Stitchin' Fun

Just thought I'd share a lo I did last night...I love the frame I stitched around the picture...but it was SOOO not worth the time it took to do it!!! lol
and some close ups...
TFL!!! (all products from the August Addicted Scrappers kit)

More Scrappy Goodness

I've been very scrap happy lately. Scrapdango's inspiration crop is REALLY inspiring me!!!
Several of the circles are popped up on different levels to add some interest to this page...it looks really cool IRL. I saw someone do something like this but I don't remember who or where!!! Sorry.

I made this "postage stamp" shaped paper by simply using a circle punch. Thanks for the tip Jess!!!

Scrapping

I know I've been MIA from the blogosphere, but with good reason...I've been scrappy happy!!!! Here's just a little bit of what I got done...
These were all done for the Inspiration Crop at Scrapdango which was going on last weekend...however if you're interested you've got until Sunday to get projects uploaded!!!

I'm a Sister!!!

I was so flattered recently when I was checking my e-mail and discovered that I'd been asked to be the Sister of the Week at Sisterhood of Scrap!! You can check it out here. Don't forget to check back in all week as there are new "tidbits" everyday! :D

Ok, off to start the day, but I'll be back in later to post some of the scrappy stuff I've been doing lately!

Non-scrappy

I actually do have some really cute stuff to share with you, but I haven't gotten pictures taken yet! Sooo...in the mean time I've got something else to share with you. I've recently starting "CVSing." All thanks to Money Saving Mom. So you need to go check out her blog if you want to start saving some serious money!!! It's too fun!!!!

Tomorrow we will return to our regularly scheduled scrapping blog! ;)

OSDS

Last week I was suffering from OSDS (Olympics Sleep Deprivation Syndrome) this week I'm still feeling the hang over from it but I haven't been watching as much. Anywho, our mini-series on finding freebies is taking a weekend break and will be back on Monday. In the meantime I'll leave you with a couple of LOs.
Credits: MME Bohemia, Pink Paisley Office Lingo, K and Co classic K chipboard, BG chipboard, AC thicker, Chatterbox PP, Icicle Stickles



Credits: Pink Paisley Office Lingo PP, Fancy Pants Kewl PP (front and back) Jenni Bowlin letters, AC "JFK" letter stickers, AC "roller rink" thickers, Sandilions letter stickers, Your Memories by Design journaling block and clear label holder, sand paper, edge distresser, unknown flower, SU close to cocoa ink and a binder clip

You can click this one to read the journaling if you're confused by the title (DH was.)

I did it!

Well I've decided to give it a whirl and see what happens! (don't worry, it will be looking MUCH prettier in the near future, but for now...you've got your links to blog candy which is what REALLY matters!)

Go check it out at: Scrapping for Less

(I'll also be adding RSS to it soon so you can subscribe)

Urban Prep Drawing

So we've been talking about how to get free stuff and an e-mail I got this morning perfectly illustrates the second way. Drawings. You will enter many and win few, but you will win eventually if you keep entering! So, here's my entry and a way for you to enter (if you have a blog).

SIS (Scrap in Style) is going to be giving away one Urban Prep kit. Here's a sneak peek of the kit they're giving away. And now for the rules (in case you want to try your hand at it too! ;)

Put this sneak peek photo of the new Urban Prep collection on your blog

Write a 3-5 sentence paragraph about the Urban Prep. It can be funny, compelling, or just the straight up facts but it must include the following phrases: "Available For PreOrder Until 8.24, Spend $50 and Get A $10 Gift Card!" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

Include a link to http://sistvboutique.com

Then visit the SIStv Message Boards and go to this thread. Put a link to your blog, so that they can verify your posting!

They will choose one lucky winner to win their very own Urban Prep Collection!

P.S. If you just can't wait and want to preorder the Urban Prep, They have a special offer in the SIStv Boutique right now. If you spend $50 in the SIStv Boutique, you'll receive $10 off your next purchase!* And for the first time ever, they're INCLUDING the collection as part of that fabulous deal!

*does not include gift certificates or digital products

Check back later for more stuff! ;)

Finding Free Stuff

Ok, so usually its not quite as easy as just "finding" free scrapping stuff, but if you enter drawings, contest and challenges often enough it can sure feel like it! I think today I'll just give a brief over-view of some of the ways I'm getting free goodies and then over the next few days I'll post more in-depth about them as needed.

