Project 365: Week 35

Monday, August 24, 2009


I started being in the kitchen again this week! Tonight it was homemade mini pizzas and breadsticks. The kids enjoyed helping create these masterpieces!


Tuesday, August 25, 2009


I was in the mood for comfort food, but I really didn't want to cook. But when I thought of Country Fried Steak and Cream Gravy, I decided it would be worth it. So after spending quite a bit of time in the kitchen tonight, I came up with this wonderful dinner. It tasted SO GOOD! And there is enough left over for dinner tomorrow night so I won't have to cook! YAY!


Wednesday, August 26, 2009


The kids sat out on the porch tonight waiting for Daddy to come home. It took over an hour for Dad to actually show up, but Mom got some really cute photos of JJ & Beth as they waited!


Thursday, August 27, 2009


I didn't get a picture today. I wasn't really feeling well and I basically laid around all day and worked on my pirate kit. But I'll share my favorite photo from yesterday's "Waiting for Dad" photo shoot.


Friday, August 28, 2009


Beth has been an amazing sport this week. JJ has been gone all day to school and she hasn't had anyone to play with except her mommy, who really wasn't feeling well. So she brought her toys to my bed and we hung out playing with her new Barbies that her Grandma Smith gave her. I was working on my pirate kit too and I looked over at one point and she was fast asleep! All that playing wore her out!



Saturday, August 29, 2009


The kids played extremely well together today. At one point, I could hear lots of giggling coming from their room, when I went into see what they were up to, I found this masterpiece of an amusement park that they had built and the ponies were "going on a ride."



Sunday, August 30, 2009


Today's funny story:
Beth was watching me play one of my favorite computer games - Aperion - and after I died several times in a row, she said "Mom, you're not very good at this game." She just calls it like she sees it.

Sundays are the day we add/change up the kids' chore charts for the week. Beth got mopping the floors and JJ got to deliver all the laundry to the laundry room. I love seeing them do such a good job and learning to help out around the house!

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Question Answered

As far as reading books together - how do you & Joey do that? Do you read aloud and take turns? Or are each of you reading the same book (have 2 copies)?

Well actually I hate reading out loud, so Joey reads and I listen. It's a good arrangement and we still can discuss the book and everything - and the best part about it is that we are spending time together doing what we both love to do - read.

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Designer Spotlight Chat with Jen

Please join us tonight for a chat with our featured designer, Jen Maceyunas! In 50 minutes exactly - 8pm EST!

Hope to see you there!

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High/Low - August 28th + Freebie

My LOW for this Week is that I have been so tired and after I put the kids to bed, I just want to go to bed too. And this is very hard for a night person! It's driving me crazy that I haven't got the design time in that I am used to and that I can't watch a movie at night without falling asleep. I really hate getting old!

My HIGH for this Week is that Joey and I have started reading a book together every night. We have done this in the past and it's always nice. We are reading TIME OF MY LIFE by Allison Winn Scotch. So far it's a fun read. I really hope we carry this on and read other books with each other. It's really a great way to spend time together!


I have another freebie for you today that goes with my upcoming AHOY THERE MATEYZ Kit. Hope you like it! Have a great weekend and would love to hear from you, if you feel up to it!



DOWNLOAD LINK

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Project 365: Week 34

Monday, August 17, 2009


I'm so excited about the new look on my blog! I didn't even know what I was missing until I happened to find some inspiration/instruction on how to update the look on your blog and started playing! It just feels so "me" and I'm so glad that I did this!


Tuesday, August 18, 2009


I love the wonderful moments when my kids are just so sweet together. They were playing so well together today and I pulled out my camera to watch them play through my lenses. I was so happy when they decided to give each other a hug - so precious!


Wednesday, August 19, 2009


JJ had a hard time keeping his excitement in today. Tomorrow school is going to start! He had to be sure he was ready and got his backpack, shoes, and his clothes put out by his bed. We did laundry and cleaned up the house today as well as begin our nighttime schedule for the school year with baths, scriptures, reading stories, and prayers.


Thursday, August 20, 2009


Morning came bright and early, but JJ was ready. He was so excited and it didn't take very long to be ready. We spent quite a lot of time outside on our porch, waiting for the bus!!! He came home with a big smile on his face and said that school was great!


