Just the other day....

I was trying to get Cody, my 4 year old, to give me a kiss. I asked him twice and he turned to look at me and said "I'm too old for that now." Half of me wanted to laugh because that's such a big boy statement. But the other half of me wanted to cry! Too old to kiss your mom? Seriously?! Even my 13 year old still gives me kisses...even when I drop him off at school! After a few minutes he caved and gave me sugars but I fear that this may just be the beginning. My Cody is very independent! He loves to do for himself and seriously things he's a big boy now. He LOVES to ride the school bus and he has told me "sorry mom but you can't take me to school 'cause I have to ride the bus there." Sigh. I'm so thankful that he knows how and enjoys doing for himself but it is so bittersweet. He's so kind and absolutely hilarious. He cracks us up...all the time! The faces he makes are priceless. He came home from school Friday and, I don't even remember the conversation we were having, but he rolled his eyes, shook his head, gave his dad a half grin huffed as he turned to walk away. All we could do was laugh! He is a character.

Here's a layout I made recently of pics I was able to get of him at school.

The papers are from the Scenic Route Garden Grove collection and the books and school house are stamps from Unity's Hodge Podge of Happiness kit and Unity's August KOTM. I used the BossKut Boy Scout font for my title...LOVE this alpabet!

Every Friday on the Scrap-Mart blog we share a new sketch and the design team creates layouts based on that sketch. Our readers have one week to create their layout and send it to me and it's posted the following week along with the new sketch. Visit the Scrap-Mart blog to see today's sketch. If you participate you can send me a photo or scan of your project to katie@scrap-mart.com along with your supply list and I'll be sure to share your layout next week as well!

Do you have any special plans this weekend? I am attending the Quick Quotes Tulsa Private Reserve. It's a weekend packed full of cropping, Quick Quotes classes and tons of fun! They held one last year in Washington and the feedback to have others across the nation was so intense they decided to have 5 this year across the US. I'm so glad they are coming to Tulsa! Tonight is the kick off crop so I'd better run and get packed up! You can check out the Quick Quotes site to see if there's a Private Reserve coming to a town near you!

Have a great weekend and I'll see you soon!
Katie

I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our family!

Don't get too excited, it's a puppy not a baby! LOL! My friend, Marie, is a breeder of Schnauzers. One of their neighbors dogs got a little comfy with one of their lady's and Jack was born...along with 5 or 6 brothers and sisters.

Isn't he cute?! He's a really good puppy! He is doing really well with the potty training too! The kids are so excited to have Jack around. They actually fight over him constantly. Cody, our 4 year old told Shelby (3) that "Jack is not your puppy, or Daddy's, or Brian's, or Seth's OR Mommy's. He's MINE!" LOL! Rocky and I were listening from the other room and we were cracking up. Unfortunately for the kids, learning to SHARE the puppy is a must because 4 kids and 1 puppy is ENOUGH! No more. LOL! Here's a pic of Shelby loving on Jack when we went to see him a few weeks before he came home.

And here he is with Cody...

Jack has a good home with lots of people who love him. He is already spoiled too. I went to the store the other day and came home to find Jack perched up on Rocky's shoulder like a baby, covered by his blankie...IN THE SHOP!!! LOL! Rocky was helping a friend put a new water pump in his truck and took Jack out with him. He also loves to snuggle.

How 'bout something crafty? I went to The Scrappin' Pad over Labor Day weekend to celebrate my birthday. While I was there, I made Seth a bookmark using my Gazelle. Here's a peek at the front...

I used the BossKut Bookworm digital design, which is also available in die form HERE. First, I dropped my Chocolate Chip SU! marker into my blade holder on my Gazelle and wrote the quote. Then, I replaced the pen with the blade and cut a rectangle around the quote. After the bookmark front was cut I added the bookworm.

For the back, I took a piece of American Crafts cardstock and stamped the images on it. The stamps are from Unity's Hodge Podge of Happiness kit. Then I cut his name with my Gazelle, glued the two pieces together (for added strength) and that's it! I had it laminated so it would last longer.

Thanks for stopping by today. Sorry it's been sooooo long since I've posted. I do appreciate my readers. I hope you're Fall is off to a great start. I took Shelby and my niece, Rylee, on Cody's field trip to the Pumpkin Patch last week so I'll have some layouts to share soon!

Katie

Even though my birthday...

is still a few weeks away, I arrived home the other day to find this on my front porch!

...Rachael Ray's Porcelain Enamel Cookware. My mom ordered these for me. Last year I became a huge Food Network fan and I've been experimenting alot with my cooking. It has become a real passion for me. My mom knew how much I wanted these new pots and pans so she thought she'd surprise me...and boy did she! She was actually surprised that I got them so quickly because when she ordered them they told her it would be at least 10 days before it shipped from the warehouse then 3 to 5 days shipping time...which was actually perfect and would've landed it here probably the week of my birthday. But hey, I'm not complaining! ; ) I LOVE the oragne color on these pans and the silicone handles are great too. I have found a few accessories my dh can get me to match them!

On another note, tomorrow the Tulsa Creating Keepsakes Convention (CKC) starts so today we'll be setting up the booth. If you are in the Tulsa area and will be attending the convention be sure to stop by the Scrap-Mart booth and say hi!

Gotta run...promised Shelby donuts before I drop her off for her first day of Head Start and I'm hoping to pop for a surprise breakfast with Seth at his school before I head to the convention. Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day and I'll be back soon with convention pics and a project!

