SNOW!

It's been a while since I've blogged.  I've thought about it though!  "They" are now predicting that we are definitely going to get snow on Christmas day.  How much remains to be seen of course but "they" are estimating double-digits.

Hopefully I'll be back with some new photos of the kids soon so be sure to check back.  I wish you all a very Merry CHRISTmas!!

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  Luke 2:8-14 KJV

New kid pictures!

We're doing a new pictorial directory at church and I got the photos from our photo shoot today.  I thought this one was just adorable!  See how they look like they actually like each other?!

I used the Sibling Love kit and Word Art, both by Sweet Digi Scraps.  Will do more soon!

Batman

Josh had his face painted while we were on vacation.  It was really cool!  I wish I could recreate it for Halloween (although he wants to be Spiderman).  I'll post the before-after-and the next morning pictures later!

Used Bootiful Nite Page Kit and Word Art by Kristmess Designs.

Apple Picking

Sam's teacher invited the class to go apple picking with her and her family.  So we all went up to Charlottesville to Carter Mountain and had fun picking apples.  I discovered a new variety that I like a lot - Jonagold.  The kids had fun and it was a beautiful day.

Here are just a couple of the photos from the day which I scrapped using Autumn's Medley by Sweet Digi Scraps (font is Pea Cara).

School is almost here!

My school layout in the post below was featured on the My Pic Tales blog!!  It's always exciting and flattering to be recognized.

Josh has Kindergarten Orientation morning on Wednesday of this week.  They didn't do this when Sam started school.  I think it's actually very nice.  He'll be there for 3 hours and he'll meet his teacher, get his desk set up, and then tour through the school and learn where everything is.  Hopefully this will also help with Sam who believes that it is her job to lead him around everywhere and deliver him to his classroom!  I don't think he's looking forward to even more bossing around by his big sister.

Here's another new layout of the two of them playing robot dog (or something like that) with a box.  They are always coming up with some creative games together when they're not fighting!

I used a kit by Stacy Carlson, Robot Love.

Hope to get some more scrapping done this week.  I have tons of pool pictures that I need to scrap!

Another old one

Here's another old one of Sam on her first day of Kindergarten.  I can't believe that she'll be starting 4th Grade this year!  And Josh will be the one starting Kindergarten so there will be lots more 1st day photos (hopefully).

I used a kit from Stacy Carlson - I'm Ready to Go!

Pretty Girl

I know this is an old photo but I'm gearing up for the Fall - trust me!  This was Sam's school picture last Fall (I love this one!) and I want to be able to do a comparison with the one she'll be having done in just about a month.

I used the kit, Pretty Girl, by Stacy Carlson. 

More layouts

Here are a couple of things I've done recently:

My mom and her sisters looking glamorous!  Created using Spunk by Sweet DigiScraps.

I made this then-and-now of Josh and his experience with his stitches using a Storytime template, Sick Day Page Kit and Ouchies Word Art, all by Sweet DigiScraps.

 

T-Ball Photos

Here's a collage of t-ball photos - I've been waiting to post until I get them scrapped but I haven't found the perfect kit for them yet.  So here's a small sneak-peek.  Josh will be playing Fall Ball too so there will be even more photos!

Memorial Day Photos

Over Memorial Day weekend, we took a trip to the Lancaster, PA area to see Joseph at the Sight and Sound Theatre.  It was fantastic!  I was concerned that Josh would be afraid, and he was, but only a little.  He loved it when the horses and other animals were on stage and when they came down the aisle right next to him.  Of course, the "best" part of any trip is the drive - NOT!  Can you tell who is really asleep and who is faking it?

Making Mojo Template and Delightful Page Kit by Shawnery Mathis:

An oldie but goodie

This cute kit made me think of this picture of Joshie eating spaghetti when he was 8 months old.

I used the Pasghetti collab kit and an All Covered with Cheese template by Connie Prince and Bella Gypsy (threeology).

Mom

Here are some pictures of my mother that I scrapped using Glam-A-Mama by Kristmess Designs. 

New Photos of the Kids

I finally have some new photos to share of the kids.  I've been lax about getting on here and doing anything!

This is Josh's latest school picture.  I used the kit My Brother, the Drama King by Connie Prince:

And here is Samantha using My Sister, the Drama Queen also by Connie:

Happy Day

We finally got a little warm weather last weekend and the kids were able to go out and draw with chalk.

I scrapped some of the photos using Sweet Sunshine for Patricia by Meredith Cardall.  The colors are very pretty and make me think of lemonade for some reason.  I really like the flowers in this kit too.

