Thanks for the tag Leslie!
A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: DH-Dan, my dearest friend Brenda
C-Cake or Pie: White cake with lots of buttercream icing!
D- Day of choice: Saturday
E- Essential Item: ...
F- Favorite Color: Kelly green please!
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Bears
H- Hometown: ...
I- Indulgence(s): Scrapping
J- January or July: Hmmm..toughie. I guess July
K- Kids: Nada
L: Life is Incomplete Without: God
M- Marriage Date: 1997
N- Number of Siblings: 1 older brother, 1 younger sister
O- Oranges or Apples: Eh...oranges
P- Phobias or Fears: Spiders
Q- Quote: Be still, and know that I am God... Psalm 46:10 ~ It seems like all I hear anymore is how "busy" everyone is, running to and fro, having so much to do in a day and I this is why I love this scripture. It seems like a good place to start to find your everyday solitude.
R- Reason To Smile: seems like such a simple ?, but I don't have the words
S- Season: Can't pick just one...
T- Tag Three: I'll spare everyone this time! LOL!
U- Unknown Fact About Me:
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals: The good Lord gave us animals to eat...so I do!
W- Worst Habit: Biting my cuticles
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Give me an X-ray...go ahead, I can handle it.
Y- Your Favorite Food: Seems so cliche but I really love pizza, Mexican and Italian (my MIL makes authentic meatballs, raviolis, manicotti and her own gravy!)
Z- Zodiac: Virgo I guess. Not a believer in all the sign stuff.

What's your blog rating?

This was fun! Saw this on someone's blog while hopping around and thought I'd try it out. And I'm happy to say that my blog is rated...



Here's the link... http://mingle2.com/blog-rating Let me know if you do it and I'll pop by your blog! :)

A humble reminder...

Driving home from meeting Dan for dinner tonight, I passed a trailer park on the south part of the city. All the trailers are crammed right beside each other, run down and rusty with no yards for the kids to safely play in. I always pass it and feel for the kiddos playing in their small spaces and the elderly sitting out on their tiny porches alone. Today I passed by and there was a middle-aged man, sitting in a wheelchair. Just sitting there. He was an amputee with a missing leg. He sat there in the sun right by the road that runs close to the trailers and was just watching traffic. He wasn't going anywhere. I could tell he was just sitting there enjoying the sunny day. I watched him in my rear view mirror as I passed him by. Ever since I was a little girl, when I'd see a person in a wheelchair, it's always pulled at my heartstrings. I don't want to pity them, I just wish for their life to be easier. It's times like these that I turn off the radio in my car, tears flow uncontrollably and I start to pray. I pray a lot in the car because it's free time without any interruptions. But seeing this man, I prayed for him...my own private prayer. I don't know what his life is like. I hope he has a wonderful family who stands by him and loves and supports him. I hope he enjoys life to the fullest.
I pray that I also become more humble and thankful for my blessings. It's so easy to complain until we see others in a MUCH more unfortunate position.
I AM BLESSED.

A bump in the road...

This evening, I felt....

like an oddball
alone
empty
weird
like I didn't have anything of importance to say
unworthy
like I was on the outside looking in
like a prude
like I know nothing
worthless
like I didn't fit in
very obese
like everyone was staring at me
unhappy

That was after church...and had nothing to do with church. During church, I felt wonderful.
I felt refreshed, I felt renewed, I felt filled with the His message of letting go of my earthly
fears. I felt reminded that He is with me always. I am never alone. He is in control. So,
when I started feeling these negative feelings this evening, I prayed and ask Him to forgive
me for I am His child and as a child of Him, I should be rejoicing that by grace, He knows
me and I am His. I asked him to take these negative and hurtful feelings from me. I
asked him to give me the peace in my heart that I know He wants for me. None of these
feelings really matter. I am only here a short time and I know "this world is not my home,
I'm just passing through`". I thanked him for his goodness, for His blessings, for his
patience and for his grace.

I feel better and while writing this, this song came to my mind. One of my favorites...

~~~This World Is Not My Home~~~

This world is not my home I'm just passing through
my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

O Lord you know I have no friend like you
if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

They're all expecting me and that's one thing I know
my savior pardoned me and now I onward go
I know He'll take me through though I am weak and poor
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

O Lord you know I have no friend like you
if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Just up in Glory Land we'll live eternally
the Saints on every hand are shouting victory
their song of sweetest praise drifts back from Heaven's shore
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

O Lord you know I have no friend like you
if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Come out and play with the SBO sistas!

Come on over to www.scrapbookeronline.com this weekend for fun challenges and RAK's for the winners! While MF is away at CHA, the Design Team decided to play! So clear your table, print some challenges and meet the sistas! Everyone's invited!

Iced tea dreams DO come true...lol!

My newest "appliance" and it makes me terribly happy! I love iced tea (decaf, please!) and I've made it myself (using my coffee pot) for years but it never "tasted like the restaurants". That's was my complaint. I want iced tea that tastes like I'm sitting in a restaurant people! I think I also brewed mine too strong too and I could never get it right.
So, this week I spent the measly $18.72 at Wal-mart to get what I wanted! I fired it up the minute I got home and brewed myself up a pitcher! Super easy and tastes soooo good...just like the restaurants, lol! And look at the colors...aqua and white~how cute is that? Looks totally hip to me! ;) It's almost like an invitation to plug it in!

Little fish, big fish...

Either way, we all love swimming at my brother and sister in law's house. Thanks to them for being so generous and letting us! ;) It's always a good time for everyone. Click on the collage for a larger view. :)

Dan and I went up on Saturday and swam the day away with everyone. Paula made BBQ chicken pizza and a pepperoni pizza. She makes her crust from scratch and it rocks!! She makes it with all white flour and it's AWESOME, but I'm going to at least try half wheat and half white. Get the recipe here. http://www.allrecipes.com/Recipe/Amazing-Whole-Wheat-Pizza-Crust/Detail.aspx I brought up a green salad and we had watermelon. Just a fun day with the family!

