cards, cards, cards!

I had to share one of my favorite things I've been playing with this past week...this card kit by Heidi Swapp. I ordered it from QVC a few weeks ago on a whim and I just love it! See, I love cards. But for whatever reason I have a hard time getting supplies out to make one little card at a time, which results in total lame-o, last minute cards whenever a birthday or something comes up! This kit is soooo awesome...it has enough supplies to make 60 cards and everything coordinates and of course, it's all just stinkin' cute. I've had everything spread out on my table for the past week or so and it's been so fun to just sit down and quickly whip up a few cards at a time, here and there. And they are soooo easy! I love this kind of scrapping...no thinking, just plain fun. Here are some of the ones I've done so far...











I love all the tapes and the little journaling spots...so fun! I even added a few things here and there from my own stash, but honestly, you don't need anything extra to add...there's so much stuff in the kit. And I love all the elements on the insides of the cards. I usually jsut embellish the front of my cards and the leave the inside blank...I love the extras when you open the cards up!



And I know you're probably all thinking, "How in the heck did she find the time to make this many cards???" And honestly...I don't have time! These were made in a few minutes at a time, not in one sitting. That's what I love about this kit. So do-able. (and Niki and Karly...this is what I got for us to do in Texas when we come!!!)





(just a note...I am soooooo sorry! But I just checked the QVC website and these kits are sold out! Maybe they'll be back sometime...if I hear anything I will let you know!)



I *heart* scrapbooking. And Happy Leap Year!



T:)

he's home!

Yesterday was a happy day in our little family...after being gone for 9 days, Graham got home safe and sound from his trip to Vegas and Phoenix. And he came with gifts! I was quite surprised by my late Valentine's Day present. It was totally not necessary at all, but kinda cool to get that cool little turquoise box. Thanks, babes! I guess if you come back with presents like this all the time, then you can go away as much as you want. Haha!!! (totally joking)



The girls were so excited to see daddy (as was I) and I'm looking forward to things just being normal around here for the next little while...as normal as they can be, I guess! I'll be busy with Girl's night Out stuff, but so much more doable with my husband around. And we had another little surprise yesterday, too....my sister had her baby! She was scheduled for her C-section on Wednesday, so little Harry came a  bit early, but I'm sure mama was very happy about that. He was 7lbs, 10 oz and I can't wait to see him! Congrats!!





Okay...just a quick post today 'cause I wanted to share my happiness that my hubby is home. Time for lunch!!




T:)

could she BE any cuter?

...I don't think so.



My crazy (but adorable) little Gabby at almost 19 months. This girl keeps me beyond busy. From climbing onto countertops, to emptying my kitchen cupboards, to eating the garbage, to scaling the walls in the bathtub, to running away from me WITHOUT her diaper on...sheesh! I'm gettin' tired just thinking about it. But we couldn't live without her, that's for sure.



Graham has been out of town for a week (only a couple days to go till he's home!) so we've been keeping busy. We went to Red Deer to visit Grandma and Grandpa for a few days and then we've just been hanging out since we got home. It's crazy how only 2 kids can keep a person so busy. Especially when one of them is a 3 year old. I was just watching Oprah and this family was on, and Kate said something that I totally did an "Amen, girlfriend". She said, "Didn't you know that 3 is the new 2???" (in reference to the terrible-two's) Okay, soooooooo true! I actually have been talking with my sister, mom and even Kim today about how Payton turned 3 and is suddenly a different person! Obviously my sweet little girl is still there, but man...she has her days and her moments, that's for darn sure. I've been reassured by many, though, that I'm not the only one. It's definately a girl thing, and a 3 year old thing to be sassy and difficult at any and all times!



Here's a little video to let you know just what I'm talking about:




(we took this video on the day that Ryan and Jody had their little girl to show them what might be in store!! I hope for their sake that Aviana isn't quite as emotional!)



Okay, Gabby needs her mama so I'm off for now. Have a great weekend!




T:)

felt fortune cookies

I saw these adorable felt fortune cookies on the Martha Stewart website this weekend and thought they'd be the perfect little Valentine's gift....I love them! The instructions to make them are here if you want to whip some up!

(note: Instead of using ribbon and glue like they suggest, just use decorative tape. I used the MM fabric tape and it was super easy and not messy at all...glue can get messy!)