Also, I've been seriously considering starting a new blog, kind of in the vein of Ikea Goddess. I would use that blog strictly for posting links to contest/blog candy/etc. so that it would be easy to find a semi-master list of ways to get free stuff. Think there would be enough interest? Would you send your friends if I started one?

Ok, on to business. I think the most obvious way to get free scrapping goodies is by being on a Design Team. If you're part of a DT for a monthy kit club then you're guarunteed to get a whole kit of goodies every month. A good way to find out what sites are having open calls for DTs is to visit Pub Calls. Most sites post their DT contest there.

I've also recently discovered that some sites have what they call PIFs (Pay it Forwards.) These are basically like RAKs but after you "claim" something you have to post something you want to give away. Your Memories by Design has one of these forums. This is a link directly to their PIF thread.

While we're on YMBD, Catherine (the owner) has a great way going on to "earn" free stuff. Everytime you post, or comment or refer someone, or several other things you earn YMBD bucks. If you decide to hop on over there and sign up so you can get in on these fun things make sure you tell them that I refered you...because if you do (and make at least 10 post) we BOTH get 1000 YMBD buck!

Ok, I think that's enough for today. I'll be back tomorrow with more.

Scrapping for Free

That caught your attention didn't it? Lately I've been delving into the world of RAKs, drawings, and contest with a vengence. Why? Because I realized how much I'm spending on scrapping goodies and I just really don't have that much extra money!!! So I thought if you all were interested I'd share some of the ways I've been scoring free stuff. What do you think? Anyone interested? Leave me a comment and let me know if this is something you'd like a mini- series on or not.

Ok, I'm off to take care of my sickish little boy who just woke up and is fussing. TTFN!

Funny Stuff

I thought this was hilarious so I had to share it all with you!

(I've heard maybe this isn't actually from John Cleese, but either way I got a VERY good laugh out of it.)

A Message from John Cleese to the citizens of the United States of America :

In light of your failure to elect a competent President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your Independence, effective immediately.

Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths, and territories (excepting Kansas, which She does not fancy).

Your new prime minister, Tony Blair, will appoint a governor for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed.

To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, the following Rules are introduced with immediate effect:

You should look up “revocation” in the Oxford English Dictionary)

1. Then look up aluminium, and check the pronunciation guide. You will be amazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it.

2. The letter ‘U’ will be reinstated in words such as ‘favour’ and ‘neighbour.’ Likewise, you will learn to spell ‘doughnut’ without skipping half the letters and the suffix -ize will be replaced by the suffix -ise. Generally, you will be expected to raise your vocabulary to acceptable Levels (look up ‘vocabulary’).

3. Using the same twenty-seven words interspersed with filler noises such as “like” and “you know” is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication.

There is no such thing as US English. We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take account of the reinstated letter ‘u’ and the elimination of -ize. You will relearn your original national anthem, God Save The Queen.

4. July 4th will no longer be celebrated as a holiday.

5. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns,lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you’re not adult enough to be independent.

6. Guns should only be handled by adults. If you’re not adult enough to sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist then you’re not grown up enough to handle a gun. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. A permit will be required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

7. All American cars are hereby banned. They are crap and this is for your own good. When we show you German cars, you will understand what we mean.

8. All intersections will be replaced with roundabouts, and you will start driving on the left with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables. Both roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

9. The Former USA will adopt UK prices on petrol (which you have been calling gasoline) — roughly $6/US gallon. Get used to it.

10. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips, and those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut, fried in animal fat, and dressed not with catsup but with vinegar.

11. The cold tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all. Henceforth, only proper British Bitter will be referred to as Beer, and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. American brands will be referred to as Near-Frozen Gnat’s Urine, so that all can be sold without risk of further confusion.

12. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as good guys. Hollywood will also be required to cast English actors to play English characters. Watching Andie Macdowell attempt English dialogue in Four Weddings and a Funeral was an experience akin to having one’s ears removed with a cheese grater.

13. You will cease playing American football. There is only one kind of proper football; you call it soccer. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which has some similarities to American Football, but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full Kevlar body armour like a bunch of nancies).

14. Further, you will stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the World Series for a game which is not played outside of America. Since only 2.1% of you are aware that there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable.

15. You must tell us who killed JFK. It’s been driving us mad.

16. An internal revenue agent (i.e. Tax collector) from Her Majesty’s Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all monies due (backdated to 1776).

17. Daily Tea Time begins promptly at 4 pm with proper cups, never mugs, with high quality biscuits (cookies) and cakes; strawberries in season.