Most of the photos below are of my 2 nephews and some of Dan being King Noodle. He hogs all the noodles and the kids try to get them away from him. Cute.

Lovin' the hot summer days around the pool and my family!

Happy Birthday Marjorie and Kristin!

Just wanna give a shout-out to these two SBO sistas of mine! Today is their special day!

Marjorie is our resident Hawaiian sista on www.scrapbookeronline.com. She's sweet, beautiful, loves her grandchildren to pieces and we all wish we could live closer to her! From your friend way far away, I wish you the best birthday ever! Big ((hugs)) to you my friend!

Kristin is our NY Army wife sista who keeps busy at home with her children. Her husband is in Iraq fighting for our freedom, so I wish her as best a birthday as one could have. Her kids are making her a cake (yellow I hear! ;)) and decorating it allllll by themselves today. Can't wait to see it! Wishing you a wonderful birthday sistsa!!

Happy Birthday and I wish you both many, many more!

LET FREEDOM RING!

Can I just say how much I love Picasa2? Lovin' the collage thing. Man...so easy.

Another Independence Day that I'm thankful for all my freedoms and liberties. There isn't another country I'd rather live in!

It was really a quiet day for us. Hung around the house and watched the fireworks from our driveway. We have the perfect spot and it beats loading up the car and fighting the crowd at the park.

And like a dork, I had my tripod goin' on! Might be dorky but hey...I'm happy with my photos. (well...the power line in some of them kind of eerk me.)

Hope your day was a day of celebration!

This is going to be a fun one! Break out your circle cutters and get going...around and around and around!

July is ALL ABOUT CIRCLES at ScrapbookerOnline.com !! July Contest rules & details: We know you love circles as much as we do, so we want to see your favorite layout using circles!! You can have circles as embellishments, your patterned papers, your photo shapes – even your layout shape.
Let’s see how creative you can get with your circles!!
* Only ONE submission per person will be accepted.
* Please forward journaling in plain text along with the photo
NOTE: No previously published work will be accepted.
1. All images will be displayed in our monthly contest gallery.
2. Open to US and Canada residents only.
3. Please include a supply list.
4. Our winner will be notified by e-mail and must respond within 2 weeks of notification.
5. Winner will be announced in our monthly newsletter and on our site.
6. Winning Layout: Our Design Team will select one winning layout. The winner of this contest will receive
a $25.00 gift certificate for our online store.
7. All entries must be received between July 1, 2007 through July 31, 2007.

*Submissions can be made by emailing July2007Contest@scrapbookeronline.com
Or by uploading it to the "All About Circles" contest gallery
MORE at www.scrapbookeronline.com

Who knew you could use a mason jar as your blender?

I can't help it...this is cool.

Who knew?

I have just discovered a fabulous new recipe blog! Wow, she's got great organization and an endless amount of recipes...WITH PHOTOS! Love these kind of blogs.
Check out Simply Recipes.

Random, odd and off the wall ...

I love Betty Crocker's Ranch and Bacon Suddenly Salad. BUT, why do we have to have freeze-dried peas in the mix? I cannot imagine anything more gross and unfresh. When I make it, I pick through the dry pasta shells and pick out the peas. Ick. I even documented it...lol. But, since I love fresh peas, I throw a handful in when it's all said and done. But freeze-dried is for the birds. And I bet they'd even toss them aside.

Finally found a site that had the song I was looking for...and without video! YAY! I've loved this song "I Can Only Imagine" for a long time now. Hope you enjoy it too.

Saw this over at Krystin's blog and just had to try it out for myself. And frankly, I really don't think I like the results I got. LOL! Try it yourself, post back here and I'll check out your blog for the meaning of your name. Wishing you better luck than I had!

Nicole -- [noun]: A person who falls into an outhouse and dies 'How" will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Father's Day/birthday gifts ordered...

I've seen this presented on QVC a few times and thought it'd be pretty cool for Father's Day. Don't ya just hate when you're grilling and poof...no more propane? Well, hopefully this will solve the problem. I bought one for my Dad, Dan and one for my brother for his birthday. Dan hooked his up yesterday before we fired up the grill and it was good to go!

Happiness = Hobby Lobby...

Yeah, seriously. And the HL I go to is really up to date with all the trendy funsies! HUGE sale this week and man, was that place busy! I came away with all of this for $29 and change. I also bought another 3 ring binder (not pictured). So, let's break it down...

I'm really anxious to see how the page protectors I bought work. I've always used Pioneer ones when I used my Pioneer post-bound albums and even since I've switched to the 3 ring binders. But, Carolyn was telling me about these Ultru-Pro's that HL carries. Sheesh....CANNOT beat the price. I used to pay $5-6 reg. price for 5 pioneer ones (holding 10 lo's). These come 25 in a package (holding 50 lo's) for $5.99 and they were 50% off. I am not turning down 25 pages protectors for $2.99!!! Thanks for the tip Carolyn! :) Can't wait to break them open!

And the Queen & Co felt ribbon...come on! It's adorable!!!! The only color I don't have that I really want is black! Gorgeous, gorgeous stuff!

And my HL now has ALL... and I mean ALL of the AC canisters. OH MY! Cute o rama! I controlled myself today though. :)

Okay, patterned paper...I honestly don't need anymore but please. I've always had my eye on the MME Front Porch collection, so I bought a few sheets of that, an AC sheet and some Bohemia. $.25 a sheet baby!

