It's Time!

I've decided it's time to do something about my weight! I am miserably overweight - and I'm tired of being miserable. A couple different things also helped me come to this realization while on vacation. 1st of all my jeans split out when I bent over in public - luckily I had a long shirt and a jacket... Then my mom made a point of pointing out that I had not lost any weight - later she informed me the twinkie I was eating was why I was fat!

When I needed a push to get the Asylum back in shape - it helped to post the before pictures here - it made me at least think I was accountable to someone to clean it up. So I've decided I need to do the same thing for my weight. I had Niko take a Before picture - isn't it lovely! I'm hoping it will help me stay on track. We shall see!

Home from Spring Break

Spring break was great - especially the time I got to spend with my sister scrapbooking. I so wish we lived closer together. I'll attempt to post some of the 14 pages I got done.

My Homemade Clip it up

Homemade Clip it Up by Kathy

I posted this as a Frugal Friday Tip at Scrap Our Stash. This is my version of a Clip it up! It is actually an over-the-door towel bar. I removed one of the bars - to give more space between the 1st and 2nd bar - then I used chain and dowel rods to add to more rows. I use book rings as my clips.

I can see what I have - and everything that goes together is together. I can easily un-clip them when I want to use them.

This has worked out great for me and takes up very little space. This is also the inside of the closet door - so if I don't want them visable I can close the door.

There's No One Like You

This is a layout for the March Old / New Challenge, at Scrap Our Stash The journaling says "Madeline, you are definately one of a kind! The kind we all love."

My old is the paper - the background is from one of the first slabs ever, the strips are scraps, and then the title was actaully stamped with old stamps! My New is the shape behind the title. It is actually a Sizzix Flower die cut that I recently purchased.

This was a fun challenge - I liked having to come up with something old and something new and put them together in one project. Now it's your turn. Check out all the details in the March Challenge at SOS. We'd love to post your project.

Don't miss the Spring Challenge going on at SOS also!

The Asylum

The Asylum is clean!!!! I just have to wipe off the table and then put the things back on it. I have everything organized and put away except some random paper - it is in a basket waiting to be filed - but it can wait. I still have not completed putting everything away from the dining room - but it's looking a little better too.

Now, I've got to get some pages planned so I can have what I need when I go to Wisconsin to scrap with my sister! I'm so excited - but sooo not ready!

Better get busy!

I'll try to get my AFTER pictures taken this weekend and then I'll post them at Scrap Our Stash for all to see!

Cleaning Update

I'm very close to being done with my room. I'm really bummed that I didn't take more during pictures. I'll be sharing my pictures soon. The Special Spring Cleaning Challenge starts tomorrow at Scrap Our Stash. Be sure to come by and join in!

Today's Special

Is... 1/2 price picture books. Seems how I scrapbook I think I'm going to skip this one! I did get my poster - it is soooo cute!

Can't wait to see what tomorrow's deal will be. I really need to order some pictures at 10 cents each too!

Today's Walgreens Special

is a free 8 x 10. Now to decide which one to print!!!!

My magazine covers turned out Super Cute!

later,
Kathy

Decorate it!

This was a fun layout I did for the "10" Challenge at Scrap Our Stash. There are a total of 9 colored rectangles and then the picture makes 10.

This is a pictues of Niko at the Children's Museum - not quite sure why the lighting did what it did - but I thought it made for an interesting picture. When I saw this quote - I thought it went with the picture...

I don't really like how the title turned out - but I wanted to do decorate in colored letters - so that kind of limited what I could do with the rest of the title.

Now head on over to Scrap Our Stash and check out all that is going on over there (just click on the blue Scrap Our Stash) in this post.

Thanks for looking!

Walgreens Photo Deals this week

Check out Walgreens Photo this week. They have a daily special - staring today with a magazine cover 8 x 10 for 1.99 - and then a new special everyday of this week. They also have 30 photos for 3.00.

