Weekend thoughts...

So here we are at the beginning of a long, holiday weekend and I am already craving to go back to work. This terrible two-something is driving me out of my mind! I have patience, I really do, but he will wear me down until I am almost begging him to behave. It's sad and very unflattering...

Anyway, he inspired my layout based on a sketch tonight:

You Drive Me Crazy!

I used the Cupcake line from Basic Grey for this layout. I LOVE bright colors on my layouts and that is such a happy line. The journaling reads: "Matthew, you certainly know how to push my buttons. You refuse to listen, are a know-it-all, and you love to pester Mojo. Then you go and smile at me like this... what can I say, I am a sucker for your baby blues. - Mommy" The writing around the photo reads: "No, no, no!" "MINE!" "I need candy!" "Mojo bit me!" "but whhhhyyy?" "PUULEEAASSEEE?!"

It is so him right now but I also adore the quiet moments where he lets me hold him or asks me for a hug. He also always answers my "I love you, Matthew" with a "I love you SO much Mommy". Melts my heart!

GREAT ACHIEVEMENT!

I mowed my VERY first lawn today! Can you belive it!? 28 years without EVERY having mowed a lawn and I did it all by myself today. Even started the lawn mower by myself! I am a genius, I swear it! It's not that I never WANTED to mow a lawn. My father took such pride in his lawn and always mowed it a VERY specific way. And then I have always lived in an apartment/condo or my husband handled it. With Rich gone, it was basically thrust on me and I rised to the challenge! Muhahaha!!

And to top it off, I found it very relaxing. Something about the straight lines and instant gratification for a job well done. I know, I weird, but hey, I entertain myself!

So wish me luck! I have three more Matthew-filled days before going back to work. We are going to a bbq tomorrow afternoon but other than that, we have nothing planned. Should be interesting. Send help if you don't hear from me soon! *giggle*

Love you all!

-Brianne

Was on a hunt...

I had been on a hunt for this song I had stuck in my head for DAYS. Finally spent over an hour looking for it.

And I was VICTORIOUS!

If you like rock, check out Seether's "Rise Above This".

Ok really going to bed now.

SMOOTCHES!!!

-Brianne

Undercover Scrapper

I feel like I have been scrapping so much "cannot post" stuff lately that I am an "undercover scrapper".

Feels weird not being able to post layouts right away LOL!

Anyway, I will be able to put them ALL up on Monday . I am a good secret keep but man, when I want to show off, it takes everything I have to hold back.

Also going to try to finish up the scrap room this week and post a few pictures of it as well. SOOO big.



Missing my husband badly. Did not think it would be this bad. I mean, I cook and clean for the man everyday, figured this would be a nice little break (I love you, babe). It's not. Poor little man has to suffer with easy to make dinners-for-two. Actually its more like dinner for one-and-a-half because he doesn't always eat a full portion.

Trying to think if there is really anything else new... nope, not so much. Wow, that is sort of depressing.

Ok off to read for a bit. Need to rest my mind.

Love you all!

-Brianne

Exhausted

I knew it was coming. The wall of weary. All that build-up for my dh to leave and the day after he goes, it hits me. All that stress is gone and now the "tireds" set in. And just when I have SO much to do!





Here is a new layout that I created for the crop weekend over at ScrapDango. If you get a chance, check out all the challenges here: Inspiration Crop. This layout was inspired by a VERY talented scrapbooker, Kelly Goree. If you have not checked out any of her work, DO SO! What she does with BG paper floors me, well sheesh, any paper line for that matter!






We had to create a sketch and then an example off of the sketch. Here is my sketch:

The only plus side of dh being gone for a bit is that I get an ENTIRE room to myself for scrapping. Even though I would give up what I had for space just to have him here with me. I have been overhauling the office and soon it will be one big scrap room. Will have to post pictures of that as soon as I am done.

OK I am out of here. So tired and I need to finish up a couple projects. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

-Brianne

Out from under my rock...

Or my scrap area for that matter. This month has been INSANE for projects! That and with my husband leaving again in 3 days. Last time it was only for 30 days, this time he will be gone until January. Ahh, the life of an Army Wife.

I made this layout to go with my bio at ScrapDango.com. Pretty cool huh? I absolutely LOVE the Dude line from Prima and have actually bought 3 sets of it now (and used EVERY last piece). It is SO versatile! On this layout, I actually used a font to create the frame around my face and color sampled from Prima's website and dropped color into the frame in PSE to match my layout. Have I mentioned lately how much I love hybrid scrapbooking?

