So Far So Good

On Monday I completed another layout. I am trying to keep the pact I made to myself about trying to scrap something everyday. So far so good.

On July 1st, Stampin' Up! is coming out with their new catalog and I am trying to make room for the new card stock and designer paper. I placed my preview order last week and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. I am trying to clean up my craft room and use up some older supplies. At least I am feeling frugal and had an opportunity to use my Cricut. Now on to the next project.

My Little Bugger is 19!!!

Okay, I am feeling a little old today. My Sunday was a slammed packed day. First, my son Kody turned 19, yes 19!! It really does seem like yesterday I was changing diapers, running after a toddler, etc. Today I was looking at gray hair and wrinkles in the mirror. Since we threw a large party last year, this was a quiet birthday with just my darling husband, beautiful daughter and birthday boy. Since my growing boy has quite the appetite, I found a cheeseburger birthday cake. Needless to say, I didn't win the mother of the year award. It seems my sense of humor doesn't work.


Next on the agenda was the awards banquet for Equine Corral's Open Horse Show Association. My daughter Sara placed third in her division. It was an amazing season. We met so many wonderful people at the horse shows. I was so proud of her. She looked so pretty up on the stage receiving her award. She wanted to look extra special as we had a guest come along with us. You know, the kind of guest that puts a smile on your face ;) I was disappointed with myself as I forgot my camera (go figure.) Thankfully, my cousin Heather had hers and Sara's guest Andrew takes awesome photos and I will have something to add to my scrapbook. (Sara is top row 2nd from right, white sweater over blue dress)

Another Finished Layout!!

I am so excited I finished another layout! Actually I completed a total of three on Friday, which is quite a big deal for me. Most of the time at our crop nights, I spend more time looking at everyone else's projects. This time, I made a pact with myself to get the job done, and I did! I have so many pictures I want to scrap and it's time for me to take the plunge and try to squeeze in as much time during the week as I can. My goal is to spend at least one hour each evening to get some pages done. We will see how that works out.

Another thing I am trying to work on is my photography. I admire the photos my blogging friends take of their completed work. Most of the time my photos have shadows or reflections that really take away from the photo. Shoot, it takes me so long to finish anything that I at least want to show it off properly.

Friday Night Crop with Madison and Lily

Even though our monthly crop night was small, just Madison, Lily and I, we had a great time. I taught them the heat emboss technique and they both went to town using this technique on their pages. Boy those girls know how to get the job done. Since our last crop night, they have scrapping sleep overs and stay up all night. Lily created an adorable layout using Silly Bands and Madison completed almost a full album with photos of she and her sister Kaitlyn. I wish I were young again and could stay up in the wee hours of the morning, eight o'clock rolls around and I am ready for bed!! At least I am a die hard on our crop nights.

I Think I've Got My Groove On

Yesterday I was a little worried I had fallen into a slump. Do any of you feel that way? Sometimes it takes me forever to finish a project and when I am done, I am disappointed with it. Since tonight is our monthly crop, after getting my house picked up and the snacks prepared, while waiting for my guests I used my time and completed this layout. I am actually pretty happy with it. Once I finished it I realized that I had three photos in the wrong layout. I quickly pulled them off and used my Cricut to make the basket embellishment. After my quick fix, I actually like it more than my first attempt.

I am however unhappy with my photography. Does anyone know how I can get better lighting or something to make the photo larger and not so washed out?? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Stamps: None
Ink: None
Paper: Barely Banana, Chocolate Chip, Sweet Pea DSP,
Accessories: Always Apricot Ribbon, Cricut Doodlecharms, Fresh Favorites Buttons, Threading Water Punch

Blessings,

Shannon

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge # 74

Okay, can anyone say "BORING." I haven't been able to work on any cards, scrapbooks or any other sort of paper crafts, other than bills since returning from North Carolina. :( And as we all know, that isn't any fun. I was excited to check in over at Karen's blog on Sunday morning and had big aspirations about submitting an awesome card but, my week got away from me and this is what I was able to throw together. Here is the sketch



and here is my awful creation




I am even unhappy with my MDS card. I completed my certification training for MDS (awesome program if I might add) and had to submit a card for professional printing.





Do you think I am in a crafter's slump???!! I have to shake this as tomorrow evening is our monthly crop and I have a pile of pictures to scrap. Maybe a good night rest will be just the trick.

Stamps: Three Little Words
Ink: Always Artichoke
Paper: Apricot Appeal, Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Big Shot Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder, Apricot Appeal ribbon

Blessings,

Shannon

Special Cyber Friend Blog Award

I am giving this blog award to my special cyber friend Chanda Stehlik because she has brought sunshine to my life. Over the last several days, she has created quite the stir on our Stampin' Up! demonstrator website. She suggested that interested demonstrators follow each others' blogs (how simple is that?). I personally have had a ball popping in on my fellow demonstrators' blogs to see what they have been up to and to check out their beautiful projects and creations, so much so that I have lost a little shut eye because I was blog hopping so much. Thanks again Chanda!

Now, here is the fun part. As the recipient of this award, Chanda must nominate 10 fellow bloggers to share this award with. The rules for accepting the Sunshine award are put the logo on your blog or within your post. Share the award with 10 fellow bloggers. Link the nominees within your post.

Where did June go??

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I posted last. Time is surely zooming by. Summer is here and will be gone before you know it. Time to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas. I promised myself this year I would start Christmas shopping in July and not wait until the last minute.

Well, enough of that. My son Kody and I spent a week in Murphy, North Carolina. My sister and I have decided to re-open our family campground. It had gotten to be too much for my mom to take care of and she closed it about 5 yerars ago. Since deciding to re-open, we already have campers. That is a such a blessing. We contacted some of the guests that stayed with us regularly and they all had such kind words to say. As we can, we are going to be making much needed upgrades. I can honestly say that even though we worked our butts off, I really enjoyed North Carolina. Many trips prior, I couldn't wait to get back home to Florida. I think it was because things slow down up there and I needed the rush, rush of life. Now that I am hmmm OLDER!!!, I am looking for some quiet too. On Sundays, many of the local stores close, most families spend a quiet afternoon at home after church. Sitting on the porch drinking a cup of coffee and taking in all that God has created was WONDERFUL. In the afternoon, after working around the park cleaning, it was nice to listen to the creek. Notice how I said listen. It is still TOOOO COLD for me to stick my feet in. Hopefully if everything goes right, I can get back to my mountain retreat in August.

If you or someone you know likes to camp and get away from it all, we would appreciate it if you would refer them to our campground. Our website is, Hanging Dog Creek Campground. Here are some pictures past and present. I hope you enjoy them.

My view on the porch drinking coffee (present).


My daughter Sara playing in the creek (past).
Kody with his prize catch (past).




View of the creek and park after clean up (present).