Tampa

This is the first side of my layout of leaving the Port of Tampa on our cruise last winter. This side, I am pretty sure is a lift of a PageMaps, but can't remember if it was the book or the site, I just know that I remember seeing the sketch before and was re-creating from memory... like I say about no real original ideas ;o) This is some more paper I got from my last trip to Scrapbook Market... I am really gonna miss them! I also got to use my new QK Moxie Classic, I am loving that font and sooo happy I have both sizes! Ooooh and those are two of the new CTMH colors, Tulip is the reddish one and Juniper is the greenish one, the verdict is still out though... they are a weird shade of colors CTMH has or had and retired?! The other side of this layout is just blank mats right now, I gotta get some prints ordered of the Tampa skyline, Skyway Bridge, and sunset as we were cruising out of port.

Retreat 2005

This is layout I got done last night with Hailey's help! Really easy to put together and I got to use my new 4x4 vine that I got at the sale (she loves using my revolution). The scallop paper I picked up at Griffins on my last trip there.

I behaved!

I actually behaved myself! I took my picture box and found paper and embellies for 3 layouts! I didn't buy anything that I didn't have a plan for! They were out of the Dragonfly font ;o( but they did have Chocolate marked down to $27.99 and the finally had the 4x4 vine in stock (I have been hunting that one for awhile!) Other than that, I found a few things to decorate the front of my Cmas Album and a few small packs of buttons in colors that I don't have (I love buttons!). Overall it wasn't all that, just 20%, but I think people were stocking up knowing that they wouldn't have the option later. I also am very happy to report though, that they have plans of staying open until November 7th!, they said unless they sell out before then...from the looks of today that is a good possibility. I stood in line for 3 hours! No joke, I was actually in the store a total of 4.5 hours... I kept asking Hailey if she wanted to leave and she would reply "No mommy, keep looking" in the sweetest voice because she was having a blast in the kids area and didn't want to come home and unpack more boxes ;o) I have plans to get some more pics printed and go back next week after things settle down. I also found out that we have a pretty decent JoAnns, just two doors down from Scrapbook Market! The scrapbook section there is at least twice what it was in Gville! Yeah!

Even better news, I came home and got a layout done! I will try to post after the munchkin goes to bed! And when we got home, Hailey heard the kids next door and ran outside to play. She and Cade ended up running all around, in and out of our two houses, eating dinner over there, and totally having a blast! Cade it just the sweetest thing! And his older sister Sydney is so polite! I love this neighborhood! ;o) All the while, I got the kitchen completely unpacked and all the dishes and food put away! Plus, Hailey's bathroom and bedroom, I even took pics, just for you Granny!

I need friends!

I am seriously in need of some scrappin' friends in Tallahassee!!! I HAVE to do something that does not involve boxes!?!?! I did clean off the dining table and only have one box left to empty in the kitchen, but I miss my scrappin buddies and my old scrappin room... both gave me so much inspiration and got my creative juices flowing when I was down & out! To top it all off, I found out that Scrapbook Market is closing! Of course, right after I move here (after being open 9 years!) they are closing! I haven't even gotten to go there since we moved here, I guess sort of saving up for one major crop-fest one of these Friday nights, that's not gonna happen now! They are having a big sale that starts tomorrow morning, so I guess I will have to shop blindly... which I hate doing because you end up with a huge stash of CRAP! Hopefully they will have some good deals on the Quickutz fonts I have been eyeing! ;o) And since Granny surprised me with a 12" platform, I have just gotta have some new border dies now, don't I?