I love finding new ideas...keeps things fresh, and these are a fun alternative to a Valentine's card. I saw the chopsticks at Walmart yesterday and thought they'd be fun to add to the little cookies. Oh, and I just filled each cookie with Hershey's Kisses 'cause you can't go wrong with chocolate!


Also, I thought I'd share the little fortunes that I created in photoshop...you can just click on the image below and print them off and add them to your own cookies.





Have fun, and Happy Valentine's Day!




Tal:)

more bday pics...

I realize that there is some major "pink" and "birthday" overload happening on my blog right now, but I got Payton's birthday pictures back from Kim this weekend and I had to share some...so so cute. I love little girls...and these are definatley girly pictures! Thank you sooooo much Kim for taking pictures for me. I highly recommend this to anyone doing a birthday party...it was so nice for me to just enjoy the party and do everything I had to do without worrying about pictures. Yay!



My house is a disaster today and I can't bring myself to clean it...I'm sure when Gray gets home he'll be thinking, "so what exactly did she do today???" Hee hee. Come on, I went to Walmart, read books with the girls and played with pictures in photoshop! Totally productive if you ask me (wink). I'm actually just feeling super overwhelmed right now with my life in general...so excited for Girl's Night Out but a little stressed with all that Kim and I have to do to pull it off. Aaaahhh! And then Graham is leaving tonight to work out of town for a quick trip, them home for a couple days before he's away again for over a week. He deserves to get away (his annual dirtbiking trip) but I miss him when he's gone...he is such a calming influence that I need as I tend to stress out and freak out over the littlest things. BUT....all will be well! Lucky for me I have my family and friends around to help keep me busy and sane. Haha!!



Hope everyone is having a great Monday.



T:)



P.S...this is the crazy "Birthday" month in mine and Graham's family's...Happy early or late Birthday to Kedan, Molly, Jeremy, Sean, Ryan (I think??), Mom, baby Harry and Me!! (maybe that has to do with me being bummed out...as of Friday I am now 28. AAaah! Feelin' old.)

the ballerina party

I thought I would share some of the pictures from Payton's little ballerina birthday a couple weeks ago...beware, there is alot of pink! It was so fun and all the little girls were so cute...Payton was waaaaaay excited to say the least. These are all "before the party" pics...Kim actually came to take pictures during the party and I still need to get them from her, so I'm excited to see those, too! So this was the party...




the invites...


(I loooove how these turned out!)






the cake...

(Thanks to my sister, Karly for decorating the cake...last year I tried to make Payton a Dora cake and ended up stabbing the cake in frustration 'cause I suck at icing!! So I let Karly do the decorating this year. haha!)




the decorations...

(I didn't do lunch, just snacks and cake for the girls...worked out well and was very easy!)





the "activity"...

(I got these crowns at Michael's for only $1.50 each. Then I made the wands and each girl got to decorate a crown and a wand with those fun foam stickers. They loved it.)






the goodie bags...


(Pretty much got everything at the dollar store. Yay!)





the tutus...

(Nana made tutus for each little girl. They were a hit and everyone looked so stinkin' cute. And look at my little 3 year old!!! Love her.)




the pretty flowers...


(I had these Martha Stewart flowers hanging in my scrapbook room in the old house and thought they would be perfect for the party. So girly, I love them!)




and last but not least, the banner...




(Did you think I'd pass up the chance to make yet another banner??? As if! The cute scalloped triangles are made by Jenni Bowlin. I think I need to buy some more!!)




It was such a fun afternoon and I'm glad the party was only an hour...we kept the girls busy and then it was time for everyone to go! (heehee) I'll share some "during" the party pics as soon as I get 'em, and here's a little video of the girls dancing (sort of) before I go...




Good night!



T:)

wanna see?

This month we're featuring our scrapbook rooms at The Goodie Box so you can head on over there today to sneak a peek into my room. It's all about my closet storage!


See you there!


T:)

President Hinckley

As I was browsing through blogs today and reading on my church's website, I've just come across so many articles and thoughts on President Hinckley. As most people know, he passed away on Sunday night and I am just overcome with gratitude and love for this sweet and amazing man. I loved hearing him speak at general conference and he has always brought me feelings of peace and comfort in a time when our world can be such a scary place. I am so grateful for the work and service he did for all of us...and I am so happy to know that he is reunited with his wife whom he openly loved so much. What an amazing example. It is has been a neat opportunity for Graham and I to talk with Payton about how we will see him again and because of Heavenly Father's plan for us, we will all be together forever.