Friday, August 21, 2009


I really love that JJ gets picked up and dropped off right at our doorstep everyday. It's a wonderful blessing to not have to actually get dressed and out the door so early to take him somewhere. And I really love seeing the delight on JJ's face as he climbs on and off the bus!


Saturday, August 22, 2009


We woke early and headed down to Grandma and Grandpa Smith's house for an overnight stay. It was nice to be there and we got lots of time to visit. JJ and Beth LOVED playing with their cousins, Logan and Alyssa and it was fun to see them play so good together. They got to draw pictures and play with all of Logan's toys. Joey and I got to play the Wii for a long time and it was really fun to do that together!


Sunday, August 23, 2009

It was a long weekend, but we made it through. I can honestly say that I am so grateful for HOME. We may not own our own house, we might have an old broken down van, but it's still HOME because Joey and I and our kids are together and I am so grateful for a husband who works so incredibly hard all the time to give us what we have. Life isn't always perfect and I can't help but dream of a house and a nice car and other things - but I'll take what I can get and be grateful for my life with my family and all the adventures that it brings. Alongside Joey and my children, I am HOME and it's where I belong. One of our family's favorite songs and kind of our family's motto is by Laurie Berkner, "We're not perfect, no we're not. We're not perfect, but we've got what we've got. We do our very best, we do our very best, we do our very best each day. But we're not perfect, and we hope you like us that way."

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Getting to Know Each Other

If you've been tagged or are reading this, you have the honor of copying all these goofy questions, writing your own response, and tagging 25 other victims. You have to tag me so really you just need 24 more people. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you - but not in a creepy stalker kind of way. This was again in Facebook - feel free to participate and leave a link to your own responses! :)

1. What time did you get up this morning:
7:45am

2. How do you like your steak?
Very Well Done

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Julie & Julia

4. What is your favorite TV show?
This one is hard - I love tv shows and am always getting introduced to new ones and old ones, etc. From the ones that are on right now, Lost is definitely up there.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
I would probably just stay in Utah - but I would like to move out of the Orem/Provo area.

6. What did you have for breakfast today?
Marshmallow Mateys (cold cereal)

7. What is your favorite cuisine?
Italian

8. What foods do you dislike?
anything minty or pretty much all seafood.

9. Favorite Place to eat?
Olive Garden

10. Favorite salad dressing?
Ranch

11. What kind of car do you drive?
Plymouth Voyager

12. What are your favorite clothes?
anything comfy

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?
Australia

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?
probably 1/2 empty - I need to work on that.

15. Where would you want to retire?
Wherever my family is

16. Favorite time of day?
Evening when the kids are in bed

17. Where were you born?
Kanab, Utah

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Football (Go Colts!)

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?
Maybe you?

20. Person you expect to tag you back first?
It could be you!

21. About whose responses to this are you most curious?
Anyone and everyone!

22. Bird watcher?
No, but hummingbirds are interesting to watch.

23. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Night

24. Do you have any pets?
No

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?
My Happily Ever AfterZ Kits are getting an amazing response. THANK YOU!

26. What did you want to be when you were little?
An author

27. What is your best childhood memory?
Working with my family on the ranch and playing with Beverly and Misty at the crik!

28. Are you a cat or dog person?
dog

29. Are you married?
Yes

30. Always wear your seat belt?
yes

31. Been in a car accident?
Yes

32. Any pet peeves?
zits, snobs, and probably more that I just can't think of right now.

33. Favorite Pizza Topping?
Meat and cheese

34. Favorite Flower?
Roses

35. Favorite ice cream?
Cookies 'n Cream and Chocolate chip Cookie Dough

36. Favorite fast food restaurant?
Taco Bell

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test?
0

38. From whom did you get your last email?
aussiegirl

39. In which store would you choose to max out your card?
Amazon

40. Do anything spontaneous lately?
No

41. Like your job?
Yea

42. Broccoli?
Sure, as long as you cook it first.

43. What was your favorite vacation?
Disneyland this past March

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?
Joey and the kids

45. What are you listening to right now?
My kids fighting.

46. What is your favorite color?
Navy Blue and Forest Green

47. How many tattoos do you have?
None

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz?
0 - unless you want to join in.

