My Wandering Soul...

CTMH - February Promo!!!

2009-02-08T09:00:00.003-05:00

Close To My Heart is celebrating an anniversary in 2009 — but you get the gifts! That’s right — our founder and CEO Jeanette Lynton marks 25 years as a leader and innovator in the stamping business, and to celebrate, they're giving all stamp purchasers a fabulous gift! When you spend $25 US in My Acrylix® stamps (K-size customized, Stamp of the Month, and any discounted retired sets excluded), you’ll receive a totally cool, custom-designed B-size stamp set, appropriately titled “Good Times.” It’s a celebration-themed set, with a variety of fun party icons and sentiments like “let’s party” and “hip hip hooray” that are oh, so versatile. This is a must have set!!!! Available only thru the end of the month :)

Visit my website HERE to see what the stamp set looks like. Additionally, you can place your order thru there or send me an email or phone call and I'll get you all set up!!!! Let's make birthday cards!!!

February SOM - CTMH

2009-02-07T14:52:00.004-05:00

Wow... over a week since my last post, sorry! I started a new job on Monday and worked everyday training. Normally I will only be working 3 days though. I am really liking it :) Anyways... lots of CTMH things going on this month!!!

First up is the Stamp of the Month - Easter Eggs!!! They are so fun to play with :)

I joined a CTMH swap (consultants only) and here are all the beautiful cards I recieved back... Credit goes to the following ladies - Denise Quinlan, Jen Rubio, Laura Canup, Starr Nelson, Penny Gallegos, Nancy Kearsley, Jan Dagley, Heather Roers, Stacey Gibbs, Adeline Brill, Addie Ebersohl and myself. Enjoy! LMK if you have any questions!!!

Digi layout - Mandisa

2009-01-28T18:08:00.002-05:00

Today I worked on a digi layout... I saw Mandisa back in June and had the inspiration to do a layout today... my current printer is pissing me off so I decided to do a digi one - still had issues with my lack of knowledge but I came up with this using a template :)

What do you think? Please leave comments - I'm not sure I like it...

LOVE Wall Hanging

2009-01-22T11:22:00.003-05:00

Hello! I've been working on this little wall hanging for a few days... I really wanted to print out some pictures to adhere to the 3x3 squares prior to posting this but I haven't taken any lately of my love and I that I really like so I'll have to go out this weekend and take some :) BUT I wanted to show the wall hanging because the paper and some of the stamps are only available thru CTMH till January 31st!!! I used the Key to My Heart Paper Pack again... I love the flourishy designs and the colors :) Additionally, I used Chipboard letters and covered them with Tulip cardstock and stamped on them with the corner flourish in the KTMH set. Also used some bling, colonial white buttons and the sentiment on the bottom "anything for you" is from the Priceless Love Word Puzzle... love this set and hope to make a few samples using it soon!!!

*** Would you love a wall hanging like this but don't have the time to make one? I can make you one with any saying and/or colors.... just send me an email :)

Mojo Challenge # 70

2009-01-20T11:01:00.003-05:00

Yeah! I am finally getting back into a routine :) Yesterday afternoon I made these Valentine/Love cards using the Mojo Monday Sketch found HERE. I love how it turned out!!! I used the CTMH promotion Key to my Heart paper pack and size E stamp set that runs thru the end of the month (see a few posts down for more info, order today!)... I have been dying to use it as its been sitting in a box for 2 weeks!!! What do you think?

Supplies -
CTMH Key to My Heart paper pack & stamp set
CTMH Exclusives Ink - Chocolate, Tulip and Juniper
CTMH mini brads - Tulip, Juniper and Sorbet
Cuttlebug swirly embossing folder (under key on sorbet cardstock)

*** Do you love this card and would like to give it to your loved ones for Valentines? Or something similar??? Only $2 per card - Order now :) scrappinadriane@yahoo.com

New Toy!!!

2009-01-19T17:23:00.004-05:00

So... today I went to Hobby Lobby. Now that I am 15 minutes away its turning into a weekly trip... anyways, I went to buy a few things that I needed to make a Valentine project that I will be starting in a week or so and decided to see if they had the Cuttlebug in stock. Yes, you guessed it - they did and I bought it!!! There was even a nice lady that gave me her coupon as she had mulitiple in her wallet :) I wouldn't have bought it without the coupon so I am so glad she offered!!! I will be playing with her tomorrow. I did buy one embossing folder and she did come with a few but they weren't very cool. Where you do you buy your embossing folders? Do you know of any online stores that are having a sale on them??? Please share!

Lots of CHICKEN!

2009-01-17T14:47:00.004-05:00

So... did you know in downtown Cumming, GA there is a Tyson Chicken Plant? Well, they have a "discount" store (scary I know!) where you can buy 20lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts for $29!!!! What a great deal :) This week - while my mom is still here helping me - I decided to check it out... I guess they periodically have other things as well but I just wanted to try the ckn breasts and make some premade meals (like Dinner Done) to have in the freezer so I can just pop them in the oven. So, I defrosted 3 of the 4 bags (it came in 4 bags, 5lbs each). This is what I made with it...

(3) Quart size freezer bags cut up in bite size/stir fry size
(1) Quart size freezer bag cut up in bite size/stir fry and seasoned in taco spices
(2) 5x8 aluminum pans of chicken tenders coated with italian seasoning and parmasean
(1) 5x8 aluminum pan of chicken tenders coated with honey mustard and panko
(2) 5x8 aluminum pans of Buffalo Chicken tenders
(2) 5x8 aluminum pans of Feta & Spinach Chicken breasts
(3) 5x8 aluminum pans of Chicken Enchilada Casserole
(2) Chicken Pot Pies using 9" Pie Crusts

Additionally, we bought a pork loin and cut it into 8 pork chops and I covered them with Brie and Dijon mustard (yum) and packaged them 2 in a pan - 4 more meals... and last week we made up 3 large pans of Shephards Pie for my cousins high school Robotics Club meeting so I made a few of those in smaller containers from my freezer as well!!! So... my freezer in the basement/workshop area is starting to fill up!!!

Thanks to Jenn also for giving me directions and the hours to the Tyson place :)

Enjoy - here are a few pics too of my freezer and of the beautiful Ckn Pot Pies

January CTMH Promo & SOM!!!

2009-01-15T09:04:00.004-05:00

Close to My Heart is proud to announce National Papercrafting Month — a January sensation that celebrates all the amazing things you can create with paper and a little creativity. And to make it even more fun, we're offering a fantastic kit that will enhance every one of your projects.

The gorgeous new Key to My Heart Level 2 paper packet features all of our luscious new exclusive colors: Tulip, Juniper, Sorbet, and Creme Brulee. The packet is accompanied by the awesome new E-size My Acrylix(R) Key to My Heart stamp set brimming with elegant, charming designs.

This beautiful combo is available through January 31 OR while supplies last. It can be yours at a substantial savings, or even FREE! You may purchase this gorgeous kit for $47.90; or when you order $75 you may purchase it for just $20; or purchase $130 and you will receive it FREE!

What's more, if you join Close To My Heart between January 1–31, you'll receive the kit FREE in your New Consultant Kit. Enjoy National Paper Crafting Month!

Additionally, don't forget about the Stamp of the Month for January!!! Available only in January AND don't forget you can earn it FREE with a $100 purchase :)

To order, visit http://www.adriane.myctmh.com/, email me at scrappinadriane@yahoo.com or give me a call (813)966-1308.

COPICS!!!

2009-01-05T17:08:00.003-05:00

Okay... I broke down and decided to order some Copics!!! I read that Oozak.com was a good place to order and has free shipping at $50 - they don't have a lot of colors in stock when I ordered but since I am starting at scratch it didn't matter :) So, I started my collection with 13 colors. I am so excited to play with them!!! Do you use Copics? What are your favorite colors and how do you store them!?!?!?

I have had company since 12/26 and I think my mom is staying till around 1/20 so not sure when I will get to play but I will be ready when the opportunity arises... in the meantime we have been getting a lot of things done around our new house :) Today we went to a lighting store and I am replacing every fixture in the living room, dining room, entry way, kitchen table light, hallway lights and even the light in the guest bathroom and the 2 fans in the living room - they are going to make a huge difference once they are up... now to decide on a new couch and a paint color...

Well, gotta run - out for Mexican tonight!!!

Mojo Monday!

2008-12-22T18:19:00.004-05:00

Hello! I am back!!! Sorry for the long non-posting period. I just got to unpack my scrapbook room yesterday... and today in the mail this adorable stamp showed up and I had to ink her up! Her name is Nurse Anya and she is from Pink Poison. I am so glad to be back in my little scraproom! So, today is Mojo Monday... Here is my card I made. You can view the sketch HERE.

