Exciting things are Happening!!

So...we did it!! Angie and I are the proud owners of The Scrapbook Store, in Greenfield, WI. For those of you that may not know, The Scrapbook Store has been in business since 1996 and has had one owner and 3 different locations (4, if you include the 2nd store in Germantown, WI). Lee Friske, the owner, at least the owner up until last Friday, is retiring. Angie and I just couldn't bear to see the store close, so it will be re-opening by the end of October at a new location, 4466 South 108th Street, Greenfield, WI! We are so excited about this move and change! We will be re-vamping the store (so-to-speak), focusing on krops and special events, while carrying the latest and greatest product. We even have a few new ideas up our sleeves. I will soon be posting a link to our new blog, so you can track the progress along with us!! Stay tuned for more info!!!

On A different note, my friend, Dawn, opened an Etsy shop. She makes beautiful handmade jewelry...check it out... http://www.katzworld.etsy.com/

Hello Again!!

I was recently told that my blog was "boring" because I've been AWOL lately. That is from the blogging world anyway! I've been super-busy with a few projects which has allowed little to no blogging time. One project I can't officially mention yet. I've never been a superstitious person before, but for some reason, I feel the need to wait a bit longer before mentioning it. Some of you that know me, know what I am referring to, and I'm really hoping to announce the big news this week sometime.

The other little project keeping me extremely busy lately has to do with my daycare. Kids come into the daycare and before you know it four or five years pass by and they are off to school. This is a little sad for me, to think that all their little friendships they have made can come to an end after spending more waking hours with each other even over their parents in most cases. So...way back when, I decided to get these cuties back together with their friends at least once a year during our "Backyard Campouts".

Each year the groups that grew up together (usually 6 or 7 in a group), get together at my home and we have tons of games, always different, with a few traditional things thrown in such as water balloon fights, silly string fights, and scavenger hunts. The kids really enjoy this, and I have to say, I love listening to them all reminisce about the past years they've spent together.

I leave it up to the oldest in each group to end the campouts, which go well into their high school years. This year I have one coming to an end and I have to say, it is very bitter-sweet. I know we'll keep in touch in other ways, but the campouts are such a huge part of keeping in touch. This particular group happens to be the only group that is all boys. That's right, 6 guys and 2 girls in one tent (Me and Carole), eating beef jerky and telling spooky stories (my personal favorite is Brett's Bloody Fingers which he tells every year)! The tent has gotten smaller and smaller through the years and maybe even a little smellier as the years past, but I still love it!!!

Here's a picture of the little guys taken 10 years ago:

Here is Brett, Joe, Alec, Nicholas, Brandyn, and Ethan

And here are the big guys now at our "Survivor" campout this past weekend:

Jordan (he joined us about 6 years ago), Brett (he's about 6' and 230 lbs), Alec, Ethan, Joe and Brandyn

The end of an era...tear tear...love all you guys!!

Final layouts for CHA

Here are my final layouts that I did for Bella at CHA. The first layout is of Nicholas and Gracie. She adores him, and he usually returns the affection even though it may not look that way in this picture. I used the new Lovey Dovey line...so stinkin' cute! (sorry for the glares)
This next line is completed using the Hello Beautiful line. I thought I was going to have the most difficulties using this line, but to my surprise, it turns out to be one of my favorites! This is a layout of my nephew, Ean and his buddy, Parker. They are like two peas in a pod. Stop back tomorrow for a couple altered projects.

CHA Layouts - day 2

The second day of CHA came to an end. I can't tell you all the fun inspiration I saw at the show and I have over 600 pictures to proove it. I just love looking at all the new product and can't wait to get my hands on it all!!

Below are two more layouts I did for Bella Blvd. The first layout is of my niece, Taylor, using Socialite. The colors in this line are amazing and so classy...love it!

This next line was done using One Fall Day. This is of my daughter, Alyssa, and her friend, Brittney at the pumpkin farm. There are so many patterns to choose from. I had a difficult time deciding what papers to use. It's a little busy, but I like it. See you tomorrow for a couple more layouts!

New Bella Layouts!

This is a super late post, but as promised, here are the first two layouts I did using the new Bella Blvd lines. The first is made using Sunny Happy Skies. I'm loving the bright colors in this line. I created a couple other fun things that I will be showing the end of the week using the same line! These are four of my goofy daycare kids hammin' it up! That's Nicholas, Logan, Abby and Alexis having a good ole' time sunbathing.I love this next line. In fact, I've never seen a school collection that I've liked so much. I'm especially excited about this paper because I got to see this paper during the printing process. Get a load of all that paper (sorry about the picture quality, it was taken with my phone)!! I was absolutely amazed at the presses and the entire process. I even got a few freebies...thanks, Stephanie! The layout I made using the new Midterm paper line is of my future son-in law, Jose (that sounds so weird). This paper is perfect for grade school and right up through college. Don't forget to stop on by tomorrow for more layouts.

Sneaky Peaks!!!

CHA is Here!!!!! So, yesterday I was at CHA helping Stephanie set up the Bella booth. What a process! I've always been on the receiving end, shopping for product for the Scrapbook Store. So, this was a blast, getting to see all the "behind the scenes" stuff. I'm amazed as to how everything comes together. Stephanie and Robin are incredible...brilliant! Gail and I were pretty-much "Gofers", but it was so worth it! I can't wait to see how it all looks tomorrow. If you are lucky enough to attend, stop by the Bella Booth (you'll know it cuz it's the cutest booth there) booth number 621.

I created a bunch of projects for the booth, so this week I will be showing them all off, so don't forget to stop back each day this week for a new reveal! Here's a few sneaks. Stay tuned for full reveal beginning tomorrow.

NEW STUFF IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!

WOW!!! If you havn't gone on the Bella Blvd. blog in a while, hop on over and check out all the sneek peeks of the new releases!!!! They are fantastic, and I can't wait to show you what I've created with them! Here's just a smidge of what Bella has in store. To see more go here!!!