MY FAMILY- My Oldest son Jeremiah

As you've seen from the last week (or so), I have three boys.  We have a combined family:  Mine, His, and Ours.  Although my husband adopted my son, it's still easier to explain when talking to people.

My oldest son is 6 months older than "his" son.  When they were smaller, as you can see by some of the pictures (the Apartment Dwellers scrap pages is a great example), Jeremiah was about the same size as Trenton for a long long time.  People used to ask Brian and I if they were twins.  Of course at first we would say, "No, this is my son and this is his son.  Blah blah blah blah."  But then after a while of people "assuming" we just let them.  It's amazing how fascinated people become when they think that you have twins.

Anyways, I just wanted to share a couple photos of Jeremiah that are current now that you've seen some of the earlier pictures :)  He is definitely the child who is stubborn, independent, and temperamental (which some people may say that means he's the most like me).  

This is the fish Jeremiah made for art class.  It was on display at their exhibit recently for the school.

Here's a "closer" picture of Jeremiah and his fish....his idea for the picture....I think it's GREAT!

Here's Jeremiah at their basketball tournament in Mosinee.  His team got 3rd place.  I wish I had his picture he took of him at his wrestling meet.  He just started this year and got 1st place!

Last set of scrap book pages pics....sorry they're blurry...camera died and then my phone was dying too.

This week I'm going to post pictures of the scrap pages I created while at White's Wildwood Retreat.  I tried to use "retired" and "old" supplies as you'll be able to tell if you know current colors and supplies for Stampin' Up!.  I hope you enjoy my scrap pages.  You will also notice that most of these pictures are from 2001, 2002, and 2003.  I tried to keep things simple so I can complete more projects.  When I create a scrap page, if it has my kids in it, I create on for each of the kids pictured.  So if I have pictures with all 3 of my kiddos, I create 4 sets of pages.  They all love having their OWN scrap book!

The Woodson Art Museum is such an interesting place.  It was a beautiful day and we decided to just visit the statues that were in the courtyard area.  The boys loved seeing these "animals" so close.

Colors: So Saffron, Handsome Hunter, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White

After we went to the museum, we went to Marathon Junction for ice cream and some rides.  Trenton and Jeremiah enjoyed the train ride but Alex didn't.  He went on the Elephant ride instead, with Daddy close by.  After this beautiful day, the boys were surely tuckered out!

Colors:  Chocolate Chip, Handsome Hunter, Wild Wasabi, and Whisper White

Really sorry for the blurry picture.  This scrapbook page shows our family picture and a 5 generation picture.  These photos were taken on the day that Jeremiah and Alexander were baptized.  Since I was an unwed mother, my priest at my hometown church wouldn't baptize my son.  When Brian and I got together we started attending Mass at OLP with Father Logan, who is sensational!  We were able to get both boys baptized together.  This was a great family gathering.  Great Great Grandma Dorothy Schug, Great Grandma Joan Hargraves, Grandma Rhonda VanDerLeest, Mom Elizabeth Giles, and Son Alexander Giles.  This picture was taken in 2002 and Great Great Grandma is still alive and well.

Here I was trying to showcase a couple things.  One which you can kind of see is the way that our paper packs of designer series paper fit so well together.  I used three different patterns on this layout and all coordinate so well.  The other thing I wanted to show...but is super blurry...is how our accessories coordinate as well.  The flower on the brad is a replica of the flower in the paper.  I love to add these little details in my journaling boxes to break them up if they're on the larger side.

Colors:  Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Real Red, Early Espresso, Bashful Blue, Soft Suede

Almost done with the Scrap Book Pages :)

 This week I'm going to post pictures of the scrap pages I created while at White's Wildwood Retreat.  I tried to use "retired" and "old" supplies as you'll be able to tell if you know current colors and supplies for Stampin' Up!.  I hope you enjoy my scrap pages.  You will also notice that most of these pictures are from 2001, 2002, and 2003.  I tried to keep things simple so I can complete more projects.  When I create a scrap page, if it has my kids in it, I create on for each of the kids pictured.  So if I have pictures with all 3 of my kiddos, I create 4 sets of pages.  They all love having their OWN scrap book!