49. What time did you finish this quiz?
4:34pm

50. Coffee Drinker?
No

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First

You've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with the Firsts for YOU. At the end, choose 26 people to be tagged. This was from Facebook, but I'm just going to do it here and if any of you want to do it too - GREAT! LOL

1. Where was your FIRST vacation?
That's hard - I'm not sure. When I was young my family used to take a trip almost every summer. We visited a lot of Indian Ruins and Ghost Towns and fun things like that.

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?
I had crushes, but my first real love would be my hubby - and of course I talk to him.

3. What was your FIRST job?
Working for my Dad on the ranch: herding cows, building fence, hauling hay, etc.

4. What was your FIRST car?
An old subaru - man, I miss that car.

5. Who was the FIRST person to text you today?
I don't text

6. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning?
Joey

7. Who was your FIRST grade teacher?
Mrs. Lee

8. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane?
Washington DC

9. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk?
Beverly and yes we do

10. Where was your FIRST sleepover?
Probably either at Bev's or Misty's

11. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today?
Joey

12. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time?
My sister Kori's.

13. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning?
Forced myself out of bed.

14. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to?
I can't remember who it was. I remember going with my sister to a country star concert, but I can't remember who it was now.

15. FIRST tattoo?
None

16. FIRST piercing?
None

17. FIRST foreign country you've been to?
Mexico

18. FIRST movie you remember seeing in the theater?
I have no idea.

19. FIRST Detention you had?
I never had detention.

20. What was the FIRST state you lived in?
Utah

21. If you had one wish. What would it be?
To have enough money to get us out of debt, have a nice car and own a house.

22. What is something you would learn if you had the chance?
Some organizing/balancing your life tips!

23. Who do you think will be the next person to post this?
Who knows...it could be you!

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High/Low - August 21st + Freebie

My LOW for this Week is that my designing is once again slower than I would like. I wanted to finish the pirate kit before this week ended and it just didn't quite happen - but I am making headway on it. Hopefully it will be finished next week.

My HIGH for this Week is that school started this week and I've already gotten our family on a much better schedule than we were doing this summer. I think I am accomplishing more around the house and that is always great!


I have a quickpage freebie for you today. It also serves as a SNEAK PEEK into the kit that I am working on. AHOY THERE MATEYZ will be the HnH Deal at 3Scrapateers from September 12-26. I'm still working on it but should have it finished up next week. If you have anything that you would love to see in this pirate kit - please let me know! I hope you enjoy it!

Have a great weekend!



DOWNLOAD LINK

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Internet Meme

My hubby did this on his blog and I thought I'd give it a shot too - pretty funny:

The rules, as I got them, are as follows:

1. Put your music player on shuffle
2. Press forward for each question
3. Use the song title as the answer
4. NO CHEATING!!! What you get is what you get!

1. How am I feeling today?
Following the Leader - Peter Pan (Disney)

2. About your marriage?
Hold on - The Secret Garden (musical)

3. What is my best friend’s theme song?
Please Remember Me - Tim McGraw

4. What is/was high school like?
Take a Chance on Me - ABBA

5. What is the best thing about me?
Song of Testimony - Janice Kapp Perry

6. How is today going to be?
Seize the Day - Newsies

7. What is in store for this weekend?
Any Dream Will Do - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat

8. What song describes my parents?
With or Without You - U2

9. How is my life going?
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Tammi Terrell

10. What song will they play at my funeral?
Heroes and Friends - Randy Travis

11. How does the world see me?
Going Through the Motions - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Once more with Feeling episode)

12. What do my friends really think of me?
Let it Go - Michael McLean (Best Two Years soundtrack)

13. Do people secretly lust after me?
Release Me - Wilson Phillips

14. How can I make myself happy?
Boots - Laurie Berkner

15. What should I do with my life?
Stay Awake - Mary Poppins

16. How many children?
I Don't Wanna Live - Chicago

17. What is some good advice?
To Make You Feel My Love - Garth Brooks

18. What do I think my current theme song is?
The Power of Love - Huey Lewis & the News (Back to the Future soundtrack)

19. What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
Without You - My Fair Lady

20. What type of men/women do you like?
Footloose - Kenny Loggins

21. How long will you be married?
Place in this World - Michael W. Smith

22. What should I do with my love life?
Don't Look So Sad - Kasey Chambers

23. Where will you live?
Next to You - Wilson Phillips

24. What will your dying words be?
How Soon is Now - The Smiths

25. How’s your day going so far?
Ballad of Serenity - Firefly (Joss Wheden)

26. How’s your love life?
Where to Find Me - Watermark

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Why my DollZ don't have faces....

