Another Year: Anika Turns 9

The day began with birthday pancake breakfast. Yep, we put candles in Anika's pancakes! I had the girls pose for a few outdoor shots prior to the party that evening. I included a photo of Anika at age five and a photo of Jasmine at age four so we can compare those to the current photos.  I could go off on a tangent about how the girls have changed. BUT I WON'T! 

The party was held indoors in a big warehouse like gymnasium. The floors and walls were trampolines in some areas. There was a large pit of blue and grey square shaped foam blocks the kids jumped into. Boy, I wish we had these types of places when I was growing up.

My husband and I are blessed to be able to provide our daughter with this birthday celebration. There were about 10 kids attending who are all special friends and family members. (Photos not included of other children for privacy). We ALL enjoyed the party this year. Especially me, nothing to clean! I love having a party someplace other than my house.

Time: I Found Some To Make This!

 

Created with Country Warmth and Clearly Skinny Alpha kits by Stacy's Backdoor Designs.  I enjoyed using the brushed in Photoshop Elements to create the colored, chalked look of the blue and green areas of the background paper. Speaking of the paper, the texture of it is amazing. 

This photo was taken at Apple Hill in October 2006. The girls have grown up so fast. 

I am glad we have visited Apple Hill every year and now have made it a family tradition. 

We did not take a family photo in front of this shop last fall when we visited there. BUT, I plan on it next year and the next and the next!

Do you and your family have a tradition of taking a certain family photo in a special place?

"Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a confusing world."

SUSAN LIEBERMAN, New Traditions

Mom: Happy Mother's Day & Kit: For Mum by Stacy's Backdoor Designs

Mother's Day was relaxing this year. The scent of my new Vanilla Frosting lotion by Jaqua was magnified by the mist from my new garden watering wand. I used to wear and smell like vanilla frosting (lotion) 24/7. I took a little break from it but missed my signature scent. Thankfully, my hubby gave me some, along with making a good breakfast and mimosas. He surprised me with a garden watering wand and a little bear from Build a Bear with a Mother's Day t-shirt on it. So adorable!

Speaking of adorable, I had fun with this kit by Stacy.

Get one here while she is still guest designing on Scrap Matters.

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born.  She never existed before.  The woman existed, but the mother, never.  A mother is something absolutely new.  ~Rajneesh  

 My Mom and Sister January 2010, Mom's birthday at my house. (above)

Lisa, Mom and I around 2003 in Las Vegas. (above)

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. 
Thank you for spending a good portion of your life raising me. You have always provided me with security, good morals, strength and love. My family and I appreciate everything you continue to do for us. I am happy we finally live closer to one another in this stage of our lives.


Love always,
Your Loving Daughter

Digital kit: Miss Madi by Stacy's Back Door Designs

This layout was created with a photo of my daughters and our friend Kiley. The photo was taken at my wedding reception in Ventura, California.

The giggling girls were sitting on this faded brown, wooden bench overlooking the ocean a few yards away from where my husband and I said our vows.

I used the kit Miss Madi by Stacy's Back Door Designs. I am happy for Stacy who is currently a guest designer at Scrap Matters! Congratulations, Stacy.

Grab it here at Scrap Matters!

This kit is 40% off for the rest of the week, so pick one up soon. The colors and elements are gorgeous. I am proud to be on the creative team for Stacy!

What do you think of this amazing layout created from another creative team member? I think it is beautiful.

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it.

Notice the bumble bee,

the small child, and the smiling faces.

Smell the rain, and feel the wind.

Live your life to the fullest potential,

and fight for your dreams.”

Ashley Smith quotes

Money: Deal of The Day

If you are anything like me, you cannot resist a deal. Luckily, there are many deals offered on an almost daily basis for digital products. Don't you love the convenience of the internet? I can buy digital goodies and download them to my computer for instant usage. Aside from gardening, photography and cooking, digital scrapbooking is one of the greatest hobbies I find joy in.

Jessica Sprague is giving me some joy today as well. She has $1 One Buck Wednesday's. Today you can find this great alpha among a few other steals.

Grab your own alpha here!

Here is a great paper freebie along with an informative blog.

After you do your online shopping, you may feel hungry. Run out and get some tacos to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Adios, amigos!

Freebie: Disney Goodies from Britt-ish Designs

So...help yourself to this little freebie goodie by Britt-ish Designs!

What a doll, that Brit is! I was a little discouraged by Scrap Matters yesterday. The amount of people trying to participate in their iNSB celebration, sales and fun forum games majorlly bogged down their server. To easy our pain, this is graciously being offered for free. I could not be more delighted since my kids will be visiting Disneyland for the first time in their whole 7 years, and 8 years +364 days of life. Notice the 364 days? Yep, tomorrow is Anika's 9th birthday!

