaned up. This is actually something he started quite some time ago because he wants to help me "start the week out right."

George is such a great husband, he is such a wonderful dad. He is a true partner in parenting with me, and I appreciate it more than I can say. I swear, I'm so lucky to have this guy! I honestly think he is like God's gift to the universe or something.... But I know one thing for sure... He is Gods gift to me. I'm very grateful.

Okay, cheeseball post I know! But just wanted to take this little webspace to say, I LOVE THIS GUY!

100% You

2005-10-16T22:38:00.000-07:00
My dad took this picture of Owen at Disneyland when we were on vacation. I love Owen and how he is just his own little man, especially at 2! The bright colors on this picture are just too perfect!

I used elements from Design by Dani here again. Love these Sweet Treats papers (and they are a freebie!!!)

Fall

2005-10-15T17:57:00.000-07:00

My three boys at the pumpkin patch today. Yes, I know gareth is squinting, and Reece is eating a leaf! But this is as close as we got to all looking at the camera and smiling.

I used digital elements all from Design by Dani.

The Cuddly Little Daredevil

2005-10-15T16:16:00.000-07:00
Reece cannot see a cuddly looking item, with out getting it, grabbing it, and sucking his little thumb. This is our Reecey's little version of cuddling. I love to watch him get all cute and lovey with things!

The other day, he saw the tub full of stuffed animals and he just had to get that cuddle in.

This was his risky solution:
You have to admit, he is just too cute!

Away

2005-10-14T10:38:00.000-07:00
A digital LO I did about last Friday night.

Journaling: The other day I told George, lets just do something DIFFERENT tonight. I need something new. So he said, pack up the kids and we’ll leave when I get home. We packed our bags and our boys into the car and George asked Gareth, what way? Gareth said SOUTH. So south we went. We just drove and drove. The boys fell asleep and we just spent time together. We talked about life, and drove and drove... Finally we were past Eugene and decided we had to stop, or we would have nowhere to stop for hours. We started to look for a place to sleep when we decided why pay to stay somewhere, when we could drive home, sleep there and go to chucky-cheeses in the morning.... so that is what we did. We had done something new and that ways all I needed This is what I love about this man I married. He knows me, and he loves me so much that he’ll waste a tank of gas, and 6 straight hours just so we can go anywhere, nowhere, to be together, to keep me sane.. Just so I can get away.

Elements are all Jen Wilson "The New Look" freebie (LOVE IT! Check it out).

Shawna NEEDS

2005-10-13T13:19:00.000-07:00
Okay I just saw this on my friend Casey's Blog and it is TOO funny, go to Google and type in your first name and the word "needs". (Mine would be: Shawna needs) Here are some of mine, actually a bit WIERD (all of these were in my first page of results):

Shawna needs to relax

Shawna needs firm control but she is terrified

Shawna needs to be in therapy but has, so far, refused.

shawna needs to slow down

Shawna is a child and needs sympathy and protection

Shawna needs to pull it together

Apparently, in general, Shawnas are all head-cases.... hmmmm...

Now a drum roll please for my personal favorite...

Shawna needs to get a pack of depends

Too FUNNY!!! GO DO THIS NOW! It is so funny to see what you come up with!