So I felt I needed to express myself a little more fully in regards to my DollZ. I honestly didn't realize that many people wouldn't understand why the face is blank. Many have expressed that it feels to them like "ghostly/haunting." I don't feel that. It is beautiful to me. I feel that you can use your imagination and that the doll can be anything you want it to be.

From the moment I first saw them, I have loved the Willow Tree Figures so as I was creating my DollZ that is the first thing I thought of. I knew I wanted them to have blank faces. I wanted the qualities of pureness, beauty, imagination to shine through and I feel that they did.

I was reading an interview with the creator of the Willow Tree Figurines and she was asked the same question of why her figurines have blank faces and she expressed perfectly how I feel:

"This ties into the viewer becoming more of a participant in the understanding of the piece. It makes it more personal for the giver and the receiver to envision what or whom they want. At the time I created Willow Tree, I had never seen it done before, except for my knowledge of Amish women who would sew dolls for their children. Because of their religion, they did not embellish the faces; I loved the simplicity and pureness of the way those dolls looked. It’s the perfect example of 'less is more' - what is missing can speak volumes. Simplicity of form is one of my guidelines."


So I will be offering some different faces every now and again (probably as freebies on my blog) for those of you who need faces, but as for me - I will be leaving my DollZ BLANK.

Oh and a woman emailed me today with a great idea - look for a BUILD-YOUR-FAMILY DollZ Kit in the future - with Men, Women, Boys, Girls, and Babies for you to use to make up your own family. LOVE THE IDEA. I will be working on it and hoping to complete it this Fall!

Also just so you know - the different tearz creations in the Happily Ever AfterZ Kits don't have faces either - that is for 2 reasons - to match the DollZ and to try and make them enough different that they wouldn't violate copyright.

THANKS FOR LISTENING,

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SPEED CROP!!!

Please join me for this month's SPEED CROP!

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Freebie - DollZ Faces

I have a freebie for you today. My very first customer (in 2006) has been urgently requesting faces for my DollZ. I'm not sure exactly why, but I really didn't want to do it - because I loved my DollZ how they are. They were created to have blank faces - I love that style. But today, I realized that as a designer my responsibility isn't to just create "what I like." I should be definitely listening to all of you and helping you to create your layouts with YOUR style. So I'm sorry that it took me so long to do this - but today I created 4 faces to go on the DollZ. They aren't perfect, but they are a start. Later on, I will work on some better ones to give away that you can use, but in the meantime, I hope this works!

This is for you Sharon - thank you for being my first customer and for all the support you have always given me. Sorry it took me so long to come around!



DOWNLOAD LINK

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What do you want: Pirate kit?

Hi everyone,

I'm currently working on a pirate kit (with BearZ and DollZ) - and I was just wondering - what would you like in a pirate kit? You can tell me here in the comments or jump over to my Facebook Group (link on the sidebar) and join in on the discussion!

Thanks!

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Project 365: Week 33

Monday, August 10, 2009


Beth was so excited about the beautiful tutu that Aunt Amy made her! She danced and twirled in the kitchen all day! Thanks Aunt Amy!


Tuesday, August 11, 2009


I'm trying to get organized and efficient in all the different areas in my life. I've had an awesome program for years that I kept saying that I was going to use and never have. Well now it's the time. The program is called Cookware Deluxe and it is a recipe collector/menu planner/grocery list program. I spent all day typing in my recipes. I thought I could get it done in one day - but I was wrong. I still have tons to do on it - but once I get all my recipes in there - it's going to be great. I'm going to do my monthly menu planning using it and it will even make my grocery lists for me (based on the recipes that I choose for the monthly menu). Can you say awesome!!!!! I can't wait until I get it done and can feel organized in this. I am always struggling every night to know what to make and if I can plan like this I think I will feel better about it and plus I think my grocery lists are going to be more efficient as well as less expensive!


