Words of Wisdom

"You can't sit around and wait for the storm to be over. You've got to learn how to dance in the rain."

I love it, how true these words are! A friend of mine just quit her job, packed up her belongs and pets, rented a truck and drove 15 hours with the hope that the storm will pass. Was Rachel moving to a guarenteed job, NO and while she continues her journey dancing in the rain, I am positive she will find the sunshine.

I just love this phrase and I hope that Rachel doesn't mind if I borrow it myself!

Twins Announcement

Finished, yeah!

My friend had twins, surprise, surprise in July and before she even had them we talked about putting together their birth announcement. Well, we finally took some time the other night trying to get just the right pictures, it was a job but alot of fun. I basically had the layout set-up and just needed the pictures. So while I was at her house we uploaded, inserted and tweaked this layout and then sent it over to Costco for a sample print. I have to say, I love Costco . . . so for 39 cents each Bonnie has her birth announcements and is tickled pink with the results.
This is just the start of things to come from iTTy DESiGNS. I have started designing . . . digitally for others, birth, graduation, puppy announcements, the sky is the limit. If you can think of it, I can work with you on it! My other passion is to begin designing digital scrapbooking supplies and kits, I have been starting to get the ball rolling on this entire endevor. Watch for more to come!

Kreative Homework - Lesson #23

I'm turning in my homework . . . thanks Kimi Boo. This lesson was turning a photo into a sketch. I just love the way this turned out and easy to do! Be sure an check out (http://kimikreations.blogspot.com). What I did once I got the picture the way I liked, I made a 5 x 7 postcard, added Text and a little brush work. I think I will be printing this and posting it in my office.

Kreative Homework!

Just goofing around this evening and decided to check out my Spragueland sista . . . Kimi Boo. Kimi always has some fun lesson on her site, I decided to play with a photo that I took a Ryleigh last night. Here you go, Kimi's Kreative Homework #6 (http://kimikreations.blogspot.com/). Now, isn't fun to have this kind of "Homework."

I had Homework!

Yes, I had home- work and I will be late in turning it in. My daughter's teacher assigned the parents homework on the first day of school. Why am I late, I didn't know the deadline and I just had not gotten the page done. I really wanted to find time to sit down with Ryleigh and work on it, but the days have just slipped by. Yesterday, after school Ryleigh informed me that our "homework" was due today but the teacher was giving us until Monday. So last evening, Ryleigh and I sat down and began our page. Ryleigh helped me go thru our pictures and then when went thru ACDSee looking for some stuff to use. Then I began to play around and eliminate some of the stuff we had downloaded. With Ryleigh's help we decided on the placement of the pictures and what brushes and colors we would add. Now, the real problem I needed to print this as a 12 x 12, Kinkos, no how about trying out Costco. I followed the directions at http://www.costco.com/ and uploaded my layout this morning then I received an email back stating that my order would be ready at 10:30 now that is service at a reasonable price ($2.99) too! I ran up to Costco and picked up my order, it is beautiful. I am very happy with the results from Costco and also the layout that Ryleigh and I have created.

9/11

7 years . . . where has the time gone? 9/11 forever changed us; I still get choked up just thinking about that day, it all seemed surreal. Of course, everyone always asks, "Where were you when you learned of the attack?" My answer is driving to the gas station, listening to my favorite Detroit Rock station DJ's who I thought were goofing around (their usually antics') when they said a plane just hit the World Trade Center. Yeah, right what these guys won't do was my first thought, and then moments later I realized just how serious Drew and Mike were. I continued about my morning, driving my daughter, Ryleigh to daycare and alerting the daycare center to turn on their TV that something is going on in New York. I then began my 70 mile drive to our lake to pay the late taxes at the township office. During my drive my husband called, he was to immediately report to his plant at Ford Motor Company since he is an ERT, they weren't sure what was the plan, but please report. Then I called my sister who was at work, disbelief. As I arrived about an hour later at the township office the ladies were not aware of the attack, turn on your radio or TV, I said. Here is my payment, I gotta go. Since my parents live at the lake I quickly drove to their house, they were not home but I let myself in just in time to see the second plane hit the other tower. I just couldn't comprehend what I was seeing, my husband called about then telling me to get back home, daycare called us to come and pick up our daughter they were closing the school for the day. I called my sister who decided to leave work and she picked up Ryleigh for us; we all converged at my house and spent the rest of the day staring in disbelief at the scope of what was happening. We shed many tears, discussed our fears and were just thankful we were together; some were less fortunate then us. May we never forget, I don't think it is possible . . . I am very proud to be an American!

Show your pride with a flag for your desktop - www.deskflag.com

Camp Counselor & Teacher Gift

Ryleigh had such a great time at the "Y" (YMCA) camp this summer we wanted to thank all her counselors for caring and being her friends. Also, when I saw this idea on www.jessicasprague.com forums from Kari karistamps.blogspot.com for a teachers gift I knew we had to put this together too! I really liked the kit Kari used Teachers Pet by Melissa Bennett and I purchased this kit also. For the counselors gift I just went thru my huge stash and found a few items that worked with the theme. I printed these out as 5" x 4" cards and folded them in half and stapled them to the cellophane treat bags that I already had on hand.

Ryleigh was so proud to take a gift for her conselors and as college students they were thrill to have a yummy snack.

Of course our real intent was to make a special treat for her new teacher, we kind of got side tracked making these for the conselors. We decided to wait to take the treats to school the evening of her first 1/2 day when they have a open house for the families. We headed for the office first and Ms. Beth the school secretary and Dr. Terry the school principle were both tickled to receive a "treat" and was her teacher Mrs. Brothers.

I filled the bags with a Peanut Butter & Butterscotch Crunch Mix, approximately 2 cups.

Peanut Butter & Butterscotch Crunch Mix

1/2 stick of butter

1 - bag of butterscotch chips - (melt together in a large pan)

add 2 large spoonfuls of peanut butter - (mix until blended over low heat)

add 1 box of Frosted Flakes

I usually add about 2 cups first and blend with a spaluta and once that is coated I continue to add about 2 cups until the I have mixed in the entire box.

Once this is all coated I have two large pieces of wax paper on my table and dump out the pan. I use a wooden flat edge spatula to break up the large chunks and let the mix cool for a hour or so. I like to refrigerate my crunch, it makes a great treat which is addictive!

First Day of School

Oh to be in 4th grade again . . . how time flies. Seems not that long ago that I was in fourth grade, but looks at how our world has changed. Life was much simpler all those years ago, 36 to be exact. I still remember my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Davis at the top of the stairs. Did I worry about the fashion statement that I would make, gees I don't think so. I have to say that Ryleigh's focus this past week or two has been what would she wear for her first 1/2 day of school and getting the right book bag. Now that lepoard print backpack from the last two years seemed to work really well but this year Ryleigh felt she needed a messenger bag from Aeropostale. I guess 4th grade will be a terrific year if you have the right outfit for the first day and a awesome messenger bag.

Birthday Wish

I can't wait, I asked for a WACOM Bamboo Tablet for my birthday . . .

I asked the Spragueland chicks what they thought of the WACOM tablet and it was a consensus that I needed one. I thought I would start with the small tablet and see what I can do with it. Looks like alot of fun and creativity should be flowing.