Creative Team Pages

I've been a terrible creative team member.  I create the pages in time, but I forget to post them to the galleries in a timely manner.  I've been wanting to show you these two pages because I had two fabulous kits to work with from Studio Rosey Posey.

This first one is a page of my middle son, Hunter.  The picture was one of his school pictures.  He is turning into such a little man.  Love him!  I used Distictive Hush by Studio Rosey Posey and Trixie Scraps.

And this one is of my oldest son, Joseph, and his new friend, Brennan. I used the awesome collab called Mash Up by Studio Rosey Posey, Flergs, Gypsy and Dawn Inskip. This is a pretty girly kit, but I was able to turn it into a boy page.

You can see full credits of each page by clicking on the layout.

Read More

I Love Him

I love this man, even though he does drive me bonkers.

He is the best husband a girl could ask for.  His duties in the house are to cook, clean the kitchen and grocery shop; all things I hate to do

I couldn't find a better man that loves me the way he loves me.

He does and says little things just to aggravate me, though.  He says things that us normal folk only think.  I wish I could be more like him; although, I would never admit that out loud. Or did I just admit it?

He is my best friend

I'm glad he trimmed that stuff off of his chinny chin chin though. It was just crimping my style.

I have threatened to leave him, but I could never go through with it and he knows it.  I can't imagine my life without him.

Even his friends want to shoot him at times.  He has strong opinions and is not afraid to share them. 

If you tick him off, you'll know it.  But, he will let you know with little remarks here and there to keep you guessing.  He is unique and loyal.

He is a hard worker and loves to provide for his family.  He doesn't have a lazy bone in his body.  He is a great dad and I love him to death!!

And they do too!

Have a good Thursday, baby, don't work too hard.

Read More

To Do List

I have a large to do list.  I've been browsing the web and watching Youtube for tutorials on how to make several items on my list.  When I make them, I'll share my tutorials with you, so you can make them yourselves as well.  I plan on making similar items like the following.

I've finished making this headband, to see the finished product and tutorial, click here.

I've made these before, but my daughter grew out of them, so I'm making another pair or two this weekend in her cheer colors to take with us on our Disney trip. - Project completed! See tutorial here.

I want my mom to teach me to sew.  I would love to make my own custom pillows for the bedroom and livingroom.  I also want to make my daughter a quilt, but that won't be for a couple more years. 

So, on my to do list right now:

1. Make the above items and share my tutorials with you.

2. Paint my Livingroom

3. Paint Hailey's room

4. Paint Hunter's furniture

5. Organize my basement

6. Update an old mirror for Hailey's room

7. Make custom curtains for Hailey's room

___________________________________________________________

By the way, I'm getting over my bad mood.  Slowly, but surely.  I had a wakeup call yesterday and true colors started showing through.  I just have to erase all the negative energy around me.  I have my best friend to thank for this.  She let me vent to her so I could let out all the steam building up.  I also have my husband to thank.  He is amazing and totally gets me.

____________________________________________________________

Joseph' last basketball game was yesterday.  I love basketball.  I'll, for sure, miss it.  If my boys would play basketball and soccer all year long, I would be in heaven.  But, they want to play baseball this spring.

Baseball bores me.  It takes forever and I'm just not interested in it at all.  My husband played baseball for 12 years and he didn't want the boys to play for some reason.  I was ok with this, but their desire out-ruled us.  Joseph is almost 12 and Hunter is 9 and they are playing baseball for the first time this year.  I'm sure I'll be bored, but it might be interesting to see how they do.

____________________________________________________________

I got winded today and my post is a bunch of rambles.  I'm looking forward to the weekend.  I hope I can get over my laziness and get a few things accomplished.  Until next time....

Read More

Embrace Bad Mood Day

Hi! I haven't posted lately because I've been super busy and super cranky.

We had another cheer competition this past weekend and we got 1st place! Woot! Now we are packing and getting ready for our Disney trip in March. That is about the only thing I'm excited for right now.

Call me Debbie Downer. Whaaa waaaa waaaaah

I need to clean my house really bad.  I've avoided it like the plague.  My laundry to piled sky high, my floors need vacuumed and I just sit and stare at it and do nothing about it.