John Cleese

Precious in God's Sight

and believe it or not I'm not talking about all the little children! God has been teaching me a lot about gentleness over the last few months and this week is no different. My new meditation and hearts desire is for my actions to be precious in God's sight...and do you know what Peter says is precious to Him? A quiet and gentle spirit!!!! That is so not in my nature. I praise God every time I'm able to be quiet and gentle because it is only by His grace. Check out what 1 Peter 3:3-4 has to say about us women... "3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." WOW. That's the type of beauty I want. That's the type of beauty I pray Kessa develops by the grace of God. A gentle and quiet spirit.

And a lo I did finally using some of the newspaper clippings from when Zeke was born. Not crazy about this LO, but I don't hate it either. I'm just not good at using newspapers and making it look good I think. The cute little bear is a tag from the outfit he was wearing in the picture on his birth announcement.


Zeke was the first baby born in our county in 2008.
Click the lo if you're interested in reading the journaling.

Wanna Rak?

So I think I need a better place to take pictures of clear things....

Just a fun little LO of Kessa and I twirling. Twirling is so much fun! Go...twirl...then come back and find out how you can win a rak! ;)





Ok, have you twirled? Its fun isn't it? Now for your reward! lol. I posted a challenge at Addicted. You can see it here (there mom, you have a link now! ;) and you have until the end of the month to complete it. Then one lucky lady who participted will receive a rak from me! :) Have fun!!!!

Layout Tag

We're going to being playing layout tag over at Addicted if you want to join in! Here's a link to the post with all the details. You have until Sunday the 17th to sign up, hope to see you there!!!

Support & Ornament of Domestic Life

Here are a couple card I made using the CuteWorld boy kit from Addicted Scrappers. (The J is from last months kit Sunshine and Popsicles.)



This card I think I'll probably give to my nephew for his first birthday. I wanted the airplane rub-on to show up really well so I put it on a transparency and then cute it out and popped it up. I'm really happy with how this LO turned out. I hadn't scrapped in what seemed like forever and I was having major withdraws!!! I hand cut the shaped paper and then did some messy machine stitching around it. The photos were altered using PSE (I lowered the overall saturation and then increased the blue saturation to put the focus on the bear.)

credits: bg paper - MME Bohemia, shaped paper- Basic Grey Figgy Pudding, doodle paper- Love Elsie, Stamps - Autumn Leaves - Swirls, Ribbon - American Crafts, journaling block - Autumn Leaves, frame - Tim Holtz striped elements grungeboard, stickles, sandpaper, red paint pen, Basic Grey Figgy Pudding letters

Also be sure and check out the Girl Talk blog this week if you have a daughter. Even if you don't have a daughter I'm sure it will be benefitial! They're going to be talking about training your daughters to be competent homemakers. I'm excited about learning things to apply to my own life as well as practical ways to train my daughter to delight and flourish in the role God created her for. Today's post also really hit home with me. Make sure you check it out. What they talk about is what I pray for myself as well as for Kessa. I desire to be a support AND ornament of domestic life.

5 Years Ago...

I married the greatest guy in the world! (well since its now 12:06 am on the 9th I guess technically it was 5 years and a day...)

5 Reasons I Love Timothy:

1. He plays guitar (electric) (yes, my kids are going to be rock stars)
2. He is not afraid to be a dork with me
3. He's not ashamed to kiss "Gabby" and play tea party
4. He always wants to learn more and test everything he's been taught against God's word to confirm that it lines up
5. He still thinks I'm hot!

You're a Stranger, not a...

I’ve noticed a tentativeness among women in the blogosphere that I want to come against right now–you are (probably) not a stalker.

I know there are more people who read this blog than people who comment, and that is totally fine. But I’ve noticed that when a stranger or visitor does get up the gumption to comment, it’s usually laced with all kinds of insecure apology-like statements, like, “I don’t know you at all…”, “I just happened upon your blog…” or something to that effect.

Let me assure you of a few things, and hopefully that will make the commenting flow more smoothly and eliminate the need for explanation:

* This is a public blog. I fully expect and hope for people who I don’t know to read here and comment. If I wanted comments only from people I know, I would publish a private blog.
* I really, really like meeting new people. It energizes me.
* You have probably found this blog through a couple different avenues, all of which are perfectly legitimate, and thus not stalker-like: 1.) Splitcoast Stampers 2.) Addicted Scrappers; 3.) clicking through from one of my friends’ blogs where I’ve commented or where I’m listed on their blogroll; 4.) random googling.
* I blog to connect with people that I wouldn’t normally get to connect with on a regular basis.

