Jonah's ABC Adventure!

Got this off a friend's blog... couldn't resist!

feeling charitable. :)

I love kids... Maybe that's why I became a pediatric nurse in the first place. It breaks my heart, though, to see them sick, in pain or suffering... It's a tough job, but I know it's what I've been meant to do in life...

So if you read my blog but never comment take the time and visit these 2 sites:

The first is the donation site for my friends' son who was born with a rare heart condition 9 years ago. After multiple surgeries and despite advice from doctors, he's a healthy boy to this day. :) Miracles do happen...

Bailey's Heart Walk

And don't stop your giving there! My pal Laurie has an enlightening story of her own... About her son who was diagnosed with a rare neurological syndrome a little over a year ago.
Take the time to visit her blog and check out their story... Their whole family is awesome... And in honor of them I'm setting up their donation badge on my blog until they reach their goals. :)

OMG...

I finished reading Harry Potter late last night and wow... just wow...

The release of the 7th book is so bittersweet for me: I wanted to know how it ended, but that's just it - it's the end. No more books. :(

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Been trying to scrap like crazy but haven't had time lately... Have to get a couple of DT submissions in before the weekend starts even though the deadline is next Tuesday... I won't have time once I go back to work on Friday...

Aah.. work... now that's another story.

been a while...

Since my last post, I've been pretty busy with my days leading up to my return to work this Friday night... *sigh*

I was studying for my Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) course for a couple weeks and finally took the 2 day class this weekend. Yuck. 2 days full of class. It was fine though and it went by quickly...

Spent my time reading the new Harry Potter book... Still not finished so nobody spoil it for me! *lol* Hopefully I'll be done soon. It's so bittersweet. I can't believe it's the end of the series.

I scrapped a little - but just digital...

supplies:
patterned papers, arrow, sentiment : June Kit by Lauren Reid (ScrapArtist.com)
green patterned paper: Kung Pao papers kit by Kim Christensen (ScrapArtist.com)
stitching: designer unknown (AtomicCupcake.com)
to do paper, corner stitching: Whimsy Style kit by Sarah Batdorf (the-Lilypad.com)
font: Susie's Hand

supplies:
Calypso Breeze kit (shabbyelements.com)
font: Plastique (downloaded from the internet)

There was a bunch of cool challenges over at SIStv over the weekend but I didn't have time to scrap... The only one I got to participate in was the digi/hybrid challenge (see the Paradise LO)... and I was one of the winners! So exciting.

AND, for my K-Joi CT, I kind of help come up with the slogan so I won a little prize too.

All and all it's been a great week in the scrapping world. Hopefully I can keep the mojo going. :)

tagged...

So I got tagged by my new fabulous gal pal Anna. :)

Now I'm tagging:

Rinne
Kim
Laurie

Just slap this image in your blog - because well, I think you all ROCK. :)

we got a wii. :)

Didn't get a chance to post this the other day... But after 3 weeks of searching we finally got a Wii... Super fun.

Look, even Jonah's excited. :)

bummer:( ... but I did a digi LO. :)

So I've been applying to DTs for the past week and so far no luck... I did make it as a finalist at Scrappy Girl Designs and they had 5 spots out of the 7 finalists, I was one of the 2 that didn't make it. *sigh*

I don't think my work is all that bad, is it?

It's disappointing, but I have to realize that it's not meant to be... and there's a DT out there that I'll be a perfect fit for...

It's still a bummer getting rejected 3 times in one week.

So instead I drowned my sorrows in some digi for my CT work. :) Yay me. :)

supplies: all paper and elements from the Denim and Dust kit by Kara Jones found at K-Joi Studios; font: Daily Birdie by Audrey Neal at OScraps.com

first official LO...

k-joi's Creative Team! :)

I'm having a lot of fun learning the ins and outs of my Photoshop Elements program and everyone on the DT and CT are so great to work with! Thank you Kara for the opportunity! :)


supplies: patterned papers, alpha: Denim and Dust kit by Kara Jones; stitching: AtomicCupcake.com (designer unknown); font: Times New Roman

Super quickie LO... I needed to get my feet wet before I get really creative! :)

LO overload...

I've been pretty good with my scrapbooking these past couple weeks... I got a lot done, but I just never got around to posting them here on my blog... I've used a few for DT entries and stuff... We'll see how it all pans out. I didn't make one last week, but I submitted to 2 this weekend. I guess I'll just have to see if it's meant to be...