We are moving out at work.  Packing everything up or shredding it into file 13.  They are gutting the office and making it brand new.  All of this will happen while I'm at Disney.  Call me lucky.  I get to avoid the catastrophe of unorganization and get to come back to a brand new office. Yay me!

So, how do I get over this bad mood of mine?

But, I don't feel like changing my mood right now, I just want to wallow.  I'm just keeping it real being lazy.

I have a hair appointment this evening, maybe a fresh new do will change my mood.  We'll see. 
I'm going to embrace it today and maybe tomorrow, I'll feel better.

Happy Monday Tuesday.  It's my Monday since I was off work yesterday for President's Day.

Read More

Layouts using Rosey Posey kits

I've been guesting for Studio Rosey Posey this month and let me just say that she has been cranking out the kits this month. She is one talented scrapbook Designer!!Her designs keep me on my toes. One kit is the traditional paper style (my preferred style), the next is fantasy type style, the next is doodled. There is so much to choose from in her shop! You will definately have to check it out. There is something in there for everyone! She is also guesting at Scrap Matters this month, so make sure you check out that shop as well.

Here are a few pages I've created using her designs so far.

This one uses "Love Letters" for this page. Love Letters is jam packed inside. Since this isn't really my style of kit, my page definately did not do it justice at all. If you love scrapping the 3 dimentional elements, this kit is definately for you. It is gorgeous.


I used "Girls Rule" for this page. This kit is so colorful, bright and cute. Every little detail speaks girly.


I used "Techno Boy" for this page. I LOVED this kit. I have a hard time finding the perfect "boy" kit to use to scrap my boys. This one was perfect. Plus it is totally my style. One of my favorites so far.

I can't wait to show you my next couple of pages using Rosey Posey designs. I love the kits that I used. But, you'll have to wait because they aren't released yet. ;) Sorry for the tease. lol

Read More

Athletic Championships Competition

I'm a little late getting this posted. This competition took place in Columbus, OH on January 29-30, 2011.



Here is my little princess posing for a picture with me. :) Love her.



She had to have a picture of herself jumping. That is always fun for kids to see themselves up in the air in jumping form, I guess. She enjoyed it.



Miss priss posing for the camera. We bought the girls a zebra print frame and were trying to get a single shot of them to put in the camera. Hailey wanted a picture of herself in a split, but I had to have a vertical photo, not a landscrape one. So, she pouted around and this is the best I could get. If I were smarter, I would have taken the split picture and then had her pose, but I failed at that moment. It is still a cute picture though.



This is a picture of her and her two BFFs, Madison and McKenzie. Love them to death! They are so sweet and cute and good together. Hailey is the youngest of siblings and friends and being friends with these two is teaching her that she doesn't always get her way and she has to compromise. So, she pouts some, but is getting better, I think or hope.



Several more girls from her team. Such divas. A lot of people think we are crazy for spending this much time and money on cheerleading. I have to disagree. Being on a team where they cannot win or lose without each other, as a team, teaches these girls so much. It teaches them how to work hard together, how to route each other on to perform better or work harder. How to congratulate them or cheer them on when they accomplish something that they've been working so hard on to achieve whether it be a back tuck or just perfecting that back handspring. They win together and/or lose together as a team.



I love this picture of them and how their curls are in the middle of the circle. Their hair looks the same color on all girls here, but they are all very different.



We had each girl in the above picture pose like this for a glamour shot picture. They fun modeling and I had fun taking their pictures. Such cute and respectful girls.



They are definately Athletic Champions! You go girls! I can definately say that we had a blast this weekend. There was a lot of bonding, celebrating, cheering and congratulating going on. So much fun! I cannot wait for our Disney trip!



This picture was taken in the waiting room before they could move on to the practice room. Isn't she gorgeous?



She was getting embarrassed because I all up in her face taking pictures. I can't help it, I was a proud mama.



The girls were playing with Hailey's American Girl doll. My aunt made a comment that cracked me up. She said, "I hope those two girls aren't the ones responsible for catching." The two girls in front, facing away from the doll. I guess you had to be there. Moving on.



Here is another one of Hailey's pouting faces. Not sure what she was pouting about here. But, I still think she is pretty even when she is pouting. She' learning to get over it gracefully, whatever it is going on that upsets her.



