Spot of Tea

Work, Ice and Fireworks.

I've been having a great time working at Old Town University the last few weeks.  Updating the website, scheduling classes, picking out product, making class samples.  Lots of fun.  And then all the new products from CHA - yum!  Scribble Scrabble is just one of many that I can't wait to get my hands on.  So many others to choose from, fun, fun, fun.

Went to the Ice and Snow festival yesterday with friends.  Wow!  Some of those people are super talented.  It was a bit chilly but we had a great time.  Walked around the town, checked out a few stores, bought some fudge.  The kids were super bundled up and so cute.  We had to park a ways away from the festivities and walked into town.  The kids trotted along in their snow boots with their eyes huge and looking all about.

There were also fireworks after dark at the festival.  The kids loved it of course.  I tried to get some photos but none of them turned out.  I really wanted to capture a few above the castle.  It would have been so cool.  I did get one photo but it isn't as great as I wanted.  Saw a young couple trying to have their photo taken in front of the fireworks.  Their friend was trying to capture them kissing while a firework went off in the background.  Would be a great shot if you could time it just right.  I wonder how the photos turned out.

New Paper Lines, Websites and Sleep Overs

It is that time of year, Winter CHA!!  All the new paper lines are being introduced and I'm so looking forward to all of it.  I'm not going to be at the show and missed 2009 Summer show too, but I'm hoping that for Summer 2010 I'll be going.  It is exciting to see all the new products before they hit the stores.  Having to wait for it is a bit of a bummer but so worth it.  I'm looking forward to a few lines and hope that we'll carry at least two of them at The Loft at Old Town University.

photo courtesy of The Loft at Old Town University

I've been doing some updating on the website for Old Town University, part of my new job.  Lots of fun and I'm getting more familiar with all the ins and outs of it.  It's been a long time since I've done this much "computer" intensive work but I've always liked it.  So this is actually kinda fun and I even get paid for it.  I've got more updating to do for the website and more class planned.  Some great ideas for classes and even digi scrapping too.  Fun stuff coming up.

DD had a friend sleepover last night.  Her second sleepover ever.  They had a good time - watched a movie, ate popcorn,  put on a Barbie doll fashion show, played "model" and beauty pagent, went to bed around 10:30pm and slept in until 8:30am.  It was so cute and brought back alot of fun memories for me.  DD is definately a girly girl and even though she is much more outgoing than I ever was, she is alot like me.

School, Websites and New Paper

DD and I have been reading like crazy lately.  She brings home a new book each day and reads it to someone (or something like the dog or bird) at lease three times.  All this for "AR" tests.  Which, due to her love of reading and constantly doing so, she gets 100% on.  Now, even though she was a bookworm before, she constantly has her head in a book.  Part of me still isn't sure what the point of all this is.  One more thing for her to stress over for school, at such a young age too.  School is so not what I remember it being when I was young.  I loved learning, had fun, had a variety of activities everyday.  I did read tons, another bookworm.  But I don't ever remember stressing over tests in 1st grade.  That didn't start happening until high-school.  Our poor kids are having the fun of learning sucked right out of them, or so it seems.  I'm just glad that both my kids love to be read to, love looking at and reading books, love making up their own stories, and find my "learning is fun" way of giving them information entertaining.  My parents did a pretty great job instilling that love of learning in me and I hope I will do as good a job with my kids.

Checking out websites tonight too.  Blogs, scrappin' sites, my kids' favorites and the one I'm updating frequently Old Town University.  Haven't had a chance to visit many lately but just had to check out a few of my favs and try to get caught up.  Love Stacy Julian, of course so had to visit there.  Also checked out Write.Click.Scrapbook.  And just couldn't miss Tattered Angels, such lovely stuff.  Super cute things at My Little Shoebox also.  So many great things to see the closer it gets to CHA.  Wish I was going but maybe this summer.  Love seeing all the sneak peaks and new goodies that will be available soon.  Yeah.

