My Baby's All Grown Up!!

That's right...my oldest son, Austin, is 18 today!!  He joked last night that he wanted to see me cry this morning before he left for school (he seems to think it's funny when his old mom cries over 'silly stuff').  Well, I was too busy fussing at my youngest to get his tail in gear so that they could leave for school on time...the realization that my oldest son is legally an adult today didn't hit until after they left for school.  And yes, the tears came.  lol 

I have to say that being a parent has been the hardest and most rewarding thing for me--ever.  To be perfectly honest, I still have days...lots of them...when I question my parenting abilities.  I have no idea what the heck to do with my boys sometimes.  I guess that's what happens when you start having kids at an early age...you have all the love in the world for your child, but no earthly idea how to raise them.  I was 16 when I got pregnant with Austin and 17 when I had him.  Our family has always struggled along and I've always done what I could, when I could and as best as I could.  My only hope is that I have prepared my amazingly sweet and caring son to be a happy, healthy and productive member of our community.  I know I've been hard on him, but it's only been in an effort to teach him.  My fingers are crossed that as he finishes his senior year of high school and starts making adult decisions, he makes good ones that will keep him on the path to happiness.

So, I love you, Austin and I'm off to make your brownie cake and get things together for your Chicken Alfredo for dinner!!  Happy Birthday!!

A New Year With New Goals!

Oh my goodness...has it really been 6 months since I updated this blog??!!  I guess that's what happens when you're in nursing school, studying for the NCLEX and looking for a job.  The good news is...I'm through with nursing school and am now a Registered Nurse at one of our local hospitals.  I've been there for right at 8 weeks and as of next week, I'm off orientation and on my own!!  So exciting and so scary, all at the same time!

Today is my youngest son's birthday.  Cole is 7 today and magically, all his size 6 jeans are too short for him today!!  Ok, so he's been out of school for 3 weeks and has mainly been in play clothes and pjs, so they've probably not fit him for a few weeks and I just didn't realize it.  It was kinda odd to have to scurry around on his 7th birthday to locate a pair of size 7s that I'd stock piled during an Old Navy $10 jean sale. 

So, Happy Birthday, Cole!!  I love you and hope that your day got better today!!

With the last few years being so hectic, I'm looking forward to 2013 being a year where I can sit back and enjoy life a little more.  I've got a few goals for this year...I want to spend more time and make more memories w/my family...I want to scrapbook more to preserve those memories...I want to lose the rest of the weight that I need to...I want to get more organized. 

I figure that one day at a time, I can reach these goals this year!!

Until next time..............

Yes, I'm a REAL Nurse Now!

This morning I was able to pull up my results for the NCLEX.  I'm proud to say that I PASSED!!!  When I told Cole that I passed my test, he said, "So, you're not a fake nurse anymore?"  lol  "No Cole, I'm the real deal now." 

I'm still job hunting for a RN job, but I'm sure that something will come along  that will work for me and my family.  I had a great prospect last week...I was in the final 2 for a job at our county health department.  I was definitely disappointed that I didn't get the job, but everything happens for a reason and I was honored to have made it to the final 2 out of 8.  For a new grad, I thought that was pretty good!

Now that I have some extra time, I'm thinking that I'll have to get to work on my scrap room so that it's easier for me to access all my scrappy goodies.

Until next time...happy scrappin'!

~Christy

NCLEX Bound

The nerves hit pretty bad yesterday.  I left my family yesterday afternoon and drove down to Greenville to spend the night in a hotel so that I could get some quiet time for studying, relax a little and not have to get up so early today to drive down for my test.  I found my hotel, got settled in, studied a bit and then took a nap.  When I got up, I went out and got some CFA for dinner and came back.  I studied on and off all evening, with crazy thoughts running wild through my head.  I went to bed and slept about 2 hours, only to get up with those crazy thoughts worrying me.  I searched the net for some relaxation tips, posted to the 3SB blog  and got a little more sleep.

I woke up feeling a bit more calm than last night and then I happened upon this: 

Isaiah 41:10  fear not, for I am with you;  be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 

This excellent reminder could not have come at a more perfect time!  I'm feeling much better about today and am ready to have this test behind me so that I can add "RN" to my signature!

 

Making the Most of Core'dinations...NSD Tutorial for 3SB

All week at 3 Scrappy Boys  the DT is posting challenges, tutorials and step-by-steps to celebrate National Scrapbook Day.  We'll also be bidding farewell to DT members from this past term and welcoming the new ones.  I hope you'll stop by and check out all the fun!