Wednesday, August 12, 2009


I went outside to check on the kids and I found Beth hanging out in the wagon. She was just laying in there with her stuffed animals and it looked like she was going to go to sleep at any moment. I think she was just soaking in the sun (it has been rainy for the last couple of days - but sunny today). JJ was running around and occasionally pulling the wagon with her in it!


Thursday, August 13, 2009


Cody and Becki were awesome and planted a garden this year and we are reaping the benefits. They brought over some corn and it was so yummy! We haven't had Corn on the Cob in a long time and it was really wonderful. Beth who usually won't eat corn - LOVED corn on the cob!


Friday, August 14, 2009


It has been raining quite a bit this week and we got the most of it today and with the rain came a beautiful rainbow. I haven't stopped to look at a rainbow for awhile, so the kids and I reveled in it today!


Saturday, August 15, 2009


We met Grandpa and Grandma Smith for lunch today, since they were driving through from Wyoming on their way home. I can't believe it has been 2 years since we have seen them (they just got back from their mission to New Mexico). It was really good to visit and see them for a little while.

JJ and I had a special outing to the store today to pick up some new school clothes! Summer is almost over. JJ is such a good boy when he is alone with Joey and/or I. I think he just is so happy to have his parents attention. He's been a little difficult with Beth lately - I hope that school will help to be away for awhile and to get back on a schedule. But JJ was really cute and we had to bring home something special for Dad and Beth too. Beth got some new hairbands and Dad got a new shirt! :)


Sunday, August 16, 2009


I've had these responsibility charts for a long time, and we were using them and somewhere along the line we stopped. It's still been hanging in the kitchen, but we just didn't use them. I'm working more and more to get more organized in my life and it was time to get this started back up. It has a lot of behavior/chores/responsibility things and there is a lot my kids need to work on. We are starting with 3 things each week. If they are able to do all 3 things on a day then they get a small treat. If they do all 3 things - all 7 days - then they get a special outing/prize. I think it's going to take a while to make it work - but I think it's going to be a good thing for us. We need to stick with it!

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Twitter and Other Ways to Stay Connected!!!

So I broke down and got a twitter account and have updated the sidebar on the right here with all the ways you can stay connected to me and my designs. Links to my email, Facebook, my DesignZ by DeDe Facebook Group (that I will be working on to get all my previews in there and make announcements and such! - possibly even exclusive freebies/coupons/sales) and Twitter. You can also subscribe just using the RSS feed instead of the newsletter if you would like! I have my Facebook/Twitter/and Blog all connected so I'm sure things will be repeated lots - but feel free to subscribe and follow me! :)

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A New Look

So, I have had the same old look to my blog for a long time. I always had so many other things to do and I never got around to actually spicing it up and honestly, I didn't care. I was okay with a simple white background and a header and then the posts. Plus, I didn't really even know if I knew how to change it - so I didn't worry about it.

Well until....tonight. (technically I guess it's morning now - but oh well.) Joey was away doing his podcast, the kids were asleep, I had finished my Friday Freebie, and some other design stuff and I was thinking that I needed to get started on my next kit - but nothing was particularly coming to me - so I opened up my Google Reader and started to catch up on my blog reading. Somehow I ended up on KevinandAmanda.com - a blog I didn't know about until today and I'm so glad that I found. Anyways, I found a post that told me how to include my Signature at the bottom of every post - up until now I was inserting it in manually - so I was very excited and I got that working and I kept reading about other things to spice up your blog and I started trying them and really getting into it. My creative mojo came and I was actually having fun. I was trying different things and really enjoying learning how to do things. And then when Joey came home I realized it was the middle of the night/early in the morning and I was just so energized by actually having creativity that I kept going and now my blog is full of color and spice! I probably had a little too much fun and I hope it's not "too much," but I am really loving the look. I love brown and the splashes of color, I love that I was able to add little dollz of my family in the header and I love my BearZ Peeking out on the left. I think this is just what I needed to do something creative outside of the regular digital scrapbook design - I think maybe I can actually get to work on my next kits....

