New items up for grabs in eBay store

Just listed some recent scrapbooking back issues (Creating Keepsakes, Digital Scrapbooking, Memory Makers, Paper Crafts, Scrapbooks, etc., Scrapbook Trends, and Scrapbooking & Cards Today) as well as some Creating Keepsakes special issues and idea books in my eBay store...some really great inspiration at can't miss prices!! Check 'em out!

My eBay Store

Quotes to Ponder

Dr. Seuss:

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go."

Walt Disney:

"When you are curious you find lots of interesting things to do."

Confucius:

"Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart."

She's going through withdrawal!

Beauty & the Beast has certainly NOT 'left the building' at our house.

Kaitlin's singing the songs more now than even before...I think it might her way of dealing with her 'loss'. :-)

There are two songs that she is especially breaking out into song on.

"Belle"


In this scene, she was a village child. The part in this clip where Belle is singing,

"Oh! Isn't this amazing? It's my favorite because you'll see. Here's where she meets prince charming. But she won't discover that it's him till chapter three."

to the sheep by the fountain is her favorite part and often just sings this part over and over again. After all, in her play there were no sheep and Belle was actually singing this portion of the song to the village children.

However, she DOES not the who thing and she can sing ALL the parts - the baker, the women who needs three eggs - all of it. It really gets entertaining when she starts using different voices for the different characters!!

"Be Our Guest"


In this scene, Kaitlin and another little boy were gingerbread cookies...I could have eaten her right up.

This was is especially fun to hear her sing because there are a few phrases that she doesn't get quite right - like "Soup du jour, Hot hors d'oeuvres" and "Beef ragout, Cheese souffle, Pie and pudding "en flambe" - and it's just adorable!!

Withdrawal from theatre life might be rough for my little actress!

Goodies in my mailbox...

I got some goodies in my mailbox from Scrapbook.com the other day...

I really like the new Art Nouveau Collection from Dream Street Papers.

The papers are double-sided and nice and heavy...beautiful. Can't wait to use them!

I also got some Teresa Collins papers from the Journal-it line.

This is the first time I have gotten any products by Teresa, but really like them...I already have some ideas about how to use some of these cute journaling spots - especially the little calendar blocks.

These Teen Chic papers from Bo Bunny looked so cute online, but I have to say that I am a little disappointed after receiving them. The colors online looked a little softer than they are in real life...they're actually a little too bright for my taste. Also, they ARE NOT heavyweight papers, which I tend to prefer as they add more texture and depth. But, I'll still probably find a use for them. :-)

However, I do really like the new rubons by BoBunny...might have to get some more of those!

Now I just need to get scrappin!!

Fun-filled Easter

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend!

It sure was a busy one for us...doing laundry, making salads and dying eggs was on the agenda for Saturday.

Kaitlin spent most of the day cleaning her room...it had gotten into SERIOUS disrepair over the past several weeks since she had been so busy with the play. She did a wonderful job - we can see carpet again!

Evidently sticking out your tongue is very helpful when being creative...

This egg dying kit came with face stickers. Here's Kaitlin's imitation of this eggs face:

The Easter Bunny didn't forget Kaitlin this Easter...and he remembered the tradition of bringing her a pair of new pajamas for spring and summer. He also brought her a new swimsuit (evidently he's as anxious for some warmer weather as we are around here), stickers, pencils, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, the movie "Enchanted" and, of course, a few chocolate eggs.

We went to my parents house first for dinner...just a relaxing morning and early afternoon. Unfortunately, I didn't take my camera out much there, but I did happen to catch this cute shot of Kaitlin sneaking the bunny ears on Grandpa Joe during his after-dinner nap!

Around mid-afternoon, we headed out to Justin's parents. Kaitlin didn't have much competition this year for the egg hunt...


Probably the most exciting part of the day for Kaitlin was her first introduction to Wahoo. The game board was handmade by Grandma Ruth's grandfather and handed down the lines.

Kaitlin had a run of beginner's luck, I think, because she and her partner won every game they played!!

This is Great-Grandpa Tom teasing Kaitlin that he wasn't sure if he wanted to play with her anymore after she knocked one of his marbles out of play.

It was a fun day...and clearly wore Kaitlin out. She just got up about 15 minutes ago!!

REVIEW: Scrap Simple: Using Minimal Design to Create Beautiful Scrapbook Pages

I have been admiring Hillary Heidelberg's scrapbooking style for quite some time and was not surprised when she was chosen as a Memory Makers Master for 2007.

So, when I found out about Hillary's book, Scrap Simple: Using Minimal Design to Create Beautiful Scrapbook Pages, scheduled to come out, I added it to my wish list right away.

The book is divided into 6 chapters:

1) Creating with Cardstock
2) Incorporating Patterned Paper
3) Adding Embellishments
4) Creating 2-page Layouts
5) Test as a Design Element
6) Utilizing White Space

There are over 100 fab layouts included within this book from Hilary and five other very talented contributors - Severine di Giacomo, Tracey Odachowski, Nichole Pereira, Amanda Probst, and Celeste Smith.

There are single photo and mulit-photo layouts in 12 x 12 and 8 1/2 x 11's. Hillary focuses on the craft of scrapbooking in a way that is liberating. One does not need to use a plethora of embellishments to create a stunning and memorable layout. My favorite piece of advice from this book is to focus on 'open-ended' or 'basic' embellishments rather than themed as themed can actually be very limited in their uses.

I also love the general designs of Hillary and the other contributors to this book. I found myself making sketch after sketch in my idea binder after the wonderfully inspiring designs.

MY RATING:
5 STARS

YOUR RATING:???
I am always curious and open to hearing the opinions of others. If you own or have read this book, please feel free to share your opinion of it in the comments below.

WANT TO READ MORE AND/OR PURCHASE?
Visit the Scrap Simple: Using Minimal Design to Create Beautiful Scrapbook Pages, page on Amazon.com to read other reviewers opinions and find out more about the book. You can also read more of my reviews or visit my aStore for other recommendations.

Upcoming Review:
Paper + Pixels: Scrapbook Layouts by May Flaum and Audrey Neal

Quotes for Spring

In honor of the first day of Spring, here's some spring quotes that I've come across recently that I really like.

Kahlil Gibram

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to
play with your hair."

Hans Christian Anderson

"Just living is not enough...One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little
flower."

e.e. cummings

"The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful."

I can't say that we've quite yet hit full-fledged Spring yet here in South Dakota, but it's getting closer...thank goodness!!