On a positve note, we did take Sunday off and went to Wakulla Springs. We took a boat ride down the river and saw a bunch of turtles, about 9 alligators, and a manatee! Growing up on a river much like this is was sort of weird to get excited about animals that I saw practically every day... but I think that is what excited me about it, it reminded me of being at MeeMaw's when I was a little girl! Funny enough, what I thought was the coolest was the mullet jumping!?! And yes, Granny that is an alligator sunbathing right on the shore in the same water we were swimming in upstream! And to top it all off, once we got back to the shore and were swimming Hailey and Daddy decided to check out the diving platform and Hailey proceeded to jump right off (with no hesitation) the platform that was seriously 6 feet high!!! Of course I don't have a picture! But I am sure it won't be the last time! ;o)

Settling In Nicely

We made it! I actually got here late Sunday night, cleaned most of Monday (who knew a vacant house could be so dirty!), the movers got in late Monday night (slept on the floor, poor guys), and now I am supervising unloading bright and early this morning! I like this job, sit at the front door, play on the computer and point! The only part of my job I am having a problem with is staying out of the way ;o) Once I find the boxes labeled "Office" I will find my card reader and upload the pics I took last night of Hailey swimming in my new garden tub!

Work Party this Sunday!

So, I am officially begging and pleading for help finishing all the painting! I am not a bad painter, I am just agonizingly S-L-O-W!!! And it is mostly all brush work, cutting in around the edges and painting all the doors! So, if you have a bit of time to spare on Sunday... drop me an email so I know how many mouths to feed ;o)

PS: I am also in need of a good/affordable painter for the exterior!?! I will not attempt that one on my own!

Date Night

This layout really didn't'want to photo well. As you can tell my the different sides of the layout. This was from a date night with the girls and our men, almost 3 years ago. I actually need to figure out what the exact date was so I can add it into that blank spot on my journaling. I managed to not use any sketches on this one, all me! ;o)

PP: Little Yellow Bicycle (from my latest visit to Tally) Delightful Collection
CS: Taffy, Key Lime, Amethyst
Quickutz: Daisy, Flourishes, Blossom, Maddie Anne
Ribbon: CTMH Organdy

Goodbye Gainesville

So, I guess I should officially announce that we are moving to Tallahassee. I have been putting it off as long as I could, blaming it on the need to finish the house. Christopher has accepted a position as an Associate Director at the Association for Institutional Research. He has actually already been working up there a couple of weeks and coming home on the weekends to finish up the loose ends on the house. Yesterday, we officially signed a lease for a new home in Tally, you can see pics in the slide show ---> if you are interested. We have decided to rent while we get to know Tally a little better and plan on building once we find the right piece of property... we get to try out other side of rental life ;o). So far (we have visited many times) we all seem to like Tally very much (other than those Seminoles!) And Hailey is quite excited for a number of reasons. We spent most of the day yesterday (immediately after signing!) painting her new room "Lightly Lilac", a very nice purple that she selected herself. And she has already made friends with about 10 neighborhood kids (no kidding at least 10!), including Cade (he is also 4) who lives next door. And Cade attends VPK, so naturally Hailey is so excited about going too! She has already learned everyones names, how old they are, where they live, and what their outfit looked like yesterday! So, if you are in the area...feel free to drop on over!

So with this bittersweet feeling in my heart, after 8 wonderful years here, I have to say...
Goodbye Gainesville.

Cutest Punkin' in the Patch

Horsin' around

I actually attempted to use my own brain on this one, then realized I was just recalling an old Reflections layout that I seem to come back to regularly! Go figure! This one went together so quickly, with the help of my little scrapper-in-training who loves to "grind out some letters from my cook book!" She actually says that!!! Makes sense that my cookie cutters would be in a cook book... not sure where rolling the revolution handle translates into grinding! ;o) But hey, she is four (and three-quarters!) so who knows how her amazing brain works!



*PP: CTMH Sarsaparilla Paper Pack
*CS: CTMH Textured Bamboo (inked around the edges with bamboo ink), Barn Red, Black
*Quickutz: Spicy Chicken & Lemonade
*Embellishments: CTMH Waxy Flax tied in some vintage buttons I found in my old sewing stash ;o) There I go again, raiding my other crafts for scrappin' stuff!

Bead...all about it!