And for heaven's sake, the sheet of circle rub-ons are just cute. They practically jumped into my basket. I didn't want to hurt their feelings, so I brought them home with me. :)

Carolyn was also tellling me about an adhesive/rub-on eraser, so naturally I had to check out the eraser section. :) Hope this one works. We'll see!

I bought some good ol' standby's too...black and white textured cardstock and some mini brads. I still totally dig mini brads!

See? It's true. Hobby Lobby makes me happy. :)

In the floral arena, I have won! lol... Flowers are planted and I kept it simple this year. I usually love doing herbs too, but just didn't want the work this year. Lazy? Maybe, but whatever, I'm happy. :)I planted Mexican Heather (which I do every year), yellow Violas, Alyssum, Daisies and blue Lobelia.

Simple but I love it all. Makes me feel like summer is here, so let's get going!

Scrapbooker Online's June Contest

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR THE SUMMER!!!

School is out & we are celebrating with a June contest at ScrapbookerOnline.com

June Contest rules & details:

No more classes...
No more books...

Yep, that time of the year is already here with the weather nice the kids are ready for summer break!

Ourcontest this month is celebrating ‘School is out’! Submit a layout celebrating the end of the school year for your chance to win a gift certificate to Scrapbookeronline.com!

Your layout must be celebrating the end of the school year – any grade from pre-school to college, using any supplies and your layout must contain at least one photo.

NOTE: No previously published work will be accepted.

Only ONE submission per person will be accepted.

Please forward journaling in plain text along with the photo or scan of your layout.

All images will be displayed in our monthly contest gallery.

Open to US and Canada residents only.

Please include a supply list.

Our winner will be notified by e-mail and must respond within 2 weeks of notification.

Winner will be announced in our monthly newsletter and on our site.

Winning Layout: Our Design Team will select one winning layout. The winner of this contest will receive a $25.00 gift certificate for our online store.

All entries must be received between June 1, 2007 through June 30, 2007.
Submissions can be made by emailing June2007contest@scrapbookeronline.com Or by uploading it to the "School is Out" contest gallery.

MORE at ScrapbookerOnline

Good luck to everyone who applies! :)

All caught up

Card orders are completed, delivered and I am paid! Sure makes makes me happy when something I created is acknowledged; and for that I'm truly reaping what I've sown. It's a good feeling! Now cross your fingers that this will keep moving!

I completed an order for a very nice lady who had seen my graduation cards on display at Winan's (http://winanscandies.com). She called me (getting my number from the back of my cards on display!) and asked if I did custom orders. So she placed on order for 10 cards with their town's school colors. She picked them up last Friday and was very happy, which made me happy!

I also received a call from the bookkeeper at my brother in law's law firm. Apparently one of the ladies that worked in the office had went to Winan's for a coffee and bought one of my Mother's Day cards that were on display at that time. She brought it back to the office and they placed an order for 30 assorted cards to keep for fellow employees and clients. Every single, last card I made was a completely different design, so that was a huge challenge but they turned out nice. They requested 15 birthday, 5 get well, 5 sympathy and 5 thank-you's. I photographed them all separately but here's a sampling of them in stacks. Oh... and I asked my BIL if he was behind this and he said he didn't know anything about the order. That's awesome if it was totally without any "brotherly" initiation but even if he's saying that to be nice...bless him anyway! ;)

So at this moment, I have no cards orders, but I have other projects to work on. Non-paying, but nonetheless, projects. I have a circle journal that I need to finish and get sent off, I'd like to complete this week's challenge using felt and/or hand stitching on a layout (kind of getting late in the week now), as well as working on June's WAT layouts. I'd love to get them all done, but I doubt that will happen, but I'd like to try! The DT has a VERY fun kit for June and I can't wait to dive in!! :)

Our sista Nikki (sabren) has decided to step down from her DT position at SBO. Her and her family have wonderful things happening and I wish her the best of luck. I know she won't completely disappear, so I'm not really saying goodbye. :) ((Hugs)) Nikki! You can check out her gallery here. http://www.scrapbookeronline.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=348

Thanks again to Kelli (http://www.ksspecials.blogspot.com) for the blog push. She's a keeper for sure! Thanks girl, keep on me!

MINI BOOK MADNESS at ScrapbookerOnline.com

May is MINI BOOK MADNESS at ScrapbookerOnline.com !!

May Contest rules & details: Submit a mini book that contains at least 50% Sassafras Lass Products! Your mini book can be any theme, any shape, any size – it just has to have at least 50% of Sassafras Lass products!

To celebrate our Sassafras Lass Mini book madness – all Sassafras Lass Products are an additional 5% off our already 10% off retail prices!! The sale includes the **New** Serendipity - Blue Boutique and Scrumptious lines!! Be sure to check out our store for the new papers & rub-ons!!

* Only ONE submission per person will be accepted.
* Please forward journaling in plain text along with the photo
NOTE: No previously published work will be accepted.

1. All images will be displayed in our monthly contest gallery.
2. Open to US and Canada residents only.
3. Please include a supply list.
4. Our winner will be notified by e-mail and must respond within 2 weeks of notification.
5. Winner will be announced in our monthly newsletter and on our site.
6. Winning Layout: Our Design Team will select one winning layout. The winner of this contest will receive a $25.00 gift certificate for our online store.
7. All entries must be received between May 1, 2007 through May 31, 2007. *Submissions can be made by emailing May2007Contest@scrapbookeronline.com Or by uploading it to the "Mini book Madness" contest gallery.

MORE at www.scrapbookeronline.com
**Please note - new products will be in the store May 1st and additional 5% off sale starts May 1st!**

Well, it's surreal. My Mother's Day cards are on display at my local Winan's stores! I went and took a few photos and was pretty pleased with how they looked. I only wish the pricing was on a larger sign, so we might have to work on that. It's pretty cool to walk in and see MY creation staring back at me! Now, let's just hope they sell. I'm kind of a Nerveous Nellie about it, frankly. But, all I can do is try!!

Here are a couple of photos. Click on each one for an up-close view!

National Scrapbooking Day & SBOU Classes

National Scrapbooking Day is coming up this Saturday, May 5th , and we will be celebrating it along with Cinco de Mayo, with a Wicked Awesome Fiesta Crop. The party will get started on Friday afternoon with the posting of the weekend challenges, games, and daily sketch ideas. AND all challenges will have a raffle winner who will receive a surprise gift pack from yours truly.

Design Team Member Nikki Workman will be teaching another fun mini class being posted in our forums on Saturday morning. She will be teaching you how to make festive banner embellishments for your pages that can also be used as home décor items. And Guest Designers Patti West and Patty Bartlett will be hosting the Doublemint Twins Challenge. If you are a movie buff you don’t want to miss out on this one.

We also have a weekend filled with sketches to help you when you have run out of page layout ideas. We have many challenges planned that will center around all the festivities of the season. And like usual the message boards will be hopping.

We hope you can join us this weekend at Scrapbooker Online. We will be chatting in the chat room Friday night at 9PM EST, so please come join us, introduce yourself and make some new scrapping friends.

Link to the SBO Nat'l Scrapbooking Day Forum!

http://tinyurl.com/3dkymy

SBOU (Scrapbooker Online University) is also offering "Photography for the Cool Scrapper" class with Andie Smith again!

SBOU: Photography for the Cool Scrapper Class REGISTRATION FEE
Did you just purchase a new camera? Are you wanting to learn about photography and all those cool techniques used in the published layout of the top scrapbooking mags? Join freelance photographer Andie Smith as she teaches you the basics and helps your pictures to jump to the next level. Let’s get people to say “WOW!” when they are flipping through your albums. You will leave this class with a level of security about taking that next family portrait with success.
During the class you will have access to the private class forums, the SBOU gallery to share your work, and also e-mail access to your instructor if any questions come up. There will also be a weekly class chats during the month so you can share your ideas and thoughts with not only the instructor but the rest of the students in the class.

There is no class kit for this class. Just get your camera ready and make sure to take lots of notes. You will be moving a lot in this class so get those walking shoes ready, or gas up the car because you are on your way to taking some really cool photos!

We hope you will join us at SBO University for this fun and exciting class. Please feel free to e-mail mfabbri@scrapbookeronline.com if you have any questions.

More information here:

http://tinyurl.com/2wmvbq


And a new online class is coming to SBO in June!

"JOURNAL OF A SUPERHERO"
Coming to SBO-U JUNE 2007, Registration now open
Superman, ya he's cool...Spiderman is mighty fine (dude, like the black costume) but we think you might know someone even cooler. Really. Yup, I'm talking about a superhero and it's gonna be someone you know and love. We're going to delve into the world of writing under the disguise of a mini album and take a fun, tongue-in-cheek look at someone in our own life who may have a few super quirks.

My superhero is my daughter Kia and one of her superpowers is Acute Olfaction Abilities, which to the average gal on the street means, she has an abnormally good sense of smell. Simple. Maybe your husband’s superpower is the ability to smell fresh baked cookies from his work office. Jimmy may be part fish, and Erica might just know the genealogy for every toy in the house. Doesn't have to be out of the normal, it just needs to be something they do consistently. Superman, ya he's cool...Spiderman is mighty fine (dude, like the black costume) but we think you might know someone even cooler. Really. Yup, I'm talking about a superhero and it's gonna be someone you know and love.

The point of this class? The, what's in it for me, question? It's about writing. We are using this fun topic as a tool to explore writing techniques and help you uncover your own unique voice as we explore a topic that you can really become passionate about. This course will run for 4 weeks and the overview of the class is as follows (plus some sneak peeks):

We hope you will join us at SBO University for this fun and exciting class. Please feel free to e-mail mfabbri@scrapbookeronline.com if you have any questions.

More Information Here:

http://tinyurl.com/2ugx57

Okay, first of all, I'd like to give my blog a virtual hug. Sorry you've been so terrible neglected! LOL! And second, my banner is driving me nuts. Why has it gone off to the right? Ugh, I hate it when things aren't centered. Anyway...onward and upward.

There is no point in back-peddling for the last 8 years on this thing...okay, so that is exaggerating, I know. But it has been many months, so I'll just say that I'd really like to make an effort and blog my heart out. Kelli and Carolyn ...kick me in the hiney every now and then okay? I need it!

And speaking of Carolyn, the good ol' sista tagged me, so I can't very well go around not fulfilling my tagging duties, so here goes! ;)

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. (It's really fun reading about everyone!) And I totally deleted the part about tagging 7 other people...what a pooper I am huh? LOL! Here's my random facts!

1. Drinking dill pickle juice from the jar makes me so happy!

2. Eating leftovers completely grosses me out. Especially if it has meat in it. You will rarely ever find leftovers in my fridge...ever!

3. I am in love with Siesta Key, FL. If it were possible, I think we'd move there in a heartbeat!

4. If the sound of chirping birds wake me up in the morning, it makes me so mad! I mean come on...woodpecker at the break of dawn? Can't he do that at lunchtime? Although, I really love the sound of Morning Doves.

5. I wish I knew my Grandpa on my Dad's side. A big part of me wishes I could just call him and ask him what he's like..especially now that he's dying of cancer. It burns in my heart even more. It's sad to think that he's a part of me, I just don't know what part. I wonder..

6. I have never been to a funeral...ever. And I've only been to one viewing when I was young.

7. Big crowds make me nerveous and I hate walking into one alone.

So, there ya go..that was fun!

Well, this is a perfect week to update...there are so many things happening and they all make me happy!! They also remind me (rarely do I ever forget though) that I have the most genuine, loving and caring husband. How did I get so lucky and what did I ever do to become so blessed? Dan had went to our local Winan's (there are 3 in our 2 neighboring cities and several others nationwide) a week ago, to buy a chocolate/coffee giftbasket for a customer. While he was in there, he saw a lady who was merchandising, walked right up to her (that is so Dan...confident!) and told her "my wife is a card-maker and she's very good at it. I can imagine her cards would fit here nicely, would you be interested?". She said "that sounds like a great idea". "Here's my name and number, have her call me and we'll set up an appointment to look at her samples". And just like that, my husband came home, told me everything, I called her and the rest is history. How amazing is that? Pretty amazing I'd say. And here's the history...

I went it to meet her last Wednesday, taking about 15 samples of all different captions, but keeping in mind the holidays that the shop would display for. I walked in and it's quite quaint but inviting. Everything is done in black, browns and creams. There's a coffee bar, a chocolate case, shelves lining the walls that are packed with chocolates and candies. There are small round tables for sitting with some filled with displays of boxef chocolates and bags of goodies. The two front windows are decorated for Spring with bright lime green, fuschia pinks, oranges and turquoise gerber daisies. There were girls working up gift baskets and the coffee machines were whirring away. I instantly felt welcomed the minute I met her. She said "Hi Nicole, I am so glad your husband approached me. I just can't wait to see your cards!". She was very friendly and after talking with her, I felt like I had known her for a long time. She went through my cards one by one and commented on all of them and I could tell she truly thought they were terrific! I was sitting there, dressed to the nine's, hair all curled and putting on my confident front, while all the time I was frightened as anything. LOL! She came across one that I had made for a housewarming, she gets up, walks to the front where there was a big chocolate basket that was in the shape of a house, and tucks it in...she says "now how cute is that?". Well, inside I am freaking out at this point! LOL! We continue looking through them and she comes across my Mother's Day card that I had made...all in fuschia, orange, turquoise and greens. She just loved it! Mind you, it was my most labor-intensive card. I had hand-cut the flowers from a sheet of BG paper, as well as machine stitched the stems. During the meeting, she said "Nicole, we have a client who orders 300 gift baskets at Christmas, I just know she would want anything unique and I think your cards would be perfect." In my mind I'm thinking.."300 cards!! WOOHOO! I might have to start making them now but hey..it's all good!" LOL! She also starts telling me that their colors aren't yet picked for this holiday and that holiday but that she'd like me to coordinate my cards with it, when the time comes. THEN, she says "Nicole, would you be interested in putting together my gift baskets in Oct-Dec? You could have as many or as little hours as you'd like. I think you'd be great, but I certainly wouldn't want to take away from your card-making." So, she told me to think about it. So, the meeting was quick and perfect. She said "I'm going to give these to Mr. so and so and I'll let you know what he thinks and we'll go from there." Okay, meeting is over, I'm walking to my car and (this is so me) fighting back my screams of excitement and tear of joy, get into my car, make sure no one can see me and ball like a baby!! LOL! I was so excited! I said a prayer and thanked HIM for a good meeting and asked for HIS will whatever it may be. :) So, she calls me the next day and leaves me a message (I was gone) and says that Mr. so and so thought they were FANTASTIC and wants to talk pricing AND AND...wants to know if I'd be interested in also doing their 8.5x11 advertising for their tables and windows!!! Well, like I wasn't exicited enough already, I'm standing there by the answering machine dancing around the living room, tears flowing AGAIN! I just can't believe it. So, I called Dan and asked him about pricing, talked my sista Carolyn and asked her advice and talked to Maryfrances who was so supportive!! Thanks a heap to all of you! I called her back, gave her my price (they will buy the cards from me, then sell them for whatever they want in retail) and she said she probably wouldn't call until next week...well, she called yesterday morning and said "Mr. so and so wants to place an order!" Well, I completely and utterly was just going crazy inside my head. So, he wants 24 of my Mother's Day cards and 12 graduation cards that'll match up with the area schools. AND my cards will be in ALL 3 stores!! They want the Mother's Day cards by next Friday, so I instantly freak out realizing that I don't have enough of that particular BG paper and I don't have enough of that particular May Arts ribbon do 24 cards, so I call MF and can I just say...MF, you are SO awesome for taking your time and truly being so supportive! Huge ((HUGS)) to you! THANK YOU! Also a very special to my Dan...you're quite a man, Dan the man! Love you and thanks for believing in me! ;)

So...that's my story and I'm definitely sticking to it! I feel rejuvinated (sp?), confident and blessed beyond words! Now, I just hope that they sell...but I also know that if they don't, it's for a reason. It IS for a reason and I WILL accept that!

And as ashamed as I am, I've never posted about being asked to become a full time Design Team member on Scrapbooker Online's Design Team. When Maryfrances asked me, I was SO stinkin' exicted (I'm sure there was more living room dancing going on!) and I'm having the time of my life. It's such an awesome experience and working with such talented designers, I feel truly blessed. And MF...well, she's a wonderful person to "work" for and a good friend. Thanks for giving me this opportunity. I hope I'm doing the position justice! Thanks so much!

This update has now taken me an hour to type up and for those of you who haven't fallen asleep by now, I'm sorry! LOL! But I've really loved every minute of it! Thanks again to Carolyn and Kelli for the push! And btw Kelli...so fun having you around SBO more! ;)

ScrapbookerOnline's April Contest!

Since April is the fourth month ScrapbookerOnline.com is going overboard with FOURS! Good luck everyone!

April Contest rules & details: * Submit a scrapbook layout that contains:

* a four letter word title (rated PG please)
* four photos
* four different patterned papers
* four lines of journaling

Only ONE submission per person will be accepted. Please forward journaling in plain text along with the photo.

NOTE: No previously published work will be accepted.

1. All images will be displayed in our monthly contest gallery.
2. Open to US and Canada residents only.
3. Please include a supply list.
4. Our winner will be notified by e-mail and must respond within 2 weeks of notification.
5. Winner will be announced in our monthly newsletter and on our site.
6. Winning Layout: Our Design Team will select one winning layout. The winner of this contest will receive a $25.00 gift certificate for our online store.
7. All entries must be received between April 1, 2007 & April 30, 2007.

*Submissions can be made by emailing April2007Contest@scrapbookeronline.com Or by uploading it to the "April: Four 4’s" contest gallery" MORE at www.scrapbookeronline.com

ScrapbookerOnline's March Contest

Feeling Green?

We want to see your green / St. Patrick’s Day layouts for our March contest at ScrapbookerOnline.com!!

Contest Rules/Details: * Submit a scrapbook layout using mostly the color green OR St. Patty’s Day theme OR BOTH ~ You Pick!! *

Only ONE submission per person will be accepted.
* Please forward journaling in plain text along with the photo.
NOTE: No previously published work will be accepted.

1. All images will be displayed in our monthly contest gallery.
2. Open to US and Canada residents only.
3. Please include a supply list.
4. Our winner will be notified by e-mail and must respond within 2 weeks of notification.
5. Winner will be announced in our monthly newsletter and on our site.
6. Winning Layout: Our Design Team will select one winning layout. The winner of this contest will receive a $25.00 gift certificate for our online store.
7. All entries must be received by March 30, 2007.

*Submissions can be made by emailing March2007Contest@scrapbookeronline.com Or by uploading it to the "March: Green or St. Patty’s Day – You Pick" contest gallery.*

MORE at www.scrapbookeronline.com

Good luck to everyone!

Scrapbooker Online's February Contest

February Contest Details

SHOW US THE LOVE!!!!!

Love is in the air at Scrapbooker Online this month. And one thing we love at SBO are sketches. So this months contest is your choice. Choose from one of our lovely sketches below and create a layout from it. All we ask is that you use one of the sketches and let your creativity flow! SHOW US THE LOVE LADIES!!





















Contest Rules/Details:

• Submit a scrapbook layout using one of the six sketches found in the contest details.
* Please include which # sketch you used.
• Only ONE submission per person will be accepted.
• Include journaling, if possible.
• Please forward journaling in plain text along with the photo.
NOTE: No previously published work will be accepted.

1. All images will be displayed in our monthly contest gallery.
2. Open to US and Canada residents only
3. Please include a supply list.
4. Our winner will be notified by e-mail and must respond within 2 weeks of notification.
5. Winner will be announced in our monthly newsletter and on our site.
6. Winning Layout: Our Design Team will select one winning layout. The winner of this contest will receive a $25.00 gift certificate from our on line store.
7. All entries must be received by February 28th, 2007.

Submissions can be made by emailing February2007Contest@scrapbookeronline.com

Or by uploading it to the "February2007: SHOW US THE LOVE" contest gallery.

User registration is required

February Contest Deadline is February 28th, 2007

Ribbonstiff from Strano Designs

RibbonStiff is a very cool product that will make it's debut at CHA at the end of the month! How very exciting! And the DT at SBO was lucky enough to work with it! Although I wanted to think a little more outside the box, it didn't happen. But I did come up with a couple of cards. The black topiary card is my favorite. And Strano's ribbon is gorgeous! Such beautiful colors and of the upmost highest quality! And it's available HERE!



Forever Classic meets endless possibilities.

Strano Designs is taking ribbon creativity to a whole new level with RibbonStiff™ -- premium ribbon stiffener and adhesive. Very simply brush a thin coat of acid-free RibbonStiff™ onto the desired length of Strano Designs 100% acetate ribbon to create an entirely new medium especially well-suited for paper crafting. Used as an adhesive, RibbonStiff™ will dry flat, flexible and clear, securing ribbon onto paper, chipboard, book board or any crafting project. RibbonStiff™ enables ribbon to easily be used as journal, album or book binding. Ribbon stiffened using RibbonStiff™ can be die-cut, punched or embossed. Strano Designs suggests using QuicKutz® products for best results.

RibbonStiff is acid free, non-flammable and dries clear.

Strano takes ribbon where no ribbon has gone before. And without fraying!

Once treated with RibbonStiff™, ribbon will not fray. Cuts will stay clean and crisp. Shapes will hold. Beauty and strength will bind.

Visit Ribbonstiff for ideas and inspiration.

Scrapbooker Online's January Contest

Good luck to all that enter!

This month at Scrapbooker Online our contest is ALL ABOUT YOU. Maybe there will be a new you in 2007, or maybe you just want to keep the old fun loving you. Well, come show the ladies at SBO the YOU we would all like to get to know, or know better. This does not have to be an “All About You” layout; we know that has been overdone lately. We just want to get a glimpse of you and what make you WONDERFUL, FABULOUS, SUPER, AND SPECIAL!!!!

Contest Rules/Details:

• Submit a scrapbook layout or album showcasing you.
• Only ONE submission per person will be accepted.
• Include journaling, if possible.
• Please forward journaling in plain text along with the photo.

NOTE: No previously published work will be accepted.