Stay tuned for her unique, easy party favors (they are fat free) in addition to the adorable breakfast table I set up for my 'queen for the day'.For now, click the link below for your Mickey stuff and then check out the party dresses on the girls in the photo below.

For now, Click right here to get your own freebie!

May 2: Happy Birthday Anika!

Hobby Time: National Scrapbook Day Celebrations

Freebie: Earth Day- Labels

These great labels were created by Amanda who used a new "Go Green" kit by wm [squared] designs and Designs by Sarah Bennett.

Click here to visit the blog where you can snag this freebie. Print them and use them on your recycling buckets, boxes or cans that you use for sorting. If you do not sort your recyclables, now is the time!

How adorable is this Go Green kit?! The stamped alphabet is great and I love the lightbulb shaped label with 'think' printed on it.

My guest creative team stint for Sarah Bennett ended the first week of April. Too bad I missed the release of this kit. I will have to go buy one for myself.

Are you doing anything to mark the 40th Earth Day celebration?

Earth Day is April 22.

In recognition of Earth Day, I will be staying home, in bed all day. I will not turn on any electronic devices including my hair dryer, television etc. Since I will stay in bed, I will not polute the air with the exhaust from my commute to work. (I wish this was true!)

Earth Day in Sacramento

Life: Disappearing Posts

Where Did it Go?

On Saturday, I sat at my desk and diligently created a long, creative post. I included stock photos to help readers visualize my thoughts.

I included a few of my family photos from the past month.

Once I hit send, I received an error message. I was devastated to say the least.  The post you are reading right at this very moment, is nothing compared to the lost post. Here today, I am simply posting a few, fun layouts that inspire me today.

Tomorrow, I am scrapping with Marianne, also know as Memories Couture. Time to collect things that inspire me so I have a plan of action (ideas to scrap) tomorrow evening!

Click for Credits (see second layout down after clicking. Designer Digitals)

Click for Credits (Two Peas) from Caroline Ikeji

Creating something similar to the collage type layout above would be a nice creative outlet. This is  layout is cute and colorful, in my opinion. What do you think of it?

Click here for credits (digishoptalk) by designerBrittney

The border mid-page, one side scalloped or rounded and the other a clean straight line is inspiring (found on each of the first two layouts above). Add a photo or two. Seems easy enough. Tuesday night scrapping cannot come soon enough.

At least I have sushi at Taro's Mikuni to look forward to this evening! Dinner with my loving, sweet family this evening. Dinner with my sweet, lovely friend tomorrow.

Life is good! (even though my last post is gone)

A good life is inspired by love and guided by knowledge

-Betty Holland

Wicked In This Place- If I Was At Home Right Now...

...there would be many things I could enjoy doing. Currently, I sit someplace away from home. I am not allowed to leave this place until my chariot (husband driving my Hyundai) pulls up around the five o' clock hour to get me. This place I am in pays me to be here so I will not just go home whenever I please (though it would be great if I could). The place I am in physically cannot be named since it may implicate me and get me into trouble (but would it really be trouble to be sent home?) There is no place like home!

These are the things that I would do if I was strapped to a computer (similar to my present situation) only that PC is at home. At home, I am not monitored by "the man" and I do not have super security walls blocking cool things I could view while surfing around the web. Oh, anyways, at this very moment these things have peaked my interest:

1. Vinnie Pearce posted a free video she created to instruct folks like me,  how she creates depth on a digital scrapbook page (click here to get there). I am dying to watch this video! Tips from a pro are always great to know. In fact, following tips from digital designers and Photoshop users, not necessarily all experts, is how I have taught myself to crate flyers, cards, monograms and digital scrapbooking projects.

2. Research how to and then create my own signature to use in my online forums. I would use digital scrapbooking elements and paper. I bet I would apply the new knowledge learned from #1.

3. Next, I would make a good salad.

4. Back to the computer, eating said salad, I would create a digital layout using Photoshop Elements. The topic would be "a letter to my teenage self". I would advise myself all of the things that I know now, yet did not know back in those days. In fact, this is the project due for my FaithSisters.com creative team.

5. I would visit Facebook and send some shout outs to my friends and family.

6. And finally, I would see what type of elements and papers I have that could inspire me to make a layout, journaling my adventures in San Francisco with Gerry. We saw the Broadway production of Wicked!! Finally, because I have waited so long. Seven years ago I read the book so this was a long time coming.

What are you doing today? What do you wish you were doing?

I normally post photos at the begining of my postings. This photo is so good it does not deserve to sit and the bottom of this one but it serves it's purpose. I saved the best for last for my post today. Have a wonderful Friday. I hope you are able to do all things and achieve all things that your heart desires today.

Did you know that there are several different illustrators who have designed covers for the book The Wizard of Oz? Here are a few of my favorites: (The illustrators name is also listed next to each one)