Oh this layout was so bright and so much fun to work on, on such a gloomy day, waiting for TS Fay to make a decision. Typical woman, takes her slow sweet time making up her mind. ;o) As my hubby says... much like my undies, I keep my mind fresh and change it often!!! I die laughing every time he says it! Okay that was a bit too much info for today, back to scrapping! These colors are not usually my thing, but it worked so perfectly for this layout.



I had alot of fun with the embellishment goodies on this layout! I finally pulled out those Clear Inspiration Dangles and used some chalk to color in the designs! Turned out much better in person, the pics were a little too bright. And I used some Waxy Flax to tie the Dangles to the photo mats (that flip open to reveal more pics and journaling!)



I also got out my beloved Just Blooms and played with my QK Nesting flowers to make the centers with some clear buttons and more Waxy Flax to decorate. And I just love the flourishes anywhere I can work them in! Love all the different sizes!



*Sketch: CTMH Imagine (can't remember which one)
*PP: CTMH Whoops-a-daisy
*CS: CTMH Ocean, Bubblegum, Keylime, Hygrangea
*Quickutz: Stardust (Bead), Katie lowercase (all about it), Flourishes, Nesting Flowers (in the centers of the blooms)
*Embellishments: CTMH Just Blooms, White Photo Turns and Edge Anchors, Clear Inspirations Friendship Dangles, Holiday Craft Buttons (clear), Colonial White Waxy Flax (to tie on the dangles), Spring Soft Chalks (to chalk the dangles)
*More Sewing Machine ZigZag Stitch! I love having my sewing machine out, remind me to request that in the plans for my dream house!

A Friend is...

So, I started this layout on Friday over at Tara's (along with another that i am trying to finish up now) and I got everything done but the embellishments because I forgot a number of things at home... Well, I think it is a good thing I did, because I added the sewing (and Hailey helped!) and I think it turned out much cuter because of it! I pulled out Imagine for this layout and one of my favorite paper packs...although I am drawing a blank on which layout and on the name of this paper! It was been a long day! I did finally use up some of the Stick-ease that match this kit, a few garden greens brads, a little pink polka dot ribbon and voila!

PS: CTMH is adding more items to the clearance sale!!! (Email me if you want the list) The items will be available starting at 11am EST on Tuesday, August 19th... that's tomorrow! If you get an email to me by 9am, I will add your order onto mine so we can all share my FREE SHIPPING!

Cozumel Nightlife

This is actually a layout of my very own! No sketches, of course I don't think any idea is an original idea anymore...just a memory stashed away that we think we have come up with on our own. Anyone ever think you see your own layout show up in a mag months after you finish it...maybe it wasn't really yours to begin with?! Maybe you saw it somewhere else and then someone else was smart enough to go get it published! Okay, I am rambling tonight with random thoughts, ya think! Anywhoo, this layout was from Cozumel when we got this really cool Hailey-sized purse make from Mexican candy wrapper that were woven together. The photos are dark because they are of the ship all lit up at night. I am finally using up the last of the papers I got from Tally, just enough scraps left of these patterns to make some adorable cards. I will share those, someday ;o)

CS: CTMH Colonial White, Ocean
PP: Fancy Pants Chi Chi
Quickutz: Moxie Classic, Maddie Anne Classic, Nesting Circles, Punctuation
Embellishments: CTMH Autumn Craft Buttons and...
Sewing Machine Zig-Zag Stitch...see mommy, I still use my sewing machine after all these years, just with a new dual purpose ;o)

Update on the CTMH Clearance Sale

What is still available on the Sizzlin Clearance Sale...

• 26 different great stamp sets $2.00 - $8.00
• 50 pack of autumn terracotta photo turns $3.00 (can be painted any color!)
  
• 9x9 All About Cmas Wishes Children's Kit $3.00
• still Free Shipping for orders over $75

...visit my website to Shop Online now!

