Cancer...you can kiss my ass!

That 's really all I have to say about that! So many people in my life have been affected by this disease. Mr. Man lost his mother 4 years ago, his father has been battling it for years. I have two aunts with two different types of Cancer, both of whom have beaten it. And just this week a woman who is like a second mother to me has been diagnosed with Leukemia, and a cousin on Mr. Man's side of the family has been diagnosed with inoperable Cancer. WTF!?! So many good people are afflicted with this disease. It just doesn't seem fair. Please support Cancer research.

Catching Up

Here is the finished project that I did for my Mom's Birthday. BTW, she turned 51, not 50. Good thing I didn't go all out and do a special 50th card. Thankfully, my sister pointed out to me that she turned 50 last year. In all fairness, last year I had a new baby at home and I was a little sleep deprived. So sorry I missed a big milestone Mom! The picture on this layout is from my wedding day. My Mom walked me down the aisle. This project originally started on the paper that the buttons are on, but when I found the vellum quote, the layout didn't work...since, the buttons were already sewn on, I had to improvise. Believe it or not, becoming a Mom has changed the way that I scrapbook. I used to plan everything just so, play with it, arrange things, re-arrange things until I was finally happy with it and then glued everything down. These days I'm flying by the seat of my pants and just getting things done. Not worrying too much about things being so perfect. It is quite liberating.

On with the updates from previous posts...

Here are a couple of cards from my "Glitter, Sparkle and Shine" class. There are only two, because one is a Mother's Day card, the other is a Father's Day card (both being sent to my parents), and the third was just a really crappy photo that you couldn't see anyway. The first one is the glitter window...which, BTW, should have been reserved for a technique class, as it was very time consuming and confusing for beginners...and the second one uses the Crystal Effects...also not a very good thing to use in a class, as it takes quite awhile to dry and I'm sure most people went home with yucky, smudgy blobs on their cards. My original card actually ended up warping, because I used the Crystal Effects on the paper after I cut it instead of cutting it out after it was dry. All of these things that you learn when you first start teaching classes are part of the learning curve I'm sure, but I still feel bad. I'm going to try and simplify things for the next session. I think we're going to make only 5 cards instead of 10 and drop the price. We'll see...

Now done with the paper...how about some poop?

You may remember my discussing my sister's visit, and her impending visit with my parents. I kinda left it hanging as to what happened... Well, not much. Apparently, the visit with Nana and Grumpa went amazingly well. I can only imagine that my sister and BIL were on their very best behaviour and therefore my little nephew took cues from them. Throw Nana into the mix with her wise old ways and you have the recipe for a lovely visit. I have to admit that when my sister and BIL stopped again here on their way home that things went a little better. I do hope that my sister maybe learned some things on her trip. Seeing how some of the people that she visited interacted with their children, may have given her some food for thought. I'm still thinking I should get her the boxed set of Supernanny DVD's for Christmas if such a thing is available.

No, no, no...

I've recently read an article on discipline that had some great ideas for this first time Mom. Among other things it discusses the word "No," how and when it should be used. It explains that "No" is a powerful word and should be used when it is most needed. For example...when your child runs out into the street, or tries to touch the hot stove...these are times when "No" should be used. It should not be used lightly. If you use it for every little situation, it loses meaning. I've discovered that I had been using "No" too much. I was saying "No" to too many things and not being very creative. Our language has so many more words to use, and I'm trying to find other ways of telling Mr. Boy "No" without using the word. It has been interesting. I'm trying to teach with positive words, rather than negative. Sometimes it's hard. I understand that at this age children don't get something the first time you say it and then you're done, but sometimes the repetition is overwhelming. During the weeks that Mr. Man is at work, I deal with what I deal with and see my light at the end of the tunnel when Mr. Boy is in bed and I can have a nice soak in the tub. On his weeks off...well, sometimes I just need a break! Yesterday was a day that I had to call Mr. Man home from his man bonding for a break. *gasp* It was a lovely afternoon, spent by myself (and the rest of the Saturday shoppers...that's another post, that is!) shopping, and looking, and shopping. I miss this the most. When your toddler has started toddling and wants to get down out of the stroller and explore everything, shopping is not a fun thing to do. I did a little tour of the thrift stores in our area. Trash or Treasure? To each his own, right? I found a great skirt that is perfect for spring...when it's not raining (the soft colors probably wouldn't look so hot with my black/silver/turquoise polka dot gum boots)...for only $4. I tried unsuccessfully to only think of myself while I was out, and not the pressures of motherhood and my sweet little boy at home, but I found myself buying stuff for Mr. Boy anyway. I'm a sucker for books, so I picked up a few of those and I found a mini gardening set with a watering can, that will be great in the Easter basket, for only 75 cents. After gathering my wits and regaining my composure I headed home to find that Mr. Man had Mr. Boy down for a nap and dinner cooking on the stove. Thank you Mr. Man for the break...you done good!