Not happy with the way this Urban Lily came out... it seems overwhelming but I wanted to use the paper so I cut it up...
supplies: carstock: Bazzill; patterned paper: Urban Lily; pens: American Crafts, Sharpie

Love the Bohemia stuff from MME but I never know what to do with it!
supplies: patterned paper, sentiments, chipboard tag: My Mind's Eye; transparency overlay: My Mind's Eye, Hambly; other: ribbon, silk flowers, mini brads

Love this "First Laugh" LO... I really pushed myself to use patterned paper from different manufacturers. Super fun. :)
supplies: patterned paper: Ek Success, Treehouse Memories, Heidi Grace, Love Elsie; pen: Sharpie; chipboard letters: American Crafts

Did this "Listen" LO yesterday while scrapbooking with a friend. I'm so happy with the way it turned out!
supplies: patterned paper: new Scenic Route (love it!), riboon: Scrapworks; stamp, rubon: Fontwerks; stamping ink: chalk ink by ColorBox; chipboard letters: Heidi Swapp; acrylic paint: Making Memories

The "Lucky" LO I did was based on a sketch and prompt from my JMT class... I actually almost scraplifted the whole thing (Yes, I liked it that much!)
supplies: lots of Love Elsie; brads, plastic flowers, chipboard letters: American Crafts; chipboard letters: Heidi Swapp; other: ribbon

Totally love this pic of Jonah looking at his thighs. I knew I didn't want to journal much. The picture says it all...
supplies: patterned paper: CherryArte; die cut letters: All Mixed Up by Cricut; chipboard letters: KI Memories, American Crafts; foam letters: American Crafts; pen: Sharpie

Here's my favorite pic of me and Corinne from my wedding day...
supplies: everything from Tres Jolie; rub ons: Basic Grey

Whew! That was a lot! :) Happy Monday! :)

i SO rocked the clear LO. :)

*lol*

There's a contest going on at AMM so for weeks I had been agonizing about what to do. A card? A mini book? A LO? I couldn't decide and I didn't feel creative.

But today, I had a little bit of time while Jonah was quiet and Carl was awake and I was able to finally get my TRANSPARENCY ON. *lol*





I'm really excited about the way it turned out too! :)

supplies: transparency overlay: Hambly; patterned paper: Basic Grey; chipboard flower petals: Maya Road; bling: Heidi Swapp; chipboard letters: Lil Davis Designs; other: Dymo labeler

no ordinary love...

I've been really behind with my Journal Me This class... I mean, I really enjoyed it and it ended about a week ago... After 26 prompts with the letters of the alphabet, when the class ended I only got 5 done. So they hosted a RAK of ribbon to who ever could get their butts moving and complete 5 more LOs in a week.

Well that's the motivation I needed! *lol*

So I did this LO last night using the sketch. I chose to work on "O" because I wanted to title the page "this is no ordinary love"... like that song from Sade... But I decided to just leave the LO the way it is.

A couple of favorite pics from my wedding day. Sharon Dawson was our photographer... Carl and I got married almost 3 years ago and we STILL haven't ordered our professional album from her. Shame on us.

supplies: cardstock: Bazzill; patterned paper: Creative Imaginations, Love Elsie; transparency overlay: Hambly Studios; chipboard letters: Heidi Swapp; gel sticker: Love Elsie

big news!

Well this is big news to me... :)

I've been asked to join k.joi studios' creative team! It's a fairly new digital site and this is Kara's first Creative Team. I submitted on a whim, just to test the waters and get a feel for rejection. *lol*

But to my surprise, I was invited to be a part of it! Me, little old me - the one who is pretty fairly new to the digi scrapping world (Kara knows this too!)!

I'm super excited about this opportunity and this new adventure! Wish me luck! :)

happiness

Here is one of the LOs I did during that crop with friends the other day... It's based on a Journal Me This sketch (I still have to do a couple more to be entered for a RAK tomorrow!)... I used the awesome Shabby Rock Star Collection from SIS... I LOVE that collection...

This is like, what, the 4th LO I've done using it? Crazy! I've never done that before!

supplies: Shabby Rock Star Collection from SIStv (Hambly, Lil Davis, gaffer tape, letter stickers, foil tape, photo corners); gel epoxy sticker: Love, Elsie

Super simple, but oh well....

whew!...and rant...

Well, let's see...

I went to my first crop, in, I don't know, YEARS, the other day with Rinne and some gals from her unit at work. It was really fun! I spent 2 hours the night before trying to figure out exactly what to bring, though... It's hard when you have a whole room and closet full of stuff - you never want to leave! *lol* And when you go out to crops, you don't want to be caught without something.

So I just ended up having to page plan and stick everything in Ziploc bags. Worked out great. Planned for 5-7 projects and got 5 done with just a little bit of tweaking (still have to paint and journal)

Super fun. I should really force myself to go more.

I'll post scans when I get a chance... Haven't decided to use them for DT entries or not...

Speaking of being on a DT and being published... It's been a longtime goal of mine. I think it's because I've been scrapping for so long - like 9 years... Sure, it's been off and on, but still... I see a lot of gals who have only scrapped for a year and they're already being recognized for their talent (and boy, they really are TALENTED). And I guess that's what being pubbed means to me: recognition. Validation that I'm good... that what I do matters...

