You are currently browsing the monthly archive for August 2009.
((This is going to be a quick post.))
I’ve been so incredibly swamped these past couple of days, so I haven’t been very good about keeping updated. I promise that I’ll be back real soon to share stories and pictures, and I will definitely be back to visit everyone’s blogs and leave lots of love! 
Anyway, I wanted to share a few projects that I’ve completed for some AWESOME challenge blogs!
1. These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: The current challenge is all about your favorite movie or quote! …bet you can’t guess what my favorite movie is?! Well, if you guessed The Wizard of Oz, then you are absolutely right! Not only do I love how all of the imagery, but the music is just as good. I want to see what all of you create, but for now, here’s my layout for this challenge. Play along, and you could possibly win a $20 gift certificate to scrapbook.com!
2. Pink Sketches: Can you believe that we are on Sketch #41?! My goodness… time surely does fly! Here’s this week’s sketch:
For my layout, I jacked Deana’s hula skirt idea! I thought it would be a perfect border for a tropical themed layout!
3. Scrap Outside the Box: The current challenge over here is all about using book pages! I had tons of fun creating this one. I bought an old children’s book from a garage sale because I always thought it would make a great altered item. I love the outcome. I used one of Lisa Bearnson’s older kits for this project. What do you think?!
Okay, I’ll be back with stories and photos. Stay tuned!
Hugs,
sarah.
The past few days has been quite eventful.
Over the weekend, the Scrapbook Expo was in the area. There are always such great finds at this event, so we didn’t want to miss out on all the bargains. Some of the lines for certain exhibits were extremely long. I think we waited over 30 minutes just to shop and pay for our items.
The long lines produced a not-so-thrilled Gloria.
I wasn't too happy about waiting either.
Other then the long lines, we had a good time stocking up on much needed supplies. ((Like I need anymore supplies, right?!))
I also started the Sizzlin’ Summer Paperchase over the weekend. So this is how it works… You get a “passport”, and you try to visit as many scrapbook stores on the list. With the passport, you are entailed to a 20% discount off your purchase in the stores. Plus, each store has designed a fun make and take to add to your “paperchase mini album”. Right now, I’ve only visited 4 out of the 20 stores, so hopefully I’ll be able to hit up more stores later this week.
This weekend, we also had a picnic at the park. We all had a blast, especially the dogs!
Having a picnic in the park is always a fun summer activity!
I have no idea why I'm laughing, but I thought this was funny.
Maui got tired from running around, so she found herself a pillow.
Ryan and Chloe are perfect for each other!
Chloe enjoyed the dog park. Don't you just love her smile?!
I haven’t been really scrapping very much, but I did create something for the front door.
Isn't this cute?! I thought it was!
Here's a closeup.
Here’s a layout for Pink Sketches.
…and of course, I just had to share a couple of photos of the furbabies. They seem happy today.
"We're holding down the fort while you're gone!"
"We miss you! Come home soon!"
Also, don’t forget – there’s a RAK on the last post! You have until Aug 15th to play!
Hugs,
sarah.
Last year, I decided to start blogging.
I blog for me. I blog to document. I blog to keep in touch with my family and loved ones. Since I started blogging, I have learned a lot about who I am. I have even “met” the most amazing, talented, and creative people through my blog. All of you inspire me with your countless amounts of artwork shared. I can not thank you all enough for giving me inspiration day in and day out with your work. You make me smile when you share your lives through your own blogs and when you leave such kind comments to my posts.
…and most importantly, blogging has become another form of therapy for me. I blog to track my anxiety. This year was the hardest year for me to overcome, but it is and has been the most incredible year yet. There has been so much mental and emotional growth on my part, and I am grateful for this change. When I look back and read about what I have done and what I have accomplished, I smile at this past year’s journey.
Therefore, in honor of my blog’s one year anniversary, I plan on sending out a RAK to one lucky reader. It’ll probably consist of a variety of patterned papers, stickers, and other random embellishments. All you have to do is…
1. Comment to this post telling me what you like about my blog.
2. You have until August 15th, by 11:59 pm, to leave a comment.
Now, here’s some layouts and projects for your weekend viewing pleasure. 
Lastly, I just wanted to share some photos I snapped of the dogs. Maui and Hilo both love to pose for the camera. Many of you have asked me, “How do you get them to sit so still?” Well, I trained them to “sit” and “pose”. HAHA. Just kidding! Originally, I used to give them treats for sitting still in front of a camera. Now, sometimes I don’t even give them treats, and they just “pose”. Consider me lucky, I guess.
Maui: "Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeese. Now can I have some cheese?"
Hilo: "Aren't I adorable?! I deserve more toys and treats!"
One day, we picked them up from the pet hospital, and they came out wearing these. Cute, huh?!
