Random Photo's

Hey there...

OK - well - I just thought I would add a few

random photo's from the past couple of days!?

Some of those Rome Cards,

...two more Guatemala Layouts,

(obviously not a two page spread?! LOL!?)

& of course - a few more Easter shots!

(No - Kaye didn't really wear shorts... but she did change into them after church!?

& Yes - I DID actually order some...

I think I have about 80 coming!!!

Just in time for my Scrap group next week!)

Anyway - Scrap On!

~K~

Happy Easter... Happy Spring!

Hey there...
Well, Easter Sunday is one of my most Favorite days!!!

Of course, it is the meaning - the gift of a Risen Savior - who did what He said He would do... who died for each of us individually... personally... and bought us a second chance! What's not to love about that?!

Then there is church... filled with visitors and friends and family... everyone is all decked out in their Easter outfits... the message is always strong and straight to the heart... & who doesn't love the songs of victory we sing of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection!?

After church, our tradition is to go to my in-laws... we have a delicious meal (which we always - and I do mean ALWAYS) open in prayer and all sing the Doxology together before eating. This family can SANG too... (and yes - I did mean to type SANG! LOL!?) They can harmonize on "Happy Birthday" and make you cry?! We enjoy a great lunch and then go about hiding the eggs for the little ones...

Oh - side note... Man, this is the year of transition with my 'little one'! She decided this year she would help HIDE the eggs - and not find any... even the ones with MONEY?! sigh... oh well!? (Not too old for the Easter Basket though... I even tried to put her stuff in a smaller basket - but she got down her Basket - that I made when she was maybe 2 - and had me switch all her stuff?! I wanted to use the smaller basket because she got less stuff this year?! Polly Pockets and sidewalk chalk just don't cut it anymore?! LOL?!)

So - luckily - we do have 2 little ones who still LOVE to find the eggs...and - it was a sunny HOT day out today here as well... so that is always a fun outdoor activity after a huge turkey meal!? LOL!? Oh yeah... after the hunt and a bit more visiting we came home and enjoyed some Sunday Afternoon down time! Nice! Then we had to get ourselves geared up and prepared for the reality that Spring Break is over and tomorrow it is back to early mornings...rushing out the door to school and workout... and all our other 'normal' weekly routines?! (Plus Tennis, now?!)

I did work on a few things last week... made some cards, ...met with my client - (which went great - she loved the album by the way and showed me 100s of photo's from Italy too... can't WAIT to get started on that project next!), ...sponsored a MommyTimeSales event that is coming up next weekend... like a huge flea market for Mom's!? We'll see?! It was a great opportunity for advertising the business! It was also Spring break - so we did a bit of shopping, movie watching, reading, overnighters, & my nephew was here for a visit too!

Anyway - I am so happy to find Spring really here...

now - if we can just hold on to it and not let Summer sneak up too quickly!?

Scrap on!

~Karri~

The Drop Off!!!

It is true... next week - I get to meet my client in person for a drop off...

I am finished with her Guatemala Album and since we live fairly close - we are meeting halfway and I will get to see her page through the completed album and watch her enjoy the finished product! I am so excited! She is also bringing with her the next project... an Album of her trip to Italy! Yes... someone is going to pay me to play with real pictures from Italy?! Life is good! If I can't go there myself... at least I can scrapbook someone else's dream vacation! LOL!

One day.... one day!!!

So... I now have some photo's to scrap with...

We went to a concert a couple of weekends ago

and had a blast! My daughter loved it (and so did we!)

We also went Wedding Dress shopping with my niece

and got SEVERAL pictures of her trying on dresses...

and yes - I got 'the shot' of her when she realized

that she was wearing her Wedding Dress!

Nice!!!

I also have some nice shots like these...

Kaye & Chloe were playing with Make-Up and decided to try to trick us...

it only worked on Dan... but they may have a future in Make-Up Artistry!

Of course... Darcie has some other pictures of the girls together

(ones withOUT the black eyes)

and so I am waiting to print my own out...

You all know if I print mine -

I will not have enough discipline to NOT scrap them...

so I must wait until she graciously uploads the other pictures...

Why is it that I am always somehow at her mercy?!

I think it is some sort of voodoo mind trick

that she does?! LOL!

Anyway - I also was hard at work making sets of cards,

paper coasters, and notebooks to match!

(Yes - I love my Spray Adhesive!!!)