Take a look at my quick tutorial and challenge:

The kits at 3 Scrappy Boys often have Core'dinations cardstock in...
do you know how to make the most of it? 
While it's great to use as plain old cardstock,
I'm going to show you how to do more with your Core!

Since some of the details from the video can't be seen well, here are the close ups of the projects:

Close up of card front (embossed and sanded)

Layout using Kraft Core'dinations (embossed/sanded)

Close up of Kraft Core (embossed/sanded)

Putting it all together

Close up of 'putting it all together' (letters and journaling block, embossed/sanded; background, border done using bone folder and trimmer and then sanded)

I found this in my stash. 
Letters and journaling block, embossed/sanded; the border was embossed with a die and then sanded.

***CHALLENGE***

So, now that you know how to change up your Core'dinations cardstock, I want you to create a layout doing so.  Make sure to post it in our Gallery and label it with Christy's Core Challenge.

Also, don't forget to check out my Sketch Challenge from last week and take part in it.

I hope that you enjoy all of our challenges this week!  Remember, there are lots of prizes up for grabs!

Happy Scrappin'!
~Christy

Quick Card Tutorial

I made this cute little card for a class at Sandy's Scrapbook Corner a few weeks ago and I wanted to share just how easy it is!  Using extra scrappy paper, a border punch and a stamp I created this card in just a few minutes.  OH...Nursing school has caused me to craft quick and not worry about the aftermath...so please forgive my super, scrappy mess!!  :) 

Happy Scrappin'!!

Envelope Tutorial

I love using little envelopes on my page to hold journaling or some little something...or even just as an embellie. I always use up the envelopes that I get in kits, so I wanted to be able to use one whether I had one in my kit or not...so I went to figuring and realized that it's quite easy to make your own! The instructions that will follow will help you to make an envelope that is approximately 3.5" wide and 4.5" tall when closed.

First, cut your paper 8" wide and 7" tall. Go in 2 1/4" on each side of the 8" wide piece and score all the way down. (I use my paper trimmer and a bone folder to do this...great if you don't have a board just for scoring.) Then, score 1" in on one un-scored side and 1 1/2" in on the other un-scored side (all the way across your paper).

 Next, you'll want to cut out the scored corners (see photos).

Using a corner rounder, round the four corners as shown.

Fold in one side and adhere the other side to the top.

Fold the bottom flap up and adhere.

Now you have your finished product! Another fun thing to do would be to use a border punch on the top flap so that you have a decorative touch.

Happy Scrappin'!!

~Christy

Check Out My Sketch...and WIN Some Scrappy Goodies!!

I decided to play around a create a sketch...I only had Paint available when I attempted my first sketch, so it's quite simple...super simple as a matter of fact, but it's a VERY usable sketch! 

You have until the 30th of this month to create a layout based on my sketch and upload it to the 3 Scrappy Boys Gallery with "Christy's Sketch" in the title of your post...on the 31st you can check the 3SB Blog to see if you won my scrappy stash of goodies!!  Easy enough!  So, get to scrappin' and make sure you share my post on the 3SB Blog w/your other scrappy friends...the more the merrier, ya know!!

New Year..And a flock of Angry Birds!!

2012 is here and I've got a lot going on these days!  Cole and Austin both have birthdays in the next week...my boys will be 6 and 17...yikes!!  Cole is going to have his birthday party at the local rock climbing gym and I made these cute little invites today for his party:

I used the Silhouette Cameo to cut these Angry Bird invitations...LOVE that machine!!  And I think these are so cute...I just want to cut more little Angry Birds...all colors, all shapes!  And some pigs, too!  lol

Over at 3 Scrappy Boys, Heather is having an awesome inventory reduction sale...it's a must-shop sale!!! 

My last semester of school starts on Thursday and I'm so excited to get going and get finished...wish me luck!!

Until next time.............

REI Certificate---$15 for $25

Just got an email and today you can buy a $25 gift certificate for $15 for REI...it can be used in the store or online.  This came at just the right time for me, as my oldest son has started mountain biking and he has a wish list for Christmas at REI.  Check it out and get one while you can! 

https://www.google.com/offers/home?utm_source=spectacle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=rei#details//62VTX6GTJJWSZXSQ

Sharing My Little 'Secret' For Stretching My Kits

So, you get a kit and you want to make the absolute MOST of it...you love the patterened paper so much and you just can't bare to cover up the other side (b/c you like it, too!!)....what's a girl to do??  And the cardstock, it matches so perfectly...that background color would make perfect photo mats on another layout....hmmm.....

