Aisha!

I met Aisha Tyler last week. She is so smart and funny. I LOVE her! She has a new DVD out of her comedy special at The Fillmore. Her music video is just hilarious. Check it out!

MEME'd

Ok, I admit it! I'm a MEME Girl (no, not a Mean Girl).

I joined in on this great MEME that my YouTube/Blogger friend Michelle at Everyday Me posted. Here's the lowdown of how it works:

The first 5 people who respond to this post will get something special from me... it could be anything, it will be my choice, but especially for you. But along with everything fun there are some restrictions & limitations...

• What I give you will be just for you.
• I make no guarantees that you will like it...but I hope you do!
• You will receive it before the end of the year...or sooner.
• You will have no idea what it will be, or when you will receive it.

The BIG catch is you have to repost this MEME and put together something to be sent out as 5 surprises of your own. These surprises can be anything.... whatever you choose...

So ladies, come join in on the fun!!! Post this MEME, comment back here to let me know you have passed it along then email me your addy so I can send you your special surprise!! And to those first 5 people... I'll be checking out your blogs to see what kind of things you like...

Hotel For Dogs Movie Trailer

Tim in town

Tim Holtz just posted his schedule and I cannot believe he will be in our neck of the woods 2 times this year!! He'll be at Stampers' Corner and Scrapbook Territory in Berkeley.

Wahoo. It's like Christmas for me!! Last year, I took classes from him at the now closed LSS, My Daughter's Wish - it was such a great store...

7Gypsies Caravan

It was really the Lucky 13 Gypsies!

Had a super time this past weekend at the 7Gypsies Caravan at Green Tangerines!

"Made" (more accurately, worked on) 3 projects. The photo carousel spinner, mini-book and another semi-transparent mini book.

We had an awesome group and GT did a fantastic job of making this more like a retreat. We had 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners (Morton's Steak on the last night, no less). Our group was great! There was lots of sharing and encouraging and I love LOVE those kinds of environments to create in.

Autumn was kranking out the first album as a 43 Things album. Her album came out really great.




I'm doing mine on 25 Things About Me (that you may not know and may surprise you). A kinder, gentler way to say, "The skeletons are out of the closet!!" JK! But I'll post when done. I've just finished the list today so I need to figure out the photos and journaling - you know, the EASY stuff.

Here is our Gypsy Guru, Brandi, who was just fantastic. Super enthusiastic in her gypsy attire and so helpful in the instructions, samples, supplies!


Here she taking a photo of Rebecca who picked up on all the techniques so quickly!



This is "The Boss" - LOL - otherwise known as Zaragina. She is working diligently here, when she's not counseling Autumn! LOL



This is Debbie who came with her sweet friend, Shelly (sorry I couldn't get a clear shot of you Shell!). She had the most awesome ribbon ring that made us all drool and add want to add that to our shopping lists - along with the stacking bins. They were so nice. Hope to see you both at future events at GT!!


And this is Paula-one of the Big Green Tangerines! Oh I wish I had a picture of her in her gypsy garb - oh so cute with turquoise (my favorite color) and a tamborine. She is just great!



I'll have to get back to these projects soon and I'll post. I have some other projects in the works that come first. Also, I'll post the cupcakes and t-shirts I made for my DS' 4th birthday! Let's just say we had sprinkles and I had to break out the vacuum cleaner! LOL. Have a good one everybody!!

Hello 2009

So, I've been nudged into making a blog post sometime in 2009. It's so much fun reading other people's blogs, it's a different animal to keep up your own. Doh!

Catching up:

Went to Red Hawk casino this weekend. Had a fabulous Prime Rib dinner. Only wished my potato was bigger and the meat smaller - spoken like a true non-carnivore! LOL! But the creamed horseradish and au jus were fantastic. I really wanted the Fresh Strawberry shortcake, but (dang it) got too full. I didn't take a picture. I was admonished roundly the last time I took a picture at a casino.

Red Hawk is brand new and really a great design. Great covered parking, eateries (not just a food court), and kid's area. I always cringe when I see strollers and kids in and around the slots and tables. :(

Took my mom to an ice skating show. She is a die-hard fan, not one of those fickle-fans who drift away once all the controversy is done and over with. It was a good show, lots of good music, great costumes, choreography and lighting. Maybe it was due to the economy, but it was only about 1/3 full. Michael Weiss, Ilia Kulik and Shen and Zhao were truly impressive. No matter how big or small the town or crowd, they give 110%.

Now, only a handful of days earlier, we took our DS to the Monster Jam. I am continually amazed at how arenas can take a basketball court, turn it into a dirt-filled, smashed car/bus berm-laded track, and then a lovely, pristine-white ice rink! I'll post some photos soon. But I have to say, I LOVE it! I was secretly thinking that I would. Love the speed and action and the graphics on the trucks! LOL. Lots of fun and so glad we brought ear plugs.

Just received the Christine Middlecamp kits - packed full of a ton of creative goodness. I can't wait to experiment with her layering style. Check out her blog! She has pictures of a new Staz-On product for transparencies. I LOVE working with transparencies and Tim Holtz' alcohol inks - every since I took classes from him at (the now closed) My Daughter's Wish store. I'm ordering from Treasures To Scrap nowadays - where it's 35% off everyday. Tracy also ships super-fast.

I'll post some photos later. And remember, Make Stuff Everyday!!

Where has the summer gone?

Ok, give me the big L for being such a lame blogger. I've been so busy this summer and yet, can't really think of what I've done. CKU Provo comes to mind as a highlight, but my mom and I have both had some health issues.

Part of me is still waiting for summer to start and the work-side of me is already into the holidays (publishing and advertising). Anyhoo, had some time to slow down and catch some simple fun outtings. I'll have to post soon about the CKU happenings.

However, I wanted to post this simple truth that my son said that I often repeat to myself several times a week (since I am naturally somewhat of a cynic and have a circling-the-drain perspective a lot). He's 3-1/2 years ago. I asked him if he was happy. He said, "Yes!" I asked him why and expected an answer like he had fun playing with his friends, or liked his toys or something along that line. But he looked at me quizzically and said, "Because I WANT to."

Choose happiness. It's always there, you just need to let it in.