Temper, temper...

Words on a computer screen cannot possibly give the same impression that is given when my mother speaks these words. Imagine them spoken in a sing-song, warning, taunting, "you're acting like a bit of an ass," tone of voice. Now, Mr. Boy is too young to possibly understand the meaning of the word temper, but nonetheless, I found myself using this phrase, with this tone, myself for the first time yesterday. It came barreling out of my childhood, and popped right out of my mouth before I even had a chance to process it. I've experienced my first temper tantrum. Mr. Boy has started to form likes and dislikes for himself and is learning ways to express himself. When he wanted to stay and play outside yesterday....well, he wanted to stay and play outside, dammit! I can see the terrible twos looming, and hope that Mr. Boy has more of Mr. Man's temperament than mine. If he's more like me, we're in trouble. If he's more like Mr. Man, who is a lover, not a fighter, than there is hope that I will not pull out all of my hair. Here's hoping I'm not going to have to start researching wigs online!

Sneak Peek

My mom is turning 50 next week! My crafty momma has always been an inspiration for me. I'm a paper crafter, plain and simple. She on the other hand is a crafter of many mediums. From knitting, cross-stitching, doodling, quilling...she does it all, and most of the things she creates are fantastic. There have been very few times that things have failed. Her hallowe'en treat bucket is a papier-mache cat head with FIMO teeth and marble eyes. It's fan-freakin-tastic, and the kids all get freaked out, but they stick their hands in there anyway to get the candy. She was big into quilling last year. This one one of three tree ornaments that she made for us for Christmas. The other two are presents with our initials on them. This year she did a third present ornament for Mr. Boy. Last year for Mother's Day I did a scrapbook page that I presented in a special 12 x 12 shadow box scrapbook frame. This year for her Birthday and upcoming Mother's Day I've decided to give her an album to store old layouts from the frame, and create some new ones for her wall. I came a across a layout in the February issue of Creating Keepsakes that used buttons and since my Mom is into buttons these days it was a perfect idea. So I did some searching at the thrift store and came up with some pretty good finds. A little sneak peek of the layout before it is done. It wouldn't be right to show it off to anyone before she's seen it (even though she doesn't have a computer and will probably never see this). I'll post the finished project after she's seen it.

Do I look like I can't wash my kids face?

It's eczema people! Poor Mr. Boy has an eczema-like rash all around his mouth. We're pretty sure it's from all the teething that he's been doing lately. I tried an elimination of dairy, when I thought he may have an allergy, but it's still there, and seems to get worse right before another tooth breaks the surface. Today at the grocery store someone commented..."Oh, sweety, what have you been eating? Was it yummy?" First of all, he's not able to answer back...he's only 13 months old, dumb ass. Second, do I look like someone who wouldn't wash their kids face after he ate something? I'm dressed nicely, Mr. Boy is dressed nicely, we're not slobs for chrissakes! Sure, we're shopping at StupidStore, uh... I mean Superstore, but when the world is facing a global recession you gotta try and save for a rainy day right? Frack, I absolutely despise that store. I tell ya! I could go on, and on about what I hate about Superstore, but I'll stop there...for now...maybe next time. Anyway, we've been lubing Mr. Boy up with the Vaseline, and that seems to help, but if anyone out there has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Well, that's my blah, blah for the day.