We love you, President Hinckley.

so excited!!!

So I had said in my last post that I had something exciting to share....and now I can spill the beans. I'm not sure how many of you check out the Club Heidi website, but I think everyone knows how much I love my Heidi Swapp products. Anyways, a few weeks ago Janet Hopkins asked Kim and I if we'd like to create projects for the site using the Club Heidi monthly kit. So of course I said yes!!! And I am soooooo excited 'cause the kit and ideas are up today!



You can check out my hanging word ornaments here. So fun...there's a pdf you can dowload with pictures and instructions. I also have a layout ("You are my Star") and a valentine's card ("Love You") here. The kit is so much fun...but like I said, I love any and all Heidi Swapp products! So that is my exciting news...I couldn't wait to share.



On another note, it is so stinkin' cold here right now it is unbelievable. We are going on day 4 (?) of just being at home...there's no way I can take the girls out in this crazy weather! And we had Payton's birthday party on Saturday and it went really well....for a bunch of 2 and 3 year olds I was surprised at how happy and well-behaved everyone was! Pictures to come, I promise.



Oh, and one more thing...Graham and I are addicted to "Prison Break". We've been watching two episodes (at least!) every night...we're on season 2. Love it!!!



Kay, I just wanted to share my Club Heidi news, have a great day!!!



Tal:)

ten things i love

I thought it would be fun to make a list of 10 *random* things I am loving right now. I find that I am always like, "oh, I love this!" and "ooohh...I love that," so it's time to share. Here we go!

1. This rice cooker by Pampered Chef. So awesome. My sister has had one for a while and I finally got my hands on one, too. Makes the best rice in the microwave. So easy and no mess and you can't screw it up! And, my mom showed me a way to make a yummy pudding cake in it, too. Maybe I'll have to share that sometime as well. :)

2. I just got this MAC eyeshadow "All That Glitters" (scroll down about halfway to see the color) and  I loooove it. It's really not glittery at all, just has a nice shimmer to it. MAC makeup is my fave.

3. The Sugar Coated chipboard letters by Doodlebug. Looove them!! I have them in almost every color now...I just love the font and size and everything about them!

4. This show on TLC. Freakin' love it. The kids are hillairious, and it makes me feel good about my life which I think is crazy at times....what would I do with EIGHT KIDS??? Oy. That mom should win a medal.

5. These brushes by Rhonna Farrer. Love them and I'm experimenting with actually using them on my scrapbook pages. I tend to buy digital kits 'cause I think they're great and then I don't do much with them. I'm trying to break out of my comfort zone!


6. Heidi's blog. She's been putting up some sneak peeks of her new product that's coming out....I am drooling!

7. This DVD. Her voice is crazy, and being a (retired) dancer, I just love the show. The dancers, choreography, everything is amazing. My friend was in the show for the full 5 years as a dancer, too...it's pretty darn cool to see her dancing front and center behind Celine on the DVD! Can't believe I never saw this live while it was running in Vegas. (sniff, sniff)

8. Making. Memories. Noteworthy. That's all I have to say. I would eat it if I could.


9. These baskets in my laundry room. Yup, I got them at Home Sense and I just love how pretty! I actually have all of our extra sheets and guest bedding in them, so whenever we have company, I just pull a basket down and everything is there, ready to go. Then when they leave, I throw everything in the wash and then put it right back in the basket for next time! Stuff like this makes me happy!


10. And last but not least, I love this place. Who doesn't? It's the happiest place on earth and we're taking Payton there in June. We've been wanting to go on a little trip, and Payton will love it. I can't wait to see her face when she sees the "real" Cinderella and Belle. And don't worry about Gabby...she's going to be spoiled by Nana for a week. When we told Payton about Disneyland we all put our arms in the air and said "Hooray!" and then when we told Gabby she'd be staying at Nana's she put her arms in the air and sqealed with joy. It was so stinkin' cute.

Okay, it's so time for bed. We're having Payton's birthday party tomorrow afternoon...wish me luck! I'm hoping it goes okay...there will  be lots of girls and lots of pink!

Oh, and another thing...I have something really exciting to share on Tuesday (ish). I can't wait!!

Tal:)