Playa Chen Rio

Another quickie layout, but really fun story and picture! Uses one of my all time fav paper packs!
Sketch: PageMaps July 2007
PP: Basic Grey Color Me Silly
Quickutz: Maggie Mini, Sunflower
Rick Rack...from the sewing basket ;o)

Spiral "Vines"

This layout was so easy, not so quick though with all the punching and inking! It looks a ton better in person (as most layouts do!) This was from when we docked in the cruise port in Cozumel, very interesting there! The little flourishes around the Quickutz flowers are actually the spiral clips that come in the CTMH My Accents sets. I used a pair of pliers to pull them apart a little and twist them to look like vines.

Here is a closeup of the vines:












Sketch: base loosely off a 8.5"x11" sketch from PageMaps March 2007
PP: Three Bugs in a Rug, more from Tally ;o)
Quickutz: flowers, Maddie Anne, Mary Jane
Embellishments: Garden Green spiral clips, Rick Rack, Taffy Ink and CS

Sizzlin' Hot Summer Clearance!!!

UPDATE: There are still some great deals to be had, go check out the Shop Online feature of www.tiffanycoogan.myctmh.com

From August 5–28, all MyCTMH shoppers can purchase a selection of favorite retired products from the shelves of the CTMh warehouse at unheard-of savings. You’ll want to get in on great deals like My Acrylix stamp sets and My Reflections paper packets starting as low as $2. Not only can you get amazing products at unbelievable prices, you can get free shipping, too! Purchase $75 or more and your shipping and handling will be FREE. For best selection, shop early! Mark your calendar and set your alarm clock so you’ll be one of the first to fill your shopping cart with first-rate Close To My Heart products during our sizzlin’ hot summer sale!

If you would like a sneak peek at the list of clearance items, send me an email and I will be happy to share! Please note: clearance product purchases do not qualify for Stamp of the Month discounts and are not able to be combined with regular retail price purchases. So, basically you can only purchase clearance items with clearance items and there are no further savings. But at $2 for a stamp set or paper pack plus free shipping...that's awesome!

So, mark your calendar for August 5th! Then visit www.tiffanycoogan.myctmh.com for amazing savings!

Do Art

Another fun layout using some papers I picked up at Scrapbook Market in Tallahassee. I stole the buttons and ricrac from Mom, so I have no idea who makes them. But the title is CTMH Monograms and Big Pinks Just Blooms. The sketch was from PageMaps book, I think. ;O)

{free}

Another layout I did awhile back while I was at Mom's, I just finally got my enlargement. I also thought I should share more of the details on how I attached the photo on the top right of the second page... for those that keep asking me for ideas on how to do pull outs, hinges, and flips to get more pics on a page. For this one, I used one of the CTMH four-pocket page protectors and cut off one of the pockets leaving a little plastic along one edge (to attach the brads through). I adhered the bottom photo directly to the layout and the top two pictures go in that pocket that I cut out. Once the layout is in a page protector, you will poke 3 holes through the protector, all the way through the layout and attach that pockets using the 3 pink big brads. This way there are no photos exposed to "little helpers", it is all neatly protected and sturdy. I am not sure I would attempt this process with any page protectors with anything other that the CTMH ones because they are sooo think and study!

Here is a look at the second page, the top right photo is the one that flips.

Here are close-ups of it flipping and the inside two photos.

Sketch: Page 1 was a PageMaps and Page 2 was from Reflections.
Paper: CTMH Floral Tapestry...this paper pack is sooo versatile!
Embellishments: CTMH Dimensional Elements Simple Alphabet, twill ribbon, and Baby Pink Bigger Brads. Not alot of embellies because the pics are pretty self explanatory! It was sooo much fun!

Another quick layout

Another sad layout for me to complete ...I am really missing our girl time! And our kids time, too! Anywhoo, this layout is kind of a companion to the last, simply because they are only a handful of single page layouts I have ever done and these two will go in the album facing each other. The girls spoiled me for my birthday last year and we all went to Cloud 9 for tension massages! It was extraordinary! My first ever massage, and hopefully not my last.

Sketch: PageMaps book
Paper: CTMH Life Delights
Quickutz: Stardust Grand, Flourish 24, Daisy 36
Embellisments: CTMH Baby Pink buttons and lots of chocolate inking.