New Gutter Girlz Prompt is UP!!

And I'm so proud of myself for putting my procrastination aside (for once) and getting the Gutter Girlz challenge DONE!! Uploaded it on time, and everything. You can find the new prompt HERE!

Come play along in the Gutter with us!

Notice Anything Missing...

...from this sad, lonely parking spot in front of our apartment?

If you guessed a vehicle (or more specifically, my VAN) then you are correct! Sadly, my van decided that since we weren't planning to spend any of our tax return money on a nice gift for it, well then it would just drop it's transmission out on the highway so we'd have to get it a new one. Nice, huh? But the joke's on the van...we aren't getting it a new one, we're just having the old one rebuilt! Heh heh. That vehicle just doesn't understand the human smartness it's dealing with here.

So anyways, I'm kinda stuck at the house until we can manage to pick it up later this week. Not that I had plans to go anywhere, luckily.

How about a 2010 Goals recap:
1) BLOG at least ONCE a WEEK.
Um...still doing better than last year. I consider this a win.
2) Be in a size 8 (or a 6...hey, it could happen!) by the end of the year.
My weight seems to be staying the same, which is frustrating, but I'm still exercising 5 days a week. And I now need smaller underpants, so something must be working!
3) Edit and organize my pics from this year and last, and get them on Flickr.
Yesterday I edited our Christmas photos (better late than never, right?), plus a ton of other pics, and finally uploaded them. Whew!
4) Read 100 books.
I'm halfway through book #15...not exactly on target, but I should at least hit 50 by the end of the year!
5) Get back into my art again!
I've scrapped several pages this year using the January kit from Jen's House of Scrap...I even did this month's prompt for GutterGirlz! And here's my proof:




I've also managed to make 2 etsy sales so far this year, and my robot pinback buttons are being reviewed soon on THIS BLOG...pretty excited about that. :) Hope your Wednesday is happy!

Try, Try Again

This is, like, the 14th time this week I've tried to sit down and blog. Seems like every time I try, some huge kid catastrophe drags me away from the computer. I get distracted and forget what I was doing on the computer in the first place, and Jack hops on and takes over the computer while I wander off and try to remember what it is I'm forgetting.

I think my new meds may not be agreeing with me.

Here are some things I DO remember about the past week or so...

First, let me show you my newest toy....an exercise bike I found yesterday for $20 at Play it Again Sports! I've been stuck at the same weight for weeks now...not losing any more, but not gaining either. Hopefully, a half hour on this thing each morning will get things moving again. Isn't it CUTE?!


On Easter Sunday, we shared a dinner with my mom's side of the family in Plymouth. The kids loved the Easter egg hunt! Kim and Jim's yard was just full of great places to hide eggs.


A couple days later, we finally got around to dyeing a couple dozen hard-boiled eggs, another beloved Easter tradition. All four kids suddenly decided (as they do every year) that hard-boiled eggs are their new favorite snack.




My newest doll, Aurora Fawn. I'm still working on a cloth and clay fawn for her to hold in her arms. Just have to finish up painting him. She may be my favoritest doll yet!


Here's this week's Lotus Paperie layout:


Last week's layout for the Survivor challenge at TallyScrapper:


And I just love how this one came out, for the current GutterGirlz challenge:


Okay, that's all I can think of for now...today we're packing up to head to the zoo! We bought a family pass for the year so we can go whenever we want for FREE! I'm really hoping that between the zoo, the park and the library, we'll have enough to fill up our summer so we can avoid killing each other. Maybe it's a lofty goal, but I've always been a bit of an optimist.

Alex and Maggie start soccer practice on Monday, so that's something else we're hoping will fill our days. There's been a lot of laying around in front of the TV and playing video games this winter...now that spring is here, it's time to get off our butts and make some meaningful family memories!

Which I will most likely forget within a week.

But that's why I take pictures, right?

Hope you have a wonderful and memorable weekend!

Wants and Needs

Some of the things I NEED to do today:

• create an altered challenge for Tally (cyber crop this weekend!)
• finish the layout I started for Lotus Paperie and upload
• laundry for all 6 of us
• deposit Rick's check
  
• pay rent

Things I WANT to do today:

• take the boys to the park, then the library (you can see from the pic what happens when they have too much indoor time)
  
• make another "In the Kitchen" video (brownies version)
  
• start a new art doll
• work on tags for my etsy store
• mail a package to my TallySis
• consume brownies

I went to the doctor yesterday to have blood drawn so they could see how my thyroid meds were doing. But....turns out, they need me to actually be ON my meds for that particular test. Since I've been OUT of my thyroid script for over a week, they had to reschedule. So, was it a wasted visit? On the contrary, it was quite productive! For instance, I got my thyroid script refilled, another med switched to the $4 Wal-Mart version, and a script for a nasal spray to help stifle my constant sneezing, stuffiness and general nose rebelliousness. (A nasal spray that cost $120, so this will probably be the only month I take it...we get reimbursed, but I don't want to use up our entire reimbursement amount on my freakin' nose!) Oh, and speaking of my nose. Turns out, the doc thinks I may have a polyp blocking most of my nasal cavity, high up in my left nostril. Hawt, right? I get to have a CT on Friday. Tell me you're not jealous! I'm totally asking the nurse to take pics.

