What a weekend!

What an awesome weekend. Good thing we brought the van. Me and 3 friends drove out to Dresden, Ohio for a Longaberger/ Crafty Weekend filled with wine tasting, eating, crafting, basket making, laughing and shopping, here is proof of our shopping. I could type a book about this, but thank goodness Susan gave us all a journal to capture our thoughts and that is where I have all of me details of my trip. I just wanted to share a few pictures of my jam packed car. This was too funny! I can't wait to scrapbook all of our pictures. We found a Scrapbook Store in the little town of Dresden I couldn't believe it. Gotta go catch up on some sleep. I am so thankful for the gift of friendship.

oops....

It would help if you had the right website. It is www.buffyallen.stampinup.net

Sorry :(

Stampin' Up's 12 Days of Holiday Sale

12 Days of Holiday Sale:

Dates: December 11-22, 2009

So you like a sale right? Too busy to call me or email your order? Then for the next 12 days you are going to want to check out my website for some great deals. I have no idea what they are, but I'm sure Stampin' Up! has got some great surprises for us! Just go to my website and SHOP NOW. http://www.stampinup.buffyallen.net/ You purchase from here and ships directly to your home.

I am heading to Dresden, Ohio tomorrow with some friends for a girls weekend to enjoy all the festivities of the holiday - Longaberger Style. (my christmas present to myself) If you have any questions you can email me. I will be checking my emails any chance I can get.

Happy shopping....

Some projects I've been working on

Here is the Ornament Punch used with the coordinating Stamp set and punched out 5 times and put together with some gold cording and some beads from the pretties kit to make a cute package tie on or and ornament for our tree.

I haven't gotten all of my christmas cards written out yet, but I have been busy making some gifts. This is a frame for my friend Karen for Christmas. I can post it on my blog because she is probably the last person that would ever read my blog. I apologize I forgot whose blog I got this idea from. The little girl's head is actually the Stampin' Up! Ornament Punch upside down. This punch can be used in so many ways. She has 3 daughters so I thought this would fit them just right. The one with the single boy is for my friend Cathy who I made 5 of them for to give to her son's teachers for christmas. Notice the tree is made out of the round scallop punch cut up into pieces and the tree trunk is the Word Window punch. I just had a ball making these. If you'd like to make one let me know and I love to get together and do a class with you.

I won a RAK

This weekend I participated in my first Blog Hop and what fun I had. Thanks to my friend Jen at www.happy2scrap4life.blogspot.com I followed it from her blog. I became a follower of many blogs and am so excited to have some new ideas and to see everyone's creative projects for the upcoming holidays. So of course I participated in everyone's personal RAK challenges and I won at http://yayaprincessblog.blogspot.com/ You should check out her blog. I am a Stampini' Up! Demo and I just love that I can see everyone's project ideas and adapt them to the use of SU! products. This as just made my Monday a very happy one! I hope everyone has a Happy day!

Holiday Open House

3rd Annual Holiday Open House

Saturday, November 21^st, 2009 10am-4pm

2403 Blue Jay Drive, Nazareth PA 18064

(Creekside Estates, off Penn Allen Road)

Featuring:

Mary Kay^®- by Jolene Herb

Stocking stuffer central! Pick a stocking and stuff it full!

All your cold weather favorites- Satin Hands^®, Mint Bliss™, Hydrating Lotion- and more!

Gift sets too! Spend $50 and get a free Satin Hands^® Cream! Gift Certificates available.

Visit my website at www.marykay.com/jherb

Stampin-Up- by Buffy Allen

Get all of your cute little hand-stamped stocking stuffers and treats. *Lots of $5.00 and under items- great for teachers, bus drivers, Sunday School teachers, mailman, etc. *Check out my kits to make your own Christmas Cards* Place a $30.00 order out of the Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog and receive a Classic Ink Pad (your choice of color)* Book a Holiday Workshop and hold it before Christmas to receive any $14.95 Stamp Set for FREE!!!

Visit my website at- www.buffyallen.stampinup.net

Tastefully Simple- by Nicole Hess

Tastefully Simple offers easy to prepare gourmet food you and your family will love!

Also makes great gifts for family and friends!  I will have taste testing and show specials.

Visit my website at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/nhess 

Longaberger- by Jaclyn Betz

Cash and carry items will be available from the feature flyer & wish list. Shop early- only a few of each item will be available for purchase. Perfect for gift giving! Orders will be taken w/ guaranteed Christmas delivery. Free gift with every order over $35. Gift Certificates available.

Visit my website at www.longaberger.com/jbetz

Refreshments! Door prizes! Catalog orders and Cash & Carry!

~Bonus drawings~

• Purchase a minimum of $10 from all 4 vendors and you will be

entered into a drawing for a $50 VISA gift card!

• Purchase a minimum of $10 from at least 2 vendors and you will be

entered into a drawing for a $20 gift card to the vendor of your choice!

No RSVP- open door event! Bring a friend and receive a free gift!