Valentine's Day

Every time I think I'm getting caught up with things, something new and bizarre happens!  This time I passed out at Wal-Mart and wound up in the ER (a week ago tonight).  No idea what happened or why.  All I know is that I didn't get any of my shopping done that night and I have a big bump on my head and weird bruises all over the place!  Now I just feel generally loopy which may be how one feels after a concussion - I don't know because this is my first!

So, here is a photo of the kids from Valentine's Day with their Webkinz.  I used a kit by Julie Marie Designs called Be Mine to scrap them.  These are the only photos I got of the day and I had to force myself to take them - like I said, I just don't feel "right" yet. 

 

Project 365, Week 2

Here's a layout with my photos from Week 2.  I used the Faith Hope Love CURE kit by Simply Susan with a template by Chrissy W.  The clocks are from the DSA Scrap Off 2010 kit (which I didn't win by the way).

This one is using Graffit Grunge by Kreative Karma.

It's snowing here again right now.  It snowed yesterday too and we had ice and freezing rain.  So when you see the photos from this week, you'll see how deep the tricycle is buried in snow this time!  School was only open on Thursday of last week.  They'll probably be out a few days (at least) this week as well.  Their logic here is that, if it's not safe for the school buses in every area of the county (which is wide-spread), they close all the schools in the county.  They already don't get out until June 18th, so the more time they miss due to snow, the greater the likelihood that they will be in school even later into June.  Ugh.  Since I grew up where snow is the norm, I don't recall ever missing a day of school.  It was the student's responsibility to get there, bus or no bus.  So rest assured, we were always there!  And the city buses didn't stop running for anything either so there was always an option.  Oh well, let it snow!

2010 Project 365 - Week 1

Finally!!  I have scrapped some of my 365 photos.  Thanks to the By the Numbers Challenge at Gotta Pixel and some fantastic products from Kristmess Designs and Colie's Corner.

I used Maman Mini Kit by Kristmess - I just love those beautiful flowers.  I also used her Date Wheel templates and 2Y'sUR Alphabet which I masked with a paper from Maman to match.  I also used What a Week Template from Colie's Corner.  Hopefully I'll get the next 3 weeks done before this week is over!

Family Fun Page Kit by Julie Marie Designs

The kids got Bendaroos for Christmas - they both wanted them very badly.  They are not quite as much fun or quite as easy to use as they are on TV.  Imagine that!  They still have fun with them but the biggest hit of the season is probably all the Nerf guns.  They each got a 2-shooter rifle and then Josh got one that holds a magazine of like 20 and an automatic that holds like 34.  So there are Nerf bullets all over the house.  Good thing the cats found a new home before Christmas!

Here are a couple of layouts I did using Family Fun by Julie Marie Designs.  It's a really fun kit and I'm sure I'll get lots of use out of it if I remember to start taking photos of Family Game Night.  Right now, it's available only at The DigiChick where Julie is guesting for January.

 

 

Close to My Heart - Hearts to Haiti Campaign

Give & Get Back: Announcing the Close to My Heart “Hearts for Haiti” Campaign
Our hearts go out to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, and like so many of you, we’re eager to help. We’re excited to announce Close To My Heart’s February Constant Campaign, Hearts for Haiti—where you can get a great deal while doing great good for those affected by the devastation in Haiti.

From February 1-28, 2010, our 12” x 12” textured cardstock combo packs are buy one, get one FREE—and with every offer purchased, Close To My Heart will donate $2 US to Operation Smile’s Haiti relief efforts.

Operation Smile is always a fantastic charitable partner—offering free facial reconstruction surgeries to needy children throughout the world. They’ve currently marshaled their medical teams and resources to provide emergency relief in Haiti, and the donations given as part of Hearts for Haiti will be used exclusively for Operation Smile’s efforts in Haiti. For more information on their on-the-ground response, you can visit www.operationsmile.org/haiti.

That means that for $14.95 (US), you get two packs of textured cardstock (a great deal at about $.30 per sheet!) and Operation Smile will receive $2 to benefit this urgent, important cause.  Stock up on every color combination: Basic, Spring Harmony, Summer Celebration, Autumn Harvest, and Winter Cozy.  See pages 100-101 in the Spring 2010 Idea Book (click here to see it online).

If you'd like to take advantage of this opportunity, just let me know. 

Blog Design Woes

I'd love to drop by here sometimes and read some comments from my few blog friends but, as you can see, there is no comments button to click on.  It disappeared a long time ago and refuses to return even though it looks to me in the html code like it's there.  The only way to see it is to click on the individual post and then it appears on the bottom.  But if you're just here at the main page, nothing.