Tuesday's deal is a poster for 1/2 price. I order one of the kidos in their halloween costumes. Check out the link above for the code.

Wednesday's deal is 1/2 price Canvas - but they also have a coupon for .99 for film developing. I found 4 more rolls of advantix film that needs to be developed....

February Challenge at Scrap Our Stash

The Best Papa
For the"10" challenge at Scrap Our Stash I used 8 patterned paper squares, a journal square and a square picture for a total of 10 squares.

A page of the Best Papa Bobby reading to his 2 favorite boys! They're reading "There's a Monster at the End of this Book". The looks on their faces are priceless!

It's still not to late for you to join in the February Challenge - head on over to SOS and get all the details.

Hope your planning on playing along for the Spring Cleaning Challenge too.

I've actually been working on the Asylum - but I can't post pictures yet - ya just have to wait til March...

Later,

Special March Challenge

My cleaning project has now become a challenge at Scrap Our Stash come check it out and join the fun(?)

The Asylum update

I actually did get a little done yesterday:

Put together my new Ott light - it is awesome - it was $229 at HL and I got it on cleareance for $53. I had just bought a new one at JoAnn's for 1/2 price - because mine had died. It wasn't nearly as nice - and was around $50 - so I took it back! Anyway - it is awesome - pictures later!

I emptied the pink bag in front of the door - set up my new stereo stand - another exciting story. I decided I needed a better place for my iris boxes that don't fit in the drawer thingy! But my CD player and CD's were on top of the place that they should probably go. So, I was thinking if I could get some kind of tall square table or CD holder it would allow me to move them... ANYWAY - I thought of this on my way to Goodwill - walked into Goodwill and found the perfect CD holder - Pictures later!

I also opened my Big Bite - that I had bought around Christmas time at Wal-Mart - turns out one of the feet are broken! Not sure if they are necessary - or what I'm going to do about it! Better keep the package though!
Make sure you scroll down to see all the NOW pictures (they are already out of date - YEAH)
Okay enough for now!
Later,
Kathy

The Asylum - NOW

The Asylum NOW!
I decided the best way to get the Asylum back to "normal" is to post it and here and then not only will I be able to see the progress I make - but I will be acountable to those who are watching me! So check in on me to see if I'm making any progress! I'll post the overflow into the dinning room later.

I hope that soon the AFTER will look like the picture in my banner!

Better get busy!

32 years ago today!

My baby girl was born! Wow how time flies! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LeAnn!

Trying to Psyche myself up to CLEAN the Asylum

The Asylum is out of control - so much that I've been scrapping in the dinning room. I have one more layout I need to complete for Scrap Our Stash but after that I really need to get in there and clean. I'm thinking about posting pictures of the progression - that way not only will I see that I'm making progress - You will see if I'm NOT making progress. I need you to hold me accountable.

The plan is to finish the layout I'm working on for SOS - and then get busy! So that will mean I should start Thursday evening! Don't hold me to that - but I do plan on devoting my weekend to cleaning it up.

We'll see!

Go vote

The finalists for the Special Valentine Challenge are posted at Scrap Our Stash. Please go by and vote for your favorite!

Special Valentine / Love Challenge

Hey come join the Special Valentine Challenge at Scrap Our Stash - all the details are below! Or just head over to the SOS blog - link above.

Can't wait to see your entry!

Later,
Kathy

My $$Frugal Friday Tip$$

Frugal Friday tip by Kathy This is a very simple tip that saves paper 0r in some cases stretches your paper.

Instead of putting a piece of 7" by 12" blue cardstock behind the 3 pictures in this layout - I cut two 1/2 x 12" strips and butted them right up against the pictures - so it looks like the pictures are matted. A savings of a 5 x 12" piece of paper.

Another example is in the "Where is your Popcorn" layout. The red and white striped paper was actually only 8 1/2 x 11 - so by cutting it into strips and butting it up against the pictures it appears that the stripped paper goes all the way across the 12" page under the pictures, but actually it is 4 strips glued above and below the outside pictues. Because it was not wide enough to reach across a 12 x 12 page I actually pieced it behind the center picture.

The title word Popcorn is an example of an earlier Frugal Friday tip on how to do fake chipboard letters . To learn how, go to Labels on the sidebar at Scrap Our Stash and click Frugal Friday tips to see all the tips.

If you use any of the Frugal Friday tips posted here on Scrap Our Stash - please submit a picture. We'd love to post them.

If you have a frugal tip you would like to share please email it along with a picture to scrappinpsycho@live.com. It could be our next Frugal Friday Tip!

$$Frugal Friday$$

At Scrap Our Stash ! Also don't miss the Special Valentine Challenge - see details below or go directly to SOS - just click on the Scrap Our Stash above.

I'm hoping to get lots of entries in the contest. Remember - it doesn't have to be something new!

Special Weekend Valentine / Love Challenge at SOS

Come join us at Scrap Our Stash for our Special Valentine Weekend Challenge. Just send a picture of your Valentine or Love project along with a brief description to scrappinpsycho@live.com. Your project does not have to be a new project - the only guideline is that it must have something to do with LOVE or VALENTINES!

Each entry will be posted on the Scrap Our Stash blog. Entries must be received by midnight on February 14th. On the 15th each of the Scrap Our Stash Design Team, and Guest Design Team members will cast a vote for their favorite. Then the top vote getters will be posted and readers will be able to cast their votes for their favorite. All votes must be received by midnight on February 28th. The top vote getter (winner) will be announced on March 1st and will be given the opportunity to be a Guest Design team member for the month of April.

Entries will be posted starting at 12:01 AM on 2/13/10 and will be posted in the order received. So, get those entries in now!

Be sure to come back and see everyone's projects and then after the 15th to cast your vote for your favorite.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at the above address.

Scrap Our Stash February Challenge

Perfect 10 by Kathy

This is my version of the February 10 Challenge at Scrap Our Stash Challenge I wanted to use the "10" prompt in a little different way - I kept thinking I wanted the title to be the Perfect 10 - I thought about doing a layout of myself (LOL). I thought what better perfect 10 then the 10 fingers and or toes of a newborn. But, of course I didn't have any great pictures of 10 fingers or 10 toes - so I went with these two pictures of Madeline's perfect fingers and toes!

Go to Scrap Our Stash (link above) February Challenge - and get all the details on how you can be a member of our Guest Design Team for April.

Thanks for looking!

I've actually been scrapping!

I actually completed 4 layouts this weekend. The only problem is (not really a problem) 3 of the 4 are for Scrap Our Stash so I can't post them here yet. One will actually post to the SOS board at 12:01 AM and here at 12:02 AM - so if you can't wait to see it - just head over there at midnight tonight! I'm sure you just can't wait.

I need to get pictures - but it's so cloudy here it's kind of hard to get a good picture. But it should be nice soon - I HOPE!

Later,
Kathy

Update!

My computer is almost back to normal - although I now have 23,000 pictures. That would be great - except Many of them are duplicates. So, I am slowly working on that. I have also actually done some scrapping - I acutally got my layout for Scrap Our Stash done. I can't post it here until it posts there - so you'll just have to be patient. I have done about 6 pages since the retreat. I need to get them all downloaded so I can share some of them...

If only there were more hours in the day!

Later,
Kathy

Sweet

I finally finished this layout of Jonathan decorating cookies in 2008. Isn't he Sweet?

I actually did this for an on line crop - but hadn't really finished it. I didn't have any glitter so I actually used green sugar sprinkles originally. I don't think they are acid free!

Scrap Our Stash Challenge & Frosted Designs Challenge

Sweet as Candy!

This is for my Scrap Our Stash January Challenge and for the Frosted Designs Chipboard Challenge.

The word Candy is from a set of Chipboard Letters.

This is a layout of Niko @ 2 - isn't he cute!

Thanks for looking!

ONLY 42,000 things left to delete!

I have literally spent my whole weekend deleting "pictures" from my computer. The sad part is they are not pictures - they are everything imaginable from the computer - arrows, sign on, buttons from on line games - everything you can imagine. Apparently on 10/25/09 (which I'm guessing is the date I installed my external disc drive - it must of pulled everything it could find - and I mean everything. There were 61,147 items on the ED. So, when my CP crashed and I reinstalled the ED - it gleefully put all 61,147 items on my computer - and put them all in one folder - which wouldn't be too bad - afterall they're all in one place. But the problem is the folder is sooo big it takes HOURS to open. And, it's wasting a lot of space.

So my mission was to get it cleaned up yesterday - - - I got 10,191 items deleted yesterday - and then worked on it again most of the day. Right now I'm waiting for it to delete my junk folder - then I'll empty the recycle folder - and continue tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day... Needless to say I got NO scrapping done this weekend. This is a priority though - because It's impossible to use my pictures on my computer the way they are.

I know this sounds like I'm complaining - but I'm not. I am still sooooo thankful I had the back up ED and that I didn't loose all of my pictures.

Back to it!

Later,
Kathy

January Scrap Our Stash Challenge

I actually posted my January Challenge layout at Scrap Our Stash. Without Picassa - I'm not posting it here - you'll just have to peek at it over there!

This picture is so cute - I just want to eat him up!

Later,
Kathy

I'm Up and Running!!!!!!!!

Finally... I was able to restore all my pictures - the only problem is the standalone - pulls every picture it can find - so now I have about 100,000 (I'm not exagerating) pictures on my computer - of only which 3000 are ones I want.... So now I have to figure out how to delete the extra 700,000. If anyone has any advice - I'm game. I refuse to open up Picassa before I get it cleaned up - because it will pull all of them too. That's just too many pictures to have to sort through....



Anyway, I was actually able to post a Frugal Friday tip at Scrap Our Stash - come check it out! And get your entries in for the January Challenge and send me any Frugal tips you have... See all the details at SOS.



Later,

Kathy

Computer Woes!

So, now I have a computer - but I have lost everything that was on it - no biggy except for the pictures.... I hope they are still on my External drive - but so far I can't get it to load - and I'm afraid to do anything that might loose what's on it... I've contacted the company for technical help - but not sure when that will happen. All I can say right now is - thank goodness for Snapfish!

Hope I can get a solution soon!

Later,
Kathy

My Computer is Alive . . .

and hopefully well. It has been restored - but now I have to plug it all back in and see what's left. I am sooooooooo thankful I bought a backup stand alone flash drive. I should at least be able to retrieve all 23,000 pictures that were on my computer. If you don't have one - I would recommend you get one NOW!

I'm not sure if my picassa will still be there - I would think so - guess we will see.

I'm hoping to be able to post some of the layouts I did at the retreat and at the TwoPeas Day Crop at Archivers. I also have to post my January Challenge to Scrap Our Stash . Luckily I have had enough computer access to keep it moving!

Thanks to everyone for your prayers!

Later,
Kathy

Retreat Report

The retreat has been great - not super productive, but at least I've gotten out of my slump! When I get my computer fixed I'll be able to post some of my layouts!

Now back to work!

Later,
Kathy

Keep praying!

Still no computer. The computer guy at work thinks it's just a matter of reloading Windows - of course I have no disk. He said he'd lend me one - so hopefully that will be the solution.

I took it to Best Buy - what a joke. Anyway, yesterday I was telling someone on the phone that my computer was still not working. Niko overheard me - and said "Meme good news - come look" the tower was in the living room - so I guess he thought Santa had brought us a new one!" Hmmmm! what an idea!

Thanks for all your prayers!

later,

Mostly Dead

There is hope for my computer - I hope to have it up and running before the weekend is over! I love computers - when they work!

My computer is Mostly DEAD

Please pray for a solution - other than checking its pockets for loose change! I have become very reliant (maybe too reliant) on my computer - it's vital to keeping the Scrap Our Stash blog updated.

If you know me - you know I'm serious about praying about it... God can do anthing - why not heal a computer. He did restore my lost pictures...

Later,
Kathy

Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hope you all have a great year!

And NO, I still didn't get any scrapping done - I was able to go into the asylum for about 2 minutes today - but then ended up going and buying a new (to me) vehicle! Mine is on it's last leg! So my New Year's present is more reliable transportation...

Later,
Kathy

Maybe Tomorrow!

Man, I need to get some scrapping done - or at least planned. Once again the evening got away from me - and I never even set foot into the Asylum. Maybe tomorrow!

All the World Loves a Clown

And these are the biggest two clowns in my life.

This is for the Frosted Design Paper Piecing Challenge and also for the December Scrap Challenge at Scrap Our Stash.

The clown was actually an OLD die cut that I used as a pattern. His face is drawn freehand, with a little red pompom nose - his hat is actually an OLD sticker and the paper - of course is an OLD 8 1/2 x 11 sheet fromt he dark ages! Great use of my STASH!

Don't ya just love clowns?

Merry Christmas

Just want to wish you all a Merry Christmas. It seems like the whole meaning of Christmas has been more of a reality this year. It's been much less hectic. It just seems like all the Christmas songs have been even more meaningful for me this year. I cried as I really listened to the words of:

"We are the Reason"

As little children we would dream of Christmas morn
And all the gifts and toys we knew we'd find
But we never realized a baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives

And we were the reason that He gave His life
We were the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

As the years went by we learned more about gifts
And giving of ourselves and what that means
On a dark and cloudy day a man hung crying
in the rain
Because of love, because of love

And we are the reason that He gave His life
We are the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

I finally found the reason for living
It's in giving every part of my heart to Him
In all that I do every word that I say
I'll be giving my all just for Him
For Him

And we are the reason that He gave His life
We are the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

He is my reason to live
[ We Are The Reason Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

Amy Grant's song "I need a silent night" has also been especially meaningful:

I've made the same mistake before
Too many malls, too many stores
December traffic, Christmas rush
It breaks me till I push and shove

Children are crying while mothers are trying
To photograph Santa and sleigh
The shopping and buying and standing forever in line
What can I say?

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

December comes then disappears
Faster and faster every year
Did my own mother keep this pace
Or was the world a different place?

Where people stayed home wishing for snow
Watching three channels on their TV
Look at us now rushing around
Trying to buy Christmas peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night

What was it like back there in Bethlehem
With peace on earth, good will toward men?

Every shepherd's out in the field
Keeping watch over their clock by night
And the glory of the Lord shone around them
And they were so afraid

And the angels said fear not for behold
I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people
For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord
And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace

I need a silent night, a holy night
To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise
I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here
To end this crazy day with a silent night
To end this crazy day with a silent night
[ I Need A Silent Night Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

If you are unaware that "We are the Reason" - I hope you will take the time to have a silent night - and discover this reality!

Merry Christmas!

December Scrap Challenge

Pumpkin Patch Kids

This is my contribution to the December Scrap Challenge at Scrap Our Stash. We've had some great projects completed by the Design Team and Readers. It will be difficult to choose a winner. Come check them out - and submit your scrap project while your there!

Finally did a little scrapping!

Not much. I layed out 3 simple pages - that I'll do at one of my upcoming crops - and then actually put a picture on a page - and almost completely cut out the title. Nothing great - but it will soon be done.

Scrapping? What is that?