Questions or directions, please call Jolene 610-703-4903

Happy Halloween

So here is part of my challenge for happie2scrap4life's Halloween Hop Blog Candy. This is my first digital scrapbook page. It was so quick and easy. I really love to do the hands on scrapbooking, but for a quick page to make, this was so much fun. One challenge was to post a scrapbook page with costumes. I thought it was so cute when Kayla and her friends dressed up as the Spice Girls. All my kids are too old to dress up and go Trick Or Treating, boy I'm gonna miss those days. Now I will just sit on my porch looking at all of the little kids and their costumes! Thanks Jenn for motivating me to scrap tonight. (even if it was just a digital page) Happy Halloween! My favorite candy is... ALL OF THEM! Not too many I don't like other then sour stuff.

My Digital Studio by SU!

I'm still learning. I feel like I had so much pressure to get this done. In order to get the Stampin' Up! Certification I had until this Saturday to watch 4 one hour long Webinars and take quizzes for each one then make and submit my own card. I think I'm going to love this digital thing. It is so easy to use. If you want to learn how to use My Digital Studio, it's not just for Scrapbooking let me know. I'm gonna go work on my x-mas gifts. Enjoy....

Happy Blog-i-versary Jen!

Today is my friend Jen's 1 year blog-i-versary and she is giving away some blog candy! Wouldn't you like some candy and get this... NO CALORIES! You just need your creativity to use it! Check out her blog to apply! http://happy2scrap4life.blogspot.com/
Happy Blog-i-versary Jen!

My Digital Studio

YEAH!!!!! I got it! I got it! I got my own My Digital Studio in my order yesterday! I'm so excited to play around with it! Too bad I'm at work today, I could be home creating! I wasn't sure I was gonna love it, but I think I do and I am only just beginning. Check back for some updates on my progress. If you'd like to purchase your own or earn it at a discount, contact me today!

I have been so busy lately with Workshops and Craft Fairs, I almost for got to blog. I really need to update with pictures.

Anyway that is my news for today!! MY DIGITAL STUDIO ROCKS!!!! Digital Scrapbooking /Card Making is the NEW Hot HOBBY!

Have a terrific day!

Christmas Stamp A Stack

You still have time to sign up for our Stamp A Stack for next Friday night at the Holiday Inn Express in Easton. If you're interested contact me before Sunday, October 18th. You can go to my website for details. http://www.buffyallen.stampinup.net/

Last month we celebrated Kayla's 20th Birthday by going out to Millersville to take her out to lunch and watch her cheer at the football game. Well what do you know? It rained..... it seems everytime we go out there we bring rain with us. I felt so bad for the girls standing out there in the pouring down rain. We were able to stand under the bleachers and watch her cheer. Couldn't see the game, but they aren't very interesting anyway. They lost like 64-17 :(
We went to the mall where the boys made her a Build A Bear for her birthday. They bought clothes that match Kayla's style just perfect. I made her a gift bag with Stampin' Up!'s NEW Build A Bear Workshop dies for the Big Shot. How convenient? I made her bear on the gift bag to match her Cheerleading uniform. Gosh.. how I love paper dolls.

SNOW?????

Did I just hear the forcast right? We can't possibly be getting snow before Halloween? I'm not ready for this.
I wish I had my camera with me at work so I could upload the pictures of what I've been working on. They are having a baby shower for Kayla's cheerleading coach this Saturday so I made a Memory Can. My friend Karen knew I had to make this so she asked me to make one for one of her fellow employees whom they are having a shower for today after school. I am truely loving these things right now. I am going to be working on some more tonight to make for an upcoming Craft Fair at Bangor Elementary School this Saturday. I will upload the pictures later today. Speaking of Craft Fairs.... This is my second one this season so far. I have 2 planned for the Fall and 3 planned for Christmas Craft Fairs. I am starting to get my Christmas things together and getting excited for the Holidays. We are going to Disney World for Thanksgiving which makes me very excited! I LOVE... LOVE...LOVE Disney! So to be there at one of my favorite holidays in one of my most favorite places on earth..... I am so EXCITED!!!!

Well back to work for a bit. I hope to post pictures when I get home today. Enjoy your Thursday!

I'm back up and running as a blogger!

Ok.... so school is back (I know for a month now) and things are starting to be back to "MY" schedule. One of the things on my schedule is to try and blog everyday if not, every other day.
So here I go.
Enjoy!

Been so busy

Wow, time sure does fly... It's been a whole month since my last post. As you can see by my layout.... yes it is graduation time for us..... again. Tyler will be graduating on June 9th. My dad and brother Bobby will be flying up from Florida for 10 days. I'm so excited! I can't wait. We will be having the party our house so I've been trying to get the house together for the visit and the party.

I've had lots of classes at the Scrapbookings Inn, plus in home shows. It has been an awesome month for my business. I've signed up 2 new demonstrators under me and I now have someone signed up in my 2nd level! YEAH!!!

School is coming to end. Kayla came home on April 27th from college. She has been looking for a job hopefully with kids or something to have on her resume since she is going for early Elementary teaching. I am happy to say after 3 weeks of searching she was hired today by Lehigh Valley Child Care as a teacher's assistant in the Summer School Age Program. Tyler & Jonathan have another 10 days of classes and they are done. Where does the time go?
In another month I am going to have 2 kids out there in the real world. Kind of makes me sad. Only one left. :( I am so proud of their accomplishments.