When I have extra paper, I just use it...but when I'm working with a kit and don't always have the extra paper right there with me, this is my answer!!  I'm known for cutting the backs out of layouts to stretch the kit a little further...am I the only one??!!  :)

A Lil' Sneak...

I've spent the last few days playing with the November trio from 3 Scrappy Boys  and it's been a fun kit to scrap with!  I've got three layouts done and another in the works...and so much more scrappy stuff to play with.

Be sure to watch for the new kits in the next few days...the Trio, Main and Add-on are all full of great scrappy fun!!

Fall in the Mountains

There's nothing like fall in the mountains!  Our leaves are turning, the air is crisp and I've been burning my fall scented candles.  I took this pic with my phone last week at the bottom of our driveway....I LOVE FALL!

November is right around the corner and I'm looking forward to my first month as a DT member over at 3 Scrappy Boys.  I'll get my kit tomorrow so that I can start scrappin'....can't wait to get that November Trio and maybe I can post some sneaks as soon as I get my LOs going...stay tuned!

Until then, keep on scrappin'!

Exciting News!!!

In November, I'll be joining the Design Team over at 3 Scrappy Boys .  I'm so excited because I LOVE the kits that Heather puts together over there.  Before finding 3SB, I'd never bought or used a kit....I'm so glad that I discovered 3SB a few years back, as the kits really take the guess work out of choosing papers and embellies that match...Heather does that for you there!! 

Make sure that you check back often because I'll be posting lots of LOs using the great kits over there!

6pm.com---you MUST check it out!!

So last week in clinicals, I mentioned that I really liked one of the RN's Danskos...I alternate between three pairs of Danskos (black, brown and a charcoal 'eel' print)---that's when I was introduced to 6pm.com .  Wow---what a great site!!  I IMMEDIATELY ordered two pairs of Danskos for less than what one pair retails for!!  I am now the proud owner of these spiffy new shoes:

They have all sorts of shoes, clothes and accessories for men, women and children...I'm currenlty scoping out a cute pair of Keen sandals for Cole for next spring/summer.  They've got FREE shipping right now, but even when you have to pay shipping, it's only $6.95 for as much as you can afford to put on your credit card!!  LOL 

Happy shopping!!!

First Day of School

Well, we started our day VERY early when Cole woke me up at 2 a.m. crying.  He couldn't get back to sleep in his room...he'd been having a bad dream and I could tell there was no use in trying to force him to go back to sleep in his room.  So, it was off to the couch for the two of us.  Now remember....he had to be up about 6:30 or so to start getting ready for his first day of KINDERGARTEN!!  I attempted to sleep on the couch with him, but he was so wiggly I couldn't get much sleep.  Brad came through about 6:40 to tell me my alarm had been going off.  I told Cole to get up and get ready...that's when he told me he wasn't going to big school today.  Uh oh...LOL!!  Well, Brad talked him into getting ready and he seemed back into the swing of it all...until we went to leave and I wanted some pics of the kids....when I said "say I love Rosman!!," I got "I hate Rosman" and a dirty look from Cole (and now looking at the pics I notice the poor baby's bags under his eyes!!)....Austin was surprisingly coorperative (I've decided he felt bad for me)...

I did manage to get a smile out of him before we left...and a few when we got to school........

Brad and I walked Cole to his class and I was tearing up as we walked down the hall.  I tried to play it cool when we got to the class, but it was a little overwhelming.  I managed to nod and wave to other parents I knew, but I sure as heck could muster up any words for them.  It was awful....the tears poured and Cole looked at me like "WTH, Mom??"  lol  I dabbed my eyes and tried to calm down but I knew if I didn't get out soon, I'd have a real meltdown and I didn't want that. 

I snapped a few more pics of Cole and then Brad and I jetted to go have a very quiet, depressing breakfast...at which time I realized that I had toilet paper all in my hair, on my shirt and stuck in my eyelashes...note to self---stash Kleenex in pocket next time...NOT toilet paper!!

Brad called me when he picked Cole up and I talked to him on the phone...he told me he'd cried after we left b/c he wanted me....UGH...how awful!!!  As I ask about his day, he tells me he was too tired to eat lunch....I found out he SLEPT through lunch...in the cafeteria!!  POOR BABY!!  So, then Brad takes Cole to his dentist appt. (maybe not the best idea to schedule a denist appt. after the very first day of school) and sends me a text with this pic......

Umm...so, needless to say, I left work and went to the dentist office to rescue my baby...he was SOO tired and just wanted his mama.  He QUICKLY got his teeth cleaned while laying on me (and they felt so bad for him he left with a Woody and Lightening McQueen toothbrush) and I took him back to work with me while Brad waited for Austin's appt to finish up.  Cole napped at the store and then we took him to "the Donalds" for some dinner.  Then it was a nice hot bath at the house and bed time...