Fall Fun Day at Headstart.  The paper is from a Halloween Pack and thought that this was appropriate for all the kiddos dressing up.  Sorry for the glare on the picture...had to use my phone as my camera died.  During this fun event they had many many activities to do.  Also they got to make Stone Soup, which I made in my kindergarten classroom too.

The basic grey striped satin ribbon goes so well with this "Halloween" theme.

Colors:  Basic Grey, Basic Black, Real Red, and Bashful Blue

This is one of the things that I miss the most.  I just loved to throw the kids in the tub and let them play play play.  I remember sitting in that small crowded bathroom for long long baths.  But look at those smiling faces!   Who wouldn't sit there as long as they wanted!?!?

I used the negative part and popped it behind the cut out to give this a little dimension.

Colors:  Bashful Blue, Groovy Guava, Certainly Celery, & Blush Blossom

More Scrap Book Pages from White's....only a few more left :)

This week I'm going to post pictures of the scrap pages I created while at White's Wildwood Retreat.  I tried to use "retired" and "old" supplies as you'll be able to tell if you know current colors and supplies for Stampin' Up!.  I hope you enjoy my scrap pages.  You will also notice that most of these pictures are from 2001, 2002, and 2003.  I tried to keep things simple so I can complete more projects.  When I create a scrap page, if it has my kids in it, I create on for each of the kids pictured.  So if I have pictures with all 3 of my kiddos, I create 4 sets of pages.  They all love having their OWN scrap book!

What a cute boy?!?!  Who couldn't give him a little bit of food from your plate?  Alex always stole things from everyone's plates....didn't matter who or what.

Don't you just love how no matter what colors you choose to work with, Stampin Up! has accessories that perfectly match those colors?!?!  

Colors:  Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Basic Grey, and Whisper White

Sorry for the glare....I had to use my camera on my phone and couldn't get a good picture.  I think this page is one of my favorites from this weekend.  Not for the layout or the colors, but for the pictures on it.  I just love the look from Jeremiah as he's holding the broom.  And then little Alex putting the silverware "away."  Who couldn't love this page?!?!

I found this great designer series paper that retired last year with a broom and other "chore" items on it.  I thought it was perfect.  And the black and white pictures coordinate so nicely with the accent colors in this paper too. 

Colors:  Calypso Coral, So Saffron, and Baja Breeze

Hmmm....more scrap book pages :)

 This week I'm going to post pictures of the scrap pages I created while at White's Wildwood Retreat.  I tried to use "retired" and "old" supplies as you'll be able to tell if you know current colors and supplies for Stampin' Up!.  I hope you enjoy my scrap pages.  You will also notice that most of these pictures are from 2001, 2002, and 2003.  I tried to keep things simple so I can complete more projects.  When I create a scrap page, if it has my kids in it, I create on for each of the kids pictured.  So if I have pictures with all 3 of my kiddos, I create 4 sets of pages.  They all love having their OWN scrap book!

You don't always need a title on a page for you to see what it's about.  I love this page for two reason...I really love how all the accessories just came together.  The other reason is...of course....baby Alex.  My baby just turned 12 the other day.  Oh how sweet he was (and sometimes still is).  He love sleeping by me and times I found him fast asleep and me wide awake.  So I'd just "slide" him off my shoulder and he'd rest.

I stamped, punched, pop dotted, and added ribbon.  Not to mention rolling the stars onto the blue cardstock to create a background.  The colors just all coordinated perfectly.

Colors:  Not Quite Navy, Real Red, Sahara Sand, Vanilla Natural, and Night of Navy

Oh how frightened Trenton was of Santa.  He wouldn't even sit on his lap...just stood there wondering why are you making me go by this stranger....stranger danger?!?!  This one page layout came easily together with one designer series paper pack.  I found a great background and then added another contrasting paper.  From there I found accessories that coordinated and incorporated the bolder colors (lucky limeade and chocolate chip) to split up the patterns.