Gotta run... to enjoy this BEAUTIFUL day by going to John's softball game. I've been waiting for this weather.... Enjoy your day.

Thankful today for:
being invited to watch Billie Jo play the trumpet last night at Barnes & Noble
my classes-had a great time last night!
the nice weather today
having great SU sisters to borrow supplies from when I am low or out.
my kids and their accomplishments
my workshop from Friday night closed at $400 today! woohoo!!!
Jenny placing an order on my website

Happy Easter!

I just posted about Jonathan's Birthday. Today is Easter though. I wish everyone a Happy Easter! This has been a crazy week for me. We were so busy at work, then yesterday I had a DAY LONG of stamping classes. Which was such a great time! My first one at Sheri's they made word albums as you see pictured above and they also made clothespin picture holders. They all loved their projects. Then I headed down to the Scrabookings Inn to teach everyone how to make a whole 6x6 Scrapbook in just under 3 hours out of 1/2 of a Simply Scrappin' Kit. What beautiful books everyone made. I had a blast today. My day was not over though. I was really hungry and Amy asked if anyone wanted to join her at Crossroads for a drink and something to eat. I was all for it. Her Jenny and I went and I was glad they invited me. I always knew Amy was an inspiration to me and something connected us and after a few Toasted Almonds and some conversation it became apparent that we both have a deep connection and share a lot of the same life situations. Even though they are all not good ones, it is still nice to have someone to share them with who can relate and not be judgemental. I was glad Jenny was able to talk to me about some of the things she's been going through this week. It makes you feel better when you talk about what you are going through and your thoughts. It's also better when you have positive people around you to talk you through it. I am grateful for Jenny and Amy to allow me to open up last night because it makes me feel better. Everytime I tell my story it just makes it that much easier to take a positive step forward, that I am a good person. I am so happy to have 2 new friends that I can trust and count on when I need it. I am usually a very quiet person when it comes to my personal life and I just opened up to them like we have known each other forever.

Thanks again girls for a good night!

From there I went home to play Easter bunny and put 3 baskets together. When do kids grow out of this again? Just kidding, I love every holiday and making the kids day brighter. We had a lovely day today. Dinner at my sister-in-laws sisters house, egg hunt with ALL the kids (even my 19 year old daughter.) Then Kayla had to leave to go back to school and here I am updating my blog since I am so far behind. I think I am going to set a goal to post at least 2 times a week. I should be able to handle that.

Today I am thankful for

peeps

my family all together

classes

scrapbooking

friends

Toasted Almonds

Easter

chocolate, chocolate & more Chocolate

Jonathan's 16th Birthday

Kayla getting back to school safely

confiding in friends

life situations

my mom sounded so good today!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Happy 16th Birthday Jonathan!

Today is Jonathan's birthday.We had a racing party for him on Friday night at the Lehigh Valley Grand Prix. Jonathan and 7 of his friends (+ him, Kayla & Tyler) = 10 kids racing. It was AWESOME! They all had such a great time. I was never there before when I booked it. I only saw it online. I thought turning 16, what better then to drive cars(race cars?) We had big family/friends parties for Kayla & Tyler with a DJ, but Jonathan didn't want that, he just wanted a fun night with his fellas. He was always my daring one, Paint Ball Party, Rock Climbing Party. i couldn't imagine anything differently. Today I woke up not feeling so good, my stomach had such bad pains and my husband said well maybe it is second round labor pains, your baby is 16 today.... urrrgghhh So then I got thinking, wow 16 years have flown by so fast. I can still remember them wheeling me down to the O.R. for my surgery to have him and at that moment is when we named him.... all along I was thinking he was going to be a girl and we had the name picked and we never decided on the name for a boy. I looked at John and said what are we going to name this baby if it's a boy? We both said we don't want a John III. Jonathan Haven Allen it was - born at 11:28AM on April 12, 1993 16 years ago today. Haven is John and his dad's middle name so we stuck with that. Today we celebrate 16 wonderful years.

copic markers give away

http://charmedcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-candy-with-twist.html

I am all about the FREE blog candies. You should go check this one out.

My sister

I was just chatting with my sister - Becky on facebook. So my post today is going to be about her. She is my little sister and sometimes I think of her as my older sister. She can be so much more mature then me. I guess I still have the little kid in me. My mom lives with her and her family. I can't even tell you how thankful I am for my sister moving to Florida. My mom's health today is the reason why my sister moved there 3 years ago, I'm sure of it. Mom's health wasn't this bad when Becky first moved there, but things happen for a reason. She was at a point in her life that she could move and I wasn't. I know it must be very tough to keep a marriage and raise 2 small boys while also taking care of your sick mom. God hands us these things for a reason and I am sure it is to make us stronger and teach us a life lesson. Becky is a different person now that mom has been there for almost 10 months I think. Keep up the great work Becky! It is trying, I'm sure, but I am thankful for everything you do!