Beieve it or not, but I don't think she knew I was taking this picture. Score for me!



Hailey and her mini me "Kylie" as she named her, her American Girl doll. Best Christmas present she received other than her Ipod from Santa.



Here she is stretching right before they move to the practice room. It is getting closer to performance time!



Now on to the performance. I wish I could show you a video, but we aren't allowed.

This is my girl in her full extension stunt!



Same picture, just a close up.



In a heal stretch stunt. Ouch! I wish I could do that.



Again, same picture, just closer.



Here she is getting in her pyramid. You go girls!



And the final pyramid, just her side. There was a whole other side to this pyramid that I didn't get. Have a mentioned these girls are amazing?



This is part of the tumbling part, right before she does her back handspring.



And part of the dance. I love this picture of her.



We left this competition as first place winners! Go REBELS!! :) This is my Hailey standing next to the trophy the team won.



Here is a picture of her whole team. This team is made up of 35 6-9 year old girls and one boy. They are phenomenal to watch.



We have a local competition coming up on February 19th and then we travel to Disney in March for the National competition! I hope we bring home black jackets! Can't wait.

Read More

Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Cookie Dough Buttercream Frosting

Pre heat your oven to 350° F. Line your cupcake pans with paper liners (24 total). Get your mixer out and follow these instructions.



3 sticks of softened butter




Add 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed. Beat together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.




Mix in 4 large eggs, one at a time.




Beating well after each addition and scraping down teh sides of teh bowl as needed.




Combine 2 2/3 cups of all purpose flour, 1 tsp. baking soda and 1/4 tsp. salt in a medium bowl. Stir together to blend.



Add the dry ingredients tot he mixer bowl on low speed, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.





This is what it looks like before you start adding the milk.




Hailey had to pose.




After you've mixed in all of dry ingredients and milk, then blend in 2 tsp. vanilla extract.




Using a 3 tbsp scoop, fill the prepared cupcake liners 2/3 full with the cupcake batter.






While you are baking them at 350° F for 16-18 minuets, your kids can lick the spatula.




They can even get it all over their faces.




No, really... now you'll want to make the frosting.



Combine 3 sticks melted butter, 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in 3 1/2 cups powedered sugar until smooth. Beat in t1/2 tsp. salt, 2 tbsp. milk and 1 tsp. vanilla extract until smooth and combined.






Get the finished cupcakes out of the oven, stick a toothpick in them and pull it out. If no batter is on the toothpick, they are done.




You'll want to pipe in some icing in the center of the cupcakes. Just stick your tip in the center of the cupcake and pull out when the icing starts to overflow.




Then start adding your icing to the top. I put my icing into a ziplock baggy and cut a tip off of the corner and pipe the icing like so.






While you are doing this, your little ones can lick the icing off of the spatula and they can get a sugar high before they even eat the cupcake. Maybe not the best idea, but they sure do love it!




Then add mini chocolate chips to the top.




You'll end up with a tasty looking treat like these.




They will be heavy, moist and delicious! Chow down!


The recipe for these cupcakes were a variation of the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes found on Kevin & Amanda blog. I just left off the cookie dough because I didn't have time to wait an extra day for the dough to freeze and I was trying to cut down on some calories. These were made for my boss' birthday party. We ended up with a TON of icing left over, so you could probably cut the frosting recipe in half.


For the cupcakes:
3 sticks softened butter
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
4 large eggs
2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract

For the frosting:
3 sticks softened butter
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:
To make the cupcakes, preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners (24 total). In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and brown sugar. Beat together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir together to blend. Add the dry ingredients to the mixer bowl on low speed, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing each addition just until incorporated. Blend in the vanilla.

Using a 3 tbsp scoop, fill the prepared cupcake liners 2/3 full with the cupcake batter. Place a frozen cookie dough ball on the top center of each cupcake.
Bake at 350 for 16-18 mins.

To make the frosting, combine the butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the powdered sugar until smooth. Beat in the salt, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips!

Makes 24 cupcakes

If you would like to try them with Cookie Dough in them instead of the icing, you can visit that recipe here.

If you make these, let me know how you like them!! :)

Read More