But I know how difficult it is... and I know the industry plays favorites and they have a certain look that they go for so they skew the pickings... Like, I remember when reader galleries in magazines would include 10 or more layouts from scrappers everywhere... Now they only showcase 5... Now they put former pubbed gals "on assignment"... they use their design teams, masters, HOFers to fill the magazines with their LOs...

What about the average gal like me?

I'm not saying it's not because of lack of trying... I've tried... Believe me, I've tried... :)

And you know what? It's all good, baby. It's all good.

Because at the end of the day, what matters most, is that I know that I'm good. I create pages I like and what my family likes... Jonah will have memories of his mommy and daddy and his family... memories that I don't have. And in the end THAT'S what makes this hobby worthwhile.

But I'll still keep trying... Just to see. :)

fabulous TOOT!

OMG, I'm seriously shaking...

I'm on the CATWALK at SIStv!!!!

This is super excited because 1) I didn't expect it so it was a WONDERFUL surprise and 2) I was picked by the FABULOUS Jeanette (the owner/founder of the most awesome site.)

So freakin' awesome!!!

lots. :)

Surprisingly, in between all this supply shopping, digi elements shopping (so addicting!), bowling with friends, church this AM, spending time with the family (whew!) - I ACTUALLY SCRAPPED. Yay!

So this first LO, I did for a new messageboard I found via my new gal pal Kim (thanks Kim!). Ally Scraps has got some REALLY cool challenges including this Use Your Stash Challenge: you must use 3 old items - 2 must be older than 1 year old and 1 must be older than 2 years old. So fun!


supplies: cardstock, patterned paper: SEI (really really OLD SEI!); star eyelets circa 2002 (*lol*); big monogram letters: KI Memories (remember when these were all the rage?); chipboard letters, pen: American Crafts

The next 2 LOs I did using the AWESOME Shabby Rockstar Collection at SIS TV! I LOVE that kit! I've never used the whole thing of a kit before - EVER - but this kit was SO MUCH fun!


AND I made a 12x12 LO! I don't know if I like how this scanned so I might take a pic instead and post... But they were both SUPER fun!!!

supplies: Hambly, Jenni Bowlin, Li'l Davis Designs, paint, gaffer tape, Heidi Swapp bling, Cricut

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In other related scrapbooking news, Rinne and I were so BUMMED that our Kristina Contes class was canceled yesterday due to a messed up flight itinerary! Ugh!

Corinne switched shifts to get it off (It's really hard when you're a nurse and have to work every other weekends - usually there will be things you miss in life. Sucks.) And I even lined up Carl's family to babysit Jonah! So disappointing to find out that the class got cancelled because Kristina missed her flight!

It might get rescheduled in September, but I don't know if I'll be able to take it then because of the every other weekend thing. And Corinne and I work opposite weekends so it's hard for us to do anything together on Saturdays and Sundays.

BUMMER.

simply fabulous (SIS)

I finally got my first collection from SIS and was able to PLAY this afternoon when the little one was down for his nap. :)

This was super fun since I really haven't scrapbooked any pics from my wedding. But I thought the Rock Star collection this month was PERFECT. Super fun to play with too! :)

supplies: SIS July Shabby Rock Star Collection - cardstock: Bazzill; patterned paper: Jenni Bowlin, Hambly, Lil Davis; chipboard letters: Lil Davis; pen: American Crafts; other: rhinestones.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! :) Oh and I'm also participating in Noel Mignon's challenge here with this LO!

new adventure (OLW)

There's another cool challenge going on at One Little Word. My LOs never compare to everyone else's there but it's always nice to get a little motivation to scrap! :)

supplies: patterned paper: Fancy Pants, Creative Imaginations; plastic flowers, pen, chipboard letters: American Crafts; stamping ink: StazOn, ColorBox; other: ribbon

non stop shopping week!

Between the sales this week at 2 of my favorite LSSs and online deals for digi supplies, I'm almost TAPPED out. I need to stop and really use what I have. Let's just say it's a good thing I do the bills in this household so DH doesn't FREAK out over how much I've been spending lately!

On a positive note, though, I was able to visit Suzy at Picture Me Perfect and got to chat with Erin too! AND even better: Jonah behaved himself!

Jonah took on tiny nap this morning so I got a little scrapping done...New digi LO for the day:



supplies:
background paper: The Ultimate Background Collection by Nancy Comelab (the-lilypad.com)
stitches: unknown designer (atomiccupcake.com)
felt flowers: Fuzzy Flowers by Amy Martin (the-lilypad.com)
Alpha: Fit 2b Tied By Tia Bennett (2peas)
ledger paper: Line 'em Up by Kate Teague (2peas)
weekday paper: Whimsy Style by Sarah Batdorf (the-lilypad.com)
frame: Ultimate Frame Collection Vol. 1 - Vintage by Nancy Comelab (the-lilypad.com)
font: Times New Roman

Last night I worked on a project for a DT entry... It's still not done yet, I should be done next week! Cross your fingers I'll be able to make this deadline!