Here's hoping that tonight is a better night for him, so that he can have a better day at school tomorrow!!

Guest Designer at 3 Scrappy Boys!

Good morning, all!  August is here and that means there are new kits over at 3 Scrappy Boys.  I was so excited when Heather asked me to help her out this month and be a guest designer.  She gave me the August Trio  and I went to work.  This kit is packed with great papers, lots of stickers (2 sets of alphas!!) and some cool embellies (as usual!)....I really enjoyed using it. 
I created these three layouts using the Echo Park, Cosmo Cricket and Jillibean Soup papers in the kit.

I still had lots of patterned papers and stickers left, so I started making cards.  When I ran out of cardstock to make full cards, I made a few card fronts that I can stick on cards as needed.



So, I got 3 layouts, 1 card and 3 card fronts out of the August Trio....and I still have an entire set of Jillibean Soup alphas, lots of Studio Calico letters, some Echo Park and Jillibean Soup cardstock stickers, a few buttons, some Jillibean Soup sprouts, lots of scraps of patterned paper and so much more!!  In other words, with the addition of some of my stash of cardstock, I can make SEVERAL more layouts using this awesome kit!!  I can't wait to have some more scrappy time so that I can use up the rest of this kit!  Thanks so much, Heather and 3 Scrappy Boys, for asking me to be create with the August Trio!

Until next time.....................

My Poor, Neglected Blog!

While I knew it'd been awhile since my last post, I didn't realize that it'd been over 2 1/2 months...yikes!  I'm going to have to get better at that!  So, since my last post I've completed another semester of nursing school---3 down, 2 to go!  I finished up this summer with a 90, so I was pretty pleased about that (especially since the class on my campus that just graduated lost TEN students last summer and we ended up losing TWO this summer!!).  I've got a little over two weeks off of school, and I'm looking forward to just spending time with the family and working...trying to live a somewhat normal life before the chaos of class and clinicals kicks back off.

I have been able to scrap quite a bit, despite being in school.  It's my little escape from the books and studying.  I'll have to get some pics taken and share some of my recent scrappy creations.

Until then, thanks for stopping by!

2 Down, 3 To Go!!

That's right...two semesters of nursing school down, and 3 more to go!!  Woo Hoo!!  Finished up yesterday with spring semester...have managed to pull Bs in all of my nursing classes and that's been such a relief...I've never been one to celebrate a B (I'm an A kinda girl), but after busting my butt 1st semester and getting a 90 (that would have been an A if we used a 10 point scale), I decided that I wasn't going to kill myself to try to get an A.  So, Bs it is!! :)

It was a great weekend here...with NSD on Saturday, I worked at Sandy's Scrapbook Corner  and then did some of the challenges over at 3 Scrappy Boys.  It was nice to get some scrappin' done!  For Mother's Day, I fixed lunch for my Mom and we all just enjoyed some family time before I hit the books for a little bit.

Before I go, I'll share two more of the challenges that I did over at the 3SB NSD crop:

<-------- This was for Heather's challenge to use some circles.  I wasn't a big fan of this paper...kinda on the cutesy side for me, but it worked PERFECTLY with these pictures of Cole in the monster towel my sister, Shannon, gave him for Christmas.  This actually ended up being my favorite layout that I did for the crop!!







This card was made for Heather's other challenge, which was to use some product packaging on a project.  I needed a card for my Mom for Mother's Day and this was so perfect  for it!!!  The card itself is made from the packaging sheet that came in a collection pack of Echo Park paper.  It was a little flimsy, but I just put some cardstock inside and it worked great!!  On the inside, I used some of the little alpha stickers from the collection and spelled out "YOU ARE THE BEST" and then stamped "Happy Mother's Day."  Great challenge, Heather!!


Thanks for stoppin' by!!

Layouts WITH Pictures...A New Concept! :)

In honor of National Scrapbook Day, I did something I haven't done in FOREVER....I scrapbooked AND put pictures on my layouts!!  lol  I know, sounds odd...but I do several pages a month for classes or when I just want to follow a sketch, but I have a PILE of pages with no pics.  I'm sure one of these days I'll get around to adding them!!

Anyway, I did these next two layouts for challenges over at 3 Scrappy Boys .  The first was for Jennie's sketch challenge using a die cut paper and the second was for Heather's raw chipboard challenge. 

And, seeing as how it's 4 a.m. and I can't get back to sleep, I'm seriously considering trying to hammer out a few more challenge layouts!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mama's out there!!