When Beck and I were younger we didn't get along that well as I'm sure most sisters don't when they are younger. It takes you to grow up and become adults to realize the importance of siblings (sisters especially) We shared a bedroom, bunkbeds to boot. God.... why do I have to share a room with my little sister? I could hear myself saying that. Now I say to myself, I want to sleep in the same room in bunkbeds with my sister again. So we could stay up all night laughing..... at NOTHING!! Before Becky moved to Florida she gave me the 2 most precious things in my life next to my husband and my kids.... my 2 nephews who I love to death. I had the opportunity to be in the delivery with her for both births and i feel I made my bond with each of them at those times just like a mother does. I didn't even see the birth of my own 3 kids (all c-sections). She moved to Florida before Gavin turned a year old. I go down to Florida every chance I can get. It's not always for a relaxing, fun get together time. (usually because mom is sick) At christmas time this past year my whole family went down to spend christmas and it was so nice to laugh and hangout. I reminded my sister how crazy I can be with just a LITTLE bit of alcohol. Those are the times I miss with my sister! (not drinking) Just crazy, laughing for no reason, stamping fun times. Plus.... spending every second I can with Brayden and Gavin. LOVE THEM! That's my long post about my sister. I miss her and Love her so much!

This Sunny Sunday morning I am thankful for:

my little sister

the nephews she gave me

that she is there to care for our mom

sharing bunkbeds

laughing at nothing

my trips to Florida to see them

CUTTLEBUG GIVE AWAY

http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/ Check out Melissa's blog. She is giving away a free cuttlebug. I figured I was so LUCKY last week maybe I should try it out. You should too! Good Luck!

What a night....

Well, I had every intention of going to the Scrapbookings Inn tonight. I never called to say I was going to the class, but in my head I knew I wanted to enter Jenn's Challenge so I worked on it at home. I was gonna stop by there really quick so I could get home to watch the last ever episode of ER. hmmm.... how things change. My friend called me at 6PM to see if I was going to a our monthly Varsity W meeting. (that I totally forgot about) She said "you know we missed last month" ok so I felt obligated to go. Well, I thought I could go there, go bring my challenge to the store and still get home to watch ER since it was going to be on for 3 hours. Karen got a call from her daughter's cheerleading coach that she fell out of a stunt. YIKES! Long story short.... I didn't make it to the Inn, I didn't watch ER but I sat in an ER and got to watch a live ER in action. They rushed Kaitlyn in on a squad and we met it there. After a few tests, she has a cervical sprain and has to wear a neck brace for a week. Thank god she is ok. That was scary. The only bad part is she is leaving tomorrow for Ocean City, MD for a national cheerleading competition and now she can't compete. I wish her team all the best and I know they will be able to get it together and win another gold! I posted a picture of my layout for the challenge I missed. :( A little glare on the picture. I had to use alphabet stickers, chipboard, something old and 2 opposite colors on the color wheel. I am so happy to have this page too. This is the day my mom left to go back home last year after being here for Kayla's graduation. It kind of makes me really sad because, it's probably the last time she will ever be up here. Her health is just not good enough to fly anymore. Tomorrow is Friday! I still have some spots for my purse card holder class tomorrow night. et me know if you're interested. I need to get some sleep.

I'm so glad Kaitlyn is going to be ok.

I feel LUCKY... oh so LUCKY!

Well, this has been an exciting past few days. I entered a layout at the Scrapbookings Inn and the theme was Lucky. hmmm... funny. I wish I could post the picture but I didn't take one before I dropped it off at the store. You can see it on the website http://www.scrapbookingsinnllc.com/ or on the wall in the store because I WON the contest. Woo hooo. Thanks Amy and the judges who chose my layout. I won an MP3 player and a little gift bag with a clear acrylic stamp set and acrylic block. The luck kept rolling, I also entered a little contest on Jenn of Campbell's Creations blog http://www.happy2scrap4life.blogspot.com/ and I WON that too. Wait.. it gets better, I went to a pajama crop at the Store on Sunday. What is better then scrapping in your jammies? Plus what a yucky day it was, it was so nice to be inside scrapping away and boy, my luck was still rolling. I set a goal for myself to get 12 pages done. I probably would have gotten them all done, but Amy had a massage therapist there and I took a break and had a 20 minute massage and I was so relaxed it took me a little while to get back in the groove. So I only did 9 1/2 layouts. Back to my luck... they do a raffle drawing and I WON one of those too. Ok, OK now I feel like a prize hog. Can I tell you that I never win anything!! So this was my LUCKY weekend and I feel like it has changed because I have taken some things from the Secret and re-focused my goals and dreams and instead of always thinking "I can't win, I'm not that Lucky" I tell myself "I am so Lucky, I'm going to win everything I put my mind too" A little selfish I know, but I truly think it has worked. Luck is still on my side or should I say my mom's too. She went home from the hospital today. The only thing they could come up with being wrong was the pneomonia. The high fever from that is what made her get a little out of touch. Which scared us all. She is still very tired and doesn't have much energy, but I know she will be ok. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers.

So today I am so lucky and thankful for:

winning the March Scrap Challenge

my awesome husband

Kayla making it through initiation this weekend

Tyler's baseball team played a great game today

Jonathan & I hanging out together

my mom being home from the hospital

her feeling good enough to go home

my new MP3 player

Scrapping with new friends

entering challenges

getting my paycheck finally

the layouts I was able to get done

Amy for being such a positive influence!