Katie

Change is good...

right?! This year, alot has changed for our family. Of course there's the obvious...we're all a year older, some taller, some wider (*wink*). But along with that growing up comes even more change. This year, my baby boy started pre-k...ALL DAY! He went from a half day Head Start program (where I substituted and got to see him much throughout the day) to an all day class. I think I was more nervous that he was. On top of that, he gets to ride the bus to school too! GASP! My little boy, on that BIG 'ole school bus. Geez. I was comforted by the fact that big brother Brian is still attending the same school and would be with him on the bus. Then came today when Brian had a doctor visit at 8 am and he wasn't going to be there for Cody. No problem, I didn't have to work until 930 or 10 so I would take him to school today. NOT! Cody all but demanded he be allowed to ride the bus. He was not at all afraid to ride without big brother. Cody went out and sat on the front porch, head dropped and arms crossed. When I went to him he said in the sweetest and most direct tone "Mom, I can ride the school bus all by myself." Now, I have fought back the tears everyday but this got me. He can ride the bus all by himself. Reluctantly, I gave in reminding myself that I need to let go. So, out to the bus stop we went, hand in hand. And, as he got on the bus he turned to tell me goodbye one last time and I snapped this photo...

Luckily, one of the neighbors, and Brian's good friend, offered to keep an eye on him for me and help him get to the cafeteria for breakfast. Thanks Loyd!

Cody isn't the only one who's experienced change this year though. After being at home with the kids for the majority of close to 4 years I returned to the workforce. My long-time friend, Marie, helped me land a job as Office Manager for the cleaning company that has the contract for our new arena, the BOK Center. I know what you're thinking but you're wrong. No free tickets or major celeb spottings...YET! LOL! I did get to meet 3 of last year's American Idol conetestants but that's as close as I've come. I really love it because it's part-time and VERY flexible...which is absolutely necessary with 4 kids. My boss is very good to me and extremely understanding when it comes to my family. Actually, Seth got to come to work with me most all summer. And, when my actual work was done I got to sit in the office and play games with him...on the clock!!! Seriously, it doesn't get any better.

Brian is now in the 7th grade. Wow! So hard to believe. He is still into his sports and will be starting basketball soon. Seth began 4th grade and is lovin' it already. Shelby will return to her Head Start program next Thursday.

Now, I can't leave you without showing you a project can I? Here's a layout I made using Scrap-Mart's weekly sketch challenge sketch.

I started with some delicious Pink Paislee papers from the Enchanting collection. Behind the photo, I added in the Scrap-Mart exclusive Flourish border. The tree is from the Slice Fall/Back to School Design Card, the pumpkins are from the Spellbound design card and the title is a combination of fonts from the Fonts design card. To give my pumpkins dimension, I inked the edges then added some chalking. To document the date, I used the little journal block from the Unity Retailer August KOTM. You can go HERE to view the sketch this layout was based on. And, if you're feeling adventurous you can make your own project based on the sketch and email it to me at Katie@scrap-mart.com and I can share it with our readers next Friday.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for stoppin' by!

Katie

31 to 31

31 days 'til I turn 31. Age really isn't a factor with me...yet. I've been told that'll change as I get older but it hasn't yet. I still can't believe I'm 30. It doesn't seem like it. I feel like I'm 5 years out of High School, not 12!!! Oh well. Age is just a number. I just thought 31 to 31 was funny. Yeah, I know, my sense of humor is sometimes off.

I have a project to share with you today. I created this layout for a class I'm teaching in September. The bagkground was made using my Gazelle. I simply welded the little spider webs to a square and expanded it to 12x12. I really like how it turned out.

The papers are from Teresa Collins and the embellishments are Glitter Clears by Making Memories.

BossKut also released some Paper Dolls this last CHA and I am working on a fun project that will be ready by next Monday to share.

On another note, we've been getting ready for back to school. Cody starts all day pre-k and Shelby is moving to a new Head Start. They had dental appointments on Monday for their checkups. Here's a few pics from their visit...

They both did a great job and got a thumbs up on their brushing!

School starts for all 3 boys next Wednesday so mom will be all kinds of emotional for Cody's first day! Okay, I'm at work so I'd better get going for now. Back soon with more! Thanks for stoppin' by!

Katie

LOOK what I found.....

on my porch when I got home from work yesterday!!!

I was so excited! This machine is HUGE!!! If you're not familiar with the Boss Kut Gazelle it's a digital die cut machine. The Gazelle can cut 12" images so you can create your own background papers!!! But it doesn't stop there...you could create borders, boxes, bags, envelopes. The list goes on and on. But the best part is this machine can cut a multitude of items such as light and heavy weight cardstocks, patterned paper, chipboard (lightweight), shrink plastic, magnet material, stiffened felt and more! Oh, imagine the possibilities! I already have a laout planned and am working on the background paper design. As soon as I get it done I'll share it! If you're interested in a Gazelle you can purchase one HERE!

In other news, the American Idol Summer Tour came to the BOK Center in Tulsa where I work. After I got off last Friday I grabbed Seth and brought him to the arena for the Idol meet and greet. He was able to meet and get a picture with Kris Allen, Michael Sarver and Matt Giraud. He was sooooo excited! Everyone was super nice and I know it is something Seth will never forget. Here are the pics I took of him...



Thanks for stoppin' by! I'll be back soon with a Gazelle project!

Katie

CHA

It's that time of year again where all our favorite manufacturers congregate in one place to show off their newest lines! This time it's in sunny Orlando, FL! I'm sorry I'm missing this one!

Making Memories is hosting games and giving away prizes on their blog during the CHA show. Be sure to stop by and check out all their new goodies too! You WON'T be disappointed!

Take care and I'll be back soon with a new toy and a project!

Katie