And speaking (okay typing) of CHA ... I'm super excited to see all the new stuff.  Already have a few papers I can't wait to get a hold of for different projects.  Still trying to find some great new, different and not easily available in our area stuff to add to The Loft.  Also waiting for the new Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink colors, super yummy.

Busy, Busy Bee

Well, I have been missing in action for a bit I know.  Just started a new job last week so I'm trying to get back in the "working" zone.  My new job is fun, interesting and creative.  Love that.  I am working at a great place that I can't wait to help take off.  Old Town University is where my new job is.  I am going to be helping select product for the scrapping boutique in The Loft and also teaching scrapping / papercrafting classes there as well.  Part of my job is also updating the website and scheduling classes.  And there are plenty of classes besides scrapping - spanish, interior design, computer basics, photography, quilting, tai chi and even a book club.  We will be adding more classes as we go too.  Should be loads of fun keeping everything straight, working on the website, making samples, developing the scrap/paper classes.  Yep, I'll be busy.

 sample using valentine paper

The kids have been adjusting okay to the new schedule.  Since I only work away from home for 4 hours two to three days plus 8 hours on Friday it isn't too bad at the moment.  I get to do some of my job from home so that helps too.  I can work on the website at home and developing my classes and samples too.  We have had a few "fits" but just minor ones.  I'm glad that they aren't minding so far.  Since I'm here when both kids get up and home before DD gets home from school it seems to be working okay.  It reminds me of when my mom worked, she was home until we left for school and home before we got home.

DD had a "skating" party this past weekend to celebrate her birthday with her school chums.  It was her first friends party and it went pretty well.  I was pleased with how it worked out and how many of her friends actually came.  The party was a little expensive but I didn't have to worry about much except getting a count of the kids that were coming and getting DD to the skating rink.  The party cost included for each child skating fee, skate rental, hot dog, pop, chips, all the paper products and decorations.  I did pick up a cake because DD wanted a special ice cream cake rather than just a sheet cake.  The kids had a great time and a couple of parents are looking into having other parties there too.

Twelve, Goals and Exciting Stuff Going

Since one of my scrapping heros is Stacy Julian you know I follow her blog and she had on there a challenge about 12 minutes, 12 fav photos for 2009.  So I did just that and came up with the following photos.

 
I love these photos for different reasons and am going to make mini album that tells why I love each one.  And I think I've used more than one on a layout already.

And speaking of layouts ... I created one about my goals for 2010.  I got inspired to create it from the Write.Click.Scrapbook blog.  One of my scrapping goals is to use my "don't touch" stash of papers this year so I dug into my paper holder and got right to it.  Maybe if I use enough paper DH won't have a fit when I pick up more. :)

I also have a new "project" that I'm getting involved in.  It does have to do with scrapbooking/papercrafting and mixed media.  It also includes teaching classes and product selection.  I'm really excited and will tell you more as I get settled into what I'm doing.  Yeah!  I'll post some samples once I get them done.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Snow, School and Cookies

We are getting more snow today.  I am looking forward to more of the white fluffy stuff around here.  The kids can't wait to go sledding again and I just think it is pretty.  It was really cold around here over the weekend, the lows were in the negatives and the highs were only around 7 degrees F.  If it is going to be that cold we better have something to show for it.  Added more "snow" to my latest mini album too.  It should be completed tonight or tomorrow.

The first day back at school for DD was as expected.  She had homework, had fun and didn't want to get up to go this morning.  She is excited about Thursday, since she'll be handing out her birthday party invites that day.  Her first friends only party, should be fun.  Yesterday the teacher sent home a cool calender with things to do at home each day.  Yesterday's "to do" was - list three things you want to do new this year.  DD came up with her list - garden, decorate new bedroom, play soccer.  I made her a cute little notebook / mini album for her to record her lists and such in.  I like the idea of a list of new things you would like to do in the new year.  I plan on making my own list and making a layout about it.  Good layout theme for all of our family members.  Could be interesting to get a list from DS and sharing his 3 year old perspective.  How fun to borrow ideas from DD's school work for scrapbooking.

