PageMaps Publication

I'm so excited! My "Beautiful Timing" layout is featured in Becky Fleck's April 2008 PageMaps newsletter. I love Becky's website. Here's a link:

http://www.pagemaps.com/

Most of the products used were from my January 2008 Memory Works kit.

I hate paperwork!!!

I am slowly.....no, make that quickly, drowning in paperwork. This time of year, many parents are signing their students up for SAT's and paying their obligatory $55-ish fee. This is all just a vague memory for me now, given the age of my oldest kids. For my youngest, though, it's a WHOLE different ballgame. sigh. He has dysgraphia due to anatomical abnormalities in his hands. For that reason, he needs to use a computer during the essay portion of the SAT's, and quite possibly for all of those hundreds of little bubbles that must be neatly filled in.

So, instead of paying $55-ish, we are paying $$$$ (yes, that's 4 $$$$) to obtain proper assessments to attach to an application to the College Board. There is the neuro-psych, the psychologist, the school psychologist, the occupational therapist, and the school career counselor on Team Stephen. And the paperwork?? Oy! I have filled out SO many applications to date that my neck hurts, and I've made so many extra copies of prior assessments that by all rights, I should have each line of all 100+ pages memorized by now. sniffle. NO, make that SNIFFLE!!!! There isn't enough Excederin back and body pain reliever to help me this week. And yet, we're only part way done. Two reams of paper, one ink cartridge, numerous car trips, numerous phone calls, one school meeting, and we're still in the process of obtaining what is supposed to be a free service for disabled students. Oh....it could be free. We could go through our school district for all of the testing, but the problem with that is when my son steps onto public school property, he is suddenly "cured". He can't pass simple occupational therapy tests administered by private professionals, yet magically seems to pass the tests at the public school. I guess anatomy isn't something that our public school district administrators are required to learn. Why does this miracle take place only on public school grounds? That's easy to answer....if he fails the public school test, then they *gasp* will have to pay for the services that we otherwise have paid for. Arrrrgggg!!!! Sure, we could, and should, hire lawyers. But instead we've chosen to put our money into private education and private professionals. Our school district's lawyers are better than any other lawyer that I've seen any parent hire yet, but that's a WHOLE other story.

And will all this effort be successful? No. Not at first. The College Board has a nasty habit of immediately disqualifying all applications for accommodations. We will most likely have to appeal, which is why we are starting this process about a year ahead of time. Thank goodness for knowledgeable school personnel and staff, because they are the ones who told us to act NOW.

And the reward? Well, long term it will be a college education and greater independence for our son, who is an academic genius. But short term, it will be another round of testing in another year and a half to obtain accommodations for college. The fun never ends.

OK....time to take my whiny, neck-achy, fatigued body back up to the copier. sniffle.

Calling all Brain Cells

I have noticed that since my surgery, that I am not the smartest knife in the drawer (as my DD would put it.....yes, smartest instead of sharpest, silly girl).

Case in point, this last week I managed to do, in over 200 weekly trips to Oakland, what my husband did in 2 just trips. I got a parking ticket (oh boo hoo, I'll get over it)

Now in my husband's defense, he parked next to a broken meter and thought the warning sign "You will be ticketed if meter is expired, even if meter is broken" was just some sort of verbage put there to scare away people who dared to park next to a not-so-obviously broken meter. He soon found out otherwise.

In my case, however, well.....I have no defense. But I still blame that surgery! I swear that some of my brain cells are still "under". It's the only thing I can think of! So here I was in Oakland last week, pulling up in front of my son's doctor's office. Normally I pull into the "double parking zone" while DS hops out and heads into his appointment. I then drive off to find friendly, free parking a few blocks away. This day, however, we scored the jackpot. There were 3 open spaces in front of the office!!! I pull into the front space and DS hops out. I plan to park, but look up and see a meter. There weren't meters at the other spaces, and so I think, "Du'h, I'll just back up and park at the spaces without the meters," totally forgetting the new parking system in Oakland. The new system is no meters.....you simply swipe your credit card at a central machine, receive your parking permit, and then dash back to your car before the meter reader can start writing a ticket (I've seen people get tickets while standing at the central meters!). Now I knew this when I pulled up, and planned to go to the central meter. But, I guess seeing the old parking meter there threw me off. After backing into a "free" space, I got out and walked to the doctor's waiting room where I sat, all smug at my "brilliance". After the appointment, we walked to the car where I found my parking ticket, snuggled into it's bright green return envelope (sure....parking is inconvenient, but paying the ticket is?), stashed under my windshield wiper. Oh why wasn't it raining buckets on that day? So I look at my ticket, look at where there is no meter, and say out loud to DS, "This ticket says that I have an expired meter? How can I have an expired meter if there is no....." Click! The lighbulb goes on!

All I could do is laugh at myself, and go home and pay the blasted fine!