If anyone wants to look at my code and help me see where I've gone wrong, I'd love you forever.  I might even take my Project 365 photos off my camera and post them here!  But alas, how can you even tell me you'll help me - because there's no stinking comment button!!  (And why are my post titles so tiny?  Where's the Blogger for SuperDummies book?)

Services

You may not know this, but I originally started this blog to promote the services that I have to offer.  I never quite got around to saying that though!  So I wanted to let you (and all your friends!) know that I would love to work with you whenever you need:



Custom hand-made cards or paper crafts
Personalized party invitations, decorations, thank-you's
Birth Announcements, Wedding Invites, Wedding Announcements, etc.

Personalized Christmas card service
(I'll even mail out your invites, cards, thank-you's, etc.  You give me your list and I'll send them out with your return address.)


Scrap-for-hire services - paper and digital
If you'd like a scrapbook of your memories but you don't have the time or inclination to do it yourself, I'd love to do it for you!  I can create your memories digitally or with paper.  If you have tons of digital photos and you don't particularly want to print them all out, digital is the way to go.  Check out some of my layouts on my blog and look at my gallery.  We can print your memories out as a bound book or print out each page and make a more traditional scrapbook.  If you're a film-lover and have your photos printed and in-hand, paper may be your preferred method.  Either way, you'll have a book in hand and a file on CD for you to put in a safe deposit box as a back-up.  


If you're interested in any services, please let me know!  And if you have friends that you think might be interested, please let them know!  You can contact me at chbranch at yahoo dot com.

New Gotta Pixel RAK Fairy Dustings

OK, as an official Gotta Pixel RAK Fairy, I get to have fun by giving away free stuff!  I have 2 different RAK's going on right now.


The first is from Spinky Dink Scraps - win a $5 coupon to her Gotta Pixel store!   Check out these threads at DST and DSA and leave a post for a chance to win.

The second is from DustyBear - win a $6 coupon to her Gotta Pixel store!  Check out these threads at Gotta Pixel, DSA & DST and leave a post for a chance to win.

And don't forget the last days of Gotta Grab It.  There is some gorgeous stuff in there and it's all only $1!

Gotta Grab It Time!

It's Gotta Grab It time at Gotta Pixel!  That's when the designers create all sorts of wonderful things, all using the same color swatch, and put them up for only $1 each!  So you can create your own mega kit.  It runs from January 9-12th only so run over there quick!


Kristmess Designs has a gorgeous kit called Fairytale Wedding but it's not just for wedding photos.  It's very elegant and subtle.  And remember, each piece only costs $1!

Click here for Element Pack

 

Click here to for Paper Pack

Click here for Booster Pack

Click here for Word Art

Here are some layouts I made using Fairytale Wedding. 

 

(The background paper on this one is from Fairyland, also by Kristmess Designs.)

(Also uses Fairyland Alphabet by Kristmess Designs.)

I'll be back next week with another RAK too so stay tuned..

DSA Scrap Off 2010

Yes, I've been taking my photos for the 365 Challenge, I just haven't gotten them off my camera yet!

I'm also participating in Scrap Off 2010 at DigiScrap Addicts (DSA).  Here is my Week 1 layout:

And Julie Marie has a new kit exclusive to the Digichick during her month there as Guest Designer.  The kit is called Color of Life and it's full of vibrant colors.  It's perfect for 365 layouts too.

Here's a layout I did with it:

She also has another awesome kit at The Digichick called Snow Berry.  I love the colors and the cute little scarf.

And here's a layout I did with it:

365 Challenge

We'll see how long I can keep this up!  The challenge is to take a photo every day.  I already missed Day 1 but here's my Day 2 photo:

Visit the 365 Challenge thread at Gotta Pixel for daily prompts and to see what others are doing.  I'm hoping this will  help me learn how to better use my camera and also take better pictures in general.

New Blog Design

I got this new Blog Fashion from Connie Prince's store at Gotta Pixel.  It was created using Connie's Sunnyside Up kit by Chelle and the directions that came with it were so awesome that I was actually able to get my blog back to looking not just decent, but pretty awesome!  Thanks for the fantastic directions.  Connie has all sorts of Blog Fashions in her store so check it out if your looking for some new blog duds.

I also wanted to share a layout I just finished because I love the kit so much.  It's by Bella Gypsy and is called Mr. Cuddle Monkey.  If you like sock monkeys, you need to check it out.

Click here to check it out in my Gotta Pixel gallery.

Lastly, I will have an awesome RAK (Random Act of Kindness - or, in simple terms, freebie giveaway!) on Monday at Gotta Pixel.  It's the newest kit from one of our newest designers, Shawnery Mathis.  She's not releasing the kit until Tuesday (in time for $1 pixels) so you'll have to wait a little to see it.  But it's super cute - that's all I'm sayin'.