I stalked the Michael's Dollar Bin and found some

paper coasters and notebook/journals

and made them to match a set of cards!

Too fun... & they turned out great!

(But I forgot to take a picture?!)

Also I have been searching for Paper Lines that

feature my niece's wedding colors...

Her colors are Black, Ivory/White, Latte, & Pink.

There are LOTS of choices...

I just sent her about 12 links to different lines.

With all the other wedding plans,

I may have just pushed her over the edge?! Oops?!

Although - she makes handmade Journals,

so it may be relaxing & exciting for her

to browse through them all!

So... for me - NEXT week is Spring Break...

who can know what we will end up doing!?

No big plans yet except a trip to the Factory Outlets...

I was feeling a bit guilty about the no plans deal,

then this morning - my daughter proudly told me that

she loves it best when we have 'no plans' because then she can relax

and we can do things spontaneously?!

Maybe I will take Na's lead and make a trip to the State Pen...??!

That would be fun!?

I will remember this time to take some cool Jazz pictures tomorrow night

when my hubby is playing music...

I want to do a page on him & I forgot my camera

the last two places he has had gigs!?

I will pack it today so I don't forget!?

Anyway - that is what I have been doing...

next week I think I will have fun Italy pictures to play with...

so I shouldn't be TOO impatient with Darcie

& her !@&# Kodak "Easy"Share or whatever?!

Scrap On!

~Karri~

Cute Frame... & Pictures to take!

Aaah yes... it is true!

I had fun making this little

"Make-n-Take" Frame

at the Crop I went to last week...

I have mad ea couple of these so far,

but I always used Mod Podge...

on Friday - we used Spray Adhesive.

Oh My!? I am IN LOVE with Spray Adhesive!

Gotta go buy me some of that

immediately!!!

Anyway - the crop was fun...

there were maybe a dozen ladies

by the time we headed out!
(We only stayed a couple of hours!)

I went with a new friend and we agreed

to only bring stuff to do the Make-n-Take!

I had a hot date with my Honey & we just wanted

to check it out and meet the other scrappers!

They were really nice and fun,

& we will plan on being there in May

when they do the next Crop!

Renee had plenty of things to work on,

but - sadly - as you all know - I do not?!

Still - no pictures?!

(Plus that Hot Date...)

BUT - this should be a BANNER Photo Op weekend!

Oh first - let me say - after the Crop on Friday,

I met her hubby (who I went to school with) and their kids,

then rushed home to Dave so we could go see

The Paperboys at The Seasons!

It was a great show!

The day before St Patty's

- so their Celtic sound was very popular!

They were a lot of fun...

Anyway - this weekend...

Yes - Photo Op's GALORE, I tell ya!

First... today - we are off to a concert...

my daughter's first 'real' concert!

We're not talking a fairgrounds show...

or even a concert at a local tiny venue!

We are going to see Stellar Kart,

Kutless, & the Newsboys tonight!

I am hoping they do not

confiscate my digital camera!?

Then, we are on to visit friends

(although I doubt I will take pictures then?!)

We are heading to my sisters on Friday...

and then on Saturday, on our way home,

I get to go Wedding Dress shopping with my niece!

Oh yeah! I am one of the wedding photographers

(& the Scrapbook Designer!)

so you KNOW I am taking pictures

of her trying on dresses!

THEN - when we get home...

we will get the chance to catch up

with those Beeler's!

(& ya'll know how photogenic

those Beeler's are!)

So... next week -

I will have somethin' to Scrapbook!

(& by Tuesday or Wednesday...

I will be caught up again?!)

(I... Just... Can't...

HELP... my... self!?)

Honestly, I can't!?

So - I do this type of thing:

I take pictures of random everyday things, & make a layout about it! I love this one though... and it is an important part of our everyday life that is often overlooked because it is not an 'event'! Anyway - love the Chatterbox Papers and the Ribbon Slide!

Scrap On!
~K~

Guatemala...Done!

Hey there...

yes - I have been busy scrapping

& creating & just plain old loving my job!

To think that I get paid for doing what I love

...isn't that the ultimate!?

Plus - my husband has had 3 paying gigs

in about 2 or 3 months

- with more opportunities coming all the time...

getting paid for doing what his passion is...

how can we not be loving this season

& be thankful for the blessings

that God is pouring over us!?

I have been writing as well...

just once a week

- but my year long commitment

is nearing an end,

so the next step

is fast approaching!