Okay, I've lost my scrapping mojo! I think it's burried under all the stuff in my Asylum. I did spend last Friday night Scrap Night sorting all my scraps! I'm almost done. I'm hoping that will help my scrapping process. I usually scrap by color - so if I can go directly to a certain color scraps that will make things easier!

Things are going well at Scrap Our Stash Challenge we have had several readers submit projects and our Design Team continues to create fabulous projects. Our $$Frugal Friday Tips$$ have been very awesome - and we now have 30 followers... What could be better??

If you were one of our followers (hint, hint)!

Okay, better get busy!
Later,
Kathy

Cookie Baking III

Our Third Annual Cookie baking was more fun then ever - with the kids all a little older (even Jimi) and their new aprons. Luckily Mary was there with her camera - because I was too busy baking cookies to get many great pictures.
Enjoy!

Cookie Baking III Continued

Home

This is my Scrap Our Stash December Challenge project. The challenge was that at least 50% of your project must be scrapped with SCRAPS!

Well, if you know me - you know that part was not difficult at all. Most of my projects are made out of a majority of scraps - it's much harder for me to use a full sheet of paper! Thus - the challenge for everyone else to be like me!

This is actually a lift from TWO PEAS IN A BUCKET

Come check out the challenge - and do your own SCRAP project. See all the details at

Scrap Our Stash Challenge

You Better Not POUT!

A picture of Niko having a meltdown after getting hit in the back of the head with a snowball. What would you expect from a Texan...

I did this for the 2Peas on-line crop. The challenge was to use the lyrics or title of a Christmas song. Thought this fit perfectly.

Sorry for the bad picture - it's difficult to get decent pictures in my Asylum at night.

Now, I need to get my Scrap Our Stash December Scrap Challenge finished...

Then, I have to clean my Asylum - it is soooo out of control. I've decided I can't scrap until I get it cleaned up... Hope I get to scrap again this year.

Thanks for looking!

2Peas On Line-crop!

The challenge was to do a layout about a list... So as usual I twisted it a little - and scrapped about Why I Don't make Lists... The page says: My List of reasons I don't make lists. 1. I'd have to find something to write with. 2. I'd have to find something to write on. 3. I'd forget what the list was for. 4. I'd loose the list. 5. I'd never know if I completed the list or not because it would be lost. The smaller list says: My List

1. Find a pen. 2. Find paper. 3. What was this list for? 4. Find my List. 5. Oh well! Maybe next time!

Thanks for looking!

Oh Christmas Tree

My favorite kidos's decorating the Christmas tree with "Toy Story" toys. They did a great job of getting them all on - but later Jonathan decided he should play with them. So he took all the ornaments (toys) he could reach off the tree. He was having a great time - but the hangers were getting in his way - so he started asking us to take them off. After the 2nd one - we convinced him they had to stay on.

I love this time of year!

Not Much Scrapping Done!

I haven't gotten much scrapping done - too much time spent over at Scrap Our Stash Challenge. I am still working on my house layout - it will be my December challenge - to scrap with SCRAPS. Hope to get it done soon. Then the trick will be getting a decent picture of it - seems how it's been rainy around here.

Also gotta finish getting more Christmas decorating done. Niko filled the Advent Calendar with candy (Halloween Trick or Treat Candy) last night. So at least that's done. Now he's bugging to hang the stockings. He's decided that he doesn't want the "train" stocking anymore - he found a huge fluffy stocking - he decided that should be his this year. Then he confessed - it will hold a lot more....

Gotta love him!

Maybe I'll get some pictures of the tree posted - while there are still a few (toy story) ornaments on it. We've re-decorated at least twice now.

We'll see!

December Challenge

Drum roll! It has finally arrived...

Our first Challenge at Scrap Our Stash Challenge has posted. Come and check it out - see what the challenge is - what the Design Team has done with the challenge and be a part of the challenge. Every participant's work will be posted to the blog - and a winner will be chosen. It could be you!
http://scrapourstash.blogspot.com/