When Life Gives You Lemons...

throw them back and yell: "I WANTED CHOCOLATE!"

Despite our wonderful vacation in TX, it was not without heartache.  Just a few days prior to leaving CT, our poor pup Jake was very sick.

I just L.O.V.E. this face!

There was talk of tumors in the throat, internal bleeding, tumors on the spleen, tick-borne illnesses, and, of course, the "C" word.  He was not eating, he was not playing, he was not jumping, he was not begging.  He was not himself.  After many tests, many x-rays, a lot of money, and some strong antibiotics, he started to come around.  Although, there appears to be a mass on his lung region.  Not good...but not what was making him sick...we don't think.  In a word: STRESS for the Mama!

It was an agonizing decision, but we did go ahead with vacation plans and left puppy with Grammy for the week.  And as the week went on, he got better and better.  But this Mama had a hard time relaxing!

Travel home was tense, as it always is.  Rental car return, packing, lay-overs, crappy airport food.  But we got home safe and sound on Friday night.

Saturday was a bit crazy too...unpacking, laundry, food shopping, and getting a Just Scrappin' Happy order packed and ready for NESC.  My tummy was feeling queasy...but by the time I went to bed, I felt ok.

And then...the nail in the coffin:

At 3:30am I woke my husband up with excruciating pain and nausea.  I couldn't walk...I couldn't stand.  A trip to the ER ruled out my gallbladder, but not before TONS of tests, bloodwork, and MAJOR drugs.  Fast-forward to today: I finally feel somewhat better.

I lost some work days with the sick pup.  I lost a week while on vacation.  And I lost 4 days this week.  Boy, am I behind!

I promise to get back on track just as soon as I can.  I'll be emailing and mailing out pkgs tomorrow...and will begin to catch up.  Thanks ever-so-much for your patience.

I leave you with one more photo...from the morning I took a break from the rest of the family and watched the sunrise on the Gulf of Mexico.  As I look at it today, I am reminded to slow down...and take care of myself.  I bid you good evening! 

April Vacation - Part Two

I love to travel, as you know already.  And when I travel, I always look for scrapbook stores in the area.  After our visit to the Space Center in Houston (watch for "Part 3" and some amazing pics of "Mission Control"), we stopped at "By Design Scrapbook Boutique."  What a cute store!

The new owners have wonderful displays.

I love that they carry lines by Teresa Collins!

I met Linda McCormick from Heritage Makers...a direct sales company specializing in digital creations.  They call Linda the "digital fairy godmother."  :) 

Too bad these gals are all the way here in TX...I would love to hang out here!

If YOU are planning a trip to the Houston, TX area, be sure to check this store out!  Tell them I sent you...they promise to take good care of you!  Thanks ladies...I had a scrappin' good time! 

April Vacation - Part One

Before my leap into making "Just Scrappin' Happy" my full-time gig, my family & I booked a vacation to Galveston, TX for the week of Easter.  And so...I'm blogging to you from our condo on Galveston Island.  It is, in a word: BEAUTIFUL. 

This is the view from the front door of our condo.  The Gulf of Mexico. 

My family & I enjoyed our Easter holiday here...I cooked a lovely meal (pork roast, roasted potatoes, corn casserole, sour cream pudding cake) and we had a very relaxing week.  It was a much needed break for the three of us...and being able to reconnect as a family has gotten us back on track.  We even colored Easter eggs!  :)

He made the most beautiful turquoise-colored egg!

Tonight's adventure included swimming in the Gulf, dinner on the back patio, going out for ice cream & mini golf. 

The giant snake nearly ate my head off...thank goodness Andrew was there to save me!  *wink*

I've got a few more stories to tell, including a review on a super-cute local scrapbook store here in the Houston area.  Check back for "Part Two" tomorrow! 

"It's Easter Time...for Peeps Sake!"

HA!  I just LOVE the title to my new page kit...here's a sneak peek:

And butterflies are my new fav.  I've added pearls to accent...super sweet!

This layout is one of a few being released this week.  Stay tuned scrappers! 

Fundraising At Its Best

You all know I love, love, LOVE to get together with fellow scrappers and spend the day cropping.  Last weekend was especially great...because not only did I spend the day with some friends while getting some scrapping done...but we raised a lot of money doing it.  Saturday I attended "Crop for a Cure," a fundraiser for the March of Dimes and the Relay for Life organizations here in northwest CT.  We had a blast!  Here are some moments from the event:

This is one event I'll be sure to attend again in the fall!

This Saturday I am vending at the "Crop & Shop" event in Goshen, CT.  40 croppers, vendors, lots of food and fun...I can't wait.

I'm off to add new items to the shoppe.  Take a peak...lots of new embellishments for those spring crafty projects are now available.  Enjoy your week!

Being My Own Boss Means...

...it means I can go out for lunch with a friend.  Take a nap.  Catch up on Facebook posts.  Read a good book. 

It also means self-discipline.  Hard work.  Long hours.  Making choices.  This was not the part I was prepared for...

Setting a "schedule" seems to be a struggle for me.  With hubby traveling so much for work, and the boy busy with band commitments, church activities, school projects and such, I find myself never really being able to work a "9-5" type of day.