9,975 steps so far today - I'm finally going to hit 10,000!

going to bed early tonight

White Horse STM Challenge

Here is my first ever online Scrapbook challenge. I am so excited to share and be a part of this challenge. Scrapping to music really gets you inspired and brings a whole new meaning to the pictures. This is Kayla's Senior pictures and her eyes really stand out... you could get lost in her eyes. The challenge was Taylor Swift's song White Horse and this is a verse from the song. Check out their website http://scrappingthemusic.blogspot.com/

It's cold outside....

Spring? Where is it? It's supposed to be beautiful when baseball games start. I went to Tyler's game today and ended up in my car around the 6th inning because I was so cold. I am looking forward to those nice sunshining days of enjoying watching Tyler play baseball. Bring on the sun....

Last night I had my first class at Scrapbookings Inn. Here are the pages you had the option of Stamping. I am glad I was able to make a page for each of my kids. Enjoy.

America Idol is on tonight so I have to make this short.

I look forward to taking part in the Goosfraba blog contests! Way to go Amy & Jen! Let me know if you need any input. :)

Goosfraba......

I went to what I thought was going to be a Design Team Meeting at the Scrapbookings Inn last and I must be so in the fog that I didn't update my calendar. The meeting was rescheduled to next Sunday. So we watched Anger Management. What a funny movie! So I am so frustrated right now about not knowing what is going on with my mom... Goosfraba will get me through the day and keep me from calling the Hospital and freaking out on someone. Goosfraba... say it... Goooooosfraba, it might really make you feel better, if anything laugh.
Thanks Amy, Jenny, Jen and Barb for listening and being able to sit and keep my mind occupied last night. I just wish I had brought some scrapbooking things.

Speaking of... I still have some spots available for my Stampin' in your Scrapbook class tomorrow night... 6:30 - 8:00. Let me know if you're interested.

Have a good day!

http://iralamija.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-scraps-and-marks-paper-co-giveaway.html
Check out the frre give away on the blog above. I love FREE stuff, don't you? This is a new paper company. Good luck!

:(

Last night John went out with some friends for a few drinks.... turned into a lot of drinks. Before I knew it, it was 11:30 and I had to be at the craft fair to set up at 8:00. I woke up at 6:30 to get everything ready. Kim called to tell me she would be there closer to 10AM. Thank goodness, I had a little more time. :) We got there and set up in time. What a day, we sold so much stuff and we both came home with $63. That's a lot of stamped stuff!! The day went by so fast.

Kayla and I then headed to Lehigh Valley Mall looking for a Formal Dress for her end of the year Dance. We didn't find any. She is going to borrow one from Courtney which is what I told her to do from the very beginning. Kids... they never listen.

Then... was the dreaded phone call. My sister called to tell me she called the squad to come take my mom to the hospital. My mom has not been feeling well all week with a cold. When my sister went in to check on her she wasn't herself and wasn't responding to her questions. So she became concerned and called the squad. I've been going back and forth on the phone for the past 3 hours. They can't figure out what is wrong with her other then she has a high fever and she was dehydrated. I can't really sleep, I'm trying to figure out if I should try to get a flight to Florida tomorrow. Maybe I'll just wait to see how her night goes.

I am thankful for my friend Karen and Amanda for being there for me tonight. Say a little prayer again for mom to bounce through this... yet another bump in the road.

Good night

Ok so Amy threw me under the bus on this one so now I feel the challenge. The Secret says if you list 100 things you are thankful for it is supposed to change your attitudes. When she first showed me this script, I thought oh my gosh 100 things… I can’t do this! Thanks Amy for the motivation… I will do this! Start time 9:45AM