Here you can see up close the patterns and how well the paper in one designer series packs coordinate so well.  I also appreciate that you get two different designs with each page so if you don't like one side, just flip it to the other.  

Colors:  Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla

Yes of course....more Week of Scrap Book pages

This week I'm going to post pictures of the scrap pages I created while at White's Wildwood Retreat.  I tried to use "retired" and "old" supplies as you'll be able to tell if you know current colors and supplies for Stampin' Up!.  I hope you enjoy my scrap pages.  You will also notice that most of these pictures are from 2001, 2002, and 2003.  I tried to keep things simple so I can complete more projects.  When I create a scrap page, if it has my kids in it, I create on for each of the kids pictured.  So if I have pictures with all 3 of my kiddos, I create 4 sets of pages.  They all love having their OWN scrap book!

A FUN TIME.  When the kids were smaller and so was our apartment, we spent a lot of time out at my parent's house.  There's a couple things I love about these pictures which I'll point out under the next photos.  

Trenton is currently 13 years old and about 6 foot.  He towers over me.  AND HE HATES BASKETBALL!!!  Oh my goodness...the tallest kid in his class and he doesn't play ball.  I love this picture because it just proves that he did like playing basketball, even if it was bigger than his whole body.

This is the other picture that I love.  The shared kiss between the two brothers...HOW STINKIN' CUTE?!?!  You know that they'd never never never do that now!

Colors:  Dusty Durango?, Handsome Hunter, and Brilliant Blue

Even More Scrap Book Pages

This week I'm going to post pictures of the scrap pages I created while at White's Wildwood Retreat.  I tried to use "retired" and "old" supplies as you'll be able to tell if you know current colors and supplies for Stampin' Up!.  I hope you enjoy my scrap pages.  You will also notice that most of these pictures are from 2001, 2002, and 2003.  I tried to keep things simple so I can complete more projects.  When I create a scrap page, if it has my kids in it, I create on for each of the kids pictured.  So if I have pictures with all 3 of my kiddos, I create 4 sets of pages.  They all love having their OWN scrap book!

Apartment Dwellers:  Stamp set used for title is Jumble Alphabet.  When I first got this stamp set, I didn't really care for it much.  But now I really love using it for things that are just a little different....which is usually anything associated with me :)  These pictures were taken in our first apartment together.  It was a quaint little place...only 2 bedrooms.  Brian and I had our bed in the "living" room.  The best thing about this apartment was the bathtub!  It was an old antique tub and it stayed hot for HOURS!!  I love using this tub when I was prego with Alex after a long day of work.  The downfall to the apartment was that it was HOT...so that's why in most of these pictures, the boys don't have any clothes.

As I was putting these pictures down, I finally realized what Trenton was holding onto.  Doesn't his face just give it all away??!?!  Trouble trouble trouble.  I wonder what he was purchasing.

And speaking of LOOKS...wow Jeremiah....what's the matter?  I think I'm getting more of these looks that he's 14 but it's just not as cute now.

Colors:  Brilliant Blue, Only Orange, and Whisper White

More Week of Scrap Book Pages

This week I'm going to post pictures of the scrap pages I created while at White's Wildwood Retreat.  I tried to use "retired" and "old" supplies as you'll be able to tell if you know current colors and supplies for Stampin' Up!.  I hope you enjoy my scrap pages.  You will also notice that most of these pictures are from 2001, 2002, and 2003.  I tried to keep things simple so I can complete more projects.  When I create a scrap page, if it has my kids in it, I create on for each of the kids pictured.  So if I have pictures with all 3 of my kiddos, I create 4 sets of pages.  They all love having their OWN scrap book!

This great picture was taken during Spring Break.  We really would have loved to go on vacation from the winter scene in Wisconsin but we just couldn't.  I had a day off during Spring Break so I decided I'd take the boys and my nieces to my Aunt's pool to go swimming.

 Okay okay....I really didn't want to scrap these but really what else was I going to do with them.  My friend Terri and I had these glam shots done one time when we were strolling through the Wausau Center Mall.  My favorite one is the black "plether" jacket pictures.  I'm not sure when exactly these were taken but I think they were in 2002 after my youngest baby was born.