Recipe -
Paper - CTMH, Perfect Day, Cocoa and Colonial White
Sticker - CTMH, the scallop border is from the Perfect Day MyStickese
Ink - CTMH, cocoa & tulip
Stamp - Pink Poison, Nurse Anya & CTMH, Smile is from Thoughtful Seasons
I also used Prismacolor pencils to color her in - Rouge, Jasmin & Beige

Enjoy! Additionally, these cards are for sale at $2 each and can be made with different background paper. Also, I have the Kokoyo Adhesive Permanent refills available for sale at $5 each. And if you don't have a recent CTMH catalog LMK and I can get you one. Please email me at scrappinadriane@yahoo.com for more information :)

Rachel Ray!!!

2008-12-09T21:38:00.003-05:00

So, last night DH and I went to a Borders Bookstore in Marietta to try to win tickets to Miracle on Peachtree - a FREE concert with David Cook and a few others... I really want to go, but didn't win the tickets. There are a few more places this week to try to win them so I might check them out and try again. Anyways, a few hours before we left for Borders I found out that Rachel Ray was going to be there signing her Big Orange Book Cookbook so we left earlier to buy a few books - got a ticket with a number on it then had to wait for our ticket number to be called before we could get in line... 4 1/2 hours later we left Borders! She was very nice but could tell her hands were getting tired of signing so many books - probably about 1500!!! The books and tickets sold out :) Here are a few pictures from last night...

Digi layout - Kinley

2008-12-07T18:24:00.004-05:00

Hello! I have been working on this one for a few days... this is the first lesson from Jessica Spragues Digi in Deep! Let me tell you the tag & ribbon was a little challenging but I think I pulled it off :) What do you think? Let me a comment!!!

Digi Layout - Guinness!

2008-12-05T14:56:00.002-05:00

I miss my scrapbook supplies! Our moving journey is going very slow, we hope to move into our new house late next week! But, I wish I could play with my scrapbook stuff today... I recieved the new Spring 2009 CTMH catty this week and there is some really nice things, I can't wait to share!!! Anyways, since I can't participate in the challenges and such that I miss dearly... I decided to make a digi page :) I haven't done digi layouts in months and simply needed some refreshing. I took Jessica Spragues classes this past year and so I decided to pick back up where I left off... still a few classes behind, LOL. Anyways, here is my layout I made from our afternoon at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin (from February) I am still working on my digi book from that trip :) I think this is page 10 & 11... Anyways, enjoy!

MojoMonday - Sketch 61

2008-11-19T16:44:00.002-05:00

Yeah! I had time to squeeze in another sketch before we move!!! This is the Mojo Monday sketch that can be found HERE.

I have been trying to use up some of my CTMH papers (new ones are coming soon!) so, these cards I used the Boom-Di-Ada paper pack, my Stickease are used for the scallopped bottom and the tag, hollyhock twill and colonial white twill were used behind the tag and a hollyhock concho and garden green brad were used in the tags. Additionally I stamped Happy Birthday using Octobers SOM - Annotations in Barn Red ink, I also distressed the edges using the Barn Red ink. Enjoy!

TMTT - Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

2008-11-17T09:12:00.006-05:00

Yesterday I was in the mood for some soup - probably because of our little Florida coldsnap... which is preparing us for the coldness of Atlanta... I found this recipe on AllRecipes.com for this Slower Cooker Chicken Taco Soup and made it last night - I took this picture after I added some cheese, chips and sour cream... YUMMY!!!!

You can find the recipe HERE

As always check out Blessed with Grace's Blog for more yummy recipes!

Friday - TECC & AmyR Sketches!

2008-11-14T20:07:00.002-05:00

TGIF! This week has flown by... what else is new? I spent a few days at my parents house with my sister and niece it was nice to see them before we move :) The moving van is coming in a week - oh, my! We are pretty much ready since they will be doing the packing for us and we just have to make sure we set aside what we'll need for a week or two until we move into the new house - fun stuff! Well, I think tonight is my last opportunity to play in my scrapbook room so I am taking advantage while my DH is out having some beers with a friend... Today is Friday so I have 2 sketches for you :) TECC and AMYR - I decided to go nice and simple tonight... do you like them???

TECC Recipe
Paper - CTMH Creative Basics Evensong, Cranberry Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock
Sticker - Families... is a sticker from the Evensong My Stickease pack
Accessories - CTMH square bling and CTMH Colonial White brads
Ink - CTMH Olive used to distress the edges

AMYR Recipe
Paper - CTMH Colonial White Cardstock
Stamps - Snowflakes are CTMH Feathery Flakes and sentiment is CTMH Festive Thoughts
Ink - CTMH Juniper, Crystal blue and Indian Corn blue
Accessories - used Liquid Glass and mini bling on snowflakes

TECC41 - Sketch Challenge

2008-11-10T19:52:00.003-05:00

Another sketch challenge! This one is from Taylored Expressions... she has a new sketch every Friday. This is from 11/7 - I was hoping to do it over the weekend but I had no time for playing this weekend it flew by too fast! So, this is #41 (The TECC stands for Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge, you don't have to use cupcakes!) I hope you like it...

Recipe:
Stamps are from My Favorite Things, Serenity Now
Paper is from CTMH, Perfect Day, Tulip Cardstock
Ink is CTMH, Cocoa
Sticker in corner, brads (sorbet) and scalloped sissors used are CTMH

Amy R's Friday Sketch #45

2008-11-07T16:07:00.002-05:00

TGIF! I decided to try another sketch challenge... they are so fun! I hope I can keep this up although there will be a few weeks while I am moving that I won't get to play but hopefully I can get back into the swing of things fast! This sketch is from Amy at http://prairiepaperandink.typepad.com

Recipe - I used the Junkitz Salsa papers and chipboard for this card and CTMH black ink to distress the edges.

Card - Enchanted Blessings

2008-11-05T17:35:00.003-05:00

Hello! I made this card a few days ago and was going to wait til it was closer to Thanksgiving but... I didn't have anything else to post today and I have been on a roll all week so didn't want to miss a day :) This card is made with all CTMH product. Below are the supplies... Enjoy!

Paper - Enchanted Paper Pack, Smokey Plum and Sunflower cardstock
Cuttlebug was used on the Smokey Plum paper using the dots embossing folder (Thanks Joni!!!)
Stamps - Give Thanks (D1110)- I watercolored them with our watercolor pencils (not a great job, I need to buy some Copic's!)
Brad - Sunflower and Ribbon - Garden Green
Ink - Archive Black

TMTT - Sweet & Sassy Pumpkin Seeds

2008-11-04T09:02:00.005-05:00

Today is Tuesday - I am here to Tempt Your Tummy! I have been trying to do recipes on Tuesdays (got the idea from my SIL Kari, from this blog, http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com) I think I missed a few Tuesdays... anyways... we didn't carve our pumpkin this year, just left it plain - that meant that I still had seeds in there :) I have never tried or really heard of eating pumpkin seeds but a coworker of mine brought some in last week and they were yummy. I then saw this recipe on this blog, http://castsugar.blogspot.com and decided to try it... Here are a few pictures and let me tell you they are yummy!

Ingredients:
1 medium pumpkin
5 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp.salt
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
Pinch of cayenne pepper, to taste
1 1/2 Tbsp. peanut oil

Preheat oven to 250 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut pumpkin open from the bottom, removing seeds with a long-handled spoon. Separate flesh from seeds, and reserve the flesh for another use (that over-achiever Martha would like for you to save it to make pie filling). Pumpkin should yield 1 cup seeds. Spread seeds on parchment in an even layer. Bake until dry, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Let cool.

In a medium bowl combine 3 tablespoons sugar, salt, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne. Heat peanut oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add pumpkin seeds and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Cook until sugar melts and pumpkin seeds begin to caramelize, about 45 to 60 seconds. Transfer to bowl with spices, and stir well to coat. Let cool. These may be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Mojo Monday - Sketch 59

2008-11-03T13:34:00.003-05:00

Happy Monday! I have never really done a sketch before let alone off someones blog... I've been wanting to because they always look so good! Well, this morning I decided to go for it!!! This Sketch is #59 off the Poetic Artistry blog (http://poeticartistry.blogspot.com) she posts a new one every Monday :) So, here is the sketch and here is my card that I made. I used all CTMH products on this card. The background paper is from Perfect Day (in the new catalog - do you need a new Winter catalog? LMK ) The flower and One of a Kind is actually stickers from the Perfect Day My Stickease set. I used clear buttons and mounted them on Juniper cardstock (new color!) and used natural hemp to tie thru the buttons, also everything is distressed using cocoa ink - I hope you like :)

November CTMH SOM!

2008-11-02T12:03:00.004-05:00

Another great SOM from CTMH! All Decked Out - D1308, only available during November!
I made these 2 cards using all CTMH product except the background is done with the cuttlebug embossing folder with snowflakes (Thanks Joni for letting me borrow!) I also got the inspiration for this card from other CTMH consultant but I changed it quite a bit :) The first card I used Sweet leaf and blush and the second card I used 2 of our new colors, Juniper and creme brulee - not sure which one is my favorite... Enjoy!!!

I voted today!

2008-10-30T20:13:00.000-04:00

Sold our house!!!

2008-10-28T09:54:00.003-04:00

Yes, we have sold our house! We are so relieved :) We close on our house here in Florida on 11/24 and close on our new house - pictured here on the left - on 12/1!!!

Free class!!!

2008-10-26T17:30:00.002-04:00

Hello all! In case you don't read Jessica Spragues Blog or have been to her website lately... she is having a FREE class - check it out - she is a DigiScrapper genius and I've taken 4 classes off her website... LOVE them all!!! I still need to finish the last one :) I am not sure if I will actually do the project of this class as it seems you will need to tell stories and I am horrible at that. BUT.. I am sure I will learn something :) So, join in on the free class and have a blast!!!

Moving Book

2008-10-25T15:35:00.003-04:00

So... as most of you know we are moving :) DH and I are very excited... our house is pending on a sale - so cross your fingers!!! Anyways, DH and I were compiling all our "moving documents" and notes on multiple pieces of scrappaper etc and I figured I'd just make us a little notebook :) Isn't it cute?

Cookie Layout

2008-10-22T18:07:00.003-04:00

I made a scrapbook page today!!! This is from last year when my mom, sister and I made cookies at my parents house... I am going to miss that this year if we move before Christmas (crossing my fingers!). In this layout - that I am adding to my Christmas Album - I used Creative Imaginations background paper (Sweet Tooth & Rolling Pins), Sweet tooth sticker sheet (lots left), CTMH Chocolate Cardstock, CTMH White Bigger Brad and Thickers Chipboard letter for the title {COOKIES}. Enjoy! P.S. I have leftover paper and stickers... anybody want to come get them???

More Halloween Cards!

2008-10-20T14:01:00.002-04:00

Not sure why I am in the creepy Halloween mood... but I am being drawn to this new stamp set - Creepy Cobwebs! Here I used all CTMH product. Black, Daisy white and Hydrangea cardstock. Black, Sunflower, Goldrush and Autumn Terracotta ink. The Creepy Cobwebs stamp set and the Say it in Style stamp set with a little bling on the cobwebs! I got this idea off one of my fellow CTMH blogger's - there is such creativity out there - thank you for the inspiration!!! Enjoy :)

Halloween Cards!

2008-10-19T16:52:00.007-04:00

Its getting close to Halloween... here are a few cards that I made yesterday! I got the idea from a fellow blogger :) I used the Luxe paper that I won months ago and hadn't used yet, Goldrush CTMH cardstock, CTMH Happy Halloween from Say It In Style & CTMH spider is from Creepy Cobwebs. Enjoy!

Christmas Card Workshop

2008-10-19T15:50:00.003-04:00

Are you ready to make some Christmas cards??? Get a head start! My workshop is going to be Friday, November 7th - anytime from 4pm til 8pm - come and make as many cards as you like!!! RSVP with the amount of each card you'd like to make and I will precut everything for you - everything is included in this workshop even the adhesive!!! Price is 3 cards for $5. Are you thinking that you LOVE these cards but don't have the time to make them??? Well, I can make them for you!!! Just email me privately and I will let you know the additional cost for my time to make them :) Looking forward to seeing or hearing from you...

Party!

2008-10-19T15:41:00.002-04:00

Wow - it was a long week! Now the weekend is almost over... Yesterday we celebrated my DH's parents - Jerry & Gloria's 50th Wedding Anniversary! Their anniversary isn't until December but they wanted to have to party before all the holiday excitement started :) The party turned out wonderful, I think everyone had a good time - there was LOTS of dancing going on! Here are a few pictures from the evening...

BOO!

2008-10-14T19:24:00.004-04:00

Its October and like 18 days till Halloween :) Have you picked out your costume yet?

I needed a little time alone in my studio tonight and wanted to make something fun. I got this idea off a blog somewhere ( I think it was LUXE ) last year and knew I wanted to make one of these before Halloween. I found the perfect frame at Hobby Lobby last week when I was in GA - yes, I will have a HL within 15 minutes of my new house (if the deal goes thru!)!!! So, tonight this is what I made...

I used the Rusty Pickle Adamms Family paper from last year, the alphabet letters are from the CTMH Friendship Stamp set(the promotion stamp set last month - I do have 2 sets of them for sale if you are interested :) Also, the spider web stamped in the background is CTMH from an awesome new set called Creepy Cobwebs. I hope to make a few cards with this stamp set soon too... Enjoy!

6x6 Accordian Album

2008-10-14T16:31:00.006-04:00

Time for some artwork... I really meant for this blog to showcase the artwork/stamping/scrapbooking projects that I do, but lately it seems to be an outlet to share pictures from family get togethers or adventures of some sort :) Sorry for the lack of artwork!!!

I made this CTMH 6x6 Accordian Album a few weeks ago. My friend Margaret in Iowa was getting married and I wanted to make her something handmade... 6x6 album was perfect and since I had 2 of them I decided to make one for myself too! I haven't added pictures yet but I think I am going to do pictures from our wedding :) So, here is what I made minus the pictures.

Saturday & Sunday

2008-10-05T23:13:00.004-04:00

It was a great weekend! We could have not asked for better weather... seems its going to get colder this week also :) We looked at new property again yesterday, the subdivision we liked didn't have anymore basement models available but we wanted to look at additional floorplans so we did some driving to other subdivisions by the same builder to see them, fun times. I did end up liking a different model - that was actually the cheapest, LOL! Then last night we had dinner with my cousins Jade and Jessica and her DH T.J. then after the worst service EVER at Applebees we went to my other cousin Chrissy's house that I haven't seen in years and visited with her and her DH Nathan - it was a nice evening. I can't wait to move up here! This morning we had a slow start but drove around a few other neighborhoods... then went on a boat ride - my uncle Mark has a huge Pontoon boat - so 10 of us headed out for a ride and had some yummy hotdogs on the grill we cooked on the boat :) I only took the little camera on the boat and it didn't seem to take any good pictures today probably because of the sun and I didn't have any good angles... anyways here is one with my 2 favorite cousins that I love dearly!!!

Tomorrow (Monday) I will be heading out with a realtor to look at some existing properties... wish me luck!

House Hunting Trip #1

2008-10-03T22:09:00.003-04:00

So... we drove up to GA on Thursday (after spending $900 on the Liberty, UGH!) to start our house hunting process :) We are having such beautiful weather so far, low 80's today and like 60's tonight = perfect (IMO), LOL! Anyways, today we looked at 6-7 new subdivisions, they started running together after 3-4 since some are similar... all I can say is thank goodness you get more house for your money here! The question is how much house do I actually want to clean instead of how much house can I afford, lol. We found one community here in Cumming that we really like and actually my cousin and her DH are hoping to move into the same community next year. They have so many floorplans to choose from and they are huge, like 4 & 5 bedrooms!!! So, we are going to go back tomorrow and look at the smaller models then we can afford to put in a basement instead of having an extra bedroom/bath, not all the lots have a basement so we have to see what is available, etc. Here are a few pictures of 2 of the models from this subdivision - nice huh? Still need to sell our house, we did get an offer this week BUT it was absolutely way too low!!!! I hope we have another offer soon :) Have a great weekend!

TMTT - Baby Back Pork Ribs RUB!

2008-09-30T16:20:00.003-04:00

Oh my, this rub is so good! We made this over the weekend while camping :) Welcome back to TMTT :)This recipe comes from Rachel Ray's June 2008 Magazine - www.rachaelraymag.com/june

Serves 6 - Prep 15 minutes - Cook 1 hour 10 minutes (We cooked our ribs in a smoker so it took way longer as its a different method of cooking)

3 Tablespoons paprika
2 Tablespoons crushed red pepper (this makes the ribs super hot, so be careful!)
1 1/2 Tablespoons onion powder
1 1/2 Tablespoons garlic powder
1 1/2 Tablespoons dried basil
1 1/2 Tablespoons dry mustard
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons ground ginger
Salt and Pepper to taste
6 1/2 lbs baby back ribs
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

In a small bowl, combine all dry spices. Preheat the grill to medium. Arrange ribs on a large baking sheet and rub on both sides with the oil, then season generously with the spice mixture. Cover the baking sheet tightly with foil and grill, with the cover down, until the meat is tender, about 1 hour. Remove the foil and place ribs on the grill. Cook turning once, until lightly charred, about 10 minutes. YUMMO!

Fort Desoto

2008-09-28T19:22:00.003-04:00

Hope everyone had a great weekend! DH and I left on Friday to go camping at Fort Desoto Park. I love camping but I think camping in a tent is starting to wear on me... I think I would enjoy it more if I had my own shower and didn't have to walk to the bathrooms in the middle of the night in the dark, LOL! Anyways, we went with my parents (who have a small RV) for Friday night then on Saturday afternoon, my sister/DH and the 3 crazy little ones came down from Orlando for the night thru this morning. We had a great time playing cards, cooking out, using our smoker to do some ribs, fishing (mom caught 3 fish!), bike rides, actually walked thru the Fort and the Musuem, etc... I took over 150 pictures this time since the kids are so adorable! Here are a few of my favorites :)

Army

2008-09-25T08:44:00.006-04:00

My nephew Adam Winchester left his base in Alaska on Tuesday for his first tour of duty in Iraq. He is told he will be there for a year. We wish him the best while overseas and pray for a safe return home. The first picture was taken at our house, fourth of July 2007 and the second was taken this past June at our nephew Troys high school graduation.

Haircut & Color

2008-09-24T17:11:00.003-04:00

So - I got my haircut today along with a new color :) Don't get me wrong I love the highlights of blond/chocolate I had going on - but thought I needed a change of something more fall and perhaps more grown up (will i ever look like i am in my 30's and people stop treating me like i am 15???) Anyways, what do you think? Should I go darker? I am sure some of the "red" will wash out in the next few days....

Off to Ybor City tonight to do dinner at the Tampa Bay Brewing Company and to see a movie, "Lakeview Terrace" with my DH :) TTFN

TMTT & 1st day of work!!!

2008-09-23T21:13:00.004-04:00

This recipe is for my favorite baked beans - Beer Baked Beans
(Sandra Lee/Food Network)

Prep, 15 minutes - Cook, 1 hour - 8 servings (I usually cut it in half)
Preheat, 400 degrees

4 strips bacon
1 medium red onion, diced
1 (28 oz) cans baked beans
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup spicy brown mustard
3 TBS molasses
1 (12 oz) bottle lager beer

Slice each slice of bacon into 4 pieces. Cook in a large pot over medium heat, until fat is rendered, but bacon is not yet crispy. In pan with bacon fat, cook chopped onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients, stir to combine. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer with a ladle to a 2 quart casserole dish. Place on foil lined baking sheet and bake 45 minutes to an hour or until beans are desired thickness :) Enjoy!

*** On another subject... Yes, today was my first day back to work :) I haven't had a "real" job in 2 years!!! Its been pretty nice actually... but I was getting a little bored and DH said I should get a job, LOL. I got hired by a Pharmacy Staffing Company months ago (before we found out we were moving) but they didn't have any availability. They called me last week and I was scheduled for today and Thursday at the Hospice Closed Pharmacy in Largo - ugh - the drive sucks but everyone was really nice and its amazing that I haven't worked in Pharmacy in years that it all just came back to me... it was great, even though my feet hurt from standing ALL day and I am tired :) Well, off to watch some TIVO'd shows from last night (Prison Break and Terminator). We watched all like 3 hours of Heroes last night - it was so good!!!!

Heroes is baack tonight!!!

2008-09-22T19:51:00.002-04:00

I am SO happy that the TV shows are back!!! My TIVO is going to be getting pretty full :) ... but tonight Heroe's starts - woo hoo!!!! Can't wait!!!

My new toy!!!

2008-09-20T08:43:00.003-04:00

I've been wanting one of these for a long time! I kept delaying buying all the neccesibilities because I knew I would have this one day.... and now I do :) Guess I will busy playing with it later tonight - hoping to head out to Ellenton and do some outlet shopping today with my SIL :) If I don't then I will be setting this babe up!!! The Klic-n-Kut is awesome - it will cut any font off your computer, will cut chipboard, there are tons of files out there too to cut! I can't wait to put this babe into action :) I hope to have more artwork to share as well... Yippee! Does anyone else out there have one? I would LOVE some lessons or if you have any favorite sites for files and/or free file sites/blogs - Let me know :)

Biloxi Rocks!

2008-09-17T19:06:00.003-04:00

I think I love Biloxi! Its a lot smaller than Vegas of course - I think there is like 7 Casinos, we only went to 5 this past weekend. DH and I drove up there with my parents, its only an 8 hour drive. We stayed at Isle of Capri as that's where we could get the cheapest room - it was okay - but we decided we really liked the Hard Rock so we played alot there in hopes of getting comped in the future, LOL! We left Friday morning and came back Monday night - the perfect amount of time to be there. Saturday we did take a little drive down the coast and saw the lighthouse, along with these awesome birds that were carved out of dead trees from Hurricane Katrina - some had different animals carved as well. Speaking of Hurricanes, we almost cancelled our trip because of Ike... but with it continuing to go west we decided to chance it. We had like no rain whatsoever! When we first got there it was high tide so one of the bridges were closed because of flooding but once we got to our hotel (the first floor of the parking garage was flooded too) we were fine and had no more issues... didn't even lose power or hear rain, although i am sure we probably wouldn't have heard it anyways with all the slots making so much noise, LOL. Anyways, we had a great time and looking forward to going back soon!!!! I didn't take too many pictures during the weekend but here are a few - plus it was my moms birthday on Sunday!!!!

TMTT - Spicy Honey-Brushed Chicken Thighs

2008-09-16T12:59:00.004-04:00

Happy Tuesday! My SIL Kari (http://blog.kariallen.com) posted a few weeks ago this really cute TMTT logo with a yummy recipe (not this one, although this one came from her blog a few months ago) So, I thought I'd try to post a new recipe every Tuesday - or maybe every other Tuesday - LOL. Like I mentioned, this recipe came from Kari's blog also - we had it last week and it was SOOO Good!!! Try it...

Spicy Honey-Brushed Chicken Thighs

2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
Cooking spray
6 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons cider vinegar

Preheat broiler. Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Add chicken to bowl; toss to coat. Place chicken on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Broil chicken 5 minutes on each side.
Combine honey and vinegar in a small bowl, stirring well. Remove chicken from oven; brush 1/4 cup honey mixture on chicken. Broil 1 minute. Remove chicken from oven and turn over. Brush chicken with remaining honey mixture. Broil 1 additional minute or until chicken is done. EAT!

My Scraproom

2008-09-07T11:48:00.002-04:00

Hello! I've never posted pictures of my scrapbook room before... so yesterday I went to pick up a new fixture - See the paper shelves inbetween the 2 bookshelves? There is a LSS going out of business, she is moving out of state and she was selling them... I had to have one - see how perfect it fits? Currently I have my CTMH paper packs in them, but who knows what else might join them :) Enjoy the pictures of my scraproom - its fairly clean this morning thats why I snapped some pictures - usually its a disaster!!!

CTMH Open House

2008-09-07T11:06:00.003-04:00

My CTMH Open House was Friday from 11am - 8pm (yes, it ran over this time, lol). I had a steady flow of ladies almost all day long... Thank you for coming! I had tons of products spread across my entire house :) New boards made with the new papers - new products everywhere. I hope everyone had a great time. I wanted to post some of my boards for the ladies that didn't get a chance to come... Enjoy!!! What is your favorite?

Perfect Day Workshop - CTMH

2008-09-03T21:30:00.002-04:00

Isn't this a beautiful layout? It's not mine - Its from the CTMH website, lol. Do you need help getting some scrapbook pages done? CTMH has started a new Scrapbook Club to help with that...you'll just need to purchase a few necessary supplies and then attend my workshop for FREE to help you make the layout featured here (use my stamps/ink) the workshop includes a full color brochure where it has the cutting guidelines for this layout and 2 other double layouts for you to make with you Level 2 paper pack plus a few card samples... its a great deal - ask me more about it! My workshop is on Friday, Sept. 19th and I have to have the order in Saturday night if you'd like to have your paper for the workshop... if you plan on doing your layouts at home then of course you can order the supplies and brochure at any time!!!! What do you think of this new idea???

CTMH New Acrylic Album!

2008-09-02T12:18:00.003-04:00

New CTMH Acrylic Albums... I love new stuff! I have been wanting to play with Acrylic albums for a while and now we have them!!! We made this book at Convention last month - we used the New Evensong Paper Pack - lots of the New Rub-ons - etc... I unfortunatly don't have any pictures in my portfolio, LOL, to add to the album but you can imagine how much more adorable it would be with pictures! The album comes with the 3 rings, 4 heavy acrylic tabbed pages, 1 lighter acrylic circle page, 1 lighter acrylic scalloped page, and 2 - 1/2 page tag type pages for $14.95 - oh, and it measures 6 1/4" x 7" - you can do so much with the album... you can even very easily add chipboard pages or plastic protector pages to it to make it even more unique!

September Stamp of the Month!!!

2008-09-01T09:35:00.004-04:00

It's time for the new Stamp of the Month for September...

TREASURE LIFE :)

This is a very versatile set! Available thru the end of September. More samples to come later this month...

Cards - Christmas

2008-08-30T16:36:00.003-04:00

I can't believe I was such a bad girl and didn't post ALL week... what is wrong with me? Well, it might have something to do with the fact that we might be moving out of state... more on that another day when there are more details to share :)

Today I went to my CTMH upline Adeline's house for a Unit Meeting. We made 2 cards using the NEW Creative Basics Evensong Collection. I love this paper! The CB is such a great deal... you get 16 12x12 pieces of B& Duos (8 each of 2 designs) and 8 yards of 3/8" Olive grosgrain ribbon for $8.95 Awesome huh?

My Weekend!

2008-08-24T18:53:00.005-04:00

How was your weekend? Since school has started back up everyone seems to be busy busy busy! This weekend for me sure was that... Friday night we relaxed! Saturday we went over to my parents house for some family time :) We played Wii for a while (yes, my parents bought one and are addicted, LOL) then my sister and her family came down from Orlando for the weekend... crazy times! The boys - Cooper and Brayden are getting so big and Kinley is growing like a weed, LOL :) We had some dinner and just played - great times! DH and I didn't get home till after 11pm last night...

Today we drove up to Lakeland to attend our nephew Adams baby shower. Adam and his new wife Jamie are having a girl and is due in January... BUT they are in Alaska... yes, Alaska! Adam is in the Army and will be leaving to go overseas around the 14th of September. Therefore Adams parents threw a little "drop off/drop by" baby shower - they took some pictures and we ate some cake :) No games - thank you Lord, LOL!!! It was nice :)

Then DH and I decided we were going to try out the NEW Smoker that my parents bought Tracy for his birthday a few weeks ago... OMG... we threw in a slab of ribs (never cooked ribs before!) made a rub to put on top, 2 1/2 hours later - HEAVEN - they were SO good!!! We (I) was a little impatient because I was so hungry that it could have cooked a little longer so they fell off the bone a little more, but I don't care, they were YUMMO!!!! Enjoy.

P.s. This week there will be some "sneak peaks from CTMH"......

American Idols - LIVE

2008-08-22T13:31:00.003-04:00

I went to see the American Idols last night at the St. Pete Times Forum with my SIL Kari!!! It was a great concert - David Cook is so HOT, LOL :) Unfortuntatly, my poor little camera was confiscated because they considered it a "professional" (don't you have to be a professional in order to take professional pictures?) also because I guess I could take the lens off therefore I had to leave it at the security desk - needless to say that there were TONS of other people with DSLR cameras and there's weren't confiscated... UGH... ticked me off - Therefore I do not have any pictures from this awesome concert that I spend $85 on!!! My friend Joni also went and she took some AWESOME PICTURES :) I will try to post some in the next few days...

CTMH - New - Brads & Mini Medleys!

2008-08-18T13:50:00.005-04:00

MINI MEDLEYS - 4 new collections, all have different ephemra in them (the cordoroy brads are the best!) only $7.95

BRADS - now available in sets... 4 colors, 25 brads each, only $4.95 OR 1 color, 100 brads, only $4.50!!!

Available to purchase after September 1st - Save the date for my Open House, Sept. 5th... more info to come soon!

CTMH - National Stamping Month PROMO!!!

2008-08-14T11:57:00.006-04:00

TODAY STARTS THE NSM PROMO!!! This year, National Stamping Month (NSM) features an exclusive new promotional item and a favorite returning product. The Just Because card kit, with its vibrant colors and classy designs, makes 16 stunning cards (see in picture, I made them all and even altered some... there are 8 designs, you make 2 of each design, everything is included in the kit... 2 mini stamp pads, ribbon, some bling AND a size D My acrylic Stamp set!) There are a few ways you can get this great kit!!!! You can of course buy this kit outright for $34.95, if you spend $75 you can get this kit for only $15 and if you spend $125 you get this awesome kit for FREE (and you qualify for the SOM for FREE too!) Additionally, New Consultants will receive the card kit for FREE, and qualifying hostesses with a Home Gathering of $400 or more can get the card kit for FREE! Also, you can receive the gorgeous From Me to You card kit, a returning favorite, for only $10 with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Operation Smile. And also there is a fabulous online contest (go to my website) where you could win $1,000 (US retail) in Close To My Heart products! The Just Because and From Me to You kits are available only while supplies last, so shop early! This promotion starts today, August 14th and runs thru September 30th... or while supplies last!!! Don't forget you can order thru my website, http://www.adriane.myctmh.com/ and it ships directly to you OR email me your order and I'll take care of it for you :) Hope to hear from you soon....

Happy Birthday Tracy!

2008-08-13T22:39:00.004-04:00

Today is my husbands birthday - number 34!!! After mulitiple options to do today since we had the majority of the day we decided to head down to Sarasota and go to the Ringling Museum. OMG! There is so much to do there... I seriously thought we'd be done in like 2 hours because neither one of us are "museum" type people. We stopped at Friendly's for lunch, yummy, got down there about 1:30 and didn't leave till amost 6pm :) There was the Museum of Art (tons of art), the Circus Museum, Ca d'Zan (the winter residence of the Ringlings, so beautiful!), the rose garden, the Learning Center and probably something else that I am forgetting... anyways it was awesome and I totally recommend it! On our way home we stopped at Miller's Amish restruant for dinner - that was pretty yummy too :) Of course I took tons of pictures - enjoy :)

Card - August SOM

2008-08-11T19:28:00.002-04:00

Hello! Here is another card using the Close To My Heart August Stamp of the Month - only available thru the 30th!!! Supplies - Outdoor Denim ink, background butterfly paper and red paper are from the new Blue Ribbon paper pack in the Summer catalog and of course the Large Paper Bloom flower :) Enjoy!

Camera Straps!!!

2008-08-10T10:11:00.003-04:00

Have you seen these camera straps made by Cotton Candy on Etsy.com??? Here is her link... www.cottoncandybynatalie.etsy.com - I bought a red one a few months back and love it!!! I am sure to buy another one as they are so beautiful... I've had many people ask me where I bought it :) Check her out! P.s. She is having a contest to win one also - check out her blog too - http://www.cottoncandybynatalie.blogspot.com/ - don't forget to buy one :)

Bradenton Beach

2008-08-10T09:40:00.004-04:00

DH and I hadn't been to the beach in so long and I wanted to see the sunset last night... so we drove down to Bradenton Beach - neither one of us had ever been there before - took about an hour to get there. We went to The Beachhouse for dinner (http://www.beachhouse-restaurant.com/) it was right on the beach and had live music - the atomosphere was great! We had the best meal, I had stuffed flounder and Tracy had blackened grouper - YUMMO!!!! Then we took a walk on the beach and played in the sand/water... the sunset decided to go behind some clouds so it wasn't as beautiful as I had hoped but the evening turned out perfect anyways :)

Concert!!!

2008-08-09T11:43:00.005-04:00

Last night DH and I went to Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa for another concert :) We saw Sara Hickman and Amanda Shaw!!!! I had never heard of Sara before but my friend Shelley let me borrow her CD to listen to and I liked her - she was even better in concert... Skippers was so packed at least 2-3 times as much as last time! Next was Amanda Shaw, the reason we went :) We saw Amanda for the first time in NOLA, she is in the Imax film - Hurricane on the Bayou - a very good film documenting the wetlands in LA, very touching!!! She is the best fiddle/violin player ever and she just turned 18 last week :) DH and I had a great time - although I almost experienced another fainting episode, UGH!!!! Anyways, she was AWESOME, here are a few pictures from last night :) Enjoy.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

2008-08-07T18:27:00.005-04:00

Yes, I am hopelessly addicted to this new craze out there... I bought Twilight last week, read it for a like a day before I went to Orlando - the entire time dying to continue reading it, as my friend Leigh Anne had read the first 3 already and the 4th was released at midnight last Friday night I believe at the bookstores - if we had a car, we would have been in line!!! The past 2 days I have not put it down and finally finished today :) I have the next 3 books coming from Amazon.com tomorrow!!! OMG it is really good - the author Stephenie Meyer has a talent thats for sure. Also, if you haven't seen they are making her series into movies... Twilight comes out on December 12th!!! http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/ Her website has tons of information - there is even a little concert thing online live tonight from LA, 10pmEST, I hope to catch it - Hopelessly addicted...

Card - August SOM

2008-08-07T17:33:00.004-04:00

Happy Thursday! I made a card today :) Its for my father-in-law, he turned 70 this week and we are celebrating on Sunday... I hope he likes it! Supplies: New England Ivy textured paper (I used sandpaper to distress), Cocoa cardstock (and ink) and colonial white cardstock, cocoa ribbon squares, August 2008 SOM - Today's Date, Star Struck stamp set and the stars down the left side are from a new stamp set (avail. 9/1) called Circle Around - p.s. All these supplies are Close To My Heart... What do you think???

CTMH Convention - Gala Dinner

2008-08-06T16:59:00.004-04:00

The last night was our Gala Dinner :) Dinner was okay but the entertainment was OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! I haven't laughed that hard in a while.... (Jade where are you? LOL) We had Comedian Anita Renfroe - OMG, I seriously want to see her perform again. She had a "clean" act and altered some new jokes just for us scrapbookers - her videos that she has redone for her act are extremely hilarious!!!! It makes me giggle just thinking about it :) I highly recommend you rent/Netflix/whatever her DVD's and laugh your a$$ off!!!! LOL

CTMH Convention - Awards Banquet

2008-08-04T19:44:00.003-04:00

I had a GREAT time in Orlando at the CTMH Convention meeting new friends and seeing my friend Leigh Anne and visiting (not as much as I would have liked to) with my upline and my downline :) There are so many fun and exciting things happening at CTMH they will be all seperate posts over the next few weeks... today I want to post pictures from last Friday night, our Awards Banquet. Unfortunatly, I did not win any awards, but have a goal to win something next time (July 7-10, 2010 in Washington DC!). During our Awards Ceremony we had Magician Michael Grandinetti (http://www.michaelgrandinetti.com/) he would come out do a trick or two then we'd do more awards, then more magic, etc... it was nice so we didn't get bored with all the names being announced! He is such a cutie and played into the audience full of crazy women perfectly :) Here are a few pictures of Micheal and a few pictures of Leigh Anne, Kisha and I.... Enjoy!

Convention!!!

2008-08-02T00:25:00.003-04:00

We are having a great time here at the CTMH Convention... lots of new stuff, actually very awesome new stuff!!!! I just wanted to post a few pictures of me and my roommates... LeighAnne and Kisha :) P.s. There is some really awesome new products - let me just tell you how happy I am :) TTFN, I'll be back on Sunday.

August - CTMH

2008-07-29T20:04:00.002-04:00

Almost August! I just sent out my August email to all my customers, if you aren't on my email list, let me know....

I am leaving tomorrow for the CTMH Convention in Orlando, I am so so so excited! I hope to have time to blog and check emails but please forgive me if I don't, I'll be home on Sunday!

So, first - the SOM for August - Todays Date. Isn't is awesome? I can see so many possibilities for this one... Next is my August Workshop - we'll be doing this double layout using the Whoops A Daisy paper. It will be on Thursday, August 7th, anytime from 11-8pm - just RSVP by the 5th and let me know a ballpark time of when you'll be coming by...

Lastly is the SALE!!! Yes, sale :) CTMH is having an online sale - shop thru my website - starts on Tuesday, August 5th at 10am!!! First come, first to buy, supplies are limited, items starting at only $2 and there is free shipping on orders over $75... plus it comes directly to your house!!! Don't forget to set your alarm so you don't miss anything - I do have a list of what's to be available, LMK if you are interested :) Okay, that's all for now....

Mexican baby!

2008-07-29T19:50:00.002-04:00

I sure do love my Mexican food - guacamole, margaritas, enchiladas - boy i could eat it EVERYDAY! A new resturant opened in Brandon mall near CA pizza kitchen and the Cheesecake Factory.... Sinigual!!! OMG!!! My friend Dali and her friend Kelly and I went last night for dinner, it was sooo good - the guac, oh my! The margarita was... oh my, made me a little tipsy :)Its not cheap mexican but the quality is top notch, can't wait to go back :)

http://www.sinigualrestaurants.com/

Summer Crop!

2008-07-27T14:27:00.003-04:00

I guess today is post day - LOL - I just finished making some CTMH donations to put into some goodie bags that they are giving away at this crop here in Brandon!!! If you are free next Saturday, sign up and do some summer croppin' - Have FUN :)

Summer Lovin' Crop
@ Nativity Catholic Church, Hwy 60
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
$30.00 includes lunch
Vendors, Door Prizes, Make N Takes, Goody Bag
To register contact Becky Goble @ agoble@aol.com

Swimming Yesterday

2008-07-27T11:46:00.002-04:00

Yesterday started out as a nice day - but super hot - perfect day for the pool! I had invited my parents, grandparents and sister (plus the gang of 3 kids) over for some lunch, swimming and Wii (of course)... Baby Kinley is getting so big! The boys were hyper as usual and had a great time in the pool :) I think we wore the grandparents out, LOL. Lunch was good and we all played Wii - such a great time together - I didn't take too many pictures as I wanted to enjoy the day, but I wanted to snap a few to remember our moments together!!! Here are a few...

Celebrate Layout.

2008-07-27T11:35:00.003-04:00

Last Thursday night, my SIL Kari and I took a class at The Scrapbook Shoppe on Westshore - we had never really taken a class and this was basically set up with all the elements precut and ready for us to make our 2 page layout - only $15!!! What a deal :) I just finished mine up with pictures and journaling this morning... the paper is Basic Grey's Cupcake line and the pictures are from my nephew Coopers Birthday Party in December 2007... Enjoy!

Accomplishment!

2008-07-26T11:17:00.003-04:00

So, I had a customer hire me months ago to do an album for her - a trip she took with her family - I can't believe it took me as long as it did to finish, but I have been out of town a lot the past few months and she understood and wasn't in a hurry :) Well, I finished it on Thursday!!!! I delivered on Friday and she really loved it - thank goodness... Here are a few of my favorite layouts - I did the majority of the album in CTMH and the paper I used was Sarsaprilla. It ended up being 24 pages!!!

Concert!

2008-07-19T18:53:00.002-04:00

Last night (Friday) was AWESOME! DH and I went to see Eric Lindell at Skippers Smokehouse in Tampa, thanks to Shelley for the hookup! Wow - he is awesome! We went with a few of DH's coworkers and of course I saw Shelley (and Cheryl), we had a great time - the food and the music were perfect. I can't wait till my next Skippers night - Note: it was hot as hell, next time wear shorts and a tank top!!! We left around 10:30/11pm and he was still playing... and headed over to Dave's Aqualounge on Gandy to listen to DH's friend Todd play with TWilly and the Willytones (he plays guitar and is the singer) he was awesome too - it was a great night even though I have been dragging today, LOL!

Oh Shoot! Lesson 2 Aperatures

2008-07-16T17:22:00.003-04:00

Long time no post... so behind on my classes! This is last weeks lesson - Aperatures that I just finished... I didn't have any blooming flowers so I had to take a walk over to my neighbors :) I am learning so much about my camera... this week is how to use the Manual Mode, that should be an adventure - hope to find time tomorrow during my CTMH Workshop (11-8pm, still room available!) to watch a few tutorials and perhaps catch up on my Digi class layout, I think I only have one more to do... Enjoy!

There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer. ~Ansel Adams

Digi - Page 2

2008-07-08T14:48:00.002-04:00

I needed to do a Page 2 to my Cliffs of Moher Digi layout that I did last week... All by myself I did this with a few refresher tutorials from last weeks lesson :) Its a simple one, I don't want to much on the page two since page one had the title and such... What do you think??? I am off to start Lesson 4...

Tuesday!

2008-07-08T14:40:00.004-04:00

Happy Tuesday! What a day... So, I am working on getting a real job, LOL! I have been a Certified Pharmacy Technician since 2000 but haven't worked hands on in that field for more than a few years - decided to get back into it since Massage Therapy I have decided isn't my cup of tea (or whatever!) maybe I'll go back to it one day but for now - no! I found a Pharmacy Staffing Company and decided it would be perfect for me - flexible hours/per assignment so I can either take it if I like the hours/time frame or not take it, etc. I am really looking forward to it! But I was sent a HUGE list of stuff to do for it... Drug test (common), immunization records (what an adventure that has been to track down), Dr. visit which has lead to more blood work, a tenenous shot today (my arm hurts!) and a chest xray! Ugh, let me tell you have much fun that has been and I have to fast for my blood work so will have to do that tomorrow (pray I don't pass out!) all that just to get a Dr.'s note saying that I am in Good Health - my "o" my!!!

CTMH - JULY

2008-07-07T18:15:00.004-04:00

Its a hot and rainy July that's for sure :) The Stamp of the Month for July is so darn cute.... I can't wait to make more cards with it! As always, its only available during the month of July. Also, its time for the Workshops to start up again (took a month or two off, sorry!) Here are the 5 cards for the month of July... they can all be used for birthday cards or we can change them up for something else - I'll have other sayings out if you want to switch it up :) The day will be Thursday, July 17th - I will be doing an all day thing again so you can choose what time is good for you... between 11am - 8pm. $8 for 5 cards. RSVP prior to July 14th so I can precut all the paper for you - there is only one butterfly to cut out so your cards should only take 90 minutes at the most!!! Come and play - can't wait to see you! scrappinadriane@yahoo.com

Oh Shoot! Lesson One

2008-07-06T12:25:00.003-04:00

It took me all week to get the shots I wanted to use for my assignment - I think my DH did a great job :) LOL I learned about shutter speeds this week. I am still a little confused with it, but I know it will just take practice.... Its amazing what you can do when you learn how to use your camera!

Quote : I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn't photograph. - Diane Arbus

Yesterday - the Fourth!

2008-07-05T21:39:00.003-04:00

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July - for some reason I really love this holiday! Although this year I was a little disappointed that I hardly saw any American Flags or decorations anywhere - you see more Halloween Decorations than you see people celebrating our country... just a little sad :( Anyways, I started off the day by going to The Scrapbook Shoppe for a little sale - I was good and only spend $5 - they had free make and takes for everyone too, I can't wait to make mine... then my family came over for some swimming and some brats on the grill :) The weather was perfect, the food was yummy, the company was great - the kids were good (until Brayden got pretty sleepy and we had to put him down for a nap) we even got in some Guitar Hero and some Wii Bowling and darts! My sister and husband had never played either one so it was awesome showing them how to play... even Cooper (4 1/2) played some Wii bowling and almost beat my mom - LOL!!! Cooper did some sparklers too before dessert... Then everyone went home. Tracy and I vegged a little while until it got dark and then went out and did some sparklers too. Here are some pictures from the day :) Enjoy!!!

DSLR Online Class

2008-07-03T21:14:00.003-04:00

Boy, this week sure fly by!!! I started (yes, another online class!) for DSLR users. DH and I bought our first DSLR in February before we went to Ireland because we wanted to take better picture than what our Canon Powershot was doing (although I still love the Canon) our new Nikon D80 is unbelievable! I really want to use the camera to its full advantage, therefore I needed to take a class... at http://www.jessicasprague.com/ they announced that Candice Stringham was going to do an online DSLR class and I knew this was the class I wanted to take... it was only available to 200 people and sold out in 10 minutes! I was in! Class started Monday - I had my camera ready with its new strap (see picture) and a brand new lens that was recommended for the class, AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8D and I was ready... this week we have learned about Shutterspeeds - I really need to practice and I think tomorrow I will get the opportunity with my nephews over again to swim and some sparklers (we got some tips on shooting fireworks) So, we'll see how I do tomorrow - I'll post some pictures once I get them together :) Anyways, I should be posting tomorrow afternoon... but incase I don't (too much rum punch?) - HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

My babies...

2008-07-03T21:10:00.002-04:00

I caught by babies sleeping today - aren't they cute?!?!? Normally Bailey (the orange fat one) kicks Belle off the chair but lately they have been sharing :)

NWR - Week 3 Layout

2008-06-30T21:13:00.002-04:00

Wow - its week 3 already!!! I am learning so much - I hope I can remember it all.... I love the way this layout turned out. In the class there was a blue/white polka dotted paper but I replaced it with the brown butterflyish paper instead - I think it matched my pictures better :) Another layout for the Ireland album. I need to do a page 2 on this one though... Do you like it???

Weekend

2008-06-30T17:51:00.003-04:00

Did everyone have a good weekend? I sure did - we didn't go anywhere for once, LOL. Normally, I love to leave the house and go do things but this weekend I was perfectly content to hang out at home. Saturday I had a new customer (CTMH) come by and we stamped for a few hours - TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR THE PROMO, BUY 2 GET 1 STAMP SET FREE, GO TO MY WEBSITE TO ORDER OR EMAIL ME - then I had one of my now 4 downlines stop by to borrow some things for her gathering, it was nice seeing her again :) Then DH and I just hung out and played Guitar Hero and Scene It on the Xbox and some darts and bowling on the Wii... it was fun! Sunday we woke up too early (although DH was up all night doing work stuff) we headed to Target in hopes to get the WiiFit... none came in... ugh... yesterday was also the release of the Aerosmith Version of Guitar Hero, so we had to buy that, LOL! So much fun! Then my 2 crazy nephews come over and we did 3 hours of swimming with a little break in the middle for lunch of course - it was a perfect weather day, IMO. Here are a few pictures from yesterday swimming...

After they left - Tracy crashed on the couch while I wanted to crash... eventually we ended up watching 2 movies - Spiderwick Chronicles which was better than I expected and Good Luck Chuck which was pretty funny :) Well, its Monday evening and I got lots to do!!! Today is my first day with my Online Photography Class and my 3rd week with my Now You're Rocking Digital Scrapbooking class.... off to do my homework, lol. I'll post more when I am done :) TTFN

Wanna take a cruise?

2008-06-26T12:03:00.002-04:00

DH and I just booked our fall vacation - Holland America 7 day cruise out of Tampa!!! We are looking for some more peeps to join us... my parents are going, grandparents and aunt/uncle, trust me you will be entertained. Plus on cruises we all do our own thing, so we are hardly together - there are 4 stops on this cruise - Key West, Belize, Santo Tomas De Castilla, and Costa Maya. The dates are Sunday, November 30 - Sunday, December 7th - what a great christmas gift to buy yourself! My parents cruise during this week every year and love it... great weather! Let me know if you are interested and I can give you my travel agents #. The price we got was $820 per person, there are cheaper rooms and more expensive rooms too... If we get a few more rooms we get onboard ship credit!!! This boat has a casino of course AND a culinary center :)

NWR - Week 2 Layout

2008-06-25T20:05:00.002-04:00

Oh my! This one took me forever... the layouts are getting more challenging! But I love the way this one turned out.

I will have my layouts done from Ireland in no time - LOL

Enjoy!!!

Crop with Jello Shots?

2008-06-25T19:58:00.002-04:00

LOL - I went to a crop last weekend at a friends house and Kelli and Tiffani brought JELLO SHOTS!!! Yes, I think we started the Jello Shots prior to noon and prior to lunch - therefore Kari and Maria are not pictured because they couldn't handle anymore... lightweights!!!!

I didn't get much done and had to leave early for my Great Nieces First Birthday party in Lakeland, which was outside and rained... but I had a great time - can't wait for the next one!!!!

Now We're Rockin'

2008-06-19T20:54:00.004-04:00

I signed up for Jessica Spragues Digi online class called Now We're Rockin' and it started on Monday. I love her classes because each day (for 4 weeks) you get an email with encouragement and stuff then you login online and you start your lesson for the week or day or challenge, whatever is going on... the BB online is great too and you can post your finished layouts online in the gallery - I love it!!! Today was a pretty good day... I got to sleep in, which I needed as the last 2 nights with the boys I did not get enough sleep. I went to lunch with my friend Marcia which I haven't seen in probably a few years - I can't believe I let that much time slip by without seeing her - I hope to be a better friend to her :) Then started working on Lesson 1. NWR is definatly a little more challenging than the beginner class, Up & Running that I took months ago... but I really like the way the layout turned out :) What do you think?!?!?!

Hump Day Wednesday!

2008-06-18T17:23:00.003-04:00

This week has been full of excitement :) I had a great time with my nephews - helping my mom - while Kim and Kinley have been in the hospital and Kims DH (Tim) has been working. Those boys sure are adorable... I got the giggles one night and Cooper was like - Aunt Kelly, you need to get the giggles out... and starts doing all these hilarous faces of course I kept giggling... they are too cute! I wanted to post a few more pictures that I have taken this week - I am so glad we have a new baby GIRL in the family :)

I am home now. Lots of stuff to catch up on! For example, I recieved a large box of CTMH goodies... remember this month is buy 2 stamp sets get 1 FREE!!! Great deal :)

My new online class started on Monday - need to get caught up on that - I'll fill you in tomorrow!

But right now, I am off to watch the last 2 episodes of Hell's Kitchen on the DVR and ordering chinese food for dinner as my DH is going to be late tonight... TTFN xooxo

Kinley Erin Davis

2008-06-16T22:15:00.005-04:00

My new niece was born at 5:42pm (ish) today - June 16th - weighing 7lbs 3oz (bigger than what both boys were!) and 20.5 inches long. We were able to view the csection from the observation window like we were able to with Cooper - I missed the majority of it because I was with the boys in the cafeteria, but got to see them do her footprints and weighing her, so cool!!! Kim (my sister) got the suite room (we have connections!) by 7:45pm - record timing! The boys really love their new baby sister... Cooper just gave her kisses for ever! Here are a few pictures - we didn't stay too long after she got settled as the boys were a bit restless so my mom and I are here at their house and got them to bed about an hour ago... Mom and I will go back tomorrow while the boys are in school and hold that adorable baby girl since we didn't get to today :) Congrats to Tim & Kim Davis xooxox

Universal Studios

2008-06-13T15:15:00.003-04:00

We were able to attend a Private Party at Univeral Studios last night! All attendees at the Microsoft Tech-Ed got tickets to get into Universal Studios from 8-midnight for FREE of course - I had to buy a guest pass. It was so awesome - all the concession booths were open plus tables of beer/wine were set up everywhere... everything was FREE - how awesome is that? Just walk up to a stand and get a corn dog, slushie, coke, water, prezel - and you don't have to pay - it was great!!! We hadn't been to US in many many years so basically all the rides were new... let me say the new Simpsons ride is awesome and the Mummy roller coaster was awesome too!!! It was great not waiting long in the lines either... anyways, those 4 hours went by so fast.... a great night until I got light headed and almost passed out in the T2 ride :( seems I may have been dehydrated again... UGH!!!!

Just Tuesday!

2008-06-10T18:06:00.003-04:00

So, I am in Orlando with my DH all week as he is attending the Microsoft Tech-Ed at the Orange County Convention Center... I was going to stay home alone all week but you all know how I love to get out of town, LOL! Anyways I've been doing a little bit of scrapbooking this afternoon - check out my set up (see me in the mirrors?) tomorrow i might go down to the pool :) I will also be visiting Ikea this week and hope to see my sister and nephew... maybe I'll even catch a movie by myself!?!??! Anyways, just wanted to say Hi :)

Mandisa!