Oh - & have I mentioned lately

that as much as I love Fall,

Spring is a

CLOSE SECOND?!!??!!?

Blue Skies & Sunshine...

Trees starting to turn Green again

& Tulips pushing up through the soil...

Aaaah yes! Spring is fast approaching too,

& not a moment too soon for me!

I have loved getting to create layouts with

gorgeous photo's from Guatemala.

I will not post any lo's here as I have not

gained permission from my client yet.

But let me just say

- she has some beautiful pictures

to play with!

I actually have 3 more pages to add journaling to,

& then I am officially done!

I had my Scrap Happy group last night

& I actually remembered to take a few pix...

although the ladies there

mostly didn't want to be 'featured'

We had a good time & we're praying about

how to offer Childcare to help grow our Group!

We'd appreciate any prayers or ideas on that front!

It is Friday & I am going to an all night crop tonight...

although I only plan on staying a couple of hours tops...

(you KNOW I don't really have any photo's to scrap!?)

I do have one 2-page layout I am working on right now.

& I have a few pictures from Valentine's Day to scrap...

but tonight we are just doing the Make-n-Take frame.

I am going with a gal that I met from MySpace...

she is local & is wanting to meet other Scrappers...

so we are hoping that there will be other ladies there

that we hit it off with...

They meet again in May and then in July...

it's a 2-day crop & it costs $5 for both days!

They sell product there as well

& have goodie bags & Make-n-Takes too!?

So - I will fill you in on my impression of it soon!

Maybe Darcie will plan a trip here

around one of the future crops in teh Summer

although I know they will pale in comparison

to the Gatherings you all have 'there'!

Anyway - I am off to put away all my stuff

(the only down side of scrapping elsewhere?!)

Scrap On!
~Karri~

Up to my ears in Easter

Yes... it is true

I have spent days on Easter...

Only I have nothing to show for it...

Well - I have the mess left...

& it was for a good cause!?

Plus - it could bring in some new clients as well!

I was asked to donate a basket of Scrap goodies

for a local Christian School Fund raiser.

At first they were just looking for a Gift Certificate,

but I explained that a $20 or $25 Gift Certificate

won't buy much... maybe some cards, or a frame

but no Scrapbook itself...

Somehow - I ended up agreeing to MAKE the Cards & Frame

then of course, I went out and bought the Basket.

Then I had to have some filler stuff too...

so I scrapped a Candle Wrap to match the frame,

and bought a little bunny... some Boems Chocolates...

it turned out great and ended up being worth about $50.

Yeah... I know...

A Gift Certificate would have been WAY easier

(and cheaper!)

But... this is how I am!?

Oh - and then when everything was all put together in the Basket,

I forgot to take a picture?!

Here are some of the contents:

So...this was much of my week this week...

Last week was,

well - it sounds like it was similar to some of yours?!

Sucky and LONG somehow?!

I am better now!

Except for the fact in the midst of my intense emotional ride,

I found SEVERAL not gray - but silvery WHITE hairs..

oh yeah - NOT FUNNY God!?

I am talking several here... Crap!?

So - I am trying to get in to get a hair cut & color ASAP!?

So - next week HAS to be better, right?!

What I really need is

some guilt-free spending money,

coffee with girlfriends, a chick flick,

(some photo's to scrap),

and SPRING already?!

I want to see my Hydrangeas in bloom

& enjoy my Porch Swing again!?

sigh... so I wait... & pray for Spring!

Oh... yes - and I met a local Scrapper via MySpace.

We met for coffee and visited for a couple of hours...

She is hoping to join my Scrap Happy group next month,

but we will probably get together to Scrap before that!?

We'll see!? We both brought some of our own stuff...

She is good... which is always nice!? LOL?!

Anyway - Scrap On! Ladies!
~Karri~

Baby growing up!

So... yes - it is true...

my Baby is growing up!

It's not like it is a shock...

of course we have seen it coming

& have loved watching her grow...

this past week has made me

stop & remember back

to those early months

of newborn bliss...

where it seemed every time

you looked at them

- they changed a little bit!? Sigh...

Don't get me wrong...

as much as I adored those days

- I would not want to go back there again...

As much as that baby laugh, silly smile,

& cuddled, wrapped, warm

sleeping baby in my arms

stirs up wonderful memories...

I also remember the 4a.m. feedings,

countless diapers, fighting naps,

& all the paraphernalia that

comes along with toddlers!

