TGI...go to sleep!!

I am currently listening to my toddler jumping up and down in his crib yelling "mom, mom, mom". He's always been so good about bedtime until his second birthday. I really shouldn't complain because this only happens a handful a times a month. I should be so lucky. He just seems to pick the nights when I have several things I need to scratch off my to do list before I hit the sack. #workfromhomemomproblems.

It's good. I'm just venting to whoever will listen. I know some of you moms feel me on this.

SO. Here are some of my February Studio Calico sneaks. I'm loving the kit overall. I'm in this weird "block everything in the center of the page" moment in my scrabooking.

I can't seem to leave a wood veneer anything off a page. : )

sidenote.....the boy is finally settling down. *sigh

Ok, I'd love to know. Those who have a bonified winter. I'm talking snow, dark, COLD. What do you do to beat the winter blahs? Do you treat yourself to anything special? Or just full on embrace all that winter throws at you?

I'm just curious as to what others might do. I keep it half and half. I'm ok with winter. We're not best friends but we're cordial. There are some days that just get to me though. On the plus side, we are gaining daylight! I noticed it today a little after 4pm. L O V E  THAT.

Happy Weekend! XOT

Thankful + full.

I'm nursing a bit of a belly ache this morning. I ate more than my share of side dishes + pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving was quiet for us this year which was actually quite welcome for us. Enjoying each other, watching football, cooking, even snuck in a little creative time....it was really a great day. So many things to be grateful for, things that need to be acknowledge throughout the year rather than just a day. Something I need to remind myself of daily, especially when I think things couldn't get any worse because they certainly can. Or when I think I need more than what I have or what I can afford. I have to remember that we have a home to keep us warm and safe, food in our stomachs to keep us nourished, vehicles that get us from here to there and most importantly, each other. Yes, all that sappy stuff you say you're thankful for when it's holidays, right? Some other things I'm thankful for.

Having a creative outlet whether it's scrapbooking, photography, screen printing, or designing. I'm thankful that I can make time for those things. I wouldn't be complete if I couldn't be creative in one form or another.

Companies that truly offer free shipping to Alaska. THANK YOU for not charging me an arm and a leg. (Amazon.com, Fab.com, Myhabit.com)

I'm thankful that I have laugh lines. Yep, wrinkles. Why? Because it's a constant reminder that I have laughed more in my lifetime than frowned. Wrinkles are inevitable, no matter how much cream I slather on my face. If I'm going to have them, they better be signs of a good life.

I can now say that I fit my old, pre-baby jeans. That feeling Miranda had when she pulled out her skinny jeans and was able to zip them up....I get that feeling now.

Other silly things include the invention of the DVR + Demand. I wouldn't be able to watch any of my shows.  Greek yogurt, loose fitting shirts that cover the right amount of butt when wearing skinny jeans, fingerless mittens, Macbook Pro, Instagram, 50 Shades, Washi tape + Twine, quiet time alone, inappropriate conversations, my camera, eskimo kisses, dancing to yo gabba, that first cup of coffee in then morning, + cyber monday.

Whew. I could go on but I need to get the day started. Before I sign off, I wanted to show a quick layout I did for my Handbook album. It's a 6x8 layout, the first layout I've done in this size and I'm really feeling it. Nice to take a break from the usual 8 1/2 x11. I used stamps from 2 sets of rubber stamps that will only be available TODAY at Studio Calico.

 (supplies: Noah outline stamp, New Year stamp, white chalk ink, Today Handbook)

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Now it's time for the mad rush, right? Oy. XOT

Here we go..

Some layouts I created for the Studio Calico CHA booth. I had the pleasure of work with the new Classic Calico and Wonderland collection. I mentioned this before but Classic Calico is always my favorite line to work with. I usually start out with a neutral piece of paper and go from there. The neutrals and patterns in this collection call to me. Wonderland is fun too. It was a bit strange trying to scrap last years Christmas photos but I think I managed ok.

And a couple of layouts for Paislee Press, Up & Away (loooove this digital kit) and Weekender (Liz's cameras are so fun to work with).

Who says boy layouts can't include doily's? Not me. :) xot

girl loves friday

After deleting my entry several times, I think it's best to just bid you all a happy friday. My brain is completely fried after a long week and I am worn out. I will be very happy to be able to catch up on some sleep this weekend. Maybe even sneak a nap in if I'm lucky. :) Before I take off to plant my butt on the couch + watch Jersey Shore (don't judge me), I wanted to steer you over to the Studio Calico blog to check out a quickie Project Life tutorial. These handmade cards are about the only thing I have slotted in my page protectors and I'm glad I made a big batch before the new year started.

Ok lovelies, I'm out. xot

Items used in tutorial: Mists, Clay + White + Atmosphere Ampersand Mask Journal Spots More Gray More Kraft Asterisks