100. to have a job
99. my friends
98. my husband
97. my kids
96. that my daughter is doing GREAT in college
95. my son is going to graduate in June
94. Spring, tired of winter
93. my mom
92. my dad
91. Stampin’ Up!
90. my customers
89. Scrapbooking
88. Kim, my SU! Upline who has become one of my bestest
87. my SU! Sideline sisters
86. Longaberger Baskets
85. waking up to sunshine
84. the sun
83. the moon
82. the stars
81. my new tv
80. my new Partylite candles I ordered
79. the opportunity to teach at Scrapbookings Inn
78. my bestest Karen
77. the beach
76. learning new scrapbook layouts.
75. getting my nails done
74. My sister
73. my nephew Brayden
72. my nephew Gain
71. Kayla’s car is fixed
70. coffee
69. wine night with the girls
68. Dunkin Donut Latte’s
67. going to the gym in the morning
66. Quaterly Stamp A Stacks
65. My Stampin’ Up! Downline
64. Christmas
63. my birthday
62. going to Florida
61. airplanes to get me there faster
60. cupcakes
59. vacations
58. the beach
57. Black Friday Shopping
56. shopping with Kayla
55. Michael’s Arts & Crafts Store
54. Sunday’s with John
53. chocolate & peanut butter
52. my computer
51. girl scout cookies
50. my cell phone
49. texting
48. summer
49. driving with my windows down
48. my new van
47. Vera Bradley purses
46. my 3 healthy kids
45. my home
44. French fries
43. my SU! Workshops
42. the money from my Gold Party
41. pajamas
40. Sundays
39. learning new things
38. learning and understanding the Secret
37. every breath I take
36. the color pink
35. Stabucks
34. Clarks shoes (so comfy)
33. flipflops
32. traveling
31. my kids being happy
30. computer games
29. seeing my husband smile
28. my upcoming classes
27. Mickey Mouse
26. the Disney Princesses
25. watching my daughter cheer
24. listening to the kids play in the park
23. wrestling (not WWE)
22. watching my boys play baseball
21. going to my husbands softball games
20. coloring
19. my sweats
18. craft fairs
17. holidays
16. time spent with my family
15. Sunday dinners with my family
14. cooking on the grill
13. late nights on the deck with my friends
12. my newly found friends at Bunco
11. Sale-A-Bration Time to get free SU! Product
10. laughing at my dad’s dumb blonde jokes
9. my mom’s health at a stand still
8. my sister being there to take care of her
7. this blog, that I WILL being updating more frequently.
6. All-Star Cheerleading
5. The friends who have come and gone in my life
4. my contacts so I can see
3. post it notes to always jot down my to dos
2. music
1. Doctor’s to make me feel better when I am sick.

Finished 10:22. In between getting up to take care of customers since I was doing this at work. That is why I am thankful to have this job. Enjoy…. Think about this, 100 things to be thankful, I know there is so much more. Try it.

Happy Spring!

HAPPY SPRING!
I am a bad blogger…
I am so into reading everyone’s, I forget to update mine.
It’s been almost 2 weeks. Well, I’ve been very busy.
I am going to Rita’s today for my FREE Italian Ice! Are you?
I figured I can since John and I started going to the gym last week I feel better already. The worst part about it is getting up since we go at 5:30AM! I start feeling a little mushy around lunch time, but the end result will make it worth it. J Gotta get my girlish figure going for the nice weather coming.

I am so excited for my first class at Scrapbookings Inn next Tuesday. I still have seats available if you are interested sign up here www.scrapbookingsinnllc.com under events. I am teaching 4 classes there in April so check them out while you are at it.

Sale-A-Bration is coming to end. You still have time to order though! Contact me today so you can get some FREE product! I LOVE the Ribbon Bundle and the Designer Series Paper in the Sale-A-Bration mini!
As Sale-A-Bration is ending, I am gearing up for the NEW Occasions Mini that will be available April 1st. Some very cute Spring Stamp Sets, a NEW oval Scallop punch, etc… to find out more or you’d like a catalog or maybe even book a workshop in April contact me today I still have a few dates available.

Don’t forget to come see me at the Palmer Township Craft Fair tomorrow at the Charles Chrin Community Center from 9AM- 4PM and I will have a little treat for you. You can be one of the first to get your hands on a All Stampin’ Up! Scrapbook kit put together by Kim and I. We will have a lot of hand stamped gift items for Easter. See ya there!

Enjoy your first day of Spring I know I will. It’s Tyler’s first Varsity baseball game of the Season!

Happy Monday!

Yesterday my upline had our monthly Group meeting. We talked about our next quaterly Stamp A Stack. We are going to change it up a bit. Our next one is going to be:
Friday Night May 29th
7Pm-9PM
The Eastonian-Holiday Inn Express
90 Kunkle Dr.
Easton, PA 18045
(next to Don Pablo’s)
Contact me for further details!
We also talked about our Relay for Life team. We are a part of the Easton Chapter. Last year was our first time as a Stamp Group that we had a team and can I tell you what an AMAZING experience it was for me. I think I can say that on behalf of our whole group. I was a little torn it was graduation week, I had my parents and brother here from Florida and the day of the event was Kayla's graduation party. We did find time to walk though (6:30AM the day of the party Kayla & I were both there and walked our 2 miles.) We are looking for additional walkers, if you are interested get in contact with me. Jamie, one of the girls in our group wore a pedometer and walked like 34 miles through the whole 24 hour event. We each made some handstamped things to sell and set a goal of $1000 for our team and we doubled that and donated over $2000 to the American Cancer Society. Come back to my blog for more details.
Well, Kayla is back to school with her own car. Yes, it makes me a little scared. At least I don't have to drive out there now to pick her up every time she wants to come home. I was kind of getting excited for the warm weather though to go out and shop in Lancaster, now that I know it is only 10 minutes from her. I'll just have take day trips. :)
I took Tyler to the Dr this morning about his thumb, still broken but healing accordingly, still has to wear the brace. He is released to participate in gym.
Today I am thankful to have my job. On Friday they came in laid off one of my co-workers. It's really sad and I feel so bad for her. I am also thankful that Kayla made it safely back to school and only has about 6 weeks to go of her 1st year of college! ALREADY???
Have a great Monday!