My First Fiskars Training!

This last Saturday was my first Fiskars training. I was set up for 8 people, but life comes at us fast and only 2 were able to make it. So sad for the rest, because Jackie, Karen and I had a blast! So much fun!

My next training is a private one in March, followed by my last group training before Fiskars stops the program on March 31st. I sure hope that more people can join me before then, because we had such a great time. We had to laugh at how much mess just 3 people could make!

Ouch - That's Gotta Hurt

Poor, dumb, sweet BooKitty. For her entertainment, and ours (of course), Santa brought us a light-up squeeze ball. Squeeze the ball, and it lights up with all sorts of colors. Boo enjoys it, or rather she did. Last night Stephen squeezed the ball and placed it on the floor in front of her. She bent over for a sniff, and "wham", it came to life. It scared the beejeebers out of her, and up she jumped, several feet straight into the air (Michael Jordan would have been proud). There was just one itty bitty problem.......she was sitting under the coffee table when she did this. So, what would have probably been a 5 foot vertical jump became an 8-inch abrupt stop with her head. Ouch!

Clipboard Calendar

This week I put together a mini-clipboard calendar. This was quite easy to make, and fun to do. The most fun was using the Fiskars craft drill (see those inked bolts at the bottom of the clipboard?). Sure, I could have probably used my Cropadile, but the drill was SO much fun. I like using tools like drills and hammers, even if the newer scrapbook gadgets are easier. There is just something satisfying about hand tools.

This project was first seen on Fiskars TV, on the 11/01/07 episode featuring Leah Fung.

For the list of supplies, check out my Scrapbook.com gallery:

http://scrapbook.com/galleries/80404/view/1229477/-1/0/1.html

Cali

Cali

Rest in Peace

January 17, 2008

Cali was such a sweet kitty. She showed up on our doorstep 3 years ago, hungry and alone. And relentless. After turning my eye when DD fed her, I finally gave in and fed her myself. The poor kitty was losing weight! We took her in and she immediately began to rule the roost. Well, that did not go over well on our two indoor cats. We ended up moving Cali to the garage, where she became our yard/patio/garage cat. She was spoiled. Plenty of nice cat food, lots of blankies, beds, heaters, and a "Cali-cam" so that DH could keep an eye on her. This summer her health declined drastically, and we had to confine her to the garage to protect her from neighbor's dogs, cars, and raccoons. The vet ran all sorts of tests, but the results were inconclusive. We brought her in often and kept her happy with treats. We kept her safe and warm and comfortable. But, when blindess set in, and deafness began creeping around the corner, and her sense of smell began to wane, we had to make the difficult decision to put her to rest. We are having her remains cremated and placed into a box with her pawprint on top. We wish we could have known her her entire life, but as DS so simply stated, "we provided her with a good retirement home". The garage is now a lonely place (no company while doing laundry), and the patio is no longer graced by her beauty. She is missed.

Our Son the Awyer

On January 16th, our oldest son told us that he was accepted to George Washington University law school in Washington, D.C. We are so happy for him! He actually sent us an email stating, "I'm going to be a awer". Yep, an "awyer". A day later he said that he may not make a very good lawyer since he can't seem to spell it correctly! I told him, "Don't worry, honey. When you're a hot shot lawyer, your people will have people who will type everything for you!".

Um.......What Year is This?

I love online scrapping and galleries. Who better to catch your mistakes than the general public? Ha! This layout was posted in 2 of my online galleries for a day when I got a message from Tina C that basically said, "Did you mean Christmas 2007?", LOL! I had created all my holiday layouts and descriptions with the title, "Christmas 2008". Undo Undo Undo!! Oh, wait, that's for digital only! Thankfully I was able to repair most of the damage (as shown here, but for a chuckle, just refer to the descriptions left in my galleries). I personally blame all the meds and anesthesia still coursing through my system. Hey, that stuff can hang on for months, right? At least that's my excuse, he he he.

Bazzill cardstock (Artic Trio)

Heidi Grace patterned papers, ribbons and embellies

Ranger Stickles Silver and Waterfall

Greetings

I love receiving holiday cards, but always am at a loss as to what to do with them when the holidays are over. Do I toss them? Stuff them in a drawer for years, then toss them? Keep them displayed until the 4th of July, and then toss them? Leave them for my kids to toss them after I pass on (hey, mother did that to me!!!)? This year I decided to incorporate them into a 2-page layout (12x12).

Thanks to May Flaum and a glitter challenge that she posted this weekend for the Fiskateers online crop (tons of fun and prizes and RAKs, by the way), I added glitter to this layout and I think it really made a nice difference.