Before I forget, here's my latest craftiness for GutterGirlz:

This one for Lotus Paperie (to use a transparency as a background):

And this was for Week 7 of Survivor at TallyScrapper:


Met Shyla last night for margaritas at Hacienda...only $2 a glass! We had a great time just talking, and I can't believe we've never gotten together (just her and me) before! Thankfully, Hacienda has these special margarita nights EVERY WEEK! Did you know about this? I feel like I won a frozen drink sweepstakes, or something! May have to make a new Tuesday ($3 mugs) or Wednesday night tradition 'round here.

All right, that's all from me for now...gotta get done with that first list if I want to cross any items off the second. Have a happy Thursday!!

Recent Scrapiness

For the new prompt over at GutterGirlz:

For this week's Survivor challenge at TallyScrapper, to use only office supplies:

For a challenge at Tally to use something from a magazine (I cut the birds from a scrapbooking mag):

For the prompt "real" at One Little Word:

And this one was just for fun:

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

It's a Hard Knock Life

I just noticed that this is my 99th post....so I decided that my next update will be when I finally Pay-it-Forward and offer up a RAK to 3 fortunate souls. More details on that next time.

This will be a photo update blog, lots of randomness, but with pictures! Sorry, I haven't had my coffee yet this morning, so my wit and general joviality haven't woken up yet.

In case you're wondering what's up with the "Annie" song on my playlist....lately that movie has been playing 24/7 at our house. Maggie has decided it's the best movie ever, and Alex likes it, too. And of course, Rick and I both secretly LOVE musicals, so our whole family has "Annie" on the brain....pretty much all day long. My favorite song from that movie is "Maybe," but Project Playlist didn't have it. Bummer.

Totally forgot that yesterday was the last day of February so I completely spaced on my GutterGirlz layout. The new prompt is UP now, be sure to check it out HERE. This is the layout I did for this Friday's prompt at Lotus Paperie to use doodled circles, and I LOVE how it came out!


I have a new obsession with Polaroid cameras. They're the coolest looking contraptions evah, and I just want them to look cool on a shelf in my office. BUT. When Miranda and I were thrift store shopping yesterday, she found the larger of the two cameras for me, and that thing is in perfect condition. AND it has film. So, I just need to get some batteries for it, and I think I'll be taking some Polaroid pictures! SO excited about that.


This morning, Alex asked if we could have cinnamon rolls. Since I was busy with a project, I told him, Sure...as long as you make them. He had no problem with that. Look how proud he is!

Maggie helped with the frosting. And NO, I didn't have any. Didn't really even want any! I've lost 10 pounds so far, and I really don't want to mess up my progress. I can have cinnamon rolls once I'm skinny again, and I'm cool with waiting.

Speaking of baking, I picked up some cookie and brownie mixes and plan to make a cooking show with Maggie and Jack. I got this idea from my Rachel, whose husband makes "Cooking with Macs" videos that are just hilarious. Our show will be called "In the Kitchen with Maggie & Jack" and it will air on YouTube. Coming soon to a PC near you. (Or a Mac, if you're one of those people.)

I'm making progress on Maggie's quilt! Almost halfway done now.

I'm making a quilt for baby Sophia NOW(just taking a little coffee break, then I'll sew the squares together)...and her baby shower is only a few short hours from now, so I need to get back to it! Hope you have a happy Sunday!

Coffee's Shoppe is in the GUTTER!!

That's right, this month my etsy store is sponsoring the Gutter Girlz! This is the prize you could win simply by participating in at least one of February's prompts, then linking it up in the comments!

And speaking of my shoppe, I added a couple new listings today. Finally, Deidre Clementine is available for purchase...

And I have a few new tags for sale...