Brian and I were lucky enough to go to a Nascar Race with my Dad and Jason.  It was quite unbelievable.  SO MANY PEOPLE!!!!  This is one of the few pages when I used accessories not associated with Stampin' Up!.  The letters and the little race track on the side came from Fiscar's and Jolee's.

I just love how these grommets mimic the oval and circle shapes on the pages.  And the background with the crosses show just the right texture for a back drop.

Colors used:  Basic Grey, Black, White, Real Red, and Summer Sun.

Week of Scrap Pages

This week I'm going to post pictures of the scrap pages I created while at White's Wildwood Retreat.  I tried to use "retired" and "old" supplies as you'll be able to tell if you know current colors and supplies for Stampin' Up!.  I hope you enjoy my scrap pages.  You will also notice that most of these pictures are from 2001, 2002, and 2003.  I tried to keep things simple so I can complete more projects.  When I create a scrap page, if it has my kids in it, I create on for each of the kids pictured.  So if I have pictures with all 3 of my kiddos, I create 4 sets of pages.  They all love having their OWN scrap book!

I had a few misc polaroid pictures.  I didn't know the dates (and even one I didn't know which child it was) so I just combined them all.  I loved the little journaling on the actual polaroid picture.

A close up here shows Jeremiah catching a baby bunny and Alex sleeping in the highchair.  Thank goodness there was no food on the highchair tray.

 Look at that cute hairstyle on the top photos.  And such a great Smile from Jeremiah.  Trenton I think is saying hi although you can maybe see that he's going to toss something at the camera.

One thing I love about Stampin' Up! is how perfectly they coordinate things.  As you can see this ribbon perfectly matches the mat color.  I love combining accessories to get a totally different look.

Just in case there's other out there with retired stocked they'd like to use:  colors in this layout are More Mustard, Basic Black, Sahara Sand, and Riding Hood Red.

WILD WHITE'S WEEKEND!!!

 WOW....what a weekend!   This is the third year that I've attended a retreat at White's Wildwood Retreat in Chippewa Falls Wisconsin.  I love the lodge and cabin, all decorated with north woods country theme.   Each room (rooms of 5,5,4,4,& 3) take turns making a meal....so you only have to cook once all weekend too!  Now that alone is a treat!!!  The rest of your time, you can divide however you like.  You can go shopping in nearby Eau Claire, read, watch tv, sleep, or of course craft.  When I attend, I am determined to SCRAP as much as I CAN!!  These are just a couple pictures I took on my phone from the weekend.   I'll have more to come later :)  And some pics of the pages I did.

My sister's name is Holly and I starting calling her "Ho" lovingly.  When she was working on her scrap book page for Lake Holcolmbe, she separated the scrap layout and was left with Lake Ho.

Since our retreat was over Valentine's Day, Christina got a big surprise from her husband.

This picture was taken at 3am Sunday morning.  The three of us, exhausted and thoughtless in such wee hours, went to bed.  But Holly (my sister) had a case of the giggles and goofiness!  First she threw one of the sleep number sheep at me.  Then she got down on the floor to "army crawl" to my bed to attach me.  She then got up and jumped up on Christina!  Oh my....what happens at 3am?!?!

You can't scrap and not have a drink or two :)  This drink was "Kinky" and Lemonade mixed.  It wasn't really my kind of drink but that's okay...probably kept my pages a little straighter :)

WOW! CHEVRON ROCKS!!!

Oh Chevron....how I love you!!!!   Isn't this such a wonderful background stamp?!?!?

This card was one for my birthday camp that I do every year!  I host a stamp camp on my birthday and spread my love of stampin' around!  We always have 2 or 3 items and then the usual 5 projects for $12 stamp camp.  It's always a great turnout.  Plus we have cake and this year we had a couple cocktails too :)  I love Miami Vices!!!!  So hopefully this year you'll come over for my birthday stamp camp.  Mark the date...DECEMBER 11th.  Two weeks before Christmas!

