m is for...

Well, M is a lot of things, but in this case M is mostly Michelle. This is a journal I recently altered. I thought it would be fun to put a monogram "M" initial for its owner and then think of other words that the might suit a scrapbooker's journal. (Click on a the photo for a closer view of what words I ended up with).

This technique would be fun on a layout too either framing a photo, or even an embellishment like I've done here with the monogram letter. You could use it on a tag or do a series of deco shapes with various words using the "theme" letter. The possibilities go on and on.

countown to kickoff

The next SGT class kickoff is just one week away, so mark those calendars! Here's an itty bitty peek at what I've got coming...



Working on this sample made me realize just how much I'm missing my creative time. And even more how much I miss my space. It's not as easy to work on the kitchen table (or for that matter, the bed!) as it is a nice, clean, organized scrap space. But I'll be there soon --just gotta keep that end goal in mind.

While I'm thinking of it, there are still a few spots left in my Tinkerbell themed "Brat-itude" paper bag album class this weekend. Call the store if you'd like to sign up 909-305-0748.

at this moment

There is a whole lotta shaking going on here. No, we haven't had any more California earthquakes --instead it's the "moving and shaking" of home improvements. First there was the roof. Love the new roof. Now we're on the verge of extermination work. We've had to trim back trees and shrubs and leave lots of room for the workers to drill (yes we have those pesky subterranean chompers), and then in a couple of weeks it'll be time for a tent to be draped.

On the tail end of that (in fact the very day the tent comes off), DH's mama will be here to visit us for a week. So, we're busy little bees re-doing one of the kids rooms for her to stay in. Before we knew that my M-I-L was coming, we'd already planned a lot of little projects, so now those are all being fast-tracked. Lots of visits to the Home Depot for us-lol!

Next weekend we'll be throwing a monster yard sale to move out more clutter (I can hardly believe it's been a year since the last yard sale!) Then I'm having a "tent-sale" on food --no, I won't be holding a real sale. That's just my way of saying that my friends are being invited over to raid my pantry prior to the termite tent. We have to dispose of nearly all food with the exception of canned or vacuum packed food in jars.

Can't wait to be on the other side of this flurry of activity with a clean & uncluttered, pest free home.

Stay tuned for sneak peeks at my November class for the next SGT kickoff...

tear the roof off

Wow, what a difference a day makes!

9:15am...


2:30pm...

Today we said goodbye to our wood shake roof (the last one on the block -eeep!) and good riddance. The new composition roof is absolutely gorgeous. I'm still amazed that what feels like such a *big* job to me could be completed so quickly and efficiently. The crew arrived around 6:30am and started work at 7am. The old roof was removed before 11am and new plywood was in place before lunch time. The roof was completed around shortly after 2pm and the awesome crew spent a good 20 to 30 minutes doing a fabulous cleanup job --the yard and driveway looked better after they left then when they arrived.

All I can say is WOW!

back

I'm back, after that brief (1 week!) disconnect.

We had a supah time in Vegas, though it truly was the laziest trip we've had yet. Well not for DH who worked hard for the money the first several days. We were at the Signature Suites at MGM, a pretty cool suite-style venue. Our room had a kitchenette of sorts, a flat panel screen and DVD player, unlimited wireless access and access to the amenities at the main MGM hotel. It was a lovely place and our stay was mostly smooth and uneventful, with one notable exception. We lost power one night.

That was a pretty eerie experience -- being on the 30th floor with no elevators and only emergency lighting in the hallway for well over an hour (maybe closer to two?) A transformer had blown and all three towers were dark until the city could restore it. DH suggested a walk downstairs (uh, 30 flights? I don't think so! Especially after that jumbo mango mojito.) We parked ourselves in the hallway and played dominoes. And just before I could start to worry too much about the lack of a/c, the power kicked back on. Whew!

Here's some pics.












Heard this iTunes commercial ... oh I don't EVEN know how many times when we walked along the exterior of the mall and then across the bridge to the Wynn Esplanade. I probably should be sick of it, but I'm not (yet). Sort of feels like it was our vacation soundtrack. Just shut up and let me go: