#onelittleword by Ali Edwards

This year my one little word is COURAGE.  I am hoping to have the courage to follow my dreams in 2013.  All too often, I have allowed the negativity of others impact my choices.  2013 will be a different year for me.  I am going to participate in the Ali Edwards one little word class and will post monthly updates of my progress.

Happy Scrappin'

Ivy

Holiday Traditions

I am a big fan of traditions. Each year, my mom and I visit Macy's at Herald Square in Manhattan. We love to tour the Christmas displays on the top floor where Christmas trees are ornately decorated by theme and the isles of ornaments are endless,  It's a lot of fun to spend this time with my mom. especially when she reminds me to take pictures to scrapbook. Here are some pictures from our big adventure last night...

Travelling on the #7 bus, we saw the Times Squares New Year's ball for the very first time.

 

Mami has always loved The Nutcracker.

"Believe" theme was present throughout.



Window outside of Macy's - Yes, Virginia.

Window outside of Macy's/

Window outside of Macy's.

Macy's window display.

Macy's window display.

On the uptown #7 bus.

 

Now, the question is how to scrapbook -  Project Life format or traditional 12x12 layout?

Happy scrappin',

Ivy

Updates...disappointed I did not participate in the December Daily...

First, I have to say...what was I thinking not commencing a December Daily.  I spent the morning looking at so many blogs that participated and I feel like kicking myself.  I will definitely participate next year. 

So much has gone on...and I really wish I would update my blog much more often, but teaching has been incredibly overwhelming this year.  So, I thought that I might update my blog with some photos...

Fall Ball season is over...it was really great to watch him play on the weekends.  He has evolved into quite the player.  We are excited to move up to the majors next year.

This past Thursday I went into the hospital for a planned surgery (thanks to Crohn's Disease).  I am blessed to have a group of surgeons supporting me.  They are incredibly talented and have ethical standards I have never seen...health first...They have saved my life on three different occassions.  Hospitals have changed...ID bands now look like tracking devices.

 

 

I wanted to share this picture of my mom and my Bubba.  It was a great moment!  No video games or electronic devices...just a very old wooden game called Booby Trap.  Nestled in the dining room, they played game after game.

 

 

 





Prayers for Connecticut

I am saddened and horrified by today's turn of events.  My thoughts and prayers go out to every single person touched by this tragedy.  I am not a parent...and cannot even begin to understand their pain.  I can only hope that there will be an end to this senseless violence.

This is a test.

Testing the iPhone blogger app.

Studio Calico Masks and dessert

I spent some time playing with the Studio Calico Mr. Huey's masks I purchased over the weekend.  The verdict is in and I love them.  The masks were easy to use and very easy to clean with a simple wet paper towel.   The tag on the left was created using the masks and Tattered Angels Mists.  The tag on the right was created using the chevron mask and various colors of Smooch Spritz.  I am having some difficulty embellishing the tags because I like the backgrounds so darn much.

On a bit of a different note...I have been off this summer and have not hit the gym at all.  So, for the millionth time I am attempting to change my eating habits.  I will begin with dessert.  I have chosen to bake some apples...instead of going for my favorite Entenmann's cheese danish.  I can eat the entire box all on my own.


If, at some point, I am able to to embellish the tags this evening I will post the photos.  I have a ton of unfinished projects that I have to complete before the beginning of the school year.

Happy Scrapin',
Ivy

Haul

I discovered a great scrapbook store in my area called Scrap-a-Doodle-Doo (located in Ramsey, New Jersey).  Unfortunately, LSSs are fairly difficult to come by.  The great thing is that they carry so many products the larger stores don't.   I found so many products I have had my eye on and wanted to share a picture of some of my Studio Calico purchases...masks, mistables and wood veneers.

A funny thing happened to my craft space while I was in the shower...

As a teacher, I am very fortunate to have the summer off and I am blessed to have the opportunity to care for my 10 year old nephew during the summer break.  He has boundless energy and keeps me laughing each day.  He loves to make fun of my obsession with scrapbooking and consistently refuses to attempt any craft project.  During my shower, he quietly entered my craft space...and...created a project of his own.  He used the circle cutter and adhesive runner all on his own to create targets for a sling shot he made himself with some branches he found out in the yard.  He has turned out to be quite a crafty little guy.

PS:  The mess in my space was worth it all...

My yummy breakfast....and the perils of packing for a crop.

It was not this morning's breakfast...but I wanted to share a breakfast that I do not have quite as often as I should - bruschetta.  It is refreshing! 

I have a crop scheduled for this Saturday and I am super excited, especially since I have not been at a crop for almost 10 months.  I love crops...I just don't like packing for them.  I have a habit of seriously over-packing.  This time I am going to try to plan out my projects instead of just winging it.  It's just so hard because I want to bring everything with me...like my Cricut and every single paper pack I own.  I like to work on several projects, but this time I think I will narrow the number of projects so that I will have an opportunity to actually finish them.  I will try to post some photos of my packing progress...until then....

Happy Scrappin',
Ivy

Almost finished layout...

Roxy is the most amazing little girl.  She turned 6 on July 4th and I cannot believe how quickly time has flown.  A Pit Bull mix, she has quite a bit of energy.  Unfortunately, the manufaturers of dog toys have not yet made a toy that is Roxy-proof.  That is, will last more than 15 minutes without being destroyed.  My pug loved to rip the stuffing out of her toys, but it would take a couple of hours...not minutes.  We drove Roxy to the pet store on her birthday to choose a toy and she chose the football which is no surprise because she has a Jets collar around her neck.  This toy lasted about 10 minutes and I enjoyed watching her intense concentration and sheer joy.


I thought I was done with the layout, but it appears quite unfinished to me.  Much like the papers I write, prior to editing, I will let it sit before returning to make any changes.  This layout has sat...and sat.  So, my plan is to return to it this evening.  I hope to post the final version tonight.  Until then, I plan to beat the heat by taking a trip to one of my favorite craft stores - Hobby Lobby.

Happy Scrapping,

Ivy

Finishing layouts...

I have come to realize that I have way too many unfinished projects.  So, my goal for this week is to complete as many projects as humanly possible.  First on my agenda is a scrapbook layout I began for this week's Let's Scrap sketch challenge.  The deadline is tonight, so it will get done. 



I also wanted to share where I scrapbook...the floor...which is not the most comfortable location for me.   I am currently working on a non-traditional Project Life layout (I will share as soon as it is completed).   I have been forced to use the floor because my desk is being occupied by a whole lot of Stampin' Up! DSP.  I am on a mission to use up my paper as quickly as possible because I have an order set for delivery tomorrow.  Let's call this weekly goal #2.



Happy Scrapping,
Ivy

These are a few of my favorite things...(Part 1)

I used Tombow adhesive for the first time this week and I don't think I can use any other adhesive...ever...well, I still love my pink ATG.  What I love most is that it does not cause the paper to ripple (caused by the excessive moisture in adhesives).  I also love that it is a quick bond, or if you let the adhesive dry, you can reposition the paper. 

Another favorite...Starbucks Mocha Frapp.  The last time I drank it was August 1997 and I stopped drinking it because it gave me the most horrific belly ache (thanks Crohn's).  Almost 15 years later and a 5 year remission I decided to take the risk.  I am happy to report that it was as delicious as the first day I tasted it and no unfortunate side effects were had! 

Happy Scrapping,

Ivy

Roxy's 6th Birthday and Product Haul!

Happy 6th Birthday to my brother's beloved baby Roxy.  She is an Independence Day baby (born July 4, 2006).  Unfortunately, manufaturers of dog toys have not yet made a toy that is undestructible - "Roxy Proof".  Hence, the nickname Roxy the Destroyer.  My brother took her to PetSmart to purchase some toys and she really took to the football (no surprise - she has a Jets collar around her neck).  The football was destroyed after about 10 minutes, which is about the average lifespan of any toy given to her.  The 10 minutes was well worth it because she loved every second of trying to tear that football apart.

I wanted to share a one product haul.  I have wanted the Tim Holtz Alterations Tag and Bookplate die for the very longest.  I found it at Amazon for only 20 dollars - Great Deal!  Super excited to create some tags with my new Stampin' Up! DSP.

Happy 4th of July - 8x8 layout

In an effort to get into the Holiday spirit I decided to create an 8x8 scrapbook page using red, white and blue.  I used the weekly sketch from Let's Scrap (http://letsscrap.ning.com/).  If you have an opportunity to visit their site I know that you will absolutely love it.  You would be hard pressed to find more supportive women.  I posted a layout on their site a couple of days ago and the positive comments I received were incredibly kind and supportive.