So, while I'm finding my way on this new full-time journey, I hope you'll be patient.  I hope you'll be excited...big things are coming!

Here's just a "snipet" of what's on down the road:

I'm SUPER THRILLED to be joining Angela for her Crafting Blog Hop next month.  Check out her amazing work here.

I've also been talking with wonderful scrapbooking event planners and getting set-up to vend at some events in New England.  I've firmed up plans with Susan from Croptopia Getaways and will joining her and her amazing team for events coming this summer...and thru the fall.  I'm beyond EXCITED!

I'm getting ready to do another local event this weekend, helping to raise money to help March of Dimes and the Relay for Life campaign here in northwest CT.  Plus, I'll be vending at another firehouse event in April.  Gee...my calendar is REALLY filling up!  :)

And so...being my own boss, while new to me, is both challenging AND fun!  I've been creating new kits, new embellishments, making new friends, and new business relationships.  I've had my dream...come true!

Here's hoping that all of YOUR dreams come true! 

HUGE NEWS!!!

I'm super excited to share with all of you my 1st ever guest blog entry!!!  Michelle Nahom, Training Specialist for the Association of Personal Photo Organizers has asked me to be the 1st guest blogger on her blog, The Power of Photos.  Be sure to check it out...and let me know what you think!  My post describes the reasons why taking photos is such an important part of my life...and why it should be an important part in yours.

Think of ways you can capture everyday moments in your life by using photo documentation.  Sharing those moments with you loved ones will be one of the most important things you will ever do!

A big thanks to Michelle...her love of photo taking has inspired me to "bust out" my camera more often.  I hope she inspires you as well!

Save Those Boots!

I'm sure this has happened to you: you've seen a project online, in a craft magazine, or at your local papercrafting store...and you are just dying to make it!  Am I right?  Let's be honest...you probably have HUNDREDS of said projects, just waiting to be made.  I'm even guessing you've bought materials to MAKE these said projects.  And yet, the materials sit in bags, off in a quiet corner in your scrap room, buried in your closet, and time slips away.

I, too, am one of you.

But, since I've turned myself into a one-woman-crafting-machine with the restart of Just Scrappin' Happy, I've taken time to actually bring these creations to life!

Enter the boots.

Last week I emailed my crafter-in-crime Queen Vanna to ask if she had an extra pair of rainboots that perhaps one of the girls had outgrown.  I saw an amazing project in the latest issue of Scrapbooks Etc. that I just had to recreate.  Yes, she had boots.  They were well-played in, so I got out my Magic Eraser:

Filled them with rice:

Punched out some paper flowers from my stash of scraps:

Added some matching buttons:

Had hubby cut some various-length dowels:

And, adhering the flowers to the sticks with glue dots, created this super-easy bouquet:

Simply beautiful!

So, save those cute pairs of rainboots that the kids outgrew last year.  Punch out some flowers from scraps of paper...heck...have the kids do it!  Make your own flower bouquet.  Spring is just around the corner!

What great project will YOU be creating this month? 

First On The Site: 2 New Layouts!

I am super excited to list my first two layouts for 2012!  Here is a sneak peek:

"Bundle Up for a Snow Day" using papers and embellishments from Pink Paislee.

"August Adventures" featuring Imaginisce.

Both of these layouts will be available on my website until they sell out.  Quantities are limited, so please order early.  Details are on the site.

Happy 2012!

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty excited about a new year.  So much hope and excitement is in the air.  I saw on the news that most people believe 2012 will be filled with opportunity for personal growth.  I am one of those people.

I've gotten "back on the wagon" and have already started eating better and moving more.  I decided to again be conscious of what goes into my mouth...and to be in the moment of how full I feel.  I also signed up for an online class with Cathy Zielske called "Move More Eat Well 2012."  My good pal Jenn Penn and I have agreed to do it together and will try to keep each other accountable as we take better care of ourselves.  I'm pretty excited about it!

I've also decided to do my own version of a "Project Life/365" this year.  I want to document each day thru my camera and turn those photos into a year-long album.  I am totally commited to getting myself caught up on my scrapbooking...and this will be a constant reminder to document my life...past, present and future.  I'm so excited about my goals for 2012.  Days one and two have been a success!

Yesterday's adventures brought me out to the boardwalk at White Memorial in Litchfield, CT. 

The temps were in the low 50's with no wind.  A perfect day for a walk!

And today I took the boys (my boy and my nephew) out to the mall for some "end-of-vacation" shopping:

Time is passing so quickly...I want to live every minute of it!

And so...as you can see...I've got lots to look forward to this year.  I would love to hear about the goals you have set out for 2012...big or small.  Leave me a comment.

And...some exciting news for all you scrappy people:

1. Starting tomorrow and continuing every month, I'll be posting a new GIVE AWAY filled with scrappy goodness!  I want to share my love of scrapping with all of my readers.  Full details will be in tomorrow's post, so please check back.  Wait till you see the goodies I've put together! 

2. I'm restarting my kit business in 2012.  I'll be offering page kits, mini album kits, handmade embellishments and more.  I'll share new ideas and tips as well...so get out your trimmers & tape runners...it's time to get back to scrapping!

Happy 2012 Happy Scrappers!  Wishing you the very best!