Often times, I find myself on someone’s blog after a series of random click-throughs, and then I go to relay the interesting thing I read to Tim, and I can’t even remember how I got there. Does that make me a stalker? I don’t think so. At least I hope not.

This is by no means meant to be some heavy-handed bullying tactic to get you lurkers out there to comment. I just want you to know that you’re free to if you’d like to.

Of course the possibility still remains that you are, in fact, a stalker, but that is something you will need to deal with on your own time, probably with the aid of a professional counselor. Nevertheless, I’m banking on the probability that you are just another normal man or woman like me, who likes to read blogs, and found mine.

Welcome.


(Please note I completely and TOTALLY ripped this off from Molly Piper - check out her great blog!)

And I also want to add that I totally feel this way sometimes, so I get it, but I tend to suck it up and leave a comment now cause I know it might really make someone's day! Have a great night!!!

Car Seat?

So I had Zeke weighed today at Kessa's apt. and...I have to buy my little chunker a new car seat. Have any of you bought convertible car seats? We didn't have to for Kessa. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of your car seat/where you got it/how much it was. Help a girl out here!!! (oh, if it helps I'm a big fan of Graco stuff in general and I don't have the $$$ to buy a Britex (I think that's how its spelled...) Thanks for you help!!!

Demand #12, or more insights from Piper

"We get a surprising glimpse of what service to God means for Jesus in Matthew 6:24. He said, 'No one can serve two maters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.' The surprising thing here is that serving God is compared to serving money. But how do you serve money? Not by helping money or meeting money's needs. You serve money by treasuring it so much that you shape your whole life to benefit from what money can do for you.
So it is with God in the way Jesus sees the service of worship. We do not help God or meet God's needs ('The Son of Man came not to be served,' Mark 10:45) Rather we serve God by treasuring him so much that we shape our whole life so as to benefit from what he can do for us. And, unlike money, what God can do for us about all other treasures is be for us everything we have ever longed for."
(excerp from "What Jesus Demands from the World" by John Piper.)

It's Just Another Manic Monday

Well really, who knows if its just another manic monday or not since its actually Friday afternoon as I write this, but it will be Monday before you read it thanks to Bloggers scheduling options for posts! :)

Just gonna leave you with some lo's from the August boy kit which is just full of Autumn Leaves CuteWorld stuff! Enjoy. (You can check out the kit on Addicted Scrappers)

My Little Girl

My little girl is growing up!!! I'm not sure I'm ready for it!
Two wonderful years of little girl dresses.
Two wonderful years of baby dolls and tea parties.
Two wonderful years of pigtails and fights over having hair brushed.
Two wonderful years of sunglasses and being "cool."



Two wonderful years of Kessa-ness.


From party hats,


to birthday cakes it's been a great two years!!!


Two wonderful years of YOU. (and many more with the newest member of our family, Bitty Baby Gabby)

Quick Crafty Time

Just thought I'd pop in and share some things I've been working on lately. These are all availible in my Etsy store, BabyFish Designs. Feel free to e-mail me (iact2@hotmail.com) convo me on Etsy or just leave me a comment here if you're interested in a custom order. I love making things special for people! :)
I love how this notebook turned out. It's simple, but still very homey and cute (IMHO! lol) I'm really falling in love with chunky hand stitching!
And these cards just crack me up! Perfect for that little boy (or girl!) who's always pushing the limits.

Recommend and Endear...

I've talked about it a bit, but I've been reading a page from this book everyday for a while now. I HIGHLY recommend it. Those puritans had an amazing longing and hunger for the Lord that I want to emulate! That said, I was reading a prayer title "Jesus My Glory" and one of the lines really struck me. Hard.

"May I scandalize none by my temper and conduct, but
recommend and endear Christ to all around,"

Wow. I have to say I don't think I often "recommend and endear Christ to all around" me. It really made me step back and think about things that I had done and said that day. It made me think about how family members who don't know Christ see me. I'm very selfish. I'm prideful. I'm short tempered. But for the grace of God I would NEVER be gentle or merciful and as it is I am far to frequently. I thank God for opening my eyes again and again to my sins and for changing me. So now I want you to do the same. Ask Christ to show you how you can better "recommend and endear" Him to those around you. Start at home. Start with those you love most. Show them Christ and His love first in all your speech and actions. If you feel like sharing I'd LOVE to hear how Christ is changing and shaping you right now too! :)