But I suppose since it's 4:30am and Joey is sleeping (and snoring) beside me - that it can wait until tomorrow or next week. I should probably get some rest. Sorry for the rambling - but thanks for listening.

So what do you think of the new blog look?


P.S. Oh and in case you were wondering - I used pieces from my Digital 365 Kits, ScatterZ 2, and of course I customized some BearZ and DollZ!

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High/Low - August 14th + Freebie

My LOW for this Week is that our van's starter & ignition died on us and it cost us over $450 to get it fixed. I can't wait until we can afford to have a nice car again.

My HIGH for this Week is that Joey surprised me and got his brother to babysit and took me to a late movie - ironically the same night that my LOW happened. It was so nice to go out with Joey! Thanks honey!


And I have a fun freebie for you today - another addition to the Happily Ever AfterZ! I hope you like it! Have a great weekend!



DOWNLOAD LINK

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NEW! TearZ Crew Members + Freebies

** So I have a crazy day tomorrow - and since I finally got everything ready - I figured why not announce it early again - so here you go!!!

I had an amazing response to my CT CallZ. I was so thrilled every time a layout audition came in. They were all completely wonderful and it was very difficult to make my decision. In fact I am adding 2 more ladies than I had planned - so out of the 32 applications - I picked 7 of them, so my creative team now has 12 Ladies and 1 Description writer! :)

The hardest part about having a CT Call is that you have to disappoint people and I hope each one of you know how much I appreciate your time and effort that went into applying! Unfortunately I couldn't take all of you and I hope you understand.

To make my selections, I looked at the Happily Ever AfterZ Layout and the galleries of each applicant. I especially looked at how the applicant used my product(s), because I felt that was really important. I did not base my selections on personal relationships.

Check out all the amazing layouts I received:

Some of the applicants also sent in quickpages and I am offering those to you as FREEBIES so a huge thanks to these wonderful ladies who were so generous!

DOWNLOAD LINK 1
DOWNLOAD LINK 2
DOWNLOAD LINK 3
DOWNLOAD LINK 4

Okay, without further ado, I'm very excited to present to you my new TearZ Crew Members! CONGRATULATIONS - I'm so happy to have you a part of my team and I can't wait to see the amazing layouts that you will create for me!

They are joining my current TearZ Crew: Fran, Keli, Lorilee, Mary, Rebecca, & Vickie (my Description writer)!

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NEW! StackZ and DollZ

I've added 2 new products to my stores!

First up, an addition to my Digital 365 Kits! This time I've got some stacked papers for you!




And then I have packaged up 24 DollZ from my Happily Ever AfterZ Kits for you! So in case you want the dolls, but don't want to purchase all of the kits - this one is for you!!!





Check out the links below to get them:
HAPPILY EVER AFTERZ: DOLLZ (scroll to the bottom)

DIGITAL 365: STACKZ



Enjoy!

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Designer Spotlight with Silvia Romeo

Please join me and our featured designer Silvia Romeo for another Designer Spotlight Chat tonight in the Digitals Chatroom at 9pm EST! You won't want to miss it!

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REMINDER - CT CallZ Layouts

Hi everyone - tomorrow (or technically today) - Monday, August 10th is the final day to get your CT Application Layouts in! So if you haven't yet, be sure to do it - I will be spending the week making my selections! I got 32 Applications and narrowing that down to 4-5 is going to be very difficult! But 32 is my favorite number - so I would say things are looking good!

If you applied, you will receive an email from me by the 14th telling you if you were selected (or not selected). I will announce my new CT members on my blog on August 15th.

THANKS!

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Project 365: Week 32

Monday, August 3, 2009


For the past couple of weeks I have been completely consumed with designing this new kit line. I have worked on this on and off for months - but the opportunity of a blog train and extra stuff had me getting it ready for this past couple of weeks. I got most of it done last week, but the first half of this week I had to completely dedicate myself to finishing it.


Tuesday, August 4, 2009


My poor children and hubby had to basically live without me as I worked long, very long hours to finish these up. I stayed up most of the night every night the past few days to get it done.