AND I really should study for my class for work so I shouldn't have my mind on scrapping! Ugh!

shop til I DROP. :)

First off, Happy 4th of July everyone! Happy Independence! Happy Freedom!

It's rare for me to hear of LSSs having an AWESOME sale - especially 2 days in a row. 40% off the ENTIRE store? It's definitely worth the 35 minute drive for me. So I went on Monday, grabbed stuff to my heart's content (a $130 bill ended up being only $77!) and I went back again with my BFF on Tuesday because she missed out on going with me on Monday because she had to work.

And yes, I found more stuff to buy too.

I cleaned my scraproom a little - well, I should say I TIDIED it up a bit (I don't think it will ever be fully clean!) and I need to find a way to better organize all those little things - like packages of things. I really want that Clip it Up rack but after the base unit, the top tier and all the clips I'd need, it would cost me WAY more than I'd like to spend. So I had found this link to make one at home... I gave my hubby the instructions. Has he made one for me yet? No. (Cynthia, can I borrow Jeff one day? He seems to be better and more supportive with organizing your scrapspace! *lol*)

Anyway, so all my little packages of embellies, sticker sheets, rubon sheets, boxes of doodads and whatnots are ALL over the place. I should just scatter them around the room near the computer to annoy him. Maybe THEN he'll make that rack for me! *lol*

diggin' the digi. :)

I'm starting to really dig digi. :) And I ventured beyond the freebie kits and started buying stuff online. Favorite sites to download stuff from?

2peas
Designer Digitals
Something Blue Studios
Atomic Cupcake
Shabby Miss Jenn Designs

I had some digi scrapping mojo going on from the other day so I decided to play around with an online kit. The bad part of doing digi is that no matter how much I try, I can't seem to get my stuff organized! Another con is the fact that it's so simple to buy stuff like digi embellies online the $$ adds up quick! (gotta love Paypal! *lol*)

Anyway, I made this LO for my SIL and her boyfriend. They've been through so much together and now they're doing the long distance than while she's in grad school (2nd master's) and he's across the country doing finishing his PhD. Yup. They're smart mo' fo's... Seriously. :) But I wanted to make them something special to give to them when he visits in August. Hope they like it!

supplies:
alpha: Fit 2b Tied by Tia Bennett (2Peas)
cardstock, patterned paper, transparency overlay, frame: Fortune MiniKit by Rhonna Farrer (2Peas)
ledger paper: Line 'em Up paper pack by Katherine Teague (2Peas)
stitches: unknown designer (AtomicCupcake.com)
font: Century Gothic

tagged! thanks LAURIE! *lol*

Well, my fabulous gal pal LAURIE graciously paid me back for my last tag and tagged me in return. :)

And I'm tagging: Rinne and Kim! :)

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yup. I'm a traditional filipina. My name's a mix of my dad's name "Jose aka Joe" and my mom's name "Anita"... = JoAnn

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? last week or so... I was reading "Love You Forever" to my son. It's the SADDEST book. I don't think I'll ever read THAT again! *lol*

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Not as much as I used to...

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yup, one beautiful baby boy. :)

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Of course. I'm awesome. :)

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? *lol* see my answer to the previous question.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? The last time I checked I did!

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No way! I'm a big CHICKEN!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL? plain Cheerios

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? only when they're new or tight Otherwise, NO. :)

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? mentally: yes. physically: no. I'm a big wimp. :)

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM? anything from Cold Stone

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? clothes! *lol*

15. RED OR PINK? red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I'm a procrastinator too!

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? a handful of buddies from work!

18. WHAT COLOUR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? jeans and bare feet!

19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? chocolate cake

20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? don't know the artist, but I'm listening to some soul station on XM

21. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? RED

22. FAVOURITE SMELLS? my son after his bath... the way his room smells when I walk in to check on him at night... chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven.

23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? my hubby

24. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yup. She's fabulous. :)

25. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Football.

26. HAIR COLOUR? black

27. EYE COLOUR? brown

28. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? yes

29. FAVOURITE FOOD? mexican food

30. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? happy endings

31. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Stomp the Yard

32. WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Teal

33. SUMMER OR WINTER? summer

34. HUGS OR KISSES? both

35. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? dunno!

36. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? dunno!

37. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? none right now!

38. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? a picture of the beach

39. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Mo'Nique's Charm School, The Next Food Network Star

40. FAVOURITE SOUND? my son's laughter

41. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? um, sorry... that's not my kind of music!

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Italy

43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I don't think so!

44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? California

45. WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE? reading minds... :)