I'm planning on baking some cookies later tonight, after DD get out of gymnastics.  I think I'll make some Rumpledoodles - recipe is on the Pooh's Heffalump Movie dvd.  The kids love them and they go great with tea.  Maybe we'll even get around to making some Colonial Oatmeal Cookies.  They are super yummy and we all love the crispy, buttery, deliciousness of these treats.  Not very good for my new eating habits but I think I can handle one or two.  I might bake some pear crisp too.  We have a few pears left that are getting a bit soft so they need to be used soon.

Last Day of Winter Break

Tomorrow DD goes back to school, DH goes back to work and we get back into our usual routine.  Yeah!!  It has been nice having everyone at home spending time together.  We've had fun doing all kinds of out of the norm things - sledding, tons of baking, time with extended family.  But part of me is looking forward to a normal schedule, when I know what will be going on most of the time.  Hopefully anyway.

I purchased a gingerbread house kit at an after holiday sale, really cheap.  The kids had a great time decorating it themselves.  Was messy, gloppy and so much fun.  Actually got some photos of them decorating it.  Good thing since they started picking off the candies to eat almost as soon as the frosting set up.  By this afternoon they are already tired of all the sweets.

Got a few layouts completed in the last few days based on some challenges at 2 Peas in a Bucket.  I'm trying to use up a bunch of my stash since I have tons.  I really would like some new papers but should wait until I use up more of the stuff I have.  And since I've got a ways drive to get to scrapbook store I want to pick up a bunch of new stuff when I go.  And my wish list is a mile long.

I'm also getting ready for my first one-stroke painting class at Jo-Ann's.  Should be interesting and I'm looking forward to it.  I'd like to make a few samples of other ways to use what the class teaches yet.  Need to finalize my step-out boards too.  I also have an idea that I want to use on a layout too.  Need to make an inspiration / crafty to-do notebook so I can keep track of all the things that I want to work on this year.

New Starts, New Stuff and New Fun

Since it's the 'new' year it's time for a new start.  Yep, I'm starting a new walking program and got up early to do so this morning.  Lots of goals for this year which I came up with while taking it super easy yesterday.  The entire family basically sat around in our jammies all day and relaxed (well as much as young kids can relax).  Was a nice quiet day, refreshing.  I'm also making a new start on eating healthy.  Just have to make sure that "healthy" doesn't become "boring".  I'm usually good for a week or two then get bored.  But the family needs to eat better and Dr. R. said I need to get back to before.  Seems like a good time to start.

While we were just veggin' out yesterday the kids had time to play with all their new stuff from the holidays.  They of course came up with their favorites.  I wasn't really all that surprised that the favorites weren't the new kiddie digi camcorder or the new moition video game that the kids just had to have.  DS's favs are new cars and the Shark Attack set from Hot Wheels.  Loves to play with cars all the time and what could be better than ramps, noise and traps for the cars?!  DD's favs are the American Girl dog Coconut and a Barbie hairstyle set.  Good, old-fashion, use your imagination type toys.  Love it.

 

The plan for today is to get myself ready before the kids are up (so far so good), make waffles with berries for breakfast (yum), and go for a snowy nature walk, and all the other gotta do things like laundry, dishes, and junk.  The nature center by our house has made some new "snow trails" to explore so we're hoping to do a little tromping in the snow.  After we'll enjoy some hot coco and homemade granola treats.  At least that is the plan.  If the trails don't work out then we'll try more sledding or maybe ice skating.  Trying to get outside active time in everyday, as long as it isn't too cold.  I love the snow and so do the kids.  Maybe I'll even get my cross-country skis out yet this weekend.  Fun stuff.

Just thought I'd sneak in my Top Ten fav layouts (and maybe a bonus project or two) for 2009, in no particular order.