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Yay! my favorite kit ever is up for sale Okay, well it's not exactly up for sale this second, but it will be in a few short hours. I even took a nap today to commemorate the occasion.

Seriously, I've loved working with the kit and I loved all of the 5 layouts I made with it, which is a record for me, to love each and every one.

Hope you like it as well.
Posted by april at 4:31 PM 4 comments 

CKC Nashville I brought my camera and everything, but this was the only photo I took at CKC Nashville on Sept 11-12.

I was so glad to meet a fellow-SCer, Karen Malloy. I loved sitting and gabbing with her while I was waiting for the class. I learned so much about her wonderful family, including the fact that her son is a chef and I must have him cook for me sometime :)

The Masking and Misting class was fantastic. All the students were wonderful. We had a blast, and there were lots of giveaways. So, if you're on the fence about taking the same class at CKC-Glendale, jump off the fence and into the class. This time, Maggie Holmes is teaching it, so I know it will be even better.

Speaking of Maggie, I had the chance to eat dinner with her plus her mom, sister, neice, and my mom. We had a great time and the conversation was never lacking. Neither of our moms really understand the scrapbooking world, so it was funny hearing them talk about us. I only wish they lived closer and we could get together more often.
Posted by april at 1:00 PM 2 comments 


big bang 


baby calf

Last week, our heifer became a cow.

Luckily she gave birth without a major issue, but there were several problems thereafter: Poor thing. Not only is he weak, but his hair sticks out in every direction. After a day of tube-feeding, he was able to stand with some assistance and is learning to suck. Mostly, he chews on the bottle and gets milk that way. So, tube-feeding is much faster and he's able to get the nourishment he needs.

After 3 days of this, he's able to stand up on his own and take a few steps. He's still very weak and when he can't stand any longer he falls into a pitiful pile on the ground.

We're having to treat him with antibiotics too, because he's got a slight infection.

But, isn't he just so cute?

Lorie thinks we may have to name him and keep him as a pet.

Oh, and one last thing. Did you know calves are born with teeth? A full set. It's very strange, actually.
Posted by april at 8:32 PM 4 comments 



Overheard last night

Greg to my dad: Have you ever been to Boston?

Dad: Naw (that means "no" if you're in the south). That's one place I've never been. Been lots of places, but never there.

Greg: I almost went to school there.

Dad: Really?

Greg: Yeah, a school for boys.


Unruly boys.

Just so you know, this is the first I'd ever heard of Greg's potential education in Boston.
Posted by april at 6:56 PM 3 comments 



This month, Scarlet and I were invited to help out at Category Stories. If you haven't heard of this challenge site, please check it out. Every two weeks, they give a journaling prompt, so the style of your layouts is completely open. We had a blast participating and I thought I'd share my layouts with you.

The first prompt of the month was "Saturday Morning Cartoons." At first, I was stumped on what direction to take because I wasn't allowed to watch a lot of TV anytime, let alone Saturday mornings....but then I thought that was the perfect thing to write about. The journaling reads:
Only 30 minutes a day to watch TV. So, as you can imagine I got to watch one show on Saturday morning. I chose "Saved By the Bell." Screech kept me giggling and I was oh so envious of Kelly and Jessie. I just knew high school would be just like that show!

Lemon Maya Mist, Studio Calico & Sassafras patterned paper from August kit, Bazzill Dotted Swiss, Basic Grey Brad, Making Memories Alphabet, Studio Calico Stamps, Pin from stash at home.

To get the pinked shape, I used die cut paper by Collage press, sprayed the lemon mist a few times, then outlined with a precision pen.

Now, for the prompt this week: "As Far As I Can Tell."
I made this layout before I knew I had miscarried, but I still love the thought and wanted to share it with you. I still believe every statement on this layout and I hope that it's something I look back on in time with happy memories instead of sad ones. You love making children laugh.
You are determined not to spoil our child.
You will not enable bad behavior.
You understand training a child takes time and effort and you are willing to make that commitment.
You have already begun reading parenting books about training children.
You have been praying for the wisdom to make the right spiritual decisions for our family.
You will appreciate the value a child brings to our family.
You coached a 5-year-old soccer team - TWICE!
You are willing to take feedback and implement change when necessary.
You want to learn.
You are not selfish.
You place more emphasis on a spiritual education than secular education.
You realize that our relationship as husband and wife comes before your relationship as parent child.
You love to teach.

You will be a great dad.

All items came from the April kit, Jack & Jill.

To make the background to this layout, I cut a piece of 12x12 paper into 4 strips. Then, I punched circles using the mega circle punch by Marvy. I stitched them onto the cardstock, then cut the page in half so I could put it through the typewriter. After typing, I adhered the two halves to another sheet of cardstock and added the embellishments.

I love the idea of making lists this way and ya'll know how much I love circles.

Please take advantage of this challenge, it's a great way to use up your kits so you will need more supplies in October :)
Posted by april at 6:24 PM 8 comments 


Sneaks of my favorite kit ever 


i'm okay

Just wanted to make a quick post about our miscarriage and let you know Greg and I are okay.

Obviously, it's terrible news for us, especially considering our struggles with infertility.

We will get through this and are already talking about the next steps we want to take.

Our friends, family and faith have gotten us through a very trying year and we will continue to be strong. Many people have been through things more devastating than this and we are thankful for all the blessings we do have. We live in a time and country where medicine has progressed to a point where we can have the possibility of having a family. Sure, it cost a small fortune (or about 15 cows) for us to get pregnant in the first place, but I can't think of anything more important to spend our money on (or go in debt over).

Like I said, we'll get through this and I appreciate all your well-wishes. I waited until tonight to read all my facebook comments and I can't thank you all enough. You are so sweet and kind and every word was greatly appreciated.

Lastly, in a bit of good news, our lone heifer became a cow today. Yep, that's right, she graduated to motherhood, and we're waiting for her utter to drop. Never thought I'd say something like that, but why not?

Hope ya'll have a good night.
Posted by april at 10:09 PM 46 comments Who would have thought I could get all 19 of my kiddos in a family photo?

This was taken from the loft in the barn. I just looked up and they were all posing for me, so I snapped their photo.

Disregard the trench that's running across the yard into the driveway. We had to lay some type of wire to another electrical box. The joys of remodeling........
Posted by april at 9:20 AM 6 comments 


oh, brother I am now the proud owner of this Brother sewing machine.

I've been wanting one for awhile, mainly for stitching on layouts. Which, by the way, did you see this awesome tutorial by Lisa Truesdell posted just an hour after I bought this bad boy. It's a sign. I'm sure of it.

I also plan to use it to make a baby quilt. The quilt I'm working on now, I've made entirely by hand. I started a year ago to give me something to do while I was staying in hotels 4 nights a week on my previous job. When I left that job, my quilt sat by the wayside, but lately I've been working on it as time allows. The top is completely pieced and now the 3 layers are pinned together waiting to be quilted by hand. I plan to have it completely quilted and finished by the end of October. Ambitious, I know. But, I will also have 8 days to work on it almost solid. I'm visiting my grandmothers in Texas and there's nothing better to do there but sit, visit, and keep my hands moving or else boredom will set in. You know what they say about idle hands......

Just kidding. But, I do get stressed if I have nothing to do.

Anyway, my motivation is set because I want to begin working on the baby quilt in November. I want to piece it using the machine, then quilt it by hand.

Wish me luck in meeting my deadline!
Posted by april at 4:31 PM 13 comments