But this past week has sort of

magnified some changes lately

and some that are just ahead...

Valentine's Day...

My Little One got three roses

& a box of chocolates

from BOYS?!

(Not her Daddy...

but real live BOYS?!)

Hmmm??!

I am not so sure about this?!

My girl is not Boy Crazy...

she has had a very limited number

of crushes in her short life so far.

But, to see her confidence & joy

in the mere attention and admiration

from the opposite sex

has been both fun & frightening!

She walks a little taller this week,

she seems happier & a bit more confused...

she has this glow about her...

You see, she is not so sure about this boy...

he is nice & she is considering liking him...

But - I think that she may like the fact

that someone likes her

more than she likes the one who likes her himself.

Of course - we all know & remember,

if someone is nice to us & shares their feelings,

it can make them more attractive!

So - it's been fun to watch...

& I am blessed that she still does

tell me all about her days...

including her thoughts and feelings

about this boy.

We've had the talks & knows

that not only is she not allowed,

but she herself knows that

she is too young to have a 'boyfriend'

whether that is in name only,

or it includes phone calls

& seeing each other outside of school!

However, it doesn't mean she won't

- at least once in awhile -

want it!?

A few days after Valentine's Day,

there was a moodiness & hormonal shift

in the universe of our home

that was intense & - well - edgy.

Now we know...

Changes are happening

and it's a new season in our home...

Bring on the Vitamin B people...

You know what I am saying!!!

So... we have had plenty of

Mother/Daughter talks this week...

talks about grown up stuff,

as well as cuddling moments that cause me

to catch a scent of baby powder

& shampooed hair!

Aahhh - God is good!

My daughter & I,

our goal is to have a Christian version

of the relationship that

Lorelai & Rory Gilmore share!

I have done little Scrapping...

I have a new job but am awaiting the

Journaling before I can

actually dig into it!

I have worked on a few pages

for this client,

& I am looking ahead a bit

& working on some Easter card sets

for a local auction coming up in March!

My Scrap Happy group was good last week

...a total of 6 of us there...

but it was fun and everyone

accomplished at least one page?!

I am looking into organizing childcare

for that night through the church

so that will probably open up to

more regulars!

Today - I am called to pray...

our churches' Women's retreat

begins today through Saturday

and as much as I really wanted to go,

God told me to stay behind and pray.

So - after arguing with Him about that for awhile,

I submitted & obeyed

& am of to cover this weekend in prayer!

Scrap On!

~Karri~

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Yes - I am 'that' way! I love this 'holiday'!!!

My daughter hosted a Valentine's Party yesterday...

it was small and low key, but they had fun!

(And so did I!

I got to make fun little crafty things

and Valentine's dessert...)

Anyway - as you can see, the girls all had a blast...

Busy crafting adorable Purse Scrapbooks...

and laughing and sharing ipod tunes,

And showing off the finished product...

Tomorrow is V-day...

My Honey and I rarely actually go all out

and spend a lot of money on this day...

he is excellent at picking the perfect card...

(except one year when he gave me one about bowling in Canada?!

Don't ask... I didn't get it then, and I don't get it now?!)

Anyway we usually go out for dinner - something quiet and low key.

Last year, though, God really put it on my heart to include our daughter.

I wanted to make sure that she knew that

as much as Valentine's Day is about Love & Romance

& Flowers and all of that...

it does not have to be an exclusive

'Couples Only' day...

God desires to romance us & shower us with His Love.

So - last year I rearranged our Living room

so we could put our dining room table

by our window overlooking the city

I ordered Take Out (New Thai!!!!)

& set the table with nice dishes,

candles, flowers, etc.!

The whole show!

Plus - I included Communion cups

so we could all take Communion together.

It was relaxing & nice

(& of course, I made a great dessert as well!)

Anyway, we have a roommate this year living with us.

She is a single gal so we decided

to do the same thing this year!

It's gonna be great!

After tomorrow... I will have to get to work on this new job!

I am awaiting some Journaling

& waiting for the actual Scrapbook album to arrive!

Oh - a quick survery... since you all

are so - well - you have issues apparently with

ADHESIVE...

What is your favorite adhesive???

I am ready to try something new...

but most tape runners or glue sticks

that I have tried are not

'permanent' like they claim?!

So - I am looking for suggestions!

Hope you all have a GREAT Valentine's Day!