Wednesday, August 5, 2009


And then, I finally did it - I finished it. And I have been so amazed and blessed to have the response to it that I have - thank you all of you for your kind words. It has definitely taken a lot out of me to get it done - I need to spend some quality time with my family and away from the computer for awhile! WHEW!


Thursday, August 6, 2009


Today we took our monthly visit to Costco to stock up on some needed items! The kids enjoyed getting out of the house - especially since I have been so stuck to my computer lately.


Friday, August 7, 2009


I was trying to do some cleaning and get caught up with things today. I could hear the kids in their room talking and laughing. I was starting to wonder what they were up to when they came out to show me. JJ had dressed his sister up in his superman cape and hat. It was adorable - my little SuperGirl. It is always fun to see JJ taking care of and playing with his sister!


Saturday, August 8, 2009


A big day! We woke up early and headed to Lagoon (a local amusement park) to spend the day with Aunt Amy and Uncle Matt and cousins Logan and Alyssa. We actually haven't seen them in a couple of years and until today, hadn't even met Alyssa so it was really fun to be with them. The kids really enjoyed the rides and we benefited from an overcast day which was so great that it wasn't so hot! But since it was a little chilly we didn't go into the Lagoon-a-Beach like we were going to. Instead we got soaked on the Raft Ride and as we were leaving the park, Beth had to run through the water fountains (she loved it.) We then headed to a park and left Uncle Aaron with the kids and Joey and I went to the Bountiful temple to be with the Mortensens as they were sealed together for Time and All Eternity. We were late, but we made it just in time (of course that made us the center of attention as we walked into the room - sorry Curtis and Anne). But it was a very beautiful ceremony and I am so happy for them. We returned to Curtis and Anne's home for some refreshments and visiting. We got to meet Brandon and Sabrina's new little one, Kalissa too, so it was a wonderful day!


Sunday, August 9, 2009


Our Family Home Evenings are usually held on Sundays instead of the usual Mondays, just because Joey is usually home. We need to do better at actually having gospel lessons, but we have at least spent some quality time together. Lately it has been introducing the kids to some of our favorite movies that Joey and I watched growing up. Today we watched The Princess Bride! The kids will probably like it better when they get older - but it was still fun to watch it together today.

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Get Your Happily Ever After....

And check out these layouts from my TearZ Crew:

Enjoy!

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Sponsoring TrekWest 5

So I have mentioned my husband's podcast a few times in my Project 365 posts, but I haven't really told you about it and I thought I needed to correct that (Okay, so actually my husband said - so are you ever going to mention the podcast on your blog - and since I am a "sponsor" of their podcast, I thought that it was a pretty good idea. Sorry it took so long honey!)

My husband, Joey and our friend Peter do a weekly podcast where they discuss some of their favorite tv shows and the various political, philosophical, and humorous themes behind the episodes. They are currently discussing Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 5. (After Star Trek, they will be moving on to the tv shows, West Wing and Babylon 5 and then we will see what they will choose next.)

I admit that I haven't listened much to their podcast. Mostly little parts that Joey wants me to hear as he is editing it. But that is just because I'm not all that interested in Star Trek - but as soon as they move on to West Wing and Babylon 5, I will totally be listening to it every week. What I do find really neat (and yes, I am biased) about Joey's podcast is that they aren't just talking about the characters and the tv show (which they do some of too) - but they are talking about the deeper meanings and bringing in real-life discussions. I love that my hubby has an outlet for deep conversations and I just think it is a wonderful thing.

So I encourage all of you to try it out. The podcast is on iTunes and you can go back and listen to the previous podcasts. Joey and Pete both love hearing from their listeners and they bring in guests to discuss with them. They also have a new feature - where you can call in and leave a message with comments, suggestions, questions, etc and your comments will be added to the podcast.

So check it all out HERE and let us know if you are listening!

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High/Low - August 7th + Freebie

My LOW for this Week is that I have been feeling myself slip into a bit of depression. It runs in my family and I have times where I really struggle with it and for some reason this week has been really hard in that way. I'm fighting it and hopefully I win.

My HIGH for this week is the wonderful response I have gotten for my Happily Ever AfterZ Kits. It was really long in the coming and I'm so glad you are all liking it. I still have a bit of work to finish up with it, but most of it is in the stores and everything and that feels really good.