Each time I look at this photo of my nephew I have to laugh.  That morning, he made me cut up a brand new trouser sock to create a headband - he wanted to look like his favorite character from the anime cartoon Naruto.  This is a great memory.

Happy Independence Day!!!!

Ivy

Let's Scrap Sketch Challenge 6-27-12

Just thought I would post a quick and simple layout I created this morning for the Let's Scrap Sketch Challenge (6-27-2012).   The photo of my mom and brother is of poor quality because I ran out of ink as I was printing it.

Products used:

Paper:  Pink Paislee's Butterfly Garden

Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Chipboard:  Stampin' Up!

Fibers:  Tim Holtz Trimmings

Paint:  Martha Stewart Pearl Acrylic Jet Stream

Letters:  Tim Holtz

Punches:  Stampin' Up!

It's fun to get lost...

Sometimes it's a ton of fun to just get lost.  On the way back from my nephew's baseball game in Port Jervis, my mom and I decided to pick up some lunch at the mall on the way home.  I got off at the wrong exit and ended up in the middle of no where Middletown, NY - somewhere along Route 211.  It was a great ride through a farm community.  We stopped at a farm to ask for directions and the farmer was so kind and gave my mom a tour around her greenhouses.  She shared that she was an 8th generation farmer.  It was a ride well worth it.

On a different note, I only have 2 1/2 days left of the school year.  Woohoo!!!  Hello summer vacation!

Turning over a new leaf...hello healthy eating!

This is a photograph of my breakfast...which usually consists of about 16 ounces of Coke or Pepsi and something fried.  I want to transition to more healthful eating.  First, I have gained some weight and my goal is to return to my college weight.  Second, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease 25 years ago and after many surgeries, life threatening episodes, and 5 years of remission I have decided to take my diet more seriously.  So, here's to a more healthful life...

HELP - PROBLEMS SIGNING UP FOR STAMPIN' UP! US STARTER KIT

Each time I attempt to sign up I receive the following message:

The item(s) below is no longer available. To remove the item(s) from this order, click OK, then remove any payments from the order and delete these items from the Merchandise and/or Hostesss Free items tab before completing your order.

125855 Celebrando 2011-2012 (Single)

It will not allow me to continue to the Summary/Payment page until the item is removed.  Unfortunately, it is an item from the Starter Kit that I am unable to substitute. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Ivy

My first (almost completed) Project Life page

I have really enjoyed working on my Project Life album.  I did not have to work this week and loved waking up and just thinking about what or who I would document over the course of a day.  It really is a wonderful way to document the everyday moments of life - gifts, weather or just a simple task like picking up a little boy at the bus stop on a Friday afternoon.  These are all of the moments I will look back on and treasure.  I do really wish I had Project Life back in High School when I began scrapbooking.

Obsessed with Japanese gyoza

I just wanted to share my new favorite food to make...Gyoza (Asian dumplings).  Each Friday, on my way home and just over the George Washington bridge, I stop at the most awesome Korean supermarket, H-Mart, where they sell many different types of Asian food.  The greatest part of the supermarket is that they have food stations set up for customers to try new foods...brilliant?  Gyoza is super easy to make - Gyoza wrappers, ground pork, garlic, scallions, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and pepper.  I don't ever do any measuring.

Tim Holtz Configurations



I did not get that far with my Tim Holtz Configurations box because I had some unexpected company (I am not a fan of visitors who show up at my doorstep without calling me first). Despite the interruption, I was able to complete the cover (somewhat). Perhaps the most irritating part is that I will not be able to get back to it until next weekend.  C'est la vie!

Made in the USA - my mission!

I am on a mission to find craft products made in the USA.  Today I purchased Martha Stewart craft paint at Michaels and I was incredibly relieved and excited to see "Made in the USA" on the label. 

Who doesn't know the name Tim Holtz?

I love to shop at Hobby Lobby because it often carries those hard to find craft products that many of the other large craft retailers do not carry.  It is where I pick up Graphic 45 paper pads and Tim Holtz, Ranger Industries and Sizzix products.  So you can only imagine how surprised I was to hear that Hobby Lobby employees did not know who Tim Holtz was.  My jaw nearly dropped to the ground.  I firmly believe that all crafters have a keen knowledge of Tim Holtz, and I was perplexed that retailers who carried his product would not. 

Welcome 2012!

I must say good riddens to 2011 because it was not so kind to me.  I have decided that 2012 will be different, and in the words of Tim Holtz: I will live the life I have always imagined.