1. All images will be displayed in our monthly contest gallery.
2. Open to US and Canada residents only
3. Please include a supply list.
4. Our winner will be notified by e-mail and must respond within 2 weeks of notification.
5. Winner will be announced in our monthly newsletter and on our site.
6. Winning Layout: Our Design Team will select one winning layout. The winner of this contest will receive a $25.00 gift certificate from our on line store.
7. All entries must be received by January 29th, 2007.

Submissions can be made by emailing January2007Contest@scrapbookeronline.com Or by uploading it to the "January 2007: YOU" contest gallery.

*User registration is required
*December Contest Deadline is January 29th, 2007

Come on over to www.scrapbookeronline.com and enter the December Contest! Good luck to all!


Show your holiday spirit at SCRAPBOOKER ONLINE. Share your favorite holiday with the ladies of SBO. Enter our contest and you could be the winner. Share with us the memories your faily and friends just can’t wait to see when they browse through one of your family albums.

Contest Rules/Details:

• Submit a scrapbook layout or album showcasing your favorite holiday.
• Only one submission per person will be accepted.
• Include journaling, if possible.
• Please forward journaling in plain text along with the photo.
NOTE: No previously published work will be accepted.

1. All images will be displayed in our monthly contest gallery.
2. Open to US and Canada residents only
3. Please include a supply list.
4. Our winner will be notified by e-mail and must respond within 2 weeks of notification.
5. Winner will be announced in our monthly newsletter and on our site.
6. Winning Layout: Our Design Team will select one winning layout. The winner of this contest will receive a $25.00 gift certificate from our on line store.
7. All entries must be received by December 29th, 2006.

Submissions can be made by emailing December2006Contest@scrapbookeronline.com or by uploading it to the "December 2006: Holiday Spirit" contest gallery.

User registration is required

December Contest Deadline is December 29th, 2006

Thanks to all my sisters at SBO ww.scrapbookeronline.com) for the nudge to update my blog...you guys rock!

Where do I begin? It's been quite a while and I really wish I could be like my friend Nikki (www.workmanship.blogspot.com). She's an awesome blogger and I really love how we're able to peek into her daily life! :) Thanks Nikki!

Well, since my last post, at the beginning of August...

**I celebrated my 31st birthday. Sheesh...I don't feel like I'm 31 at all. I received many beautiful birthday cards, my parents took Dan and I out for my birthday dinner, my very best friend took me out for dinner, and we talked the night away, I received money towards my Pentax underwater camera, a gorgeous handmade mini-album from my dear friend Marjorie (www.minmaui.blogspot.com), an issue of "Cards" from my cool friend Carolyn (www.carolynlontin.blogspot.com), a cute "Fresh Watermelon" decoration from newly "American-ized" friend Krystin (www.calicanadiangirl.blogspot.com) and lots of birthday wishes from special people in my life! I apologize if I missed anyone! Love you all!

**I threw an all day (10am-3am) scrapbooking party at my house for my sister, SIL and my very best friend Brenda. Her SIL Amber also stopped by and we had a ball of fun! Lots of laughing, giggling, eating and of course, some scrappin'! It was so much fun that we're going to try and do it quarterly. Just gotta love scrappin' with people who love it as much as you do!

**Went to Siesta Key, FL for vacation and had a fabulous time with my hubby. I don't think I could ever get my fill of that place. We even rented a convertible to cruise up and down the Keys...ahhhh, paradise! We were also lucky enough to fly First Class on the way home just by asking if we could have exit seats! (love having more leg room!) Love how the village smells like the ocean, the palm trees never stop swaying, the sound of night life, the sandpipers and the sugar white sand under my feet everywhere I go. Love that it's on the sidewalks and follows you wherever you rest you feet.

**I became a Guest Design Team Member for the greatest scrapbooking community there is... www.scrapbookeronline.com!! And I'm having the best time with it! Wow...what an awesome experience to work the most talented Design Team! I'm also lucky enough to work with Beth(www.milestonesandmarkers.blogspot.com) and Holly (http://www.scrapbookeronline.com/gallery
/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1418) as GDT members as well! Such talent...I know I'll learn so much from all these lovely ladies! And I'm sure I'm going to be so sad when my time is over!

**I spoke with 2 of my online scrappin' friends on the phone...Maryfrances (www.mfabbri89.blogspot.com), owner of Scrapbookeronline. What a terrific lady! And gotta love that Boston accent! I can tell she's a riot and would be the life of the party! And also my dear friend Marjorie www.minmaui.blogspot.com). Oh gosh...she's just the cutest thing ever. Wish we could have met when our vacation's overlapped in Florida but it was not to be this time. I LOVE how she says my name in her sweet, tiny voice...Neecole? Love ya Marjorie! ((hugs)) to both of these awesome sistas!

**Both of my parents had birthdays in September and look as beautiful as ever!

**My summer flowers/flowerbeds are all done and cleaned out for the season.
Out of the 4 Chrysanthemum's I planted last fall, only 1 returned, but it's huge and a welcoming site for fall. Also, cut back my wild rose bush and hostas. And now to do my fall decorating inside. I can't get into it. In my mind, I'm still soakin' up the Florida sun...ahhhhh. It's just not fair that it's 85 degrees somewhere else. Maybe I'll decorate in a week or so...maybe not.

**Our pug had a medical emergency last night. Poor thing. She was acting strange all day and then last night, she started shaking, panting and we noticed she was bleeding, so Dan ran her to the vet and turns out she has a severe UTI. My gosh. I felt so bad. Don't know how in the world she got it. She rings the bell to potty every morning and every evening. It's like clockwork. But, nonetheless, a urine test, 1 shot, an envelope of doggie Amoxicillin and $161.00 later, Dan brought the poor thing home. But, Dan said she stuck her cute pug mug out the car window the whole time and hammed it up! :) We'll take her back for a check-up in 3 weeks. Love my little Beijing Ling!