Class at Diana's on Saturday

I know some of you were interested in what the project looks like for Diana's class this Saturday. I was waiting for my Stampin' Up! order to come so I could make the sample. Here you go. This is a stationary box with 3 all occasion greeting cards with envelopes, 3 little gift cards, 3 gift tags and a coordinating box with an address book, postage stamp holder and pen to store everything. You will be able to sit down and write out a card or gift tag with everything at your fingertips. Once you use all of the cards, just keep restocking. Let me know if you are interested in having your own class with your friends to make this Stationary Box. The Designer Paper I used was Stampin' Up! Bella Rose.

Scrapbooking with the girls...

Last night I scrapbooked with my Crazy Croppers. I started scrapbooking over 9 years ago. I love to make and do all different kinds of crafts. Kayla has been a cheerleader since she was in Kindergarden. When she was in 3rd grade I decided to take on the task of being the cheerleading coach. Back then it was before all these All Star Cheerleading teams were established. So cheering for a Rec team was very competitive and we held tryouts. I decided to coach the Varsity team (the top 16 girls that try out made my team) well, Kayla didn't make my team. So here I was already a coach and not coaching my daughter, anyway I coached for 7 years and Kayla was only ever on my team 2 times. During my coaching years is when I met one my best friend today. Her daughter was on my team and I asked her to be my assistant. Our girls weren't that good of friends, but we became the best of friends. Courtney and Kayla (our daughters) decided to take a gymnastics class together, so we all became closer. During this time my friend Karen introduced me to "Scrapbooking" She and her friends started having Creative Memories parties and so I became hooked. My sister and I took a Scrapbooking 101 class at a local Scrapbooking Store (which is now closed) There were about 10 of us Crazy Croppers at one time and we got together every Friday night or Saturday afternoon to scrap, each of us taking turns hosting. It was a chance for our kids to all hang out and all of us mom's to scrap pictures of them. We did this for about 4 years before our kids started getting involved in different activities and it was hard to take the time to all get together, so we all were scrapping at our own pace. Now after about 5 years 4 of us started to do it again. Every Friday. During those years we were all together we would go to Scrapbook Conventions, take road trips to different Scrapbook Stores all over. It built lasting friendships. Now that some of us have kids in College, kids are driving, working..... it is nice that we get together with no kids and just hangout. I am so thankful for the art of Scrapbooking to give me the friends and relationships I have with these ladies!

So the pages I have here.... back to Cheerleading. When Kayla & Courtney were in 6th & 5th grade the place they were going to gymnastics at decided to make one of those "All-Star" teams. It didn't work out there (not enough girls) but they were introduced to another coach and team Liner All-Stars in Phillipsburg, NJ. Through a lot of changes and DRAMA Kayla cheered for this team for 4 years until she was in 10th grade. They would go to Walt Disney World in Florida every February for Nationals. This is how far behind I've become in scrapbooking, these pages are from Nationals 2006. Her last yea cheering for the All-Star team they placed 9 in the Country! Amazing... I'm so proud of her, going from not being able to make my little Rec Varsity team, to being an All-Star top 10 in the Country to Making the Cheerleading team at millersville where she goes to college. So my one page is half of a layout that I made at the Scrapbookings Inn. Jen's Quick Creations Class is great. Be sure to check out her classes at www.scrapbookingsinnllc.com I'm taking a class there today I'm so excited for. I better get going to get ready.

Tyler made the Varsity Baseball team and I have a parents meeting this morning.

Have a wonderful day! Thankful for the sun and beautiful day it's going to be!

Pray for my mom's speedy recovery

My mom had surgery yesterday to put a new permanent port in for her dialysis. My sister called to tell me they came to get her at 9:30AM for the surgery, as of 2:00PM no word yet. Finally my sister went to the hospital at 3:45PM and there was my mom laying in her bed. NO ONE CALLED MY SISTER!!!!! urrgghhhh as that wasn't enough, they left my mom laying there with just a blanket on no hospital gown or anything and they didn't even clean her up from all the iodine. So my sister calls me and tells me it looks like she was bleeding out of her ear and dried blood everywhere. Thanks for the details Beck! I was sure it was just iodine. When she called me I could hear my mom moaning in pain. Broke my heart. She said this was the most pain she has been in a while. Once she got her pain pill she was ok. I called her this morning and she slept in the reclining chair in her room, it felt better for her to sit up. She had to take her pain pills every 3 hours. She still sounded a little groggy. The Dr. told me when I was down there he is not letting her go home this time until she is at her BEST and it is going to take time. I know she is having a not so good day today, but there are plenty of better ones ahead! We have to take the bad with the good, right! I'm still praying everyday for mom's speedy recovery.

K & B Layouts

Last night my friend Kim(I could say upline, SU has brought us together and I consider her one of my dearest friends!) and I were stamping and making some things to sell for our upcoming Craft Fair at the Palmer Community Center on March 21st from 10AM-4PM. There is a Scrapbooking Crop going on at the same time so we thought it would be great to make up an Exclusive Scrapbook kit to sell. (All Stampin' Up! of course) So, when we were done I made the comment, hmmm K&B Layouts sounds kinda catchyy? hahahaha I'm waiting for Kim to post a picture so I can add it. Check back for details. We made a few really cute Easter things, be sure to come see us at the Craft Fair, tell me you read about it on my blog and I will have a little gift for you. Thanks Kim for getting together to Stamp. I love when Tony is out of town, I get to have dinner with Kim, Grace & Nicholas, thanks for the pizza and salad it was yummy!