Paper in the Works...Blog Candy

100,000 hit celebration! Kim over at Paper in the Works is celebrating and giving away STAMPS! Check it out and spread the word. If you don't read her blog you should. She does wonderful layered projects that are just gorgeous!

I am from Earth...my sister is from ??

I sometimes wonder if my sister and I grew up in the same house. You would think that having the same set of parents raise you, would give you some of the same parenting skills, but I sometimes think my sister and I are from different planets. I don't claim to be a perfect parent, far from it. I try my best, and that's all any of us can do, I just don't understand how a two year old can run your life. There are countless shows on TV, Super Nanny, etc. that I know she watches, and still that boy rules the roost! Dinner last night was an all out war, and I swear Mr. Man was about to have the throbbing vein on his head explode at any second. Apparently, this is a nightly occurrence at home. WTF!?! I tell ya...give me a week with the boy alone, and he'd be singing a different tune. I would love to be a fly on the wall when that little entourage ends up a Nana and Grumpa's house at the end of the week. I can't even begin to imagine how my parents will react to the behaviour they are about to witness, and I don't mean just from the nephew. You live what you learn, right? (Still not sure where my sister learned...) I have to hope that my parents say something. I had to hold my tongue and not criticize, because I'm supposed to be the supportive sister, but my parents have all the experience necessary to back up any advice they feel needs to be given. Our parents made mistakes. No doubt about it, but I hope that I've learned from them and I'm trying not to make the same ones. I can only hope that in the end everyone is still speaking, and maybe even listening.

Since this post is all about my sister...I thought I'd share a little project that I did for her. I did this Coupon Keeper for a Christmas gift last year (I think). It's just sealed envelopes with the tops opened, glued together and decorated. The flower circles hide the magnets and when released it folds open, accordion style. I also did the matching Shopping List by removing the spiral and decorating the cover, before punching and reattaching it.

From Scrap Room to Snoring Room

Well no new teeth...WTF?!? Not sure what all the fuss was about. That's the thing with babies, they can't really tell you what is wrong. Sure, you can learn their cues, but most of the time it is a guessing game when new things crop up. We took a trip into the city yesterday to see one of my dearest friends who was visiting from the Island. It was a bit of a gong show, but nothing a map couldn't fix. Mr. Boy was a trooper, spending so much time in the car. He was a little grumpy when we got home, and throughout dinner, but hey, so was I!

Snoring...OMG! Since the last trimester of my pregnancy I have had a snoring issue! I don't mean just little snuffly cute snoring either. I mean full out sawing logs, waking myself up snoring. It's become such an issue that in order to save our marriage, Mr. Man and I have gone out to Ikea and bought a new sofa bed. Since we don't have much space it had to go into the Scrap Room. This of course meant a total remodel of the space. It's working so far, but we need a new desk that has space for my crafts, my computer, and Mr. Man's laptop when he has it home from work. As it is now, we put the laptop on the desk in front of my monitor and it works for now, but we both can't use the computer at the same time.

We got some new shelving units too, they filled up very quickly since I'm a magazine hoarder. I just can't let go of them. I would like some more shelves up above the filing cabinet and above the desk area. I'd like to be able to store more of my supplies on the shelves where they are more accessible and clear out some of the space in the closet to be able to store the bedding for the sofa bed. I'd also like to repaint in here too. I do love the blue and would keep it similar, but it needs to be redone. Along with the rest of the rooms in our house. Most of the paint is from the previous owners, and we've been here 4 1/2 years...but that's a whole other issue/post...lol! Now I'm off to start my day, and try to get a few things done before the baby is up.

Teething?

Mr. Boy had better wake up with a new tooth this morning. Please! I haven't had a night like that since he was 2 months old or so. I have been blessed with a child that has slept through the night since he was 4 months old, and I know I shouldn't complain, when the odd sleepless night pops up, but man...that was brutal. Nothing seemed to help. He wasn't missing his sucky, or had a dirty diaper, didn't want to be held, he just complained in his sleep all night long. He hasn't made a peep since about 5, but I still woke up at my usual 6:30. Since I have somewhere to go this morning, he'll probably sleep in...lol. Ahh, the joys!