2008-06-08T22:05:00.002-04:00

Tonight I was given the opportunity to see Mandisa from American Idol. She performed at Bell Shoals Baptist Church and she sounded great! Her voice is so beautiful that I had goosebumps a few times :) She also gave a lot of testimony and such and her words were so kind and honest - although I wish she sang more... it was a good night :)

June CTMH Promo

2008-06-07T14:26:00.004-04:00

This is the best PROMO ever!!! Its Stampaganza time :) Buy 2 stamp sets (A,B,C,D) get 1 FREE!!! What's better than FREE??? Promo is only good thru the end of the month - but don't wait too long to order - things go on backorder during this promo!!! I'll be placing my first order on Sunday afternoon and every week throughout the month... you can also order online thru my website, http://www.adriane.myctmh.com/ and your order is shipped directly to you (shipping is a little more that way).

Also, the SOM for June is called With Love - great whimiscal pots and flowers :)
Spend $25 - get this set for 25% off
Spend $50 and get this set for 50% off
Spend $75 and get this set for 75% off
Spend $100 and get this set for FREE!!!

Graduation

2008-06-04T09:44:00.003-04:00

It's that time of year to celebrate those milestones! This past week I had 1 nephew and 1 niece graduate VPK and will start kindergarden in fall. Also, yesterday our nephew Troy graduated from Lakeland High School :) DH and I were able to attend his ceremony and then joined family for dinner at Olive Garden - yum!!! Here are a few pictures that we took... Congrats to all those whom graduated this year!!!! May all your wishes come true :)

Fort Desoto

2008-06-03T10:58:00.003-04:00

Last weekend my parents asked us to go camping at Fort Desoto. DH and I hadn't been in forever and our weekend was completely free so we decided to go... we got the around 4:30 on Friday and stayed till about 11am on Sunday. Friday night we just chilled and cooked some shrimp on the grill and had smores for dessert, plus our beautiful sunset that we saw from our site right on the water! Saturday we went out to the beach and got a little sun, burgers for dinner and Sunday we had to pack up. The last picture is of my dad and DH swatting bugs - my cousin for christmas last year bought everyone these zapper things to kill bugs and when you get the bug it sparks - the boys were having too much fun with it... We took plenty of bike rides, mom did a little fishing (caught a horseshoe crab, lol), saw dolphins in the water, lots of fiddler crabs, pelicans of course and a few raccoons... we also booked another weekend in Fort Desoto for late September when the weather will hopefully be a little cooler - it was pretty damn hot out there this weekend. Here's a few pictures from our weekend :)

Wednesday

2008-05-28T18:27:00.003-04:00

I think today was a very productive day! My friend Kim hired me to do a 9x9 scrapbook of her recent family vacation - I finished 5 pages today!!! I am using the new CTMH Sasprilla paper because her vacation is TN, SC and NC and so the paper is matching perfectly with the pictures! I will post a few pictures of the album when I am done :)

Also, I must say that I dispise SNAKES!!! I have serious nightmares about them and think they are going to come in thru the cat door in the kitchen and strangle me to death in my sleep.... just 30 minutes ago, I was walking into the kitchen to put dinner in the oven and low and behold I see a snake - thank god it was outside because seriously everyone in the neighborhood would have heard me scream if it was in the house - it was on the backporch by the pool, the cats didn't even seem bothered by it at all, probably thought it was a lizard on steriods!!! So, I scream a little and my husband comes out with a shovel (the same shovel that he used to kill a possum last year!) well, after like 15 minutes of the damn snake dancing around like Michael Jackson or something in and out of the pool, DH finally thought to drown the Son of a B&*&% and then he cut him and there was snake blood... so nasty that I almost lost my appetite :) LOL... How was your day?!?!!?

Inspiration & Memorial Day

2008-05-27T08:39:00.004-04:00

Sorry for the long break in blogging - I will do better! Last Monday (19th) I went on a cruise!!! My grandparents helped pay for my mom, 2 aunts and myself on the Carnival Inspiration out of Tampa, having a Cruise Port close to home is so nice... 5 days out on the ocean was great :) Tuesday we were at sea all day, Wednesday we were in Grand Cayman - we hired a taxi and drove around the island, Thursday we were in Cozumel, Mexico - we took a bus to Playa Mia where they had snokeling, pool, OPEN BAR, plus lots of other activities, they also had a cooking school which is what we signed up for, it was awesome!!! Then Friday we were at sea all day again and back in port Saturday morning... last cruise I was pretty seasick the entire time, but this time I felt great - can't wait till the next one :)

How was your Memorial Day weekend? Ours was pretty busy. Well, Saturday when I got home DH and I had some shows to catch up on (WOO HOO DAVID COOK!!!) so we took it easy. Sunday we went down to my parents house in Palm Harbor for a little get together to watch the Indianapolis 500 Race. Then yesterday, DH and I went to the movies to see Indiana Jones - it was okay - then went over to DH's parents for dinner and some cards. Great weekend!

Summer CTMH Open House - New Papers!!!

2008-05-16T16:37:00.003-04:00

My Open House is today - has been since 11am to 8pm - this is basically the first break I've had all day! I love having company over to see all the new CTMH products... I know not everyone could come but I promised to post my demo boards that I really worked hard on. Enjoy!!!

P.s. Thank you to those of you that came, it was great chatting with you, hope you had a good time - see you soon!!!

Blue Ribbon Card

2008-05-07T11:25:00.002-04:00

I made a card today using CTMH's new Blue Ribbon paper, butterfly stamp, cranberry brads and twill ribbon :) Come to my Open House next Friday to see more.... Enjoy :)

Baby Shower

2008-05-05T13:26:00.005-04:00

Sunday I had a baby shower to go to :) My cousin Aimee is due the end of July with her first baby (its a boy) and my sister is due mid June but a c-section is tentively schedule for June 10th, she is having her third baby, but her first GIRL!!! Congrats to you both... xoxoxoxo P.s. The two gift bags are made by me - I handstamped the little feet on the bag and handmade the little 3x3 card and attached some ribbon that I picked up at Target :) Isn't Brayden adorable with his cupcake face!?!?!?

CTMH - May SOM

2008-05-05T13:19:00.002-04:00

This is a very useful stamp set - it has everything!!! Oh, and so cute and little!!! As always, this set is only available during May... Also, the Magic Moments National Scrapbook Month Promotion is 75% gone... so, order soon!!! P.s. I have this promotion if you'd like to see it in person, just let me know :)

NOLA

2008-05-03T22:22:00.003-04:00

Wowzers! Its been like 3 weeks since I've posted... so sorry!!! I left for NOLA on April 24th and got back last night. My DH and I had a great time :) My parents drove up for 5 days and my cousins in Atlanta drove down for 3 days - so fun!!! We did so many fun things.... the reason we went and the first thing we did was the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on Friday, it was amazing - good food and good music! We listened to a new artist (to us of course) called Teresa Anderson, she is a Swedish, Indie, Pop, Retro R&B artist - so cool!!! Then we heard Robert Plant and Allison Krauss together, awesome!!! Lastly, Sheryl Crow - love her - she sang some of her new songs and they rocked :)

Here are some of the other things we did (if I go day by day like I did for Ireland I would be here again forever and I unfortunatly don't have to the time to do that now). We saw The Hurricane on the Bayou IMAX movie, very good! In the movie was a young girl named Amanda Shaw (great violinist with a LA bayou twist - bought her CD and she is coming to Ybor in a few weeks!) also in the movie was Tab Benoit (saw him later in the week in concert at Preservation Hall). We also visited Pat O'briens a few times of course - hurricanes, lunch and piano bar!!! Had to do a Bayou/Swamp tour so we headed to Honey Island to see the alligators, and boy we sure did :) DH and I did a Plantation tour, just the two of us to Laura Plantation - a Creole plantation run by women, very awesome - this was also the place were the folk tales of Briar rabbit/Tar baby were told and written by one of the slaves... we went to the casino a few times, rode the St. Charles street car almost every day, ate beignets at Cafe Du Monde (a must!), Jackson Square, the French Market, Le Petit Theatre du vieux carre (the oldest community theatre) they had a production of Annie playing but was sold out... but we got to look around - also took the ferry over to Mardi Gras World in downtown Algiers (very cool!), cemetaries, went to the local music store - LA Music Factory, they had live music every hour and we got to see Teresa Anderson again, bought her cd and recorded her on the camera.... U.S Mint, lastly was the concert at Preservation Hall with Tab Benoit, standing room only in this really old building - Awesome!!! I won't bore you too much with the food - all I can say is I probably gained 5 pounds and I am in love with crawfish now!!!! NOLA is great for a long weekend - but we found that 8 days was too long and we spend too much money... o'well, you only live once :)

I took almost 400 pictures - 70 something are posted on my myspace page... check them out, let me know if you need the link... here are a few of my favorites though :)