On Sunday Erica was the hostess of a Stamp-A-Stack in her home with 7 of her friends and these are the cards they made. Notice the one card (with Pretty in Pink) see it in a previous post, just changed the stamps around and there you go a different card. They had a great time and now they are ready to go to with birthday cards for any upcoming child's birthday. Contact me today to schedule your own workshop or class.

Wow... time flies. It's been over a week since I posted. I have done so much this past week. Left for Florida on Tuesday to visit my sister and mom and my two little nephews who I love to pieces! See them here?

Mom was supposed to have surgery but it was cancelled at the last minute due to her health. I continued on with my visit though. Thanks god though. We took her to dialysis on Thursday and we were told to bring her to the Hospital because the infection in her blood was back and they need to get the catheter out of her neck and prepare her for another surgery to put a ne one in. See, there was a reason why I kept my trip as planned. There is nothing worse then those calls from my sister or dad to tell me she is in the hospital again and be 1000 miles away worrying. At least I was there this time to see she really is ok. We went back and forth to the hospital all of Thursday and Friday. They took the bad port out and put a temporary one in Friday and they have to wait until the infection is completely out of her system to do the other surgery. I hated to leave her Friday night. Did I mention I bought the book The Secret as I was so inspired by Amy the owner of the Scrapbookings Inn. After reading it almost half way through by the time my flight landed in Florida, I knew my mom was going to be ok if I left. I am slowly understanding the meaning of the secret. I need to keep going back for a reminder. It's amazing how differently you think though and I do believe in the secret.

I am thankful for my trip to Florida to spend time with my family.
I'm also thankful for my husband that took care of everything while I was away and who always understands me with no questions asked.

My flight left Tampa, FL at 6:40AM and I was greeted at Allentown airport by John and Kayla (yeah she is on spring break this week!) then we went and met the boys and their friends for breakfast. We finally found a table to put under our NEW TV. So thankful for this too.

Happy 18th Birthday Tyler!

Well, I should really be in bed, but I took a little nap today so now I can't sleep.

Busy weekend.... Stamp A Stack went great. My new Stamp Club is forming and I am so excited to start stamping with Marge and her friends.

John got his wish... I new 52 in Sony Bravia LCD TV. I'm so glad he did all of the research before hand, I don't think I could of handled standing around looking at TV's all day. He knew what he wanted and we went and bought it. YEAH! We had our friend Tom come and set up all the electrical work so when we hang it on the wall there are no wires hanging down. It looks AWESOME! Of course he needed the feeling of being in the movie theater all the time so he had to get a new surround sound system. I really do feel like I am at the movies. Maybe I'll have to have a wine and movie night for the girls.....hmmmm more info at another time. hahaha enough about the TV.

Today was Tyler's 18th Birthday. We asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday. He wanted to go skiing. He said I never did it so "I want to try it out." Ok Tyler if that's what you want. Last night him and a couple of friends went up to Blue Mountain. Well after paying $60 and taking an hour to go down the slope one time, hyper extending his thumb... he decided skiing wasn't for him. Which I could have told him before he left the house. kids.... I tell ya. So we laid around all morning watching movies on the *NEW* TV. We love Finding Nemo, my TV looked like a giant aquarium. Tyler's favorite place to eat believe it or not is Friendly's so that was his choice for dinner. uuugh not my favorite place. It's not like we even went for the dessert either because I make my own ice cream cakes for the kids on their birthdays. The picture above is Tyler & John with the ice cream cake.

That was my weekend now back to work for one day before I had to Florida for the rest of the week. My nephews are so excited to see me for the 2nd time in less then 2 months. It's usually only 2 times a year. Happy Monday!

Wow, It's Friday ..... What a week. So much exciting things though happening. I have a Stamp A Stack tomorrow at the Holiday Inn Express where I have a few new customers coming that I'm excited to meet. Here are the cards we are making tomorrow.

I took a Quick Creations Scrapbook class last and I am now a teacher at the Scrapbooking's Inn and my first class is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24th from 6:30PM-8:00PM see the website for more info. http://www.scrapbokingsinnllc.com/. There are a lot of classes going on there. Be sure to check it out. I am addcted to reading Amy's blog.

I am really excited to be heading to Florida on Tuesday to spend a few days with my mom and sister. Not to mention to get away from this bitter coldness. My mom has been through so much in the past year and a half.

Well, I really need to get a good night sleep tonight, I've been staying up too late this week.

I hope my first picture post works.

I have blog!!! woo hoo

Amy & Jen .... I have a blog. Let's see how well I can keep up with it. It was very easy to to start up. I want to thank these 2 ladies for a great class tonight at the Scrapbookings Inn, what great quick layouts! I can't wait to duplicate them with Stampin' Up! product. :)
Well, no that I have a blog, I can't wait to get started with it. I do need to get to bed though so enough for today! I'm so excited I am a blogger now!!!!