And what a wonderful time to do birthday cards/projects.  With the holidays in full swing, it's always nice to get out and not worry about things!

I stamp the chevron in VersaMark on Basic Grey paper and then heat embossed in silver.  I did throw a little dazzling diamonds in the embossing powder too but you can't really tell from these pictures.  Have a great day!!!

Paper Pumpkin Promotion EXTENDED!!!

Have you tried Paper Pumpkin?  Do you know what Paper Pumpkin is?  Well, now is the time to find out and subscribe!

Each month you get this wonderful kit delivered stratight to your door!  It's designed for you to take a 30 minute break from everything and just create.  The kit is $19.95 a month.  You subscribe and manage your subscribption as you like.  You can skip a month or two and then resubscribe if you're going to be gone or just want a break.

I was a paper pumkpin subscriber and wasn't very happy....along with many other people.  Well Stampin' Up! has listened!!!  And it's better than ever.   And with this, they're offering a great promotion for new subscribers!!!  Get a free set of markers!

Remember when you sign up to choose me as your demonstrator!  Everyone who signs up receives a little something from me :)  CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!!!!

Card? Box? POP-UP CARD BOX!!!

It's a Card....It's a Box....It's a Pop-Up Card Box!!!!  I just loved this Pop Up Card Box Tutorial from SplitCoast Stampers.  I do love to visit this site when I'm looking for something new to create.  And this tutorial just popped right up.  I decided to do mine as a birthday card.

This picture is of the first card using the exact measurements.  I did however make the base smaller when I did this for my Stampin' Six Club so that you could put it in a regular sized envelope if needed.  The great thing about this tutorial is that you can use it for just about anything...birthday, valentines, easter, get well soon, thank you, and so much more.

The color combination is Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise, and Strawberry Slush.

More Leadership Conference Pictures :)

I just wanted to show you a little of the place I stayed at when I attended Leadership in Houston, Texas.  We stayed at the Embassy Suites which was a little pricey but Sherrie Robinson was able to block a group of rooms and it was such a great deal!

The rooms were fantastic!!!  This is a picture of the living room where I actually slept....for those of you who know me well...I do not sleep well next to others.  So I opted for the couch which was super comfortable!

 This is a picture from the doorway looking back to where the bedroom is.  The mirror on the wall over the wetbar was gorgeous.  I love the pattern of the flooring with the different styles of lamps and fixtures.

The bathroom was cozy and roomy at the same time.  This lovely mirror gave this room just a little bit of style.  One thing I didn't like about the bathroom was the sliding door...not a pocket door...but more like a barn door.  It didn't stay shut very well.

 This was the bedroom.  The beds were comfortable....well the little bit that I sat on them anyways.

 Our view from the window was nice.  We were on the 9th floor and if you looked straight down you'd see the outside heated pool.  Here you can see the convention center which reminds me of a cruise ship.

Well besides the wonderful room, we enjoyed complimentary drinks and appetizers every night from 5-7 and a HOT breakfast every morning. It was well worth having to walk 3 blocks to the convention center. 

With Valentine's Day approaching fast, I decided to share some "Love Notes" I received in a swap from Leadership Conference in January.  I just love these little 3x3 notes.  They're easy to make and you can do as much or as little to them as you want.

And with the new Envelope Punch Board you can create any size envelope you'd like!!!  Click on the link to be taken to my website to order the punch board.  Let me know if you'd like more information :)

A Little Scrap Book Humor

Today, I got together with my sister and best friend to discuss things about this next weekend at our Scrap Book Retreat.  We discussed what food we're going to bring, what to make for our meal for everyone, and of course what items we'll bring for our Scrap Booking supplies.  This joke which I took a picture of from a slide at Leadership, was so appropriate for how I've been feeling lately with my scrap booking.  I really really really love putting together the paper, ink, and accessories but sometimes I wish it would just magically be done and caught up.  None the less, I'm super excited to get some serious scrap booking done...and maybe a little more crazy too!!!

In case you can't read it, it says:  "I've been Scrapbooking for ten years and I've got two pages done already!" and the other lady says, "Wow, you're fast!