Know that you are loved...

By Him, and by me!

~Karri~

I WON... (Most Losses!?) LOL!

Hey there...

Well - there IS a God!!! LOL! I knew there was...

but He showed up for me last night at Bunko!

By Game 3 in the first Round I was starting to wonder...

but as time went on, it was clear that I was on a streak...

a LOSING streak - but still?!

Out of 24 Games, I lost 18!

Yeah, baby!

That gets a PRIZE!!!

And what did I win, you ask? This lovely little table!!!

Gorgeous!

I also finished up those 'unfinished' cards... ...just a few but still - nice to be done!

I went through that fun little box of Guatemala,

& now this afternoon I am off to make my own Purse album!

Oh yeah - I forgot the best part about those little gems!

I found them at the DOLLAR STORE!!! Oh yeah!!!

I bought all the ones that they had left!!! Too cool!

I will post some pix of my finished album!

Tomorrow morning,

my daughter & I are going to a Spring Fashion Show...

it's at church & is a fund raiser for our Servant's Heart ministry.

We have all the local Boutiques participating & the White House Cafe is catering,

& my precious friend is sharing as well...

I guess it will be set up like we are watching an Oprah Show!

Kaye is VERY excited!!! Sounds like a blast!!!

Anyway - I am off to trim & measure... Scrap On!

(Isn't it scrap night?! I'll be thinking of ya as I crop & glue all on my own!!!)

~Karri~

Busy, Busy, Busy...

Yes - it is true... it has been a busy week!

I cant' even remember what all I have been doing

(instead of this?) but it's been good!

I am really enjoying the Beth Moore Study on Daniel

& for some reason it doesn't seem as time consuming as

some of her other studies have been!

Which means I did read a book one day last week

(Karen Kingsbury - Found)

I highly recommend it!
I actually highly recommend just about anything written by her!

I had a lunch date with a friend twice within this past week

& I took a day or two to just relax and rest...

fighting off some kind of yuckyness!

We are much better now...

although Kaye still sounds horrid when she coughs

but it's going away!

I also got a nice little Stampin' Up! box full of goodies too,

so I had lots of stamps to assemble too!

Too fun!

So, with new stamps,

I have been playing around with more cards...

One of our Pastors recently had their first child... I don't know them very well but I did want to send them a little card & let them know that we are praying for them!

Plus, I am working on a few Valentine's for Kaye to hand out to a few friends... they like bookmarks so these are my unfinished cards... but, at least you can see what I am working on!

So... crazy me... I was pretty sad that my little one is now big enough to not get an official Valentine's Day party... so I suggested (innocently enough!) that she invite a few friends over next week before Valentine's Day... maybe we could do a little craft they could keep or give as a gift... well... yeah?! It started out innocent enough! I was thinking a simple hand-made tag & buying a few jars to fill with candy... so they would make a tag & a matching card...

But then... I found these little gems...

Little Red Purses... 6 of them (& 1 black one for me!)

They are actually Photo Albums that hold 4x6 photo's...

so - what was going to cost me about $20 is now running around $60!?

Yeah... oops?!

But they are going to be super cute!!!

I bought paper & fun stuff to scrap either blank pages that they can give as a gift or add their own photo's later... or they can scrap the pages & WRITE stuff where the photo's would go...

Brilliant I tell ya!

Of course, that means that I am going to have to plan it all out & precut everything too!

They will only have a few hours afterschool to complete it...

Sigh... too fun!

AND... I STILL have to buy the food for the 'party'!

Of course, now that I am at a running tab of $60...

I am guessing they will be having Little Debbies' and a Juice Boxes!

LOL! I know... (not that there's anything wrong with that!)

but - you know me... that is not gonna happen!?

And THEN... I got an e-mail last week from a potential new client

who had been referred to me...

Not only did I get the job, she has at least two other projects in mind,

AND she is great... and I can see that God has bigger plans than simple scrapbooks!

So today, I got this wonderful box of fun...

A box of Guatemala... all her photo's and memorabilia... I have to go now and play, I mean work!

So... just a reminder - no one has won yet... !?!? Anyone remember the Love Letter layout/card contest!? Yeah... well - still no winner?!

Blessings! Scrap On! Oh - yeah - and I have Bunko tonight... if there is a God... LOL!?

OK - OK... I know there is a God... I just pray He helps me WIN something already?!

~Karrilee~