REMEMBER today is the last day you can request a kit for my CT CALLZ so get those requests in. The last day for your layouts is on the 10th so get them in! I will be announcing my new Creative Team members and the winners of my Blog Contest on the 15th!

I have a lot of catching up to do and I'm going to try and get everything done today - we will see how it goes. I have a fun day with family tomorrow at our local amusement park and so my weekend is busy, but hopefully I'll be REALLY back next week.

I do have a freebie for you today - a little addition to the WISHES OF THE HEART Kit! Have a great weekend!



DOWNLOAD LINK

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Chat Canceled...

Hi everybody - sorry to do this to you on short notice - but the Over the Hump chat on Wednesday, August 5th is CANCELED. I'm afraid that I am really not feeling well. I overdid it on designing lately and my family was in town and just everything came at me at once and I'm afraid it has hit me hard.

So please give me a week to get my life under control. Our Wednesday night crops will resume next week - Wednesday, August 12th.

As for the Digital 365 Challenge - look for it in a couple of days in the forum (keep up on those daily photos and weekly layouts!) and we will start the new MY FAVORITE THINGS challenge in September!


Thanks for your patience and once again - sorry to have to cancel!

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Another Question Answered

How long will the full kits be in the store???

Well Laura, I haven't really ever retired anything - so the answer would be Indefinitely - and Wednesday I will be putting them in ALL of my stores!

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Project 365: Week 31

Monday, July 27, 2009


JJ is one of the most active kids I know. He's always busy and hardly ever sits still - even when watching a movie or eating or anything else. Today, I walked into the living room and found him laying on the couch watching a movie. I thought for sure he must be getting sick or something and I sat down and finished the movie with him. As soon as the movie was over, he was back to his normal busy self and running around the house. I am grateful for the little moments when my boy will still snuggle with me - even if it is just for a little awhile.


Tuesday, July 28, 2009


So I went outside to discover a very long branch had fallen onto our lawn from the tree in our yard. It was pretty heavy too. Not sure what is happening to our tree - but we keep discovering small branches on our lawn - now, I am a little scared to just let the kids go play outside by themselves!


Wednesday, July 29, 2009


Joey bought me an iPhone!!! It was a very nice surprise - and he got a great deal on it too. I never expected to get one and never really thought I would even want one. I had my iPod Touch and I loved it - but I didn't really think I needed a fancy phone - but when it arrived today and I started playing with it - I fell in love with it. I spent the whole day goofing around on it - it is definitely addicting! Thank you honey!


Thursday, July 30, 2009


The kids got out their big coloring books today. It was fun to see how much they enjoyed coloring and they got along so well today!


Friday, July 31, 2009


My family arrived in town today. We had dinner and played at our house tonight. Both my sisters weren't able to come, but all 4 of my brothers made it and it's not often that all 4 of them are together - so of course we had to get a picture. I only regret not getting a picture of me with my brothers - I really should have done that - but of course - being the photographer, I didn't even think of it until later. It was really fun to have us all together and my kids enjoyed playing with their little cousin that they never get to see!


Saturday, August 1, 2009


So it was a long but very fulfilling day today. We got up early and went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House as a family and it was very beautiful. I love that I have been able to take my kids to 2 temples in the last few months. We then headed over to Hogle Zoo for awhile and then we headed back to Orem for some shopping and then a BBQ at my house for dinner. It is SO FUN to have my family here.


Sunday, August 2, 2009


My family headed home today and I'll miss them. One of the things that I enjoyed this week was trying my hand at a new skill - bread making! I love bread, especially rolls and I finally gave baking them a try and I think they turned out amazingly well. I made them 3 times this week and it was good to be able to share them with my family. Yea!

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August Back-2-School | Blog Train

I'm excited to be participating in this blog train with so many fabulous designers! This month it is all about BACK 2 SCHOOL!

Check out my little contribution:

DOWNLOAD LINK

Your next stop is ScrapManiac/Damsel Designs.

To see all participating designers, please check out the BLOG TRAIN BLOG.


Have fun and please feel free to leave your comments, questions, and suggestions by leaving a comment! I love to hear from you!

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