Swoon...Vintage Moon!

I got to play with one of Pink Paislee's new lines that debuted at CHA, Vintage Moon. This is supposed to be a fall line but let me tell you it is not only for fall photos! I actually used it to scrap a favorite photo of Connor at the pool this summer. I just loved the blue/yellow color combo and how cute is that owl! Connor is always a ham and this pic totally captures it. The title of the layout popped into my head as soon as I saw the photo. The owl added the perfect touch! I cut it out from one of the papers. Speaking of the title, I stamped it using Pink Paislee's Pop Alpha stamps. I am in love with this font. The stamps are so easy to work with...even for a newbie stamper like myself! I colored the letters in with a blue souffle pen. Be sure to check the All Moments Remembered store for both of Pink Paislee's new lines and the stamps! We are continuing to have a great summer. Between playdates, sleepovers and the pool we have been keeping busy.

This weekend is our Parish Festival. I am volunteering at one of the game booths Friday night. After my shift, Eddie and the boys will meet me and we will get to enjoy the fair. Pray for good weather!

New goodies!

While in Chicago Stacey and Heather showered me with all kinds of scrappy goodness. Really, they were way too generous. One of the favorite things from Stacey was my All Moments Remembered T-shirt. We wore them on Saturday to the show and got so many compliments on how great they looked. The lady at the Kaiser make and take took this pic of us. For the life of me I can't remember her name but she was a doll! I loved her Australian accent and because of her I have a very nice collection of Kaiser bling! Now, I have been coveting the Funky Bag Lady purses ever since Nicole got one. Imagine my surprise when I opened a package and this was inside. Heather got it for me for my birthday. Ok, my birthday isn't until mid August! She wanted to give it to me in person and also because shipping from Canada is crazy! I love it. She said it reminded her of a layout I did.

I will say it again, the best part of CHA for me was to meet all the friends I've made through this hobby. Got to see Ali. So good to see her because we only see each other once a year! Loved meeting Julie from All Moments Remembered, all the peeps from Studio Calico, lots of peas at the 2 peas social on Saturday night, Karla Dudley, Vee, Christine Middlecamp. I know there are more that I am forgetting. Just know that I loved meeting you all and can't wait until next CHA!

CHA Chicago

CHA Chicago was a blast! Nik dropped me off on Michigan Ave on Thursday so I could meet up with Stacey and Heather from All Moments Remembered and shop for the day. I was a little nervous as we have only spoke online and never met in real life but as soon as I saw them all those feelings went away. They are two of the sweetest, funniest, craziest girls around. We spent the day in the city and had the best time. Aren't they cute? Friday was the first day of the show and it was everything I thought it would be and more. Tons of new product as far as the eye could see. Here are a few a my faves. Love these new AC puffy thickers!

Jenni Bowlin's booth was to die for and Miss Jenni was a sweetheart to boot! Here are some new labels.

Saw some really cool stuff from Pink Paislee, October Afternoon and Crate Paper. You also need to check out Chatterbox's new release too! Their booth was gorgeous! I wish I would have taken more pics but i was just in awe of everything and having a great time I didn't take the camera out as much as I should have. I am hoping Heather will email me some pics because she took tons!

The best part of this trip for me was getting to meet friends who up until now, I just spoke to online. It is so great putting a face to a name! I also got to see "old" friends and catch up with what's going on in their lives. All in all a great weekend with great people!

Heading out to CHA

I will be leaving bright and early tomorrow morning with Nicole headed to Chicago for CHA. It is my first time going and I am really excited. I will be meeting up with Stacey and Heather from AMR and lots of girls from Studio Calico.

The boys arrived safely yesterday and they absolutely loved the plane ride. It is so good to have them home! We took my dad to the airport today and he should arrive home shortly. Want to say thanks again to mom and dad and Uncle Tony. Uncle Tony spoils them rotten with video games and movies and the boys love it! Your a cool dude Uncle Tony! The boys are already planning next years trip!

They come home tomorrow!

After a week long visit with my parents, Zachary and Connor are coming home tomorrow. They are flying back to Ohio with my dad. Eddie and I are ready to have them home. The house is way too quiet! It was nice spending time with each other and doing things as a couple but now we are ready for the mayhem! A very big thank you to my mom and dad for having them and keeping them entertained with movies, swimming, eating out, ice cream, baseball games and amusement parks. I know they had a ball!

Wanted to post my layouts for the July All Moments Remembered kit. Again, another month chock full of product and I just love the colors. Make sure to visit Heather and Debbie's blogs to see what they did with this amazing kit as well as our Guest Designer, Danielle Flanders!