Tomorrow I am taking a class taught by Karen Russell! SO excited for this one. It's a Photography Workshop that lasts pretty much all day. I cannot WAIT to learn more about my camera! She is one of my VERY favorite photographers and I am constantly amazed by her talent. I was just reading her blog the other day (stalking I really should say) and was laughing out loud at her story about Heidi Swapp. She goes into this story about how she ended up making a fool of herself in front of Heidi at a trade show because she was so excited to meet her. Funny thing is, I ended up doing this a LOT to myself in Chicago at CHA. I was SO overwhelmed with meeting all of these talented artists, whom I adore, and when I tried to play it off and just act normal... yeah, that didn't work. When I get nervous or excited I end up talking really fast and with my hands. I think I scared Cindy Tobey. LOL!! Anyway, TOTALLY looking forward to tomorrow.

I cannot WAIT to post everything I have been working on for the magazine. It's literally making me antsy to show all of you but I am not allowed to post it all yet.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend and I will post more soon!

Love you lots!

-Brianne

ScrapDango Blog Challenge #1

We have started a new blogging challenge over at Scrapdango.com! Every week a new prompt will be issued and your challenge is to write about it on your blog. First challenge was posted on 8/12 (yeah I am a little behind) and will be posted on every Tuesday thereafter. If you get a chance, make sure to check it out here: Blog Challenges.

Blog about your memories of going back to school! Since it's getting to be that time for school age kids, what do you remember about this time of year? Did you like shopping for school supplies? Did you help? How did you feel about clothes shopping? Did you dread this time of year or was it exciting?

What I most remember about going back to school was the shopping. Going from store to store, buying all sorts of new goodies and new clothes. I always wanted to use them RIGHT away but my Mom would hide them from my brother and I until the night before school started. We would get these huge bags filled with items and our backpacks to organize and then we would pick out our next days clothes to wear. I remember always having such a hard time sleeping that night because I was so excited for the next day. It was always sad to know that the long days of summer were at an end, but the new school year starting was always VERY exciting to me.

WOO HOO!!

ScrapDango:

Guess who made Scrapdango's Design Team???? ME!!!! I am SOOO excited! I cannot believe I didn't post this sooner! I actually found out on Monday evening when Carrie called me to ask if I would like to be part of their AWESOME DT... um YES! This was an amazing 4 week contest that really pushed me creatively. Here is the list that was posted:

Knowing that I can't have it all and keep everyone, I would like to announce the following designers that I have asked to join the Scrapdango Design Team...

breeze7 - Spice Kit Designer (me!)

GenkiCol - Spice Kit Designer (Colleen)

hlough - Spice Kit Designer (Heather)

kathi_minikatie - Sugar/Spice Kit Designer (Kathi)

kerryn - Designer/Newsletter Editor (Kerryn)

We will be starting with the September kit. TOTALLY excited about receiving it. Here is a sneak peak:

Do you know what paper line that is? I do!! One of my friends (go KS!) designed it!! SO TOTALLY excited about using this paper line! One little hint... I will probably Dream of this paper tonight!

Also, ScrapDango's monthly crop is coming up! INSPIRATION Crop will be August 22-31st! All challenges will be posted that Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and you will have the rest of the week to complete them. And guess what?! There will be 3 grand prizes! SWEET! Make sure you make plans to attend!

ScrapStreet:

With everything that has been on my plate the last two weeks, it is no wonder that it took me this long to post. SHEESH! We have two very awesome showroom manufacturers coming up in September's issue of Scrapstreet's Ezine. Make sure you check out my projects (i.e., the ball and chains that have had me prisoner to my scrap desk).

I wish I could post my creations now, but alas, I cannot. ::cry::

ScrapStreet is also hosting a MONTH LONG crop! You heard me correct! A full month of challenges, games, and prizes. If you haven't checked it out, make sure you do!

The Olympic Games - ScrapStreet Style will be like nothing you have ever seen! The first half of the challenges are already up, so make sure you catch mojo before she runs away and check out these challenges!

That is all from me for now! I will make sure I pop in here more often, I'm a bad busy blogger, I know.

Happy week-ending!

-Brianne

Lazy Weekend

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh





No plans for this entire weekend. I am SO grateful. Just my boys, myself, and my scrap stuff.





Altered Bank Challenge





At ScrapStreet we are having a little contest. Since we all need to save up for CHA 2009, what better way then with an altered bank! I just put the finishing touches on mine this morning. Have a look:














ScrapDango DT Contest

Two more days! Two more LONG days until we find out who made the team. I have to say, I have totally enjoyed being part of their contest and boards. They are a great group of women who have a great dynamic and have come up with some GREAT challenges. With everything I have seen, I do not envy having to make that decision.

Potty Training

So we are still in full swing of a little thing I like to call "torture mommy". I think boys MUST be harder to potty train than girls. From what I have heard from all my friends, they totally agree. Matthew tells me for the most part when he has to go, but if he is busy or having fun, he will just go in his pants and not even care. GRRR. Oh and I am not sure if you train them to go standing up right away? Anyone know???

Ok out of here for today. Need to make my little guy some lunch.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Love you!

-Brianne