Cardstock: Bazzill Jacaranda (Artic Trio)

Patterned Paper: Heidi Grace Frost Blvd

Chipboard, stickers and flowers: Heidi Grace Frost Blvd

Glitter: Ranger Stickles Silver, Waterfall

Fiskars embossing border punch

Another Creation from Texas

Design by Fiskars/Cloud 9

This is a layout I started in Texas during my Fiskateers training, and finished last week (finally!!!). This layout was fun to put together in many ways. First off, the class was taught by Cheryl Waters. She is such a sweetie, and a very calm, methodical, and fun teacher. The scallops at the top of the page were created with the Fiskars Heart squeeze punch. What you are seeing is just the top of the hearts, lined up in a row. The bottoms are hidden behind the cardstock. To the left of the pictures is a piece of patterned paper that has been embossed with a Fiskars texture plate. Very easy, very fun. Another fun element is the border below the pictures which was created with a Fiskars border/embosser punch. The hearts at the bottom were created with two sizes of the Fiskars Heart squeeze punches.

The pictures are of my oldest son, Scott, and his darling girlfriend, Katie. The products are from the Cloud 9 Sorbet Villa line.

It's A Girl!

Here we are at the last page of my sketches, or perhaps the first, depending on where you started. To recap, I've had a lot of people ask about this baby album that I created, so I threw together some sketches to show alongside the finished pages. I had a great time putting together this album, and I would have to say that the Cricut New Arrival cartridge was central to all of these creations. The Cricut is such an easy device to use. I practiced a few times before attempting the die cuts seen in this album, but this was my first big project using the Cricut. Also central to this album is the Basic Grey Oh Baby Girl collection. It was so much fun, and quite easy, to work with a coordinated kit.

Cardstock: Bazzill Bling yellow
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Oh Baby Girl Lilly, Lilac
Die Cut: Cricut New Arrival cartridge
Queen and Company brads
Primas
gems

Sweet Dreams

This Cricut New Arrival die cut was perhaps the most fun to work with, aside from the stork and baby, or maybe it was the mommy and the baby? OK....so they're all fun! It was fun blending different cardstock colors with patterened papers on this one.

Cardstock: Bazzill Buttercup, pink
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Oh Baby Girl, Sophie
Die Cut: Cricut New Arrival cartridge
Letters: Basic Grey Oh Baby Girl, Basic Grey Sweet Pea Alyssa

Playtime

I had a lot of fun with the letters on this one. Using my Blocktype font, I printed out "Playtime" onto different colored cardstock. I then cut around each "block" to create a fun title.

Cardstock: Bazzill Apple Green, Apricot; Sassafras Lass Pink, Tickled Pink Vanilla Bean
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Oh Baby Girl Katrina, Macy
Die Cut: Cricut New Arrival Cartridge
Font: Blocktype

Pink is for Girls

It is nice to include a general page when creating a baby gift album. There are always precious photos or memories that parents will want to include that perhaps do not fit into the traditional themes for a baby album.

Cardstock: Memory Box Farmers Market Collection, Peony
Fabric: Mrs. Grossman's Fashion Fabrics, Pink Calico
Die Cut: Cricut New Arrival cartridge
Embellishment: Paper Bliss Bunnies

Sisters

********************************One of the fun things about creating a baby album for a younger sibling is that you get to include pages that involve older siblings.

Cardstock: Bazzill Sunshine
Patterned paper: Basic Grey Oh Baby Girl Rosebud, Taylor
Die Cut: Cricut New Arrival cartridge
Ribbon: Basic Grey Oh Baby Girl
Font: Beautiful ES
Buttons: SEI Simple Set Sunny, Serendipity
Staples: Making Memories, Light
Zig black pen

Announcement

********************************** I let the Announcement die cut from the Cricut New Arrival cartridge set the tone for this page. It's a great die cut, although experience has taught me that it's very difficult to make a small version with this because of all those intricate cuts.

Cardstock: Bazzill Bling Purple

Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Oh Baby Girl Lilac

Die Cut: Cricut New Arrival cartridge

Ink: Adirondack Eggplant, Dew Drop Brilliance Graphite Black

Stamps: Technique Tuesday Stitches
corner rounder
primas
button brads

Personal opinion: I used the Dew Drop ink pad for this page. I find the Dew Drop to be very juicy. I ended up with ink all oer my hands just from opening the container. My personal favorite ink is Colorbox, however, if lots of ink is what you are looking for, then Dew Drop is the right choice!

My Favorite Things

It's always fun to include a page of favorites when scrapping for a baby. I tried to include some unique favorites in my layout:

Favorite Toy

Favorite Food

Favorite Outfit

Favorite Routine

Favorite Place to Sleep

Cardstock: Bazzill Lilac, Butterscotch
Pattern Papers: Basic Grey Oh Baby Girl Natalie, Taylor
Font: Tweed

Die Cut: Cricut New Arrival cartridge
bazzill butterscotch
Ribbon: Basic Grey Oh Baby girl
Ink: Adirondack eggplant
flower brad, Bazzill medium brads
zig black pen