Well now anyway, I'm up, showered, and working on my second cup of coffee. I bought a new hair dryer yesterday, after my old one packed it in, and it is awesome! It apparently has "Ion" technology and as far as I can tell it seems to have worked. My hair looks less frizzy than it usually does after a blow dry. I think that this is the best hairdo I've ever had. It's been a couple of months now and I need a cut again. I just have to come up with the $65 it's going to cost. OUCH!, but so worth it. Mackie Naturals Day Spa is an awesome place to be pampered. They offer coffee, tea and goodies while you wait for your appointment with a heat wrap around your neck. Just what a new Mom needs to feel herself again. I highly recommend it!

Oh Poop...and some paper too.

I've been trying to figure out ways to get out with the baby and get some exercise without it costing me an arm and a leg at the gym. He is not a big fan of the stroller, and will fuss and cry until you get him out. He is much too big for a snuggly...I tried it out a couple of weeks ago, and it really hurt my back. A friend loaned me a hiking backpack that her son has outgrown...we tried it out today. No such luck! He did NOT like it AT ALL! He was a little freaked out when I first put him in it. He got a little more upset when I strapped him into it. When Mr. Man put him up onto my back, he totally lost it. I tried walking around the parking lot before we hit the trail, and he would have none of it. He is little Mr. Independent and wants to walk. He can walk with me holding his hands, but he has not discovered that he can do it on his own yet. So... I did not get any exercise today. POOP! We still walked down the trail...at a baby pace...and watched the ducks for a little bit before heading back to the car. It was cold and windy. It's looks like a beautiful spring day out there, but the temperature says that it is still winter. So my search for exercise continues...

I'm almost all ready for my next card class "Glitter, Sparkle, and Shine." I've completed 4 of the 5 cards that I'm planning on doing, but I have to wait to finish the 5th when I get my new CHOCOLATE glitter when my Stamp Club order comes in. I found a "Glitter Window" tutorial on the Splitcoast Stampers (SCS) website that is really fun and easy to do. We'll also be doing some Emboss Resist, an Acetate card, and using some Crystal Effects and some heat and stick powder. It should be lots of fun. I've forgotten to take photos before I turned in my samples for display at the store, so I'll have to post them later. For now you can take a look at the set of thank you cards that I have done as a boxed set for sale at the store...

Big changes in the last year...

Well it's been quite some time since I was here last. I thought I'd even deleted this whole blog, but here I am again. I have an urge to share not only my crafts, but also a need for sharing my trials of new motherhood. In the time that I have taken off many things have changed.

Mr. Boy was born in January of 2008 and he is now a year old (on Obama's innauguration day). The year has gone by so quickly...I can hardly believe it! Being a mother is an amazing thing, and I'm so very happy that my husband and I were able to work out financially how I could be a stay-at-home Mom. I could not imagine going back to work right now. My life is so full, and I would miss so much. My heart goes out to all the Moms out there who have to go back to work. Not that I wouldn't love to work and have the extra money, but after reviewing all the factors and putting them into perspective, for the $2000 that I would make in a year after expenses just wasn't worth it for us. I'll go back to the work force when Mr. Boy starts school. I loved my job as a Medical Office Assistant (not neccesarily the place I was working when I went on Maternity leave, lol) and I believe that I'm very good at it. I can't wait to go back, but not at the expense of missing out on my son growing up. The coolest thing that I would have missed if I was at work was the day that Mr. Boy discovered his shadow. That was amazing! The wonder on his face...priceless! In the meantime...I've started teaching card classes at a local craft market, Innovative Craft Xpressions, once a month. These are the cards that I did at my last class...

This store is like a permanent craft fair. If you love handmade things this is the place to shop. From beaded jewelry and artwork to quilts and paintings, there is something for everyone. The store also offers other classes too. Well I should sign off now...can't let it all out in one post! Stay tuned!