A big thanks to everyone who has shown me so much love and support.
Hugs,
sarah.
We thought it would be fun to head over to Santa Cruz to get some fresh air, and we did just that. It was a spur of the moment idea, but it was still fun. Besides, we went on $.75 night, meaning rides, hotdogs, drinks, and cotton candy are all cheap! Can somebody say B-A-R-G-A-I-N?!
The dogs really enjoyed the trip because they haven’t been out on an adventure in a while. They loved getting attention from people, and they especially loved socializing with all of the other dogs.
For them, the best part about Santa Cruz is watching the seagulls.
"Can I go and play with the surfers in the water?"
He keeps growing bigger and bigger everyday!
We stayed to watch the sun go down, which was definitely a site to see.
Look at what God gives us everyday. Isn't it beautiful?!
The ocean was calm, so we got to see the reflection of the moon on the water. ...and the otters came out to play!
…and of course, I have some scrapping stuff to share. I feel like I’m stuck in a rut recently, so bare with my lack of creativity. Here are some of my most recent layouts
…and here are a couple of cards I made this week:
…and a mini album of pictures from our trip to the East Coast:
I totally love this page in this mini album. It cracks me up. ((Know that we went in the SUMMER, and it’s super HUMID.))
It’s almost Friday, and I’m sooooooo very excited that it’s finally the weekend. Tomorrow, I plan on stocking up on scrapping supplies. Oh, and the Sizzlin’ Summer Paper Chase starts tomorrow! Basically, I get 20% off everything at participating scrapbook stores for the next two weeks. I can’t wait because tons of the latest from CHA are rolling into stores.
Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!
Hugs,
sarah.
Lightning? Ridiculously loud thunder echoing off concrete and steel buildings? Pouring rain with a tiny umbrella? Extreme humidity?
Sounds more like a recipe for a hurricane than a typical New York summer day — wouldn’t you say?! Anyway, regardless of the crazy weather, we managed to have a delightful couple of days in the Big Apple.
Our first day there, we took a few hours to settle in the hotel. After the short, but refreshing nap, we ventured off into Soho for some shopping. By the time we were half way down Broadway, it started to drizzle, so I opened the umbrella. Apparently, I didn’t notice that Sonya Walger walked by me until Gloria pointed out to me, “Hey, did you see who just walked by you?”
((I’m a big LOST fan, so this was a big deal! I’m so bummed that I didn’t notice someone from LOST!))
For dinner, we decided to eat at Lupa. No joke — this place has amazing food and a homey atmosphere!
I could seriously spend hours in here just conversing over a bottle of wine and eating their desserts, lol.
The infamous Lupa Tartufo - it's the best dessert!
By the time dinner ended, it had all ready started to downpour. I know this is going to sound silly, but we decided to walk BLOCKS upon BLOCKS in the rain! When we finally reached Washington Square Park, the lightening started to flash. Within seconds, the thunder BOOMED like I have never heard it before. The skyscrappers magnified the echo of the thunder, and boy, was it scary! Although the weather was not ideal, we had a lot of fun playing in the rain.
It was hard to take photos because of the rain, but we tried our best without getting our point and shoot wet!! Here are just a few of us having fun in the rain:
Gloria is seriously a Mary Poppins wannabe. HAHA!
Look how empty the park is?! It must be the rain.
Even though I got soaked, I still had an amazing time jumping in the puddles.
Okay, okay… I know that it’s crazy that we walked around NYC in the rain, but it was tons of fun. Seriously though, when is it not fun jumping and splashing around in puddles like a kid?! After playing at the park, we walked BLOCKS and BLOCKS back to the hotel in the pouring rain. We needed to dry off before meeting up with one of our friends.
After drying off, we waited in the lobby to meet up with a friend.
The view of Soho from the hotel room.
The next day, we headed uptown via subway to gallivant for the day. We just people watched and tried to take it easy.
A shot of Rockefellar on a sunny day!
It looks so different without the Christmas tree and the ice rink.
Tired and hot, I thought it would be a good idea to just people watch.
Oh, and you can’t visit New York without visiting one of the happiest places on Earth — Magnolia Bakery! These are my FAVORITE cupcakes EVER!
My favorite place to buy cupcakes!
All in all, it was an exhausting week in the East Coast. Even though it was extremely tiring, I enjoyed visiting old and new places alike. It is totally what I live for.
Since I have been back, I have been trying to get my sleep patterns back to normal. Bleh! …and it doesn’t help that we took a day trip down to Santa Cruz on Tuesday. Boy, I am exhausted! Hopefully, I will be able to share some photos of the furbabies hanging out in Santa Cruz soon.
Until then, here are some recent scrapping goodness to share:
Be back soon to share my Santa Cruz adventure!
Hugs,
sarah.