Now, speaking of the GUTTER...the new prompt is up NOW!!
THE PROMPT:
WHATEVER, DUDE.
THE SONG:
I don't THINK SO by Kelis
THE PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE:
Handprint
Here's what I came up with:

People, it's been a great weekend. I'll be sure to give you a run-down SOON...it involves a scary movie and revisiting my roots, with an antique store side trip. But first, I must get some groceries before my family members end up devouring each other. Have a great day! :)

Need Cards??

For Valentine's Day, Sweetest Day, an anniversary?

I got to play with the newest card kit over at TallyScrapper all day yesterday, and I have 6 new cards to show for it....with the potential to make so much more! The fabulous First Lady Jen designed this kit, and I think she hit a home run! Check it:






Needless to say, this kit is a winner...you don't want to miss it! I predict you'll be inspired to make enough lovey-dovey cards to cover any and all romantic occasions in 2009! ;)

In other craftiness, there's a new prompt over at Lotus Paperie to use molding paste (I used gesso, which is similar in appearance, but thinner):

AND, a new prompt just went up over at GutterGirlz! First Love, "Like a Virgin" by Madonna, and fabric are your inspirational cues...and I tell ya, after all these hearts and working with 25 different shades of pink, I'm ready to work on my Love-inspired folk art doll!

What's on YOUR agenda for the day?

Lotus Paperie & a GutterGirlz Sneak!

Hey, I haven't been doing a very good job of keeping you updated on my various blog challenges, have I? Just for future reference, new Lotus Paperie challenges are posted every Friday, and new GutterGirlz challenges are on the 15th and 30th of each month. So mark your calendars, people. Now here's what I've come up with.....well, wait, first things first....wanna see my new phone?? (Or, more accurately, a stock photo of my new phone.)

Isn't she GORGEOUS?!! I used the Christmas money from my grandparents to upgrade my cell and add unlimited texting to our plan....now this beauty is my new favorite toy! Rachel and I can send video and pics back and forth for FREE, whenever we want! The two of us may make Verizon reconsider the whole "free in-network calls" thing. Got Verizon? Got texting? Email me your number (latte_grande921 AT hotmail DOT com) and we can get jinky with it! (Also, I haven't thought of a name for her yet, and I'm taking suggestions.)

Okay, NOW I can share my new pages with you! This one is for the current sketch challenge over at Lotus Paperie:


And here's a sneak peek of the GutterGirlz prompt that will go up tomorrow!

Hope to see you there....have a happy Monday, the last one of 2008!!

New Gutter Girlz Prompt and Other News

Just a friendly reminder from this dirty girl....Challenge #12 is UP over at Gutter Girlz! And I am SO stoked to announce that the amazing Linda Woods joined us this time as our first EVAH honorary Gutter Girl! Check it out and play along! We love to wallow in the gutter with company. It's so much more fun that way! :) Here is what I came up with:

And Rick wasn't even surprised to see me photographing myself hanging upside-down off the edge of the couch. Apparently I do things like that pretty often. Hey, I'm an artist. We're supposed to be eccentric, right?

And speaking of art, I finished my December Daily Album over the weekend. I used an old hardback book, cut it apart and covered the outside with fabric. Sorry for the crap picture...I took it at night, so the light was bad. I'm pretty dern excited to fill this with pictures and notes from our month! Stay tuned for more updates on this project.


Okay, one last thing....over the weekend, Jacob and Jack decided to slather Jacob's head in Vaseline. Just one more reason to be suspicious when the two of them are quiet for more than 5 minutes! I took this picture of Jacob after I had washed his head with Dawn THREE times...and he STILL has crazy greasy hair. So, to recap: Vaseline + hair = NOT GOOD. Also, getting Vaseline in your eyes is apparently not a good thing and makes for one grouchy baby. Especially after having your head vigorously scrubbed and being forced to hold still by an overly caring mother who doesn't want to get dishsoap in your eyes. *sigh* I think this pic says it all.

Gutter Girlz and Random Miscellany

The new Gutter Girlz prompt is UP!! If you haven't stopped by to wallow in the gutter yet....well, WHY NOT?? We'd love to see you there, and there are great prizes to be had. But you have to PLAY to WIN. If you're on the fence about it, or you've been MEANING to try one of the challenges, stop putting it off and just jump in! We'll keep a spot warm for you. :)
Here's my layout for the new challenge:


And now for the miscellany...
Pumpkin pancakes. Mmmmm....SO good. Hey, now that I can make them myself, who needs IHOP?


Check out this amazingly awesome fabric I scored at the thrift store! It's going to make such a fabulous dress for my doll....I can't wait to show you!


And finally...

Jacob is going through a very, um, expressive phase. It's hard to capture ALL of his different faces, but here's one of my favs. Not sure what this one means. To me, it says, "I have to poop." Makes me smile.