Cashews Anyone???

Alyssa and I love Chinese food. We've been ordering it at least once a week since we found this new place that's very good, reasonably priced and they deliver. I'm kind of hooked on this cashew chicken dish, so tonight that was my order. Since they are a little light on the cashews,(they only put maybe a 1/4 cup on a large order), I asked if they would not "skimp" on the cashews and I'd pay a little extra. Well, we couldn't stop laughing when the order arrived and we took off the lid. Get a load of this. And the picture really doesn't do it justice. Those are cashews right down to the bottom of the container!

FLASHBACK FRIDAY - week #3

I'm getting into some pretty creative things now in week three of my flashback Friday (My evolution of scrapbooking). Layering the mattes was pretty popular as you can see in the next layout.

I loved the rich colors in this layout and the sparkly stars really added to the page.

Here's some pop up pages I promised you. This is a few of many. These were a pain in the ass, but I just loved the surprise when the paged was turned. (pretty dorky huh)?

Oh, the punches. How I loved to create with punches. My sister and I even took a class on creating with punches. Had I known they would come back as they have, I wouldn't have given most of mine away.

I had to put this one in here because I thought the illustration of the heart die cut usage was great and hey...I made that wedding cake!

Remember those little guys in the bottom right corner? I had a ton of them. I loved to chalk them and add googly eyes.

What can I say about this? Stitches run-a-muck! I thought it was cool at the time!

Flashback Friday week #2

Back in the day, very little, if any 12x12 patterned paper was made for scrapbooking, and if it was, you were not encouraged to use it for fear that the pictures would get "lost" in the page. 12x12 pages looked a little dopey when you used an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper on it. Of course, back then, we didn't see it that way. As long as you followed your theme, it didn't really matter. And when you couldn't find themed paper, you simply made your own. Note the examples below:

perfect example of that 8 1/2 x 11 paper.

I made all those tubes with cardstock! It may not look like much, but I remember it took me a whole "Lifetime movie" to complete.

What can I say about this? Corner punches were in, along with diecuts.

I had to make this bathtub, because they didn't

make them big enough and I needed one to

complete my vision! Lordy, Alyssa, thank God for braces!

Yep. I cut 1" strips and used a heart punch for this! And don't you just dig those templates again?!? Stay tuned for next week. Can anyone say "pop-up" pages?

Happy Easter Memories!!

Every Easter, we go over to our friends' Carole and Bob. We spend the Easter Holiday with them and their two sons, Joe and Matthew and moms, Sue and Alice. We always have so much fun and enjoy spending such special holidays with them. One of the Easter traditions is to have all guests participate in a silly string fight. Have you ever tried having a silly string fight while taking the pictures? I've actually become quite good at it. This year Matthew (7) decided to have an Easter egg hunt for the adults. He's such a thoughtful little boy as are both of their children. It was great fun and the first time I've ever been the "hunter" instead of the "hider". Thank You Matthew!

Sue, and Kelly trounce Alyssa

Don't get the camera, Bob!

Carole, Bob, Matthew and Joe

FLASHBACK FRIDAY...my evolution of scrapbooking

OK. I'm going to attempt to do something here that I thought would be kind of fun. I began scrapbooking in 1996 when my friend Heidi invited me to a Creative Memory party. I was hooked immediately, well with all those cool border rulers and decorative scissors and not to mention the stickers!! I was in heaven!

So, every Friday I though it would be fun to show you how my scrapbooking style and techniques have changed over the years. Laugh if you will, but while you do, try and remember back to when you started scrapbooking. Maybe you could dig some of your older books out and share if you dare!

(By the way, I don't mean to offend anyone by this post, if you still use these techniques and product, keep up the good work. It really is quite lovely).

Enjoy..

Check out the borders and the diecuts and I sure knew how to use a calligraphy pen!

I loved these flower stickers

A new technique with a hexagon template (I still have)

A variation of that hexagon template

Look at all the balloons and that scary clown so many of us used

I was getting really creative here creating my own yellow brick road. I remember thinking this page rocked.

I'll bet you can't wait to see next weeks' post!

Pinewood Derby Fun!

This past weekend I went to my first Pinewood Derby race. My nephew Ean had a pretty fast car, although he did not win. Having no boys myself I had no idea what to expect, but I had no idea just how serious this event really is. After all the scouts raced their cars the parents and siblings had the chance to also race the cars they made. My other nephew, Evan and niece Rebecca did pretty well too. They were so proud. Since my sister and her husband did not enter cars, I insisted that next year I get involved and help make the prettiest pink, blinging car that place has ever seen. You can click on the pic to get a better view. Left to right: Evan, Ean and Rebecca.

I'M ADDICTED...

to my new cel-phone! I just can't seem to put it down! I've had it for about 3 weeks now and you can't believe what this thing can do. First off, let me just say, it takes fabulous pictures and it's very pretty with half of it being pink. I love the full keypad for texting (I feel just like Donna now) and people don't complain that it takes me forever to respond to a text. OK, and this Internet thing...OMG! How did I live without this? It's wonderful. It lets me know right when I get an email so I can respond immediately. I can check all my favorite sites anytime I want and since this feature was free for the first 60 days I just had to try it out and I totally see why it's free. They just suck you in!!! The way I see it, I have 45 more days to justify why I NEED this. Hummmmm...maybe do an extra page kit? On the other hand, I rarely turn on my desk top now. There's an energy saver. Or, on the other hand, how much extra a week are we suppose to start seeing on our paychecks? And, on the other hand, we could give up Taco Tuesdays. Well, there you have it. All I needed to do was write it down, and I'm sold!! Anyway, take a look at it. It's the Samsung Black Jack!