I received my copy of this new idea book by Kitty Foster and Wendy McKeehan. I have a layout in there about my Bff's Nicole and Erika. It is a beautiful book with lots of great layouts all about friendships. You can order it here.

Have a great Monday!

Don't forget!

All Moments Remembered online crop is today from 4pm-12am est. There will be lots of challenges and Raks and our Guest Designer, Danielle Flanders will be chatting after 9pm. We would love to have you join us!

A little getaway and some great news!

For Eddie's birthday I booked a two day trip to Niagara Falls, just the two of us. His birthday was in April but I knew that my parents were taking our boys to North Carolina for a week this summer. I planned it when they were away so we didn't have to worry about a babysitter. Neither one of us had been to Niagara Falls and it is only about a four hour drive from Ohio. A nice lady offered to take this pic of us after seeing us try to take it ourselves. We stayed in a hotel on the Canadian side and this was the view from our room. Love the rainbow.
These are the American Falls.
These are the Canadian or Horseshoe Falls. Do you see that boat? That is the Maid of the Mist. It takes you right by the American Falls and practically into the Canadian Falls. They have to hand out rain ponchos because you get completely soaked! I was amazed at how smooth and steady the boat was as we were looking at the Canadian Falls! We also walked through tunnels and went behind the falls. It was amazing and again the ponchos came in handy!
We saw all the sights and even went to the casino one night. We are not big gamblers but wanted to try our luck at the slots. We lost! We had a great time and thanks mom and dad for watching the boys so we could get away!

Monday night as we were walking around Niagara, Nicole calls. She sounds weird. She knew we were away with no internet. She informs me I am one of 35 finalists for the Chatterbox Design Team Audition! I go crazy on the streets of Niagara Falls. Never in a million years did I think my name would be on that list! I am so excited and honored to be on that list with such talented ladies! Did you see some of those names? I wish everyone good luck as we now are waiting for product to be mailed to us to make a layout/project to see who makes it on the team.

I have a long list of things to do today. One of which is picking out a paint color for the upstairs bathroom. Have a great day!

July 4th weekend!

We had an awesome holiday weekend! My parents were in town and we invited everyone to our house for a July 4th BBQ. The weather was perfect and even was a bit below normal for July. Nicole and Erika were there with their families and brought such delicious dishes to share. Girls, I need the recipes please. Here's a pic of my parents with the boys. Now, because a trampoline, fort, and swing set aren't enough entertainment, Eddie set up the volleyball net. It was a huge hit not only with the kids but with Eddie too!
When it got dark, we all headed out to the cul-de-sac to watch the firework show. Eddie and Erika's husband, JR put on a great show for the crowd and it is definitely a great way to end the BBQ.

Saturday night, Eddie and I got a chance to go with some friends to an amphitheater and see an orchestra perform. We packed a yummy picnic dinner and sat on the lawn to enjoy the music and firework show! We aren't really classical music people but enjoyed ourselves all the same.

My parents left this morning and my boys went with them. They are going to spend the next week in NC having fun with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Tony! They have all kinds of fun things planned for them to do. It will be so good for the boys to spend some time with them and for Eddie and I to have some time for us too!

I went to see Sex and the City with Erika and Nicole today. I never watched the show but they did and I knew they wanted to go see it. We laughed, we cried, we loved it and I was able to keep up even though I was clueless about the show!

Nothing on tap for tonight. Looking forward to a relaxing evening just doing nothing!

I need to use my crockpot more.

I always forget about it but when I use it I love the results. I decided to drag it out this morning and make BBQ Pulled Pork. Yum! My parents are arriving today from North Carolina and dinner should be ready just as they pull in. I am going to serve it with cole slaw and corn on the cob. I haven't done this before, so I hope it turns out. In other news, Connor had his first sleepover Tuesday night with his buddy Zachary who he has known since they were 3 and in preschool together. My son, Zachary helped them build a tent with sheets and blankets in the basement (which is finished) and then camped out with them. They had a blast!

We are gearing up for our big July 4th BBQ tomorrow. My friends Nicole and Erika will be here as well as several of our neighbors. Lots of fun, food and fireworks! Eddie and JR put on quite the show when it gets dark. The kids love it!

Got an exciting email this morning about a new idea book by Memory Makers called Fabulous Friendships. It should be hitting stores soon. I have a layout in there and I can't wait to take a look!
Ok, I need to go clean something. Have a great day!