Well, this was fun and I'm sure I forgot many things along the way, but I think I can say I'm pretty well caught up...

Since I'm having so much trouble uploading pics, I put them all in an album for you! Click on the photo below! Once you reach my album, run your cursor over each picture for full caption or click on the photo for a larger view!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Update!

Just couldn't pass up the opportunity
to wish my very best friends' husband a
Happy Birthday today!

Happy Birthday Aaron!

By the way...don't you look spiffie! :)

I do believe I'll be riding the scrappin' bus for a little bit anyway. I feel like I'm inspired to scrap. Or is it that I have a list of projects to do? Hmmmm...regardless, I'm having fun!

I received Patty's circle journal and her theme is "I like being a girl". I was a little nerveous about it, considering I haven't done many "girlie" pages and I don't use many pastel color schemes. But it was fun LO to do. I really do like being a girl! :) I just need to scrap a tag for her journal as well as a few other things that she's requested in her book. Thanks for the fun Patty!

Off to my table I go again. Today, I may start working on my nieces' album. There's really no deadline but the sooner I get it done, the sooner I get paid! I'd also like to try Corey's "Hand-write your title" Challenge. Even though my handwriting annoys me....LOL! Don't know if I'll be participating in SBO's August Contest or not. We'll see where I am by tomorrow nights deadline.

It's another scorcher here today. A good chance of severe weather will be bringing in a cold-front for the weekend! YAY! I'm ready for some cooling down! Enjoy the day everyone and stay cool!

On cloud 9, on cloud 9, on cloud 9!! I received the best piece of mail today (aside from all the lovely recipe cards from SBO's recipe swap..thanks ladies!)... our confirmation letter from Cathi in Siesta Key, Florida, (see my banner!) confirming our vacation reservations!! I can hardly stand it! This will be our 3rd year going and I can hardly wait! Awwwwww...I can already feel the sand between my toes! :)

In my scrapping world, it's been a very productive and creative last few weeks. I had an absolute ball participating in the SBO July Contest! I have 3 LO's and a card that I'm very proud of! All of the entries were awesome and I think it pulled some of us out of our scrappin' slump. Maryfrances, owner and Big Sis of SBO, posted Augusts' Contest Details today and it sounds like another fun one! Come on over and join the fun! You won't be sorry! Carolyn was also sweet enough to host a Christmas in July contest. The winner will be randomly picked and will receive a MM foam stamps/paint set. Which by the way...C's little boy Seth just picked the winner and she's holding us all hostage about it! LOL...anyway, the challenge was fun! I combined Carolyn's challenge with MF's "Friendship" Weekend Challenge and completed a LO using my good friend, Brendas', photo. Thanks for the super photo Brenda and thanks for the challenge C and MF! Here's my LO. (I tried to upload the rest of my LO's from July's Contest but Blogger is being a pain!)

On my scrap table right now....I'm looking forward to working in Patty's circle journal next. Her theme is "Why I like being a girl". Should be a fun project. I also need to start working on my nieces Sophmore HS year album. Her mom brought all the newspaper clippings, report cards, photos and awards over, so that's also on my list of things to start. I scrapped her Freshman year last year as well and it turned out nice. Add a couple of cards to this week's "to do" list and Corey's "Hand-write your title" Challenge and I'm all set. Hope I didn't forget anything! WHEW!

Bought a 1 GB memory card for my digi. I had a 256 MB card but with vacation coming up, I wanted one that would hold a LOT more photos so I went for it! Can't wait to fill it up! I have a feeling I'll be taking both of them! LOL...

Hope everyone is well. Look for my next post in the fall...LOL! Totally sarcastic there...I'm going to make a good, solid effort to keep this up. It's fun once I sit and post. I know if I'd do it more often it wouldn't be such a loooooooooooooooooong post! :)

BTW Mf....thanks for the push! ;)

Just want to take a moment to wish my beautiful friend Marjorie, a VERY Happy Birthday today! Wishing you much, much happiness on your special day! :) (pardon the date of this post....her birthday is July 7th and since she's in Hawaii and 6 hours behind, it's still her birthday in her world! LOL!)

Okay, the arrangement of these photos are not how I would have liked...I'm still getting the hang of this blogging thing.

Hope you and your family had a nice 4th of July! Here are a few photos from our town's fireworks. Hubby and I had planned to go to my brother's to spend the day there but the weather was not cooperating so we didn't go. Bummed we were!! So instead, we started the day off by going to a small all-day carnival that's held at one of our local parks. Hence the picture of the funnel cake...can't leave a carnival with one...or two! Well, you could but that would just be craziness! LOL! We ended the night by watching our town's fireworks with my sister and her family, from our driveway. We have a really nice view, thanks to a tree that was struck by lightning a couple of years ago! And then after the "grand finale" of fireworks, hubby and I sit on the front porch and watch all the traffic. The park is so close to our house, that the streets are lined with cars, parked bumper to bumper. Lots of brake lights, families with strollers and oodles of teenagers! We just sat there with our dog and our sparklers! Happy 4th everyone! Hope yours was a memorable one!

As far as the scrapping world goes, I have a few challenges that I'd like to do..Janet's Mono challenge, Corey's Patriotic challenge and of course SBO's July contest. The sketch for week 1 looks awesome and I'd like to give it a try! And of course, there's always general scrapbooking thatI'd like to get caught up on. I was recently backing up all my photos and can't believe how many I've taken over the past couple of months! Better get crackin' on some LO's!! Happy scrappin' fellow srappers!